Friar Tuck

ATTENTION PLAYERS WHO NEED TO UNDERGO THE SUBMITTING PROCESS:

Only Nuju Metru can approve custom species. This goes for re-approving last arc species. DO NOT send those to me or any other staff member. We will not respond.

Also, as a reminder, we will no longer accept custom masks or custom powers. Nuju has decided that he no longer wants those in the game. If you had either one of those two from last arc please re-submit it for review by staff to see if you can still keep it.

That said, anything else is fair game for ANY staff to review (foreign tech, organizations, weapons, etc). In other words, we're clamping down on the customization of powers and abilities. Bionicle canon has a lot to offer if you're willing to look, and we STILL have a large selection of powers and abilities for your viewing pleasure.

Any questions just soot us a PM or state it here.

Staff/Canon Characters

Personal Characters

Name: Joske (wiki page)

Species: Ta-Toa

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Gender: Male

Appearance: Similar to Toa Lhikan, his primary color is a rich red with dark gold accents. Tall, built, muscular and athletic on a lean frame, his former bodybuilding and physical training for Kohlii translated perfectly during his transformation from Matoran to Toa. While built he is not large by any means, though his physique is that of a near-perfect physical specimen, and he works hard to keep it that way.The most noticeable feature however is his brilliant blue eyes; it's as though someone stuck an overcharged lightstone into his skull and it's shining out of his sockets. They never used to be like this - when he became a Toa of Light temporarily his eyes glowed then, but after he lost the power the glow still remained. In fact, it's been observed that the intensity will change depending on his emotional state, giving proof to the idiom "The eyes are the window to the soul".

Since fulfilling his role as vanguard for the Toa Maru he has a new set of armor that strikes a perfect balance between protection and flexibility. Light, yet durable, it favors smaller pieces over bulky plate. The chestplate, shoulder- and thigh-guards are golden with thinned silver framing along the edges, while the bracers and shin-guards are primarily silver, with in an inset strip of gold running the length of their center. His Kanohi Kakama reflects this change in color as well and is now golden as well instead of the standard red.

Weapon(s):

Crystal Flamberge: The flamberge has a sturdy, elegant metal hilt – a basic T-shaped crossbar, an unadorned ovular pommel, all crafted out of smooth lines – but what is remarkable about the weapon is its transparent, rippling blade. The blade suits Joske perfectly, as though it was made for his arm. The blade looks like it is made of glass, and its edge is so sharp that it almost disappears into the air. The seemingly smooth surface of the blade is actually comprised of exceedingly minute flat polygons that bend so subtly that their edges are imperceptible unless closely examined. Inside the blade, there is a tiny crevice, an angular-looking air bubble; it is the sword’s only flaw.

Disk Launcher: A gift given to Joske by the late Turaga Vakama. A very ornate weapon - polished metal, extreme detail, and complete with fire-inspired etchings - it is also highly accurate, being of the finest craftmanship. Perhaps an odd gift for a former Kohlii player, but it proved its worth in versatility during the course of his last adventure. It could have been used to channel his fire powers (but he never did) as he preferred to manifest his power in other ways. It also was used as a jetpack that was triggered by his thoughts (but this function is no longer usable since the loss of his powers).

Mask: Kanohi Kakama

Element: None?

Traits: Joske is no longer the headstrong, overconfident Toa with a powerful hold over fire that he once was. He has now lost his elemental powers, but not the ability to use masks. He is much wiser than he once was, having lived through the challenges of finding the Temple Crystals and facing Heauni (not once but twice), but is still an overbearing optimist. He remains as quirky as ever, ever in good humor and face-paced lifestyle. Thanks to Angi he now thinks a little more before he acts, but he still remains fairly impulsive and due to his mastery over his mask has a very act-now mentality. Intelligent, smart, quick, occasionally overbearing, and with the heart of a lover he is definitely one of the more romantic if not charming and uplifting toa on the island.

Biography: Born and raised in Ta-Koro, but as a matoran spent half the time away either competing in the Kohlii arenas or relaying messages for Jaller. This left his Guard duties often lacking, but with the fame he brought to Ta-Koro with his playing abilities, as well as one of the few matoran who could get messages across the island quickly, it was often overlooked. After his transformation, he was involved in a quest to aid the Wanderer's Company to gather the Temple Crystals and unlock the Keeping Place that held masks of great and legendary power. Over the course of the adventure he made some new friends, a couple of enemies, and fell in love with a Ga-Toa healer named Ceal... only to be to late to save her from his prophesied foe Heuani. Eventually he defeated the Shadow Toa in combat, briefly becoming a Toa of Light to do so thanks to his own legendary mask. The price however was great, for once his reserves were used up the mask was destroyed, never to be used again. In a final effort to salvage what was left of his wits and life he sacrificed much of his powers and abilities to bring Cael back from death, proving once and for all the unbreakable bond and power of true love and the ability for good to triumph over evil. The two of them are now a couple and currently working to sort out their new life together.

Weakness(es): Ice and Cold. Despite having no elemental powers he has retained the physical weakness in that regard, as well as being one of the few elements that can slow him down due to temperature. Has a deep attachment to Cael and if forced to choose he would save her over most other options.

Oh hurray Emzee! I completely forgot to let you know you'll be needing to clean that sucker out... yet you did it anyway. Thank you very much good sir! Goooooooo teamwork.

Eh, I don't know how to emphasize it more than it already is. Has a post to itself and several links, and mentioned somewhat regularly...

I'll do what I can. Just keep prodding people to remember it's there The only other thing to do is to actually make it its own topic and then have B6 pin it...

Ok guys, you're the one reading this stuff, so I want another perspective: is the layout of the Rules and Index alright? I'm not speaking of the details or specifics within the posts, I mean the way it's put together. More specifically, would it make more sense to have the index to the regions/playable locations INSIDE the first post with the rest of the quick links, or should it remain hidden two posts down? The other option is to leave it as is but simply add more detail and flavor to the region link post, a sort of cliff note to the region so that post is NOT hidden as much between the FAQ and the Common Sense Guide.

Thoughts?

EDIT: hey, look at that. Broke 4k post. Woot... finally.

Thanks Snarky; this way I can get a head-start on the Rules and Index updates. It's already in the process of being torn down, but I can't do the major overhaul until the minor rule editions are ratified and the new topics are up so I can link them.

But every little bit helps Thanks again.

Friar Tuck's been viewing the topic for hours, maybe he's writing the start of mid 2013-late 2015 aka BZPRPG 2013?

Or he's been on and off looking up information, taking stock of the current game, figuring out final details on what needs to go, be modified, etc for the new arc. A lot of live chatting with players and friends alike regarding mostly about the weekend reboot.

Speaking of, what is the link for the most CURRENT/POPULAR Wiki regarding the Bzprpg? I have one in the Rules and Index topic, but that seems to mostly refer to the old game. I'll be keeping that one for reference, but is there an updated one? One that focuses on the last two years and this game? If someone could get it to me that would be great.

