ZOMBI3S

Part II is now complete! I hope you liked it, because there's more soon to come!

Chapter 10 - Council and Uncertainty The deep blue walls loomed above Takua as he stared up at the domed ceiling of the Sanctum. Thousands upon thousands of words and symbols were etched into the rock, explaining events passed and foretelling of ones yet to come. Ko-Matoran milled about, quietly studying the walls as a low chant seemed to fill the air. Kokani led them to the back of the dome, and Takua’s eyes were drawn to a statue of a tall figure brandishing a sword and a shield. Its stone Akaku stared out towards the far wall, proud and strong. Orange flowers were draped around its shoulders, and incense and lightstones were placed around its feet. “That’s Toa Kopaka,” Aya told him quietly. “Some say he was the most powerful of all the Toa.” Takua stared up at the figure, dreaming about what it might have been like to stand in the legendary hero’s presence. He brushed his finger against the tip of the statue’s blade, and could almost feel the power of a snowstorm swirling within it. “What do you think happened to them?” he asked. Aya looked up at the statue for a moment before answering. “They fulfilled their destiny, and Mata Nui called them back to him.” Takua studied the statue for a moment or two longer, taking in the sweet scent of the incense and flowers, when something caught his eye: a few lines of script, engraved into the base. “Under the gaze of red, two will dance,” he read. “Light and Dark will meet, and the dance shall turn to dust…wait a minute, I’ve seen this before back in Le-Koro!” Aya looked down at the inscription. “The dust shall dance, and spirits shall fall., and only one will remain….huh. I’ve never noticed that before.” “Do you know what it means?” She shook her head just as Kokani called out Takua’s name from the end of the dome, where he and the rest of their party now stood. Quickly, they walked over to meet up. A small wooden door was embedded into the wall, guarded by two Ko-Matoran. “Kokani I just saw an inscription and I was wondering if—“ “Now is not the time,” Kokani commanded, and Takua shut his mouth. “Nuju is ready to see you. He will not speak with you directly, as you will not understand his wisdom, but his translator will answer any questions you have.” Takua nodded. He’d heard about Nuju before, and had always pictured him as a little strange. Takua swallowed and turned to face the guards, who opened the door for him. His hand resting on his dagger to settle his nerves, he walked through the doorway and into a circular room, followed by Kokani and the rest of his friends.The room was the same deep blue color, but no symbols were etched into the walls here. Six elaborately carved chairs were arranged in a circle, facing the center of the chamber, but only one was occupied. The figure sat silently, staring at Takua from across the room, holding a decorative pick axe in its right hand: Turaga Nuju. “Ah, Takua!” A voice sounded from his left, and Takua looked to find an Onu-Matoran approaching him. The being was about his height, and wore a beautifully polished purple Rau. A sash inlaid with gold thread hung around his shoulders, and as he stuck out his arm for a handshake, Takua noticed emerald and diamond rings on his fingers. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you!” “Thanks...” Takua said, shaking the Matoran’s hand, feeling strange that the Onu-Matoran knew his name. “And you are?” “Oh, of course! My apologies,” he paused to adjust his sash. “My name is Illum, representative of Onu-Koro, translator for Turaga Nuju, and humble Matoran under the wisdom of the Sanctum.” Kokani coughed from behind Takua, and Illum looked up. Instantly the Onu-Matoran’s wide smile turned into a look of astonishment. “K-Kokani,” he stuttered, “I admit I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Kokani nodded. “The feeling is mutual.” Takua looked at the two Matoran as he felt the tension in the room rising. Nuju sat in his chair, looking at them silently with his ice blue eyes. Illum opened his mouth to speak once again, but Kokani immediately cut him off. “I expected a Ko-Matoran to act as Nuju’s translator.” Kokani said, staring at Illum. His words weren't offensive, but they were cold, and spoken with disgust. Illum’s response was immediate, as if he had said it a hundred times. “I can assure you and your friends, Kokani, that I am perfectly capable of performing this role. I have acted as ambassador for Onu-Koro for many years and much of my time has been spent here. I have learned much about the Sanctum and Nuju’s teachings. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable with my presence, perhaps we could reschedule this meeting when another translator is available—” “That won’t be necessary,” Kokani said loudly, and Illum cringed for a moment, as a Mahi would when its master clutched a whip. “Besides,” he continued, “I’m sure Turaga Nuju is very busy. I mean no disrespect.” He bowed to the Turaga, and Nuju nodded his head in return, as if he understood Kokani’s feelings. “Of course,” Illum stood back up to his full height and straightened the sash around his shoulders again. “If you would all take a seat, we may begin.” Each of them sat in a chair, with Takua directly across from Nuju. Only Illum was left standing as the Turaga started moving his hands in strange motions, and the Onu-Matoran began to speak. “There is a prophesy,” he said, pausing as the Turaga signed for a bit, “that seven beings will come to this island. Six will come first, and when the time is right they will unite their powers and summon the Seventh, who will rise up from the waters of Naho bay. It is said that this seventh will wield the power to destroy the Atouri.” Takua looked at the black stone, hanging around his neck. It still seemed strange to him that such a small trinket was the source of so much conflict. Illum continued. "It is not yet clear who these beings are, but the stars all point to one conclusion. A new age is on its way, an age that hearkens back to the elder days, when Mata Nui and Makuta were at peace. However, this age will be born out of blood and fire, and the beings that will bring about its coming will be of great power. It is written that history shall repeat itself, and so we can only assume one thing: this is the prophesy we have been waiting for; the prophesy that will deliver us from Makuta's shadow. This is the prophesy that tells of the return of the Toa." Takua looked up, suddenly very interested. The Toa had been gone for ages, and the only the Turaga remembered a time when they walked the earth. Countless childhood stories and legends coursed through his head at the thought of them, and instantly he wanted to know more. “Nuju says that your coming here is of great importance,” Illum said as he began to walk around the perimeter of the room. The fearful demeanor of his talk with Kokani was dwindling away, replaced by the charming and charismatic one that had first greeted Takua. It seemed that Illum was most comfortable when he was talking. “He believes that you are the one who will ready the island for the coming of these beings, and he asks that you take the Atouri to Ga-Koro in preparation for their coming. But before you accept this task, Nuju understands that you must have many questions. He remembers that your namesake, the one who became the Toa of Light, had many questions about his duty, and so Nuju will answer any that you may have now.” Takua looked back down at the Atouri and thought for a moment. What questions did he have? He wasn't really sure. His mind churned for a bit, but only one thought seemed to form above all others. “Why me?” Nuju started signing again, and Illum began to talk. “Every day that passes, darkness invades Mata Nui. The Kryll grow ever stronger, throwing aside their nomadic ways for fortresses and strongholds. Ships from the Eastern Continent continuously land on our northern shores, and their numbers grow as well as their hostility. They are rallied together by one very specific Kryll, known to have a deep seeded hatred for Matoran. He is known by many names, but mostly commonly he is Krosis, the King of the Kryll. It is said that he has pledged himself to Makuta, and is commonly seen with Saku, the Toa of Shadow, who also plagues our lands.” Illum paused as Nuju