Hiiiii! So, a few days ago you were talking about the whole thing with Amy, Rory, and River. And when I saw those posts a thought arose in my head and I wish to share it with you.
Since River grew up with Amy and Rory as Mels. And Mels was Amy's best friend do you think that they ever talked about children? Since I know that it can come up when talking with friends, and like... do you think that Amy might've ever expressed whether or not she wanted children?
And if she didn't, that Mels would've had to listen to her mother say that she doesn't want children? The idea is so heartbreaking and sooo interesting.
What do you think about it?
no, no, see, you're so right and this drives me wild.
because, the way i see it, i don't think amy wanted children. she's somewhere on the 'hasn't thought about it' to 'vaguely negative feelings about it happening' range to me, which falls sharply into 'Not Happening Ever Again' post-s6. (specifically, in terms of having a kid herself, even if she could, i really don't think she would. i do love that she and rory end up adopting a kid later, because that does make sense, for amy pond who grew up alone in one universe with her family swallowed by cracks in time before the doctor helped her set it right again, for her to want to make sure another child won't be alone in the world like she was. getting off-track here.)
and that's so. because the first real memory river/mels has of amy is of amy shooting at her. and depending on how well the silence fucked up the rest of her memory, it might be one of the very first memories she has at all. that's how she met her mother, crying for help and getting a bullet instead. her mother tried to kill her, so of course, you have to think. she must have needed to hear that she was wanted, right? even if she was taken away, even if amy shot her, at some point, melody must have been wanted?
river is good at getting people to do what she wants, but she is very, very bad at subtlety. and mels is younger, has less practice, so when she wants to know this, she's just going to ask. blunt and quick, easy enough because amy's used to the way mels will open her mouth and you just have to be ready to roll with what comes out if you want to keep up. it's why they're such good friends (like mother, like daughter.)
they're nine, and mels asks if amy wants kids, and amy wrinkles up her nose and says she won't have time for children, obviously, once her raggedy doctor finally comes back. they're fifteen, and amy and rory dance will they-won't they in a way that makes mels twitchy to watch, and taunting amy about wanting to have rory's babies is a good way to get on her nerves. but amy calls her gross, tells her she's got more life planned than children would leave room for, and besides, imagine her, a mom? it'd be a disaster.
mels does. a lot. she looks at her mother and just sees her best friend instead. she's not even sure what she wishes was there, but. maybe amy's right. and besides. imagine her, a daughter, instead of the ticking time bomb she really is? it'd be a disaster.
they're sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, and on. mels stands on the outside of a love story that births a universe. and her. how do you compete with that? not that she would know, not yet, she hasn't been there. but it doesn't make her feel any less alienated when amy and rory talk in whispers about a half-remembered world that's bled through to this life, about roman soldiers and boxes and the big bang of belief.
all these memories, they never mention children. on amy's wedding day, she's different, not like someone remembering a dream but someone who lived it. rory stands straighter, won't leave her side, and they're both so much older than they were yesterday. maybe now, right? a wedding's as good a time as any to decide you want kids.
mels not being at amy & rory's wedding is such an obvious lazy way of them trying to explain why they totally didn't just throw this plot twist together at the last minute that i'm not even going to acknowledge it. of course she was at their wedding. she's their best friend. there's too many people around the doctor, and she wasn't ready today of all days, so despite this horrible burning need under her skin to strike, she stays her hand. doesn't let him dance with her because she might just tear his throat out if he gets too close. stays with amy and rory as the maid of honor should. she must have been there for the awkward questions that always gets asked, 'so, any plans for a baby?' 'when am i getting grandkids?' 'oh, you two are going to have gorgeous children together.' standing a few feet from amy in her wedding dress and watching her mother tense and grit her teeth and brush off the questions. watching her look nervously at rory but never ask if he means it when his mom asks him if he'd prefer a son or a daughter, and rory answers 'either one, some day, not anytime soon.'
god i'm just going on and on, aren't i. but really, what's it like to know that amy never changed her mind. the next time she sees them, she's already been born and stolen. i don't like let's kill hitler for. so many reasons. but there is something compelling about how recklessly river lashes out at the world, at the doctor. even her sacrifice at the end is almost suicidal, throwing all her regenerations into this man without knowing if that will even work or if it might kill her to do it. but it makes more sense in the context of someone who has reached the end of a long, long wait for some kind of indication, any kind, that her mother wanted to have her. and finally been told, no. she didn't choose melody.
