Was thinking a lot about Matau and Nidhiki and how the two compare to each other
Both Toa of Air in their respective teams
Both are/were close to the respective teams' Toa of Fire
Both had glory or their vanity be a big motivator for what they did for a time
Both went through horrible transformations that essentially tore their bodies apart and then reconfigured them in ways they had to adjust to being in
As much as they have in common, they have a lot more in contrast with one another
Matau may have wanted glory, but, in my eyes, it always seemed to be because he wanted to be seen and remembered, to be more than just another Matoran in Le-Metru. Nidhiki, on the other hand, may have seen glory as the best means on survival as his home was in the Tren Krom peninsula, where he'd constantly be in survival mode and constantly had to watch his back
Glory meant security for Matau, while for Nidhiki it meant he could actually live and not just survive, and if it was solely for survival, then glory was a means to guarantee he wouldn't die
We also see more that Matau tries to be as humorous as he can, which is another defense/coping mechanism for him, as he has his own insecurities with not meeting his own expectations of being a Toa
We don't know much about Nidhiki, but he does have his humorous moments, despite what he's been through, but he's a lot more serious because of it, and it shows in canon before he's mutated by Roodaka
Their biggest difference, though, is what drives them. It's not just glory, it's WHY they seek glory
I and others have also pointed out that Matau uses his humor and his bravado as a front. It helps him hide, as, again, he's insecure about not meeting his own expectations of being a Toa, being brave and heroic. Having this glory would, in Matau's eyes, would likely prove that he is a hero, that he is worthy to call himself a Toa
Nidhiki, from what we know, does not have this insecurity. Being a Toa only meant doing more to survive; things likely got easier in some areas, but harder in others and he had to adapt. Glory meant that he likely wouldn't have a much to worry about in terms of surviving, since the Metru Nui Matoran were all city folk and the biggest issues was the Vahki, who I imagine Nidhiki avoided and later vice versa. Glory meant he didn't have to be in survival mode all the time, but the feeling was still there, the need to look out for himself because of the fact that Metru Nui wasn't impenetrable. In a way, glory meant security, and it was fleeting
And then there's the relationship the two have with their respective leaders and Toa of Fire
I've said this before and I'll say this again, whether platonically or not, Matau loves Vakama and Vakama loves Matau. The two have saved each other's lives on numerous occasions, Matau has done the Le-Metru way of getting friendly or possibly flirting with Vakama, Vakama has grown to value Matau as a true companion, and Matau has looked into Vakama's eyes, seen his darkness, and said, while he was dangling of a ledge, "You're my leader." Has he doubted Vakama? Yes. Was their bond and growth to it perfect? No, but it is true and it is strong, as Vakama is fired when he thinks Matau is dead in Time Trap and the two have a solid relationship as Turaga
And this bond is the total opposite of how Lhikan's and Nidhiki's relationship ends
The two were brothers, Nidhiki calls Lhikan as much, but after his betrayal, in a bid to join the Dark Hunters in the name of glory(remember, glory = security), he loses that right, and it is shattered, for Lhikan at least, after Nidhiki's transformation and his remaining with the Dark Hunters, as he has nowhere else to go. Nidhiki still calls Lhikan 'brother,' though. Whether this is because he still sees him as a brother or is just using it like it's a swear and Lhikan's not picking it up is up for debate, but regardless, Nidhiki holds onto Lhikan, if only for the sake of one day getting back at Lhikan for his transformation after Nidhiki betrayed Lhikan
How striking that both Toa of Air has betrayal happen, Nidhiki being the one to actually betray others while Matau sees Vakama's betrayal of the Metru. It's not directly a parallel between the two, but it's interesting to think about
That's all I've got with this. How you enjoyedđ
