Ignika

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Ignika
Kanohi
Title	Mask of Life
Power(s)	Life
Disk(s)	None
User(s)	A Toa from Jovan's team (formerly), Matoro (formerly)
"Toa"
Title	"Toa" of Life
Element	Life
Primary Group	None
Mask	Kanohi Ignika
Tools	Lifeblade, Midak Skyblaster, Skyboard
Status	Bodyless, drifting through space
Pronunciation	Ig-NEE-kah
BZPower page

The Kanohi Ignika is the mysterious and powerful Legendary Mask of Life. Its purpose is to drain life from every organism in the Matoran Universe as a failsafe in case it did not conform to the Great Beings' plan for it. It is also to be used on the Great Spirit Mata Nui, should anything damage his life-force. It was sought by the Piraka, Toa Nuva, Toa Inika and Brutaka on Voya Nui, and later the Barraki, Toa Mahri and Hydraxon in the Pit.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Great Cataclysm 1.2 Mahri Nui 1.3 Karda Nui 1.4 The Kingdom 2 Abilities and Traits 2.1 Powers 2.1.1 Example Usages 2.1.2 Curses 2.1.3 Guardians 2.1.4 Forms 2.2 Tools 2.3 BIONICLE.com Stats 3 Bearers 4 Set Information 5 Quotes 6 Trivia 7 Appearances 8 See Also 9 External Links

History

The Kanohi Ignika was crafted into existance by the Great Beings over 100,000 years ago. Molded in the Great Beings' universe, it was heated in forges fiery beyond imagining and cooled in great caverns of ice. It was forged so that if Mata Nui's life-force was damaged, he could be healed. The Kanohi Ignika was first placed in a golden armored shell to protect it until a Great Being became curious about the mask. He opened the shell and grabbed the mask. The Kanohi Ignika sensed that the Great Being was not destined to use it, but it shared its power with him anyway, believing it to be a wonderful gift. As a result, everything around the Great Being came to life. Each object then cried out to him, pleading for their needs to be filled. Eventually, he went insane and the other Great Beings had to lock him up to prevent him from bringing other objects to life.

Shortly later, the Kanohi Ignika was moved to the center of the Southern Continent near the village of Voya Nui. The two Great Beings who brought it there used their weapons to dig a hole in the ground, creating chambers and steps along the way. Eventually, they stopped far below the surface and formed the Chamber of Life. They then built a pedestal. One of them removed the Kanohi Ignika from its shell using special tools. He placed it on the pedestal, and the pair left. They later put many traps in place and installed Umbra as protection. The mask also created guards of its own, such as the Protodax.

Many tried to take the mask over the years, but none ever reached the chamber. This all changed 79,100 years ago, when Mata Nui was weakened because of the Great Disruption, and Toa Jovan and his team managed to reach the Chamber of Life. The mask sensed that they were destined to use it, and allowed the team to take it to Karda Nui, where one member used it to heal Mata Nui. The member was consumed by the mask's power in the process, and afraid of its power, the rest of the team returned the Kanohi Ignika to its chamber. The surviving members of the team went on to become Turaga.

Great Cataclysm

The mask remained in the chamber for many millennia. 1,001 years ago, the Great Cataclysm shook the Matoran Universe and shot Voya Nui to the surface, now as an island. The Kanohi Ignika began to sense that something was fundamentally wrong with the universe's fabric of life. It also sensed that beings on the surface wanted it. One group, the Piraka, wanted it for treacherous reasons, and the other group wanted to save the dying Great Spirit.

Wanting another guardian, the mask used its powers to draw Vezon, a half-Skakdi that coveted it, to the Chamber of Life. Upon reaching and touching the Mask of Life, Vezon's feet were fused to an enlarged Fenrakk. The Kanohi Ignika also fused itself to the back of his head and granted its new guardian special powers.

Over time, however, the mask grew to dislike Vezon, and found a new potential guardian: a Matoran named Matoro. It also turned silver, beginning its countdown to drain life from the universe, as it realized it was in danger from the Piraka and Vezon. At that time, Matoro was in a tunnel leading to Karzahni that absorbed all light and sound. The mask used its powers to become as a living being in the tunnel with him. Matoro, believing it was one of his friends, grabbed the being's hand and led him out of the tunnel, only to realize that his friends had already passed through. Matoro had passed the mask's test, and the mask wished to replace Vezon with Matoro as a guardian.

A few days later, the Piraka arrived to take the mask for themselves. Vezon was successful in defeating them, but the Toa Inika arrived immediately afterwards. They were slightly more successful in holding him off. At one point in the fight, Jaller used his powers to melt the floor beneath Vezon. Vezon, knowing it would merely make Fenrakk more powerful, urged the monstrous spider into the lava.

Fenrakk emerged as the Kardas Dragon, with Vezon still fused to him. Jaller had Kongu use his Suletu to project the mask's thoughts into Vezon. As Vezon was distracted by the knowledge that the mask did not want him, Jaller fired a special Zamor at Vezon and Kardas, freezing them in time and space. With the Piraka defeated, the balance of good and evil in the universe tipped back to the light side just far enough for the Kanohi Ignika to revert to its gold color.

Kongu told Matoro to take the mask, as he learned from it while reading its thoughts that it wanted Matoro to be its guardian. Matoro easily removed the Kanohi Ignika from Vezon, but the mask sensed that it was not yet time for it to be used. It then made the now-unfrozen Kardas Dragon to free it from Matoro's grip, and the mask flew up the staircase to the surface. The Toa chased after the Mask of Life, but it moved only close enough for them to see it. The mask eventually reached the surface and plunged into the sea, where it sensed the universe was most damaged, hoping the Toa would follow. Hahli tried to retrieve the mask, but she could not stand up against the enormous water pressure.

Mahri Nui

The Kanohi Ignika continued to sink into the ocean, but upon making contact with the Pit's mutagenic waters, the mask slowly started to erode away, its energy being released in the form of air. It finally found salvation from the toxic water in Kyrehx, a Ga-Matoran sentry on the city's edge. She at first believed it was a piece of debris, until the mask called to her. She rushed to the mask and returned to her post. As she did so, she recognized it for a Kanohi, and decided to show it to the council.

However, the council was not in session. She instead decided to take the mask to one of her instructors who made replicas of Kanohi. What she didn't know, however, was that the mask had cursed her, causing plant life to attack her. When she tried to get to the school, the plants around her reached out and trapped her. Luckily, a Po-Matoran named Dekar came and rescued her from them. Suddenly, Kyrehx no longer wanted the mask, and left it behind with Dekar. He decided to take the mask to the school later, as he had to hunt. Meanwhile, a Sea Squid had sensed the mask's power and informed its master, Kalmah. Kalmah assumed that it was the Ignika, and decided to gather together the other Barraki to take the mask and use it to resume their former forms.

During Dekar's hunt, he encountered a Venom Eel. Finding it strange to see an extra-aggressive Venom Eel in open water, Dekar attacked it. However, the eel was always healed instantly. Giving up, he returned to the city, only to learn there were thousands of Venom Eels headed for the city. At the city wall, he manned an Air Launcher for protection. However, the damage done by it was undone instantly as well. Dekar realized it was because of the mask and decided the only thing to do was to destroy it. He swam as far away from Mahri Nui as he could, so no other Matoran would take the mask and be cursed.

On the way, however, he saw Mantax and Kalmah and they started to chase him. He barely managed to reach a cave, and was about to shatter the mask with a rock when the mask reacted. An energy beam shot out from it and enlarged a Venom Eel until it was 300 feet long to use as a Guardian.

The gigantic Venom Eel struck Dekar and Kalmah, knocking them both out. Mantax could barely get out of the way. He then fled the scene. Dekar regained consciousness and began to wonder whether the mask could use its powers without being worn. He touched the mask, and it filled his mind with its history, from its creation to when it had sunk to Mahri Nui.

Eventually, the Barraki arrived with Brutaka. Dekar threatened to destroy it, but Brutaka revealed he was part of the Order of Mata Nui, and that Dekar could trust him. Dekar, who had never heard of the Order, refused, stating that if Brutaka was destined to have the mask, he would have found it first. Kalmah then summoned a Giant Squid, which carried Brutaka away. The Barraki then moved towards the mask. Ehlek shot a jolt of electricity at Dekar, forcing him to drop the mask. Pridak grabbed it and proclaimed that even Mata Nui would fall before him. The Kanohi Ignika then did something nobody expected: it sent out a massive wave of light which illuminated the whole Pit and all of Mahri Nui. The wave of light transformed the Toa Inika into the Toa Mahri as a call for help. Shortly thereafter, the Mask of Life transformed dying Dekar into a near-duplicate of Hydraxon for additional protection.

Later, the Barraki decided to give the Mask of Life to Nocturn. He briefly possessed it, but dropped the mask while fighting the new Hydraxon. After defeating Nocturn, Hydraxon decided to destroy the the mask because of how dangerous he considered it, and opened fire on it with his Cordak Blaster. Luckily, Hahli brushed aside the bullet with a water current. During her struggle with Hydraxon, Mantax stole the mask and was cursed. He then demanded that the other Barraki meet with him. During the meeting, Mantax lost the mask when a landslide covered the group. Jaller and Matoro tried to get the mask, but were stopped by Hydraxon and then Maxilos. Jaller managed to slap at the mask and send it towards Matoro. He grabbed it and managed to escape with the mask.

Before the Cord was shattered by the Toa Mahri, Gadunka, the 300-foot-long-Venom Eel, and an ancient sea monster attacked the team. During the fight, Gadunka was able to grab the Kanohi Ignika. Responding out of fear, the mask cursed Gardunka, making it shink. Hydraxon then tried to take the mask, but was talked out of it by Matoro. After the Cord was shattered, Matoro began to follow the island to where the mask needed to be used. Unfortunately, it was too late. Mata Nui died, and the mask stopped glowing.

However, Matoro continued to follow Voya Nui to the mainland, hoping against hope that there was a way to bring the Great Spirit back. He managed to dive under the island just before it sealed the hole to Karda Nui. Matoro then put on the mask at the suggestion of a mysterious voice. Once Matoro did so, he learned what was to happen and he had to die. He accepted this without fear and used the mask to teleport the Toa Mahri back to Metru Nui, as a last act of friendship. The Mask of Life then converted Matoro to energy and combined him with its powers. It used the energy to resurrect Mata Nui, giving hope once more to the universe.

Karda Nui

After being used by Matoro, the Kanohi Ignika fell into the Swamp of Secrets. Inspired by the courage that Matoro had displayed, the Kanohi Ignika decided to experience life as a Toa. It formed a body for itself using organic molecules from the swamp. It also formed a vehicle based off the vehicles in Mahri Nui. Calling itself "Toa Ignika", the mask/being then sensed the Toa Nuva fighting above in the area around the Stalactite Villages and flew up to join them.

Toa Ignika met up with the Toa Nuva Phantoka as they flew towards the Shadow Leech Hive. There, he saved the three Toa and the Av-Matoran by speeding up the life processes of a monstrous Rahi which was about to attack them. Stunned by Toa Ignika's potential, the Toa Nuva welcomed him into their group, although they were not aware of his true identity nor did they recognize the mask.

Later, in the Shadow Leech Hive, Toa Ignika was portrayed as a giant monster in a mental illusion cast by Mutran. Thinking he was an enemy, the Toa Matoran attacked Toa Ignika. Confused and angry, he decided the Toa and Matoran were not worthy of life and sped up their aging. Realizing that the monster was an illusion by Mutran, the Toa pleaded with Toa Ignika to stop killing them. Pohatu then used his power to cause the ground beneath Toa Ignika to erupt. Distracted, the attack on the group stopped and Toa Ignika was pinned to the wall by Pohatu. However, Toa Ignika was then released after a stunned Pohatu realized that Toa Ignika was wearing the Mask of Life.

Toa Ignika was then captured along with the other Toa when Antroz, Chirox and Vamprah ambushed them. He was later freed by Pohatu, and helped to destroy the Shadow Leech vats by smashing through them using the Kakama Nuva. Toa Ignika then used his powers to kill the living stone that supported the hive, sending it crashing down into the swamp.

Later, during a battle in the sky, Toa Ignika was attacked by Icarax and was almost thrown off his Skyboard. Angered, he devolved the Makuta back into a biomechanical being using his powers. Upon defeating Icarax, Toa Ignika guarded him while the Toa Nuva left for the swamp, barring him from pursuing the Toa.

Spoiler Warning: Plot or ending details follow. (Please highlight the white space below if applicable)

Icarax revealed to the mask of his ability to drain the universe of all life, in an attempt to enrage the Ignika. Toa Ignika rushed off to reveal this to his newfound allies, abandoning Icarax.

Toa Ignika sacrificing itself to awaken Mata Nui.

Later, Toa Ignika learned to speak and explained to the Toa Nuva that the balance in the universe had shifted. He also explained that he wasn't just wearing the Mask of Life - he was the Mask of Life, and warned them of his deadly countdown to the death of the universe. Toa Ignika followed the Toa Nuva into the Codrex, and watched as they began the process to awaken Mata Nui. The process was too slow, and the Toa Nuva realized that the Ignika could provide the burst of energy needed in a short amount of time. They approached him, and asked him if he would use his powers to finish the process. Toa Ignika realized that doing so would end his existance as a Toa, and he debated on whether or not to sacrifice his new body to awaken the Great Spirit. After some deliberation, Ignika chose awaken the body of Mata Nui while simultaneously destroying its body.

Ignika remained in the Codrex, amidst the Energy Storms. However, Teridax had taken over the body of Mata Nui, and was in need of a place to put Mata Nui's spirit. Knowing of the Ignika's potential to obliterate the universe, Teridax placed the mind and spirit of Mata Nui into the Ignika, and expelled it from his body.

Mata Nui's mind soon dominated the Ignika's, and the mask continues to drift throughout the universe, waiting for a chance to return.

The Kingdom

In "The Kingdom" Pocket Dimension, after Matoro failed to use the Mask of Life in time, he put it on anyway and used it to transport himself and the other Toa Mahri back to Metru Nui. The mask did not turn him into energy, as Mata Nui could not be saved outside of Karda Nui. Since there was no reason for it to be used after Mata Nui's death, it was later locked safely away on the island of Mata Nui.

Abilities and Traits

The Toa Ignika was not a true Toa; the Mask of Life simply made a body for itself because it wanted to see what it would be like to be a Toa and be admired by others after it saw how Matoro had accepted his fate without fear. Toa Ignika acted on his emotions similarly to a "well-guarded toddler".

While the mask itself does not have a gender, Toa Ignika liked to think of itself as male, in honor of the two Toa who have used it. Upon creation, Toa Ignika had no knowledge of spoken language, although he later overcame that. Since he started speaking, Toa Ignika's voice somewhat resembles Matoro's.

If the Kanohi Ignika is removed from Toa Ignika's body, the body will disintegrate, as the Mask will not be able to keep its concentration. Also, if Toa Ignika "dies" while in his Toa form, it will be as if the mask was destroyed. This would cause the countdown to end, but also release the power of Life across the universe, bringing everything to life.

Powers

The Kanohi Ignika's Life powers allow it to do virtually anything with life except to resurrect it (without the aid of the destined user). It can absorb and/or control life energies; resulting in death. Toa Ignika can also do a Life Nova Blast, and commonly attacks by accelerating a target's aging rate. For a more complete list of the mask's powers, see here. The Mask of Life can also be used to waken Mata Nui, although the energy required would force the mask to surrender its state as a living being, destroying the mask's body. When the mask was exposed to the Pit Mutagen, it began to corrode and crumble away. It also started to leak out Life energy in the form of air. Although it has stopped cracking now that it is no longer exposed to the Pit Mutagen, the damage already done has not been repaired.

