Legends Poll: Nidhiki

[Velox]

Vote here for your favorite Legends of Lhii story; entries have been randomized. Please MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL ENTRIES BEFORE VOTING.Voting begins now and will end on June 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. Entries that do well will move on to the Legends of Lhii Final Poll, which will be posted at the conclusion of the 12th round preliminary poll.

• [*]Lhii can ride' em Lhii, Jaller and Maglya raced to the edge of the bridge, each carrying wooden surfboards, built from the trees of the nearby forest. Vakama, Kapura and Tiribomba followed, stopping just outside the winch room. “They could not have rushed out of that shop sooner,” Tiribomba remarked, “They even forgot to pay for their boards! I practically had to give my whole widget sack to Vohon paying for them!” “Agreed…” Kapura replied. He stumbled toward the edge of the bridge. “I still haven’t recovered from when they rushed past me.” “Then I suggest you keep away from the edge,” warned Vakama, “That lava is deadly, even for a Ta-Matoran.” “Sorry Tiribomba,” panted Jaller, “I tried to warn them about paying, but they left too quickly.” “Well all of you owe me,” Tiribomba shot back, “I’m practically broke because of you. Surfboards aren’t cheap, you know!” Before Jaller could respond, Vakama stepped in. “This is no time to fight. This is supposed to be a friendly competition. Tiribomba, what’s the status with the flows?” Tiribomba looked over the cliff and studied the lava below. As a lava farmer, he knew the ebb and flow of the lake more than most. “It’s AOK,” he said. Vakama nodded to Kapura, who went into the winch room. Lhii, Jaller and Maglya headed onto the bridge, each standing on a separate pillar. “You won’t beat me this time,” said Maglya. “That’s what you said last time,” cheekily replied Lhii, “and the time before that. Has there EVER been a time where I haven’t beaten you?” “Well, there was that time I…” Maglya started. As he stalled to think, Lhii grinned. “I didn’t think so.” “The race will now begin,” called Vakama from the edge, “you can start as soon as Kapura lowers the bridge.” “Knowing Kapura, that’ll take forever…” Maglya muttered. Suddenly the pillars that were the bridge to Ta-Koro began to sink. Maglya nearly lost his balance! Jaller laughed. Lhii however, was focusing hard on the lava flows, searching for a good opening. The instant he saw it, he hurled his board into the lava, jumped on and glided off before the others had a chance to react! “Wait for me!” Maglya called after him. Jumping in, he followed the same path Lhii took. Jaller quickly rode after them. Vakama then paced down the other way to meet the Matoran when they returned to the bridge. Ta-Koro was surrounded on all ends by a ring of lava, so he knew the Matoran would soon appear around the other bend. Suddenly, the rock underneath Vakama’s right foot rumbled, and he slipped off the edge! “TURAGA!” Tiribomba called, unable to reach him in time. Luckily, Lhii was just rounding the bend at that very moment. He looked up, and his eyes widened at the sight of Vakama falling. He sped forward, grabbing Vakama as he fell. Lhii threw Vakama onto the bridge, but was unable to stop his board from crashing into it. Lhii went head over heels over the bridge and sank into the lava on the other side, dead before he could scream. Maglya and Jaller had just rounded the bend too, and witnessed the event. Both leaped off their boards and rushed to the other side, looking into the lava with horror. Vakama quickly called for Tiribomba to raise the bridge. “May the Great Spirit guide him to the hereafter…” said Vakama quietly as they returned. He turned to the shocked Matoran. “I shall inform the village of our loss. Tomorrow we will hold a village-wide memorial to the fallen legend…” -----[*]The storyteller began his tale... "'Death to Lhii!' the mob roared. Their leader raised his fist. "'All Lhii ever does is surf, while the rest of us actually work for a living! This - ends - NOW!' "'Also, what's with the all-yellow armor?' another Matoran interjected. 'That's just weird.' "The entire mob stared at him. He stared back. 'What?' "'Uh, Takua?' Kapura said... slowly. 'You have a light blue mask.' "'That's different!' the Matoran protested. 'After all, I admit I'm a freak.' Murmurs of agreement were heard from the mob. 'He thinks he's a hero.' "'I'm with Takua!' someone shouted. 'Even if he is a freak!' "The leader of the mob raised his hand again. 'Come on, then!' he cried. 'Let's go to the lava falls!' "The crowd began marching, chanting 'Death - to - Lhii!' as they waved their torches (although I'm not sure what they hoped to set fire to in a volcano) and their lava pitchforks (from their lava farms, of course)." "It was late at night, and the only light at the falls came from the glowing lava. A normal Matoran would have been at home, sleeping. But Lhii was not a normal Matoran, had no home, and did not sleep. He surfed. "He surfed away on the dangerous lava flows, nonchalantly accomplishing every impossible feat he could think of. Because he was the Best. Surfer. Ever. "As he surfed -" The blue-masked Matoran stopped abruptly. "You've stopped working again, Takua," Vakama said gently. The circle of listeners melted away. Takua looked at the ground. "You caused others to stop work too," The elder continued, still gently. "And did I hear you making fun of Lhik- I mean, Lhi?" Takua looked guilty. "Just writing a legend of my own, Turaga," he said, shrugging. "Legends are not written,Takua!" Vakama said sharply, and possibly hypocritically. "They are lived." Takua said nothing. A nearby Ta-Matoran, wearing a yellow Hau, stopped working. "He didn't mean any harm, Turaga Vakama," he defended him. "You know Takua - he just can't stop talking." The Turaga looked at him reproachfully. "Am I to understand that you also approved of this - this mockery, Jala? You are of the clan of Lhii!" Takua looked up at that. "He wasn't involved, Turaga. It wasn't his fault - he told me to stop." "Well, that's something, anyway," Vakama sighed. "But that doesn't answer my other question, Takua - why are you mocking the great legend of Lhii?" Takua fidgeted. "I'm sorry, Vakama, I just-" He stopped, told himself the Ta-Matoran Principle was Courage, and started again. "I just don't see why his his legend is so great!" "I know he fought Rahi," he hurried, seeing Vakama's expression, "but so has every member of the Guard! Most Matoran have, at least a few times. And I know all about his lava-surfing-" he looked at the Turaga almost defiantly"- but is that all it takes to qualify as a hero? Some athletic ability? Why not make legends about that Po-Matoran, Huki, while we're at it?" His voice died away. "That's - all I was saying, Turaga. Sorry." Vakama sighed. "I see your point of view, Takua," he said, "and perhaps it's understandable. But trust me, there was much more to him than that. Jala can be proud to - be of his clan. "Now get back to work, Takua." The Matoran gave a subdued nod and hurried to join his friend. Ten minutes later, he was convulsing Jala with a new story, about three Matoran, a kolhii ball, and a Tarakava. But he kept Lhii out of it. -----[*]Lava Rescue Lhii calmly noted the current of the lava and carefully repositioned his lava board so that he wouldn’t lose control of it. This land of heat and lava was his domain, and he had no intention of making a stupid mistake and dying because of it. He had a reputation to uphold, after all. As Lhii surfed, he thought about what had happened on the island during the last few months. At first, life had been peaceful, with the only concern of the Matoran being a slight overabundance of free time. Lhii had of course used that time to build a name for himself as the island’s best lava surfer, but lately… Lately, there had been instances. A missing tool here, a broken Ussal cart there. Nothing too big, but certainly an annoyance to a Matoran actually invested in their work. But yesterday, a Matoran had gone missing. It was the first time anything like this had happened on their peaceful little island, and it had caused quite the uproar. Lhii himself had been quite shaken by the news, though he tried to conceal his worry with a number of bad jokes and general tomfoolery. The other Matoran all wondered how he could behave in such a manner while such a grave situation was taking place, but Lhii refused to explain his actions. Lhii’s best friend had disappeared, and Lhii was going to find him if it was the last thing he did. * * * Weeks went by, with no sign of the missing Matoran. Eventually, the island gave up, convinced that the Matoran was gone for good. Lhii knew better, though. He knew his friend was out there. He had to be. So Lhii kept looking, even when all trails had long since dried up and everyone else had abandoned the search. One day, Lhii decided to take a short break from his constant search and relax a bit, to give himself a short reprieve. Naturally, this meant participating in a sport which entailed his being separated from a lake of lave by nothing more than a few inches of metallic something-or-rather. To Lhii, lava surfing was the most enjoyable thing in the world. As Lhii surfed, he noticed a small tunnel branching off from the main path. Making his way over to it, Lhii noticed a few scratch marks on the wall. From the looks of it, they belonged to Nui Rama, but what would Nui Rama have been doing scratching at the wall? They were much too big to fit inside, unless… Without hesitation, Lhii flung himself into the tunnel, the heat steadily increasing as he ventured farther in and further down. After a while of surfing, Lhii thought he heard a small voice cry out from the