Light has revealed the will of Mata Nui

You, Takua, have decided to bravely flee Ta-Koro before your shift at the lava farm starts!

Everyone knows that work is a thing you are allergic to, so they probably won't buy it if you reenact a scene from The Exorcist after chugging a liter bottle of vanilla extract.

Vakama and Tahu are likely to drag you back to work kicking and screaming, so you summon all your courage, and your favorite pet crab-taxi, and away.

But wait! The wilds outside the village are as full of danger as they are adventure! Best grab something to help you on your journey!

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Lewa can probably make it so you perpetually feel like you're swallowing an air bubble with your drinks 

Pohatu can form a rock in your shoe and any give time and when you go to check, make it disappear, driving you to madness. You REALLY need to make him mad though.

Onua can form tiny pillars in just the right spot to make it so you are stubbing your toe at any given moment. 

Kopaka, Tahu, and Gali tag team so when you go to bed every tonight, your feet are constantly cold, your head is hot, and your entire body is clammy and sweaty.

Also muck up your sleep cycle by illuminating your room, or even the entire night sky.

Oh, you think you can thwart his nefarious scheme by closing your eyes? Too bad the insides of your eyelids glow in the dark now.

In fact, he can make any object or person glow, shine, change colour… The good news is, your new face tattoo isn’t permanent. Bad news is, it’s not going to fade away until Takanuva gets bored of it.

He can also replace some or all of your furniture with holograms. Might want to check that chair before you sit down.

And worst of all, is… you can’t even be mad at him. No, really, he can make you physically incapable of being mad at him, that is a thing the mask of light can do, he can prank you again and again and you’ll just let him because classic Takanuva, ahahaha.

Matoran B: I don’t know, I feel like we would’ve heard about one before now if they were real

Takua:

So I've got a new video essay just released, and I also wanted to continue the conversation over here, because it's really interesting, link to the vid in the reblog. So earlier I made a theory video that during Mask of Light, Takua, Jaller, Makuta, and maybe even some of the Turaga knew or suspected that Takua was destined to be a Toa. This is mainly based on Jaller's final words being "you know who you are" and Takua immediately understanding. With idea in mind, basically EVERY conversation in the movie becomes loaded with way more subtext, and especially the one where Makuta's spirit appears before Takua in the tunnels.

So basically if my theory is true, the entire time they both know that "finding" the Seventh Toa is a euphemism for becoming the Seventh Toa. So when Makuta says "you will not find the Seventh Toa, and deep down you know it" he's really saying deep down you know you're not worthy to become the Toa. And Takua actually agrees with him, he's been dodging this destiny because he doesn't think he's worthy. But then Takua says "maybe Jaller will" and to me that says Takua is hoping Jaller is the better choice to become the Toa (a belief that Takanuva actually carries long after, he says as much in Dark Destiny).

But Makuta isn't convinced and tells Takua if it isn't Jaller, then Jaller's gonna die and its all your fault, which if you think about it is a masterful manipulation, since it simultaneously forces it in Takua's head that he both is the destined one and isn't worthy, which is literally the worst case scenario. And since neither of them actually say what they mean outright, Takua can't even find solace in certainty of his destiny.

However, “every Av-Matoran has blueprints for a hoverbike or whatever tucked in the back of their brain waiting to be activated” is hilarious, headcanon accepted.

... Yep, it’s Word of Greg that Takua was sapient from the start. Hm. Yeah, if you accept that as canon, he absolutely could have buggered off and screwed up any plans! And, and, Toa could have buggered up plans too because they were also all sapient from creation or from when they were transformed into Toa.

It probably makes more sense that all Av-Matoran probably have sweet rides all locked up in their heads just in case one of them bumbles their way into becoming the Toa of Light, like Takua did.

He’s assumed his destiny involved dying from the get go.

This might be the real reason he sent Hahli away to get the others. Partly so she wouldn’t have to watch him die, partly so she woudn’t sacrifice herself to save him too.

Even worse?

On his blog, after the conclusion of the 2007 story, Takanuva laments Matoro’s death and feels personally responsible for it. He says that if he had been with the Toa Mahri, it might not have happened.

How did he think that? A Toa had to die to save the universe, how could he have possibly saved Matoro from that fate?

By taking his place.