Besides regenerating Mata Nui's life force, the Kanohi Ignika also has a failsafe built into it by the Great Beings. If the Matoran Universe is deemed to be beyond hope, then the mask will kill all organisms in the universe after a set amount of time. This was implemented because the Great Beings were unsure if the universe they created would work as they wished, and if it didn't, then the universe could be destroyed before things grew worse. The Kanohi Ignika will start the countdown by first turning from gold to silver, and later to black when the actual time comes. This is why it is silver in 2008. Currently, the only way to right the universe's balance is for the Brotherhood to withdraw from Karda Nui. How long the mask's countdown takes depends on how unbalanced the universe is.

It is impossible to create a Great, Noble, or Matoran version of the Mask of Life, as a weaker version would not be able to contain the power.

The mask can bestow itself and others with powers, such as the abilities it gave to Vezon. Greg Farshtey has said even though it is possible, this will most likely not happen in the story, as it would overpower the Kanohi Ignika.

Example Usages

While the Kanohi Ignika has many Life-based powers, not all of them have been demonstrated. Below is a list of known examples of its powers:

• The mask can appear in many different forms, like life itself.
• The mask drew Vezon to itself by influencing him.
• The mask created a physical manifestation of itself to test Matoro in Dark Destiny.

• In City of the Lost, the Kanohi Ignika leaked Life energy in the form of air.
• The mask transformed the Toa Inika into the Toa Mahri in Prisoners of The Pit.
• The mask changed Dekar into a duplicate of Hydraxon in Prisoners of The Pit.
• The mask enlarged a Gadunka via leaked Life energy in Prisoners of The Pit.
• The mask turned Matoro into life-force energy, and used him and its powers together to resurrect Mata Nui in Downfall.
• The mask crafted a body for itself in Shadows in the Sky.
• Toa Ignika accelerated the aging of two of the Toa Nuva and Av-Matoran in Shadows in the Sky. It has since reversed their ages back to what they should be.
• Toa Ignika devolved Icarax in Shadows in the Sky.

Curses

The mask is only destined to be worn by one being. When the destined user uses the mask, they will be consumed by its power. If anything other than the destined user even touches the mask, they are cursed by it. The following beings have been cursed by the Mask of Life:

• Unnamed Great Being - Inanimate objects around him came to life and cried out their needs to him. As this was the first time the mask used its powers, it accidentally made the Great Being's curse permanent.
• Vezon - Became attached to an enlarged Fenrakk and granted powers.
• Kyrehx - Nearby plant life grew quickly and sought to entangle her. She also grew to fear the mask.
• Dekar - Became unable to kill any organism.
• Pridak - Enhanced his mental characteristics (i.e. insanity, anger etc.).
• Nocturn - Instantly killed any living being he touched.
• Mantax - Sapped the life force of those nearby.
• Gadunka - Could devolve beings, including itself.

Guardians

The Mask of Life can use its power to make guardians for itself whenever it feels like it needs them. Therefore, how many guardians it has varies. Although there is no limit to the number of guardians the Kanohi Ignika can have, there is only one destined bearer alive at a time. Below is a list of the Kanohi Ignika's known guardians:

• Protodax
• Axonn
• Brutaka - Formerly
• Vezon and Fenrakk/Kardas Dragon - Formerly
• Irnakk - Via the Zone of Nightmares
• Umbra
• Matoro - The destined bearer; deceased. Unlike a Guardian, he could touch the mask without being cursed.
• 300 Foot Mutant Venom Eel - Formerly
• Hydraxon - Formerly

Forms

The Mask of Life has many of the qualities of life itself, taking different forms and having its own simple, but cognitive, mind. It can also communicate telepathically. Here are some the forms the mask has taken:

Picture	Description
	The form the mask had during its creation.
	A form the mask had before it fused itself to Vezon. It was only seen this way in the Voya Nui Online Game and BIONICLE Heroes.
	The form the mask took when it fused itself to Vezon. It did this to better fit his head. It also turned silver to mark the beginning of its countdown.
	The Mask of Life as seen in 2007, after it returned to gold.
	The Mask of Life as seen in 2008, when it resumed its countdown.
	Toa Ignika, the body the mask created for itself.

