Paragon

Wraith turned and gripped a marionette by the top of its skull and sent a torrent of amps into its spine, then drove his jagged, icy cestus through its chest. He planted his foot on his victims shoulder and forcefully shoved it off his hand. He looked up and saw that the officers had dropped their nullifiers and now, were grabbing rifles and pistols, firing at the assailing marionettes. He was glad to see that they had decided upon the mutual enemy as opposed to focusing on him and Dubstep who had also been having fun letting his powers loose on very durable opponents.

Wraith turned and saw the vixen from earlier holding an officer by his neck, her fangs sunk into his shoulder as she stared with her feline eyes straight at Wraith. He growled at her and charged his right hand full of energy. She threw the officer to the side and stalked toward him. Immediately, Wraith started to feel drowsy again. He focused his will and tried to conjure more electricity but she seemed to be much more focused on him than before and his consciousness was quickly slipping away.

“None’a that!” He heard Dubstep yell. Wraith looked up and saw the young Super floating right behind the vixen with either hand next to her feline looking ears. The deep, throbbing bass sound of his powers, aptly described by his moniker, pounded next to her ears and the vixen shrieked in pain then fell over, dead.

“How…” Wraith paused.

“Ain’t much you can do when your brain gets liquefied?” Dubstep said and then winked at him. Wraith wasn’t sure he wanted to know how the young man had discovered he could use intense sonic waves to liquefy a brain. He decided to focus on the positives, the young man had saved his life and the temptress capable of putting him to sleep, was dead. Everybody won, except for her of course.

Wraith spun on his heel and drove his icy hand upward, impaling another marionette and then slammed it down onto the ground. Wraith brought up his foot and firmly planted it as hard as he could down on the lanky beast’s jaw. There was a pile of marionette bodies beneath him mixed with a few of the officers who had met their end at the hands of these beasts. Each death spurred the Wraith on to fight harder and faster. His left hand relinquished the ice around it so that he could grab the next one that flung itself toward him. The marionette made every attempt to impale him and rake his exposed torso with metal talons. Wraith gripped it by the neck with his left hand and within a matter of seconds its entire body was covered in frostbite. The last remaining three suddenly leapt backward and skittered up the nearest buildings, disappearing over the skyline with rabid howls.

“Where are they going?” Wraith whispered as the officers cheered and mocked the fleeing creatures.

“Woo!” One yelled, “that’s right, run off, ya lanky fuck!”

Then another sound rose through the sky; it was the sound of people, civilians, screaming in horror and glass shattering. They all froze for a second, then the officers grabbed their radios and started calling in units.

“No nulls, we need ballistics! No! Fucker, did you hear me?! I said get some fuckin’ units out here right damn now with ballistic weapons! No, nulls!” One of the sergeants yelled into his radio.

“Thank you for your assistance, sergeant.” Wraith began as he floated towards the officers. “There are more Supers joining the fight, please ask your men not to engage the Supers. We’re here to help, officer.” The officer simply stared at Wraith for a moment.

“You’re the one they call the Wraith, ain’t ya?” The officer inquired.

“I am.”

“You killed two of my buddies about a week ago; Stavos and Katillia.” The officer added.

“I remember them. They were torturing a Super with their nullifiers. They did not arrest her; they may have been planning to, but they simply sat there shooting her with the device while she writhed on the ground.” Wraith explained.

“Yeah… I’ve heard stories of shit that goes down sometimes… Glad you’re on our side.” The officer said and then dipped into his vehicle and sped around to head toward the disturbances.

“See?” Wraith said in Dubstep’s direction, “Give them aid and they’ll see that we’re here to help not hurt.”

“Not a bad idea, I still don’t like the fuckin’ cops.” Dubstep said and shook his head.

“You don’t have to,” Wraith added, “but today you do need to help them. Find these things and protect any civilians you find, Dubstep. The day is long from over.”

“You not comin’?” The young Super asked.

“I’m needed elsewhere, can I trust you to be more of a help than harm?” Wraith asked.