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Across the perpetual twilight skies of the archipelago of Okoto streak six shooting stars: the Toa, ancient warriors imbued with elemental powers, crash upon the islands to reawaken the Great Spirit from the slumber imposed upon him by the jealousy of his brother Makuta. But much is buried within the prowling shadows, drowning in a forgotten past...
WELCOME TO MY BIONICLE G3 CONCEPT.
The idea was to keep G2's idea of a simpler universe while including as much G1 stuff I like as possible. Thanks to @cantankerouscanuck and @legend-as-old-as-time for letting me spitball ideas at them and figuring out stuff. As you can see from the inconsistent calligraphy THIS IS STILL A DRAFT, BUT I HOPE YOU CAN ENJOY.
Includes setting, characters, and a rough timeline of events.
For slightly more specific ramblings, check out this thread here.
SETTING:
Okoto - Archipelago connected by strands of land/sand/reef/etc. used to be a singular island/continent before a large chunk of it sunk into the ocean. total of 7 islands connected by strands of land/sand/reef/etc, six forming a sort of circle with one in the middle, each with a different environment. submerged but still inhabitable chunks make up the parts of a ring-shaped village.
Taisl - used to be a super volcano that blew up, many ground level pools opening onto magma. lava is harvested to make safe terrain for planting crops or building structures; occasionally cooled plots are sent off to other islands to facilitate farming.
Gaisl - huge seaside swamp, divided in many ponds and gulches. villages are built on stilts or mangroves; the waters go from shallow to extremely deep in only few steps, caution is needed. diving and rice farming main sources of food.
Onuisl - completely uninhabitable above ground, lush underground flora. bioluminescent funghi and stones provide plenty of light; diet consists of bugs and tubers. villages are split off in large caves connected by ever expanding tunnels.
Leisl - massive jungle, the archipelago's breathing lung. trees big and sturdy enough to build villages on them; underbrush too lush to walk through. mostly hunters and gatherers. flying lemurs are the main alternative means of transport.
Poisl - rocky canyons containing a large desert. villages carved into the sides of mountains; even with the twilight can't go around at midday for excess of heat. main means of transport are horned lizards, agriculture happens in carved out oasis.
Koisl - mountain range diving straight into the sea with jagged cliffs. sparce vegetation, southern position; villages have high snow walls for insulation and mostly hunt to survive. snow moles aid with foraging and transportation even in blizzards.
Voisl - aka Island of the Mask Makers. religious center of Okoto. the city of the mask makers mostly survived the cataclysm, though a further off portion of it was left in ruins - people from all villages can be found here. temperate climate.
Iniri - underwater city. inhabitants are partially amphibious: they can breathe underwater but the salt damages their lungs so they need prolonged exposure to fresh air. some portions are set up in air pockets within cliffs or undersea caves, or in artificially created air bubbles - mostly for specific cultivations.
