Mata Nui
"Someone else might have wept or screamed in frustration or even given up right there and perished. But I didn't have the right to do any of those things, not while my people were in danger. Like it or not, I would have to explore this harsh world on my own, and hope I could somehow find a way to achieve my destiny."
— Mata Nui, Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna
| Mata Nui | |
|
Great Spirit
Toa
Prototype Robot
| |
| |
| Mata Nui Robot | |
| Kanohi | None |
| Powers | Lasers, gravity, internal maintenance |
| Tools | None |
| Status | Revived by the Ignika Expelled from body |
| Pronunciation | MAH-tah NOO-ee |
| Toa Mata Nui | |
|
Great Spirit
Toa
Prototype Robot
| |
| |
| "Toa" | |
| Kanohi | Ignika |
| Tools | Sword (formerly), Scarab Shield (formerly) |
| Status | Body destroyed, spirit possessed the Prototype Robot |
| Pronunciation | MAH-tah NOO-ee |
| Set | 8989 Mata Nui (instructions) |
| Mata Nui | |
|
Great Spirit
Toa
Prototype Robot
| |
| |
| Prototype Robot | |
| Kanohi | None |
| Powers | Lasers, gravity |
| Tools | None |
| Status | Body destroyed, spirit possessing the Ignika |
| Pronunciation | MAH-tah NOO-ee |
Mata Nui, the Great Spirit, is a powerful being whose body contained the Matoran Universe. Betrayed by the Brotherhood of Makuta under Makuta Teridax, his spirit was forced into the Kanohi Ignika and expelled into space. Landing on Bara Magna, Mata Nui found himself entrenched in a planet-wide conflict and put aside his own concerns to assist newfound allies. After taking control of an ancient prototype robot, the Great Spirit fought and defeated Teridax, restoring Spherus Magna to its original state.
Biography
Mata Nui Robot
Mata Nui was developed by the Great Beings on the planet Spherus Magna in a facility bordering Bota Magna. 100,000 years ago, Matoran under the direction of the Great Beings assembled Mata Nui's body. The Great Beings created Tren Krom to sustain the Matoran Universe while Mata Nui's body was being constructed; after his task was complete, Tren Krom was taken from Karda Nui and imprisoned on an isolated island to ensure he would not trouble Mata Nui. Upon the completion of Mata Nui's body, the Great Beings created his spirit[1] and placed it within the Core Processor beneath Metru Nui, granting him full control over the universe. Energy Storms erupted in Karda Nui indicating the Great Spirit's health.
Once Mata Nui had fully awakened, he was given several tasks by the Great Beings. He was to observe alien societies before fulfilling his primary objective: to heal the fractured planet of Spherus Magna. Upon his return to Spherus Magna, Mata Nui was meant to give Teridax control of the Mata Nui Robot. Mata Nui himself would inhabit a new robot the Great Beings had created during Mata Nui's absence, and Mata Nui would work with Teridax to undo the effects of the Shattering and make Spherus Magna whole.[2][3][4] The Great Spirit was also tasked with caring for the Matoran Universe within him. He was to provide heat, light, and gravity; to ensure the universe's smooth operation; and to protect the universe from external threats. To fulfill his duties he was given powers such as the ability to create new Matoran. The Matoran revered him and erected numerous temples and shrines in his honor. Mata Nui was enthralled by the worlds he visited, but his interest eventually led to the neglect of his own universe.
With blueprints programed into his consciousness by the Great Beings, Mata Nui created many sapient species to inhabit his universe.[5] Perhaps the most prominent of these was the Makuta species, which made Rahi to fill the world, and they served the Great Spirit unified under the Brotherhood of Makuta. In addition, he created dozens of other races such as the Skakdi, Vortixx, the six prime species, and others. From the prime species, Mata Nui chose six beings who formed a League of Six Kingdoms devoted to maintaining order. These six, dubbed the Barraki, eventually attempted to usurp Mata Nui. The Brotherhood of Makuta took action and defeated them, cementing the Makuta's status as protectors of peace and order.
