Chapter 1
Five years ago...
Mazeka dove aside even as the acid blade slashed through the air where he had been standing. He could hear the angry hiss of centuries-old rock dissolving where the sword had brushed against it. A step slower and that would have been his armor.
He hit the ground and rolled, ending up back on his feet with dagger at the ready. Vultraz twirled the blade over his head, smiling. "You knew it had to come down to this, didn't you?" said the crimson-armored Matoran. "Just the two of us, mask to mask."
"This isn't one of your epic fables," Mazeka replied. "You're a thief and a murderer, Vultraz. You killed an entire village of Matoran who never did a thing to you."
"Except have something I wanted – an intact lava-gem, a rare find on the Tren Krom Peninsula," Vultraz replied. "They didn't want to give it up... thought it appeased the volcano or some such thing, kept it from erupting... a few well-timed explosions and one sea of lava later, and they found out how wrong they were."
Mazeka lunged. Vultraz sidestepped and hit his foe with the flat of his blade, burning an impression of the weapon into his armor. Mazeka stumbled toward the edge of the cliff and caught himself just in time. The entire mountain slope was lined with razor crystals, sharp enough to shred armor and tissue into ribbons.
"How many times do we have to do this?" said Vultraz. "When are you going to realize that you're not a Toa... just some crazy villager who thinks he has to risk his neck fighting the bad guys? Go home, Mazeka. Go back to your little life, before you force me to end it."
Mazeka scrambled to his feet, his back to the cliff. Vultraz was right – he was just a Matoran, with no elemental or mask power. Of course, Vultraz was too, but his old enemy had years of experience at lying, cheating and killing. Up until a few years past, Mazeka had just been a scholar trying to solve the mysteries of the universe. That was before Vultraz killed his mentor and stole valuable tablets containing the results of years of research. The two had clashed many times since then, but the tablets had never been found.
"Put down your weapon, old friend, and walk away," said Vultraz.
"We were never friends!" spat Mazeka.
"Sure, we were," Vultraz grinned. "All those happy years toiling away in our backward little village, trying not to attract Makuta Gorast's attention. I was just the more ambitious of the two of us. I got out.'
"And you've been running ever since," said Mazeka. "Time for it to stop, before you run into something even you can't handle."
Vultraz charged, swinging his blade... but not at Mazeka. Instead, he sliced away at the piece of rock upon which his enemy stood. It disintegrated before the acid and fell away. Mazeka fell, too, grabbing onto the ledge and hanging suspended over the razor crystals.
"I really don't want to kill you," Vultraz said quietly. "You're a link to my past... a reminder of all the things I avoided becoming. But you keep getting in my way, and I can’t have that."
Vultraz lifted the blade over his head and brought it down. Mazeka swung to the side, letting go of the ledge with one hand, and used his momentum to carry his legs up. He kicked Vultraz in the side even as that Matoran's attack was carrying him forward. The combination sent Vultraz over the edge of the cliff. He never screamed all the long way down.
Mazeka looked down and cursed. It was impossible to spot Vultraz's body so far below, but that was a mercy, in a way. Sliding hundreds of feet down razor crystals would leave precious little to see. He concentrated on trying to climb back up to safety before he joined his enemy in death.
A hand shod in ocean blue armor grabbed his wrist and pulled him up. It belonged to a warrior Mazeka had never seen before. She carried a chain mace and a shield and looked powerful enough to down a Takea shark with one blow. She wasn't a Toa, he was almost certain, but he had no idea who she might be.
"I'm a... friend," the newcomer said. "Never mind my name. I saw what happened here. You are very brave, Matoran."
Mazeka shook his head. "Not brave. Lucky. And not even that... he died before telling me what I needed to know. Now I have to return to my village and submit myself to the justice of my people."
The warrior shook her head. "Don't fear. You did them a service and will be rewarded... and who knows who else you may have helped today?"
Mazeka didn't answer, just walked away with his head down. The warrior watched him go. When he was almost out of sight, the face and form of his rescuer began to shimmer and change. In a moment, the mighty warrior had been replaced by Makuta Gorast. She looked at Mazeka, then glanced over the cliff.
"Yes, little hero," she said, smiling wickedly. "Who knows, indeed?"
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
New Mistika Ratings
Now that we actually have most of the Mistika, unlike the previous two rating posts, where in the first we had none and the second we had some, we shall rate the Mistika yet another time.
Tahu Nuva: 8.1
Gali Nuva: 9.35
Onua Nuva: 8.63
Krika: 9.1
Gorast: 9.57
Bitil: 9.8
Vultraz: 7.75
Mazeka: 9.25
Takanuva: 9.69
Rockoh T3: 8.65
Jetrax T6: 9.89
Jetrax T6 (yellow): 9.95
Axalara T9: 9.87
Also, we got the help of my weird brother with these ratings, so they might be kind of...weird.
Tahu Nuva: 8.1
Gali Nuva: 9.35
Onua Nuva: 8.63
Krika: 9.1
Gorast: 9.57
Bitil: 9.8
Vultraz: 7.75
Mazeka: 9.25
Takanuva: 9.69
Rockoh T3: 8.65
Jetrax T6: 9.89
Jetrax T6 (yellow): 9.95
Axalara T9: 9.87
Also, we got the help of my weird brother with these ratings, so they might be kind of...weird.
Brothers in Arms Possible Title
The author of the summer serials, Greg Farshtey, has stated that the possible name for the third serial about Vultraz and Mazeka might be called "Brothers in Arms."
Dwellers in Darkness
Chapter 1
Toa Bomonga tightened his headlock on the Tahtorak and tried to wrestle the beast to the ground. Bomonga's Mask of Growth allowed him to reach almost the size of the creature, but he could not match the Tahtorak in sheer strength. Still, he knew a few things about leverage and pressure points that the Rahi did not.
With a roar, the Tahtorak lost its footing and slammed hard into the ground of Xia. What was left of the island city trembled from the impact. "Now stay down," Bomonga growled, even as Toa Pouks used his power to create bonds of solid stone for the monster.
After a long battle, the Tahtorak had battered the Kanohi Dragon enough that Toa Norik's spinners had been able to slow it down, while Toa Kualus' ice attack finished it off. It now lay unconscious, sprawled across much of the southern district of the city. Toa Iruini had taken the advice of a Vortixx and made sure to move the creature's leg away from The Mountain, so it wouldn't end up a big snack for that hungry landmark.
Only Toa Gaaki stood off to the side, her eyes fixed on the ocean but unseeing. The Toa Hagah had seen her like this before. She was focused inward, using the power of her Mask of Clairvoyance to see things they could not. Now she stiffened, cried out, and turned toward the others.
"They're coming," she said. "Hundreds of them."
"Hundreds of who?" asked Iruini. He considered Gaaki a good friend, but her vague predictions did have a way of getting on his nerves at times.
"Seekers of shadows," Gaaki muttered. "Slayers of the dark ... ready for war ... Vortixx cannot stand ..."
Norik walked up beside her and gently eased Gaaki to a seat on a rock. He knelt in front of her and talked to her in a whisper. Now and then she would nod her head. After a few minutes, he gestured to Kualus.
Although the Toa of Ice was no longer a Rahaga, he had not lost his bond with flying Rahi or his ability to communicate with them. Now he signaled to a smoke hawk up above and spoke rapidly in a language none of the others understood. A moment later, the hawk flew off to the west.
"How is she?" Pouks asked Norik.
"It's been a long time since she used her power," answered the Toa Hagah of Fire. "Or, rather, since it used her. It's never easy."
"What she said – seekers of shadows – what do you think it means?"
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Bomonga, shrinking down to his normal height. "Seekers of shadows – Dark Hunters."
The smoke hawk picked that moment to return, flying in tight circles above the island and cawing loudly. Kualus nodded twice and rushed over to his fellow Toa.
"Bomonga is right, from the sound of it," he said. "My winged ally sees ships coming, so many they blot out the waves. And the crews are armed, my friends ... it's a battle fleet."
Iruini had climbed up the top of one of the few spires still standing in the city. "Score one for the birdie," he yelled down. "We have company. I'm going to check them out!"
"Iruini, wait --" began Norik.
"Wait for what?" the Toa of Air said, smiling. "I spent thousands of years as a Rahaga – now I'm back in action, and I love it!"
An instant later, the Toa of Air used his Mask of Quick Travel to teleport from the spire to the flagship of the oncoming fleet. He found himself standing on the deck, facing two powerful looking figures. A handful of armed warriors immediately moved to surround him.
"Who are you?" asked Iruini. "What's your business in these waters?"
"My business?" asked one of the figures. "My business is profit, and that profit has been strangled for too long. And who are you?"
"I am Toa Iruini. My friends and I have just completed a mission on Vortixx. That island was half-levelled in the process, and let me guess – you're here to level the other half."
"My name is The Shadowed One," came the reply, "leader of the Dark Hunters. Standing beside me is my loyal lieutenant, Ancient. Standing in front of me is a very foolish Toa if he thinks he can get between me and my goal."
Iruini ignored the jab. "If you're looking to loot Xia, there's precious little left to steal."
"Loot?" repeated The Shadowed One, in mock surprise. "Steal? How little you think of me. Would I muster a fleet for petty thievery? No, Toa, I have made a bargain this day with a power I never knew existed – and my new allies have asked to me to insure that Xia provides no more weapons to the enemy. They wish me to blockade or occupy the island, but I do not believe in half-measures."
The Shadowed One smiled, an expression as cold as one of Kualus' ice blasts. "So I am going to destroy Xia, and every last living thing on it. And if your friends are unfortunate enough to be there when I arrive ... well, perhaps I will be merciful, and leave enough of them to bury."
Iruini raised his Cyclone Spear. Weapons were suddenly aimed at him from a dozen different directions.
"This is my war," The Shadowed One said softly, "and welcome to it."
Toa Bomonga tightened his headlock on the Tahtorak and tried to wrestle the beast to the ground. Bomonga's Mask of Growth allowed him to reach almost the size of the creature, but he could not match the Tahtorak in sheer strength. Still, he knew a few things about leverage and pressure points that the Rahi did not.
With a roar, the Tahtorak lost its footing and slammed hard into the ground of Xia. What was left of the island city trembled from the impact. "Now stay down," Bomonga growled, even as Toa Pouks used his power to create bonds of solid stone for the monster.
After a long battle, the Tahtorak had battered the Kanohi Dragon enough that Toa Norik's spinners had been able to slow it down, while Toa Kualus' ice attack finished it off. It now lay unconscious, sprawled across much of the southern district of the city. Toa Iruini had taken the advice of a Vortixx and made sure to move the creature's leg away from The Mountain, so it wouldn't end up a big snack for that hungry landmark.
Only Toa Gaaki stood off to the side, her eyes fixed on the ocean but unseeing. The Toa Hagah had seen her like this before. She was focused inward, using the power of her Mask of Clairvoyance to see things they could not. Now she stiffened, cried out, and turned toward the others.
"They're coming," she said. "Hundreds of them."
"Hundreds of who?" asked Iruini. He considered Gaaki a good friend, but her vague predictions did have a way of getting on his nerves at times.
"Seekers of shadows," Gaaki muttered. "Slayers of the dark ... ready for war ... Vortixx cannot stand ..."
Norik walked up beside her and gently eased Gaaki to a seat on a rock. He knelt in front of her and talked to her in a whisper. Now and then she would nod her head. After a few minutes, he gestured to Kualus.
Although the Toa of Ice was no longer a Rahaga, he had not lost his bond with flying Rahi or his ability to communicate with them. Now he signaled to a smoke hawk up above and spoke rapidly in a language none of the others understood. A moment later, the hawk flew off to the west.
"How is she?" Pouks asked Norik.
"It's been a long time since she used her power," answered the Toa Hagah of Fire. "Or, rather, since it used her. It's never easy."
"What she said – seekers of shadows – what do you think it means?"
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Bomonga, shrinking down to his normal height. "Seekers of shadows – Dark Hunters."
The smoke hawk picked that moment to return, flying in tight circles above the island and cawing loudly. Kualus nodded twice and rushed over to his fellow Toa.
"Bomonga is right, from the sound of it," he said. "My winged ally sees ships coming, so many they blot out the waves. And the crews are armed, my friends ... it's a battle fleet."
Iruini had climbed up the top of one of the few spires still standing in the city. "Score one for the birdie," he yelled down. "We have company. I'm going to check them out!"
"Iruini, wait --" began Norik.
"Wait for what?" the Toa of Air said, smiling. "I spent thousands of years as a Rahaga – now I'm back in action, and I love it!"
An instant later, the Toa of Air used his Mask of Quick Travel to teleport from the spire to the flagship of the oncoming fleet. He found himself standing on the deck, facing two powerful looking figures. A handful of armed warriors immediately moved to surround him.
"Who are you?" asked Iruini. "What's your business in these waters?"
"My business?" asked one of the figures. "My business is profit, and that profit has been strangled for too long. And who are you?"
"I am Toa Iruini. My friends and I have just completed a mission on Vortixx. That island was half-levelled in the process, and let me guess – you're here to level the other half."
"My name is The Shadowed One," came the reply, "leader of the Dark Hunters. Standing beside me is my loyal lieutenant, Ancient. Standing in front of me is a very foolish Toa if he thinks he can get between me and my goal."
Iruini ignored the jab. "If you're looking to loot Xia, there's precious little left to steal."
"Loot?" repeated The Shadowed One, in mock surprise. "Steal? How little you think of me. Would I muster a fleet for petty thievery? No, Toa, I have made a bargain this day with a power I never knew existed – and my new allies have asked to me to insure that Xia provides no more weapons to the enemy. They wish me to blockade or occupy the island, but I do not believe in half-measures."
The Shadowed One smiled, an expression as cold as one of Kualus' ice blasts. "So I am going to destroy Xia, and every last living thing on it. And if your friends are unfortunate enough to be there when I arrive ... well, perhaps I will be merciful, and leave enough of them to bury."
Iruini raised his Cyclone Spear. Weapons were suddenly aimed at him from a dozen different directions.
