Vakama

"At one time, so many stunning revelations one on top of the other would have overwhelmed Vakama. But that was before he became a Toa in more than just a name. He had overcome his insecurities and his fears. He had confronted the darkest part of himself during the struggle with the Visorak and emerged stronger for it."

- Narrator, Time Trap

Vakama was a Ta-Matoran Mask Maker, the Toa Metru of Fire, and briefly the Toa Hordika of Fire. He later became one of the Turaga of Mata Nui along with the other Toa Metru, and later one of the seven Turaga of Metru Nui.

Biography
===Matoran ===

Vakama was once an apprentice smelter of Kanohi masks trained by Nuhrii. However, he soon surpassed him in skill and attained his own forge; building several Fire Drones to assist him there. As a result, Nuhrii became very jealous of Vakama's future accomplishments. The Ta-Matoran was a good friend of Jaller.

Vakama was surprised when Turaga Dume, actually Makuta Teridax in disguise, asked him to forge the Kanohi Vahi, the Legendary Mask of Time. He was still in the process of finding the correct disks for the project when Lhikan, the sole Toa of Metru Nui, entered his forge and gifted him a Toa Stone as the Dark Hunters Nidhiki and Krekka arrived. A battle ensued, during which Nidhiki captured Vakama and held him above a pit of molten Protodermis, forcing Lhikan to surrender in order to protect the Matoran. Nidhiki, however, threw Vakama into the pit regardless and was barely saved by Lhikan's Lavaboard that the Toa quickly kicked beneath Vakama, catching him. After Lhikan's capture, Vakama blamed himself for the incident.

Later the mask maker inspected the Toa Stone given to him before Turaga Dume visited his forge unannounced. After a brief conversation, Dume departed, and Vakama took the Toa Stone to the Great Temple, where he met five other Matoran, one from each Metru. The present Matoran being Nokama from Ga-Metru, Matau from Le-Metru, Nuju from Ko-Metru, Onewa from Po-Metru and Whenua from Onu-Metru.

Toa Metru
Introducing themselves to each other, the Matoran placed their Toa stones into the Suva, which unleashed six individual beams of energy. The power dispersed into the beings, changing them into Toa.

Vakama chose his Toa Tool from a storage compartment in the Suva as his companions did. The Toa of Fire obtained a weapon that reminded him of his Matoran life, which he had been comfortable with, an upgraded Disk Launcher. This choice was ridiculed by other Toa such as Matau, seeing it as an oversized "Matoran tool."

While the Toa admired their new forms, Vakama received a vision of Metru Nui being destroyed by the Morbuzakh, a vicious plant which had appeared recently in the city and continued to cause massive destruction. He then saw the city restored as six Great Disks flew over him and killed the Morbuzakh. He learned the names of the Matoran who knew where the disks were located: Vhisola, Tehutti, Ahkmou, Orkahm, Ehrye, and his old mentor Nuhrii.

Though some of the Toa doubted the vision once related, Nokama insisted the premonition could be true and that by obtaining the disks they could stop the Morbuzakh, proving that they were worthy Toa. The six Toa Metru, some still reluctantly trusting the Toa of Fire, split up in search of the Matoran. Vakama traveled to Ta-Metru, where he encountered Morbuzakh vines attempting to knock a vat of molten Protodermis to the ground which would result in heavy damage to that area of Ta-Metru. Vakama managed to stop the vines with a pair of freeze Kanoka, taking notice that the Morbuzakh was weak against the cold.

Vakama learned from the control room attendant, Kapura, that a four-legged creature had sabotaged the controls, allowing the Morbuzakh to grab the Protodermis vats. When he asked about Nuhrii, Kapura told him that the Matoran had been looking for a Kanohi he had crafted which he had previously believed to be flawed. Following Nuhrii’s trail to the Protodermis Reclamation Yard, Vakama located the mask Nuhrii had been looking for, but saw that it was damaged beyond repair.

Kalama, a worker at the yard, showed him a tablet Nuhrii had dropped after seeing the broken mask. The message had a written offer to reveal the secret of making a Kanohi from a Great Disk, if he came to an abandoned Mask Maker's house. Struck by another vision of Nuhrii in danger, Vakama rushed in the direction of the deserted area, known to be inhabited by Morbuzakh. There, he found Nuhrii buried underneath a pile of rubble and carefully dug him out before bringing him to the Great Temple. Vakama met with the other Toa Metru, all convinced that one of the Matoran had betrayed the other five and assisted in leading them into the various traps. The Toa deduced correctly that the traitor was the Po-Matoran Ahkmou. Separating into three groups, Vakama and Nuhrii journeyed with Onewa and Ahkmou to the Fire Pits, being slightly delayed after the Matoran attempted an escape from the Toa. While taking a shortcut through the Reclamation Center, Vakama and Onewa were ambushed by Nidhiki and fell on a chute leading into one of the furnaces. Vakama awoke however and absorbed the massive amount of heat from the furnace, saving them both. Journeying to the Fire Pits, Nuhrii and Vakama found the great disk during a struggle with more Morbuzakh, which they mutated with a Kanoka disk to escape from.

