Villain Retirement

"How many Guardians responded to the call?"

"All of them. But I ordered most to just go back to their posts, these 12 should be more than enough."

Somewhere in the wide expanse of the Universe, Elder Zora's feline-like eyes reflected the dozen ships that were neatly floating in front of him. Beside him is a tattooed, silver-haired man; an evaniel wearing a Guardian's uniform.

"I take it you're also going?" Elder Zora said as he scratched the fur on his neck, "For a Guardian from a Higher Race to also respond to the call, I believe this number to actually be a bit overkill."

"My… kind is involved in this," the evaniel Guardian shook his head, "I need to be there."

"Hm," Zora nodded as he turned his focus back to the dozen ships that were now disappearing into a beam one by one, "Well then…

…It is time to see what has the princess all riled up."

***

"How is your original body, Riley?"

"Still in the evaniel's ship, Paige."

"...I miss you, you know? Your clone is always here and acting like you, but I can still tell when it's not you."

On the beach in front of the Paige and Paragon Superhero Agency, Riley's dark eyes were reflecting the endless blue in front of him. His breaths, almost leisurely as he sat on a towel perfectly laid down on the sand while Paige then rested on his lap.

John, Ellie, and her brother were also there. The three were practically living in the Paige and Paragon building since no one was really using it.

No one's registering. Not only because one of the owners was Darrkday, but because people were just too busy still trying to recover from what the House of Super did… as well as the alien stuff.

Even the villains were seemingly taking a break— there was absolutely nothing to do.

"You sure you don't want me to break you out, Boss?"

John, who was standing near the water, let out a loud sigh as he looked at Riley, "I know you can escape on your own, but at least it gives me something to do. At this point, I might as well go back to milking the cows just to relieve my boredom."

"...Boredom?" Ellie, who was just relaxing and bathing her skin in the sun, quickly turned her head to John and raised one of her eyebrows.

"I…. I was just kidding, of course," John forced a chuckle, before quickly running to the water to join Elliot.

"..." Paige watched John and Elliot play on the water for a few seconds, before letting out a very long and deep sigh as she sat up,

"John has a point. There really is no point with the agency anymore," she weakly muttered as she looked in the direction of their building, "I… was really hopeful about this working, but the House of Super just had to mess things up."

"Hm," Riley did not really say anything and just nodded his head.

"I imagined myself just welcoming people in the lobby. Managing what our heroes post and stream. I even imagined myself kicking people out for posting inappropriate stuff. It… was a grand dream. But now, we do have a ton of members… but they are just your Guests, Riley."

"..." Riley remained quiet as Paige started giggling quietly.

"And they're not really posting anything because there's nothing to post!"

"I apologize, Paige," and finally, Riley spoke.

"...Why are you apologizing?"

"I believe one way or another, everything bad that has happened could be traced back to me."

"What? No, pft," Paige shook her head, "The House of Super just used your name to incite some weak-willed people."

"It is still true that if I didn't exist…" Riley also shook his head, "...most of the catastrophes that have happened in the last decade wouldn't have happened."

"If you didn't exist, then I would have never met John," Ellie, who had been quietly just relaxing on the side, suddenly joined in on the conversation; she didn't look at the two, however,

"But then again, you have a point."

"I… share the same sentiment, Riley," Paige said as she rested her head on Riley's shoulder, "I also wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. I am sure you also inspired other people."

"Perhaps, but I am certain they were also devastated when they learned that I was Darkday," Riley let out a breath as he closed his eyes.

"W… well, you—"

"Thank you, everyone," Riley did not let Paige say another word as he looked at her straight in the eyes, "And to you, Paige. You have been very good to me…

…I just wish I could have repaid your feelings."

"That…" Paige's eyes slightly trembled as she felt Riley's palm on her cheek. She wanted to say something, but instead just once again rested her head on his shoulder.

"..."

"..."

"Anyway, when do we get to meet your daughter?"

