Ignika

"On the surface, it seemed not so very much different from dozens of other Masks of Power. But where other masks might be useful tools or powerful weapons, this one had the power to give life to a universe ... or to obliterate it."
— Narrator, Inferno

Ignika
Kanohi Toa
Mask of Life
Status	Dominated by Mata Nui's will
Location	Spherus Magna
Pronunciation	ig-NEE-kah

Ignika
Kanohi Toa
"Toa" of Life
Kanohi	Ignika
Tools	Lifeblade (formerly) Midak Skyblaster (formerly) Skyboard (formerly)
Status	Nonexistent
Pronunciation	ig-NEE-kah
Set	8697 Toa Ignika (instructions)

The Kanohi Ignika is the Legendary Mask of Life. The Great Beings created the living mask as a failsafe to restore the Great Spirit's health in times of need. If the Matoran Universe was beyond saving, however, the Ignika would kill all of its inhabitants.

When Teridax's actions resulted in the death of the Great Spirit Mata Nui, the Toa Mahri used the Ignika to revive him. Inspired by the selfless sacrifice of Toa Mahri Matoro, who died upon donning the mask, the Ignika created its own body from plant material and dubbed itself Toa Ignika. The "Toa" aided the Toa Nuva in their mission to reawaken Mata Nui, who after Matoro's sacrifice was alive yet comatose. Ultimately Toa Ignika sacrificed his body to provide the energy necessary to reawaken Mata Nui.

However, while Mata Nui was incapacitated Teridax assumed control of the Matoran Universe, trapped Mata Nui's spirit in the Ignika, and cast the mask out into the cosmos. It landed on Bara Magna, where it created a body for Mata Nui. Using this body, Mata Nui participated in the Skrall War. Mata Nui later transferred his spirit from the Ignika to a prototype Great Spirit robot to duel Teridax. Upon victory Mata Nui's spirit returned to the Ignika once more, where he has chosen to remain.

History

The Kanohi Ignika being forged

The Kanohi Ignika was crafted by the Great Beings over 100,000 years ago on Spherus Magna. It was forged in the fortress of the Valley of the Maze and was cooled in caverns of ice. The mask was created so that the Great Spirit Mata Nui could be healed in the event of an emergency: by donning the Ignika, a destined being could sacrifice their own life to restore Mata Nui's own. The Ignika's other main purpose was to drain life from every organism in the Matoran Universe if it did not conform to the Great Beings' expectations. The Great Beings also implemented other contingencies within the Ignika such as the Golden Armor, which would destroy all solid Antidermis when donned by its destined wearer Toa Mata Tahu. Additionally, the mask itself possessed a simple mind.

The Kanohi Ignika was first placed in a golden armored shell to protect it, but a Great Being became curious about the mask and removed it. 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 cried out to him, pleading for its needs to be fulfilled. Eventually, the Great Being went insane, and the other Great Beings imprisoned him so he would not bring other objects to life.

A short time later, the Kanohi Ignika was moved to the region of Voya Nui on the Matoran Universe's Southern Continent. 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, where they built a pedestal. One of the Great Beings 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 its chamber. Around 79,100 years ago, when Mata Nui was weakened because of the Great Disruption, a team of Toa led by Jovan managed to reach the Chamber of Life. The mask sensed that the Toa 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, regretting his choice to use the mask when he realized it meant death, and the rest of the Toa returned the Kanohi Ignika to its chamber, afraid of the mask's power.

Great Cataclysm

The mask remained in the Chamber of Life for many millennia, surviving the Matoran Universe-wide Great Cataclysm that shot Voya Nui to the surface of Aqua Magna and turned it into 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 wanted it. One group—the Piraka—wanted it for treacherous reasons, and another group—the future Toa Inika—wanted to save the dying Great Spirit.

Wanting another guardian, the mask used its powers to draw Vezon, a half-Skakdi that coveted the Ignika, to the Chamber of Life. Upon reaching and touching the Mask of Life, Vezon's feet were fused to an enlarged Fenrakk Spawn, Fenrakk. The Kanohi Ignika also fused itself to the back of Vezon's 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. Realizing that the Piraka and Vezon posed a danger to it, the Ignika turned silver to indicate that it had begun its countdown to kill all life in the Matoran Universe.