While trying to retrieve the Po-Metru Great Disk from the Sculpture Fields, they encountered a mad Tunneler. Vakama made the mistake of channeling fire at the Rahi, causing the creature to absorb the elemental energy and adapt, becoming engulfed in flame. It was only after Onewa struck sand at the creature did it turn into glass and was immobilized. They found the Po-Metru Great Disk wedged into a precariously balanced sculpture and returned once more to the Great Temple.

Having acquired all six Great Disks, the Toa and Matoran, the former agreeing to have Vakama lead for the mission, made way to Ta-Metru hoping to destroy the Morbuzakh's King Root, which they suspected to be in the Great Furnace. The group was forced to hide in an abandoned forge, after nearly being discovered by a squad of Nuurakh, and were struck by thousands of Morbuzakh seeds from which vines burst out from to strangle the Toa and Matoran. They escaped, and entered the Great Furnace where they were met with an attack from more Morbuzakh vines. Trapped as a result, the six Matoran combined into the Matoran Nui and freed the Toa who continued alone. Approaching the center of the furnace, they met the King Morbuzakh before a furious battle ensued.

As struggle climaxed the Toa Metru began to waver, attempting to defend themselves against the many vines and continually weaken from the high heat of the furnace. The battle turned when the Toa Metru feigned defeat and taunted the King Morbuzakh, allowing it to grab them and bring them close enough to unleash the powers of the Great Disks on the plant. The Morbuzakh was destroyed by the energies brought upon it, and the Toa Metru were relieved to have won their first major confrontation.

Afterwards, on their way to the Coliseum to see Turaga Dume, the Toa were approached by the Archivist Nuparu, who informed them of a small leak in the Archives, coming from the Silver Sea. Since Vakama’s leadership role had been temporary, the Toa debated amongst themselves as to who should be sent to seal the leak, eventually all of them deciding to travel into the Archives together.

Coming to a six way fork in the underground path, Whenua suggested to split up in order to find the crack. Vakama wandered down his own tunnel for a time before meeting with Nokama, who unbeknownst to him was Krahka, a Shapeshifting Rahi. Turning his back on her, Krahka suffocated him into unconsciousness with an elemental blast of water.

Once he awoke, the Toa of Fire sought out the real Nokama and attacked her, believing she was a traitor. Onewa soon came to defend her and turned on Vakama after also experiencing the Rahi’s trickery. Eventually Matau and Nuju appeared and stopped the fight. Krahka confronted them lastly, using the Toa of Earth’s form and explained that the Rahi Krahka was the reason behind the problems they had dealt with. She suggested they leave the Archives and her alone. After each Toa silently disagreed, “Whenua” volunteered to take charge of finding the Rahi.

The group soon came upon a large trench with an attached cable stretching across both sides. Nokama, Whenua and Matau began to easily move across the rope. As Vakama followed suit, the bridge collapsed when a Rahkshi of Intangibility broke it, causing the group to grasp the rope with Nuju and Onewa on the other side of the trench, unable to help. As stone rats dwelling at the bottom of trench began to claw up the cable, Vakama detached himself and the stone rats by cutting the rope with a fired disk. The fallen Toa was saved by Matau who soared in to retrieve him. Vakama was later admonished by Nokama, who explained he shouldn't have had to sacrifice himself.

Vakama was later ambushed by Rahkshi with the rest of his team in a darker section of the Archives as Whenua revealed himself to be the Krahka. Nokama later found Vakama, unconscious and awoke him. The Toa of Fire then freed Nuju from his cage of electric stasis by teleporting the outer layer elsewhere with a Kanoka.

While searching for the real Whenua, the team encountered a trapped Tahtorak in a pit. After using Nuju as bait to find Krahka, they discovered her lair and freed Whenua. Krahka battled against them, hoping to conquer the world above once the Toa were gone. Vakama ultimately found the way to defeat the Krahka, using their own copied thoughts against it while it physically weakened. Breaking down, the Krahka quickly escaped from them in the form of a Lava Eel, which Vakama allowed to pass by him unharmed, pitying the creature’s ultimate loneliness. The Toa located and repaired the leak, spending a few days to themselves before they presented Dume with the Great Disks. At the coliseum, Dume, however, turned the gifts down and claimed them to be false Toa. Vakama, who’s idea it was to locate the Great Disks, was handed the Kanoka by the others in frustration. The Turaga then tested the Toa Metru using the obstacles set around the stadium. They failed his test however, notably being drained of their Elemental Powers after the battles with Krahka and the Morbuzakh, and with their current inability to access their Kanohi powers. Dume announced them as impostors to the Matoran and ordered them to be arrested by the Vahki. Onewa, Whenua, and Nuju were captured before Vakama fired multiple disks at a colossal statue, causing it to collapse. The three Toa were left as fugitives and escaped through the Chute Systems with the sole mission of finding Toa Lhikan who could clear their names. They later stowed away on an Airship where they encountered the Dark Hunters Nidhiki and Krekka.

After a skirmish, they safely escaped the transport. Vakama soon had a vision of the Toa Metru battling a fierce beast, who was Makuta, and encountered both Dume and Lhikan, who showed he and his team wrapped in cocoons. Awakening from his dream, Vakama joined in a battle against a rampaging Tahtorak demanding an answer to an unknown question. The Toa struggled with the creature before they managed to defeat it temporarily by causing it to fall through the ground several floors below.

Seeing Lhikan's Spirit Star traveling toward Po-Metru, they decided to head there in hopes of finding the heroic Toa of Fire. Vakama began to fuse two of the Great Disks together as they stole a Vahki Transport. The Toa of Fire worryingly had another vision of all the Matoran being trapped in spheres, and found identical ones on the transport, though they were empty. Vakama later succeeded in combining three of the Great Disks together, being comforted by the Matoran task.

Confronting the Dark Hunters again, the battle ended quickly as a herd of Kikanalo stampeded through the village, causing the former group to flee. Nokama was able to convince the chief of the herd to help them, using her newly-activated Mask of Translation. Riding on the Rahi, they traveled through the Canyon of Unending Whispers and discovered a prison, guarded by a large group of Vahki. Using a series of distractions and Matau fooling the Dark Hunters with his own new mask of illusion, the Toa were able to destroy the Vahki and entered the prison alone. There, the three reunited with Onewa, Nuju, and Whenua and met a Turaga that revealed himself to be Lhikan. When Lhikan asked about the heart of Metru Nui, Vakama misunderstood that heart to be Lhikan, but sadly corrected to Vakama, who fell deeper into disappointment with himself, that it was the Matoran.

Eventually, the Toa and Turaga learned the truth about Dume’s true identity, that being Teridax. The real Turaga Dume had been trapped and sleep induced in a Matoran Sphere years ago, now found by the Toa safely hidden in Onu-Metru. Taking a Vahki Transport, the Toa and Lhikan went to confront the false Turaga, who had by now requested every Matoran to the coliseum, capturing them with Vahki and placed them into spheres where its effects caused them to fall into a coma.

At the Coliseum, Teridax revealed himself to the Toa, enacting his master plan and thus causing the Great Cataclysm. Vakama and his team decided to rescue six Matoran and then journey past the Great Barrier to find a refuge for the rest of the Matoran, following through on another vision. However, Teridax pursued them after absorbing the power supply of Metru Nui, the Dark Hunters Nidhiki and Krekka, and his Rahi Nivawk. Along the journey to the Great Barrier, Vakama took the final Great Disks and began to finish crafting the Kanohi Vahi. As they reached the Great Barrier, Teridax confronted them, and Vakama was forced to fight him for control over the Vahi. He attempted to use the Legendary Kanohi against Teridax, but his inability to control it properly caused not only for the Makuta’s unleashed Shadow blast to move slowly, but for Vakama as well, making the fatal blow unavoidable. Turaga Lhikan sacrificed himself to save Vakama by jumping in between the two working forces; the explosion caused the mask to be propelled off Vakama and into the silver sea. Lhikan spoke a few appreciated words to Vakama as he died, just as the Toa of Fire discovered and activated his mask power of invisibility. After taunting Teridax by tricking him into firing wild shots, Vakama and the other five Toa joined to imprison the Makuta in a Toa Seal. Finally seeing their Spirit Stars above them in the sky, the Toa left Metru Nui through the Great Barrier, seeking a new home for the Matoran.

On the way, they discovered the Onu-Matoran and former Archivist Mavrah, who had hidden himself beyond the Great Barrier and had a home with a large group of ancient Rahi of the ocean, along with several Kralhi. Mavrah prevented them from passing and captured them, believing the Toa were sent to arrest him for stealing the Rahi years ago. After failing to reason with him, Vakama and the rest of the Toa Metru managed to escape. Mavrah unfortunately perished in the battle which took place when they did.

The Toa eventually found an island above Metru Nui, which they later named Mata Nui, after the Great Spirit. While on Mata Nui, Vakama received another vision, this one foreshadowing the eventual loss of his Toa power. Acting on this vision, he convinced the rest of the Toa to put a small amount of their power into new Toa Stones to assure that if they failed their quest, the Matoran would not be without protection.

While investigating the Po-Wahi region of Mata Nui, Onewa came upon a tunnel into the ground. Believing it would lead them to Metru Nui, the team chose to travel through it. Vakama led his group through various Rahi that were hostile or sick, located a pool Energized Protodermis and a Bohrok Nest. Vakama at the sight of these nests was given another vision, one of the Bohrok attacking Mata Nui. Later they battled the hunting Rahi Nui, who easily outmatched them, and fatally wounded Nokama. It was ultimately defeated by a combination Vakama and Nuju however, who unleashed their elemental powers on the creature for it to absorb. The energy was too much for it however and it grew in size until its molecules dispersed.

Seeking help for Nokama, the Toa Metru were ambushed by the plant being Karzahni. Learning of his past with Makuta, the Toa agreed to help him acquire the Energized Protodermis in exchange for healing Nokama. Giving her a temporary cure, the six Toa located a vial to contain the substance. As they took the object, a Kraata/Krana creature attached itself to Onewa, who was given a horrible vision of the Visorak. Vakama removed the creature for Onewa’s sake, who then apologized to the Toa of Fire for disbelieving Vakama’s visions and pitying the strain he receives from them. Continuing on, they made their way into a large chamber where inside, they met the entity of the Energized Protodermis. After demonstrating its destructive powers on Rahi and refusing to let them take a portion of the Protodermis, the being attacked the angered Toa. They learned how to defeat the guardian by bringing the chamber down on it before filling the vial.

Returning to Karzahni, the plant gave Nokama a full cure before using the Energized Protodermis on itself. It was not destined to use it however, and died from the substance, much to the team’s unease.

Toa Hordika
The return to Metru Nui was horrifying for Vakama and his team of Toa. The city had been hit by the Great Cataclysm and many Rahi had escaped the Archives and ran free around the city. After sailing across the silver sea in a storm which destroyed their second boat, Vakama had fully taken the leading role and haughtily lead his team towards the Coliseum to save the Matoran, despite their concerns. There they were ambushed by spiders known as Visorak. The venom from the Visorak mutated the Toa into Toa Hordika. Rescued by the Rahaga who had been mutated similarly, the half-Toa half-Rahi began to lapse into fits of uncontrollable rage and violence. The Rahaga informed them about their new forms and that they could be cured by Keetongu, a legendary Rahi, but that the transformation would be permanent if not cured soon. The Toa chose to first rescue the Matoran, and worry about themselves later. Vakama left the discussion in a fit of rage, feeling he had failed his team, only to return after some urging and began once more to lead the Toa. They continued with the Rahaga to hunt for scraps of Airship ship parts to create transportation for the slumbering Matoran to Mata Nui.

On a scouting mission, Vakama, Norik and Onewa observed a swarm of Visorak taking down a herd of peaceful Kikanalo. Enraged at the ways of the Visorak, Vakama charged a Rhotuka and sent it down at the Roporak. The Roporak freed themselves quickly, leading to Vakama diving down to fight them.

On their quest to construct the Airships, Vakama found demoralizing information on a Toa Disk with Nuhrii's mask on it; his own disk, he noticed, had something else written which was scratched out and replaced with his mask. Breaking into Toa Lhikan's chambers, Vakama found his journal which revealed that the Toa had initially intended to give the Toa Stones to the Matoran who knew the locations of the Great Disks. At the last moment however, he decided against it and the names of the now Toa Metru, appeared in his mind. The Toa Hordika learned this change of names was influenced by Teridax. The discovery drove Vakama to blame himself and his team for the destruction of Metru Nui.

The Toa Hordika would later partake in an unleashed assault against the Visorak horde over a fortress. They successfully defeated them and obtained the stronghold, despite the loss of a joining Krahka and Tahtorak who sacrificed themselves into Field of Shadows with the Zivon. During the battle, Vakama would become so disheartened over their situation that he would hesitate to assist his team.

Onewa and Vakama at one time went down to help free Whenua, Nuju, Bomonga and Kualus, who were trapped under rubble in the Archives. Upon freeing them, they and the other Rahaga went to rendezvous with Nokama and Matau who had gone on a scouting mission. On the way, Vakama got into an argument with Whenua and nearly strangled him in anger. He was stopped by Nuju.

As they located the Airships’ parts and started its construction, Vakama located Gaaki and Norik alone, surrounded by three Visorak. Upon defeating them, the Rahaga told him about the Makoki Stones, and sent him to find the first one, so that the Avohkii could be found. Avoiding Visorak on the way, Vakama found his stone. Just then, a Lava Eel melted the beam he was standing on and the Toa fell. Onewa saved Vakama just in time with a Rhotuka. Vakama explained the quest to his friend and Onewa set off. When all the stones were obtained, the Toa met at the Great Temple and unlocked the mask with the stones. Vakama's guilt at the transformation of his friends and his utter hopelessness on his quest to save the Matoran eventually grew too painful. He took to going on walks alone to think about the situation and on one of these walks was captured by Visorak who took him to Roodaka. Roodaka offered him the chance of becoming the commander of the Visorak and, in his despair, he took the opportunity and joined Roodaka and Sidorak, seeing this as just what he needed in order to save the Matoran.

