Hydro Blades

The Hydro Blades were the Toa ToolsToa ToolsToa Tools were the implements every Toa carried as channels for elemental power and as physical fighting gear, with each tool specific to a wielder's element and form. of NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras., 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. of WaterToa of WaterToa of Water were rare heroes who commanded water power, typically selected from the Ga-Matoran people.. A balanced pair of blades, they channelled her elemental power, served in combat through both edge and spinning defence, and pulled her through the protodermis canals of Ga-MetruGa-MetruGa-Metru is a district of Metru Nui, home to the Ga-Matoran and the Bordakh.. (BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui; BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui)

Origin#

The Hydro Blades came to NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. on her transformation into a Toa of WaterToa of WaterToa of Water were rare heroes who commanded water power, typically selected from the Ga-Matoran people. at 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. of Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive.. She and the five other chosen MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body., 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., 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., 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., 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 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., became Toa together and then took their Toa ToolsToa ToolsToa Tools were the implements every Toa carried as channels for elemental power and as physical fighting gear, with each tool specific to a wielder's element and form. from the Toa Suva, as told in BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui and the film of the same story. (BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui; BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui)

On first taking them from the Suva, NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. remarked on their perfect balance. They were paired blades, curved in profile, that channelled her water-aligned power. (BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui)

Function and combat use#

The Hydro Blades served three principal functions. As elemental conduits, they channelled NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.'s control over WaterToa of WaterToa of Water were rare heroes who commanded water power, typically selected from the Ga-Matoran people., and as melee weapons they gave her an edge at close range. As mobility tools, they pulled her through the canals of Ga-MetruGa-MetruGa-Metru is a district of Metru Nui, home to the Ga-Matoran and the Bordakh., either on the surface or below it, and in a crisis they could bite into a surface and hold. (BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui; BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui; BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui)

The most distinctive combat application was the spinning defence. Each blade's cord could stay rigid or extend into a flexible cable, and when extended the blade could be thrown or spun fast enough to form a shield in front of NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.. (BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui)

In the water, the blades pulled NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. along at speed, a natural fit for a Toa from the canal 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.. (BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui; BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui)

Use during the Toa MetruMetruIn the Matoran language a metru was a single district of Metru Nui; the city was divided into six such districts, one for each element, and the term covered both the place and the elemental community that lived in it. period#

The Hydro Blades remained in continuous service throughout NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.'s Toa MetruMetruIn the Matoran language a metru was a single district of Metru Nui; the city was divided into six such districts, one for each element, and the term covered both the place and the elemental community that lived in it. career. They were with her through the search for the Great Disks and the fight against the MorbuzakhMorbuzakhA sentient plant monster created by Teridax to terrorize Metru Nui and control its population through fear., and in the escape from the Dark Hunters that followed. When NidhikiNidhikiOnce a guardian of Metru Nui, Nidhiki traded his Toa honor for Dark Hunter gold and paid the price. and Krekka forced the chute operator Kongu to reverse the flow of a chute carrying Nokama, Vakama and Matau, Nokama dug the blades into the chute so the three could link together, and Matau cut them a way out. (BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui; BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui)

Mutation into Fin Barbs#

During the VisorakVisorak (Rahi)Spider-like Rahi employed by the Brotherhood of Makuta whose name meant 'Stealers of Life' and whose swarms threatened the Matoran Universe. invasion of Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive., 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 the other 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. were struck by venom that mutated their bodies into the Toa HordikaToa HordikaToa mutated by Visorak venom into bestial hybrids, forced to fight their primal nature and hunt for a cure. form. The Hydro Blades mutated alongside her, becoming Fin BarbsFin BarbsNokama's dual-pronged Toa Tools that charged her Rhotuka and vanished when she reverted to Toa Metru., an organic and skeletal version of the original tools. (BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows; Toa Hordika Nokama)

The Fin BarbsFin BarbsNokama's dual-pronged Toa Tools that charged her Rhotuka and vanished when she reverted to Toa Metru. were rougher, bestial tools. They were used for underwater climbing and digging and for charging NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.'s water RhotukaRhotukaRhotuka were wheels of pure energy generated by living beings, shaped by the user's nature, and launched through natural or artificial launchers., and their tops could retract so a harpoon of water on a liquid cable could be fired from the base. (BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows; Toa Hordika Nokama)

KeetonguKeetonguThe legendary Rahi who broke the Visorak siege and lived to prove he was worth the legend.'s cure of the Toa HordikaToa HordikaToa mutated by Visorak venom into bestial hybrids, forced to fight their primal nature and hunt for a cure. at the Coliseum restored both 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 her tools to their original form. The Fin BarbsFin BarbsNokama's dual-pronged Toa Tools that charged her Rhotuka and vanished when she reverted to Toa Metru. reverted to Hydro Blades concurrently with her physical restoration. (BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows)

Loss at ascension to Turaga#

When NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras. became a TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities., she gave up most of her elemental power and set the Hydro Blades aside in favour of a trident. The Blades were not passed to 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. or to any other 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.. (BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui)

The other Toa MetruMetruIn the Matoran language a metru was a single district of Metru Nui; the city was divided into six such districts, one for each element, and the term covered both the place and the elemental community that lived in it. tools went different ways. 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.'s disk launcher was wrecked by the Shadowed One in the battle for the Kanohi Vahi, and as a Turaga he carried a firestaff instead. What happened to the Hydro Blades after Nokama put them down is not recorded. (BIONICLE Adventures 10: Time Trap)

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., NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.'s successor as the WaterToa of WaterToa of Water were rare heroes who commanded water power, typically selected from the Ga-Matoran people.-aligned Toa, did not bear the Hydro Blades. She carried a Laser HarpoonLaser HarpoonThe Laser Harpoon was a weapon carried by Toa Inika Hahli, capable of channeling Elemental energy and serving in ranged combat and transportation. It was later transformed into Protosteel Talons. as her Toa InikaToa Inika: six Matoran struck by lightningSix Matoran of Metru Nui chased the Toa Nuva to Voya Nui and were struck by lightning from the red star. That strike made them the Toa Inika. tool and different weapons again as a Toa Mahri, with the Hydro Blades remaining unique to NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.. (BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui)

Design#

In the 2004 set the Hydro Blades were silver, matching the metallic look of 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. line, and could be stowed on Nokama's back. Twin tools were common on the team, but the blades suited NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras., a former teacher in Ga-Metru who served the team as both fighter and scholar. (Toa Metru Nokama; BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui)

Their silver finish tied them to the look of Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive. itself as much as to elemental water. (Toa Metru Nokama)

Recorded ambiguities#

Some of the Blades' uses are better shown than others. Swimming appears in BIONICLEBIONICLE: Matoran AdventuresA 2002 GBA platformer where you play as one of six Matoran fighting Bohrok across Mata Nui's islands. Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive. and the film, while the anchoring use rests mainly on the chute escape in Legends of Metru Nui. (BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui; BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui)

As a set piece, the blades could also be stowed on Nokama's back when not in use. (Toa Metru Nokama)

The specific disposition of the Blades following NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.'s ascension was not preserved in surviving sources. Nokama simply switched to a trident as Turaga, and no later story picks the Blades up again. (BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui)

Significance#

The Hydro Blades served as the principal armament of one of Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive.'s most prominent Toa of WaterToa of WaterToa of Water were rare heroes who commanded water power, typically selected from the Ga-Matoran people. and as a defining element of NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.'s operational profile through the entire 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. period. Their dual-purpose construction, capable of supporting combat, elemental channelling, and mobility within a single paired weapon set, marked them as among the more versatile Toa ToolsToa ToolsToa Tools were the implements every Toa carried as channels for elemental power and as physical fighting gear, with each tool specific to a wielder's element and form. of the era. They passed out of active service with NokamaNokamaNokama served as Toa Metru of Water, endured the Hordika mutation, and led Ga-Koro and later Ga-Metru as Turaga through three eras.'s ascension to TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities., and no subsequent Water-aligned Toa bore them. (BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui; BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui)