Shadow Matoran

"The light is drained from you, and what's left is... sharper, clearer. You know what you have to do... and you know you won't let anyone stop you."
— Gavla, Shadows in the Sky

Shadow Matoran
Vultraz, the last remaining Shadow Matoran
Matoran Type
Element	Shadow
Preferred regions	Dark places
Transforms into	Toa of Shadow

Shadow Matoran are Matoran who have been deprived of their Light, replacing their prior element with Shadow. They do not occur naturally.

History

Makuta Mutran, Tridax, and Chirox developed the technique of draining a Matoran's Light to make them into a being of Shadow using mutated Kraata known as Shadow Leeches. The first Shadow Matoran was Vican, a Le-Matoran who willingly volunteered for the experiment. He was followed not long afterward by Vultraz, a Ta-Matoran.

The first Av-Matoran to be corrupted during the Brotherhood of Makuta assault on Karda Nui was Gavla, who was attacked by Makuta Chirox. Soon, the inhabitants of four of the five Av-Matoran Sky Villages had been transformed, resulting in the creation of several hundred Shadow Matoran. As she had been the first of their ranks, the Makuta chose Gavla to lead her fellow Shadow Matoran.

Kirop's light being restored

When Toa Mahri Matoro used the Kanohi Ignika in Karda Nui, he caused a surge of light that blinded three of the seven invading Makuta: Chirox, Antroz, and Vamprah. In order to see again, they chose three Shadow Matoran, Gavla, Radiak, and Kirop, to have them ride on their backs so that the Makuta could establish a mental link with them and so see through their eyes.

When the Toa Nuva arrived and started helping the Av-Matoran fight the Makuta, the Makuta and Shadow Matoran fought them.

After Mutran created the klakk in Karda Nui, Vican soon discovered firsthand that the Rahi's power scream had the ability to break the mental barrier preventing the Matoran's light from returning. He then found Takanuva and revealed his discovery to him. To prove it, they found the klakk and cured Radiak. From there, all of the Shadow Matoran in Karda Nui were cured, with Gavla being the last one.

Vultraz is the last known Shadow Matoran. Since he was left in another dimension, there are no known Shadow Matoran left in the Matoran Universe.

Hybrid

Chirox created a Rahi-Matoran hybrid by tossing a Shadow Matoran into a vat that contained one of Mutran's Rahi experiments. The resulting creature had the ability to fly and was used by Vican as a mount. It had the partial mentality of a Matoran, and therefore was difficult for Vican to control, as it could try to fly on its own. He rode it to Destral in order to summon Makuta Icarax to Karda Nui and back again. He later used it to stop Mutran from falling after the Makuta had unleashed a devastating blast of Shadow.

Soon after, Vican abandoned it in Karda Nui. It was likely killed by the Energy Storms after Mata Nui was awakened.

Abilities and Traits

When a Matoran's Light has been drained, they lose their original elemental ability, which is replaced with the ability to shoot bolts of Shadow. Former Av-Matoran also has access to more diverse powers when in contact with a Makuta or a Toa. The symbiotic connection also makes both the Matoran and their partner stronger. The Matoran also loses some of their natural armor colors when drained of their Light, being replaced by black, although they often retain at least one of their previous armor colors. If a Shadow Matoran transforms into a Toa, they will retain their new element.

Upon being drained of their Light, a mental barrier prevents Light from naturally returning to the Matoran. The Matoran also become inherently evil, usually losing most previous personality traits. Only Shadow Leeches, the Kanohi Avsa, and Gorast's stinger were known to be able to drain Light.

The only known means of removing the mental barrier that prevents Shadow Matoran from regaining their light is the sonic scream of the klakk. The return of their light is gradual, and while the cured Matoran promptly regain their moral balance, their armor takes some time to be fully restored to its natural color.

Most Shadow Matoran possessed other unusual traits such as wings and claws. These were the results of experimentation and mutation performed by Mutran after their corruption. The Makuta also removed the Shadow Matoran's masks, replacing them with masks considered immoral (such as the Jutlin or Shelek).

Known Shadow Matoran

• Many Av-Matoran who were corrupted by the Makuta during their assault on Karda Nui (all restored except one)
  • Gavla (restored): An outcast Av-Matoran who enjoyed being a Shadow Matoran. She was partnered with Vamprah.
  • Kirop (restored): The former leader of the Av-Matoran. He was partnered with Chirox.
  • Radiak (restored): A warrior Av-Matoran turned into a Shadow Matoran. He was partnered with Antroz.
  • A Shadow Matoran that was hurled into a mutating vat by Mutran and turned into a Rahi-Matoran Hybrid. (transformed, unknown fate)
• Vican (restored): A corrupted Le-Matoran and the first of the Shadow Matoran. He was Mutran's lab assistant.
• Vultraz: A former Ta-Matoran who was the second Shadow Matoran to be transformed, and is currently the only Shadow Matoran left.

Trivia

• Unlike Matoran of other elements, the Shadow Matoran do not use a prefix in their name. They have been referred to as "Kra-Matoran" by the fanbase in reference to the Kraahkan, similar to how the prefix of Av-Matoran recalls the Avohkii. Since then, Greg Farshtey has confirmed that the Matoran prefix for Shadow is indeed "Kra."

See also

• Gallery:Matoran § Shadow Matoran