The Quest for the Great Disks and the Burning of the King Root

BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire follows the newly formed Toa MetruToa Metru and Toa HordikaSix Matoran elevated by Lhikan to save their city, mutated by Visorak venom, and restored in time to deliver the population to safety. through the recovery of the six Great DisksThe Great Disks: six Kanoka of level nineThe Great Disks were six Kanoka of Metru Nui, each at the maximum power level of nine, one hidden in every district. The Toa Metru recovered all six. and the destruction of the MorbuzakhMorbuzakhA sentient plant monster created by Teridax to terrorize Metru Nui and control its population through fear.'s King RootThe King RootThe sentient central core of the Morbuzakh plant, grown in the Great Furnace of Ta-Metru and destroyed by the Toa Metru using the fused Great Disks.. The hunt spans every district of Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive., begins with a Dark HunterThe Dark HuntersA band of mercenaries and thieves founded on Odina by the Shadowed One and Ancient, hired out across the Matoran Universe, and left a battered ruin by the time Teridax ruled the universe. attempt on two of the Toa, and ends with the six Disks unleashed together against the plant that had been strangling the city. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The mandate and the six names#

The team that set out was barely a team. VakamaVakamaA Ta-Metru maskmaker transformed into the Toa Metru of Fire, leader of his team through the Visorak war, and Turaga of Ta-Koro for a thousand years., NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras., MatauMatauA former Le-Metru test driver who became a Toa Metru, Matau wielded air, illusion, and shape-shifting before sacrificing his Toa power to wake the sleeping Matoran., 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., WhenuaWhenuaToa Metru of Earth and later Turaga of Onu-Koro, formerly an Onu-Metru archivist whose career in the Archives shaped his role across the rescue of Metru Nui and the long residency on Mata Nui., and NujuNujuNuju served as a Ko-Metru seer, Toa Metru of Ice, and Turaga of Ko-Koro who spoke only in bird calls translated by Matoro. had been MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. only a short time before, and they were still learning what their new powers could do. In the previous book, Vakama's vision had named the six Matoran who knew where the Disks were: NuhriiNuhriiNuhrii was a Ta-Matoran mask-maker of Metru Nui, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, who later served in the Ta-Koro Guard on Mata Nui. of Ta-MetruTa-MetruThe fire district where Ta-Matoran perfected their craft and powered Metru Nui's industry for thousands of years., VhisolaVhisolaVhisola was a Ga-Matoran student of Nokama, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, whose research deduced the location of the Morbuzakh King Root. of Ga-MetruGa-MetruGa-Metru is a district of Metru Nui, home to the Ga-Matoran and the Bordakh., TehuttiTehuttiTehutti was an Onu-Matoran archivist of Metru Nui, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, whose Archives research produced the Matoran Nui technique. of Onu-MetruOnu-MetruThe deep archive-city that made mining and historical records preservation the beating heart of Metru Nui., OrkahmOrkahmOrkahm was a Le-Matoran Ussal rider of Le-Metru, Matau's chief rival, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, and later a Gukko Force member on Mata Nui. of Le-MetruLe-MetruThe teal district where Le-Matoran managed everything that moved through Metru Nui, from chutes to airships., AhkmouAhkmouA Po-Matoran carver of Metru Nui, one of the six Great Disk holders, who betrayed his fellow Matoran to the Dark Hunters, served Makuta Teridax, and became a false Turaga during Teridax's reign. of Po-MetruPo-MetruMetru Nui's Stone District, home to carvers whose work defined the city and site of an ancient conflict that threatened to divide it., and EhryeEhryeEhrye was a Ko-Matoran errand-runner of the Knowledge Towers who tried to sell the location of a Great Disk, thought better of it in front of a Dark Hunter, and helped the Toa Metru find it. of Ko-MetruKo-MetruKo-Metru was Metru Nui's frozen intellectual quarter, home to the scholarly Ko-Matoran race.. The Toa had found and rescued all six. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire; BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui)

