Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Noon 12:12 PM

Paradox soared through the air, a tendril of water wrapped tightly around his leg, slamming him into a tree. Shaking the cobwebs from his head, he quickly stood up, just in time to dodge multiple water bullets whizzing past him.

"Geez, how versatile is this woman? She can create water bullets, tendrils, and even floods."

"My, to think you can still stand after all that. You are quite tough; I like it," the woman said with a smirk.

"Sorry, lady, but I'm already taken," Paradox replied, sprinting side to side to confuse her. 'I guess it's time to stop holding back,' he thought.

"Not so fast," the woman declared, flooding the surroundings again. Paradox leaped high into the air, leaving him vulnerable to another barrage of water bullets.

"Okay, I can't get close. Maybe I should use that ability."

"What ability?" she taunted.

Paradox moved faster than the eye could see, but the woman tracked his every movement, launching another barrage of water bullets. To her shock, they passed right through him.

"W-What power is that?"

"Why don't you figure it out, beautiful?" Paradox retorted, appearing instantly in front of her. He unleashed a flurry of punches, striking her stomach, face, and chest, launching her into a tree.

"If you can't figure out this ability, then this fight is over for you," Paradox warned, his crimson eyes causing her to flinch.

–Inside the Warehouse–

Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Noon 12:12 PM

Norika crashed into a wall, hit by a sound note created by Soundwave. The note had the power to disrupt her hearing, making her ears ring nonstop.

"I can't hear a thing. Just what did this bastard do to me?" she muttered, focusing on her sense of smell to locate Soundwave. She dodged a blast of sound just in time.

'How did he get behind me so fast?' she thought, snapping her fingers to create an explosion where he stood.

"Did I get him?"

Her answer came in the form of a fist to the face, covered in vibrations, sending her flying into shipping containers.

'I didn't want to use this, since I can only maintain it for a few seconds and it drains my energy, but here goes nothing.'

Norika clutched her sword, taking a deep breath before releasing the first rune, covering her blade in pure crimson flames.

'Here goes nothing.'

Charging at Soundwave, she moved far faster than before, thrusting her sword forward. It was stopped by a barrier of sound. Undeterred, she pushed her sword, burning the sound barrier around it and piercing him in the chest. She then coated her leg in flames and kicked him in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall and knocking him out.

"Phew, that was tough. It's been forever since I've had that much trouble in a fight," she said, turning her attention to the hole in the wall where Paradox had gone. She wondered how he was faring.

–Outside the Warehouse–

Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Noon 12:15 PM

Paradox walked slowly towards the woman, phasing through all of her attacks with a grin on his face.

"This is so unfair!" she pouted, her eye twitching.

"All's fair in love and war, sweetie," he replied, stopping right in front of her. "Tell me, what is your name?"

She hesitated, trying to come up with a plan. "My name is Siren."

"Quite a fitting name for your powers. I'll give you two options," he paused before continuing, "One, you can leave and escape, or two, you can continue fighting and have all your bones broken. Choose wisely."

Siren was surprised; she never thought a Hero would let a villain escape instead of taking them to prison.

"Why are you letting me leave? Aren't you a Hero?"

To this, she was met with a hearty laugh. "A Hero? No, not even close. I'm just some guy who does things for fun, and it just so happened that Soundwave broke out of prison, so I came to blow off some steam."

"So you're not a Hero, and you only came here for entertainment?"

"That is correct, and I am grateful to you. You have shown me something in this fight."

"What could I have possibly shown you?" she asked, confused.

"You have shown me that I have been slacking in my physical prowess and have been relying too much on my powers."

"Should you really be telling me this? I could use it against you—"

Before she could blink or finish her sentence, a sharp blade was pressed against her neck, the blade of a scythe.

"I'll give you this: you may be skilled, but even then, I can still kill you anytime I please. I suggest you keep your mouth shut, miss."

Putting away his scythe, he turned towards the warehouse to meet up with Norika. Before disappearing inside, he turned his head back to say one final thing.

"Try not to get your pretty head killed. I'm looking forward to our rematch."