signed for a moment more. “It is Nuju’s understanding that you have met this being before, the night of the attack on Le-Koro.” Takua remembered the Kryll with the golden armor and red warpaint, and felt a tingling of anger inside of him. Krosis… he thought. Now at least he had a name. “Along with these two, there are rumors of another servant of Makuta living among us. A Matoran, obviously well-connected, has been feeding Saku and Krosis information about the Turaga’s plans, but his identity has escaped us. That is how they have escaped detection for so long, how Saku knew about Matau’s trap in Le-Koro, and how they were able to take the city so easily. All three of these beings know about the prophesy, and they know about the Atouri. They will be searching for it, and that is why Turaga Nuju believes that you should carry out this task.” Takua looked at Illum quizzically, leading him to continue. “We need someone who is able to travel across the island unnoticed. An armed caravan will attract too much attention, and you have experience with these beings. You know better than anyone how they think, and with Kokani as your guide, Nuju trusts that you will not fail.” Takua didn’t believe that he knew how Saku and Krosis thought, but he did trust that as long as Kokani was with him, he would be safe. The choice Nuju offered him now wasn't even a choice to Takua. It was just something that he accepted, as he didn't know what else he would do. “I’ve come this far,” Takua said, looking into Nuju’s eyes. “Why stop now?” The Turaga’s Matatu smiled, and Illum spoke his words. “Nuju is pleased with your decision, and he gives you his blessing. Turaga Nokama will be expecting you, for the red star tells us that the coming of the six will soon be upon us. He trusts that you will do well in your task, Herald of the Atouri.” "Hold on," Jaka stood up from his chair and faced Takua. "You don’t suppose I’m going to let you go without me, do you? I know you can't take care of yourself." Nuju looked at the duo and nodded. “Your party has done well so far, I see no reason why some should stay while the others leave, should you two choose to accept as well.” Illum said as Nuju motioned to Aya and Raipu. “Oh no, I only helped them to get to Ko-Koro, I haven’t been…” Aya trailed off, looking at everyone around her. After a moment she stood up and bowed. “I would be honored to accept,” she said formally, but Takua could see the excitement under her mask, and he knew she had been waiting for this opportunity. But Raipu was silent. He sat in his chair, looking at the ground, obviously deep in thought. Takua remembered how apprehensive he had been back when they decided to leave Kokani’s burrow. Raipu had never wanted this. If it were up to him, he would be in Le-Koro right now, trying to rebuild what he’d lost. Takua remembered how quiet he had been in their journey through Ko-Wahi, and realized that Raipu probably wouldn’t be traveling with them any longer. “I’ll do it,” the Po-Matoran said. Takua looked at him, a bit suprised, but he was glad. Perhaps there was more to the Po-Matoran than he thought. “It is settled. Friendship is your ally, and it will make all hardships easier to bear. Nuju wishes Mata Nui to watch over us all, and that we may have Pohatu’s speed, Onua’s strength, Tahu’s courage, Gali’s wisdom, Kopaka’s power, and perhaps most importantly, Lewa’s humor. This council is hereby adjourned." Nuju dipped his head, and they all bowed in return, including Illum. As everyone filed out of the council chamber, he turned around to look at the wise Turaga one last time. His Matatu was aged, and he leaned heavily on his pick axe, but through his icy blue eyes Takua could tell his mind was very much alive. He paused, letting everyone else leave the room, until he and the Turaga were alone. Slowly, Nuju walked up to him, his footsteps echoing in the empty room as his pick axe thumped on the stone floor. He stopped about a foot away from Takua, his eyes curiously asking what it was that the Matoran wanted. Takua was excited about what was to come of his adventure, but still he wasn’t sure. A part of him was still in Le-Koro, watching Matau and Talim as they were ripped away from him. “What if things don’t work out?” he asked, realizing that it was a stupid question, but he still needed some kind of answer. Nuju smiled and placed one hand on his shoulder. Then, in a raspy, old, deep voice that hadn’t been used in a very long time, he spoke. "If you ever find yourself lost, follow the red star, for it shall guide you toward your destiny." Takua didn’t know how to take that, or even what it meant, but the Turaga’s eyes held something inside of them that reassured him. Something told him that if it was worth saying by the Turaga, it was worth listening to. Something told him that Nuju spoke the truth. ~~~ The early morning sun streamed through the mountains, casting its glow upon Ko-Koro’s gate. Takua and Jaka stood in the square, waiting for Kokani, Raipu and Aya to finish packing up their belongings. They had resupplied the night before and Kokani had bought Takua a new, emerald green pack to replace the one he had lost. A quarter inch of fresh snow covered the black rock of the square, and the sky was a bright, inviting blue. "Did you ever think we'd be sent on a mission by a Turaga?" Takua asked, speaking his thoughts. “It’s kind of weird.” Jaka looked up. "Weird?" "Yeah. I never thought it'd be me doing this." Jaka adjusted his pack so it sat better on his shoulders. "Life is crazy, I guess." Silence dominated the square for a few moments as they stared off through the opening of the gate, wondering about the future. "We could be heroes, Jaka." Jaka snorted, laughing a bit to himself, but he smiled at Takua. "Maybe." They heard the footsteps of the other three, and soon enough they were walking toward the gate, leaving Ko-Koro behind them. The Atouri thumped against Takua’s chest, reminding him of his duty, but overall, he felt pretty good. After all, one could never have too much adventure. “Takua!” He turned around at the sound of his name to see Illum running towards him across the square, bundled in a luxurious fur coat. He stopped to let the Onu-Matoran catch up. “I wanted to have a word with you before you left,” Illum said, “if that’s alright.” Takua nodded his head. “Sure, what's up?” “I know I don’t know you very well,” Illum said as his mask gleamed in the morning light, “but I thought I’d just say good luck out there.” He stuck out his hand, and Takua shook it. “Thanks.” Illum leaned in close so that only he could hear. “Be careful. Mata Nui is a dangerous place: trust no one, not even those closest to you.” Takua looked at him, suddenly on edge. “What are you saying?” “Nuju trusts him, but I’d still watch my back if I were you,” he said, nodding towards Kokani. “There are rumors about him, you know. Dark rumors.” Illum paused, letting the thought sink in. “One of Makuta’s servants is living among us, and although I try not to judge, well…” he trailed off for a second. “...it could be anyone.” Takua glanced over at Kokani, who had started to walk towards him and Illum. He really didn’t know anything about the Ko-Matoran. He was friends with Matau and he had saved his life many times, but what if there was something darker to Kokani? Takua remembered the fire he’d seen in his eyes when they were ambushed by Kryll, and how much it had unnerved him. There was definitely something Kokani wasn’t telling them. “Just saying,” Illum said as Kokani came into earshot. He patted Takua on the shoulder and let go of his hand. “Good luck out there, friend.” And just like that, Illum was gone, and they had left Ko-Koro. Suddenly, the world wasn’t full of adventure and stories. It was full of unknown dangers, and darkness crept around every corner. After all, they were still being hunted. They still had to cross the entire island of Mata Nui, and while the dangers of Rahi, Saku, and Krosis were intimidating, Takua couldn’t help but wonder: what if their most dangerous enemy was within their midst all along? The Atouri thumped against his chest as he looked at Kokani, walking along the mountain road ahead of him. Clutching the straps of his pack, he tried to settle his nerves as his heart beat loud in his chest. Thump-thp. Takua sighed. Only time would tell. Thump-thp. ~End of Part II~

