Lego owns Bionicle and the name Ketongu. Hasbro owns Transformers and the name Xanthium. Galem owns the characters: Tali, Ava, Amber, Iris, Diego, Alyan, Adhira, Valera, and Kasar.
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Chapter 19: Cell
WARNING: Graphic content follows after "But as Paradox turned his head in the other direction". If you are not a fan of that kind of stuff, please skip that paragraph.
Paradox awoke to the sound of screaming form multiple sources. Paradox immediately opened his optics and rose to his hands and knees, ignoring the ache in his body as he gazed around at the black and dimly lit barred cages, both the one he was in and the others all around him. In most of the cages he saw multiple Toabots whom they had been expecting to arrive for quite some time. 'Well that most certainly explains a few things'. Paradox thought to himself.
But when Paradox turned his head in the other direction, his optics widened in horror. For what he saw in a few of these other cells were other Toabots strapped down to surgery tables, some screaming and others not as Makutacon surgeons removed organs and other body parts brutally, purple blood spilling from their bodies onto the concrete floors. Paradox quickly looked away, and lowered his head in prayer, asking that Jesus would help the families of these dead victims to heal from the emotional wound that would result from hearing this news, and that he would also grant these others Toabot victims beyond repair a quick and merciful death. Though these Makutacons were their enemies, Paradox would have never allowed such treatment upon Makutacon prisoners.
As Paradox had finished his prayer, he felt a familiar hand place itself onto his right shoulder. Paradox looked up quickly into the concerned eyes of his daughter Outilisa, whom had a few bruises on her mask. Paradox felt an emotional pain wrap around his Liark as he noticed said bruises. Paradox had never wanted any of his children to be a part of this war, and if they hadn't been so stubborn, hen would've had Rack change Orange's and Slash's BNA as well as Outilisa's so that they would have never had to fight in this war, and experience the horrors of such an environment. But because they loved Paradox as much as he did them, they must've flt the exact same way. For they had never stopped persisting to fight alongside him and he had eventually but reluctantly let them have their way. Paradox lowered his head in prayer once more, that Jesus would perform a miracle of allowing this war to end soon so that his friends and family would never have to experience any of this ever again. Paradox also sent another prayer in favor of the Makutacons whom had harmed his daughter and were brutally torturing the other Toabots, that they would learn from the error of their sinful ways and repent before it was too late.
"Dad, are you OK"? Paradox heard his daughter ask him once he had finished praying.
As Paradox allowed Outilisa to help him up, he gazed down at himself, remembering the close to fatal wounds he had received from Xanthium earlier. Paradox then raised an opticridge upon discovering that most of the wounds had been patched up, and rather expertly too. 'So they want me alive'. Paradox thought. 'But why? If I am the greatest threat towards the Makutacon cause, why would my brother be foolish enough to keep me alive'?
Paradox decided to return to those thoughts later, then looking to Outilisa and Billy whom stood next to her as he asked: "Is there a way out"?
By that, he didn't mean: Are there totally obvious, and unlocked doors? Whenever Paradox asked whether or not there was a way out of things, he meant if whether or not his friends say any weaknesses in the place they were trapped. Or if there was a guard nearby who had the keys. Or if there was anything in the cage they were currently in that they could use to pick the lock. With the information they knew, they could not afford to stay here long, wherever this place was.
Billy shook his head. "I don't think so. These bars are too strong for any firepower or elemental powers known to bionicle-kind and last I checked, we're at least thirty feet underground. In other words, We're stuck here".
Billy hadn't been joking about that either. Pretty much the second they were all thrown into this cell, Billy had been trying to strategize a plan for escape, and as he had actually tried using his elemental power to melt the bars, he knew that wasn't going to work. Whatever amount of heat it took to actually melt that metal, was too much heat for him to master. There was also no structural weakness evident in their cell. Or anyone else's for that matter. Whoever had built these cages definitely knew what he or she was doing. The fact that there were hundreds of Toabots here should've been enough to prove that, but if there was one thing everyone knew about Billy, it was that he wasn't often one to quit. Billy let out an exhausted sigh, already tired from the hours of searching. 'Too bad my determination isn't helping us now'. Billy thought.
Suddenly the sound of familiar laughter broke him from his thoughts, and easily gaining everyone's attention as they gazed upon their approaching and latest traitor, which much to their dismay had been Orange, Slash's twin brother. As he had been the one who had helped throw them into the cell, they had already known about Orange's true allegiance. But the emotional wounds had still remained fresh even after this discovery, and seemed to grow more painful the longer they stared at him. Even Outilisa had had a hard time accepting it. The fact that one of the two brothers whom Outilisa had tried so hard to help mentor and feel welcome had betrayed her and the rest of the family. Purposely to break their heartlights. Outilisa had thought them to be above such cruelness. Even now as she gazed at her younger brother, she resisted the urge to sob into Billy's arms like she had earlier.
