Origins of Paragon Radio ch 5

Track Five Without Endurance We Are Useless

Spine and blade scrappers held the first ranks. The first wave of enemies consisted of the weaker and newer recruits. Oscillators took the sky to battle the blasters. Electric blasts illuminated the area.

“Controllers, back up the defenders with heals! We need to keep our heroes alive! Dark Armor users we need those dark embraces up now!! I need all martial art and claw scrappers to replace the first ranks so they can recuperate. Fire blasters focus your attack on all Vahzilok minions! We need to bring down those embalmed abominations before they reach our offensive line!”

Lieutenants and Dukes marched forward and began to tear holes in the heroes’ second ranks. Scrappers dropped to the ground from electric burns. Exhausted scrappers from the first ranks charged in to hold off the enemy a little longer while defenders continued to keep them alive.

Eidolons and Aberrants crushed the minds of scrappers. Controllers created a third rank and stood by the scrappers trying to keep their minds free of harm and keeping their injuries healed.

Radio Wave used gravity control and tossed enemies into their ranks of mind controllers.

Buddha continued to fight his urge to join the scrappers and keep the defenders safe. He could hear music in the back of his mind. He felt calm and prepared. He then noticed a group of oscillators circling Radio Wave.

“Radio, look out!!”

She turned and saw a bright flash. The sounds of slug shots ripping through metal filled her ears. As she lowered her arms and looked up she saw a young blaster salute her. She nodded to him and then focused her attention to the battle.

Scrappers continued to hold the offensive line strong. Assembler Dukes and Telsa Knights struck hard. Scroungers flooded in and pushed the scrapper ranks back. The first and second hero ranks began to suffer massive loses.

The Circle of Thorns remained in the back keeping their temporary allies alive in order to crush the heroes. Energy mages sniped the scrappers from afar. Blasters flew lower and lower to the ground, as they grew tired. The next wave of enemies marched in.

Abominations and Princes tore through the scrappers. The melee heroes were tossed out of the shields and into groups of awaiting mobs. Controllers quickly became no match for the new wave of enemies. Madness mages and Blasters focused attacks on single targets in hopes of pushing the enemy back. Reapers and Mortifcators began harvesting body parts from the scrappers that were thrown out of the shields.

Buddha heard someone hitting the ground. He looked behind him and saw one of the defenders had collapsed from exhaustion. Many of the defenders used each other for support in order to keep from stumbling over.

“Oh no.”

He looked at the stone tanker next to him.

“If the shields go down…”

A fierce roar sent horror down the heroes’ backs. The ground shook and the voice of a single controller could be heard in the distance.

“They’re coming out of the lake!!”

The back of the stage exploded. There stood a creature of superior size and strength. It looked like the swamp had come alive and behind this red creature marched in an army of smaller green versions of itself.

Buddha felt his heart stop.

“What are those?”

Radio Wave turned her attention to the new enemy.

“Blasters!! Focus all attacks against the swamp creatures!! Storm Controllers we need to buy more time!”

Blasts of wind held the enemies in place. A moat of ice surrounded the heroes. The waves of enemies slipped and struggled to keep their footing. Tentacles burst through the ice and cleared paths for the enemies.

Radio Wave put her hands together and closed her eyes.

The shields coverage grew smaller. With no first or second ranks left, and minimal remains of a third rank the enemies had breached the offensive line. The few remaining controllers fell back and attended to the defenders. Tankers prepared for battle.

The swamp creatures shot projectiles from their mouths and the blaster ranks depleted at amazing speeds. The blasters then flew in close and focused all attack powers on the red swamp creature.

Tankers battled the Abominations and Princes. Super strength tankers ripped apart the abominations and swung them at the swamp creatures. The lake monsters devoured the dismembered vahzilok’s to replenish their strength. Elemental tankers did what they could to hold back the clock works. Gears froze and armor melted and circuits overloaded.

The shields dropped. Buddha looked behind him. The remaining defender looked up at him and shook his head.

“I’m sorry. I’m just…too…tired.”

As the defender collapsed Buddha felt the cold hand of fear. He turned and looked at Radio Wave. The leader of the swamp creatures stood before her. It raised its hands.

Radio Wave’s eyes opened and her arms quickly extended out to her sides. A wave of sound erupted from her body. All enemies came to a stand still. The heroes looked around. They stood in a dome of absolute silence. She looked at the heroes and moved her lips.

“Run.”

The tankers grabbed what heroes they could carry and headed into the water and towards the western wall. Remaining blasters dropped mines on the ground and then flew to safety. Radio Wave grabbed Buddha’s arm and led him into the water behind the rest of the fleeing heroes. As she stepped out of the dome, sound returned to the area.

The enemies chased the heroes into the water. Skulls and Hellions guarded the western banks and launched their attack on the oncoming heroes.

The heroes had been surrounded. A group of only eleven tankers, one controller and four blasters would be no match for an army comprised of clock works, vahzilok minions, lost, skulls, hellions, circle of thorns, and hydras.

Using what strength she had, Radio Wave formed a shield of sound around the heroes. Blasters fired at anything that got to close. Tankers tried to keep the enemy at bay using knock back style attacks, but soon became overpowered. Hydra’s knocked the tankers to the ground and Eidolons kept the blasters stuck in states of mental breakdowns.

Radio Wave stood in the center of the group and took a deep breath. With no endurance left she felt useless and helpless. The sound barrier that helped protect the heroes had dropped. She held Buddha’s hand and looked up at him.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Song Eight

I think of myself as a coward and a hero. I ran from the park before the battle had begun. I could have been there to help protect the other heroes. But, if I stayed then I probably would have ended up with the same fate as some of those fallen tankers. Someone needed to call for help. I traveled into Atlas and told Ms. Liberty of what was to transpire. She was skeptical about what I told her and disregarded my warnings and continued granting heroes new security levels.

The battle had begun and I hadn’t even arrived in Steel Canyon yet. I thought back to the times I was sent back to this era. Every time I contacted someone to bring help, there was always an excuse or disbelief that would eat up time. Why would no one believe me the first time around? Is the future truly set in stone? Am I supposed to take this long getting help? For what reason though, why couldn’t help get there sooner. I have never had the courage to ask Buddha what happened when the battle was taken into the lake. He always seemed to stop telling the story as soon as he got to the part of the story.

News had finally arrived at Freedom Corps. Within a few seconds an emergency distress call was sent out across Paragon City. Heroes ranging from as low as security levels four to as high as security level forty raced to Perez Park.

The first to arrive on the scene were the famed Protective Units of Paragon. The defender units were fast at work at healing fallen heroes. Tanker and Blaster units started pushing back the army of enemies. The cavalry had arrived. Swarms of heroes reached the park. Tanker units formed paths for defenders to begin work on fallen heroes. Scrappers and blasters caused the ranks of enemies to disperse and the controllers instilled horror into the minds of the enemies. I joined in and helped push back the hydras. As I fought my way through hydras I kept a constant look out for Buddha and Radio Wave. It was this moment in history that Buddha has refused to talk to me about. They had escaped the fight, but where had they hidden themselves.

Today marked the day that Perez Park would be labeled a danger zone. Only heroes of at least a security level seven would be allowed in to the area. The enemies’ alliances where broken and they soon set up camps throughout Perez Park.

I waited at the entrance to Atlas for a few hours. The night had turned to day and still there was no sign of Buddha or Radio Wave. I decided to head back to Atlas alone. I knew where they would be the following day, but I didn’t know what happened to them during the finale of the battle.

Origins of Paragon Radio ch 4

Track Four The Music is Too Loud and the Party Crashers Aren’t Helping

Lights filled the sky. Energy blasters floated in the sky creating amazing displays of fireworks. Radio Wave dressed in a backless red sparkling dress and red gloves. Buddha had a tough time finding clothing to wear. He had finally found a store that sold clothing specifically for heroes of his size.

Scrappers kept the partygoers fed and the tankers patrolled the area. The stage had been set up with a library of rave and dance music. A long white haired defender on the stage stopped the music and spoke into the microphone.

“Welcome to the third annual Rave in the Park. I’m your host, Inhibitor of the Army of Heroes. I hope you are all having a great time tonight. Now before we get things rolling here I’d like to make out a few shout outs. Shout out to Major Flanders for catering the party as well as the local Pizza hub. We’ve got a great show for you all tonight. The Controllers of Notes are here. I’d also like to give out a personal shout out to the Army of Heroes. They’re keeping on the look out for evil and lastly, a shout out to my good friend Cirga. He’s my latest apprentice into the DJ circuit. Later in the show I’ll be passing on the mic to him so give him a good welcome and lets get this party started. Here’s a little Omnibus for ya.”

Buddha walked over to the bleachers and sat down next to Radio Wave.

“I wasn’t sure what ya wanted so I just grabbed a little of everything.”

Radio Wave giggled and reached for the pizza.

“Thank you sweetie. I’m glad you asked me out. Perfect night too. The sky is clear and the air is clean. It’s been such a long time since I have had a chance to simply relax.”

“Yeah I know. I spend so much time arresting criminals that I never have time for relaxation. But, now that I’m with you, I think it’s time I spend a little more time away from that stuff and spending it with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Uhh…well I want to make our relationship stronger.”

“It will get stronger. We can fight crime together.”

“Yeah, but, well…have you ever thought about giving it all up and just living a normal life. A life away from all this crime fighting.”

“Sometimes I do. But, then I think about the way the city is. Even though there are lots of super heroes, we still can’t be everywhere at once. I feel kind of bad right now though. Somewhere out there is some poor woman that is being mugged and there is no one to stop it because the heroes are either in a different part of the city or here at this rave. I don’t think I could ever leave this kind of life. I was granted a special gift and it would be a waste to just let it go unused.”

Buddha looked down at the ground. He felt a little guilty bringing up such a topic. She was right though. To have a special gift and to simply cast it aside for ones selfish purpose sure wasn’t a very heroic thing to do.

“Buddha? Do you have any dreams?”

“Just one really. But, I haven’t thought much ahead though. What about you?”

“Well, I know it sounds kind of funny and I know you’ll laugh at it, but I’ve always wanted to run a radio station, but not just any kind of radio station. It would be a station whose sole purpose is to bring the city together with the use of music. And not only that, but it would be used as a sort of information high way for all super heroes.”

Buddha smiled at took Radio Wave’s hand.

“It’s an excellent idea.”

The music stopped and the DJ spoke up.

“We’ll get back to the music in just a second. I just wanted to announce that the Scrappers of Goodies have just finished setting up their table. Currently, we have many great items there for you to fill up your super appetites with from delicious cakes to scrumptious pies and pastries. Also, my assistant Cirga here will be taking any requests that you might have so come on up here and tell him what you want to hear. In the meantime lets back to some music, this is a nice bit of music I stumbled upon while traveling to Talos. It’s called Into the Earth.”

Song Six

It hurts to me to watch any of this. It not only marks the most important event in Perez Park history but it also marks the birth of a powerful super group, but what saddens me is the fact that this will be the first and last date they ever have together. I have seen this scene over and over except for some reason things feel different. I walked to the back of the stage and looked out over the lake. I realized it was not that there was something different, but that it was that this time I was aware of something that I had not been aware of before. I stepped into the cold water and made my way to the other side. I knew exactly from where the enemies would emerge from and I knew exactly how many would appear.

I reached the other side of the lake and quietly walked towards the drain. Fifth Column agents poured containers, marked with a strange emblem, of strange liquid into the water. After all these travels, I finally knew the truth. I felt a strange presence in the woods. As I scanned the area I could see clockworks marching through the forest along side members of the Circle of Thorns. After all these years I thought the Fifth Column staged the whole ordeal. I quickly rushed back to the party. I could feel the clock ticking down. The swampy ground twitched. Soft growls and moans emanated from the water. Reporters called it The Slaughter of Perez Park. I however call it, the birth of Paragon Radio.

Radio Wave stood from her seat and walked towards the lake. She could feel strange energies headed towards the party.

“What’s wrong hon?”

“We’re under attack.”

A guard jumped into the middle of the party.

“We’re under attack!!!”

Clockworks appeared from the shadows of the forest. Blaster flew high into the air and a volley of blasts kept the enemies at bay. Scrapper intercepted the mysterious cultists.

From behind the heroes appeared large groups of Lost. Aberrant’s quickly grabbed a hold of heroes’ minds and caused them to fall to the ground. Embalmed abominations marched into the party and exploded. Heroes fell from the sky and tankers were quickly defeated.

“We have to get out of here!”

Buddha grabbed Radio Wave’s arm. She yanked her arm away and looked at him. She was going to stay and fight. He sighed and nodded his head.

“Defenders into the middle!! We need shields up immediately! Tankers gather around the defenders! Scrappers and Blasters fall in. Controller’s we need those Aberrant and Eidolon mind holds broken!”

Shields of all kind erupted into the area. Tankers stood in unyielding stances around the defenders. Controllers teleported heroes into the shields and broke the mind holds. Scrappers formed a ring around them and the blasters floated just above them. Heroes felt their skills being enhanced by the controllers and defenders healed as many heroes as they could handle.

Song Seven

The heroes of the Rave party had regrouped under the command of Radio Wave. The battle for their lives was about to begin. Clockworks marched in from the south. Members of the Circle of Thorns marched in from the east. The Lost and the Vahzilok marched in from the north. However, the deadliest of the enemies had not appeared yet. Just west of the party deep in the waters of Everett Lake arose the army of the marsh. A new breed of enemy designed for the sole purpose of killing any hero they stumble upon. The hydra was born.

Origins of Paragon Radio Ch. 3

Track Three Do I really Like Music

Radio Wave sipped her hot tea and gazed out the window. She arrived at The Lonesome Tear early so that she would be there to greet Buddha. She was at top physical status and felt carefree and happy. Maybe she could finally live a normal life.

Buddha walked into the café and looked around. He caught sight of Radio Wave with her back to the door and looking out the window. He walked up next to her and placed his hand on her back.

“Hey there hon.”

Radio Wave smiled and stood up to kiss Buddha. Her soft lips pressed against Buddha’s lips. He held her close for a moment. Time seemed to stop for the both of them.

“What have you been up to today?”

Buddha waved at the waitress.

“Oh nothing much. I went to Freedom Corps to let them know where I have been and then came here. Hi, can I get a slice of apple pie and some coffee.”

The waitress nodded her hand and went into the kitchen. Buddha sat down and leaned back in his chair and looked at Radio Wave. He heard faint music in the back of his mind.

“I wanted to ask you something. There’s going to be a rave at Everett Lake Stage. I was wondering if you would like to go with me there.”

“I didn’t know you were into rave music.”

“Well, not into it per say, I just…we’ve never really been on a date before and I kind of thought that maybe going to the rave would be a nice start.”

“In that case, I would love to go.”

Buddha smiled.

“Since, we are on the subject, what kind of music do you like anyways?”

Radio Wave placed her empty cup on the table.

“I like many types of music. There might be songs I don’t like but I pretty much like all genres. Music has been a part of my life since I was young. There was a time that I could only hear music but I was able to control it and now I can either tune it out or simply lower the volume on it.”

Song Five

Radio Wave began her life as any normal child carefree and not a clue. One night her parents forgot to close her crib properly. She woke up and climbed up the side of the crib. It gave away and she fell out. She rolled across the floor and hit her head against the leg of the bed. The injury caused a strange mutation to begin. As she grew up she started hearing music everywhere she went. For years she pushed it aside and simply didn’t pay attention to it. When she hit fifteen she jumped out of bed and screamed for help. The volume of the music jumped out of control. She felt like she was standing in a room filled with speakers with the volume set to max. Her parents raced to the room. They found her passed out on the floor. She had slipped into a deep coma. In her dreams she could hear music from all around the world. When she came out of her coma she thought it nothing more then an episode and was released. At eighteen she had learned what was wrong with her. She was picking up radio frequencies from all over the world. She had never passed high school. During, her senior year she was walking down the hallway when a group of male students dragged her into a classroom. She was tied up and left in a corner of girls. Reaper’s had snuck into the school disguised as students with intentions of harvesting body parts. The girls attempted to resist but the Eidolon’s kept the girl’s in place. Radio Wave was to be the first to be killed. The Eidolon motioned for her to stand. She could feel the creature try to enter her mind. She was immune to the creature’s mind control. The thing walked over and picked her up. As her fear built up, so did her powers. The young girls could hear faint music playing in the room. Her determination to help these girls escape death grew. The Eidolon untied Radio Wave and it turned around and looked at its company. Radio Wave untied the rest of the girls and told them to run. Reapers reacted quickly but before they could stop the girls, the Eidolon raised its hand and tentacles burst from the ground and wrapped around their legs. Radio Wave stood to the side of the Eidolon. Hatred filled her thoughts and the music in the room changed. Radio Wave exited the room and closed the door. She could hear the screams of the reapers as the Eidolon performed its new duties. The Eidolon stepped out of the room and walked towards the exit of the building with a bag soaked with blood. Radio Wave backed against the wall. She had caused the death of someone. She dropped out of school and vanished. She was blamed for the deaths of the reapers and an investigation was sent forth to find her. She arrived in Paragon City. It was here that she learned that she was not the only one with these powers. She came across many that did. However, her power was far greater then theirs. She joined Freedom Corps and joined the ranks of super heroes and graduated top of the controller class. She learned to control the frequencies her mind was picking up and how to use her powers for good instead of evil. Although, the reapers got what was coming to them, she has lived the guilt of causing someone to be torn apart. She vowed to never do that again.

Buddha walked out of the café holding Radio Wave’s hand. He placed his shades back on and turned to her.

“I’ll pick you up at your apartment and we can go there together okay?”

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her softly.

“I’ll see you at eight alright hon.”

“Okay.”

Radio Wave stood on her toes and kissed Buddha.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

As she got farther away, the music died out. Buddha smacked his fore head.

“Wait a minute. You idiot why aren’t you walking her home you dunce. Hey Radio wait up!”

Origins of Paragon Radio Ch. 2

Track Two It Began With a Hello

Buddha stood at the door and smiled. He stretched his neck and his arms.

“So do you three think that you are able to just waltz in here and rob one of my favorite places to get fried chicken?”

The three Hellions turned around to see their foe. Buddha stood almost six feet tall. His biceps stretched out his shirt so that it appeared to be painted on his body. His dark shades kept his eyes from being seen and the light from his trademark cigar illuminated his large grin.

The brawler stepped forward. He cracked his knuckles and popped his neck. “I’ve beaten up guys twice your size.”

Buddha’s laugh filled the room. “Seriously? Good thing I’m not just a normal guy then.”

He stepped forward so the Hellion could get a better visual of his opponent.

“They call me Buddha and I’m the super hero that keeps this part of town safe from morons and idiots such as you.”

The brawler lunged forward. Buddha caught the Hellion by the neck and flung him into the wall behind the other two crooks. The brawler crashed through the wall and let out a tiny whimper. Buddha began stretching out his muscles.

“Now…I want to warn you two…I am a tanker. So maybe you should just give up now and put the small amount of money you have in those bags back in the register and I won’t have to throw you two through a wall like that poor sap behind you.”

The standing Hellions looked at each other. The gunner quickly retrieved his weapon and fired away. Buddha continued to stretch as the bullets bounced off his massive physique. He stood up and using both hands, pounded the ground with tremendous force. A shockwave surge through the floor and knocked the gunner down. The last standing hellion darted for the door. Buddha reached down and lifted the gunner to his feet.

“Can you do me a favor and stop your friend over there?”

Buddha spun around and threw the gunner out the door with such force that the doors closed and locked behind him. He could hear the gunner scream and then stop. Slowly walking towards the doors, he retrieved his lighter and lit up his cigar once again.

“I don’t know why I keep buying this brand. They go out every time I get in a fight. Totally worthless.”

He opened the doors and scanned the area. Almost a hundred yards away he could see the two Hellions wrapped around an oak tree. Buddha dusted off his hands and walked back into the restaurant. He placed the money back in its register and walked out with the brawler over his shoulder.

Song Two

Every time I travel through the time warp I am greeted with extreme amounts of pain. My right eye is reborn and I am able to see perfectly again. The large robotic forearms I have detach themselves from me and bones as well as tissue grow in their place. Jolts of pain shoots up my legs as they no longer remain broken and require the use of technology to function. The mutation in my body has a sort of de-evolution and I lose the ability to fly as well as attack with beams of energy. The suit of armor I wear becomes my new source of power. I must now begin my journey as a tanker. A superhero dawned with the power of supreme strength and defense. However, just like Buddha, I am a tanker with the gift of invulnerability. I can withstand heavy amounts of damage as well as deflect the amounts of damage that are trivial. Unlike, Buddha though, I am not near as strong. This Rikti armor was designed with defense in mind and not attack.

It’s been ten years since I last Buddha. I wonder how I will approach him this time around.

Buddha waved at the police cruiser as it drove off with the Hellions inside. Proud with his victory he decided he would go back into the restaurant to donate his earnings in order to help cover the damage that was caused. As he reached for the door he felt a sudden intrusion into his mind. He could hear faint music. A strange wave of sound traveled throughout his body causing him to stumble against the side of the building.

“What’s...going on?”

He shook his head and maintained his balance once more. Another surge of sound carried through his mind. He could feel a strange presence beckoning him into an alley farther down the block. He leaped onto the roof of the Major Flanders restaurant and took his travels across the rooftops.

He perched on the edge of the building and look down. He could see an Aberrant giving his crew to attack a weakened woman. She was lifted and held in the air while the men took turns hitting her with bats. Filled with rage, Buddha leaped into the air and dropped straight into the fray. A tremor raced through the ground around him and knocked the bewildered Lost to the ground. One of the thugs swung a large mace at Buddha. Using one hand he grabbed the handle and tossed the thug high into the air. Another jumped at Buddha from behind and hit him with a bat. Buddha turned and towered his new foe. He grabbed the Lost by the neck and threw him over the roof tops. As the other Lost fell from the sky Buddha reached out and grabbed him by the leg and spun around and released him. The enemy slammed into one of his cohorts and plunged straight through a dumpster.

The Aberrant stepped forward and stood over Buddha. Both of them locked eyes. The creature bared its teeth and its foul breath stung Buddha’s senses. Its clawed hands snapped at Buddha’s head. Quickly he grabbed the creature’s forearms and wrestled with keeping its claws from sinking through his skull. Using his mighty strength Buddha brought the creatures arm’s back down and then lifted it into the air. The creature’s eyes turned red. Buddha could hear a raspy voice deep in the back of his mind. It grew louder and louder until finally the voice boomed in Buddha’s head. He dropped the creature and grabbed his skull.

“Get…out…of…my…miiiinnndd!”

Buddha fell to the ground and curled into a ball as the sounds in his mind continued to intensify. The Aberrant reached behind his back and unsheathed a large thick blade. The creature chuckled behind its fanged teeth and then swung its weapon down on Buddha.

The blade stopped midway of its swing. The creature’s eye’s widened. Buddha slowly stood with the blade caught between his hands. He smiled as his grip changed and he began to crush the blade in his hands. The creature looked behind Buddha and could see the woman it had been attacking, leaning against the wall. She had broken its control on Buddha’s mind and was now aiding him by preventing the creature from moving.

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but lately you have been slacking off on the job so it looks like I’m going to have to fire you. And just to show you that there are no hard feelings, here’s a one way plane ticket.”

Buddha pressed forward and wrapped the blade around the creature’s neck and then threw the creature into the air. As it reached its peak in the air a wave of sound pushed the creature over the rooftops.

“Not bad sweet heart. We make a pretty good…”

As he turned he saw the girl fall to the ground. He leaped forward and caught her in his arms. She had taken a fierce beating. Bruises and blood covered her body. Buddha slowly stood up and traveled the rooftops in hopes of getting her to the hospital before it was too late.

Song Three

My understanding of Buddha’s history has never been very clear. Getting him to talk about his past can be more hassle then its worth.

When he was child he found that he was much stronger then the other kids that were his age. He could punch through walls and lift cars almost with relative ease. Although, it was fun to show off his strength, he found himself labeled a freak. Keeping his anger towards those kids that called him names became very difficult. It was not until he shattered a young boys jaw with his fists that Buddha realized that he was always going to be different from everyone else. As he grew up he spent much of his time with older kids due to the fact that he would grow so much in a single year. This changed his views in many ways. He learned much of the grown up world and understood it more then the grown ups that explained it to him. He started to distance himself farther and farther from friends as he started to feel embarrassed hanging around kids that still threw pencils at the ceiling. However, his older friends started to distance themselves from him as his age continued to interfere. He spent much of his life alone and being the school hall monitor that kept bullies in check. After he graduated from high school he went into wrestling. He matched wits with some of the greatest super heroes known today. The Back Alley Brawler was one of his favorite opponents. With the money he raised in wrestling he went to Paragon University. He studied all forms of Kinesiology. During, the week of his final exam he took some time off from his studies to relax. He hung out at a small café known as The Lonesome Tear. It was this very day that would change his entire life.

A group of Skulls walked into the café and demanded the money from the register. Like the rest of the patrons, Buddha laid down on the ground with his hands on his head while the Skulls proceeded to rob the place. One of the waitresses stood up against the Skulls. The lieutenant struck her to the ground. Buddha has always had such hatred for those that attack females. He stood up from the floor. The leader of the group told him to back down or he would be shot. As Buddha stepped forward the group opened fire on him. He shielded himself with his arms. As the firing came to a stop he opened his eyes and looked down at his body. Bullets littered the floor. He possessed the power of invulnerability. The Skulls charged in and Buddha wrestled each one to the ground. He had stopped a crime and the police carried the Skulls to jail. The patrons of the café hailed him and the waitress handed him a strange currency. Influence is the currency used by all super heroes. It’s useless to use though if you don’t have a super hero license.

Buddha dropped out of college. He only needed one more semester to go but the call of the super hero was too strong. He enrolled in Freedom Corps and learned how to use his special gifts. He graduated top of the tanker class and received his license. Since then he has been protecting the city and its patrons.

Buddha sat quietly next to the bed. The doctors had explained to him the injuries she had sustained but made him aware of the fact that she was going to live. Many of her bruises had vanished and cuts had healed. It was her ability to heal that kept her from dieing. As he brushed her hair away from her face he gazed upon her. He’d never spent much time looking at women. But of all the ones that he had seen, she had to be the most beautiful. His hands gently caressed the side of her face. Her soft skin was smooth and silky. It then dawned on him that he had nothing to say to her once she woke up. As he started to panic he felt his stomach fill with butterflies.

“What do you say to someone that just took a serious beating? Hi, how are you feeling? No, that’s stupid. That’s like a reporter question. Obviously, she won’t be feeling to well. The doctor said you have slight internal bleeding. Think, stupid, that would be horrible news. What do I say?”

Buddha stood and walked to the window. He could hear faint soft music playing the room.

“How about you just start off by saying, hello?”

Buddha turned around. The attractive woman slowly sat up and pushed her pillows against the wall for support. She smiled at him and patted her hand on the beds edge. He knelt down next to her bed and looked at her. Her purple eyes sparkled in the morning sunlight that made its way through the open blinds.

“You have gorgeous eyes.”

The raven-haired woman laughed and placed her small hand on Buddha’s hand.

“I like that pick up line. Next your are going to ask me out for a drink right?”

“Uhh..no..I…just…oh man.”

As Buddha stood she quickly leaned over and placed her hand on his shoulder. He slowly knelt back down.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I was just joking with you. Thank you for your comment. How about I help you out a little though okay? I’ll ask you what your name is and you ask me what mine is alright?”

“Uhh…okay. Sounds simple enough.”

“Okay then. What is your name?”

Buddha felt his throat close up. He couldn’t remember his name. Sensing his panic she reached over and caressed the side of his face.

“What is your name?”

Buddha felt his mind open. The butterflies in his stomach flew away and he felt at ease and comfortable.

“My name is Buddha. What is your name?”

The woman leaned closer and placed her hand on the back of Buddha’s neck. She gently pulled his face closer to hers. She removed his shades and looked into his brown eyes. She then pulled him closer and gently kissed his lips and then backed slightly away to see his eyes again.

“My name is Radio Wave.”

Song Four

Love at first sight is something I have never understood. But, if it didn’t exist then perhaps this meeting would have been a waste and the future of Paragon City would be in danger. Radio Wave spent several weeks in the hospital. She had exhausted her endurance and decided to simply heal like a normal human being. Buddha’s study of the human body allowed him to help rehabilitate to her. Radio Wave regained her ability to walk. The more time they spent together the more they fell in love with each other. Buddha pushed his hero job to the side and tended to his new love. Everyday he arrived in the morning to train her and then spent the night in her room keeping her company and telling her his adventures. He only left once she was completely asleep.

I continued to keep watch over them from the distance. It’s strange to sit here and watch history begin. I just wish that it could end as happy as it began

Origins of Paragon Radio Ch. 1

The Origins of Paragon Radio

Record One

Track One The Traveler

Arzada placed his goggles on and stepped out into the harsh powerful winds of Atlas. Using his left hand he pressed his beard to his chest to keep it from getting in the way. He walked down the path and up the ramp of a large machine. He turned his head and motioned to the hero operating the controls. He could hear a faint distant voice coming from behind him.

“Arzada! Wait!”

He slowly walked down the ramp. He could see the figure of a woman making her way towards him in the terrible weather. “Radio Wave!? Get back inside!”

Radio Wave reached the ramp and kept her hand in front of her face to block the flying dirt and soot. “I need you to deliver a message for me.”

Arzada leaned in close to better hear her already weakened voice. “Okay. What’s the message?”

“I need you to deliver a message to me in the past. When the day comes, tell me to never leave Buddha’s side during the invasion.”

Arzada looked at her. It was the same message she’d given him before and yet every time he gave her the message in the past the outcome would still be the same. “I will.” He felt his stomach tie into a knot. What difference would this message do? He began to wonder if the future truly was something that is set in stone and simply can not be changed.

“Thank you, Arzada. I’ll see you in the past. Take care.” Radio Wave stood back and waved at him.

Arzada nodded and headed back up the ramp. The roar of engines and the loud hum of electricity filled the air. He stared at the center of the large ring in front of him and watched as the sparks that formed began to intensify. Soon the center of the ring erupted with energy. He could see the faint image of a city that had not seen the true power of the Rikti. He took a deep breath and slowly stepped into the portal of energy.

Song One

Every time I reach this stage in Paragon’s history I tell myself that I will change it and keep it from happening. Ten years have past since the Rikti waged their final war against the citizens of Paragon City. In a last effort, the vanguard signed a treaty with all of Paragon City’s heroes, as well as villains in order to battle the Rikti. Sadly, it was not enough. The Boomtown chaos spread quickly throughout all of Paragon City. Millions were killed and thousands where taken prisoner including our famed heroes. As I stand here dressed in a suit made of Rikti technology, I wonder if my travels are really worth the trouble. No matter how many times I go back, the same things continue to happen.

Only five of us have survived. We are all that’s left of a station that tried to bring the world together with the use of music. The remaining citizens and heroes take shelter in what used to be the safest building in all of Paragon City. While I will be sent back with hopes of preventing this disaster the remaining team of Paragon Radio will gather what heroes they can find and take this war to the Rikti home world and save our captured heroes and citizens.

In the future they call me, Arzada Solace, but in the past they will call me, Solace Arzada.