“I suppose I could make the exception for Christmas,” Dubstep said and winked at the Paragon, then lifted off into the air above loud, throbbing sonic waves. Wraith shook his head; something told him this youth would likely be a problem at some point in the future, but at least for now he recognized that there were more important enemies to fight.

“Phalanx, can you read me?” Wraith said with his finger pressed against the small radio in his ear.

“Loud and clear, did your fight end prematurely too?” Phalanx asked.

“Yeah, they took off and I’m pretty sure Vladimir is using them to sack the city. We need to run interception.” Wraith said.

“No, we need to go after Vladimir now. Lady Lightspeed can lead the Supers against the marionettes and run interception for the civilians. These things are going to keep coming unless we slay the dragon.” Phalanx replied, and Wraith knew that he was right. They could run interception all day but there was no way to know how many of these things were left. They had to cut off the head of the Dragon and they needed to do it fast.

“I’ll meet you at the tower then. Janice should be in place right now, I’ll call her on my way over.” Wraith acknowledged and soared through the air. He decided to fly low, taking the path laid out by the streets and gave brief aid to other scuffles as he passed them. He froze a marionette here, clotheslined another with his arm, and electrocuted another. As he sped through the city he heard the disturbing warning voice echo through the cloudy air.

“Stay in your homes, the streets are not safe. Return to your homes and lock your doors.” That never ceased to make Wraith’s skin crawl. Once at the Tower’s base, Wraith saw Phalanx waiting for him. Much of the Paragon’s armor had been corroded or shredded. Phalanx had removed the armor on his arms since they had suffered the most damage, leaving only his steel hauberk that ran down to his feet. The reactor on his chest still glowed white-hot with energy.

“Are you ready, Wraith?” Phalanx asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Wraith replied.

“Are you sure we can trust your friend?” Phalanx asked and crossed his arms, “I don’t like the idea of going in there with three nullifiers pointed at my back.”

“Well, worst case scenario they do double cross us and I incapacitate them before you turn into a puddle on the floor.”

“At least you remain optimistic.” Phalanx laughed and looked up the building. “It must end here. It has gone on far too long.”

“We’ll find a way. Ready?”

“I am.”

The two Paragons ascended through the air all the way to the top of the building where Vladimir’s office lay. As they rose, the storm assembled over them. Every cloud around the city came together and joined as one over the Tower. The sky became black at Wraith’s command; his eyes glowed and radiated power while the storm converged above them and became a whirling tempest. When they reached the top floor Phalanx shattered the glass with a light tap from his bare hand, but Vladimir was nowhere to be seen.

“Come to me, heroes! Come and meet thine end!” Vladimir raged from above them. He was on the rooftop.

“It seems roofs are the fad for epic battles this year,” Wraith quipped. The two Paragons rose through the air and saw Vladimir with his palms outstretched in a welcoming gesture.

“Your storm will not stop me, hero. You cannot kill a god.” Vladimir declared.

“Then we’ll just have to make you mortal,” Wraith replied and pressed his finger against the earpiece. “Chief Slayt, get ready!” At his command the door to the roof burst open and Janice came out with four officers at her back, all of them brandishing nullifiers. Lightning struck above their heads and thunder rolled across the sky ominously.

“Give up, Vladimir. We’ve rounded up your minions and slayed your abominations. You’ve lost.” Phalanx said.

“You’re such a boorish fool!” Vladimir growled, “did you truly think I needed any of those things to rule this world? I merely sent them out to toy with you. If you kill me they will run wild and rampant. I control them, and without me they will be mindless savages. You will never beat me!” Vladimir reached out with his will and grabbed his father with a telekinetic grasp. He closed his hand in a crushing motion and Phalanx’s suit started to cave from the psychic pressure. Phalanx cried out in pain. He tried to move but was held firmly in the Dragon’s grips.

