Toa
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Toa are the heroes of the fictional Bionicle mythos, a storyline of adventure and evil made by the Lego toy company. they are heroes that have and represent an elemental power. These are the elements and Toa so far (in order of appearance):
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The Toa
There have been many Toa over the years. They can come in many forms, but two things they all have in common is a great Kanohi mask of power on their face and the desire to do good (in the begining, anyway... an example of this is Nidhiki, but that's another story). They all also posess the ability to create or control a certain element. The traditional elements are fire, ice, air, wind, water, stone, and earth, and their are traditionally six Toa in a team. However, their are exceptions to both rules: to elements, there has been one known Toa each of Light and Sonics; to the numerical value, there was once a team of eleven Toa.
Toa 'Mata'
The Toa on Mata Nui are six elemental beings, likened to spirits sent to protect Mata-Nui from evil. The Toa were originally called to earth by the collection of the Toa Stones. Later, when exposed to Energized Protodermis (this fact not known when the Toa were first changed...), the Toa turned into Toa Nuva (excluding Takanuva).
Gali is the Toa of Water, and the only female Toa. Though she personifies the deepest, darkest oceans, there is an aura of warmth and caring surrounding Gali that the other Toa do not possess. She is gentle and kind, and often the only one who keeps the toa from splitting up or doing battle amongst themselves. Though her preference for peace would make her ill-suited to lead the Toa, she has proven herself many times in battle. She wears the Kanohi Kaukau, and had two climbing hooks upon her arrival. As the Toa of Water, Gali can control the tides, create floods from the tiniest bit of moisture, summon and disperse tsunamis and rainstorms, and combine forces with Lewa to unleash a powerful storm.
Kopaka is the Toa of Ice. Kopaka's intelligence and cunning are matched only by emotionlessness: he almost never shows any passion or loses his cool, preferring to hide his feelings behind a layer of silence as thick and impenetrable as the ice sheets covering the mountains of his homeland, Ko-Wahi. Kopaka rarely gets along well with the other Toa, being the least social of them. His Akaku is the Mask of X-Ray vision. When he arrived on the island, Kopaka carried a sword and shield. Kopaka's powers include the ability to start and stop avalanches and ice storms, survive in highly cold temperatures, unleash blasts of ice and snow, create structures from ice.
Lewa is the Toa of Air. As the youngest Toa, he is vulnerable. Lewa is an especially playful and mischevious spirit who thinks nothing of pulling innocent pranks on his villagers and fellow Toa; some have argued that this will be his undoing unless he learns when he's taken a joke too far. His Miru allows him to levitate himself. When he arrived, he carried an axe for chopping through dense vegetation when he arrived on Mata Nui. Lewa is highly energetic, and during the early Toa meetings he would often do cartwheels and handstands. Towards the end of the quest for the Kanohi, Lewa was captured by a Nui-Rama swarm and wore an infected mask. He was saved, however, by timely intervention by Toa Onua. Shortly after, Lewa was again infected, this time by a Bohrok Krana, but Onua came to his aid again. After this second infection, Lewa developed the ability to discern Bohrok and Krana language. Lewa’s abilities as the Toa of air include the power to control the wind, summon air currents and windstorms, unleash gusts of air, and combine his powers with Gali’s to form a storm.
Onua is the Toa of Earth and the most mysterious of the Toa. Little is known about this Toa, who spends most of his time underground in his subterranean realm of Onu-Wahi. While this wise Toa has much to contribute to the group, he often shies away from drawing attention to himself. Still, Onua has a combination of down-to-earth sense, powerful natural instinct, and sheer brute strength from or without his Pakari, which makes him useful. Perhaps the most intelligent of the Toa, Onua is also one of the strongest. As the Toa of Earth, he can cause or end earthquakes or tremors, open fissures in the ground, manipulate the landscape, and bring forth tremendous structures of earth. Onua is the most silent of the group, but that is because he only brings up what is worthwhile. When he arrived, he possessed clawed hands ideal for digging. Onua shares a strong friendship with Toa Lewa, and is often on the side of Toa Gali in arguments.
