Bioformers

by Biomarvel740

When a zoo managing matoran runs into an old friend, Green and several others are caught up in a war between the Toabots ,a group of Bioformers who protect all sentient life, and the Makutacons who dream of the death and destruction of all Bionicle and Transformer kind. A war that could decide the very fate of the world as Green knows it. Genre 2 is Spiritual as in Christian.

43. Chapter 42

Lego owns Bionicle, along with the names Ketongu and Jala, Hasbro owns transformers and Galem owns Alyan, Iris, Amber, Diego, Ava and Tali.

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Chapter 42: Celebration

With the sun barely out that night, Paradox was currently working as quickly as he could to build what most Toabots would recognize as a TSB, or a Toabot Signal Beacon. After having a discussion with Turaga Lesovikk, raising the points that if the Makutacons returned, they'd need all the help they could, Paradox was given permission almost instantly. To be honest, Paradox hadn't fully expected Lesovikk to agree as quickly as he did, but he had to admit that he was indeed glad that Lesovikk had agreed to it at all. Deep in his Liark, Paradox knew that this was the right thing to do.

Green and Angela were both leaning against the side of the wooden mansion, Green keeping his arms wrapped around Angela as he smiled happily down into her eyes. Angela did the same, snuggling adorably into Greens arms like an owl would snuggle into its nest. And as both stared happily into each others gaze, they had both started to think about how long they waited just for this to finally happen. Both of them had finally admitted their feelings for each other and were now... well, together, if that was what they'd call this. After everything, and years of patiently waiting for each other, they now had each other to love for what they hoped would be the rest of their lives.

Eventually, Angela decided to crack a joke, telling Green: "Green, I know you think I'm pretty, but please try not to blind yourself in my cuteness".

Green just smiled and laughed in response, then humorously replying: "Sorry, I really can't help it"., causing them both to laugh again before they shared another kiss.

Meanwhile, Armor and War Machine had decided to pass the time by carving a taretboard out of wood and shooting at it in a competitive manner. So far, it was a draw. Many draws actually, some of which had contained a few humor moments like the board flying off from the firepower a couple of times and nearly hitting someone(coughKetongucough!). Something they would enjoy for as long as it was to last. They had all been fighting this war for so long they barely had anything to laugh about, unless Ketongu did something that annoyed the crap out of somebody else. Plus, they both liked to shoot things so why not (XD)?

Golden was busy doing what a kid would normally do in times like this, just walking around, laughing at whatever he saw or heard that he considered was funny. Of course, due to everything currently going on, Green and Angela had both decided to keep a close watch over Golden. Which was as much of a frightening experience for Green as it was one of remembrance. He remembered being that little, and to be honest, he thought he had had a pretty good childhood. Sure, the work he had to help out with was a bit of a bummer, but everything else was pretty good. There was no one to pick on him or tease him or make his life a living heck, and he would do his best to make sure his little brother have the same kind of life. And as Angela smiled at Golden running around like nobody's business, she made the same decision.

Tali sat on a bench, thinking the news over in her head. "I'm really glad that the Bioformers have been accepted." She muttered to herself. She smiled softly as she remembered something. "Now Diego and Amber don't have to worry so much." Boy was that a relief. Finally, those two can actually relax. She had no doubt that they felt like the world had just been taken off their shoulders, Diego's more than Amber's. Movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention and she turned to see Rack and Golden.

"Golden Freddy"?, Rack teased.

Golden let out an aggravated murmur, making Rack chuckle, as he responded: "No, it's GOLDEN".

"That's what I said, Golden Freddy"., Rack continued to tease, making Golden face palm.

Did he REALLY not know how to say a simple name?!, Golden thought. Seriously, was he kidding?!

Tali put a hand over her mouth to muffle the giggles upon hearing Rack messing up Golden's name. Calming down, she looked around the area. "Hmm, I wonder where Mom and Dad are." She got up to go find them when she heard a familiar voice call from up ahead. Curious, she slowly walked over, unsure of what or who she would find. Turning the corner, she froze with wide, tearful eyes as she saw Gahu's smiling form standing a long distance away, but close enough for her to see him. She smiled back as she wiped away the tears from her eyes, wishing she could run into his arms like she used to. Before her thoughts could go down memory lane, a voice called out behind her, causing her to look back to see Ava running up to her.

"Hey, Tali!" Ava beamed. "They're going to start the party soon! Come on, everyone's waiting!"

Tali smiled back at her friend and gestured her to go on. "You go on. I'll be there in a minute."

Ava paused. Usually, Tali would be ecstatic to race her towards a party, laughing with all smiles. Yet now, she sounded...what's the word?...tired? heavyhearted? Ava couldn't put a finger on it but she knew something was up. But she also knew that Tali always kept her promises so she'd find out what was up later. With that in mind, Ava turned to leave, but not before making one more friendly jab at Tali.

"You better be, girl. I couldn't help but notice a certain Autobot was looking for you." With that, Ava ran back, giggling. Tali blushed a bit, having a good idea who Ava was talking about and rolled her eyes at her friend's receding back. Turning back, she looked one more time at her brother's form.

"I love you, Gahu."

The spirit of her brother gave her a loving smile, speaking to her mind: "I love you too sis"., before smiling happily up at the sky and forming into a golden mist that shoot up into the sky like a comet.

Tears well in Tali's eyes but she never takes her gaze off of the golden mist. She watches as it goes up to heaven, smiling through her tears. "See ya later, bro."

As Green continued to smile into Angelas eyes, keeping his arms around her, he noticed his dad start to approach from the corner of his eye, looking like he really wanted to talk. Green gave Angela another kiss before lightly releasing her and walking to Jala, Angela watching closely with a worried expression. After all that had just happened today, would Green really be in the mood to talk with him? Or better yet, how wouldn't he? Had he truly let go of all of that anger like he had told Angela moments earlier. A bit unsure of the answer, Angela immediately bowed her head to pray that this discussion, regardless of what it would be about, would end positively.

Alyan watched the two quietly, unsure what was going to happen. Amber saw Angela praying and looks worriedly to the two, hoping that whatever it was, wouldn't mess up the day. She leaned closer to Diego, who rested a calming hand on her shoulder. He, too, was unsure of what was going on and could only hope for the best.

As Turaga Jala took careful steps towards his son, a massive amount of regret was starting to pass through his head. How COULDN'T he be regretful about all that had happened? He had close to literally betrayed his own son by trusting a Toa of Earth more. He put him in a CAGE because of that cursed traitor! Not only that, but he nearly ordered an execution of someone who only wanted to help them. To protect them. These past two days, he'd been nothing but judging, not seeing the errors in his ways, until one of them saved him from death. Jala looked down a bit more, thinking: how could they ever forgive me, after all I've done?

Both stopped then, upon getting within talking distance, just staring silently across from each other for a while until Jala said: "Son, I know I've been a massive crap hole lately, but after what Paradox did, and said, and after everything that's happened today, I finally see what you say when you say they can be trusted". "I'll never doubt them again". Then holding out his hand, saying: "I'm deeply sorry son".

Green decided to have a little fun with his dad, responding: "You think a handshake is going to make up for this"?, then waiting a few seconds before Jala started to look away. Green then gave a sly smile, then saying: "Come here, you can do better than that"., then opening his arms.

Jala quickly looked to him, relieved that he was only kidding as they both walked to each other with a laugh, sharring a hug as Jala made a silent prayer, thanking The Lord for the change his son had made today in his life.

Then pulling back, Green asked him: "I had you, didn't I"?

Jala just rolled his eyes with a smile. Ai., Jala thought. If it wasn't pranks, it was some form of a gotchya conversation. To be honest, his mother always had a different reaction towards some of them while as Jala would just laugh hysterically. The look Greens mom had on her face when he tried to make her think he had gotten a girl pregnant was priceless! And he would've reminded him of that if he didn't see any of the other Toa nearby. Knowing well how some Toa were, they'd probably tease him about it for a while.

