Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Nighttime 11:00 PM
Perched atop a building, Paradox and Norika surveyed the abandoned warehouse before them.
"Why do we have to sit here and do nothing?" Norika groaned in boredom.
"We have to wait for The Fox's companions before we strike," Paradox replied calmly, trying to placate her.
"Why don't we just bust in, destroy the machine, take down this 'Fox,' and get the information out of him?" Norika suggested impatiently.
To her surprise, Paradox looked dumbfounded. "Father, don't tell me you forgot about the Omni-Watch's memory scanning aspect."
"No, it just slipped my mind. It's not like I forgot it existed," he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"You hardly use it, always thinking you can handle everything alone," Norika remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"I can handle anything alone. Few can match me," Paradox declared proudly.
"That arrogance is why I beat you in the first place. You let your power blind you," Norika retorted.
"Perhaps. But the fact remains, few stand a chance against me," Paradox insisted.
"Enough talk. Whether you like it or not, I'm busting in my way," Norika decided abruptly.
Before Paradox could respond, Norika had already launched a torrent of flames towards the warehouse, blasting a hole through its walls.
"Of course, she goes for the direct approach," Paradox chuckled to himself. "Looks like we're going in guns blazing."
Paradox jumped down beside Norika, reminding her, "Don't reveal too much power. We're being watched."
Before she could reply, Norika's Omnipotent Senses detected a drone nearby.
"I see them watching. Why hold back? Let's show them why they shouldn't mess with us," Norika suggested defiantly.
"Because, Norika, for two reasons..." Paradox began dramatically.
"Spit it out," Norika demanded impatiently.
"One, we're not as strong as we used to be. And two, they'll have countermeasures prepared," Paradox explained.
"Tch, fine. They probably know how to handle powered individuals. I'll hold back... for now," Norika conceded reluctantly.
"Thank you, Nor. Now, let's make an entrance," Paradox smirked, activating his Uni Gloves.
He swung a punch at the warehouse, stopping just short of impact but still causing significant damage.
"Not even trying to be subtle," Norika smirked, walking through the newly made entrance.
As they moved through the building, they felt eyes upon them, but couldn't pinpoint their observer.
"Where is he? Why hide?" Norika grumbled irritably.
"Maybe because two intruders just wrecked his place. I'd hide too," Paradox chuckled.
Paradox deftly dodged a sudden attack, then teased, "Who else but a fiery-tempered girl would burn everything down to get what she wants?"
"Hmph. Let's find this guy before I decide to burn you instead," Norika threatened half-seriously.
"Alright, Captain," Paradox replied, following her lead.
----------------------------------------
Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Nighttime 11:05 PM
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, The Fox, a man in his late thirties, observed the chaos unfolding.
"Who are these two? Quite rude to barge in unannounced," he mused quietly.
"But they're no ordinary intruders. I sense their power. I must deal with them quickly," he decided, pulling out a custom sniper rifle.
"Say hello to my little friend," The Fox whispered as he took aim at Paradox and fired.
----------------------------------------
Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Nighttime 11:06 PM
Back with Paradox and Norika, they dodged The Fox's bullets skillfully. Paradox phased through them effortlessly while Norika shielded herself in flames, turning the bullets to ash.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"That was close. He's not coming out of hiding, is he?" Paradox remarked.
"He will. If not, I'll burn this whole forest down. Then he'll have nowhere to hide," Norika declared, a sinister gleam in her eyes.
----------------------------------------
The Fox shivered as he watched from his hiding spot.
"That girl... she's the real threat here. That look in her eyes... pure malice."
– Back with Paradox and Norika –
"Calm down, Nor, no need to get pent up. Besides, the longer we wait, the more likely his allies will show up," Paradox reasoned, watching Norika's fiery display with a mix of amusement and concern.
"Fine. I'll use all of them as punching bags before I kill that bastard," Norika declared, forming a small ball of fire and hurling it into the forest, causing a massive explosion and igniting a forest fire.
"You just had to do it, didn't you?" Paradox sighed inwardly. This will definitely be on the news tonight, he thought to himself, assessing the situation.
"I suggest you come out before this whole forest is reduced to ashes!" Paradox called out loudly.
– The Fox –
Come out? Are they insane? If I do that, I'm 100% going to die. I'm better off using the smoke from the fire as cover, The Fox strategized silently, hidden in the shadows.
