AN: I want to express my gratitude to everyone who left a comment on my last Author's Note. Your feedback helped me identify what was missing from my story and what areas could be improved. Two points that stood out the most were the story's pacing and its apparent lack of events. In response to this feedback, I will do my best to address both issues. Thank you all for continuing to read my silly story! :)
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Reth Igwe stands as one of Africa's most notorious and feared militant warlords, his name now synonymous with an era marked by terror and brutality throughout the region. Over the years, his unyielding and savage tactics have cast a long shadow of fear, permeating countless communities as he employs a grotesque array of methods to assert his dominion and wreak havoc.
Government entities have leveled grave accusations against him, claiming that he orchestrates the abduction of children, ruthlessly transforming them into child soldiers and sex slaves. Estimates suggest that a staggering 46,000 children have been coerced into this nightmarish existence, while more than a million people have been uprooted from their homes, suffering internal displacement for decades due to his relentless campaign.
Perhaps the most harrowing dimension of Reth's reign of terror is his abhorrent exploitation of innocent children. In a chilling display of his cruelty, he compels boys and girls to commit unspeakable acts of violence. This heart-wrenching manipulation sees them wielding machetes or blunt instruments against their own families. This depraved initiative forces these young souls to carry out unspeakable deeds against their parents or siblings, forever altering the fabric of their lives and communities.
This psychological torment not only serves his strategic goals of instilling fear but also leaves deep, lasting scars on the minds and souls of these children, stripping away their innocence and binding them to a cycle of violence that is difficult to escape. Reth's legacy is one marked by brutality and trauma, a dark chapter in the ongoing struggle for peace and stability in the region.
Reth's forces have been implicated in the tragic deaths of over 65,000 individuals, a grim testament to the scale of violence and suffering under his command. His regime is marked by heinous atrocities, including the systematic rape of young girls and their abduction for exploitation as sex slaves. These acts not only devastate the lives of countless victims but also scar entire communities, leaving a legacy of trauma that will endure for generations.
Under Reth's leadership, his military might has grown significantly, boasting an army of around 55,000 soldiers who are fiercely loyal to him. This formidable force enables him to exert considerable influence and control over the territories he occupies.
Unfortunately, the ability of African governments to combat such warlordism is often hampered by their limited resources and power, especially when compared to the more formidable institutions of their Western counterparts. As a result, efforts to bring Reth to justice or to halt his reign of terror have repeatedly faltered, allowing his ruthless campaign to continue unchecked.
In this fractured landscape of power dynamics, Reth has emerged as a figure of considerable influence, fundamentally altering the balance of power in the greater African continent. His ascent is not just a matter of military strength but also the result of a strategic exploitation of political vacuums and regional instability.
In the midst of turmoil, had one of the continent's most formidable yet enigmatic kingdoms chosen to reveal itself, Igwe's forces would likely have met their swift defeat. This kingdom, known as Wakanda, possessed unmatched technological advancements and resources, yet it deliberately chose to remain hidden from the world, leaving the rest of Africa to grapple with its own suffering.
In stark contrast to Wakanda's seclusion, a figure known as Atomic emerged, driven by a profound sense of responsibility to protect and uplift those in distress across the globe. Firmly committed to his mission, he stepped forward to assist the people of Africa.
He undertook various initiatives, from transforming the barren landscapes into fertile grounds to enhancing the infrastructure of struggling villages, ensuring that homes had the necessary upgrades to withstand the harsh realities they faced. Moreover, he dedicated himself to delivering essential supplies, such as food, water, and medical aid, to those who desperately needed them.
Initially, Atomic hesitated to interfere in the complex political dynamics or internal affairs of the countries where he offered assistance. He respected their sovereignty and understood the delicate balance required in such situations.
However, the harrowing events that unfolded in the Abayie village and many others profoundly altered his perspective. The brutal actions of Reth, a villain whose cruelty knew no bounds, brought untold grief and suffering to innocent lives.
In the wake of the devastating tragedy within the Abayie village, Atomic reached a firm and unwavering conclusion: the potential repercussions of his intervention were dwarfed by the profound suffering endured by those touched by the crisis.
No longer would he remain a passive observer, allowing the ruthless Warlord to extend his grip of tyranny and fear across the continent.
Atomic resolved to act, determined to shatter the chains of despair that bound the innocent to a fate of relentless violence. He could no longer allow self-doubt to silence his resolve; the lives of the vulnerable weighed heavily on his conscience.
He would take decisive action, and his promises to safeguard those unable to defend themselves would not go unfulfilled.
With fierce decisiveness, he would put an end to the bloodshed that stained the ground.
No matter the opinions or judgments of others, Atomic was set on a path toward justice.
