Here's my Bionicle fanfiction story, posted in honor of Bionicle Day (8/10)! Disclaimer: I do not own the Bionicle intellectual property, nor am I in any way officially affiliated with the Lego Group.
Photo Credit: Isaiah Burt
Snow and ice swirled in a flurry around Kopaka, and the wind gave a keening howl mightier than any the Toa had heard during his short time on Mata-Nui. Ordinarily, he would have simply dismissed it with a wave of his sword.
That had not worked. Worse still, the storm had only grown stronger since.
The Toa of Ice threw a glance over his shoulder and saw that Nuju. the Turaga of Ko-Koro, and Matoro, Nuju’s Ko-Matoran translator, were still following behind. While the Toa of Ice felt a measure of relief, that did not change the fact that he had tried to convince them not to come in the first place. Turaga Nuju, which his flapping arms and shrill chirps, had proven to be quite obstinate, with Matoro hesitantly translating every word.
The Ko-Matoran had also been speaking of his latest expedition into the mountains. He had journeyed far to the south, nearly reaching the frozen coast of Ko-Wahi, and he had spotted a Kanohi mask in one of the icebergs. Yet, he had been attacked by a ghastly, wolf-like Rahi shortly after; the Matoran had barely returned to Ko-Koro with his life. That, in turn, had gotten Nuju speaking of a prophecy concerning such a Rahi, and so the Turaga wished to see the beast for himself. Matoro, therefore, served as a guide as well as a translator.
“We’re getting closer,” Matoro called, his voice barely heard above the storm.
Kopaka nodded as he called upon the power of the Kanohi Akaku. Though his vision was still blurred despite the power of the mask, he could make out an iceberg that seemed to be twice as tall as he was. Whether or not there was a Kanohi mask within it remained to be seen.
The next moments passed in silence as the Toa, Turaga, and Matoran continued on; all of them silently wondered how much longer they would last.
“Wait!” Matoro cried out, “Turaga Nuju is falling behind!”
Kopaka felt a measure of frustration but soon froze it as he stopped to wait for his companions to catch up; his gaze lingered on them until they had. Nuju gave an upbeat sounding chirp along with a click, and so Kopaka turned around and continued walking.
* * *
“I can feel it…” Matoro whispered, his words heard only by himself.
Suddenly, Nuju let out a loud chirp as he frantically gestured with his ice pick at a hulking shadow which had formed in the storm and was slowly advancing toward him, Matoro, and Kopaka. Yet, the Toa of Ice had already stepped forward and assumed a defensive stance. As he called upon the power of his Kanohi Akaku, however, the shadow disappeared.
“It was just a hallucination,” he said.
Nuju replied with a chirp.
“Makuta,” Matoro translated.
The word sent a chill down Kopaka’s spine, prompting a grimace. Yet, he turned his gaze back toward the iceberg and saw that it seemed to have gotten closer.
At least we’re making progress. the Toa of Ice thought grimly as he continued walking.
It was not long until he and his companions found their path growing steeper as the storm howled louder. Their vision had become a field of almost pure white; they could see only the outlines of one another. As a result, the role of navigator had tacitly fallen upon Kopaka, whose Akaku-aided vision was ever-focused on the iceberg ahead, even as he saw another shadow flash across his field of vision. He ignored it and continued walking.
Kopaka…
The Toa of Ice found himself grinding to a halt as he heard his name half-whispered by a too-smooth voice that was not his own.
Nuju and Matoro thudded into Kopaka, barely able to see the unmoving Toa amid the storm.
“Is something wrong, Toa Kopaka?” Matoro asked.
The Toa of Ice shook his head. “No.” Yet, before he could take his next step, a roar pierced the storm, and he soon saw a bestial form running straight toward him.
“Ahead!” he called as he assumed a fighting stance and brandished his weapons. He then changed his mask to the Kanohi Hau, briefly remembering how he had found it at the Place of Far-Seeing.
With a thought, Kopaka activated the Kanohi, causing a shimmering dome of force to materialize around him. He could not say that he felt any safer, however.
Another roar saw a wolf-Rahi emerging from the storm, and it was as Matoro had described: a ghost of purest white with red eyes which glowed with primal hatred. Upon the creature’s snout sat a Kanohi Ruru that had been blackened, pitted, and tarnished from infection.
Kopaka…
Again, the Toa of Ice heard his name spoken by the voice that was not his own; he grimaced as he tightened his grip on his weapons. The wolf-Rahi closed the distance to Kopaka quickly, soon slamming into his shielding and sending the Toa of Ice to staggering back. Yet, he quickly recovered his footing and swung his sword at the white wolf, aiming for its infected mask. The Rahi leaped out of the way as it swiped at Kopaka with one of its forepaws. Kopaka blocked with his shield as he changed his mask to the Kanohi Pakari.