"This is my war," The Shadowed One said softly, "and welcome to it."
Destiny War, Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Axonn charged across the landscape of Voya Nui, weapon at the ready. He had just spied two figures materializing in The Green Belt. One looked something like Botar, but obviously wasn't. The other resembled a Toa, but wasn't one Axonn knew. The first thing he had learned after being assigned to this place was subdue first, ask questions later.
The Botar look-alike spotted Axonn first, and tried to block him. A sweep of an armored fist sent him sprawling. Axonn was on top of the Toa in the flash of a heartlight, axe blade at the intruder's throat.
"Who are you?" growled Axonn. "What do you want here? Talk!"
"My name is Krakua," the Toa answered, trying in vain to push the axe away from his neck. "I was sent to find you. You're needed."
"Who sent you?" asked Axonn.
"Toa Helryx. Use your mask, you'll see I'm speaking the truth."
Axonn did just that, calling on the powers of his Kanohi Rode, the Mask of Truth. To his surprise, it told him that his captive was indeed being honest. He got up and let Krakua get to his feet. "You're Order of Mata Nui, then," Axonn said. "I see recruiting standards have slipped a little."
Krakua paid no attention to the remark. Instead, he said "Come with us. Your presence is required on Daxia."
Before Axonn could object, the Botar type had come close and activated his teleportation power. The three of them vanished from Voya Nui, only to reappear in the Order of Mata Nui fortress on Daxia. Axonn had been there before, so its appearance was no surprise to him. The sight of his former partner, Brutaka, was, though. Not to mention the huge dragon next to him whose bulk almost filled up the great hall.
"Things must be desperate if they're calling on an old war Rahi like you," Brutaka said with a smile. "Oh, by the way, have you met tall, green, and gruesome here? Don't mind the scales and teeth, but you might want to stay downwind of him."
"Brutaka!" said Axonn. "What are you - how did you get out of The Pit?"
"They let me out early for good behavior," Brutaka smiled. "But I'm the least of the shocking faces around here. This is it, my friend. The Order is about to come out of hiding after all these years. Helryx told me so herself."
"What did she say?"
"Two words," said Brutaka, his smile disappearing. "Destiny war."
***
The Dark Hunter known as Ancient stood on the beach of the island of Odina. Behind him, rebuilding of the fortress destroyed by Pohatu Nuva went on rapidly. His eyes scanned the waters, watching for the return of Lariska from her mission. He was anxious to hear just what she had seen and heard.
A cry made him look up. It came from a bat-winged Rahi wheeling through the sky, one not native to Odina. He recognized the creature as one bred for long distance flying. More than once the Dark Hunters had used them to send messages back and forth to agents on other islands. But the flying creature up above did not come from another Dark Hunter. As a half dozen more joined it, they began flying in a pattern recognizable to no one on the island but Ancient. It was a message intended for him, and one that was urgent. The time had come. He had to seek out The Shadowed One and try to make him see the only possible future for the Dark Hunters. And if The Shadowed One, his old friend, failed to see reason, Ancient would have to kill him.
***
Elsewhere, Vezon paced in his cell on Daxia. Across the corridor were two great water tanks. In one swam the six Piraka, now mutated into water snakes. In the other was a bizarre looking being others referred to as Karzahni, who seemed to Vezon to be quite insane. And Vezon knew insane.
When Brutaka's team had first escaped the island of Artidax with Makuta Miserix, they had flown to a barren island in the middle of nowhere. After a short time, Brutaka had them on the move again, this time to a place called Daxia. Brutaka explained that the location of the island had always been a secret before, but that secrecy didn't matter anymore. Neither, apparently, did gratitude, as Vezon and Roodaka were both thrown into cells immediately upon arrival.
Vezon, frankly, was disappointed. Sure, he had tried to steal the Mask of Life, and, yes, he had tried to kill the Toa Inika once, well, twice. And, okay, he had made an effort to trade their lives to the Zyglak in exchanged for his, but it's not like that had worked. And he had volunteered, well, been forced, well, actually been threatened with bodily harm if he didn't help, but he did aid in the rescue of Makuta Miserix. And what was his reward? A cold cell, an uncaring guard, and nothing nearby he could use to kill the Piraka. Was that justice?
His musings were interrupted by the crimson armor of Trinuma. The Order member took a long look at Vezon, shrugged and shook his head. Then he unlocked the cell door and threw it open. "It's your lucky day, misfit," said Trinuma. "You're getting out."
"I am?" said Vezon. "I mean, of course I am. Keeping a being of my brilliance locked away is a terrible waste of resources. No doubt your masters want to consult me on matters of strategy and tactics."
"No," said Trinuma. "I think they said something about needing someone who could die horribly without being missed. So, naturally, they thought of you."
Vezon's addled brain processed what Trinuma said, and somehow decided it was a compliment. "Well, naturally," he replied. "Lead on, and let me show you all how dying's done."
Axonn charged across the landscape of Voya Nui, weapon at the ready. He had just spied two figures materializing in The Green Belt. One looked something like Botar, but obviously wasn't. The other resembled a Toa, but wasn't one Axonn knew. The first thing he had learned after being assigned to this place was subdue first, ask questions later.
The Botar look-alike spotted Axonn first, and tried to block him. A sweep of an armored fist sent him sprawling. Axonn was on top of the Toa in the flash of a heartlight, axe blade at the intruder's throat.
"Who are you?" growled Axonn. "What do you want here? Talk!"
"My name is Krakua," the Toa answered, trying in vain to push the axe away from his neck. "I was sent to find you. You're needed."
"Who sent you?" asked Axonn.
"Toa Helryx. Use your mask, you'll see I'm speaking the truth."
Axonn did just that, calling on the powers of his Kanohi Rode, the Mask of Truth. To his surprise, it told him that his captive was indeed being honest. He got up and let Krakua get to his feet. "You're Order of Mata Nui, then," Axonn said. "I see recruiting standards have slipped a little."
Krakua paid no attention to the remark. Instead, he said "Come with us. Your presence is required on Daxia."
Before Axonn could object, the Botar type had come close and activated his teleportation power. The three of them vanished from Voya Nui, only to reappear in the Order of Mata Nui fortress on Daxia. Axonn had been there before, so its appearance was no surprise to him. The sight of his former partner, Brutaka, was, though. Not to mention the huge dragon next to him whose bulk almost filled up the great hall.
"Things must be desperate if they're calling on an old war Rahi like you," Brutaka said with a smile. "Oh, by the way, have you met tall, green, and gruesome here? Don't mind the scales and teeth, but you might want to stay downwind of him."
"Brutaka!" said Axonn. "What are you - how did you get out of The Pit?"
"They let me out early for good behavior," Brutaka smiled. "But I'm the least of the shocking faces around here. This is it, my friend. The Order is about to come out of hiding after all these years. Helryx told me so herself."
"What did she say?"
"Two words," said Brutaka, his smile disappearing. "Destiny war."
***
The Dark Hunter known as Ancient stood on the beach of the island of Odina. Behind him, rebuilding of the fortress destroyed by Pohatu Nuva went on rapidly. His eyes scanned the waters, watching for the return of Lariska from her mission. He was anxious to hear just what she had seen and heard.
A cry made him look up. It came from a bat-winged Rahi wheeling through the sky, one not native to Odina. He recognized the creature as one bred for long distance flying. More than once the Dark Hunters had used them to send messages back and forth to agents on other islands. But the flying creature up above did not come from another Dark Hunter. As a half dozen more joined it, they began flying in a pattern recognizable to no one on the island but Ancient. It was a message intended for him, and one that was urgent. The time had come. He had to seek out The Shadowed One and try to make him see the only possible future for the Dark Hunters. And if The Shadowed One, his old friend, failed to see reason, Ancient would have to kill him.
***
Elsewhere, Vezon paced in his cell on Daxia. Across the corridor were two great water tanks. In one swam the six Piraka, now mutated into water snakes. In the other was a bizarre looking being others referred to as Karzahni, who seemed to Vezon to be quite insane. And Vezon knew insane.
When Brutaka's team had first escaped the island of Artidax with Makuta Miserix, they had flown to a barren island in the middle of nowhere. After a short time, Brutaka had them on the move again, this time to a place called Daxia. Brutaka explained that the location of the island had always been a secret before, but that secrecy didn't matter anymore. Neither, apparently, did gratitude, as Vezon and Roodaka were both thrown into cells immediately upon arrival.
Vezon, frankly, was disappointed. Sure, he had tried to steal the Mask of Life, and, yes, he had tried to kill the Toa Inika once, well, twice. And, okay, he had made an effort to trade their lives to the Zyglak in exchanged for his, but it's not like that had worked. And he had volunteered, well, been forced, well, actually been threatened with bodily harm if he didn't help, but he did aid in the rescue of Makuta Miserix. And what was his reward? A cold cell, an uncaring guard, and nothing nearby he could use to kill the Piraka. Was that justice?
His musings were interrupted by the crimson armor of Trinuma. The Order member took a long look at Vezon, shrugged and shook his head. Then he unlocked the cell door and threw it open. "It's your lucky day, misfit," said Trinuma. "You're getting out."
"I am?" said Vezon. "I mean, of course I am. Keeping a being of my brilliance locked away is a terrible waste of resources. No doubt your masters want to consult me on matters of strategy and tactics."
"No," said Trinuma. "I think they said something about needing someone who could die horribly without being missed. So, naturally, they thought of you."
Vezon's addled brain processed what Trinuma said, and somehow decided it was a compliment. "Well, naturally," he replied. "Lead on, and let me show you all how dying's done."
Air Toa Poll Extends to Over 600 Votes!
The air Toa poll has reached 600 votes and is still going strong.
To find it, look on the right, where all the videos and stuff are, and scroll down, to the second poll you'll see.
Incidentally, here are the standings so far:
1. Toa Lesovikk (299, 49%)
2. Toa Lewa (162, 26%)
3. Toa Matau (61, 10%)
4. Toa Mahri Kongu (43, 7%)
5. Toa Inika Kongu (37, 6%)
Oddly, the percentage total amounts to only 98%.
To find it, look on the right, where all the videos and stuff are, and scroll down, to the second poll you'll see.
Incidentally, here are the standings so far:
1. Toa Lesovikk (299, 49%)
2. Toa Lewa (162, 26%)
3. Toa Matau (61, 10%)
4. Toa Mahri Kongu (43, 7%)
5. Toa Inika Kongu (37, 6%)
Oddly, the percentage total amounts to only 98%.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tahu Review
Tahu Nuva review. Format credit to BZPower. No pics.
Presentation
From the design of the canister to the instruction manual, these are the first things you see before building the set.
Well, the canister is pretty cool. The lid is a neat Ignika, with half of it corrupted and half of it pure. The clean side of the Ignika is facing the front, and the damaged side is facing the back. The Makuta's canisters are the opposite. On the front is an neat picture of Tahu approaching with his weapons raised, and on the back is a demonstration showing how to connect Solek to Tahu. (this is non-canon) The front of the instructions features a close-up of Tahu. The inside of the booklet is pretty much the same as ever. Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the designs of the Mistika canister and manual.
Building
Half the fun is had building the set. How fun is it to build and how easy or challenging is it?
Tahu's mix of red and silver pieces came right out of the canister. There's the main, bigger pieces, and there's the smaller pieces contained in a little plastic bag. Tahu has 73 pieces, the most ever featured in a canister. Of course, he does cost $12.99.
Well, the first thing you build is the Nynrah Ghost Blaster. It's 6 pieces with the ammo, four pieces just plain blaster. Very simple. Next, you move onto the main body, which is one of those old '06 Piraka torsos that they've been using for three years. The arms and the legs are pretty much the same, though the legs have spiky armor from the lower parts of them. Tahu is pretty basic, even though he has many pieces. There are just more parts to him than normal.
Tahu's rotating blades are made of some new pieces, and a Gahlok-Kal shield. He has the feet of Kongu of the Toa Inika, also from 2006. His mask is very awesome, reminds me of a knight or a ninja.
Set Design
Now that the set is complete, we can critique how it looks from every angle. New or interesting pieces can also be examined here.
New pieces include the three main parts of the rotating blades (mentioned earlier), the jets and the red fins, Tahu's mask, lower leg armor, and the Nynrah Ghost Blaster parts.
Playability
The other half of the fun is in playing with the set. How well does the set function and is it enjoyable to play with?
Well, this isn't really my department since I don't really play with Bionicles, I just collect them, but I'll try my best.
His rotating blades spin, but they don't spin as fast as Pohatu's propellors or Icarax's shield. They just sort of...spin. Tahu's great to pose, as he has approximately thirteen points of articulation and eighteen places to move. Also, the Nynrah Ghost Blaster fires well. The only drawbacks are that you only recieve two ammo, in case one gets lost or something random like that.
Final Thoughts
Once it's all said and done, how does the set stack up? Should I get it?
Pros
What's to like?
*Cool mask
*Rotating blades, Nynrah Ghost Blaster
*Great for posing
*73 pieces!
Cons
What's not to like?
*Not very original body design
*$12.99!
*Only two Nynrah Ghost Blaster ammo
I think that Tahu is worth getting, because he has 73 pieces, and some very cool pieces. The price tag may seem like a lot, but you'll be surprised when you see how awesome he really is.
Bitil review coming soon!
Presentation
From the design of the canister to the instruction manual, these are the first things you see before building the set.
Well, the canister is pretty cool. The lid is a neat Ignika, with half of it corrupted and half of it pure. The clean side of the Ignika is facing the front, and the damaged side is facing the back. The Makuta's canisters are the opposite. On the front is an neat picture of Tahu approaching with his weapons raised, and on the back is a demonstration showing how to connect Solek to Tahu. (this is non-canon) The front of the instructions features a close-up of Tahu. The inside of the booklet is pretty much the same as ever. Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the designs of the Mistika canister and manual.
Building
Half the fun is had building the set. How fun is it to build and how easy or challenging is it?
Tahu's mix of red and silver pieces came right out of the canister. There's the main, bigger pieces, and there's the smaller pieces contained in a little plastic bag. Tahu has 73 pieces, the most ever featured in a canister. Of course, he does cost $12.99.