Siren shakily stood up, her determination renewed. She began walking away, intent on winning the next encounter with the oh-so-mysterious Paradox.

–Inside the Warehouse–

Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Noon 12:16 PM

Paradox met back up with Norika, who looked exhausted from her fight.

"See, Norika? That's why you don't always rely on brute force," he chided, only to receive a punch to the head.

"Shut up. I hate sound-based attacks so much. My ears are still ringing, but they're healing."

"Then just learn to block out all forms of sound. It helps."

"I'm not like you, Father. I don't just block out the world around me."

"True. To me, this world is just an imagination for me to do as I please."

They both turned their attention toward Soundwave, who was still unconscious.

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"You must really not like him for him to be out like a light," Paradox remarked.

Before they could do anything, the entire warehouse was surrounded by sirens blazing, revealing people in police attire.

"Geez, not another problem. Can't they let me go back and laze around?" Paradox grumbled.

"Yeah, we just got done fighting for our lives... well, not really," Norika replied.

–Outside the Warehouse–

Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Noon 12:18 PM

"We have you surrounded! Come out with your hands up!" a voice shouted.

"And if I don't?" Paradox's voice echoed back.

"Do they not understand the situation they're in?" one officer muttered.

"They must not," another replied.

"I will only tell you one more time: come out with your hands up! You have trespassed on private property."

–Inside the Warehouse–

Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Noon 12:18 PM

"Of course, it's the police. But I doubt they would all come here if they knew Soundwave was here. Maybe they have some sort of secret backup," Paradox mused.

"Who knows, Father. All I know is that if they don't cut off those annoying sirens, I'm going to blow up every single one of their cars," Norika threatened.

"Calm down, Norika. Just chill. We could maybe get out of this if we turn in Soundwave. But then again, we'd be taken in for questioning, and I don't have time for that."

"Then what should we do?" she asked, tilting her head.

"We'll go out in style."

Before Norika could even respond, Paradox picked up Soundwave and launched him out of the building, following suit with his hands in his pockets.

"Hello, everyone. Good day, isn't it?" He bowed.

"Put your hands up," one policeman ordered.

"Don't wanna," Paradox replied defiantly.

This defiance was met with a bullet aimed at his head, which he easily dodged.

"Well, now it's not nice to use deadly weapons on someone," he said in a mock-hurt tone.

"Enough of your games. Raise your hands now, or we will open fire."

"Just do it, Father. No amount of talking will get them to listen," Norika spoke up, walking beside him.

Just then, a woman walked up, her outfit distinct from the police attire.

"I am Agent Samantha Thompson. I work for Division Omega 7. I am here to detain and bring you in for questioning."

The woman stood around 5'6" tall, with an athletic build. Her long, silky hair was kept in a high ponytail. Her fair complexion contrasted nicely with her vibrant blue eyes. She wore form-fitting black tactical gear designed for maximum mobility.

"Division Omega 7? Never heard of you. And why should I come in?" Paradox questioned.

"It would be in your best interest. If you resist, we will be left with no choice but to eliminate you."

"Then I resist."

Norika sighed, instinctively dodging a bullet traveling toward her at high speed from the forest around them.

"I see, so they have a sniper. Just great."

"Calm down, Nor," Paradox said, turning his attention to the agent. "What will happen to us if we turn ourselves in?"

"If you come peacefully, your stay will be pleasant. We will ask you a few questions that we hope you will answer and run a few tests."

"Hold up. I'm fine with everything else, but no tests will be conducted on me," Paradox said childishly, turning his head.

Agent Thompson sighed and sweatdropped, knowing this task would be harder than she thought.

"Fine. I will bring it up with the higher-ups. But follow me."

Paradox and Norika followed her to a black van with the initials "O7" on it. They sat down for the ride, and Paradox instantly fell asleep.

–Hours Later–

Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - 2:00 PM

After a long drive, they reached a sprawling forest with a colossal building at its center. Rising 250 feet into the air, the structure featured twelve tiers of stone steps leading to massive double doors adorned with carvings of human triumph over adversity. The front bore a single word: "The Spiral."

"We're here," Agent Thompson announced, gesturing for them to exit the van.

