Vakama

"There will always be new tales to be written and new tales to be shared. But it is time to stop speaking of the past, Hahli - we have a future to build, together."

- Turaga Vakama, BIONICLE Adventures 10: Time Trap

Vakama is one of the Turaga of Mata Nui who was once the Toa Metru of Fire.

Matoran
As a Matoran, Vakama was one of Metru Nui's best Mask Makers; he learned the trade from Nuhrii. Turaga Dume (who was actually Teridax in disguise) even asked him personally to make a Kanohi Vahi (a mask of time). While Vakama was working on the Mask of Time, Toa Lhikan visited him and gave him a Toa Stone and a map to the Great Temple. Immediately after Lhikan delivered the stone, the two were attacked by two Dark Hunters: Nidhiki and Krekka. Lhikan saved Vakama's life, but was taken away by the Dark Hunters. He then had a vision with Lhikan telling him Metru Nui depended on him. Vakama then made his way to the Great Temple, where he met five other Matoran: Nokama, Matau, Onewa, Whenua and Nuju, all of which had received Toa Stones from Lhikan. The six Matoran found a Toa Suva in the Temple and put their Toa Stones into the cavities in the Suva. A beam of light shot out of the Suva and they were transformed into Toa Metru.

Mystery of Metru Nui
Amazed at their transformation, the new Toa found Kanoka Disks, engraved with their names and images of their masks inside the Suva. They took these Toa Disks as signs that they were destined to be Toa. After Vakama chose a Disk Launcher that could be used as a jetpack from the Suva's collection of tools, he had a vision of the city being saved by six Great Disks and of six Matoran from each district who knew of their locations. The others did not trust Vakama's vision at first, but they ultimately decided that it was all they had to go on. Splitting up, each Toa went to their respective Metru in search of the Matoran Vakama saw. The Matoran Vakama saw from Ta-Metru happened to be Nuhrii, an acquaintance of his and rival mask-maker. Travelling to Nuhrii's home, he found the crafter to be absent, but noticed that one of the commemorative plaques Nuhrii made for each mask he made had been shattered. Reassembling the plaque, Vakama recognized the mask represented, as he had been there when Nuhrii made it. Wondering why Nuhrii had broken the plaque, Vakama travelled to the main forge in Ta-Metru, and asked Nuhrii's co-worker, Brander. However, Brander was skeptical of the Fire Toa's claim that he was Vakama, and gave him a test that only a mask maker of his caliber would pass. Detecting the flawless mask with ease, Brander decides to believe Vakama, and tells him that the mask depicted on the broken plaque had apparently turned out flawed, as Nuhrii had worked too fast in an attempt to outdo Vakama, and the frustrated crafter had sent it to the Great Furnace to be melted down.

However, Brander then recalled Nuhrii later telling him that he had received a note from Ko-Metru saying that the mask had not been flawed after all, and Nuhrii had promptly rushed to the Great Furnace to save the mask.

Following Brander's information, Vakama travelled to the Great Furnace, only to find the facility's protodermis vats being attacked by Morbuzakh vines. Vakama defeated them, but was intrigued by the fact that the vats were in that position to begin with, when they should have been out of the vines' reach. Examining the vat control room, the Toa of Fire found that the controls had been destroyed by an energy blast of unknown origin. The vat operator, Kapura, thanked Vakama for his help, and tells him that though Nuhrii had been to the Great Furnace, the mask he had been seeking had not yet arrived, and must have still been in the Protodermis Reclamation Yard. According to Kapura, Nuhrii had been acting odd, saying that even if he didn't find the mask he sought, he knew of a Kanoka disk that would make a far greater mask than any previously forged.

Vakama's search for Nuhrii now moved to the Protodermis Reclamation Yard, which was filled with flawed masks ranging from slightly cracked to horribly mangled. Talking to Kalama, the eccentric caretaker of the place, Vakama learned that Nuhrii had indeed been here in search of the mask, but had found it flawed as originally believed. However, the mask-maker had then received a message telling him to meet the sender in an abandoned area of the district to receive the disk. Vakama ran to the abandoned district, and here he finally found Nuhrii buried under rubble. Vakama dug him out of the rubble and persuaded him to tell him where the Great Disk was located.

After meeting up back at the Great Temple, the Toa Metru decided to divide into three groups, each one consisting of two Toa and their respective Matoran. Vakama and Nuhrii teamed up with Onewa and Ahkmou, and first sought Vakama's Great Disk in Ta-Metru. According to Nuhrii, the disk was located in one of the Fire Pits of the district, and a shortcut through the Protodermis Reclamation Center would bring them directly to the Pits. However, the Toa of Fire and Stone were ambushed and rendered unconscious by Nidhiki, and fell onto a chute that led directly into a furnace. Before the two could be incinerated alive, however, Vakama awakened in time to become aware of their imminent peril, and absorbed the heat of the furnace into his body. Eventually reaching the fenced-off Pits, Vakama made an entrance by melting a hole in the fence just big enough for him and Nuhrii to pass through. Using handholds Vakama melted into the side of one pit, the two descended quickly so as to avoid the intermittent fire eruptions, and found the Great Disk wedged into a crack in the side. Vakama retrieved it, but as they tried to climb out of the fire pit, Morbuzakh vines reached out from the pit's bottom and ensnared them. Fortunately, Vakama had one last normal disk on hand, and told Nuhrii to reach his launcher and fire the Kanoka - a "regenerate at random" type - at the vines strangling them. The disk ended up randomly turning the vines into a thorn-covered monster, but the shock of the shift was enough for it to let go of Vakama and Nuhrii, and the two narrowly escaped with the Great Disk right before the fire pit erupted.

Afterward, the four travelled to Po-Metru, where Onewa's Great Disk was said to be found on a "mountain in balance".

With all the Disks found, Vhisola told Vakama and the others that, according to her research, the Morbuzakh could be stopped by destroying its King Root. Having noticed the plant's dislike of cold earlier, the Toa figured that the King Root must be in the Great Furnace. Knowing this, the group headed to Ta-Metru.

Inside the heart of the furnace, the Toa were shocked to find that the Morbuzakh could communicate telepathically; it explained its plan to take over the city. After using up nearly all their elemental power fighting, the Toa eventually lured the Morbuzakh into drawing them in closer, where they unleashed the powers of the Great Disks. The Disks' power created an energy sphere that cut the Morbuzakh off its vines and killed it. With the Morbuzakh defeated, all its vines throughout the city disintegrated. The Toa managed to escape the Great Furnace before it collapsed.

The Great Cataclysm
Fresh from their victory, the Toa Metru went to the Coliseum hoping to present themselves to Turaga Dume (though they had to make a detour into the Archives to keep them from being flooded, and found themselves fighting a territorial shapeshifter called Krahka). Unfortunately, Dume rejected their gifts of the Great Kanoka Disks and insisted that they pass a grueling physical test in which the Coliseum's floor was activated rising and falling like waves of the ocean before they would be recognized as heroes. With their elemental power drained and their mask powers still inaccessible, the Toa suffered a humiliating defeat. "Dume" ordered that the "impostor" Toa be arrested. Vakama, Nokama, and Matau were able to escape, but Nuju, Onewa and Whenua were captured and thrown into the Prison of the Dark Hunters. Meanwhile, Vakama saw the Dark Hunters with Dume and realized that the three were working together.

On the run from the Vahki and the Dark Hunters (as well as a Tahtorak that they had awakened), Vakama, Nokama, and Matau saw Lhikan's Spirit Star over Po-Metru, so they headed in that direction by hitching a ride on a Vahki Transport. Vakama also began experimenting with the Great Disks and found that he could merge them together.

Vakama, Nokama and Matau eventually met up with Onewa, Whenua, Nuju and a Turaga in the tunnels under Po-Metru. The Turaga revealed himself to be Lhikan, whose power was drained by the others' transformation into Toa. Lhikan asked if the "heart of Metru Nui" was safe. When Vakama was confused by the question, Lhikan explained that the "heart of Metru Nui" was the Matoran. Soon afterwards, the Toa found a silver sphere with the real Turaga Dume inside, unmasked and unconscious. With all realizing that someone else has taken control of the city while pretending to be Dume, they quickly headed to the Coliseum.