CHARACTERS:
Great Spirit (Ma Ui? Takamu? Nameless?) - god of the sky, light, world. fairly "human", feels emotions very deeply and understands living beings very well. generally sympathetic to the struggles of mortals despite being so distant from them and with a gentle demeanor. ineffable body, unpercievable under normal circumstances. mask like in this post
Bohrok: iridescent beetles associated with the Great Spirit, carriers of departed souls - wings shaped like a G1 Hau. they can act as the GS's "body". their gentle buzz lulls Manas Crabs to sleep
Makuta - god of the shadows, animals, plants. based on G1 Makuta from books 1-3. more properly a "spirit", not alive, doesn't understand sapient living beings as a result. puts GS into a coma - allegedly out of envy (wants to be worshipped like his brother, villagers are ingrates), in truth out of love (cannot feel pain but knows GS does, wants to protect him). loves his family so so much
Manas crabs: enormous crustaceans associated with Makuta, nature's best shields and weapons. usually hibernating. can be incredibly gentle despite their terrible appearance and strength
Ekimu - mask maker and protector of the Mysteries of the Stars (reads both the future in them and the past in the fires of his forge), main religious figure of Okoto. mask makers are capable of ascending villagers to Toa by bestowing masks of power, which are made by infusing one or two elemental powers into the mask. reading the coming on the Toa [Mata] in the stars and the great dangers they would face, Ekimu made the golden masks for them and hid them. is a guide and mentor to them
Lhikan - previous protector of the Mysteries of the Stars, lead the Toa [Metru] much like Ekimu does for the [Mata]. several characters including Ekimu look up to her and try to live by her example. read the coming of a few catastrophes in the stars and attempted to call the Toa [Mata] to no avail, thus bestowing masks of power upon six the [Metru] and leading them to find a way to handle the coming crisis. mother of Jaller and Vakama (adopted) and bonded with Krika, daughter of Makuta. Dies to protect Vakama
Takua - Ekimu's apprentice mask maker/protector of the Mysteries, currently struggling with both, and leader of the Chronicler's company. more interested in current tales, often runs off to the other islands to meet up with his friends. the toa [Mata] keep finding him places he is NOT supposed to be and need to save him all the time
Pewku - "mascot" of the mask makers and the Chronicler's company. incomprehensibly old crab who likes to help: carries around tools for the mask makers, brings letters across the island, and accompanies Takua and friends on adventures. best girl no questions asked
Toa [Mata] - fall from the stars, G1 personality/powers/genders. the original Toa team, with a vast mythology to accompany them. answer to Ekimu. unclear how many times they've been summoned - their memory is erased when each crisis is handled and they get sent back up to the stars. they become aware of this twice and absolutely hate it. designs based on Mata. Protectors of the Sky/Great Spirit
Tahu: Mask of Shielding - same power as G1.
Gali: Mask of Breathing - can breathe through anything, be that water, smoke, or other.
Onua: Mask of Strength - same power as G1.
Lewa: Mask of Levitation - same power as G1.
Pohatu: Mask of Speed - same power as G1.
Kopaka: Mask of Vision - same power as G1.
Toa [Metru] - turn from normal villagers to Toa, masks bestowed by Lhikan. answer to Lhikan and Krika (adopted by her). older friends of the Toa [Inika]. enter a trance on Voisl from which they contact and later train the Toa [Mata] - end up sealed in statues during it, aging slower. turned werebestial by Chirox, giving them a werebeast transformation on command later on (design middle ground?). possible gender changes. Protectors of the Continent
Vakama: Mask of Invisibility - same power as G1. apprentice mask maker and chosen successor of Lhikan - his masks will later be bestowed upon the Toa [Inika].
Nokama: Mask of Translation - same power as G1. apprentice translator, studied in secret the language of the Great Spirit.
Whenua: Mask of Brightness - same power as G1. apprentice record keeper, studied in secret all of the Toa-adjacent mythos.
Matau: Mask of Illusion - same power as G1. athlete and racer, known for his successes in the arena's games.
Onewa: Mask of Coercion - same power as G1. sculptor and carver, known for the care for details in all of his works.
Nuju: Mask of Telekinesis - same power as G1. apprentice astrologer, slowly abandoned fortune-telling in order to try and understand the Great Spirit's inner machinations instead.
Toa [Inika] - turn from normal villagers to Toa, masks bestowed by the [Mata]. Jaller is Lhikan's child - gets her mask. during the cataclysm managed to unite their elemental powers to allow Iniri villagers to survive and became amphibious themselves. trained by the Toa [Mata], who disappeared* when they were needed - Jaller, Kongu and Nuparu still sulk about it. designs mostly based on Mahri. possible gender changes. Protectors of the Ocean
Jaller: Mask of Sonar - same power as G1.
Hahli: Mask of Adaptation - same power as G1.
Nuparu: Mask of Stealth - same power as G1.