OOC: ladies and gents, one final jam of the season to end two character's remarkable chapter.

IC

[Mid-morning; Kini-Nui jungle]

With a single kiss infamous Toa of Shadow was undone.

Before our very eyes Heuani dissolved into a black mist, melting docilely into the mottled gloom of the jungle. I sensed the two of us tense simultaneously, expecting the underhanded Toa of Shadow to emerge again behind us, his eerie sword raised in a final desperate attempt to take us down with him. My fears however were unfounded; he did not. In fact, I did not feel his presence anywhere nearby.

I appeared as though he was gone for good.

Reka (I still could not believe that had been at one time Gali) had watched Heuani fade with the two of us, and as she stood up impassively she looked carelessly down at the spot where he’d reclined, fully formed, mere seconds before. Slaying him seemed not to have perturbed her in the slightest; instead, she seemed more interested in Heuani’s sword, which strangely had not melted with him. The ripple-bladed clear weapon was still there, resting on a patch of moss, and under the green glow of the canopy it seemed even more alien. As she started to reach for the weapon my voice halted her progress.

“What did you do?” I spoke as authoritatively as he could muster, but it was still lacking. She turned and hit me with a stare that shut me up faster than a gukko diving for a berry before answering.

“Revenge,” Reka smiled coyly. She turned to walk away – I couldn’t help following her with my eyes, much to Cael’s annoyance – and, sensing my glance on her, Reka peered over her shoulder and raised her eyebrows tantalizingly at me, speaking huskily. “It tastes sweet. Try some.”

“He doesn’t want any,” Cael assured her, speaking quickly in my defense. “Sleaze.”

“Oh my, insulting me already?” Reka cooed lightly, her eyes overtly tracing my lines. “We don’t even know each other yet, darling… But I get the feeling we could get to know each other very well, if we felt so inclined-”

“Leave,” I ordered, looking deliberately away from Reka in an attempt to save face; literally. Despite my best efforts this siren was still managing to get the best of me, already I could feel my face growing warm... and it showed.

“You’re adorable when you blush; suit yourself,” Reka purred, still looking at me. “I’ll be in touch sooner or later.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw her give me a last wink and then saunter off; the sunlight exemplifying her tantalizing body as she strutted lithely away. I could help but watch, my eyes following her every movement as if pulled by a string... that is, until Cael hit me on the arm. Thankfully that's all it took for me to regain my focus and snap back to reality; unfortunately I was still blushing a bit, this time more out of shame than anything. Reka, meanwhile, disappeared into blackness and was gone.

“Look what was left,” Cael said, gesturing to the flamberge on the ground. Inwardly I was grateful she was willing to forgive this little incident and change the subject. “I wonder why it didn’t leave with him.” I looked at the weapon pensively, feeling myself return more to normal... albeit as normal as an exhausted toa without a mask can be.

“Maybe… maybe it’s not his anymore.”

I took a few steps over to the sword and bent beside it. It really was an odd thing, certainly unlike any other weapon on the island; but it was also beautiful, lying on the moss and bending some of the light from above into dazzling patterns. Kinda reminded me of my former light powers. On a whim I picked it up, and to my complete surprise I found it was weighted perfectly to my arm, as though it had been crafted just for me. Flamberge in hand, I stood again and swung the sword in a few practice strokes. Amazing. I had almost no experience with swords, yet I could wield it with relative ease, practically as if I was proficient with it. It was effortless. It was perfect.

It was the sword of a servant of the mighty Mata Nui.

Taking a deep breath I closed my eyes, feeling the weight (or should I say lack thereof) in my hand, getting used to the feel. After a full minute and opened them slowly and with a single fluid motion slid the sword between my belt and my hip. I'll get a sword ring later. I glanced up at Cael, who was gazing thoughtfully at me. Our eyes held for a moment, then she smiled at me.

I could not help but smile back.

* * *

"So now what?"

Good question.

We had just started our walk back when she asked the question, and I honestly didn't have an answer. This was the kind of moment when you realize that you have the whole world in front of you, a completely blank canvas in which to paint a new scene. We had been to karzahni and back, in more ways than one, weathered the storm, and now had nearly an unlimited number of choices before us. We could go anywhere. Do anything. While yes we did still have lives and careers to go back to, they seemed like the old us, like a past life that was no longer relevant... if not boring.

I mean it's kind of hard to top what we just pulled off.

"I... don't know. What do YOU want to do?"

What did she want to do? That was a good question. But, for the first time in her life, Cael didn't really have an answer.So much had changed over these last months. Meeting Joske, getting swept up in a whirlwind adventure across the island, giving herself to Heuani... and then being miraculously raised to life. Some of these things were amazing; others were extraordinary. And none of them had left her unaffected: she wasn't the same Toa she had once been.The subdued healer was still there, but there was so much more to her now. She'd seen and done things she hadn't thought she would ever do, even in her wildest dreams. Her perspective had shifted. Now, with the whole world stretched out in front of her, Cael realized that she didn't necessarily want to return to Ga-Koro and her old life.Not that she hadn't loved what she did - healing was her passion, after all. But, even looking back those few months, she struggled to find where she would fit now. She didn't find the prospect of a quiet life attractive anymore. Maybe she never had; maybe she'd only gone along with it because she couldn't imagine how it could change.Maybe now was that opportunity.“I.. don't know,” she replied, laughing softly. “I'd never thought... how much could change in so little time. I feel like a different person.”That honestly felt like the truth, even though it was difficult to comprehend. She immediately felt better after she'd said it, as though she'd voiced something she almost hadn't wanted to accept.“I want to go back to Ga-Koro, and see my people,” she continued. “Pay my respects to Turaga Nokama. But, after that... I don't know, and I think, as long as I'm with you, I really couldn't care less.”

There was a quiet moment of reflection between us; her words echoed my sentiments exactly. It was only here did I notice we holding hands, all four of them clasped between us. Every moment or so a finger would move, caressing the opposing color, but that was about it. We were too lost and absorbed in our thoughts to do much else. Slowly I lifted my head to look her in the eye, feeling determined despite my exhaustion, her wording ringing in my ears.

As long as I'm with you, I really couldn't care less.

Now or never buddy.

"In that case... you want to make this official? I mean we'll have our own lives and such but, um... yeah... "

I saw myself metaphorically fall painfully flat on my face after such a promising start. Darn it, I was blushing again; so much for that so-called "determination". As nimble and suave as I had been when playing with the ladies, when it came to some real feelings I was a comedic, clumsy oaf. Somewhere in the back of my mind I heard the word "endearing" to describe the situation, but that didn't exactly help. Eventually I snorted slightly, taking in a breath to calm the overwhelming amount of butterflies that had invaded my stomach. "Let's... let's try that again: Cael, will be mine? Be my better half? Forever and ever... amen?"Karz, I could just slap myself; that was the best I could do though. The overwhelming burning sensation on my face didn't help either.

