The Battle of Ga-Koro: The Pahrak Siege of the Floating Village

The Battle of Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax., also called the Attack on Ga-Koro, was the PahrakPahrakStone-aligned Bohrok swarm units that forced the Toa Mata to realize they couldn't win through isolated victories. swarm's attempt to clear the floating water village from Naho Bay during the BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. War. The Ga-MatoranGa-MatoranThe Water-element Matoran of Ga-Metru and Ga-Koro, a female Matoran type, who filled the schools of Metru Nui and crewed the boats of the Mata Nui coast., the Po-MatoranPo-MatoranThe Stone-element Matoran of Po-Metru and Po-Koro, carvers and quarry workers, the most athletic of the Matoran types and the population behind the Kohlii and Akilini circuits. refugees led by TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities. OnewaOnewaOnewa served as Toa Metru of Stone, led Po-Koro through the Dark Time, and constructed the Metru Nui statue honoring the fallen Toa Mahri Matoro., and the visiting JallerJallerJaller served as Captain of the Ta-Koro Guard, led the Toa Inika to Voya Nui, and commanded the Toa Mahri through the recovery of the Mask of Life. and TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. were pressed back to a final stand before the Toa MataWho are the Toa Mata?Six warriors built to order by Artakha, stored in canisters, dropped into the ocean. This is the origin story of Bionicle's heroes and why their first week of work was entirely amnesiac. sealed the BahragBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui. underground and the swarm was cut off. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The road to the siege#

The BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. swarms had been awakened by a signal from TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. after his defeat in Mangaia. They were working across the island of Mata NuiMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years., clearing everything in their path. The TahnokTahnokFire-element Bohrok swarms from Mata Nui, controlled by krana and armed with Fire Shields. and other swarms had already overrun Po-KoroPo-KoroPo-Koro was the Po-Matoran village in Po-Wahi, led by Turaga Onewa and guarded by Toa Pohatu, reached through a single statue-lined road called the Path of Prophecies., and the Po-MatoranPo-MatoranThe Stone-element Matoran of Po-Metru and Po-Koro, carvers and quarry workers, the most athletic of the Matoran types and the population behind the Kohlii and Akilini circuits. had fled their village. (BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok; Mata Nui Online Animations)

The Ga-MatoranGa-MatoranThe Water-element Matoran of Ga-Metru and Ga-Koro, a female Matoran type, who filled the schools of Metru Nui and crewed the boats of the Mata Nui coast. prepared for the attack they knew was coming. They surrounded Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax., which floated on lily pads in Naho Bay, with sharpened bamboo spikes, and blocked the stone gate that linked the village to the shore. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

JallerJallerJaller served as Captain of the Ta-Koro Guard, led the Toa Inika to Voya Nui, and commanded the Toa Mahri through the recovery of the Mask of Life. and TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. arrived to help, showing the Ga-Matoran NuparuNuparuAn Onu-Matoran engineer from Metru Nui who built the Boxor and rose to become a Toa of Earth despite no warrior destiny.'s new invention, the BoxorBoxorBuilt by Nuparu from a salvaged Gahlok shell, the Boxor was the first Matoran-engineered combat machine and a key resistance asset against the Bohrok swarms.. The meeting was cut short when KotuKotuKotu was a Ga-Matoran of Water who resided on Spherus Magna. Blue and light blue in color, Kotu wore a powerless Rau and carried a Kolhii Stick, serving at various times as a Rahi Tender, an assistant to Nokama, an athlete, and a guard in the Defense Force. called TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities. NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. outside: boats were arriving carrying Turaga OnewaOnewaOnewa served as Toa Metru of Stone, led Po-Koro through the Dark Time, and constructed the Metru Nui statue honoring the fallen Toa Mahri Matoro. and the people of Po-KoroPo-KoroPo-Koro was the Po-Matoran village in Po-Wahi, led by Turaga Onewa and guarded by Toa Pohatu, reached through a single statue-lined road called the Path of Prophecies.. Onewa explained that Po-Koro had been overrun by the Tahnok, only to learn that the PahrakPahrakStone-aligned Bohrok swarm units that forced the Toa Mata to realize they couldn't win through isolated victories. were about to attack Ga-Koro too. Tired as they were, the two Turaga agreed that the Po-Matoran would help defend the village. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The Ga-Koro Guard#

The defenders were the village's own Ga-Koro GuardGa-Koro Defense ForceThe Ga-Koro Guard, the Ga-Matoran defenders who ringed their village with bamboo poles and held it against the Pahrak during the Bohrok invasion., joined by the Po-Matoran and the two visitors from Ta-KoroTa-KoroTa-Koro was a settlement located in Ta-Wahi, home to the Ta-Matoran, Tahu, and Vakama, and formerly connected to Teridax. The settlement was ultimately destroyed.. NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. sent MakuMackuMacku was a Ga-Matoran of Metru Nui and later Ga-Koro, attendant to Turaga Nokama, Kolhii partner to Hahli at the championship at Ta-Koro, and a member of the Chronicler's Company., HahliHahliA Ga-Matoran scholar who rose to become Chronicler of Mata Nui, then Toa Inika, then Toa Mahri of Water during the final crises of the Matoran Universe., and KotuKotuKotu was a Ga-Matoran of Water who resided on Spherus Magna. Blue and light blue in color, Kotu wore a powerless Rau and carried a Kolhii Stick, serving at various times as a Rahi Tender, an assistant to Nokama, an athlete, and a guard in the Defense Force. to dismantle the causeway that led from Ga-Koro to the beach. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

Their weapons were simple: the sharpened bamboo spikes ringing the village, bamboo poles, the Boxor that Jaller and Takua had brought word of, and whatever tools came to hand, including the Ga-Matoran's fishing staffs. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The Po-MatoranPo-MatoranThe Stone-element Matoran of Po-Metru and Po-Koro, carvers and quarry workers, the most athletic of the Matoran types and the population behind the Kohlii and Akilini circuits. refugees threw themselves into the defence. Among them was HukiHewkiiHewkii rose from Po-Metru Matoran to Mata Nui's foremost kolhii player, then served as Toa Inika and Toa Mahri through the late wars of the universe., who would make the best-remembered play of the battle. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The Pahrak assault#

While the causeway was being taken apart, the PahrakPahrakStone-aligned Bohrok swarm units that forced the Toa Mata to realize they couldn't win through isolated victories. blasted through the gate, sending rocky debris flying. That night, after a strange quiet, the giant Kaukau carving at Naho Falls exploded and the Pahrak emerged from it, using the fallen statue as a bridge to the village. As the sun rose, they invaded Ga-Koro, wrecking everything in their path despite the efforts of the Ga-Koro Guard. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. then watched as Pahrak VaPahrak VaThe stone-element Bohrok Va were maskless support units that served during Mata Nui's 2002 invasion. arrived and placed flight krana, the Krana Vu, in the Bohrok's head plates, letting them fly across the water, land in the village, and threaten the villagers. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The BoxorBoxorBuilt by Nuparu from a salvaged Gahlok shell, the Boxor was the first Matoran-engineered combat machine and a key resistance asset against the Bohrok swarms. fared no better. As they prepared to attack, the Bohrok overturned the lily pad beneath them, throwing the machines into the bay, and the Ga-Matoran had to rescue the pilots before they drowned. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The fishing-pole catch and the final stand#

The best-remembered moment of the battle came at the gate. When the PahrakPahrakStone-aligned Bohrok swarm units that forced the Toa Mata to realize they couldn't win through isolated victories. broke through, a flying stone nearly struck MakuMackuMacku was a Ga-Matoran of Metru Nui and later Ga-Koro, attendant to Turaga Nokama, Kolhii partner to Hahli at the championship at Ta-Koro, and a member of the Chronicler's Company.. HukiHewkiiHewkii rose from Po-Metru Matoran to Mata Nui's foremost kolhii player, then served as Toa Inika and Toa Mahri through the late wars of the universe. blocked it with a Ga-Matoran fishing staff, and the stone smashed into the bridge, destroying it and cutting the Bohrok off from the village for the moment. That night Maku sat with Huki on the edge of the lily pads and thanked him for saving her. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The play did not go unnoticed. Huki's save inspired a new way of playing koli using Ga-Matoran fishing staffs, and the Kolhii StickKolhii StickFrom Ga-Matoran fishing pole to hero's staff, the Kolhii stick was never meant for combat but excelled at sport. was used in the game from then on. (Mata Nui Online Animations; Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle)

No ToaWho are the Toa Mata?Six warriors built to order by Artakha, stored in canisters, dropped into the ocean. This is the origin story of Bionicle's heroes and why their first week of work was entirely amnesiac. fought at Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax.. GaliGali, Toa of WaterThe Toa Nuva of Water and conscience of the Toa Mata, whose attunement to her element anchored the team across every campaign from Mata Nui to Karda Nui. and the other Toa Mata were deep in the Bohrok NestBohrok NestThe subterranean chamber where the Bohrok slumbered beneath Mata Nui until Makuta's machinations awakened them., fighting their way toward the BahragBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui.. At the village, JallerJallerJaller served as Captain of the Ta-Koro Guard, led the Toa Inika to Voya Nui, and commanded the Toa Mahri through the recovery of the Mask of Life. and TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. found themselves cut off on another lily pad. Takua had Jaller fling him across on a bamboo pole to the trapped Matoran, and he landed boldly telling the Bohrok they would have to go through him first. (Mata Nui Online Animations; BIONICLE 7: What Lurks Below)

