Takuta-Nui

Chapter 38: Very cool how Onua is remembering more and more of his ancient past. Sounds like he may have collaborated with Vaurukan at some point, or at the very least Vaurukan would have been aware of Onua's role in the black metal tech he uses. Theory: The chime noises we've been hearing in the submagmatic indicate when Vaurukan is using the black screens in the room to remotely control the creatures inside. The chime occurs because the submagmatic needs to do something to allow the signal to pass through the slime. So it's like a vessel announcement: "Attention everyone, the slime is now allowing a signal through. Please do not be alarmed." The Kuambu would know what it means, since otherwise there would be no point in having a chime audible to everyone inside. Some sort of quantum 'fixing' where it doesn't matter how the particles are aligned? As long as they're still connected, they still communicate. Wait a minute - is the black metal tech one giant molecule? So that it doesn't matter what shape it's in, it's still one coherent molecule of matter that's been modified to function a certain way? Thanks for reminding me of the events in Mindfire re: the alliance. That epic was so good too. I might re-read it soon.

Chapter 36: Finally starting to arrive at the big picture of the Perfect Cage. It was effective to learn how subservient Vaurukan is to the Kuambu... really puts things in perspective. I guess the Senate is the main governing body of the Kuambu civilization (wonder if they have a supreme leader, or if the naval hierarchy flattens out at the Senate?). Cool little peek into the political structure. I'm starting to imagine that the Kuambu's weakness is those things which cannot be understood, or otherwise cannot be translated into Poetraxiens. Obviously the Unknown had some sort of effective defense against them since they were able to conceal Mata Nui for so long. Perhaps it was less an illusion-based defense and more of a riddle that prevented ships and scouts from navigating that region. If they encounter something they can't understand, then they'd try to research and comprehend it and write out a Poetraxiens for it, but I wouldn't put it past the Unknown to outwit and stump them. Perhaps their defense simply was so baffling that the Kuambu didn't dare try to sail any further. I may be making mistaken conjectures since I probably don't remember everything said about the Unknown hiding Mata Nui, but I know their method was pretty vague. Eurgh. Good horror feel at the end. D= Chapter 37: Woo. That was probably the most real encounter with Makuta anyone's had in Paracosmos 'memory' - that is, the memory of your series. Nijire sure stepped up to the plate there. And her wit clearly is on balance with Makuta's since he tried to throw her off with all those others that wouldn't be protected - it's still protection. And so it's sort of a reverse trap for the Brotherhood. Of course they could invade if they really wanted to. But it's more advantageous for the Brotherhood to respect this deal as long as possible since it helped save their leader, and also possibly gains tiny grains of trust in those that are now protected. Even though their reach is now more clearly limited than before, they could still find many advantages in that. Maybe that's what Nijire feels is wrong - that she gave them more to play with, so to speak. Make too many deals with too many groups, and you start to forget what's what. It's pretty hard to gauge Makuta right at the end when he agreed to Pakastaa's burial. I wouldn't call it honour, but it probably is easy for him to agree to since he certainly won't want the body any longer than he needs it. Still, have to wonder if there's any sentiment he's experiencing now that he inhabits the body of one of those he so deeply desires to dominate. Edit in reply to krikanalo: i get the feeling that this story is going to deviate even farther from canon than it already has I'm not 100% sure what you intend here, but just want to offer some clarification. In the previous episode, Endless Blue, Hujo discovered that the Matoran Universe as we know it in the Great Spirit's body was more or less 'normal.' However, it had portals along all the edges of the domes that connected it to another Universe - the one that's underneath the surface of the planet. When the robot crashlanded, it somehow happened to (or was guided to - we don't know) land right into a gap where those portals lined up. So warping was no longer necessary since everyone could physically travel between the Universes' domes. This is what Onua's discovering right now. So in that sense, this isn't new Paracosmos knowledge for us - we already knew this. Thus no further deviation from the canon (although I don't know if that counts for much... this is a pretty huge deviation! =P) If that isn't what you meant to say, then I hope you can explain more. =)

