Comic 15: Secrets and Shadows

"You have all faced many great dangers--Rahi, Rahkshi, Bohrok and more. But others walked the path before you...others witnessed the birth of true darkness. Heroes of Mata Nui...brothers...it is time you knew the truth--you are not the first Toa!"

- Turaga Vakama

Secrets and Shadows was the fifteenth issue of the original BIONICLE comic series, and the conclusion of the Seventh Toa storyline. It was originally mailed with the November/December 2003 edition of the LEGO Club Magazine, and was later collected in BIONICLE: Volume 1 and BIONICLE 2: Challenge of the Rahkshi. Its story continued after the events of BIONICLE: Mask of Light.

Opening
''Makuta has been defeated, and light restored to the island of Mata Nui. Everywhere, Matoran are celebrating and preparing for their journey to a new land. But there are still secrets to be revealed and questions to be answered....''

''As the Toa Nuva wonder about what lies ahead, the Turaga wrestle with a great decision: should they share all that they know about the new island? The truth would help prepare the Toa for the dangers that lie ahead. But it might also shatter their trust in the Turaga forever.''

''Everything the Toa thought they knew is about to change. Gather now, and listen to the tale of Vakama...''

Plot
The Rahkshi have been defeated, and Makuta banished from the island of Mata Nui. The Matoran prepare to travel to the newly-discovered city of Metru Nui. Nokama warns them that while the city may appear beautiful, its peace is deceptive. Elsewhere, Jaller, Takanuva, and Vakama are overlooking the wreckage of Ta-Koro. Takanuva is confident, looking forward to their journey. Vakama cautions the Toa of Light, reminding him how one cannot assess an enemy by its appearance. To illustrate, the Turaga reflects on the exploits of the Toa Nuva during the recent search for the Seventh Toa. Tahu, Kopaka, and Lewa had tracked the Rahkshi to Le-Wahi, only to find a loose Shadow Kraata and some infected Matoran. As they continued to search, they were ambushed by the two Rahkshi Kaita! One of them--Rahkshi Kaita Za--transforms into a tornado and bowls Tahu and Kopaka. The other--Rahkshi Kaita Za--begins to drain Lewa's energy. With only seconds to spare, Kopaka creates a series of reflective ice walls, deflecting the Kaita's deadly energy blast into the Kaita Za. The Toa Nuva beat a hasty retreat, but not before Tahu brings down half a mountain upon the foes. The Turaga closes with an observation: because the Toa underestimated their foes, they almost died. With that, Vakama's decision has been made. It is time to tell the Toa Nuva everything. Later, the assembled Turaga speak with the Toa Nuva. There, Vakama finally reveals the incredible truth: the Toa Nuva are not, in fact, the first Toa!

Credits

 * Greg Farshtey - Writer
 * Randy Elliott - Penciller
 * Elliot/Kryssing - Inkers
 * Ken Lopez - Letterer
 * Peter Pantazis - Colorist
 * Jaye Gardner - Editor
 * Toby Dutkiewicz - Layout and Design

Characters

 * Gali Nuva
 * Jaller
 * Lewa Nuva - In present and flashback
 * A Ko-Matoran - Infected; in flashback
 * Kopaka Nuva - In present and flashback
 * Makuta - Mentioned only
 * Matau
 * Nokama
 * Nuju
 * Onewa
 * Onua Nuva
 * A Po-Matoran - Infected; in flashback
 * Pohatu Nuva
 * Rahkshi Kaita Za - First appearance; in flashback
 * Rahkshi Kaita Vo - First appearance; in flashback
 * Tahu Nuva - In present and flashback
 * Takanuva
 * Vakama
 * Whenua

Locations

 * Mata Nui
 * Ko-Wahi
 * Ko-Wahi Beach
 * Le-Wahi - In flashback
 * Ta-Wahi
 * Ta-Koro - Mentioned only
 * Metru Nui - Mentioned only
 * Silver Sea - Mentioned only

Objects

 * Badge of Office
 * Drill of Onua
 * Firestaff
 * Ice Pick
 * Kau Kau Staff
 * Stone Hammer
 * Trident
 * Boats - Mentioned only
 * Kanohi
 * Great Avohkii
 * Noble Huna
 * Noble Komau
 * Noble Mahiki
 * Noble Matatu
 * Noble Rau
 * Noble Ruru
 * Powerless Akaku - Infected; in flashback
 * Powerless Hau
 * Powerless Ruru - Infected; in flashback
 * Kanohi Nuva
 * Akaku Nuva - In present and flashback
 * Hau Nuva - In present and flashback
 * Kakama Nuva
 * Kaukau Nuva
 * Miru Nuva - In present and flashback
 * Pakari Nuva
 * Kolhii Ball
 * Kolhii Stick
 * Kraata
 * Shadow Kraata
 * Toa Tools
 * Air Katana - In present and flashback
 * Aqua Axes
 * Climbing Claws
 * Ice Blade - In present and flashback
 * Ice Shield - In present and flashback
 * Magma Swords - In present and flashback
 * Mizuni Rotors
 * Staff of Light
 * Quake Breakers

Organizations

 * Captain of the Guard
 * Makuta - Mentioned only
 * Matoran
 * Ko-Matoran - In flashback
 * Po-Matoran - In flashback
 * Ta-Matoran
 * Rahkshi
 * Rahkshi Kaita - First appearance; in flashback
 * Toa
 * Toa of Air - In present and flashback
 * Toa of Earth
 * Toa of Fire - In present and flashback
 * Toa of Ice - In present and flashback
 * Toa of Light
 * Toa of Stone
 * Toa of Water
 * Toa Teams
 * Toa Mata/Toa Nuva
 * Turaga

Miscellanea

 * Elements/Elemental Powers
 * Air
 * Earth
 * Fire
 * Ice
 * Light
 * Stone
 * Water
 * Rahkshi Powers
 * Treespeak

Quotes
"Once, long ago, it was the most beautiful place in all of Mata Nui's creation. But before we travel there, you must remember--appearances can be deceiving."

- Turaga Nokama

"Nothing to fear! We have taken the measure of their power. They will not defeat us!"

- Tahu underestimates his foes

"There are many things you should have been told before now. We had resolved to tell you after the Kolhii tournament, but..." "The appearance of the Mask of Light banished all other plans from our minds." "You will discover Metru Nui is filled with mystery...dark secrets that have been buried there since the time before time."

- Turaga Vakama, Nokama, and Whenua

Extra Features

 * Comic middle: New Legends are About to Be Born section discusses new sets 8607 Nuhrii, 8608 Vhisola, 8609 Tehutti, 8610 Ahkmou, 8611 Orkahm, and 8612 Ehrye.
 * Comic end: BIONICLE: Mask of Light advertisement; The Shadow Kraata Have Escaped section advertises Limited Edition Rahkshi sets with exclusive Shadow Kraata pieces; BIONICLE toothbrush advertisement.
 * Rear cover: Advertisement for the upcoming Toa Metru sets.

Continuity

 * This issue picks up after the events of the BIONICLE: Mask of Light movie and explores its aftermath.
 * This issue sees the Rahkshi Kaita make their comic debut; their sole appearance in any BIONICLE media.
 * On the final page, the Turaga drop a massive bombshell: the Toa Mata are not, in fact, the first Toa. This secret was previously teased in the parallel novel BIONICLE Chronicles 4: Tales of the Masks. In fact, the next two years of story will center around a series of flashbacks exploring the exploits of these previous Toa.