The Toa went after the Disks mostly in pairs, with the six Matoran helping. The goal was simple to state and hard to achieve: recover all six before the MorbuzakhMorbuzakhA sentient plant monster created by Teridax to terrorize Metru Nui and control its population through fear. could do more damage. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

Sabotage in Ta-Metru and Ga-Metru#

The book opens with an attempt on two of the Toa. In Ta-MetruTa-MetruThe fire district where Ta-Matoran perfected their craft and powered Metru Nui's industry for thousands of years., NidhikiNidhikiOnce a guardian of Metru Nui, Nidhiki traded his Toa honor for Dark Hunter gold and paid the price. nearly sent 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 VakamaVakamaA Ta-Metru maskmaker transformed into the Toa Metru of Fire, leader of his team through the Visorak war, and Turaga of Ta-Koro for a thousand years. to their deaths: they were caught in a chute headed straight for the flames of the Protodermis Reclamation Center. Vakama absorbed the furnace's flames and released the heat in a beam that blasted through the roof of the building, and the two escaped. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

Meanwhile, NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. and MatauMatauA former Le-Metru test driver who became a Toa Metru, Matau wielded air, illusion, and shape-shifting before sacrificing his Toa power to wake the sleeping Matoran., searching for the Ga-MetruGa-MetruGa-Metru is a district of Metru Nui, home to the Ga-Matoran and the Bordakh. Disk, were nearly drowned when water was released into the dry canal they were walking through. Nokama saved Matau. Both incidents set the pattern for the book: the Toa learning their abilities only at the moment they needed them, against an enemy who seemed to know where they would be. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The six recoveries#

The Disk hunt itself then ran across all six districts. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

WhenuaWhenuaToa Metru of Earth and later Turaga of Onu-Koro, formerly an Onu-Metru archivist whose career in the Archives shaped his role across the rescue of Metru Nui and the long residency on Mata Nui. and NujuNujuNuju served as a Ko-Metru seer, Toa Metru of Ice, and Turaga of Ko-Koro who spoke only in bird calls translated by Matoro. searched the ArchivesThe Archives of Metru NuiThe Archives of Onu-Metru were the central repository of Matoran knowledge and Rahi specimens, maintained by the Archivist Corps beneath the city's surface. of Onu-MetruOnu-MetruThe deep archive-city that made mining and historical records preservation the beating heart of Metru Nui.. They entered the wrong room and were caught by a giant mutant UssalUssalSix-legged crustacean Rahi domesticated across Metru Nui and Mata Nui for cargo, mining, and sport. Backbone of Matoran labor. crab, which they chased off with a high-pitched sound from Whenua's Earthshock DrillsEarthshock DrillsThe earthshock drills were Toa Metru Whenua's paired Toa Tools, which could dig as shovels, drills or a jackhammer and made an ear-splitting noise when spun.. Nuju then almost released a two-headed TarakavaTarakavaHuge lizard-like Rahi with powerful forelegs, hunted in pairs across Mata Nui and Metru Nui. from its tank by accident. Soon after, the pair were trapped in a room with nothing in it, because the room itself was the Archives BeastThe Archives BeastA shapeshifting Rahi locked away in the lower levels of the Archives, which disguised itself as an empty room and was driven off by cold., a shape-shifting RahiRahiThe Rahi were the biomechanical wildlife of the Matoran Universe, built largely by the Brotherhood of Makuta, ranging from background fauna to engineered war beasts.. They escaped when Nuju summoned a blizzard, which the creature disliked, and Whenua finally found the Disk in a room stuffed with all kinds of artefacts. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The Ga-MetruGa-MetruGa-Metru is a district of Metru Nui, home to the Ga-Matoran and the Bordakh. Disk lay in the water beneath the Great TempleGreat TempleThe Great Temple is a structure situated in Ga-Metru, Metru Nui, associated with the Ga-Matoran and the Bordakh. It formerly fell under the influence of Teridax, though it currently holds no such power., inside the mouth of a massive fish. NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. took it from the fish's mouth and was chased by the creature and nearly eaten before she got away. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