The healer's eyes shone. She smiled, looking almost as though she couldn't quite believe Joske had actually said what he'd just said.They'd gone through a lot together in the past months. Cael hadn't started out thinking that she would fall in love with a hotheaded Toa of Fire, but here she was, a quest, a resurrection, and too many healings to count later, and she couldn't think of a single thing she wanted more in the whole world.“Forever and ever,” she whispered, then laughed aloud. “Amen.”She dropped his hands and hugged him tightly. “I wouldn't have it any other way.”

"That makes two of us." I replied, breathing heavily out.As simple as that moment was, it was also profound as a waterfall of emotion cascaded over me. It was as if a huge burden had been lifted off me, a burden I didn't even know I had until that moment. This was not to say everything was better, or perfect; I knew better than that. We both had our scars; some physical, others a little more deep, but we wouldn't have to heal them on our own. We wouldn't have to face the new challenges by ourselves - we had each other. As I squeezed her tight I finally figured out what Unity really meant, and how even a well-oiled and practiced Kohlii team paled in comparison to this. As we released she found something in her hand: a small vial.

As she pulled away, Joske pressed something into the healer's hand. Surprised, she lifted it up to examine. It was a vial, carved of pure, transparent crystal with a suggestion of blue. Elaborate designs and delicate images were engraved on its surface, etchings of ocean waves and sea creatures and strange symbols that Cael had never seen and couldn't hope to understand.She looked up at Joske. “What is this?”

"Something that was meant for you."The arced eyebrow was enough indication that further explanation was in order, so I cleared my throat and recounted my adventure in the underwater temple... the one and only she was not present for. I spared no detail, giving her the full account of my harrowing ordeal under the water, as well as what I had been told what this small object could do. As I finished my tale I studied her face carefully, feeling my lips form a half-smile. "Sadly you didn't get the wish I was hoping you would get; by that time you were already dead. As much as I appreciate what the apparition gave me, I think you should have it instead; I'm convinced it was meant for you. Besides, I'm positive you can come up with far better uses for it than I ever could. Consider it a... pairing gift."

Cael was silent as she gazed at the delicate vial, turning it over in her fingers. The little bottle was beautiful, perfectly crafted in every way. It caught the sunlight as she turned it, throwing rainbows on the ground, and lighting up the liquid inside.Liquid that, according to Joske, was the purest of liquid protodermis, and would never run dry.The healer decided to test it. She reached for the stopper and twisted it out, then turned the bottle over. The sparkling water spilled out, catching the light as it fell. It poured and poured, but the vial's contents never ran out. When the Toa of Water stoppered it again, the crystal vial was as full as it had been before.She half-smiled in wonder, and clutched the gift tightly. “Thank you, Joske. It's... wonderful. I wish I had something to give you too.”

No sooner had she said that did I feel an odd sensation. No, not odd... old.

And familiar.

A feeling, a thought, a state of mind that I had not experienced in a good long while. It was the old me, the rambunctious playboy sports-star rising up from the ashes, the teasing, flirting, if not annoying womanizer that was once the terror of the land. But of course I didn't show it. Oh no, it wouldn't dare show is face, at least not yet; the old devil would get in as close as it could before making the killing blow. Indeed, even as this this hidden, smoldering psyche rapidly flared up within me it was well hidden under the guise of a well-meaning, gentle, starstruck lover that I had slowly become over the last few weeks. Wrapping my arms around her I leaned in close, breathing in her scent before exhaling a long, slow, contented breath. Reaching my hand behind her head I kissed her gently."Love, you already gave me the most perfect gift: you."And this is when I struck, doing something absolutely scandalous, something only the old Joske would do.Needless to say I took off like a bolt.

The moment, which had been -up until now- poignant and picturesque, shattered into gales of laughter as Joske leaped away, with Cael in hot pursuit.“You rascal!” the Toa of Water laughed as she chased after the Toa of Fire. “That's not how you treat a lady!”

"Lady? What lady? All I see is a boring and utterly dry Toa of Water!"Even those few words come out in a wheeze as my body instantly tired. Despite my initial head-start the lead evaporated as I heard the thundering steps of a spirited Cael bearing down on me, my exhaustion pervasive and complete; there was no way I could even think of outrunning her in my condition, let alone the fact that I was maskless and therefore even more weak than usual. Yet I ran anyway, grinning like a giddy schoolboy who peeked into the girls bathroom, knowing fully well this would end quickly and harshly. Not more than a dozen steps later did the end come, and lo and behold for the first - and probably last - time in my life I was outrun by someone else as I was tackled from behind, the distinct sound of metal-on-metal-on-wood echoing across the forest floor as I was pummeled head-long into a rather stout tree. Even as stars exploded across my eyes there was only one thing I could think of:So worth it.

* * *

It was a beautiful morning. The sun was bright and warm, the air was breezy and cool, the birds sang a wonderful melody, and two young toa walked under the canopy hand-in-hand, seemingly without a care in the world. Hope had a funny way of making everything seem better than it actually was, or in some cases able to see things for what they actually were; at times it was hard to distinguish the two however. Even as they walked they were not immune to the powers that be and the other events of the island around and below them, so it came as a mild surprise to Joske when he felt Heuani’s sword shudder suddenly against his hip. Its transparent blade, attractive as always in the sun, flared as though illuminated suddenly by an inner radiance – though it could have been a trick of the light, he thought. I mean, after all, it had been a very long day… he took Cael by the waist, and they walked back towards civilization together, Cael resting her head in the nook of his neck. As they strode over roots and shrubs, Joske looked again at the sword to be sure he’d only imagined what he had seen. The flamberge looked as it always had. Joske told himself he needed to sleep... lots of sleep. He was going to sleep for a week he determined inwardly and NOTHING was going to wake him up. Even as Cael pressed up against him he glanced skyward through the leafy canopy, seeing the sunlight filter through the greenery, patches of warm light occasionally dancing across his face.

Yes, there was such a thing as a happy ending.

Just curious, why isn't the BZPRGP rules topic locked? All other rules topics are that I've seen.

Because if you take a good look at it its the Rules and Index; there are several important and interesting things in that topic, including, but not limited to: rules, Common Sense Guide, quite location/map reference, plot points, Mata-Nui News, etc. Basically it is a rules and catch-all that staff made to relay important news and general happenings for the players about the game. That being said, it has been updated frequently enough that the three of us that have made post and contribute to that topic decided to leave it unlocked. That way my fellow staffies don't have to keep asking me to unlock it while they edit a post and then ask me to lock it back up again.

Let's just say it got real old real quick.

All you need to know that it is a staff-only topic in which we post general knowledge about the game and how to play in it, updated semi-regularly. Carry on

 

IMPORTANT QUESTION TIME!Do we need stuff that had to be approved for this past season re-approved for the next?

