Mata Nui Comics
2002 - BIONICLE Comic 5: To Trap a Tahnok
Adapted by Michael Larson. Edited by Jeff Douglas.
Seven days had passed since the Bohrok had swept across Mata Nui.
Like a thunderstorm they would strike, only to disappear again.
Now the Tahnok have arrived in the domain of Pohatu—turning mountain ranges to molten magma. They moved swiftly, certain that nothing could stop them…for nothing ever had.
The energies of the Krana Ja within the pack alerted the Tahnok to Toa lying in wait ahead. The telepathic Krana Za sensed this, spreading the news to the rest of the troop: “Alert! Obstacles! Avoid or remove.”
Other creatures might have fled from the might of the Toa and seek a safer site on Mata Nui.
The Tahnok, however, were not “other creatures.”
No, the Tahnok were nothing like anything else that has ever walked Mata Nui…except perhaps for the beings who thrived deep in these shadows—the twins coordinating the swarms.
Far, far below, the twins gazed out upon the land through Bohrok eyes, watching the devastation unfold with fascination and awe. Many years they had awaited this. Now they would see their destined task to its inevitable completion.
The Bohrok will carry out their tasks well, thought one.
Yes. Soon our mission will be complete, and we may rest again, thought the other.
Mata Nui will be as it was in the Before-Time, the first responded.
Mata Nui will be restored at last, the second confirmed.
As the two telepathic beings conversed, their minds traveled, gazing out across the whole of the island, overseeing the operations of the swarms. Rows of Tahnok Va on the march, ready to restore krana and scout new sites for cleaning. A newly awakened batch of Gahlok Va, marching through the underground tunnels. Kohrok Va, using their spikes to climb steep cliffs.
Many Kohrok and Pahrak have lost krana that must be replaced—accidents, errors, one being thought.
Is the mission endangered? the second asked.
Of course not, the first reassured, for nothing exists on Mata Nui to interfere with our work.
Their minds turned to another subject — a Lehvak Va scurrying near the underground tunnels. But in place of one of its usual blades, it held in its hand a much rarer and intriguing object: a shiny, pristine, powerful, golden Kanohi Hau. A maskless Tahu barreled blindly through the ranks of Lehvak Va behind it, in a struggle to regain his lost Kanohi.
Nothing at all, the second agreed.
✴ ✴ ✴
Gali crouched next to Pohatu on the ledge of a cave entrance. The two were located somewhere between Onu-Wahi and Po-Wahi, overlooking the Tiro Canyon.
“Are you sure this will work, Pohatu?”
“It has to,” the Stone Toa answered. “We can’t outfight the Bohrok—not without risking more harm to the island. So we have to outsmart them. This canyon is our trap, Gali.”
Gali nodded, recalling the work they had done already. Much like their struggle against the Shadow Toa, Pohatu had been the first to suggest teamwork in battling the swarms. With no better options, and having already suffered repeated defeat in their home regions, Kopaka, Gali, and Onua had arrived in Po-Wahi where they planned the defeat of a roaming Tahnok swarm. Onua dug a tunnel from the canyon wall to the sea, then Kopaka froze the tunnel entrance solid—like plugging a hole in a dam. Once the Bohrok arrived, then Pohatu and Gali would set to work.
Strangely, the only Toa to not answer the call were Lewa and Tahu, but once the trap was ready, Onua and Kopaka had departed to check on each of them.
Now Gali could see where Pohatu’s plan was going, but it was hard to shake the feeling of unease as red movement appeared on the horizon. “I hope you planned well, then. Because the Tahnok are here!”
Pohatu turned to a boulder sitting nearby.
“Then let’s make them feel welcome!”
With his golden Kanohi triggered and his mighty foot kicking the boulder, it flew toward the ice plug, shattering straight through it. As soon as it penetrated the ice, water began gushing out.
“Rock shatters ice…” Pohatu smiled, “…and fire meets water!”
Water poured into the canyon, filling it to the brim like a bowl. True to Onua’s and Pohatu’s craftsmanship, the barriers keeping the water in held tight, and the Tahnok were swept into watery depths.
Gali immediately dove off the ledge, only a little concerned that she could already hear the water hissing upon contact with the Bohrok’s fire shields. The Tahnok will not be stunned for long, she knew. If she was to collect their krana, she would have to act fast.
She splashed into the pool of water, immediately feeling the temperature shooting up.
But will even my speed be enough when the waters have already begun to boil? she wondered. Already it feels like I am swimming in a cauldron! I can survive in the icy cold of the sea bottom… I can only hope I have the strength to survive this.
