Zatth

Chapter 7 No one moved. Finally, Avohkah Tamer turned to look at the other Toa next to him. “Is no one going to attack?” he asked. “Ooh, no, not today, “ Zatth replied. “I’ve got a, uh, doctor’s note and whatnot, something about a malnourished somethingsomething…” Avohkah Tamer huffed in frustration. He turned to look at Valendale. He stood there, unmoving. Avohkah Tamer assumed he was lost in his own thoughts, and had nothing to add.[1] He looked at Xaeraz. “What, you really think I’m gonna risk going out there just alongside you?” he asked incredulously. It was now that Avohkah Tamer turned to see that the figure who’d been running from where the explosions began was approaching them. “What is THAT?!” asked Avohkah Tamer as he looked at the rapidly approaching figure. Finally close enough to be described internally by the point-of-view character for this chapter, he noticed that he was clad in iron-like armor. He was also carrying a controller that looked like a purple Pakari with lightning bolts emanating from it. Shocking. “Well,” answered Zatth, “that is a function word used in the English language for several grammatical purposes, including but not limited to-“ Slap. “What? He wasn’t here when we made the rule about banning wordplay until the battle is over!” “Yes, but your joke was terrible,” answered AT. He nodded at Xaeraz, silently thanking him for putting an end to Zatth’s silliness. Finally, the one with the controller reached our heroes. “Hi there, Sumiki, pleasure to make all of your acquaintance[2].” He pointed at the rapidly approaching Skakdi, who, for some reason (most likely related to story pacing and narration) had not yet reached our heroes. “Anyone going to fight them?” AT smiled. “Finally, someone is thinking things rationally!” Sumiki chuckled. “Oh no, I wasn’t volunteering. I was just asking why no one had attacked yet.” AT’s head dropped in disappointment. “We could do a raffle, pick out whoever has to fight them from a hat,” Zatth added. Sumiki’s face lit up at the mention of hats. “Or maybe we could ALL fight the approaching Skakdi?!” yelled AT. “Wait.” They all turned to look at Xaeraz, who seemed to be pondering something. Finally, he had a lightbulb moment. “I have a plan! What it, we ALL fight the approaching Skakdi?!” “Yes! Brilliant plan!” Zatth said, as Sumiki patted Xaeraz on the back and Valendale nodded in agreeance. Avohkah Tamer kicked a boulder, seething with anger. And so, our heroes readied their weapons, and prepared themselves to take on the two coming Skakdi. For realsies, this time. [1] Unbeknownst to our heroes, Valendale was in fact currently mulling over the latest calculations he’d conceived of for creating cold fusion. [2] Sumiki wasn’t just glad to meet the rest of our heroes; aside from being a demolition expert and a Forbes 500 CEO from Hat Enterprises, on the side he made All Of Your Acquaintance, a self-help guide on how to fit in, have everybody like you, and always be happy. Now you know where Emmett’s copy came from.

If you check the BrickFair user page, under the 'tiles' section, they regularly update it with those submitted by various attendees. That could give you some ideas, based on what some people have done already.

Does that answer your question?

