Tavakai

SECRET MONTH

Well, neither do I. You're a lot of help. Steak Boy's favorite food of the week? You know you have to put Steak Boy in there somewhere.

All Reggie did in Find Mii 2 was get scared away by a mummy. I have several level 7 heroes that I can hire at will (you can hire old heroes in Find Mii 2), so it's not like I desperately needed him anyway. Also, I unlocked my next to last puzzle thanks to him, so at least he was good for something. And I had no idea the Play Coin limit was 300; thanks for saying that--I'm at like 210 or something. I probably would have almost reached the limit, but I haven't been walking around with my 3DS for a week. Congratulations on beating Find Mii! I've gone through it twice, and Find Mii 2 once, and they're both really annoying. Also, as for StreetPassing people, I generally get at least one per day when I take my 3DS with me to school, but that's only generally--it took me quite a while to get the achievement for getting StreetPasses five days in a row.

I'm supporting Romney. Santorum was my third choice a while back (behind Cain and Bachmann), though.

If I were a day older and could actually vote (yes, one day), I'd vote for Romney.

I've submitted a few, and one of them was used and credited to me. Wasn't important enough for Proto though, apparently.If I recall correctly, it was something to do with some Phantoka thing that was released on some spinoff site of the official Bionicle site.

So I had this story that was originally going to be made as a comic, and then ended up being made as an epic because it was taking too long. I ended up making small pictures with the chapter names for each chapter, and the best of these I'm posting in full here: I have two versions of this, one that's blurred and one that isn't.

Okay guys, the epic is completely posted and done. read it here, post stuff here.And yes, I somehow managed to win third place in the contest! Old news, yeah, but I haven't posted anything here in a while.Anyway, I'm going to continue this abridgificating stuff until I've done everything before I move back to the regular comics. I'll do five at a time though from now on, so it won't take very long.Tavakai: The Movie: SLOPIFILOUSLY ABRIDGIFICATEDPart 3: Boat HuntingPart 4: The JourneyPart 5: ArrivalPart 6: CapturePart 7: PrisonersI am so proud of these.Next up, 8-12, then 13-17, then 18-epilogue. THEN THE RWAM FINALE

@fishers: I typed everything in Notepad, so that would explain the typo. I'll fix it as soon as I can.I might end up making the rest of my planned storyline in epic form; I might quit making Bionicle comics soon and it's a lot faster to write epics. I don't really want all of my planned story to go to waste.Anyway, here's the remainder of the commentary:Comments on Chapter 16Vorox appearance.Zakadox is meant to be a similar creature to Takadox; the Fenradox had inspiration from that one screechy monster in the arena in Star Wars Episode II. Also, if I'd done this in flash I would have made the Vorox sound like a Tuskan Raider.Comments on Chapter 17Get it? The conflict erupts?Also the stuff I did to the masks in the header looks cool on first glance, but when you look at it more closely it's pretty obvious I was pretty lazy about it; there shouldn't be that much reflection of the lava light inside the eyeholes. So don't look closely.Plus it later occurred to me that the sun doesn't go out that quickly. :Palso cliffhanger againComments on Chapter 18The full scene I used for the title pic is probably a lot more epic. I need to post some full pics of the best of these in my blog or something sometime soon.NEXT TIME EPIC FIGHT SCENEComments on Chapter 19I probably have loads of run-on sentences in this chapter. :PStill, I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. I actually described an epic fight scene in pretty good detail for once.As for the picture--It's pretty blurred, so I don't know if you can totally tell what's going on. Jacku's swinging on a rope and kicking at Randu, who's ducking. It was actually originally a lot more blurred.NEXT TIME SLIGHTLY LESS EPIC BUT STILL PRETTY EPIC EPIC FIGHT SCENEComments on Chapter 20Yeah, here's the other epic fight. Less epic than the other one, for sure. But still pretty epic.Comments on Chapter 21FINAL CHAPTER(stick around for the epilogue though)So anyway, this basically just wraps things up and sets things up for season two, AKA Kaitro Comeback. Not even sure if that's going to be done anymore, though. I do have pretty much the entire script already written out, so I'll try to post that if I don't go through with it.Also, look at the name of this chapter. Now look at the name of the first chapter. Now back at this chapter. It isn't this chapter's title. But it's very similar to this chapter's title. Look down, back up. Where are you? You're posting about the chapter with a similar title to that other chapter. What's in your post? Back at this one. I have it. It's some words of praise and TWO THUMBS UP for that epic you love. Look again. The post is now posted. Anything is possible when you read TavKorp. I'm on a cliff. This is a really good benefit of writing out the whole thing ahead of time; I actually changed the first chapter's title.Comments on Epilogue[strongbadvoice]IT'S OVER!!![/strongbadvoice]Yeah, not much to talk about here, except point out that this is where the ICC began to be created in-canon. Kahi brought up some issues with me later about chronology, so I had to change it from being when it was actually created to when they started thinking about it.I think I originally planned on writing some kind of lengthy review of the epic as a whole here, but I don't feel like it.Also, I have no idea what's going to happen with Kaitro Comeback. I'm probably not going to make the comics; I may release the raw script or turn it into a sort of epic, though not as epic an epic as this one.As for the future, after Kaitro Comeback I had another comic season, which would probably go the same way as whatever way KC goes. Then I had a second movie planned, and that's probably going to go as an epic too. I'm not going to put "the movie" in the title though; I think I only really kept that one in here because it's also the name of my main character and my username, and things could have gotten confusing.

LLL Towers, Kato, Taone Nui - A week laterKahinuva bent over his computer, concentrating intently. He was trying to work on comics, but it was all he could do to prevent himself from playing Portal. Just a few more panels... he told himself.Suddenly, the phone rang. The caller ID told him nothing; it was an unregistered number. He shrugged and picked up the receiver. "Hello?""Kahi! How's it going?""VTK?! I've been trying to call you for what, over a week! Where are you?!""Kaitro Nui. Long story. And another thing, my name's Tavakai. So what did you want to talk to me about?"So Kahi told Tavakai about his idea to ally comic corporations together (and the true nature of that compact), and Tavakai told him about what he had been through in recent times.After a while, Tavakai excused himself from the conversation, and hung up the phone he had brought up from the underground base. He was standing with a delegation including Viron at the shores of Kaitro Nui's main port (at least in days past), and the first ship of returning Kaitoran was about to dock. As soon as the signal had been sent that the island was once more safe to live on, Kaitoran all across the universe had been alerted, and were now making their way home.He turned to Viron. "So, what do you think about this?"Viron smiled. "I think it's about time Kaitro Nui's coming back." TO BE CONTINUEDIN KAITRO COMEBACKINFORMALLY KNOWN ASTAVAKAI'S COMICS SEASON TWO

Viron followed Jacku through the jungle, guards from his organization following him in turn. When they had been surrounded earlier, it had taken him some time to escape, for the bulk of the Ke-Matoran guards seemed to have followed him. He had weaved around and backtracked, picking them off one by one--fortunately for him they wore iron armor, else he wouldn't know how to handle them--until he was free to go to the base beneath the lake. He met Jacku at the entrance, who told him that they had to retrieve Randu from a net and interrogate him.And that was what they were setting out to do, going through the wilderness, Jacku stopping at every tree and appearing to inspect the bark. Eventually they came to a clearing, and Jacku stopped, staring at the strands of slashed rope hanging from the trees, as well as that strewn on the ground."What's wrong? Did we get lost?" Viron asked, halting."Yes..." Jacku said slowly, "not our location, but our target. Somehow, Randu escaped."Jacku seemed to speed back up, instantly kneeling before the rope, examining it in an effort to discover how it had been broken."It wasn't torn... He didn't have any weapons... nothing sharp at all... Rahi couldn't've gotten him; they'd leave at least some remains or trail..." he turned his head, looking at a different edge of the clearing than they had entered at. "See, those branches are cut as well... just enough for someone to get through. Randu didn't escape on his own. Someone broke him out."Jacku grabbed a fistful of rope, slamming it back down to the ground. "I should have tried to take him with me, or killed him! Now he's still out there, still free to do whatever evil he wishes to do now!""Don't be so hard on yourself." said Viron. "If you focus on what would have happened, you'll only feel worse--what happened happened, and that's that.""I guess you're right."Viron looked toward where Randu's rescuer had come from, and began retracing the being's steps, going back through the path cut in the thick brush. Not far from where he began, he found a lake, and stopped when he got to the shore. He could see no more signs of where his quarry had been.Just then, the first rays of dawn began creeping across the sky. Viron looked up; the light was mostly blocked by the large hill just beyond the lake, but he could see the light outlining it, outlining the trees and the vines and--and glinting off of something red at the edge of a cliff.------------After a couple hours of sleeping, VakamaTK got up, just at dawn. As light shone from behind him, he gazed over the jungle below him, at the trees and lakes and the newly awakened birds. And beyond that, to the jungle's edge, where he could just make out rougher terrain, and what seemed to be the ruins of a once prosperous city.He continued to examine the distance for quite some time, until he heard footsteps from behind him. Instantly reminded of Randu and his guards, VakamaTK turned--and was startled to see, not enemies, but friends--Viron, followed by Jacku, and accompanied by some guards who worked with the former.They were silent for a moment. Then Viron said, "Jacku trapped Randu, but someone broke him out while Jacku went to us to retrieve him for interrogation.""That could have been Jack." replied VakamaTK. "I fought him, and he fell down this cliff--now I can see that there's a lake directly beneath us...""The good news," said Jacku, "is that Randu's influence over the tribe is most likely neutralized. They've scattered, and we've gone through the village destroying the virus in any Apple Jacks we've found. We've got pretty much all of them now. Soon the brainwashing should wear off.""And then we can rebuild." said Viron. "The island's state of emergency is over now, and we can call in those who were evacuated. Then we'll build back our infrastructure, better than before." He was smiling now, the thought of his society prospering once more such a great source of joy. But his smile faded when he looked at his old friend. "So how long will you be staying before you return to your other island to make comics, VakamaTK?""Oh, I think that there's plenty of room for me to do my business here--once I've helped build the first city, of course. I won't need to return to the Comic Land. And one more thing," he added, "Don't call me VakamaTK."My name is Tavakai."THE END

