The Keystones of Karda Nui

The Keystones were six pieces of a single stone tablet that described, in a very old MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. dialect, how to reawaken the Great Spirit 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 completed tablet was also the key to the energy field guarding the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off. in Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui.. The tablet had been broken into six pieces for reasons the story never gives, and the Toa NuvaToa Mata and Toa NuvaSix biomechanical heroes created by the Great Beings to awaken Mata Nui and defeat the Brotherhood, transformed once and tested across an entire age. had to find and reassemble all six during the Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. campaign before they could enter the Codrex. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

Origin and design#

The Keystones started out as one tablet, inscribed with instructions for reawakening 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. in a very old Matoran dialect. The same tablet worked as the key to the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off., the structure at the heart of Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. where 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 once slept in their canisters. An impenetrable energy field surrounds the Codrex, and it can only be lowered by placing the completed tablet in a niche shaped like the Great Spirit. Anyone who tries to walk in without lowering it is thrown back. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

At some point the tablet was broken into six pieces. The story doesn't say why or when. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

The pieces only made sense together. The Toa didn't read the instructions until all six had been brought together, and only the completed tablet could open the Codrex. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

The Av-Matoran custodianship#

By the time the MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to build Rahi and keep order in his universe, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. attacked Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui., three of the pieces were in the Sky Villages of the Av-MatoranAv-MatoranThe Light-element Matoran, prototypes of their species, who colonised Karda Nui from the Southern Continent and built the Stalactite Villages above the Swamp of Secrets. and three were scattered through the Swamp of SecretsSwamp of SecretsThe Swamp of Secrets was the mutagen-saturated wetland that filled the floor of Karda Nui after the Great Cataclysm, serving as a Brotherhood stronghold until the Energy Storms. below. The pieces weren't kept in one place, so no single raid could take the whole tablet. The Makuta found that out when they broke open the Av-Matoran's secret hiding place in one of the villages and found it empty. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

When the Toa NuvaToa Mata and Toa NuvaSix biomechanical heroes created by the Great Beings to awaken Mata Nui and defeat the Brotherhood, transformed once and tested across an entire age. arrived, one piece was held by SolekSolekSolek was an Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who fought alongside the Toa Nuva against the Brotherhood of Makuta during the final battle for Mata Nui's awakening., one by KiropKirop, Av-Matoran Leader of Karda NuiKirop was the leader of the Av-Matoran in Karda Nui, captured and transformed into a Shadow Matoran by the Brotherhood of Makuta, restored by the cry of a klakk, and a survivor of the Destiny War and the Reformation., the former leader of the Av-Matoran who had been turned into a Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. and kept his piece as a bargaining chip, and one by the Makuta, who had found it in the villages. In the swamp, one was caught in the vines of a sentient plant, one was carried by a lone Av-Matoran, and one had been buried in a hastily dug pit in KrikaKrikaThe cautious Mistika leader who survived by never taking unnecessary risks, until Teridax's Plan forced his hand.'s camp. Three pieces above, three below. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky; BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

Recovery by the PhantokaPhantokaPhantoka is the term for the 2008 Toa and Makuta aerial combat wave, meaning 'Spirits of the air' in Matoran.#

The PhantokaPhantokaPhantoka is the term for the 2008 Toa and Makuta aerial combat wave, meaning 'Spirits of the air' in Matoran. team of the Toa NuvaToa Mata and Toa NuvaSix biomechanical heroes created by the Great Beings to awaken Mata Nui and defeat the Brotherhood, transformed once and tested across an entire age., 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., 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. and 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., worked in the sky of Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui.. After their first battles with the Makuta, SolekSolekSolek was an Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who fought alongside the Toa Nuva against the Brotherhood of Makuta during the final battle for Mata Nui's awakening. gave Kopaka a Keystone and told him about the other five they would need: one held by the Shadow Matoran KiropKirop, Av-Matoran Leader of Karda NuiKirop was the leader of the Av-Matoran in Karda Nui, captured and transformed into a Shadow Matoran by the Brotherhood of Makuta, restored by the cry of a klakk, and a survivor of the Destiny War and the Reformation., one in the hands of the MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to build Rahi and keep order in his universe, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit., and three more in places he didn't know. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

The second came from KiropKirop, Av-Matoran Leader of Karda NuiKirop was the leader of the Av-Matoran in Karda Nui, captured and transformed into a Shadow Matoran by the Brotherhood of Makuta, restored by the cry of a klakk, and a survivor of the Destiny War and the Reformation.. 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. knocked him out of the sky with a gust of wind, 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. took him prisoner, and his Keystone with him. Kirop was kept in a hut and allowed to overhear a made-up story about a way to destroy all the Makuta's Shadow LeechesShadow LeechMutated Kraata designed to drain light and corruption. Created by Mutran and allies, they transformed dozens of Matoran before the Energy Storm wiped them out.. He escaped and led the Toa straight to the leech hive. The third came later: when the Makuta raided the last village and opened the Av-Matoran's empty hiding place, the Toa and Matoran broke into the Makuta's lair and took the piece the Makuta had been holding. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

Recovery by the MistikaMistikaMistika was the designation given to the Toa Nuva and Makuta who fought in the Swamp of Secrets at the floor of Karda Nui during the final campaign.#

The MistikaMistikaMistika was the designation given to the Toa Nuva and Makuta who fought in the Swamp of Secrets at the floor of Karda Nui during the final campaign. team, 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., 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 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., worked in the Swamp of SecretsSwamp of SecretsThe Swamp of Secrets was the mutagen-saturated wetland that filled the floor of Karda Nui after the Great Cataclysm, serving as a Brotherhood stronghold until the Energy Storms.. Their three Keystones came through run-ins with the Makuta of the swamp, KrikaKrikaThe cautious Mistika leader who survived by never taking unnecessary risks, until Teridax's Plan forced his hand., GorastGorastA Makuta defined by rage and ruthlessness, Gorast conquered the Visorak and became Teridax's most devoted enforcer. and BitilBitilA Makuta obsessed with enslaving Toa, Bitil weaponized his Mohtrek's copying power in the final invasion of Karda Nui., and through the few Av-Matoran left there. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

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. found the first in the grasp of a sentient swamp plant and got it free, but was then attacked by GorastGorastA Makuta defined by rage and ruthlessness, Gorast conquered the Visorak and became Teridax's most devoted enforcer.. Gali trapped the Makuta in a mud sinkhole, only for Gorast to burst back out of the ground a moment later and beat her. The second was handed to 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. by the Av-Matoran who had been guiding the Toa, who then lay down and turned into a BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected.. The Toa had just learned that the first Bohrok had come from Av-Matoran, and that the change happened naturally. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

The third was taken from KrikaKrikaThe cautious Mistika leader who survived by never taking unnecessary risks, until Teridax's Plan forced his hand.'s base. The Toa set off timed explosions of their elements, each of which drew one of the Makuta away from the lair, and took the Keystone while the camp was empty. Krika wasn't fooled, and 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. threw up a shield against his attack as they withdrew. 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. dug a tunnel, and the team followed it toward the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off., planning to wait there for the other three Toa. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

Use at the Codrex and aftermath#

The two teams met up with TakanuvaTakanuvaHidden among the Ta-Matoran as Takua, the disguised Av-Matoran who became Takanuva was the sole Toa of Light produced in the Matoran Universe's full history., and 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. fitted the six pieces together. The Toa read over the instructions for how Mata Nui's reawakening would work. Then they launched a joint attack on the MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to build Rahi and keep order in his universe, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit., and while the Makuta were distracted they flew to the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off., placed the tablet in the figure etched on its side, and walked in through the lowered field. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

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. took the Keystone back out of the niche to stop the Makuta following them. It didn't quite work: AntrozAntrozMakuta commander who led the Phantoka assault on Karda Nui and pilot of the Jetrax T6, ultimately outmaneuvered by Kopaka's superior strategy. had slipped inside unnoticed, and he later stole the Jetrax T6 from under 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.. The tablet did exactly what it was made to do; the breach was a matter of timing. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

Inside, the Toa found the platform where their canisters had once rested, along with the vehicles hidden there and the giant Lightstones meant to carry a Toa's energy to Mata Nui. Tahu, Gali and Onua used what the Keystones had told them in their attempt to wake the Great Spirit, but in the end it was the Toa IgnikaToa Ignika, the Mask of Life Made ToaThe brief Toa form taken by the Kanohi Ignika after the death of Matoro, built from the organic life of the Swamp of Secrets and sacrificed to reawaken Mata Nui and again in the Battle of Bara Magna. who gave up his body inside the Codrex to send the jolt that woke him. Soon afterwards, Makuta TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. revealed that he had taken over the Great Spirit's body. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)