Chapter 6 Yelling. Yelling and the deafening noise of the explosions. And then Zatth’s head flew upwards, noticing his surroundings. There was a Toa of Ice standing there, as a Toa with a large saw for an arm tried to attack the Toa of Ice, while a Toa clad in orange and dark blue armor tried to hold the Toa with the saw back. There was the Skakdi that had tossed him aside standing up, seemingly gearing up to attack the Toa in orange and dark blue armor, while another Skakdi from far away, apparently coming out of a carriage, came running and brandishing its weapon. From the field where the explosions were coming, Zatth could also see another figure running, the little speck becoming bigger and bigger. How had it all gone so wrong so fast?[1] One second he’d been looking at this wonderful marvel of nature, the next he was passed out, and suddenly he’d woken up in media res[2]! And yet, he had to try and get his bearings as fast as possible, because if he didn’t, Zatth knew he’d be in for a lot of unwarranted pain. Grabbing his Air Scythe, he used his dominion over air to somersault up to his feet. Okay, time to assess the situation. First, the three Toa embroiled in their little discussion. Zatth paid closer attention to their discussion. “… and he was so loud that our cover was blown almost instantly! They started firing on us, and I almost lost one of my good eyes in the ensuing firefight!” screamed Xaeraz. “By the time we were done, he was gone! I swore I’d get back at him if I ever found him!” “Yes, I saw,” said AT as he continued to restrain Xaeraz. Zatth finally saw a way in. “No, HE saws,” Zatth said as he pointed to the one with the saw. “YOU restrain, apparently.” The three stopped their arguing for a second to collectively groan. “That was terrible,” one of them articulated. “Now that that’s out of the way, how about we work together to rid ourselves of the two Skakdi bent on turning us into a pulp?” Zatth asked, stretching his hands and palms, with an exaggerated body stance. The one with the saw seemed hesitant, but finally he relaxed his stance, smiling and forcing the saw to slowly power up. “Yeah, might as well.” The Ice Toa and the one in the orange and blue armor nodded as well. “I’m on board with this plan. Mostly because I need to get rid of that one,” AT said as he pointed to the Skakdi that had thrown Zatth. “So it looks like we’re both holding a grudge,” Zatth said. Then he added, “well, technically I’m holding a scythe and you a fire staff but-“ He didn’t have time to finish before the one with the saw slapped him. “Fine, fine, no more wordplay until this is over. Anyone want first dibs on who to take down?” [1] In Zatth’s defense, it hadn’t gone wrong, nor right. It had gone left. [2] Take a note, high school students. This’ll make a comeback in a future English class!

Yeah, if you're in the Baltimore (or other DC/VA/MD area), feel free to hit me up.

Your computer auto-corrects Piraka to Piraña.

Chapter 5: Valendale Thud, crunch, splat. Thud, crunch, splat. Thud, crunch, splat. Valendale enjoyed tuning out the sounds of his loud footsteps and getting lost in his own thoughts. Granted, he then had to find his way out of them, but after he did he emerged quite happy. He’d learned long ago to tune out his loud footsteps. Same with his loud voice. And pain, in general. Okay, maybe that last one wasn’t too smart to tune out constantly. As if on queue, an arrow whizzed past his head, but being so deep within his thoughts, he mistook the arrow’s noise, making him think that it had only been bees[1] flying by. The second one, however, made a point. After Valendale noticed the arrow sticking out from his arm (by walking past a tree and hearing the clunk from his arm as it brushed with the bark of the tree), he pulled it out and turned to see a few Dark Hunters running across the treetops, grabbing onto vines, recording Vines, and preparing more arrows from their arrow-holding contraption, which Valendale couldn’t recall what they were called. Quivering, Valendale froze up. Then he noticed he’d let his mind wander and that’s why he froze up. He de-thawed himself, smiled, and pointed his double-sided Ice Axe at one of the trees. Focusing his ice energy, he concentrated so as to make a staircase-shaped sculpture so he could reach his would be attackers. It only took a second for the structure to be built, and in that time Valendale formed an attack plan. As soon as he felt the last crystal stick to the treetop, he began running up the staircase. He had a second to look up as Valendale noticed one of the Dark Hunters dropping from a tall branch, barely gripping the side of the ice railing. “Let it go!” Valendale screamed as he stepped on the Dark Hunter’s hand, forcing him to loosen his grip and plummet. Valendale continued running, and very quickly[2], until he reached the canopy of the trees. He had just enough time to notice one of the Dark Hunters opening up some kind of interdimensional portal, forcing the others to escape that way. Valendale smiled. “Oh no, you’re not allowed to leave yet!” Cutting off the ice bridge, he brought down his axe with one powerful swing onto the trunk of the tree he was standing on. As he felt it begin to fall, he readied himself. He timed the jump, until he knew the jump would send him as far as he needed. He jumped, and felt the air rushing by his mask as he aimed to fall inside the portal. And then another portal, no doubt created to send him elsewhere, appeared in front of the first one! Valendale was going too fast to stop, and so he readied himself for whatever might be at the other end of this one. As soon as his portal closed, the Dark Hunter, satisfied that they were all escaped and that the Toa was off their scent, entered his own portal, and let it close. The tree Valendale had cut down was plummeting quickly, and finally, when it hit the floor, it made a sound that can be described as Ftwphgannnng[3] [1] BEES? [2] But, like, not Usain Bolt quickly. ‘Cause he’s fast. I mean, have you SEEN his last name? Like, it’s right there! Speaking of Bolt, it’s funny that his last name is unrelated to the Disney movie ‘Bolt.’ You know, the one that featured John Travolta voicing the dog. Speaking of John Travolta, do you remember his ‘Adele Dazeem’ faux pas? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I feel sorry for the guy, but it was pretty funny when it happened, ha ha! At least he got a do over the next year. Speaking of do-overs, guess who’s got a chance for a last do-over in the sense of one last chance to beat their records? Usain Bolt! Yeah, he says he’s thinking of retiring after the 2017 World Championship, so this is the last chance he’ll have at a do-over. Speaking of Bolt, it’s funny that his n- Oh, you’ve heard this one before? [3] So that’s that question settled, then. You’re welcome, philosophy.

Day five, character five. Today's chapter sees the introduction of Ice Master Extraordinaire Valendale! And now that all the characters have been introduced, this comedy will return to a weekly schedule. I purposefully released the first 5 chapters in a week so that readers could get acquainted with both the characters and the structure of the Comedy. Now, finally, a semblance of a plot can quasi-begin to emerge!

Day four of Team Farm Animals, and today we have the only Toa to have ever tamed and Avohkah AND LIIIIIIIVED TO TELL THE TALE! (clarification: the link does not send you to the story of how AT tamed the Avohkah)

Chapter 4: Avohkah Tamer He was looking around, trying to figure out if there was any way he could actually escape. Any mountainside he could blast to stun his captor, any Rahi nearby that could come to his aid, any way to engage and use his Elemental Powers… unfortunately, he was out of luck[1]. Granted, he kind of expected to have run out of luck because, based on how the past few days had gone, he must’ve used up any and all luck he had with him, and in reserve for the next few years. He’d hoped for luck when he’d overheard a conversation about how two Skakdi fishermen (or merpeople, Avohkah Tamer didn’t recall) had seen a new species of fish only spoken of in ancient tomes and legends. He’d hoped for luck all through the dangerous seafaring voyage to the shores of Zakaz so that the boat didn’t crash. He’d hoped for luck as he used his Kanohi of Rahi Control to enlist all the ocean-faring life in helping him to find the creature (from a distance, Aquaman groaned). He’d hoped for luck after he’d been captured by a Skakdi lieutenant. He’d hoped for luck when he told said Skakdi that he couldn’t be killed since he was the only Toa to have ever tamed an Avohkah. And now that there was no way to escape, he was hoping there was even a sliver bit of luck left so that an Avohkah was, in fact, at the end of the cliff side where Avohkah Tamer had told the Skakdi that he would show him how to tame one. He’d been making the plan up as he went along, and it looked like, finally, the tangled web of lies he’d woven[2], would come crashing down. “So, uh… hey, let’s talk about something while we’re walking over to the Avohkah!” he said, trying to stall for… whatever it was he could come up with. “Yes. Tell me again, Toa, the story of how you tamed an Avohkah.” “Oh, erm… well, that story… I mean, I’ve already told it many times. Let’s instead discuss something different, something that requires a lot of hard thinking and distracting, yeah? Like, uh…” Avohkah Tamer racked his brain to piece together some kind of sentence that made no sense but seemed logical and rational. “Like, imagine if someone built a building where the artistic expression of someone was placed on display!” It was at this moment Avohkah Tamer noticed what looked like a green Toa in the distance. The Skakdi looked at him with an air of incredulity, but then (to Avohkah Tamer’s luck) he furrowed his brow. “Yes… yes, I can see it now!” He actually stopped on his tracks to picture the hypothetical structure created for the sole purpose of staring at canvases painted on by other beings. “Oh. Well, in that case, let me leave you here to think about the question, while I begin to calm down the Avohkah,” he said, trying to sound as convincing as he could. Before the Skakdi could answer, Avohkah Tamer set off to the far end of the cliff, where he’d seen the previously mentioned Toa climbing up the cliff side. He was now sitting, looking out at the sky. Why would he be… BOOM! POW! KABLAM! The sky lit up as shards of rocks in various colors flew in the air. “HOLY INTERPLANETARY YARDSTICKS!” Avohkah Tamer shrieked. Then he heard approaching footsteps and saw his captor running towards him, forcing him to think on his feet. And so, as the Skakdi approached, Avohkah Tamer stuck his foot out, making the Skakdi trip, which in turn made him reach for any object or surface to stabilize himself, which ended up being Zatth’s shoulder, which sent Zatth soaring in the air, matching up with the arrival of another Toa who appeared to materialize next to Avohkah Tamer. “Looks like I might still have some luck left,” he smiled.[3] [1] He was also out of his combination of berries, nuts, and a few edible roots, a mixture which he carried when going on long trips or journeys. A mix for a trail, if you will. [2] When he first practised to deceive! [3] In reality, he didn’t have any luck left, but had rather taken out a luck loan from the Intergalactic Luck Bank. Unfortunately for him, the current economic crisis, based in part on high tax compound interest and the current luck debt bubble, would mean that Avohkah Tamer would have to spend many years paying off his Toa debt.