••o••o••o••
Soaring high above the sprawling landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Atomic found himself enveloped in a sea of clouds, flanked by four towering Gundams, each standing an impressive 5 meters tall. The scene was both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
With its sleek, aerodynamic design, the Gundam Exia gripped two large Escrima Sticks in its hands. With a polished metal sheen, the weapons reflected the ethereal glow of the moonlight, casting a ghostly luminescence across the surroundings. Its pièce de résistance, the magnificent GN Blade, showcased an intricate craftsmanship that made it an imposing sight against the darkening sky.
Meanwhile, Gundam Dynames aimed with its formidable sniper rifle, the lens glinting as it locked onto distant targets with precision. Missiles were stationed at the ready, and a reinforced shield rested protectively against its side, embodying a perfect balance of offense and defense.
In stark contrast, the Gundam Virtue, characterized by its robust and blocky exterior, soared gracefully through the clouds. Despite its seemingly lumbering form, the mecha concealed tremendous power, a testament to its advanced technology and design.
Lastly, the Gundam Kyrios, adorned with sharp, glinting armor, performed elegant aerial maneuvers as it circled overhead in its Flight Form. With systems actively scanning the environment, it was on high alert, locking onto its objectives even as it meticulously mapped the area, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Beneath the sprawling expanse of Reth Igwe's vast military compound, a hive of armed soldiers and armored vehicles bustled about like ants scurrying in a disturbed nest. The heart of the compound was dominated by Reth's imposing command center, a fortress-like structure reinforced to withstand sieges, standing as a grim sentinel. All around it, vigilant guards maintained a constant watch, their eyes scanning the perimeter for any signs of trouble.
"This ends tonight," Atomic declared, his voice as resolute as steel as he lifted an arm, signaling the start of the operation.
In an instant, Exia surged forward, its sleek form cutting through the air like a predator on the hunt, its adamantium Escrima Sticks clasped tightly in its mechanical hands, poised for action.
What followed was a chaotic ballet of violence. Exia wove through the compound with astonishing speed and agility, each movement precise and deliberate. Soldiers were caught off balance, often airborne before they even realized the dangerous threat approaching. Each devastating strike from Exia was calculated, delivering overwhelming force while ensuring that its enemies were left incapacitated rather than dead, a testament to the precision of its programming.
Amid the fray, the sky darkened with energy as Dynames unleashed a barrage of concentrated blasts. Beams of energy rained down like fiery meteors, obliterating critical supply caches, munitions depots, and vehicles with explosive force. Each explosion sent debris flying, shaking the very ground beneath the soldiers' feet and eradicating any semblance of organized resistance.
Not far behind, Virtue crash-landed with a thunderous impact, destabilizing the ground and creating shockwaves that reverberated through the compound. It began its assault by launching dozens of canisters filled with a potent sleeping gas across the area. The canisters ruptured upon impact, releasing a thick cloud that rapidly enveloped soldiers who were unprepared for such an ambush. Within moments, men without gas masks succumbed to the effects, collapsing like puppets with cut strings.
Hovering above, Kyrios took to the skies, unleashing a relentless storm of rubber bullets aimed at those scrambling to escape. The sheer size and velocity of the projectiles sent unfortunate targets hurtling to the ground, while others were knocked off their feet in a chaotic scramble. Simultaneously, it launched rockets designed to eliminate any potential exits from the compound, intentionally herding the soldiers towards the center where they would be contained.
In a desperate attempt to fight back, the soldiers unleashed a barrage of bullets, grenades, and explosives at the powerful Gundams. Yet their efforts were futile; each projectile met the near-indestructible Uru armor, bouncing harmlessly away as if repelled by an invisible force. The soldiers quickly realized that their weapons, once a source of confidence, were now little more than toys against such overwhelming might.
With its first mission of scattering and disabling half of the soldiers, Virtue focused its efforts on finding and securing the children located on the base that have been taken for the purpose of being the soldiers' sex slaves.
Using the intricate map Kyrios and several small drones had meticulously constructed from its aerial vantage point, Virtue swiftly located the building that housed the terrified children. With a powerful surge, it tore the heavy metal doors from their hinges, revealing a heart-wrenching scene within. Dozens of boys and girls, their faces pale with fear and confusion, huddled together in the dimly lit space.
Initially startled by the roaring entrance, the children's anxiety dissipated as Eve, communicating through Virtue, spoke to them in soothing tones, her voice a gentle balm. "We are here to save you. To take you home," she reassured them, her presence radiating warmth as she guided them out of their prison. Any soldiers who attempted to intervene were met with an overwhelming response from Kyrios, which unleashed a barrage of rubber bullets that incapacitated them without causing permanent harm.
As the soldiers began to grasp the hopelessness of their predicament, panic set in, and they attempted to flee. Their escape was unexpectedly halted as a massive 15-meter steel wall materialized around the compound, trapping them within its cold, unyielding confines.