Well, the first thing you build is the Nynrah Ghost Blaster. It's 6 pieces with the ammo, four pieces just plain blaster. Very simple. Next, you move onto the main body, which is one of those old '06 Piraka torsos that they've been using for three years. The arms and the legs are pretty much the same, though the legs have spiky armor from the lower parts of them. Tahu is pretty basic, even though he has many pieces. There are just more parts to him than normal.
Tahu's rotating blades are made of some new pieces, and a Gahlok-Kal shield. He has the feet of Kongu of the Toa Inika, also from 2006. His mask is very awesome, reminds me of a knight or a ninja.
Set Design
Now that the set is complete, we can critique how it looks from every angle. New or interesting pieces can also be examined here.
New pieces include the three main parts of the rotating blades (mentioned earlier), the jets and the red fins, Tahu's mask, lower leg armor, and the Nynrah Ghost Blaster parts.
Playability
The other half of the fun is in playing with the set. How well does the set function and is it enjoyable to play with?
Well, this isn't really my department since I don't really play with Bionicles, I just collect them, but I'll try my best.
His rotating blades spin, but they don't spin as fast as Pohatu's propellors or Icarax's shield. They just sort of...spin. Tahu's great to pose, as he has approximately thirteen points of articulation and eighteen places to move. Also, the Nynrah Ghost Blaster fires well. The only drawbacks are that you only recieve two ammo, in case one gets lost or something random like that.
Final Thoughts
Once it's all said and done, how does the set stack up? Should I get it?
Pros
What's to like?
*Cool mask
*Rotating blades, Nynrah Ghost Blaster
*Great for posing
*73 pieces!
Cons
What's not to like?
*Not very original body design
*$12.99!
*Only two Nynrah Ghost Blaster ammo
I think that Tahu is worth getting, because he has 73 pieces, and some very cool pieces. The price tag may seem like a lot, but you'll be surprised when you see how awesome he really is.
Bitil review coming soon!
Mistika Ratings
These are actual ratings, now that the sets are out.
Tahu: 9.0
Gali: 8.9
Onua: 8.95
Krika: 9.0
Gorast: 9.5
Bitil: 9.8
Vultraz: 7.5
Mazeka: 9.5
Takanuva: 9.8
Rockoh T3: 9.1
Jetrax T6: 9.8
Jetrax T6 (Yellow): 9.94
Axalara T9: 9.95
Reviews to come.
Tahu: 9.0
Gali: 8.9
Onua: 8.95
Krika: 9.0
Gorast: 9.5
Bitil: 9.8
Vultraz: 7.5
Mazeka: 9.5
Takanuva: 9.8
Rockoh T3: 9.1
Jetrax T6: 9.8
Jetrax T6 (Yellow): 9.94
Axalara T9: 9.95
Reviews to come.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Kingdom
Part 1
Takanuva, Toa of Light, fell through inter-dimensional space, trying hard not to scream. A moment before, he had stepped through a dimensional portal created by Brutaka. His mission: travel to Karda Nui and warn the six Toa Nuva there of a disaster about to occur.
Somehow, though, this trip was not going as planned. Takanuva was being buffeted about, catching glimpses now and then of weird other worlds filled with beings both familiar and unfamiliar. He could guess that if he somehow wound up in one of those places, he might never find his way back to his own universe.
Suddenly, there was a jolt worse than any before. He was spinning wildly, out of control. There was an instant of complete darkness, followed by a very bright light, and then Takanuva slammed onto a rocky shore. He lay there, stunned, for a long time. When he finally lifted his head, it was to view a sight he could never have imagined.
The city before him was vast. It made Metru Nui look like a collection of stone-cutter shacks. Multiple design styles had combined to create a megalopolis that stretched for as far as the eye could see. Some of the buildings looked like ones in Metru Nui – he recognized the Coliseum, for example – others were totally strange and some almost primitive.
Takanuva glanced up at the sky. No, it didn't look like the one over Metru Nui. It looked – oh, no, that couldn't be, he thought. It was the same shade of blue as the one over the island of Mata Nui.
That's impossible, he said to himself. Everyone left Mata Nui to move back to Metru Nui months ago. And Mata Nui was never this size, or filled with so many beings and buildings!
He stood up and looked around. Everywhere, he could see Matoran of all kinds hard at work. That certainly wasn't unusual. Of course, the fact that they were working side by side with Bohrok, Skakdi, and Visorak was downright shocking.
"Hey," said a voice from behind him. "Who are you? Where did you come from?"
Takanuva turned. A Ga-Matoran, Macku, was there. She gave no sign of recognizing him.
"I'm Toa Takanuva," he answered. "Can you tell me where I am?"
"You're not Takanuva," said Macku, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Try again ... or would you rather we call the Hunters?"
"But I am Takanuva. I know I look different, but -- "
"That's for sure," laughed Macku. "You're a lot taller. Or have you never seen Turaga Takanuva, stranger?"
"Turaga -?" sputtered Takanuva. He recovered quickly. "Um, maybe I was a little confused. Tell me, do you know where I could find Jaller?"
"At the Great Furnace, naturally," said Macku, suspicion in her voice. "What do you want him for?"
"I have, um, a message for him from an old friend," Takanuva replied.
It took some doing, but he finally convinced Macku to escort him into the city, which she called "the kingdom of the Great Spirit." The first person she brought him to was a tall, strong warrior carrying a massive axe. He looked Takanuva over for a minute, then nodded. "He's not a shapeshifter. And he really does think he's Takanuva."
"Thanks, Axonn," said Macku. "So he's crazy then?"
"Not sure," said Axonn. He reached out and snatched away Takanuva's Staff of Light. "Might be better not to let him walk around the city with this. You know how the Turaga feels about citizens carrying weapons."
They walked through the streets of the city, as shock followed shock for Takanuva. Over there were Matoran buying wares from street stands run by Vortixx; further on, a Skakdi was hawking a show, boasting of the amazing Visorak pyramid that could be seen inside for just five widgets. And on every street corner, there was the presence of law enforcers – not Toa, not even Vahki, but Dark Hunters!
Macku left Takanuva with Toa Jaller. The Toa of Fire looked the same as he always had, but he viewed Takanuva without the wariness the Ga-Matoran had. "Well, you're obviously not Takanuva," he said. "But as long as you're not a Makuta in disguise, you're welcome in the kingdom. What can I do for you?"
"Just talk to me," Takanuva said. "Tell me about this place. Are we ... is this really the island of Mata Nui?”
Jaller laughed. "Wow. I haven't heard it called that in close to 10,000 years. Anyway, yes, this was the island of Mata Nui, but it's a lot more than that now."
"I see that. What ... I mean, how ...?"
Jaller pointed to a massive stone wall. "That's what you want. There's a Wall of History in every district – Kopeke made sure of that. You'll find answers there." Jaller paused, and then added, "You know, it's funny. I know I never met you, but somehow you seem familiar. Why did you ask to see me, anyway?"
Takanuva thought about telling Jaller the truth. He could share all sorts of things only the real Takanuva would know. But then he decided that, at best, he would scare his old friend ... and at worst, he would wind up arrested by the Hunters.
"Right. Well, I met Turaga Takanuva once, and he ... um ... told me what a great friend you were. He said if I was ever in trouble, to come see you."
"Well, that's a pleasant surprise," said Jaller. "None of the Toa Mahri are very popular around here, even after all this time ... even after how things turned out. I don't think anyone's even seen Matoro in five or six thousand years."
The name startled Takanuva. Matoro was dead, killed when he sacrificed his life to save the Great Spirit Mata Nui and the universe. A theory was starting to form in the mind of the Toa of Light, and the Wall of History was where it could be proven or disproven. He thanked Jaller and hurried on.
Yes, it was all there all right. The first thing he noticed was the date – it was 10,000 years after he had left Metru Nui! But that wasn't half as surprising as the story the carvings told.
The Toa Mahri had journeyed to the underwater city of Mahri Nui in search of the Mask of Life, just as he recalled. But after that, the story had changed. Toa Matoro - referred to in the carvings as the "Disgraced One" – had hesitated a few moments too long in his pursuit of the mask. The core of the universe had been sealed off, making it impossible for him to revive the Great Spirit Mata Nui with the mask. And Mata Nui, ruler and protector of the entire Matoran universe, had died.
But the tale didn't end there. The Turaga of Metru Nui had been planning for just such an eventuality. Mobilizing the Toa, the Vortixx, the Skakdi, and many of the universe's other species, they led a mass migration to the surface over the course of a few days. The Order of Mata Nui revealed its existence and helped as well. Even as more and more beings poured from Metru Nui up to the Mata Nui, those who were already there worked to construct floating platforms to hold them all. Naturally, not everyone made it – it just wasn't physically possible to evacuate a universe in that short an amount of time – but many did. It was obvious that only by working together could they survive on the surface, and so the concept of the Kingdom was born.
Only two species from the original universe were not represented here. The Zyglak had refused to evacuate, choosing death over accepting assistance from Matoran. The Makuta attempted to migrate, only to find their way barred by Toa Takanuva and the Order. Together, they drove the Makuta back underground, and no sign had been seen of them since. His destiny achieved, Takanuva had sacrificed his power to bring a new generation of Toa into being. These included Toa Kapura, Toa Balta, Toa Dalu, Toa Velika, Toa Defilak, and a new Toa of Light, Tanma. Takanuva had then become a Turaga and was named leader of the Kingdom in recognition of his heroism.
Things got stranger from there. Turaga Takanuva had formed a new ruling council, consisting of Turaga Dume, a prime Skakdi warlord, Roodaka, the Shadowed One, Helryx, and a Nynrah Matoran. Dark Hunters had become the primary law enforcers, while Toa were put to work using their powers to help the city in other ways. First, they prevented the collapse of the original island in the wake of Mata Nui's death. Then they created new and more stable land masses to support the city's expansion. After 10 millennia, the Kingdom was now a mega-city and home to all the survivors of the original universe.
Turaga Takanuva and his Council ruled from the Coliseum. Toa Takanuva not only couldn't resist paying a visit to his other self, but he needed to find some way out of here. The Wall had shown him he had not simply traveled into his future somehow. This was not his universe at all.
As he walked, he had to admit that part of his wished he didn't have to leave. Who would have imagined that Matoro's failure would have resulted in a paradise like this? Everywhere he looked, he saw beings of different species working side by side. Only Toa and Hunters carried weapons, but they looked like they hadn't been used in ages.
He expected to find the Coliseum heavily guarded, but the opposite was the case. The seat of government was open to all in the Kingdom. Instead of asking to see Turaga Takanuva, though, he sent a message to Helryx. It was short, reminding her of what her original plan had been to warn the Toa Nuva about conditions in Karda Nui and asking if she could get him in to see the Turaga.
That produced results. Takanuva was escorted by Trinuma into the Turaga's chamber at the top of the Coliseum. Turaga Takanuva was in conference with Toa Tanma and Roodaka. Resting in the center of a large table was a Rahkshi head.
"You say this Rahkshi appeared in the center of the city, near the Piraka fountain?" the Turaga said.
Roodaka nodded. "A bunch of Fe-Matoran were there feeding Avak and Thok, making plans to add iron supports to the western land mass. They spotted a Panrahk and called the Hunters, who took care of it. This is all that was left."
"It shouldn't have been able to get through," said Tanma, grimly.
"Maybe it was an accident," Turaga Takanuva offered, sounding as if he didn't believe it himself. "Maybe one slipped through before the light barriers went up and has been hiding here all this time."
"I wish," said Toa Tanma.
"The light barriers are going down," said Toa Takanuva. All three turned to look at him, startled. "I ... know a little about light."
Turaga Takanuva started to say something, then stopped. He turned to Roodaka and Tanma and asked them to leave the chamber. Once they were gone, he said, "How is this possible?"
"You know, then?" said the Toa.
"How could I not?" said the Turaga. "And Helryx has told me what she planned to do, if things had gone differently. You're from ... someplace else, I take it?"
The Toa nodded. "Someplace else, it's true, but not someplace as peaceful. You have done an amazing job." He smiled. "I'm proud of me."
The Turaga shook his head. "It can't last. Onua and the others have done all they can, but the original island cannot survive much longer. We will have to move on again, perhaps to the stars if Nuju and Nuparu's project works. But until then, the Makuta – if they still live -- must not be allowed into the Kingdom!"
Turaga Takanuva looked at his Toa counterpart from another universe, not his own. "I know this isn't your world, and I know the message you carry is vital. But Tanma ... and the entire Kingdom ... could use your aid. When you're done, we can find a way to send you back. Will you help?"
Toa Takanuva nodded. "Of course. But ... I could use my Staff of Light back."
Turaga Takanuva smiled. "Oh, that weapon went out of style 10,000 years ago. I think we can find you something better than that, old friend."
Part 2
Turaga Takanuva led Toa Takanuva out of the Coliseum and into the eastern portion of the vast city. Toa Tanma trailed along behind, not saying much. He wasn't sure whether to be grateful another Toa of Light had arrived to help him, or upset that the Turaga didn't think he could handle the job on his own.
They arrived at a small, narrow building in an alleyway, not far from the shore. There was no knob or handle on the outside of the front door, nor any carving to indicate who lived there. Turaga Takanuva rapped twice with his staff.
A small panel opened about halfway up the door. No eyes were visible through it, but a Matoran voice said, "What's the password?"
Turaga Takanuva looked at the two Toa. "They've lived among us for ages, and still like to play at secrecy." Turning back to the door, he said, "This is Turaga Takanuva. Open up."
"Wrong password. Not even close."
"Try this one," said the annoyed Turaga. "I have a troop of Bohrok with nothing to do. If you'd like, I can have them tear down this building and turn it into a park."
There was a pause. Then the voice said, "Close enough," and the door swung open.
The three visitors entered a dark hallway, which twisted and turned far more than one would expect, given the size of the building. A door at the end led to a small workshop, cluttered with all sorts of armor, weapons, and other gadgets. A lone Fe-Matoran was tinkering with a nasty looking projectile launcher when they walked in. He looked up at Turaga Takanuva, surprised and annoyed.