darkness. It was faint, but he had a good idea of who it belonged to. Sure enough, just a bit farther ahead was his friend desperately clinging to the wall in an attempt to not fall into the lava and be horrifically burned (and subsequently killed). “I found you!” Lhii said, his voice ringing with triumph. However, his newly-refound companion did not share in his happiness. “How are we supposed to get back? The slope is too steep to surf up!” the Ta-Matoran wailed. At this point, Vakama stopped talking and looked at the group of Ta-Matoran assembled before him. His eyes were serious, and his voice was grave. However, the Ta-Matoran would never be quite sure if what he said next was in seriousness or not. “And that is why you always surf with a buddy.” -----[*]Ballad of Lhii In the land the Matoran have claim, In Ta-Koro, the village of flame, On the island of Mata Nui There lived a Matoran named Lhii Lava surrounded the village Whose heat the Matoran did pillage But they avoided where the lava churned In fear that they would get burned But Lhii was braver than most And he would often boast About how he was not scared To go where the lava flared He tired to craft a device That could travel across lava in trice And speed down the lava river It was an idea that made his pals quiver A surf board he decided to adjust Made of metals that would not combust But before the board could be tested Turaga Vakama protested “That board is a danger,” he said “And if you fall off, you are dead. And as such I cannot permit For you to experiment with it.” Although his plan was now busted Turaga Vakama was one that he trusted So Lhii stored his surf board away But swore that he’d test it someday Then came the mighty Rahi attack Which pushed all the Matoran back Onto their village island Where they had to make their last stand The Rahi gathered on the ridge And then destroyed the village bridge Leaving Ta-Koro cut off and in peril And hope went down in a spiral “We need to call out for help,” A lava farmers did yelp “But the lava just cannot be crossed. And that means that we all are lost!” Lhii pushed to the front of the clan And announced “I have a plan.” On my lava board I will ride And find help from the outside.” Before anyone could protest Lhii started off on his quest His board surfed the lava like water And cut down the stream like an auger He made some excellent saves As he surfed on the lava’s waves Matoran watched him surf in fright Until he rode out of sight Ta-Koro prepared for the siege And even a potential breach But they couldn’t fight endlessly So all of their hope was in Lhii The Rahi were there for three days And the village they prepared to raze But the beasts’ efforts were just for nil When many Matoran appeared on the hill The Matoran were from all around Their cries fill the air with sound They charged down the hill hastily And leading their charge was Lhii The Rahi were swiftly defeated And those that survived retreated The Matoran, together and united Were quite the force to be sighted And thus Ta-Koro was saved And records of Lhii’s feat were engraved And all the Matoran across Mata Nui Learned of the legendary surfer named Lhii -----[*]Duty Bound “We need to go.” They didn’t need Lhii’s warning, feeling the rumbles from the base of the volcano. The lava farmers nodded at the tribe leader, swiftly stowing their tools and grabbing their boards. Lhii was last to leave the area, habitually checking for any stragglers or abandoned tools. It would not do well for the Guard if he left someone behind, as he had done in the early days of his post. We need all the Matoran we can to defend against the recent attacks, he thought, feeling the gash in his thigh from a Nui Rama attack a week ago. The Mangai rumbled again, the Ta-Matoran nervously glancing up at its peak. Lhii’s Pakari stared straightforward, avoiding all distractions that would prevent them from reaching the village safely. If the volcano erupted now, the lava flow that led back to Ta-Koro would overflow, and they would all perish. They only needed a quarter of an hour. Mata Nui, give me this small amount of time, just let us make it back to Ta-Koro, he prayed. Sweat dripped from under their masks as the troop leapt onto the lava, coasting on their boards. Quick paddles gave them momentum, and gravity took over as they surfed downriver to Ta-Koro. A hot, stiff breeze blew into their faces, making the farmers squint as their eyes encountered the heat. Lhii wanted to go faster, to travel down this route like he did the surf at the Ignalu Surf competition a few months prior- but this was not a time for leisure. It could just be a hiccup from the Mangai, but in the potential danger he was bound to his duty to get these Matoran, and himself, home safely. “You weren’t out long,” Jala remarked upon his friend’s arrival. “The volcano is starting up,” Lhii replied. “and Rahi