The Labyrinth of Control

The Labyrinth of Control was a shifting maze on an island off the coast of Okoto, in the 2015 to 2016 reboot continuity. A tribe of ingenious OkotansOkotanThe Okotans were the villager population of Okoto, six regional groups corresponding to the island's six elemental regions, who lived through the Battle of the Mask Makers, the long retreat into the lesser villages, and the recovery of the Ancient City after the defeat of Kulta and the revival of Ekimu. built it during the island's earliest times. Its best-known purpose was hiding the Mask of ControlThe Mask of ControlThe Kanohi of mind control once worn by Makuta of Okoto, hidden by the Elemental Creatures, sought by the Toa, and seized by Umarak, who became the Destroyer when he put it on., which the Elemental CreaturesThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light at Ekimu's side. Part of the 2015 to 2016 reboot continuity. placed there after MakutaMakuta (2015)Ekimu's brother and rival Mask Maker, who forged the forbidden Mask of Ultimate Power and was sealed in the Shadow Realm with Capital City. betrayed EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu is the Mask Maker of Okoto in the 2015 BIONICLE reboot, brother of Makuta, who knocked the Mask of Ultimate Power from his brother's face and slept for thousands of years before the Toa woke him.. It kept the mask safe for ages, then lost it in a single visit to UmarakUmarakUmarak hunted the Elemental Creatures of Okoto until the Mask of Control bound him to Makuta's will and remade him as the Destroyer. the Hunter when the ToaThe Toa of Okoto: The Six Heroes Summoned to Save the IslandThe six elemental heroes summoned by the Protectors of Okoto, who recovered the Golden Masks, woke Ekimu, fought the Skull Army, and twice banished Makuta to the Shadow Realm. came to collect it. (BIONICLE.com Explore; LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

Origin and unknown builders#

The maze wasn't the work of the Mask Makers. BIONICLE.com's Explore section says it was built by a tribe of ingenious OkotansOkotanThe Okotans were the villager population of Okoto, six regional groups corresponding to the island's six elemental regions, who lived through the Battle of the Mask Makers, the long retreat into the lesser villages, and the recovery of the Ancient City after the defeat of Kulta and the revival of Ekimu. during the island's earliest times, when the Prophecy first took form among them. Only someone with deep knowledge of the elements could open the portal leading in. (BIONICLE.com Explore)

The maze sat on an island, separated from the main body of OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors. by open water. In The Journey to One, the Toa reach it after passing through the Region of JungleRegion of JungleThe rainforest region of Okoto, home of the Jungle Tribe and the Protector of Jungle, ground over which Lewa sought the Golden Mask of Jungle and bonded with Uxar, and the coast from which the Labyrinth of Control rose offshore. and have to cross to the island, most of them united with their Creatures to do so. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

When the ToaThe Toa of Okoto: The Six Heroes Summoned to Save the IslandThe six elemental heroes summoned by the Protectors of Okoto, who recovered the Golden Masks, woke Ekimu, fought the Skull Army, and twice banished Makuta to the Shadow Realm. approached, they felt a strange familiarity about the place, a sense that they had some link to the people who had built it. The story never explains that link. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

Architecture of the shifting maze#

The Labyrinth was not a static structure. Inside, the Toa were attacked by slabs of rock and moving walls as they made their way to the centre. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa"; BIONICLE.com Explore)

The Elemental CreaturesThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light at Ekimu's side. Part of the 2015 to 2016 reboot continuity. were the ones who led the Toa there. They had hidden the mask, and through unity they passed the knowledge of its location to their Toa. (BIONICLE.com Explore; LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Quest for Unity")

At the centre of the maze, carvings told the Toa to stand in places that matched their elements and the regions of Okoto. One by one, each Toa united with their Creature and walked through a separate door into the chamber below, where the Mask of ControlThe Mask of ControlThe Kanohi of mind control once worn by Makuta of Okoto, hidden by the Elemental Creatures, sought by the Toa, and seized by Umarak, who became the Destroyer when he put it on. sat encased in a large crystal. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