 

If it was approved by a staffie the previous arc there should be no problem for this arc either. However, if there is something you want to give a character that you are unsure about, it's always better to ask the staff beforehand.

ATTENTION PLAYERS! EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!

For once VF is wrong

Nuju has discussed this with me, and he has decided (some time ago; why he didn't say it earlier is beyond me besides laziness) that anything that requires approval, PAST OR CURRENT WILL NEED TO BE RE-APPROVED. We are re-starting the profile pages, so if it's a special power not listed, an item, mask, or whathaveyou, you will need to re-submit it to Nuju. A small pain, I know, but this is a way to weed out the things no longer used as well as clamp down on some of the past discrepancies and miscommunications between staff on what is allowed and what is not. This is not as bad as it sounds; if you already had it approved once, and use it fairly regularly and there has been no misuse or complaints, 90% chance it'll get re-approved. But since we are kinda cleaning up and starting up fresh with a new story all the old toys need to be reviewed and if broken, thrown away; not to mention give YOU the payers a chance to review your own charries Sorry for any inconvenience.

EXCEPTIONS: The following charries are exempt from this procedure:

-The Toa Maru and all equipment (obvious reasons)

-Angelus' sword

-Angi's mask (Corv, hit me up on skype however; there IS one small detail we need to discuss about it)

End note: DO NOT PM us about getting things approved UNTIL the updated rules/new profile pages go up. We/Nuju WILL NOT even look at it and delete the PM. Give us a chance to take a breather and unclutter the rules we have. There will be no major changes, but the few streamlines we're doing might affect things in small ways.

Guuuuuuyyyz!

You know, just sayin', I might want to use a few charries for next year's arc, charries that will need to be killed for storyline reasons. So if you have some excess baggage, but not sure if you want to knock them off, hang on to them. I'll be needing a few victi-I mean, volunteers in a few months for plot purposes. Who knows? Maybe they'll get a chance to take a long walk off a short pier Tuck-style in their cement galoshes.

No promises, but I WILL need a few

EDIT: Also guys, the wrap-up topic is NOT designed for interaction. It is there for you to make a one-hit wonder on a charrie to wrap-up arcs for this year, not continue to engage. So I'm asking nicely that that interaction please crawl to a stop. Thank you.

Well well well, it's finally over. The good guys won.

About time!

Congrats all around, and good rping on EVERYONE'S part; y'all played a roll in this story and it's important, no matter how small or insignificant. You were all part of this story, and all I gotta say is this: in my nearly ten years of playing this game, that had to of been possibly the best arc ever written and played out. And I mean it. Well done everyone. Really I am proud of you all. Now we get to do it all over again and make an ever BETTER story this next arc! So excited-

Wait, did Nuju post the submarine?

...

Well well, look at that. Nuju DID post my submarine. Hm? Oh, yes, you heard me right: MY submarine. Not Nuju's. Not EW's. Mine.

And everything that comes with that craft... meheheheeeee...

Oh yes, looking forward to this next arc. It'll be fun.

IC

[Kini-Nui jungle; morning]

I sat there in silence for the longest of minutes, mulling over the story I had just heard in impassive thought. I had heard the stories, know I had in a way waltzed into his life at the end of something big, but I never understood what or how extensive. Now I knew. Even as my face was stoney neutrality, I knew what I needed to do. What to say. It was that simple.

I leaned forward and hugged a very startled and confused Angi.

"Thank you." I whispered, holding the embrace. He didn't respond back, too stunned to move, but I didn't care. I heard what I needed to hear. I admit it may have looked awkward, but I needed it. Angi was no longer the hard-nosed instructor that he started off as, nor the strict yet fair mentor he had become over the last several weeks. To me he was the closest thing I had to a father figure outside Vakama, except he was someone I could relate more to. Maybe it broke Guard protocol, maybe he didn't see our relationship that way, but in that embrace I released a lot of backlogged feelings about him that I never got the chance to say.

The young boy in me was at last satisfied.

It didn't last long, even though to everyone involved it probably felt like an eternity. Eventually I pulled away and plopped down next to him, resting on my palms, looking up at the treeline... and smiled. No, grinned. Grinned like a schoolkid who didn't have a care in the world, marveling at the colorful world around him. Despite everything that had happened over the last two days I had finally found my inner peace. Not to say the future wouldn't be a daily struggle, but I could finally come to terms with the craziness that had been my life for the past three weeks. Eventually, however, he asked the question I was waiting for him to ask.

"Thank you... for what?" he finally stammered out. Even as I answered I didn't turn away from the crown of the trees.

"For showing me that nobody's perfect."

I let that sit there for a while, that statement floating in the gentle floating wind. Eventually I turned to look at him, my bright blue eyes boring right into him. "As much as one good deed usually does not grant a being redemption, one evil act does not necessarily condemn one to Karzahni. I admit Angi, I made a terrible mistake; I put you in a high pedestal, saw you as the epitome of Toa Morality and upholder of the Code, and believed you to be, for the most part, infallible. Foolish of me? Yes. But that's what I saw. That's how I felt. And a part of me feels crushed. I gave you such high stature in my life that to see you as a killer destroyed my view that it's possible to be completely virtuous. As ironic as it seems... you failed me. Failed me as the last of my facades came crashing down. Yet even in that instant you proved to me something even more vital: the importance of the Toa Code."

I leaned back, returning my look to the treetops. "My view of the world has always been simple. Either you win, or you lose. If you train hard, you'll do better. If you don't, you won't perform well. There are good guys, there are bad guys. There is right. There is wrong. Either you follow the Code, or you don't. Not to say there isn't shades of grey, but the world is much more black and white than most people give credit for. There are things you don't do, and there are things you do do. If thought about in such terms, then there is little to understand or try to figure out as problems or challenges come along, for you already know the answer. Such as how to deal with what you just told me. Call me naive and simple-minded, but it's an astonishingly satisfying and low-maintenance view."

I lowered my gave to the greenery between my legs, focusing my mind back to the subject at hand. "Toa have to deal with a lot of things; I understand this now. I've lived through it. We are on the front lines of this never-ending war, and what we see and forced to come to grips with is something most other beings are blissfully unaware of. The challenges we face, the decisions we are forced to make on a daily basis - its enough to drive anyone off the deep end from grief or despair. Even as we are servants and protectors of the Matoran, it is also often our duty to administer justice in lieu of proper authority. For the longest time I didn't see it as that way, but now I am beginning to understand. Sometimes you can't haul them in. Sometimes you can't hold them. Or sometimes if you don't act they'll get away and do more damage next time. So we have to stop them. As much as we may be a police force we are often called upon to be the judge and jury as well. But not necessarily executioner.

