Ballom Nom Nom

If you didn't give permission, it's against the rules: http://www.bzpower.com/board/topic/1-bzpower-rules-guidelines/?do=findComment&comment=31 Just contact the staff about it if it bugs you. ~B~

A bitmap image? Clearly 2006 material. ~B~

The return of Exo-Force, since the original run made liberal use of Bionicle and Technic pieces. C'mon Lego, make it happen! ~B~

Thanks for the comment! I'm definitely am glad both Bionicle and CCBS sets have had liberal amounts of tan overall, or else I certainly wouldn't have been able to make a MOC of this size with tan. And some of the Bionicle/Technic pieces worked out extremely well, such as the clawed Piraka foot for its wing fingers and the Roborider skulls on the tailcase. It's hard to say what a Deviljho would rate this, however, since I bet with his tiny arms using a keyboard would be a real struggle. In that case I think you need to see more MOCs. But seriously, thanks! ~B~

So who's the vampire-looking guy next to Vader? ~B~

Tear 'em apart and make things out of their parts! ~B~

I remember it! It was probably the best Lego game, although not really related to the Spybot line at all. I remember taking forever to carefully beat the final level by using the Bit Man unit that could create/destroy new map squares to create tons of extra squares at the edge of the map, and I believe a Wizard to increase the maximum size/health of itself and my other units by a ridiculous amount until I had nigh-unkillable Stone Golems that beat up the final boss and enemies. ~B~

Flickr "Wyverns feared as desert tyrants, which take their name from the giant horns that crown the head. The horns are put to lethal use with charging thrusts, and while the Diablos possesses no breath attack, its roar is loud enough to split human eardrums. Like the Monoblos, the Diablos charges its prey or strikes from underground, moving more quickly once it is angered. Extremely territorial, they attack invaders with blind aggression. Highly sensitive to sound, perhaps because they frequently travel beneath the sand. Known to feed on cacti." -- Hunter's Guild monster notes Reference image. And so, another MOC of a creature from the Monster Hunter video game franchise! After series mascots Rathalos and Rathian, Diablos is the other creature which wins the perfect attendance award ... or it would have, had it not slept in during the auditions for Monster Hunter 4 and missed that boat. Ah well. At any rate, it's still a popular monster which can often be found terrorizing hunters in desert regions and whatnot. Those horns aren't just for show, you know... Also an entry in the January Flickr contest. ~B~

Epilogue Vrael stood at the prow of Turaga Aritonu's stately vessel, watching intently as the ship wound its way through the channel that separated the three parts of the isle of Punt Nui. He had been waiting for this moment for several days; Chompshi and the Toa Terra, whose raft had earlier been keeping pace with the ship, had already parted to take the longer route back to Terra Nui through the inter-dome sea tunnels. Now, all of Vrael's eager anticipation was about to be rewarded. Under the steady hand of the Turaga of Sonics at the tiller, the ship had come to a gentle stop on a red sand beach. Pe-Koro, Vrael knew, was on the cliff overlooking this point. Whetar and the Punt Nui warriors, who had packed few belongings to begin with and had consumed most of their provisions on the journey, thanked Aritonu and the itinerant Kemet Nui Matoran who made up Aritonu's motley crew. Then they disembarked from the ship, going down the drawn gangplanks and forming a group on the sand. Though the carved stone steps and wooden ladders that led up to the village's promontory were less than a kio ahead of them, Whetar had the group wait for Vrael to join them. It was only proper, after all, to wait for their new Turaga. Moving away from the ship's wheel, Aritonu joined the departing elder at the gangplank. "Take care, Vrael," said the Turaga of Sonics, smiling at him warmly. "This island is a good place, and I'm sure you will be happy here. I'd love to stay myself, but the sailors are restless, and we must head back to Kemet Nui shortly. Until our paths cross again, may Mata Nui watch over you." As he returned to his post, the silver elder suddenly remembered something, and turned back to Vrael one last time. "Oh, and another thing. Give Senko my regards. That old Matoran always did have a soft spot for the one who freed his mentor from imprisonment on Kush Nui." Vrael nodded. "Sure, I'll do that. Goodbye, Aritonu, and thank you for everything." Satisfied, the Turaga of Crystal slowly made his way down the walkway and onto the sand. Reaching Whetar, he acknowledged the faithful warriors; and then the whole company, with Vrael at its head, began progressing up the stairs and ladders to Pe-Koro. The Punt Nui Matoran, eager to see their homes again, made small talk on the way up, but Vrael ascended wordlessly. Once they had reached the top, Vrael was rewarded with the sight of the small but distinguished village. The arrangement of thatched huts was the same old vista that had greeted Akito and the Toa when the team had crashed on the island not so long ago; and the ten obelisks and the statue of the relaxed Toa Sah around the Amaja Circle hadn't seemed to have aged a day since Vrael had last set eyes upon them. Ah, here it is, thought Vrael happily. Home at last. Looking around, the Turaga Terra saw that the entire village had come out to greet his arrival and that of the warriors. Whetar and his soldiers dispersed behind Vrael, enthusiastically greeting their joyous families. But the rest of the villagers, who had been unaware of Vrael's transformation and vow to stay on Punt Nui, were equally hospitable. They had all remembered Vrael and the kindness he had shown them. Seeing him now, as a noble Turaga, they only viewed him in even more awe. So as Vrael reached the center of the village, they greeted him as they had greeted Khepera upon his return. As he made his way through the crowd congregating around him, some Matoran patted him on the shoulder or shook his worn hands. Others saluted or genuflected. A few even bowed. Finally, at the entrance to the temple that both housed the great Suva and had served as the home of Turaga Khepera, stood Senko. The ancient Ko-Matoran Chronicler appeared as he always did, haggard yet determined, gripping his ceremonial staff and carved shield with the dignity that came from holding an important office. For a few moments, he was confused at the strange appearance of this blue and white new arrival. But then, as he finished scratching his worn Kanohi Rode, a look of recognition dawned in his faded, watery eyes. "Vrael?" asked Senko amazedly. "It is I," replied the Turaga Terra. "I have returned." The implications of Vrael having become a Turaga had a profound effect on the old Matoran. What mattered to him was not how Vrael had become a Turaga, but why he was standing before Senko now, with not the former Turaga in sight. Visibly struggling to bring himself to utter the question, Senko finally whispered an inquiry he had been dreading to pose. "Khepera . . . ?" Vrael's face fell as he answered. "He is dead." Whetar and the warriors, having seen the ashes of Khepera in the electrically-charged crystal prison of Aso, looked down stoically out of sadness. The other villagers, unable to believe what they had just heard, could only wait to hear the explanation. Senko likewise could barely breathe. In order to dispel any qualms that his new neighbors might have, Vrael quickly launched into his narrative. "It was Aso who killed him. Or, at least, who was planning on killing him. The Toa Septiu, Toa Terra, Chompshi, and I had her cornered in the Great Philae Temple in Tai-Koro. But the two Atukam were slipperier foes than we had thought; in one fell swoop, Apep mortally wounded Turaga Atemu and Aso did the same to Turaga Akito. However, as she prepared to strangle Khepera, the Turaga mentally told Chompshi that his life could be sacrificed if Aso were eternally captured. Thus Chompshi and I combined our powers, all of our powers, and created a matrix of crystal and lightning that incinerated Khepera and Aso's armored shell. To this day she lies in daily agony, trapped in a double Toa Seal with her mate Apep forever. And that is why I became a Turaga. Chompshi and I gave up our Toa energy so that the Scourges might be defeated." Senko sighed. Though grief still showed on his face, he appeared at least somewhat comforted. "I knew, somehow, that Khepera had not survived. He came back from the dead once, but I feared he might not do so again. That fact brings great sorrow to me." Then his expression turned less melancholy and more hopeful. "Yet you should not fret, Vrael. I know how much you love Punt Nui. I could see it in your heart when you were here as a Toa. That is why I wish to tell you this: if only one of the Toa Terra could have returned here as a Turaga, I'm glad that it was you." Smiling at Senko, Vrael put a conciliatory hand on the Chronicler's shoulder. "Thank you, my friend," Following this gesture, Vrael turned so that he could see all of the villagers of Punt Nui, and addressed them as a single body. "I shall do my best to lead you, my people. After much strife, we can now rejoice in the knowledge that our island has been freed of the shadow of tyranny. Apep and Aso are imprisoned, the Vorukan have fled, and the Citadel is no more. Now, Punt Nui can begin to heal." To this, the Pe-Matoran responded with thunderous applause. But this uproar was soon joined by an even louder sound. Eager to see where it had come from, the villagers, Senko, and Vrael looked in the direction of the channel. There Aritonu's ship, having turned around to begin its journey home to Kemet Nui, had sounded its strident foghorn. As the Punt Nui Matoran waved jubilantly, the vessel slowly headed off toward open waters, disappearing into the fog after a few minutes. "He wishes you his best regards, you know," Vrael told Senko. "Aritonu, I mean." "I am glad to hear it," the old Matoran replied. "And you can thank him for me, if you see him again sometime. You see, Vrael, I don't have many years left. Try as you might to dispel this notion, it is true: my ancient lifespan is soon to come to a close. That was why, when Khepera was gone, I feared that I might die without leaving an heir to lead Punt Nui. But you, Turaga, are middle-aged. Not only will you be able to choose an heir when the time comes, but you will be able to lead Punt Nui for many millenia to come." Vrael smiled warmly. He slung his arm over the Chronicler's shoulder, and together the two elders began heading towards the village temple. The Matoran, interested in hearing the story of Vrael's adventures on Kemet Nui, followed them as a group. But Vrael and Senko had already begun to converse jovially; their words could still be heard as the pair entered the grandiose building. "Come on, Turaga," the old Chronicler could be heard saying. "I'll show you the places Khepera liked to spend his time. We could catch a bite to eat as well; I'm quite famished." "Sounds good, Senko," Vrael announced. "Lead the way. After all, you shall teach me to become a great Turaga — just like my predecessor." ------ On Terra Nui, with the Toa returned and Chompshi in his rightful place as the new Turaga, everything was as it should be. The Matoran once again could be at peace, knowing their island would be safe and secure. At all future Festivals of Diamonds, they would again join their friends the Necrovak, Aquavak, Acko, and the Visorak in honoring the fallen heroes: Hakeahu, Turaga Akito, and the seven Quntaino. But the six Sharaku, while they had joined these hallowed ranks as saviors of Terra Nui, did not stay on the island forever. They knew that a greater destiny awaited them. Thus Hanak and his five teammates found themselves on the plains outside Terra-Koro, traversing the windswept grassland for what would be the last time. They had packed all of their belongings and said all of their goodbyes. Though all of the villagers had been saddened to see them go, and the Green One especially so, all knew that it was for the greater good. And so the Sharaku now passed by herds of grazing Muudabok and tufted knolls of sparse grass, until they had reached the meeting point they had agreed upon, the designated landing strip. As all six of them waited, a familiar matte gunmetal-grey airship descended from the heavens into view, sunlight gleaming off of its black accents. Large swaths of grass flattened beneath the pressure its engines generated, before the bounty hunter Chazok's craft The Inferno alighted on Terra Nui soil for the first time in forty years, coming to rest on hoverpads that rotated into treaded landing gear. Panels slid open on the rounded nose of the craft, and Chazok himself swaggered to the edge of the extended ramp. Flamethrower at his hip and his shoulder mounted chaingun still swiveling back and forth alertly, the bounty hunter hadn't changed a bit since the Sharaku had last seen him — although he appeared proportionally shorter in comparison to their new height. Immediately upon seeing him, the five other Sharaku turned to face Hanak as one, each wearing an expression with a different degree of incredulity. "Chazok is our transport?" Zanta, who was the calmest of the group, asked with a raised eyebrow. "My my, grown have we? Did we find some special mushrooms in the jungle?" Chazok smirked, still finding his jokes incomparably amusing, ignoring the five subordinate Sharaku. In turn, Hanak similarly ignored Chazok's attempt at humor. "Well, since you arrived, you obviously received my message. You'll be willing to transport us to Shakaz then, in exchange?" "I don't see why any rational being would wish to travel to that dump, but yes, if you wish. Come aboard, and we can complete the transaction," the bounty hunter remarked, greedily eyeing Hanak's luggage. "Thank you for flying with Chazok Airlines. Please keep your arms and legs inside the airship at all times. Mind the Bonecrusher — it's just had a new coat of paint." Exchanging shrugs about what exchange was going on, the other Sharaku obediently followed Hanak into the metal corridors of The Inferno, as Chazok exaggeratedly gestured with his hands. The automated doorway from which all seven had entered quickly slid shut, and they followed the ambient glow of ceiling panels to the spacious hold, which contained the mentioned tank along with various parts and devices strewn over multiple tables. "Now, before we go any further, I expect you to hand over the data," Chazok said keenly, holding out a hand. "Only once I verify that it is what you claim it is will we depart." Hanak nodded, anticipating this, and reached into his largest sack of belongings to remove a single thin data disc and place it in the Skakdi's outstreched hand. "Thank you." Chazok then walked a few paces down to a blank screen on the wall of the hold, inserting the disc into a slot near its bottom. The screen flared to life, and various icons appeared. Efficiently scrolling through the blocks of data, Chazok went through page after page of text, diagrams, and semantics, each of which had his own signature scrawled on the bottom. "Argarak didn't even remove my name from it, the fool," he spat contemptuously. "Ah, but that's all ancient history now." Having apparently seen enough to ascertain that the disk was genuine, Chazok quickly removed it from the slot and stashed it in some small pocket of his flight suit. "Sharaku, I will now fulfill my portion of our agreement — as soon as I also have in my posession the communication device you contacted me with." "I can't refuse, I suppose," Hanak replied with a trace of humor, before also delivering the electronic communicator to Chazok. "Also of Argarak's make, I see. Resourceful little one you were, salvaging all this from his laboratory," Chazok murmured. "Don't mind that I'm taking this," he continued. "It's not that I don't trust you — I just don't trust that this will remain out of theiving hands once in Shakaz. And believe me, I'm sure there are quite a few souls there who still want me quite dead. I don't see how anyone could have a grievance against a fine, upstanding citizen such as myself, but we live in a strange universe. Again, as I have said before, nothing personal." "I now leave you to your own devices. Don't break anything you can't pay for. And I assure you, that's everything." With these parting words, noticing that the Sharaku were already sitting down on several of the work tables, Chazok strode to the far corner of the hold, nimbly climbing a small protosteel ladder into the transparent, azure, glasslike cockpit dome. Sliding into the pilot's chair, he sighed contentedly, expertly maneuvering the complicated controls to ease The Inferno up from the flattened prarie grass. After a moment more of mechanical adjustments, he suddenly paused to speak. "Oh Hanak? That is your name, or a similar permutation, if I recall correctly. Why did you follow me to the cockpit?" Chazok queried, without turning his head. The crimson-armored Sharaku, who had slid into lounging in an unoccupied chair behind the bounty hunter on the other edge of the spacious cockpit, shrugged. "I wish to see Terra Nui one last time, and this area has the only windows." "I'm afraid my timetable only allows for a short look," Chazok replied. Expertly controlling the airship, he twirled a set of controlls to execute a flawless midair pivot, then gunned the accelerator pad to rocket the craft toward the nearest exit of Terra Nui's dome. As the powerful engines pulsed and spouted flame, Hanak accelerated himself to take one last look upon the beautiful isle of Terra Nui. As fate had it, the Collosorahk Shredder had just burrowed to the surface near The Inferno's momentary landing site, drawn by the sonic vibrations the ship had produced. It turned its thin eyes, blazing vermillion eyes like Argentaros's, toward Hanak for one brief moment, and opened its maw wide in exhaling a fiery breath, offering a last view of the brilliant Zlinj. Then even Hanak's power could not slow events down fast enough, and the island forever receded in a blur. Satisfied, the Sharaku relaxed back in his chair. Around the Matoran Universe, empires might rise and fall, but on Terra Nui the Zlinj, Legendary Mask of Nature, would turn its face to the universe and endure. The End Review