"It stinks when the shoe is on the other foot, doesn't it you pathetic frauds"? Orange taunted.
Paradox also felt immense pain surge through his liark as he heard his son speak so bitterly to them. A son of whom he had tried to raise with what time he could to love the world as Jesus did, and to look upon those who wronged them with compassion rather than hatred. Sure, Paradox had kept Orange in training even upon his arrival, but that had only been because Orange wasn't experienced enough. Sure, he could fight very well with close range weapons, and he had even mastered his elemental power of stone quite well. 'But there is much more to fighting a war than that'. Paradox thought. There was also the need to have a level head, a merciful liark to protect those who could not protect themselves, and to overall not enjoy the concept of killing. Even Paradox hated killing Makutacons, but he had to. For it was necessary for winning this war, and he had already tried talking the Liege out of committing such acts of vengeance. But the Liege was too angry and merciless to hear reason, hence why this war continued to this very day. Until the Liege was taken down for good, no way would this war stop, as much as he hated to admit it.
Paradox gazed sadly into his sons gleeful orange eyes as he spoke: "Is that what this is all about Orange? Are you really angry because I tried to keep you safe and out of harms way? That was for your own protection. You were not ready for the horrors of war. Not yet".
Orange scoffed. "Do you really think I would be frightened by a few explosions, a legion of firepower & the splatter of blood? You're stupid father. And no, that's not why I'm on the winning side".
Paradox felt tears fall from his optics. "Then WHY, son"?
"Because Xanthium and Killer were there for me while you were too busy fighting for something as stupid as freedom". Orange responded simply. "The sheep all need a shepherd Paradox. Only THESE sheep need to be treated like slaves and them put down without mercy".
'Seriously, a new race had been born and the Turaga treated us like slaves, refused to give us any rights or work benefits or even any pay for that matter, and then when Xanthium had tried to protect them in their time of need, the snakes repay us with exile'. Orange thought. 'After treatment like that towards our ancestors, of course I'm going to join the soon to be winning side. Because all Bionicles and Cybertronians must pay with their lives and so they shall, and any Toabots that get in our way shall fall as well. Especially my idiot brother who chose to believe in the Toabot cause. If Xanthium would let me, I would rip Outilisa's heart from her chest and watch her bleed out onto the floor with a smile for also being a Toabot'.
"Plus, I was never one for forgiveness anyway". Orange finished.
Outilisa glared at her younger brother from inside the cell. 'How dare he betrays us'! Outilisa thought ragefully. 'After all we have done for him, help raise, train, and comfort him, he tries to betray both his family and the Toabot cause'?! If Outilisa weren't in this cage, she would've been wailing on him with fists right now, and if the bars weren't element proof she probably would've tried to waterboard him with the dripping water across from her in the cell. Outilisa didn't hate her brother though. She loved everyone as much as her dad had always instructed her, and she would continue to do so. To allow herself to hate now, as tempting as it really was right now, she would be letting Orange and the devil win. She would also forgive him eventually, but because of how recent this emotional wound was, it would take a lot of praying for her to gain the strength.
Suddenly another voice caught their attention: "Good boy".
Everyone turned their attention to the smiling Killer, who's right side of his mask was still burnt to a crisp, and a dried purple stain that remained under an empty socket. Paradox winced a bit upon noticing the mark he had left upon his brother, actually regretting leaving said scar. Sure, Killer was their enemy in this war and was currently one of the highest ranking Makutacons, but he was still his brother and therefore had felt a pain in his liark when he had wounded him. Especially since he was influenced into being an enemy by the other Makutacon generals who saw opportunity in him.
"You've definitely taken our words at Liark and I'm proud". Killer told the new Makutacon, giving him a kind pat on the back. "Go now and train with the rest of our soldiers. You will need to be ready for this upcoming battle".
Orange bowed respectfully. "Yes sir". He responded before then walking away.
Paradox waited for his son to walk out of hearing distance before turning his saddened gaze towards his brother. "So it was you. You were the one who turned my own child against me". As harsh as it might have seemed to be to accuse family of such a thing, Paradox was still unclear as to how Orange had gotten the opportunity to betray the Toabots. Sure, Xanthium must've had a big part in it, but Killer was now second in command of the Makutacons. Surely he would have given Xanthium orders to influence Orange to turn on his parents and siblings as he was definitely deceptive enough to do so. 'What if Orange doesn't WANT to do this'? Paradox thought fearfully. 'What if Xanthium had threatened to kill him if he didn't join, and the only reason they're forcing him to do this is to get to me'?