It sounds like the author is approaching this issue from a critical viewpoint of the military-industrial complex based in capitalistic tendencies. (If that sentence scared you, I apologize. If you need more clarification of what I mean, I'll gladly edit. ) It's a valid and increasingly popular viewpoint to take, especially in today's Western climate of security and state-condoned violence. These things occurring with such frequency at so many levels of human interaction will certainly cause some influence on things like LEGO, which has remained remarkably insulated from all the hyper phenomenon. I mean hyper-sexualization, hyper-violence, hyper-gendering, etc. We love taking things to the extreme now because the normal is boring, but by embracing the extreme, we only bring the extreme further into the median range of normal. It's hard to imagine what it would take to stop that deadly climb. There's certainly counterarguments to this research. There should be because there are other ways to interpret this evidence and the surrounding phenomena. I think he's making a very good and interesting contribution that might startle some people because of its seemingly innocent subject.

"Assembling 2014." Clever tagline. It honestly looks brilliant. I think it's got an unique enough style of animation/stopmotion (or is it very good CGI designed to look like stopmotion, as Kioshi suggested) that audiences will like it. Plus, it's LEGO - the reputation alone should make the novelty of the movie that much easier to accept if it does end up looking less ideal than the trailer makes it out to be. Also wonder if LEGO Stores will have special events (maybe viewing events) at launch? One just opened in my city (Edmonton, Alberta) so that'd be awesome.

Got delayed by my final paper. All done, just needs revision. On Monday I'll officially be no longer a full time student. Two classes left for fall and winter terms. Chapter 34: A lot happened here, but I don't have a lot to say. I'm guessing the sand isn't mutagenic after all - that was just to give us a scare, and was a reasonable precaution by the characters to assume it is mutagenic. Perhaps it has a different effect we'll find out about. Hope to catch up on 35 this weekend. Chapter 35: Dang, it was mutagenic after all. Thought you'd be pulling a trick there, bones - but I see now that this is poetic irony since Kopaka had just expressed his deep opposition to a second mutation. So of course he would get mutated again. Poor guy. I can see this taking a similar path to Hujo's mutation from Twisted Island, though: it's like a final warning to Kopaka, and what seems to make him weaker will only make him stronger if he remains resolute. Here, Haywire is such a mixed ally: physically/physiologically an involuntary enemy to Kopaka's body and mind, but psychologically a friend who might just help him survive this. I can only say I'm glad Onua didn't take me along for tracking... I would have been no good in such a complicated situation. Chime again. I think I just need one more clue to figure out what it means... maybe a bit of review is in order too. I certainly have the time given that I handed in my final undergraduate political science paper today.

Bones - I think you missed my edit in my last post, asking about the flash freeze effect of the Vahi. Will you comment on that? [holds out microphone] Chapter 33: With the revelation that Takua's destined to be a Toa, I'm more convinced that the Mask of Light is going to come into play in this story. Or at least, it will make a somehow shocking appearance at the end as a cliffhanger. Otherwise, it might just have been the Arena that compelled you to reveal this now. Did you mean resigned? If he was right... then he could teleport to the submagmatic. Free the crystal. Free the Ko-Matoran. Have Makuta moved, given to the Unknown. Perhaps even help the other Toa Nuva. Yes. He was sure more than ever he was following the right path.Probably the most important breakthrough in Onua's plan and his self-esteem. Yet, I'm sure the Kuambu have anticipated this possibility. It opens a gaping hole in their plan, so they've surely already begun preparing for this possibility. To her great surprise, she continued to be able to communicate with the Toa. To her great dismay, she continued to be able to communicate with the Toa. This might be a really good summation of the sensation of being in a Kuambu cage. Good things collide with bad things in a seemingly irreconcilable contradiction. Whoop whoop. A lot happened here but I'm following well!