Teridax is pretty sweet, but in my mind in order to be a really good villain, you have to hate him. I almost rooted for him a couple times, so in that case, Grima Wormtongue from lord of the rings wins over Teridax

That is a good one. I hadn't thought of that.

Chapter 9 - Reunion The world collapsed around Takua as he slipped in and out of consciousness. Chunks of rock and dust crashed into the snow as the Rahi Nui roared, shaking the very earth beneath him. The Ga-Matoran lay in the snow next to him, and with his blurry vision he saw her shield sliding down the slope without them. His eyes went black, and he entered the world of his dreams. There was a temple. It sat at the center of a blackened crater, as a king would sit, overlooking an empty throne room. Silhouetted against the red sky, its grand exterior served as a beacon of hope for him as he walked the charred earth. His footsteps echoed as they hit the hard soil, but he knew he wasn't alone. Something was following him. He could feel it in the back of his mind. The beast was silent and dangerous, but Takua knew that if he could only make it to the top of the temple, he would find peace. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a dark shape flit out of sight. The elaborately carved doors of the tower rose up before him, glinting of polished ivory and oak. He grasped one handle and pulled it open, straining to move the heavy door. Slowly, steadily, the dark insides of the temple opened up to him, and he quietly slipped inside. Takua was wrenched back into the real world as he felt giant claws envelop him, lifting him into the air. He heard the Ga-Matoran screaming, followed by the solid thunk of an arrow piercing flesh. Blood splattered him, and the claws dropped him back into the cold snow. The shock of the fall sent his mind back into the dream. He was running. It was coming after him, but what it was, he couldn’t tell. His lightstone only illuminated a few feet around him and the beast, no, the monster, could be hiding anywhere. He had to stay focused. He had to make it to the top of the tallest tower. It called him, and he yearned for whatever he would find there. A growl echoed around him, and he froze. Turning, he found the monster standing but a few feet in front of him, and he held his breath in fear. Slowly, it lurched toward him, its shoulders hunched over and its clawed feet thumping on the floor. Its arms hung carelessly at its sides as drool and blood dripped from its twisted fangs. Excruciating pain awoke him, and he cried out into the night sky. Matoran were yelling now, and there was a loud explosion in the cliffs above him. The earth rumbled with the sound of an avalanche and he felt the light tap of the Ga-Matoran hitting his cheeks, telling him to stay with her. She was at his side, desperately trying to hold his wound together. Giant boulders thudded into the earth, sending great white plumes of snow into the air. He watched as a huge cascade of rock and snow smashed into the Rahi Nui. It stumbled and fell, pressed against the side of the cliff as the avalanche engulfed it. Hurried voices surrounded Takua and he felt someone pick him up. He was carried away from the chaos, away from the howling beast. Staring listlessly into the stars, he once again closed his eyes. Unable to move, Takua could do nothing as he watched his nightmare advance towards him. Its long teeth widened in a horrible smile, and its bloodshot eyes bored into his soul. Petrified with fear, Takua stared back at it, and he came to a realization: he knew this beast. He had seen it before. Looking past the twisted fangs, he recognized its angular face. It was the Mask of Shadows. Saku! With a jolt he awoke, and everything was quiet now. Whoever held him trudged through the snow with purpose, traversing a wide plain as the sun just barely rose above the eastern mountains. The Ga-Matoran came into view, and she smiled at him. As his vision started to fade for the last time, he managed to look up. The off-white of Kokani’s Akaku met his gaze. The Ko-Matoran nodded, and Takua closed his eyes. He didn’t wake as Kokani carried him through the snow and toward the great bridge of ice. He didn’t see the huge glaciers that surrounded Ko-Koro up ahead, and he didn’t notice when they passed through its gate. What he did know was that Kokani held him, and that he was safe. ~~~ Takua awoke to find himself laying in a wooden bed with fur blankets, not much different from the one at Kokani’s burrow. The black, stone walls of the small room were lit with a lightstone cluster, imbedded into the far corner of the ceiling. It cast a faint, yellow glow, but as he turned his head to take in more of his surroundings, he noticed sunlight poking out from under the curtains of the room's only window. It seemed to be mid-afternoon. As he struggled to move, he secretly hoped that his tendency for blacking out and waking up in strange places didn’t become a habit. He sat up and clutched his side as it split with pain. Looking down, he realized his wound had been stitched up and bandaged. Wondering where he was, what had happened, and who had helped him, he lay back down in the bed. Minutes passed, and soon he heard footsteps coming from an open doorway behind him. They briskly clunked on the wood floor, as if the being that made them was on an important mission. A stern atmosphere enveloped the room as the sounds crept closer, and as they entered the doorway, Takua felt it was necessary to pretend to be asleep. The sounds stopped at the foot of his bed. Nothing happened for a moment, but then he heard a familiar voice. “Takua?” Takua opened an eye. “I’m going to kill you Takua!” “…Jaka?” Suddenly the Le-Matoran was on the bed, hugging him. “You scared the karzahni out of me! I thought you were dead!” Takua smiled as his friend embraced him and then helped him to sit up. “What happened? How did you get here?” And Jaka told him the whole story. After the Muaka