At that time, Matoro was in a tunnel leading to Karzahni that absorbed all light and sound. The mask used its powers to appear to Matoro as a living being in the tunnel with him. Matoro, believing it was one of his friends, grabbed the being's hand and was led 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 and were slightly more successful in holding the guardian off. At one point in the fight, Jaller used his powers to melt the floor beneath Vezon. Vezon urged his monstrous steed into the lava below, knowing it would merely make Fenrakk more powerful.

Fenrakk emerged as Kardas 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 had learned 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 to be used. The Ignika then made the now-unfrozen Kardas free the mask from Matoro's grip, and it flew up the staircase to the surface. The Toa chased after the Mask of Life, but the Ignika stayed far enough ahead of them that they could not touch it. The mask eventually reached the coast and plunged into the sea, where it sensed the universe was most damaged, in the hopes that the Toa would follow. Hahli tried to retrieve the mask, but she could not withstand the enormous water pressure.

Mahri Nui

The Kanohi Ignika traveling to Mahri Nui

The Kanohi Ignika continued to sink into the ocean, but on contact with the Pit's mutagenic waters the mask slowly started to erode away and released its energy as air. It finally found safety from the toxic water in Kyrehx, a Ga-Matoran sentry on Mahri Nui's edge. She at first believed the mask was a piece of debris until it 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 village council. As Kyrehx was not destined to wear the Ignika, however, the mask cursed her, causing plant life to attack her. When the Ga-Matoran tried to reach a school to show the mask to her instructor, the plants around her reached out and trapped her. Soon after, a Po-Matoran named Dekar arrived and rescued her from the flora. Kyrehx no longer wanted the mask and left it behind with Dekar. He decided he would take the mask to the school later as he had to hunt. The mask also cursed Dekar so that anything he struck would heal itself.

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 healed itself instantly after every strike the Po-Matoran landed. Giving up, Dekar returned to Mahri Nui, only to learn there were thousands of Venom Eels headed there. At the city wall, he manned an Air Launcher for protection. However, the damage the weapon did on the eels was undone instantly as well. Dekar realized the mask was behind this and decided he had to destroy it. The Po-Matoran swam as far away from Mahri Nui as he could so that no other Matoran would take the mask and be cursed.

The Kanohi Ignika recounting its tale to Dekar

On the way, however, Dekar saw Mantax and Kalmah, two of the Barraki warlords who sought the mask. The two chased Dekar, but the Po-Matoran narrowly escaped the warlords by entering a cave. Once inside, Dekar was about to shatter the Ignika with a rock when the mask reacted. An energy beam shot out from the Mask of Life and enlarged a Venom Eel until it was 300 feet long.

The gigantic Venom Eel—a new guardian of the mask—struck Dekar and Kalmah, knocking them both out. Mantax, who had barely gotten out of the way, 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.

The Kanohi Ignika sending out its plea

Eventually, the Barraki arrived with Brutaka. Dekar threatened to destroy the Kanohi Ignika, but Brutaka claimed that Dekar could trust him. Dekar refused to surrender the mask. Ehlek then 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 sent out a massive wave of light that 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 the dying Dekar into a near duplicate of the Pit's former jailor Hydraxon as a means of additional protection.

Later, the Barraki decided to give the Ignika to Nocturn, whom the mask then cursed. At one point he dropped the mask, and it enlarged a small Gadunka to an enormous size. Nocturn soon lost the mask in a battle with the new Hydraxon.

After defeating Nocturn, Hydraxon decided to destroy the mask because he thought it was too dangerous. As he opened fire on it with his Cordak Blaster, Hahli quickly brushed aside the missile with a current of water. During Hahli's 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 a Maxilos robot possessed by Teridax. Jaller managed to slap at the mask and send it towards Matoro, who grabbed it and managed to escape.

Before the Cord was shattered by the Toa Mahri, the enlarged 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 Gadunka, making it shrink. Hydraxon then tried to take the mask, but was talked out of it by Matoro. After the Cord was shattered and as Voya Nui sank into the sea, Matoro followed the falling island to where the mask needed to be used. Unfortunately, it was too late; Mata Nui had died, and the mask stopped glowing.

The Mask of Life resurrects Mata Nui

The Mask of Life darkens to show Mata Nui's death

However, Matoro continued to follow Voya Nui to the Southern Continent, 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 that he had to die. He accepted his fate without fear and in a last act of friendship used the mask's power to teleport the Toa Mahri back to Metru Nui. The Mask of Life then converted Matoro to energy and combined him with its powers. It used the energy to resurrect Mata Nui, giving life to the universe once more.

Karda Nui

After it was used by Matoro, the Kanohi Ignika fell into the Swamp of Secrets. Inspired by the courage that the Toa of Ice had displayed, the Kanohi Ignika decided to experience life as a hero, forming a Toa's body and weapons for itself using organic material from the swamp. It also created a Skyboard based on the vehicles in Mahri Nui. Calling itself "Toa Ignika," the mask sensed the Toa Nuva fighting above in the Sky Villages and flew up to join them.

Toa Ignika located the Toa Nuva Phantoka as they traveled toward the Shadow Leech Hive. There, he saved the three Toa and three Av-Matoran by speeding up the life processes of a Rahi that was about to assault 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.

The Kanohi Ignika creating a body for itself

Later, in the Shadow Leech Hive, Toa Ignika was portrayed as a giant monster in a mental illusion cast by Makuta Mutran. Seeing him as an enemy, the Toa Nuva and Matoran unknowingly lashed out at their ally. Feeling confused and angry, Toa Ignika decided his companions were not worthy of life and sped up their aging. Realizing that the monster was an illusion, the Toa ineffectively pleaded with Toa Ignika to stop killing them. Pohatu then used his power to cause the ground beneath Toa Ignika to erupt. Distracted, the effects were ceased as the Toa of Life was pinned to the wall by Pohatu, who released him after a stunned realization 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 he helped the Toa of Stone destroy the Shadow Leech vats by smashing through them using the shared power of Pohatu's Kakama Nuva. Toa Ignika then used his powers to kill the living stone that supported the hive, sending it crashing down into the swamp.

During a fierce battle in the sky, Toa Ignika was attacked by Icarax and was almost thrown off his Skyboard. Angered, he used his powers to devolve the Makuta from a gaseous entity back into a biomechanical being. Defeating Icarax, Toa Ignika guarded him while the Toa Nuva left for the swamp. Icarax told his captor of the Ignika's ability to drain the universe of all life in an attempt to enrage and confuse him. Toa Ignika abandoned Icarax to reveal this dire information to his newfound allies who were battling below.

Toa Ignika sacrificing itself to awaken Mata Nui

Toa Ignika eventually developed speech and explained to the Toa Nuva that he was not just wearing the Mask of Life—he was the Mask of Life. He confirmed that his countdown to the death of the universe had begun and that it could only be stopped by awakening Mata Nui. Toa Ignika followed the Toa Nuva into the Codrex and watched as they began the steps to awaken the Great Spirit. The process was too slow, however; the countdown would expire before the Toa Nuva could fulfill their mission. The Toa Nuva realized that the Ignika could provide the energy needed to reawaken Mata Nui immediately. Toa Ignika knew that doing so would end his existence as a living being, and he debated whether or not to sacrifice his new body. After some deliberation and encouragement by Tahu and Gali, he chose to awaken Mata Nui. As Toa Ignika accomplished this task, his body turned to energy, leaving behind only the Mask of Life.

The Kanohi Ignika remained in the Codrex when Mata Nui awoke and the Energy Storms began again. However, at the climax of his millennia-long schemes, Teridax took over the body of Mata Nui, and the new ruler needed a place to retain Mata Nui's recently expelled spirit. Knowing of the Kanohi Ignika's potential to obliterate the Matoran Universe, Teridax placed the mind and spirit of Mata Nui in the Kanohi Ignika and expelled the dangerous mask from his body. Mata Nui's mind soon dominated the Ignika, and the mask continued to drift through space, waiting for a chance to return.

Bara Magna

The Kanohi Ignika resting on Bara Magna

Mata Nui and the mask later crash-landed on Bara Magna. Instinctively acting out of self-preservation, the Kanohi Ignika created a body for the former Great Spirit, which Mata Nui slowly grew accustomed to. When the Scarabax Beetle Click touched the mask, the Kanohi Ignika reacted, transforming the creature into a shield.