As he called upon the power of the mask, new vigor crashed through him like one of the lava tides of Ta-Wahi, and an ember of rage smoldered within him as he drove his sword straight toward the wolf-Rahi. Yet, the beast rolled with the blow, causing Kopaka’s sword to glance off its side. The ember within the Toa of Ice grew into a flame, and so he slammed his shield into the Rahi’s face, sending it staggering back as it snarled in pain.
That’s more like it. Kopaka thought, grinning as he lunged forward to strike at his foe once more.
The wolf-Rahi roared as it hurled the whole of its bulk at Kopaka, throwing him to the ground. As he shook the snow off his mask, he saw that the wolf-Rahi was already upon him.
Not today. Kopaka rolled to the side as he called upon the power of his Kanohi Huna to render himself invisible; the wolf-Rahi growled in frustration as it struck only air and snow.
Seizing on the opportunity, Matoro pulled his disc from his back and threw it at the wolf-Rahi’s snout, and Nuju used his Kanohi Matatu to hurl a chunk of ice at it. Yet, neither attack dislodged the infected Kanohi Ruru, seen plainly as the wolf-Rahi’s savage gaze fell fully upon the Matoran and the Turaga.
A roar burst forth from the wolf-Rahi’s mouth as it charged. Matoro frantically began to shape a snowball as Nuju used the power of his Kanohi to throw another chunk of ice that bounced off the wolf-Rahi’s infected mask. Yet, the beast’s stride slowed enough that Matoro was able to throw a snowball, striking one of the Rahi’s eyes; it snarled as it grinded to a halt.
Having risen to his feet once more, Kopaka struck the wolf-Rahi with his sword. The sound of metal crashing against metal reverberated through the air, and the cracking of the Rahi’s armor followed. Kopaka wasted no time in following up with a shield bash to the wolf-Rahi’s neck, sending it stumbling back as it let out a howl of pain.
In an instant, a chorus of other howls tore through the storm, matching the wind and almost rising above it.
“We need to retreat,” Matoro said.
Kopaka nodded as he turned around and began running away as quickly as the encumbrance of the storm would allow. Nuju and Matoro were not far behind. As they ran, Kopaka searched the area ahead with his Kanohi Akaku.
The wolf-Rahi did not give chase, allowing Kopaka, Nuju, and Matoro to retreat; their foe was soon out of sight.
Nuju let out a trio of chirps.
“Turaga Nuju says that he needs to rest,” Matoro translated, “Using the power of his mask was quite draining.”
“I’m looking,” Kopaka replied tersely.
One moment dragged on into the next as the Toa, Turaga, and Matoran continued lumbering through the storm, each one wondering how many of the wolf-Rahi were silently stalking them. Yet, Kopaka’s words mercifully broke the silence:
“Over there.”
“What did you find?” Matoro asked.
“A cave.”
* * *
Much of the ceiling was caked with icicles, and much of the floor was too slick for anyone but Kopaka. Yet, the cave provided respite from the storm’s brutal winds. Kopaka sat close to the entrance while Matoro had led Nuju into the back of the cave. Now sitting, the Turaga tightly gripped a heatstone.
“What was the Rahi back there?”
Nuju chirped.
“One more moment, please,” Matoro said, “Turaga Nuju is not yet ready to talk.”
Kopaka waited as Nuju continued to clutch the heatstone. Eventually, the Turaga set it down as he stood up. He then let out a click.
“Turaga Nuju will speak now,” Matoro said, “if you are ready to hear his wisdom.”
“I am,” Kopaka replied.
Nuju then began to speak in the language of the bird-Rahi, which Matoro dutifully translated:
“Those were the Wuruhi-Ko, Rahi so fierce that they drive even the other kinds away. Many times have I carved the name upon the Wall of Prophecy after my meditations.” Matoro paused as Nuju let out another series of chirps that sounded almost like groans. “At first, it was said that they had slept for over a thousand years and that they were sleeping still… Later, there was a strange Ta-Matoran by the name of Kapura who had come meditate with Turaga Nuju. After they had finished, Kapura turned to Turaga Nuju and said that they have awakened.”
Kopaka nodded as he remembered the prophecy which the Turaga had spoken of back in Ko-Koro:
The shadowed rise with the Wuruhi-Ko’s stride.
“Do we know how many there are?” the Toa of Ice asked.