have been frequenting visits far too often this week. You know I don’t run from a fight… I’ve just been uneasy this week.” As he and Jala opened the gate for the farmers, Mangai burst, the glow of the lava shadowing Ta-Koro below. It was fast approaching, and Lhii watched with narrow eyes. “I’m going back out there,” he said to his co-captain, even as the lava poured closer to Ta-Koro. “They’ll make it in time!” Jala’s Hau protested, but it was too late. Lhii was already off into the lava. Mata Nui protect him. Fiery liquid surged the banks, and the lava farmers frantically paddled toward the gate. Lhii cruised toward the party, bringing them safely to where the lava could not penetrate. Rolling waves started to form as he aimed toward the Matoran who expected him on shore, and he could feel the rumbling of another powerful eruption on the way. Lhii was a brave Matoran, taking his fair share in the Rahi Wars. Makuta knew this well, and could hear all the prayers that came from those who watched, as though he were the god receiving them; He also sensed Lhii’s injury, and sought to show the Matoran that defiance of his rule would have consequences. His Rahi in the lava burst up, knocking the board from under the Ta-Matoran. No one believed what they saw as Lhii tumbled, expecting him to cruise laughingly onto shore. Water is for wimps, the Ta-Matoran would tell all of the boastful Ga-Matoran who stepped up to be the best surfers. They could fall and get back up, but they would never stand as tall as Lhii did. *** So this is how we make peace, brother, Vakama thought as he closed his lips. -----[*]The Beast of Mata Nui Gather, friends of the flame, and listen to the story of the brave Lhii. Listen to the story of Mata Nui’s Unity: Once, long ago, not long after the mighty Mata Nui was placed under his deep slumber, and before the Makuta began to attack our settlements, our island home suffered from a great tribulation. The specific details of how it began are unclear. Some Matoran say that a beast was birthed from the pit of the Mangai. Others, (mostly Ko-Matoran) report that villagers from other Koro disturbed a large block of ice in the frozen mountains north of the Mangai, releasing the beast from its prison. Whatever its origin, a monstrous Rahi was released. This creature had an incredibly high body temperature and an immense hunger for destruction. Easily towering over Kane-Ra and other Rahi, this beast easily rampaged through the island for some time, beginning in the underground tunnels of Onu-Koro. It proceeded to wreck its way through the southern parts of the island. It appeared unstoppable. Back in Ta-Koro, clever Lhii knew he had to do something before the Rahi attacked the village. He trusted the Ta-Matoran and knew they were all reliable in a confrontation, but he knew that they would too be overwhelmed without aid. So Lhii traveled in the days before the beast reached Ta-Koro. He traveled to Le-Koro, where he enlisted the aid of expert Gukko riders under a skilled Le-Matoran captain. He traveled to Ko-Koro, where he recruited the help of some of the villagers there. Risking a dangerous trek through the mountains, they made their way back to Ta-Wahi with a cargo of frozen equipment just in time. Combining their resources, the guards of Ta-Koro and the forces from Ko-Koro and Le-Koro fought to keep the beast at bay. The winged riders distracted the beast, while the Ko-Matoran barraged the beast with their already-melting weapons. The extreme cold of them only made the beast angrier, however. The Matoran were eventually forced to withdraw into Ta-Koro. For several days, the village was in siege. Within the walls of Ta-Koro, discontent was in the air. The Ko-Matoran resented being confined to the fiery village, and tempers flared. Throughout, however, Lhii did his best to keep them all content. He spoke of their Duty to protect the island, of the Destiny they had not yet reached, and of the Unity they needed to accomplish their goals. He was a source of inspiration. At the end, when it looked like the beast would finally break through the defenses, a large force of Ga-, Onu- and Po-Matoran, hearing of the situation at Ta-Koro, rushed to the village. Other Ko-Matoran and Le-Matoran, wishing to aid their friends, also reached Ta-Koro. Unified and wishing to finally put an end to the beast’s rampage, the people from all six Koro had come together. Leading the charge from within Ta-Koro, Lhii’s forces pushed the Rahi back. The combined efforts and expertise from the six tribes fought bravely against the beast. This time, they persevered. The beast was forced out into the sea, where the waves consumed it. The Matoran of Mata Nui were safe, for the time being, and Lhii’s leadership and adherence to the Three Virtues was widely recognized. As we know, he would go on to accomplish many good things for his village.