If I fire off more bullets while they are concentrating on finding me, they might reveal their positions, he grumbled to himself. This is the most troublesome mission I've ever had.
– Back with Paradox and Norika –
Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Nighttime 11:17 PM
"Why is this taking so long? Why doesn't he just come out?" Norika impatiently sent another ball of fire into the opposite side of the forest, causing another massive explosion.
"Well, that's simple, Nor. It's for 'the plot.' You can't have an event or something ending too quickly; the story won't allow it," Paradox replied cryptically.
"Story? Event? What are you talking about, Father? Have you gone insane? We're not in a manga," Norika shot back incredulously.
"Yeah, you're right. I was just trying to come up with an idea," Paradox admitted.
"How about keeping your ideas to yourself if they don't make sense? Besides, I have an idea myself," Norika smirked.
"And that is?" Paradox asked, genuinely curious.
"Burn everything down," Norika declared gleefully, sending more balls of fire into the forest.
Ha, why did I think it would be something actually worth listening to? I forgot who I was dealing with here, Paradox thought wryly, surveying the forest. By the end of all this, there won't be any forest left around here.
– The Fox –
Ha! They've lost focus. Now's my chance, The Fox thought, seizing the opportunity. He fired three bullets at Paradox with precision—one aimed at his heart, another at his head, and the third at his chest.
The first bullet hit, but it was swiftly deflected back at The Fox, piercing through his right shoulder. The other two bullets phased through Paradox harmlessly.
"What happened? I'm sure the bullet pierced his chest. Did he reflect it or something?" The Fox muttered in disbelief, clutching his shoulder to stem the bleeding.
– Back with Paradox and Norika –
"Did you really let him hit you?" Norika demanded.
"Yes," Paradox replied simply.
"Why?" Norika pressed.
"Simple. Now I know where he is—" Before Paradox could finish, Norika was already in his face, demanding information.
Paradox pointed in a direction, and without waiting for more details, Norika dashed off to find The Fox.
"As impatient as always, isn't she?" Paradox sighed. "I'll just stay here and let her have her fun."
– With Norika –
Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Nighttime 11:23 PM
Norika searched the area, finding no trace of The Fox initially, which made her suspect Paradox had misled her. Just then, a bullet whizzed past her face.
"Never mind, he is here," Norika muttered. She shot a torrent of flames behind her, only to be met with silence. He's not there. He's agile and nimble.
Her senses alerted her to multiple bullets aimed at her, and she swiftly created a wall of fire around herself, turning the bullets to ashes.
'These bullets are annoying. If not for my Omnipotent Sense, I would have been dead before I could react', Norika thought, bracing herself. Just then, a bullet managed to breach her firewall, striking her side. Another hit her leg.
– The Fox –
"Don't think that just because you have a wall of fire, it will protect you. This sniper rifle is made to counter almost anything," The Fox muttered to himself, determined. With some sonic tech enhancements, I can part the flames long enough to reach her.
"This fight is over," The Fox declared confidently.
"Yeah, you're right. It is over," Norika's voice came from behind him. Before he could react, she was upon him, the Black Blade slicing deep into his back.
"What? How did you get here so fast? Your leg should be injured," The Fox groaned in pain, shocked by her speed and determination.
"So? It's only pain. I'm accustomed to it. This is just a scratch to me," Norika replied coldly.
'She's a monster', The Fox thought as he tried to crawl away. He pressed against a tree, attempting to gain some leverage.
"Any final words before you die?" Norika asked ominously.
"Yes, just one," The Fox grinned slightly, pulling out a compact electrified stun baton. He struck it against the ground, sending a surge of electricity toward Norika, shocking her.
"Ha! How do you like that?" The Fox taunted, watching as Norika stumbled backward, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air.
But before Norika hit the ground, she disappeared, reappearing behind The Fox in an instant, gripping his right arm tightly.
"Huh? Isn't that my arm?" The Fox gasped in shock, realizing the tables had turned.
Norika went in for another attack, aiming for his throat, but before she could strike, she was knocked aside by a powerful blow from a hammer.
– Back with Paradox and Norika –
Jun, Thursday 13, 2007 - Nighttime 11:32 PM
"Welcome back, Norika. I see you're in trouble," Paradox remarked casually, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
"Shut up! I'm not in trouble; I was just caught off guard," Norika snapped, regaining her footing.
"If you say so. But it seems like his allies are here now, so be ready," Paradox warned, as three figures emerged from the shadows, clearly aligned with The Fox.