Kongu: Mask of Linking - connects to other minds, reading them and sending simple messages.
Hewkii: Mask of Gravity - same power as G1.
Matoro: Mask of Resurrection - same power as G1.
Hannah: Jaller's crab rescued from Pridak ages ago, has since grown much larger than G1 to the point where the [Inika] can ride her into battle. she and Pewku will have a summer wedding. i make the rules and the rules say the domesticated crabs are lesbians.
*trying to use their powers to save the continent triggered a "reset protocol", sending them back to the stars. They became aware of their coming amnesia and tried to fight to remain, but in vain.
The Chronicler's Company - the weirdest kids available. often left on their own or thrown to the Children of Makuta. bond with the Toa [Mata] as they are the ones to first find them and are often saved by/guiding/helping/following them, growing fond of the [Metru] and [Inika] as well. their masks were made by Takua to help them with things they struggled with. {could become Toa after a proper bestowing of the masks by Takua once he becomes a mask maker himself. Protectors of the Archipelago}
Kapura: Mask of Need - {Magnetism powers: attracts and/or repells anything horizontally.} male.
Macku: Mask of Focus - {Lightning powers: creates lightning bolts from residual electricity.} female.
Taipu: Mask of Thought - {Psionic powers: reads and influences minds, creates psychic blasts.} female.
Tamaru: Mask of Botany - {Jungle powers: controls all plantlife, influencing growth and decay.} female.
Hafu: Mask of Welding - {Iron powers: manipulates iron and steel, even in tiny percentages.} female.
Kopeke: Mask of Volume - {Sonics powers: quiets and/or amplifies any sound on command.} male.
The Children of Makuta (concept by @cantankerouscanuck) - main minor villains, one for each island + one wandering "pup". not evil, necessity makes them act otherwise. genuine family dynamic, love their parent very much - though Krika has been ostracized due to apparenly deserting them in favor of the [Metru], Lhikan, and Jaller. based on the G1 Makuta specimens: appearances based on mixes of animal species (which ones pending), all embody different aspects of animal nature cranked to the max and distorted
Antroz - dominance, territoriality, leadership. female. Taisl
Mutran - constant evolution, perfectionism. male. Gaisl
Icarax - raw strength, muscle power. female. Onuisl
Chirox - poison, vampire/werewolf infective bite. male. Leisl
Gorast - loyalty to the pack, rejection of all else. female. Poisl
Vamprah - hunting, starvation driving to madness. female. Koisl
Spiriah - indiscriminate destruction, aggression, fear. male. wandering "pup"
Krika - rearing young, protection. female. Voisl
Nidhiki - incarnation of disease, born of residual energy from an ancient supernatural storm. an artificially pure being - oozes possible imperfections out of his body which turn toxic for "imperfect" things and creatures such as Literally Everything Else. gender irrelevant. formed in the bowels of the continent, essentially on Makuta's lap: since the god couldnt feel pain he began reaching upwards to seek things that could react to him and infected the entirety of the continent as well as the Great Spirit. a Schopenauerian will-to-live type of character - mindlessly pursues his own continuation for no reason other than perpetrating his existence
The Barraki - a small group of highly intelligent sea creatures. once prowling alone along the coasts of Okoto, now bother Iniri and are constantly fought off by the Toa [Inika]. brutal and cunning but honestly just trying to live. genders irrelevant. in an Honest To God Polyromantic Relationship - get really mushy with each other even in combat situations. it's both sweet and weird
Pridak - mix of various shark breeds. leader of the bunch, most aggressive and protective. so many sets of teeth that its frankly overkill. his first concern is always protecting the pack and providing enough food for his mates, but also he holds a grudge on Jaller for once adopting his lunch
Kalmah - mix of octopus and squid. tactician of the bunch, awaits the right moment to strike. naturally produces lots of offsprings/clones asexually. usually sends the little ones to charge first and intervenes then if the going gets tough, sometimes attacking but also dragging the others to safety
Ehlek - mix of various eel breeds. berserker of the bunch, fast and anxiously unpredictable. can generate electric shocks from his spikes. a complete and total mess: lashes out in a frenzy but then retreats fearfully under bigger mates