When Mata Nui was fighting Strakk in Vulcanus, the stinger tail he had taken from a Vorox was pushed back against the Kanohi Ignika. The mask transformed the stinger into a sword. Mata Nui eventually learned how to use the mask's powers by himself. After the Attack on Tajun, Mata Nui used the Kanohi Ignika to imbue Elemental Powers within the Glatorian Ackar, Kiina, Gresh, Tarix, and Vastus; he also used the mask to upgrade their weapons. Mata Nui later used the mask to transform the Agori Metus into a snake as punishment for his traitorous actions.

After Mata Nui retrieved a power source from the Valley of the Maze, he traveled into the control room of the prototype Mata Nui Robot and removed the Kanohi Ignika from his body. The body made by the Ignika dissolved, and Mata Nui transferred his spirit from the Mask of Life into the robot.

As Mata Nui fought Teridax on Bara Magna, the Kanohi Ignika, having received a message from Tren Krom, appeared before Tahu as he exited the Matoran Universe. The Mask of Life devolved Tahu back into a Toa Mata and spoke to him about the Golden Armor. The Ignika created the armor for Tahu, but a blast from Teridax scattered its six pieces around the battlefield. Tahu recovered the armor and eventually used it to destroy Teridax's legions of Rahkshi. This threw Teridax into a state of pain and confusion that allowed Mata Nui to kill him.

By combining the powers of the prototype robot and the Kanohi Ignika, Mata Nui bathed the newly reformed Spherus Magna in energy and revitalized the desert, creating a new, fertile land. Although the prototype robot collapsed, the time Mata Nui had spent in the Ignika had created a bond between the two, and the Great Spirit was drawn back to the Kanohi Ignika. Mata Nui spoke to the populations of Spherus Magna and the Matoran Universe through the Kanohi Ignika, expressing a desire to stay within the mask and not to interfere with their affairs. Mata Nui then retreated into the Kanohi Ignika, dominating the mask's original personality once more.

Alternate Universes

The Kingdom Alternate Universe

In this alternate universe, 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 Matoro into energy, as Mata Nui could not be saved outside of Karda Nui. Since there was no reason for the Ignika to be used after Mata Nui's death, it was later locked safely away on the island of Mata Nui.

Abilities and Traits

The Ignika is unique among Kanohi as it has a cognitive mind, albeit an initially simple one. As a mask, the Ignika is able to act toward its own self-preservation by creating guardians and by placing curses, though these are only used in reflexive capacities. It has also shown itself capable of expressing both basic feelings, such as desire or dislike, and complex emotions, such as admiration for Matoro's humble self-sacrifice.

Toa Ignika was not a true Toa; instead, it was a body that the Mask of Life created for itself so it could experience life as a Toa and the admiration of others. Toa Ignika acted on his emotions similarly to a young and sheltered being, and would act recklessly. While the mask itself does not have a gender, Toa Ignika liked to think of himself as a male in honor of the two Toa who sacrificed themselves to use the Mask of Life. Upon creation, Toa Ignika had no knowledge of spoken language, but he later learned by observing others speak. The mask appears to have retained this knowledge after its time as Toa Ignika, as shown when it spoke to Tahu about the Golden Armor.

On multiple occasions the Ignika has demonstrated an apparent ignorance of its own powers. When the mask placed its first curse, for example, it believed that it was doing its target Great Being a service by bringing everything around him to life; in truth, the mask's curse drove the Great Being to madness. Further, while the Ignika was in its Toa form, Icarax taught the mask about its own countdown.

Powers

When a non-destined being touches the Mask of Life, it curses them. Curses vary in their specific effects but often last as long as the cursed being maintains contact with the Ignika. An exception to this is the first curse the Ignika raised: its target Great Being will forever bring the objects around him to life.

Without the aid of its destined user, the Kanohi Ignika's Life powers allow it to do virtually anything with life save resurrect it. The mask can absorb and/or control life energies, resulting in death. When the mask was inside the Codrex, it could be used to reawaken Mata Nui without requiring a wearer. When donned by a destined wearer, the Mask of Life could be used to revive the Great Spirit even from death. However, doing so killed the wearer, as the Ignika drew upon its user's own life force, combining it with its own power and releasing it to help replenish Mata Nui's. Following this act, the mask restores itself to its original state. However the mask could not revive Mata Nui when he was not inside his original body.

The Kanohi Ignika using its powers

Although the Ignika could regenerate Mata Nui's life force, it also functioned as a kill switch for the Matoran Universe. If the Matoran Universe were deemed beyond hope, the mask would 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; if it did not, the Ignika would destroy the universe before matters grew worse. The Kanohi Ignika starts its countdown by turning from gold to silver, and the mask turns from silver to black when its countdown ends. How long the mask's countdown takes depends on how unbalanced the universe is. However, if the Ignika is removed from the Matoran Universe, the countdown stops.

The Great Beings also programmed the Golden Armor into the Mask of Life as a failsafe against Antidermis, the substance that composed the Makuta species. If Toa Mata Tahu donned the Golden Armor, he could destroy all solid Antidermis in a large area. This had the side effect of also destroying Rahkshi, created from a Makuta's essence, but Makuta themselves became safe from this power after they evolved into energy.

Toa Ignika could perform a Life Nova Blast, and commonly attacked by accelerating a target's aging rate.

When the mask was exposed to the mutagen in the Pit's waters, it began to corrode and crumble away, and it leaked out Life energy in the form of air. This process stopped once the mask was no longer in contact with the mutagen, and the Ignika has been repaired.

The Kanohi Vahi, Kanohi Ignika and Mask of Creation are on the same power level because Time, Life and Creation are all fundamental forces of the universe. It is impossible to create a Great, Noble, or Matoran version of the Mask of Life, as a weaker version of the mask would not be able to contain its power.

The mask can bestow itself and others with powers such as the abilities it gave to Vezon and Click. It can also restore power to a being such as by undoing a Toa's transformation into a Turaga.

After creating a body for itself, the Ignika is significantly weakened, because of energy expenditure needed to maintain a living form. Despite this, the legendary mask remains extremely powerful, still able to bring objects to life, evolve/devolve other beings and communicate via telepathy.

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 change its form at will.
• The mask drew Vezon to itself by influencing him.
• The mask created a physical manifestation of itself to test Matoro.

The Kanohi Ignika altering the Toa Inika

• The Kanohi Ignika leaked Life energy in the form of air.
• The mask transformed the Toa Inika into the Toa Mahri.
• The mask changed Dekar into a duplicate of Hydraxon.
• The mask enlarged a Gadunka via leaked Life energy.
• Using the mask, Matoro was able to teleport the Toa Mahri to Metru Nui.
• The mask turned Matoro into energy that it used alongside its own powers to resurrect Mata Nui.
• The mask crafted a body for itself and for Mata Nui.
• Toa Ignika accelerated the aging of two of the Toa Nuva and Av-Matoran. It has since reversed their ages back to what they should be.
• Toa Ignika devolved Icarax from gaseous Antidermis into a biomechanical being.
• Mata Nui used the Ignika to give five Glatorian Elemental Powers.
• The mask can undo the effects of Energized Protodermis as seen when it devolved Tahu.

Curses

The Kanohi Ignika is only destined to be worn by one being. When the destined user uses the mask, they will be consumed by its power. If any being 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:

The Kanohi Ignika cursing Vezon

• Cursed Great Being - Inanimate objects around him come to life and cry out their needs to him. As this was the first time the mask used its powers, it believed this to have been a gift and made the Great Being's curse permanent, not realizing the horror of its power.
• Vezon - Became attached to an enlarged Fenrakk and was granted powers.
• Kyrehx - Nearby plant life grew quickly and sought to entangle her.
• Dekar - Became unable to kill any organism.
• Pridak - Enhanced his negative personality characteristics (e.g. anger).
• Nocturn - Instantly killed any living being he touched.
• Mantax - Sapped the life force of those nearby.
• Gadunka - Could devolve beings, including itself.
• Jaller - Unknown curse.

Forms

The Mask of Life has many of the qualities of life itself, taking on different forms and having its own simple, but cognitive, mind. It can also communicate telepathically and can create bodies out of organic molecules. These are some the forms/bodies the mask has utilized:

Picture	Description
	The mask 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 Mahri Nui, after it returned to gold
	The Mask of Life as seen in Karda Nui, when it resumed its countdown
	Toa Ignika, the body the mask created for itself
	The form the Ignika took on the body it created for Mata Nui

Tools

As the "Toa" of Life, the Ignika was equipped with a Lifeblade, a Midak Skyblaster, and a Skyboard. The Kanohi Ignika created all of these by manipulating organic molecules. All of these were destroyed when Toa Ignika sacrificed himself to awaken Mata Nui.

BIONICLE.com Stats

It should be noted that the Ignika's intelligence score relates primarily to its IQ and brilliance, and less to its wisdom or maturity.

STRENGTH: 12	AGILITY: 12
TOUGHNESS: 12	MIND: 14

Bearers

The Mask of Life can only be worn and used by one who is destined to use it. Anyone else who touches the mask is cursed by it. The mask has had only two destined users, both of whom were consumed by the mask's sheer power. The mask also created a physical body for itself, the "Toa" Ignika.

• A Toa from Jovan's Toa Team - Briefly; now deceased
• Toa Mahri Matoro - Briefly; now deceased
• Mata Nui - Actually possesses the mask

Guardians

The Mask of Life can use its powers to make guardians for itself whenever it deems them necessary. Although there is no limit to the number of guardians the mask can have, there can only be one destined bearer alive at a time. Unlike a guardian, the destined bearer can touch the mask without being cursed. Below is a list of the Kanohi Ignika's known guardians:

• Axonn (formerly)
• Brutaka (formerly)
• Vezon (formerly)
• Fenrakk/Kardas (formerly)
• Irnakk - Via the Zone of Nightmares (formerly)
• Umbra
• 300-Foot-Long Mutant Venom Eel (formerly)
• Matoro - Also the destined bearer (formerly)
• Hydraxon (formerly)

Set Information

Ignika Set

8697 Toa Ignika

Toa Ignika, the mask's 2008 set form

The Kanohi Ignika was first released in the 8764 Vezon & Fenrakk set, as well as the 10204 Vezon & Kardas set that used the parts of Vezon & Fenrakk, 8733 Axonn, and 8734 Brutaka. In these two sets, the Mask of Life appeared as part of a two-sided face piece; on one side was the Mask of Life that fit on a Toa Metru-style head, and on the other was Vezon's face. This piece represented the Mask of Life fused to Vezon's head. In 2007, the same piece recolored in gunmetal gray was used in 8924 Maxilos & Spinax, serving as Maxilos' shoulder pads.

The 8697 Toa Ignika set was released in January 2008. The 140-piece set included Toa Ignika and his Skyboard. On the back of Toa Ignika is a connector piece that allows a Matoran of Karda Nui to connect with Toa Ignika. This part has no storyline significance and was included to emphasize the connection feature in the Phantoka sets. Toa Ignika can also be combined with Pohatu and Vamprah to make a Niazesk following instructions included in the May–June 2008 issue of LEGO Brickmaster magazine.

Each of the two Toa Mata Nui sets of 2009 included a Kanohi Ignika. The 8989 Mata Nui set utilized a redesigned mask made to fit on the new head mold of other 2009 sets, whereas the 8998 Toa Mata Nui used a gold version of the 2008 mold.

Quotes

"Legend stated that the Mask of Life was forged by the Great Beings long before the coming of Mata Nui or the creation of Metru Nui. It was no exaggeration to say that the life or death of the universe was tied to that mask. Under normal circumstances, it might be donned once every 5,000 years or so by a Toa whose destiny called for such a sacrifice. For the wearer of that Kanohi, it was said, would burn with the energies it unleashed."
— Narrator, Power Play

"I've seen what the mask can do ... how far it will go to protect itself. I am still not convinced that we can prevent anyone from taking it before its time — but I pity anyone who tries."
— A Great Being, Inferno

"For millennia beyond count, the Mask of Life has been hidden in this place, waiting for destiny's call. It is a Kanohi both wonderful and terrible in its might. And the price to wield its power of life ... is death."
— A Great Being, Inferno