attack, he, Raipu, and Kokani searched for him, but to no avail. By the time they had made camp for the night at the bottom of the canyon, a patrol of the Sanctum Guard had surrounded them, mistaking them for bandits, or spies of Makuta. It was a Ga-Matoran who recognized Kokani, and offered them help. “I remember a Ga-Matoran,” Takua said. “She helped me escape from the Rahi Nui.” Jaka nodded. “We told her we were looking for you, and she said she’d seen you earlier walking toward the ‘The Lair of the Beast,’ and we knew we had to find you.” “So that was you who sent them?” Jaka grinned. “It was awesome! We had this whole plan figured out. Some of them went to get you, and when the Rahi Nui came after you, Kokani, Raipu and I triggered an avalanche and we crushed it! Aw, Mata Nui, I wish you would’ve been there!” Takua shook his head. “I was there, Jaka.” “Oh…right,” his Kakama twitched. “But I meant like, to make the avalanche and stuff. Not, you know, bleeding and getting chased by a monster.” Takua smiled. “You’re a loser, you know that?” Jaka rolled his eyes. “At least I don’t black out all the time.” “I have a serious wound!” “It’s good to see you awake.” The two friends turned around as Kokani, Raipu, and the Ga-Matoran entered the room. Takua’s eyes were drawn to the newcomer, as we was curious to find out more about her. She was a full royal blue in color, with black feet and a black Komau, and was tall, almost as tall as Kokani. She seemed a little bit older than Takua, but not by much. With one corner of her mouth turning up, she walked up to Takua and stuck her hand out, oozing an easy-going, confident atmosphere. “The name's Aya," she smirked. "Good to see you not dead, Takua.” “Yeah,” Takua shook it and looked at Kokani and Raipu. They met his gaze, and it felt good to know that they were there for him. If it hadn’t been for them, he would have never met this Matoran, and he may have never escaped from that dark crevice. “Thanks for helping me out back there.” Aya grinned, and Takua liked her already. Their conversation went on, mostly spurred by Jaka's need to tell him everything he had missed during their separation. Takua smiled, taking it all in. He learned all about their travels down the canyon, how they'd waited through the night for him to show up, how they'd almost gotten killed over a misunderstanding. He even learned how Kokani and Aya knew each other: the Ko-Matoran had been her mentor, a long time ago. He'd taught her how to fight, shown her how to live in the frozen wastes, back when she had first came to live in the mountains. Takua's interest peaked at the thought: Kokani willingly taking someone under his wing? It didn't seem like him, but then again, there was definitely more than met the eye when it came to Ko-Matoran. Eventually, they helped him out of bed, and showed him small square of Ko-Koro, situated just below Takua’s room at the inn. It was a pretty sight, with the fresh snow sparkling in the late afternoon sun. The city was calm and quiet, and Takua liked it. It was soothing, and helped him to forget the pain of his injury, and the decisions of the past. Soon enough the sun was lowering in the sky, casting its orange glow upon the pine trees and the snowy buildings. Kokani led the way in the direction of the Sanctum, a large domed structure at the end of the square, and Takua remembered that the day was not yet over: Turaga Nuju was waiting for them. Council was still to be had, and he looked down at the Atouri, his nerves suddenly getting the best of him. The rest of his party had started to walk up the Sanctum's wide, stone steps, but he hesitated. He stared at the black stone, brushing his fingers against it, his mind wondering what he was about to get himself into. He wasn't ready. Not yet. "Kokani?" he called out. A question burned in the back of his mind. The Ko-Matoran gave him an inquisitive look. Takua stood at the base of the steps, fidgeting ever so slightly, and after a moment Kokani responded by turning around and walking over to him. He looked down at Takua, just out of earshot from the others, his eyes asking what it was the Le-Matoran needed. Takua looked at the ground and hesitated, suddenly struggling to form his words. With a sigh, he forced himself to continue. "Remember back in Le-Koro, when people found the storyteller who was trying to warn me?” Kokani nodded. "He’s not really dead, is he?" "No, Takua." Takua almost didn’t ask it, because he was afraid of what the answer might be. But he had to know. "Can you ever heal someone who's like that?" “No.” Takua paused. Somehow he’d expected Kokani's answer, but he couldn’t shake Saku’s words. He had more reason to trust Kokani than the Toa of Shadow...but now that the idea was in his head, he couldn't just give up on her. “I don’t know if you know this, but the Rahi Nui and I weren't alone in that crevice. Saku was there.” To the untrained eye, Kokani would have shown no emotion, but Takua knew better. His mask seemed to tighten up, and the Ko-Matoran clenched his jaw. His thoughts seemed to churn for a second before he responded. “He offered to trade the stone for Talim, didn’t he?” A bit surprised, Takua nodded. Kokani put his hands on Takua’s shoulders. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but there is no way to heal someone in that state. She'll sleep, forever. Until her body rejoins the earth.” He paused, looking into Takua’s eyes. His voice was stern. “Talim isn't coming back, Takua.” They stared at each other for a moment more, then Kokani let go of him, following the others toward the Sanctum. “I told him I wouldn't!” Takua blurted out, feeling as though he had to explain himself. Kokani stopped walking. He turned around to look at the young Le-Matoran. “Come on,” he said, beckoning, and Takua quickly caught up to him. “You did the right thing, Takua.” He patted him on the shoulder, and let out a half-smile to show his approval. “You did the right thing.”