That night, Vakama went to the Great Temple, where the other Toa Hordika and the Rahaga were. Vakama spoke to Norik from the shadows when the Rahaga was alone, revealing his change in perspective. He then captured the other five Rahaga and trapped Norik under rubble. He took the Rahaga to Sidorak as proof of his worthiness and was appointed the commander of the Visorak.

The other five Toa Hordika, along with the Rahaga and the recently-discovered Rahi Keetongu, launched an all-out assault on the Coliseum. Vakama ordered the Visorak to attack when his former friends refused to submit. Then, in the midst of the battle, Matau was able to climb the where tower Vakama was stationed and confronted him in a fight. The Toa of Air lost the duel, but was able to bring Vakama back to his senses and apologized for his own failings and previous insults against him. Understanding what he had done was wrong, he returned to his fellow Toa Hordika, who were united once more. Sidorak, meanwhile, was slain by Keetongu, leaving only Roodaka to be dealt with. The five Hordika fired their Elemental spinners at her. As Vakama was preparing to fire his own, Rahaga Norik shouted at him to stop, but it was too late. As Vakama's Fire Rhotuka hit Roodaka, the combination of the six elements impacted on her heartstone, which was carved from the same Protodermis that caged Teridax. With the elemental seal of his prison unlocked, Teridax broke free and Roodaka was carried away by him. Vakama as the leader of the Visorak, disbanded the horde. Keetongu cured the Hordika, transforming them back into Toa Metru. Using Airships, the Toa carried the sleeping Matoran away from Metru Nui and to their new home, the island of Mata Nui.

As his team ventured across the silver sea, Vakama knowing that the Vahi was still in the ocean of Metru Nui, explained to the other Toa Metru that he was going to retrieve it. The six Toa, finally having formed a bond of friendship with each other, were uncomfortable with leaving Vakama, but allowed him to venture alone to find mask, planning to meet them on Mata Nui.

Locating the Vahi underwater at the Great Barrier, he found the mask which was cracked and leaking energy. Its power caused everything within its vicinity to age rapidly and Vakama was forced to repair and seal it at a distance before retrieving the Kanohi. As the Toa began his swim home, he was caught in an erupting waterspout which pushed him on a cliff of Metru Nui. There the Dark Hunter Voporak arrived, and stole the mask as Vakama slipped into unconsciousness and back into the sea.

Vakama had awoken as a Matoran in Metru Nui, not knowing he was under the mental effects of Makuta Teridax. In the near duplicate world, Vakama's investigations revealed that Nuju, Nokama, Onewa, and Whenua were still Matoran. Matau was dead, killed by the still roaming Morbuzakh, and that Nuhrii, Vhisola, Orkahm, Ahkmou, Tehutti, and Ehrye were all Toa. In the illusion, Turaga Lhikan had not been captured by the Dark Hunters, and ruled jointly with Turaga Dume.

Assuming that this timeline had been created by the Vahi, Vakama journeyed to Ga-Metru and recruited Nokama to find more information about the Mask. Entering the Great Temple together, Vakama gained more information about Voporak's constant mission. Seeking another way out of the world he lived in, Vakama lead Nokama towards a Po-Metru cave that Onewa had told him about. Inside was one of Teridax's many lairs, where the Ta-Matoran found a Kratana dwelling inside. Vakama attached the creature to his mask, giving him a vision of the future Krakua. The Toa of Sonics stressed to Vakama the need to fail his mission if that meant evil could be stopped. He also revealed a new team of Toa would come into being. The vision ended as Turaga Lhikan arrived and pulled the Kratana off of Vakama. In response, realizing it was all a dream, the Toa of Fire grabbed a nearby disk and threw it at Nokama, passing right through her and thus shattering the vision. Vakama found a Boggarak in Nokama’s place, and Lhikan was uncovered as Teridax.

Teridax revealed to Vakama that he still desired the Vahi, and then learned from the Toa that it was no longer in his possession, having been stolen by Voporak. This made Teridax angry but he offered Vakama a truce while they sought to retrieve the Vahi from the Dark Hunter.

The two emerged from the lair and found Voporak guarding the cave’s main entrance, but no Vahi in sight. Deducing that the Shadowed One now had possession of the mask, Teridax distracted Voporak by summoning an army of Rahkshi, who were all slaughtered by the being's time-accelerated shield. Vakama was horrified and disgusted at Teridax's willingness to sacrifice the Rahkshi so readily.

Their search led them to the Great Temple, where Vakama and Teridax discussed why the Makuta chose his team as Toa. Vakama journeyed inside alone while Makuta stood guard. There, Sentrakh, who had journeyed to Metru Nui alongside the Shadowed One, engaged in combat with Vakama, the former barely emerging as the victor. As Vakama made his way out of the Great Temple, Makuta used the Toa as a bargaining chip with the Shadowed One who had come to take revenge on Vakama for killing his two Dark Hunters, Nidihiki and Krekka. Vakama in response exclaimed to the leader of the Dark Hunters that the Makuta had been the one to kill them, not the Toa, showing Teridax’s current appearance of the two Dark Hunter forms as proof. Enraged, the Shadowed One fought against Teridax and proclaimed war. Vakama eventually escaped with the Vahi by utilizing his disk launcher's jetpack function to gain it and escape. The Shadowed One destroyed the launcher with his eyebeams, sending Vakama spiraling out of control.

The Toa Metru of Fire was saved by the Karzahni plant, which had re-grown from parts of its former self used to keep the Lhikan II afloat. It hinted to Vakama of the existence of the Order of Mata Nui and that Vakama and the other Toa Metru were the intended choice of Mata Nui; Makuta himself having been tricked into picking them. Before more could be revealed, Karzahni was struck and killed by Teridax, who had beaten Voporak and the Shadowed One, and was once more in pursuit of Vakama and the Vahi.

Vakama led Teridax into the Protodermis Reclamation Center, where he threatened to destroy the Vahi and unravel the fabric of time itself, rather than have it be controlled in the hands of Makuta. He and Teridax then made a deal where it was agreed that Teridax would leave the Matoran in peace for one year on the island of Mata Nui, and Vakama would not destroy the Vahi. Teridax teleported Vakama to the Great Barrier in slight amusement, and the Toa of Fire journeyed upward to the surface, reuniting with the other Toa Metru.

Turaga
After his return to the island of Mata Nui, Vakama and the other five Toa relinquished their Toa Power to revive the Matoran from their slumber. Now a Turaga, Vakama was faced with the task of leading and protecting his Matoran from the wild Rahi and Teridax, who made life hard for the Matoran on their island paradise. In the absence of Toa, Vakama used his diminished elemental powers to aid in the defense of his village and agreed in the formation of the Ta-Koro Guard. He also chose Jaller as his right hand Matoran, and Kapura as his left.

Vakama banished Takua from Ta-Koro after his lack of work ethic. Not long before the arrival of the Toa Mata, Vakama was captured by Fire Mahi. He also lost his Firestaff, which somehow ended up in the tunnels of Onu-Wahi. Shortly after he and his tool were recovered by Takua, who later summoned and awoke the Toa Mata, from the Kini-Nui.

When Toa Tahu first arrived in Ta-Wahi, and was trapped by Jaller, Vakama intervened, stopping Tahu from taking his revenge on the captain of the guard. After aiding Tahu in his search for Kanohi, Vakama asked Takua to gather the Chronicler's Company, to protect the six Toa from being trapped underneath the Kini-Nui while they confronted Teridax. Afterwards, Vakama spoke with Takua once more after the Matoran’s long journey, and calmed him after witnessing the awakening of the first Bohrok. He then welcomed him back to his home in Ta-Koro. After the Pahrak and Kohrak attacked Ta-Koro, Vakama told the Toa Mata of the Bohrok, causing the Toa to wonder how many secrets the Turaga were hiding. After the transformation of the Toa Nuva, Vakama witnessed the attack of the Bohrok-Kal, in which the Toa Nuva lost their elemental powers. During the Bohrok-Kal’s attack, Vakama was trapped with Toa Nuva in the Place of Shadow. Facing the Rahi Nui for the second time, he confronted the beast by turning invisible and taunting it. As the beast remembered and hated Vakama's voice, it charged him, jamming its horns into the wall, and allowing the Toa and Turaga to escape.

Vakama was current when the rediscovery of the Mask of Light took place. Following the translation of the inscriptions on the mask, he gave Jaller, who was seen to be the Herald of the Seventh Toa, the quest to find the Toa, and sent Takua, to chronicle Jaller's adventures. Following the departure of the two Matoran, Ta-Koro was again invaded by three Rahkshi, which Vakama attempted to fend off for a few moments, until Tahu relieved him, allowing him to assist in the Matoran evacuation from the village which was eventually destroyed. Vakama encouraged Takanuva to complete his destiny following Jaller's death and after Takanuva defeated Teridax, and Jaller was revived, Vakama was present when Metru Nui’s passage was opened again. He then decided to share his tales of his time as a Toa with the Toa Nuva and the Matoran.

After the boats were constructed, Vakama and Mata Nui population sailed across the silver sea and set foot on Metru Nui.

Return to Metru Nui
As soon as the Matoran returned, the Turaga and the Toa Nuva were summoned to a meeting by Dume, where he explained that Mata Nui was dying. He immediately told the Toa to go to an island called Voya Nui, where the only hope was the Mask of Life. After the Toa departed in Toa Canisters another problem occurred with the Matoran Jaller, who had assumed something was wrong and became determined to learn the answer. Dume and Vakama refused to tell him, leading to the halt of all reconstruction work for Metru Nui much to the elder’s surprise. A few days later the Toa had failed to return, and Vakama feared the worse.



When the Toa Mahri were teleported back to Metru Nui, Vakama was there to greet them and tell them of Matoro's fate, which he had seen through his visions.