Takanuva: Lunch?

Gali: I can’t believe Kopaka left me alone RIGHT AFTER Pohatu and Onua died

Takua, fifty miles away: lmfao no, he went to save his boyfriend, you just better hope he remembers bring back Onua as well

Gali: fuck you’re right aren’t you

Gali: he’s still an asshole for leaving me here insecure and all

Gali: Dear Mata Nui, is he alright?!

Takua: Yeah, he’s fine. He missed and landed on its ass instead, and then Lewa came along and rescued us.

Gali: And for some reason everyone thinks Jaller’s the responsible one out of you two!

Takua: He was trying to be like Tahu.

Tahu: Tahu, in many ways, is Takunuva’s mentor. Tahu still sees Takanuva as a member of his tribe, and thus ends up spending the most time with him as they recover what they can from the ruins of Ta-Koro. He can’t help but see Takanuva as Takua, and this makes him a bit protective of the Toa of Light, as he finds himself having to bail him out of trouble. It’s like Onua and Lewa, but with less mind control. He also is the one that helps Takanuva get started on refining his elemental control, as their elements are the most similar. Fire gives off heat and light, after all. Takanuva appreciates how seriously Tahu takes this change in dynamic most of the time, but there can be some harshness as a result of Tahu’s protective nature. Overall, though, there are bounds of mutual respect between the two.

Gali: Gali and Takua/Takanuva’s relationship has always been unique. Sometimes I’ve headcanoned this as Takua having some kind of crush on her, given that he interacted with her in Karda Nui way back when, and then was the only Ta-Matoran (or so we thought) with blue armor. That’s not even getting into their interactions in MNOG. Now, though, I prefer it being more of a deep destined friendship. Takanuva certainly feels a lot of respect for her in particular, as evidenced in that his armor most closely resembles her own, and Gali definitely notices this. She’s extremely fond of him, viewing him as a little brother, and takes the time to teach him more on the philosophical duties of the Toa. She focuses on his ability to mediate and resolve conflicts without violence, helping him take advantage of his own good nature and the power of the Avohkii for that. In fact, he ends up being a better mediator of the Nuva’s bickering than Gali ever was, which occasionally irks her, but she soon washes that away with the assurance that at least her brothers are getting along now.

Onua: Onua and Takua, admittedly, never interacted much, so it’s difficult to come up with a way their relationship may have shifted. Actually, this is probably how they built a friendship in the first place. Onua views Takanuva in a similar manner he does Lewa: brash, reckless, but earnest and brave too. His solid advice and warm demeanor do a lot to ground Takanuva when he’s feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders following the defeat of Makuta, and he’s always willing to hear Takanuva’s stories as the former Chronicler. He certainly hears a lot of tales from Turaga Whenua, so at this point he’s used to it.

Lewa: Lewa is ecstatic that the adventurous little Chronicler is now his little brother. Though there may not be a canon age difference between the Toa, Lewa is certainly viewed as the least mature a lot of the time, so he’s glad to have a new partner in shenanigans and someone he can blame those shenanigans on. Almost like a Sokka/Aang friendship. Sometimes they even rope Pohatu in, which results in the Toa of Stone having the brain cell. Takauva frequently plays hookey from Tahu’s lessons by dashing over to Le-Koro and spending time with the treedwellers, resulting in lots of laughs from everyone.  

Pohatu: Speaking of him, Pohatu is likewise glad to see Takanuva join their ranks. Ever since the incident with the infected Kohlii balls, Pohatu’s been fond of Mata Nui’s roamer, and enjoys being able to spend more time with him as a brother. Sometimes he convinces Lewa and Onua to play with them in games of Kohlii, which are surprisingly evenly matched despite Pohatu and Takanuva being way more familiar with it.

As the Skakdi takes his hand, he looks at her in the eyes. “I am sorry for this, friend.” Before she could protest, or ask questions, he emitted a bright flash, aimed directly at her collar but also blinding her as well as she was so close.

Phantom leapt into action, ducking in while the other prisoners looked away. He was used to darkness as a cover, but light worked just as well. Quickly, he grabbed the collar and started to tug.

“Wait, stop! What are you doing?” the Skakdi yelled, fumbling blindly. “It’ll kill me if I take it off!”

