Botan

Botan was a Bo-Koya Botanist and later a Toa of Plantlife as one of the six Toa Koya, who were later known as the Toa Nova.

Biography
As a Matoran, Botan was the leader of a group of botanists tasked with reforming the forest that was destroyed in a terrible fire. Throughout his normal routine, Botan discovered a trail of mangled and destroyed Rahi and began to investigate. At the end of the trail, a red blur darted past his vision, and on the ground below him was a mysterious rock, seemingly one that the red creature had left behind. Botan decided this stone took precedent over the forest for the time being, and carried it with him to the Toa Temple to return it to where it belonged. During this time, five other Matoran were also in possession of Toa Stones, and in a flash of divine light, Botan and the other five were transformed into Toa

Not understanding the reason the Great Spirits had transformed them, Sura, Toa of Plasma, requested that they all recall their tales of how they were given the stones, in hopes that this would clear up the mystery behind their transformation. Botan described the red creature and the mangled Rahi, much to the horror of his fellow Toa.

The Toa resolved that all the stories (except Cellik's) had a connection to a creature called Redd, so they chose their Toa Tools from the shrine and embarked on a journey to find Redd. Botan equipped himself with a spiky shield, which Fanua described as "gappy".

The team split up to search for Redd in each Koya, and Botan was able to find a Matoran who was attacked by Redd, who claimed the monster had ransacked his home and stolen everything he had created, and nothing more.

When the team regrouped, they explained the events that had passed. Toa Fanua had discovered that Redd was after a great Kanohi known as the Mask of Creation, but could not obtain it because its location was known only by a Turaga known as Goll, who, according to Cellik's story, was dead. The Toa began to question the accuracy of Cellik's tale and don't believe him when he tries to tell them Redd's location, so Cellik embarks on his own while the other Toa go to search for Goll.

They find him in the outskirts of Koya Nui, and Goll tells them that they must obtain the Mask of Creation before Redd does. He tells them that it is hidden in the Shrine of Creation, but the Toa decide to help Cellik first, using the virtue of Unity as a guide. They find Cellik at the mercy of Redd, but Fanua is able to hold Redd down using Magnetism just in time to save Cellik from death. Believing their foe to be helpless under Fanua's grasp, the Toa focus their energy on reviving Cellik's strength so they can go to obtain the Mask together. They underestimated Redd's strength, however, and he escaped their grasp and uses his power of intimidation to learn the location of the Mask. He then fled, leaving Botan and the other Toa to battle the twins Fallara and Vallara.

The Toa manage to defeat them and they all go follow Redd's trace, where they finally face Redd at the Shrine of Creation in the center of Koya Nui. Redd is outnumbered by the six Toa, but before his defeat, he slashed a deep gash in the side of the mask, causing it to leak out creation energy from it. This energy transformed Botan and the other Toa into the much stronger Toa Nova. Botan's arm produced a long and powerful claw, and his armor transformed into a bulky, resilient form.

With their new powers, the Toa defeated Redd for good. Fanua, Toa of Magnetism, fled from the rest of the Toa, and the others returned to their homes where they were celebrated by the Matoran. This celebration was cut short, however, by a creature attacking the Koyas. The Toa panicked at the missing sixth Toa because there was nobody to protect Fa-Koya. However, the creature was stooped by Darius, a one-armed swordsman who the Toa fought when he guarded the Great Shrine of Creation. Although he was not a Toa, Darius fought alongside them and was able to stop the beasts. After the skirmish, Darius tells the Toa that the beasts were attacking because of the Mask of Creation's destruction, and that the only was to stop them permanently was to fight the Lords of Apocalypse and Catastrophe who were creating these creatures. The Toa split up again to search for the Turaga that could teach them to hone their complimentary elements. Botan met this Turaga in Bo-Koya and learned the power of Air.

The Toa and Darius all gathered again with their new powers, except Fanua, who was still missing. Darius had absorbed power from the Mask of Creation after returning to the Great Shrine of Creation and became the Toa of Life, taking Fanua's place as the sixth Toa. They all went to battle the Lords of Catastrophe and Apocalypse, but could not defeat them until Fanua appeared, displaying a massive amount of power and destroying the foes with ease. The destruction of the Lords of Apocalypse and Catastrophe led to a chain reaction that began to sink Koya Nui, and so Fanua displayed one last power and created a large globe that gloated magnetically in the sky for the Matoran to dwell. The Toa all went into this globe except Darius, who felt he belonged with the shrine, and Botan transformed into the Turaga of Plantlife.

As a Turaga, Botan was known for being loving and nurturing, taking great strides to teach the villagers to protect the balance of nature.

Mask and Tools
As a Toa Koya, Botan wore the Kanohi Faxon, Mask of Kindred. With this mask, he could summon animals and Rahi to his aid. His weapon was a bladed shield which served for both offense and defense.

After becoming a Toa Nova, Botan acquired a long claw. He now carried a Sphere Launcher as well that shot seeds which embedded themselves in targets.

Traits
Botan is friendly and caring, taking great effort to make sure his teammates are happy. Most of the Toa Koya got along well with him, but Cellik in particular found his behavior patronizing.

Botan is sturdy and powerful, using his elemental powers to aid comrades and keep them safe rather than directly focusing on combat.

Trivia

 * Botan's role on the team is Healer, thanks to his ability to keep his allies healthy and well protected.
 * Botan is one of the three Toa Nova who, at one point or another, carries a shield. The shield he carries lacks Fanua's magnetic properties, but is capable of being used as a weapon, unlike Cellik's.