"You know the routine," he said. "Leave your request in the slot outside, and we'll get to it."
"Yes, I know that's how you Nynrah crafters prefer to work," Turaga Takanuva replied, making an effort to keep his temper. "But this is a crisis. I have a Toa who needs weaponry."
The Matoran looked Toa Takanuva up and down. "Looks like his color scheme could use some work too. But ... I might just have something here that could be of use."
After a few minutes of rummaging through claw catchers, Rhotuka launchers, and parts of a Visorak battle wagon, the Matoran emerged with a twin-bladed lance. He handed it to Toa Takanuva and said, "Now, aim at that far wall. Just use a little bit of power, not even enough to singe the stone."
The Toa took the lance, aimed it, and focused on releasing just the tiniest sample of his elemental light. The next instant, a blast of energy blew a hole the size of a Kanoka disk in the wall. "How ...?" said Takanuva, looking down at the lance.
"Most Toa tools just channel power," the Matoran said, smiling. "This one amplifies it. And if that's not enough --"
The Matoran searched some more, this time emerging with a launcher. "We don't have a name for this one yet, too new. Draws light from the environment and fires it as a sphere. It hasn't been tested yet, though."
"Fine," said Turaga Takanuva. He turned to the two Toa. "I suggest you start right away. There's no telling how much time we have."
Once they were back on the street, Tanma wanted to head right for the nearest light barrier, but Toa Takanuva held him up. "There's something I want to do first," said Takanuva. "I want to see Matoro."
"That coward?" spat Tanma. "If not for him, we would still have our homes, our universe. You can go see him if you like – I want nothing to do with him."
Takanuva expected that Matoro would be living in the region inhabited by the Ko-Matoran and Frostelus. But he evidently hadn't been welcome there. Tanma directed his new comrade to an area of what was once Po-Wahi, now home mostly to Skakdi. There, in a small hut made of stone, sat Toa Matoro.
"What do you want?" the Toa of Ice said, not even looking up at his visitor. "Go away."
"Matoro, I ..." Takanuva began. "You're needed. You have to come with me."
Toa Matoro laughed. It was a bitter sound. "I was needed 10,000 years ago. My destiny was before me, and I hesitated ... and a universe died. So don't try to tell me I'm needed now. Just leave me alone."
"I heard what happened," Takanuva said. "But I also know that, in your heart, you're a hero. I know how hard you fought on Voya Nui, on Mahri Nui. And I know if you could have saved the universe, you would have ... you would have done anything to do that."
Takanuva, overcome with emotion, had to stop talking. Here was Matoro, who was dead in his universe, having sacrificed himself to save Mata Nui and every other living thing. Here he was, alive, but dead inside, knowing he had failed his people when it mattered most.
Matoro looked up at him. "Who are you? No one in the Kingdom talks about me that way."
"I'm from ... another kingdom," Takanuva answered. "One where people think of you as a hero."
"I see," said Matoro. "Escaped from an asylum, did you?"
"Okay," said the Toa of Light. "You want to sit here and feel sorry for yourself. You blew your chance to be a hero – well, here's another one. Here's a chance to show everyone you aren't a failure or a coward. Here's an opportunity to bring some honor to your name ... do you have the courage to take it?"
"Why do you care?" asked Matoro. "I don't even know you."
"Maybe I know you," said Takanuva. "Or someone very close to you. Now, come on – we have a kingdom to save."
Tanma was not at all happy to see Matoro along, but there wasn't time for a prolonged argument. Fortunately, the most likely problem spot was in the same area as Matoro's hut. The area around Kini-Nui was too well traveled for Rahkshi to have emerged from there unnoticed, but the old Bohrok tunnels in Po-Wahi were out of the way and largely ignored. If the light barrier in the main tunnel had come down, it would be easy for Makuta to send legions up through those passageways.
"Why not just block the tunnels? Bring them down?" asked Takanuva.
"Pohatu and Hewkii tried that during the evacuation," said Tanma. "The Rahkshi smashed their way through and killed them both before Tahu, Jaller and Kopaka drove them back. No, light was the only effective means of stopping them – intense light, more than their kraata could stand."
"And they couldn't just, I don't know, dig their way around the barrier? Or use density control and float up through the rock?"
"They could," Tanma agreed. "But Onua made sure the ground is warded. Any attempt to dig through it or pass through it, and we'd know."
Matoro had said nothing. Takanuva turned and said, "What do you think?"
"I think ... never mind," said the Toa of Ice.
"What he thinks doesn't matter," snarled Tanma.
"It does to me," Takanuva replied. "Tell us, Matoro."
"Well ... what if the barrier didn't go down? What if they've found some way to shield themselves against the light?"
"Then we have a problem." said Takanuva.
Cautiously, they started down the tunnel. Even this close to the surface, Takanuva could feel the chill in the air. The only light came from Tanma, who kept up a low level illumination using his Toa power. "We can't go down too far," he said. "There's no heat down there and what air there might still be is foul. Most of the universe is flooded and a lot of the water has mutagen in it. So whatever did survive the end probably isn't still recognizable ..."
Takanuva glanced at Matoro. Every word that Toa Tanma said was like a dagger in his heart.
They had walked perhaps a kio when the tunnel brightened. Tanma pointed ahead to a wall of light in their path. "That's the barrier. It's still intact. So the problem isn't here. Mangaia, maybe? Or some other access point we don't know about?"
"Perhaps," said Takanuva. "But what if Matoro's right? What if the barrier simply isn't stopping them anymore?"
"I don't have time for Matoran myth," said Tanma. "We have to check other possibilities. Are you coming or not?"
Takanuva glanced at the barrier, at Matoro, and then back at Tanma. "All right."
The two Toa of Light started back up the tunnel. Neither noticed Matoro wasn't following until they heard the sound of ice blasts coming from behind them. Takanuva turned and ran back down, followed closely by Tanma.
There was Matoro, battling four Rahkshi on his own. Behind them, more were breaching the barrier, each clad in armor made of deep shadow. The armor couldn't survive the passage through the barrier, dissolving not long after making contact with the light. But it lasted just long enough to get the Rahkshi through to the other side.
Takanuva and Tanma both dropped to one knee and opened fire with their light powers. Takanuva's power lance took out two Rahkshi, while Tanma drove a third back into the barrier, where its kraata burned to ashes. Matoro froze the fourth in a block of ice up to its head, just long enough to reach in and yank out its kraata. He threw the squirming creature on the ground and stepped on it.
"Excellent," said a soft, sinister voice, which seemed to come from every shadow. Takanuva knew it well – it belonged to the Makuta of Metru Nui, leader of the Brotherhood. "I see that at least one of you has an imagination. Matoro, my old friend ... it seems like yesterday we were teamed against the Barraki and their hordes."
"You," said Matoro, his voice shaking. "Why aren't you dead? So many others died ... why not you?"
"What is there left when the light dies, Toa? Darkness. Only darkness," Makuta replied. "And I thrive in the dark. Oh, my brothers perished, one by one ... Icarax was the first, driven from his body by my attack so I could possess it, his essence left to die in the cold of the void ... but my hatred will not let me die. Hatred of Mata Nui; hatred of all who escaped the end of this universe; most of all, Matoro, hatred of you ... you turned away from your destiny. Mata Nui was meant to cheat death ... instead, I was cheated of my revenge.”
Now the Toa heard a clanking of armor, as if a colossus were coming toward them. The next moment, a 20-foot giant clad in shadow armor erupted from the barrier. As the shroud of shadow fell away, they could see their foe. He was a bizarre amalgam of the Makuta who had attacked Karda Nui and others who were unfamiliar. He was a monstrosity, now truly as ugly on the outside as his spirit was within.
"As my brothers were about to die, I absorbed them into my body," said Teridax. "I used their mass to grow. I used their knowledge to create armor to pierce this barrier. And now your Kingdom will surrender, or it will suffocate in a sea of shadow."
Tanma, Matoro, and Takanuva attacked. Bolts of ice and spears of light rained on Teridax's armor, but the damage was negligible. "I have had 10,000 years to prepare for this battle," the Makuta hissed. "You cannot win."
"Excuse us if we try," said Takanuva, blasting with his power lance directly at the Mask of Shadow. The blow knocked the mask off. Makuta bent to retrieve it, but Tanma was too fast, hitting it with full power and melting it to slag.
"Tanma, get back!" Takanuva shouted. It was too late. Makuta had scooped up the Toa of Light like a toy and triggered the shattering power of a Panrahk. Takanuva had to look away – it was simply too horrible to watch.
"Now do you see?" said Makuta. "You must --"
Makuta stopped dead. Then he smiled at Takanuva. "Oh, I see ... oh, how intriguing. You are from ... somewhere else ... somewhere ... where Matoro died, and Mata Nui lived. The Plan proceeds there to its inevitable conclusion. Did you flee, then, Takanuva? Did you have the wisdom to escape before my reign begins?"
"I ... died?" said Matoro quietly.
"Yes," Takanuva replied. "You did. You gave your life so billions could live. In my universe, you are considered the greatest hero ever to bear the title of Toa."
"And here you are just one more insect to be crushed," said Makuta, advancing. "Or perhaps ... there is some other use for you. The Mask of Life still exists, and you were connected to it ... you have knowledge I can use, Toa of Ice."
A hand made of shadow emerged from Makuta's chest, heading right for Matoro. Takanuva made a move to get between them, but the Toa of Ice hit him with a barrage of ice shards, driving him back.
"Matoro, what are you doing?" Takanuva cried out. "He's going to kill you!"
"I should have died 10,000 years ago," Matoro said. He stood erect, hands at his sides, waiting for the hand to seize him. "I should have saved everyone, but I didn't. If you think about it, Takanuva, neither of us is meant to be here."
The shadow hand took Matoro in its grasp and drew him, unprotesting, into the substance of Makuta. Takanuva got to his feet, blasting light from his power lance and shadow from his other hand, screaming, "Murderer!"
Strangely enough, Makuta did not counterattack. In fact, the colossus actually looked a bit unsteady on his feet. He took a step back, reached out an armored hand to support himself, then dropped to his knees. Both hands went to the side of his head, as he shouted, "No! My will must prevail! I am the stronger! I am --"
Then another voice came from Makuta's mouth. It was Matoro's! "No, Makuta. You once told the Toa Mata that you could not be destroyed, because you were nothing. You were wrong – it is because you are nothing that I can destroy you. You have no heart, you have no spirit, you have no reason to exist – even your hate is a pale reflection of what once burned in you. You survive out of habit, monster, and habits ... and minds ... can be broken."
The scream that came from Makuta then was a long, loud, and strangely hollow. An instant later, the giant collapsed to the ground and lay unmoving. Takanuva edged closer, and confirmed what he already knew: Makuta was dead. Just to be sure, he used his power to send searing light to every corner of the tunnel, but there was no sign of the master of shadows' antidermis. He had not escaped this final confrontation.
Takanuva pondered for a long time as he walked back up to the surface. Turaga Vakama had once told him that when a Makuta absorbs a body, he must crush the will of his victim immediately. Otherwise, he risks other minds intruding upon his own. Matoro had heard the same tales. He had known if Makuta absorbed him, he could fight back from within.
At one time, such an effort would have been impossible – Makuta's will would have been too strong. But Matoro had been right. Makuta truly had nothing to live for. He survived and plotted his vengeance, but it was a hollow pursuit. He had lusted for a control of a universe, only to see that universe destroyed ... and there was no place for him in the Kingdom.
Takanuva would tell the ruling council what had happened down below, and warn them to beware of any other Rahkshi who might still lurk below, clad in shadow armor. He would stay long enough to see a statue erected of Matoro, the Toa who had been granted that rarest of commodities: a second chance to make things right.
Turaga Takanuva would ask his Toa counterpart to stay, even knowing what the answer would be. In the end, the Brutaka of this universe would use his Kanohi Olmak to send Takanuva back into the space between dimensions, on his journey to Karda Nui. There was much to be done, and still a very long way to go.
Takanuva, Toa of Light, fell through inter-dimensional space, trying hard not to scream. A moment before, he had stepped through a dimensional portal created by Brutaka. His mission: travel to Karda Nui and warn the six Toa Nuva there of a disaster about to occur.
Somehow, though, this trip was not going as planned. Takanuva was being buffeted about, catching glimpses now and then of weird other worlds filled with beings both familiar and unfamiliar. He could guess that if he somehow wound up in one of those places, he might never find his way back to his own universe.
Suddenly, there was a jolt worse than any before. He was spinning wildly, out of control. There was an instant of complete darkness, followed by a very bright light, and then Takanuva slammed onto a rocky shore. He lay there, stunned, for a long time. When he finally lifted his head, it was to view a sight he could never have imagined.
The city before him was vast. It made Metru Nui look like a collection of stone-cutter shacks. Multiple design styles had combined to create a megalopolis that stretched for as far as the eye could see. Some of the buildings looked like ones in Metru Nui – he recognized the Coliseum, for example – others were totally strange and some almost primitive.
Takanuva glanced up at the sky. No, it didn't look like the one over Metru Nui. It looked – oh, no, that couldn't be, he thought. It was the same shade of blue as the one over the island of Mata Nui.
That's impossible, he said to himself. Everyone left Mata Nui to move back to Metru Nui months ago. And Mata Nui was never this size, or filled with so many beings and buildings!
He stood up and looked around. Everywhere, he could see Matoran of all kinds hard at work. That certainly wasn't unusual. Of course, the fact that they were working side by side with Bohrok, Skakdi, and Visorak was downright shocking.
"Hey," said a voice from behind him. "Who are you? Where did you come from?"
Takanuva turned. A Ga-Matoran, Macku, was there. She gave no sign of recognizing him.
"I'm Toa Takanuva," he answered. "Can you tell me where I am?"
"You're not Takanuva," said Macku, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Try again ... or would you rather we call the Hunters?"
"But I am Takanuva. I know I look different, but -- "
"That's for sure," laughed Macku. "You're a lot taller. Or have you never seen Turaga Takanuva, stranger?"