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., VakamaVakamaA Ta-Metru maskmaker transformed into the Toa Metru of Fire, leader of his team through the Visorak war, and Turaga of Ta-Koro for a thousand years., AhkmouAhkmouA Po-Matoran carver of Metru Nui, one of the six Great Disk holders, who betrayed his fellow Matoran to the Dark Hunters, served Makuta Teridax, and became a false Turaga during Teridax's reign., and NuhriiNuhriiNuhrii was a Ta-Matoran mask-maker of Metru Nui, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, who later served in the Ta-Koro Guard on Mata Nui. searched the Fire Pits of Ta-MetruTa-MetruThe fire district where Ta-Matoran perfected their craft and powered Metru Nui's industry for thousands of years.. Vakama and Nuhrii went down into a pit while its fires had died down and retrieved the Disk, but MorbuzakhMorbuzakhA sentient plant monster created by Teridax to terrorize Metru Nui and control its population through fear. vines seized them on the way out. Nuhrii used a KanokaKanoka DisksMetru Nui's most versatile artifact: flying disks equally at home in sport, combat, and crafting. with the power of Reconstitute at Random on the vines, and the shock of the change made them let go. They escaped, chased by a monstrous reconstituted vine, just before the pit's fires erupted again. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The Le-MetruLe-MetruThe teal district where Le-Matoran managed everything that moved through Metru Nui, from chutes to airships. Disk was inside a Force SphereForce SphereThe Metru Nui chute-system hazard in which a broken piece of a chute's magnetic field wrapped around itself, swept up loose objects, and imploded inside the transport network., where OrkahmOrkahmOrkahm was a Le-Matoran Ussal rider of Le-Metru, Matau's chief rival, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, and later a Gukko Force member on Mata Nui. had spotted it. A force sphere formed when a piece of a chute's field broke off and wrapped around itself into a sphere of magnetic energy that raced through the chutes, sucking in whatever it passed, until it grew strong enough to bring down its chute and implode. MatauMatauA former Le-Metru test driver who became a Toa Metru, Matau wielded air, illusion, and shape-shifting before sacrificing his Toa power to wake the sleeping Matoran. entered the sphere as it soared through the Notch and escaped with the Disk just before it imploded. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

WhenuaWhenuaToa Metru of Earth and later Turaga of Onu-Koro, formerly an Onu-Metru archivist whose career in the Archives shaped his role across the rescue of Metru Nui and the long residency on Mata Nui. and NujuNujuNuju served as a Ko-Metru seer, Toa Metru of Ice, and Turaga of Ko-Koro who spoke only in bird calls translated by Matoro. then went after the Ko-MetruKo-MetruKo-Metru was Metru Nui's frozen intellectual quarter, home to the scholarly Ko-Matoran race. Disk. After several struggles with VahkiVahkiMetru Nui's mechanical law enforcement squads, designed to maintain rigid order but ultimately undermined by chaos beyond their programming., Nuju found it inside an icicle on the side of a Knowledge TowerKnowledge TowerThe crystalline spires of Ko-Metru that housed memory crystals, sheltered the district's Scholars, and stored much of the city's accumulated knowledge.. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

VakamaVakamaA Ta-Metru maskmaker transformed into the Toa Metru of Fire, leader of his team through the Visorak war, and Turaga of Ta-Koro for a thousand years. and 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. went to Po-MetruPo-MetruMetru Nui's Stone District, home to carvers whose work defined the city and site of an ancient conflict that threatened to divide it. for the last Disk and met a maddened TunnelerTunnelerA Rahi that absorbs any power directed at it, but becomes fragile when turned to glass. in the Sculpture FieldsSculpture FieldsThe Sculpture Fields were the open Po-Metru courtyards where Po-Matoran carvers worked statues too large for any building, hid one of the Great Disks, and gave Onewa his first confrontation with Ahkmou's betrayal., a lizard-like RahiRahiThe Rahi were the biomechanical wildlife of the Matoran Universe, built largely by the Brotherhood of Makuta, ranging from background fauna to engineered war beasts. that absorbs powers used against it. The two combined their elemental powers to form glass; the Tunneler absorbed it and became a creature of glass, too fragile to move without shattering. Onewa then took the Disk from the top of an unstable statue, narrowly avoiding being crushed when it fell. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire; BIONICLE: Encyclopedia Updated)