Mantax - mix of stonefish and manta ray. Trap-setter of the bunch, patient and with fast reflexes. lays in wait on the ground before snapping upward. his ability to camouflage makes him hard to spot and leaves many enemies unprepared
Takadox - mix of shrimp and anglerfish. hypnotist of the bunch, the smallest and nimblest. changes colors in hypnotic patterns and glows in the dark. being so tiny makes him extremely fragile, so he tends to hang out on the others backs
Carapar - mix of various crab breeds. muscle of the bunch, near indestructible and terribly strong. claw power second only to Manas crabs. very jealous, beating any other crab-like being that appears as a potential mate-stealer
Fabled Mask Maker - a figure of legend, generally considered a hoax; Voisl is said to be named after him. the only mask maker known to try ascending to Toa via the Mask of Energy, which he made by combining only the purest parts of all six elements (a la G2 Mask of Ultimate Power): was a fine hero for a short time but ended up unable to withstand his own power, causing a supernatural storm which dug huge craters all over Okoto and whisked him away. his full name was cancelled from all records so he could not be idolized and mask makers made it sacrilegious for themselves to ascend to Toa (avoidable via a loophole found by Lhikan to allow Vakama's ascension - since he is still an apprentice he can technically be considered not a mask maker, thus regularizing the process). {appears to Takua in forge visions; Takua will refine his craft and make the Mask of Light, successfully becoming a Toa}
(Any similarities with fan-character Voriki are to be considered coincidences in order to preserve Voriki's status as "collectively owned" character of the community, free from claims.)
TIMELINE
Ages past but not forgotten: basically mythological times. Includes creation of the universe, first coming of the Toa, the Fabled Mask Maker, tales about the children of Makuta, and subsequent tales of the Toa. might also include tales of non-[Mata] Toa teams
Nidhiki is born: trickles of raw energy from the Fabled Mask Maker's last storm create him, and begins slowly rising from within the unfeeling entrails of the continent to infect the Great Spirit
Lhikan becomes Protector of the Mysteries
Anguish in the stars: the Great Spirit, in pain from the disease, reaches out to Lhikan through the stars to warn her and ask for help; she attempts to call the Toa [Mata] but is unsuccessful
The disease spreads to Okotans as well, infecting the [Inika]
Choice and ascension of the Toa [Metru]
Travels across the Continent: Lhikan and the [Metru] set out to investigate the threat to Okoto and figure out how to call the [Mata]. Along the way the injured [Metru] are turned werebeastial by Chirox in order to survive Nidhiki's disease and taken in by Krika, who joins their quest after Lhikan is unable to dissuade her from following them
Nidhiki's defeat: the [Metru] manage to snuff him out, but his final attack towards Vakama leads to Lhikan's sacrifice
The disease ebbs away; the [Metru] and Krika look after the City of the Mask Makers
The Plan: Makuta, learning of the pain his brother went through, begins thinking of how to prevent him from going through it ever again - coming to the idea of putting him in an eternal sleep and starting to enact his plan with his children, minus Krika
Imminent catastrophe: the [Metru] read in the stars that signs of a natural cataclysm that will strike the continent are slowly becoming more and more prominent. Still reeling from Lhikan's loss and doubting their abilities, they decide to attempt the Calling of the Toa [Mata]
The Calling: the [Metru] manage to reach the [Mata] in their slumber via trance. It becomes however apparent that, while extremely powerful, the Toa are unprepared for life: the [Metru] thus train them, slowly being encased in a strange material the longer they spend within the trance. Realizing their situation, they accept their fate and instruct the [Mata] to handle the current crisis first and free them only afterwards
Mild success: properly trained, the [Mata] - with help from Krika and the [Inika] - manage to contain most of the disasters Makuta is trying cause a distraction with in order to put his brother to sleep. As their violence and danger increases, the [Inika] are bestowed masks of power and become Toa