After the Order of Mata Nui occupied Metru Nui to convert it into a war fortress for their final confrontation against the Brotherhood, Vakama and the other Turaga were not docile with their plans. Therefore, they were confined in the Coliseum. Despite his confinement, Vakama was able to collect the events of the Destiny War.

Vakama then left his chamber in the Coliseum, proceeding to the chamber which stored the Kanohi Vahi and other valuable artifacts. As he headed down a flight of stairs, Vakama heard a loud crash from the chamber and found six collapsed Ta-Matoran, all heavily-armed, and the door to the chamber broken. The Turaga was helpless, as the Dark Hunter Voporak departed through a hole in the Coliseum, killing a four-armed warrior along the way, and departed with the Mask of Time.

Later, Vakama manned barricades during the Siege of Metru Nui. When Jaller, Hahli, and Nuparu returned from Artidax, Vakama explained the recent events concerning the Kanohi Vahi. Jaller said they required an edge against the Rahkshi invaders, although Vakama replied the Toa reinforcements would arrive too late to save the city. Vakama formulated a plan to have Krakua use his sonic powers to awaken the Bohrok beneath the Archives and battle the Rahkshi, which managed to succeed.

The Brotherhood forces were eventually defeated and Vakama and the other Turaga declared a city-wide celebration that was held in the Coliseum.

Teridax's Reign
During the celebration, Makuta Teridax revealed himself that he took over the Matoran Universe, and sent Rahkshi into Metru Nui to enforce his will. Vakama assisted in barricading the Matoran of Metru Nui into the Archives to hide from the Rahkshi. He and the rest of the Turaga then found Krahka, who led the Toa Nuva through underground tunnels to the shoreline. Sometime later, he, along with the other Turaga of Metru Nui, was imprisoned in the Coliseum, with Ahkmou taking their place as the new "Turaga."

After the Great Spirit Robot was damaged beyond repair and Teridax was killed as a result of a battle, Vakama migrated to the newly reformed Spherus Magna along with the other Turaga and the surviving Matoran of Metru Nui.

==Abilities & Traits ==

Vakama greatly enjoyed his profession of mask making, and excelled at it.

When Vakama became a Toa Metru, he was not always certain he was ready for the role of a hero. At times he missed his old life in the foundries, crafting masks for others to wear. His insecurities lead to others mocking him, further increasing his sense of self-doubt. After defeating Makuta Teridax and developing as a Toa, Vakama greatly overcame his own doubts and fears, gaining an arrogance that resulted in their capture by the Visorak. While a Toa Hordika, Vakama struggled with the animalistic impulses that plagued him. His bestial nature, along with a sense of failing responsibility and guilt of the fate of his friends, caused him to defect and join the Visorak army, though a fight with Matau rekindled his bonds of friendship. When he went back to being a Toa Metru, Vakama finally managed to balance his ego, and used his solidified personality in a confrontation with Teridax.

After becoming a Turaga, his past experiences gave him the wisdom needed to lead his village on Mata Nui, and was known for his kind, encouraging words.

Vakama has always been plagued by visions of the future, an ability he kept hidden from others, as he viewed them as unnatural. However, the visions were instrumental in their quest to save the city.

As a Toa of Fire, Vakama could create, control, and absorb heat and flame. When he became a Toa Hordika, these abilities were reduced to being channeled through a Rhotuka Launcher, though he regained them after being cured. After becoming a Turaga, these abilities were greatly reduced, and he is limited to using Noble Kanohi.

Mask & Tools
While a Matoran, Vakama often used a Firestaff in the making of Kanoka disks.

As a Toa, Vakama chose to use a large Kanoka Disk Launcher, which he used to fire Kanoka, as well as his Elemental Toa Disk. He was harassed for his unconventional weapon choice by Matau. He bore the Kanohi Huna, the Great Mask of Concealment, which let him become invisible.

When he became a Toa Hordika, Vakama's Disk Launcher was replaced with two Blazer Claws. He also developed a Rhotuka Launcher on his back which could shoot Fire Rhotuka, though he lost his mask power. When he was returned to a Toa Metru, he regained his Disk Launcher and Kanohi Huna. Vakama also acquired a Combat Staff during the Great Rescue. Turaga Vakama wields a small Firestaff as his Badge of Office. He also wears a Noble Huna which allows him to conceal himself, yet he still casts a shadow. He also received other Noble Kanohi when they were found by the Toa Mata, but rarely used them. These additional masks were lost when Ta-Koro sank.



==Quotes ==

"You have spent too much time at the forge, fire-spitter. Your head needs cooling down."

- Toa Onewa, Mystery of Metru Nui

"If there's one thing I can't stand, it's someone who does nothing but share stories all day long."

- Toa Hordika Vakama, Fractures

"And something else ... our destinies are not written in stone, set in place. They are something we have to find for ourselves."

- Vakama, Web of Shadows

"Toa aren't killers. If we were, we would have started with you."

- Toa Vakama to Teridax, Time Trap

"I desire just one noble destiny, more than any power you can offer me."