Chapter 32: About the glass covering the sun holes - I would think they're very resilient, since they're located in wild terrain most of the time. Avalanches and landslides would happen, or even a big bird falling from the sky. That brings up the question of how the glass stays clean. A self-cleaning power similar to the Kuambu's repelling slime, so any rocks and stuff get pushed off it if they linger too long? That lets Onua and Rathoa run across it, but a stationary rock would eventually be "detected" and then pushed off. Just wondering if you've already thought of this. Makes me want to re-read Twisted Island. I'm pretty sure I'll re-read the entire series sometime this year or next, to better refresh myself for the final episodes. Ah, we have our first in-story Ri-Rali reference now, yes? “Maybe I'll hearstay too...” Did you mean "herestay"? Good work describing the door system and exploring the rules and dangers. Maybe you should keep this section handy as a miniature example of the Arena Method! Edit - Just a quick note that I just made the very belated connection between Haywire entering Kopaka and the random pain in his neck in Kopeke's den. I was still wondering about that today and then I realized. Silly me. Second, I went over the Vahi scene again and noticed something that is perhaps not 100% clear. The Vahi's chronoserum-infused energy struck all the Toa tools plus the Time Crystal - but the shockwave was a flash freeze, not a flash flood or fire etc. Why was this? Was it because Kopaka had thrown his sword while everyone else's tools were passive? Or just a natural effect of time travel where the heat energy of the area is sucked out?

Oh yes - Creation. I forgot about that completely, so I just filled it in with Light automatically. See why I'm looking forward to your Bionicle History chronicle so much... I think it might have helped your reader make the connection between the Rumor and the submagmatic by somehow mentioning the blur, or wavy image in the past. That could have cinched the connection to the painting without really giving it away completely. As it is, I rather enjoy being able to figure things out during or just beforehand instead of having to ask for clarification. I know that's a hard sweet spot to hit as a writer, though. Chapter 31: I think you meant 'pedal,' unless the ship somehow operates on the force of the free market. The beginning of the journey to retrieve the Legendary Masks and the mention of Kuambu protections for those masks makes me think. All this time, they've mostly been struggling from within the cages designed for them. Kuambu arrived on Mata Nui and pretty much took control, while Nijire and the others have been in a more literal cage. In EB, the major cages were the island prisons. Now, they might have a chance where they can properly approach a Kuambu cage from outside. It might not make much difference since the Kuambu do rule the seas and we can count that as one big cage. Plus Onua did try to get through one of theirs and failed. But this might be their first great united attempt to break a Kuambu prison from outside. The "big sea cage" factor aside, approaching the more physical traps and protections surrounding the masks might help determine something: Are the Kuambu really just as good at keeping people from getting in as they are with getting out? Could be... can't think of a better possibility after all this time. I think we discussed soulsongs, and either didn't have enough to make a real theory of that, or you refuted it? Taken. That's my prediction. Imagine I said it in a heavy and grim tone while staring in the distance...

Responding to the Vahi part you commented on... I think I see now. Because the Vahi event occurred, it was already known that it would occur, but only because Vaurukan had been led in that direction by the Rumor. Thus it was a necessary step to initiate that Rumor in the past, and that made the Vahi event possible (or at least, much more likely thanks to the advance intel). Yup, it's crazy but fun to think about. I might be getting a little confused, though. Is this Rumor the same as the one on the map Nijire found in the dome? If I recall correctly, we previously discussed and confirmed that the submagmatic is NOT the Rumor. But it was the submagmatic that sent the intel back into the past, right? You should be able to see where I'm getting mixed up. To fishers64 - I sympathize with your impressions of that 'mid-climax' chapter. It was a lot to take in and in one way is pretty odd since there's not much preceding info to hint toward this step in Vaurukan's plan. We might be accustomed to picking up clues and predicting what may come next. But as bones admitted, this event pretty much came out of left field. I don't know if it's appropriate to call it an aside, though, because it does seem pretty pivotal. Then again, one doesn't necessarily need to understand it in order to understand the new urgency and goals the Toa have now. Like in LOST, there were times when events happened so quickly that I couldn't quite keep up, but I could still go along with the understanding that these people now needed to do these things due to changed circumstances. When that happens, I just do my best to go with it and enjoy it. Although this is different since we can actually have a dialogue with the maker of the story! Last note, mostly for myself - still thinking about why Vaurukan would reveal himself to Onua. Obviously Onua's a central character in this episode, I'm just wondering what he's done to attract Vaurukan's attention or otherwise merit a close encounter. If it is because of something Onua actually did, I'm guessing it's related to his game of wits with the submagmatic. That might have impressed Vaurukan, much as Nijire's escaping skills impressed and attracted the Kuambu's attention. If it's not because of anything Onua did - in other words, he's a passive factor to Vaurukan - then I don't have much to work with as far as I can tell. Chapter 30: A loaded paragraph. 1) Physics of Paracosmos are different in some fundamental "how the threads are woven" way that changes how Light, Time, and Life behave or influence. 2) Rathoa having this knowledge is possibly a bad thing, or at least Hujo thinks it's not likely to lead to good things. Leads me to wonder if Teridax knows about this too, and thus the Plan would be different in some ways especially regarding the Mask of Life. If Rathoa had enough clues from his time with Teridax, he might be able to figure out the Paracosmos Plan more than anyone else. Intriguing possibilities. If I were Kopaka, my comeback would have been "Matoran can break." A bit dark, though. Wow, heavy realization at the end. I'm with Nijire - it makes frighteningly good sense and matches up perfectly with the Kuambu's penchant for dancing the line of killing indirectly.

A big twist?! Time to read both chapters. Good timing too since they're apparently so closely connected. Chapter 28: Haywire backstory! I enjoy these sorts of interludes that fill in a series of gaps. Now the wandering eye is explained. Brilliant. It was all just an incidental compromise between host and virus. I always thought there was something more to it (and there might be in the symbolic sense just described here), but this revelation is superbly satisfying. Also satisfying to get the literal inner perspective of Tyaagko's encounter with Haywire. That character has stuck with me after Endless Blue. Right now it's fun discovering the beginnings and history of the overarching plan that has been in play for ages! Chapter 29: The revelation of the crystal's time-travel, creating an ontological loop (that's what this is, correct?), invoked a huge mental "OOOHHHHH" moment for me. Plus the time travel of the Toa's tools into what seems to be an utterly unreachable place anytime soon, and the temporary gateway for the submagmatic to initiate the Rumor in the past... that's a pretty stunning climax. Well done. The only part I'm not sure about is how Vaurukan could have predicted the use of the Vahi so well. He probably knew of it from its creation and use in Metru Nui before the Great Cataclysm, but how could he have been so sure Vakama would give it to Tahu when he did? He certainly contrived many of the events to coerce the Mask of Time into a position where it would be ready at hand for the trap, but I can't help being skeptical. It seems like a series of pretty risky gambles... although that may be one strategy Vaurukan is comfortable operating in. I'm tempted to try that fish trapping game/technique. It sounds sort of fun. Extra bracket. Elemental masks. Awesome. I always wanted to write those into my stories but only ever got to mention them in passing.

Hmm, the reference doesn't mean lightweight stones, but you didn't say anything about the totem possibility. Does that mean it's too close, if not the truth, for you to even make an encouraging comment? Well, the pile part does throw me off since there's only one totem. Chapter 27: Two comments... I'm guessing Onua just saw Vaurukan? Apparently the titan had a pet worm on a chain, so that would make sense. The sharp pain in Kopaka's neck - not sure what that's about. I would research, but I don't know which meeting he referred to.

All finished moving. Hopefully spring term's single class makes a big difference for my schedule and I can respond to each chapter as it comes up. But two is better than three or five, anyway! I did get confused about which time crystals were being referred to. Thanks for clearing that up. Chapter 25: Based on your previous reply to my Nijire-Teridax comparison, I'm inclined to forget about the physical limitations that you pointed out are probably moot. Here, I sense a trace of Makuta-like plotting and calculation. While Nijire is certainly far from evil, she surely has a sharp intellect comparable to that of a Makuta. And she seems to be changing in a way forced by her circumstances to use trust itself as a tool, equal among other tools. In this way, Nijire may be compromising her values, or at least creating flex space. That brings her more closely in alignment with how a Makuta would think. Thus, the Kuambu can rely on her to think as much like a Makuta as she can, which may be the most effective method for identifying any weak points in the prison. Good to see Kopaka back in his element! And Haywire makes a return. I found that to be a quirky part of EB that I enjoyed because it explored more of the biology/mechanics of the characters and environment. Chapter 26: If I may correct that, I would say "don't give up the sword." I don't mean that Kopaka has voluntarily given it up before - that's obviously not true. But he has made choices, or been less careful, in ways that have led to losing it. In that way, he can simply do better. Don't make any choices or actions that risk his sword. Then again, risk sometimes is necessary to accomplish something. Here's hoping he manages to turn the sword into his true unshakable focus. Gonna have to remember that for my video games. The bit about a pile of lightstones - it does seem like a conspicuous way to hide the only exit from the submagmatic. Perhaps Akohre misinterpreted it, and it actually means a different kind of lightstone? A light-stone, as in a stone related to light in some way. I'm thinking of the totem that contained the Mask of Light. If the Kuambu really are in control of 2002/3 events as they seem to be, then it wouldn't be surprising that they already retrieved the Mask of Light from the cave by Ta-Koro. The submagmatic could have pulled it down while it was attacking the Mangai near the beginning, and nobody's realized it yet. Another theory: light stones, as in stones that are lightweight. Floating stones? Don't really see an obvious connection to the plot here with this idea, which is why I'm sure the Mask of Light is coming into play sooner or later. We shall see if Nijire's plan pans out soon.

So basically Mata Nui the robot had strings attached to the camouflage mask on its face, that extended through its head to the magma behind, and when those strings broke, Mata Nui's mask wobbled a bit. Heh. Although that does help me realize one thing: now that they know where the Matoran are trapped, everyone has a better 'big picture' of the places where things are happening right now. Even if some of those places are impossible to get to right now (the creature), knowing where they are is bound to lead to something else. Chapter 23: Kopaka's cable ride was an amazing read. The story shifted so suddenly and yet very smoothly into a period of inaction. It should have been jarring, but this was written in such a way that the reader just got into the feel of the scene with Kopaka. I can already tell this will be a memorable section out of all your episodes. Yep - Makuta's down there with them. The question (and maybe Kejokta is wondering this already): are they trapped in there with Makuta, or is Makuta trapped in there with them? I honestly can't put it past the villain to already have a way out, and is just waiting for the right moment. Obviously he's in an incredibly hazardous situation, since even the Kuambu's teleport method might not protect his antidermis from the magma energy, thus burning him up if he tried to get out that way. Chapter 24: There we have it - the most plausible reason for everything she's been going through. I can only think of one flaw in the Kuambu's thinking if this is true: Nijire is a physical Matoran; Makuta is a gas at the moment. They're completely different states of existence... and so some things for Makuta (like passing through a tiny crack) is possible while it isn't for Nijire. I don't know if that really is relevant here, though. Additionally, Nijire might be inflating her own ego by making this all about her, as a psychological reaction to her confrontation with Kejokta where she realized that she does fear him. So this might just be a false clue. Escaping by not escaping... makes sense to me here. Onua is much too hard on himself... but we all knew that already. The missing one was the Future one, right? Since Onua has present and the creature has past. I bet Vaurukan has this one, since he is cooperating with the Kuambu and they seem to predict everybody's moves so incredibly well, as well as creating Convergeance by seeing ahead of time what they're supposed to do. Although when they do fail or seem to mess up, that could be attributed to the fact that the crystal can't be used everywhere at the same time. Plus, the Kuambu that spoke to Nijire did sort of drop that hint - why would the mighty Rulers of the Sea bother to cooperate with Vaurukan? The power of future sight would be a pretty darn good reason! Neat moment with Onua in the Seahopper. Gotta mull on that a bit more.

Very impressive set! It does fall a bit short of the spectacular form shown in the movies, but it's an acceptable representation. The Ent looks a bit silly to me, and honestly gives more of an impression of some strange robot with leaves. I guess smooth plastic can never have the look or texture of wood unless the mould itself were really complicated. And that'd only drive up the price, which is outrageous enough as it is. Won't be buying it when the LEGO Store opens in my city, but perhaps it'll be there.

1. Okay, so Vaurukan and the creature are separate beings. V made the creature. Got it. (Disappointed my theory didn't pan out, but that's all right!) 2. New chime theory. I re-read Chapter 21 to get a better grip of the implications of the creature's nature. My theory: chime itself could be a mechanical function of the creature. fishers64 suggested it was caused by the creature's tendril actions, but I don't see them lining up with the tendril action shown in story. So I'm proposing that the chime is more of an internal voice, sort of like the creature's 'cry.' However, I'm not saying the creature consciously uses this as its voice. It would be more like an incidental noise caused by various functions, but possibly also affected by the creature's thoughts. This could explain why it was regular and quiet while Nijire was in the maze (indicating regular, timely functions) but came back really loud when Kuambu, Rahunga, and Matoran were duking it out, as well as when the magma started dripping in because the creature sensed the (potentially dangerous to its well-being) activity and CHIIIIMed rather than chiming, like an alarm. Which it seems to be, really. I quote from Chapter 22: If those loud chimes are identical, then they could just be the 'danger chime' programmed to go off. The creature certainly is in danger now due to the magma, and could have felt it was close to danger due to the minor battle before. 3. Did the creature's movements, causing the internal earthquake, cause such seismic activity that it resonated up to Mata Nui and was the same earthquake Kopaka and Gali experienced? I'm just asking outright here. Chapter 22: I'm really curious what the Kuambu use/do to get past the Crazolga slime (It's Crazolga, right?)... Is it a Kuamor? Or a power they have? Or just another slime variety that nullifies the nullifying slime? I can remember a few others here who had a hard time getting used to that. It looked something like a raging stormcloud of blackness, boiling, parts moving away, parts moving toward them, now reversing, so that the edge of the massive stone Circle seemed to fade in and out of existence. I wonder if you might call this quantum foam action on a macro scale? Is that how you conceive of the physics of the Circle boundaries? The visual is similar, anyway. Sounds like Jaudrohk is an unknown in a bad way now.

Hmm, my post for Chapter 20 didn't go through somehow. I saw it posted, and now it's gone. Darn. I didn't say much, fortunately... mostly my reactions. I wasn't that surprised when the magma started spilling into the dome as Nijire and co. were approaching. I did start to believe that they really were in one of the domes aboveground, especially when the interior and exterior descriptions of the opening windows matched up... clever move. Chapter 21: I figured it out about halfway through the chapter that Nijire's dome was with the tendril creature. There wasn't a direct obvious clue, but I simply realized that if there's magma, but they're NOT on Vaurukan's island or Mata Nui, then the next most obvious place in this story is down where the tendril creature is. That thing just keeps me confused. Why would it be doing all these things, and cooperating with the Kuambu to keep their prisoners? Perhaps... it is Vaurukan himself? Going back to the map in the dome: I think we can be fairly certain that there's only one of those tendril creatures. Onua's observation of the hologram that recalled its brain-like skin matches up with the thin wavy line used by the artist. And the creature is definitely around the size of the island, as Onua discovered when he blur-travelled down to its home. And it being a rumor to the artist makes sense, since it's likely nobody ever has seen it until Onua did, or perhaps it was once seen long ago and that memory was passed around until it reached the artist. I'm gonna call it - the tendril creature is Vaurukan. The town and his palace are just placeholders. And even the Kuambu may not even realize this, since I don't think they've been able to see him directly either. They may only think they're working with a tendril creature that works under Vaurukan. Another reason to support this theory is that, up to this point, we keep hearing about this Vaurukan being hired by the Kuambu and doing some work for them, but we've never seen him do anything directly. Meanwhile, the tendril creature has kidnapped the Ko-Matoran, disrupted the Toa's plans (especially Onua), even put Hujo on guard since it could discover some of his secrets. Certainly doing a lot of work to help the Kuambu. It just makes sense that they're one and the same. But who knows... you could have something completely unexpected planned. I'll leave this here till you respond, and then work further based on what you say.

Chapter 19: Judging by Kopaka's observations of Pahrak-Kal, I think that the longer the chronoserum transformation takes, the more animalistic the Kal becomes. Kohrak-Kal was the first to finish (if I remember correctly), and it was still sane enough to warn the Toa. Pahrak-Kal seems to have ended up on the opposite end of that scale.Onua's discovery of the Rahkshi in Kuambu captivity has let me complete a theory to the extent that I can write it out now.The Kuambu know just as much as perhaps even the Unknown about Convergeance, and are actively working to bring the two Cosmos together. At first this didn't seem like the case because of what they did to the Bohrok-Kal, but I think I understand that more. The end goal is to make events occur as similarly to the original Cosmos as possible; this doesn't necessarily mean the events have to be "picture-perfect." As long as the Bohrok-Kal get to the Nuva Cube and force the Mask of Time to be used (which just became much more likely), it doesn't matter what they look like or what kind of state of mind they're in. Same goes for the Rahkshi - it doesn't matter where they came from or who is controlling them, the Makuta or Kuambu. As long as they hunt down and reveal Takanuva, it brings them closer to Convergeance.If I'm right, this implies two things: One, that the nature of the Paracosmos and the Event doesn't require completely identical events, but centres on pivotal moments. That might be a given already, but going further: it doesn't matter what the intention is behind the events. In other words, what's really important for the Convergeance is to mimic the physical events. In a way, this is also a given, since the logical alternative would be to destroy all deviating minds, personalities, and wills in the Paracosmos. That's self-defeating since Core characters exist here but have been altered themselves.Two, that the Kuambu really do want Convergeance, or at least want to bring things closer so that they can do something else, or somehow take advantage of Convergeance. Can't say much more than this, but it sure seems like that's the direction they're going on. However, I still can't reconcile this theory with what they did to the Toa. My best idea is that they had to actually delay the true Nuva transformation or prevent it from happening altogether to buy time for their own plans.Oh yeah, forgot to remark on Rathoa's mask-breaking scene earlier. That came as a shock to me, and sort of disappointing in a way. It's good that he took such a bold step to prove his intentions, but I honestly hoped he would stay bad because he's so good at it lol. Of course, he could have something else up his arm-armour... If anything is a BIONICLE cliche, it's relying on masks as pivotal story points.

Chapter 18: And not delaying my reviews for similar reasons! This retelling epic of yours sounds like it would be a fun read, and perhaps perfect timing since I'm forgetting so much BIONICLE history. It is also utterly remarkable that an entirely fictional universe can actually make this kind of dedicated history-writing possible. I don't think many outside of the LEGO community appreciate that BIONICLE's story has achieved a scale comparable to world such as The Edgeland Chronicles or even Tolkien's Ea. Have you said when it should begin being posted? (I forgot to mention in my previous post that Gahlok-Kal's magnetic attack on Ta-Koro was quite well-written with the physics of the situation. I would have felt just as horrible as Kopaka did, and it's worse because magnetism makes any BIONICLE being virtually helpless.) Onto the chapter itself... You know what, this might go without saying, but... It seems like a really strong theme in this episode that the Toa Mata are very passive, and new characters such as Bhukasa and Hujo are highly active leaders. This really is a flip from the Cosmos (again, goes without saying)... but when I think about it, this trend is being established pretty strongly now that Paracosmos-only characters have been established. It might just seem extra-obvious now because of Onua's and Kopaka's struggles (and last episode, Lewa). One too many "and"s, I think. It seems curious that Pahrak-Kal's transformation is taking so long. His blob-like transition is reminiscent of plasma, which is suiting, but each of the Kal experienced different types and speeds of transformation. Might be a clue.

Chapter 16: More progress toward another action peak, it looks like. Enjoying the study breaks with your story very much! =)Chapter 17: Over a "hundred" centipedes. You did that on purpose, yes? If that's the case, then the Kuamor-compressing machine and the proxy backpacks may be so powerful that the power they compress actually becomes part of the laws of physics... That could explain why they're apparently unaffected by time. That implication alone is pretty potent.I'm with fishers64 on Nijire... She keeps getting singled out. That could be because she's so good at this, though, but she couldn't have gotten started if she had been imprisoned identically to the others.About the chime... What if, somehow, it's only in her head? Following the pattern fisher has identified suggests this, but it could just as well be a device designed FOR her, tracking her movements as a sort of automated corrector. Nijire's about to deviate from the path designed for her? Chime time!We'll find out soon enough. Great to see the Bohrok Kool forms arrive at last!

Just barely keeping up at this point with my homework load! Can't wait to complete my last full-time semester. Chapter 15: Creepy myth about the two arguing Kriitunga. I wonder if there's some truth to it - perhaps pulling on the energy pack destabilized it somehow, and literally drained their energy so they dried up. No matter how scientific an explanation might be, it's no less creepy! I'm sure you felt great when Taureko potentially was a powerful asset for infiltrating Destral. I imagine you didn't plan these particular events so far in advance, so having your own invented character come back full circle is pretty awesome. Story's moving along. Nothing much to say about theories so far.

