“Progress” is a dangerous word. Guardian hails from a blessed isle in the eastern archipelago, one filled with the energies of all different elements. His species had no special powers, but with the vibrant energies of their island providing for them, they had no need of such things. For eons, they existed in a peaceful, albeit primitive, state. That all changed when Matoran traders happened upon the isle. Intending to help the society progress, they introduced many new technologies to Guardian’s species. One such tool was the Rhotuka launcher. Soon after, members of Guardian’s species made a remarkable discovery: when armed with a Rhotuka launcher, each of them could access the power of not one, but two elements. For Guardian, these were earth and stone; for others, they were water and ice, jungle and air, gravity and metal, and even stranger combinations. These powers had existed in them all along, but had remained inaccessible until contact with the Rhotuka launchers.
It became apparent to some members of the species that certain combinations of elements were better suited to certain jobs. A being who controlled earth and stone, such as Guardian, would make a fine laborer in a quarry or construction site. Those with power over jungle, water, air, and/or earth were excellent farmers. And those who were so lucky as to control a more esoteric element, such as gravity or psionics... why, they obviously must be meant to rule. In a matter of decades, Guardian’s species transformed themselves from egalitarian hunter-gatherers into several distinct classes, each one determined by one’s own unwitting elemental types.
This, naturally, led to the concentration of wealth and power with the "superior” elements; and, just as naturally, this sudden and abrupt change from primitive happiness to advanced inequality led to civil war. It was during a campaign in this inevitable war that Guardian’s tribe was betrayed by one of their own, leading them into an ambush by the ruling class that mortally wounded Guardian. He was found and repaired by two Dark Hunters running weapons deals on the island, and subsequently became one of my most useful tools for plugging leaks within the organization.
Was it chance, or destiny, that Guardian become a Dark Hunter? Starting from the creation of his species with dual elemental powers, his biography follows a logical path to my organization. Yet it hinges on several seemingly random events, which could easily have taken him in different directions. I suppose it is one for the philosophers. For his part, Guardian believes his service to me was always predestined... or he did, before he was senselessly killed by Makuta.
POWERS: Guardian had the rare and dangerous ability to control earth and stone with his Rhotuka. He used this power most often to burrow through walls and foundations in order to reach his targets. In the event that he needed to “persuade” or eliminate a target, he relied on his heavy claws, perfect for digging through loose soil... or tearing through armor.
STATUS: Dead. During Makuta’s reign, Guardian joined the rebel alliance, although I understand his heart was never in it. Before he could help or harm the cause, Makuta sucked him into the yawning earth of Karzahni. The irony in his death suggests Makuta researched Guardian’s powers before killing him, which is quite an honor for a humble operative - and more than Nidhiki and Krekka ever received.