Pohatu is the Toa of Stone, and as the friendliest of the toa, he is binding force that ties the other Toa together. The witty, chivalrous Toa is above all things a people person, and he maintains friendships with each of the other Toa even when they can't agree with each other. Though Pohatu is generally slow-moving, his Kanohi Kakama (the Great Mask of Speed) gives him the power to move faster than the eye can trace. He is very like the element he represents: sturdy, down to earth-dense, hardheaded and stubborn — and always strong. Unlike the other Toa, Pohatu's strength is mainly in his lower body, which explains why his village is skilled in the sports of Kolhii and its predecessor Koli. As the Toa of Stone, Pohatu can change earth to stone, detect any weaknesses in a stone, create structures from stone, heal cracks in boulders and statues, and command rock with his will.
Tahu is the Toa of Fire and the leader of the Toa (until the coming of Takanuva), and guardian of Ta-koro. Tahu is the boldest, fiercest, and most courageous of the Toa; however, this trait often manifests itself as hot-headed temper and aggression. His Kanohi Hau is the Mask of Shielding. When he first arrived on the island, he carried a flame-shaped sword.
Takanuva is the Toa of Light. Once a Matoran, Takua, Takanuva wore the Kanohi Avohkii, mask of light, and turned into a Toa. His elemental power is light. He wields the Kolhii staff of Light and has a machine called the Ussanui (which was powered by a Kraata) to aid him to his search to fight and defeat Makuta. Unlike the other Mata Nui Toa, Takanuva appeared as a Toa Nuva, without exposure to protodermis. As Takua, he followed to Toa deep underground and hid as the Toa defeated Makuta in a great battle. Afterwards, he recorded the events of the Bohrok swarms. After the Bohrok were annihilated, the Toa transformed into the Toa Nuva. Takua chronicled the events of the Rahkshi. He soon found the Mask of Light and was sent on a mission to find the 7th Toa. Long story short, after engagements with the Rahkshi, and the death of his best friend Jaller, Takua realized the true reason of the discovery, and donned the mask. The Mask transformed him into the legendary Takanuva, the 7th Toa of Light. Takanuva defeated the Rahkshi rather easily and then descended underground to take on Makuta alone. He nearly failed, until the threat of killing the other Toa and Matoran made him angry enough to deliver the decisive blow to Makuta, and then threw him into a tub of protodermis which fused the two into one being. With dark and light combined, Takutanuva was the most powerful being ever to walk on Mata-Nui. After the transformation, he walked towards the gateway to Metru Nui and lifted it. He noticed Hahli carrying Jaller's mask while the Matoran, Toa, and Turaga were going in. Takutanuva revived Jaller using Makuta's life force. This took away much of his energy as he struggled upon the weight of the gate and was crushed under it soon after. Takanuva emerged safely, but as Makuta did not, it is safe to assume that the Master of Shadows is gone for good.
Three toa can combine into Toa Kaita, which are stronger and larger beings. These Kaita are as follows: Wairuah, Kaita of Wisdom with powers of wind, ice, and water; and Akaimai of Valor with powers of fire, earth and stone.
Shadow Toa
Shadow Toa. Shadow Toa are some of the Makuta's guardians. They are a clone of each Toa and have the same power. They are not real Toa, for they are made of physical shadow energy. The Shadow Toa appeared only once, to do battle with the Toa 'Mata' after their counterparts defeated the Manas. The Toa found themselves matched, but discovered how to defeat the Shadow Toa by switching off. Thus the Shadow Toa were beaten, and never seen again.
Toa Nuva
After defeating the Bahrag in the Bohrok nest, the six Toa 'Mata' (Takanuva was not a Toa at the time) were exposed to protodermis. This caused them to mutate into new, more powerful Toa Nuva. Their tools changed, becoming not only weapons, but in the cases of all except Pohatua Nuva became transportation devices. Their Kanohi also changed, becoming Kanohi Nuva that could extend their abilities to those around the user. The six Toa Nuva recieved stone symbols, which contained their elemental powers. These were briefly stolen by the Bohrok Kal, but recovered, and supposedly absorbed by the Toa Nuva. The Toa Nuva are as follows:
Gali Nuva's aqua axes can be attached to her feet to serve as scuba fins. Now there is truly nothing faster or more powerful than her under the water! And she will need that power to save Ga-Koro from the darkness that is on its way. Protector of the oceans and waterways of the island, her Kaukau Nuva allows her to plunge to the very bottom of the sea and survive.