“Do it!” Wraith yelled and a volley of sonic waves was set loose from the nullifiers towards Vladimir. The waves of air distorted by the energy of sound collided with the Dragon and forced him to his knees. He cried out in agony and gripped his head tightly as the nullifiers were fired again and again at him. Phalanx landed on the roof and gripped his chest. He tore away the remaining armor revealing the t-shirt he wore underneath and the generator strapped to his chest. He pulled off his helmet and Wraith was surprised at how young he looked. He actually had a younger appearance than Wraith did except for the short, well-kept beard on his face. Phalanx had high, sharp cheekbones and a prominent chin that stuck out and was clearly visible even through the black facial hair.

Then, Vladimir rose to his feet. The barrage of nullifier waves were still slamming into him and making it difficult for him to move, yet there he was: standing. Vladimir planted both feet firmly on the ground and grunted, pulling his hands away from his head. His eyes became red and bloodshot.

“I have… had… enough… Of all of you…” Vladimir croaked. He turned his head toward the four officers. A gunshot was heard, then another, and Wraith turned his head in time to see the source of the third shot. One of the police officers Janice had brought with her had pulled out his side-arm and shot Chief Slayt and the other three police officers in the back of the head. Wraith’s eyes widened and he was stunned, shocked, he found himself frozen in surprise. He didn’t even register that the officer was now pointing the weapon at him, and squeezed off a fourth shot. Wraith felt the bullet strike him in the ribcage on his left side. He looked down and saw blood starting to leak from the wound and dropped to one knee; the pain was awful. It was worse than any blow he had ever suffered in any fight. The detective holding the gun was smiling at him while aiming for another shot. He pulled the trigger a fifth time.

***

Phalanx heard the gunshots but was also surprised to see the source and reason for the sound. He saw Wraith take a shot to the ribs and then leapt forward just in time for the bullet to strike him in the chest. The bullet thudded and compressed against his steel skin, then fell harmlessly to the ground with an audible TINK. The officer fired several more rounds but none of them could pierce Phalanx’s skin.

Phalanx looked down and saw Vladimir was still in a slight stage of vertigo, reeling from the nullifier barrage he’d suffered. He had just enough time. Phalanx saw the detective reloading and had to act fast. He rose off the ground and flew toward Vladimir, ramming the length of his forearm into his son’s neck and then rushing forward to the officer who had just managed to slam the next magazine into his Glock. The officer aimed his sights at Wraith with determination and persistence in his eyes. Again Phalanx came between the officer’s sights and Wraith just in time to take the bullets instead of the already injured Paragon. Phalanx flew forward and drove his knee into the detective’s jaw which sent the balding man flying off into the distance.

Phalanx didn’t care where he landed, he didn’t even care whether or not the officer survived. He had to deal with the matter at hand. He turned around and saw Vladimir fully recovered and standing right behind him.

“Hello, Father,” Vladimir said and whipped out the back of his hand in an insulting slap that sent Phalanx spinning into the air. Phalanx regained his composure and rubbed his jaw; that actually hurt.

“Magic, Vladimir? Even for you, that’s low. I knew you were dealing with the occult but stealing powers? You’re pathetic.” Phalanx cursed.

“You’re wrong, Father,” Vladimir chuckled as he rose into the air and hovered towards his father. “I’m a god. I have more powers than any Paragon could ever dream off. Why can’t you just accept that?” Vladimir added a mocking grin to his words. Phalanx threw out a punch and became frustrated when his hand stopped just before hitting Vladimir’s jaw. He tried harder to follow through but his hand would not move, nor would the rest of him.

“You never could beat me yourself.” Phalanx said through gritted teeth.

“Oh come now, Father, I literally never could because I didn’t inherit your brutish powers. All the good they’ve done you, though. You couldn’t save Mother; you couldn’t save your friends, your kingdoms. You couldn’t save that Paragon’s family; and you can’t save yourself now.” Vladimir took in a deep breath and exhaled blue fire. The fire wrapped itself around Phalanx’s form and enveloped him. The Paragon roared and screamed in pain, struggling and thrashing against his psionic bonds.