The Cataclysm: in an ultimate effort to enact his plan, Makuta causes Okoto's super volcano to explode, triggering a chain reaction that shatters the continent and sinks entire chunks of it into the sea. Overwhelmed by the sheer size of the situation the [Mata] attempt to contact and free the [Metru] through the Calling ritual, but their intentions are misinterpreted and they are whisked away to the stars again: alone and with no chances of keeping Iniri afloat, the [Inika] use all of their elemental powers to turn themselves and the inhabitants amphibious and disappear into the ocean. The site in which the [Metru] wait as statues is buried by the rubble of Voisl being cut off from the continent
Makuta manages to put the Great Spirit to sleep; the sky becomes a perpetual twilight
Adjustment: in a period of roughly one hundred or more years the archipelago of Okoto and the city of Iniri slowly reach a tentative stability, although the Children of Makuta become more hostile and the Barraki begin their relationship and attacks. Krika continues to search inconsolably for her children
Ekimu becomes Protector of the Mysteries
Contact and preparations: fighting through his slumber, the Great Spirit reaches out to warn that he will attempt sending the [Mata] so they can awake him. Ekimu thus creates their Golden Masks and hides them across the archipelago for them to find, but the Children of Makuta break them apart and hide the pieces all across the different islands
The Coming of the Toa: season 1. The [Mata] crashland on their respective islands, meet the various characters, fight off the Children, form a proper group dynamic, and recompose their golden masks. Ends with Mutran dragging Gali into the ocean in an attempt to have the water pressure crush her, but she is saved by Hewkii, Hahli and Matoro
The Underwater Citadel: season 2. on land the [Mata] split, with Tahu and Pohatu going in the sea to try and find Gali. She has been taken by the [Inika], who explain to her and her brothers their shared past and shed light on their amnesia - while also fighting off the Barraki. Ends with all nine Toa and the inhabitants of Iniri finding a way back to the surface
The Tale of the Continent: season 3. meanwhile, Kopaka, Lewa and Onua return to Ekimu for guidance: he and Takua direct them to the ruined part of the City, now sacred ground prowled by Krika, where they manage to find and free the [Metru]. They too shed light on Okoto's past and the [Mata]'s amnesia with their stories. Ends with the nine of them and Krika reuniting with the other [Mata] and the [Inika]
Final plan: with all the Toa reunited, the [Mata] decide to face Makuta and defeat him to reawaken the Great Spirit - hoping to bargain the possibility of staying in Okoto instead of being sent away again - in the main temple of Okoto. The Children of Makuta catch wind of this and rush over to stop them, bringing with them a number of Manas crabs
Confrontation: while the [Metru], the [Inika], Krika and the Chronicler's Company (and later a Bohrok swarm) fight off the Children of Makuta and the Manas crabs, the [Mata] struggle against Makuta himself. Uniting their powers they manage to wound him, prompting them to almost kill him much to the panic of his children and the danger of Okoto at large - only the just awakened Great Spirit is able to stop them, knocking them out just before they can start delivering the fatal blow
Bargaining: the [Mata] awaken in a dream, for the first time mask-to-mask with the Great Spirit. After a moment of awe and confusion (in which the Great Spirit explains the need for balance, and so for Makuta to live - though he won't forgive him for all of this, not yet), the [Mata] defensively tell him that they refuse to lose their memories and loved ones again, willing to fight him for it. The Great Spirit simply smiles kindly at them, and the dream slowly fades away
Respite: Tahu awakens with a start near the Mask Maker's forge, his worries soothed when Ekimu reassures him it's only been a few days. The Children of Makuta have left to tend to their parent, Iniri has started a reintegration with the archipelago, the [Inika] and the [Metru] are listening to the [Mata]'s tales from the Chronicler's Company, and Tahu's siblings are likely waiting for him by the beach. When the Toa expresses anxiety about the future Ekimu calms him again ("To live is to struggle, but that does not mean that we must spend each second in strife. For now, let's enjoy this peace as though it were endless") and sends him off to the rest of the [Mata] with a smile. Ends with the [Mata] having a nap cuddle pile on the sand, enjoying the sun shining upon the shores of Okoto once again.
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