Within the next thousand years, the four hundred year-long Matoran Civil War in the city of Metru Nui began affecting the rest of the universe, leading to the Great Disruption and causing Mata Nui to fall ill. A team of Toa led by Jovan traveled to Voya Nui to claim the Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life, and used it to heal Mata Nui. The Brotherhood of Makuta, meanwhile, forcibly put a stop to the civil war and ended the Great Disruption.
Eventually, the Makuta rebelled as well. Teridax, supported by the rest of the Brotherhood, used a specialized virus to poison Mata Nui. The poison slowly weakened Mata Nui over three hundred years and, knowing time was short, the Great Spirit acted to save the city that housed his consciousness. He altered the stars above Metru Nui by which the future was prophesied, making it appear as if the six Matoran Nuhrii, Vhisola, Ahkmou, Tehutti, Orkahm, and Ehrye were destined to become Toa. He then implanted the names of the truly-destined Matoran Vakama, Nokama, Onewa, Whenua, Matau, and Nuju into Teridax's mind. Teridax, believing Nuhrii and his fellows to be the destined Matoran, hoped to stop the creation of new Toa by planting six Matoran he believed were not destined--Vakama and his fellows--in Toa Lhikan's mind. Lhikan then gave Vakama and his fellows Toa Stones and in so doing fulfilled destiny. The virus finally took its toll on Mata Nui's system and he fell into a coma, crash-landing onto Aqua Magna. His impact into the ocean of Aqua Magna caused a large-scale catastrophe within his body, which its inhabitants named the Great Cataclysm. The virus damaged Mata Nui's memory, erasing some previous experiences as well as his ultimate mission from his mind. The crash also caused a malfunction in his camouflage system, leading to a multitude of flora proliferating on the island that covered his face. Vakama and his team, the Toa Metru, brought the Matoran of Metru Nui to this island and named it Mata Nui in honor of the Great Spirit. After the Cataclysm, Matoran across the universe maintained their faith in Mata Nui.
During the Great Cataclysm, the Toa Mata, a team of Toa created for the specific purpose of awakening Mata Nui, were launched from the Codrex in Karda Nui. However, due to a malfunction in the Toa Canisters in which they traveled, the Toa drifted aimlessly in the ocean of Aqua Magna for a thousand years until the Matoran Takua accidentally triggered a beacon that summoned the Toa to the island of Mata Nui.
The long time spent in a coma had caused Mata Nui's condition to worsen, and he was on the brink of death. The Toa Mata, now transformed by Energized Protodermis into the Toa Nuva, traveled to Voya Nui to claim the Mask of Life by which they hoped to heal him. However, their destiny was to awaken the Great Spirit, not to save his life; that burden fell upon a group of Matoran who followed the Toa Nuva and were transformed into the Toa Inika. The Toa Inika claimed the mask and, after it plummeted into the oceans of Aqua Magna, its power transformed them into the Toa Mahri so they could seek it beneath the waves. As they attempted to keep the Ignika from the wrong hands and to bring it to Karda Nui, Mata Nui finally died. Upon his death, Mata Nui's spirit vacated his body; the experience also plagued him with nightmarish visions of darkness spreading throughout his universe.
Fast action by Toa Mahri Matoro at the cost of his own life revived Mata Nui's body before the Great Spirit was lost completely. Mata Nui attempted to reunite his spirit with his body, only to find the way barred by the essence of Makuta Teridax, who had inhabited the void left by Mata Nui's spirit. Incapable of returning to his body, Mata Nui was helpless.
The Toa Nuva returned to Karda Nui, where they sought the Keystones that detailed how to reawaken Mata Nui. At last, with the Ignika's help, the Toa Nuva succeeded in awakening the body of Mata Nui. The colossal form, now under the control of Teridax, rose and stood upon Aqua Magna, destroying the island of Mata Nui in the process. Exercising his newfound powers, Teridax sealed Mata Nui's spirit into the Kanohi Ignika. After announcing his reign over the Matoran Universe to its inhabitants, Teridax expelled the mask and Mata Nui into space both to prevent the Great Spirit from returning and to prevent the Ignika from destroying the Makuta's new body.
As spirit and mask flew through space, Mata Nui vowed that he would return.
Bara Magna
After drifting through space, Mata Nui eventually crashed on the planet of Bara Magna close to the village of Vulcanus. To preserve itself, the Ignika utilized the sand and particles around it to form a new body for Mata Nui. Though not used to his new body, Mata Nui grew accustomed to being the size of a Toa and had enough coordination to avoid stepping on a small Scarabax Beetle. The beetle, which would later be named Click, climbed onto the Great Spirit's new form and touched the Mask of Life, transforming into the Scarab Shield. A Vorox attacked Mata Nui soon after, but the Great Spirit held his own with his new tool and broke the warrior's stinger. After the Vorox fled, Mata Nui attempted to let Click go, but the beetle refused and climbed back onto Mata Nui's shoulder.
The Agori Metus soon approached in a Thornatus vehicle, and Mata Nui questioned the villager. After introducing himself as Toa Mata Nui, the Great Spirit asked for a ride. The Agori agreed, and the two set off. On their way to Vulcanus, they were attacked by a massive Sand Bat that knocked them off their vehicle. Mata Nui, believing the creature to be like the Rahi of the Matoran Universe, suggested knocking its mask off, a notion laughed at by Metus. Standing his ground, Mata Nui struck the creature, though his attack had no effect. Puzzled at the behavior of the Sand Bat, Mata Nui eventually realized that the creature despised sunlight and worked with Metus to keep it above the ground. As the sun started to take its toll on the creature, Mata Nui let it retreat underground in an act of mercy, convinced that the Sand Bat had learned to respect the surface world.
Metus took Mata Nui to Vulcanus, where he witnessed an arena match between the two Glatorian Ackar and Strakk. After Strakk conceded, Mata Nui grew suspicious of the warrior; he was proven correct when the Ice Tribe warrior attacked Ackar when his back was turned. Mata Nui leapt into the arena to defend Ackar, summoning Click to be his shield once more, and prevented Strakk from assaulting the downed warrior. Strakk quickly overpowered the new fighter and knocked him to the ground. While blocking a strike, Mata Nui's Vorox stinger touched his mask and transformed into a sword. Mata Nui knocked Strakk over and forced the fighter to concede again. Ackar thanked Mata Nui for saving him and brought him to his home.
While the two fighters were at Ackar's home discussing his profession, Metus approached them and offered to make Mata Nui a Prime Glatorian. Mata Nui politely refused, and Metus departed. When Mata Nui mentioned that his home world was far away from Bara Magna, Kiina emerged from the shadows, elated that her beliefs in extraterrestrial life were proven correct. Ackar calmed Mata Nui, who was startled at the new arrival, and proclaimed his trust in Kiina to allay the suspicions of the former Great Spirit. Kiina offered to take Mata Nui to Tajun, where she had discovered something that she thought could help him return home, on the condition that Mata Nui bring her home with him. Mata Nui agreed to the deal.
Mata Nui, Kiina, and Ackar traveled to Tajun through Sandray Canyon on Kiina's Thornatus. While discussing the possibility of a traitor in their midst, they were attacked by a Skopio. After evading the creature, they were chased by a band of Bone Hunters. Kiina attempted to drive to Tajun to get help, but the Skopio knocked over her vehicle. In an effort to secure a safe passage, Mata Nui rushed to the Skopio in order to distract it. The Skopio struck Mata Nui with a Thornax fruit, and he began to develop an escape plan. He climbed onto the Skopio and used the creature's Thornax Launcher to shoot at the Bone Hunters. Ackar and Kiina made it to the Thornatus and attempted to drive away. Mata Nui, after being knocked onto a cliff, used his sword to cut through the rock and created a rockslide, trapping the Bone Hunters and Skopio while he escaped with the Glatorian.
The Glatorian made it to Tajun, where a wounded Gresh informed them that the Skrall and Bone Hunters had allied; this unlikely alliance bolstered the group's suspicions that there was a traitor amongst the Glatorian and Agori. In an attempt to escape from the Skrall, Kiina led the group into the Underground Lab of the Great Beings that she had discovered. Within, the group found Berix, an Agori who had discovered the lab as well. Kiina, furious at Berix, initially refused to let him aid the injured Gresh, but she eventually relented and allowed him to examine the Glatorian. While Berix worked, Mata Nui explored the lab. During his search, he discovered a room hidden behind a depiction of the Three Virtues. Descending into the room, Mata Nui found Matoran inscriptions all over its walls, including a detailed plan of what resembled his rightful body. The former Great Spirit spent some time studying it with his allies.
Gresh eventually recovered, and the group managed to escape the village. In need of a replacement blade, Gresh asked Mata Nui to assist him. Ackar theorized that Mata Nui could perform a feat with their weapons similar to that which he had done with the Vorox stinger. Mata Nui touched Ackar's weapon to his mask and transformed the blade, imbuing Ackar with the power to channel Fire through the weapon. He similarly transformed Kiina and Gresh's weapons and granted them Elemental Powers of Water and Air, respectively. When Ackar asked him to stay and help defeat their enemies, Mata Nui was unable to refuse; Ackar offered to be his teacher in return.
During their first training lesson, Ackar asked Mata Nui to attack him, hoping to demonstrate the value of predicting the moves of one's opponent. Mata Nui attacked ferociously, but found all of his moves countered by his mentor. Fatigue eventually set in, and Mata Nui abandoned the attempt and asked Ackar how he could successfully block every move. Ackar responded by pointing out a Cave Shrike flying overhead and instructed Mata Nui to guess what direction the bird would fly in. Mata Nui tried and failed to foresee the bird's movements despite Ackar's pointing out the bird's tendency to twitch its wings in the direction it would next fly. The Fire Glatorian led Mata Nui to a Rock Steed in an effort to teach him the same lesson. After explaining how to tame a Rock Steed, Ackar launched himself at the beast. In the ensuing fight, Ackar was struck and downed by the Rock Steed. Taunts from Mata Nui drew the beast away from Ackar, and Mata Nui began fighting the creature. By paying attention to the creature's moves, Mata Nui figured out its attack pattern before using his sword to drive the creature away. Ackar applauded his efforts, admitting that he had feigned injury so that Mata Nui could apply what he had learned. Relieved that his friend was not hurt, Mata Nui jokingly threatened to push Ackar off the mountain as punishment for his trick. The two then returned to Kiina, Berix, and Gresh so they could resume their journey to Tesara.
At some point during the same journey, the Glatorian halted, eager to test their newfound powers. After they had used their elemental powers, Ackar assaulted Mata Nui, instructing him on how to observe his opponents for signs of weakness.
Arriving in Tesara, the group interrupted the ongoing match between Tarix and Vastus. Ackar declared an end to the Glatorian social system, utilizing his new fire powers to prove that they could defeat the Skrall. To further convince the villagers, Mata Nui transformed Tarix's weapon, giving the fighter power over Water. Mata Nui also upgraded Vastus's weapon and gave him power over Air.
Upon hearing that Kiina and Berix had been kidnapped by the Skrall, Mata Nui hoped to set out for Roxtus to confront Tuma and to free his allies. Before leaving, he climbed atop a cliff to plan and watched the Agori pull the two pieces of Tesara together. Ackar visited Mata Nui and provided him with the route to Roxtus. When the Agori were finally able to link the village pieces, Mata Nui realized that they formed a figure. However, the former Great Spirit chose not to explain this to Ackar, believing that explaining his past was best left for a later date.
Mata Nui challenged Tuma to a one-on-one fight once he arrived in Roxtus. During the fight, Mata Nui noticed an injury on Tuma's back. Remembering his fighting lessons from Ackar, Mata Nui targeted Tuma's weak spot and eventually toppled the Rock Tribe leader. Metus arrived in the arena shortly thereafter and applauded Mata Nui's victory. Mata Nui then realized that Metus was the traitor who had orchestrated the Skrall-Bone Hunter alliance and let Click go into the sands to prevent further harm from coming to the Scarabax. Metus gloated about his plan, and Mata Nui realized that the Agori could achieve his ambitions as none of the Glatorian or Agori knew of his treachery. Before the assembled army of Skrall and Bone Hunters could attack, a massive being composed of Scarabax beetles rose from the desert, frightening the united army and shattering their ranks. Mata Nui freed Berix and Kiina, reunited with Click, and began fighting the escaping Skrall with the help of other Glatorian who had arrived to help. Even though his troops were outnumbered by the Skrall, Mata Nui refused to give up and rallied his allies. Noticing an escaping Metus, Mata Nui gave chase to the Ice Agori. The warrior cornered Metus and defeated his two Skrall guards as the traitor fled in his vehicle. Ignoring Metus's frantic pleas for mercy, Mata Nui lifted the Ice Agori and touched him to the Ignika, transforming him into a viper. The serpentine Metus slithered away, confident that his army would succeed. Metus's words reminded Mata Nui of his imperiled allies, and he ran back to assist them. Reunited with his supporters, Mata Nui realized that by combining their weapons and powers, they could hope to defeat the Skrall. Their combined powers defeated the Skrall army, and the allies won the battle.