Nuju shook his head.
“What are we going to do?” Matoro asked.
“Wait out the storm,” Kopaka replied, “and rest.”
Nuju gave a chirp of agreement as he sat down and picked up his heatstone once more, and Matoro sat next to the Turaga. Kopaka, however, remained close to the entrance of the cave; his sword and shield were leaning up against the wall in close each. Even though the Toa of Ice could not control the storm, he had not need of a heatstone either, and he was glad to have some space to himself; he just hoped that the Wuruhi-Ko didn’t come looking for him and the others.
* * *
Hours passed in relative silence as Kopaka, Nuju, and Matoro waited out the storm, kept company by the howling winds and falling snow. Kopaka found himself slumping as his vision began to fade in and out of focus.
Kopaka…
Get out of my head. Kopaka replied austerely; his words were as cold as the power he wielded.
Kopaka…
Now.
The Toa of Ice mustered his willpower to erect a mental wall that drove out the shadowy voice.
“Is everything alright, Toa Kopaka?” Matoro asked.
Kopaka shook his head. “Something isn’t right about this place.”
“Turaga Nuju agrees. He says that the presence of the Makuta is near.”
“Very near. I’ve heard his whispers.”
Matoro nodded. “So have I.”
Nuju raised his ice pick as he gave a series of alternating chirps and clicks. Matoro translated:
“Those who Makuta wishes most dearly to possess have the greatest roles to play in his downfall. Be vigilant!”
Kopaka nodded before looking out upon the storm once more, using his Kanohi Akaku to pierce beyond the snow and ice. The iceberg which he had been seeking stood at the center of it all, and he found himself being beckoned toward it.
Nuju and Matoro are safe here… the Toa of Ice thought, and I already possess the Kanohi Kakama… He paused. What if the Rahi find them? Kopaka looked back at his companions, who were still huddled around the heatstone. No. I will not abandon them.
* * *
Eventually, the snow and ice had started to thin, and the wind began to calm along with it. It was a slow, arduous process. Yet, the storm eventually subsided, allowing Kopaka, Nuju, and Matoro to emerge from the cave. They looked up at a cloudless blue sky crowned by a bleak white sun. The vast tundra of Ko-Wahi stretched out before them, beckoning them toward the largest of the icebergs.
Nuju gave a loud chirp as he stopped in front of the smaller icebergs.
“What do you mean ‘Matoran?’” Matoro asked.
Nuju gave another chirp as he gestured toward the iceberg.
Kopaka and Matoro approached the iceberg cautiously. Yet, both could soon see the Ko-Matoran frozen within.
Matoro pulled out his heatstone and began to thaw the ice. Kopaka and Nuju waited in silence.
Though the process went slowly, the Ko-Matoran was eventually free; he looked much like Matoro save for the fact that he wore a Kanohi Hau rather than an Akaku.
His gaze flitted between the three who had saved him. “Toa Kopaka… Turaga Nuju… Matoro… What are you all doing here?”
“We could ask the same of you, Hemonga,” Kopaka replied.
“I was looking for a tunnel related to a passage I had read on the Wall of Prophecy that had been carved by you, Turaga Nuju.”
Nuju gave a click and a chirp. “Turaga Nuju wishes to know the prophecy of which you speak.”
“Seek the wisdom hidden in the ice.”
Nuju replied with three chirps in rapid succession. “Turaga Nuju wonders what hidden wisdom there is to be found in this desolate place.”
“How to harness the power of a Kanohi mask.”
Nuju chirped and clicked. “Turaga Nuju says that he already has this knowledge.”
“My apologies for not being clearer, Turaga. The hidden wisdom of which I speak tells of how a Matoran can harness such power.”
Nuju chirped twice. “Turaga Nuju… expresses disbelief.” Matoro fidgeted as he gave the translation.
“Then perhaps the Turaga, and the Toa as well, would like to come with me?”
Nuju gave two clicks and two chirps. “Turaga Nuju says that it has always been impossible for Matoran to use the powers of Kanohi masks and that it will always be that way.”
“Why?” Hemonga replied.
Nuju chirped and gestured with his ice pick. “Turaga Nuju wishes for you to clarify your question.” Matoro’s words echoed the Turaga’s uncertainty.
“Why must it always be that Matoran can never use Kanohi masks?”
“It was declared by Mata Nui in the time before time…” Matoro’s voice trailed off into silence as he explained that which was known by every Matoran, and Nuju gave a chirp of agreement.
“I believe that the tunnel I seek was constructed by Mata Nui. I read that there are many ancient texts within the tunnel, and they seem to be instructions from him.”