The Toa Metru found the city deserted, with the entire population sealed into spheres by Dume's impostor - Teridax. The Master of Shadows then proceeded to put the Great Spirit Mata Nui to sleep, triggering the Great Cataclysm. While this was happening, the Toa grabbed a few Matoran Spheres and started to flee the city, intending to return for the rest. Makuta, however, wasn't going to let that happen without a fight. He chased after the Toa Metru Until Vakama challenged him alone. There, Vakama showed the results of his toying with the Kanoka Disks: the Vahi had been made, just as "Dume" had wanted. Teridax offered him membership in his Brotherhood, but Vakama flatly refused and attempted to use the Vahi's powers against the Makuta. Unfortunately, Vakama wasn't able to control its power well enough, and he ended up slowing time to a crawl for both of them. Teridax had launched a deadly blast that Vakama would never be able to dodge when Turaga Lhikan appeared and jumped in the way, sacrificing himself for Vakama. While Makuta went after the Vahi (which had been knocked off Vakama's face from the impact), Lhikan told Vakama how proud he was to have called Vakama a "brother". Spurred on by Lhikan's last words, Vakama activated his mask power of Concealment and began using his invisibility to fight Teridax. The other Toa Metru soon made their way to the battlefield, and together the six of them combined their powers to seal Makuta in a prison of solid Protodermis.

Exploring Mata Nui
Arriving at the planet's surface, the Toa found a lush tropical island and named it Mata Nui, after the Great Spirit. They each explored the island, looking for good sites to found villages for their respective Matoran. Vakama came across a volcanic region he would dub Ta-Wahi, and decided that one location in the shadow of its great volcano would be ideal for the Ta-Matoran to settle once they were awakened. At Vakama's suggestion, the Toa created new Toa Stones so that replacement Toa could come if they failed.

The Toa started the trek back to Metru Nui and encountered several Rahi headed in the other direction, scared out of their minds of something. They also wound up facing the Rahi Nui, which attacked and badly injured Nokama. They soon afterward encountered a plant monster called the Karzahni, a prototype of the Morbuzakh that wanted revenge on Makuta for abandoning it. Karzahni made a deal with the Toa: if the Toa obtained some energized Protodermis for it, Karzanhi would cure Nokama of her injuries. The Toa got the energized Protodermis, but only after battling an entity made entirely of the strange liquid. Karzahni kept its word and healed Nokama, and in return the Toa gave Karzahni the Protodermis; but instead of being transformed as Karzahni expected, it was destroyed.

The Great Rescue
Upon returning to Metru Nui on a raft of transport parts and dead Karzahni branches, the Toa Metru found a city very different from the one they left: the bioquake during the cataclysm had not only damaged several of the buildings, but also freed most Rahi from where they had been kept in the Archives. Even more unsettling were the numerous green spider webs covering the city from top to bottom. Nevertheless, Vakama (believing he had failed the Matoran by allowing their capture and Lhikan by not preventing his death) had become dead-set on rescuing the Matoran and, despite their uneasiness, none of the other Toa would object enough to dissuade him from marching them directly to the Coliseum.

Unfortunately, the Coliseum had become the nesting grounds of the makers of the spider webs - hordes of Visorak who had taken over the city. The Toa were quickly overtaken and captured, and upon orders from their King, Sidorak (with input from his viceroy, Roodaka), the Visorak bound the Toa in cocoons, injected them with their venom and strung them up high above the city. Soon enough, the venom began to take effect, mutating the Toa into horrific bestial forms and causing them to tear out of their cocoons. Just as they were falling to their certain doom, they were caught in midair by the Rahaga.

The Rahaga informed the Toa that they were now Toa Hordika, half-beasts that would have to fight to keep their primal rage in check. The Toa also discovered that their powers were also much more limited than they were before. The Rahaga offered to aid the Toa, telling them of a Rahi in Metru Nui called Keetongu who could reverse their mutations... if he even existed.

The bestial Toa, however, agreed that the Matoran came first, so they would deal with their mutations later. To that end, they formed a plan to build airships that would bring the Matoran to Mata Nui and began scouring the city for transport parts and other supplies they would need. However, they not only had to fight against the Visorak hunting them down, but each had their own problems with their new feral sides. Vakama took the mutations especially hard, as he saw them as the latest in a long string of failures. In the meantime, Roodaka placed information where the Toa would find it: information that stated how Nuhrii, Vhisola, Ahkmou and the other Matoran that knew the place of the Great Disks were the ones meant to be Toa, but that Teridax had influenced Lhikan to change his mind so that the destined heroes would never gain power. Feeling like an impostor as well as a failure (and not being helped by the other Toa's complaining about their situation and his leadership), Vakama briefly considered abandoning them and trying to rescue the Matoran himself, but realized how futile it would be. At that point, Roodaka abducted him and offered him nothing less than command of the Visorak horde. Already starting to resent his fellow Toa due to their constant criticisms and their harshness with him, Vakama saw a chance to take a well-trained army and command them to release the Matoran, and Roodaka encouraged him with the idea that leadership meant blind obedience of the followers, as opposed to the stubborn opposition that the other Toa often gave. Giving in to his Rahi side, the Toa Hordika of Fire accepted the position, but Roodaka knew Sidorak would not be so easily sold on the idea. She had Vakama kidnap the Rahaga (save Norik, who was left behind to "send a message") as proof of his intentions and, by sweetening the deal with acceptance of Sidorak's long-denied marriage proposals and promises of the other Toa Hordika becoming commanders, Roodaka got Sidorak to welcome Vakama into the army.

Meanwhile, the Rahaga and Toa Hordika decided it was time to pick up the search for Keetongu, as it might be the only way to save Vakama. Once the Rahaga were captured, Norik took the information they had found and led the Toa to a mountain of ice hidden deep within Ko-Metru, where they found the not-so-mythical Rahi. After Keetongu heard their tale and how they wanted to help their friend, he agreed to join them- but he would not cure them of their mutations yet. They would need them in the upcoming battle.

Together, the Toa Hordika, Norik and Keetongu stormed the Coliseum. While Norik freed the other Rahaga and Keetongu went after Sidorak and Roodaka, the Toa fought off the Visorak in search of the Matoran- except for Matau, who went off on his own to face Vakama who was now acting more and more like an animal. At the top of the Coliseum's highest spire, Matau tried to talk down Vakama apologizing for doubting his capability as a leader, reminding him of the Toa's friendship and their strength in unity- even as Vakama tried to kill him. Only when the Toa Hordika of Air was close to falling to his death did his words got through, and as Matau lost his grip and started to plummet to the Coliseum floor below, Vakama leapt down and caught him, using Visorak webbing as a bungee cord to keep them from impacting.

Meanwhile, the other Toa found the Matoran - only to be confronted by Roodaka, who had gotten rid of Sidorak and was now sole leader of the Visorak. Matau joined the face-off and led the other four Toa in blasting Roodaka with their Rhotuka spinners. Vakama also entered the fight, seemingly on the side of Roodaka, but he turned on her and threatened to fire his own Rhotuka. Roodaka warned that she would order the Visorak to kill them if she died, but her rule was not as complete as she thought; Vakama was still the horde's commander and he gave the order to disband. As Roodaka was a traitor who brought their King to his death and because the Visorak hated Roodaka, the Visorak complied and Roodaka was left alone. Vakama made good on his threat to fire his Rhotuka, but Norik realized too late that she carried a piece of Teridax's prison: since it had now absorbed all six elemental powers, the prison's seal was broken and Makuta was free again.

But Teridax left the Toa alone for the time being and, with the Toa Hordika cured and becoming Toa Metru again, they, the Rahaga and Keetongu all worked together to finish the airships they were building and load them with the Matoran, preparing to bring them to their new home of Mata Nui.

Time Trap
The Toa were cured and the Matoran saved, but there was still one thing to take care of: the Mask of Time was still out there somewhere and could be extremely dangerous if in the wrong hands. Vakama went off on his own to retrieve it, asking the others to stay behind in case Teridax went after the Matoran. He found it on the ocean floor, but was quickly knocked out when a waterspout launched him into the Great Barrier - though not before a strange being came and took the mask from him.

