Difference between revisions 65897726 and 66071633 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==
(contracted; show full)

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 kindIn trying to return to [[Metru Nui]] after the [[Great Cataclysm]], the [[Toa Metru]] were blackmailed into getting some energized protodermis for the [[Karzahni]] plant creature. They were told they could find a pool of some in one of [[Makuta]]'s lairs, but when they got there they found a shapeshifting being made of the energized protodermis itself.

This entity was an arrogant being, believing itself to be "as far beyond you as you are from the lowliest [[Rahi (Bionicle)|Rahi]]"<REF>''Bionicle Adventures #10: Maze of Shadows'', p. 104</REF> and describing itself as "a force of the universe".<REF>''Bionicle Adventures #10: Maze of Shadows'', p. 108</REF> Instead of allowing the Toa to take some of the protodermis they came for, it demonstrated its power by mutating a tiny insect into a 200-foot monster; it then watched as the Toa defended themselves against the beast, and when it tired of the fight it coldly destroyed the insect. This led the Toa to attack the entity, and in response it began mutating a number of harmless creatures into fierce monsters.

After the Toa defeated the creatures, they began taunting the entity and luring it into destroying the pillars holding up the lair. The Toa attacked from all sides; with the entity at a loss where to direct his attacks as attacking one would leave the pool open to damage from the others. With one pillar remaining, the Toa halted and offered to leave it (and the lair) standing if they could take the protodermis they came for and leave safely; they also pointed out that Makuta might have made a protodermis-eating creature that could be let loose if the lair caves in. The entity reluctantly agreed to let them take it - but almost immediately tried to kill them with a tidal wave of energized protodermis. The Toa quickly shattered the last pillar and collapsed the lair, destroying the pool and possibly the entity as well.

The entity had the ability to form itself into any shape it chose; the book ''Maze of Shadows'' described its form as having "the semblance of the Toa Metru"<REF>''Bionicle Adventures #10: Maze of Shadows'', p. 102</REF> but the video game of the same name shows it looking like Makuta's "Shadow Titan" form with a pillar of liquid from the waist down; the Toa Metru form is the one recognized as canonical.<REF>[http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49257&st=5790 Official Greg Discussion p. 194] at [[BZPower]] forums, 17th post down</REF> It can also launch jets of energized protodermis, and can form itself into a tidal wave. It seems that the entity can sense whether or not a being will transform from energized protodermis, but not exactly how it will transform.

The entity's relationship with Makuta is unclear. It considered itself a guardian (presumably of the pool) and denied that Makuta was its master, but never confirmed or denied that the two worked together. It can be assumed that the entity at least allowed Makuta use of the pool, but whether it helped Makuta beyond that is unknown.

==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]]