Meanwhile, Reth Igwe rushed from his operations center, disbelief etched across his face. The once-mighty compound he had painstakingly crafted over the years—to become an indomitable symbol of power in his continent—was now engulfed in chaos.
His life's work crumbled into flames and rubble, dismantled by towering mechanical machines that operated with a precision and speed that left him paralyzed with alarm. In just five minutes, everything he had built was reduced to nothing more than ashes and shattered dreams, leaving him to confront the harsh reality of his defeat.
"Igwe… l-look," Reth's second in command, Mbwana Bankole, muttered as he pointed to the night sky.
High above the chaotic war zone, Atomic hovered with an imposing presence. His white flowing cape billowed dramatically in the gusty winds, catching the pale moonlight as he glided through the ink-black night sky.
The ethereal glow of his form radiated against the darkness, casting an almost divine aura that contrasted sharply with the turmoil below. As he peered down at the military compound, his piercing gaze scanned the area with righteous anger, embodying the essence of a wrathful god surveying his domain.
Turning his head, Atomic noticed Reth and Mbwana staring up at him and began to glide toward them.
"You… you demon!" Reth roared and pulled out a pistol. But before he could fire, Atomic waved his hand, causing the weapon in Reth's hands to be consumed in crimson light. "My-my hands!"
Mbwana staggered backward, a surge of horror flooding through him as he beheld Reth. His hands were engulfed in a shimmering layer of adamantium, intricately molded together in a position that suggested a prayerful pose, glistening ominously in the dim light. Panic gripped Mbwana as he attempted to flee, but the icy tendrils of a bone-chilling frost swiftly wrapped around him, encasing his entire body in a frigid prison. The cold seeped into his bones, leaving him paralyzed with fear and unable to escape.
"Those hands… how many people have they killed? How many lives ruined?" Atomic asked as he landed in front of Reth.
Stepping in, Atomic landed a powerful punch that sent Reth reeling back. Not stopping there, Atomic landed a devastating combo that knocked Reth to the ground, his nose broken and bleeding. "From now on, you will use your hands only for prayer, seeking forgiveness for all the evil you've committed... I hope your God has mercy on your soul."
At Atomic's words, Reth felt a surge of anger. A war cry filled with his rage erupted from his chest as he rose to attempt to smash Atomic's head in with his now imprisoned hands.
"I'll kill you!" Reth shouted.
Dodging to the side, Atomic easily weaved out of Reth's strike. With an upwards swing, Atomic landed an uppercut onto Reth's jaw, shattering the Warlord's teeth.
The man fell onto his back, hissing in pain. He tried to reach for his face to soothe the pain, but was smacked by his now tougher-than-steel fingers, exacerbating his injury. After a few seconds, the man lay still and began to laugh.
"The mighty American hero, Atomic. A god amongst us ants," Reth said through his bleeding mouth. "Are you here to arrest me? To turn me into my government? Don't be a fool. I hold all the power. One look at me, and those weak men will get on their knees to do what I say. Of course, you could kill me. But you don't kill. No... all that power, yet still so weak."
Hearing the vile man speak, Atomic's breathing quickened as he remembered Jabari's family in the Abayie village holding their dead child.
Jabari had been shot by one of Reth's soldiers after he had managed to escape his hold by biting the soldier's arm. In his effort to save his friend, Chidinma, from the soldier holding her captive, Jabari was shot in the back by the soldier he had bitten.
"You're the one that deserves to be dead… not Jabari," Atomic whispered, his rage swelling out of control.
Jabari was an exceptionally kind-hearted boy with dreams of becoming a doctor one day, his eyes full of hope and ambition. When Atomic first arrived in the village, Jabari's gentle spirit and warm demeanor pierced through the layers of suspicion held by his fellow villagers, allowing them to see the true nature of the newcomer. His infectious laughter and compassionate heart brought a sense of ease among those who had long been wary.
The child's future sparkled with promise, filled with endless possibilities and the potential to heal and help others. But tragically, that bright future was cruelly snatched away, leaving behind a profound sense of loss in the community.
A loss that would forever weigh heavily on Atomic.
Flashes of all the horrendous criminals he had ever taken down raced through his mind—images of cold-blooded murderers, ruthless rapists, and twisted child predators, each face a stark reminder of his relentless pursuit of justice.
Their sinister grins haunted him, a mockery of his efforts as he wrestled with the weight of their atrocities.
How many innocent lives had been shattered by their actions?
Just then, the faces of Reznov and Maksimilian emerged from the depths of his memory, their expressions twisted into taunting smiles.
They stood as stark contrasts to the good people whose lives had been cut short, a bitter reminder that evil often escaped unscathed while the righteous suffered.
Raising his shaking hand, Atomic created a large, razor-sharp spike that was ready to plunge into Reth's skull.
Noticing the blade, Reth froze as it shot down toward him.
A crack filled the air as the spike stabbed itself deep into the ground.