Agori began uniting the structures of their four allied villages, and Mata Nui watched their progress from atop a cliff. Ackar, Kiina, Gresh, and Berix approached him, and they discussed the momentous event; Mata Nui then named Ackar as the leader of the united Bara Magna. As they looked upon the uniting villages, Berix remembered a coin he had found and showed it to Mata Nui. The coin depicted a robotic structure, and on the reverse side was a symbol matching that emblazoned on Skrall shields. Mata Nui resolved to decipher the mystery of the coin and thanked his friends for their support.
Soon afterward, Mata Nui, Click, Ackar, Kiina and Vastus returned to Sandray Canyon and found a Thornatus buried under rubble. Kiina and Vastus combined their elemental powers to free the vehicle. They later discussed the potential for danger that still existed, and Mata Nui cautioned his allies that they should never let their guard down.
Valley of the Maze
Mata Nui talked to Vastus, who told him of Tarduk's tales of the north. While looking for Tarduk, Mata Nui encountered Crotesius, who told him of his failed journey to the Valley of the Maze with Tarduk. Mata Nui sought the Jungle Agori out, though he had already left for the north once more. The former Great Spirit led Gresh, Kiina, and Berix on a quest to the Valley of the Maze, which he believed held the answers to reclaiming his universe. A Skrall patrol attacked them during their journey, and Berix was injured in the fight. Mata Nui refused to let others be injured for his mission and asked the Glatorian to turn back. His allies respected his wishes, and Mata Nui journeyed to the valley with only the company of Click.
Upon entering the maze, Mata Nui encountered a pool of water that he suspected to be a trap. He knew no other choice remained but to press on, so he began wading through the pool. The water froze almost instantly, and when Mata Nui attempted to shatter it with his blade, it erupted into flames. Mata Nui broke free and continued through the maze. He eventually encountered a moving wall that opened to reveal an array of Thornax Launchers. Click transformed into the Scarab Shield, which Mata Nui used to block the Thornax blasts, and the warrior eventually destroyed the launchers by throwing his shield as one would a boomerang. Desperate for a solution to his problems, Mata Nui continued forward and made it to the heart of the maze. While seeking entrance to the tower at the maze's center, a recorded voice from inside posed three riddles to the former Great Spirit. After reflecting on the riddles, Mata Nui finally responded with each of the Three Virtues: Unity, Duty, and Destiny. A passage was then uncovered and Mata Nui journeyed inside. Walking down the long stairway, he came upon a huge chamber filled with a pool of lava, and discovered Tarduk trapped in chains and dangling from above.
Mata Nui freed the Agori, but the two were then forced to flee the crumbling fortress despite Mata Nui's desire to find answers. They witnessed the Great Volcano emerge from under the tower, but Mata Nui realized that it was not a natural formation and started digging through its wall; he eventually uncovered a metal hatch which he used to enter the structure. There, he found a chamber containing designs for his original body and a screen that retaught him his mission. Mata Nui then realized that the Great Beings had originally intended to build a second robot to help him with his task. Desperate, Mata Nui told Tarduk his story, and Tarduk suggested that the Great Spirit use the Great Beings' ancient prototype robot to fulfill his task. Mata Nui agreed that a power source might have been built for the second robot, and the duo set out to locate it.
The two eventually discovered a power source, which Mata Nui brought back to the Mega-Village within a metal box. Though he was met with protests, Mata Nui insisted to the inhabitants of Bara Magna that he needed to use the robot in order to help them. Raanu would not immediately grant his request and left to ponder his decision. Later that night, Mata Nui revealed his former status as a Great Spirit to Gresh and Ackar and expressed his concern that Teridax would come after him and conquer Bara Magna. Ackar accepted his friend, but Gresh was worried by the threat Mata Nui himself could pose to the inhabitants of Bara Magna. Mata Nui offered his sword to Gresh, along with the opportunity to imprison him; Gresh backed down from argument.
Raanu came to Mata Nui and revealed that he had long ago witnessed the construction of Mata Nui's original body, although he questioned the warrior's need for the prototype robot. Mata Nui implored the Agori leader, sensing the approach of Teridax, and Raanu eventually submitted to Mata Nui's request.
Preparing to use the power source he had found, Mata Nui was approached by Kiina, who was worried by the danger the unstable power source posed. Mata Nui told her that it was the only chance he had of protecting her people from Makuta. Mata Nui also took Click and gave him to Kiina, who accepted the Scarabax. Kiina expressed her concern that their relations would be different with Mata Nui as a giant robot. Mata Nui assured her that he would not forget them and that he was glad to have met them. Emotional, Kiina embraced the former Great Spirit, who reluctantly told her to leave so that he could begin powering up the prototype robot. After successfully inserting the power source, he removed the Ignika from his face, his body dissolved, and he projected his spirit into the robot. The transition was difficult, but Mata Nui eventually grew accustomed to his large stature and settled into his robot body.
Prototype Robot
Rising from the plains of Bara Magna, Mata Nui ordered the world's inhabitants to take shelter and used his new form to send waves of power into the cosmos in an attempt to reunite the fragments of Spherus Magna. During this process, Teridax arrived on Bara Magna in Mata Nui's original body, and the two titans clashed. Mata Nui attempted to convince Teridax that they were destined to work together, but Teridax ignored his brother and instead offered him the chance to join his galactic conquest. Mata Nui refused his offer, revealing a newfound consideration for life. Teridax, after hearing Mata Nui's change in personality, lifted the mountain under which the Agori and Glatorian were sheltered and threatened to drop it on them. Mata Nui retaliated fiercely, blasting both Teridax and the mountain with energy before telling the Agori to escape. Although Teridax warned that he had Toa and Matoran inside his body, Mata Nui decided to keep fighting. However, the Great Spirit soon realized that the moons of Bara Magna were drifting away from the planet and that his own power supply was less than an hour away from exhaustion.
While the two robots continued fighting, Mata Nui's allies attempted to help him from below. Noticing their efforts, Teridax blasted the ground and released an army of Rahkshi against his opponents. Other inhabitants of the Matoran Universe also emerged onto Bara Magna, and Mata Nui gave them the ability to speak the Agori language.[6] Teridax then blasted Mata Nui to the ground and declared himself to be the ruler of Bara Magna.
Refusing to bow before Teridax, Mata Nui angered the Makuta, who attempted to use a blast of Gravity to destroy the planet. Mata Nui deflected the energy, which now struck the moons of Bara Magna, drawing them closer and finishing the process that the Great Spirit had started. The overwhelming might of Teridax almost caused Mata Nui to give up, but when he saw the oncoming moons, he regained hope and continued fighting. Teridax was momentarily weakened by the destruction of his Rahkshi legions, which Tahu had obliterated by donning the Golden Armor, and Mata Nui used the opportunity to launch himself at the Makuta. The impact drove Teridax into the trajectory of a fragment of Aqua Magna, which crashed into the back of the Makuta's head and killed him.
Briefly mourning the loss of the being who was supposed to be his brother, Mata Nui then turned his attention to the planet, which after 100,000 years had been reunited as Spherus Magna. By using the last of his body's power and the powers of the Mask of Life, Mata Nui revitalized the desert and brought life to it, creating a paradise for the newly united inhabitants of Spherus Magna. The exertion destroyed the prototype robot, though Mata Nui’s spirit, still intricately connected to the Ignika, was drawn back to the mask. When asked by Tahu to play a role in the new society, Mata Nui declined, wishing to let the inhabitants of the new Spherus Magna forge their own path without his influence. However, Mata Nui asked a favor of them: to locate the Great Beings and to inform them of Spherus Magna's reformation. The Great Spirit then retreated into the Ignika.
Alternate Universes
Toa Empire Alternate Universe
In this alternate universe, Mata Nui was never put to sleep by the Makuta. He continues to maintain the universe, and the actions of the Toa Empire have not unbalanced it enough for him to take notice.