"No, not unless we have a clear head. It is very easy to get sidetracked by emotion, to be overwhelmed and let the mission get personal. As long as we have a vendetta, we cannot judge or sentence with impartial or fairness. We cannot make a justified decision that reflects the justice that needs to be meted out. That's why we have the Code. With everything we are forced to experience it is rare for any Toa to keep a clear enough head to be fair and just, which is why we are commanded not to kill unless absolutely necessary. As in, there is no emotion involved. Because then it ceases to be justice; it's revenge, pure and simple. No longer are we keepers of the peace but enraged combatants, only wishing what has befallen us in terrible retribution. Even if we have the right. Even if doing so would gain the applause of every living creature. Even if it would do good. If we do it in anger in our hearts then it's no longer right. That's why we have a Code. Now I understand the comments you made earlier. Why I was a far better Toa than you.

I paused, thinking back those few minutes. "We both were in a similar position. We were both fighting a cruel and heartless foe. Someone who had caused innumerable people pain and suffering. Someone who, if killed, would not be missed and in fact do the island a favor by removing him. So much so, that in any court of law we could have killed them with the court's blessing and approval they were that dangerous. And we both had them dead to rights. We defeated them. Had them in our sights. Done what others could not. The difference is... I managed to hold myself back. And in doing so, despite letting him get away, I did not compromise myself. Had I killed him, I would have done so out of hatred and anger over what he did to not only Cael, but the dozens of others he had manhandled over the last century. It would not have been justice. It would not have been impassionate judgement. I didn't allow myself to go there. But you did. Now I understand.

"This is why I thank you. Because you showed me that even the best and most noble among us struggle with this very issue every day. Every battle. Every decision. And that sometimes you fail. Yes, I admit, you went down a few pegs... alright, several pegs, bit it showed that you're imperfect; like me. And that the quest for perfection is a life-long pursuit, not a one-time deal. That actually it can never come true, but in fact simply and ideal. And ideal, as impossible as it may be, is still worth pursuing. I spent far to long trying too hard to be perfect in my sport that I lost sight of what's important. The pursuit of perfect is important, but should not be all-encompassing. Because we're going to screw up eventually. Like I did. And like you did. I guess we're all a bunch of screw-ups trying not to be in a screwed-up world. So as much as it may have hurt to hear that tale, I can't blame you for it. I can't punish you for it. I can't even justify being angry or mad or feeling lied to. Because I've done things just as bad if not worse if you put things in perspective. What matters is that you continue to strive to be better and learn from your mistakes... a lesson you've devoted yourself to teach me. And to that effect, Angi, I have finally learned it. Through your mistake. I never knew why until now, but looking back I can see how that event changed you and how you taught me - to prevent me from making that same mistake you made. From those long talks to obnoxious debates to that training session in mines with the eventual philosophical runaround. So that I would never have to deal with that burden."

I looked at him, a toothy smile from ear to ear. "You know what? You did it. You done good... you old geezer."

This year/arc is. We're not moving like we did in the past; Nuju and myself have come up with a "rolling" arc that every year to two years we start a new story but at the same general location, though a few topics might be added or dropped with a different theme every time. This way we still can get the new-story feel ever year or so without the headache of jumping dimensions or universes to a different locale like in the past.

So yeah, we're really close to the end of this story. Once Makuta is defeated by our band of player-heroes we'll re-set the topics, spruce up their descriptions, and then start the new story where relatively left off.

Edit: Two weeks? Depends on how active Nuju and the Toa Maru can be

IC

[Kini-Nui jungle; morning]

"A test... you failed!?"

My voice repeated what he said without my consent, and despite the questioning tone in it I found myself realizing that the emphasis was as a shocked statement. And not merely at that last comment. Oh no, it was what he had just got done saying previously as well.

I am not disappointed. I am proud of you.

That hit me like a someone wearing a Pakari. He had said things like that along those lines before, but not with that much emotion or absolute pride. It was always "good job, kid" or "well done, sport"... not to say those weren't important, that he didn't mean it, but they were generic. Catch-all. Instant praise for a momentary positive outcome. No, this was different. This was an admission. Not as an instructor. Not as a teacher, not as a superior, nor even as a well-meaning mentor or elder. No, the closest thing that came to this was a father telling his son that he was proud of him. A father who was finally satisfied that this young man had become the man not only that he saw, but what he could never achieved. I may have been a very hard-headed student but deep down Angi had my most admiring respect and admiration, and to that extent I gave my all whenever he had trained me, to the point where when I failed I was not mad at him, but at myself for failing. Failing to please and meet his expectations. And now, in this moment of weakness, when I had no powers or any other gifts, I witnessed him saying the words that I never once heard in the months I spent training with him or even during out misshaped adventure.

You've become a far better Toa than I ever was.

I gripped the earth between my fingers as I choked with emotion. How... how could this be? I was a spotlight hog. A spoiled brat. I wasted most of my life up until this point seeking hollow praise from meaningless individuals with an ignorant view of the world. It has only been in the last few weeks that I came face-to-face with the reality that surrounds us all, how the world works. How could he, Toa Angi, call me a better Toa than he? I'm not better. I'm... I'm not. I can't be. I'm... not perfect.

Than I ever could be.

Even as I came to grips with those statements, I could feel the pain in those words. The words of a Toa who had dome something irreversibly wrong and could never forgive himself. A man scarred by something that happened long ago... that marred him. As much as those words pf praise were meant for me, they also had a much deeper meaning.

Maybe he... is not perfect either?

That hit me other than I should have let it. Nobody's perfect. I knew that. But to Me Angi was as close to that ideal as one could be. I put him on a pedestal... and now was beginning to think he was just as flawed as me. Or at least he was sounding like it.

"Does this have to do with that death?"

Slowly I lifted my head, looking at his turned back. It was as if a great weight was on his shoulders, something I had never witnessed before. He did not reply, and I found my mouth continuing to speak despite my best intentions and not knowing fully what I was blabbering about. "I... I heard it was an accident. That you had a team once and someone close to you died. At least... at least that's how the story went." There was a long silence as I liked my lips, fearing my next question as much as I did the possible answer for it. "I take it the rumor... the rumor wasn't entirely accurate?"

It was that feeling that you had when you saw that ball heading for that precious, expensive vase but knew there was nothing you could do from watching it get destroyed.

I tried to brace myself for his reply.

IC

[Kini-Nui jungle]

I probably should speak up. I should probably get up. I probably should explain what just happened here now that my over-protective mentor showed up, crashing this little party.

I was too busy calming myself from the heart attack Angi just gave me.

Because there was nothing I could do to stop him even if I had wanted to.

I half-knelt, half laid on the ground, my hand over my chest as I breathed in deep, regular breaths, trying to ease my heartlight from it's hyperactive state. The notion of being utterly powerless hit me like a charging bull, and it scared me speechless. Yes, Angi meant well. Yes, nothing happened other than a happy, excited reunion. But had it been any other way, or been a different situation, there would have been nothing I could have done to stop him. Powerless. Maskless. Helpless.

This... this was utterly new.

