The Legacy Final Poll

[Velox]

Vote here for your favorite Legacy story; entries have been randomized. Please MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL ENTRIES BEFORE VOTING.Voting begins now and will end on June 17th at 11:59 PM EST. The entry with the most votes will be the winner of the Legacy theme and will then be either judged or polled against the winners of the other themes.

1. Celebration Day The Matoran danced merrily, intoxicated by the overwhelming feelings of excitement and happiness that came with every celebration, dragging the Toa with them without a care in the universe. They spun and cheered with abandon. Their only care was to enjoy the moment, and at that they most certainly succeeded. Propelled for an instant to the edge of the crowd, Toa Vihrii detached himself. He took his leave then, waving casually as he walked away. The thud of drums and cheerful shouts of Matoran carried even to the very edge of the village. As he walked through the gate he spied the two Turaga, telling their stories as usual, to those few Matoran with less taste for the frivolities of celebration day. “Going somewhere, Toa?” Asked a kindly voice behind him. “Turaga Kerhel! I did not see you there,” Vihrii said, turning. Kerhel laughed. “Evidently. I would walk with you, if you will permit it.” “Gladly.” The two of them strolled away from the village. They were silent for a while, until Vihrii could stand it no longer. “Why am I here, Turaga? I feel I could do so much more.” “Not every Toa is destined to be part of great battles and famous deeds,” Kerhel said. “You have protected us well, defended us from every threat, but you are uneasy. You are not yet satisfied. Am I correct?” Vihrii stopped, a downcast look in his eyes. “I am a Toa. I thought I was destined for more than fighting off the occasional Rahi or wrongdoer.” Kerhel lent on his staff and looked deep into Vihrii's eyes. “You will not be listed among the great heroes of our age. But your legacy is still one of heroism and bravery. You have fought for us and expected nothing in return. You have stayed among us, though distant shores may seem greener. You have always done what is right, even though your heart yearns for greater callings. To do that, to act against your own desires each and every day, is bravery in itself. It is a small legacy, in the grand scheme of things, but one to be proud of.” “But Turaga. There are greater evils out there, I know it. Surely I could be of more use fighting them?” Vihrii replied, half pleading. Kerhel shook his head. “Though many great evils beset the world, it is an evil in itself to forget that smaller problems also need fixing. You have persevered and dealt with them admirably. There are heroes enough to deal with the greater threats. But without people like you, helping the ones those heroes forget, they would have no one left to protect. Do not let the smallness of your deeds diminish your importance. You are a great Toa. One I am proud to know.” Vihrii thought for a while on the Turaga's words. “I, shall need more time to consider this. You are right, but how can I change the yearnings of my heart?” “It is a hard thing, to be content with less than you desire,” Kerhel sighed. “You must learn to appreciate all that you have, however small. Every part of your life has value, but it is for you to realise what it is. Once you learn to see all that your life means to you, perhaps then you will be content.” “I shall try, Turaga. Where do you think I should start?” Kerhel chuckled. “It is celebration day. There is only one place to be.” ------
2. Tahu “...To Leah Fern, I leave my antique furniture collection, preserved perfectly from the day it was made, to do whatever she wishes with it...to Jason Fern I leave my estate, and every unclaimed item that lies within it...for Alexandre Fern I leave...Tahu...” The attorney continues, but my mind lingers on that two syllable name. Tahu... “Kids, we’re visiting Grandma today, make sure you’re ready!” My mom would tell us. “Yeah.” My brother would reply, preoccupied with his games. “I’m ready whenever,” my sister would say, reading one of her old books. “I get to see Tahu again!” I would exclaim, rushing to get ready, putting my shoes on the wrong feet in my hurry. On the long drive down, I always had trouble sitting still. Sometimes I would try to imagine which amazing story Grandma would tell me that day as I sat at her feet, playing with the red Toa. I would always be the first to the door, ringing the bell incessently, peeking through the window as she opened the door. I would always head straight to the family room, where he stood alone above the fireplace, his exuberant colour scheme setting the mantle aflame. Tahu... I would turn the gears on his back, making him attack imaginary villains, parry invisible blows, as she would begin another story about how Tahu and his team of Toa saved the day. Sometimes I would retrieve other Bionicle figures from the drawer, making them act out Grandma’s story; sometimes I would take them apart, using the pieces to create new characters for Grandma’s stories, using Gali’s mask for an astronaut, fashioning cookie minions out of the Pahrak torso, salvaging parts from Jaller, Axonn, Matoro, but never the radiant Toa of Fire. Tahu... His Kanohi Hau shielded me from horrors of the world, from the sadness of losing my father. His fire warmed my heart. He was the symbol of my childhood, of who I am. As he grew in character, so did I. I learned of honor, courage, trust, and loyalty through the adventures of Tahu. I learned of the danger of rash decisions, to always keep my cool, to think before I act, something the Toa could never quite accomplish. Tahu... It makes perfect sense for me to have the Toa of Fire; he was and forevermore is a symbol of my grandmother’s love. Though she is gone, her legacy lives within this Toa, just as mine will, years from now. My brother may have gotten a house, my sister may have gotten furniture worth thousands of dollars, but she gave me him. Tahu. -------
3. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Empty chairs at empty tables Now my friends are dead and gone. Brother, dear brother, it was my time. It was my time to go. It was Mata Nui’s will. Toa live to uphold his will, and so I have no regrets for myself. But my heart goes out to you, brother. To have your team torn away from you, I cannot imagine. Here they talked of revolution. Here it was they lit the flame. Here they sang about `tomorrow' And tomorrow never came. Brother, dear brother, don’t you know that torturing yourself tortures me? You know that living in such endless torment by your own hand is not something I would ever wish upon you. And yet you continue to drown yourself in your guilt, drowning me. If there was any form of comfort I could send across to you, I would do so in a heartbeat. Not to lessen my vicarious suffering, but to start to heal the wounds to your heart. From the table in the corner They could see a world reborn And they rose with voices ringing I can hear them now! The very words that they had sung Became their last communion On the lonely barricade at dawn. Brother, dear brother, please, please understand this. I do not blame you for anything. So why do you? There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. As your sister and friend, I cannot bear to watch you struggle without being able to help. At the same time, as your sister and friend, as well as your star and angel, I must and I do. Oh my friends, my friends forgive me That I live and you are gone. There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Brother, dear brother, isn’t it shameful? Shameful that just one little moment in time can drown out years and years of companionship? Why must you remember me, remember us, as we lay broken and blood on our last battlefield? I do not think it fair. That single, horrible moment is burned into your mind, making you blind to all the wonderful times we had as a team. It pains me to no end. You knew me, you know me. Would the Nikila you knew, the Nikila you know, want you to remember her forever in her weakest and last moments of life? Would any of us want that? I know you know the answer. Phantom faces at the window. Phantom shadows on the floor. Empty chairs at empty tables Where my friends will meet no more. Brother, dear brother, I pray to Mata Nui ceaselessly that he will give you strength to forgive yourself. I can no longer give you my strength, fighting by your side. But I hope that one day, I will still be able to make you smile. One day, when you can finally recall the times we had as a team, laughing and living life to the fullest. Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me What your sacrifice was for Empty chairs at empty tables Where my friends will meet no more Lesovikk, dear brother, there is one promise I can give. We will wait for you. (*Lyrics from Les Misérables) -------
4. Carts in The Wind A thousand words can tell a story, a carved wall can tell the tale. But neither one lives and breathes, nothing really lives on after death. They are the remnants of the lives of the lucky, those who show themselves to be worthy, the rest are nothing more than passing mentions in the tales of those deemed worthy of legend. The greatest of heroes and the darkest of villains get mentions and stories, they never die, living on a cold, lifeless existence long after their deaths. But for those who are not, we fade away into oblivion, never to even be thought of again. I'm not a great hero, nor am I a monstrous evil, I am merely a Matoran. I've worked my life away keeping the lives of others from halting, I built the carts that are used to mine deep underground, and in my carts are carried the resources that are used in our everyday lives. I'm unimportant overall, I'll never be worthy of legend. But I get my job accomplished, and I help make it easier for others to work. The tale of Mata Nui, and the legacy of the Matoran Lhii, those are what you hear of if you wish to know something of interest from the past. You see nothing of the other countless numbers who have given their lives to make it easier for others. But I suppose I shouldn't be jealous. Both Mata Nui and Lhii have done great things for us, and I've just been building carts. But it would be nice if people knew who I was now that I'm gone. But I suppose that's too much to ask for merely a villager. I wonder if anyone will even care now that I'm gone? I suppose not. The carts should last for many centuries, I built them to be strong and resilient. So I guess that I'll eventually be the passing thought of others. Someone may wonder where they can get their carts repaired, but they will probably just find another. I shall just vanish as though I never really existed. A slight memory in a sea of thought, that's all we are. I suppose there is no point now, It's too late for me to prove myself a hero, to create new legends. But I guess it wouldn't be much of a story. 'Come Matoran, to hear the tale of Harvic, the great builder of carts! Without his care and work, our mines would not be what they are today'. Even then, I can't help but be proud of what I accomplished, even if it was only helping others. I guess the legacy I'll leave behind is only the slightest impact upon the world. But that is enough, all legends eventually die, but a creation can last longer than memories. My carts allow the world to continue, they are my legacy. My carts shall live on forever! ------

[Ballom Nom Nom]

Number three is still really darn awesome, and thus earned my vote again.~B~

[Toa of Dancing]

Still have to say 3 by a landslide. Excellently written songfic.

[Legolover-361]

Entries 1 and 3 were my favorites in this poll. I voted Entry 1.

[fishers64]

Once again, all of these were exceptional, but 4 earned my vote.

[Excelsior]

I voted for 3. I didn't vote for it in its last poll, because I didn't think it fit the theme well enough, but I changed my mind. And, of course, the writing is definitely good.-Excelsior

[Nick Silverpen]

These polls get harder and harder.... 2 and 3 are incredibly touching. Is Tahu a true story? I think I'm going to vote for that, because its a good real world story.

[Velox]

Like Toa of Dancing, #3 got my vote by a landslide. Amazing song, awesome story. I did enjoy #4 as well, though.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Velox

[Nuile the Paracosmic Tulpa]

Creativity is still my main criterion, and that's why I chose #2.

Sincerely, Nuile: Lunatic Wordsmith

[Velox]

Polling period over; poll closed. The COT polls will be up tomorrow.