Spherus Magna Alternate Universe
The Makuta never rebelled against Mata Nui in this alternate universe, and a second robot was built. Arriving at Spherus Magna after 99,000 years of travel, Mata Nui placed his consciousness into the second robot while Teridax inhabited Mata Nui's old body. After the two reformed the planet, Mata Nui then went to the Valley of the Maze and, as Tahu Nuva described it, returned power to where it belonged.
The Kingdom Alternate Universe
In this alternate universe, Toa Mahri Matoro failed to revive Mata Nui in time, and the Great Spirit remains dead.
The Legend of Mata Nui
Turaga legend said that in the time before time, the dark spirit Makuta grew jealous of his brother Mata Nui and cast him into a deep sleep. Mata Nui was described as benevolent diety responsible for bearing the Matoran to the island of Mata Nui and giving them the three virtues.
As the Makuta's shadow fell across the land, the ancient values of the Matoran began to be forgotten. The Matoran of Mata Nui began to lose hope and sight of their ideals as guardian Toa failed to appear.
Teridax and Mata Nui were often regarded as brothers, though not in the biological sense; rather, the term signified how the two worked together toward a common goal, much in the same way that Toa refer to each other as brother or sister.
Abilities and Traits
Mata Nui's original body, the Mata Nui Robot, was roughly forty million feet (7,576 mi or 12,192 km) tall and was incredibly strong. The body was equipped with a camouflage system that instantly engaged whenever he landed on a world to observe it, producing an island that would hide his face. When Mata Nui crash-landed on Aqua Magna, his camouflage system created the island of Mata Nui; however, because his system was damaged, Energized Protodermis leaked out and produced flora that covered the island. The Bohrok were designed to return Mata Nui's camouflage island to a desolate state so the Great Spirit could move freely when he chose to leave. His body was also armed with several defense mechanisms, including laser blasters.
Mata Nui could control every aspect of the universe within his body, from gravity to heat. Although Mata Nui was supposed to ensure stability within the Matoran Universe, he could manipulate his internal environment to his will as demonstrated by Teridax during his reign. Mata Nui could also create new life forms and produced species such as the Vortixx, Skakdi, and Makuta.
Although he maintained the Matoran Universe per his duty, Mata Nui was emotionally detached from it and often ignored crucial events that took place within it. This lack of concern about the welfare of his inhabitants eventually led to his exile by Teridax. After this, Mata Nui desired to right his wrong and to abolish Teridax's tyrannical reign in order to save his people. Having succeeded in this venture, Mata Nui came to realize that in seeking their Great Spirit out, his own people had developed past the need for a powerful ruler such as himself; for this reason he resolved not to intervene in the new society of Spherus Magna. Mata Nui also cares about the good people of Bara Magna, not wishing them to end up like his own people, and was even willing to risk his life rescuing Kiina and Berix from the Skrall on his own.[7][8][9][1]
Mata Nui is closest friends with Ackar and Kiina.[1] When he was in his Toa form and alone, he talked with Click, who likes being with him and is protective of him. Mata Nui is also fond of Click.[7][8]
Mata Nui can speak and understand the Matoran and Agori languages.[10]
After the Kanohi Ignika arrived on Bara Magna, the mask created a new Glatorian-sized body for Mata Nui. Although this new body bore no powers, Mata Nui introduced himself to Metus as "Toa" Mata Nui as he wanted to be recognized as a hero. However, the inhabitants of Bara Magna had never heard of Toa; Mata Nui needed to prove his worth through his deeds rather than through his identity.
Mata Nui learned from Ackar on how to fight better like a Glatorian.[7][8][11]
Mata Nui later released his spirit from the Ignika and placed it into the Prototype Robot. He then gained access to the various functions of the robot, such as the ability to fire energy beams. The robot body was eventually destroyed, but the time Mata Nui had spent inside the Ignika had created a bond between the two, and his spirit was drawn back to the mask.
Mask and Tools
Mata Nui bore the Kanohi Ignika, in which his spirit was sealed. As he never had to wear Kanohi, he did not know how to access the mask and could not reliably utilize its powers. Over the course of his adventures on Bara Magna, he eventually developed the ability to direct the mask's power at will.