I realize that Bionicle has many stories within it with many different main characters, but if you had to pick one from 2001 to 2010, who would it be?Personally, I'd go with Takua/Takanuva.

This just in: my girlfriend is making me cookie dough & reece's filled brownies. YEAH BE JEALOUS

Kid Cudi's Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. YUP

GMG = grinds my gears

I'll have you know I'm a Navy Seal who's been on numerous raids to Al-Qaeda and have over 300 confirmed kills.I fought off a tiger using nothing but dental floss to protect myself. nbd.

My advice is to wait until the next generation consoles come out. Then buy a PS3 and all three games for really cheap.While 2 is definitely my favorite, I think they all have their strengths. When I finished 3 I was at first a little bummed, but looking back it was a great plot twist that separated it from the other two

haha very true. We laugh about it now, but it was awkward when he had to explain it to his parents

So yeah this is the place to talk about the Uncharted video game series.If you don't know, Uncharted is for PS3 only and is often considered a spiritual successor to Indiana Jones. I suggest going out right now and buying all three of them, because they're AWESOME.

I'm wondering the exact same thing

Ignorant people who throw bottles at you because you kicked them out of your party. My roommate has a scar on the back of his head.Makes for a good story though....

I'm really good at shuffling, I once ran a 16:01 5k, I have a gorgeous girlfriend who doesn't judge me when I play with bionicles, I made it into pharmacy school, the dalai lama once gave me a string of prayer flags, and I have a box of Klondike bars in my freezer.

Worst: Mata Nui ignoring his insidesBest: has everyone forgot about Takua summoning the Toa? That's number one in my mind

Chapter 8 - Duty Talim wasn't gone after all. She was waiting for him, somewhere, and this was his chance to save her. Clutching the Atouri with white knuckles he took a deep breath and raised his hand. He wanted to see her so bad. Conflicting emotions ran through him, but he had already made his decision. He knew what he had to do. I’m sorry Talim. Takua plunged the Atouri into the Rahi Nui’s claw. The pointed end of the stone cut through the beast’s flesh like a dagger, and it let out a roar as it dropped him instinctively. Takua pulled the stone out as he fell to the ground, and drops of the Rahi’s blood splattered his mask. He landed on his back with a thud, and sprinted for the forest as Saku yelled after him. “Takua don’t be a fool!” The giant claws crashed into the ground in front of him, blocking his escape. He whipped around to see Saku approaching, holding his bladed staff. The giant head of the Rahi Nui bared its teeth behind him, growling. Without thinking, he ran at the Rahi Nui's claws and jumped, a desperate attempt to hurdle them, but they moved upward and he was swatted to the ground like a fly. He found Saku's blade at his throat, but quickly he slammed it away with his dagger and sprang to his feet, ready to fight. “I tried to reason with you, know that,” Saku glared. He lunged with his staff, giving Takua barely enough time to step aside and parry the attack. Adrenaline pumped through the Matoran’s body as he ran to get in range with his dagger. He swiped at the Toa his blade whistling through the air as Saku sidestepped and elbowed him in the side of the mask. Takua stumbled back, took a kick to the stomach, and fell back down to the ground. Saku’s blade once again froze above his throat. "I’ll give you one more chance," the Toa said. “Drop your weapon.” Takua's dagger clattered to the ground. "Give me the Atouri." Takua stared up, unyielding. “No.” Saku leaned in close and fire erupted in his eyes. His calm, deep voice was gone now, replaced by one that spoke quick with anger. "Or how about I crush your little friend's spirit so she can never come back? How about I kill your friends and give their mutilated worthless bodies to the Kryll?" he threatened. "That's all they are: worthless. All of your kind are worthless.” He kicked Takua in the side, opening up the wounds he had received from the Muaka. The Matoran cried out in pain. “A pathetic race of cowards and hypocrites who run to Toa every time something goes wrong. You don't deserve the right to live—" There was a sudden whish as something flew through the air, and Saku's weapon was jerked away from Takua’s throat as the Toa stumbled back. The Matoran looked up to see an arrow sticking out of Saku’s shoulder, and a small amount of blood oozing from underneath his armor. Many footsteps thudded as a group of about three dozen Matoran ran out of the forest behind them, firing their bows at Saku and the Rahi Nui. The beast roared and lashed out at the soldiers, flicking the bodies it hit across the ground as if they were toothpicks. One Matoran offered her hand to Takua. "Are you all right?" Takua took the hand, noticing it belonged to a Ga-Matoran, the only one in the group. The claw marks on his side were bleeding now, and he winced at the sight of it. "For now. Who are you?" "Friends," the female Matoran ran off to aid in the battle. Bolts of shadow whipped through the air as Saku retaliated, and the massive beast behind him pounded the ground at the tiny Matoran. Arrows whizzed past Takua, who stood in the middle of it all, wondering what had just happened. Snapping out of his stupor, he grabbed his dagger off the ground, and took cover behind a large boulder. It was only then that he could reflect on the decision he had made. Talim was alive, somehow, and he had chosen not to save her. But he had a duty: Matau had entrusted him to keep the stone safe. The Turaga had died protecting him, and as much as he wanted to see Talim, he knew deep down that she wouldn’t have had it any other way. He clutched the stone to his chest. I’ll find another way Talim, I promise. "Retreat!" One of the Matoran called. "Fall back!" Almost instantly the Matoran stopped firing their arrows and ran for the forest. Takua followed their lead. Clutching his side as it split with pain, he stumbled through the foliage as other Matoran flew past him. He could hear the great beast roaring behind him as the ground shook with its footsteps, and he knew that Saku wasn’t going to give up easily. He winced as a pine branch smacked into his wound, and he paused for a moment to catch his breath. He could hear trees crashing to the ground as the beast chased after him and the other Matoran, and the sounds were only getting closer. He willed himself to go faster, but his side split with every step, and it was the best he could do to travel at a slow limp. “Le-Matoran, what are you doing!? We have to get out of here, fast!” a figure said behind him as it burst through a bramble patch. Takua turned around to see the Ga-Matoran who had helped him up. "Where are we going!?" He asked as he pushed a branch out of face. "Mata Nui, you’re not looking so good!" she said as she put her arm around Takua’s waist, helping him to stand up straight. “Come, this way! Hurry!” The beast roared behind them, and although it wasn’t visible through the thick branches, it was obvious it was close. Takua welcomed the help from the Ga-Matoran, and together they ran through the forest. As they climbed over a large boulder he made the mistake of looking at his wound: blood oozed down his side, covering his hand and the Ga-Matoran’s arm in a red hue. It was worse than he thought. Soon the forest was squeezed into a small passage through the canyon, and the trees gave way to a clearing of snow. A pile of round shields lay there, and the Matoran accompanying them each grabbed one and jumped onto it, making their getaway as they sledded down the steep decline of the passage.The Ga-Matoran grabbed one and hopped onto it. “Get on!” A tree crashed down behind them, and they could hear the roar of the Rahi Nui, even closer now. Takua limped over to the shield, clutching his side. The world seemed to spin around him as he stumbled, and he knew he was losing too much blood. Thump! Thump! The great beast’s footsteps sounded as a Ko-Matoran burst into the clearing. Seeing Takua stumbling, the Matoran picked him up and placed him on the shield behind the Ga-Matoran. He heard him say something about how everyone else had already escaped, but for some reason he couldn’t quite make sense of it. His head was growing foggy. “Hey!” Takua felt a gentle smack his cheeks. “Stay with us, Le-Matoran! You’re going to be alright!” Another tree fell behind them, followed by a great roar. “Go! Go! Go!” someone said as Takua felt the shield start to move. A sudden rush of dizziness hit him and his head slumped against the Ga-Matoran’s shoulder. His vision grew foggy. They moved down the slope and the icy wind picked up. It blew against Takua’s face, and he tried his best to stay awake. He clutched the warm blood on his side as the rest of his body froze. He noticed the Ko-Matoran fly past them on his own shield, and the Ga-Matoran grabbed his arms and swung them around her waist. “Stay with me, Le-Matoran!” There was a crash of falling trees followed by a huge roar. Their shield wobbled and spun around, and the last thing Takua saw before his eyes closed was the Rahi Nui towering over them, roaring into the night sky.