The air was thick with the muddled sounds of piercing screams and sharp blasts of gunfire, echoing like distant thunder. Atomic's heavy, labored breaths inside his helmet resembled a storm, drowning out everything else. His once trembling hand now rested resolutely at his side.
"See? ...Weak," Reth muttered as he looked at the spike embedded deeply into the ground beside his head.
"If anyone in this world deserves to die, it's you. The world would be a better place if you were gone. But I won't kill you... I refuse to destroy myself by staining my hands with your blood. Trust me, though—this empire you built through death and cruelty will come to an end by tomorrow. I will destroy everything," Atomic said as he glared down at Reth. "Enjoy the night sky, because you will never see it or the light of day ever again."
Atomic brought his fist down with a chilling calm, knocking out the Warlord.
Rising to his full height, Atomic surveyed the ruins of the once-mighty military compound, now reduced to smoldering debris and twisted metal. All around him, the soldiers—some lying on the ground, others struggling to their feet—were gathered in a disheartened group, their faces lined with fear and disbelief.
Encircling the prisoners were his formidable Gundams, towering mechanical sentinels that loomed ominously, their gleaming armor reflecting the moonlight. The Gundams stood watch, their sensors poised to catch any sign of rebellion, ensuring that no one dared to escape.
Despite the overwhelming victory, Atomic felt only defeat.
Raising his hand, a surge of energy pulsated through the air, enveloping all 3,000 soldiers in a shimmering aura. In an instant, they found themselves restrained, trapped in chains that glinted ominously under the harsh fluorescent lights.
Atomic entered Reth's operation center with a single-minded stride, a stark fortress filled with flickering screens and maps detailing every strategic location. The atmosphere was thick with tension, but Atomic remained unfazed.
He focused intently as he moved through the room, drawing upon his powers to extract crucial intelligence. Lines of code and classified documents were quickly downloaded by Eve, revealing the intricate network of Reth's operations: the locations of troop encampments hidden in the dense forests, caches of weapons meticulously stashed away, and a comprehensive roster of Reth's allies scattered across the region. Each piece of information was a vital puzzle piece in the larger game of war, and Atomic was determined to uncover every last detail.
For the next several hours, Atomic dutifully fulfilled his grim vow to Reth, unleashing an unstoppable force that obliterated the remnants of the Warlord's decades-long reign of terror. Once towering symbols of Reth's formidable power, military encampments disintegrated into mere dust, their foundations trembling and collapsing under the sheer weight of destruction.
Thousands of soldiers, once fierce enforcers of his rule, were captured and handed over to the local governments, their uniforms now symbols of defeat rather than authority. The air hung heavy with swirling dust, thickened by the thunderous echoes of chaos that resonated through the landscape as Atomic meticulously erased every trace of Reth's brutal legacy.
As the sun hung above the azure sky, casting its golden rays over the landscape, an air of palpable tension enveloped the world. The news outlets across Africa erupted in a frenzy, announcing the shocking exposé of Atomic's recent actions.
Headlines flashed across screens worldwide, capturing the unprecedented downfall of a notorious tyrant who had long instilled fear in the hearts of many.
In the wake of Atomic's aggressive and unexpected attack on the Warlord, the global community found itself grappling with the ramifications of this monumental event. The balance of power shifted dramatically as the once-feared dictator was now nowhere to be seen, seemingly defeated by Atomic. Citizens and leaders alike pondered the implications of this upheaval, with discussions heating up in every corner of the globe.
Meanwhile, the echoes of the past—filled with tales of oppression and despair—began to fade into the background, overshadowed by Atomic's relentless decisiveness. His actions resonated like thunder through the corridors of the continent of Africa, signaling a new chapter for many who had long lived under tyranny and fear.
Across the globe, individuals found themselves wrestling with a profound and intricate dilemma: Were Atomic's efforts to liberate a continent's populace from an oppressive regime a commendable and noble endeavor, or did they represent an alarming overreach by an entity that perceived itself as a supreme authority, unaccountable and detached from the very people it sought to "liberate"? The echoes of this debate reverberated through streets and homes, as citizens pondered the implications of such actions on sovereignty, justice, and humanitarian principles.
As the ramifications of Atomic's actions continued to unfold, debates ignited in communities, media outlets, and among political leaders.
Opinions on Atomic were deeply polarized—some celebrated it as a fearless champion of the oppressed, a beacon of hope for those marginalized and silenced. In contrast, others vehemently condemned it as a reckless maneuver that disregarded ethical principles and violated sovereign rights. Critics argued that such actions concentrated an alarming amount of power in the hands of a single individual, posing significant risks to both society and governance.
This profound ambiguity left a haunting sense of uncertainty hanging in the air, compelling society to reflect on the implications of Atomic's seemingly absolute power and the moral responsibilities that come with it.