With all six Disks found, the Toa met up. 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. had suspected AhkmouAhkmouA Po-Matoran carver of Metru Nui, one of the six Great Disk holders, who betrayed his fellow Matoran to the Dark Hunters, served Makuta Teridax, and became a false Turaga during Teridax's reign. since the previous book, when it became clear that Ahkmou knew the name of the Dark Hunter Nidhiki and knew there were six Toa. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire; BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui)

VhisolaVhisolaVhisola was a Ga-Matoran student of Nokama, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, whose research deduced the location of the Morbuzakh King Root. identifies the target#

VhisolaVhisolaVhisola was a Ga-Matoran student of Nokama, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, whose research deduced the location of the Morbuzakh King Root. supplied the breakthrough: her research showed that the Toa had to find the Morbuzakh's King RootThe King RootThe sentient central core of the Morbuzakh plant, grown in the Great Furnace of Ta-Metru and destroyed by the Toa Metru using the fused Great Disks. to defeat it. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. realised the King Root must be in the Great FurnaceThe Great FurnaceThe largest furnace in Ta-Metru, site of the Morbuzakh King Root's nest and the recovery of the fused Great Disks that became the Kanohi Vahi. of Ta-MetruTa-MetruThe fire district where Ta-Matoran perfected their craft and powered Metru Nui's industry for thousands of years.. The six Matoran went with the Toa, making a party of twelve. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire; BIONICLE 17: Disks of Danger)

The approach and the Matoran NuiMatoran NuiSix Matoran combining into one, a rare, exhausting fusion that's stronger than any Toa, and we've only seen it twice in canon.#

On the way, the party ran into hundreds of MorbuzakhMorbuzakhA sentient plant monster created by Teridax to terrorize Metru Nui and control its population through fear. seeds and escaped them. AhkmouAhkmouA Po-Matoran carver of Metru Nui, one of the six Great Disk holders, who betrayed his fellow Matoran to the Dark Hunters, served Makuta Teridax, and became a false Turaga during Teridax's reign. then tried to run, and 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., realising he was definitely the traitor, confronted him. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

In the hallway leading to the Great FurnaceThe Great FurnaceThe largest furnace in Ta-Metru, site of the Morbuzakh King Root's nest and the recovery of the fused Great Disks that became the Kanohi Vahi., NujuNujuNuju served as a Ko-Metru seer, Toa Metru of Ice, and Turaga of Ko-Koro who spoke only in bird calls translated by Matoro. used up most of his elemental power trying to defeat the vines blocking the way. Then hundreds of thorns were fired at the party, and the Toa and Matoran were nearly overwhelmed. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The six MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body., NuhriiNuhriiNuhrii was a Ta-Matoran mask-maker of Metru Nui, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, who later served in the Ta-Koro Guard on Mata Nui., VhisolaVhisolaVhisola was a Ga-Matoran student of Nokama, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, whose research deduced the location of the Morbuzakh King Root., TehuttiTehuttiTehutti was an Onu-Matoran archivist of Metru Nui, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, whose Archives research produced the Matoran Nui technique., OrkahmOrkahmOrkahm was a Le-Matoran Ussal rider of Le-Metru, Matau's chief rival, one of the six finders of a Great Disk, and later a Gukko Force member on Mata Nui., AhkmouAhkmouA Po-Matoran carver of Metru Nui, one of the six Great Disk holders, who betrayed his fellow Matoran to the Dark Hunters, served Makuta Teridax, and became a false Turaga during Teridax's reign., and EhryeEhryeEhrye was a Ko-Matoran errand-runner of the Knowledge Towers who tried to sell the location of a Great Disk, thought better of it in front of a Dark Hunter, and helped the Toa Metru find it., merged into a Matoran NuiMatoran NuiSix Matoran combining into one, a rare, exhausting fusion that's stronger than any Toa, and we've only seen it twice in canon., and the merged being helped the Toa escape into the main chamber. The Matoran then separated and fled the building. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The Great Furnace and the King Root#