Inside, they entered a grand atrium with a central fountain surrounded by lush vegetation and sleek furnishings.

"Ah, it's much better than I imagined. I thought it was going to be some dark, gloomy place underground," Paradox remarked.

To this, he received 'Are you serious?' looks from both Agent Thompson and Norika. "What? I just thought it would be cool."

They walked up to the front desk, where Agent Thompson spoke briefly with the receptionist before gesturing for them to follow.

"Don't do anything stupid. This place has state-of-the-art security, and if you do something foolish, I can't guarantee your lives," she warned, looking explicitly at Paradox.

"What? You think I would do something stupid?" he asked in minor shock, knowing he probably would.

Her answer came in the form of a simple "Yes."

"So little faith. That truly harms my heart," he said, faking a clutch at his chest.

"Is he always like this?" Agent Thompson whispered to Norika, who had been quiet the whole time.

"Yes," was her simple answer.

They walked up a few floors and stood outside "Director Rachel Martinez's" office. Knocking on the door, they heard a faint "Come in." Walking inside, they saw a woman who looked in her early thirties.

Director Rachel's hair was a sleek, dark brown color, styled in a chic, asymmetrical bob that fell just above her chin. It framed her face and added to her professional yet approachable demeanor. Her eyes were striking, piercing green, a trait inherited from her grandmother. These intense emerald orbs seemed to bore into those she looked at, conveying sharp intelligence, keen observation, and unwavering resolve.

Director Martinez typically wore tailored pantsuits in muted shades of charcoal gray, navy blue, or deep purple. She wore a crisp white blouse that complemented her suit, often adorned with a simple silver brooch or pin. Black leather pumps completed her ensemble, adding height and confidence to her already imposing presence.

"So you must be Rachel, the Director?" Paradox said in a nonchalant manner, not one for showing manners or respect.

"Yes, I am," she replied with a hint of amusement. "And you must be Paradox. Before you ask how I know, Agent Thompson sent a little information about you and how you are quite stubborn. Fufu."

"Uh, yeah. So what's all this about experimentations, and what is this place even for?"

"Well, Paradox, the experimentations are to find out about your powers and the best way to help you use them—or how to deal with you, in simplest terms."

She continued, "As for what this place is, it is where we study people with superhuman powers and figure out ways to deal with them if they become problems."

Norika stepped in, "What do we have to do with this, and what happened to Soundwave?"

"Ah, Soundwave is in the Containment Branch, locked away. As for your part, I have been watching you ever since your fight with Soundwave and that other person," she said, looking at Paradox. "My question is, why did you let her escape?" she stared at him intensely.

"Well, I did because I felt like it, and she would bring more entertainment into my life," he replied simply.

"Well, the next time you find her, bring her in."

"Are you ordering me around? Ha, that's funny. No one orders me to do anything," he said, sticking his head up.

Just then, a fist appeared in front of his face, almost faster than he could react, but it stopped.

"I hope you don't think of me as an easy target. I have trained for years and mastered multiple forms of martial arts."

'I see, so she is pretty skilled. No wonder she is the Director,' Paradox thought. "Well, call me impressed. I'll bite. If I join, what would I be doing?"

Norika, for her part, was surprised that Paradox had agreed to join them so easily.

"I'll join, but keep in mind, you don't control me. I am just here for the ride," he said, staring at her intently.

"Alright, that is fine by me. As for what you will be doing, it's simple. You will be going out and finding superhumans and bringing them in."

"That's all?"

"Not at all, Paradox. By doing so, I hope to create a team of superhumans to protect the planet."

"And the experimentations?"

"That is just a precaution, in case they get out of hand and lose control."

"Alright, I'll buy it. We have a deal. This seems like it will be interesting," he said with a grin, making a mental note to keep Eve out of the loop for as long as possible.

"Well then, I will have Thompson take you to the questioning area."

With that, Paradox and Norika left, following Thompson closely.

"My, he seems like an interesting young man. I wonder what kind of secrets he is hiding. He knows far too much, or maybe he just catches on to things easily. I guess that easygoing persona is a way to catch others off guard," Director Rachel mused to herself with a faint smile.