Smarty35

Elegant! Where do those wing pieces come from?

In the real world, it's because 2004 was a prequel and they hadn't invented the character when they made the map of Mata Nui years earlier. In-story, it's because they made him a celebrity instead. Vakama and Nuju made up a story about a legendary lava surfer named Lhii as a way of commemorating him without giving away prequel plot points. Also they'd already named two makeshift ships after him.

Games that have this sort of requirement often just link you to the "create an account" webpage when you first launch the game. Then once you make such an account they keep you signed in anyway. That said, it's a little odd for a Lego Tt style game to need any sort of online functionality. Unless there's online multiplayer (!?) I can't see what they'd use it for.

This doesn't really surprise me. I kept glancing back at fan sites to see if G5 was picking up steam, but as far as I could tell they kept chugging on G4 with a few extra characters in the fanart. The movie remains the only G5 content I actually saw. It was a good movie, but was different from G4 and already seemed to be losing grasp of the creative spark. I think G4 made a stronger effort to be an interesting story on its own, while the G5 movie (and maybe further G5 content?) was less cohesive and just meant to be a montage of music videos that could double as toy commercials. (The makeover song, the pop concert song, etc.) After the sprawling fantasy Equestria of G4, ponies with cell phones just didn't turn out to be a sufficient replacement... And of course the medium of choice wasn't well suited to a sophisticated continuing storyline anyway. Interesting that you too would think of that connection. I made a passing reference to the idea in my 2021 post after the movie.

Yeah, the movie was good. Lots of mysteries still left open (how did the ponies split apart? how come nopony has a cutie mark? what happened to the supposedly-immortal alicorns? what about all the other creatures around Equestria?), but a satisfying story. However, it didn't quite feel like MLP to me. Maybe it was the 3D animation, or the lack of anything recognizable from G4 (other than a few cameos like cutie mark symbols and a tree) playing a role in the story. Anyway, it just sort of felt like a one-species (or is that three-species) Zootopia. I would tend to disagree, mostly I guess because that one, for all its faults, really is an MLP movie. Might just be nostalgia talking, though. In any case, yes, the movie was good, go watch it, but moderate your expectations. I hope the upcoming G5 series will solve some of these mysteries and feel more connected to G4, but that might just not happen. We Bionicle fans know that sometimes a reboot just can't capture the original magic.

If you want, you can still download it and see for yourself: http://biomediaproject.com/bmp/games/ Scroll far to the right, to the SECOND occurrence of "2002", click "Desktop Toys".

Okay, apparently the "Sold out" is gone now. Yes, this is what now appears in its place. Still not on Amazon, but now that it's on the Lego shop I'll just order from them. I think it's a bit hasty to call it a conspiracy, or the end of Bionicle. Could be as simple as a hiccup in the supply chain.

Hey guys, Has anyone else noticed that Umarak (the Destroyer) is sold out on the Lego shop? I don't know if it's just for the US, or everywhere, but whereas the others are showing out of stock (with expected ship date) or just available, Umarak is just "sold out". No option to buy, no way to tell if/when it will be available again. None of the sets seem to be on Amazon yet, either. I was intending to go buy them at a store, but they weren't there yet, either. What could this mean?

IC: Vesun Vesun followed silently, retrieving his halberd. "Indeed."

IC: Vesun "Possibly."

IC: Vesun "Perhaps so," Vesun commented. "That doesn't mean it shouldn't be attempted. It just means we cannot do it alone. If we coordinate the villages, perhaps we can find a way to launch an assault and extract the hostages from the confusion." He turned to the Akiri. "Of course, that would mean Ta-Koro as well." "The material point is, we wish to help. As much as we can, however we can. If you have a plan," he said to Jaller, "what do you need?"

IC: Vesun "And I will help if I can. If possible, I'll stay with the Kalta."

IC: Vesun "I see. I assume they are well-fortified there. What have you been planning?"

IC: Vesun Vesun bowed his head to the Akiri. "I meant no offense, and I have no illusions of knowing this island well. In any case, I am glad we have come to better terms now." "Most important would be intelligence. We know rather little of the details in Ko-Koro. Do you have any spies or similar sources of information? Have you already formed a plan of retaliation?"