Inside, the Toa MetruToa Metru and Toa HordikaSix Matoran elevated by Lhikan to save their city, mutated by Visorak venom, and restored in time to deliver the population to safety. saw the King RootThe King RootThe sentient central core of the Morbuzakh plant, grown in the Great Furnace of Ta-Metru and destroyed by the Toa Metru using the fused Great Disks., as tall as a skyscraper, filling the massive room. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The King Root spoke to the Toa telepathically and revealed that it had been commanded to drive the MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. to the centre of the city. It did not say by whom, but it was the first sign that someone was directing the MorbuzakhMorbuzakhA sentient plant monster created by Teridax to terrorize Metru Nui and control its population through fear. from behind the scenes. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The King RootThe King RootThe sentient central core of the Morbuzakh plant, grown in the Great Furnace of Ta-Metru and destroyed by the Toa Metru using the fused Great Disks. tried to steal WhenuaWhenuaToa Metru of Earth and later Turaga of Onu-Koro, formerly an Onu-Metru archivist whose career in the Archives shaped his role across the rescue of Metru Nui and the long residency on Mata Nui.'s Great Disk, but failed. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

During the battle, the Toa each used up almost all of their elemental power, and it would take them a long time to recharge because of their inexperience. They tricked the King RootThe King RootThe sentient central core of the Morbuzakh plant, grown in the Great Furnace of Ta-Metru and destroyed by the Toa Metru using the fused Great Disks. into drawing them closer, then launched the Great DisksThe Great Disks: six Kanoka of level nineThe Great Disks were six Kanoka of Metru Nui, each at the maximum power level of nine, one hidden in every district. The Toa Metru recovered all six., which formed an energy bubble around the root, cutting it off from its vines and killing it. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The vines across the city disintegrated. The Toa MetruToa Metru and Toa HordikaSix Matoran elevated by Lhikan to save their city, mutated by Visorak venom, and restored in time to deliver the population to safety. retrieved the Great DisksThe Great Disks: six Kanoka of level nineThe Great Disks were six Kanoka of Metru Nui, each at the maximum power level of nine, one hidden in every district. The Toa Metru recovered all six. and fled as the building collapsed. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)

The unanswered question#

The Toa had won, but NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. wondered who could have commanded the MorbuzakhMorbuzakhA sentient plant monster created by Teridax to terrorize Metru Nui and control its population through fear., and whether that entity would strike again. The answer lay at the ColiseumThe ColiseumCentral tower of Metru Nui, serving as government seat, akilini arena and, during Teridax's masquerade, the place from which the city's Matoran were rounded up into spheres.. DumeTuraga DumeThe Turaga of Metru Nui for sixteen thousand years, a former Toa of Fire who saved Lhikan's life and was abducted and impersonated by Teridax. had already been replaced by TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna., and when the Toa presented the Disks, the false Turaga denounced them as impostors. Vakama would later use the fused Disks to craft the Kanohi VahiKanohi VahiThe Kanohi Vahi was the Legendary Mask of Time, forged by Toa Metru Vakama from the six fused Great Disks of Metru Nui during the city's evacuation., the Mask of Time. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire; BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui)

The six recoveries, the Matoran NuiMatoran NuiSix Matoran combining into one, a rare, exhausting fusion that's stronger than any Toa, and we've only seen it twice in canon. in the corridor of the Great FurnaceThe Great FurnaceThe largest furnace in Ta-Metru, site of the Morbuzakh King Root's nest and the recovery of the fused Great Disks that became the Kanohi Vahi., and the destruction of the King RootThe King RootThe sentient central core of the Morbuzakh plant, grown in the Great Furnace of Ta-Metru and destroyed by the Toa Metru using the fused Great Disks. were the first proof that the Toa MetruToa Metru and Toa HordikaSix Matoran elevated by Lhikan to save their city, mutated by Visorak venom, and restored in time to deliver the population to safety. could fight as a team, and the cost, nearly all their elemental power, showed how much they still had to learn. (BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire)