Av-Matoran

"Ancient legends say we must always keep our true nature hidden, this is the reason why. This is the enemy it was foretold we might one day face — warriors of shadow, the dwellers in darkness — the Brotherhood of Makuta!"
— Kirop, Shadows in the Sky

Av-Matoran
Matoran Type
Element	Light
Preferred regions	Luminous places
Transforms into	Toa of Light or Bohrok

The Av-Matoran are the Matoran of Light.

History

The Av-Matoran were the first type of Matoran created by the Great Beings, and the first of them was Takua. They can be male or female, and possess small amounts of active Elemental Light energy, though less than even a Turaga's.

The Av-Matoran first lived inside caves below the Southern Continent. Soon, however, the Matoran were tasked with preparing the core of the universe, Karda Nui, for the awakening of the Great Spirit. While the Matoran prepared Karda Nui, the Toa Mata were sent to protect the Matoran from the Avohkah, Rahi by-products of the Matoran's labor. When their work was finally complete, the Av-Matoran returned to their homeland, and lived in relative peace.

Solek and Photok repairing a Karda Nui hut

During the Time Slip, the Order of Mata Nui relocated many Av-Matoran, in order to protect them from the Makuta. The Matoran unconsciously changed their color in order to better blend in, and took refuge among normal Matoran. The Av-Matoran that remained in their homeland were struck by the Great Cataclysm. Their land buckled beneath them, and fell into Karda Nui. Their homes on the Southern Continent, were, in reality, upon giant stalactites in Karda Nui. The Av-Matoran adjusted to this change, as mutagenic water flooded the core, from the hole left by Voya Nui. The water gathered at the bottom of the core, forming a mutagenic swamp. The Av-Matoran were forced to live on top of the stalactites.

A thousand years later, the Brotherhood of Makuta attacked Karda Nui, and drained the light of many Av-Matoran, turning them into Shadow Matoran. As only one village remained, the Av-Matoran fought against their former friends. During one such battle, the Toa Nuva arrived, and helped tip the tide.

Later on in the battles, the Shadow Matoran Vican discovered an aerial Rahi called the klakk which could break the mental barrier that prevented light from returning to a being using its sonic screams. This Rahi was utilized by Takanuva to cure all of the Shadow Matoran who had once been Av-Matoran, though it did not reverse their physical mutations. All the Av-Matoran evacuated Karda Nui as the Energy Storms erupted and destroyed their villages, and they migrated to Metru Nui. Later on when Teridax was killed, Mata Nui released a wave of Life energy that reversed the Av-Matoran's mutations. Metru Nui was damaged, so they, along with the all the other Matoran, made a mass exodus towards the surface of Spherus Magna.

Abilities and Traits

Tanma connecting with Lewa, granting a special power

Av-Matoran are capable of channeling small amounts of Light energy through their hands or tools, like Toa. When in contact with a Toa or a Makuta, Av-Matoran can access special Light-based abilities unique to each Matoran, as well as the ability to share knowledge and memories with the Toa or Makuta. The symbiotic connection also makes both the Matoran and their partner stronger. However, the Av-Matoran who were hidden in other places during the Time Slip cannot access either of these types of abilities, as they are unaware of their nature as Av-Matoran. If an Av-Matoran is transformed into a Toa, they gain the potential to use these powers.

Av-Matoran are naturally clad in gold and white armor. Av-Matoran have only been depicted with light green or yellow eyes. However, they do possess the ability to bend light around their bodies to change the way the color of their armor is perceived. They have been trained to use this power by reflex to help keep their elemental affiliation secret. As prototypes for the other Matoran, each Av-Matoran were created with a higher likelihood of being destined to become a Toa, though only one Matoran has become a Toa of Light. As Av-Matoran were experimental for other Matoran types, they are not solely male or female.

At a certain point in their lifetimes, destined Av-Matoran will transform into one of the six types of Bohrok and be teleported to a Bohrok nest. The Bohrok type resulting from each such transformation is also based upon destiny. This effectively represses their spirit and they lose their identity.

The Av-Matoran in Karda Nui were larger than normal Matoran due to the effect of prolonged exposure to the energies in Karda Nui on their Light energy. When these Matoran left Karda Nui, they returned to normal size.

Known Av-Matoran

• Gavla: The first Av-Matoran transformed into a Shadow Matoran, but has since been forcibly changed back. She was formerly the leader of the Shadow Matoran and was partnered with Makuta Vamprah.
• Kirop: The Av-Matoran leader, he was transformed into a Shadow Matoran, but eventually cured and resumed his role. He was partnered with Makuta Chirox.
• Photok: A courageous Av-Matoran paired with Pohatu.
• Radiak: Once a Shadow Matoran teamed with Makuta Antroz, Radiak was cured by a klakk's sonic scream.
• Solek: An expert on the ancient legends of the Toa Mata; paired with Kopaka, his favorite Toa Mata.
• Takua (transformed): The first Matoran ever created, once an Av-Matoran disguised as a Ta-Matoran and placed in Metru Nui during the Time Slip. Worked as a Trader on Metru Nui, although he spent most of his time away from his job, and was the first Chronicler of Mata Nui before becoming a Toa.
• Tanma: The sole member of his own village who escaped the Makuta; he temporarily replaced Kirop as leader of the Av-Matoran. When the Toa Nuva arrived in Karda Nui, he paired with Lewa.
• A Toa Canister Builder: An Av-Matoran driven mad by Tren Krom. He was rebuilt and oppressed by Karzahni but was later rescued by the Toa Nuva.
• One or more Av-Matoran placed on the Northern Continent during the Time Slip.
• A number of Av-Matoran who were changed into Shadow Matoran during the Siege of Karda Nui. They were mutated by Mutran, and given bat-like wings and clawed feet. All of these Matoran were eventually transformed back into Av-Matoran, and their mutations were undone by Mata Nui.
• A number of other Av-Matoran that evacuated Karda Nui and went to Metru Nui.
• Five other uncorrupted Av-Matoran living in the Sky Villages.
• All Bohrok were once Av-Matoran. (transformed)
  • Six Av-Matoran who would eventually become the six Bohrok-Kal.(transformed)
  • Thirteen Av-Matoran that the Toa Nuva watched transform; one gave the Toa a Keystone (transformed)

Trivia

• In early plans for the 2008 story, Av-Matoran could access Kanohi powers. This idea is reflected in the 2008 Matoran sets, which are the first Matoran sets to feature Kanohi in exclusive molds. Unique masks were included for two reasons: first, the Matoran could actually use their Kanohi, and second, they increased the sets' value. Although the BIONICLE story team later decided that Av-Matoran cannot use Kanohi, the Av-Matoran sets kept their unique masks. Their mask powers would later be reworked into the powers the Av-Matoran can access when in contact with a Toa or Makuta. Greg Farshtey later confirmed that the mask molds represent Noble versions of other Kanohi.

See also

• Gallery:Matoran § Av-Matoran
• Bohrok