Makuta's Revenge: The Toa Mata, the Manas, and the First Confrontation in Mangaia

The descent of 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. into MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi. was the engagement that ended the arrival period on the island of Mata NuiMata NuiBuilt by the Great Beings to restore Spherus Magna, Mata Nui sustained an entire civilisation inside his body, was deposed by Teridax, and reclaimed his purpose as a mortal on Bara Magna. and produced the first direct confrontation between ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. and MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. of the Mata NuiMata NuiBuilt by the Great Beings to restore Spherus Magna, Mata Nui sustained an entire civilisation inside his body, was deposed by Teridax, and reclaimed his purpose as a mortal on Bara Magna. era. Six ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. carrying the Golden KanohiGolden KanohiSix powers in one mask. The Toa Mata's final upgrade transformed them from scrappy protectors into warriors capable of facing Teridax. entered the chamber beneath the island, were defeated as individuals by a pair of awakened ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws., merged into the two Toa KaitaToa KaitaTemporary fusion forms where three Toa merged into a single, vastly more powerful being. Rare in the Matoran Universe but instantly memorable. to win the engagement, and proceeded inward to stand before the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. for the first time. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa; Mata Nui Online Game)

The route to Mangaia#

The ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. Mata had spent the arrival period scattered across the six districts of Mata NuiMata NuiBuilt by the Great Beings to restore Spherus Magna, Mata Nui sustained an entire civilisation inside his body, was deposed by Teridax, and reclaimed his purpose as a mortal on Bara Magna., recovering their KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. by removing infected masks from corrupted 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.. By the close of that period each Toa carried a full set of six masks. The team assembled at Kini-NuiThe Battle of Kini-NuiWhile the Toa Mata descended into Mangaia to confront Makuta Teridax, six Matoran with bamboo disks held the temple gate that was their only way back., the temple at the centre of the island. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa)

There they received their Golden KanohiGolden KanohiSix powers in one mask. The Toa Mata's final upgrade transformed them from scrappy protectors into warriors capable of facing Teridax., and the path to MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi., the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself.'s lair beneath the island, was revealed. The ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. took it. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa)

The awakening of the ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws.#

The outer chamber of MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi. was held by a pair of ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws.. The ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. were enormous crab-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. of a species the ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. had not encountered on the surface, wearing infected KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. and bound by the same corruption that had ruled the surface 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 were the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself.'s outer guard. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa)

The ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. engaged. The engagement went badly. They tried several tactics, but as six individuals they could not defeat the ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws., and the team was being overwhelmed. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa)

The merge into the Toa Kaita#

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 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. had each received visions during the arrival period that they had not shared with the full team. Each vision contained the same instruction: that under conditions of overwhelming threat the ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. could merge. The two compared their visions in the lulls of the engagement. They reached the same conclusion. The team had to combine. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa)

The merge produced two Toa KaitaToa KaitaTemporary fusion forms where three Toa merged into a single, vastly more powerful being. Rare in the Matoran Universe but instantly memorable.. 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., 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., and 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. combined into AkamaiAkamaiAkamai is a Toa Kaita and member of the Toa Nuva, formed from the combined essence of three Toa, who serves as a guardian of the Matoran. Born of Artakha, Akamai wields the Great Aki Nuva and commands enhanced powers of Fire, Stone, and Earth alongside Enhanced Valor, and carries Magma Swords, a Kodan Ball, and Feet Additions into battle, clad in red, brown, and black., carrying the combined elemental output of fire, earth, and stone. 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., 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 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. combined into WairuhaWairuhaWairuha is a Toa Kaita and member of the Toa Nuva, native to Artakha, who serves as a Guardian of the Matoran. Wearing the Great Rua Nuva, Wairuha wields enhanced powers of Air, Water, and Ice alongside Enhanced Wisdom, and carries the Air Katana and Aqua Axes., carrying water, air, and ice. The two Kaita stood in the chamber and engaged the ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. as a pair. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa)

The engagement reversed. In Tale of the Toa the Kaita trapped the ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. in lava and froze them solid, locking both 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. in place. The Kaita closed in and removed the infected KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. from each. The corruption broke. The ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. ceased to fight. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa)

The Kaita separated. The six ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. stood again as individuals in a chamber whose guard had been neutralised. The tellings disagree on the fight's scale. Tale of the Toa has only the two guardians. The Mata Nui Online Game shows a larger swarm, beaten when the Kaita smashed the heat towers the ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. fed on, leaving them too cold to move. The BIONICLE: Encyclopedia kept the heat towers, and BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny later confirmed there were only two ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws.. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; Mata Nui Online Game; BIONICLE: Encyclopedia; BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny)

The Shadow Toa#

The route inward from the ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. chamber led to a second engagement. Six dark figures emerged from the walls of the next chamber, each matched to one of the ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. by element. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. had made the Shadow ToaThe Shadow ToaThe dark counterparts of the Toa Mata raised by Teridax inside Mangaia as a last line of defence between the Toa and his throne, defeated when the team realised they could only be beaten by an opponent other than oneself. as dark copies of 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., with the same powers as their counterparts, and they taunted the Toa and turned their own elements against them. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa)

The tellings of the resolution disagree. In Tale of the Toa each ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. defeated the duplicate of a teammate other than their own counterpart. The BIONICLE: Encyclopedia gives the version that stuck: each ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. realised the shadow was part of them and absorbed their own counterpart. The two accounts agreed on the outcome. The Shadow ToaThe Shadow ToaThe dark counterparts of the Toa Mata raised by Teridax inside Mangaia as a last line of defence between the Toa and his throne, defeated when the team realised they could only be beaten by an opponent other than oneself. were defeated. The route inward opened. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; BIONICLE: Encyclopedia)

The chamber of MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate.#

The ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. called out for the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. and saw him for the first time. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. approached in the shape of an infected MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body., a distraction, and after a few words became a swirling mass that lashed out with tentacles. (BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa; Mata Nui Online Game)

Several of the Toa fell. 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. tried to outrun the tentacles and could not, and one struck 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. from behind. The six fought on until they saw that only unity would win, and combined their elemental powers against the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself.. (BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa; Mata Nui Online Game)

The combined attack left TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. badly weakened. Before he dissipated he taunted the ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. that they could not destroy him, because he was nothing. The Toa found themselves back on the surface. (BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa; Mata Nui Online Game)

The triggering of the BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. awakening#

The defeat of the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. in the inner chamber had a consequence 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. did not expect. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. sent out a signal that woke the six BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. swarms sleeping in their nests beneath the island, and the swarms emerged. (Mata Nui Online Game; BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok)

Back on the surface, the ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. found the MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. villages under direct attack. They had not won a peace. They had won the right to fight a second war. (BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok)

Reconciliation with other records#

The MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi. descent was told in a novel, a comic and the online game, and they disagree on details. The Toa KaitaToa KaitaTemporary fusion forms where three Toa merged into a single, vastly more powerful being. Rare in the Matoran Universe but instantly memorable. fight against the ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. was recorded both as a focused engagement against two creatures and as a larger battle involving heat towers and a much larger ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. swarm. The Shadow ToaThe Shadow ToaThe dark counterparts of the Toa Mata raised by Teridax inside Mangaia as a last line of defence between the Toa and his throne, defeated when the team realised they could only be beaten by an opponent other than oneself. fight was preserved with two distinct resolution methods, one by absorption and one by the Toa swapping opponents. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; BIONICLE 3: Triumph of the Toa; Mata Nui Online Game)

The later position, set by the BIONICLE: Encyclopedia and BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny, runs as a sequence: two ManasManasManas are a species of Rahi that exist in two color variants, one black, grey, and yellow and the other white, grey, and orange, and are armed with claws. beaten by the Toa KaitaToa KaitaTemporary fusion forms where three Toa merged into a single, vastly more powerful being. Rare in the Matoran Universe but instantly memorable. with the help of the heat towers, the Shadow ToaThe Shadow ToaThe dark counterparts of the Toa Mata raised by Teridax inside Mangaia as a last line of defence between the Toa and his throne, defeated when the team realised they could only be beaten by an opponent other than oneself. absorbed by 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., and the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. driven off by a combined elemental attack, surviving to release the BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected.. (BIONICLE: Encyclopedia; BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny)

Significance#

The descent into MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi. closed the arrival period of 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. and opened every subsequent engagement on Mata NuiMata NuiBuilt by the Great Beings to restore Spherus Magna, Mata Nui sustained an entire civilisation inside his body, was deposed by Teridax, and reclaimed his purpose as a mortal on Bara Magna.. The four rules of the period were confirmed by the engagement: a ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. without a KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. was incomplete, a team of six was insufficient against certain threats and could merge into a KaitaKaita: the Fusion of ThreeA Kaita was a being formed from the fusion of three separate beings into one. The merged form had its own distinct mind, mask, and weapons. The Toa Mata produced the two best known Kaita, Akamai and Wairuha, and other kinds existed among the Bohrok, Rahkshi, and Turaga., corrupted 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. could be freed by removing the infected mask, and the shadow inhabited each ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. and had to be confronted before the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. could be confronted. All four rules carried forward into the BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. War, the Bohrok-KalBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. crisis, the RahkshiBionicle Rahkshi: the Sons of Makuta from Mask of LightRahkshi are armoured hunters made from kraata, the slug-like creatures of the Makuta. Six of them chased the Mask of Light across Mata Nui in 2003. Here's what they are, the different kinds and where they turn up in the films, books and comics. campaign, and every engagement up to the rediscovery of Metru NuiLegends of Metru NuiThe chronicle of how Toa Mangai Lhikan passed his power to six Matoran, how Metru Nui fell to Teridax, and how Toa Vakama forged the Kanohi Vahi. beneath the silver sea. (BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa; BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok)

The most consequential outcome was the one nobody planned. 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. had defeated the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. and assumed that the threat to the island had ended. The defeat had instead triggered the next threat. The BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. swarms were loose by the time the ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. were back on the surface. The pattern would repeat in every subsequent crisis. A victory on Mata NuiMata NuiBuilt by the Great Beings to restore Spherus Magna, Mata Nui sustained an entire civilisation inside his body, was deposed by Teridax, and reclaimed his purpose as a mortal on Bara Magna. was never the end of a conflict. It was the precondition for the next one. The MangaiaMangaia: Teridax's lair beneath Mata NuiMangaia was Teridax's hidden lair beneath the island of Mata Nui. It held a pool of Energized Protodermis used to make Infected Kanohi and Rahkshi. descent was the first engagement in which the ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. learned that rule, and the engagement in which they learned that the MakutaMakuta: species, title, and TeridaxMakuta means three things in the Matoran Universe: the Antidermis species Mata Nui created, the Brotherhood rank, and most often Teridax himself. himself was not the limit of the threats the island contained. (BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok)