Imrage: Team, we're not done yet. Let me detail our next mission.
Jacob: Alright, imrage told me here's what's going to happen Robert and Paradox, it's your task to delve into the mysterious para-verses. Robert, I know you're not thrilled, but we're counting on you. Can't you muster up a little excitement?
Robert: No.
Jacob: Huh, well, I brought up para-verses earlier, but let me clarify. A para-verse is essentially a mirrored universe with subtle changes. Names and locations might differ, but the overarching story and items remain the same. It's not an entirely different universe with those unique properties.
Terence: Jacob, when did you become an expert on this?
Jacob: I can't explain; I just know. Perseverance played a role. Speaking of which, Perseverance, you've been pivotal in understanding the chromatic hand of destruction absorption. Knowledge passed on in the mindscape—thanks to your perseverance.
Perseverance: You're welcome.
Jacob: Back to Robert and Paradox. We need to recruit Joshua next. He has mastery over lightning, and we're unsure how his abilities may aid us, but for now, we need every recruit possible. Robert, ensure Paradox refrains from using his power; it appears to be extremely potent.
Robert: Alright, I'll do my best.
Jacob: Fantastic. I'm opening the portal. Good luck out there!
Robert and Paradox step through the portal, descending from the sky. Paradox face-plants, and Robert lands, firmly planting his spear.
Jacob: And so, their adventure begins (back in the all verse).
Team in unison: What about us?!
Imrage: You can't just send them on a mission. Send more if you need recruits quickly.
Alexander: Jacob, let us contribute. We're tired of sitting around practicing!
Oscar: Hate to admit it, but Alexander's right.
Terence: Our focus should be on recruiting as many as possible.
Chandra: If I don't have to do anything, can I return to my world?
Jacob: Yes, Chandra, recruit some people. But there's an issue—I can't find more recruits. Our options are limited. I still don't grasp the full capabilities of perseverance's power.
Terence: You sent two of our team into the portal.
Hate form Jacob: Does it matter or is all you're going to do is complain because if you continue well then?
Terence: What do you mean?
Jacob, kneeling: Sorry, it's this thing. It can take control when it wants it's unbearable; it's like fighting off something in my soul. Don't worry; I can handle it. The team gets to work. We have more recruits coming. I need time alone. Good luck, team. (back in the world of grass)
Robert: Yeah, OK, where are we? A village town? Looks pretty old. Let's look around. It's pretty populated. Is it just me, or am I tired?
Paradox: Is sleep sleep? What is sleep?
Robert: Who are you? Anyways, look at a building that says hotel. Maybe we can rest up there, but first, we need some form of currency. Let's go in; maybe they will be nice to us, and we can say we are travelers? We can pay them after we recruit who we come to find. Of course, we will find the recruit soon. Meanwhile, I'm also hungry. Dang, we came unprepared, huh? Well, that's no worry. It's pretty dark out here, though. Anyway, let's go in (shop instrument maniac).
Shopkeeper: Hey, what brings you two folks in? I have never seen you around, and since you're coming to a hotel, I'd assume you're travelers, right?
Robert: Yes, we are. I want a room for two people.
Shopkeeper:That will be 55 ducats.
Robert: See, here's the problem. We are broke. Could you spare us one night, please? I promise we will pay you double each stay.
Hotelkeeper: No worries, my friends, stay here as long as you need. The economy in this town is pretty good, so I need not worry, and since the village has new tourist attractions, I want to be as nice as possible so people can enjoy the wonder of our village and return knowing they have a hotel where they can say it's a trustworthy house.
Robert: We deeply appreciate it. If we can find a way to pay you back, we will.
Hotelkeeper: Don't worry about it, though you will need to share a room; two would be too much.
Robert stares at Paradox, who violently shakes back and forth
Robert: Ehh, that will be fine.
Hotelkeeper: Alright, your room is E-9.
Robert: Thank you.
They both walk up to the room and open the door. Wow, this is small, but I guess beggars can't be choosers.
Paradox: Upside down, upside down all around!
Robert: Yeah, whatever, buddy, please stay away from me.
As time went on, Robert heard banging sounds and cutting sounds.
Robert: Are they remodeling? They are going to make me get up. Wait, no, I shouldn't complain. I'll stay asleep.
He wakes up and rubs his eyes and opens them.
Robert: PARADOX, WHAT? THE HECK?
Paradox: CHAOS, CHAOS.
Robert: DarnIT PARADOX, I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO ANYTHING DUMB. THIS ROOM IS UPSIDE DOWN, DIRTY, AND HAS SOME OF YOU ALL OVER THE PLACE, YOU IDIOT.
Paradox: It's just a simple chaos!
Robert: Undo everything right now. We have to fix this up real soon. The stuff all over the walls, the broken bathtub, the toilet spewing out the water, the bed chopped in half, the lamp on the ground. He said with a frustrated and sad face I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW YOU MANAGED TO CHOP IT IN HALF WITHOUT ME REALIZING!?
Paradox: You won't let me chaos.
All the problems Paradox had caused had completely disappeared. It bent reality, returning the room to normality.
Robert: OK, that can't be normal, can it? Anyway, remember, our goal, Paradox, is to look for Joshua.