There they stood by the cliff, the two Matoran who had unknowingly followed each other across the oceans, beginning at a maskmaking forge in Metru Nui, then in the southwestern region of Hapori Nui, and now into the jungles of Kaitro Nui."So long, so very long..." Jack said, smirking. "My plan to destroy you failed somehow, but now vengeance will at last be served.""Vengeance for what?" VakamaTK asked."Ah, how easily you forget. Of course, it didn't affect you, did it? No, only me, poor, poor me...""For what?" VakamaTK repeated."For giving me this blasted injury!" Jack yelled, pointing at his eye patch. He let out another yell, slashing a couple of bushes with his sword. "You were good at making masks, and I was bad. I couldn't stand it! I couldn't stand not being able to succeed in the business, and it drove me mad!"Do you know how it felt?! Do you know how it felt to watch you make masks, every one of them perfect, perhaps not by professional standards, but certainly compared to my deformed little things, while I made misshapen hunks of Protodermis that would make any wearer a laughingstock?! Do you know how that felt?!"Spittle was coming out of Jack's mouth now. VakamaTK was silent, so the pirate continued."I felt horrible! Absolutely worthless! Every day I awoke with nothing to look forward to but to go to my miserable workplace, and manufacture my miserable excuses for Kanohi, see yours, and go home at night feeling worse than I had in the morning!"It didn't affect me, for a while. I could stand it. I could live with my horrible lack of ability. But one day, one day something snapped in my brain. I threw down my tools and stormed from the room, not caring that the Vahki would be after me, not caring about anything but getting out of that place!"And then... and then I tripped on my own feet... and someone had left a maskmaking tool lying on the ground, the fool... I landed on it, and..." he put his hand to his eye patch as his voice trailed off."So?" VakamaTK said, seeming to come back to life. "So what if you're not as talented as me at making masks? Why should you blame me? It's not my fault you let it get to you, and it's certainly not my fault that you injured yourself. Take responsibility for your own actions, and stop passing the blame to others."This time, it was Jack who was silent."And if you're not satisfied with being a maskmaker? You can always get a new job. Le-Matoran aren't usually maskmakers anyway. Explore other careers, and you'll find something you're good at. You've done this to yourself, and while I feel sorry for you, I'm not at all responsible for it happening.""But that's exactly what I've done!" Jack shouted. "I have chosen a different career! Killing you! Killing you for what you've done to me, ruining my life! Did you know that that was my good eye that you injured?! And now I have no depth perception, either! I've made it my goal for the last two years to kill you in whatever way I could. I almost did it, too, but you somehow survived the Energized Protodermis. And then again, I almost had you melted in that volcano, but you escaped, and then that same volcano saved you from the beasts I had wanted so very much to consume you. I've wanted you dead, VakamaTK. Let's stop with this inane banter, I'm not going to compromise, and I'm eager to end your life!"The discussion was over, VakamaTK thought grimly as he readied himself for the swordfight. His red blade met Jack's silver one with a clang, followed by a number of other clangs as they continued to thrust and parry. Something was guiding him--his old memories, he felt sure--because he had no experience with swordfighting at all, save the little he had done with his old sword that had been left at his comic studio.He found himself walking, Jack doing so as well, the both of them circling around each other constantly as they did so. They moved along the cliff, some of the ground crumbling beneath them and falling down into space. Eventually they came to a peninsula of sorts, a wide view of the jungle seen from atop it.With a confidant movement of his arm, Jack swiped VakamaTK's sword to the side, catching the other off guard and whisking his sword out of his hand and off the cliff. The point of Jack's sword was at VakamaTK's neck, and VakamaTK held up his hands."Should I kill you?" Jack said, "Or perhaps, should I inflict upon you the same pain which I have borne all these years...?"VakamaTK needed to do something, and quick. He racked his brain, trying to come up with something, anything to save him.At last, a lightbulb went off in his head--he remembered Viron in the arena, what he had said after releasing them from the chains."Yes," Jack was saying, "Yes, I'll give you the burning fire of pain that I've experienced for so long as a result of your actions...""Fire?" VakamaTK said, still holding his hands up, but now with his fingers flexed. "You haven't felt fire yet."Jack was confused, for a moment, looking at VakamaTK's face, at the eyes closed in what seemed to be concentration. But he wasn't confused for long, for flames burst from VakamaTK's fingers, leaping onto Jack's sword, traveling up to his body before he could react.And for a moment, he didn't react, too stunned by the sudden development to respond. "El-elemental powers?" he finally stuttered, "Matoran can't use elemental powers!""Regular Matoran can't," VakamaTK said, echoing Viron, "Kaitoran can."Jack stumbled backwards, and the ground beneath him crumbled. He screamed, falling into the depths below, vanishing out of sight.VakamaTK shook his hand in the air next to him, extinguishing a small flame on his finger. He peered over the edge of the cliff, but could discern nothing in the darkness below.As he squinted downward, he noticed a swishing noise, and eventually made out the form of his sword spinning through the air. He held out a hand, and it returned directly to him.For now, he was at peace. He gathered some foliage from the surrounding area and made himself a small shelter, then collapsed inside it and slept soundly despite the discomfort.