Diego chuckled softly and muttered, "Totally."

Ava giggled gently as she walked up to stand by Iris. "I knew you were joking." To which Iris rolled her eyes.

"Could've fooled me."

Robert stopped as he was passing by, hearing enough of the conversation to understand what was going on as he responded: "Oh, I'd say he's a natural joke-spitter".

Maze gave Robert a look, asking: "What do jokes and "being natural" have in common"?

"(cough) theyrebothstudiedbynerds(cough)"., Pow jokingly responded, giving Maze a smile to let him know he was kidding.

Maze let out a small chuckle upon then realizing that Pow was only kidding.

Iris snickered a bit, catching onto the joke.

Amber, however, looked over at them with a raised eyebrow, "Got something stuck in your throat, Pow?"

Pow looked quickly over to Amber, widening his eyes. Who was she?!, he thought. She's so beautiful! Pow tilted his head a bit, changing the look on his face to one of concern, noticing that there had been a bit of anger in both her melodic voice and in her beautiful mask. But what was wrong with her?, Pow wondered. Did she take any offense towards his joke, thinking that it was aimed at Maze in a negative manner? Cause nerd was just a nickname for Maze, one that he had actually chosen for himself.

Maze just put a hand on Ambers shoulder, telling her: "Hey, it's alright". "I actually consider that pretty funny myself". "And Nerd as a compliment".

Amber silently growled to herself at the word "nerd". 'Maybe for you it is.' her thoughts snarled as she looked away. 'But not to me.'

Golden quickly approached the group, asking the group: "What about Nerf"?, leading to an uproar of laughter from each of the Toa and Transformer.

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Later that day, as the sun's light was disappearing bit by bit to reveal the night sky, stars and constellations becoming viewable. As Green and Angela laid down together in the grass, looking up at the stars and their shine, thoughts had started to come into his mind. Thoughts over everything he had done. He had practically dragged her into this war, lied to her, broke promises. Green turned his head to his left side, looking at Angela as she laid happily in his arms, her head on his chest with a bright smile. Green looked back up at the sky for a second, letting the thoughts flow through his mind as he let a tear slide out, thinking of how much he thought he didn't deserve her.

He looked back at her then when he noticed her hugging him and resting the side of her head on his chest, eyes closed and a beautiful smile as the moonlight reflected off of her mask.

"I'm so glad you told me how you felt"., Angela told him. "I think we'd both be a little lost without the other".

Green chuckled, replying: "Yeah, I can definitely agree to that".

Angela responded with a bigger smile, snuggling her head into Greens arms as he suddenly asked: "Hey Ange"?

"Mhm"?, Angela asked, keeping her head on Greens chest.

Then looking sadly up at the night sky, Green responded with the only thing he could say in that moment: "I'm sorry".

Confused, Angela turned herself in Greens arm, not stopping until she was on her belly and facing Green. Sorry?, Angela wondered. What on earth had he done that was so wrong to her? As far as she was concerned, he had done more good for her than bad. He always made sure she got a decent pay for all of the work she provided, he made her feel like she was making the right choice after her parents scolded her for dropping out for him, and now, he was treating her like someone really cared for her, which he did. Bearing all of this in mind, it begged the question as to why he had even said. Did he not know all of this himself? If so, what was he apologizing for? Or was this another prank just to see how she'd react? The sad look on his pakari seemed to prove otherwise, but that didn't mean he wasn't kidding either. Did it?

Eventually, she just got tired of asking herself all of these questions and asked him: "Sorry for what"? Jokingly adding: "Making me happy"?, hoping to get him to laugh a bit.

But the expression on Green's mask didn't change a bit as he then responded: "For remaining and not telling you how I felt". "I'm sorry for breaking the promise I kept in that upper room before I was token away by Edward and his friends". "I'm sorry for getting you involved in this war". Then looking to Angela: "At any point, you could've died and it would've been my fault". "Truth be told, I don't think I'll ever be able to apologize enough for that".

Angela widened her eyes the second Green had finished that sentence. Was he serious?!, she thought. Was he seriously trying to apologize for THAT?! None of that was his fault, so why was he blaming himself for it?! SHE was the one who walked into that area when Green was running from that fight, it was a coincidence if it were his fault at all! As for not telling her how he felt, she didn't really blame him. She KNEW why he didn't want to say anything to her, and as much sense as it made, and as much as it had brought pain to her light in the past, she still forgave him! She always had and she always would!

But, in also being overall overwhelmed by his apology, she gave him a light kiss on the cheek of his green pakari and replied: "Oh Green, I've already forgiven you for all of that". "Everything you said is true, yes, but never, will that ever mean that I've lost my feelings for you". Then placing a hand on the left side of his pakari, Angela continued: "Besides that, Jesus forgave you too, all of those years ago on a wooden cross". "If we're going to follow Jesus the right way, let's also do so by forgiving everyone who does this kind of stuff to us, Alright"? "Holding onto the past never helped anyone".

At first, Green was a little taken back by Angela's response to his long apology at first, wondering just how it was that the love of his life was this accepting of him and everything he had done. But then again, he guessed it was all for the better that she did, especially after everything that had happened to lead up to this moment. Here he was, a Le-matoran who held so much anger towards his parents for everything they had done, but as these past few days had progressed, he had learned just what forgiveness really was, and the power the word had.

How COULDN'T that word have power anyways? Forgiveness and the redemption for every soul on this earth, should they have chosen to accept the word, was what Jesus had achieved on the cross, and through all of the suffering he had endured. Jesus had been beaten, spit on, humiliated, whipped to the point where his back tore, had a crown of thorns shoved on his head, was smacked with a wooden stick, was forced to carry a cross up to a mountain, and was nailed to it as he continued to bleed. Not just for their sins, but for the sins of the world. So that none of us had to pay the price for our own sins. It was because of him, that everyone could be forgiven, regardless of who they were or what they did.

Green just smiled at her then, replying: " You're right. We wouldn't be alive in the soul without his sacrifice, all the pain he suffered. Let's repay it with thanks and kindness and forgiveness from now on. It's what we SHOULD do, right"?

Angela just hugged Green as she then replied: "Right"., a smile never leaving her face.

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Hearing the sound of laughter, Tali turned her head to see Green and Angela together. A soft smile appeared on her face at the sight. "They look so happy together." She muttered quietly to herself. She glaces up at the sky. "Someday. Someday, I'll find Mr. Right." She looks back at the two Matoran and quietly chuckled. "Or, as Mom would say, he will find me." As she continued to watch her friends, her mind wandered, wondering who was her Mr. Right. How would she meet him? Where would she meet him? Would he recognize her? Would she recognize him? These and about a hundred other questions were brought to a screeching halt, literally, when a nearby mic briefly screeched, causing Tali to cringe for a moment. Turning to the direction of the sound, she saw Ops standing in front of the mic with Billy on the guitar and Outilisa standing near them.

After sending a smiling glance in Talis direction, Ops turned to face a gathering crowd and shouted: "Hey everybody, it's nice celebrating the Toabot victory and all, but how about we give a little something to The Lord, for his forgiveness through Jesus Christ"?!

Tali grinned brightly and started clapping her hands when she heard several, very familiar voices. Glancing to the side, she saw her teammates scattered amongst her new friends, cheering as well. The very second the clapping and cheering died down, Billy started to play a slow, hopeful and familiar tune on his guitar. Outilisa followed with a vocal tune that added to the emotion of the music behind Billys guitar, the vocalizing sounding so beautiful in her husbands ears that he nearly dropped his guitar and stopped playing. Ops waited for the starting music to stop and for the now cheering crowd to die down a bit before raising the mic to his face and singing:

"In Christ alone, my hope is found.