✴ ✴ ✴
Tahu paced before the gates of Ta-Koro, with his villagers assembled before him. His newly-recovered Kanohi mask rested again on his face, but the humiliating experience was one he knew he would avenge.
“Mata Nui faces perhaps its greatest challenge,” he bellowed to the assembled guard, “one that will test our courage, our strength, and our belief in each other. Though my powers are great, this is not a struggle for Toa, alone. Every elder, every villager, is like a single stone…” He raised and ignited his fire sword. “…and together, you can build a wall so mighty that no Bohrok could ever hope to bring it down!”
He paused, even the assembly roared in enthusiasm, like a blazing fire. After so much suffering, it was needed.
“With Vakama, Jala, and the rest of you guarding Ta-Koro, our village will stand,” Tahu continued. “And I pledge to you that as Toa of Fire I will do all I can to keep you and our home safe from harm. Remember—your bravery, your wisdom, your spirit, make you as mighty as any Toa! Together, we will prevail!” He raised both arms this time, again causing an uproar.
“We are with you, Toa of Fire!” someone shouted back at him. He smiled.
It was then that Tahu felt the temperature drop slightly and heard the familiar crackling sound of elemental ice. He feared for a moment that it might be a squad of Kohrok returning to continue their attack, but when he turned, he instead saw his ice brother, Kopaka, standing on a ramp of ice.
“They will need their strength,” he said, “we all will.”
He stepped off the ice ramp next to his fellow Toa, holding up a Krana Ca he had collected.
“These krana are not objects of power, like our Kanohi—they are alive.”
“Alive?” Tahu repeated, struggling to believe it.
“Alive, and worse,” Kopaka continued. “Prepare yourself, my friend, to learn the darkest secret yet.”
✴ ✴ ✴
Gali was nearing the end of her task…and her endurance. This squad of Tahnok seemed to be comprised mainly of the same few types of krana, and the temperature had not stopped rising. She strung a few more krana by the eyeholes onto a rope tied to her waist, her collected krana trailing behind her in the waters.
I have been fortunate, she told herself. The shock of the flood slowed the Tahnok enough for me to claim some krana… but these boiling waters sap my strength—I must reach the surface!
The Toa of Water turned and started pedaling upward when she was stopped by a sight.
Those Tahnok up ahead—what are they doing? She wondered, watching three Tahnok awkwardly swim together around a rock formation jutting out of the wall. They raised their shields and swam closer to where the precipice extended.
Melting the rock wall!?
Gali’s heart sank, just as the rock broke free and fell toward her.
✴ ✴ ✴
Back up on the cliff, Pohatu had grown tired of waiting. Already, she had been submerged for twice as long as she’d predicted. Now he could bear it no longer.
“Gali! I’m coming in after you!” he shouted. He took two steps back, preparing to leap into the cauldron after his friend.
That was when the surface of the water exploded, sending the Toa of Water flying out with the elegance of a Ruki. “No, Pohatu! Stay there!”
She used her golden Kanohi to levitate through the air using the force of the jet she had used, landing smoothly beside Pohatu.
“Are you alright?”
“Barely. If I had been even a little too slow…but my golden Kanohi made me fast enough to escape.” she held up her strand of rope. “What matters is I have four krana—and we must go—now!”
“Why? Didn’t the water stop the Tahnok?”
Gali looked over the edge. “I am not certain anything can. Look!”
Pohatu followed her gaze, disbelieving. A row of Tahnok had raised out of the boiling cauldron, and were now raising themselves up on the rock edifice, planting one shield in after another.
“They’re melting handholds into the rock!” he realized.
“Pohatu, our masks!” Gali called, already floating upward and out of the cave and valley altogether.
As they arose back to the surface of the island, Pohatu asked, “Won’t they follow us?”
Gali held up the krana. “It depends on how badly they want these back.”
The two landed at the tunnel mouth which looked out onto a beach. Rather than run out into the open, however, Pohatu momentarily called forth a dome of stone to rise over and conceal them. Then he put his audio receptor to the stone and listened.
After a while he shook his head. “No sign of them. Let’s go—you never know, krana might be able to call for help somehow.”
As the two Toa walked along the beach, Gali nodded, examining a Krana Za. “There is no telling what they can do. Drive the Bohrok on their insane mission…control others…”
“Then you believe what Vakama said?” Pohatu asked.
“That krana can control the mind of anyone who wears one? Yes…and that just makes me more concerned for others—especially Lewa.”
Squinting at a squad of Gahlok emerging from the ocean surf, she put the krana away and quickened her pace. “Days have passed since he left for Le-Koro,” she added. “If he encountered a Bohrok swarm, who knows what might have happened? I cannot rest until I know the answer, Pohatu—where can Lewa be?”