Vakama woke up in a different world than what he remembered: Metru Nui had never fallen, but was still threatened by the Morbuzakh. Lhikan was still alive, but as a Turaga ruling alongside Dume. Moreover, Vakama was no longer a Toa; it was Nuhrii who had been empowered in his place. Vakama started to think that perhaps the Vahi had changed the past so that Lhikan had gone with his original choices for Toa Metru. But upon talking with Nuju and Nokama (who were also Matoran again), he found that this world wasn't necessarily better: the Toa Metru here were encouraging and enforcing stricter laws; plus Onewa had been traumatized by Toa Ahkmou and the Vahki, and Matau had been killed in a Morbuzakh attack. But every now and then, Vakama would briefly see the empty, ruined city that he remembered.

Working with Nokama, Vakama searched for information on the Mask of Time. He first found a carving of the being who took the mask from him, identifying it as a Dark Hunter servant called Voporak. Then, upon entering Makuta's lair in Po-Metru, a strange, hybrid creature attached itself to Vakama's mask and gave him a vision of a future Toa named Krakua, who warned him that in order to save the future, he must be willing to destroy it. Coming out of his vision - Turaga Lhikan had arrived and pried the hybrid off - Vakama acted on his suspicions and flung a Kanoka right at Nokama's head. When it passed through, it proved to Vakama that what he was seeing wasn't real and made the illusion disappear completely. Vakama was a Toa as he had always been, "Nokama" had been actually a Boggarak playing along and "Lhikan" was none other than Teridax himself.

Having failed to trick Vakama into handing over the Vahi, the Makuta resorted to threats, but was infuriated to find that Voporak had taken the mask. He decided to propose a truce: that he and Vakama would work together to get the mask from the Dark Hunters and then fight between themselves over it. Vakama reluctantly agreed. The two split up at the Great Temple; while Vakama faced the Hunter named Sentrakh, Makuta was challenged by Keetongu. He was badly beating the Rahi, until Vakama caused an explosion in desperation that not only knocked Sentrakh out, but blew Makuta away from the Temple, sparing Keetongu's life. Unfortunately, he was immediately faced with not only Voporak but also Sentrakh's boss, the Shadowed One, who now held the Vahi and wanted to punish the Toa responsible for killing Nidhiki and Krekka. To make matters worse, Makuta returned and started bargaining with the Shadowed One over the mask. Vakama decided to play the two against each other, explaining that Teridax was the one who killed the two Hunters. The Shadowed One and Voporak immediately started fighting Makuta, and the winning side would claim the Mask of Time- if Vakama hadn't grabbed it out of the Shadowed One's hands.

On the way out of the city, Vakama's jetpack was damaged and he was saved from certain death by the resprouted Karzahni plant. Though Karzahni had been helping Teridax, playing the part of the Morbuzakh in the illusion, it switched sides and helped Vakama by telling him the truth: Lhikan's original choices for Toa Metru were wrong. Makuta would never allow new Toa to arise that could threaten him, so Mata Nui and an order dedicated to him made false prophecies and evidence to deceive Teridax into thinking Lhikan's choices were correct; and Teridax responded by influencing Lhikan to choose six others. But Mata Nui himself had influenced Makuta's choices; ensuring that the true destined Toa Metru would indeed gain their power.

The conversation was cut short, however, by Makuta arriving and killing Karzahni again. Vakama escaped and, taking Krakua's and Karzahni's words to heart, prepared to stand his ground and face Teridax. When Makuta caught up with him, Vakama threatened to destroy the Mask of Time, warning that he had observed its power leaking out when it was slightly damaged earlier- meaning its complete destruction could have far graver consequences. Once Teridax was convinced that Vakama really would risk the mask's destruction, he reluctantly accepted Vakama's demands: safe passage out of the city for himself, safety for his allies in Metru Nui, and peace for the Matoran- though the Makuta only agreed to one year of peace before he would return.

With that, Vakama returned to the other Toa Metru and the Matoran on Mata Nui, telling them only that he got the Vahi and found they were the true destined Toa Metru; he said nothing of the rest as he feared the others would want to provoke a war with Teridax. On the shores of Mata Nui, the Toa Metru gave up their power to awaken the Matoran, becoming the Turaga who would lead them in starting their new lives.