Killer turned his head gaze back at Paradox as he calmly responded: "Oh on the contrary Paradox, HE came to US. So really, you did that yourself".
"I do not think I can believe that Brother". Paradox responded with a bit of a frown. Though the facts were practically right in front of his face, it was still too hard for him to accept that his son, one of the people he cared for in every way he could, would betray him willingly.
Killer tilted his head: "Is that SO? Think Brother, why would a child of yours want to betray you? It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the fact that you kept in a room to train 24-7, could it? Or OH, what about the fact that he simply believes in the Makutacon cause? He wears the symbol more proudly than most of my soldiers".
Paradox winced at that. The fact that Orange would ever want to join such a cause broke his liark. All of that training had been to prepare and possibly even to talk Orange out of fighting in this war. As selfish as it may have seemed, Paradox never wanted him to fight in this war, and he couldn't talk any of his other family members out of fighting it with him. The possibility of losing his entire family to this war frightened him deeply even to this day, thus why he prayed for their safety everyday.
Killer noticed the wince and smiled darkly as he continued: "You see Paradox? No matter who it is, you can never make their choices for them. Not even mine".
Paradox's gaze softened then. "Killer, I know you more well than you may think. The old you CARED about mercy".
"For OUR race". Killer snarled. "Not theirs".
"That is a load of scrap Killer"! Paradox suddenly snapped, surprising both Outilisa and Billy a bit. "You were once the one who said and I quote: "We all, no matter what race, are all the same"! Where is that Killer now brother"?
Back when he, Killer, and several of their other brothers and sisters were training to fight in the war, Killer and Paradox were possibly the most peaceful out of all of them. Whilst the others would allow anger, arrogance, and fear cloud their judgement or take the challenges and very concept of this war too lightly, Paradox and Killer were the more focused and peacefully minded of the group. Both would even beg their siblings to have compassion and try to understand their pain like Jesus would've, and to keep pressing the ideas of peace to them through Jesus's words in order to save them.
But then after their first week actually fighting in the war, siblings had died and Killer was captured. Paradox had worried for his brother for so long and even prayed desperately that God would not allow them to find Killer as a corpse somewhere. Then one day Killer returned in secret, to inform Paradox, Athena, and Zera, both Killer's wife and a Toabot at the time, that he had decided to switch sides. Though devastated by the news, Paradox tried to spend their last evening together as friends, even going as far as trying to talk Killer out of being with the Makutacons. But Killer's liark was set so in the end, Paradox reluctantly had to let him go. Zera had even went with Killer. She had had no interest in the Makutacon cause, it was simply so she could be with her husband. But even to this day, Paradox continued to pray that one day he would see his brother again as the person that he used to be.
Killer quickly turned away with a growl, hiding a tear that had begun to slide down his left optic. Though Killer had often claimed to hate his brother, and even tried to convince himself of the hatred multiple times, Killer could not deny the fact that there was still a certain care he had for Paradox. Even now, a part of him had started to regret nearly killing Paradox in that battle in that old city in the Central District. Sometimes Killer would lie awake at night hating himself for that, or from nightmares of when he killed that Toa in that same town. 'Gahu'. Killer remembered. Killer had killed him with three shots to the chest... all for trying to promote peace through Jesus, just like he would've all those years ago. 'Maybe that's why I killed him'. Killer thought. 'To prevent myself from changing course again. But at the same time, is this path even worth following anymore'?
Killer's eye blazed in anger. 'No'! Killer thought. 'I will not change course now! Not after all I have done and all the Toabots I have killed to get here! Besides, the Bionicles and Transformers EXILED us! For getting payback for their harsh cruelty! For that, they HAVE to pay, and the Makutacons will make it so'!
Killer wiped his tear away quickly and whirled angrily back at Paradox, glaring in his direction as he replied: "THAT Killer, died years ago. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have certain races to eradicate". Upon finishing that sentence, Killer turned around and began to walk away.
"Please Killer"! Killer heard his brother beg. "Have mercy on them! Spare their lives... And take mine"!
Killer stopped momentarily in his tracks, once again trying to fight off the memories where the two swore they would risk their lives for other races if they needed to as he responded: "By the time this state and it's inhabitants are reduced to ashes, I'll already have". Before continuing to walk down the deep, dark hallway full of Toabot prisoners.