Chapter 29 With the Quntaino deceased, Argentaros buried, and the Mask of Nature forever fused to the now-invincible Shredder, life on Terra Nui returned to normal. In the aftermath of the Second Battle of Terra Nui, the horde of Rahi that had formerly been under the Quntaino's mental influence had returned to their senses and observed their awkward position of trying to kill Matoran, Bohrok, and Acko whom they were not planning to eat. Thus returned to their natural states, the beasts had dispersed from Terra-Koro and returned to their homes, showing no signs of having ever been mind-controlled. The mother Ariakudo in particular made a majestic sight as she sightlessly plodded through the streets of the village and disappeared back into the Johmai Jungle. She was never seen again, and it would never be known whether she continued in her great longevity or eventually died from simply being so ancient. As for Gorgorak and her army of Visorak, there was much reconciliation to be made. No longer blinded by the sheer charisma of Argentaros, the Queen had woefully admitted to the Green One how wrong she had been; and she and all her progeny had also told the Matoran, Bohrok, and Acko how sorry they were for staging the attack in the first place. The Green One, being a warmhearted and easily-forgiving little being, took the apology with grace. Hanak and the Sharaku, on the other hand, forgave the Visorak because they knew the spider Rahi would not attempt such a power grab again. Now that the Quntaino were gone, it was likely that no other harmful influences would surface on Terra Nui in the forseeable future. And so the Visorak, thus redeemed, helped the Matoran to rebuild the damaged parts of Terra-Koro, aided by the Necrovak, Aquavak, and Acko. Days passed. Having been protected by the Sharaku during the struggle with the Quntaino, the villagers of Terra Nui were comforted in the fact that their island had its brave defenders, even though the Toa Terra had been gone for what seemed like an eternity. Though public memory had not forgotten the eight heroes and the wise Turaga, it seemed almost as though Akito and his company would never return. But then, three weeks after Argentaros's burial, something wonderful happened. That morning, Machi and Brega were fishing quietly on an outcropping of rocks in the Suti Bay. Heaka's adventuresome brother had let Ikki pursue a meal in the low tidal waters, while the renowned shipwright had brought her tame Pikobe to join her and Machi. The jet-black wading bird was now helping Brega catch breakfast, prevented from swallowing the fish it snared by a string tied loosely around its throat. Machi, his fishing rod slack from lack of Waiwa biting, had taken a moment to admire the beauty of the sunrise. Looking at the horizon, he thought of just how happy he would be to see his sister, the Toa of Water, again, as well as all her teammates and the leader of Terra-Koro. So caught up was he in his musings that Machi almost didn't notice the faint brown shape emerging on the edge of the horizon. But as it slowly drifted in the direction of the bay, the Ga-Matoran lazily turned to Brega and got her attention. "Brega, the trading ships from Ceronox Nui have tall sails, don't they?" The shipwright put down her fishing pole and scrutinized Machi with a puzzled expression. "They do. Why do you ask?" "Oh, no reason. It's just that there's a sail-less boat near the horizon coming towards us, and I wanted to know what island it might be coming from, that's all." Brega pulled a spyglass out of her rucksack and aimed it at the brown shape in the distance. But what she saw startled her so much that as soon as she observed it clearly, she began packing up her belongings hurriedly. With the fishing rod slung over her shoulder, she whistled at the Pikobe to get its attention, grabbed her basket of fish, and began running back toward Terra-Koro. "What is it?" Machi asked. "Do I need to tell Wula to get her cart ready?" "No, silly!" Brega exclaimed. "It's Turaga Akito and the Toa Terra! They have returned!" ------ Once Brega reached the village, word spread quickly about how the Turaga and Toa were back. Hanak and the Sharaku, along with the Green One, led the group of more than two hundred villagers to the shore where Machi and Brega had first spotted the raft. Most of the Matoran had been finishing their breakfast or just heading off to work when the call was sounded; a few had even been sleeping, and had to be woken up and brought out of their houses to greet the returning heroes. But after a few minutes, everyone was assembled, and so now Terra-Koro in its entirety stood on the northern shore, eagerly awaiting the raft. There had not been a raft originally, Hanak recalled. The vessel that Turaga Akito and the Toa had used was an outrigger ship with large sails, which Akito had dubbed the Hakeahu. It was the vessel Akito had journeyed to Terra Nui with long ago, while he was still a Toa Sah, and had sat unused in a sea cave near the Suti Bay for centuries until the Turaga decided to sail to Kemet Nui with it. Now, however, it seemed as though the group was coming home on a raft. Which was fine with Hanak; presumably their ship ran into some trouble and was destroyed, and they had been forced to build a raft on which to return. The Sharaku of Fire was still curious about one thing, however. Akito and the Toa Terra, believing that Kemet Nui would be at peace when they arrived, had asserted to the villagers that they would be gone only a few weeks. But now they had been gone for over a month. There were several possibilities for this: either the nine beings had been so caught up in visiting Kemet Nui that they had stayed longer than expected, or some unfortunate events had befallen them such that they needed to stay on Kemet Nui longer. Either way, Hanak was sure that Akito and the Toa Terra would bring back plenty of stories to tell — and the villagers would have plenty of stories to tell them. It would have been nice, Hanak thought, if the Toa Terra had returned earlier than expected. He and his team would have welcomed their aid in fighting the Quntaino. Yet perhaps it was better that the voyagers had taken so long to come back. It was almost as if their expedition was fated to happen, as if Hanak and his team were meant to encounter the Quntaino by themselves, become Sharaku, and then prove their heroism by confronting the keystone-born. Such destiny was open to debate, but the Sharaku were sure that they had done well in defending Terra Nui. That story they were eager to tell. As the raft neared the shoreline, it came to a stop in the placid surfline. However, to the astonished gasps of the villagers of Terra Nui, nine figures did not come ashore from the vessel to stand before them. Only seven did. The younger Toa Terra were there, all six of them. Physically-speaking, each appeared to be fine, carrying their weapons as well as bags of now-spent provisions. Were one to look into the eyes of the Toa Terra, though, as they regarded their friends and family on the shore with happy if tired expressions, one would notice that something was different about them. The Toa had all matured somehow, it seemed, had seen and done things that few would ever dare in their lifetimes. These were no longer the six eager, inexperienced fighters chosen by Turaga Akito to be the new defenders of Terra Nui. They were now seasoned warriors. After they had stepped forward, the Toa Terra moved aside so that the Matoran, Sharaku, and the Green One could see the last figure descending from the raft. It was indeed a Turaga, a red armored Turaga at that. But the figure was not Turaga Akito. It was Chompshi. Where once he had been a lanky, commanding Toa of Electricity with a towering thunder stave and a powerful electric cannon, Chompshi had become a short and wizened elder garbed in yellow and crimson robes. His Kanohi Honiara was considerably smaller, his staff much shorter, and his cannon no longer with him. But the azure, compassionate eyes in his weather-beaten face were still the same ones that had looked upon Hanak with awe after the Torika had saved his life, and the calm smile was still the same one that had he had often given sternly to Matoran who had been caught engaging in mischief. Even if everything had changed around him, even his own body, Chompshi was still the same at heart. He was still a hero. And, seeing six strange and unfamiliar beings before him and his six former students, the Turaga of Electricity was speechless. Matoba and his team likewise were stunned, having never expected to see their Torika friends metamorphose into tall and glorious Sharaku. They were just as surprised to see the Sharaku as the Sharaku were to see them. For a few moments, nobody said a word. But then Chompshi finally found his voice. "Hanak?!" he asked. "Chompshi?!" Having recovered from his initial amazement, the Turaga Terra chuckled. Gazing up at the Sharaku of Fire, who now towered over him, he could not help but smile fondly at how the tables had turned since the once-little Torika had begged to stay on Terra Nui, forty years ago. "Now I know how you must have felt." "What happened?" Hanak exclaimed, speaking for all of Terra-Koro. "Where's Vrael? Where's Turaga Akito?" Chompshi's expression turned serious. "The Toa and I have many questions for you as well, Hanak. And we will answer yours, in due time. But enough of this gawking. Let us return to Terra-Koro. There I will explain everything." ------ So the villagers went back to the house of Turaga Akito, where Chompshi and the Toa Terra made themselves comfortable in the central living area. The Sharaku and the Green One likewise took up positions in the main room. Meanwhile, the Matoran assembled around the heroes, for unlike on Kemet Nui the village population actually could all fit into the Turaga's house. It was here, once everyone had sat down, that the stories would be told, starting with Hanak. He began by describing how he had noticed the lightning strike on Mount Tongaru, and how he had journeyed to the summit to observe the broken-open remains of the keystones and Otasuva itself. At the time, he had decided it was nothing too out of the ordinary, and so had neglected to tell Turaga Akito or the Toa when the group was departing from Terra Nui. However, soon the Torika learned of the existence of six of the Quntaino. Hanak went into great detail about the appearance of Daigolva, Snimurai, Predacron, Carcarinax, Nosfernox, and Icrizahk. He also described Argentaros, even though the Quntaino leader hadn't in fact revealed himself until the Second Battle of Terra Nui. But Hanak continued to describe all that the Quntaino had done, from the battles they had with the