Turaga
Leading the Ta-Matoran to the site in Ta-Wahi he had chosen during the initial exploration of the region, Vakama assisted his people in building the village of Ta-Koro near the Mangai Volcano. Becoming the leader of Ta-Koro, Vakama also chose Jala as his right-hand Matoran, and Kapura as his left. As per his deal with Makuta, Vakama and the Ta-Matoran enjoyed one year of peace and prosperity; during this time, Ta-Koro expanded, and the Ta-Matoran prospered. After the year expired, however, Makuta attacked the villagers of Mata Nui with an army of local Rahi he had enslaved with tainted masks. The following millennium would come to be known as the Dark Time, and during this period Vakama used his remaining fire abilities to help protect his people however he could. Makuta also unleashed scores of Kraata on the island to infect the Matoran and Rahi alike, and Vakama and the other Turaga captured every one they could find in small Stasis Tubes, which they stored in a large hidden cave in Po-Wahi.

Near the end of this millennium of darkness, Vakama was captured by a herd of Fire Mahi controlled by Makuta. He also lost his Firestaff, which somehow ended up in the tunnels of Onu-Wahi. His firestaff was later recovered by Takua, and eventually the Turaga himself was rescued by the Matoran as well. After Takua collected all the Toa stones, Vakama joined the other five Turaga at Kini-Nui and thanked Takua. Afterward, Takua placed the six stones in a circle at the Amaja-Nui, causing a burst of energy and unwittingly summoning the Toa Mata to the island.

Quest for the Masks
When Tahu arrived, Jala and a few members of his Guard mistook him as a Rahi and got caught in a Rahi Trap. They were about to attack the Toa, but Turaga Vakama managed to intervene before anyone was killed, and bowed before the Toa of Fire. The Turaga then told Tahu of his mission, and of the masks of power he had to recover in order to defeat Makuta. Shortly after the Toa left on his quest, an amnesiac Takua returned to Ta-Koro, and when he entered the Turaga's hut Vakama told him of Tahu's arrival. As the Toa were preparing to travel into the lair of Makuta, Vakama sent Kapura to summon Takua, and when he arrived Vakama tasked the Chronicler with organizing a company of seven Matoran to guard the Kini-Nui's entrance to Makuta's lair so the Toa could return after descending.

After Makuta's defeat, Vakama was meditating on Ta-Wahi's beach when Takua arrived onto the beach after escaping the Bohrok Nest. Seeing Takua, Vakama told him that even though Mata Nui woud soon face a new foe, there was much cause for the Ta-Koronans to rejoice, and that Takua had proven himself as being worthy of standing alongside the Toa as one of the island's great heroes. Together, the two returned to the light and heat of Ta-Koro to celebrate the Toa's first victory.

The Bohrok War and the Bohrok-Kal Crisis
Vakama and the Ta-Matoran had little time to rejoice, however; shortly after the Toa Mata returned to Mata Nui's surface, the Bohrok emerged, and Ta-Koro was attacked by both Kohrak and Pahrak. After the Toa managed to drive off the swarms, they found a lone incapacitated Pahrak with its head plate open, revealing a pulsating, face-like creature inside; Vakama then arrived to explain to the Toa the nature of the Bohrok and the mission to obtain the eight breeds of Krana from each swarm type.

Later, when Tahnok-Kal stole Tahu's Nuva Symbol, Vakama told the powerless Toa of Fire, Takua and Jala about the Bohrok-Kal. He recommended that Tahu seek the help of the other Toa Nuva, but the stubborn Toa of Fire stated that he was better off alone, and walked out of Vakama's hut, much to the Turaga's chagrin.

The Mask of Light
After the Bohrok-Kal were defeated, Vakama and the other Turaga announced a Naming Day celebration, and an event called the Rebuilding was held, in which the Matoran were rebuild into stronger, more agile forms. An island-wide Kolhii tournament was subsequently held, and Turaga Vakama selected Takua and Jaller as Ta-Koro's Kolhii champions. Eventually, the final championship was held in Ta-Koro's Kolhii Stadium, between the Ta-Koro team and those of Ga-Koro (Hahli and Macku) and Po-Koro (Hewkii and Hafu). Ga-Koro's team ultimately emerged the victor, but this was overshadowed by the discovery of the Mask of Light at the end of the tournament. After Turaga Onewa and the people of Po-Koro left Ta-Koro, three Rahkshi attacked Ta-Koro after Gali alerted the guards to sound the alarm. The defenses proved little use against the monstrous trio, so Vakama aided Gali and Nokama in evacuating Ta-Koro. Everyone escaped, but Ta-Koro was destroyed in the lava and Tahu's spare Kanohi Nuva were burned. He came to Kini-Nui after Takua became the great Takanuva. After burying Jaller, Vakama found Takanuva mourning the death of his friend, and encouraged the Toa of Light to keep going. After Takanuva entered the Mangaia astride the newly-constructed Ussanui, Vakama waited at the Kini-Nui with the rest of Mata Nui's population for his return, but eventually entered the lair as well, where they bore witness to Takanuva's duel with Makuta. The two ended up briefly merging into Takutanuva, who then lifted a gate to Metru Nui.