By now I had gotten over my shock and was kneeling on the ground as the two of them exchanged pleasantries, though my breath was still a little ragged. I knew I should get up and do something, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. Even as he turned to look at me, questions written across his mask, I couldn't bear to look him in the eye. Stupid, yes, but even as the excitement and the novelty of what I did wore off reality was quietly settling in. I wasn't a true Toa anymore.

All of Angi's time and effort just got flushed down the drain.

Yes, he had instructed me in combat, aided me in learning new essential skills after my transformation. But the bulk of my training was in the mastery of my new element. An element I no longer had access to. All those weeks, long days, and even longer discussions... moot. I still didn't regret my decision; I never would. But I did feel disappointment rise up from deep within even as Angi stared at me, waiting for me say something; anything. I looked in the opposite direction as this awkward moment fell on us, rubbing my shoulder in a vain attempt to will away the distant, dull pain from an older injury. Disappointment in the fact that he had invested so much of his time and effort into me, and now... I snorted slightly, a shameful smile on my face. Without powers, without masks, without extraordinary abilities, you were who you are. Stripped of everything that made you special you find out what you are underneath it all, what your actions and words hide. Me?

A young boy.

I had been a very carefree individual, but once I became a Toa I was forced to grow up very fast very quickly, so much so the rest of me hadn't had a chance to catch up. I was still a rather young man, impressionable, and while he may not outwardly show it had a lot of heroes and simple ideals. A majority of the world was still very much black and white to me, I looked up to a lot of people, tried to emulate their ideals, and got frustrated with myself when I couldn't perform as expected. This is why I made such a good Kohlii player; yes, for me it had been about the fame, but I also greatly enjoyed entertaining others, gaining and craving their approval. Tuarag Vakama was the closest thing I had to a father, Jaller the older brother that I never liked, the list went on... and here I was, come full circle. I was nothing more than an oversized matoran, and now that I wasn't some crazy, thrill-seeking fire adept I found myself back at square one.

A young boy who felt that he had somehow earned the disapproval someone important. It was completely foolhardy, yet there it was.

"I sacrificed my powers."

I could tell he was straining to hear my voice. As meek as it sounded there still was a smile on my lips as I stared at my hands. "I sacrificed all of it as payment to bring her back. I no longer have access to my elemental powers. I no longer have any Toa Power, so when I do finally complete my destiny I'll instantly turn into a Turaga, no fanfare or questions asked... if I survive the transformation. All the training you gave me, the grief I gave you over mastering flame... I'm sorry if you're disappointed and understand if you are."

Just putting it out there, but I quite like what Draezeth did in Kini - turning the grass red as a memorial of the battle. I think it's a nice touch.

I concur. I would have mentioned it... except that I play in first person and the only person I play wasn't really focus/in the area of question.

I assure you though it'll come up later - too nice a touch to let fall by the wayside

If you want to know where the stone came from, click on the link in the top right of the quote in the post.

 

I would imagine taking the stone is the same as that person who took the Komau. I thought it was allowed....

Unless a toa stone was explicitly granted to him as a gift from the game staff, it's not allowed.

It has been said before, BOTH by Nuju and myself, that Toa Stones, unless given or allowed explicitly by staff, are NOT ALLOWED as EW pointed out. If you went to that much trouble to dig up that post of that long-past event, why don't you use your sleuthing skills to comb through the GD and find the multiple posts in which we, as staff , have said that such objects are a reward-based or permission-given character development only.

Not only that, but the post was extremely vague as to where the item was kept. So vague, in fact, that over this long expanse of time, its EXTREMELY possible that it could have, and most likely would have moved; due to the secrecy of it, it would not have been posted since nobody would have known. Even if it wasn't, I didn't give a location, so there is no way in-game you could have found out where it was without pulling knowledge out of thin air (which is different from EW's mask, since it was in a distinct location in a bank, which is a known location and thus plausible to be stolen). In any way my previous argument is utterly moot by the single fact that it is a forbidden object, as are many things in the Bionicle universe.

And I find it funnily ironic that the person who stole it was Fanixe's character... the same player in which this punishment was extracted on in the first place so long ago, thus creating the toa stone. I wonder, is this some way to extract revenge?

In any case, I'm going to give you twenty-four hours to edit that post and erase that from happening. If that doesn't happen, I'll delete the post. Please and thank you.

IC

[Kini-Nui jungle; ???]

I wouldn't have to do it alone. That alone was worth the price.

Slowly I lifted my head up, looking her in the eyes once more. So many things passed between us unspoken, and invisible bond as much part of us as any part of our bodies were. I was about to open my mouth to say something when I noticed something. Something on her mask.

A scar.

When she was reborn she was done so in perfect form. Not a single curve out of place, not an iota of her being in any way marred or otherwise imperfect. It was no wonder earlier I had caved a little to my desire, looking at the water beauty sitting in my lap so exquisitely before me... or so I thought. Somehow only now I had just noticed it. The scar I saw was on the right side of her face, starting just below her cheekbone, curving slight down to end just beside her chin, just above her jawline. It was raw, red, a stark contrast to her blue-toned mask, and slightly ragged, as if freshly made from a claw or maybe a digging finger, clearly haven't had time to heal. It was... it was remarkably similar, if not suspiciously so, to the scar that I saw in the vision in the battle against Heuani. In fact, it exactly matched that injury. Gingerly I reached out and touched it, finding it hot to the touch. Her response was immediate as her head jerked back slightly in mild shock. Apparently she didn't know it was there despite the fact it looked painful. The moment her hand rested on it, however, I could see that she understood what had happened. There was a long contemplative silence between us before I eventually spoke. It would seem we were both marred in our own special way.

"Looks like we'll both be carrying around some scars for a very long time."

IC

[Kini-Nui Jungle]

"You cannot bring her back. Release her spirit."

"I can."

"No. You can't. It is impossible."

"Then tell me then the legend is false, the legend of imprint."

It was a story I had heard long ago, back in the days of my childhood and Turaga Vakama still told stories around the campfire. It is said that Kanohi have a tendency to retain an imprint of their owner's conscience and identity within themselves for a short time after being removed, allowing any mask to be infused with great amounts of a life-force to resurrect the deceased mask-wearer. However, after an extended period of time, the imprint will fade away, making such a resuscitation impossible. At least, that's how the story. Everyone, especially Jaller, simply laughed off the tale away, by I was an impressionable young youth and much more susceptible of accepting wild and fantastic tales. Even as I grew older I never forgot it or the others the Turaga told us, even if over time I left them fall by the wayside of childhood fantasies. That is, until I placed the Temple Stones into the statues. As I was transported away to the Keeping Place I realized that it was merely a tool of many uses, among them transportation, creation.. and knowledge. And as I moved through time and space I gleaned little titbits of information. Most I had already forgotten, but one I grasped on to, for it correlated to the very story Vakama told me as a child. The possibility of bringing someone back. But more importantly, the cost.

