BC2 - Tahnok

Staring down at the krana throbbing within the Tahnok’s bright red headplate, Kopaka fought off a shudder — not of cold, for the Toa of Ice never felt cold. Instead, he shuddered at the memory of what these creatures had done to his fiercely beautiful land.

After leaving the others, he had hurried to his village, Ko-Koro. Thanks to its hidden location beneath an enormous ice field, the Bohrok hadn’t come upon it yet.

But when Kopaka explored the region further, he quickly realized he was too late. The Bohrok were already there. The Three Brothers Bridge, an ice bridge spanning a deep chasm between three glaciers, was melted into a puddle. Nearby, a valley once covered in blossoms of snow moss had been charred, leaving only a black hole in the ground to show where it had been.

One word had burned itself into Kopaka’s mind — Tahnok.

Kopaka had trailed the Tahnok to the slopes of Mount Iho. He had battled the swarm with every bit of power he had, eventually managing to freeze one’s fire shield into a block of ice while the others scattered in search of easier targets.

But it was only a matter of time before more Bohrok broke through to Ko-Koro and finished what they had started — melting away the village as if it had never been. Kopaka had been tempted to stay with his villagers and lead them into battle. But he had decided that if the other Toa had discovered any important information about the enemy, he should be sure to find out.

He had gone to Po-Wahi first, lingering there just long enough to lend some help to Pohatu, Gali, and Onua, who were fending off a swarm of Tahnok. Now he was going to see if Tahu was okay.

Who would have guessed I’d be rushing around checking on the others? he thought with a smile.

[...]

Onua walked steadily through the rocky wastes near the southern border of Po-Wahi, wondering how the battle was going back in Po-Koro. After meeting up with Pohatu and Gali and helping them set a trap for a swarm of marauding Tahnok, he had left them to spring the trap themselves. Kopaka had already departed to check on Tahu, which left Lewa the only Toa unaccounted for. Onua had set out to find him.

I hope Lewa is okay, Onua thought with a flash of worry. He can be so impulsive — acting without thinking, putting courage before caution. And these Bohrok swarms are really nothing for one Toa to tackle alone, no matter how bold and strong.

That fact had become clearer with every passing hour. Everywhere he turned, Onua saw more of the Bohrok swarms — or the destruction they’d left behind. The creatures seemed willing to leave nothing untouched, from the trees to the rivers to the very land itself.

[...]

Tahu’s scowl deepened. “Is that supposed to be an insult?” he said. “Because I —”

Before he could finish his retort, a shout came from just down the slope.

“Brother Tahu! Brother Kopaka! There you are!”

Tahu had never been so glad to hear Gali’s voice. He spun around and peered down the slope. Two figures were hurrying toward them.

“Greetings, brothers!” Pohatu cried. “You’ll be happy to hear that at least one Tahnok swarm is no more. What news do you have on your end?”

Tahu clanked his fist against Pohatu’s, then Gali’s. “Serious news,” he said. “Kopaka tracked one of the Bohrok Va back to its nest.”


- BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok, Chapters 10, 11, and 13