Return to Metru Nui
During the three months of preparation for the return to Metru Nui, Vakama told the Toa everything about the history of Metru Nui, from the Turaga's past as Toa Metru to the Great Rescue. He even decided to tell them also of their dark days as Hordika, and of his own brief betrayal, despite Nuju's objections.

After finally setting foot on Metru Nui once more, Vakama was appointed Turaga of Ta-Metru and, like his brothers and sister, one of the six advisors to Dume. He aided the Rahaga, Dume and the Matoran in repairing the city in any way he could, until the Staff of Artakha did the rest.

Voya Nui
Turaga Vakama had called away the Toa Nuva to meet with the other Turaga. He and the others told The Toa Nuva that Mata Nui was not only asleep: he was dying. Turaga Dume and Nuju showed the Toa Nuva proof of the destructive problem. He told them they needed to find the Kanohi Ignika: The Mask Of Life. They wanted to take Takanuva with them, but they said no: Takanuva was needed here. So the Toa Nuva left.

Vakama was with the other Turaga when Jaller arrived at the location of the pods with Takanuva. Dume had told him that the Toa Nuva had left, but Jaller was still furious because he wasn't telling him everything and he declared a strike until the Turaga would tell him and the Matoran everything.

During a meeting, the Turaga heard from Dume that one of their number had revealed to the Matoran information about Mata Nui's eventual death and the Toa Nuva going to save him and that six Matoran (Jaller, Hewkii, Hahli, Nuparu, Matoro, and Kongu) had left. They then learned that Nokama had told Jaller and Vakama suggested that Takanuva find them, but learned that he was gone as well.

Vakama and the others did not know that the six Matoran had become Toa until Vakama had a vision of Matoro sacrificing himself. When the Toa Mahri came back with only five of their numbers, Vakama met them, telling them that he had foreseen the death of Matoro and they held a ceremony in honor of Matoro's sacrifice.

When the Order arrived on Metru Nui to fight against the Brotherhood, Vakama and the other Turaga did not agree with their plans. So, the Order confined the Turaga in the Coliseum. Despite his confinement, Vakama was able to collect the events of the Destiny War.

Vakama then witnessed Voporak stealing the Kanohi Vahi. Later, Vakama managed to help out during the Siege of Metru Nui. When Jaller, Hahli and Nuparu returned, they joined forces and Vakama had told them that the Kanohi Vahi was stolen by Voporak. Vakama then formulated a plan to have Krakua use his sonic powers to awaken the Bohrok beneath the Archives. Vakama's plan succeeded, and the Brotherhood forces were defeated. Vakama and the other Turaga declared a city-wide celebration that was held in the Coliseum.

During the celebration, Makuta Teridax revealed himself that he took over the Matoran Universe and sent Rahkshi into Metru Nui. Vakama, along with the entire Metru Nui population, hid in the Archives. He and the rest of the Turaga then found Krahka, who led the Toa Nuva through underground tunnels to the shoreline. Later, he, along with the other Turaga of Metru Nui, were imprisoned in the Coliseum, with Ahkmou taking their place as the new "Turaga".

Spherus Magna
Following Teridax's death, Vakama and the other Turaga and Matoran evacuated Metru Nui onto Spherus Magna.

Powers and Traits
As a Ta-Matoran, Vakama possessed inaccessible Elemental Fire powers; this manifested in the form of a natural resistance to heat and fire. These powers were fully granted to him as a Toa of Fire. When he sacrificed his Toa Power and became a Turaga, Vakama's Fire powers were correspondingly weakened by a large degree.