As a Toa, Mata Nui carried the Scarab Shield, a tool created when the Scarabax Beetle Click touched the Ignika. He also wielded a sword that was created when the broken stinger of a Vorox touched the Ignika. When he possessed the Prototype Robot, Mata Nui abandoned the sword and placed Click in Kiina's care.
BIONICLE.com Stats
| STRENGTH: 10 | AGILITY: 11 |
| TOUGHNESS: 10 | MIND: 12 |
Set Information
| Mata Nui Sets | |||||||||
|
| ||||||||
Two Mata Nui sets were released in mid-2009.
The first is a canister set that contains fifty-two pieces including a Thornax Launcher, Thornax fruit, and life counter for use in the BIONICLE Action Figure Game.
The second release was a large, Toys’R’Us exclusive boxed set called "Toa Mata Nui". This set depicts the same form of Mata Nui on a much larger scale. The set contains 366 pieces including a Thornax fruit and two life counters for the BIONICLE Action Figure Game.
Quotes
"In the time before time, the Great Spirit descended from the heavens, carrying we, the ones called Matoran, to this paradise. We were separate and without purpose, so the Great Spirit illuminated us with the Three Virtues: Unity, Duty, and Destiny. We embraced these gifts and, in gratitude, we named our island home Mata Nui, after the Great Spirit himself."
— Turaga Vakama, Mask of Light
"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. And in the sky above the city of Metru Nui, the stars shone brightly once more."
— Narrator, Downfall
"It is said that all endings are merely beginnings, waiting to be born. My beginning was much the same. Once I was a towering giant, ruler of my own universe. Fearless. Beholden to none. Protector of my people. Until I was betrayed. All that I had been, all that I had known was stolen from me by an ever-present evil. My power stripped away. My people enslaved. I was left powerless to save them."
— Mata Nui, The Legend Reborn
"Strange. I have worn many titles, been called a lot of things ... but never 'friend.'"
— Mata Nui to Ackar, The Legend Reborn
"The final battle approaches even now. I have no doubt my enemy knows what has happened and will seek me out. I may destroy him, or he may destroy me, but I fear that our fight will inevitably rain destruction down on those below. I have warned Ackar and the others to get themselves and the Agori to a place of safety. They have helped me, saved me, and shown me a world I did not know existed - but this was not their fight. It was mine... and it was one I should have fought many centuries before."
— Mata Nui, BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna
"All journey's [sic] must come to an end, but this time, there is a new beginning as well. There will be challenges to face and enemies to fight, but I know you will overcome. All that has gone before, my friends, has only served to give birth to this new day. Let unity, duty and destiny be your guides. Be well, be strong, care for this world and for each other. Farewell."
— Mata Nui, Journey's End
Trivia
- Mata Nui is voiced by famed actor Michael Dorn in BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn and in the illustrated blog Mata Nui Saga.
- Although both his Glatorian Legends set and "Toa Mata Nui" set feature a Thornax Launcher, Mata Nui never uses one in the known canon.
Appearances
References
See also
| BIONICLE Sets of 2009 | ||
| Small | 8972 Atakus | 8973 Raanu | 8974 Tarduk | 8975 Berix | 8976 Metus | 8977 Zesk | |
| Medium | 8978 Skrall | 8979 Malum | 8980 Gresh | 8981 Tarix | 8982 Strakk | 8983 Vorox 8984 Stronius | 8985 Ackar | 8986 Vastus | 8987 Kiina | 8988 Gelu | 8989 Mata Nui | |
| Large | Standard | 8991 Tuma |
| Special | 8990 Fero & Skirmix | 8998 Toa Mata Nui | |
| Battle Vehicles | 8992 Cendox V1 | 8993 Kaxium V3 | 8994 Baranus V7 | 8995 Thornatus V9 | 8996 Skopio XV-1 | |
| Promotional | 20012 Click | |
| see full list | ||
| Navigation |
| Characters | Sapient Species | Locations | Flora | Creatures | Rahi | Objects | Powers | Vehicles | Society | Events LEGO | TECHNIC | BIONICLE | Hero Factory | BS01 Wiki | Policies | Sources | Saga Guides | Timeline | Media | Sets |