"Turaga -?" sputtered Takanuva. He recovered quickly. "Um, maybe I was a little confused. Tell me, do you know where I could find Jaller?"
"At the Great Furnace, naturally," said Macku, suspicion in her voice. "What do you want him for?"
"I have, um, a message for him from an old friend," Takanuva replied.
It took some doing, but he finally convinced Macku to escort him into the city, which she called "the kingdom of the Great Spirit." The first person she brought him to was a tall, strong warrior carrying a massive axe. He looked Takanuva over for a minute, then nodded. "He's not a shapeshifter. And he really does think he's Takanuva."
"Thanks, Axonn," said Macku. "So he's crazy then?"
"Not sure," said Axonn. He reached out and snatched away Takanuva's Staff of Light. "Might be better not to let him walk around the city with this. You know how the Turaga feels about citizens carrying weapons."
They walked through the streets of the city, as shock followed shock for Takanuva. Over there were Matoran buying wares from street stands run by Vortixx; further on, a Skakdi was hawking a show, boasting of the amazing Visorak pyramid that could be seen inside for just five widgets. And on every street corner, there was the presence of law enforcers – not Toa, not even Vahki, but Dark Hunters!
Macku left Takanuva with Toa Jaller. The Toa of Fire looked the same as he always had, but he viewed Takanuva without the wariness the Ga-Matoran had. "Well, you're obviously not Takanuva," he said. "But as long as you're not a Makuta in disguise, you're welcome in the kingdom. What can I do for you?"
"Just talk to me," Takanuva said. "Tell me about this place. Are we ... is this really the island of Mata Nui?”
Jaller laughed. "Wow. I haven't heard it called that in close to 10,000 years. Anyway, yes, this was the island of Mata Nui, but it's a lot more than that now."
"I see that. What ... I mean, how ...?"
Jaller pointed to a massive stone wall. "That's what you want. There's a Wall of History in every district – Kopeke made sure of that. You'll find answers there." Jaller paused, and then added, "You know, it's funny. I know I never met you, but somehow you seem familiar. Why did you ask to see me, anyway?"
Takanuva thought about telling Jaller the truth. He could share all sorts of things only the real Takanuva would know. But then he decided that, at best, he would scare his old friend ... and at worst, he would wind up arrested by the Hunters.
"Right. Well, I met Turaga Takanuva once, and he ... um ... told me what a great friend you were. He said if I was ever in trouble, to come see you."
"Well, that's a pleasant surprise," said Jaller. "None of the Toa Mahri are very popular around here, even after all this time ... even after how things turned out. I don't think anyone's even seen Matoro in five or six thousand years."
The name startled Takanuva. Matoro was dead, killed when he sacrificed his life to save the Great Spirit Mata Nui and the universe. A theory was starting to form in the mind of the Toa of Light, and the Wall of History was where it could be proven or disproven. He thanked Jaller and hurried on.
Yes, it was all there all right. The first thing he noticed was the date – it was 10,000 years after he had left Metru Nui! But that wasn't half as surprising as the story the carvings told.
The Toa Mahri had journeyed to the underwater city of Mahri Nui in search of the Mask of Life, just as he recalled. But after that, the story had changed. Toa Matoro - referred to in the carvings as the "Disgraced One" – had hesitated a few moments too long in his pursuit of the mask. The core of the universe had been sealed off, making it impossible for him to revive the Great Spirit Mata Nui with the mask. And Mata Nui, ruler and protector of the entire Matoran universe, had died.
But the tale didn't end there. The Turaga of Metru Nui had been planning for just such an eventuality. Mobilizing the Toa, the Vortixx, the Skakdi, and many of the universe's other species, they led a mass migration to the surface over the course of a few days. The Order of Mata Nui revealed its existence and helped as well. Even as more and more beings poured from Metru Nui up to the Mata Nui, those who were already there worked to construct floating platforms to hold them all. Naturally, not everyone made it – it just wasn't physically possible to evacuate a universe in that short an amount of time – but many did. It was obvious that only by working together could they survive on the surface, and so the concept of the Kingdom was born.
Only two species from the original universe were not represented here. The Zyglak had refused to evacuate, choosing death over accepting assistance from Matoran. The Makuta attempted to migrate, only to find their way barred by Toa Takanuva and the Order. Together, they drove the Makuta back underground, and no sign had been seen of them since. His destiny achieved, Takanuva had sacrificed his power to bring a new generation of Toa into being. These included Toa Kapura, Toa Balta, Toa Dalu, Toa Velika, Toa Defilak, and a new Toa of Light, Tanma. Takanuva had then become a Turaga and was named leader of the Kingdom in recognition of his heroism.
Things got stranger from there. Turaga Takanuva had formed a new ruling council, consisting of Turaga Dume, a prime Skakdi warlord, Roodaka, the Shadowed One, Helryx, and a Nynrah Matoran. Dark Hunters had become the primary law enforcers, while Toa were put to work using their powers to help the city in other ways. First, they prevented the collapse of the original island in the wake of Mata Nui's death. Then they created new and more stable land masses to support the city's expansion. After 10 millennia, the Kingdom was now a mega-city and home to all the survivors of the original universe.
Turaga Takanuva and his Council ruled from the Coliseum. Toa Takanuva not only couldn't resist paying a visit to his other self, but he needed to find some way out of here. The Wall had shown him he had not simply traveled into his future somehow. This was not his universe at all.
As he walked, he had to admit that part of his wished he didn't have to leave. Who would have imagined that Matoro's failure would have resulted in a paradise like this? Everywhere he looked, he saw beings of different species working side by side. Only Toa and Hunters carried weapons, but they looked like they hadn't been used in ages.
He expected to find the Coliseum heavily guarded, but the opposite was the case. The seat of government was open to all in the Kingdom. Instead of asking to see Turaga Takanuva, though, he sent a message to Helryx. It was short, reminding her of what her original plan had been to warn the Toa Nuva about conditions in Karda Nui and asking if she could get him in to see the Turaga.
That produced results. Takanuva was escorted by Trinuma into the Turaga's chamber at the top of the Coliseum. Turaga Takanuva was in conference with Toa Tanma and Roodaka. Resting in the center of a large table was a Rahkshi head.
"You say this Rahkshi appeared in the center of the city, near the Piraka fountain?" the Turaga said.
Roodaka nodded. "A bunch of Fe-Matoran were there feeding Avak and Thok, making plans to add iron supports to the western land mass. They spotted a Panrahk and called the Hunters, who took care of it. This is all that was left."
"It shouldn't have been able to get through," said Tanma, grimly.
"Maybe it was an accident," Turaga Takanuva offered, sounding as if he didn't believe it himself. "Maybe one slipped through before the light barriers went up and has been hiding here all this time."
"I wish," said Toa Tanma.
"The light barriers are going down," said Toa Takanuva. All three turned to look at him, startled. "I ... know a little about light."
Turaga Takanuva started to say something, then stopped. He turned to Roodaka and Tanma and asked them to leave the chamber. Once they were gone, he said, "How is this possible?"
"You know, then?" said the Toa.
"How could I not?" said the Turaga. "And Helryx has told me what she planned to do, if things had gone differently. You're from ... someplace else, I take it?"
The Toa nodded. "Someplace else, it's true, but not someplace as peaceful. You have done an amazing job." He smiled. "I'm proud of me."
The Turaga shook his head. "It can't last. Onua and the others have done all they can, but the original island cannot survive much longer. We will have to move on again, perhaps to the stars if Nuju and Nuparu's project works. But until then, the Makuta – if they still live -- must not be allowed into the Kingdom!"
Turaga Takanuva looked at his Toa counterpart from another universe, not his own. "I know this isn't your world, and I know the message you carry is vital. But Tanma ... and the entire Kingdom ... could use your aid. When you're done, we can find a way to send you back. Will you help?"
Toa Takanuva nodded. "Of course. But ... I could use my Staff of Light back."
Turaga Takanuva smiled. "Oh, that weapon went out of style 10,000 years ago. I think we can find you something better than that, old friend."
Part 2
Turaga Takanuva led Toa Takanuva out of the Coliseum and into the eastern portion of the vast city. Toa Tanma trailed along behind, not saying much. He wasn't sure whether to be grateful another Toa of Light had arrived to help him, or upset that the Turaga didn't think he could handle the job on his own.
They arrived at a small, narrow building in an alleyway, not far from the shore. There was no knob or handle on the outside of the front door, nor any carving to indicate who lived there. Turaga Takanuva rapped twice with his staff.
A small panel opened about halfway up the door. No eyes were visible through it, but a Matoran voice said, "What's the password?"
Turaga Takanuva looked at the two Toa. "They've lived among us for ages, and still like to play at secrecy." Turning back to the door, he said, "This is Turaga Takanuva. Open up."
"Wrong password. Not even close."
"Try this one," said the annoyed Turaga. "I have a troop of Bohrok with nothing to do. If you'd like, I can have them tear down this building and turn it into a park."
There was a pause. Then the voice said, "Close enough," and the door swung open.
The three visitors entered a dark hallway, which twisted and turned far more than one would expect, given the size of the building. A door at the end led to a small workshop, cluttered with all sorts of armor, weapons, and other gadgets. A lone Fe-Matoran was tinkering with a nasty looking projectile launcher when they walked in. He looked up at Turaga Takanuva, surprised and annoyed.
"You know the routine," he said. "Leave your request in the slot outside, and we'll get to it."
"Yes, I know that's how you Nynrah crafters prefer to work," Turaga Takanuva replied, making an effort to keep his temper. "But this is a crisis. I have a Toa who needs weaponry."
The Matoran looked Toa Takanuva up and down. "Looks like his color scheme could use some work too. But ... I might just have something here that could be of use."
After a few minutes of rummaging through claw catchers, Rhotuka launchers, and parts of a Visorak battle wagon, the Matoran emerged with a twin-bladed lance. He handed it to Toa Takanuva and said, "Now, aim at that far wall. Just use a little bit of power, not even enough to singe the stone."
The Toa took the lance, aimed it, and focused on releasing just the tiniest sample of his elemental light. The next instant, a blast of energy blew a hole the size of a Kanoka disk in the wall. "How ...?" said Takanuva, looking down at the lance.
"Most Toa tools just channel power," the Matoran said, smiling. "This one amplifies it. And if that's not enough --"
The Matoran searched some more, this time emerging with a launcher. "We don't have a name for this one yet, too new. Draws light from the environment and fires it as a sphere. It hasn't been tested yet, though."
"Fine," said Turaga Takanuva. He turned to the two Toa. "I suggest you start right away. There's no telling how much time we have."
Once they were back on the street, Tanma wanted to head right for the nearest light barrier, but Toa Takanuva held him up. "There's something I want to do first," said Takanuva. "I want to see Matoro."
"That coward?" spat Tanma. "If not for him, we would still have our homes, our universe. You can go see him if you like – I want nothing to do with him."
Takanuva expected that Matoro would be living in the region inhabited by the Ko-Matoran and Frostelus. But he evidently hadn't been welcome there. Tanma directed his new comrade to an area of what was once Po-Wahi, now home mostly to Skakdi. There, in a small hut made of stone, sat Toa Matoro.
"What do you want?" the Toa of Ice said, not even looking up at his visitor. "Go away."
"Matoro, I ..." Takanuva began. "You're needed. You have to come with me."
Toa Matoro laughed. It was a bitter sound. "I was needed 10,000 years ago. My destiny was before me, and I hesitated ... and a universe died. So don't try to tell me I'm needed now. Just leave me alone."
"I heard what happened," Takanuva said. "But I also know that, in your heart, you're a hero. I know how hard you fought on Voya Nui, on Mahri Nui. And I know if you could have saved the universe, you would have ... you would have done anything to do that."
Takanuva, overcome with emotion, had to stop talking. Here was Matoro, who was dead in his universe, having sacrificed himself to save Mata Nui and every other living thing. Here he was, alive, but dead inside, knowing he had failed his people when it mattered most.
Matoro looked up at him. "Who are you? No one in the Kingdom talks about me that way."
"I'm from ... another kingdom," Takanuva answered. "One where people think of you as a hero."
"I see," said Matoro. "Escaped from an asylum, did you?"
"Okay," said the Toa of Light. "You want to sit here and feel sorry for yourself. You blew your chance to be a hero – well, here's another one. Here's a chance to show everyone you aren't a failure or a coward. Here's an opportunity to bring some honor to your name ... do you have the courage to take it?"
"Why do you care?" asked Matoro. "I don't even know you."
"Maybe I know you," said Takanuva. "Or someone very close to you. Now, come on – we have a kingdom to save."
Tanma was not at all happy to see Matoro along, but there wasn't time for a prolonged argument. Fortunately, the most likely problem spot was in the same area as Matoro's hut. The area around Kini-Nui was too well traveled for Rahkshi to have emerged from there unnoticed, but the old Bohrok tunnels in Po-Wahi were out of the way and largely ignored. If the light barrier in the main tunnel had come down, it would be easy for Makuta to send legions up through those passageways.
"Why not just block the tunnels? Bring them down?" asked Takanuva.
"Pohatu and Hewkii tried that during the evacuation," said Tanma. "The Rahkshi smashed their way through and killed them both before Tahu, Jaller and Kopaka drove them back. No, light was the only effective means of stopping them – intense light, more than their kraata could stand."
"And they couldn't just, I don't know, dig their way around the barrier? Or use density control and float up through the rock?"
"They could," Tanma agreed. "But Onua made sure the ground is warded. Any attempt to dig through it or pass through it, and we'd know."
Matoro had said nothing. Takanuva turned and said, "What do you think?"
"I think ... never mind," said the Toa of Ice.
"What he thinks doesn't matter," snarled Tanma.
"It does to me," Takanuva replied. "Tell us, Matoro."
"Well ... what if the barrier didn't go down? What if they've found some way to shield themselves against the light?"
"Then we have a problem." said Takanuva.