Nuju gave a chirp of confusion. “Instructions from the Great Spirit?”
Hemonga nodded. “Yes.”
“Wouldn’t the other Turaga have known about this already?” Kopaka asked.
“There is a first time for everything,” Hemonga replied.
“How do we know that you are not leading us into a trap?”
“What reason do I have to draw the ire of the mighty Toa Kopaka, the wise Turaga Nuju, and the faithful translator Matoro?”
Kopaka, Nuju, and Matoro gave no response.
“Besides,” Hemonga continued, “weren’t you already on a quest for a Kanohi mask?”
“How did you know that?” Kopaka replied.
“Why else would you be journeying here?”
“Fair point.” Kopaka glanced at Matoro and Nuju.
Nuju chirped and clicked.
“Both Turaga Nuju and I wish to see this tunnel,” Matoro said
Everyone felt the smile form underneath Hemonga’s mask. “Follow me.”
* * *
The more Kopaka thought about it, the stranger Hemonga seemed to him. He talked too much for a Ko-Matoran, and he seemed too eager to please, both qualities which Kopaka attributed to Tahu’s village of Ta-Koro. Still, the Toa of Ice found himself intrigued by the possibility of Matoran using Kanohi masks; it would allow Ko-Koro and the other villages to better defend themselves.
That would give Kopaka more time to be alone.
The weather remained surprisingly clear as the Toa of Ice continued his journey with Turaga Nuju and the two Matoran. Though Hemonga led the way, Kopaka did not waver in his vigilance.
Kopaka…
The Toa of Ice stopped as he heard the voice speak his name, and he found his gaze falling upon Hemonga.
“Is something wrong, Toa Kopaka?” Matoro asked, half-whispering the words.
Hemonga then stopped and turned around to meet Kopaka’s gaze. “Yes, Toa, is something wrong?”
“We need to turn back,” Kopaka said.
“Why?”
“Something doesn’t feel right about this place.”
Nuju chirped.
“The presence of the Makuta is strong here,” Matoro translated.
“We are not far from the tunnel,” Hemonga said, “Think of the benefit this wisdom will have for all of Mata Nui.”
“But we’re already here,” Hemonga said, stopping at what seemed to be a random patch of ice.
Kopaka focused upon it with his Kanohi Akaku and, surprisingly, saw an entrance to a tunnel beneath the ice.
“We will have to break the ice,” Kopaka said.
“If I may be so bold, Toa,” Hemonga said, “recent rumors hold that you have the Kanohi Pakari in your possession.”
Kopaka said nothing as he changed his mask to the wedge-shaped one worn most commonly by Toa Onua. The Toa of Ice then called upon the Pakari’s power as he struck the ice with his sword, leaving large, jagged crack upon it. Another blow saw the ice crack further; smaller chunks broke off.
Eventually, the entrance to the tunnel was revealed: a perfect stone circle with perfectly smooth stone walls.
“Is everyone ready?” Hemonga asked.
Nuju gestured toward the tunnel with his ice pick and chirped.
“As you wish, Turaga,” Hemonga replied before turning around and descending into the tunnel.
Kopaka, Nuju, and Matoro followed, and they could immediately see the writing on the walls. Yet, even though the letters were those of the Matoran language, they formed words which were utterly incomprehensible.
Turaga Nuju walked up to the wall and began to study it. After a few moments had passed, he turned toward Kopaka and chirped three times.
“Turaga Nuju asks if you have the Kanohi Rau in your possession,” Matoro translated.
Kopaka nodded as he handed the Kanohi to Turaga Nuju. The Turaga donned it, turned back around, and began to study the writing once more. Kopaka, Matoro, and Hemonga waited in silence until Nuju turned around once more and began to click and chirp. Matoro translated:
“For those who seek the hidden power, the way to it can be found within this tunnel. Travel far and deep, and the secrets of the makers shall be yours.”
“See?” Hemonga said, “We’re onto something!”
“What do you make of it, Turaga Nuju?” Matoro asked.
Nuju clicked.
“That’s not good.”
Kopaka cocked his head slightly. “What did he say?”
“Turaga Nuju believes that these are the words of the Makuta,” Matoro replied.
Kopaka… The voice slithered through the Toa’s mind; his gaze hardened for a split-second.
“Would it not behoove us to learn more about our foe so that we can better combat it?” the Toa of Ice asked.
Nuju chirped.
“Turaga Nuju asks you to lead the way, Toa Kopaka,” Matoro translated.