Ah, of course, Phantom realized, what self-respecting engineer wouldn’t include a kill-switch? But then again, what self-respecting engineer couldn’t disable it?

Unfortunately, he couldn’t speak to reassure the Skakdi, else the Overseer would hear his voice and know he was here. He’d have to do this the Dark Hunter way.

Phantom wrapped his legs around the Skakdi and pitched backwards, toppling her to the ground. She flailed and tried to rise, but he quickly surged forwards and dragged her across the floor, into a side alley, where the other prisoners couldn’t see. He raised a hand to Takanuva, cautioning him to keep the prisoners out of eyesight.

The Skakdi struggled, punching and kicking Phantom from the ground. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you? Was this all a trick?” she demanded. Phantom sighed. He would have to let Takanuva do the talking. Meanwhile, he tried to pin her as best he could and deactivate the kill switch, then pry the collar apart.

Outside in the warehouse, the prisoners blinked and stared back at Takanuva. “Wait, where did she-?” one asked, confused. “What did you do with her?”

ask-toa-hahli‌:

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ask-toa-hahli‌:

“Yes, she’s definitely been growing. Eventually she’s not going to be our little one,” Hahli said light heartedly. Though there seemed to be small hint of sadness in her tone as she brought it up, and she herself wasn’t quite sure why.

The Toa didn’t have time to ponder it. Immediately she had to shield her eyes at the sudden influx of sunlight was near blinding. “Taka- I appreciate the consideration, I really do. But this is the beach, we do get a lot of sunlight already here…”

Takanuva lowered his arm, the light receding. “Right, right, sorry. Sometimes I forget that ‘more light’ is not a solution for everything.” After making sure he didn’t kill anything by over-exposure, he sat down besides Hahli.

“So, how are things going on? Anything interesting happened since my last visit?”

Hahli fell into an awkward silence, unsure of how much her friend knew of what was going on or how much Jaller had mentioned to him. She fiddled with one of the leafy plants for a bit, trying to think of some appropriate response. It was only then that she responded with the only thing she could think.

“Well…I don’t know if you’ve heard yet of what’s happened with Nuparu?”

“Did he blow himself up again?” The Toa asked. It was not uncommon for his friend’s experiments to backfire, often spectacularly. Still, he was the best inventor and engineer Takanuva ever met, and he knew Nuparu won’t let a lab accident stop him. 

“I wish I could be here to see that, it never gets old. But no, lately I’ve been caught up in something else. A project, you can say.”

“No… unfortunately it wasn’t something as simple as that.” The water Toa sighed, she couldn’t help but think how much she’d wish for something as normal as Nuparu just having a lab mishap.

Hahli tried to push aside her hesitance, as much as she didn’t want to delve back into the sad situation again, letting Takanuva know was part of the plan. If anyone could help Nuparu, surely it could be the Toa of light.

ask-toa-hahli‌:

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Takanuva laughed softly at the startled response, and backed off to give Hahli some breathing room. “Just passed by, and decided to come over and say hello.” He explained. He then looked over to the garden. “You’re doing great so far, it seems. If I was a spider, I’d want to live here too. Speaking of, how is the little one doing?”

“Thank you, I hope she likes it just as much.” Hahli replied as she began aligning another plant to the next. “As for the little one-”

Immediately a small hiss interrupted the Toa, coming from her open window overlooking the garden. The young boggarak was peaking her blue head and clicking her mandibles over the windowsill, staring right at Takanuva. She gave another small noise, then pulled her head back in, just enough so she was out of the daylight and could still see her mother. 

The water Toa smiled. “She’s doing just fine. It’s a little too bright out for her today though, so she has to stay inside.”

“That’s great to hear. By the way, isn’t she getting bigger? I remembered her smaller last time I visited.” He replied. Takanuva looked at the garden again, and an idea hatched.

“You know, I heard bright light is quite good for plants, helps them grow. I wonder if I can help speed the process there?” With that, the Toa raised his arm, and the sunlight grew stronger around the greenery, showering it with rich nutrients and energy.

“Yes, she’s definitely been growing. Eventually she’s not going to be our little one,” Hahli said light heartedly. Though there seemed to be small hint of sadness in her tone as she brought it up, and she herself wasn’t quite sure why.