Torika — and the Sharaku once Hanak's team had transformed — to Carcarinax stealing information from the Turaga's house to the great surprise of the Green One. He told about the possessed Rahi attacks, the treachery of the Visorak, and finally, about the Cavern of the Prophecy and what had happened when the six Torika had journeyed there. Last of all, Hanak spoke of the final gift of the Quntaino that had resulted in their deaths, and also explained the seven creatures’ message: how the Matoran of Terra Nui had been spending the island's natural resources without much thought as to how harm their actions may cause, and how they had not appreciated the wondrous life of Terra Nui as much as they should have. Argentaros had told the Green One never to let the Matoran forget his message, and so the diminutive being had taken it upon himself to be steward of the flora and fauna of the island, and keep them protected and nourished until the end of his days. Hanak, having thus finished, waited for Chompshi and the Toa Terra to respond. The Turaga of Electricity, having poured himself a cup of Madu juice from Akito's pantry, sat upright in his chair and addressed the Sharaku solemnly. "I had no idea such pivotal events were occuring while we were away. To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t have imagined that the lightning strike would have a repercussion like it did, helping to birth seven creatures that none of us had any idea existed as embryos inside the keystones! These Quntaino, when you first described them, did not strike me as intelligent or even kind-hearted beings, yet now I see that however they may have been perceived as villains, they were truly noble at heart. Argentaros himself must have been very wise, however perverse his endeavors were at first. And though the Quntaino's actions did cause undue suffering, mind-controlling Rahi or causing Mount Juvala to erupt, in the end they did achieve what they had so desired — peace for Terra Nui, and freedom from tyranny over nature." "Thank you, Hanak, for stopping the Quntaino from destroying the Zlinj," Attar said, speaking for all of the Toa Terra. "Now we know the Mask of Nature is safe, tucked into old Shredder's maw for all eternity. To think that it had been around all along, carried in his gullet for these forty years! I'll bet Turaga Atemu would have cracked up at that one, hearing where it was after we lost it." "Would have?" Rieka enquired gently. "I thought that this Turaga Atemu was still alive on Kemet Nui, last time you mentioned him. Yet you speak of him in the past tense. How can this be?" The Toa Terra looked at Chompshi expectantly, and the Turaga Terra looked back at them sadly. Then he launched into his own narrative. Compared to the Sharaku's story of events on Terra Nui, this saga was even more expansive, accounting for not just one adventure, but two. Chompshi started by describing the trip to the Kemet Nui dome, and how a terrible storm had forced the Hakeahu to crash prematurely on Punt Nui. Then, after Lyse had been temporarily spoken through by a mysterious voice, the expedition had found its way to Pe-Koro, where they met Senko and the Pe-Matoran, learned of the islanders' predicament, and vowed to help. On various trips through the Hyuli Forest and up to the Puntapau Plateau, the Toa Terra had run afoul of the six Vorukaia and legions of Vorukan, but in the end they succeeded in infiltrating Aso's Citadel, defeating Amun and his foul team, crippling Ballom, and removing Aso from the picture — or so they had thought. After Nuukor and Pacha had collapsed the huge fortress, the Vorukan had fled into the forest, never to be seen again, and Pe-Koro had been saved. Chompshi continued to describe the company's journey to Kemet Nui and what transpired there, from the rescue of Tai-Koro to the final struggle in the Great Philae Temple. "So it was," he concluded at long last, "that we stopped Apep and Aso. How the King of the Betshu was trapped, I have already spoken of. But Aso was defeated in a different manner. Vrael and I channeled our powers, and together, spending every last bit of Toa energy we had, imprisoned her in a cage of crystal and electricity, and he and I became Turaga as a result of that effort. However, we were too late for one thing — we could not save Khepera, who was trapped by Aso, and died with honor as we trapped her, in order that she might not escape. But he was not the only one. Atemu and Akito were slain too, the former by Aso's elemental blast, and the latter by a bolt of energy from Tekhtekh. We held a funeral for all three Turaga in Tai-Koro, but Akito was not buried there. His remains came home with us, so that he might be interred here, on the island he loved." Matoba, being the strongest of the Toa Terra physically, had brought in the coffin containing Akito's body. Before the teary eyes of all the Matoran, Sharaku, and the Green One, he opened the lid to reveal the calm, undisturbed form of Akito inside, who looked for all the world as if he were only sleeping. Many of the villagers started to cry. The Green One, who had been closer to the Terra Nui elder than most, wiped his nose with the back of his shield. "We's all gonna miss Tuwaga Akito, now dat he's gone. He was da gweatest being I evah knew," he told Chompshi sorrowfully. "Yes," the Turaga of Electricity responded. "But Terra-Koro is not without an elder. Before he died, Akito left the leadership of the village in my hands. And by Mata Nui, I swear to all of you that I will carry on in Akito's stead, and be the best Turaga you could possibly have!" The Matoran, though still sad, seemed calmed somewhat by this. Hanak, however, still had one more question. "And Vrael?" he asked. "What became of him?" "Vrael still lives, that is certain," Chompshi said. "He is in good health, and wishes all of you his love. But once he became a Turaga, he was approached by the Pe-Koro Captain of the Guard Whetar, and was asked to go back to Punt Nui and become the elder of that island. It was a hard choice for him, but in the end Vrael agreed. After all, Terra Nui has me to lead it, and Kemet Nui has Aritonu and Pelekua. Yet without Khepera, Punt Nui had no leader — until Vrael stepped in. Hopefully, he will find peace and happiness there." For a few moments, everyone inside Turaga Akito's house was silent. Then, Chompshi took another drink, and looked around with a wry smile. "I guess," he sighed, "this is my home now. It will be strange, living in a house formally occupied by Akito and Hakeahu." He looked at his six pupils. "I'm sure you felt the same way when you became Toa Terra and had to adjust to your rebuilt, larger homes. I know Vrael and I did." Chompshi then turned to Hanak and the Sharaku. "And last, but certainly not least, now you have had that experience too, heroes of Terra Nui." Hanak glanced at the other Sharaku, who returned his expression of embarassed modesty. Then the Sharaku of Fire addressed the Turaga Terra. However much satisfaction he felt internally at having brought peace to Terra Nui, his voice was filled with nothing but humility. "Chompshi . . . Turaga Chompshi . . . we appreciate your encouragement. But my team and I are far from heroes. All we did was respond to a threat, one that unchecked would have spelled ruin for us all. Our actions were taken for the greater good, not because we were asked to perform them, but because we felt that they had to be done. We couldn't have just done nothing." "You, on the other hand, are the heroes," Rieka spoke quietly. "Look at what you did on Punt Nui and Kemet Nui. You didn't have to be there. You could have declined the requests of Senko and Turaga Atemu. But you didn't. You decided to lend a hand to help those less fortunate for yourselves, because you had been given the power to do so. That is the true measure of a hero: selflessness. And that is why you Toa are the ones who deserve the title of 'hero'. Not us." "Maybe so," Heaka kindly said. "Yet it is this very altruism that you attribute to us, which you yourselves have been graced with. You six Torika didn't have to help the Green One protect Terra Nui. This island hadn't been your home for very long. You weren't attached to it like we were. But you decided to help, because you knew it was right. And so, in this regard, you are just as much of heroes as we are. In fact, because you undertook this endeavor out of the kindness of your hearts, you are even greater heroes." As Hanak and his teammates sat there in amazement, reflecting on what the wise Toa of Water had just said, Kavan suddenly burst out laughing. "What is it, Kavan?" Vukaz asked. "Oh, it's nothing," replied the Sharaku of Stone. "I was just thinking about something ironic. Remember that lie Argentaros used to dupe the Visorak, that the six of us were evil because all Sharaku were evil? Well, that got me thinking. Maybe we are heroes. Because you see, back at home, no Sharaku has ever done what we did. Our species has been neutral at best, and pure evil at worst, when the Dark Lord got his claws on some of our kind and twisted their hearts. So Heaka's right. She and her team were chosen to be heroes. But we chose to be heroes ourselves." Vukaz nodded, agreeing with him. Zanta, equally satisfied, gave Hanak a thumbs-up, while Thukor's always-huge grin this time seemed to almost burst off his face. Rieka gave her team leader him a gentle pat on the shoulder. Finally, as the Sharaku of Fire turned back to the Turaga, he saw Chompshi's expression turn into a satisfied smile. The Turaga of Electricity put down his cup, and set his staff against the arm of his chair. Then he stood, brought his callused hands together, and began to clap, which was slow at first but subsequently grew in loudness and intensity. Matoba and the Toa Terra too got up and clapped, eager to show the Sharaku their gratitude. The Green One joined in, and so did the Matoran. Before long, all of the villagers were applauding and cheering, shouting thanks and praise in a standing ovation for the beings who had delivered them from one of Terra Nui's darkest hours. And as this chorus of friends created a wonderful cacaphony around him, Hanak looked at his joyful teammates, and smiled back. It was just as the Prophecy had foretold, he thought. Six heroes were chosen — another six awoke. Then Chompshi, setting himself back down, picked up the cup, and raised a toast to the Sharaku. Taking a drink, he gazed again at Hanak with what he had always felt for the being who had saved his life — true kinship. "Tell me again, Sharaku Hanak, how Argentaros died," insisted the elder of Terra Nui. "Oh, I can do far more than that, Turaga Chompshi," came the glad response. "I will tell you how he lived." Review