Mask and Tools
As a Mask Maker in Metru Nui, Vakama carried a mask-making tool that he also used as a Toa to craft the Vahi, and was later turned into a Firestaff that he carried as a Turaga. As a Toa, carried a Kanoka launcher that could also be used as a Jetpack, but he could not fly as a Toa Hordika. Although his disk launcher could channel his Elemental Fire power, Vakama preferred to channel it through his hands. Vakama as a Toa Hordika carried two Blazer Claws, which served to charge his Fire Rhotuka spinner or light torches.

As a Toa he wore Kanohi Huna, the Great Mask of Concealment. As a Turaga he wore the Noble Mask of Concealment. It allowed him to turn invisible, but he would still cast a shadow. He also briefly donned the Vahi, the legendary Mask of Time, which he had created himself. He only used it once, however, since the mask was too powerful for him to control.

Personality
Vakama was known for his great courage and his kindness and hot temper. Vakama as a Toa was not 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. Vakama was plagued by strange visions of the future; often their meaning was not clear, and it was a "talent" he hid from others. Later he discovered that the visions he had were the key to saving Metru Nui. Although he led the Toa Metru, he was unsure of himself, and didn't know if he wanted that role. During his time as a Hordika, because he was the most driven of the Toa Metru, succumbed to his Hordika side first. Nokama, however, felt strongly that Vakama was the best suited to lead the Toa Metru something that none of the other Toa shared. He had a close friendship with Nokama.

He later, as a Turaga, had trouble trusting the Toa Mata, stemming from the betrayal of "Turaga Dume" (Makuta in disguise) and his own mistakes as a Toa Metru. Because of this, he usually divulged information only strictly on a need-to-know basis to his fellow Matoran and Toa, which annoyed Nokama, who believed that the Toa Mata should know the truth. Though he also felt that it would be cruel to remind the Matoran of a home they might never see again, something that the other Turaga agreed with.

Turaga

 * Turaga Vakama was released in 2001.
 * The set number was 8540.
 * The set contained 27 pieces.
 * The set was also released as 1417 as a Kabaya Promotional. It had the exact same pieces.
 * Also under 1417, it was released in 2003 in a bag. It had the same pieces.

Toa

 * Toa Metru Vakama was released in 2004.
 * Its set number was 8601.
 * It contained 48 parts.
 * The Toa Metru were the first sets to include bendable elbows.

Toa Hordika

 * Toa Hordika Vakama was released in 2005.
 * The set number was 8736.
 * The set contained 48 pieces.

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

- Toa Metru Vakama to Teridax as he puts on the Vahi, BIONICLE 2: 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, BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows

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

- Toa Metru Vakama to Makuta Teridax, BIONICLE Adventures 10: Time Trap

"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."

- Narration, BIONICLE Adventures 10: 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

"New legends awake, but old lessons must be remembered. This is the way of the Bionicle."

- Turaga Vakama, ''Mask of Light

"It was in those days I discovered our destinies are not written in stone. We have to find them for ourselves. I found mine. Now it's time for you to make new legends. For that is the way of the Bionicle."

- Turaga Vakama, BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows

Appearances

 * BIONICLE Chronicles 1: Tale of the Toa
 * BIONICLE Chronicles 2: Beware the Bohrok
 * BIONICLE Chronicles 3: Makuta's Revenge
 * BIONICLE Chronicles 4: Tales of the Masks
 * Mata Nui Online Game
 * Bohrok-Kal Online Animations
 * BIONICLE: Mask of Light
 * BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui
 * BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows
 * BIONICLE Adventures 1: Mystery of Metru Nui
 * BIONICLE Adventures 2: Trial by Fire
 * BIONICLE Adventures 3: The Darkness Below
 * BIONICLE Adventures 4: Legends of Metru Nui
 * BIONICLE Adventures 5: Voyage of Fear
 * BIONICLE Adventures 6: Maze of Shadows
 * BIONICLE Adventures 7: Web of the Visorak
 * BIONICLE Adventures 8: Challenge of the Hordika
 * BIONICLE Adventures 9: Web of Shadows
 * BIONICLE Adventures 10: Time Trap
 * BIONICLE Legends 1: Island of Doom
 * BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny
 * BIONICLE Legends 8: Downfall