Lego owns Bionicle and the name Ketongu. Hasbro owns Transformers. Galem owns the characters: Tali, Ava, Amber, Iris, Diego, Alyan, Adhira, Valera, and Kasar.

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Chapter 10: Tracking

Deep in the forests of Turpinville, far away from the TATF base, Paradox was crouched down in front of a familiar footprint, examining it carefully as Slash, Billy, Outilisa, War Machine, Z, Tali, and Ops stood behind him either keeping a look out for Makutacon forces, or keeping an optic on him to ensure he wouldn't run off to fight Xanthium alone. Not that they thought he would. For as long as they had known Paradox, they knew he was too humble to go off alone if he thought it was unwise. At the same time, he nearly HAD gone in alone. Sure, it had been for a logical reason. After all the death Paradox had seen back at the base, he wasn't willing to lose anyone else he loved, or let anyone else die on his watch. Regardless, Xanthium was more skilled and much stronger than Paradox. If he went in alone, chances of him making it out of a fight with his master were slim.

As Paradox continued gazing down at the footprint, he stroked his chin, deep in thought. Paradox already knew that the print belonged to his brother and former master. He and his brother had trained in mud pits before so he practically had that image memorized. What Paradox still couldn't figure out was why? 'Did the Makutacons bribe him'? He shook his head. 'No way. My brother is not the type of person who can be simply bought. Did they threaten him, hold someone hostage'? He shook his head once more upon remembering that everyone who hadn't died in the battle in Maya had been accounted for. As had the bodies of those deceased. 'So why would Xanthium betray us'? Paradox wondered. 'Why would Xanthium willingly leave us and fight for the Makutacon cause, after fighting for ours for so long'?

Paradox's thoughts were interrupted when he heard the voice of his daughter, Outilisa, ask him: "So who's is it"?

Paradox turned himself, while still crouched down, to face her as he responded: "It is definitely Xanthium's, but this is also a trap. The Xanthium I know would never leave anything like this behind unless it was". Then as he got up to stand on his feet: "It was a strategy he taught me himself".

It was a strategy he remembered Xanthium had taught him back on Planet X. It was in a forest area, much like this one, except the mud and tree bark was blue. Xanthium had trained Paradox to try and find him in that same forest when he was at least fifteen, by following clues and avoiding traps that had been hidden numerous places. In front of one footprint was a bear trap. In front of three more was a board with nails sticking upwards. in front of fifteen more feet was a water and mud filled pit. On the second try, Paradox had been more cautious and more importantly, underestimated his brother a lot less on every test that came after that. Paradox shot in front of the footprint immediately then, a bear trap shattering into bits and scattering all over the forest.

"Great. More traps." Tali groaned. "Lovely." 'I'm getting sick and tired of this. Last I checked this was not Indiana Jones!'

"Then, is it still a wise idea to go after him"? Slash asked. Seeing as Xanthium was more skilled than Paradox, it probably wouldn't be too wrong to assume that he was also smarter than him. Slash definitely didn't want to think less of his dad, but this whole situation did put him a bit on edge.

"Probably not, but regardless I am still ensuring that justice is served". Paradox responded. Regardless of how dangerous this mission would probably be, Xanthium still needed to pay for all those he had slaughtered.

"Well it looks like I'm NOT the only crazy person here". Z spoke immediately.

'Seriously, just when I thought everyone else was so boring and logical'. Z thought. 'I've done crazy things before, but Paradox is practically going forward without a plan. Or at least he doesn't have a plan yet. Regardless, from what I'm hearing, we're about to go fight what may be hundreds of Makutacons just to get to ONE guy. Not that I mind, I'm going to have a blast, but I don't know if anyone else will even make it out without a fatal injury'.

Tali didn't pay any attention to Z as she focused of taking in her surroundings and thinking of how to safely avoid the traps, while Ops half-grinned at Z's joke. After that, everyone had decided that they would keep a look out as they continued to walk down the dirt path, all of them keeping an eye out for traps or Makutacons. As they continued walking, a thought popped up in Slash's head.

Still keeping an eye out, both of his wing shaped swords at the ready, he spoke: "Hey dad".

Paradox turned his head a bit in his direction to let him know he had his attention as he responded: "Yes, my son"?

"What's gonna happen to Xanthium once we capture him"? Slash asked.

In being Paradox's son, Slash knew better than anyone that his dad was a very merciful guy, even as the Toabot leader. But he had seen Paradox's reaction to the deaths suffered from yesterday, so one could surely understand why he would be so worrisome. Especially considering the fact that Paradox had just slain one of his brothers already and Paradox was still saddened by it. Which led Slash to wonder whether Paradox was acting out of honor or emotion. If Paradox was going in for the latter, Slash knew it would only be a matter of time before Paradox lost this battle.

Understanding his son's worry, Paradox kindly responded: "I will not kill him, but I am going to make sure he gets what he deserves. We have enough Makutacons to fight as it is".

Billy nodded: "I agree". 'As if all those Makutacons in Maya weren't bad enough'. Billy then thought. If they had to fight even more to get to Xanthium, with there only being eight of them, only three of them being Toabots, it would surely be a slaughter. Especially if they were under Xanthium's leadership. With a leader like him, Billy had no idea how much more damage the Makutacons could do with whatever strategies he had and what not. 'If we're going to fight more Makutacons, we may as well make sure they don't have a good leader to follow under'.

"As do I." Tali piped up from her place just behind and to the left of Billy.

"Me too". Slash agreed. "But again, this guy trained you. He may be too much for you to handle".

Ops nodded in agreement with Slash's statements. "He's right Paradox. If he trained you, he'll know all your skills, strengths and weaknesses. At best, you'll be beaten in minutes. At worst, you could die".

Not to be discouraging or to put him down, which he knew it wouldn't, but that didn't change what he just said either. To be honest, none of them had any idea what Xanthium had planned for them, but he knew that if they weren't careful, it would NOT end well. For them or for Paradox.

Paradox shrugged a bit. "Maybe, but even with the odds stacked against me, I am the only one who stands a chance against him".

"Plus he DID kill Insidious". Z added. "The one who nearly killed Xanthium".

'At least he stands a chance if we consider that information for a moment'. Z thought. As crazy ("Though not half as crazy as me". #Z) as this plan still was, that wasn't to say that victory was IMPOSSIBLE. 'Ops has managed to beat me a few times, and my armor is just as thick as a Bioformers'. Z thought. If Ops could do that, Z guessed that Paradox did at least have a chance at beating Xanthium, as slim as that chance was.

Tali looked forward as she listened to the conversation. Pit, everyone had such good points, she didn't know who was even more in the right. Yes, Xanthium trained Paradox and knew everything about him but the same can be said on the flip side of the coin. And Paradox had killed Insidious who had nearly killed Xanthium. So there was a good possibility that Paradox might come out on top.

"As true as that is, didn't the Insidious ALSO say that Xanthium was working with them all along"? Billy added, which made Z pout a little for not considering that fact as well.

On the plane ride home, Paradox had told everyone that when Insidious had held him captive and tortured him, that he had also told him that Xanthium was a double agent working with the Makutacons. Considering their history together, of course Paradox had refused to believe him. 'And yet he was right'. Billy thought. What made this all the more terrifying was the fact that Xanthium had managed to cover it up very well. So well that no one suspected him. Not even after what Paradox had been told. If Xanthium was deceptive enough to pull that off, who knew what else he was really capable of?

Paradox decided to stop for a moment then, turning around to face everyone else as he spoke: "Everyone, I know how risky this will be and I thank you all for your concern for me, but no matter what consequences will follow, beating Xanthium on my own is the way I choose to do this, and nothing is about to change that yet. Understood"?

Paradox wasn't lying there. He knew the risks of this mission, and in going in to fight Xanthium alone, he had been considering this on his travel to this very spot. But seeing as he had agreed to allow everyone to help him on this mission, the same risks were only greater for each of them, especially with Xanthium involved. If Xanthium really was dedicated to the Makutacon cause, he would kill each one of his friends in an instance, and he was unwilling to let anymore friends die by his hand. No matter the odds, Paradox had to do this, and would only allow his friends to fight off any Makutacons who would be waiting up ahead. Paradox just hoped that there weren't so many that it would be too much for said friends to handle.

Billy let out a sigh, reluctantly accepting defeat as he responded: "Yes sir".

"We understand." Tali nodded. 'But that doesn't mean we have to like it.'

With everyone being in agreement, Paradox turned around and continued leading his friends through the forest.

An hour had probably passed by before Paradox spotted two Makutacons up ahead, past some bushes just a few inches away. Not wanting to take any risks in getting spotted and alarming Xanthium, Paradox dashed behind said bush while ordering: "Everyone get down".

Almost immediately, everyone crouched low or dashed behind the same set of bushes, except for Z who had decided to keep standing and gaze ahead. Ops was the first to notice this, and let out a frustrated sigh as he shouted quietly: "Z"!

Z looked down at the crouched Autobot, raising an eyebrow as if their lives wouldn't be at risk should they spot him.

"What"? Z asked. "I want to get shot at so we know how bad this is". 'If the bullet deflects off of me, we'll be in a little trouble'. Z decided. 'If the bullet somehow manages to pierce my armor, we're in a lot more trouble than any of us initially though'.

Deciding not to wait for Z, Billy grabbed him by the arm closest to him and practically yanked him behind the bush, causing him to fall to a thud behind them. Z sent Billy a glare, which the Toa Voya chose to ignore as he peeked over the bush just enough so he wouldn't be spotted.

Tali rolled her eyes at Z. "Mmhm, definitely crazy." She muttered. 'Scratch that, even crazier than I gave him credit for.'

Outilisa, whom hadn't seen anything before ducking behind the bush immediately asked her dad: "What is it"?, before peeking over the bush a bit, also so as not to get spotted.

Paradox pointed ahead towards what looked like the entrance to a sewer system, a wide door blown clean off and two black and silver Makutacons marching back and forth in front of the same entrance, wielding Xtronian rifles.

"That is where Xanthium is". Paradox replied.

"So what's the plan, Paradox?" Tali whispered.

Paradox gazed at the two distant Makutacons for a moment before responding: "I will fly towards the entrance. While I do this, you four will need to give me covering fire and try to take them out".

Billy turned his head to Paradox, raising an eyebrow as he asked: "What if we hit you"?

Sure, Paradox was fast in his alt mode, but this was bullets they were talking about. Even Pow, whom wore a Kakama Nuva, wasn't fast enough to dodge that. Heck, Billy wasn't even sure if Pohatu (When he wasn't a Turaga) or Kapura were fast enough to dodge or even outrun a bullet. Plus, they were using bullets designed by Armor that could pierce through a Bioformers min, so as to stand a better chance against their Makutacon opponents.

Paradox gave Billy a reassuring look, fully understanding his concerns as he responded: "You will not. I will be flying high above them. High enough for you to shoot them without killing me".

"Alright then." Tali smirked as she pulled out here rifle, locked and ready to roll.

Paradox waited for everyone else to get their weapons ready before ordering: "Count to three, then shoot". before immediately activating the thrusters in his wings and flying upwards, quickly enough so as not to be spotted by the Makutacon guards.

Getting into position, Tali muttered quietly to herself. "One," she aimed her rifle at the Makutacons, timing their movements, "two,"

Being completely bored and desperately wanting to kill some Makutacons, Z whistled the jeopardy theme quietly enough for the others to hear it, and for the Makutacons to not hear it, earning chuckles from Billy, War Machine and Ops while Outilisa rolled her eyes.

Tali smirked at Z, amused by the tune. "Three!" She called as she pulled the trigger.

Tali's first shot grazed the first Makutacons shoulder, gaining both guards attention. Both Makutacons almost immediately started firing at the Toa, Autobots, and Toabots, whom all ducked down instinctively to avoid the gunfire. Billy and Tali waited a moment for the firing to stop on the Makutacons part before rising back up to their knees and firing at the Makutacons. Before a single bullet could hit either Makutacon, both took cover behind a pillar to reload. Billy and Tali remained on their knees, waiting patiently for the Makutacons to peek back out just a little bit so they could get another shot in and maybe kill one of these Makutacons before Paradox made his move. Unfortunate for them, a familiar voice spoke to Tali through her earpiece.

"Stop shooting now". Paradox's voice instructed.

"Hold fire!" Tali ordered, removing her finger from the trigger.

Almost immediately, Paradox landed between the two Makutacons, and quickly swung his left arm-blade at the Makutacon to his right, slashing through said Makutacon's face which separated into two pieces, purple blood splattering onto the pillar he was behind. Paradox turned quickly to the Makutacon on his left, whom was pointing his rifle at the Toabot leader. Paradox acted fast, shoving his right armblade into the rifle. The rifle exploded when the Makutacon pulled the trigger, creating a distraction as Paradox shoved his left armblade into the Makutacon's forehead, killing him instantly.

Paradox pulled the armblade from the Makutacons head, allowing his corpse to fall limply to the ground as he shook the purple blood from both armblades and shouted: "Clear"!

Nodding, Tali lept to to her feet. "Let's go, guys!" She called as she ran for Paradox. 'Looks like a new war has begun. But, no matter what happens, or how long this war takes, we will see it through to the end. Together!'

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Biomarvel740: When Paradox tells them to count to three then shoot, it's a reference to The Dark Knight Rises. Lucas Arts owns Indiana Jones. Also, Kapura and Pohatu are owned by Lego. Jeopardy is also owned by Sony. Also, some of Paradox's fighting moves from here on out will be inspired from the movie Logan. If you're under 18, I would not advise you watching that movie. It's the best X-Men movie plot wise, but there's tons of gore and language. Also, in the next chapter, Paradox and Xanthium are finally going to clash.

Galem: another bro showdown. Poor Paradox.

Biomarvel740: Indeed. But it has to be done. (to the readers) What did you you all think of this chapter?

Galem: please leave a review or pm either of us if you have a question.

Biomarvel740: We thank you all for reading-

Galem: and please...

Biomarvel740 and Galem: Have a God-blessed day! XD :D