I'm gonna have to go with the third one in the top row. It's clearly both symbols, but they're both intertwined and its looks pretty freakin sweet.Just my opinion though...

Chapter 7 - Hope From Shadow Takua awoke in the middle of the night. It was cold, dark, and the air felt strange, as though something wasn't quite right. He looked around and almost jumped, startled by what he saw. A pair of orange eyes stared at him through the trees. Takua tensed himself, ready to fend off an attack from some sort of beast. He waited on high alert, the seconds ticking by, but nothing came. He studied the eyes closer, and as he looked through the darkness, he thought he saw the outline of a Matoran. "Hello?" he called out, unsure if he should welcome the figure or not. He gripped his dagger, just in case. The Matoran motioned for him to follow. "Come." "Who are you?" The glowing orange eyes squinted, as if the Matoran was annoyed with him, and the figure turned around and to walk away through the forest. Its voice echoed for only a second before it disappeared between the black branches. "Are you going to come or not?" Thinking quickly, Takua weighed his choices. Either he stayed here and risked nothing, or he followed the Matoran into the unknown. The Matoran could beat and rob him, but he had nothing of value anyway. Perhaps, just maybe, he could find out how to get to Ko-Koro! "Wait! Come back!" Takua ran in the direction the Matoran had went. He pushed past sticks and pine needles, scratching himself as he did. He ran as fast as he could, but somehow the dark figure was already very far ahead of him. He ran and he ran, weaving around massive pines and brambles, hurdling over boulders and crashing through brush, but still he could not catch the Matoran. In fact, it seemed as though he was losing ground. Takua burst into a small clearing and squinted. The figure was nowhere to be found. "Come. This way!" The Matoran popped up from the brush in front of him. Again Takua gave chase. Through the woods he ran, and yet still he could not keep up with the dark figure. Panting, his legs burning, he finally pushed his way out of the forest. The great wall of the chasm opened up before him, granting passageway into a smaller crevice. Looking into it, he saw a lightstone sitting atop a rather large boulder. The Matoran stood with his back to Takua, facing the lightstone. "I found this," the figure's voice echoed among the rocks. “Come, take it.” Takua looked around him. The plant life of the forest stopped the moment it entered the crevice, leaving it cold and barren. It was eerie, and the Matoran was strange, but he could use the lightstone to signal for his friends. Cautiously, he walked into the jumble of rocks. The sky was pitch black above him, and the farther he moved into the crevice the more he couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong. It seemed as though the world had forgotten this place, as if something was off-balance. The black rocks that loomed above were menacing, and as he approached the lightstone he grew nervous. Darkness ruled this place; life did not exist here. Takua stepped into the light. The boulder the lightstone sat on was almost as tall as him, and he could barely see the Matoran on the other side of it. But still, the figure beckoned him froward. "Go ahead. Take it.” He hesitated, then slowly placed his hand on the lightstone. Its yellow glow was split by his fingers, casting long shadows on the rocks. Gripping it tight, he raised it high above his head, trying to illuminate the darkness, but the shadows refused to reveal their secrets. He couldn't get over how the crevice felt. "Why did you take me here?" The figure chuckled, a deep menacing sound that Takua had heard before. "I only wanted..." it trailed off as it stepped into the light, its figure suddenly twisting and reforming. There was a whirl of shadow, and in a second Saku stood before Takua, smiling as his orange eyes glowed in the night. “…to talk.” And a huge bellow enveloped the crevice. Takua stumbled backward as the roar pounded his ears, and a gigantic, foul Rahi appeared out of the shadows. It rose up behind Saku, towering above him as it slammed its claw into the ground behind Takua, blocking off his escape. The sheer force of the blow knocked him to the ground. Flipping over and staring upward in shock, Takua was amazed that such a beast could remain hiding anywhere. It was a foul creature, larger than anything he had ever seen. Like a dragon, but warped and twisted, with the head of a Kane-Ra bull. Its body seemed to be that of a Muaka, its arms cut from a Tarakava. Giant wings of the Nui-Rama fluttered at its back, and the stinger of a Nui-Jaga tipped its powerful tail. It was, in all essence of the word, a monster. And Takua recognized it A beast only whispered of in the tales of old, the tales that used to keep him up at night, shivering with fear. The Rahi Nui. Desperately, Takua scrambled to his feet and tried to run, only to be knocked down by another