Good thing I finished watching Avatar two weeks ago, then. Just in time!

Jacku's speed had been slowed somewhat when he knocked over the guard, but he was making up for that, increasing his stride and his pace as much as his body would allow. He heard himself being pursued, so after a while he seized a nearby tree trunk and hoisted himself upward, climbing with the skill he had learned living in these jungles so long ago, and in his home island before that.The jungle's ecosystem was such that one could practically walk in the trees, and many Rahi that live only on the ground in other localities make their home there. The dominant species of tree in the jungle, besides having quite thick branches, had been infused with Kaitrodermis--the substance which replaced Protodermis's function on Kaitro Nui--giving it an extra strength that made even its smallest twigs resistant to breaking. As a result, most beings could get around by walking on the trees' branches--though keeping an eye out for the weaker trees.Reaching this area, Jacku stood up on the thick branch, and once he got his balance, began making his way through. There was a hollow tree somewhere around here, he remembered--he had used to spend time with his friends there--if he could only get to it, he could stay there and rest, then in the morning go to the cave beneath the lake.But he didn't make it that far. A little more of navigating the treetops, and he ran straight into Randu, who was leaning against his staff and wearing a nasty grin."How did you--" Jacku started to ask."Jacku, you fool. I knew you would be headed somewhere in the trees, and so I only had to have some of my guards take me to a tree further ahead in the direction you would be going. And it helps that I had brought my climbing gear with me." He held up a rope with a hook, then tossed it down below, where it brushed through the the branches and other plants.Jacku pulled Taku's iron dagger from its sheath around his waist, but Randu knocked it aside with his staff. Reacting immediately, Jacku grabbed onto the staff, trying to wrench it out of the Turaga's hands. Randu let go, just before the two were about to fall off into an unstable branch--Jacku let go as well, grabbing a vine for support, and the staff plunged out of sight as the dagger had. He didn't stop moving, swinging around on the vine, straight at Randu--who ducked, then kicked upward when Jacku was directly above him--Jacku fell, but rolled onto his back and sprang to his feet, and punched Randu straight in the face--It was a whirl of conflict now, each of them dealing a blow for every one they received, paying attention to nothing but defeating the other and avoiding the fall to the ground. They slowly moved through the trees as they fought, a slow, unintentional motion with no destination in mind, a mere product of their mutual desire to end the other's life.They stepped into an old elevator used by some Ke-Matoran to enter the trees, not even acknowledging it by so much as a glance around them. With the added weight, the elevator began to descend, at a faster rate than normal due to the fact that it was partly rotten and the rope slipped through too quickly.And still they fought on, knocking each other against the walls of the elevator, Randu's armor getting a large scratch from a branch that snapped inside. They descended faster, and faster, everything around them became a blur, but still they fought.With a thud and a groan of rotten wood, the elevator landed on the ground and burst into pieces on impact. Jacku seized a medium-sized plank, swung it around his head, and whacked Randu squarely in the back, sending him stumbling forward. It wasn't long before he regained his footing, and the two of them continued fighting as before, in a sort of dance, a dance of death, a dance representing the culmination of all of the years of conflict between them; Jacku's discovery of the great crime the Turaga had commited against his brothers, Randu's act of taking Jacku's sanity, all the years Jacku spent insane, wandering the land making it his one goal to destroy the Apple Jacks empire, and now, at last, he would be given the chance, Randu wanting to finally get rid of this annoying hinderance to his and his master's plans, the both of them aware that they had to win at all costs.As in the trees, they continuously moved along in their battle, like fluid down a slope, still exchanging blows but also showing signs of the toll it was taking on their energy. Soon they ran only on adrenaline, both knowing that soon they would have to finish the other off so they could rest.Just as Jacku felt it would take all of his energy to just avoid Randu's attempts to strike him, the ground burst open beneath the Turaga's feet, and he was scooped up in a net. It was one of the Ke-Matoran tribe's traps, like the one that had caught Jacku's friends.Jacku searched the underbrush, and found a Ke-Matoran guard spear--it wasn't rare for them to be lying around in the jungle; guards often lost them and there were plenty of replacements. He walked back toward the net, using the spear to support his exhausted body."You wouldn't kill an old, helpless Turaga," Randu pleaded from inside the net, "would you?""I would have killed you," Jacku replied, out of breath, "but now you're in a much better position to be captured, and I'd prefer that.""Yes..." the wicked Turaga hissed, "You'll give me a fair trial, the justice you heroes always proclaim, won't you? Thank you...""No," Jacku said, "I'm taking you to be interrogated. I know part of what you've done to my people, and--""Our people?""You lost the right to belong with us when you brainwashed people to follow you."As I was saying, I know the basis of what you've done, but I want to know more. I'll take you to people who'll force it out of you.""Ah, clever, clever, clever... I know, let's make a deal. You cut me free, and I'll tell you all I know.""Do you think I'm stupid? You're just going to run away. No, you'll stay right there in that net until I get back."Randu made a reply, but Jacku paid no attention, instead marking a nearby tree with a circle carved into the bark. He moved away from the Turaga, marking another tree with an arrow pointing to where he had come from. He continued to do this, intending to go back to the lake to find Viron's people. Looking at the stars (the clouds had parted since the sun had first gone down), he noted that sunrise was not too far off--soon, he would be guided to his destination by better light instead of having to go through the dark jungle. Refusing to give in to the worry that Randu would escape, he pressed forward into the distance, marking trees as he went.

