Hasbro owns Transformers, Lego owns Bionicle and the name Ketongu, and Galem owns Tali, Ava, Amber, Iris, Diego, Alyan, Adhira, Valera, and Kasar.
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Chapter 48: Edwards challenge
Green and his group had not ceased looking around themselves cautiously for Makutacon attackers since Valera had volunteered to scout ahead as they may have had no time to waste in their efforts to save Angela. Everyone knew very well how desperate Green was to get Angela out of here. Possibly even more so now that the city was a war zone. The fact that everyone was getting through the streets a bit too easily was also suspicious. Green only had two theories so far. The first one being that they were waiting to strike in a specific area when zero activity throughout would be least expected due to all of the empty streets. 'Not too good of a plan considering everyone here is on edge'. Green thought. The second theory was that all Makutacons were being ordered to stay clear of this area for some reason. 'But what for'? Green wondered. 'Tons of Makutacons would love to kill me after what I did to Killer. True he came back, but they see that as a form of humiliation, possibly before the Liege too. Killing me would mean regaining some form of honor that the Makutacons had. Something that Killer would probably love to put on his application for Makutacon second in command. Then again, Xanthium would benefit from that too. Maybe it's both of them in an attempt to gain favor'. Whatever it was, Green was ready to kill either Makutacon leader if needed. No way was he dying without getting Angela out of here first.
"Green!" Valera's voice called out, announcing the Guardian Toa's arrival before she landed in front of the group.
Green was the first to approach her as he asked: "Is it safe to go in? Please tell me I can get to her somehow".
Green had no idea at the moment what Valera was about to tell him in response those questions. Perhaps there was nothing. Maybe there was a massive army around the corner waiting to open fire. Regardless, Green did not intend to stop now. Green would fight as hard as he had to in order to get inside. Or sneak as hard as he had to if that were the only logical option, or if there was even a way to sneak past said hypothetical group of Makutacons. Otherwise, he and the others could take different vantage points in the buildings on either side and shoot at random so as to confuse them. Maybe not the best plan, but the best one Green had in mind at the moment.
"You can, but it won't be easy. I counted at least thirty to forty Makutacons spread out between us and the Tower." Valera reported with a sigh.
"Is there a way in where we won't be spotted"? Green asked. Surely during her scouting, she must've spotted a clearing somewhere, or at least a less crowded route.
Valera nodded. "Yes, there's an alleyway that leads to a back road that goes behind all the patrols and straight to the Tower. But twelve security cameras watch it every fifteen seconds, five seconds apart from each other. We'll have to time it right in order to get past them undetected."
"Let's go then". Green responded.
Finding the Le-Matoran's response to be a bit too quick, Billy spoke up: "Whoa, wait a second, did you just hear what she said? Chances of all of us getting this timed perfectly are unpredictable".
Sure, Maze was there to help them count correctly, but the fact remained that there were currently twelve people in their group. Yeah they were the best of the best, but Valera was talking about a five second difference here. Meaning that every single person would have to go individually and perfectly. If any one of them were a millisecond off, they would be caught. Almost everyone was good at stealth as far as he knew. Considering he had rarely seen Adhira and Valera in action, he really couldn't have an opinion for them. Then again, Adhira had just snuck over hundreds of Makutacons unnoticed so maybe he was worrying over nothing with them. Z had only recently joined their team and due to his indestructibility had proven to be a bit careless. They would be lucky if he didn't make a funny face at at least one of the cameras. Then there was Green who while experienced in combat, was inexperienced in the area of stealth. Green could talk a big game all he wanted. Billy knew very well that it took more than determination to be quiet. The very fact that Green was so determined to get Angela back may have been another disadvantage as such determination could cause one to be unfocused. 'Note to self, send Z and Green with another person'. Billy thought.
"Alright Lead-Toa-", Z said with a mock salute:-", you stay here then. I can sprint faster than everyone here so I'll dash the both of us through".
Billy resisted both the urge to slap Z and the equally tempting urge to facepalm and cause unnecessary noise. Though he did want to place both of them with different people, both of them together, even if they were sent in last, could've easily ended disastrous for the mission. Plus, if Z used his super speed, Billy was pretty sure that every camera on the planet was capable of catching a blur. 'If Pow can't even speed through without being noticed by a camera with his Kakama, neither can you pal'. Billy thought. Keeping Z's odd nature and personality in mind, it was a wonder to Billy and possibly everyone else on the team why Z hadn't run off yet. 'This guy eats crows, but he won't disobey orders("Hey! Character questioning is MY thing bug head"! #Z)'?
Amber cleared her throat a bit. "Uh, you all, DO know that Mom is a master saboteur, right? She can hack into those cameras and get them to loop, buying all of us enough time to get past. Right, Mom?" She looked at her mother as she directed that last part to her. She had heard the rumors and read the stories surrounding her mother and aunt but she always knew there had to be more that wasn't being said. That, and she really hoped these particular claims were true.
Valera smirked warmly. "I'd need to be in my Cybertronian form to do that, and know where the cameras are'" her smirk widened with a chuckle, "and I might be a little rusty at it."
Z immediately facepalmed. "Of course! Why didn't I think if that"?!
Pow turned his head curiously to the Autobot. "What"?
"I was reconstructed to have almost every single Transformer ability there was, hacking being one of them". Z thought. "But if I think of something that makes me laugh, they'll explode". That was something Z knew from experience which could've potentially made his suggestion useless. 'At least I offered it while it seemed suggestible'. Z thought.
Green frowned, frustrated that they were ultimately getting nowhere with this conversation. Sure it was helpful to discuss strategies against their enemies, but Green still contained a paranoia in the back of his mind that every second they wasted could also be a second closer to more suffering that Angela would endure. Angela had already suffered for long enough as far as Green was concerned by having to watch him surrender to Edward. 'Not this time'. Green thought. 'Next time I see the guy, I'm not stopping until it's just him and me. Then I'll make him pay for ever messing with my family. Maybe I'll even put in a few good hits for the time he betrayed Billy'. Green shook his head then, deciding to stop thinking of irrelevant things and just try to get the job done now before time ran out for Greens fiance.
"Either way, I need to get to her now"! Green close to exclaimed.
Billy dashed forward in that instant, quickly covering the Le-Matorans mouth as he quietly scolded: "Green, quiet. Another peep like that and the Makutacons will be on top of us".
'With the hundreds of Makutacons standing not too far away, you'd think Green would consider that before yelling'. Billy thought. Right now, Billy and the rest of this team were the best chance for the survival of Green's fiance. If any one of them died out here because of a mistake made at the wrong time, chances of success would be slim. Billy had no idea what would be waiting for them once they finally reached the building Edward was in, and that alone was enough to lead Billy to believe that just entering this building could turn into an all hands on deck situation. Edward was a fool for joining the Makutacons and betraying everyone who called him brother yes, but the Toa Voya of fire had known him for long enough to know that he wasn't stupid enough to orchestrate another possible meeting with them without a plan which could ultimately result in their demises. From this moment forward they had to think before every action, as it could mean choosing their own fate.
A second later, everyone spotted a massive object entering the earths atmosphere, prompting Billy to aim his arrow-sword. Sure, it might have been the Firepower finally reaching them and giving them further back up, but as Billy had learned many times in his rookie years it never hurt to be sure. If Billy hadn't depended so often on this force of habit, he may not have been here today. 'Always best to take that chance'. Billy thought. It didn't matter if they were dealing with Makutacons or Teridax himself. It was always important for Toa and Autobots to remain ready in every circumstance where it may be necessary.
Much to his and everyone else's relief, the ships Toabot insignia appeared through the clouds in plain view of everyone watching. At the same time as the ship pulled up and flew slowly through the city, the ship began to release multiple pods which landed strategically around multiple points in the battlefield. As the pods opened audibly at a distance, loud machine gun paced popping sounds were also heard across the skies. 'This sound was followed by the explosions of some nearby building and screams from retreating Makutacon soldiers. 'The ship is giving the loners cover fire'. Billy thought. 'Nice'. So long as this thing remained in the air and more Toabot pods kept coming, their chances of survivability would become more plausible. 'Especially if that ship keeps attacking entire buildings of these guys'. Billy thought.
"Speaking of more literal terms". Z commented.
"It's Diego and the others!" Ava squealed in glee at he lowest volume she could muster.
"About time they showed up." Iris muttered, half in relief and half scolding.
"They've been showing up in pods for quite a while now". Green noted aloud. "I was kind of wondering where they were coming from".
"And behold a bigger probe". Z noted, referring to the turd shape of the pods and what the shape may have been of the Firepower ship if it weren't for the smaller cannons on the sides.
Valera facepalmed while Amber shook her head in annoyance. Most of the others reactions were eye rolls or sighs of annoyance except for two. Robert laughed quietly for a bit. A reaction that was turned short by an eyebrow raised expression from Ava. The most noticeable of these was a childish laugh from Maze. By that, they meant it actually sounded like the kind of laugh a child a child or a young Toaling would make. Maze seemed to go quiet the second it was noticed, obviously hoping that no one else noticed. Much to his dismay, everyone turned to him with expressions of confusion or worry. Sure, they had heard some pretty odd laughs in the past, even some creepy ones from their enemies. But laughter like that was... uncommon.