He is my light, my strength, my song.

This cornerstone, this solid ground.

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace.

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease,

My comforter, my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand"!

Paradox smiled to himself as he heard the song Ops had started to sing, more than happy that they were giving Jesus the glory of their victory as he quietly said to himself: "Amen".

The second Ops began to sing, Tali's jaw dropped. Quickly covering it with her hands, she continued to stare wide eyed at him. She had no idea he could sing! Especially, like that! And she wasn't the only one thinking that. Closer to the stage, Ava whispered to Diego.

"Whoa, Ops' good!"

Diego nodded. "No kidding."

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by ones he came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on him was laid

Here in the death of Christ, I live.

Green smiled brightly as the song continued, thinking of all of the hope Jesus truly gave when one thought of him. All that pain he had suffered. And it was so all of us would have the chance to an eternal peace of indescribable beauty. An eternal place that would be filled with no crying or pain or suffering. As Green continued to think happily of this, he lowered his head with a growing smile, giving his eternal king a silent prayer filled with many thank yous.

Glancing to the side, Ava noticed Tali slightly swaying to the music. It took only a second for her to recognize the soft movements as part of a more elaborate dance, one that they had done many times in their childhood. Moving over to her, she leaned and whispered in her ear. "Do you remember the dance that we used to do to this song in church when we were kids?"

Tali paused in her movements and looked at Ava, her eyes looking a bit scared. "Vaguely. But you know I don't feel comfortable in front of a crowd."

Ava nodded. She knew her friend was absolutely terrified of performing in front of crowds which was why she downplayed her abilities and said that what she said, even though she remembered the whole thing step by step. But still, Ava nodded and backed off, dropping the subject.

"That's okay. I was just curious." She smiled in reassurance before turning back to the stage.

Ops continued: "There in the ground, his body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain"., then singing louder: "Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave, he rose again"!

A few of the Toa in the crowd immediately made short exclamations in loud and extremely proud agreement.

"And as he stands in victory

Sins curse has lost it's grip in me

For I am his and he is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ"!

Billy played the tune on his guitar in higher notes then, Outilisa vocalising louder as well as Ops continued to sing, starting to think of Gahu as he sang these next lyrics:

"No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me.

From life's first cry, to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny"!

"And we 're proud of it"!, Armor shouted in the commotion, even now happy for the purpose God had given for him and the rest of the Toabots.

"Hallelujah!" Amber grinned happily, silently thanking God for His guiding hand in her life and in the lives of her friends and family. Tali simply raised her hands to the heavens, a brightly smile on her face as she quickly thought of her brother, then of her family and friends and she could not hold back the joy that rolled down her face. Ava also raised her hands and started to bounce lightly on her feet with the joy that welled in her light while Diego looked up happily at the sky and whispered a prayer of thanks to God for all He had done for them and what He was going to do in the future.

"No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from his hand

Till he returns or calls me home..., then stopping as he felt the energy pass powerfully through the crowd, Ops looked to them, shouting: "Everyone"?!

And indeed he was right as he heard every single Toa, matoran, Turaga and Autobot in the crowd cheer on the grass, everyone sitting on the ground. As the rest of the crowed cheered, Ketongu remained silent with a big smirk on his face. As the loud and joyful cheering and shouting finally started to die down, Armor noticed Ketongus grin, feeling the urge to take one of his cannons and chuck it at his cyclops head upon realizing that he was about to pull something off.

As the crowds then got silent, and as Ketongu started to sound, Armor started to warn: " I swear if you-"

But Armor was unable to finish as Ketongu pressed a button on the radio on his chest, which immediately interrupted Armors sentence with:

"And all the people said Amen"!

Tali knew she should've been upset at Ketongu about that, but she could not resist the giggles that spilled out of her. Amber was no better, she was on her back laughing out loud. Behind her, Alyan was trying to hide his snickers behind his hands and Diego had his hand to his face, covering it but unable to hide the wide smile. This just made Tali's giggles worse.

Paradox stood next, looking to the others as he said: "And evidently still will". Paradox then gave them all a kind smile before then asking them: "Seeing as we will all be standing together in the name of Christ, may I show you all something the Turagas lead scientists made for us"?

Billy nodded, notioning for the other Toa, Turaga, Autobots and matoran to follow as Paradox began to lead them down a dirt path past the numerous cage. As Tali began to follow them as well, Ketongu caught up with her, then teasingly asking her: "Hey, would you just so happen to know if I end up being the best man"?

A quick image of Ketongu in a tux nearly had her laughing and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand to hide it. "Sorry, Key, I wouldn't." a part of her asked why Key was asking her about this. This was the sort of thing he would have to ask Green about, not her. She smiled up at Keytongu. "Though, I wouldn't be surprised if you did." After all, Ketongu and Green were friends. Surely Green would make him his best man.

Ketongu immediately chuckled at this, then teasing: "Oh so you DO like him then".

Tali stopped and looked up at him in confusion. "Wha...? She thought over the conversation. What did he mean? Who was he talking about? She didn't like Green, well, not in THAT sense of the word. so then who...Suddenly, her eyes widened as she remembered the teasing in the alley when they had first met and she blushed fiercely. Ketongu had not been talking about Green at all!

"I thought you were talking about Green!" she groaned as she hid her face in her hands, completely embarrassed. "Oh man."

Then teasingly wrapping an arm over the Ga-Toa's shoulders, Ketongu told her: "Hey, like I said earlier, there's nothing to be embarrassed about if you and Ops DO end up getting together". Then jokingly adding in: "But as far as Green is concerned, I'm going to have a very serious conversation with him tomorrow about "safety"". Then hearing footsteps in the distance, Ketongu looked to his side, seeing Ops make a happy approach, then whispering in Tali's ear: "Here comes your boyfriend"., walking away with a Sly grin.

At the word "boyfriend", Tali quikly turned her head at him and glared, wanting to shout, "He's not my boyfriend", at the Toabot. But she stopped herself the second she saw Ops and felt her anger melt away. Smiling at Ops, she greeted him, the conversation with Ketongu forgotten.

"Hi, Ops!" She waved at him. "You sounded great up there. I didn't know you could sing!"

Ops waved back, feeling his spark shine brighter as he continued looking at her, secretly admiring her dream-like beauty as he happily responded: "Well in seeing how good you could sing, I thought: why not surprise her"? "She already shared one of her secrets, why not share one of mine"?

Ops almost facepalmed there as he thought to himself: Was I really talking to her like that? Like we were boyfriend and girlfriend? Sure, as he stared at her AMAZING features, he wished for it more and more. Matter of fact, every time he heard her voice, it brought a bright smile to his face. Man!, Ops thought. If he didn't know any better, he'd assume meeting Tali was love at first sight. By why waste time in telling her that? With that recent vision of Z still in his head, he knew it'd only put her in too much danger. That, and he personally believed that she deserved someone better than him. Someone who, when this war was over, could actually keep her safe.

Tali blushed a bit at his words. She was still getting used to him complementing her singing. "Well, it was a wonderful surprise. I enjoyed it." She smiled at him. 'Why am I smiling so much?' she thought to herself. 'I can't seem to stop. I never smile this much, even around my friends.' But, try as she might, she could not stop the grin on her face.

Ops noticed this smile and was about to jokingly ask if she enjoyed it "that much". But when he saw the blush that had also appeared on the front of her mask, he decided to drop it. If she was blushing about what he said, then she probably didn't like him as much as he liked her. She was more beautiful than him in every way after all. She was very attractive, she was also highly skilled like he was and she even seemed to possess a wisdom that he should've gotten from all of his wise teachings from Optimus, AKA, his dad. But regardless of how amazed he was by her, he just couldn't risk putting her in harms way, regardless of how much it would hurt either of them. Instead, Ops decided to have a bit of fun and make her laugh a bit.

