Difference between revisions 65111489 and 65897726 on enwiki

'''Protodermis''' is a mysterious fictional substance within [[Lego]]'s [[Bionicle]] franchise. It seems to be similar to the [[matter]] of which our universe is made of.

==The Substance of Life==
The [[Turaga]] call Protodermis the 'Substance of Life', named so because almost everything in the Bionicle universe is made of it, except for the air and the water surrounding the island of [[Mata Nui (Island)|Mata Nui]]. The [[Matoran]] do not eat it. The biomechanical bodies of the [[Matoran]] are made with it. The forges of Ta-Metru construct and forge masks and launchers and tools and disks with it, making it extremely vital to the Matoran. Without it, nothing would be. It is a somewhat magical substance, with very interesting applications. This substance was also once used by the Toa Metru to defeat the Makuta, encasing him in the substance (sealing him within it). Unfortunately, it was held tight by the force of the Toa Metru's combined elemental powers, and, in the case of Bionicle 3, Roodaka carved a stone from that seal with which she would want to fulfill her plan to release Makuta, the Toa Hordika destroying the stone, setting Makuta free.

==Forms==
Technically, nearly everything in the Bionicle universe is made of protodermis. When a substance is specifically referred to as being made of protodermis, it refers to one of the following forms:
*'''Solid Protodermis''' is a kind of metal ore that can be either carved or melted down and forged into useful objects. In its molten state, it is similar to lava. When protodermis is properly forged, it imbues the object with a special power. [[Dark Hunters|The Shadowed One]] can also create crystalline protodermis with his staff, which appears to share several properties with metallic protodermis.
*'''Liquid Protodermis''' is, for all intents and purposes, identical to water, except for its silvery color; when cleansed of impurities, this color turns blue. A [[Toa]] of Water can control this form of protodermis as easily as she can regular water. Liquid protodermis can be heated into its molten state, or frozen into protodermic ice.
*'''Energized Protodermis''' is a remarkable variation of Protodermis. It will transform beings that are destined to transform, and has been used to form the [[Toa Nuva]] and [[Rahkshi]]; but will destroy anything else it comes into contact with, such as the [[Karzahni]] plant. Ironically, it also has some living properties itself. A sentient being of energized protodermis was discovered by the [[Toa Metru]] in ''[[Bionicle Adventures]] #6: Maze of Shadows''.

==Name==
Protodermis is the combination of LatinGreek words Proto- (meaning "first") and -Dermis (meaning "skin" or "Layer of tissue"), thus directly meaning "first skin". This is an odd translation, but it has been postulated that this is because it can be a tissue substance. it has also been suggested that, deep underground though it is, it may only be the first layer under the surface.

Protodermis was called '''Biodermis''' in Bionicle.com's "Mata Nui Online Game". However, the game is not considered [[canon(fiction)|canon]]

==Energized Protodermis Entity==
One of the last enemies of 2004, the '''Energized Protodermis Entity''' was located in one of Makuta’s many lairs. The Entity was an energized protodermis elemental. Basically, it was energized protodermis that could move, float, hover, spray, etc., and was guided by an intelligent mind. It could direct the energized protodermis if it wanted, thus making a potent enemy; it is possible (possible) that the Entity could tell whether or not it was an object’s destiny to change, but not what the change would be. It is not known how the Entity came to be. 

The Toa Metru encountered the Entity while they were trying to retrieve some energized protodermis for Karzahni. It rose from the pool, and shaped itself into a vague likeness of a Toa. When they told it that they wanted energized protodermis to buy safe passage so they could save the Matoran, the Entity haughtily dismissed them, saying it was beyond such petty concerns. When they refused to leave, it transformed a tiny insect into a giant monster. The creature attacked the Toa Metru, the Entity making calm observations all the while. Whenua snapped that this wasn’t just some experiment; the Entity replied that they were beyond the lowliest Rahi compared to it. Nokama finally managed to get control over the insect with her mask, but the Entity killed it. “Learn from the example, Toa,” it said. “The only thing we have learned is that you are as coldhearted as Makuta your master,” Vakama snarled back. “Master?” the Entity said. “I have no master. Can anyone hope to master a force of the universe? Take your foolish beliefs and begone, Toa. Do not tempt my wrath.” It then mutated a dozen different tiny creatures into horrors. The Toa succeeded in fighting them off, and thought up a new plan. They spread out, taking up positions in front of the four pillars that held up the cavern. Nuju proceeded to taunt the Entity, making it throw a blast in his direction; but he dodged, and it destroyed the pillar instead. Vakama made the next sly comment, and the Entity turned around and blasted him; only, that hit the pillar, too. It then saw that the Toa Metru planned to have it destroy the pillars, thus bringing down the cavern on it. The Toa Metru proceeded to launch attacks on it from all directions; the Entity, much confused, started firing blasts desperately, hitting the third pillar. It was then that Vakama proposed a truce; they would leave the last pillar intact, and it would let them get a sample of the energized Protodermis. It reluctantly agreed; Vakama used to vial to get a sample, and the Toa Metru turned and walked away. The Entity then formed itself into a tidal wave to try and kill them; Onewa used his power to destroy the last pillar, burying it. 

The Entity probably survived, having the ability to appear wherever there is energized protodermis. It is no doubt planning revenge for its defeat, and there may be more of its kind.

==See also==
*[[Bionicle]]
*[[Matoran]]
*[[Toa Nuva]]
*[[Rahkshi]]

==External links==
*[http://www.biosector01.com/wiki/index.php?title=Protodermis Protodermis article at '''Bionicle Sector 01 Wiki''']

{{Bionicle}}

[[Category:Bionicle objects]]