Brickonium

Brickonium, known more commonly as the Energy Crystal, is the mineral that is one of the focuses of the R.R.U.'s voyage to the Planet of the Monsters. The Rock Raiders collected them for survival; their ship was drained of power, and the Energy Crystals could recharge it.

Energy Crystals, while valuable, are not something new. They were first discovered on Earth by Professor Voltage, back in 1999. He figured out how to construct a power station that would use the energy of Brickonium to power his LEGOLAND parks. Furthermore, Rock Monsters lived on Earth and ate Energy Crystals, much as they do here. Smaller Energy Crystals were found on Mars, after volcanic activity brought them up. The Crystalien Conflict started when rogue aliens claimed they had rights to the Brickonium being mined by Earth miners (the Land Martians had temporarily left the planet while volcanic activity was occurring). Energy Crystals are also mined from asteroids. However, the Energy Crystals that the Rock Raiders discovered on Planet U were much richer and more pure, as well as thousands of times more abundant, which is why the R.R.U. bothered going out there in the first place.

Energy Crystals are rather like powerful batteries. If they have a steady charge, they will last for a very long time. However, sudden power surges can use up their charge quickly. This could be caused by laser-based tools or starship engines. When drained, they become a dark purple. However, they will gain power back if they are near a Recharge Stone. If they turn black, then they are dead and cannot be recharged. Shards of dead Energy Crystals supposedly make good ammo if taken through dimensional rifts. They also give Rock Monsters bad gas...

Red Energy Crystal
Red Brickonium is five times more powerful than regular Brickonium. They're fairly rare, and are valuable when collected, though not necessary. It's difficult to collect Red Energy Crystals, as they have been known to blow up Power Plants. Because of this, you are required to throw them into the Ore storage. They register as five pieces of LEGO Ore, but cannot be withdrawn.

It should be noted that size is not relevant to power. A huge Energy Crystal has the same charge as a small Energy Crystal; it just contains a greater quantity of this charge. However, a Red Energy Crystal contains five times more charge per its amount of contained energy.