Cautiously, they started down the tunnel. Even this close to the surface, Takanuva could feel the chill in the air. The only light came from Tanma, who kept up a low level illumination using his Toa power. "We can't go down too far," he said. "There's no heat down there and what air there might still be is foul. Most of the universe is flooded and a lot of the water has mutagen in it. So whatever did survive the end probably isn't still recognizable ..."
Takanuva glanced at Matoro. Every word that Toa Tanma said was like a dagger in his heart.
They had walked perhaps a kio when the tunnel brightened. Tanma pointed ahead to a wall of light in their path. "That's the barrier. It's still intact. So the problem isn't here. Mangaia, maybe? Or some other access point we don't know about?"
"Perhaps," said Takanuva. "But what if Matoro's right? What if the barrier simply isn't stopping them anymore?"
"I don't have time for Matoran myth," said Tanma. "We have to check other possibilities. Are you coming or not?"
Takanuva glanced at the barrier, at Matoro, and then back at Tanma. "All right."
The two Toa of Light started back up the tunnel. Neither noticed Matoro wasn't following until they heard the sound of ice blasts coming from behind them. Takanuva turned and ran back down, followed closely by Tanma.
There was Matoro, battling four Rahkshi on his own. Behind them, more were breaching the barrier, each clad in armor made of deep shadow. The armor couldn't survive the passage through the barrier, dissolving not long after making contact with the light. But it lasted just long enough to get the Rahkshi through to the other side.
Takanuva and Tanma both dropped to one knee and opened fire with their light powers. Takanuva's power lance took out two Rahkshi, while Tanma drove a third back into the barrier, where its kraata burned to ashes. Matoro froze the fourth in a block of ice up to its head, just long enough to reach in and yank out its kraata. He threw the squirming creature on the ground and stepped on it.
"Excellent," said a soft, sinister voice, which seemed to come from every shadow. Takanuva knew it well – it belonged to the Makuta of Metru Nui, leader of the Brotherhood. "I see that at least one of you has an imagination. Matoro, my old friend ... it seems like yesterday we were teamed against the Barraki and their hordes."
"You," said Matoro, his voice shaking. "Why aren't you dead? So many others died ... why not you?"
"What is there left when the light dies, Toa? Darkness. Only darkness," Makuta replied. "And I thrive in the dark. Oh, my brothers perished, one by one ... Icarax was the first, driven from his body by my attack so I could possess it, his essence left to die in the cold of the void ... but my hatred will not let me die. Hatred of Mata Nui; hatred of all who escaped the end of this universe; most of all, Matoro, hatred of you ... you turned away from your destiny. Mata Nui was meant to cheat death ... instead, I was cheated of my revenge.”
Now the Toa heard a clanking of armor, as if a colossus were coming toward them. The next moment, a 20-foot giant clad in shadow armor erupted from the barrier. As the shroud of shadow fell away, they could see their foe. He was a bizarre amalgam of the Makuta who had attacked Karda Nui and others who were unfamiliar. He was a monstrosity, now truly as ugly on the outside as his spirit was within.
"As my brothers were about to die, I absorbed them into my body," said Teridax. "I used their mass to grow. I used their knowledge to create armor to pierce this barrier. And now your Kingdom will surrender, or it will suffocate in a sea of shadow."
Tanma, Matoro, and Takanuva attacked. Bolts of ice and spears of light rained on Teridax's armor, but the damage was negligible. "I have had 10,000 years to prepare for this battle," the Makuta hissed. "You cannot win."
"Excuse us if we try," said Takanuva, blasting with his power lance directly at the Mask of Shadow. The blow knocked the mask off. Makuta bent to retrieve it, but Tanma was too fast, hitting it with full power and melting it to slag.
"Tanma, get back!" Takanuva shouted. It was too late. Makuta had scooped up the Toa of Light like a toy and triggered the shattering power of a Panrahk. Takanuva had to look away – it was simply too horrible to watch.
"Now do you see?" said Makuta. "You must --"
Makuta stopped dead. Then he smiled at Takanuva. "Oh, I see ... oh, how intriguing. You are from ... somewhere else ... somewhere ... where Matoro died, and Mata Nui lived. The Plan proceeds there to its inevitable conclusion. Did you flee, then, Takanuva? Did you have the wisdom to escape before my reign begins?"
"I ... died?" said Matoro quietly.
"Yes," Takanuva replied. "You did. You gave your life so billions could live. In my universe, you are considered the greatest hero ever to bear the title of Toa."
"And here you are just one more insect to be crushed," said Makuta, advancing. "Or perhaps ... there is some other use for you. The Mask of Life still exists, and you were connected to it ... you have knowledge I can use, Toa of Ice."
A hand made of shadow emerged from Makuta's chest, heading right for Matoro. Takanuva made a move to get between them, but the Toa of Ice hit him with a barrage of ice shards, driving him back.
"Matoro, what are you doing?" Takanuva cried out. "He's going to kill you!"
"I should have died 10,000 years ago," Matoro said. He stood erect, hands at his sides, waiting for the hand to seize him. "I should have saved everyone, but I didn't. If you think about it, Takanuva, neither of us is meant to be here."
The shadow hand took Matoro in its grasp and drew him, unprotesting, into the substance of Makuta. Takanuva got to his feet, blasting light from his power lance and shadow from his other hand, screaming, "Murderer!"
Strangely enough, Makuta did not counterattack. In fact, the colossus actually looked a bit unsteady on his feet. He took a step back, reached out an armored hand to support himself, then dropped to his knees. Both hands went to the side of his head, as he shouted, "No! My will must prevail! I am the stronger! I am --"
Then another voice came from Makuta's mouth. It was Matoro's! "No, Makuta. You once told the Toa Mata that you could not be destroyed, because you were nothing. You were wrong – it is because you are nothing that I can destroy you. You have no heart, you have no spirit, you have no reason to exist – even your hate is a pale reflection of what once burned in you. You survive out of habit, monster, and habits ... and minds ... can be broken."
The scream that came from Makuta then was a long, loud, and strangely hollow. An instant later, the giant collapsed to the ground and lay unmoving. Takanuva edged closer, and confirmed what he already knew: Makuta was dead. Just to be sure, he used his power to send searing light to every corner of the tunnel, but there was no sign of the master of shadows' antidermis. He had not escaped this final confrontation.
Takanuva pondered for a long time as he walked back up to the surface. Turaga Vakama had once told him that when a Makuta absorbs a body, he must crush the will of his victim immediately. Otherwise, he risks other minds intruding upon his own. Matoro had heard the same tales. He had known if Makuta absorbed him, he could fight back from within.
At one time, such an effort would have been impossible – Makuta's will would have been too strong. But Matoro had been right. Makuta truly had nothing to live for. He survived and plotted his vengeance, but it was a hollow pursuit. He had lusted for a control of a universe, only to see that universe destroyed ... and there was no place for him in the Kingdom.
Takanuva would tell the ruling council what had happened down below, and warn them to beware of any other Rahkshi who might still lurk below, clad in shadow armor. He would stay long enough to see a statue erected of Matoro, the Toa who had been granted that rarest of commodities: a second chance to make things right.
Turaga Takanuva would ask his Toa counterpart to stay, even knowing what the answer would be. In the end, the Brutaka of this universe would use his Kanohi Olmak to send Takanuva back into the space between dimensions, on his journey to Karda Nui. There was much to be done, and still a very long way to go.
Comic 12.5 Script
BIONICLE COMIC 12.5
PAGE ONE
PANEL ONE
LEWA NUVA AND TANMA SOAR DOWN THROUGH THE SKY OF KARDA NUI.
1 TANMA: Why are we running? We should turn and fight!
2 LEWA: Great deep‐thought there, Tanma. What happens if we lose?
PANEL TWO
ON TANMA.
3 TANMA: We won’t lose! As long as we have right on our side, nothing can stop us.
PANEL THREE
ON LEWA.
4 LEWA: I used to quick‐talk like that too. That was an infected mask and a Bohrok krana ago, though. Trust me – we need help to save the others.
PANEL FOUR
LEWA AND TANMA HOVER, REACTING TO A VOICE THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM ALL AROUND THEM.
5 ANTROZ (OS): Three little Toa, soaring through the blue – one choked on shadows, and then there were two.
6 TANMA: Show yourself, Makuta!
7 LEWA: They are masters of illusion. One could be standing right close‐near and we wouldn’t know it.
(((END PAGE ONE)))
PAGE TWO
PANEL ONE
ON LEWA.
1 ANTROZ (OS): Two little Toa, their time almost done – one met a shadow leech, and then there was one.
2 LEWA: On the other hand … they really stink as poets.
PANEL TWO
ON TANMA, POINTING AHEAD OF THEM.
3 TANMA: What’s that??
PANEL THREE
WE SEE A SWIRLING VORTEX OF DARKNESS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SKY, COMING CLOSER AND CLOSER.
4 LEWA (OS): The Makuta are trying to make us feel at home …
PANEL FOUR
LEWA UNLEASHES A HUGE CYCLONE.
5 LEWA: But Toa‐heroes make lousy guests.
PANEL FIVE
THE CYCLONE TEARS INTO THE VORTEX, SHREDDING THE DARKNESS INTO SCRAPS.
(((END PAGE TWO))))
PAGE THREE
PANEL ONE
ANTROZ HOVERS IN THE AIR NEAR AN UNCONSCIOUS KOPAKA, POHATU, SOLEK AND PHOTOK. THEY
ARE BOUND WITH CHAINS MADE OF SHADOW AND HANGING SUSPENDED FROM THE CEILING OF
KARDA NUI. RADIAK IS MOUNTED ON ANTROZ’S BACK.
1 ANTROZ: Your friend will be here to join you soon … Toa are too noble, too brave, and too stupid not to rush right to their dooms. When he arrives, he will see that if he did defeat me, the chains I made would vanish – and all four of you would fall.
2 ANTROZ (2) Teridax says we need you alive … he never said undamaged. Perhaps Chirox and Vamprah will let you bounce once or twice before retrieving you …
PANEL TWO
ON ANTROZ.
3 ANTROZ: He will try a sneak attack, of course. But his Toa power is a light breeze on Destral, his Mask of Levitation is a joke, and his weapon – annoying, true, but nothing a true Makuta cannot handle.
PANEL THREE
LEWA AND TANMA SMASH INTO ANTROZ FROM BEHIND WITH ENORMOUS IMPACT.
4 LEWA: Really? How are you with good old‐fashioned socks to the jaw?
PANEL FOUR
ON A SHAKEN ANTROZ.
5 ANTROZ: Impossible! How did you evade Vamprah and Chirox?
(((END PAGE THREE)))
PAGE FOUR
PANEL ONE
ON LEWA, TAKING AIM WITH HIS SKYBLASTER.
1 LEWA: I have been high‐flying a lot longer than you bat‐winged losers. Now free my friends or I light things up.
PANEL TWO
ON ANTROZ AND RADIAK.
2 ANTROZ: Do you really think even a blast from that weapon can harm me?
PANEL THREE
LEWA WHEELS IN MID‐AIR AND FIRES.
3 LEWA: Who said I was aiming at you?
PANEL FOUR
THE LIGHT BURST STRIKES POHATU, WHO IS JOLTED AWAKE.
4 POHATU: Huh? What? Where ‐‐?
(((END PAGE FOUR)))
PAGE FIVE
PANEL ONE
LEWA FIRING HIS SKYBLASTER, THIS TIME TOWARD ANTROZ, WHO IS DODGING.
1 LEWA: Three more questions than we have time for, brother! Get ready – get set –
PANEL TWO
LEWA REALLY OPENS UP WITH THE SKYBLASTER, WITH TANMA GLOWING LIKE A STAR BEHIND HIM.
2 LEWA: Go!!
PANEL THREE
THE CHAINS FADE AROUND THE TOA AND MATORAN AND THEY START TO FALL.
3 CAPTION: Antroz’s concentration broken by Lewa’s attack, his shadow chains disappear.
PANEL FOUR
POHATU, FLYING AT SUPER‐SPEED, GATHERS UP PHOTOK, SOLEK, AND KOPAKA BEFORE THEY CAN FALL
FAR.
4 POHATU: Hmmmm … it never rained Matoran on Mata Nui.
PANEL FIVE
VAMPRAH AND CHIROX FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.
5 LEWA (OS): Pohatu! More shadow‐flyers!
(((END PAGE FIVE))
PAGE SIX
PANEL ONE
FULL PAGE SPLASH.
POHATU CARRYING KOPAKA AND SOLEK, LEWA CARRYING PHOTOK, SOAR AWAY FROM THE BATTLE.
1 POHATU: Then we fight another day … when our hands are free.
2 LEWA: Next time, Kopaka can hard‐fight, and I will take the nap!
3 POHATU (2): Let’s hope Tahu and his team are doing better than we are – or else this is going to be one of those short missions that ends with dead Toa.
4 LEWA (2): Yeah, hate those …
5 LOWER CAPTION: To be continued in BIONICLE #13, this July!
PAGE ONE
PANEL ONE
LEWA NUVA AND TANMA SOAR DOWN THROUGH THE SKY OF KARDA NUI.
1 TANMA: Why are we running? We should turn and fight!
2 LEWA: Great deep‐thought there, Tanma. What happens if we lose?
PANEL TWO
ON TANMA.
3 TANMA: We won’t lose! As long as we have right on our side, nothing can stop us.
PANEL THREE
ON LEWA.
4 LEWA: I used to quick‐talk like that too. That was an infected mask and a Bohrok krana ago, though. Trust me – we need help to save the others.
PANEL FOUR
LEWA AND TANMA HOVER, REACTING TO A VOICE THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM ALL AROUND THEM.
5 ANTROZ (OS): Three little Toa, soaring through the blue – one choked on shadows, and then there were two.
6 TANMA: Show yourself, Makuta!
7 LEWA: They are masters of illusion. One could be standing right close‐near and we wouldn’t know it.
(((END PAGE ONE)))
PAGE TWO
PANEL ONE
ON LEWA.
1 ANTROZ (OS): Two little Toa, their time almost done – one met a shadow leech, and then there was one.
2 LEWA: On the other hand … they really stink as poets.
PANEL TWO
ON TANMA, POINTING AHEAD OF THEM.
