#ccbs

[toa-null]

- Makuta Teridax, Shadows Reforged -

I can finally mark this one off my list. John BBEG himself reforged from pieces of Turahk and... well... himself.

Still tweaking the wings, as I definitely want them, but might have to get my hands on more Chirox wings to keep the sleek aesthetic with the rest.

I'd love to hear what you think! Also! Lore beneath the break.

Makuta Teridax was felled by Mata Nui in his final actions. The greatest threat the Matoran Universe had ever seen lied dead at their feet.

As the years after the Reformation, the world began to rebuild and better itself, a phoenix burning brighter than their progenitor. New cities, new alliances, and new sciences. Alas, the darkness also rose from its own ashes. Rahkshi Turahk spread the Shadow Collective's influence far, and his oppressive mastery of fear made the weak willed fall in line before him. Even those who resisted his innate power, were swayed to the Collective's side when he produced a dark artifact that held a fraction of Teridax's power. An artifact that, given enough pure Protodermis, could resurrect the Father. In a heavily weakened state, but Turahk kept that fact, along with the artifact shard itself, close to his chest.

As his influence grew, Turahk finally had the breakthrough in finding a source of the, now scarce, pure Protodermis: a simple foundry in the Fe-Nuva region. He was furious with his subordinates that it took them decades to find it, while it was, almost comically obviously, named ProtoForge, however his rage was cut short by opportunity. A stroke of fortune found the crimson Rahkshi, as the ProtoForge seemed to be protected by two measly toa, one of which was missing half her body already.

Making an immediate summons to the strongest of the Shadow Collective, Turahk brought several of his own personal guard to meet at the ProtoForge. Disgraced Toa Orde and Nidhiki met him there, as well as former Dark Hunter, Lariska. They would need to protect the Forge as he cast himself within the pools, his form as sacrifice in the ritual to bring Teridax forth.

The crew was able to effortlessly take out the automated defenses, but did not bother to move quietly. They were met with the two protectors of the ProtoForge, Toa Kohla and Toa Null.

The two were quickly outmatched by the Shadow Collective's numbers and strength. While to kill is seen as taboo, even for the most cruel of cutthroats, Turahk had specifically chosen his allies in this moment to have no such qualms. The stakes were too high to tarry with these morals.

The fates of Kohla and Null were sealed... until a surprise boon came in the form of Razor the Hated. His attacks blindsided the Collective, granting a very small window of escape. Dragging the unconscious form of Null behind him, Kohla and Razor fled, unaware of the consequences that would soon befall them.

---

Waking up in a cave that looked somewhere in the middle of trash heap and workshop, Null immediately sprang to her feet, readying herself to fight the invaders.

Razor puts a hand up as he stares out into the forest beyond.

"Do you feel it?" his raspy voice echoed in his mask.

"Where am I? Why did you-"

"I need that forge as much as you," he answered, flexing his deteriorating mechanical arm. "If not more..."

Razor turned towards the Toa, "Your friend is safe. She is resting in the room beyond this curtain and your weapons are on you. I know how comfortable you are with them," his eyes darting to scars on his form.

Null's hand flashes to her lightblade, flaring it up between herself and Razor, "I am going back. We cannot lose the forge-"

Again he interrupted, "It is already lost. And again, I ask..." he takes a step toward her, "Do. You. Feel. It?"

Now more in control of her senses, Null takes a breath and focuses on the energy coursing through the world. The smallest of tugs as she feels Kohla move restlessly in the room over. The searing and vile hate constantly emanating from Razor. Her own body, finishing its boot sequences. And... a presence that should not be. One that cannot be.

Her concerned look was enough of an answer for Razor.

"He's back."

[toa-null]

-- Good Guy G2 --

What can I say. Its Good Guy. But G2- um wait a sec

Do... Do you have a Gun. WheRE did yo-

Wait is That MAkUtA WHAT-

[toa-null]

-- Su-Viva Nuva, Toa of Plasma --

Finally getting to check off a "toa of plasma" from my list! She was incredibly fun to build off and on over the past few weeks, all while developing lore to really fit her into my world of Mata Nuva.

While there was a lot of changes made throughout the entire design process, the one thing I knew I wanted was the one "plasma" arm and a Keetongu inspired head. I'm super glad I got the head design to function, as well as place a color block of keetorange (as well as the visor on the back) as a reference to the character inspo.