Kopaka Nuva's new power has, if anything, make him even colder and more remote than the mountain upon which he lives. His ice blade can be split in two to form power ice skates that let him rip through the ice and snow. He wears the Akaku Nuva, using its power to keep watch on all of Ko-Wahi from the top of Mount Ihu.
Lewa Nuva has grown stronger as a result of his struggles against the Bohrok. His new air katana can be attached to his body to allow him to glide on wind currents. Combined with the power of Miru Nuva, he can now fly high over the island, keeping an eye out for potential threats to the peace of Mata Nui. In 2006, some villian breaks one of his air katana.
Onua Nuva's wisdom and strength will be needed more than ever in the months to come. Now no place on the island is too far or too dangerous for him to reach, for his quake breakers can be used as high-speed, all-terrain tracks. They can also be used to carve new passages in the earth. Onua Nuva wears the Pakari Nuva, which increases his raw strength to amazing levels.
Pohatu Nuva's climbing claws make it easier than ever for him to scale the rocky peaks near his village. When joined together, his claws form the legendary Kodan ball. Using the Great Mask of Speed, Kakama Nuva, he has devoted himself to repairing the damage done to Po-Wahi by the rampaging Bohrok.
Tahu Nuva welcomes his new power most of all. Now he feels even more confident that he can protect Ta-Koro from any danger! When trouble threatens, his magma swords can be joined together to form a lava board that carries him swiftly over the magma flows. He wears the Hau Nuva, which he uses to protect his people against any harm.
Notes:
- Like they could in the past, 3 Toa Nuva can form a Toa Nuva Kaita.
Toa Metru
Six ordinary Matoran, inhabitants on the ancient island city Metru Nui, were transformed when they were given Toa Stones by a Toa named Lhikan. Lhikan gave six Matoran Toa Stones and sent them to the Great Temple of Ga-Metru (a district in the city) and there they placed their Toa Stones onto a shrine, transforming them into six mighty heroes, each with a special ability. Later on, they chose the path of wisdom and became Turaga on the island of Mata Nui.
Toa Metru of Air and guardian of Le-Metru, Matau was a top Ussal driver who loved to see how many speed records he could break--and indeed, he had just finished crash-landing yet another prototype transport vehicle when Toa Lhikan handed him his Toa Stone. Of all the Toa, he is the most excited about being a hero and can't wait for all the public acclaim he is sure is coming. He is proud, impulsive, and headstrong, and willing to take a risk to prove to others that he is worthy of being a "Toa-hero." Matau would like to be close friends with Nokama, but so far she does not seem interested. He has nothing against Vakama, but thinks he would be a better choice for leader of the Toa Metru. As for the other three Toa Metru, Matau feels they take the whole experience too seriously and should really lighten up. Toa Matau wears the Kanohi Mahiki, the Great Mask of Illusion, which not only allows him to create illusions but actually to shapeshift. He can duplicate the voices of those he impersonates, but does not assume their powers. He carries two Aero-Slicers which are strong enough to cut through energy fields and can also serve as glider wings and rotors. They also channel his elemental air power.
Toa Metru of Water and guardian of Ga-Metru, Nokama was originally a teacher. Although she is now a heroine, she has not lost the habit of trying to instruct others. This is particularly annoying to Matau, who says she should listen more and “speak-teach” less. Nokama takes her responsibilities as a Toa very seriously, and believes they have a duty to the Great Spirit to meet any challenge. She does sometimes miss her old Matoran friends, though, who now do not seem to know how to act toward her. Nokama is wise and extremely resourceful, having once managed to defeat three Rahkshi single-handedly. She is very good at seeing the big picture and making connections between seemingly unrelated events. Along with Onewa, she is the best tactician among the Toa Metru. She wears the Kanohi Rau, the Great Mask of Translation, which allows her to read ancient Matoran dialects and understand spoken languages. Her Toa tools are twin hydro blades, which can pull her through the Protodermis canals at high speed. They are also strong enough to shatter solid rock, and channel her power to control water.