"This was no ordinary Kanohi mask. This was the Mask of Life. Forged over 100,000 years ago by the Great Beings who created the universe, it was set apart from every mask that had ever been or ever would be crafted. It could think, it could feel ... and as both Matoran and Barraki learned to their shock, when threatened, it could strike back."
— Narrator, City of the Lost

"The merged energies of Toa and Kanohi mask exploded in the core of the universe, flooding it with light. Streams of golden power flowed into every part of this realm and then beyond it, until it had touched every place where the Great Spirit had once reigned. Just as countless beings had sensed the death of Mata Nui, so did they now feel life return to him."
— Narrator, Downfall

"Matoro died to save a universe ... without fear, without hesitation ... because he knew it was the right thing to do. If I am to be worthy of the name "Toa" ... can I do less?"
— Toa Ignika, Mata Nui Rising

"I will do what must be done. Then I will be like Matoro. I will be a hero."
— Toa Ignika, The Final Battle

"And yet a part of me survived. My spirit... captured and preserved inside a mask worn by a Toa warrior. Its name echoed my rebirth - The Mask of Life!"
— Mata Nui, The Legend Reborn

Trivia

• The body on the mask's front was initially based on Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. This body, specifically its humanoid shape, represents 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.
• As a Toa, Ignika could not have had his inner light drained, since he was not technically a living being, but an object with a body.
• If the Ignika had re-entered the Matoran Universe during Teridax's Reign, it most likely would have turned black as Teridax was in control of the universe.
• In Facts and Figures Sticker Activity Book, the Ignika is called Kanohi Korusca, a preliminary name previously used for the Avohkii.
• At one point during story development, a suggested alternative name for the Mask of Life was the Mask of Ignition. This name was suggested in order to avoid confusion with the Mask of Light.

Appearances

Books	Comics	Online	Multimedia
Legends BIONICLE Legends 1: Island of Doom (FA) (M) BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny (M) BIONICLE Legends 3: Power Play (M) BIONICLE Legends 4: Legacy of Evil (M) BIONICLE Legends 5: Inferno BIONICLE Legends 6: City of the Lost BIONICLE Legends 7: Prisoners of the Pit BIONICLE Legends 8: Downfall BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets (M) BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle Super Chapter Books BIONICLE: Raid on Vulcanus (NM) BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn BIONICLE: Journey's End Guides BIONICLE: World (M) BIONICLE: Encyclopedia Updated BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn - Official Movie Guide Early Readers BIONICLE: Desert of Danger BIONICLE: Challenge of Mata Nui	Ignition BIONICLE Ignition 1: If a Universe Ends ... (F) BIONICLE Ignition 2: Vengeance of Axonn (M) BIONICLE Ignition 3: Showdown (M) BIONICLE Ignition 4: A Cold Light Dawns BIONICLE Ignition 5: In Final Battle BIONICLE Ignition 6 BIONICLE Ignition 7: Mask of Life, Mask of Doom BIONICLE Ignition 8: Sea of Darkness BIONICLE Ignition 9: Battle in the Deep! BIONICLE Ignition 10: The Death of Mata Nui BIONICLE Ignition 11: Death of a Hero BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear BIONICLE Ignition 14: Endgame BIONICLE Ignition 15: Mata Nui Rising Glatorian BIONICLE Glatorian 3: A Hero Reborn BIONICLE Glatorian 4: Before the Storm BIONICLE Glatorian 5: Valley of Fear BIONICLE Glatorian 6: All That Glitters BIONICLE Glatorian 7: Rebirth Graphic Novels Hydraxon's Tale (F)	Chronicle Takanuva's Blog Mata Nui Saga Story Serials Destiny War (M) Reign of Shadows (M) Sahmad's Tale (V) (NM) Short Stories The Kingdom (AU) (M) Animations BIONICLE: Toa Mahri The Rise of Mata Nui	Movies BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn Online Games Voya Nui Online Game (SC) BIONICLE Mahri: Hewkii (NC) Command The Toa Mahri - The Final Challenge (SC) Battle for Power (NC) Glatorian Arena 2 (SC) Glatorian Arena 3 (NC) Prepare for Battle (NC) Video Games BIONICLE Heroes (NC) Board Games Hydraxon's Hunt Game! (NC) (M) Advertisements Glatorian Legends Commercial (NC)

See also

• Gallery:Ignika