Vladimir raised his hands and, once again, Phalanx felt the firm grips of telekinetic hands crushing his body. His form was thrown down, hard, onto the ground where he bounced and skidded across the roof. Phalanx tried to bring himself up but felt a chill creep through his skin; he was frozen in place, literally. His body was now enveloped in ice that thickened with every passing second. Phalanx mustered all of his strength and shattered the icy tomb and leapt toward Vladimir with a savage assault of punches. Vladimir dodged every single attack with blinding speed.

“You’ve gotten slow, old man. You’re sloppy!” Vladimir mocked and drew back his hand; the hand changed and became a large, rectangular brick of stone which he swiped in an upward arc, slamming into Phalanx’s chin and sending him flying back.

Over in the corner Wraith was struggling to keep conscious. He had cauterized his bullet wound with a short arc of electricity from his finger tip. The bullet had gone clean through him so he had two wounds to cauterize, but they were closed now and at least he wouldn’t bleed to death. The pain was still excruciating and was preventing him from complete concentration. He had to get back into the fray; his plan to use several nullifiers to assault the telepath had worked for a moment, but one of the officers was apparently in Vladimir’s pocket. Chief Slayt had paid the price for siding with him.

Wraith turned his attention to the fight and saw Phalanx getting tossed around like a ragdoll by Vladimir as he continuously changed the powers he used. Then he saw something; whenever Vladimir switched to a new power he stumbled and gripped his head, then quickly shook it off and resumed his beat-down. It looked like he was getting a headache and with every new power he summoned the pain was more and more visible on his face.

Phalanx tried to fight back but his son was using a very tactical combination of blinding speed, strength and other powers to defeat him. Vladimir’s forearm became a bone-like shiv which he used to pierce and scrape Phalanx’s skin. He was bleeding from several open wounds courtesy of his own son. He turned and tried to anticipate Vladimir’s movements and managed to get a solid blow, colliding his fist with his son’s sternum. Vladimir slid backwards, his heels skidding on the gravel, and then he zipped forward. His knee came up and cracked Phalanx in his jaw so hard that a bruise quickly developed on the Paragon’s face.

“I gave you every opportunity!” Vladimir howled and struck his father again on the face with a fist coated in fire which splashed embers all around them on impact. “Every chance!” He barked and then breathed fire on the Paragon once more.

Wraith pushed himself to his feet as pain flared through his side with each movement. He ignored the pain, he had to.

“To join me,” Vladimir continued; his head changed shape, contorting into the visage of a horned dragon and then grabbed Phalanx by his shoulders and slammed his horned head into his father’s face. “To help me!” Vladimir slammed his foot down on Phalanx’s wrist and grabbed his fingers. There were several loud, crackling-popping sounds as he broke them all. Phalanx cried out and kicked up with his feet, launching Vladimir away. Phalanx summoned energy from his generator and the bones quickly healed and snapped back into place. He roared and dove forward, attempting to assault Vladimir with his fists, but every strike was parried, blocked or dodged just like the others. Vladimir kicked out with his foot and drove it into Phalanx’s knee, forcing the Paragon to kneel. Vladimir reached forward and grabbed his father by the top of the head and smiled.

***

Vladimir now held his father by his head; a direct connection to his mind and no helmet to get in his way; he sunk his psychic fangs into Phalanx’s brain and tore through his mind, searching through memories bringing to life every painful, dreaded memory buried in his thoughts. Phalanx saw the image of his wife dying over and over, his friends being sacrificed again, his own father’s death. He saw the day that Vladimir had single handedly driven an entire village so mad they were eating, killing and defiling one another, all for his sick enjoyment.

“A shame it has to come to an end, isn’t it?’ Vladimir mocked while smiling from ear to ear. “I mean, we’ve fought for centuries. You’re the only thing that’s ever stood in my way even a little bit and now you’re about to die. I’m almost kind of sad, thinking about it. A shame it has to end so soon though, isn’t it?”