Congrats to all the finalists! Those were some great entries. Truly, the Force was with these MOCists. ~B~

Chapter 28 The day following the great Battle of Tai-Koro on Kemet Nui, a somber ceremony took place behind the Great Philae Temple. Regarding the ancient place of worship itself, the Sisterhood of Het-hert had officially taken a respite from their studious contemplation of the universe and had re-installed the massive doors, with the help of the other Matoran. These huge slabs, having been tossed aside by Apep as if they were chaff, were now back in place. Nor would they ever need be locked again, for with the Betshu gone forever the citizens of Tai-Koro would not have to worry about sealing themselves inside the temple's sanctuary. All of Tai-Koro would be their sanctuary now. Furthermore, with the specters of the trapped and vanquished Atukam standing ominously inside the main foyer of the Great Philae, Uatchet and Nekhebet decided that they would not conduct a formal memorial service inside their convent. To do so, to lay Atemu, Akito, and Pelekua to rest in the spots where they fell, would dishonor their memory, according to the sagacious Sister Superior. Instead, the Matoran, Toa, and remaining Turaga chose to honor their fallen leaders in the simple Matoran cemetery behind the Temple, in a quiet part of Tai-Koro. This was a place with a long history behind it. Compared to the much-smaller Terra Nui burial ground, it was where many Matoran had been interred over the protracted course of the Betshu wars, and it had been established almost as long ago as the Temple itself, having been created by the Toa Sah to shelter their fallen friends on the island they had helped liberate. Here too lay entombed many respectable, eminent figures in Kemet Nui's history: the famous and prosperous blacksmith Tukua, whose physical appearance had echoed the legendary hero Takua of old; and the distinguished Re-Stau mining operator Qemau, who had been Aritonu and Nebt-het's work boss in ancient days of yore. It would be a fitting spot, thought Uatchet, for the rememberance of the greatest of the Toa Sah. Everyone in the village had been gathered. Uatchet and Nekhebet stood at the head of the Sisters of Het-hert, with Bast, Sekhet, Heqet, Renpit, and Thenenet behind them. In times of peace the Sisters assembled as a choir, and so on this day, before all those present, they said their final words to the Turaga, and sang a somber tune from Metru Nui to commemorate the heroic deeds of the three Toa Sah's lifetimes. Pelekua had been especially moved; for he remembered how Inami, the female Toa Sah of Water, would periodically start up a ballad with her melodious singing voice so that her team's spirits might be calmed; and how Orani, the Toa Sah of Lightning, would accompany her sister by strumming on her own fine harp. The haunting, yet noble, vocals of the Sisterhood's concerto brought wonderful memories back to the Turaga of Rahi, and he realized just how much he missed Akito and Atemu. Elsewhere, the two Av-Matoran guards, Meti and Shna, flanked the Sisters, surrounded by their brigade of Temple protectors. The twin white warriors had partially covered their faces with their ceremonial garb, so that others might not see their woeful expressions. The rest of the population of Tai-Koro clustered around the Sisters and Av-Matoran, and though there was standing room only all could clearly see the place where the Turaga's gravestones lay. In front of the memorial markers were Turaga Aritonu and Turaga Pelekua, while the six Toa Terra, two Turaga Terra, and six Toa Septiu all formed clusters, united by team, around the elders. The gravestones for the Turaga Sah were nothing special. They had been hewn by Pacha and Nuukor that morning, and carved in plain Matoran script to contain all the essential information that a passerby might need: the names of the three individuals, the day they were each born and the day when they had died, and a brief summary of the things accomplished by each as a Toa Sah. Only one had a body beneath it: Atemu had been placed in a wooden casket in the earth under his marker. Akito's remains were also in a coffin, but the Toa and Turaga Terra had expressed a desire that he be returned to Terra Nui, to be entombed on the island he loved and had called home. This Aritonu had respectfully agreed with, as had Pelekua. Finally, since Khepera's frame had been reduced to ashes by the attack that had killed him and imprisoned Aso, he and Akito had their headstones placed in their respective spots merely as symbols. But, most importantly, any Matoran who paid heed to the site would remember all three Turaga Sah. As the Sisters concluded their beautiful requiem, Pelekua stepped forward. As the last Turaga Sah living, to his knowledge, it was only proper that he say the first goodbye to his fallen teammates. Clearing his throat, he gazed down at the tombs, and slowly began to speak. "Well, Akito, Atemu, and Khepera, here we are at last. You always did tell me that we would live to see Apep and Aso fall, and it appears that you were correct. I myself did not always have that faith; for I was imprisoned beneath Kemet Nui for who knows how long, with no apparent chance of escape. You too, Khepera, must have known what that was like, trapped in the Mokhugra or wherever that is while Aso reigned on Punt Nui. But then I was freed, by two teams of Toa whose plan you had orchestrated. And for a few wonderful days — be it as they may have been filled with anticipation and dread of what was inevitably to come — I was joyfully happy, for I was able to converse with you and spend time with you before your untimely ends." "For this I am glad. There was a reason, I think, why we chose you as leader way back on Metru Nui, Atemu. You were always the wisest one, the one who came up with the best plans, who lead our team through Karzahni and back, and would never give in in the darkest hour, not when all of our lives were at stake. And Akito, you made a fitting deputy for the Toa Sah; and as Atemu's best friend among all of us, there was no better choice for the job. Most empathetic, most compassionate, and most level-headed, you could always settle our disputes. Finally, Khepera, I am sorry that I could only see your face one last time before you turned to dust. But let me say that as a Toa, your strength and your fortitude were unmatched. Fare well, brave souls, the greatest of the Toa Sah. May you reach safe havens, my friends." His speech then finished, Pelekua moved away from the graves and Aritonu took his place. "I am afraid," the Turaga of Power Scream said sadly, "that I did not know all of you as well as I would have liked. Akito, I had long heard of who you were, a great and noble Turaga who presided over the neighboring dome of Terra Nui, safeguarding the Mask of Nature. But know this: I still greatly respect you, based on what I saw in the struggle against Apep and Aso, and am saddened that you are no longer here with us." "Khepera, you I did know well, at least for a little while. Freeing you from Kush Nui was one of the hardest and most backbreaking ordeals of my life, one the likes of which I shall not attempt again, for fear that it will kill me. But in helping you to escape, I grew to greatly appreciate your intelligence, your sense of humor, and your indomitable will. Though your death was tragic, albeit necessary to defeat Aso, I feel that it was a fitting end for a hero such as yourself, and I'm sure you will agree with me. Rotting in a lightless prison for eternity is an ignoble fate compared to your glorious final triumph." "As for you, Atemu, truly I can say that you were the best friend I ever had. Your wise ways of leadership, beloved by all Matoran of Kemet Nui, will now serve me well as I assume the mantle of elder here. Even when I was a lowly Um-Matoran, you were a mentor of mine, always offering kind advice and heartfelt support. You did not deserve to die, slain by Tekhtekh's bolt. But I will hold you always in my heart, and your wisdom shall continue to be remembered through the ages. Your legend shall live forever." Then, overcome by emotion, Aritonu bowed his head and hobbled over to the Toa Septiu, where he was embraced by a sorrowful Nebt-het. Chompshi and Vrael, the newest Turaga, were the next to address the fallen Turaga Sah. For a few moments, Chompshi paused, taking some time to collect his thoughts. Were any being in the vicinity to possess a Honiara other than him, they could have linked to his mind and discovered a whirling vortex in his brain as he debated what to say. The Turaga of Electricity had always been a good public speaker, always speaking his mind with stentorian determination. Now, however, his voice was quiet. "Turaga Akito," Chompshi said, "we here on Kemet Nui, and everyone at home on Terra Nui, were graced by your presence. In everything you did, you did it with love. For your love of adventure, the eight of us Toa Terra accompanied you on a journey unlike anything we've ever experienced before, or ever will since. For your love of our island, you gave Vrael and me the power to become Toa, to calm the Matoran's spirits and restore peaceful calm to our home. And for the love of Matorankind everywhere, you gave up your life, so that evil might die, and freedom might return." "It takes an uncommon mind to accomplish extraordinary things like those you achieved," Vrael spoke up, next to Chompshi. "You had that, as anyone who has seen your Zalmex at work can testify. And yet you also had faith, faith in the good of the world. When I was in a deep coma following my defeat at the hands of Zakarath, when my life was on the line and only Chompshi's handiwork could save me, you believed that I would live. What's more, you believed that I would return to being a strong Toa, and that I would help to defeat the monster who had wounded me thus. And in our darkest hour, when twice Terra Nui was attacked by the drone army, you believed that against all odds, we could win. And