Billy watched the Makutacon general closely, and waited until he was sure he was out of hearing distance before turning to his wife and father-in-law and asking them: "What do we do now"? Though their chances of getting out in time seemed quite grim, surely there was a way out of this place.
Without warning, Paradox lowered himself back onto the floor on his knees and held his hands together, lowering his face into them and closing his optics before beginning to pray: "Lord God, please, PLEASE forgive my brother, Killer. For he knows not what he is doing".
Though Killer had tried to convince Paradox that he was liarkless and hateful enough to carry out his mission, when he had turned around, Paradox had caught a slight flinch in his brother. That had been enough to tell him that Killer was currently confused. Confused as to whether or not he was still on the right side. Hence why this was the perfect opportunity to pray for him, that he would find the true path again, and fight by his side again to protect the Bionicles, Transformers, and Humans.
Billy and Outilisa both immediately realized what Paradox was doing and lowered themselves onto their knees as well and prepared to continue praying with him. There was no way they were going to get out and save everyone in the position they were in now, so to ask the loving creator of all things for help that they desperately needed was definitely the best thing to do now.
"Please Lord, help us stop him and if we cannot, please help him to see the errors in his ways". Paradox prayed desperately. "Help him to see why he is wrong to define all inhabitants of this planet as evil and merciless and please Lord, spare them from their wrath. From Killers and Xanthiums".
"Amen". Billy finished for him.
Paradox opened his optics then, smiling softly as he saw the other two Toa praying with him. It made him proud to see that even now his daughter and son-in-law were not too afraid to make a prayer to the Father to ask for his assistance. While some people would be too humble and try to help themselves in this situation, they had both decided to be selfless and surrender to God, so that perhaps he would take care of this situation in some way.
Paradox waited for the two Toa to open their eyes. "Another way I know you are really my daughter". He said to Outilisa, then earning a smile from her. He looked to Billy then. "And that YOU Billy, are more than worthy of her".
Sure, Paradox had already been okay with their relationship before as he was one of the best Toa and could easily protect her if she needed it, but after he saw Billy humble himself before God, and pray with his wife and father-in-law faithfully, now he truly knew they were an appropriate fit. For when Paradox was raising his daughter, he had always tried to teach her how to pray in the most difficult of situations, even if she was mad or sobbing from the sadness of losing another friend or family member to this war. Paradox had encouraged her to pray, saying that God would always be there to wipe her tears away and assure her that everything would be okay. Paradox had even read her stories in the Bible of warriors and leaders overcoming temptation and winning their battles through God to inspire her further. Seeing Billy's faith out on display moments earlier assured him that the two would remain strong together, and that their children would one day grow up with the same stories and would in turn grow up with the same faith.
Billy smiled and nodded in response, also complimenting: "Well, you're a pretty good Father-in-law"., earning a smile in return from Paradox.
Billy had actually been surprised by how well Paradox had responded to him marrying his daughter, especially since he had had to do it without either of her parents consent. Even on the days where he seemed to have problems dealing with losing Soldiers, Autobots, or Toa, Paradox would actually try to comfort and assist him in whatever ways he could. Paradox would even go as far as to pray for Billy, and request that every Toabot in the base would pray for for him. Most parents nowadays thought all boys who wanted to marry their daughters were bummers or losers, and would tell them so to their face. To hear that Paradox still approved, and possibly even more so now that they had prayed together definitely brightened his day a bit.
"Now let's find a way out of here".
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Biomarvel740: The torture scene at the beginning of the chapter is a reference to IDW's Transformers: Last Stand Of The Wreckers, which is owned by IDW (of course) and Hasbro. The name Liege is also owned by Hasbro, as I should've mentioned a long time ago. Though this is not the same Liege, he still shares a name with the other one and I have considered changing the name. Also "Is this what it's all about", is a reference to War For Cybertron. Paradox's question over whether or not Killer had turned Orange against Paradox, and Killers response to said question are from Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, Paradox begging Killer to take his life instead of everyone else's is from Thor, and Paradox asking for God to forgive Killer is a reference to what Jesus said on the cross in Luke 23:34.
Galem: Wow. That was a lot to take in.
Biomarvel740: How so?
Galem: I had a lot of emotions going as I was reading. I got angry at Orange and Killer, I grieved over the tortured Toabots (I really wanted to help them) and I prayed along with Paradox and Billy.
Biomarvel740: Oh. (Hugs her) I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Galem: (hugs him back) It's okay. It just means you did an excellent job.
Biomarvel740: Thanks. (Breaks the hug after a while, looks to the readers) Anyways, how did you all like this chapter?
Galem: (looks to the readers) Please leave a review 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