tremendous blow. The Rahi Nui's claws closed around his body. He squirmed and clawed at the ground, motivated by instinct and fear to get away, but it was no use. The Rahi lifted him up until he once again faced Saku, now standing atop the beasts' head. He wriggled as he tried to get to his dagger, but the Rahi’s claws clutched him tighter and he couldn’t move. The beast had him. "You are in my realm now, Takua." Takua had nothing to say as he stared into the face of Talim’s killer. He hated the Toa, but he was also so afraid. The beast’s claws tightened around him as he clutched the Atouri around his neck. Wincing, he only managed a few words. “You’re not getting the stone…” But Saku smiled. "Come now, Takua. I'm asking you politely," he said, his deep voice reverberating in the Matoran’s ears. "I'm not like the Makuta. I can be reasonable, I can be civilized. We can talk this out." Takua held his ground, repeating himself "You're not getting the stone." Saku sighed, trying his best to be patient with Takua. He cocked his head. “What is it that you want?” Takua stared at the Toa, unsure of what to say. "I can make you rich. I can make you famous. Anything you want, Takua, and I can make it happen. Just give me the stone, say the word, and it’s yours," Saku tempted. Takua looked at him, his eyes narrowing. The Toa was actually offering to make a deal with him. At first he was simply confused, but the more he thought about it he was insulted. After everything Saku had done to him? Anger flared up in Takua’s eyes, and he clenched his jaw. “You have nothing I could ever want.” “Are you still sour about everything that happened in Le-Koro?” Saku asked. “I am terribly sorry about all of that by the way, but...” he trailed off, stopping to inspect his blade for a moment. “Business is business, you know.” Takua couldn’t take the Toa’s taunts. “You killed her!” he spat out, his rage getting the best of him. “She did nothing to you, and you killed her in cold blood!” And Saku’s eyes twinkled behind the Kraahkan. “So that’s what you want, is it?” The Toa’s response caught him off guard. “...what?” Saku leaned in closer as the great beast breathed beneath him. “Talim, wasn’t it? What if I told you that I could bring her back?” Stunned, Takua didn’t know what to say. He clutched the Atouri against his chest and stared at the Mask of Shadows. Was Saku telling the truth? A rush of hope and excitement flickered through his brain before he forced himself back to reality. He had to be lying. “Talim’s dead. No one can bring her back.” The Toa laughed. "Dead? No, she's not dead. Makuta thrives on destruction. It is his essence; it is his being. He is the Void, and anything that enters it becomes a part of him.” Takua stared at him, not entirely sure he understood. “…what do you mean?” “It is easy to kill someone, but that doesn’t destroy their spirit. The hearts and minds of the beings in this world give him much greater strength. As an agent of Makuta, I didn’t kill your friend, Takua. I simply…” he paused, thinking of the right word. “…took her from you. Her body sleeps, lost without its spirit, but I assure you she is very much alive” Takua’s heart pounded in his chest. He didn’t know what to think. He was astounded, amazed even, but the thought scared him all the same. “Where is she?” he demanded. “Not in a place either of us can go.” Takua looked down at the Atouri, flitting his gaze between it and the Toa of Shadow. “You could bring her back?” Saku smirked. “Just give me the stone and say the word.” He could barely wrap his mind around the fact. If his time in the mountains had done anything, it had helped him come to terms with everything that had happened. Talim and Matau were gone, never to come back. He’d been forced to accept that, but now Saku had shattered everything. He could see her face now, lighting up just as it did when they were standing in the tall grass, watching the fireworks on the Spring Solstice. Everything he had felt then, all his emotions, it all came rushing back to him, even though he'd thought it had been buried with the snows of Ko-Wahi. The heat of the jungle was melting through the cold he'd grown accustomed to. He felt the Atouri beating against his chest. Thump-thp. “You could really bring her back?” he said, still stunned. Saku smiled. "Only if that's what you want." Takua was silent for a moment, lost in his own thoughts and memories. “How do I know you’re not lying?” “You’ll just have to trust me,” Saku said calmly, his voice smooth, like silk. “You won’t have another chance quite like this, that I can guarantee.” He held out his hand, palm up, offering it to the Le-Matoran. “What do you say, Takua?” Takua thought for a moment, and then slowly unhooked the Atouri from his neck. He had no reason to trust Saku, but somehow he knew the Toa was telling the truth. He held the stone in his palm, looked Saku in the eye, and smiled. He knew what he had to do.

Haha its team fortress 2, I like it. I guess the cake really isn't a lie...

