#glatorian

Ignis, Glatorian of the Fire Tribe.

Before the banishment of the Earth Tribe… Before the deception of the Element Lords… Before the very ground beneath their feet was shattered by the ceaseless war… There was an impossible mask, and six forgotten warriors.

Cakutus, the Living Thornax

Like he'd still arrive in Vulcanus and make a big scene as usual (maybe with a bit of a rewrite to make Strakk's behaviour make more sense), but instead of immediately heading out on his Grand Quest the next day, he'd actually get pushed into being signed on as Vulcanus' new Second Glatorian, either through being railroaded by Metus and Raanu without really understanding what's going on until it's too late to say no, or willingly accepting it on Ackar's advice. He'd then stay in Vulcanus for some time, training with Ackar and learning how this world works and how to survive it, slowly. Eventually he'd have to fight some real matches, perhaps traveling to the other villages for them. Kiina would most likely be his first opponent to ensure she's introduced early enough to join the main squad, then maybe the other Glatorian Legends characters after her to keep the summer wave in focus. Naturally, Mata Nui would spend a lot of this time getting his ass kicked, but he would steadily improve, maybe even snag a win somewhere in there. Then in between fights he'd talk with the other Glatorian, explore the villages, and pursue leads that could tell him anything about his connection to this world and how he might return to his body and save his people. Eventually the movie plot would kick back in, and there'd be the discovery of a traitor, granting the Glatorian elemental powers, marching on Roxtus, etc. But the road getting there would be longer, and both Mata Nui's growth and role in the conflict would feel much more earned. There would actually be some progression between him barely surviving against a Vorox and Strakk, to beating Tuma one-on-one. And actually having to participate in the culture of the Glatorian and the Agori would give Mata Nui more of a reason to care about their struggles, and a unique perspective on the flaws in the system, leading towards the push to dismantle it and unite the tribes.

I do understand the faster pace the story team chose to take for the second half of 2009; with the Skrall having already sacked Atero and effectively declared open war, dragging out the other villages continuing to play at arena matches feels somewhat narratively dissonant. But, I really do feel like the latter half of the year could use the extra time. Time for Mata Nui to struggle with his new situation before everything is resolved in a neat little bow. Time to see the Glatorian system in action before it's gone for good. Could do it like in the Adventures series where all of this is technically going on within the runtime of The Legend Reborn, but it gets glossed over or only acknowledged through montage, so it wouldn't interrupt the story the movie was going for.

Who will win?

Almost missed the day, maybe could've added some extra stuff but I wanted to post it before it was too late :P Happy Bionicle Day

------- Malum, the Hell-Forged -------

Malum has always been one of my favorite Glatori-No... Favorite Bionicle sets as a whole. Up there with Brutaka, Keetongu, and Pridak.

I tried to revamp him in a way that exaggerated his proportions to really focus on those amazing claw pieces. I always imagined him catapulting molten heaps of rock and slag at his opponents.

Hell of a Night