Then looking up at the star-filled night sky, Ops just pointed to a random set of stars and asked her: "Hey, you know what that constellation up there is"?

Thankful for the change of topic, Tali looked up to where he was pointing and tried to see if she recognized the stars. Sadly, she couldn't put them into a noticeable pattern. "Umm, no. Not really" She admitted sadly. She had read many books growing up about the constellations and the stories behind them so it disappointed her a bit that she couldn't remember it.

"Oh well, Me neither, I just wanted to know if you knew"., Ops jokingly responded, a smirk on his face.

That made Tali chuckle a bit and she was about to roll her eyes when she noticed another constellation near the one Ops had pointed out. One that she knew. Smiling, she pointed to it. "But I do know that one."

Ops followed Tali's pointer finger, looking up at a large and widely known constellation, then jokingly responding: "Oh really, what is it, the big diaper"?

Tali really had to fight to not facepalm. 'Ai, yi, yi,' she thought. 'Where does he come up with these things?' Glancing at the sky again, she saw that he was looking over to the right of where she was looking. "Silly." She giggled. "It's called the Big Dipper and no, that's not the constellation I'm looking at." She pointed again. "That's Orion, the Hunter. You can tell by the three stars that make up his belt."

"Oh"., Ops simply responded. Then jokingly saying: "I'd ask why you're trying to give me the mental image of a belt-(a mental face palm. Get your head out of the gutter Ops!), then finishing with a more serious tone: -but I guess what I'd really like to ask is: is it supposed to mean something"? "Like, was it given a broad definition when it was discovered"?

Surely there was., Ops thought. Every time any human had found anything, regardless of whether it was on the ground or in the sky, they had to give it a name of some form of significance. Not to say that it was a bad thing though. For if it were a bad thing at all, than it was worse on his part for not knowing if there really was a significance behind anything discovered by any race. In each of the races histories, they had all continued to find something that they all felt the need to describe. It was a common trait among most all sentient beings. So again, that should've been obvious to him.

Tali smiled softly as she recalled what her knew of Orion. "The Greeks believed Orion to be a mighty Hunter who was immortalized after his death by a sting from Scorpio the scorpion, who you can see near him. But I like to study on the biblical meaning of the zodiac. And if you look closely at the drawings of Orion and Scorpio, you'll see that Orion's foot is directly over Scorpio's head while the scorpion's tail is aimed for Orion's heel." She glanced over at Ops. "Sound familiar?"

Then remembering the biblical teachings from his dad from ages 5-18(in human years), he responded: "The snake shall strike your heel, while you shall crush it's head". Then looking to Tali, he asked: "Something like that, right"?

Tali nodded. "Exactly." Another fact popped into her head. "Oh, here's another cool, constellation fact. The Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, always rises over Jerusalem."

As Ops optics had finally found what Tali was pointing at, he responded: "That's actually really cool".

But after that, Ops couldn't help but look nervously to his left side, a bit embarrassed that he didn't know as much about these constellations as Tali did. Man-, Ops thought as he looked back over at her as she continued looking up at the night sky:- surely ANYONE would be lucky to have someone like her, which someone more than likely did. How could no one else have noticed it?! She was smart, beautiful, kind, supportive and filled with a light-hearted nature that Ops really couldn't help but love. But again, if there was someone for her, surely he would be better than him. Ops looked down hopelessly for a second, thinking of just how hopeless it would be to actually earn someone like her. For someone like her to love someone like him, especially now. After all, he had let her brother die (in a way) when he could've stopped it! A scar he would have to bear for the rest of his life. Surely another reason why she would never love him the way he already loved her.

Then spotting the same constellation from earlier, and remembering a story his mom and dad had both told him when he was younger, he pointed back to it, asking: "Hey, what's the name of that constellation again"?

Shaken out of her stargazing, Tali looked back at Ops. "Hmm?" She followed his gaze. "Oh, that's the Big Dipper. I don't know why it got that name when it's real name is Ursa Major, the Big Bear." 'Stop it!' Part of her screamed as she talked. 'You're talking too much! Stop!' 'Just let me finish this.' The other part of her replied. "But I do know that back in Bible time, that was known as the Greater Sheepfold, the place where the vast multitudes of the numbered, guarded, protected, redeemed and ransomed people of God were gathered." She pressed her lips together to stop herself from saying anything more. 'Nice going.' the first part of her muttered. 'Just because you know all that stuff, does not mean he is interested to hear it. Honestly, girl! You have got to control yourself a bit more!'

Ops smiled up at this constellation upon hearing this story, then telling her: "Well from what my dad told me, there's a multitude of stories in it". "One of them being it gave a path to freedom for escaped slaves to follow during the civil war". Then looking to Tali a bit: "But when I was younger, my dad told me that it had effected him in a pretty big way".

Tali looked at him and tilted her head to the side, curious. "Really? How so?"

Smiling at Tali's sudden interest, and trying to remember everything they had said, Ops responded: "He told me it led him to Elita-1, my mother". "He said he knew it was a sign of some sort because when he was Orion Pax, he had decided to follow it and ended up practically bumping into her"., a chuckle escaped his now exposed metallic lips. "He even told me that it had just disappeared when he looked up for it again, like it had already led him where he needed to be".

Blinking in surprise, Tali looked back up at the constellation, letting Ops' words sink in. "Huh, I've never heard of the Dipper to do that before." Just as she said that, she saw the Northern Star wink at her before the whole constellation disappeared. Tali's eyes widened in shock. 'What just happened?' she thought. Ops words came back to her and she mentally shook her head. 'Oh, come on! That was Optimus! Surely this has nothing to do with that...right?'

Ops's eyes completely widened then, almost starting to wonder if God had told him that Tali was his soon to be life partner. Ops shook his head then, thinking there was no way that the idea of them being together now was in the least bit logical. Not that he doubted the creator of everything (which he didn't), he just thought that it would be unwise to assume this upon the instance of seeing the big gourd-dipper...urg! Upon just seeing it disappear like that. Surely there was another explanation behind this! Then again, he did make a prayer when he was little that the same thing would happen to him when he ended up finding his destined life partner. But either way, he had to consider other possibilities, considering the fact that he didn't think that he even deserved someone as good as her in his life.

Ops immediately pushed these thoughts aside, then joking: "Well, I guess somebody out there's got power issues".

Tension broken, Tali giggled. "I guess so." The thought came back up in her head and she blushed lightly as she forced it back down.

So caught up in all of the Ga-Toas laughter then, Ops continued: "Hey Nocturn, you getting enough to eat up there"!?

Tali laughed a bit harder and shook her head at him. Then, without even thinking about it, she let her playful side out and nudged his arm.

"Hey"., Ops told her, then responding by playfully nudging Tali back with a growing smile.

Tali swallowed her laughter and gave him an innocent smile, though her eyes were sparkling with mischief. "What?" She nudged him again.

Ops gave another playful nudge, happily responding: "Stop it".

Holding her hands out of sight behind her back, Tali tilted her head to the side as if she was thinking. "Mmmm..." She took a step to the side and quickly threw the water ball she had formed in her hand behind her back at Ops' chest. She grinned brightly. "No."

Ops just silently looked down at the water on his chest at first, before letting out a fit of laughter, and then looking back at Tali as he brightly smiled and said: "Oh, you're REALLY going to get it now". "Come here"!

In that very same moment, Ops instantly grabbed Tali by the waist with his left arm, being sure to hold her tightly enough not to hurt her in any way, before then making a quick scan of her tickle spots. Of course, he was hoping that the scan would be quick so that Tali wouldn't think he was making a flirt-move, as Robert would call it. Within seconds, his optic sensors spotted massive tickle spots on her neck, belly and on her feet. Ops immediately rushed his right hand at Tali's neck, to fast for her to stop before then beginning to tickle the sides of Tali's neck.

Tali burst out in squeals of laughter as she tried to escape the tickle attack. But finding herself securely trapped, she pleaded. "Hahaha! Ops, plehehehese! I give, I give!"

Ops stopped for a second, making himself look like he was in thought, then smiling at her and replying: "I don't believe you"., before continuing to tickling her, the fingers on his right hand instantly tickling Tali in the belly.

Tali did not had a chance to even be shocked that that had not worked as she began laughing again. She kept trying to find a way out of his grasp and after a few minutes, she started the feel her chest starting to hurt, a sign that she was running out of breath. That set her mind back on track and it gave her the one idea that had any hope to stop the tickles. 'If you can't get away from it,' she thought.' Then you have to go towards it.' Mustering as much focus as she could, she slipped her foot behind Ops' and gave a small jerk backwards, putting all her weight against him to push him backwards, resulting in her being on top of him. 'Not the best idea.' she mused. 'But at least he's not tickling me any more.'

As Ops fell on his back, Tali on top of him, He and Tali both began to burst out laughing, caught intensely up on both the humor of what had just happened, and the happiness they both felt around each other. But then that second thing had become a primary thought in Ops's thought processors, causing his laughter to fade a bit as he looked silently up at the beautiful Ga-toa on top of him. He couldn't help it now as he continued staring, he was just too amazed by how truly gorgeous The Lord had made her. Seriously, she must've had a boyfriend out there somewhere. Someone as beautiful as HER being single?! The thought made him want to laugh more, it was impossible! But then again, regardless of how little chance her being single truly was, there was still the chance of it, right? A part of him had begun to pray so.

Tali's laughter calmed down as exhaustion set it. She had never laughed that hard before in years and it felt good, to be honest. Without thinking, she rested her head on his shoulder with a smile and closed her eyes, letting her body relax and sleep take over. But just before she went under, a thought crossed her mind. 'I like his laugh.'

Ops's optics completely widened at not only this action, but also at the beauty she held when she slept. He just wanted to kiss the top of her mask right there and then as the moonlight reflected off of the armor on her mask and back. He began to smile then, thinking of how much The Lord had truly blessed her with her amazing looks. Honestly, he couldn't think of anyone he had ever seen who was more beautiful than she was. Sure, he had dated before, but every single one of those other girls had some sort of flaw that just didn't work or made his spark realize that he had once again chosen wrong. And after all of the spark-breaks he had just decided to give up on a romantic type of love ever happening at all. But now that SHE was here, he wasn't sure if he had made the right choice on giving up on it at all.

I mean, LOOK AT HER!, Ops thought. She has to be the most beautiful femme of all, and not just in her looks. If there was one thing that he loved more than her looks, it was who she was. She was cheerful, supportive, honest, funny and compassionate. She was there with Billy when Ops was about to go into a panic attack, and that more than proved to him that she wasn't one to just stand back as someone else remained alone and in some form of pain. And that was the kind of person, though he really didn't deserve her, that he really, REALLY wanted. Even now as he wrapped his arms comfortingly around her, and looking up at the sky, thinking now of the beauty that God put in everything that he made.

Ops almost gave himself a facepalm there, thinking to himself: Just what am I doing?! She was gonna think he was some sort of love-sick creep! And the worse part was, he wouldn't be able to do a thing to stop her from thinking otherwise if she did. Better yet, what if she wasn't really asleep right now, and still just a short bit awake, thinking desperately now of getting away from him?! Or better so, what if she was asleep right now? What if she was just one of those people who just fell asleep quicker than most others and was currently unaware of it. Either way, he had to find out.

"Uhh.. Tali"?, Ops asked her, hoping now that she was asleep.

Though a deep sleeper, Tali awoke to the sound on his voice and slowly opened her eyes, still a little tired. "Mmm?"

Ops's eyes almost widened before reverting back to normal as he tried to keep a normal face and humorously asked her: "Do you think I'm a jerk for just now waking you up"?, adding in a playful smile.

Blinking back the haze of sleep, she thought over his question and shook her head, smiling softly. "No, not at all. Why?"

Ops blinked a little in surprise before then trying to put on a humor face and jokingly responded: "Because you looked like you were REALLY enjoying sleeping on top of me with my arms around you".

Before she could think further on it, she replied. "Well, I'm awake now and still enjoying it." She mentally facepalmed. 'What in the world?! Are you crazy? He could have a girlfriend somewhere, you know. Now, he'll think that you're flirting with him!'

Ops felt a hot blush start to conquer his faceplate then as he responded: "I uh... I don't know what to say to that".

Another mental face-palm. Smooth Ops. Really smooth, now you REALLY sound like a freak... on STEROIDS.

Tali chuckled a bit a the sight of Ops blushing before laying her head on his shoulder again. She did admit, it felt nice being in his arms. It gave her the sense of security, that she was safe and as long as she remained with him, nothing was going to hurt her. 'You're getting attached to him. Stop it. He might have a girlfriend. Quit thinking about him.' Quickly, she turned her thoughts to a song to stop the thoughts in her head and started humming.

As Ops heard the soft tune that Tali was humming, he had started to smile brightly, becoming seemingly intoxicated by the smoothness and rhythm of her humming. Man., Ops thought. Who knew that humming could be such a beautiful art? Such an AMAZING art? In that moment, Ops seemed to lose self consciousness and started to move his forehead closer to hers, feeling his spark beack harder and faster. Ops had to stop this almost immediately once he noticed Tali looking back up at him with a face of half confusion.

Ops just scratched the antennas on his audio receptors and nervously said: "I uh, I couldn't hear the tune good enough". "Sorry"?

Tali just smiled in response and started to softly sing the lyrics.

"I wonder what God was thinking

When He created you

I wonder if He knew everything I would need

Because He made all my dreams come true

When God made you

He must have been thinking about me".

Ops immediately started to blush again, trying as hard as he could to hide it with a smile. He recognized the song perfectly, and he knew it was supposed to be a romance song. Was Tali sort of... hitting on him? Ops mentally shook his head. No. There was no way that Tali liked him like that. As a friend, yeah of course, that made more than enough sense by now. But as a life partner? No, there were more than enough other male Toa out there for her. Now that he really thought about it, she was probably doing this to tease him for making her sing angel by Casting Crowns. Right? I mean, what else could it be?, Ops thought.

Tali closed her eyes as she continued singing. "I promise that wherever you may go

Wherever life may lead you

With all my heart I'll be there too

From this moment on I want you to know

I'll let nothing come between us

And I will love the ones you love

Now gone are all my questions about why

And I've never been so sure of anything

In my life"

Ops widened his eyes more then, completely confused and at the same time, wishing that he was hearing this the way that he wanted to hear it. But he still couldn't help but be amazed by her melodic, beautiful and peaceful voice. Never before had he heard any other femme sing and look as beautiful as she did, and it made his start to focus a bit more on her as a whole as he started to think: Whoa. Just my first day getting to know her and already, I feel like I REALLY lo-... No., he thought to himself. You were NOT just about to think THAT. His face-plate immediately turned red all over as he tried harder now to keep a straight face.

Tali kept her focus on the song while fighting the blush that threatened to creep up her cheeks. Seriously, of all songs she had to pick her parents favorite?

"He must have heard every prayer I've been praying

Yes He knew everything I would need

When God made you

He must have been thinking about me"

As Tali had then finished that song, Ops laid his head down to face right, smiling a bit more at what had just happened. Though he could never have her, he couldn't help but try to imagine a future with her. He let out a sigh then. If only it were truly possible that she was single. And even if she really was, there was still the risk that Z would get to her. All they had to do was tell each other and Z would more than likely shoot Tali right there and then, while they were both caught up in the moment. And it would be all of his fault.

But then as Ops realized that there were a number of mixed colors crowded together right where he was looking, he immediately began to blush hotter, saying: "Uh, Tali"?, notioning to his right side.

Opening her eyes, Tali looked over at Ops then to where he was looking and quickly scrambled to her feet, eyes wide and her face completely red. There, watching them with grins, was all their friends. Panic filled Tali and she began to shake as she realized there was a good chance they had seen and heard everything. She had a choice: fight or flight, and she chose flight. Turning on her heel, she fled the scene as fast as her feet could take her.

Ops's optics immediately widened in fear, afraid now that Tali was going to run into Z or something dangerous as he jumped to his feet and took off running after her, worriedly screaming: "Tali wait"!

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Tali had no idea where she was going, all she knew was that she had to get as far away from the others as possible. Her mind blank and numb with fright, she relied on instinct and let her feet take her down random paths that had sharp turns. Several, she avoided easily, but others...not so easily. Due to the speed she was going, she didn't clear the turns and rammed her shoulder into two of them but she didn't acknowledge them. She kept running until she came to an empty alley. Feeling that she had gone far enough and that there was no way anyone would find her, she stopped and slumped against the wall, her legs shaking from the lack of adrenaline. She hissed slightly as she grasped her shoulder, the pain making its presence known, as she fought to calm down her pounding light.

Finally spotting her, Paradox silently flew next to her, trying to be sure not to scare her, then transforming to Toa mode before landing in a standing posture and carefully looking her over before slowly approaching her. In almost an instant, Tali's head moved in his direction, still looking a bit scared. Paradox stopped in his tracks, flipped his lightning arm-blades back as he raised his hands reassuringly and told her: "It is alright, I am not going to hurt you". "All I want to know is why you ran away like that". "That is all".

Tali swallowed and managed to stutter out. "P...Panic attack. Always had them." Her voice grew steadier as she continued. "I can't stand it when people stare at me. I feel cornered, trapped, one false move and I'm a disgrace." Memories filled her mind of past situations that had convinced her of this and it brought tears to her eyes. "That's why I don't sing or dance in public. I don't want to make a fool of myself, I don't want to be ridiculed. I...I just...can't." Unable to find any more words to explain her reason, she buried her face into her hands to hide the tears brought on by old memories.

As Paradox had then started to notice Tali crying, he had started to gain a memory himself. It wasn't really a memory of pain from his side, but he understood this situation well from having been witness to it once. But regardless of whether or not this situation wielded emotional pain, Paradox was never one to stand back and let anyone suffer anything alone. Even when his life was at risk, he would always try the best he could to be there for others whenever they needed someone. And he wasn't about to stop that now.

Paradox simply walked closer to Tali then, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, silently trying to let her know that everything was going to be OK as he then told her: "I had that problem with my son once". "He made a'Capella tapes in private whenever he had the time". "When Alvara caught him, he literally had a Liark attack"., then smiling as he chuckled at the memory.

Removing her hands from her face, Tali looked up at Paradox in interest and offered a small smile. "Really?" She winced lightly at the pain in her shoulder but ignored it to listen to Paradox.

Paradox nodded brightly, continuing: "I had told him afterwords that it was nothing be embarrassed about and that sometimes all it takes is to just be honest to the audience that stands before you". Then looking to her with a reassuring smile: "Do it long enough and you will eventually get used to it". "Though I would advise against giving away TMI like Slash did the next time someone caught him".

'TMI?' Tali thought, confused by what Paradox meant by that. But, she nodded anyway. "Umm, okay." She'd figure it out later.

Immediately, as Ops had decided to stop speeding through the dirt pathways, his visual receptors in his truck form caught sight of Tali at the end of the tracks she had left behind. Finally!, Ops thought. A massive wave of relief flowed through him as he then transformed to robot mode, giving Paradox a nod of thanks before then running in their direction, shouting: "Hey, Tali"!

Noticing the concern in the young Autobots voice, Paradox couldn't help but smile as he looked back at the Ga-Toa. Clearly Ops cared very deeply for her, in a way that he would always care for his wife Athena. But as far as whether or not Tali knew about her new friends feelings towards her, he was not sure, and he would not try to rush it between them either. As of now, only time would tell if these two would end up giving each other the life they wanted, and all he could do was pray and hope for the best.

"Be back with is soon, we are about to launch a signal to the others"., Paradox told her as kindly as he could.

Tali nodded to him, both in thanks and understanding.

With that, Paradox flipped backwards, reverting back into plane mode and shooting off into the sky as Ops had finally reached her, asking in an extremely concerned tone: "Holy crap, are you OK"? "You had me scared crapless".

Tali smiled sadly at Ops. She hadn't meant to scare him like that. Fear just didn't look good on his handsome face. 'Did I seriously just think that right now?' She gave her head a mental shake. "I'm...sorry I worried you, Ops. I was just panicked."

Ops's spark had started to beat faster once more upon hearing her say that. But at the same time, it made him feel really, really horrible. She PANICKED?!, he thought. Because of ME? Ops would've face-palmed there if he wasn't with Tali just then. But seriously, why did he have to do this to her? He tried to be there to comfort her earlier, to make her feel cared about and all he did was draw a crowd of people who caused her to gain symptoms to a social anxiety! Seriously Ops, what is your problem?! Why is it that every time you find someone you care about, you give them a crappy experience?!

Pushing these self scolding thoughts aside for now, Ops told her: "Hey-, then hugging her:-, it's alright". "But why DID you panic"? "I mean I sort of know why, but was there a certain thought that made you want to run"?

Oh stuff it!, Ops thought to himself. It was more than likely YOU!

Tali felt herself calm down further in the hug but she stopped herself from leaning against him. 'Knock it off, Tali. Just answer his question.' She shook her head, both to clear it and in response to Ops' question. "No, it was purely out of instinct."

Ops simply nodded in understanding and replied: "Ok". Keeping his arms around her: "Again, it's alright". "But try to remember that I'm there next time". "That way if you get afraid, you can like hide behind me or something".

Deep in his spark, Ops knew that that wouldn't solve much of Tali's problems. To be matter of fact, he wasn't truly sure if ANYTHING he could do would help her. He DID nearly cause her to go into a panic attack after all. For all he knew she probably HAD had one. Ops had to lower his head there in the pain he felt in his spark as he thought now of how sorry he really was. To be honest, he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to describe how sorry he truly was. But this was the best that he could give her, and he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to give her anything else.

Tali smiled at the offer. She would admit it was sweet and she was grateful for it. She knew a lot of her problems were not the type that she could get rid of by brute force of stealth attacks. No, several problems actually did strike fear into her light and made her run for cover. So for Ops to offer himself as...in a way, her hiding place...she was not about to turn that down. "Thanks, Ops. I'll keep that in mind."

Ops managed to force a smile on his face as he continued to hold her close and replied: "You're always welcome".

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As Ops and Tali had continued their little hug, Pow, Diego, Maze and Robert had decided to take to the trees and eavesdrop a bit on their friends. And indeed, what they had found was rather shocking in their eyes. Up and down Ops had always sworn to Pow, Robert and Maze that he'd never look for someone to romantically love ever again, and yet here he was, holding an attractive Ga-Toa in his arms, in a hug that seemed a bit. More emotional than that between friends. It was enough to make even Maze wonder if the two were already together.

"Tali and Ops"., Pow said aloud in thought. "Never thought those two would get together".

Diego didn't roll his eyes but he did smile softly at the two as he addressed Pow. "I knew they would. Just never thought it would be that fast."

Maze just rolled his eyes, deciding to hold in his curiosity with: "Oh come on, surely they're still just friends".

Robert, Pow and Diego all turned to Maze, each giving him an "are you serious" look. Honestly, they thought, out of all of the people to doubt this, HIM? He barely missed anything when it came to secret war plots, mysterious substances, elements, Makuta powers, you name it. The very fact that Maze was saying this at all was more than confusing to each of them. For a second, Robert actually thought Maze was telling a joke and was still refusing to burst out laughing.

The male Ice-Toa simply raised both of his hands and told them: "Really, guys, it's still a possibility that this isn't anything big, OK"? "I've seen "FRIENDS" do a LOT more than this". Then resting a hand on his head: "And the worse part is, I still have nightmares from witnessing a few of them".

Robert gave Maze a look, asking: "Are you quick-suggesting them benefit-friends"?

Pow shrugged next to them, replying: "Who knows man, at this point, this could be anything".

As Pow had then realized that he may or may not have just made Diego (one of Tali's teammates) angry with that statement, he immediately tried to think of ways to talk his way out of it in case Diego got angry about it, at HIM. First off, it wasn't really his idea to begin with, that was always a good one. Second off, it was a possibility in his head since he didn't really know Tali or her team mates too well yet. That one might not be good ENOUGH, but at least it was something, right? Lastly, Maze, aka the smartest Toa on the team, was only making a theory as of right now. Surely that'd help all of them... OR it'd spare Robert and Maze and he'd get a smack in the face for even agreeing to the suggestion at all. Pow shook his head. 'why couldn't anything just be easy'?, he thought.

Diego felt a slight anger burn in his spark. How DARE Maze even think of Tali like that?! A slight heat pricked at the armor on his forearms and he quickly calmed himself. Keeping his voice steady and stern, he jumped to his team leader's defense. "Tali isn't that type of girl. Dozens of suitable, young men chased her in both Uni and Academy and she gave all of them a run for their money. She made it very obvious she was not interested." His voice softened a bit in memory. "I should know, I used to be one of them." And, man, what a mistake that had been. Thankfully, she helped him realize that he had been paying attention to the wrong thing and set him back on the right track. "I still recall the lecture she gave me after the umpteenth time I tried to impress her," He smiled a bit as he quoted her words. "If you think good looks, fame or titles are going to impress me, you're living in a dreamworld, pretty boy. I don't bother with physical appearances and I don't care about your family background. The Lord has already chosen my future mate and when the time comes, He will bring him to me. Now, please stop trying to act so buff, you look like you ate five lemons at once." Looking back now, he probably did.

Pow raised his hands in immediate surrender then, replying: "Hey, the nerd was the one who suggested it"., notioning to Maze.

Maze sent Pow a half glare then, thinking: 'Seriously, out of all of the times I was more than proud to be called a nerd, or better yet THE nerd of the team, now has to be the time when I'm not'? Now has to be the time when I regret knowing a little too much about a subject matter? Sure, in every other situation, his big brain had managed to get them all out of some pretty big situations, but now he was only getting himself into a big mess? SERIOUSLY?

Diego turned his cold glare to Maze. "Do be more cautious about what you "suggest" concerning Tali. She's a smart girl, she knows what she's doing."

Maze had started to shake then, immediately trying to make himself look calm as he half-raised both hands in reassurance and replied: "Well in my best defense, I've never understood that kind of love". Then crossing his arms: "I just prefer to stay out of it".

"He's right"., Pow said. "Once this girl Toa came in, me, Robert, even Edward admitted to liking her a bit". "And Maze was as uninterested in her looks as carnivores are to cabbages".

Maze just rolled his eyes at them, replying: "Guys, I really don't see the point in finding a girlfriend". "I want a life alone".

'Why would you want a life alone?' Diego wondered silently to himself. 'I mean, God created someone for someone. Is it really possible to be satisfied without that person in your life? Maybe, but I don't think I want to live that type of life.'

Immediately noticing the chance to ask Diego then, Robert asked: "Speaking of love-life, Is Ava...", Robert decided to stop-speak there as he logic-thought over this logic-more before then looking down a bit, thinking that this would more than likely be an impossibility.

Diego, brought out of his thoughts, looked over at Robert, waiting for him to continue. What was it he wanted to know about Ava? And why did he trail off like that? After waiting in silence for three minutes, Diego spoke up. "What?"

"Nothing"!, Robert quick-replied, a heat-cheek mask forming as he continued: "Truth-Nothing, I doubt she'd like a Le-fool like me". Then looking up at Diego: "Great-Right"?

Diego bit back a laugh. 'You have got to be kidding me.' He thought. 'Robert liked Ava?! This was too cute. Best send him to one of the girls for this one.' Keeping as straight a face as he could muster, Diego responded. "I don't know, Rob. You'll have to talk to Tali for that one. She's known her longer than I have."

Pow quietly laughed at both Roberts question and never-mind-answer, knowing immediately that this meant Robert had a crush on Ava. Only, this crush seemed a little more... intense than any other he had ever recalled Robert having. Almost like he had what his people called a scare-crush, which wasn't really all that normal with him. Normally, when Robert had a crush on a female, he would almost immediately start flirting (politely) with her. But with this one, Robert seemed to be just a short bit... afraid. But why?, Pow wondered. Sure, Pow felt the same thing around Amber, normally being calm around females, but in a way, he still couldn't understand the fear all on its own. What were they so afraid of anyways?

Pow just decided to push these thoughts aside for now as he then gave Robert a smirk and said: "Hey Robert, I think I've got a better idea". Almost immediately, Pow turned and started to jump from tree to tree, quietly yelling: "Hey Ava"!

Robert's mask was immediately red-covered as he gave jump-chase after his stone-friend and, great-afraid, called after him: "WAIT-STOP"!

But of course, Pow didn't listen. Maze rolled his eyes, thinking: 'man, how super boring romance seems NOW'. 'Seriously though-, Maze wondered: why was everyone so desperate to get into one of these things anyways'? 'Was it really worth it'? 'Even now, tons of relationships were made over what the younger members of society thought to be love, only to eventually come crashing down on top of them, leading to a heartbreak and sometimes to suicidal thoughts'. Maze just shook his head in all of these thoughts, thinking: 'seriously, if that's the possible ending to a romantic relationship of any form, why bother being a part of it'?

As these thoughts continued to run around in Mazes head, he looked to Diego for a second, raising his hands in reassurance once more as he told him: "Again, I'm staying out of it".

Diego rolled his eyes. 'Whatever floats your boat, pal.' He thought before turning his thoughts to Robert. 'He seemed pretty anxious to stop Pow. I hope he realizes soon that Pow's just messing with him. But then again, he was a bit, what's the word?, scared? Huh, I wonder why.' Deciding to not linger on that any longer, he turned his thoughts and gazed back to Ops and Tali. He smiled softly. 'They do make a cute couple. I hope they don't take long to admit their feelings to one another.'

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Upon then finishing his hug with Tali, Ops gave Tali a small smile, silently letting her know that everything was going to be okay and that she would always be safe around him. (thoughts from Tali and silent response)

Almost immediately, Ops began to feel like an idiot, not daring to show his thoughts on his face as he thought to himself: 'Why the scrap did I just promise her that'?! Who was to say that he really COULD protect her anyways?! What if the one moment when he wasn't around her, Z would strike?! If that happened at all, wouldn't that mean that the promise he had just made her, was not at all valid to begin with?! What if he COULDN'T keep it?! What if he would just end up failing her?! If that happened he would never be able to live with himself. But for now, he guessed, all he could do was try as hard as he could to keep her safe. And try as hard as he could, he would.

Then backing away from the beautiful Ga-Toa a bit, he reverted back into truck mode, parking next to her to let her inside his trunk as he then told her: "Hop on". Then jokingly adding: "And remember not to touch it".

Smiling to herself, Tali thought, 'He's sweet to promise that and I have no doubt he will fulfill his promise. But that does not mean I will do everything in my power to make sure he is alright. So that not only will I be safe around him, but he would always be safe around me.' Her thoughts were disrupted when Ops backed away from her and transformed back to his truck mode. Upon hearing his reminder, she giggled behind her hand before nodding in agreement and climbing on.

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A few minutes of setting up later, Paradox and a few of the other Turaga had finally finished building the beacon that would soon lead many other Toabots to their location. And in knowing that this war was not yet over, everyone could only hope to hope to get this finished soon. Everyone including all of the Autobots, Matoran, Toa, Turaga and other Toabots who were currently gathered around them, waiting to hear a few words from the leader of the Toabots as they all murmured in discussion. Lucky enough for them, it was, and Paradox couldn't help but be happy about this accomplishment, along with all of the other accomplishments they had made together these past few days.

Paradox stood then, looking to all of them as had started think of all they had accomplished together. The Toa had helped them fight and proved to be a valuable allies in this fight. The Turaga had finally come to the right senses like he had always prayed they would, gaining them equal rights with every other race, along with taking down the law that prohibited relationships between transformers and bionicles. The Toabots had even won against every single Makutacon who was currently on this planet, hopefully giving them peace for what he hoped would be the next few months.

Everyone smiled back at him in their happiness, and not just because of everything they had done for him today, but also for what he did for them, and why. For the past 15 years of them being here, the Toabots had secretly fought to protect the ones who had originally hated them, because of the forgiveness God had given them by sending his one and only son on the cross for their sins. Earlier today, Paradox had even approached a hateful Turaga, never once trying to fight him when said Turaga still offered no kindness at all. Paradox had even saved the same Turaga from a possible murder via Makutacon, opening Jalas eyes to what he had been doing wrong. And even now, Paradox was willing to forgive Jala for what he and Edward tried to do. Indeed, if the Toabot leader didn't have a kind liark like this, they probably never would've won. Nor would've they made peace after so many years if the Turaga weren't already considering this. This came to much benefit to the Toabots when the other Turaga saw this. For each of them could admit that when they saw this, they knew what their Lord and Savior wanted them to do.

Paradox spoke then, loud enough for everyone to hear: "Seeing as the Turaga have already given us a place to call planetary home again, I thought greatly of the other Toabots still out there among the galaxy, and I would like to invite them here as well". "If you all would be glad to have them at this very moment".

A long silence passed through the crowd as they all seemed to consider this option. Of course, none of them wanted to say no, not after all of the things the Toabots and Paradox had done for them. And as they all thought longer about it, there was really no reason to say no. Surely if the Makutacons decided to return, which they would, they would come back with a vastly larger army and they would NEED more Toabots to help protect them. That, and the fact that each Toabot was sworn to protect the Turaga and Bionicles and Transformers despite all they had done to them.

Jala looked up at Paradox, giving him a smile and nod as he responded: "You already know my vote".

Green spoke happily next: "And MINE"., offering Paradox a kind smile as well.

Paradox gave them both a kind smile in return, then looking to others as he asked: "Who else"?

Tali got off of Ops and walked over to stand by her teammates. She looked at each one of her friends before smiling up at Paradox. "You have our vote." The others nodded at Paradox in agreement.

"We would be happy to have the other Toabots." Amber said with a smile.

Ava nodded her head, grinning widely. "Totally!" she agreed.

Diego gave Paradox a thumbs up. "You got it, Paradox." Alyan copied Diego with a smile but didn't say anything.

Robert, Pow and Maze all nodded and Ops and Outilisa smiled in eager approval.

Billy was the last to answer: "Why not"? "Blasting Makutacons is kinda fun". "We're with you all the way, Paradox Prime".

Paradox smiled brightly at each of his supporters and replied: "Then please, allow me to read you the request before I send it into orbit". Immediately, Paradox typed a code into a rectangular device before a speaker in the beacon activated and played an already recorded message.

"Dear Toabots, after many years of the exile we have proudly endured, I am happy to inform you all the we finally have a planetary home again". "And it is not like our home back on Planet X, but even better, for we have our old home back". "Our OLD home, with the Transformers, Bionicles and Humans, who have finally accepted us back, and freed us from the pain we felt upon leaving this planet because of a fear". "I speak truthfully, we are no longer enemies in their eyes, but friends". "But since the war will still continue, despite our wishes that it would do otherwise, we must not try to stand on our own". "So I leave this message to any other Toabots who are still out there: because our lord wills it, come home". "For today The Lord still allows forgiveness to bring sight to the blind". "As for the Makutacons who are also among the stars seeking vengeance against our brothers and sisters, leave the Bionicles, Transformers and Humans alone". "For The Lord is with us". "Therefore, should you fight us once again, you will also be fighting The Lord, and you WILL lose".

And with that, the transmission ended, the speaker shutting down as most of the crowd had started to clap and cheer in their joy. Not just the joy of more Toabots coming back to their place of origin, but also because of those last few sentences. Each of them stating one simple fact: God was there for them. Indeed this brought them great joy, for if their God was for them, then who could ever stand against them? They knew it now more than ever, deep in their liarks, lights and sparks that regardless of the troubles they would face, their Lord would never turn away, and he would always be there for them.

"Great-good"!, Robert exclaimed in joy.

"yeah"!, Pow shouted with a cheer.

Outilisa smiled and silently said: "Bring em home dad".

Billy smiled as well, saying loud enough for everyone to hear him: "I know if I was a Makutacon and I heard that message, I'd be afraid".

Armor let out a chuckle, responding: "Maybe they'd do good to also fear our allies". Then looking over to Green: "Including Green, the matoran who single-handedly put Killer in his place".

"Yes!" Alyan cheered with joy.

"Those Makutacons had better be smart and stay away." Iris chuckled softly.

Diego smiled at Billy's words. "I hear that, Billy."

Ava was nearly dancing with joy. "Alright!"

Smiling, Amber walked over to stand by Tali. "This is a whole, new beginning. isn't it, Tali?" Tali grinned back at her friend and nodded.

"Yes, Amber. It is a new, wonderful beginning."

Hearing Tali say this, Paradox gave her a smile and happily responded: "Let it be not A new beginning my friends, but OUR new beginning, as a force fighting side by side for the Forgiveness that the Makutacons forget, and the one we live eternally for".

Paradox turned away from the crowd then, pushing a launch code into the rectangular control panel before an engine thrust powerfully in the beacon and shot up into the sky, speeding faster as it reached higher and higher. A smile immediately formed on every face in that crowd as they all watched it climb higher and higher. For each of them knew that from now on, whenever a Makutacon force would rise against them, they would keep strong in their faith and fight for however long this war should continue. Neither one of them were afraid of defeat, nor were they worried about the Makutacons return. If Jesus had defeated death, truly what evil threat could there ever be that he could not defeat? None was the answer they all knew. Truly, as long as Jesus was with them, they would never fall. Or if they did fall, they would not stay down. No, they would just get back up, and pray for The Lord to restore their strength before continuing the battle. This is what they all decided they would do as that beacon had finally disappeared from their view, reaching its destination, in orbit over the earth.

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The En-(alarm blair) lol! Nope, not over yet! If you've read Fireman, you'll know that I don't just end the story here. There are a couple post chapters left in this novel. Expect to see them soon. Also thank you all so much for reading this novel and be sure to leave a review or PM me or Galem for any questions, thoughts and/or concerns, and please have a God-blessed day! XD

Galem: (giggles) Nice alarm there, Bio.

Anyway, thank you, everyone, for reading and we will see you next time! God bless! :D