Nick Silverpen

Member Name: Nick SilverpenTheme: The GameWord Count: 556Story: Catch on the CouchTheir bodies were settled into the couch, the long day finally over. The cushions seemed to hug them, comforting their weariness as they reclined. They didn’t cuddle, but their legs were tangled together as they relaxed. With the television off, the music paused, and the cell phones away, the air around them was filled with quiet. Their calm exhales didn’t interrupt the peace, but seemed to add to it, as they let their thoughts of the day give way to the nothingness that lingered.She leaned back on the armrest, while her eyes looked forward into book on her lap. He sat opposite, gazing out the window behind her to the backyard, where the late October sunset shown on the pine trees lined next to the fence. It was no longer being caught in the rush of summer that tired them, he realized, but the idleness they now felt now since everything had simply ceased. With the disappearance of summer, something else had vanished as well, though he couldn’t figure what it was. The traffic that had frequented the street next to the house had stopped, yet they still listened for the stream of cars that used to shoot by.His eyes shifted to her, still contently buried in her book. The sunset surrounded them with shadows, the twilight approaching. His body shifted, sinking deeper into the couch. Feeling something under the cushion, and his hand emerged with a miniature Styrofoam ball. Palming it a few times, he rolled it in his hands before tossing it to her. As it dropped in between the pages, rustling the book, her eyes looked to see him smiling. Conversation had never been necessary, actions were what mattered. He nodded at her, insisting she throw the ball back. She did. The shadows were growing, she could see, and soon it would be too dark to read.The game of catch continued, small smiles on each of their faces forming. A giggle periodically escaped either of them as they passed the ball like children. The football flew from one end of the couch to the other, coming to rest for a moment before becoming airborne again. The pace remained steady, adrenaline not their motivator. Each time they cradled the ball, their smooth hands snagged on its bumpy texture, feeling the minute trace of the other’s last touch.When the ball was thrown to her again, he came with it, drawn to her like a fish on a hook. His body lay on top of hers, cuddling her soft sweater. Their eyes closed as their lips met, not breathing as they kissed. Where the shadows of the evening were cool, together they were warm. Rolling next to her, he was lost in her kiss, obsessed not about the sexual side, but the affection of it. He hugged her closer, his eyes tightly shut, hoping that the sight of her in the final rays of sunlight would be burnt into his memory.Their rolling around eventually ceased, as they lay atop one another on the couch. The ball had gone missing again, disappeared to somewhere they wouldn’t look for a while. He was her cushion now, as their arms wrapped around each other, their heads tilting toward the window so together they could see in the black sky the emergence of the stars.

Member Name: Nick SilverpenTheme: TreasureWord Count: 563Story: Stepping off the PyramidStepping Off the Pyramid“It’s been an honor rowing with you seniors, and I wish you luck with your future endeavors.” We locked eyes and smiled at each other as Connor said this, and I hope my tears were intermingled with sweat dripping from my forehead. “And it was the most fun I’ve ever had on a boat.” He and I were not close friends in the past three years, but maybe we grew closer in the past months- fighting, winning and losing together. Even though we came in dead last, the entire team was looking at each other like we were winners. It was a long rhode, I thought. But it was worth the travel. The true victors of the race lay in the shade not ten feet away, resting for the finals in a few hours time, but they didn’t have the sense of triumph in winning the fights that our boat did.“It’s nowhere near over for you,” my voice broke the moment of awe of the four seniors as I indicated him, the lone junior, Justin, Jake and Pat, even Will, the alternate who stood on the outside of the circle. “You guys have another year- most of you even two- to do even better than we did today. Half the boat will remain after we seniors graduate, and you’ll do amazing things together.” Next to me, Coach shifted in his seat, and I could feel his mind buzzing for next year’s team in the group of men that sat before him. “It was never the way I imagined it would end, but I honestly wouldn’t have ended it any other way.”It was all a pyramid, just like coach said, all the way back in September. A hard hike to the top, but the brief time spent viewing beyond the apogee was worth it, as we stepped down from such great heights, back into the shade of the giant. I stepped off with my only medal in the past four years, the medal that everyone else on the team received time and time again for three years, and that one victory was my treasure. The loss of this race wasn’t the worst- there were so many lost in the past, and I won the race I wanted most. The smiles on our faces in the newspaper cover shot were some of the happiest I was in all four years of high school. This may have been the peak for the seniors, but I suspected that Coach was simply laying a base for the underclassmen.I flashed a grin across the circle at Pat. The most polite and deserving kid was worried all season that he would lose his seat, and here he was, after the last race, earning what he deserved all along. Jake didn’t live up to his brother… yet. His time lies in the future. Why reach a prime so young, and then realize for the years to come that he’ll never be better?Picking ourselves off the grass, we gathered for one last team chant. We were headed home, to the beaches, where all the other teams would be spending hours of traffic getting to their vacation homes later. A sly grin came on everyone’s faces as we all realized it, and one other thing.We were free from crew now. The summer is ours.

One People “…and so the Great Spirit descended from the heavens, carrying we, the ones called the Tohunga, to this paradise. We were separate, and without purpose, so the Great Spirit bestowed on us the three virtues: Unity, Duty, and Destiny.”Night had descended upon the bays of Ga-Wahi, the sun slipping past the endless ocean as the first stars begun to appear on the darkening skies. Po-Koro guards stood solitary on the lillypads, watching the sun disappear with a secret longing to follow it. To them, daylight brought the comfort of hard work. In the night, the goatdogs and their swarms would wander stealthily; at light, their attacks could be anticipated. So the guards stood in silence, their ears listening through the waterfall of the Naho bay and the chirp of insects, eyes desperately searching for the glow of a Bohrok in the shadows.Inside a hut, we Po-and Ga-Koran huddled together around Turaga Nokama, the chill of dusk dampening our spirits. Soft lights hung from the ceiling, attempting to lighten the mood. The Turaga ebbed and flowed like the tide, telling tales of peaceful times. Nokama had finished one of her stories, and now it was Onewa’s turn.Did they think we would simple-mindedly listen to the tales, though? The thought came from a dark corner of my mind. We were all hunched forward, eyes fixated on the elder as he spoke, but I doubted many of us were actually listening. I was among those thinking of what lay outside, those Pahrak lurking in the shadows of the area; halfheartedly listening, I found I couldn’t, because something in Onewa’s introduction seemed odd, as if there were something wrong in the Turaga’s statement.“Turaga,” I piped during an intermission. Several heads stirred, turning in my direction, along with a very surprised pair of robed storytellers. “You preach of unity in your tales, and here two villages sit. Yet you call us ‘Tohunga’, which means we are different people. If the Great Spirit gave us the three virtues and desired for us to be united, why did he give us a name that indicated otherwise? Why aren’t we called something like Matoran?” I expected anything but the uncomfortable silence that followed. There were no mutterings, no signs of support from my fellow Po-Koran. Nokama’s head was cocked in deep thought as she and Onewa considered my words. There was no deep reasoning behind my urge to speak, nor desire just to be noticed. I just wanted to note a point. And now I desired nothing other than to hide my brown Akaku and disappear once again into the crowd.After many moments in thought, the Turaga straightened themselves. My brothers and sisters turned intently toward them, to see how they would address the outspoken Matoran. Each second they paused I anticipated with dread.The lillypad rocked, swaying in the still bay, and an explosion could be heard from the Naho waterfall. My outburst was soon forgotten as those closest to the windows saw what happened, scrambling to flee from the stealthy, cunning, rapidly approaching Bohrok.*** The next few days fighting for Ga-Koro drove my outburst from everyone’s memories. I took the sidelines as the Onu-Matoran stepped up to defend us, and Jala and Takua took the spotlight. In a sense, I was glad to be shoved aside. But people still remembered. I went back to the shadows in my kiln, back to daily life, after the Toa defeated the Bahrag. My role as spectator continued as I watched the Bohrok Kal attack, and the Toa Nuva take off again on another quest. Somehow though, once the gossip of the heroes’ latest escapade grew old, people were coming together, not just in a time of need or danger, but a time to talk about something that we had missed in centuries of listening for the tales.The Turaga gathered us in Kini Nui once the Kal were defeated, claiming it was a great climax in our history. I was among the crowd, confused on what was going on, one of the many poking my head above the rest to get a good look at Turaga Vakama.“Matoran of Mata Nui!” he cried boldly, lifting his firestaff up to the sky. “The Great Spirit bestows a gift upon you all, as testament to your courage and their unity. The Time of Troubles has at last come to an end!” Many gasps and shouts of joy came from the people around me as they saw Takua and Jaller walk up beside the six elders. They were changed, taller and stronger, their bodies different. Some Le-Koran next to me jumped for joy when he realized he would soon be more limber, and an Onu-Koran was thrilled at knowing he would be stronger come the next sun. But I reveled in none of that, as I smiled with the rest. I was happy for a different reason.He called us Matoran.----------------------------I've been wanting to write this for a while, a storyline reason of how the name "Matoran" was introduced in 2003, and this was the result. Spent a year and a half getting stuck after going halfway through, but I finished it too late for the deadline for Flash Fiction Marathon Theme 1. It's currently 829 words with the title.

This is excellent! Longer stories have become a pain to write, finally something short and sweet! I'll try to be in!

Bored, a little, yes, because I was always used to see dozens of new posts on here, and the members I knew best have grown up. I should be posting stuff, but lack of motivation Just gotta look for different posts and finish my epic haha

I remember reading that the work done in Metru Nui was sent as power through underground conduits to Karda Nui, and that could be the power- the work of the Matoran and species of the Matoran universe. The EP must be in essential places as a mylien sheath, so the energy doesn't diffuse on its way to Karda Nui.

I sort of see Least Successful as the Toa Hagah- they let a Dark Hunter army build up, Matoran enslaved, and failed to trap Teridax, and most of the stuff involving the Brotherhood executing their plan happened right under their noses.The most successful, I'm going to go with the majority here and say Metru, because they protected and gained back an entire island by themselves, moved an entire population of say 1000 villagers, and maintained a stable leadership for 1000 years. That's a pretty good rep, wouldn't you think?

Requesting a review on my storySlipping Through http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=4570by Nick SilverpenThanks!

I've been playing around with this idea in life that you don't always get what you set out for, but sometimes what you recieve is equally as good. This story sets a good example of that. I like the poetry you used, and your word order was attractive.This line stuck out, just the way it ended the passage. The personification is clever. Very well done!

Pretty much browsing the forums whenever I should be studying or doing homework, but I seldom find reason to post anymore. Mostly been trying to create stuff for the stories forum, but it's hard to finish.

Slipping ThroughTwo figures quietly moved through the rubble strewn streets of Le-Metru, stealthily moving in the morning shadows. They were the only movement for blocks around, but that did not mean they were the only ones present- there could have been an ambush behind any pile of rubble. The twin suns high above the city were on the rise, day beginning to break. The fighting of the war had not yet permeated the early hours of the day, but it would soon be ever-present.“I really wish you would let me come with you,” Nidhiki muttered to Naho as they ducked in a suitable hiding spot.“You know you’ll only slow me down,” she replied, softly cracking a knuckle. The Toa of Air raised an eyebrow; she might as well have fired a column of water to signal every Hunter in the district as to where the two Toa Mangai hid. But as he listened closer to the area around him, he could hear trash blowing in the early breeze, akin to Naho’s knuckle crack. The sounds were one and the same.No need to worry… for now, Nidhiki thought. “I’ve let you come with me this far, brother. And besides, you’d no sooner go diving than pet a Fikou spider,” she teased, a strained smile on her mask.“If you’re quite done,” Nidhiki snapped, the smile not returned. She knew how to push the envelope, emphasizing his anxiety with arachnids. “Let’s get the mission on the way before the day starts.” Gesturing above, where a morning blue started to appear above the buildings, he indicated the structure which they were in search for. A chute station towered stories above them, the protodermis travel system it held in place heading north in one direction, west in another. The Le-Matoran of the district called it “the Ring”, because six chute stations created its namesake in the center of Le-Metru, where other chutes branched off to other metru. The Dark Hunter’s first move when they invaded- was it only days ago?- was to seize the Ring; if they controlled the chutes, they effectively controlled the city’s shipping and public transportation. The city was at a standstill now, boarded up in their homes. Not that anyone sane would travel in this warzone anyways. As they looked above, Nidhiki prayed. The Toa Mangai had no chance of taking the Ring back themselves. Only a handful of them, and hundreds of the enemy. Hunters were perched at certain intervals in the chute, ready to fire at any Toa they saw. It was hopefully the changing of the guard, for no activity could be seen within the chutes.The chutes overhead weren’t the ones that the two Toa were concerned about. Rather, it was below that was of interest. Rumors of Metru Nui’s construction hinted at chutes running under the city to the Silver Sea, and a few reconnaissance missions executed by the other Toa Mangai found the rumors to be true. The chute Nidhiki and Naho now climbed down was the chute; Slipping through the Dark Hunter lines to this chute was the only way to let other lands beyond the sea gates know that Metru Nui was being occupied.Below the tower, the protodermis coursed downward, heading to the south of the district. This was it, Nidhiki realized, breathing with excitement. Naho stood atop the metal brace with him, prepared to jump into the current. “At least let me escort you to the end of the chute,” he insisted. “Lhikan said there’s Rahi down there, and ‘who knows what else’. Who’s to say that the ‘what else’ isn’t a group of Hunters?”Naho looked at him hard for a moment with a gaze most would identify as suspicious. He was a loyal Toa Mangai, she knew, and would cross her to a group of thieves, but his insistence could sometimes be annoying. “Alright, just to the end,” she agreed. Helping him down to the brace, she looked at him from behind the Mask of Water Breathing’s face shield, and with a nod, the two of them leapt.A chute was a whole different world. Everything moved on the current in a zero gravity state, like being suspended in a gel. It was unlike being underwater, for the Toa’s buoyancy did not bring them up to the top of the chute. They surged south, past the aquatic Rahi that nested there, and Naho smiled at him, as if to show she were right.A loud bang ahead of them snapped their alert senses on. Above their heads an energy blast flew, barely missing their Kanohi. From around the bend came a Dark Hunter with a cannon, his scope trained on his targets. Naho threw her arms up, slowing her speed, while Nidhiki unlimbered his scythe and fired bullets of air at the assassin. Naho used her power to bend the current around the Hunter, the liquid pulling the weapon from his hand. Together the two Toa formed a whirlpool encasing the Hunter that flung him through the liquid membrane of the chute. Nidhiki looked at Naho, raising his eyebrows. This time, he was right.Furiously the current pumped them through the chute, zipping through a storm of Hunters. Nidhiki slashed with his scythe heatedly, unleashing tornado upon tornado the enemy. He wanted to do more, but stunning was all there was time for- he would leave his proper impression later. Water and air powers furiously pounded the line as they fell behind, unable to catch the green and blue blurs that zoomed through.Reaching the end of the chute, Naho sped through the entrance into the silver sea. Nidhiki watched her go, hanging outside the exit to catch any stragglers that had slipped by their attacks. She never looked back, assured Nidhiki could handle more than they had faced. They were certain they would see each other again, before this war was over.Where Metru Nui was occupied by sounds of war, the surrounding sea was filled with peace. The city was a dark silhouette now, almost a dot in the distance. Light from the twin suns came down in shafts through the ocean’s surface, showing the clear abyss that lay ahead. No Rahi swam around the Toa of Water, the ocean ensuring Naho a clear path to the sea gates. The only sound was of protodermis passing through her mask, the empty ocean silvery blue around her. Her sense of duty pushed her through the water; the longer she was gone, the more chances that the Hunters had to harm her adopted city and brothers, Toa and Matoran alike. Naho cleaved through the water, her arms and legs pumping toward the sea gates. Already there was a sense of weariness in the muscles, stiff and straining, but her spirit was determined to get there, wherever there was. Metru Nui was held in the highest respects from the lands she and the other Toa called home, for the universe’s survival depended on the island city; there were no doubt sympathizers in the archipelagos outside the dome. Under her mask, her determined mind pushed away the looming feelings of panic and worry of the war as he body pushed away the sea. For the Toa, she thought, parting the water with her hands. For Turaga Dume. For the city.Yet it was her love of swimming that kept her going. Alone with the ocean, Naho felt truly one with it, reveling in the vastness that made her feel so alive. No borders restrained her, any direction she took feeling like it could be the right one. Each stroke through the ocean felt exhilarating; her mind was devoid of concern while pulling herself through the water. Part of her didn’t want to find an island, and forget about Metru Nui and the dangers waiting there, for this chase was what she was living for, then and there. The quiet of the blue world attempted to clear her mind, but she still remembered her mission, in a dark corner of her mind.Though for days Naho kicked through the water steadily, her legs wobbled as she stumbled upon the shores of an island. The excitement she’d set out with had been streamlined away, a weariness greater than gravity dragging her eyelids and limbs into the soft sand on the beach. The Turaga and Matoran that emerged from their homes almost didn’t catch the Toa of Water as she fell, exhaustion overcoming her as she used her last bit of energy to mumble her warning. “Metru Nui… the Dark Hunters…”***Slumping in her seat, Naho rested her head in her hands as she gazed out the window. Someone had graciously lent her a Mask of Strength, and she could feel the power coming back to her muscles. However, it would days before she would be ready to fight. Her eyes fixed on the water passing under the ship, Naho thought with shock the effort it had taken her to swim that distance. Easily now they cruised over the ocean, closing fast on the City of Legends. She wondered what had happened in the days that had passed since her departure, hoping that all the Toa on this ship ready for the warwould not be too late.The famous skyline of the city was silhouetted against the sunlight, bringing a smile to Naho’s worn expression. Each time she saw the city was like that first time, when she and the other Toa had come to fight the Kanohi dragon. There was something indescribable in the nobility of the landscape that surrounded the Coliseum; it captured the mind of the viewer, as it was now to the Toa approaching the window. As when the Toa Mangai first entered the city to uphold that image, many more Toa were following the footsteps of their brothers, prepared to lay down their masks, so after this conflict the Dark Hunters would never set foot in Metru Nui again.

If you guys could pm me your details for shipping, that'd be great

Very interesting read, it must've been a good time to write too I finished reading with a tingly feeling, if that makes sense. The whole story seemed 2001ish, and the Terahi had a "Makuta" vibe. It's an interesting take, going into the light instead of into the darkness, and it seems very appropriate. Keep writing!

Hello, Wretched Automaton! I've been seeing the banner among the forums, and I've been trying to get back into the epics forum for a while, (heh, despite my name I haven't really written anything big in a while) but nevertheless! I figured that it was a good title, first off. And it's got me hooked.Just wow right now. I've been thinking of the Restored Spherus Magna as a whole different perspective, but youve done wonders to it. Despite a month of being formed, the society seems like it has been that way for years. I love the way it flows between MU inhabitants and Glatorian/Agori. The plot runs smoothly, at a satisfying pace, and you express your characters' emotions well through dialogue, its hooking and catchy. I enjoy your description as well; its pretty balanced, between talking and action.Character-wise, I love the two Vortixx, and how they infuriate everyone else in the story. They have great one liners and speeches in here, and their whole psychological point of view is amazing. Ackar is neat to watch as well, because of his development and connections from the Legend Reborn. I would like to see more development in Bomonga's character, but I can wait. I love your style, because it has a very fine feel to it. It shows you know how to write. Little phrases you have here and there keep me interested, and I can't wait to see more. The chapters are probably longer than they seem, but they are pretty good.You have me hooked, and I can't wait for more. Every... Saturday, do you post?~NS

It's certainly interesting, I must say. The whole 2001 ish feel to it gives it an attractive vibe, and while it's short, the story is interesting. I hope the chapters get longer as they progress, but if they do not, it's still moving along well. I'm curious as to see where the Turaga and the Toa meet, if ever, and how they connect.

Architect- sure, it's on hold. Parazan- for the price shown? Sky-byte, I'd take em for 15 bucks if that's good enough for you

Just thinking its about time to clear out some sets, but also looking for a few items that have eluded me over the years. I sadly do not have paypal, and have done several successful trades. CASH please, US MAINLAND only. I live in New Jersey, so we can figure out stuff via pm if interested.These prices are negotiable! :)What I've GOT:2004:Nivhawk (No Dume): $15Matau: $72005:Vakama Hordika: $7Suukorak: $72006:Vezok (no instructions or canister) $52007:Pridak (comes with extra squid) $7Mantax (comes with extra squid) $7Kalmah (comes with extra squid) $72009:Ackar: $82010:Nektann (no golden armor) $3Rahkshi of Heat Vision: (no golden armor) $3**If you'd be willing to buy the set without the mask, I'd knock off a few bucks. If interested, we'll talk.What I WANT:Turahk Turaga Dume Kiril (black and red)Golden Armor ChestplateKANOHI NUVA DESIRED:Hau: White, Black, BlueKaukau: White, Red, Black, BrownMiru: White, Red, BlackAkaku: Red, Brown, BluePakari: White, Brown, Blue, RedKakama: White, Red, Blue, BlackOlmakI'd be willing to trade, if the opportunity arises. P

What is the hint about Mata Nui's true nature? All the old photos cut off just after the kumu islets, there's not much ocean shown...

Matoran becoming Toa is like cars and gasoline- a Toa of Fire can transfer his power to any destined Matoran, whether it be Fire, Light, Gravity, Air, etc, just like Fords, Nissans, Hondas, and many other cars take "regular". Putting Toa Power into a Matoran who isn't destined is like putting premium gasoline into a car that only takes diesel- the transaction can take place, but it won't work. (Car people, back me up? I'm just going off basic principle, I'm not sure if that would work)

First off, congrats on completing every single one of these! The workload must've been insane. It's hard to fathom that we've been introduced to that many characters throughout the storyline.I can't believe all the Rahkshi variations you drew. That must have been a time consumer. The Matoran were impressive too, and that stuck out at me the most. You drew them with all of their occupations incorporated, and it gives a good cultural feel to them. Congrats on that.Insane amount of work dude. I'll tip my had to you for that

Motivation to actually read these for once...

Wow. This Matoro simply is amazing. I love the custom arms and waist- can it swivel? The complexity of the arms is pretty neat, and the application of silver with blue showing is pretty cool. The chestplates and sleekness look pretty cool- my only question is the hands. How does he hold onto the cordak blaster? Again, very well done!

We in our society can use the word "sir" with mock respect, so maybe it's like that

This was excellent dude! I love how you captured the dreamlike feel of it. The aura of mystery you have is a good reader's hook. The past and future Hahli meeting was well done, with the two as the same characters but at different developmental stages- I was interested in that; its remarkable to think about how Hahli changed within the two years of the Ignika saga. The dialogue was free flowing, and moving. I liked it, especially what each Hahli says about loss. Your brief description of the Teridax robot along with the destroyed island of Mata Nui gave me chills. Well done!My only pet peeve about this was the unformalized "toa", because I'm a sucker for canon spelling.I might as well read the first one now

That was a pretty long story, but I liked the psychology behind it. Nuparu's thoughts flowed well, and the theme of authority was quite enjoyable