we did." "You gave Vrael and I the courage to be the Toa we were," sighed Chompshi. "You were always at our side in times of trouble. Without you, we couldn't have defeated Ballom. But you also helped us to overcome our own inner demons. For that, I thank you. Rest in peace with Hakeahu, Turaga Akito, in the glory of Mata Nui. Be free, with your true friends Atemu and Khepera, who were just as brave and as wise as you, and who with you can now finally rejoice in your victory." "We will remember you always," Vrael concluded. Then he put his arm around Chompshi, and Chompshi put his arm around Vrael, and together the two old pals returned to their places by the Toa Terra. Now, with the elders having said their words of remembrance, the six Toa Septiu and the six Toa Terra spoke to the spirits of the departed Turaga Sah in turn. And then all of the Matoran of Kemet Nui bid their leaders farewell, from the ever-silent Uatchet who signed her goodbye, all the way down to the young Bast, who was for once relatively subdued. Finally, once everything had been said, the crowd of villagers dispersed from the graveyard, and returned to their homes from whence they had come. As the Toa Septiu walked through the main square of Tai-Koro, Ausar looked at two of his teammates with remorse. "Heru, Nebt-het, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am that your vehicles were destroyed. Not only were the Xcavator and Stryda instrumental to our triumph, I know that you really liked them. It seemed that they were almost made for you, but the Betshu tore them to shreds. I am sorry." "That's okay, Ausar," Nebt-het said reassuringly. "What matters is not that they were destroyed, but that all of us survived. I would rather be with you five now than with only the Stryda. Even Lyse, who was just as attached to that hunk of junk as I was, seems to have gotten over its loss. They were only vehicles, after all." "Yeah, and besides, we weren't the ones who needed a new lease on life anyway," added Heru, pointing at Sutekh, who was carrying his new laser crossbow with joyful pride. "You were the one who deserved something new, Sutekh. Take good care of it." "Oh, I will," said the Toa of Storms. "I will indeed. Thanks, everyone. Forget Tekhtekh; I know who my real friends are, and they're all around me." Ausar then pointed his Kepesh at the village wall. "Now, then, there's one last loose end to wrap up." Leading his team to the parapet, the Toa of Fate made a quick whistle. In response, the massive, rocky form of the Vatuka trotted into view, ambling over to where the Toa Septiu were and sitting on its haunches expectantly. Bending down so that he could touch the top of the Vatuka's head, Ausar stroked the giant Rahi's snout. "My friend, it is time for us to part ways. You were an invaluable asset, in all of our campaigns. We couldn't have liberated the Matoran or freed Tai-Koro without you. But now we have won, and the Betshu are gone forever. Therefore, I release you from your bondage. Return to the wild. Be free." The Vatuka gave a low moan, looking up at its former ally woefully. Yet Ausar's face remained serene, as he gently waved his hand in the direction of the desert beyond Tai-Koro. Seeing this, the Vatuka made up its mind. Giving one last roar as tribute to the good times it had experienced, the creature slowly turned away from the village, and lumbered off into the wilds of Kemet Nui. Watching it proceed, Anpu could not help but wonder where the Rahi would go. "Do you think it's going to start another epoch of hibernation?" he asked. "Who knows?" Auset answered, smiling at Ausar warmly. "The Vatuka has its own destiny ahead of it. And so do we." "Oh yes," replied Ausar with a grin, as he and his team clambered down the village wall and headed back into Tai-Koro. "We have a long and fruitful career ahead of us. The defeat of the Betshu was far from an end to our exploits. It was just the beginning." ------ And so, the adventure of the champions of Terra Nui, which had started out as a simple voyage and became the journey of a lifetime, came to an end. It turned out that Turaga Aritonu, upon traveling to Kush Nui in his swift vessel to free the trapped Khepera, had suspected all along that his friends back home on Kemet Nui might be in trouble while he was gone. Thus when he and Khepera had escaped Kush Nui, he had entreated the Turaga of Insects to stop at Punt Nui, to get some reinforcements by which they could support the fighters on Kemet Nui. Khepera, who had not seen his home island in millennia, ardently agreed. So the two of them had returned to Pe-Koro, where Khepera was welcomed back with open arms by his people, and Aritonu was hailed as a hero by the Pe-Matoran. There Senko, overjoyed to see his counselor again, had told the two Turaga of all that had befallen Punt Nui in Khepera's absence, ranging from the despotic reign of Aso to the fall of the Vorukan and the destruction of the Betshu Queen's Citadel at the hands of the Toa Terra. He also had informed them of how Akito's company had crash-landed on Punt Nui, and how the villagers of Pe-Koro had built them a raft by which to reach Kemet Nui. Here again did Aritonu have great foresight, for in the fortnight that he and Khepera stayed, he ordered the diligent builders Jahpex and Neesau to construct another raft, which the Toa Terra could then use to sail home should they be stranded on Kemet Nui. The Pe-Matoran had dutifully complied, and so Whetar and his warrior legion were pleased to bestow upon Chompshi and Vrael the second raft. Now, with a generous supply of food and water prepared, and Akito's map at the ready for guidance on the passage back to Terra Nui, the Toa Terra were making the final preparations to their long voyage home. Matoba and his five teammates carried the barrels and crates of provisions onto the raft, while Reda, Taiki, and other Punt Nui soldiers held it steady on the shore of the Hapi River. Whetar, who had just returned from helping to re-stock Aritonu's ship moored nearby, was yelling out instructions to his crew. Chompshi, who was out on a stroll with Vrael to see how progress was going, approached the Ta-Matoran Guard Captain amiably. "Well, Whetar, you and your comrades seem to be doing a fine job. Thank you for bringing this new craft to Kemet Nui for us; we shall make good use of it on the way back to Terra Nui. Oh, and thanks for helping out in the battle there as well." "Oh, it was no trouble at all," Whetar remarked with gusto, shaking Chompshi's outstretched hand. "Vrael and I will miss you and all the other Pe-Matoran, you know. So will Matoba, Heaka, and the other Toa Terra. We'll be sure to tell the villagers of Terra-Koro all about you." "Aye, sir," nodded Whetar. "But begging your pardon, Elder Vrael here won't be seeing the last of me or my mates any time soon." "Huh?" Chompshi turned to Vrael, who was doing his best to look preoccupied and not face Chompshi directly. "What's he talking about, Vrael?" The Turaga of Crystal, finally summoning the inner strength he needed to give the painful announcement, looked at his best friend with a bittersweet expression. "Chompshi . . . there's something I need to tell you. Something I should have said, to everyone, a long time ago. You see . . . I won't be going back with you to Terra Nui." Chompshi could not believe what he just heard. The six Toa Terra, who had been listening to the whole conversation, had paused in their work on the raft, and were not clustered around Chompshi. They too looked at Vrael with alarm. After a few moments, Chompshi recovered from the shock. His countenance a mixture of wonder and disbelief, he asked a single question in response. "But why?" Vrael swallowed, and then continued. "The decision I have made was by no means an easy one to reach. When we were on Punt Nui, I often found myself admiring the stark rugged beauty of the island; and in Pe-Koro, I was astounded by the tenacity and sheer friendliness of the Matoran. I may not have shown these feelings to you, but they were there. Though Terra Nui is my home, I found myself drawn to Punt Nui in ways that I cannot explain. And surely you can understand the plight of its people. There they were, left to their own devices for thousands of years, having to defend their homes from a ruthless Betshu force, without the guidance of their beloved Turaga. When he did return, for a brief shining moment, he was soon gone, and he will not come back to Punt Nui. Simply put, they are now without a leader, someone who can guide them into a new age of peace. That is why, after the funeral, I talked to Whetar. He and Turaga Aritonu have agreed to give me passage to Punt Nui along with the Pe-Matoran fighters. There I will stay, to live out my life as the leader of Pe-Koro." "Do not believe that this is because I do not care for you," Vrael said, his voice filled with sorrow as much as it was filled with resolve. "I care deeply for all seven of you and for all of my friends and loved ones on Terra Nui. Yet this is what I feel is right. In fact, I feel that this is what I was destined to do. Almost as if Mata Nui somehow had a hand in our crashing on Punt Nui. As if he wanted me to see a village in need, and realize that that is where I need to be. You can understand that, can't you?" "Truth be told, we Punt Nui folks can't think of anyone better for the job," Whetar added, clapping the Turaga of Crystal on the back. Chompshi, having taken in all this, smiled in understanding. He looked at the Toa Terra, who gave him the same smile. Then he stepped forward, putting his creased hands on Vrael's shoulders, and looked his lifelong companion straight in the eyes. "Vrael, is this truly what you desire? To lead on Punt Nui, to be its Turaga?" "Yes. More than anything else I have ever wanted." "Then go. Be happy," Chompshi declared, embracing Vrael in a mighty hug. "Whether you stay with us or leave, I will always stand by your decision. You are my best friend; it's my job." "Chompshi," said Vrael with