- Toa Vakama to Teridax, Legends of Metru Nui

"I lead only those that choose to follow, that's the difference between being a leader and a tyrant like you."

- Toa Hordika Vakama to Roodaka, Web of Shadows

"Makuta looked into Vakama's eyes. They were the eyes of a being who had been driven beyond madness, only to return. They had looked upon a darkness as deep as any Makuta had known, and yet somehow turned back to the light. They were not the eyes of a being who was bluffing."

- Narrator, Time Trap

"I am Vakama. I am the Turaga of this village. I am the Legend-Keeper, the Takara-Leader, he of the Great Firestaff who farms the Mangai's burning core."

- Turaga Vakama to Takua, Mata Nui Online Game

Trivia

 * Christopher Gaze voiced Turaga Vakama in Mask of Light, Legends of Metru Nui, and Web of Shadows.
 * Alessandro Juliani voiced Toa Vakama and Toa Hordika Vakama in Legends of Metru Nui and Web of Shadows.
 * Vakama built the eyepiece of Nuju's Matoran mask.

Appearances

 * BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui
 * Comic 16: Toa Metru!
 * BIONICLE: The Beginning
 * BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire
 * Lunchable Comic 1 (Mentioned Only)
 * Lunchable Comic 3
 * Comic 17: Disks of Danger
 * Comic 18: Seeds of Doom
 * BIONICLE Adventures 3: The Darkness Below
 * Comic 19: Enemies of Metru Nui
 * Comic 20: Struggle in the Sky
 * Comic 21: Dreams of Darkness
 * BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui
 * BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui
 * BIONICLE Adventures 5: Voyage of Fear
 * BIONICLE Adventures 6: Maze of Shadows
 * Comic 22: Monsters in the Dark
 * BIONICLE Adventures 7: Web of the Visorak
 * Comic 22.5
 * Comic 23: Vengeance of the Visorak
 * BIONICLE Adventures 8: Challenge of the Hordika
 * Comic 26: Hanging by a Thread
 * Comic 27: Fractures
 * BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows
 * BIONICLE Adventures 9: Web of Shadows
 * BIONICLE Adventures 10: Time Trap
 * The Mutran Chronicles (Not Mentioned by Name)
 * The Dweller Report by SPIRIT (Mentioned Only)
 * Toa Mata Promo Animations
 * BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa
 * Comic 2: Deep into Darkness
 * Wall of History (BIONICLE.com) (Mentioned Only)
 * Comic 4: The Bohrok Awake
 * Comic 5: To Trap a Tahnok (Mentioned Only)
 * BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok
 * Bohrok Promo Comic
 * BIONICLE Chronicles 3: Makuta's Revenge
 * Comic 12: Absolute Power (Mentioned Only)
 * BIONICLE Chronicles 4: Tales of the Masks
 * BIONICLE: Mask of Light
 * BIONICLE: Mask of Light (Book)
 * The Legend Continues
 * Comic 15: Secrets and Shadows
 * BIONICLE Legends 1: Island of Doom
 * BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny
 * BIONICLE Legends 8: Downfall
 * Comic 11: Death of a Hero
 * The Kingdom (Mentioned Only)
 * Dark Mirror (Mentioned Only)
 * Dwellers In Darkness (Mentioned Only)
 * Destiny War
 * Reign of Shadows (Mentioned Only)
 * BIONICLE: The Official Guide to BIONICLE
 * BIONICLE: Collector's Sticker Book
 * BIONICLE: Metru Nui - City of Legends
 * BIONICLE: Rahi Beasts (Mentioned Only)
 * BIONICLE: Encyclopedia (Mentioned Only)
 * BIONICLE: Encyclopedia Updated (Mentioned Only)
 * BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe
 * BIONICLE: Quest for the Toa
 * Mata Nui Online Game
 * BIONICLE: Quest for the Masks (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * BIONICLE: Quest for Makuta (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * BIONICLE: The Legend of Mata Nui (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Toa Mata Nestlé Promo CD
 * The Battle for Mata Nui (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * BIONICLE: Matoran Adventures (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Toa Nuva Promo CD
 * Bohrok-Kal Online Animations
 * Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle
 * Mata Nui Explorer (2003)
 * Mata Nui Explorer (Movie)
 * BIONICLE: The Game (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Vakama's Toa Metru Mini Promo CD
 * Toa Metru Promo Animations
 * BIONICLE: Colgate (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Stop the Morbuzakh! (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Vahki Promo Animation (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Metru Nui Explorer
 * BIONICLE: Maze of Shadows (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Toa Hordika Promo Animation (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Visorak Promo Animation (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * 2005 Playset Promo Animation (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * The Search for the Mask of Light
 * BIONICLE: Battle Zone (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * Rhotuka Spinner Challenge (Non-canonical Appearance)
 * BIONICLE: Quest for Keetongu (Non-canonical Appearance)