Rahkshi

Rahkshi were a species of creatures made from Kraata. They were not living, but instead suits of armor controlled by the leech-like Kraata of their original form. They were the main antagonists of the 2nd half of the 2003 storyline.

Overview
"Rahkshi - shadows that cower in the depths. Exactly as foretold."

- Turaga Vakama

When a Kraata was exposed to Energized Protodermis, it would die and mutate into inanimate Rahkshi armor. A second Kraata of the same power could then enter the armor and control it. A Rahkshi's power was at least equal to a Stage-6 Kraata's and likely even greater, though it was weakened when separated from the staff that it wielded.

When Rahkshi had no mission from a Makuta to fulfill, they acted as violent and dangerous beasts. But with direction and guidance from a Makuta, they had power enough to overtake even a Toa Nuva. Their violent nature made even Teridax reluctant to send them out, as he knew they would destroy anything in their path.

In addition to their normal powers and those granted by their weapon staff, the Rahkshi could also change into a hover mode. By placing their feet together with the legs stretched forward, they would be able to fly about half a meter over the ground. In this form, the Rahkshi could move much faster than walking or running alone. However, they could not fight, as the weapon staff would have to be broken apart and carried, and attacking could cause them to lose control.

Just like Kraata, there were 43 types of Rahkshi. The best known of these (and the only ones named) were the six Teridax sent to find and take the Avohkii: Turahk, Guurahk, Lerahk, Panrahk, Vorahk, and Kurahk.

Metru Nui
There were many Rahkshi in the city of Metru Nui. Whenua encountered two yellow Rahkshi while searching for Tehutti. While searching for the Vahi, Teridax summoned every Rahkshi in the city to attack Voporak. While the entire army of Rahkshi was aged to the point of death by Voporak's time field, they caused the distraction needed for Teridax and Toa Vakama to slip away unnoticed. It was here that Vakama learned of the Rahkshi's connection to the Makuta.

There were also many Rahkshi in the Fikou Web, as discovered when the Toa Metru tried to escape that place.

Mata Nui
On Mata Nui, Teridax sent three of his Rahkshi to Mata Nui's surface to stop Takua from finding his destiny. The three travel to Ta-Koro, which ended in the village sinking into the volcano's lava. During this attack, Lerahk fights Tahu, and the Toa of Fire is infected with a poison. The same three then follow Jaller and Takua's path, eventually catching up to them in Ko-Wahi. However, they fail their mission, being frozen in a river by Kopaka Nuva.

Teridax then releases three more Rahkshi, which followed Takua to Onu-Koro. There, they fight Pohatu and Onua, though Onua accidentally causes the entire cave to collapse. Some time during this encounter, Tahu fights Kurahk, and it's anger powers increase the effects of Lehrak's poison, forcing Kopaka to freeze him just to get him out.

At Kini Nui, the Toa Nuva once again encountered all six Rahkshi. Tahu's fire and Lewa's sandstorm create a glass prison around some. Onua then lifts some boulders, which Tahu combines with lava. After dropping them on the few left. Gali then sprays them with water and Kopaka freezes them. The Toa then realize that there is still one more Rahkshi, Turahk. Jaller then sacrifices himself for Takua, and Takua, now realizing his destiny, bears the Mask of Light. Takua then uses his new light powers to defeat the Rahkshi and, using one of the Kraata, finds his way to Teridax on the Ussanui.

Battle of Bara Magna
During Teridax's reign, he sent a lot of his Rahkshi to the southern Matoran Universe. Some time into his and Mata Nui's fight, the Rahkshi were released, along with Tahu, Takanuva, several other Toa, and some Skakdi.

Takanuva fought two Rahkshi, one of which was holding a piece of the Golden Armor, and beat them by using a hologram of himself to fool them.

Tahu and Takanuva then met up with Gresh, who also had some of the armor. Tahu then took all the pieces and put them on, then used his increased power to defeat an army of Rahkshi by frying the Kraata.

Named Rahkshi

 * Turahk150px-BrownRahkshiMoL.png in movie form.]]
 * Guurahk
 * LerahkMol_takua_rahkshi_yuck.jpg showing its kraata to Takua.]]
 * Panrahk
 * Vorahk
 * Kurahk

Trivia

 * The Rahkshi were the first sets to have articulated knees, and are one of the only 2 sets of 2003 (other being Teridax) to have them.
 * The Rahkshi of Heat Vision is the only one without a Kraata in its set form. It's back is also too small for a regular-sized Kraata. However, you can fit a Shadow Leech in it.
 * The Rahkshi of Heat Vision is also the only one without articulated knees.
 * The Heat Vision Rahkshi's spine is connected to it's head, something else the others didn't have.

Rahkshi