A flash of light illuminated their surroundings and thunder split the sky. Vladimir kept his hand on his father and looked around; the Wraith had disappeared and was no longer bleeding helplessly in the corner.

“Look at that, your little friend has abandoned you, Father.” Vladimir guffawed and then slapped his father’s face. “I’ve always wanted to do this. Just slap you. Slap you for loving these pathetic humans so much, for choosing them over me.” He slapped his father again. “I could do this all day. But all good things must come to an end.”

“You’re right, Vladimir.” A voice said above them. “All things must end, and now it’s your turn.” Vladimir grinned, realizing that the Wraith had not run away. He was sticking around for another fight. On one hand, Vladimir was annoyed by this Paragon’s persistence while on the other hand, he admired the tenacity. The voice had echoed through the entire sky as if he spoke through the thunder itself.

“Stay,” Vladimir said and tapped his father on the forehead. Phalanx was caught in a psychic nightmare where he continuously relived his wife’s murder. He was frozen stiff, mouth hanging open, while he envisioned the moment over and over again. Then came the fog; it was thick enough that Vladimir could barely see his own hand in front of his face. He closed his eyes and when he opened them he saw the world in colorful shapes that depicted heat. He saw his father kneeling, mouth agape, staring into space pathetically and he saw the rest of the city lighting up with heat. Yet, there was nothing above him or around him. He closed his eyes again and his vision returned to normal; a brief spike of pain stabbed his brain. He tried to shove it out but the pain throbbed against his head and forced his eyes shut.

As he reeled and tried to recompose himself, Vladimir suddenly felt a powerful blow to his ribs that threw him to the side. He popped his eyes opened and looked around, but saw nothing. He pressed his hand to his side and saw that it was wet and damp with bits of broken ice against his shirt.

“Oh I see,” Vladimir laughed, “You’re going to hide and fight? Not very heroic now, is it?”

“I am not a hero, Dragon.” The voice echoed all around him and slithered through the fog itself. “I am what you made me. I am a ghost; a Wraith.”

“Heaven almighty, you’re dramatic, aren’t you?” Vladimir mocked and carefully stepped, turned, and stepped again waiting for the next strike. “My offer still stands; hero; bow to me and your family will be raised.” Vladimir took in a deep breath and exhaled with the force of a locomotive; the fog split and flew away with the force of the wind Vladimir had summoned. He looked very pleased with himself once he could see again, yet, he did not see the Paragon. For a moment, Vladimir was confused. He turned and spun but only saw the five dead police officers and his paralyzed father.

“You’re still awfully chatty for a ghost, don’t you think?” Vladimir called out but there was no response. He knew better than to assume the Wraith had run off this time. He continued to keep his eyes open and his senses alert, but he did not want to waste another moment; he had unfinished business. He strolled over to his father and placed his hand on Phalanx’s head once more.

“It’s time to die, Father, a pity that it all must end. I wish you could have seen my ascent to god-hood.” Vladimir summoned his mental energies and prepared to send them careening into his father’s mind, effectively raiding his mind and eviscerating it. Then he felt a pair of cold hands on either side of his head.

“You are no god.”

***

Wraith had gone up into the sky and summoned energy from every source he found. The buildings around them, the backup generator used to power the Tower and even the sky itself. The bright light and crack of thunder had been the most powerful bolt of lightning he had ever conjured from a storm and it had nearly torn his body apart trying to siphon it. He knew it wouldn’t be enough, though. There had to be more.

Just as Vladimir had grabbed Phalanx by the head again, Wraith descended from the sky. He had to time things just right. Vladimir had to be engrossed in his powers in order for Wraith to sneak up on him. He had to act quickly before Vladimir killed Phalanx. His hands gripped either side of Vladimir’s face and Wraith poured his will forth from every source. He roared and thunder clapped above him, another massive bolt of lightning struck from the heavens and funneled from Wraith’s body into Vladimir through his right hand. At the same time his left hand poured forth and froze Vladimir’s skin, then his bones, then his blood and organs. His brain became a solid heap of rime and his skin reacted with blackened frostbite that bubbled and popped as the lightning lacerated his nervous system on every level.

