Onu-Wahi

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"Onu-Wahi. Those caves and tunnels Onua spoke of?"
"Yes. The network of underground passages lies beneath much of Mata Nui."
Toa Mata Tahu and Jala, Tale of the Toa

Onu-Wahi
Region of Mata Nui
Status Destroyed
Inhabitants Onu-Matoran
Toa Onua
Turaga Whenua
Rahi (all formerly)
Population None
Position Northwestern Mata Nui
Pronunciation oh-NOO-WAH-hee[1]


Onu-Wahi was the region of Earth on the island of Mata Nui.

History

When Mata Nui crashed onto Aqua Magna, his island creating system activated, and an island was created above his face. The outer surface of the island was created by an Energized Protodermis leak. Before the Great Rescue, the Toa Metru discovered this island and began to seek out living areas for the Matoran to live. The region of Onu-Wahi was named by Toa Whenua. After completing their mission and saving the Matoran, the Onu-Matoran and Whenua, now a Turaga, built the city of Onu-Koro and inhabited it. The Great Mine was also constructed so the Matoran could excavate precious ore that was abundant in the earth. Of the duration of the Dark Time and the Great War, Onu-Wahi was subjected to many strikes by Teridax and his infected Rahi. A Vatuka captured Whenua, but he was saved by Takua who also found Vakama's Firestaff. Takua later found two Vuata Maca Crystals and a Toa Stone.[2]

Onua's Toa Canister first arrived on Mata Nui in the Onu-Wahi region, after the Av-Matoran Takua accidentally sent out a signal beckoning the six Toa Canisters toward the island. The Toa of Earth was able to recall his name and rediscover his abilities, before he dug underground, immediately feeling at home. Onua then came across Onepu who led him to Onu-Koro.

Toa Mata Onua in the tunnels of Onu-Wahi

Takua traveled into Onu-Wahi and found that a mining area was flooded by lava since the pump for draining it was broken. Helping the Onu-Matoran present, Takua surfed over the magma and fixed the machine, making the way clear for the Lightstones to be mined out of a special chamber. With the abundance of lightstones, Taipu and some Miners were able to continue and finish the Le-Koro Highway project which had been put on hiatus.

Afterward, learning of an impenetrable rock layer found in the Great Mine, Takua and a Prospector began to study it. After discovering what was a Sundial embedded on the top of the stone, Takua traveled to Ga-Koro and spoke to Nixie about the markings. Gaining a gnomon from the Astrologer, he returned to the Sundial and activated it with the gnomon and a lightstone which he shone upon it. The Sundial then opened to reveal a stairway leading to a gold mask. Later, after the Battle for Kini-Nui, Takua would discover it was a hidden entrance to Mangaia, and used it to enter the Makuta's lair and watch the Toa defeat him.

A swarm of Nuhvok entered Onu-Wahi almost immediately after they awoke from their nest. Though Onua was able to stop the creatures before any permanent damage was done, he was not able to hold back the Gahlok that flooded the Great Mine or Onu-Koro afterward. Onepu and Taipu directed the Onu-Matoran toward the surface when the Gahlok began to flood Onu-Wahi. As Nuparu headed toward the exit, however, the tides reached the last three Matoran and knocked them in a separate cavern which was then sealed with stone. The three conversed after finding a nonoperational Gahlok and began to dig their way out. Nuparu decided to work on the mechanical Bohrok however after having an idea. The Engineer then created the Boxor and used it to dig out of the cavern. Confronting some Gahlok, the three drove off the creatures with the new invention.

The Onu-Koro Highway

During the Bohrok-Kal's strike, Toa Nuva Onua and Whenua ventured deep into the Onu-Wahi region to find a hidden Kaukau Nuva. The two would find their way down into a heated cavern which held two Manas fighting against each other. Using lessons he had learned from the Turaga, the elementally weakened Toa dug deep into the earth and found a pocket of lava. This caught the attention of the heat loving Manas and the Kofo-Jaga nearby which then began to fight over the magma. Onua was able to slip past and acquire the Kanohi in the back of the cavern. He and Whenua then escaped the region and headed home.

While searching for the seventh Toa, being guided by the Avohkii, Takua and Jaller traveled into the Onu-Koro Highway. Playing with some Lightvines, Takua was separated from Jaller and his crab Pewku and came into contact with Teridax. Threatening him in the manifestation of a shadow, Teridax promised to leave his friends and villagers alone if given the mask. However, Takua refused and ran from him finding Jaller shortly after. The Av-Matoran was frightened though by Teridax and also decided not to journey with Jaller any longer. The two then parted on angry terms.

After the Toa Nuva reawakened the Bohrok swarms, Onu-Wahi was cleared of all its tunnels and structures. When Mata Nui finally awakened, the entire island was obliterated.

Landscape

Aboveground, Onu Wahi sat at the northwest corner of Mata Nui, sharing the island's northern third with larger neighbor Po-Wahi. Its coastline was dominated by the archipelago of the Papa Nihu Reef, and dotted with narrow inlets and channels. Few areas aboveground were ever developed.

The vast majority of Onu-Wahi was in fact underground, with tunnels built by the Onu-Matoran connecting it to different parts of the island. The area was comprised mainly of caves and caverns beneath the ground, and Onu-Koro and its mines were also located there.

Known tunnels leading to Onu-Wahi are the Le-Koro Highway, Onu-Koro Highway and tunnels leading to Po-Wahi and Ko-Wahi. Onu-Wahi was also the location of the Great Sundial and the Cavern of Light.

Onu-Wahi was abandoned with the re-discovery of Metru Nui. The location was cleared by the Bohrok swarms and has now been destroyed by the reawakening of Mata Nui.

Significant Locations

Onu-Kini

Onu-Kini was the temple of Earth built by the Matoran to honor Onua.[10][11]

Inhabitants

Onu-Matoran

The Onu-Matoran were the primary Matoran residents of Onu-Wahi. They resided in the village of Onu-Koro, and performed day-to-day activities which mainly consists of mining or digging.

Rahi

Onu-Wahi wildlife

Onu-Wahi was home to Rahi species, mostly with genetic adaption to aid in underground life. Among them were:

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References

  1. "Onu-Wahi." Encyclopedia Updated, p. 107.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 BIONICLE: Quest for the Toa.
  3. "Chapter 8: Alliance • A Final Defense • The Toa Enter the Lair." Mata Nui Online Game.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Mata Nui Online Game.
  6. "Chapter 3." Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle.
  7. Tale of the Toa. BIONICLE Chronicles 1, p. 9.
  8. "Chapter 5: The Undercity of Onu-Koro • A Strange Discovery." Mata Nui Online Game.
  9. "Episode 3: New Invention Saves Onu-Koro." Mata Nui Online Animations.
  10. "Official Greg Discussion", post 3192. BZPower Forums. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  11. 11.0 11.1 BIONICLE: The Legend of Mata Nui.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Bionicle Onu-Koro BIONICLE.com
  13. 13.0 13.1 Tales of the Masks. BIONICLE Chronicles 4.
  14. BIONICLE: Quest for the Masks.

See also