BIONICLE: Avokan
Book 1: Rise of the Toa Avokan
Written by Brandon Nell
Inspired by the original BIONICLE story by Alistair Swinnerton, Bob Thompson, Martin Anderson, Christian Faber, and Greg Farshtey
Chapter 1: Seeing the Light
Villa Magna. A thriving metropolis inhabited by a large number of species. The mostly organic Agori, Glatorian, and Skrall and the mostly mechanical Matoran Universe emigrants. The societies have slowly started integrating since the planet Spherus Magna was made whole again. However, there were still lingering prejudices among the populace that were kept largely under control to prevent another war. While most of the citizens went about their day, one lone figure stood atop a building, looking out to the horizon. He stood approximately 7.2’ tall, wore armor of white and gold. On his face was a golden mask that once had a smooth, metallic sheen, but, now bore nicks and scratches from several battles. Once, he answered to the name of Takua, the first Matoran ever created. Now, he had a new identity as Takanuva, the Toa of Light. As he looked out to the horizon, he drank the last of his Energy Fruit smoothie. Had you asked an Agori or Glatorian, they would’ve told you it was a sweet and delectable beverage. Takanuva, however, tasted absolutely nothing. Since he and other members of his species, that being the Matoran, Toa, and Turaga, preferred to eat by absorbing energy from food that bears it (such as fruits, berries, and meat from Rahi or the creatures native to Spherus Magna) through their hands, they had no real need for a sense of taste. While they had the ability to eat with their mouths, they generally refrained from it as they view this act as repulsive. However, this opinion did not extend to the act of drinking. Matoran are 85% mechanical. Machines with moving parts can potentially overheat from too much use. A good way to prevent that is a coolant (a drink). Their mouths are the only really effective way to get the coolant into their bodies. They mainly drank water or liquid protodermis. So, it would hydrate their organic tissue while simultaneously cooling and lubricating their mechanical parts. The water used to cool the mechanical parts would then evaporate from the heat and be expelled through their mouths as they breathed. After Spherus Magna natives introduced the concept of smoothies to the Matoran Universe emigrants, they subsequently invented a way for the emigrants to eat with their mouths without it actually feeling that way. Energy Fruit smoothies were particularly popular because the fruits used to make them had energy restoring properties for Matoran Universe emigrants and Spherus Magna natives alike.
I don’t see the point of it, thought Takanuva. I can’t taste anything. Though, I’ll admit, it’s less repulsive than eating solid food with my mouth.
After finishing his drink, Takanuva placed his empty cup in the trash can nearby. Takanuva then let out a half-bored, half-frustrated sigh. “It’s been the same thing for the past year,” he said to no one in particular. “I do odd jobs between the various cities, get paid, and drink a smoothie. I guess I can’t complain too much since I’m helping those in need, but, with these powers I’ve gained since becoming a Toa, I can’t help but feel I’m wasting my potential. There was a time I thought I was destined to defeat the Makuta, but, it turns out he let me win as part of a bigger plan. Now, after all this time, I don’t know where my destiny lies. There’s occasional crimes these days, but, there’s designated groups to deal with them. Even then, ever since I became a Toa, friends I had as a Matoran see me as some kind of paragon of virtue, but, they don’t see me as a being who struggles with problems like they do.”
Takanuva’s silence was interrupted by the sound of footsteps and a familiar voice. “I thought I’d find you here.”
Takanuva turned around to see a familiar figure in golden and red armor. “Toa Tahu?” he asked.
“Come with me,” the Toa of Fire said. “We have things to discuss with the other Toa Nuva.” Tahu placed his hand on Takanuva’s shoulder and used the Kraata Power of Teleportation absorbed by the Golden Armor to teleport the two of them to another location. They ended up in what looked like a great temple. Takanuva saw other figures present: Gali, Lewa, Kopaka, Pohatu, and Onua. In the center of the room was the dormant Kanohi Ignika. But, what Takanuva found strange was that all of the Toa were no longer Toa Nuva.
“Why are all of you here?” Takanuva asked. “Why are you no longer Toa Nuva?”
“Toa Nuva are unable to become Turaga,” Pohatu explained. “Our destiny was to awaken the Great Spirit and, for better or worse, we succeeded in doing so.”
“Once a Toa fulfills their destiny, they can become Turaga upon sacrificing their Toa Power,” Onua continued. “Now is our time.”
Tahu placed a hand on one stone, which he infused with his Toa Power. This caused him to become a Turaga. The other Toa Mata followed suit with Onua imbuing two stones with Toa Power. After they had all become Turaga, they were a bit confused with Onua putting his power into two stones.
“Any reason you used two stones, Onua?” Pohatu asked.
“Just in case,” the newly transformed Onua said. “Perhaps the next generation will have a team of more than six members. After all, the first Toa Team the Matoran knew about, the Toa Cordak, had 8 members.”
“That is true,” Kopaka conceded.
“Come to think of it,” Gali added. “The Toa Mangai consisted of 11 Toa. Two of which were Toa of Water and four of which were Toa of Ice. Additionally, their leader, Lhikan, previously led an army of 300 Toa. There’s not nearly enough elemental variety for there to be that many Toa with different elements.”
“A new generation of Toa?” Takanuva said. “But, why now? Most threats from our old universe have been vanquished.”
“The Ignika has given us a vision,” Gali explained. “It foretold the coming of a Toa of Shadow who seeks to continue Makuta Teridax’s evil plans. You are to lead a new team of Toa to combat this evil.”
“But, how will I know if I’m picking the right Matoran?” Takanuva asked.
“Well, you have experience leading a handful of them,” Tahu said before handing Takanuva his Toa Stone. “Take mine to Kapura in the Fire Village.”
Gali gave Takanuva hers. “And give mine to Macku.”
Pohatu did the same. “Mine to Hafu.”
Kopaka followed suit. “Mine to Kopeke.”
Lewa. “Mine to Tamaru.”
And finally, Onua. “And give one of mine to Taipu and the other to Onepu.”
Takanuva took the Toa Stones. “I understand, Turaga.” As he set out, he thought to himself, Well, I guess I asked for something worthwhile to do with my life. I guess this is what I get for not being careful what I wished for.