Toa Metru of Ice and guardian of Ko-Metru, Nuju was a well-respected seer before becoming a Toa - and sometimes he wishes he could go back to that role. While he takes his duties as a Toa seriously, it is not a job he would have volunteered for. Being a Toa Metru means having to work with others he is not sure he likes and having little time to study. Although Nuju does not have much faith in Vakama's visions, he is practical enough to know that someone has to be the leader. That does not mean Nuju will follow orders he thinks are foolish - like any Ko-Matoran, he prefers to go his own way and choose his own actions. Although he may sometimes seem aloof, he is usually mapping out the consequences of a plan before suggesting it. Nuju is always focused on the future, which explains why he argues regularly with Toa Whenua, who reveres the past. Toa Nuju wears the Kanohi Matatu, the Great Mask of Telekinesis, which allows him to move objects and beings with his mind. He must be able to see his target in order to affect it, and his mask is designed with basic vision enhancements to make that easier. He carries a pair of crystal spikes, useful for digging into the sheer sides of Knowledge Towers and channeling his ice power.
Toa Metru of Stone and guardian of Onu-Metru, Onewa was a master stone carver before his transformation. Like many residents of Po-Metru, he looks down on those from Ko-Metru and Onu-Metru as not doing "real work." Onewa is courageous, almost to the point of being reckless, and refuses to accept defeat. He will always find a way to win. Onewa has no truly close friends among the Toa Metru, mainly because he is so quick to anger. He particularly rides Vakama and Nuju, neither one of whom are his idea of a Toa. But he can always be trusted in a crisis and has more than once come up with the plan to save the situation. He has enormous confidence in his own ability to achieve. Onewa wears the Kanohi Komau, the Great Mask of Mind Control, which allows him to direct the actions of other beings. He carries two proto pitons, which he uses to scale buildings and swing from one to another. They also serve to channel his power to control stone.
Toa of fire and guardian of Ta-Metru, Vakama was once one of the city's top mask-maskers. His skills were so well-respected that Turaga Dume personally asked him to create a Kanohi Mask of Time--and he had just failed for the umpteenth time when Toa Lhikan delivered him his Toa Stone. Now he has become a Toa Metru, but he is not always certain he is ready for the role of hero. At times he misses his old life in the foundries, crafting masks for others to wear. Vakama has always been plagued by strange visions of the future. Often their meaning is not clear, and it is a "talent" he has always hidden from others. It is only later that he will discover that those visions are key to saving the city. He has the wisdom and the courage to be a leader, but is not sure he wants that role. Nokama, however, feels strongly that Vakama is the best suited to lead the Toa Metru. Toa Metru of Fire Vakama wears the Kanohi Huna, the Great Mask of Concealment. It allows him to turn invisible, although even in that state, he still casts a shadow. He carries a Kanoka disk launcher. Although his disk launcher can channel his elemental fire power, Vakama often transmits it through his hands. He had a vision. The Morbuzakh were destroying Metru Nui! He told the others, and they split up.
Toa Metru of Earth and guardian of Onu-Metru, Whenua has the love for history common to all archivists. He still cannot believe he went from being a Matoran one moment to a Toa the next. He is still happiest when he is down in the Archives, and is much less comfortable when visiting other metru. Whenua has his feet on the ground. He knows the Toa Metru are powerful, but he also knows they are not invincible. This makes him a bit more cautious than some of the others, except perhaps in cases where the Archives are threatened. He quarrels with Nuju, who believes the past is unimportant, and with Onewa, who enjoys poking fun at the Toa he refers to as an "Onu-Matoran stock clerk." Toa Whenua wears the Kanohi Ruru, the Great Mask of Night Vision. This mask enables him to light the way for the other Toa, as well as providing him with X-ray vision. Whether it has other vision powers as well remains to be seen. He carries two Earthshock Drills, which can punch holes in virtually anything as well as creating a powerful sonic force when rotated at maximum speed. They also channel his power to control earth.