And as much as this entity hated the idea, I felt it was beyond him to lie.

"I can neither confirm nor deny," he said slowly, gazing at me with this eyeless sockets, "but even if it were true, what could you, a beaten and bruised Toa possibly offer?"

"Myself."

The mask looked at me critically, but I forged ahead. "I offer myself and my energies as the payment for her life. I am willing to give up who I am so that she may live."

The cynical laughter burned in my ears. "What makes you think your own pathetic life-force is strong enough to pay for the return of a soul, let alone re-create a body? You barely have enough energy to keep functioning yourself, let alone bridge the gap for another. Still, you humor me and your valor is commendable, so if you leave now I will spare your life."

"No." My features were a hard as stone.

"Truly you cannot be serious. I an giving you an way out, one I should not be offering. Should you continue in this foolhardy pursuit, then you will die. What could possibly be more valuable than your own life?" He seemed almost smug in his reasoning, as if he was giving me the greatest of mercies. What I said next promptly wiped that expression off his featureless face.

"Love."

The pause was climatic. "For all your apparent knowledge and power, there is something you lack: understanding. If you understood, you would know why I am here, why I am doing this... and why I cannot let go. I love this Toa, this woman, and I am willing to give anything to be together with her again... even at the cost of myself. It's not that I hope to skirt the consequences... it's that I am willing to accept them. Whatever the cost. No matter what you say, I will not let go, not in a thousand years. I lost her once; I will not do so again. Even if that means I die, at least I died trying. Being the man I promised her I would be. That no matter what happens, we would be together. And no power in the universe can stop me from doing just that."

The silence was deafening as he absorbed my words. "And nothing will dissuade you from that."

My heart caught in my throat as I answered. "Nothing."

"Then you will meet the same fate as her."

I was struck with a bolt of lightning that made Ronkshou look like a Hoto Bug

* * *

Nothing I had experienced matched the pain I suffered right now.

The mask hit me with everything he was worth, pouring his vengeance on me with great retribution. He would make me suffer for my hubris, make me wish I would die before snuffing out my existence, as was his right. I had broken, or at least attempted to break, a universal law, and now I was receiving the punishment for it. A punishment I justifiably deserved.

But I did not let go.

There was the slightest of pauses before he came at me again, this time ten fold. Waves of anguish slammed on my frail body like a tsunami over a tiny breaker; it was enough to make me scream for mercy as I cried out in response. This was no ordinary battle - this wasn't just my body we were dealing with. It was my own soul that was here, the very thing that tied my spirit and my body together, therefore the pain more excruciating than physical torture could conquer up. I had put myself up as the link between this world and that for Cael so that she might find her way home. It was an impossible task, one that I could not possibly succeed in.

Yet I did not let go.

The attacks ceased for a moment ans the mask drew closer, curious as why I did not falter. I sat there shaking like a leaf in the wind, gagging and gasping for breath, every orifice open and every part of me trembling uncontrollably. I could barely meet his gaze as he inspected me, like a curious scientist explores a strange new piece of data. Through glassy eyes and twitching lips I mustered the will to speak.

"Let... her... go."

The mask was astonished and perplexed at my endurance. "No." he said simply, and hit me again.

Nothing in the world could equal the pain. But I refused to let go.

"Let... her... go!"

"SILENCE!"

It was as if my insides were being turned inside out and then torn apart from every angle. No part of me was safe as I endured his wrath, this time with no breaks in the action. I could feel myself slipping away, but not out of my own volition. No, my hand was locked around hers, and I would never let go.

"Give... "

It was as if my own light was ripped from my body as I saw the remains of my mask evaporate.

"... her... "

Talons dug into my chest, the claws grasping at my inner fire. With a gasp I felt them remove an ember, a red-hot coal in it's bloody appendages. Yet I refused to yield.

"... back."

My head shot back as the pain vanished. The shock of the change left me stunned, eyes wide in stupor as I felt tendrils wrap around me, burrowing their way into the very reaches of my soul, siphoning away what little was left of me. I could feel my Toa Power being removed iota by iota, the very life-essence sucked away in unceremonious fashion. Once that was gone I would have nothing left. The mask had ripped me apart piece by piece, section by section, part by part, until there was nothing left of me to dissect. In a few moments it would be all over, and I would cease to exist. I would die. Simple as that. Here, in a strange place, with an ever stranger entity, trying to rescue the one worth all the pain and suffering this mask could dish out. Yet I had no regrets.

And still I did not let go.

I would never let go.

Even as the white world slipped to grey, then to black, even as the pain retreated into nothingness and I felt my conscious mind float away into the void, the last thing I could see was that mask. The mask that had tried everything to get me to let go of my love. To let go of Cael. The very thing I didn't do. The last thing I remember wasn't an image, but a sound. A voice.

A sentence.

"Paid in full."

Nothing.

Ok, guys, As great as it is they are back, we are weaving dangerously off topic (Yes Smeag we ARE). This needs to stop. And I am being serious.

As great as it is you're back Andrew please try to be the role model that you are/were please? Thanks.

I take it that this is another legend of RPing?

Smeag was MY boss back in the day, much like I was Nuju's boss for that long stretch. He was the GM for a long while before dumping the responsibility on me Good times, good times...

Yes, don't worry buddy, the game is still running like a clock, if not better. Just need to adjust for BZPRPG Standard time when you walk in.

 

Meanwhile, on topic...

 

it's the bzprpg thread, talking about me is always on-topic

Heresy, heresy, I thought I got rid of you! Begone, you ghost of Bzprpg past! BEGONE!

And yes Smeag, I was ALWAYS in charge inside the ropes. You just never publicly admitted it

So what brings you back to back you your old stomping grounds?

IC

[Kini-Nui Temple grounds; morning]

How strange it was to touch the face of someone that was long dead.

Angi had departed, leaving me with only my thoughts, this mask, and the rock that I sat on. The rock near the edge of the clearing at which several key events had happened over the last few hours, none of which I actually cared about at this moment. What I wanted was to be alone. Yes, I was here, alone, but I could still see the Toa at the top of the temple, catch occasional words of their conversation; no, I wasn't alone. Had I been in the mood I would have chuckled; just like Angi to get you most of the way there, but then forcing you to make the rest of the journey yourself. Blasted Toa, even now still being that ever-teaching mentor.

Amazing how soft metal can feel.

My thumbs stopped caressing the edge of the mask as my eyes re-focused on it. It was so simple, a dull gray Mask of Healing, but it was as if she was staring right back at me. Eyeless, neutral expression, no sigh of life... even now I could feel the grief that I had stuffed and shoved down in order to focus in the ensuing battles rising to the surface, of it banging against the cage that I had hastily imprisoned it in. It was clawing to come out, a beast within that this time I would have no control over. I had the chance to extract revenge on the Toa that that had so brutally killed her; but I didn't. I could have unleashed my pain on the hoard of Rahi, sacrificing them to my anguish; instead, I freed them of the Makuta's influence and kept deaths to a minimum. I were even a handful of high-ranking, equally-powerful Lieutenants of the Master of Shadows I could have beaten my frustration out on, giving them the ninth degree for my loss - yet I kept myself in check, fighting for the right reasons instead of the emotional ones. I did not regret that decision. But when you're sitting here in the aftermath trying to decide what to do, not having the relief valve for the suffering you went through...