Millions of gigawatts and amps poured from Wraith’s will into the Dragon’s body. Vladimir howled and screamed into the air but his voice was drowned out by the power of the storm that ravaged his body. The arc of lightning struck continuously from the sky and remained chained to the Winter Wraith’s form. The electricity tore through Vladimir’s body and started to disintegrate the dead skin affected by the frost.

With Vladimir’s hand on Phalanx’s head, much of the energy transferred into the old Paragon. With his son no longer holding him psychically captive he absorbed everything that came his way and healed his body. The energy kept pouring forth and now he acted as a second conduit for the electrical power. Vladimir was slowly turning into frostbitten ashes, yet the Wraith showed no signs of letting up.

“Wraith!” Phalanx shouted.

“I can’t… I can’t stop!” Wraith shouted and howled with rage. His eyes glowed brighter than they ever had before. The black cloak he wore billowed and tried to escape his body with the power of the wind. Phalanx reached passed the frostbitten, electrically fried body of his son and grabbed Wraith by his arm. He felt more energy poor into him at such a fast rate his body twitched a little.

“You have to! You need to stop it!” Phalanx barked.

“I can’t! The storm… It’s taking control!” Wraith yelled and Phalanx realized he was unable to even conceive such a thing, neither did he want to. Phalanx looked around and saw that the storm was taking on its own mind, drawing upon Wraith’s power.

Lightning struck the buildings around them; it lanced down and assailed the cars parked on the streets throughout the city. There were explosions and loud crashes heard all around them as the entire city played victim to the storm’s wrath. The air thickened with snow and fog, hail fell from the heavens and smashed windows, forming craters in the ground.

“You’re the only one who can! You must gain control of it! Wraith! Zeke!” Phalanx shouted and Wraith turned his gaze to the old Paragon at the mention of his real name. His eyes emanated such light that Phalanx had to squint and look away they were so bright. “Don’t let it win! You’re in control! Remember, it’s YOUR gift!” As far as the eye could see, the city was becoming engulfed in a savage winter storm, seemingly drunk with bloodlust.

Zeke shook his head; the storm raged above him and the lightning continued to pour forth. He had been funneling it all into Vladimir, but now the Dragon’s body was ash and he was channeling it into Phalanx. Zeke felt full to burst; there was enough energy in him to power three suns and still he was bringing in more and more.

He opened his eyes. The storm thundered and reigned over the entire city. He looked down and for a moment time stood still; embers began to rise from the ashes that remained of the Dragon’s body. They glowed hot in the cold air, drifting around him slowly like tiny beacons demanding his attention. In the midst of the roaring storm, the sound and fury all faded away and he suddenly saw Kira. He saw her fiery hair emanating light; he saw her smile and emerald eyes staring back at him. Somehow, even though he knew it was impossible, he smelled hickory. He heard her voice though he could not understand her words. She smiled. Her right hand raised with her thumb, index and pinky fingers splayed; her middle and ring fingers were curled down against her palm. It was the sign for “I love you.”

A single tear ran down his cheek and froze into an icy crystal on his jaw. He missed her terribly. Everything he had done, everyone he killed had been to sate the hunger in his heart to see her again. He could not fail now, he could not lose control. He never lost control when she watched him fight; he never lost with her at his side.

Zeke roared and drew his hands together with a loud clap of thunder. He struggled, screamed and focused all of his will on ending the storm before he destroyed the entire city, and himself.

The clouds dispersed. The lightning slowed and ceased its barrage. Zeke still felt full of power, more power than he’d ever felt in his life but the storm was gone now, and the sky cleared. His eyes still illuminated the air and Phalanx had to shield his eyes with his arm. Phalanx had never seen such an incredible display of power. Never in his life had he even heard of a Paragon commanding such primal energy within him.

It was, truly, awesome.