[Makuta_of_Oz]

So did all entrants make it to voting?

[Excelsior]

I voted for 1.Well, my entry is the most comedic here - I hope that's a good thing. I had no idea what to write about a lava-surfing Matoran, so I started writing about how he does nothing but surf. Then it expanded from there.So, I was having trouble with this theme, but by making fun of it, I actually had fun writing for it! Pretty sure there's some profound moral in that somewhere. Or something.Anyway, may the best story win!-Excelsior

[Ballom Nom Nom]

Voted for number six after some deliberation. A lot of the other entries did seem pretty close.~B~

[Maganar]

Well, I liked #2. It was exactly the sort of thing you would expect Takua to do. And the way it ambigously opens you expect Vakama to be telling the tale until you read "Death to Lhii!" Then you have one of those moments. Surprising, did something creative with the theme (which was very hard on this one in particular), and absolutely hilarious. Not to mention all the characters behaved just as they do in canon... but I guess few share my opinion.

[Excelsior]

Well, I liked #2. It was exactly the sort of thing you would expect Takua to do. And the way it ambigously opens you expect Vakama to be telling the tale until you read "Death to Lhii!" Then you have one of those moments. Surprising, did something creative with the theme (which was very hard on this one in particular), and absolutely hilarious. Not to mention all the characters behaved just as they do in canon... but I guess few share my opinion.

Thanks!I didn't actually decide to make it a story-within-a-story until I'd gotten to Lhii surfing. At that point it was just flat-out parody; then I realized I could make it Takua's parody, which really helped the story.I'm glad you think they sounded canon, too. High praise for a fanfic.Again, thanks a lot for the positive feedback!-Excelsior

[Toatapio Nuva]

I voted for the ballad. A nice way to tell a story.

[Unauthorized Autobiography]

1# one!

[Velox]

Polling period over; poll closed.