Chapter 6 - Lost The temperature shock alone almost killed Takua. His limbs froze up and he was barely able to move, let alone swim. He cried out, releasing a stream of bubbles that floated upward in the dark blue-green water. Using all his strength he swam towards hole he had made in the ice. His body screamed at him, but he was almost there. He would make it. Then, just feet from the surface, he was yanked back down. A muffled bellow sounded through the murky depths as he was pulled, dragged away from the light that streamed through the ice above. The blackness below was disorienting, and he could barely make out the drowning Muaka that thrashed beneath him. It pulled on his pack, and Takua tried to hold air in his lungs as he wriggled one arm free of his pack's straps. He let out another burst of bubbles as he was pulled to the side by the sinking beast. His pack suddenly tightened, and he couldn’t move his other arm. He was caught! Panic set in as he sank lower and lower. His hole in the ice looked like a small moon in the sky above him, dwarfed in size by a much larger one created by the Rahi. He could feel his strength slipping away, stolen by the freezing water. He pulled out his dagger. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as his shivering hands tried to cut the strap. He fumbled with the fabric, wishing that he could do it faster, but his fingers were numb and clumsy; he could hardly control them. Eventually, he forced the strap and dagger together, and with a surge of energy, cut himself free. Takua’s mind was slowing. His lungs burned, the air inside them running out, and the surface was so far away. He couldn’t feel his limbs anymore. He pushed himself toward the light, but the closer he got, the slower his body moved. Spots flew in front of his eyes, and he grew dizzy. The urge to sleep crept up upon him, but he couldn’t give up. It couldn’t end like this… His lungs screamed at him to breathe, but he couldn’t. He swam harder and harder, but his arms had no strength left. The water surrounded him and forced his mouth open. It poured into his lungs and he knew he was drowning, but he couldn’t fight it. He closed his eyes, and the Atouri thudded against his chest. Thump-thp. And suddenly he was strong. Energy poured into him as he opened his eyes and rushed for the surface. He was closer now. He was so close… Takua gasped as he pulled himself out of the water. There he collapsed, coughing up water as the frigid air returned to him. Shivering and panting on the ice, he caught one last glimpse of the Muaka, slowly sinking into the water below, motionless. He lay there for the better part of ten minutes, utterly exhausted, until reality yet again set in. He wasn’t out of this yet. He had to get warm, or the winds of Ko-Wahi would claim him soon enough. Slowly, he willed himself to get up and made for the shore of the frozen lake. He clutched his dagger as the Atouri hung around his neck. They were the only items he had left. Everything in his pack was gone. Insulate. He told himself, remembering the survival tip Kokani had randomly mentioned a few days ago. He stumbled around the shore of the frozen lake, gathering up pine needles and moss and whatever else he could find. Once he was satisfied with his haul, he made his way to a large pine just beyond the edge of the lake, and set about digging himself a small burrow at its base. The tree's low-hanging branches offered shelter from the wind, and soon enough Takua had curled up inside it, covering himself in a blanket of needles and moss. It wasn't comfortable, but it should work. He could already feel the warmth returning to his fingers. The silent forest enveloped him, and now that his first priority was covered, he had time to think. Where are the others? He had seen everyone falling when the ground gave way, but now he was alone. That meant they had all managed to cling onto the side of the cliff, except for him. Looking around, all he saw was the frozen lake, the lush pines surrounding it, and a tiny waterfall flowing out of the cliff side. He was alone. He had lost his pack. He had no food, no coat, and no way to make it to Ko-Koro. He hugged himself, rubbing his fingers against his upper arms as he tried to stay warm. He sighed, and looked up at the sky. It was shrouded in mist. Ko-Wahi sucks. ~~~ Jaka and Kokani pulled on the rope one last time, and Raipu's face appeared above the lip of the rock ledge. They helped the Po-Matoran up, who promptly collapsed. "I want to go home," he gasped. "That was horrible." "Sorry about your luck," Jaka said as he grabbed the terrified Matoran's hand and pulled him to his feet. "But you're stuck with us." The three continued down the narrow path etched into the cliff side, slowly making their way down in hopes of catching a sign of Takua. It was narrow, windy, and one false step could send them falling into the chasm, but at least there was a path. Otherwise, they could have spent days trying to find a way down into the canyon. Jaka kicked a pebble into the mist. He had been lucky. After the ground had given way, he found himself panicking until he landed with a painful thud on an outcropping. Kokani had been hanging from his ice pick just above him, so the two reconnected and searched for the other members of their party. It took them almost an hour to reach Raipu, who had also succeeded in the ice pick maneuver. Of Takua, however, there was still no sign. Mata Nui, please be alright… The path switched back and forth at random intervals. Sometimes they only walked a couple of feet before turning around again, and yet other times it seemed as though they had walked for a mile and stayed at the same elevation. The scenery was bleak. The blue-grey walls of the cliffs surrounded them, only stopping where they faded into the swirling mist. Nothing else was visible. The whirling blizzard of the morning had dissipated, replaced by a light, gentle snowfall. "Takua!" Jaka called out, desperate for a reply, but only his echo answered him. Their long, quiet walk continued well throughout the day, without any sign of their friend. By the time dusk was upon them, they were close to the bottom of the chasm. The tops of pine trees poked through the mist like fish poking their heads out of water. As there was no ground large enough for a camp, they continued walking into the night until they set foot in the snow covered forest. Kokani held up a lightstone to illuminate the small clearing they found themselves in. "We should make camp here. We won't be able to find anything during the night," he said. Raipu dropped his pack on the ground and sat on it. "How are we going to find anything at all? If Takua's even alive, he could be miles away." "I'm hoping he's smart enough not to move around. And it shouldn't be too hard to locate two Muaka carcasses. They tend to smell," Kokani replied, rolling out his bedding at the foot of a tree. Jaka and Raipu did the same. A thought popped into Jaka's head. It was a little optimistic, but it certainly couldn't hurt. "Maybe if we make a fire and set up our lightstones, he'll see the light and come find us." "Assuming he's alive," Raipu grumbled to himself. But Jaka heard the Po-Matoran, and shot him a cold glare. "He's alive." Kokani agreed to the idea, and they all got up to gather wood. Soon, a small fire was blazing and their lightstones were propped up on sticks, an obvious beacon if anyone was nearby to see it. And so they waited without a word. The minutes ticked by, slowly, steadily, as the night crept on. A few moths came up and fluttered around the lights, before again disappearing into the dark sky. The moon rose through the mist above them, and the minutes turned to hours. Eventually, Raipu gave in to sleep, as did Kokani, and Jaka was left alone to wait for Takua's return. He waited in the darkness, turning at every sound the forest made, hoping it would reveal the figure of Takua making his way through the branches. But it never happened. Eventually, his eyes began to close as well, and he took down the lightstones and kicked snow over the fire. Please, Mata Nui, I don't want to lose any more. He closed his eyes and lay down on his sleeping mat, allowing the mist to lull him to sleep. He was just about to enter a dream when he opened his eyes wide with fear and shock. The cold steel of a sharpened blade was pressed against his throat. "Don't move," someone said behind him.

What can I say, I colored it yellow for a reason

A simple sketch of Lewa I did a while ago, slightly more sophisticated than MS paint. Let me know what you think!http://i660.photobuc.../lewasketch.png