Yep, a sequel is in the works! Probably will come out in a few months, but I've already got some ideas on what to do for it. Glad to know the ending went well, I was kinda scared that focusing more on the morality side of it would detract from the overall "victory".

On day three of Team Farm Animals week, prepare to encounter everyone's favorite slapper/Ron Swanson/Pacific Rim and Mad Max: Fury Road connoisseur, dear old Xaeraz!

Chapter 3: Xaeraz The carriage weebled and wobbled, but didn’t fall down, as it passed over more of the rocky terrain. Though now that I think of it, no need for me to tell you it was rocky, right? I mean, if it’s wobbling, the logical progression from my narration and description should make it obvious thar there is some sort of obtrusive something on the ground that makes the terrain uneven, no? I’m overthinking it again, ain’t I? Fine, alright. The Skakdi warlord inside was peering out the curtains, afraid at every little jolt, every unplanned stop. The other occupant of the carriage was just scared that an ambush could blow part of him up, like, say, a guerilla attack by a deranged walnut violently passing through his leg. He knew that a simple punch, or a kick, or anything of the sort could really hurt him. It was more the unplanned large attacks, as well as sufficient damage in one hit, that could really make him fall apart. He looked down at his right arm, eyeing the large, serrated claw that emanated from his elbow. He looked at the little patches and pieces here and there that made him seem more like the remnants of a Piet Mondrain painting[1]. He let his head rest on the wooden wall, thinking about how this was the only bit of him that remained, and even then, his Pakari had special lenses in the eyeholes to cope with poor vision (said special lenses couldn’t come from just any Nynrah Ghost or Vortixx crafter; they wouldn’t have his brand, since he had special eyes[2]), also caused by the numerous exploits that had given him so much experience, and in return had taken away his original body, bit by bit. Yes, one could describe this figure as The Modern Frankenstein[3] “Why are you so peaceful?” the warlord asked Xaeraz, not doing anything to hide the fear in his voice. “Have you forgotten we could be attacked at any moment?!” “No, actually, I hadn’t,” Xareaz said. He was very well aware, in fact. It was the reason why he was here at the moment. He’d been hired six months ago by this specific warlord to serve as his immediate medic, since Xaeraz’s fame in impromptu repair, reconstruction, and maintenance of biomechanical bodies was known by heroes and villains alike. “Well, then you should be more concerned, or at least vigilant! Keep your eyes open.” Xaeraz grunted and opened his visor shutters, which gave him enough time to hear the loud explosion noise, see the warlord throw himself onto the floor as the carriage came to an unsteady halt, and allowed Xaeraz to sit up, begin powering up his saw in preparation of whatever was out there, and look out the window. Unfortunately, he’d opened up the shutters so much, he was almost immediately blinded by the enhanced intensity of the streaks of color in the horizon. After what felt like forever, he brought his hand off of his face, felt his eyes adjusted themselves well enough to the light and darkness, and finally got a good look. He could see a Skakdi throwing a green Toa in the air. Behind the Skakdi was a Toa in orange and dark blue armor. And then, suddenly, out of nowhere, another Toa popped up, crashing face first. Xaeraz took a bit of a closer look, because for a second he thought that Toa looked like… “Well, well, well. That’s a sight for sore eyes.” Opening the carriage’s door and disregarding his employer, Xaeraz ran towards this last Toa. Xaeraz was thinking decapixaetion was appropriate. [1] Assuming, of course, that Piet Mondrain existed in this universe and had actually created some of his paintings so that this simile could be understood by the inhabitants of this universe. (I suppose this also presupposes the existence of museums, and I don’t believe that neoplasticism, nor museums of art, existed in this universe.) [2] large hand and facial gestures HIS BRAND [3] Coincidentally enough, this is the subtitle of the celebrated novel Prometheus; or, The Modern Frankenstein, which would later inspire two loose adaptations: Prometheus, and I, Frankenstein. No need to watch them. Really.