Kopaka nodded as he turned around and began walking deeper into the tunnel. Matoro, Nuju, and Hemonga followed.
It was not long until they could no longer see the entrance to the tunnel; Kopaka had changed his mask to the Kanohi Ruru while Matoro brought forth a lightstone. Kopaka paused as he saw a vague form fleet across his field of vision.
“Did you see something, Toa Kopaka?” Hemonga asked.
“Were you expected me to?” Kopaka replied.
Hemonga gave no reply. Kopaka continued to examine the area ahead and saw that, strangely, the walls appeared eroded, thus obscuring the writing upon them. Still, the Toa of Ice continued forward.
The tunnel eventually led into a large cavern. Its walls were covered with more writing, and a pool of stagnant silver liquid lay in the center.
“This is it,” Hemonga said, “The legends are true!”
“What legends?” Kopaka asked frigidly.
Nuju chirped and clicked.
“Turaga Nuju says that we must return to Ko-Koro immediately,” Matoro translated, “He must confer with the other Turaga.”
“Hemonga,” Kopaka said as he turned around to face the Matoran, who was already stranding at the edge of the pool.
“But this is it!” Hemonga cried, “This is said to be the blood of Mata Nui!”
The Ko-Matoran then leaped into the silver pool. Screams of pain immediately followed, yet they wee soon hushed only to be replaced by a roar. From the silver pool emerged a hulking Rahi that looked exactly like the Wuruhi-Ko except that it was as black as the most lightless night. It wore Hemonga’s mask upon its snout, now pitted and tarnished from infection.
The wolf-Rahi immediately leaped at Kopaka. Dropping into a defensive stance, the Toa of Ice blocked the Rahi’s claw with his shield before retaliating with a swing of his sword. Yet, as it was about to strike the Wuruhi-Ko’s shoulder, it was suddenly repelled by an invisible force.
It can use the power of its mask… Kopaka thought.
Suddenly, a dart of ice streaked toward the Wuruhi-Ko’s mask and glanced off it. As Kopaka glanced over his shoulder, he saw that Nuju had already formed another ice dart; the Turaga then hurled it with the power of his Kanohi Matatu. Though the second dart also glanced off the Wuruhi-Ko’s mask, Kopaka found himself wearing a slight grin.
He then changed his mask to the Kanohi Pakari as he drove his sword toward the Wuruhi-Ko’s mask. Yet the wolf-Rahi leaped out of the way as it lashed out at Kopaka with its claws. They slammed into the Toa of Ice, sending him staggering back toward the silver pool.
Kopaka… the voice whispered.
No. the Toa of Ice replied grimly as he regained his footing and assumed a defensive stance.
He then launched a blast of ice at the Wuruhi-Ko, though the Rahi called upon the power of its mask once more. Yet, as the shielding faded away, an ice dart struck the Wuruhi-Ko’s eye, causing it to rear up in pain. A disc whizzed close behind; it slammed into the Wuruhi-Ko’s mask and knocked it free, resulting in the Rahi roaring in agony.
Kopaka! the voice snarled. Why have you done this to me?
The Toa of Ice gave no response.
Though the Wuruhi-Ko’s stance had become one of ragged exhaustion, new hate glowed in its eyes. The Toa of Ice met his foe head on, slamming into the Rahi’s chest with his shield and sending it sliding back toward the silver pool.
The Wuruhi-Ko could not stop itself from falling in. Roars of pain intertwined with Hemonga’s screams followed, eventually fading away into funereal silence.
Turaga Nuju then retrieved what had once been Hemonga’s Kanohi mask, at which point he clicked and chirped.
“Turaga Nuju says that we must show this mask to the other Turaga,” Matoro translated.
“What of the Rahi itself?”
Nuju gave a series of chirps and clicks. “What belongs to Makuta must return to him. Now, let us return to Ko-Koro.”
Kopaka nodded, and so he, Nuju, and Matoro egressed from the cavern.
“At least we still got a mask out of it?” Matoro offered as he walked alongside Kopaka.
“Yes,” the Toa of Ice replied, “Yes we did.”
The End
Like this story?
Find my other Bionicle piece here: https://talesofvalorandwoe.wixsite.com/zeragabaalkhal/post/half-past-toa
Read Diabolical Ascension here: https://talesofvalorandwoe.wixsite.com/zeragabaalkhal/post/diabolical-ascension-i-awakening
Find links to my published works here: https://talesofvalorandwoe.wixsite.com/zeragabaalkhal/post/the-other-scrawlings-of-isaiah-burt
Buy me a Ko-Fi here: https://ko-fi.com/zeragabaalkhal