The defenders' position was hopeless. The causeway was down, the BoxorBoxorBuilt by Nuparu from a salvaged Gahlok shell, the Boxor was the first Matoran-engineered combat machine and a key resistance asset against the Bohrok swarms. were in the bay, and the Pahrak had crossed onto the village itself. The Matoran steeled themselves for a last stand. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The deactivation and aftermath#

Far below the island, TahuTahu, Toa of FireTahu served as Toa Mata, Toa Nuva, and Toa Mistika of Fire, leading his team from the first landing on Mata Nui to the destruction of the Rahkshi army on Bara Magna., KopakaKopakaKopaka was the Toa Nuva of Ice, the loner of the Toa Mata, and one of the six warriors created on Artakha to protect the Great Spirit Mata Nui., OnuaOnuaOnua was the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva of Earth, a quiet, deliberate warrior whose patience and underground mastery anchored his team across the Matoran Universe., PohatuPohatuPohatu was the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva of Stone, guardian of Po-Wahi, whose speed and steady humour anchored the team through every era of the Matoran Universe., LewaLewaToa of Air, member of the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva, whose career was marked by repeated possession, body theft, and aerial campaigns from Le-Wahi to Karda Nui., and GaliGali, Toa of WaterThe Toa Nuva of Water and conscience of the Toa Mata, whose attunement to her element anchored the team across every campaign from Mata Nui to Karda Nui. had reached the BahragBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui.'s chamber. After shedding their Exo-Toa armour, they combined their elemental powers and trapped the twin queens CahdokBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui. and GahdokGahdokOne of the twin Bahrag queens, Gahdok commanded the Bohrok swarms alongside Cahdok until the Toa Mata sealed them both in solid protodermis. in a Toa SealToa SealA cage of Protodermis created by six Toa combining their Elemental Powers, used to trap powerful beings.. (BIONICLE 8: The End of the Toa?; BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok)

At that moment, a blinding glow burst from the Ga-SuvaGa-SuvaGali's shrine in Ga-Koro, the floating village's store for her Kanohi and later her Nuva Symbol, whose light came as the Pahrak siege collapsed. in the village, and Gali's Nuva symbol appeared above the shrine. Nokama told the Matoran that the Toa had defeated the Bahrag. A brilliant white light struck the PahrakPahrakStone-aligned Bohrok swarm units that forced the Toa Mata to realize they couldn't win through isolated victories., cutting off their connection to the queens and ending the Bohrok threat across the island. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

Afterwards, the Matoran dug a pit and dumped the kranaKranaThe small organic creatures that controlled the Bohrok, made in eight types plus a mutated variant, without which no Bohrok could serve the swarm. into it, sealing the top with rocks carved with warnings. They used the deactivated and reprogrammed Bohrok to help rebuild Ga-Koro, which was rebuilt more elaborately and placed further out in the water, with its gate moved off the shore. The statue at Naho Falls was rebuilt in the image of a Kanohi Kaukau Nuva, and NuparuNuparuAn Onu-Matoran engineer from Metru Nui who built the Boxor and rose to become a Toa of Earth despite no warrior destiny. began thinking of ways to adapt the Boxor for battles in water. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

The battle's end had a personal side too. JallerJallerJaller served as Captain of the Ta-Koro Guard, led the Toa Inika to Voya Nui, and commanded the Toa Mahri through the recovery of the Mask of Life., his work done, planned to go home to Ta-KoroTa-KoroTa-Koro was a settlement located in Ta-Wahi, home to the Ta-Matoran, Tahu, and Vakama, and formerly connected to Teridax. The settlement was ultimately destroyed., but decided to stay a while after HahliHahliA Ga-Matoran scholar who rose to become Chronicler of Mata Nui, then Toa Inika, then Toa Mahri of Water during the final crises of the Matoran Universe. placed a flower on his mask. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

Legacy#

The Battle of Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax. ended at the moment the Toa MataWho are the Toa Mata?Six warriors built to order by Artakha, stored in canisters, dropped into the ocean. This is the origin story of Bionicle's heroes and why their first week of work was entirely amnesiac. sealed the BahragBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui., when the Bohrok threat across the island came to a sudden stop. The village had lost its causeway and its Boxor and was making a last stand when the light from the Ga-Suva struck the swarm. (Mata Nui Online Animations)

Its legacy reached beyond the fight. Huki's save gave the island a new way of playing koli with fishing staffs, the village was rebuilt grander than before, and Takua's leap at the final stand showed the courage that would mark the chronicler in the trials ahead. (Mata Nui Online Animations)