Just a quick new post to say that I've read Chapter 14 now. Once again, the Field of Shadows comes in handy!

Sounds like a rad story in the making, bones! I'm actually working on a new series of my own that I hope to premiere at the end of this year, or next year. Been planning it for almost a year now, really hammering out the details of the Arena a la your method. I'm just as excited for it as you are for yours; how about some mutual read and review, eh? ;)The series title is pretty final too: The Chrysalis Saga.Chapter 13: That'll tick them off, for sure...So, Ahku summoned a Magcargo? =P The creature is actually great, I can really see it with your description. And Nijire's attack was a good way to further describe its properties and really pinpoint the nature of its gel-flesh. Sometimes it can be challenging to truly visualize a new creature as you would in your head as writer, but here it's really easy with the way you wrote it.I loved the teleportation battle between Destral and the Kuambu. You really know how to take unique Bionicle elements (as in factors, not the actual Elemental powers) and create such cool scenarios. It'll be interesting to see where they go from there.

Chapter 12: Lots of neat discoveries here. Looks like the Makuta are making some kind of move now. I'm hoping it's a "No, this island is ours" type of move. War between the Brotherhood and the Kuambu would undeniably be pretty awesome, if destructive!I like where Onua's adventure is leading him. Presumably it's an Unknown stash, and I'm willing to bet there's something in one of the packs that counters Crazolga slime, or otherwise makes it easier to get into the cage. Knowing the Unknown, the stuff Onua finds might just take him in an entirely different direction.

Ah, I did miss the carving being melted. Nod to your other comments.Now, it's Reading Week! I get to catch up! Chapter 10: Known unknowns, heh.Nice that Kopaka finally caught a break getting away from the marketplace. By the by, it's interesting that the Kuambu are already doing this kind of thing on Mata Nui. Obviously they consider part of the island to be de facto Kuambu territory already and are just getting on with business as usual... It shows both sheer power (since they really do control that land, more or less) and arrogance.Good musings from Onua at the end about strangers showing a people something about their tradition that should stop. Sort of touches upon the moral relativist position with human cultures, which I don't personally subscribe to. Thus, I'm with Onua on this.Chapter 11: Think that should be "he'd."A very sad chapter. I'll have you know I almost shed a tear along with Kopaka when Ito was leaving. It's really great how that character has grown to have such a profound impact on the plot and the reader despite there being so little known about him. I wonder if Onua was really hallucinating, or if the time crystal had something to do with it. Perhaps somehow its power went a bit haywire - sort of an uncontrollable exhaustion phase - and showed Onua an past time thread. It would explain why he couldn't access it while chasing what would have in fact been its power.

You pulled a bit of a trick there so that we both were right! It WAS a junkyard like fishers64 thought, but now it does serve a greater purpose like I thought. Again, following fishers64's lead on its true purpose. I'll add that Vaurukan may have designed the system so intricately that each thing Nijire is encountering serves to test a particular quality or attribute. They all overlap, since a lot of it is seemingly about escape and danger, but there is clearly some puzzle-solving with the disorienting structure and maze. It all serves to pinpoint one very specific ability, for if a person can escape or otherwise succeed in all of the challenges, then they must have that ability. Chapter 8: I like the way you set things up with that legend of monsters. Clearly someone else has done their research (and lots of running too )... this is just enough to make me nervous and excited, but also curious enough to not simply be looking forward to spectacular scenes of monsters. Now I have to wonder why these creatures exist, whether they're controlled by Vaurukan, and so on. Also, I've noticed a major theme of worms and tentacles in this story. Not just the creatures here, but also the giant brain underneath the robot. Wonder if something's up with that theme? Poor Kopaka with the open door, hah. I guess the wind might slow his thawing or even put out the fire? That is such an unique plot challenge. Awesome. Interesting turn of events at the end, but definitely not unexpected. Chapter 9: Just got to read this chapter. Not much for me to say here, but I was surprised that Kopaka got to see the Kuambu. Hopefully his rock record is still intact, but they probably saw him carve it, so it'll probably be destroyed. We'll see.