Villain Retirement

"That came from our ship!"

And almost as if fate was putting a stop to their conversation, the large explosion that came from the outside was followed by a series of screams. The crowd was already told to leave hours ago– but since the Baby Crew were still inside the building, most of them waited in the hopes that they could at least take a photo with them.

But alas, it would seem their decision to stay would now lead to their deaths as the jet of the Baby Crew suddenly exploded.

"Katrina, Monarch. Prioritize the safety of the citizens!"

Although Hannah still had a million questions to ask Paige and Paragon, she was the first to leave the seat; rushing outside as she started issuing commands.

"Black Bell, make sure all the debris from the ship won't cause any more problems! I'll try to see what or who caused it!"

And without even saying a word, Bella, Gary, and Katrina all rushed outside to follow Hannah's orders.

"We… we're going to see superheroes in action, Paragon!" Paige also quickly stood up as she looked at the Baby Crew's disappearing backs.

"You're a superhero too, Paige."

"Freak, you're right!" Paige then said… before an armor similar to what Riley was wearing suddenly wrapped her body; except it was more of a faded blue color.

"..."

"It wouldn't be Paige and Paragon if we're not similar!" Paige muttered as a pair of wings emerged from her back, "Let's go provide backup! Be careful not to disrupt the Baby Crew's flow, Paragon! Let's go, let's go!"

And with those words, Paige flew out of the building– of course, stopping in front of the door first and manually opening it since the quake seemed to have messed up with the building's systems.

"..." As for Riley, he just remained seated on the sofa; watching Paige and the Baby Crew rushing and scurrying to protect the humans. He didn't really bother joining them… as he could still sense Aerith somewhere outside. She was also with Empress when they left her, so his joining wouldn't really make much of a difference.

And besides…

…he was somewhat enjoying the screams even from inside the building.

Perhaps he has become lazy? He did float in space for an entire year without moving; just letting himself be dragged around by Aerith as his memories very slowly returned to him. Perhaps he had gotten used to doing nothing?

When he first started recovering his memories– Hannah was the first to appear in his mind… and at the same time, the desire to kill everyone and everything that breathes.

It had been a very long time since he last killed anyone. Even the aliens from Hotis 4J, he had no chance to kill any of them because it would create unnecessary trouble for Aerith– he was also enjoying their little adventure across the stars, after all.

For him to remember his desire for blood first and foremost along with Hannah… it seems he truly was engineered to be that way. If it is true that he was created by Diana– no. If it is true that he was created by Caitlain, then for what purpose?

Aerith told him repeatedly that Caitlain was responsible for 7 genocides– did she create him to do the same to Earth? If so, then why let him just roam free all these years when she could have just trained him to do that from the start?

With the way he is, Riley probably wouldn't even bat an eye if he was ordered to kill everyone.

…Did something go wrong along the way?

Was it Alice's death? Was he supposed to be taken care of by Alice?

From the way Aerith explained Caitlain's mind, she seemed to be the type to think a hundred years ahead– unlike Aerith, who liked living in the moment and didn't let her millennia of existence cloud her mind.

Are all of these part of her plan? Or did something really go wrong along the way?

Caitlain, Aerith, and Bulwark. All three have lived for millennia, so what do they have in common?

…Was it love? Did Caitlain learn to love in the end?

"..."

No. Even Aerith seemed to be somewhat foreign to the concept as she did not really grieve for her husband– and even left Gary here on Earth.

Riley learned that although Aerith truly did show care and love to the humans, it wasn't really to the point that the people think… because if she truly cared for them, she wouldn't have brought Riley back to Earth.

Aerith… cared more about her mission than the people. But of course, Aerith would still choose to save as many lives as possible as she does so– she was just a kind individual in general.

Bulwark… Perhaps Bulwark truly knew how to love. After all, it was evident during Prophet's death. Whenever there was something that could give light to Prophet's death, he was there– he loved him enough that he risked the lives of several students and gave them the responsibility to search for clues.

As for Caitlain… Riley truly did not have any idea. Whatever she showed during her life with the Ross' could all be fake– some of them could be true, but Riley was not really one to judge emotions.

"..." Riley continued to think of all the possibilities as he continued to nonchalantly watch as the situation outside seemed to not be improving. They seemed to not have apprehended anyone yet, and at the same time, there have been a couple more explosions since Riley started to delve inside his mind.

"..." He also couldn't sense Aerith nearby anymore. Perhaps… it's time to join Paige and the othe–

And before Riley could stand up, a stranger wearing a hat suddenly sat opposite him… while two others sat beside him on both sides.

"..." He looked at the old man in front of him, only to realize that it was the man that entered the building right after the receptionist was done explaining about the schematics of a Superhero Agency earlier.

As for the two others, he didn't really know when they got inside– but most probably when he was busy thinking about Caitlain's plans.

"Hello, child."

The old man then started to speak, taking off his hat and revealing his completely aged and sparse set of hair,

"Don't be alarmed, I am not here to hurt you…

…I just have a few questions, that is all."

"..." Riley looked at the man's wrinkled face for a bit, before turning his head towards the receptionist… only to see her pinned on the wall.

…That was newly painted.

"I apologize for killing her. It would have been troublesome if she were to call anyone," the old man then let out a sigh, "We've also killed all the guards. So it is best for you to just cooperate with us."

"..." Riley then turned his head back to the stranger, before leaning his back on the sofa and letting out a small sigh.

"It's good that you're quick to realize your situation," a smile appeared on the old man's face, "The two beside you will kill you before you could even blink if you try to do anything. Now, let me introduce myself. I…

…am Thousandblade."

"..." Riley could only blink as he heard the man's name. Why… did he say it like Riley was supposed to know who he is?

"Don't be afraid," Thousandblade shook his head as he let out a small chuckle, "A superhero like you should not be intimidated just by something like this."

"..."

"Good, I hope you remain this cooperative," Thousandblade nodded, "Now… is the woman that claims to be your mother Megawoman?

"..."

"You don't really have to answer that one since I already know it," Thousandblade muttered as he grabbed his hat from the table; and without even any warning, he threw it to the side… cutting up a personnel in half that unfortunately happened in the situation. The hat, however, once again became soft before it even landed on the floor.

"2nd question. Where is Megawoman?"

"That was a mistake, Thousandblade."

"...It seems you don't really get your situation, child," Thousandblade then let out a short but deep sigh as he heard Riley's words, "Cut off a finger."

And as soon as he said that, the two people sitting beside Riley quickly pinned him to the sofa. With one trying to pull his hand away… but found that they could not even move it even for a single millimeter.

"I'm not a superhero, Thousandblade. They took my license away," Riley then casually muttered as he suddenly grabbed both the faces of the people beside him, "And since you are trespassing on my property and even committed homicide, I can legally kill you in any way I want without any repercussions."

"W–"

And as soon as he said that, blood started to rain down upon Riley; his once ivory suit, now completely painted in red as he completely crushed the men's faces.

"You…"

Thousandblade then watched as Paragon nonchalantly pushed away the two faceless bodies; the sudden white light that emerged from his eyes, quickly evaporating the blood scattered on his face.

"I haven't had fun for a very long time, Thousandblade," Paragon then whispered as he slowly stood up from the sofa. And although his entire mouth and cheeks were covered by a mask, it was very obvious that there was a smile hiding behind it,

"And perhaps the only right thing you would be doing today...

…is being in the wrong place at the wrong time."