IC: Vesun (Akiri's office) Vesun stepped forward, placing himself between the Akiri and the Toa Kalta and his other allies. He cleared his throat loudly to attract attention, then spoke. His tone was surprisingly quiet and calm compared to the heated debate he was interrupting. "Why are we arguing?" Vesun asked. He looked at both sides for a moment, then turned towards the Kalta. "This 'Akiri' has pointed out a severe flaw in the plan. Several, in fact. We all want to help Ko-Koro, but as he points out, charging in blind will do nothing but worsen the situation. Now, if he has true military resources, and the experience he seems to, we could set up a very thorough plan. Our action has to be effective as well as quick, and I am sure he is as aware of that as we are. If we have the chance for an alliance, we should not discard it so hastily." Vesun turned around slowly, to face Jaller. "Nor are you blameless," he said to the Akiri. "I am aware of your position, but this is clearly a time of dire need. You have been approached by six Toa offering their help. However strong your military, it is an asset you cannot afford to turn away. We may seem naive to you, but we do not lack for enthusiasm, and, tempers aside, we certainly did not deserve the welcome we received. If there is this much discord among the powers of good, it is no surprise evil forces have achieved their powerful position. There is no reason we cannot work together." "Now, let me make myself clear. I will be heading towards Ko-Koro, sooner or later. With a plan. And in a team, if not an army." He glanced at the Kalta. "But it matters much less to me with whom I go," he explained, then turned to the Akiri. "Or on whose behalf. Now, shall we stand, together? Or fall, apart?"

IC: Vesun Vesun unsheathed his halberd and left it with the others' weapons. He walked behind Vakua, thinking at him. Never mind. I suppose I'm about to find out.

IC: Vesun Vesun glanced at Vakua, noticing his wince as the Toa of Sonics removed his headphones. Vesun had been about to say something, but instead he whispered as quietly as he could manage. He knew Vakua would still hear him. "What's an Akiri?"

OOC: Wait, were you guys waiting on me? I didn't think Vesun had anything to say. IC: Vesun Vesun shrugged. "Nor do I know anyone who could help us in this village. Perhaps it is best if we kept the team small."

IC: Vesun "So be it. The task will be hard enough as it is, so we'll have to do it right." He glanced around the group. "Is there anyone else any of you know? Trustworthy warriors, or guides?"

IC: Vesun As he was getting accustomed to doing, Vesun followed quietly. He chose to follow Vakua and Kalyss as they walked through the town with Mirra and Wisp. He enjoyed the prospect of standing a few paces behind everyone else, silent and unnoticed. It occurred to him that he would have made, in some other circumstance, a very good spy. The Toa took in everything that was said, only reacting when Kalyss returned with the news from Ko-Koro. He'd known that the village was under attack, and was at that time unfit to act. For it to have fallen was a blow to him even though he had not met a single Ko-Matoran, or even seen Ko-Wahi. The image of pillaged houses and frightened hostages angered him greatly, but he controlled the emotion. Instead, he simply directed a thought to Vakua. We should retake it, he exclaimed. A trustworthy refugee as a guide, a strike team to extract the hostages, and as much of an army as can be raised to reconquer the place. He paused for a moment, considering before he continued. You should lead the strike team. Your telepathy would coordinate it better than any normal communication.

IC: Vesun "I'd heard it was under attack," Vesun remarked to Kalyss, "but no more than that. Hopefully we can find a refugee here... and you bring up another point. What is the exact goal of this... team? I gather you need to survive Skorm's attacks, and probably try to win him back - but other than that, why are you here?"

OOC: Vesun from Ga-Wahi, following the Toa Kalta. IC: Vesun Vesun saw Vakua carving his mask in a tree, and spoke for the first time in hours. "You realize your mask is unique, Vakua... leaving Skorm a hint? You should remove that."

OOC: Sorry, got distracted by winter break. Back now. IC: Vesun Vesun had been silently watching the events around the gate, nodding to the Toa Kalta as they arrived. He stood up and followed them towards Ta-Koro. OOC: Vesun to Ta-Wahi, following the Toa Kalta.

IC: Vesun Vesun bowed his head to Kirgan. "Goodbye, then, friend. Give my regards to Khervos and Tuli and the others." He walked off. Having only arrived two days ago, Vesun had little to his name: only his halberd and the armor on his back. He walked to the gate and sat, waiting and thinking on the memories he'd uncovered.

IC: Vesun "I may? Thank you." He was going to say something more, but Kirgan spoke first. Vesun turned to face him, kneeling down to the Matoran's level. Once Kirgan had finished, the Toa responded. "Kirgan. I understand you have your own duty, and even though I might wish it, I cannot ask you to come further. I am surprised you followed me as far as you did. When I next pass Onu-Koro I promise to come by." Vesun paused, clearly moved by the parting as well. "Kirgan, you were the first being I met on this island. Throughout our adventures, you have shown nothing but kindness, bravery, and a strong sense of justice." Vesun held up his fist, bumping it against Kirgan's. "You would make a great Toa... brother."