"What was that, Maze?" Amber asked, still trying to determine if she was correct in the source of the laugh.
"Nothing..." Was Maze's reply as he turned his head a bit to hide an embarrassed blush.
Z resisted the urge to laugh as he said: "That's the most childish laugh I've ever-"
"Don't judge me"! Maze interrupted, really not in the mood to have his laugh commented on again.
All throughout Mazes years of school, Maze had been made fun of for his childish laugh. Despite all of the scientific achievements Maze had done in his schools, he never could seem to escape the shadow that his laughter had cast over the image he wanted to have. He considered himself blessed that Billy and the others hadn't made fun of it when he had accidentally laughed at a funny movie with them. Come to think of it it probably wasn't even that big of a deal to get frustrated over. It was more annoying to Maze than anything considering he had more to offer to a team than a silly laugh to laugh over.
Maze's outburst was followed by a light gibbs smack from Billy who then quietly scolded: "Guys, quiet"!
'I DON'T WANT TO BE QUIET'!, was what Z had wanted to say, but wouldn't due to their current situation. 'I definitely wouldn't have to be quiet if I were alone on this mission'. Z thought. He had taken on at least two hundred Makutacons on his own in the battle in the Mayan Ruins, so stealth wouldn't necessarily HAVE to be an option should he be on his own. Not that he was going to do that now as this team needed him to be the strong and inspiring muscle of the group. 'Seriously if I leave these good people, I won't be around to annoy them into finishing the mission quicker. I still have noogies to give to Robert, loud screaming to do into Ava's ear, a pennywise dance to humor Pow and Amber, not to mention a wet willy to give to Iris later. If I leave now, we're DOOMED to take too long'.
Z sighed upon the obvious realization that this thought process was getting him nowhere as he then asked: "Where are the cameras again"?
"Oh don't any of you worry about it, I've got it covered". A familiar voice suddenly spoke from an unknown location.
Tensing up, Valera whirled around to face the loudest direction of the voice with her wings arched in a threatening manner, a feral snarl growing from the depths of her throat. Amber mimicked her mother's snarl as she all but venomously spat out the speaker's name, "Edward." Ava's gaze hardened as she twirled her blades once in deadly promise. Iris calmly readied her bow, every muscle in her rippled with tension, promising a swift death to the traitor.
Edward's laughter filled the space in alley uncomfortably as the others all looked around, trying to spot where his voice could be coming from. Not only did Edward have a grudge against them for their negative attitude towards... well towards his negative attitude, but since days ago he was now a Makutacon. Still a Toa technically as he had only been rebuilt in certain areas to be a Bioformer, but that didn't make him any less of a threat. He also knew Billy's mindset as well as his strategies. Whatever ideas Billy was going to have against him was already going to go out the window once they encountered him and just leave that up to Green, but encountering him this soon was surely surprising for both of them and not in a good way. Whatever they were going to do, if Edward was even here right now, Billy and Green needed to discuss it fast.
But just as Billy was about to open his mouth, Edward's voice spoke first: "Oh put your toys down, circus freaks. I'm not actually there, it's just the speakers".
Everyone immediately became aware of the speaker around the corners of the buildings around them. It had been some of the things that everyone had first noticed upon stepping foot into this alley. 'How did we not look there first'? Billy thought. 'Maybe it's the fact that this situation is so overwhelming for the rest of us. Guess that's a good reason to keep our minds open'.
"If you want to know what a circus freak REALLY looks like, look into a mirror". Pow commented. 'If he wants to call my girl a circus freak, I'm firing shots too'. Pow thought.
This made Amber, Ava, and Iris laugh. "Good one, Pow." Amber giggled.
"Silence"! Edward's voice snarled through the speakers with an evident sneer in his tone.
Now it was Green's turn to address the Makutacon of earth, and he did so with a teasing tone: "Oh so now Dracula's a dictator"?
Considering Edward's mask was a Kanohi Olmak similar to Makuta Chirox's, comparison to a vampire seemed to be a sensible comparison. Plus after everything Edward had done to him and his friends, no way was he about to change his attitude towards the traitor.
Green's words brought a beloved childhood memory back to Valera and she acted it out by moving one of her wings across her body in a way that allowed for her eyes to peer over it playfully. "Good evening." She teased, using her best Dracula voice, resulting in her daughter nearly falling over in a desperate attempt to hide her laughter behind her hand.
"No". Edward said next a bit too calmly for comfort. "I'm the one holding someone who wants to say a few words".
A quick second after this, a tugging was heard followed by what they were sure was a person being shoved against a desk.
Green's eyes widened as his heartlight skipped a beat and he felt like the world was shaking around him as another familiar voice screamed through the speakers. A voice from the very person Green had come here to save.
"GREEN"! Angela screamed. "He's got a gun! Don't come here, please"!
Green looked ahead in the direction where the building they were approaching, but found it to be too hidden from view for him to see into any of the windows. Whatever Edward was doing to her, Green could not see and that terrified him more than the threats of death all around them with the Makutacons all around the city. The fact that Edward had any weapons, which he guessed was a given considering he was a Makutacon, while holding his fiance hostage scared him all the more. With what little knowledge he had of her situation, a lot could be going on. Edward could've been torturing her, experimenting on her, exposing her to all the corpses that littered the streets, he may have just shot her just to give her body an internal bleeding based time limit and Green wouldn't know. Now there was more pressure for Green to get there as quickly as possible before Edward did something to her that could never be healed or taken away.
"ANGELA"! Green screamed. "Don't worry, I'm coming to get you"!
Edward chuckled through the speakers again. "Darn right you are. It's time you and I evened our little score".
Valera: (realizes) That's why that back road was clear. (Turns to the others) He was making a path to insure Green made it to the Tower!
"Of course I did chicken wings". Edward spoke, with an obvious smirk in his voice.
Green glared up at the speakers. "You let her go now"! He threatened.
With each passing second, Green's temper continued to grow worse. There was never any need for Edward to keep Angela after he had done what he had asked. Green had provided the intel that Edward had asked him without fault and to further ensure that Green wouldn't interfere, Edward kept his fiance hostage? 'Big mistake'. Green thought. The second Edward let Angela go, Green was going to make sure he made Edward hurt in whatever way he could. Green already had a gun at his disposal, unfortunately not one with Xtronium alloy bullets but he would make use of it if he found any exposed areas on Edward that weren't covered by Bioformer scrap metal. Bottom line: Green was NOT going to hold back once they were alone. Edward had already lost any chances of that happening the second he had become a Makutacon, now he had only made things worse for himself.
"Sure, just kill me and she's yours". Edward responded. "And nobody else can help you fight me. Can someone help fight the guards? I don't care. Hallways in front of my location are fair game too. But if I see one other Bionicle other than you enter my office, and not even wallpaper will cover the chunks of her brain that will be left all over the walls".
Maybe this hadn't been Edwards initial plan, threatening Green to a one on one duel in order to settle their score. Edward had initially planned to let Green and Angela go in peace so he could watch the planet blow up with them on it. But the second Green had asked for Edwards latter location so that he could kill him, as far as Edward was concerned, the Le-Matoran had sealed his fate. Now Edward was going to trap Green in an area with no Toabots to help him run away or fight, and finish the job he should've on the rooftop to that abandoned city. 'Not like that Le-Matoran stands a chance against me now. He didn't even stand a chance back when I was a Toa. If only Billy hadn't intervened I would've bathed in that persistent Matoran's blood by then. This time, I will not underestimate him. No slow or painful deaths no matter how much I may want to see Green suffer. Just a quick, clean cut to get it over with'.
The silence after the speakers died out was short lived as the building firestorm in Valera finally let loose. "Oh, he did NOT just call me that!" She roared in rage, tongues of fire starting to curl over her body, searing the earth beneath her feet. 'That youngling did not just freaking call ME a freaking CHICKEN!' She seethed. 'When I get my hands on him, he will wish he had never switched sides!'
"Mom, calm down!" Amber yelled, hoping to snap her mother out of her rage. Now was not the time to let Edward have the satisfaction of riling them up.
"Yes, please". Edward stated, audibly enjoying her reaction. "The chicks are getting scared".
"I'll do it, Edward". Green said, deciding to take his attention off of the angered Guardian Toa. "You better be ready".
With that, the speakers shut off, meaning that Edward had been satisfied with Green's answer and was now waiting. Possibly with guards stationed all over the building's interior in case anyone else came with Green. Either that or Edward intended to cheat in yet another deal. It didn't matter regardless. Green was getting to that Makutacon one way or another.
Leaving Amber to cool down her mother, Ava turned her attention back to the Le-Matoran. "Be safe, Green" She said, worry evident in her gaze.
Green nodded, then figuring he could use some Guardian Toa rage at his aid, he turned to Valera. "If you're still upset about that chicken insult, you can help".
Valera flashed him a fanged smile, tight with restricted rage. "I would be honored, Green." She purred, her pupils dilating into onyx slits.
Almost a second later, Billy turned to the sound of dozens of approaching footsteps and war crying. But not from their allies. 'Makutacons'. Billy thought. 'And no Toabots nearby. Guess we'll have to hold the line for Green and Valera as they head in'. This was also no doubt a little hello present from Edward. The fact that these guys were showing up so soon after Edward had ended his call with everyone was in no way a coincidence. With Green having very little back up with him in that building, it would increase Edward's chances at getting a shot at Green with little interruptions and possibly kill his former teammates. If the Toa were killed along with Green, it would be a double win for Edward. 'Clever thought'. Billy thought. 'Too bad we've faced this before and aren't intending to gave up now'.
"Guys, get ready"! Billy ordered.
Amber, Iris, Pow, Z, Maze, Outilisa, and Ava double checked and readied their weapons and ammo, standing next to Billy in battle formation as the footsteps grew louder.
At the same time, Billy tossed an extra sword and handgun with extra cartridges attached to the Le-Matoran, who caught both with ease.
"Go kick his tailpipe". Billy ordered.
Green smiled a little in response to Billy giving him an order as it meant he saw him the same way as, as well as respected him as much as he did his Toa team members. It meant Billy actually trusted Green as a fellow soldier and a friend. With Billy barely ever being a Toa who put up with any nonsense("Though not as bad as Prowl in my opinion". #Z), Green truly saw it as a compliment that Billy considered Green a good enough soldier to boss around as well as giving it in an encouraging way as well. The very fact that the leader of the Toa Voya was even letting Green go without his help also meant that Billy understood why it was truly Green's place to teach the Makutacon a lesson. Edward had betrayed Billy, but he had also taken Greens girl. As far as Billy was concerned, Edward was more so Green's foe for that action. Billy only prayed that if Green had to kill the guy, he would do it in self defense and not out of revenge. With that being the Makutacons main motivation in life, it would make Green no different from them.
Green nodded in response to that order. "Yes sir".
"be safe, young ones. Especially you, Amber" Valera gazes pointedly at her daughter though she knew in her heartlight that it was unnecessary. Amber could take care of herself no problem.
"I will, Mom." Amber smiled, happy to hear those words coming from her. Nodding her head, Valera turned her attention to Pow.
"Take care of her." What went unspoken was the playful threat to Pow should Amber gain so much as a scratch when this was over.
Pow smiled and nodded. "Always".
Valera mirrored his nod and turned to Green. "Shall we?"
"Yep". Green responded.
"Follow me." Was all she said before ascending into the air with a flap of her powerful wings. Once she saw Green in pursuit, she soared down a back street at a steady pace that she knew would be easy for Green to keep up.
Once Green and Valera were out of sight, Billy turned quickly back in the other direction that the others were facing and aimed his arrow sword once more. Billy had no idea how many Makutacons were about to charge them out of the thousands that were already scattered across the city, but he didn't care. Billy was going to lead this extended team through this for as long as he possibly could, both to buy Green some extra time and to get everyone out of this. After all they had been through, no way was Billy letting anyone under his command die. If Billy had to, he would risk his own life to save the rest, but for now he would fight as hard as he possibly could and maybe even help the Toabot army in the process by giving them less Makutacons to worry about.
"Alright, everyone, remember to aim for the eyes". Billy ordered before firing an arrow from his arrow-sword at the first Makutacon that came into view.
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Biomarvel740: The on top of us line is partially inspired from The Walking Dead by Telltale. Also Z's short conversation with Maze is from Ibionicles Standoff on Youtube. Pennywise is owned by Stephen King. Makuta Chirox is owned by Lego.
Galem: Where did you put a Pennywise reference?
Biomarvel740: 'a pennywise dance to humor Pow and Amber'.
Galem: (glares) You actually put that in?! See what happens when you say out loud what you are writing?!
Biomarvel740: (blinks) Calm down please?
Galem: I just got those memes from that scene out of my head.
Biomarvel740: (smirks, finding her annoyance cute)
Galem: (Tackles Biomarvel740)
Biomarvel740: (chuckles, wrestles her gently and pins her down) Give up?
Galem: (smirks) never
Biomarvel740: (pouts) Darn.
Galem: (shoves him off) language. (smirks) plus you know me, I never quit that easily.
Biomarvel740: True. (looks to the readers) What did you all think of the chapter?
Galem: Please leave a review to let us know, or pm either of us if you have any questions.
Biomarvel740: We thank you all for reading-
Galem: and please...
Biomarvel740 and Galem: Have a God-blessed day! XD :D
Galem: (pulls Biomarvel740 out of the room with a smirk)