Second chapter is up, introducing everyone's favourite hat enthusiast and Hats Enterprises CEO! (also updated my signature. only took me six years)

Chapter 2: Sumiki He cradled the little antenna, shaped like a cat, in his palm, turning it over every few minutes. It was as if he didn’t believe it really existed. “I can’t believe it really exists,” he said. Sumiki smiled. There was a special type of beauty to this little mechanical thingamabob[1]. For starters, acquiring this thing had been an arduous and long process, which had only made it that much more appetizing. He’d started off by haggling the price with a merchant who would not take anything but thirteen widgets, plus tax compound interest. As soon as Sumiki had finished explaining the futility of applying interest of this sort to an object he was already about to sell, the vendor lost interest and tossed the thing hurtling down the edge of the rocky landscape, forcing Sumiki to swandive into The Best Night of Your Life[2], caving in three-sevenths of the ceiling and injuring two Skakdi, three Matoran, one Dark Hunter, and a walnut. Furthermore, this object (the mechanical doohickey, not the walnut), though minute and seemingly benign, harbored unimaginable potential for destruction, which meant it could only be placed in the hands of a Toa. Unfortunately, said Toa spent his free time lending his expertise of demolition and destruction to any who needed it. And so Sumiki continued to smile as his boat reached the tarnished dock. He got off, looked around for the place he’d been asked to set up the entire system, and began to make his way. After two hours of walking[3], Sumiki found the large field and realized just how much more fun it would be to bring a mythical natural occurrence into action. He quickly began connecting all of the rocks, big and Little, powerful and weak, into one collective set to fire as soon as he gave the signal. And it all came down to the antenna, which he’d hooked up to his favorite remote control, which was oddly shaped like a Great Pakari with lightning bolts coming out of it. Sumiki screwed the antenna in, and when he finally felt it connect with the inner wiring, he turned to look as the sun began falling. Not much waiting left, it seemed. “Not much waiting left, it seems,” he said. Finally, the last bits of the sky with any hue began turning entirely dark, and Sumiki smiled. “Three, two, one…” And as he pressed the button, he noticed only then how awfully close he was to a very small and very sharp pebble, which exploded and fired right through his leg, as pieces of patchwork he’d installed just last week went flying. Before the pain kicked in, Sumiki had a second to see the thing fly away. He was wrong. It wasn’t a pebble. It was the walnut. [1] Of which he only had the one, and not the twenty that a certain member of the Sirena sirena species delights in boasting about in a song. You should know who I’m referring to, it IS part of your world, after all. [2] The most popular fighting ring in all of Artidax [3] With plenty of water breaks – stay hydrated, kids!

FARM ANIMALS. FOOTNOTES. FANTASTICAL ADVENTURES (AND WHERE TO FIND THEM). YOU CAN FIND IT ALL RIGHT HERE. ENJOY!

Many experts generally agree on the theory of the multiverse. These sub-universes are generally known by the masses as ‘alternate universes’, ‘parallel universes’, or ‘Henderson Clyde[1]’. According to the multiverse theory, a timeline can bifurcate infinitely, meaning that if you wondered whether to eat that burger, in one universe you acted on your impulse and had a satisfying meal, and in another universe you didn’t and therefore caused the Fall of the Thirteenth Toa Empire. Speaking of which, shame on you. You should’ve known better. Was that burger REALLY worth it? Anyhow, I digress. Our story takes place in a certain multiverse, where such a bifurcation creates a series of events that will force five (or more, or less) unique individuals to come together for the first time. In this universe, at least. Chapter 1: Zatth As the final rays of sunlight began to cower behind the horizon, a boulder began to levitate, very slowly and almost imperceptibly, and wobbled uneasily to the left, as if the boulder were an Agori that had eaten Thornax Stew that had fermented and was disagreeing with the Agori’s system, making said Agori behave with moves that were anything but uncertain (not a particularly pleasant sight. Or smell, now that I think about it). Finally, when the boulder had uncovered enough of the cave mouth, it slowly touched the ground. A head began to peek out of the mountain cave, and as the neck craned to look upward, the owner sighed in relief at the lack of dangling feet. “Finally!” he said in an exasperated voice. “I was really scared that I’d be in that cave so long I wouldn’t be able to hear my voice again! That would’ve been a truly rocky situation!” Then he added, “okay, that was terrible,” and smiled. Grabbing onto the top of the cave mountain, he heaved and huffed as he pushed himself upwards, climbing onto the top of the mountainside. Waiting for hours like this, even for someone like him, became boring after a while of total darkness with the occasional spectral apparition and shriek of a spontaneously combusting pebble. Granted, there’d been a section of the cave where various beings had been sitting, chained to the floor, and staring at shadows on a wall, and no matter how much he’d tried to tell the beings about what he’d seen in the outside world, but they did not believe a word of what he’d said was true. Then those beings went off about The Republic and some dialogues of some sort, so he’d left that section of the cave alone. Allegorically speaking, that is. Because of all the experiences in the cave, Zatth felt his senses were dulled enough to truly appreciate the show about to begin any second now. He sat down, laid his knapsack next to him, and began to gaze out at the last rays of sunlight. “Glad to know that things really went my way, what with there being no Skakdi anywhere to sabotage my last-minute vacation! And any moment now…” He’d only come to hear of the Dying Lights of Zakaz a few days ago, but he’d been in the general area earlier helping out a Toa Team in assistance, so he decided on a whim (as was his nature when matters of discovery were concerned) to leave the Toa Team hanging[2] and head to Zakaz for the show. And so he was here. Watching, hoping that his information wasn’t wrong, when suddenly… it happened. He couldn’t believe it. He actually started to cry. Which is kind of messy when you’re wearing a Kanohi, so no need to describe the sorry sight. And so, he watched through tear-filled eyeholes, hypnotized as the mountain miles away exploded, showering the night sky with rocks of all types of colors, flying in the air and crossing paths with each other, then falling back down in another shower of color. Zigzags of stardust flickered across the sky, blue lightning bolts appeared and disappeared, and a particularly aerodynamic stone was shooting across the sky, its red tai- Oh, um, apologies. That’s actually the Deus Ex Machina Red Star. “To think I was feeling blue[3]…” he whispered to himself, sad that no one else was there to hear him. And then, Zatth heard a grunt behind him. “That was terrible,” the voice said. And suddenly Zatth was grabbed from his shoulders, and catapulted into the air. Too shocked to react, he plummeted face first into the sand. And then the world went black. [1] This name is, according to my research, only used by the denizens of Universe-212 Fahrenheit. Incidentally, this is the same boiling temperature of spaghetti. Probably explains why Universe-212 Fahrenheit is colloquially known as the Universe of Im'Pastas' [2] Metaphorically speaking, that is. Zatth had only once left any beings literally hanging. He didn’t think those two Matoran, Nuparu and Kongu, would ever forgive him when he left them dangling over those mud crawlers. [3] (Da ba dee, da ba daa)

Gud. Now we can make that Vine where the possibility of that BZP member appearing is paper thin... Aaaaaaand, queue the floating, disembodied photograph of a BZP member. (idea for the vine is subject to change)

And then we incessantly rubbed your beard and had you chug icing. Just as Mata Nui intended. (just kidding; you know we heart you, val)

I have half a mind to keep my road trip beard going until August—not to compete with yours as much as to provide a little slap insulation. Also, the video is beautiful. I laughed all the way through. Please keep your beard. It'll create a sharp contrast when the Vines show that the likes of Xaeraz and Sumiki have grown and matured, and Pablo still looks like he did back in the first BrickFair videos, except without the flowing mane.

Would you be willing to settle for a print-out on a sheet of paper (unless someone steps in to fund a cardboard cutout)? With the sheet of paper I can guarantee your appearance in at least one Vine.

Aw Well, no worries. Unless we finally find the way to harness the energies of the sun inside the convention center (which we would've gotten away with last year if it weren't for those meddling kids!), BrickFair will stand for many more years, and by extension, you'll be able to make a glorious return!

What we do have, however, is my beard. Debuting for the first time ever this brickfair. And really, what would you rather have? A big, green muscle? Or face hair? You know, this COULD be your new username. I mean, Horse Divorce, Spinal Thirst, Face Hair... it practically rolls off the tongue (or the face, in your case). Of course! I based my metric of the "core group" on the people who mostly made videos with us (as well as needing a core roster for the project debuting tomorrow), but you're most definitely a part of Team Farm Animals! Just because you don't pitch in money to buy a Kek Powerizer (a bad brilliant purchase, in hindsight), doesn't mean you're not part of the motley crew! SOMEONE MAKE THIS GIF STAT What we do have, however, is my beard. Debuting for the first time ever this brickfair. And really, what would you rather have? A big, green muscle? Or face hair? It is so unfortunate that my (not so) glorious mustache won't be making an appearance this year. It's ok. That appears to be Xaeraz's department now. Plus, you can bring another defining trait this year!

I remember personally first seeing information about a Brickfair on BZPower in 2009. It was a few months before I was to move from Venezuela to the U.S., and I did all a 13 year old could to to convince his parents to move a few weeks early so he could at least attend such an event. No such luck. And so, when 2010 rolled around, I was determined to become immersed in this strange world as soon as possible. (Also because BIONICLE had just been cancelled, so I needed to fill the void with all things LEGO as soon as possible). I attended a panel hosted by the Brick Chick, I stood in line for the Running of the Bulls and fawned over Black Six who was two people in front of me (don't judge, we've all done that when it comes to Staff we meet IRL for the first time), and tried to make the 50+ MOCs I brought that year seem even remotely cool. No such luck. 2011 rolled around, and I had a pretty decent idea of what to expect. I hoped, at least, that was the case. Oh, how things changed (for the better). Now, I hate to admit it, but 2011 and 2012 have kind of melded in terms of BrickFair. All I know, however, is that during those years I met Sumiki, Xaeraz, Takuma Nuva, Avohkah Tamer and Valendale (I think? Yeah, I think Val was there one of those two years). I also had the pleasure of meeting others, like Brickeens, Cholie, etc (I mention them because they had a very direct impact in our 'origin story' if you will. There are others, and I apologize for forgetting right now). Anywho, we struck up a friendship. Why? We may never know. Maybe it was age. Maybe it was that we were more willing to be silly and zany at first glance and found kindred spirits. Any who, we began forming a bond more insoluble than a Mata head and the eye piece when it clicked inside. We began recounting our exploits in YouTube videos, blog posts, and inside jokes. I do know, however, that it was under a Blog post (or a comment) of JMJ where the name Team Farm Animals first sprang up. It made sense; by this point we held to our BrickFair diet of breadsticks, latched on to a single joke and beat the ever-loving lime green out of that horse (Hats, Galidor2015, you name it). And we became good friends. True, because of life some of these 'integral' members come and go. But the beauty of Team Farm Animals, I think, is that anyone who has interacted with us at one point or another is, essentially, part of the group. Think of it as the Avengers, except without superpowers and witty one-liners. We also don't have a Hulk. But it's a motley crew we've assembled, and I, for one, am glad it exists. So this little video is an homage to the crew, to our adventures of the past, and to those YET TO COME. (oh, yeah. that was the teaser)

And so, the last chapter is up. I hope I finished Ajura and Orde's story up nicely. If you have any comments on the whole series, characters, locations, anything, they are very much welcome! I think I have some ideas on how to return to the Epics forum very soon, and will be glad to have any and all comments to keep improving in telling the stories I love and that I hope you all enjoyed as well!