It always looks better on paper than it did in practice.

And now after my self-denial of my revenge this time I would not be able to hold back. I had to be alone.

It was a blessing I didn't have any powers currently; or at least enough juice to do anything with them.

I need to be alone.

My feet didn't budge.

C'mon feet, move!

I might as well willed the Mount Ihu to change location my body was that exhausted.

I said MOVE!

Like an old, rust-covered mining drill my body creaked to life as I forced myself to stand, practically falling over in the process. With nothing but sheer determination I commanded my legs forward, and slowly step by step I staggered towards the treeline, using one arm for balance as I clutched the mask in the other.

As the gathered Toa talked about the previous battle I slipped into the jungle unannounced and unnoticed.

* * *

[Kini-Nui jungle; morning]

I didn't know how far I walked. I didn't care.

I could go no further.

I had wandered into the jungle, picking a random direction and moving as straight and as far forward as I could physically muster. I didn't know where I was. I didn't know how far I had traveled. All I knew was that my body could go no more and had decided this would be the place I would lie down.

My mind had no arguments as I collapsed face-down in the underbrush.

I laid there for... a while? I dunno, I didn't care. I was too depressed to care. Yes, depressed. Me. Joske. Depressed. Those two words never ever came into even remote contact with each other, yet here we were. With effort I craned my head to look at the metallic object in the dense green undergrowth, lazily noting where it had fallen in my decent.

Retirement? Heh. That required something to look forward to. A this point I really didn't have anything to look forward to. I mean, after all, I had completed my destiny.

Then what?

Reaching out I clawed at the ground, my fingers digging in the loose dirt and I began to crawl along the jungle floor towards Cael's mask. Everyone had a destiny right? Something to complete in their lifetime; what gave them purpose. My destiny is complete; my life has no purpose anymore.

I pushed through the underbrush, every twig feeling like a tree truck against my face, every leaf a coarse wall of sandpaper that mercilessly grated on my damaged exterior. I'm a Toa without powers, and even if I had powers I wouldn't have any idea where to go next. When Toa complete their destiny they usually transform into Turaga, but here I am, stuck in limbo.

Like a snail I left a small trail behind, a trail of gold powder as my mask was half of what it was when I donned it, it's rapid dusting made even more pronounced by every plant that struck it, even to the point of small sections simply falling off altogether. It could not have been but a handful of bios, but it felt like I had traversed the island by the time I could feel my fingers grasp its smooth edges. I breathed out heavily as I drew it in, her in, closing my eyes in resignation.

If my destiny is complete, then I might as well give this one last shot, because if I don't try, then I might as well be dead.

I laid there under a canopy of brown and green, all but invisible to the outside world. Even Angi couldn't have found me out here. As my face was there next to hers, I gave a small, weak, smile. I don't fear death; only here and now I realize I never have. Taking on the Tarakava as a matoran; throwing myself between the Company and Makuta's servants; accepting the quest without any prior knowledge; willing to fight Heuani alone; defending the Suva against impossible odds... no, I never feared it. I never ran from it. I could be said I ran towards it more than once with a grin on my face. I am not afraid to die.

Opening my eyes I stared into her lifeless mask, know what I was going to do was stupid, even for my standards. This had been a thought that had been implanted in me the moment I reached the temple, further beaten into me when her final fate was finally proven true to me. Only I and my deepest, darkest thoughts knew of it, and now that she was dead there was no other alternative. This is why I wanted to be alone.

So that no one witnessed it.

I am not afraid of death.

IC [Kini-Nui Temple, early morning] "I have some ###### fine words for you Angelus Radke! First you abandon me for Tuara, then you just leave Tuara in Ta-Koro!? Have you lost your mind!? Have you seen what Tuara has become? Once you left, her life practically fell apart! Between you and Dorian, I can see why that woman has become a drunkard!" "Once I--?" Pause. "...Tuara came with us. She packed up and left just...a week ago, maybe? She got mad at me for taking a waffle cooking competition too far and stormed home." "Please... " “Would ye mind remindin’ me what’s goin’ on here again?” "And if I actually knew people, I wouldn't have this sort of problem... uhm... I'm sorry about... misunderstanding... part of if anyway. And... uh, Tuara has a problem with Dorian and Tank, or something of the like. You should go back to Ta-Koro and help sort it out." "Guys... " "I don't know where you're getting your info, but Dorian's kinda dead. And by kind of, I mean long dead." "Hey-" "I saw him sitting in a Ta-Koro jail cell. I don't know where you're getting your info, but Dorian's kinda alive. He and Tank talk every so now and then. I saw him myself." "Enough!" *POP* There was a slight dazzling of light as the heated and flying words came to an abrupt halt at the sight of minor fireworks discharging at eye-level. My fireworks. It really wasn't much, just a few specks of light, but it was enough to garner the attention of the gathered Toa to me. To a Toa who had had a very long day, was extremely tired, needed rest, and wanted to bask in the hard-earned victory that we for all intents and purposes miraculously not only survived, but won. I was half-standing, half-leaning on the broken Suva-Nui, a single trembling finger pointed at the small group as I glared at them. Glared at them for everything I was worth, which really wasn't much considering my physical condition and my disintegrating mask. Yet with that little display I did manage to shut them up. "Just... stop. Please." I wheezed, my voice having returned - somewhat. "I don't know about you, but I fell like we just accomplished something amazing here, something worthwhile and tremendous. So can we please stop bickering like little children and take a moment to reflect? Or at least a moment of silence. Or something. Anything. I just can't believe it... " It was here that my legs gave out as I was unable to continue standing any longer. The only thing between me and a nasty impact on the hard stone was quick thinking by Angi, who deftly managed to catch me. I hung on him for a long moment as he helped me up, not saying a word as he allowed himself to be my pillar to lean on. The only sound I heard were our collective shallow breaths, but other than that, silence. Blessed silence. No roaring Rahi. Screaming Toa. Metal on metal. Not even songbirds, as if they understand what took place here. Just... silence. Just us and our thoughts. I gave a sigh. "Angi... " "Yes?" The patience, understanding, and long-suffering in his voice... I waited a moment, licking my lips and taking the time to form my words. "Would you please help me get away from this place? Out of sight? I need a moment alone... with her." With a weak and wavering arm I pointed to a dull-gray object in the distance, a mask that laid in the ground near where the Toa of Plantlife was slowly restoring the damaged valley. Odd choice of words, but it was the best I could string together at this moment. He knew what I meant.