The duo steps outside, scanning their surroundings, and inquires about Joshua. "I don't think we can find him around here. Maybe we need to look outside of here," says Robert. Despite Perseverance seeming knowledgeable, it's possible he randomly teleported them far from Joshua.
"Look far and far!" urges Paradox. "I'm talking to myself here, huh? Never mind that, though, no worries, all we need to do is leave outside and see if we can find him," remarks Robert. They exit the village walls and follow a path where they find two people training and a waterfall. "Well, this place is mysterious. It glows so differently from other water sources I've seen before. It has a nice calming effect," observes Robert.
"Wait, PARADOX, ARE YOU SWIMMING IN IT? GET OUT! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF STUFF THAT WATERFALL HAS; IT GLOWS FOR A REASON. GET OUT," warns Robert. "Sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness, sadness. I'm only trying to have fun," defends Paradox.
"Hey, what the Heck are you doing here? This is a closed-off area!" an unknown voice interjects. "Is it though? We just walked in. I didn't see any caution tape or anything. Hey, by the way, do you know anyone named Joshua by chance?" questions Robert. "That's me; why do you ask huh wanna fight is that it?" responds Joshua. "You seriously want to fight me? We just met," protests Robert.
"CHARGING CHARGING!" declares Paradox as Joshua charges at Robert with lightning in hand. Robert, strategizing, summons a green bubble as a shield. The lightning aims at Robert, leaving Bim convulsing and near death. "Wow, you are an idiot. Does anyone else want to go somehow creepy?" mocks Joshua.
"CHAOS CHAOS, NO MORE CHAINS, NO MORE SHACKLES. IT'S MY WORLD, THE TRUE CHAOS!" declares Paradox. The world disappears, turns into a dark void, and then light appears, creating a stage. "What is this? I should have targeted you first," remarks Joshua. "Hehehe balloon? To the balloon planet to black, what fun!" laughs Paradox. Paradox unleashes chaos, jumping above Joshua and shooting thousands of explosive projectiles.
"I'm here now, now, and below you. Hey, I'm next to you," taunts Paradox. He summons a massive bomb, exploding it in front of Joshua and sending him flying miles back. "The true Splosion, my friend. Proud I CAN DO ANYTHING. WE CAN DO ANYTHING!" asserts Paradox. Thousands of clones start jumping around violently in a circle, dancing around Joshua and throwing thousands of explosive projectiles in clusters.
"It seems he's half a jester and half his original form. Thousands of scythes and bombs from the styles cut through Joshua, and bombs fly from seemingly nowhere left and right and up and down. It's my world now!" describes the narrator. More bombs appear from the sky, surrounding Joshua and exploding massively, battering and bruising him. Paradox keeps moving around, teleporting before Joshua, summoning a clone, and slashing a scythe up and down.
"Enough," declares Joshua. He appears instantly in front of Paradox, seemingly having the upper hand. "The true Jaradox!" exclaims Paradox. Suddenly, a huge shade made of bombs appears behind Paradox in his hands, the size of a scraper. He brings it down, exploding and cutting Joshua. "It's MORE CHAOS, MORE CHAOS I CAN DO ANYTHING!" asserts Paradox. Joshua lies on the ground immobile.
"That's enough, Paradox. Lay the chaos down," commands Robert, his tone firm and commanding.
"Bye, hehe hehe," says Paradox as the world returns to the tranquil waterfall and the land of grass.
Joshua, visibly agitated, asserts, "I need to know what the Heck that thing is. Keep it the Heck away from me, please."
Robert, with a sense of authority, responds, "Listen, you rushed in idiotically. Whose fault is it in reality?"
Joshua retorts, "So what the Heck do you want?"
Robert, leaning in, explains, "Your para-verse seems virtually untouched by Dr. Howard. That's a good thing. Let's keep it that way. Allow me to elucidate the origins of the Dr. Howard anomaly. Essentially, he's a person hyper-focused on the destruction of two things: an individual named Jacob and the All-verse. Usually, Jacob instigates such events, but, regardless, let me simplify it for you – mean guy seeks to eliminate someone and creation. We need to put a stop to it."
Joshua, growing impatient, says, "I'm not five. Just explain it the long way."
Robert obliges, "Okay, so there's this Character named Dr. Howard. He wants to kill someone who has the capability to kill him. In order to prevent a recurrence, he's striving to create his own force to secure his dominance. I don't have the complete historical context; Jacob knows more. However, we were sent here to recruit you. Trust me when I say this – I don't have all the details. I might have gotten some things wrong, so I wouldn't trust it entirely."
Joshua raises an eyebrow, questioning, "And you want me to help you?"
Robert, resolute, declares, "Yes, trust me. Once he invades your world, there's no beating him. You need to come with us to stop him."
Joshua remains unconvinced, stating, "Hmmm, no."
Robert, frustrated, demands, "What do you mean, no!?"
Joshua asserts, "Yeah, listen. There isn't a thing I can't beat, no matter how powerful. However, this 'Dr. Howard' i can defeat easily."
Robert, understanding the gravity of the situation, insists, "Listen, I get you really, but you should join too. They know all about Dr. Howard. It would be foolish to confront him alone without any plan."
Joshua, with unwavering determination, replies, "One thing I have to say to you is that I don't care. You can say what you want, but if any threat comes, I will be the one to stop it. Joining you would be a complete waste of time."
Robert, realizing Joshua's resolve, sighs, "Paradox, let's go."
Paradox, seemingly helpless, mutters, "I can't do anything."
Robert, urging one last time, says, "Consider it. We'll be here an extra 1-2 days, depending on the leader's choice. You can still change your mind, Joshua."
Joshua remains steadfast, declaring, "I don't need your help. I don't want your help."
Robert, accepting the situation, concludes, "If that's how it's going to be, I'm fine with that. Goodbye."
Time passes until it's time to head back to the hotel.
Finally back. It's disappointing that we didn't manage to secure our recruit, and I bluffed about it too. Jacob won't call us back until he senses an emergency. I hope he comes around soon. What do you think, Paradox?
Paradox, seemingly distracted, chants, "Fall, fall! Fall falls cold!"
Robert, observing the snowfall, reflects, "You're right. It's snowing. That's pretty calming, huh? It's just another day after all. I suggest we go explore this place. We don't know much about it, and maybe we can try to convince that Joshua guy again."
Paradox, shivering, utters, "Tired, tired, freezing!"
Robert, considering the alternatives, suggests, "Or we should get inside, huh. I suppose we will."
The duo enters their room in the hotel.
Robert, attempting to unwind, remarks, "Nothing like a hot cup of joe." Robert pours some coffee into his cup, takes a sip, and instantly spits it out over Paradox.
Paradox, in pain, exclaims, "Hot, hot! Burn, burn! Too much chaos! Ahhh!"
Robert, acknowledging the discomfort, mutters, "Ugh, pfft, gahh. This stuff is still as disgusting as always. (Maybe I should stay with this team. I think I'll pledge loyalty to the team now?)"
Paradox, still recovering, moans, "Paradox! Paradox! You're gonna be fine. Just add some ice!"
Paradox, in agony, adds, "Oww, hurty, hurty! Ouchie!"
Robert, attempting to help, throws water at Paradox, saying, "Here, some water."
Paradox staggers back turning o the tv
The TV turns on.
"This just in! A local phenomenon has landed on our planet, destroying villages and endangering lives. Our best fighter, Joshua, has been sent to help. More updates as Tricorn reports live on the scene."
"Yes, I'm here to show the world that we are under threat, but our greatest fighter is still on the scene trying to help us. They seem to be talking to each other. Oh dear, this is bad. The destructive force just threw a rock at the camera!"
Tricorn, panicking, announces, "We must run!" Thousands of rocks are seen being flung across the sky towards the news reporters. "We need to run quickly! Sorry, Jeff, we can't report on this anymore. It's too risky for us. We'll go far away from this. I'm not sure if—oh no, here it comes!" The camera goes dark.
Robert, understanding the urgency, declares, "Paradox, I think we know exactly what our job is here."
Paradox, determined, yells, "To help! Help chaos, me only! Only chaos for me!"
Robert and Paradox frantically run through the forest and out of the village, attempting to find Joshua, as shown on the TV.
Robert, concerned, asks, "Paradox, do you have any idea where Joshua could be?"
Paradox, pointing, replies, "Big boom far, looks like chaos!"
Robert, noting the chaos in the distance, says, "You're right. Let's go check it out." Massive explosions and strikes of lightning can be seen from where they are. "We need to hurry up before it gets bad. Paradox, only I can chaos!" Thousands of clubs from a card game appear in the sky. Paradox hops on them like a surfboard.
Robert, unsure, asks, "Do I get on it too? Ok." Robert hops on it.
Paradox, exhilarated, commands, "To fire!"
Robert, struggling to keep up, yells, "What?" They dash through the air extremely quickly. "Dang it, slow down, Dang it!"
Paradox, unfazed, explains, "It's just a simple chaos!" They finally arrive where Joshua and the unknown entity are fighting.
Joshua, battered but determined, shouts, "Stand back, citizens! I've got this down." Blood can be seen falling from his arms onto the ground.
Robert, offering assistance, says, "We came to help. Can we...?"
Joshua, recognizing them, snaps, "You guys again? I don't need you bastards. Go away. I already said I don't need your help. I don't want your help. UNDERSTAND THAT—"
He is interrupted as he is smacked in the face and thrown around violently.
Robert, recognizing the adversary, remarks, "It's one of them, one of those goons again—the ones that came and destroyed my universe.
Unknown: Oh, you're a familiar face. Weren't you the one that killed your brother? Once you killed him, there was no darkness, and guess who helped fill in that darkness. Hahahaha, that's right, me. You know that, huh? Boo hoo, and I left your world to rot. However, when his pitiful assemblage of diminutive insectile soldiers met their sorry fate, I could not resist surrendering to the allure of indulgence. And the walking circus is here to oh wow two worlds destroyed by my hand how much better can this get well one more prize is here to take and seems a little more of it has grown three members lets see it!"
(Chapter 6) (lightning against the chaos) end