"She is still at the house, Paige. Watching father grovel in pain."

"...What?"

"He swallowed the Guardian Force. Mother said it was a natural reaction."

"I… see," Paige blinked a couple of times, not knowing whether to laugh or be worried, "But… wow. You have a daughter— just when I thought it couldn't get anymore… fun."

Paige giggled for a while, before returning to rest on Riley's lap. She then let out a very long and deep breath as she stared at the sky,

"I guess the Age of Heroes and Villains really is over. Just… why did it have to end in our generation? And to think we were just…

…Ack!" Paige then started wriggling in frustration; if it wasn't for Riley, then the towel would be all over the place and sand would have been flying everywhere.

"This is so frustrating!" Paige screamed, but quickly recovered herself as she took in another breath, "Well… At least our generation can go beyond the stars now, so there's that. But what do we— wait."

Paige's eyes then suddenly turned wide as she once again sat back up, "I… I have a genius idea, Riley!"

"What is it?" Riley tilted his head as he returned Paige's… fiery gaze.

"This is even more fun than the whole conquering planets deal. Are you ready to hear it!?"

"Hm."

"Since you practically ended the Age of Heroes here…" Paige said as her hands slowly raise in the air, "We…

…we will find another planet and start the Age of Heroes there!"

"..." Riley could really only blink a couple of times as he heard Paige's words.

"Just think about it! We… will do what Megawoman did! Megawoman started the Age of Heroes here…" Paige then pulled her hair back as she almost gritted her teeth in excitement, "Just imagine, Riley…

…You can be the Megawoman of another planet!"

"But I am not a woman, Paige."

"...I meant you can be what Megawoman is to Earth to another planet."

"..." Riley still seemed confused as he once again tilted his head to the side. But after a few seconds, his eyes started to widen,

"I… can be like Megawoman?" He said with a slow voice, "I can be…

…Megaman?"

"...I'm pretty sure that name is taken, but we can think of a name later!" Paige smiled, "You're an alien, escaping a dying world. Previously a villain… you have a perfect backstory!"

"..." Riley's eyes continued to turn wide as a smile very slowly crawled on his face. But after a few more moments, his smile disappeared,

"But I am inherently evil, Paige. I would most likely become their harbinger of ruin, much like in this world."

"...That's something to be discussed later," Paige squinted her eyes, "But isn't this a cool plan!? I'll be there to document everything!"

"Hm."

"This is it, Riley!" Paige then said as she stretched her arms to the side, showing images of several different statues of Riley, "Our new dream— no, our new goal!"

"Hm."

"..." Ellie, who heard the entire conversation, could really only shake her head and sigh. Their conversations were always like this— always jumping to something grandiose. But since the other party was Riley, perhaps it could actually be done.

"We should start thinking of your new costume now…" Paige continued to talk, "...or maybe we just use your Paragon identity? I think… it's perfect, isn't it? We—"

"Excuse me."

And before Paige could continue to share her vision, two women coming from the direction of the building approached them.

"We… were told that we could find Paige and Paragon here?"

"Ah, that's us!" Paige quickly stood up and raised her hand; her decently-sized bosoms, almost jiggling as she was only wearing a swimsuit.

"We were told to find you?" The older one of the two stepped closer to Paige, "We came from the building but they said you were out here."

"Could… you two be heroes that want to join the agency?"

"Ah, yes!" The woman nodded.

"Oh… we're actually closing the agency soon," Paige could not help but let out a small sigh, "But we can still— Riley?"

And before Paige could finish her words, Riley stood up from the ground and walked in front of her.

"You're Alice Lane," he then said as he looked at the middle-aged woman.

"..." The woman turned to look at her companion, before turning her focus back to Riley. And after a few seconds, she let out a sigh.

"Damn…" And very soon the woman's face started to very slowly wriggle and deform,

"...How'd you know?"

"Because you are with Katherine," Riley said as he looked at the dull-looking woman behind her,

"I recognize her smell."