equal pleasure. "I could not agree more. Together, we have always weathered life's storms. You've been a brother to me, and more than that. It brings me great sorrow to leave you and Terra Nui behind. Without you, a part of me would be missing. But I will not be without you. You will live on in my memories, of the good times we had together, and I will cherish our friendship. Wherever you are, wherever you go, you will always be with me. And I will always be with you." "Goodbye, Vrael," Matoba said, speaking for the six Toa Terra as the team bid the Turaga of Crystal farewell. "May you find peace and happiness on Punt Nui." "And may you keep the peace on Terra Nui," Vrael told them. "Do you think we'll ever meet again?" Heaka asked. "I mean, in order to protect the finality of the Toa Seal, all twelve of the Toa who created it should not be in the same place at the same time. That means that we can't return to Kemet Nui if the Toa Septiu are there. So must we all part ways?" "I see no reason for that," Vrael replied. "Sure, we can't all meet on Kemet Nui, but that doesn't mean we all can't reunite somewhere else. Somewhere like Punt Nui, we would all be together, but far enough away from the Atukam's prisons. Rest assured, I am certain that someday we shall see each other again." Chompshi, thus satisfied, held out his fist to his friend. "Then have a good life, most fearless of the Toa Terra." "And you as well, most judicious of the Toa Terra." And then Vrael slammed his fist into Chompshi's. ------ Once both seafaring vessels — Aritonu's ship and the Toa Terra's raft — had been fully loaded, Turaga Pelekua and the Matoran of Kemet Nui accompanied them down the Hapi River. From Tai-Koro the procession followed the river through the plains and the badlands, past the now-abandoned Dahkla Oasis, and then finally to the sea. Here, on the southern shore of the island, the ship and the raft would stay together for a while, before finally going their separate ways. Aritonu and Vrael would stop on Punt Nui, while the Toa Terra and Chompshi would continue on past the small island and enter the network of tunnels that led all the way back to Terra Nui. It was a long journey for the Turaga Terra and his six pupils, but Pacha was hopeful that they would encounter good weather. The season of storms was past, and with Apep and Aso gone, nothing foreboding would hang over the group. Everything would be calm. As the villagers assembled on the black sand beach where the Hakeahu II had first landed on Kemet Nui, it seemed as though everything had changed from that fateful day many weeks ago. Now, as the afternoon sun sank in the sky, life had returned to the shore. Nui-Bauk cried mournfully as they flew through the sky, while an Ohee frolicked in the shallows and Kofo-Kopen buzzed around the sand dunes. Once more, Kemet Nui was whole, and it made a fitting setting as the two parties prepared to embark. Chompshi and Vrael, standing before Turaga Pelekua, both saluted the boisterous old Turaga. "Make Atemu proud, Pelekua," Chompshi said. "Rebuild this war-torn land, and tell future generations about the great events that occurred to bring freedom to Tai-Koro." "That I will," nodded the Turaga of Rahi. "That I will." Likewise, the Toa Septiu parted ways with the Toa Terra. Ausar, at the head of the group, seized Matoba's hand and pumped it furiously. "Matoba, it's been a pleasure! Until we meet again, keep up the good work. Make sure this rabble stays in line." "You got it!" Matoba chortled at the Toa of Fate's joke. "The same to you, Ausar." Auset, meanwhile, had enveloped Heaka in a mighty squeeze. "Oh, Heaka, have a safe trip! And take care of Matoba too." "Naturally," Heaka replied, cuddling up against the somewhat-embarassed Toa of Fire. "Stay safe yourself, Auset. I trust that you will watch over Ausar as well." Lyse, standing next to Heru, gave the Toa of Gravity a playful nudge on the shoulder. "Heru my friend, have plenty of good-times while we are gone. I'm glad to have found-met such a strong-brave Toa-hero as you." "Just don't get into any trouble, Lyse," Heru admonished him with a wink. "But I too am honored to have known you." As Attar, Nuukor, and Pacha said goodbye to Anpu, Nebt-het, and Sutekh, the Pe-Matoran and Vrael boarded Aritonu's galleon. Then, as the last of the Toa Terra climbed aboard their raft, both vessels set off, plowing through the roaring surf. Pelekua and the Matoran of Kemet Nui, watching their friends go, waved and cheered to send them off. As the sun sank below the horizon with an emerald flash, and the cloud-filled sky glowed in resplendent shades of pink and orange, both vessels could clearly be seen in the distance for some time. But then they too vanished from sight. Once this had occurred, Ausar, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, turned to Pelekua and slung his Kepesh over his shoulder. "Come on, Turaga. Let's go home." But the Turaga of Rahi looked up at him with a twinkle in his eye. "Home, my boy? Home, you say? Well, then we are already there! For what is home but a place that you love, surrounded by your closest companions? That is the real definition of home." "Kemet Nui is our home. True, the sun blazes strongly for one half of the year and relentlessly for the other half. True, the sandstorms are brutal, the humidity low, and water scarce. True, the beauty of this land is hard to appreciate. But it is a wonderful place nevertheless. And despite what we've heard of all the glories of Terra Nui, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else." And Bast, in her innocent way, spoke for all of the Matoran with what could only be described as the last word. "Yep. Pretty much." ------ The same day, a long line of footprints marked the slope of Terra Nui's Mount Tongaru, sunk deep into the powdery snow. Laboriously, Sharaku Hanak trudged his way up the icy mountain, heavy in carrying the lifeless body of Argentaros over his shoulders. Fearing harming the body, which was thin from the strain of the alpha Quntaino's final actions, Hanak had refrained from quickly ascending using his powers of acceleration, and hours passed as he journeyed to the summit. Now, he finally reached the peak, a flatter spot where Otasuva, shrine of the six keystones, which had become eggs of the Quntaino, had once stood in its multicolored glory. Sighing in relief, Hanak bended down and softly lay Argentaros on the snow, and cast a look around as he caught his breath, his exhalations billowing away from him in a mist. By some trick of fate, the many shards of the Quntaino eggs still lay near the surface of the snow, only a thin sheen of transparent frost upon them. So much has happened since that fateful day I first came upon these pieces. Had I been told of what would occur after that, I wouldn't have believed a word, Hanak thought. The red-armored Sharaku walked to the most level patch of snow he could find, and channeled a gout of fire into the snow, melting a crater three bio in diameter, and one bio deep. As the freezing air quickly refroze the puddle of water at its bottom, Hanak set out to gather up the many keystone shards in the vicinity, ranging fom small splinters to large plates nearly a bio large and deeply curved. All, however, were jagged on every edge, shattered as the beings within them were released. A few minutes dragged by as Hanak took every piece and transferred them to the opening in the icy ground he had created. Finally, he took Argentaros's body and laid it upon the bed of rainbow crystals, the Quntaino's white fur fanning out on them. Gently, Hanak brushed a coating of ice from the crystal eyes, translucent without the inner spark of life. For a brief moment, they reflected the light of the multitude of stars in the heavens above Terra Nui. Then, Hanak accelerated his body to dig up a pile of snow to fill in the grave, completing a mound upon it. Argentaros become interred in the earth of his beloved island, not but a few feet from where he and his brothers came into existence, ending where his life had begun. ------ After the solemn burial, Hanak calmly walked at a natural pace to another important site near the summit of Mount Tongaru — the cavern of the prophecy, where he and his friends had first become Sharaku, which had nonetheless seemed distant in more recent days. The familiar gust of heated air beat at Hanak's face as he entered, this time mindful of the now low ceiling. Glancing around, he saw that the large circular cave was returning to the state he had first seen in it, as the yellow gems were regrowing upon the walls, in small new crystals. Kneeling for ease, Hanak then looked to the carved tablet housing the prophecy, and once more read the latter half of its glowing characters. Hearken now! Redemption brings Healing down on shining wings. Fighting death with claw and tooth From darkness then shall come the truth, Emerging from thunderous sound Of the island's strength unbound. The guardians shall leave at last To find the forger of the mask. And only six who shall remain The little servants of those slain Will lead the way and find the power To save the land in darkest hour. Yet in these desperate times will see That not the greatest enemy Will seal the treasure in a portal Rendering keeper immortal. Thus will begin a brighter morn, Once again the balance reborn. Now I understand, Hanak thought, The Quntaino were indeed not the enemy. In their sacrifices, they forever changed Terra Nui . . . Such strength, such love to give their lives for their homes. If only I knew such an affection for my homeland . . . His mind awash in a current of thoughts, Hanak rose and left the cavern, meandering back to Argentaros's grave one final time. A soft snowfall had begun, lightly coating the mound. They may have gone to Mata Nui yesterday on the plains, and their bodies vanished then, Hanak elegized, But the Quntaino — all seven — were really buried here tonight. A tear fell from his eye, a freezing diamond which landed upon the snow. Review