I'd love to hear what you think! : D

Lore after the break!

When the previous Toa of Plasma was killed by Zaktan of the Piraka, the now defenseless Plasma tribe was absorbed into various other factions, mostly Ta-Koro. Facing a cultural extinction, the Su-Matoran worked tirelessly to maintain the memory and record of their previous lives, while still attempting to meld Ta-Matoran traditions into their daily lives.

Post Reformation, the Su-Matoran left the other tribes and began to make their own way, restoring that which was taken from them by the Makuta. Once their society once again learned to survive, they began to thrive amongst the newfound peace. In this thriving, a now ancient sport was resurrected with new life and was an immediate hit with the denizens of Mata Nuva: Jet-Kohlii.

Jet-Kohlii functioned largely like regular Kohlii, save for the flight packs and floors that were now foul zones. One such player that quickly rose to fame throughout the land, was Su-Viva. She maneuvered like a Avohkah with her flight and an arm that threw with the strength of the Kikanalo. Few stood up against her and won, which made the betting rings of the Dark Hunters quite upset.

Two Dark Hunters jumped her after a match, and tore off the powerful famed throwing arm, and ensured she would never play again.

Devastated and broken, Su-Viva found a second chance with the ProtoForge, which offered her a rare relic, a plasma toa stone. The process had always been incredibly dangerous for Plasma Toa. They were effectively entirely turned into energy and had to will their form into existence. Failure meant entirely being destroyed with each molecule being burned in a fraction of a second. ProtoForge had a solution to this.

The Makuta operated in a similar manner, being largely energy thrust into physical form. While not wanting to stray too far from one's original form, as to not cause unnecessary mental stress and risk rejection, her new form was crafted to maintain her asymmetry that she had now become accustomed to.

The process was an incredible success, with Su-Viva fully incorporated and made into an artificial, but still true Toa. She, with the help of Kohla and Null, had just made history.

Toa Su-Viva now fiercely protects Su-Nuva, as well as head multi-Toa operations that take the fight directly to the Dark Hunter's doorstep. While she had a lot of work ahead, the Shadowed One's days are numbered on her watch.

When not pursuing the enshrouded gangsters, protecting Su-Matoran from threats, or otherwise doing Toa duties, Su-Viva can often be found watching jet-kohlii whenever a match is being played nearby.

[griscuitsandbavy]

(kremling death noise)

[toa-null]

~ Ekimu the Incorruptible...? ~

Newly minted as a Toa of Light, Ekimu resides deep in the heart of AvNuva, a days journey away from the City of Unity. While his new duties have him pulled in several directions, he always makes time to recenter himself practicing his craft: the creation of Kanohi.

An additional strain is the wielding of two Legendary Kanohi. The Mask of Creation and the Mask of Ultimate Power, fashioned by his, now fallen, brother. While it is a self-imposed hurdle, he believes himself to be the only one who would not be corrupted by the Mask of Ultimate Power's influence.

It was the idea of a OnuNuva monk who suggested wearing a powerless mask and utilizing the powerful capacities of the other two when the time called. This practice as well as some suggested meditations have significantly improved Ekimu's capacity to wield them both.

....though it is a little frightening just how good the Mask of Ultimate Power feels to wear...

And there is always the thought in the very back of his mind... that wonders if his brother had always been a cruel tyrant whose ego matched that of Icarax, or if the Mask had molded him into its perfect wearer.

But that was his brother. He is very different. Very different. Yes.

[toa-null]

~ Kulta, the Skull Grinder and Pirate Warlord~

This iron armored leader of the Skull Grinders (some wannabe Dark Hunters pillages and kills at his whim. Formerly, his crew was significantly larger, fully staffing two full warships. However a consequence of waging war with both the forces of Light and Darkness is that there is no safe harbor and losses are frequent.

You and your allies are not long for this world when you've made enemies of Light and Dark...

...unless you can manage to overthrow them both.

Kulta scours the towns his dwindling crew raze, in search of any indication of where any legendary Kanohi reside that would assist in turning the tide. Upon hearing of his former nemesis' Ekimu having taken up the title of Toa, he has docked his ship on the very southern edge of, what was formerly referred to as the Northern Continent, now Mata Nuva to search for his most hated enemy's new life... so that he might burn it to the ground and wrench the Mask of Creation from his stupid face and take any other little pet projects the slimy smith has fashioned.

"We have nothing to lose... but everything to gain!"

[toa-null]

~ Ignika, Son of Matoro ~

I've never personally been a fan of the "Matoro didn't die/was reborn" theme to a MOC (to be clear, no hate. To each their own!), but I am quite the fan of the "Something incredibly powerful caused the death of your friend and wears their body, laughs like them, reacts like them, but... you know it isn't them.

So while this IS a Matoro redesign... it is not Matoro.

---

Okay, but also. The head may look simple. And it may look... alright, it does look incredibly goofy. BUT I was really set on the heterochromia eyes as a reflection of both the characters. The blue being seen in Mata Nui (not the Ignika I suppose but.. shHH its fine) and the lime green of the electric Inika "heads".

....okay and also that head took me so long. Like. So long to design. Simplicity is a complicated process.

---

Final comment, I swear. Okay. So. I definitely need to make an entire text post about this lore to my world, but I really love the idea of weaving the Divine and Technology into one, where Gods and Great Beings themselves are machines in comparison to the "regular" bio-mechanical nature of life otherwise. Hence... why only the head.... has a gear on the back.

[toa-null]

~ Kohla, Toa of Ice ~

While she is Toa of Ice, she really found her calling in... other areas. A quick witted, passionate creator, she has been one of the leading engineers in the ProtoForge, a protodermis weapons and armor foundry, for quite some time.

Note: I beliiieeeeve that the foot design is one by ShadowGear6335, but I'm not 100% on that. Def let me know if you are aware of who made it. (The foot I copied is older than the MOC herself. 2009 likely lol So I VERY much do not remember)

vvv Expanded Lore Below vvv

Kohla's tenure as the Toa of Ice in KoNuva was brief. Her lack of natural affinity plus her direct hands on way of acting was very much against what is taught of the new Toa in the frigid city. After being dismissed and pushed aside for new prospects, she simply continued her work as she had before the transformation. Before long, her new found Toa status lead to her being noticed by some project Overseers who were out on vacation.

After merely weeks as a Toa, she had landed a position at their project: ProtoForge. Her prowess with the material lead to her becoming a lead engineer. It all was going incredibly well. Too well.

A simple miscalculation by a new scientist at the Forge resulted in one of the vats of Protodermis going under critical pressures very quickly. With an explosion imminent, Kohla leapt between the endangered staff, sending up a two thick sheets of ice to block the searing liquid. She, however, got partially caught in the blast. Nigh instantly, the molten Protodermis melted her entire left side, and what remained of the large vat crashed down upon her, crushing her legs beyond repair. In a stroke of backwards luck, she passed out from the pain quickly.

Weeks later, the GaNuvan healers slowly brought her back to consciousness, the healing they could offer having been completed. The TaNuva pain reducers in full effect, she was able to get back on her feet with the assistance of basic prosthetics. Despite the insisting of the healers and Overseers, she wanted nothing more than to get back to the ProtoForge. Unable to exactly stop her, the Overseers effectively let her do whatever it was she felt like, in an effort to let her recover.

Spending her following weeks in her personal garage at the Forge, she crafted upgrades to her prosthetics, and when she had made a viable arm again, nothing could stop her creative flow. Whatever came to mind she would craft, troubleshoot, test, and move on. Additionally, Kohla decided to not stop on one arm, but rather created several more interchangeable ones. Weapons. Guns. Armors. Flamethrowers. More swords. With renewed life and vigor, nothing would stand in her way.

So much so, the Overseers elected to simply never stop allowing her to do this, as long as she made them plans and part-lists.

---

Being one of the very few other Toa in the vicinity, Kohla's assistance is occasionally requested by the mysterious Toa Null to help protect the Forge from Rahi attacks, or more malicious threats by Razor the Hated. Never one for battle, Kohla makes up for lack of natural elemental affinity and battle prowess, with sheer overwhelming firepower from her ProtoPack and speed that would rival a Kakama wearer with her ProtoBoost augments.

Always ready to tackle a new puzzle or idea, Kohla keeps her multi-tool (complete with Drill, Welder, and double hardened Buzz-Axe) always at the ready.