3 TANMA: What’s that??
PANEL THREE
WE SEE A SWIRLING VORTEX OF DARKNESS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SKY, COMING CLOSER AND CLOSER.
4 LEWA (OS): The Makuta are trying to make us feel at home …
PANEL FOUR
LEWA UNLEASHES A HUGE CYCLONE.
5 LEWA: But Toa‐heroes make lousy guests.
PANEL FIVE
THE CYCLONE TEARS INTO THE VORTEX, SHREDDING THE DARKNESS INTO SCRAPS.
(((END PAGE TWO))))
PAGE THREE
PANEL ONE
ANTROZ HOVERS IN THE AIR NEAR AN UNCONSCIOUS KOPAKA, POHATU, SOLEK AND PHOTOK. THEY
ARE BOUND WITH CHAINS MADE OF SHADOW AND HANGING SUSPENDED FROM THE CEILING OF
KARDA NUI. RADIAK IS MOUNTED ON ANTROZ’S BACK.
1 ANTROZ: Your friend will be here to join you soon … Toa are too noble, too brave, and too stupid not to rush right to their dooms. When he arrives, he will see that if he did defeat me, the chains I made would vanish – and all four of you would fall.
2 ANTROZ (2) Teridax says we need you alive … he never said undamaged. Perhaps Chirox and Vamprah will let you bounce once or twice before retrieving you …
PANEL TWO
ON ANTROZ.
3 ANTROZ: He will try a sneak attack, of course. But his Toa power is a light breeze on Destral, his Mask of Levitation is a joke, and his weapon – annoying, true, but nothing a true Makuta cannot handle.
PANEL THREE
LEWA AND TANMA SMASH INTO ANTROZ FROM BEHIND WITH ENORMOUS IMPACT.
4 LEWA: Really? How are you with good old‐fashioned socks to the jaw?
PANEL FOUR
ON A SHAKEN ANTROZ.
5 ANTROZ: Impossible! How did you evade Vamprah and Chirox?
(((END PAGE THREE)))
PAGE FOUR
PANEL ONE
ON LEWA, TAKING AIM WITH HIS SKYBLASTER.
1 LEWA: I have been high‐flying a lot longer than you bat‐winged losers. Now free my friends or I light things up.
PANEL TWO
ON ANTROZ AND RADIAK.
2 ANTROZ: Do you really think even a blast from that weapon can harm me?
PANEL THREE
LEWA WHEELS IN MID‐AIR AND FIRES.
3 LEWA: Who said I was aiming at you?
PANEL FOUR
THE LIGHT BURST STRIKES POHATU, WHO IS JOLTED AWAKE.
4 POHATU: Huh? What? Where ‐‐?
(((END PAGE FOUR)))
PAGE FIVE
PANEL ONE
LEWA FIRING HIS SKYBLASTER, THIS TIME TOWARD ANTROZ, WHO IS DODGING.
1 LEWA: Three more questions than we have time for, brother! Get ready – get set –
PANEL TWO
LEWA REALLY OPENS UP WITH THE SKYBLASTER, WITH TANMA GLOWING LIKE A STAR BEHIND HIM.
2 LEWA: Go!!
PANEL THREE
THE CHAINS FADE AROUND THE TOA AND MATORAN AND THEY START TO FALL.
3 CAPTION: Antroz’s concentration broken by Lewa’s attack, his shadow chains disappear.
PANEL FOUR
POHATU, FLYING AT SUPER‐SPEED, GATHERS UP PHOTOK, SOLEK, AND KOPAKA BEFORE THEY CAN FALL
FAR.
4 POHATU: Hmmmm … it never rained Matoran on Mata Nui.
PANEL FIVE
VAMPRAH AND CHIROX FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.
5 LEWA (OS): Pohatu! More shadow‐flyers!
(((END PAGE FIVE))
PAGE SIX
PANEL ONE
FULL PAGE SPLASH.
POHATU CARRYING KOPAKA AND SOLEK, LEWA CARRYING PHOTOK, SOAR AWAY FROM THE BATTLE.
1 POHATU: Then we fight another day … when our hands are free.
2 LEWA: Next time, Kopaka can hard‐fight, and I will take the nap!
3 POHATU (2): Let’s hope Tahu and his team are doing better than we are – or else this is going to be one of those short missions that ends with dead Toa.
4 LEWA (2): Yeah, hate those …
5 LOWER CAPTION: To be continued in BIONICLE #13, this July!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
New Info
Credit to BZPower Member akrax the last elemental.
- Some of the Federation of Fear members will return in the OOMN/Brotherhood War
- The Hagah serial will involve Toa Hagah searching for Teridax’s current location
- The new Bionicle movie’s animation style will be similar to the style used in major motion picture characters like Lord of the Rings’ very own Gollum! (I mean the movement, not the actual design of the characters)
- THE REALLY BIG ONE: In the November edition of the Brickmaster magazine, there will be an exclusive four page poster of the Great Spirit Mata Nui! (He is really tall as I see you need 4 pages to him)
- Some of the Federation of Fear members will return in the OOMN/Brotherhood War
- The Hagah serial will involve Toa Hagah searching for Teridax’s current location
- The new Bionicle movie’s animation style will be similar to the style used in major motion picture characters like Lord of the Rings’ very own Gollum! (I mean the movement, not the actual design of the characters)
- THE REALLY BIG ONE: In the November edition of the Brickmaster magazine, there will be an exclusive four page poster of the Great Spirit Mata Nui! (He is really tall as I see you need 4 pages to him)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Price Increase on Shop at Home
On S@H, the prices for the Phantoka have been moved up to $12.99 each.
Hopefully, everyone managed to buy them while they were still $9.99.
Link: http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8686&cn=517
Hopefully, everyone managed to buy them while they were still $9.99.
Link: http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8686&cn=517
Jetrax Available on Shop at Home
Made immediately available now, Jetrax T6 is now available for order on S@H.
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8942&cn=541&d=351
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8942&cn=541&d=351
Mutran Chronicles 10
Chapter 10
How quickly 1000 years can go by when you are busy outdoing Chirox in Rahi creation. While Teridax busied himself tormenting the Matoran of Mata Nui like a Muaka with a stone rat, I was bringing fabulous creatures into being. True, some of them did not live very long... and yes, one died quite an explosive death... but I had my successes as well. The shadow leech, for example – a mutated kraata that could drain the light out of any living being. Who couldn't love that?
Naturally, I needed a test subject for it. I traveled to a village in my area of control in search of a Matoran brave/desperate/stupid enough to volunteer (I could have taken one by force, but after 100,000 years, all that screaming and begging grows tiresome to listen to). I was fortunate enough to run across a villager named Vican, eager to find a more adventurous life for himself. What he got for the loss of his light instead was a life of shadow and the honor of being my assistant... a more than fair trade, in my estimation.
It was shortly after I introduced him to the wonder that is Destral that a most fascinating incident took place: a Matoran went flying through my laboratory, to be dashed against the far wall. His armor was crimson, but it was obvious he was one of mine – meaning another beneficiary of the gift of a shadow leech. He was followed by Gorast, in her usual state of rage/psychosis.
The crumpled heap on the floor turned out to be Vultraz, a Matoran who had been in the service of Gorast for some time before becoming one with the shadows. On a far-flung scouting mission, he had discovered a way into the legendary Karda Nui, the core of the universe. That was the good news. The bad news was that he had decided to keep this knowledge to himself, apparently thinking he could benefit from it somehow. That he did, if you consider being beaten by Gorast to be a "benefit."
Once she had the information in hand, Gorast informed Teridax (who was busy taking a long overdue bath beneath Voya Nui at the time). His reaction was predictable: we were to go to Karda Nui immediately, seize it, and see to it any Av-Matoran there would pose no threat. Eventually, he had no doubt the Toa Nuva would make an appearance there... if they did, his wishes were clear. Icarax, of course, thought his demands bordered on insanity if not treason to the Brotherhood, and he refused to go. Eventually, Antroz gave up trying to persuade him.
"We'll call him when there is someone for him to break," our team leader said. "Otherwise, I can do without his company."
Karda Nui – how to describe its glory, its wonder, its sheer beauty? How to capture the feeling one gets at the first sight of it? It isn't easy, but let me try.
It's a big cave. With a swamp in it.
At least, there has been the sport of hunting Matoran, which has kept Vamprah happy. Gorast, Bitil and Krika went down below to ready themselves in case the Toa appear in the swamp first, and I have not seen them since. I am sure they are fine – certainly, they would not be foolish enough to go into water so obviously foul.
As for me, I am back to creating shadow leeches in my new hive. I have my doubts the Toa Nuva will ever arrive – what sane being would challenge seven Makuta? If they do, things will be most ... interesting. Teridax tells us we must show restraint – asking Makuta to show restraint around Toa is like asking a Rahkshi to show table manners.
Hmmmm... what's that? I could have sworn there was a flash of light outside. It must have been pretty powerful for me to see it all the way in here. Well, I suppose if it was anything important, I will find out about it in time...
How quickly 1000 years can go by when you are busy outdoing Chirox in Rahi creation. While Teridax busied himself tormenting the Matoran of Mata Nui like a Muaka with a stone rat, I was bringing fabulous creatures into being. True, some of them did not live very long... and yes, one died quite an explosive death... but I had my successes as well. The shadow leech, for example – a mutated kraata that could drain the light out of any living being. Who couldn't love that?
Naturally, I needed a test subject for it. I traveled to a village in my area of control in search of a Matoran brave/desperate/stupid enough to volunteer (I could have taken one by force, but after 100,000 years, all that screaming and begging grows tiresome to listen to). I was fortunate enough to run across a villager named Vican, eager to find a more adventurous life for himself. What he got for the loss of his light instead was a life of shadow and the honor of being my assistant... a more than fair trade, in my estimation.
It was shortly after I introduced him to the wonder that is Destral that a most fascinating incident took place: a Matoran went flying through my laboratory, to be dashed against the far wall. His armor was crimson, but it was obvious he was one of mine – meaning another beneficiary of the gift of a shadow leech. He was followed by Gorast, in her usual state of rage/psychosis.
The crumpled heap on the floor turned out to be Vultraz, a Matoran who had been in the service of Gorast for some time before becoming one with the shadows. On a far-flung scouting mission, he had discovered a way into the legendary Karda Nui, the core of the universe. That was the good news. The bad news was that he had decided to keep this knowledge to himself, apparently thinking he could benefit from it somehow. That he did, if you consider being beaten by Gorast to be a "benefit."
Once she had the information in hand, Gorast informed Teridax (who was busy taking a long overdue bath beneath Voya Nui at the time). His reaction was predictable: we were to go to Karda Nui immediately, seize it, and see to it any Av-Matoran there would pose no threat. Eventually, he had no doubt the Toa Nuva would make an appearance there... if they did, his wishes were clear. Icarax, of course, thought his demands bordered on insanity if not treason to the Brotherhood, and he refused to go. Eventually, Antroz gave up trying to persuade him.
"We'll call him when there is someone for him to break," our team leader said. "Otherwise, I can do without his company."
Karda Nui – how to describe its glory, its wonder, its sheer beauty? How to capture the feeling one gets at the first sight of it? It isn't easy, but let me try.
It's a big cave. With a swamp in it.
At least, there has been the sport of hunting Matoran, which has kept Vamprah happy. Gorast, Bitil and Krika went down below to ready themselves in case the Toa appear in the swamp first, and I have not seen them since. I am sure they are fine – certainly, they would not be foolish enough to go into water so obviously foul.
As for me, I am back to creating shadow leeches in my new hive. I have my doubts the Toa Nuva will ever arrive – what sane being would challenge seven Makuta? If they do, things will be most ... interesting. Teridax tells us we must show restraint – asking Makuta to show restraint around Toa is like asking a Rahkshi to show table manners.
Hmmmm... what's that? I could have sworn there was a flash of light outside. It must have been pretty powerful for me to see it all the way in here. Well, I suppose if it was anything important, I will find out about it in time...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Online Catalog on Shop at Home
The online catalog is now on Shop at Home. Simply type in shop.lego.com on your search thing at the top of the screen and it will be on the home page.
Also, I won't be here from now until Sunday, so unless I find a computer where I'm going, there will be no new updates.
Also, I won't be here from now until Sunday, so unless I find a computer where I'm going, there will be no new updates.
All Mistika Available on Shop at Home
In addition to the ones already specified, Rockoh T3, Mistika Collection, and Vultraz are all available now on Shop at Home.
Jetrax T6 still isn't up...
Jetrax T6 still isn't up...
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
New Bionicle Website Features
-Takanuva's Blog
-Bionicle Comic 12.5 Script
-Question and Answer with Greg Farshtey
-Mistika Building Instructions
-Mistika Bios
-Mistika Animation
-New Story Update
-Awesome new Downloads
-Bioniclestory.com Update
Check all that out and more at Bionicle.com!
-Bionicle Comic 12.5 Script
-Question and Answer with Greg Farshtey
-Mistika Building Instructions
-Mistika Bios
-Mistika Animation
-New Story Update
-Awesome new Downloads
-Bioniclestory.com Update
Check all that out and more at Bionicle.com!
Mistika Movie on Bionicle.com
There is an awesome Mistika animation on the Bionicle website.
Link: bionicle.com
Link: bionicle.com
Jetrax T6 Available on UK Shop at Home
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=8942&cn=541
Rockoh T3 is also available. (this is only for residents of the UK)
Rockoh T3 is also available. (this is only for residents of the UK)
Bionicle.com Site Update
Cool new Swamp of Secrets art. Check it out here:
http://bionicle.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx?domainredir=bionicle.com
http://bionicle.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx?domainredir=bionicle.com
Vultraz Available Now on Shop at Home
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Leaf.aspx?cn=480&d=351
Every Mistika on Shop at Home is available now except for Rockoh T3 and the Mistika Collection.
(this is the second time I've posted this, on the first one there was an error)
Every Mistika on Shop at Home is available now except for Rockoh T3 and the Mistika Collection.