Tools

Toa Ignika was equipped with a Lifeblade, a Midak Skyblaster, and a Skyboard. The Kanohi Ignika created all of these by manipulating organic molecules.

BIONICLE.com Stats

Strength:	12
Agility:	12
Toughness:	12
Mind:	14

Bearers

While the Mask of Life has had only three wearers, two have been consumed by the mask's sheer power. Toa Ignika is the exception and does not count, as it is only a body the mask made for itself.

• A Toa from Jovan's Toa Team - Formerly; deceased
• Toa Mahri Matoro - Formerly; deceased

Set Information

The Kanohi Ignika was first released as a part of the Vezon & Fenrakk set, as well as the Vezon & Kardas set. In these two sets, it was a flip-mask, one way would fit with a Toa Metru-style head and the other as Vezon's face.

The Maxilos set featured two 2006-style Kanohi Ignika as shoulder pads. However, like the silver Avohkii pieces in the 2003 Teridax set, they are solely a part of the set and not a story factor.

The Toa Ignika set was released in January 2008. The set included Toa Ignika and his Skyboard. The set consisted of 140 pieces. On the back of Toa Ignika is a connector piece to allow a Matoran of Karda Nui to connect with Toa Ignika. It was placed there solely to emphasize the connection feature. Toa Ignika can also be combined with Pohatu and Vamprah to make a Niazesk by using instructions included in the May-June 2008 issue of LEGO Brickmaster magazine.

Quotes

Trivia

• The Kanohi Vahi and Kanohi Ignika are on the same power level because Time and Life are both fundamental forces of the universe.
• Greg Farshtey has said that the body on the mask's front was initially based off of Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. This body, specifically its humanoid shape, is representative of Mata Nui. The symbol representing Mata Nui is the same as the one on the Codrex and the same one that the Turaga used to represent The Legend of Mata Nui.

Appearances

• BIONICLE Legends 1: Island of Doom (Mentioned Only)
• BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny (Not Mentioned by Name)
• Comic 1: If a Universe Ends
• Comic 2: Vengeance of Axonn (Mentioned Only)
• BIONICLE Legends 3: Power Play (Mentioned Only)
• Comic 3: Showdown (Mentioned Only)
• Comic 4: A Cold Light Dawns
• BIONICLE Legends 4: Legacy of Evil (Mentioned Only)
• BIONICLE Legends 5: Inferno
• Comic 5: In Final Battle
• Comic 6: Web Comic
• Comic 7: Mask of Life, Mask of Doom
• BIONICLE Legends 6: City of the Lost
• Comic 8: Sea of Darkness
• Comic 9: Battle in the Deep!
• BIONICLE Legends 7: Prisoners of The Pit
• BIONICLE: Toa Mahri
• Comic 10: The Death of Mata Nui
• Comic 11: Death of a Hero
• BIONICLE Legends 8: Downfall
• The Kingdom (Mentioned Only)
• Comic 12: Realm of Fear (First Appearance as Toa Ignika)
• BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky
• BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets (Mentioned Only)
• Destiny War (Mentioned Only)
• Comic 14: Endgame
• Takanuva's Blog
• BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle
• BIONICLE Encyclopedia: Updated (Mentioned Only)
• BIONICLE Heroes (Non-canon Appearance)
• Command The Toa Mahri - The Final Challenge (Non-canon Appearance)
• Battle for Power (Non-canon Appearance)

See Also

• Gallery:Ignika

External Links

• Toa Ignika Building Instructions
• BIONICLE.com Toa Ignika Bio

Phantoka
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2008: Karda Nui Saga
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