Given the age of Ghostbusters, the biggest fans of the franchise are likely to have much more disposable income for purchasing the set than the average Lego fan. It makes a fair bit of sense to me. ~B~

Chapter 27 As they viewed the retreating silver form of the Quntaino leader, whose six brothers soon started to follow in their exodus from Terra-Koro, the remaining five Sharaku were restored to movement, shaking off the trance the radiant light of the Zlinj had left them in. Although they stood only a few bio from where Hanak and Argentaros had witnessed their visions, the defenders of Terra Nui were now separated from their crimson-armored comrade by a huge mental gulf. Grasping this, Zanta stepped closer to Hanak, who was standing motionless, gaze downcast, lost in his own thoughts. "Hanak, what visions did you see in the mask?" he asked, recognizing from the change in Hanak's composure that the Kanohi must have imparted some sort of revelation to the Sharaku of Fire. "I saw everything the mask has seen, and all of Argentaros's memories," he replied quietly. "Zanta, he — they, they're not —," Hanak trailed off, searching for the right word. "Not what?" Zanta asked impatiently. "Not . . . evil. Not by any definition we use. I saw him and the Quntaino resting with other Rahi, even hatchlings and young ones . . . as one of them, calm, at peace . . ." The Sharaku struggled to properly convey the impossible images he had viewed. As he did, the remaining members of his team had moved closer. "Haven't the Quntaino influenced the minds of Rahi before?" Vukaz inquired, gesturing to the idling Visorak and other inhabitants of the Johmai Jungle for emphasis. "That doesn't necessarily prove anything." "You don't understand," Hanak said urgently. "I saw this with my own eyes. I felt Argentaros's emotions as my own. It was — is — genuine.” The Green One, who had also drawn near, nodded. "I too guessed at dis." "In any case, we still have to stop the Quntaino. Loving Rahi or not, they still must not destroy the Zlinj," Reika pointed out. "Yes," Hanak sighed, "but we can't fight them physically. Even when I tried my hardest against Argentaros, I still failed — and after our first fight and what I've seen I wouldn't have the will to try again." "Then what shall we do?" wondered Thukor. As one, the six gathered leaders of Terra Nui looked to Hanak for the answer. The Sharaku leader took a deep breath, and raised his gaze to the horizon of the Terra Nui plains, where the departing figures of the Quntaino could barely be seen in the glare of the lowering suns. Reflecting their brightness, Hanak's green eyes shone with enormous resolve. "We will use the only weapon we have left: words. And we must not fail in using them." ------ In a breath of moving air and a rustle of dry grass the seven beings materialized before the marching Quntaino, borne on Zanta's powers of teleportation. Most of the lesser Quntaino were visibly startled, moving closer to their leader to offer protection, as Daigolva even drew one of his broadswords and Predacron brandished his blade-tipped arms. Argentaros, however, merely blinked, unsurprised. Taking advantage of the Quntaino's silence, Hanak quickly began to speak. "Argentaros, you must not do this!" he blurted out. "Give us a chance to convince you of the consequences of what you intend to do!" The alpha Quntaino regarded Hanak with an inscrutable emotion. "Less than a cycle of the sun ago I would have denied you audience. But, in light of your memories, which reveal you to be of nobler character than I surmised, I will allow it," Argentaros growled, waving a clawed arm slightly at Daigolva and Predacron, who obediently put down their weapons. "Speak, Hanak." Hanak took a deep breath. "For almost fifty thousand years, the Zlinj has been on this island, first as a symbol of the bond between Terra Nui and Kemet Nui, but quickly becoming a symbol of peace for the Matoran and every other being on this isle. In the many millennia in which it rested upon the face of the statue of Mata Nui, which all revere, it reassured all Matoran that, should enough danger loom, its power could always be used to repel that danger and restore calm to this peaceful island. It is a symbol of the blessings of fertility Mata Nui gave Terra Nui, and many other things. Even the Rahi rally behind it, as happened when the Kanohi was used most — in repelling the foreign fleet of the Dark Lord on his mission of conquest." "In destroying the mask, you rob Terra Nui of its ability to protect itself, its pride, its strength. You have seen my memories — look at what the Dark Lord had done to Shakaz, my former home, and the former home of my five friends. The people crushed before a sadistic, violent, unpredictable leader, taking advantage of them in every way possible, making some his dark servants. Had the Zlinj not been present, all Matoran and, yes, all Rahi on Terra Nui would have been the Dark Lord's slaves. If not for the pride of the Matoran, relent for the sake of your beloved Rahi, and your island itself, I beg you," Hanak pleaded. As he paused, his companions listened breathlessly, silently praying his supplication would affect the impassive alpha Quntaino. Argentaros nodded his silver head. "You have great courage and humility to speak thus, and your plea comes from the heart. Nevertheless, you are wrong. You speak of the Zlinj reassuring the Matoran should danger appear. Yet, in all of the years, the greatest danger that has appeared, and the only danger for which use of the Zlinj was necessary was a threat which the mask created. The Dark Lord was drawn here out of a desire for the mask, and would have killed and subjugated our island only to acquire it himself. In destroying the Zlinj my brothers and I will forever put Terra Nui beyond the desires of tyrants and would-be conquerors!" he rumbled, raising a clawed fist for emphasis. "You claimed the Rahi rallied around the Kanohi. Did you not realize that the Zlinj, Mask of Nature, commands the control of all Rahi and plant life in its use? Even as it delivered the Matoran from bondage, it thrusted Rahi into it, forcing their lives to be given to protect those of your villagers, the Matoran. You invoke your memories of suffering in Shakaz. But even then you had free will, to resist in any way you can, which eventually earned you freedom. In the Zlinj's thrall no being can escape its mental bonds," Argentaros barked, his voice rising in emotion as he spoke. "And are these Matoran more fit to be stewards of Terra Nui than the natural inhabitants, my brothers, the Rahi of all build that walk, crawl, swim, fly or otherwise move within this dome? Do my brothers of the earth cut out pieces of its heart to create their homes? Do they cut down trees in the jungle which have stood longer than any Matoran settlement? Do they take these things and trade them away as trinkets? No, I will not permit the Matoran possession of the Zlinj. It must be destroyed! Do not delude yourself in thinking you may speak for Terra Nui. My brothers and I represent the will of the island — we are Terra Nui!" Argentaros roared. The Green One broke in, unfazed by the anger of the alpha Quntaino. "Da Matorans don't want to hurt da Rahi. Even when fighting da Dark Lord's forces deys onwy used it as last wesort. And da Rahi would have helped regardwess, to pwotect deir home," pointed out the diminutive figure, ignoring the indictments of Matoran trade. "And you forget that the Zlinj is not in Matoran hands," Zanta added, "it's in the maw of a giant Collosorahk, from which no Matoran can retrieve it. I doubt even us Sharaku could get it without dying in the process. I assume you intend to attempt summoning Shredder in some manner to destroy it, but in terms of Matoran reaching the mask, it's as good as destroyed." By some influence, Argentaros had largely succeeded in calming himself. "Let the Rahi help of their volition, then, in any future conflict. And, Sharaku, there exist possibilities that eventually the Zlinj may be retrieved — that a Matatu wearer might pull it forth, a being of Rahi control might convince the Collosorahk to release it, or even that it might eventually dislodge itself and be freed into the earth." He shook his head, a gesture which the other Quntaino all emulated, one by one. "My brothers and I do not have much time left," Argentaros remarked ambiguously. "However," he began haltingly, "however, there is a small chance for compromise. I admit there is some good in the Matoran tribe here . . . more than I gave credit for in my anger . . ." Once more the Quntaino trailed off, his pride preventing him from admitting any more. But the look in his eyes revealed the depth of his unspoken contrition. This is the Argentaros that I saw resting with the Rahi, thought Hanak in wonder. Argentaros then decisively made up his mind, and raised his eyes to look at each of the assembled inhabitants of Terra Nui in turn. "In what I and my brothers are about to do, do not distract us. To do so would kill us all," he said solemnly. "Now stand behind us." The group quickly acceded to his command, as the rest of the Quntaino assembled behind their leader in a semicircle. This done, they collectively closed their eyes and calmed their breathing. Argentaros slowly spread out his mental awareness to every Rahi on Terra Nui, until he found the one mind he was looking for — the ancient, slumbering mind of Shredder, who lay curled up basking deep beneath the sands of the Pehku Desert. Cautiously, Argentaros approached the mind of the Collosorahk, gently waking the worm with a mental touch. Responding sluggishly, Shredder slowly unwound his massive serpentine body and swam toward the location of the curious mental summons. With his approach, the ground quaked, until the giant, round head burst to the surface, emerging ten bio in front of Argentaros's feet. Shredder's bullet-shaped head, once brilliant emerald, had faded to a dull green with age, yet the immense Collosorahk was still a majestic sight. Only the combined mental efforts of all seven Quntaino kept him pacified, and prevented his devouring all before him. Then, almost recognizing the awe in the small beings before him, Shredder yawned, opening his huge maw to its fullest, into a spreading lotus of crystalline teeth which spread nearly ten bio in diameter, large enough to engulf the whole group. Sand and churned soil pouring from the gaps in his folded skin, a familiar crimson and jet black Kanohi could just barely be glimpsed in the depths of his throat, caught between two sturdy fangs. Satisfied that his quarry was indeed present, and also in awe at the ancient presence before him, Argentaros smoothly fell to one knee and bowed before the oldest living inhabitant of Terra Nui. "And there it is . . ." he murmured, as several of the Sharaku behind him intook breath sharply. "Now, my lord, if you would permit me?" At the telepathic influence of the Quntaino, Shredder exhaled deeply, expelling the rest of the earth from his maw with a burning breath, then opened his mouth to its absolute fullest, stretching his flexible skin to create a portal fifteen bio in diameter. Finally, he relaxed the great muscles in his body, his mouth coming down to rest on flattened prairie grass, and the hundreds of razor fangs flatting themselves against his skin in repose. His thin garnets of eyes, beneath rocky brows, regarded Argentaros with sentient curiosity. The alpha Quntaino smoothly rose, brushing the blown sand from his silver coat, then released his living whiplash curled around his arm. The snakelike creature fell to the ground, and quickly slithered away. Argentaros then took sure steps into the gaping mouth. Quickly reaching the rear, he crouched, and rested his clawed paws on the true Kanohi Zlinj, and gazed into its depths for a moment. The molten currents running beneath the mask reflected brightly in his ruby eyes, which grew wide in triumph. Then, he gripped the Mask of Nature and partially rotated it, so it stood perfectly upright between the top teeth clenching it. Removing his hands from the mask, Argentaros lowered his gaze, and then sighed softly. He subsequently turned, rose to his full formidable height, and became the first living thing to return from the mouth of Shredder. Taking the place which he held moments ago, he delivered a last mental command to his brothers. Amid puzzled stares from the Sharaku and a knowing smile from the Green One, the seven Quntaino raised their arms as one. Pure power flowed in currents from their arms into Shredder, glowing in white light. The cascade of energy engulfed the Collosorahk, flowing over his whole girth. The timeworn skin became restored to a shining emerald, fire returned to the slits of eyes, and the Zlinj became an extension of its holder. The currents of molten magma within the mask fused with Shredder's blood vessels, flowing through the breadth of his colossal length. Edges of the Kanohi blended into the throat, the two fangs that gripped it tightly clasping near its eyeholes. The Kanohi Zlinj, before the thunderstruck eyes of the onlookers, was rendered from a Great Mask into a Legendary Mask, permanently affixed to its guardian. And Shredder, in receiving this gift, felt his lifeforce increase without bound, growing to be immortal in the nexus of power. But for the Quntaino, imparting this came at a great cost — their own lifeforce. As the energy flowed from the six lesser Quntaino, their images faded, until they became little more than spangled outlines. When the final burst of power left them, they vanished entirely, out of the realm of the living. Only Argentaros remained, to see Shredder, now unable to be affected by any mental control, slide back into the living earth from whence he came. The sole Quntaino was deathly pale, his silver fur having become bleached white. Attempting to turn to look upon the Sharaku, he collapsed languidly, falling into Hanak's arms as the Sharaku swiftly caught the pallid alpha Quntaino. As the other six rushed to cluster around him, he turned his attention only to the Green One. "Do not let the Matoran ever forget," he rasped quietly. And then the last breath escaped Argentaros's lungs, and he fell back, his ruby, crystal eyes losing their inner flame in death. Review

My most-upvoted post appears to be the thread for my Gen 2 Vakama MOC. ~B~

Already made that joke. you say that like you don't want ten Jango heads for your various Jango-themed MOC purposes. :b They'll have Mace Windu as a special guest to help out with that part. ~B~

The photos aren't the brightest, so I'm a bit unsure on this: are those pieces tan or dark tan? Hopefully the latter, since Grievous and Obi-Wan have already provided ample amounts of tan CCBS pieces, and dark tan was really rare due to only being on Vardy. Of course, I'd still have preferred more burnt orange, but I'll take what I can get given the circumstances. ~B~

I came into this topic with this exact thought in mind. I wondered how many posts it would be until this was brought up; the replies did not disappoint. Of course, let's extend this to disproportionate and awful breasts in general. There's an alarming amount even beyond the dreaded Nuva shoulders, with a wide range of terrifyingly unsuitable round pieces, and they're all bad. ~B~

I don't see why this was inevitable at all. It could be viewed as such given how the Bionicle story was originally conceived, but it could just have easily been the creators saying "Hey, let's create a world where robotic/biomechanical beings live in a tribal setting on a tropical island, because that would be really cool" and then that being all there was to it. Chima didn't have an inevitable clarification of why there were sapient animal tribes; it was just a part of the original conceit that this was the nature of the characters. ~B~

Merry Christmas, BZP! ~B~

That STAP is amazing, and probably my favorite entry in the whole contest. ~B~

Voted for Artoo, as it captures the character amazingly while still using CCBS within the piece guidelines. ~B~

That Grand Master Yoda, brilliant it is. Captures the character beautifully with minimal parts, it does. ~B~

Can we take the publicly visible vote counts as an indication that we're going back to displaying votes in general, or is that an oversight in this set of polls? ~B~

Definitely one of the best creatures. The color scheme is very good, nice function, nice assortment of parts. I approve. ~B~