(this is the second time I've posted this, on the first one there was an error)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Death of Spiriah - Federation of Fear 10
Chapter 10
Vezon looked from the massive, chained form of the dragon-like beast to his partners, then back at the dragon, then over to Brutaka. He opened his mouth to speak, but Brutaka cut him off.
"Don't say it," said Brutaka.
"We're going to need --" Vezon began.
"A bigger boat. I know," Brutaka said. "Anybody know what those... things... are flying all around?"
Small, winged creatures were indeed flitting all around the dragon. Now and then, one would let out a scream that shattered rock. "They're called klakk," said Makuta Spiriah. "Something Mutran created a long time back – their sonic scream is formidable. They must be meant as guardians."
Brutaka frowned. Guardians, all right, but against whom? He knew the dragon was in fact Makuta Miserix, ex-leader of the Brotherhood. He had been ordered executed, but Makuta Krika had instead chained him up here on the island of Artidax. It was Brutaka's job to rescue him so the Order of Mata Nui could use him against his former organization.
At that moment, Miserix suddenly took notice of them. His great eyes narrowed as he spoke and his voice rumbled like a distant avalanche. "Who... are... you?"
Brutaka started to say, "Friends," then decided he didn't really want to be considered a friend of that thing. "We're here to free you," he said instead. "Can you shapeshift to a smaller form?"
"Why would I wish to do that?" asked Miserix. "Do you know how many of these creatures I had to absorb to reach a size where their screams no longer pain me?"
"See, the size is a problem, your immenseness," Vezon cut in. "We only have a small boat, hardly more than a raft, really, and if it sinks we have to swim. Personally, I am not big on swimming – some friends of mine went for a swim, I heard, and now they look like sea snakes, just a head and a spine. And I have no spine, so I would be just a head, and --"
Miserix's eyes glowed red. A burst of laser vision struck Vezon, sending him tumbling backwards. "Gnat," muttered the Makuta.
Turning to check on Vezon, Brutaka saw that Spiriah had backed way up into the shadows. Miserix noticed too and bellowed, "Tell that one to come forth."
Spiriah took a reluctant step forward. At the sight of another Makuta, the dragon smiled. "Spiriah. I do remember you. When Teridax rose against me, you were one of the first to be by his side. I have so looked forward to meeting you again."
Brutaka tightened his grip on his weapon. He did not like Miserix's tone at all.
"Do you know I have not seen one of my species since Krika left me here?" Miserix continued.
"We all meant to come," Spiriah said hurriedly. "Teridax wouldn't let us. We all knew we would benefit by your experience, your power, your very presence."
"But you did not come," rumbled Miserix. "So now I shall benefit from yours."
A hand made of living shadow erupted from the dragon's chest, grabbed Spiriah, and pulled him into Miserix's body. There wasn't even time for a scream.
Vezon, back on his feet, stopped dead when he saw the Makuta consumed. "I thought we were here to rescue him from captivity," he whispered. "Not from that mid-day empty feeling."
"You know, we could just leave you here to rot," Brutaka said to Miserix. "Or wait for the next volcanic eruption to rain lava down on your oversized head. Or... you could have your chance to take revenge on your brothers. What's it going to be?"
Miserix considered. Then he leaned forward as far as his chains would allow him and said, "Make your attempt, for what good it will do."
"I have seen those kind of chains before," said Lariska. "They grow and shrink with him. They feed on his own power and use it to hold him."
Brutaka hefted his weapon. "Can they be broken?"
"Not without causing him great pain."
Brutaka gave a grim smile. "I'll cry tomorrow. Find me a weak link. Roodaka, we are going to need your help."
The Vortixx had been silent since they had entered Miserix's presence. Brutaka had no doubt she was planning something. But she dutifully stepped forward and stood beside him, her eyes never leaving the chained Makuta.
"There," said Lariska, pointing to a segment of the chain that held Miserix's right arm. "We concentrate our fire there."
Brutaka and Roodaka took aim, he with his blade, she with her outstretched hand. Energy and shadow bolts struck the weak segment of chain, bathing it in a continuous stream of power. After several minutes, the substance of the chain began to flake off. After a few more, it began to crack. Then the link shattered to pieces. Miserix screamed, loud enough to crack the mountain itself.
The klakk reacted instantly, flying toward the rescue team and unleashing their sonic screams. Vezon and Lariska fought them off, while Brutaka used his blade to parry the streams of sound. Meanwhile, Miserix raised his arm tentatively. Seeing that it was indeed free of its bonds, he reached over with it and tore the other chain from the ground. This time, he did not scream, but only smiled.
The klakk were gaining ground now, driving the team back toward where the insects were still lurking. Miserix watched the battle for a moment in silence. Then he opened his mouth and unleashed a power scream that felled the klakk, along with Vezon and Lariska. Brutaka and Roodaka barely remained conscious. Crawling over, Brutaka checked on his two team members – both were still living.
"Now, then," said Miserix. "Where is Teridax?"
Brutaka laughed. "And if I tell you, you have no reason to keep us alive. Gratitude is not high on the list of Makuta emotions. I'll show you. But you are going to need to shrink down to make it out the way we came."
"Your lack of imagination is disappointing," said Miserix, in as close to good spirits as a Makuta ever got. He reared back and struck the side of the mountain with all his might, once, twice, again. The rock cracked and began to crumble. Miserix followed up with his fragmentation power, reducing the entire side of the volcano to shards of stone. Beyond it, Brutaka could see the sky and the sea.
"At last!" said Miserix. "After so many millennia – I am free!"
Before Brutaka's startled eyes, the dragon grew wings. Then Miserix turned his crimson-scaled head to Brutaka and said, "Come. Show me where my enemy hides, so I may grind his armor to dust and feed on his energies."
"No!" shouted Roodaka. "They want to lead you into a trap! Listen to me, I too am an enemy of the Brotherhood. Brutaka wants to use you, to sacrifice you as a pawn in a war against the Makuta. I want you for an ally!"
Miserix lowered his lead and leaned in so that his massive face was up against Roodaka's. When he spoke, it was in a whisper. "Little one, I am Makuta Miserix. I am no one's pawn. I am no one's ally." His next words came in a roar that drove Roodaka back into the rock wall. "And I am no one's fool!!"
Brutaka watched, looking unimpressed. "Are you done?"
Miserix nodded slowly. "Let us go. I have a universe to rediscover."
Brutaka loaded the stunned Roodaka and the now semi-conscious Lariska and Vezon onto the dragon's back. Then he climbed on himself. Miserix unfurled his wings and stepped out into the open air. They soared high above the island, pausing only long enough for Miserix to make a muttered vow to come back and destroy the place one day. Brutaka noted that the team's boat was gone – Takadox had gotten away after all, then.
Let him run. It doesn't matter, thought Brutaka. A storm is coming to this universe, and when it hits, there will be nowhere for anyone to hide.
Miserix spread his wings and turned toward the north, carrying his passengers into the unknown.
Vezon looked from the massive, chained form of the dragon-like beast to his partners, then back at the dragon, then over to Brutaka. He opened his mouth to speak, but Brutaka cut him off.
"Don't say it," said Brutaka.
"We're going to need --" Vezon began.
"A bigger boat. I know," Brutaka said. "Anybody know what those... things... are flying all around?"
Small, winged creatures were indeed flitting all around the dragon. Now and then, one would let out a scream that shattered rock. "They're called klakk," said Makuta Spiriah. "Something Mutran created a long time back – their sonic scream is formidable. They must be meant as guardians."
Brutaka frowned. Guardians, all right, but against whom? He knew the dragon was in fact Makuta Miserix, ex-leader of the Brotherhood. He had been ordered executed, but Makuta Krika had instead chained him up here on the island of Artidax. It was Brutaka's job to rescue him so the Order of Mata Nui could use him against his former organization.
At that moment, Miserix suddenly took notice of them. His great eyes narrowed as he spoke and his voice rumbled like a distant avalanche. "Who... are... you?"
Brutaka started to say, "Friends," then decided he didn't really want to be considered a friend of that thing. "We're here to free you," he said instead. "Can you shapeshift to a smaller form?"
"Why would I wish to do that?" asked Miserix. "Do you know how many of these creatures I had to absorb to reach a size where their screams no longer pain me?"
"See, the size is a problem, your immenseness," Vezon cut in. "We only have a small boat, hardly more than a raft, really, and if it sinks we have to swim. Personally, I am not big on swimming – some friends of mine went for a swim, I heard, and now they look like sea snakes, just a head and a spine. And I have no spine, so I would be just a head, and --"
Miserix's eyes glowed red. A burst of laser vision struck Vezon, sending him tumbling backwards. "Gnat," muttered the Makuta.
Turning to check on Vezon, Brutaka saw that Spiriah had backed way up into the shadows. Miserix noticed too and bellowed, "Tell that one to come forth."
Spiriah took a reluctant step forward. At the sight of another Makuta, the dragon smiled. "Spiriah. I do remember you. When Teridax rose against me, you were one of the first to be by his side. I have so looked forward to meeting you again."
Brutaka tightened his grip on his weapon. He did not like Miserix's tone at all.
"Do you know I have not seen one of my species since Krika left me here?" Miserix continued.
"We all meant to come," Spiriah said hurriedly. "Teridax wouldn't let us. We all knew we would benefit by your experience, your power, your very presence."
"But you did not come," rumbled Miserix. "So now I shall benefit from yours."
A hand made of living shadow erupted from the dragon's chest, grabbed Spiriah, and pulled him into Miserix's body. There wasn't even time for a scream.
Vezon, back on his feet, stopped dead when he saw the Makuta consumed. "I thought we were here to rescue him from captivity," he whispered. "Not from that mid-day empty feeling."
"You know, we could just leave you here to rot," Brutaka said to Miserix. "Or wait for the next volcanic eruption to rain lava down on your oversized head. Or... you could have your chance to take revenge on your brothers. What's it going to be?"
Miserix considered. Then he leaned forward as far as his chains would allow him and said, "Make your attempt, for what good it will do."
"I have seen those kind of chains before," said Lariska. "They grow and shrink with him. They feed on his own power and use it to hold him."
Brutaka hefted his weapon. "Can they be broken?"
"Not without causing him great pain."
Brutaka gave a grim smile. "I'll cry tomorrow. Find me a weak link. Roodaka, we are going to need your help."
The Vortixx had been silent since they had entered Miserix's presence. Brutaka had no doubt she was planning something. But she dutifully stepped forward and stood beside him, her eyes never leaving the chained Makuta.
"There," said Lariska, pointing to a segment of the chain that held Miserix's right arm. "We concentrate our fire there."
Brutaka and Roodaka took aim, he with his blade, she with her outstretched hand. Energy and shadow bolts struck the weak segment of chain, bathing it in a continuous stream of power. After several minutes, the substance of the chain began to flake off. After a few more, it began to crack. Then the link shattered to pieces. Miserix screamed, loud enough to crack the mountain itself.
The klakk reacted instantly, flying toward the rescue team and unleashing their sonic screams. Vezon and Lariska fought them off, while Brutaka used his blade to parry the streams of sound. Meanwhile, Miserix raised his arm tentatively. Seeing that it was indeed free of its bonds, he reached over with it and tore the other chain from the ground. This time, he did not scream, but only smiled.
The klakk were gaining ground now, driving the team back toward where the insects were still lurking. Miserix watched the battle for a moment in silence. Then he opened his mouth and unleashed a power scream that felled the klakk, along with Vezon and Lariska. Brutaka and Roodaka barely remained conscious. Crawling over, Brutaka checked on his two team members – both were still living.
"Now, then," said Miserix. "Where is Teridax?"
Brutaka laughed. "And if I tell you, you have no reason to keep us alive. Gratitude is not high on the list of Makuta emotions. I'll show you. But you are going to need to shrink down to make it out the way we came."
"Your lack of imagination is disappointing," said Miserix, in as close to good spirits as a Makuta ever got. He reared back and struck the side of the mountain with all his might, once, twice, again. The rock cracked and began to crumble. Miserix followed up with his fragmentation power, reducing the entire side of the volcano to shards of stone. Beyond it, Brutaka could see the sky and the sea.
"At last!" said Miserix. "After so many millennia – I am free!"
Before Brutaka's startled eyes, the dragon grew wings. Then Miserix turned his crimson-scaled head to Brutaka and said, "Come. Show me where my enemy hides, so I may grind his armor to dust and feed on his energies."
"No!" shouted Roodaka. "They want to lead you into a trap! Listen to me, I too am an enemy of the Brotherhood. Brutaka wants to use you, to sacrifice you as a pawn in a war against the Makuta. I want you for an ally!"
Miserix lowered his lead and leaned in so that his massive face was up against Roodaka's. When he spoke, it was in a whisper. "Little one, I am Makuta Miserix. I am no one's pawn. I am no one's ally." His next words came in a roar that drove Roodaka back into the rock wall. "And I am no one's fool!!"
Brutaka watched, looking unimpressed. "Are you done?"
Miserix nodded slowly. "Let us go. I have a universe to rediscover."
Brutaka loaded the stunned Roodaka and the now semi-conscious Lariska and Vezon onto the dragon's back. Then he climbed on himself. Miserix unfurled his wings and stepped out into the open air. They soared high above the island, pausing only long enough for Miserix to make a muttered vow to come back and destroy the place one day. Brutaka noted that the team's boat was gone – Takadox had gotten away after all, then.
Let him run. It doesn't matter, thought Brutaka. A storm is coming to this universe, and when it hits, there will be nowhere for anyone to hide.
Miserix spread his wings and turned toward the north, carrying his passengers into the unknown.
Trinuma
For instructions of the Order of Mata Nui Member Trinuma, go to Lego.com and enter the ClubCode BIONICLEBUILD.
http://assets.lego.com/eng/downloads/club/Clubcodes/BIONICLEBUILD.pdf
http://assets.lego.com/eng/downloads/club/Clubcodes/BIONICLEBUILD.pdf
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Axalara T9, Gali, Tahu, Onua, Bitil, Krika, and Gorast are all available now on Shop at Home!
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Leaf.aspx?cn=540&d=351
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