The hiding by the Elemental Creatures#

After MakutaMakuta (2015)Ekimu's brother and rival Mask Maker, who forged the forbidden Mask of Ultimate Power and was sealed in the Shadow Realm with Capital City. betrayed his brother EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu is the Mask Maker of Okoto in the 2015 BIONICLE reboot, brother of Makuta, who knocked the Mask of Ultimate Power from his brother's face and slept for thousands of years before the Toa woke him., a great explosion scattered Okoto's masks of power across the island. The Elemental CreaturesThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light at Ekimu's side. Part of the 2015 to 2016 reboot continuity. found Makuta's own mask, the Mask of ControlThe Mask of ControlThe Kanohi of mind control once worn by Makuta of Okoto, hidden by the Elemental Creatures, sought by the Toa, and seized by Umarak, who became the Destroyer when he put it on.. (BIONICLE.com Explore)

Fearing that Makuta would one day come looking for it, the Creatures hid the mask in the safest place they could think of, the shifting maze. (BIONICLE.com Explore)

The hiding held until the ToaThe Toa of Okoto: The Six Heroes Summoned to Save the IslandThe six elemental heroes summoned by the Protectors of Okoto, who recovered the Golden Masks, woke Ekimu, fought the Skull Army, and twice banished Makuta to the Shadow Realm. arrived on Okoto. Makuta's spirit later sent UmarakUmarakUmarak hunted the Elemental Creatures of Okoto until the Mask of Control bound him to Makuta's will and remade him as the Destroyer. the Hunter after the mask, and the hunter's plan was to follow the Toa and their Creatures, knowing they would lead him to it. (BIONICLE.com Explore; LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

The Toa's expedition#

Each ToaThe Toa of Okoto: The Six Heroes Summoned to Save the IslandThe six elemental heroes summoned by the Protectors of Okoto, who recovered the Golden Masks, woke Ekimu, fought the Skull Army, and twice banished Makuta to the Shadow Realm. had to find and unite with the Elemental CreatureThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light at Ekimu's side. Part of the 2015 to 2016 reboot continuity. of their element. When a Toa and Creature united, the Toa saw the location of the maze where the Mask of Control was hidden. Umarak also learned of it, briefly, when he forced UxarUxarUxar is an Elemental Creature of Jungle residing on the island of Okoto, distinguished by its green and silver coloration. Gifted with wings and a connection to the element of Jungle, Uxar fulfills a protective role over the Region of Jungle and serves as an ally to the Toa. to unite with him, before LewaLewa, Master of Jungle: The Daredevil Toa of OkotoLewa of Okoto was the Master of Jungle summoned by the Protectors, the rebellious flier who quested for the Mask of Jungle in the Region of Jungle and bonded with Uxar in the second wave. broke them apart. (BIONICLE.com Explore; LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Quest for Unity")

The pairings matched each Toa to their element: TahuTahu, Master of Fire: Leader of the Toa of OkotoTahu of Okoto was the Master of Fire summoned by the Protectors, the hot-tempered would-be leader of the Toa who opened the Labyrinth of Control and held the line at the Black Volcano. with IkirIkirIkir is an Elemental Creature of fire from Okoto, distinguished by its orange and gold coloring. It serves as protector of the Region of Fire and as an ally to the Toa, wielding claws and crystal blades in fulfillment of those duties., KopakaKopaka, Master of Ice: The Chivalrous Toa of OkotoKopaka of Okoto, in the 2015 reboot continuity, was the Master of Ice summoned by the Protectors, the cold perfectionist who found his Golden Mask with Izotor and clashed with Tahu over who should lead. with MelumMelumMelum is an Elemental Creature of Ice native to Okoto, bearing colors of aqua, white, and gold. Armed with claws, Melum inhabits the Region of Ice, where it serves as a protector of that region and an ally to the Toa., GaliGali, Master of Water: The Toa Who Closed the RiftGali of Okoto, from the 2015 reboot, was the Master of Water of the Toa, the team's mediator at the City of the Mask Makers, and the Toa pulled into the Shadow Realm who came back knowing how to banish Makuta again. with AkidaAkidaAkida is an Elemental Creature of Water native to Okoto, distinguished by its blue and silver coloring. Armed with torpedo shooters and fins, it inhabits the Region of Water, which it protects, and serves alongside the Toa in defense of the island., OnuaOnua, Master of Earth: The Sage Toa of OkotoOnua of Okoto was the Master of Earth summoned by the Protectors, the quiet sage who separated Tahu and Kopaka at the Ancient City and felled the Lord of Skull Spiders with his Earthquake Hammer. with TerakTerakTerak is an Elemental Creature of Earth native to Okoto, bearing a distinctive violet, black, and gold coloration. Armed with claws, Terak is devoted to protecting the Region of Earth and to aiding the Toa in their mission., LewaLewa, Master of Jungle: The Daredevil Toa of OkotoLewa of Okoto was the Master of Jungle summoned by the Protectors, the rebellious flier who quested for the Mask of Jungle in the Region of Jungle and bonded with Uxar in the second wave. with Uxar, and PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. with KetarKetarKetar is an Elemental Creature of Stone native to Okoto, bearing neon yellow, silver, and brown coloration. Armed with crystal blades, Ketar is devoted to protecting the Region of Stone and aiding the Toa in their missions on the island.. Pohatu came back to Ekimu last, still not united with his Creature. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Quest for Unity")

In the City of the Mask Makers, EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu is the Mask Maker of Okoto in the 2015 BIONICLE reboot, brother of Makuta, who knocked the Mask of Ultimate Power from his brother's face and slept for thousands of years before the Toa woke him. told the Toa they had to recover the Mask of ControlThe Mask of ControlThe Kanohi of mind control once worn by Makuta of Okoto, hidden by the Elemental Creatures, sought by the Toa, and seized by Umarak, who became the Destroyer when he put it on. from the Labyrinth before Makuta's forces got there first. Makuta's spirit, meanwhile, ordered UmarakUmarakUmarak hunted the Elemental Creatures of Okoto until the Mask of Control bound him to Makuta's will and remade him as the Destroyer. to take one of the Creatures and seize the mask, and the hunter said he'd find the weakest link and exploit it. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

On the way, Umarak ambushed the team in the jungle. Pohatu left Onua to save Ketar, and Umarak withdrew, satisfied. At the island, Onua was last to land, having helped the abandoned Ketar across, and Pohatu told the others he'd only unite with Ketar in an emergency. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

The theft and the lost mask#

At the centre of the maze, the other Toa united with their Creatures and passed through to the chamber below. PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. hesitated, even as Ketar prodded him. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

That was the opening UmarakUmarakUmarak hunted the Elemental Creatures of Okoto until the Mask of Control bound him to Makuta's will and remade him as the Destroyer. had been waiting for. He fired a Shadow Trap at the Toa of Stone, forced Ketar to unite with him, hurled a slab of rock at Pohatu and rushed into the lower chamber. There he attacked the Toa and smashed the crystal holding the Mask of ControlThe Mask of ControlThe Kanohi of mind control once worn by Makuta of Okoto, hidden by the Elemental Creatures, sought by the Toa, and seized by Umarak, who became the Destroyer when he put it on. as the Labyrinth began caving in, then flew out through a hole in the ceiling. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. went after him on top of the maze, near the cliffs, and Ketar forced Umarak to break the union. The mask was knocked loose and Pohatu ran for it, but Umarak dropped Ketar off the cliff. Pohatu saved Ketar, and Umarak made off with the mask. Pohatu apologised to Ketar and to the other Toa, and the team swore to get the mask back. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

BIONICLE.com tells the same moment more briefly: having followed the Toa from the shadows, the hunter outsmarted them and claimed the mask. (BIONICLE.com Explore)

Aftermath and standing legacy#

The Labyrinth kept the Mask of ControlThe Mask of ControlThe Kanohi of mind control once worn by Makuta of Okoto, hidden by the Elemental Creatures, sought by the Toa, and seized by Umarak, who became the Destroyer when he put it on. safe for as long as it stayed hidden. It lost the mask on the one visit when the ToaThe Toa of Okoto: The Six Heroes Summoned to Save the IslandThe six elemental heroes summoned by the Protectors of Okoto, who recovered the Golden Masks, woke Ekimu, fought the Skull Army, and twice banished Makuta to the Shadow Realm. came to take it to safety. The maze itself hadn't failed. Umarak got in by forcing a Creature to unite with him, something the setup hadn't guarded against. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

With the mask gone and the chamber caving in, the Toa and the Creatures left the island. No later use of the Labyrinth is shown. (LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")

The site's story ends there. It had been built by an Okotan tribe long before, taken up by the Creatures to hold a mask Makuta must not regain, opened by the Toa, and robbed by the hunter who followed them in. (BIONICLE.com Explore; LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One, "Trials of the Toa")