Toa Hordika
The Toa Hordika were Toa Metru who were mutated by Hordika venom when they were captured by the Visorak. They lose their mask powers and become half Rahi and half Toa. However, they gain new tools as well as a Rhotuka spinner which they can channel their powers into. They are aided by the Rahaga to find objects to aid transporting the Matoran from Metru Nui to Mata Nui, as well as searching for Keetongu to cure them.
There are currently 6 known Toa Hordika: Vakama Hordika (red), Nokama Hordika (blue), Matau Hordika (green), Nuju Hordika (white), Onewa Hordika (brown), and Whenua Hordika (black). More about them:
Matau Hordika-Matau is the Toa most eager to seek out Keetongu. His Fang Blades can cut through most substances, and serve to charge his Rhotuka.
Nokama Hordika-Because of her connection to nature, Nokama is the most comfortable with her Hordika form. Her tools are twin Fin Barbs, which can charge up her Rhotuka spinner.
Nuju Hordika-Nuju, used to being in control of his emotions, is among those most anxious to be cured of his mutation. Nuju's tools are Hordika teeth, which he uses to charge his Rhotuka.
Onewa Hordika-Because of his aggresive attitude, Onewa is heavily affected by his transformation. His tools are two Claw Clubs that can hurl stones or energize his Rhotuka.
Vakama Hordika-Vakama is probably the most at risk in his Hordika state, as his reckless determination seems to accelerate his mutation. Vakama's tools are two blazer claws, which serve to charge his Rhotuka spinner with fire energy.
Whenua Hordika-After spending years examining and storing Rahi, Whenua is in danger of becoming one. His Thumper tools can summon subteranean creatures or power up his Rhotuka.
Note:
- "Hordika" means half-beast in Matoran.
Toa Hagah
The Toa Hagah served the Brotherhood of Makuta, an organization once dedicated to the protection of all that lived. However, for reasons unknown, the rest of the Brotherhood turned corrupt. The Toa Hagah defeated Makuta, but were then ambushed by Roodaka, viceroy of the Visorak. Kualus, Bomonga, Pouks, and Gaaki were all captured and mutated into Rahaga, and were to be put to death. Iruini and Norik were seperate from the group at the time;Iruini had quit, and Norik had been doing something else. They were able to rescue their comrades. However, they all ended up as mutants. As a cruel joke about their new forms, Roodaka called them Rahaga, a mixture of Rahkshi and Hagah. Before his corruption, the Hagah actually served as Makuta's bodyguards.
Toa Norik served the Brotherhood of Makuta, but defeated Makuta after learning the Brotherhood had turned corrupt. Then he mistakenly let his team get overconfident. This left him unprepared for the ambush, forcing him on a rescue mission to save his allies. He used his slowness Rhotuka, Lava Spear, fire element and his Kanohi Pehkui.
Toa Iruini served the Brotherhood of Makuta, but defeated Makuta after learning the Brotherhood had turned corrupt. Then Iruini quit his team, believing they spent too much time on huge menaces and not enough on ever-present dangers. So he escaped the ambush that took most of his team and allied with Norik on a quest to save Gaaki, Pouks, Kualus and Bomonga from Roodaka. He used his healing Rhotuka, Cyclone Spear, element of wind, and Kanohi Kualsi.
Note:
- "Hagah" means guardian in the Matoran language.
Other Toa
Besides the groups of Toa mentioned in the storyline, their are also other Toa who play important roles. Among these are:
Toa Krakua is a Toa from the future who is the lone defender of a mysterious island fortress. Using his Kanohi Suletu, Mask of Telepathy, he stays ahead of his enemies by reading their thoughts. Krakua has the power of Sonics, or sound, and can use his sword to unleash shockwaves that can shatter mountains. Krakua comes to the time of the Toa Hordika to aid Vakama in the retrieval of the Kanohi Vahi. He first appears in Bionicle Adventures #10: Time Trap.
Toa Lhikan is the only remaing Toa on Metru Nui before the Toa Metru. He was part of a team of eleven Toa who defeated a Kanohi Dragon.
Toa Nidhiki is a former member of Toa Lhikan's team. For unknown reasons, he became a four-legged Dark Hunter.
External links
- Bionicle (http://www.bionicle.com/)