After they had gone far enough that the sounds of the wreckage and screams were no longer audible, VakamaTK, Viron, and Jacku stopped to rest. Fortunately, the moon had risen, which had given them sufficient light to find their way.VakamaTK spent this time processing the new information that he had learned from Viron. Kaitoran--Matoran native to Kaitro Nui--could use their elemental powers? And their Kanohi? How could this be possible?Then again, there was that thing The Seeker had mentioned--it seemed like ages ago, though it was not even half a week--that he wasn't even made of the same material as regular Matoran. He'd have to look into that later; now wasn't really a good time to bother Viron with questions.Instead, he let his mind wander once more toward his past, then caught himself, remembering what had happened the last time he did so. But it was too late--although blurred by the resistance to the thought, he did see a vision.There was a purple and black Matoran, sitting behind a desk and examining a stack of papers. He couldn't remember, but somehow VakamaTK knew that this Matoran was important. But the vision was so weak that he couldn't take in anything but what little he saw, not the Matoran's name, position, or even facial features. Perhaps if, later, he could trigger another vision, it woul--"Tavakai!"Jerking himself back to reality, VakamaTK jumped to his feet, his sword at the ready. Judging by the name Viron had used to address him, something serious must have happened while he was lost in his vision.And, sure enough, he could see, by the moonlight, a Ke-Matoran guard coming toward them. He turned, and saw another, and another, and soon found that they were surrounded."Ah, you thought you'd get away," the familiar voice of Randu, elderly but with the sharpness of a viper, came from behind him. VakamaTK whirled, and saw him and Jack side by side in the ring of guards. "You don't understand. Nothing escapes the will of our Great Beings.""What do we do?" VakamaTK whispered to Viron."Not sure. I'm a weapon maker, not a strategist.""Okay," Jacku said, his eyes bright with hope, "here's what we do. We make a break for it, on three, and just run into the forest. If we split up, it'll be harder for them to follow us. Ready... One..."Jack was talking, but the three of them ignored him in preparation for their escape."...Two..."VakamaTK focused on a gap between two guards, picturing exactly where he would have to place his feet. He tensed, ready for Jacku's signal."...Three!"The three of them burst forward, straight at the surrounding guards. VakamaTK darted around the enemies, Jacku tackled one, and Viron used his Miru to help him jump over another. All three sprinted as fast as they could away, wanting to put as much distance between them and their foes.This was how VakamaTK ran, leaping ferns, weaving through trees, swinging on branches. At least, until he stopped abruptly, at the edge of a cliff so high that he couldn't see the bottom of it. He was grateful that he had stopped, otherwise... he didn't want to think about otherwise.He sat down, leaning against a tree and resting from his sprint. Surely he was far enough away. Jack wouldn't find him.As if on cue, Jack himself stepped from the foliage, unsheathing his sword. "As I said a few days ago, I've waited a long time for this."VakamaTK stood, prepared to fight but wary of the ever-present cliff beside them.

There was very little light left, which made it all the more frightening to be trapped in the arena with the Fenradox. VakamaTK, Jacku, and Viron, as stealthily as possible, made their way to the wall around the field. When they were within perhaps ten feet from it, a spear shot out into the ground in front of them, thrown by a guard just behind the wall in the stands. They thought it best to abandon that effort, at least for the moment.This left them with no option but one. They could not escape over the walls, for they were completely surrounded. The gates which the creatures had been let in by were shut--and not made of iron, so Viron could not manipulate them. It seemed they would have no choice but to fight the creature.And, once each of their minds had come to this conclusion, the sun vanished completely beyond the horizon, leaving them in complete and utter darkness. The moon was not yet visible, and clouds covered up the stars. It was not even bright enough to see one's hand before one's mask.For a few seconds, at least. Then a rumbling sound and a flash of red light attracted everyone's attention. As one, every head in the stadium--including that of the Fenradox--turned upward and in the direction of the volcano, for that was the source of the distraction.The volcano was erupting, but nothing seemed to be coming out of it. The top glowed with increasing intensity, and parts of the stadium built on it began melting off.Suddenly, a huge mass of molten rock burst out of the volcano, hurtled through the sky and crashed in the arena. It exploded upon impact, bringing a rain of fiery rubble on the people in the stands. The Fenradox was met with most of the force of the impact, and would not be bothering anyone anymore.VakamaTK and his friends, however, managed to be safe. Just before the impact, part of VakamaTK's mask had begun glowing--the part around his mouth--and a small shield appeared in front of the three. It deflected the barrage, and they were unharmed.The Matoran of the Apple Jacks tribe, however, were not so lucky. Some received bad burns, and many were trampled in the rush to escape from the stadium. Randu knew there was no point in trying to keep order, for it was hopeless. Jack, on the other hand, was furious."I had him in my grasp--right in my grasp! That blasted volcano!" He squinted, looking into the smoke and fiery wreckage below. "I won't let you escape this time, VakamaTK! Don't try, because it'll be a waste of time!" He turned to Randu. "What are you waiting for, you old fool?! Send out your guards!""What guards? The ones that fled when the eruption began? My people may be brainwashed, but they're not stupid. They know when their lives are in danger.""But-bu-but, you can't just let VakamaTK escape!""Who said I was letting him escape? Don't forget, Jacku is also among them. I have hated him for years, ever since he unknowingly discovered our master's plan. I cannot send my entire force after him, but I still intend to pursue him with what I can muster. Perhaps you should similarly try your luck with your own adversary."Both of them looked down then, and saw a shadow of a silhouette fly through the wreckage, only for an instant. They both knew what it must mean.---------More magma erupted from the volcano now, smashing the walls of the stadium and creating a gap, albeit one between two chunks of molten rock."Now's our chance!" Viron said. "Use your mask power, VakamaTK!"VakamaTK blinked. "Mask power?""Yes, yes! Kaitoran can use their masks, though they are not as powerful as Great Kanohi. Your mask is a fusion of the Kakama--speed, the Hau--shielding, and the Huna--concealment. All you must do is carry us, activate your shield, and speed through that gap, and we'll be out of here."VakamaTK bent over, mentally aiming his course toward the gap. Viron and Jacku climbed onto his shoulders, and he strained with the extra weight. "One..." he started, "Oh, forget it, you guys are too heavy."The bottom half of his mask began to glow, and the three of them sped off toward the gap, hurtling at what would be impossible speeds if not for the Kanohi--not quite as fast as the Great Kakama's full capacity, but still fast enough to escape serious burns. They continued for some time, then VakamaTK stopped a little ways into the jungle and they all ran together.

Go inactive, and then come back three years later and make some posts like I never left.

Naming is my greatest weakness in writing. I'm awful at it most of the time. Other than naming my Makuta Vitriax, I haven't really done much to be proud of.As for Vitriax, I just combined vitriol (sulfuric acid) with the Makuta suffix -ax.I usually try really hard to look through the dictionary and the thesaurus even if I'm not successful, though.

Am I the only person who checked once or twice at the beginning and then didn't ever come back until the day BZP returned?

I'd probably be a Forum Leader in Artwork III. That's where I spend most of my time anyway, and I know my way around really well. Plus I'm friends with a lot of the people there so it wouldn't be very hard for them to bow down to me, start a war against other subforums in an attempt to slowly gain control over BZP, etc.

Pouring down rain. So pretty much the same as it is most of the year.

This is an outrage. Applejack's apples taste way better than Steve Jobs's. http://www.bzpower.com/board/public/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif

It's possible. I have way too much story planned to make everything as comics, so it could happen after I retire from comic making here.Anyway, commentary (I'm doing it in bulk to keep me from being too lazy to update two topics every day):Comments on Chapter 6:I'm pretty proud of how the guards turned out (they're obviously pictured in the title image). Very spiky, too.Pretty much nothing to say on the chapter itself, though. Comments on Chapter 7The "I really hate you" line is a reference to Gerlicky's "I hate you guys" line, which he says whenever he posts something that doesn't get a reply.Also, in hindsight I made the Seeker seem like a ##### there. I needed some kind of reason for him not to use his uber powers to help, though.And here we see the beginnings of the ICC being formed in-canon.Comments on Chapter 8PLOT TWISTComments on Chapter 9I just now realized that "dunked" is a pretty creative word to describe people being put into a volcano. :tehe:Also, bit of trivia--originally, the word "gods" was used rather than "great beings," but I decided I might be breaking the no religion rule and decided to use something more BZPolitically correct. And in hindsight, it's probably better for a Bionicle story anyway.And yeah, there's so many plot twists here you could call it a plot pretzel. Don't eat it though; I've heard from reliable sources that it gives you food poisoning.Also, you may recognize the header as one of the images I used for C3 2010. Didn't remake this one, even though it used my old closeups--I lost the original files when my computer crashed, and the closeup on the closeup is such that you can't tell the closeup is the old closeup and not the new closeup unless you look really closely at the closeup. XDComments on Chapter 10I'm not totally sure if those heat gliders obey the laws of physics. But this is fiction, so screw physics.Also, I think I did pretty well on the picture for this. Who knew those leaf brushes would come in handy as shadows?Comments on Chapter 11So, I'm going to admit that there was some inspiration from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest for that part where Jacku ran up. Only slightly; I hadn't seen the movie yet when I came up with that part.Also, if I'd split this into parts or acts or something, the end of this chapter would be the dividing line.Partly because it's such a huge cliffhanger, partly because it also ends in the plot twist that defines the whole plot.Comments on Chapter 12Anyway, the funny thing about this is that I didn't know how to swim when I started writing this, but assumed I would by the time I finished and posted it. I was right. :PZondo's partly based on by my awesome teacher I had last year for Honors Chemistry.Also I love pickles.Comments on Chapter 13TRIPLE CHAPTER WEEK :awesome:Not much action here, just backstory. Same goes with the next chapter.Comments on Chapter 14Randu has the Mask of Sanity.I'm also going to take the canonical liberty to assume that when Axonn healed Gali Nuva's insanity back in '06, it was with his mask and not with some random other power he had.And anyway, now you know Jacku's backstory. And yeah, he's going to stay sane for the rest of however long I do these comics.Also, I realized while rereading a chapter a while back that some people could mistakenly think Jacku turned the group in. It was totally unplanned but it's definitely an added bonus. :PAnyway, now we're getting into the climax. CONFLICT CONFLICT CONFLICT ACTION STUFF all the way across the most of the rest of the epic.Comments on Chapter 15CLIFFHANGER AGAIN----Anyway, in case I forgot to mention, I posted all of this on a different website during the downtime, and I'm just copypasting the commentary.lastly:oh man i may have just stopped forgetting to update thishttp://www.bzpower.com/board/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.png

"Today is a great day for the people of the great Apple Jacks! Not only has our leader come to us, but he has directed us to his great enemy, the TK! Yes, see! He is the red and black one!" Randu pointed out into the arena at the three Matoran tied up in the center of the field. "When the sun goes beneath the horizon, justice will be served, and the TK will be defeated!"Around the stadium, the Ke-Matoran cheered, some waving their hands in the air and many eating out of bowls of Apple Jacks. In the distance, the volcano loomed over; it cast a shadow over the field at certain times of the day--the stadium was built at its base. Now, however, at sunset, the shadow was outside the structure.Down on the field, Jacku, VakamaTK, and Viron stood shackled to a post. Viron seemed to be feeling the metal around his wrists."It's iron..." he said, and VakamaTK noticed a faint, grim smile appear on his face."So?" VakamaTK snapped. "We're bound in the middle of a high-walled stadium, surrounded by violent and brainwashed Matoran, about to be killed in an apparently entertaining way." With this last detail, he gestured at the cheering crowd--as much as he could while being chained. "And you're feeling around to see what metal we're bound with?""In case you've forgotten," Viron said, and closed his eyes, "my element is iron."In an instant, the six bands on their wrists snapped open, leaving them free from the post. VakamaTK looked at Viron."But Matoran can't use elemental powers...""Regular Matoran can't. Kaitoran can, to a certain extent."A loud noise drew their eyes to the end of the field. They hadn't been paying attention to Randu's speech, and it appeared he was almost done talking.As a rusty metal gate opened up, a creature emerged from it. The thing looked like a humanoid scorpion--it had clawed feet, tan and black armor, an insectlike helmet over its face, and a stinger tail. It also held a sharp-looking spear, which it then raised above its head and roared like a predator about to pounce on its prey."In one corner," Randu said, "we have this creature, imported from such a faraway place that we do not even know its name!"The three stood riveted at the sight before them, but also looked in the other direction as well--for another gate was opening. This time, a four-legged monster came out, with daggerlike feet that stabbed into the ground as it rapidly moved across the ground. It lifted back its similarly dagger-shaped head, letting out an ear-splitting, high pitched cry, and gnashed its razor-sharp teeth."And in the other corner, we have the Fenradox Razor, created by blending the DNA of the Fenrakk spider with that of the Zakadox praying mantis!"The scorpion started moving toward the three, but the Fenradox seemed more interested in the crowd--it tried to eat one of the Matoran in the front row, but was poked with a spear by a guard before it completed the motion.VakamaTK stood looking at the scorpion, wondering what to do. Surely there was something. This couldn't be the end, there had to be a way out...And then it hit him, the full speed and impact of his train of thoughts causing him to step backward.He saw once again the maskmaking forge with Viron, and his sword. Viron said, "It's the most technologically advanced sword we've ever developed. It's personalized--it recognizes your DNA, and can home in on your signal." Although he didn't have his sword at the moment, it was somewhere inside the stadium. All he had to do was ask for it.VakamaTK held his hand out and concentrated, hoping it would work. The scorpion wasn't near enough to strike, but would be soon. It was, perhaps, twenty feet away. Then it was fifteen feet, then ten feet, then--The scorpion was suddenly knocked aside and propelled into the wall of the arena. In its place hovered VakamaTK's sword, gleaming in what little sunlight remained. It made a few flourishing motions, then glided smoothly into VakamaTK's outstretched hand.He held it firmly, and turned toward the Fenradox. "Okay," he said, "I guess I should just... go after that one now." He winced at the thought, for there were surely a million ways one could be injured from that creature."No," Jacku said, "I don't think you have much of a chance of surviving that. I wouldn't even fight one, except as a last resort."The three of them stared warily at the Fenradox, which was beginning to notice them.

After a bit of planning, they began their journey to the storehouse of the Ke-Matoran's Apple Jacks. There was a small issue of who would go--Jacku needed to go, certainly, and Viron went because of his knowledge of the island since Jacku's banishment. VakamaTK also went, but in the interest of efficiency and stealth his other friends stayed behind.They were just reaching the outskirts of the Ke-Matoran village. Jacku urgently motioned for the other two to kneel down in the tall grass, and shortly afterward a patrol of Ke-Matoran guards marched past.After the coast was clear, the group tiptoed cautiously out of the jungle and to the edge of a nearby building. There they found a depression at the base of the wall, which turned out to be a hole--Taku had used this to escape last time, and told Jacku about it.They slipped inside and, finding the coast clear, began opening the crates of Apple Jacks. They poured in a chemical Zondo had provided them with, which was an acid designed to only affect the virus (Taku had given Jacku a sample) and leave everything else untouched.When they finished, they made sure all of the crates were shut, and went out the way they had entered.As VakamaTK walked back toward the edge of the jungle, he marveled at how easy their task had been. His thoughts then began to stray toward his missing past.And then the world around him went black.A hazy image swam before him, then solidified into a mask-making forge--one that made his old one in Metru Nui seem like a junkyard.He heard footsteps behind him, and turned. It was Viron, and he had one hand behind his back."Hey, Tav! How's it going?""Great." VakamaTK found himself replying. "Business is going really well. I've been getting a lot of orders.""That's good. So anyway, my people just invented a new sword. And we wanted you to test it out."Viron then pulled his hand behind his back, and in its grasp was a magnificent-looking, red sword. "Hmmm... Pretty cool." VakamaTK marveled."Oh, it's not just that. It's the most technologically advanced sword we've ever developed. It's personalized--it recognizes your DNA, and can home in on your signal. And it has an auto-fight mode, so it can basically fight on its own--so far that feature uses up quite a bit of battery life though, so don't rely on it.""Wow. Why is it that I get this?""Well, you're my best friend, Tav.""Still... it seems a bit much. I suppose I can get used to it, though.""I probably shouldn't tell you that the final design will go to our Leader.""You're kidding!" VakamaTK said in shock."No, I'm serious. You'll get the new one too. Just make sure to report how well things run, since this is the prototype, after all.""Sure thing.""Well, I'm off!" Viron said as he left the room.VakamaTK marveled at his new sword. He pulled out his old one, and in comparison it seemed like an awkward chunk of metallic Kaitrodermis. This was going...Things faded away without warning. The next thing VakamaTK knew, he was bouncing up and down in some kind of makeshift hammock. He could hardly even see what was going on, the thing was so volatile.Eventually, he was able to make out who was carrying it--two Ke-Matoran guards. In front, Jacku and Viron, handcuffed together, were being pushed along by one soldier.Feeling it was the best option, VakamaTK went limp and pretended to be asleep.--------He must have actually fallen asleep eventually, for he awoke to find himself in a room with the other three."What happened?" he asked."You fainted, or something." Viron said. "We had to carry you, and that slowed us down and made us less stealthy. And if that wasn't bad enough, a Ke-Matoran hunting party suddenly showed up. Needless to say, they captured us.""You should have just left without me.""I never leave my friends behind, Ta...va...VakamaTK." Viron said. "No matter what the cost.""So anyway, where are we?"Viron apparently did not know much on the subject, for he turned to face Jacku."I'm not sure." Jacku said hesitantly. "I don't think this building was around back when I was here. It was big, certainly--we saw it on the way in. And it was built a lot like that stadium on the volcano.""Well, I guess we're just going to have to wai--"VakamaTK was interrupted by a loud banging noise. All three of the Matoran turned their heads toward the source. A Ke-Matoran guard was walking in, and by his stance it appeared he had kicked the door open.The guard, silent as the grave, walked up to the prisoners, then piled the three of them on his shoulder. He then walked out of the room as if he did this on a regular basis. Which he probably did.In the distance, a familiar sound similar to a cheering crowd could be heard.