THE COUNCIL OF HEROES

1 THE COUNCIL OF HEROES

This happened two years after Nootra forces had eliminated the threat of Legendary Super Saiyan Broly. Galaxy Brave wasn’t ready for what was coming against it. The ten inhabited planets were caught in a danger far bigger than any their world had ever faced. This came from the Hidden Dimension and turned out to be the biggest menace of all-time. The Hidden Dimension was the Closed Realm, as opposed to the Open Realm, which were the known parts of the universe. The mystery of the Hidden Dimension lay in the fact that no radar from the Open Realm could trace it. The Braves were aware of its existence for many evidences confirmed its reality. Still, they couldn’t locate it on the map of the universe. Those who ventured out of there called it Dimension 1J414. These people were trapped in Other Dimensions since the location of their world was unknown, hence the name Hidden. These adventurers from the Hidden Dimension told stories of their magnificent world and its powerful leader. These stories, however, sounded like fables in the ears of the Open Realmers for the splendour of that world seemed to be grossly exaggerated.

The mystery of the Hidden Dimension was unveiled when its emperor entered the Open Realm while announcing his goal to conquer every planet, system, galaxy and dimension, and rule as Emperor of the Universe. This man, Kainos Ablom and Rak Emperor, was also known as the Supreme Fighter. Although his face was unknown to many, his fame had spread throughout all civilizations for the ingenuity of his person, the dreadfulness of his techniques, the complexity of his technologies, and the vastness of his empire. Kainos Ablom was The Phenomenon. He alone boasted of having subdued, not only an entire dimension, but also of keeping its galaxies in an unprecedented state of modernisation.

After conquering his native planet Zoe and Galaxy Bold, the Supreme Fighter took upon himself the audacious ambition of ruling over the world. He launched a campaign to incorporate all galaxies of the Hidden Dimension into Ablom Empire. He achieved this when he conquered Telem, strongest galaxy of the Hidden Dimension. Despite its technologies and the fearlessness of its warriors, Telem was helpless before the might of Rak Emperor and his fierce companions. At the report of the conquest of Telem and of Master Seth’s desertion, the people’s hearts sank. Although they fought relentlessly against Rak domination, one after the other, the galaxies of Dimension 1J414 fell to the Ablom. The Ablom was the Supreme Fighter’s warship, an artificial mobile sphere, the size of an asteroid, which harboured the might, power, and ingenuity of Rak Emperor. 

After sweeping aside all the galaxies of his dimension, the Supreme Fighter included them in his domain and sat as absolute monarch of Dimension 1J414. Having consolidated his dominion over the Hidden Dimension, Kainos Ablom turned to the outside world and launched the second phase of his expedition. He planned to achieve this in stages because of the immensity of the universe. Having observed the many dimensions of the world, he was attracted to one in particular. Dimension 2C519 caught his eye once he learned it housed the most powerful warriors of the universe. So he began his conquest there. The Supreme Fighter appeared in the Open Realm with a desire to prove his superiority over all other human, artificial or intellectual resource. 

Dimension 2C519 sheltered nine galaxies and for this universal phase of the campaign, the Ablom undertook a mission of subduing the nine galaxies. Instead of attacking the second galaxy directly, as was his desire, the Supreme Fighter assailed Galaxy 7, the most populous of the realm. He fought there three days, and it fell under his superior war tactics. One of his revolutionary technologies was a time-bending machine, which falsified reality. With this, the Ablom isolated the seventh galaxy from the world and the eight neighbouring galaxies obtained false information on the situation until the siege was over. Rak Empire eventually incorporated Galaxy 7 and Kainos Ablom became ruler of one of the galaxies of the Open Realm. When the rest of the galaxies saw how fast and how easily he subdued the biggest galaxy of their world, the rumours about the Hidden Dimension and its powerful leader were confirmed. Then the people feared. 

The Supreme Fighter published his victory to the rest of the galaxies, ordering them to surrender or be annihilated. He particularly addressed the second galaxy, his next target. He gave the Braves six months threatening that their refusal to comply would result in the destruction of their world. In all of his campaigns, the Supreme Fighter was accompanied by his big brother Abel, and his younger sister and commander of his army Enam. A group of faithful companions from his childhood, from planet Zoe, and Dimension 1J414 had unreservedly adhered to his cause. Notable among them was Asvran of Rak, chief of Ablom Special Forces. The Supreme Fighter also had a number of men walking by his side, some of whom were among the most redoubtable in the universe.

Now, the fall of Galaxy 7 shook the entire dimension, particularly Galaxy 2. The ten inhabited planets were troubled on learning that their galaxy was next on the Ablom list. It was in Galaxy Brave, second galaxy of Dimension 2C519, that Nootra, home world of the superheroes, was found. Having raised a civilization of four millennia, which experimented freedom, justice, love and truth, the Supreme Fighter’s campaign principally affected the Nootrans, as his claims went against everything their city stood for. Surrendering to him would mean the end of their culture and render obsolete everything their ancestors lived for. 

The Nootrans were a people who were not governed by an individual, a system or an entity. They were a people who trusted their civilization having their countless heroes as champions of their cause. These were committed to upholding those values, which were experienced by citizens on a daily basis. Because of who they were, it was impossible for them to give up their values by surrendering to someone whose will wasn’t the mind of their ancestors. The essence of Civilization Nootra was their freedom. They wouldn’t relinquish what had liberated them from all bondage, so that they enjoyed the unlimited treasures of existence. So when the Supreme Fighter contacted NSF and gave them the ultimatum, the heroes left him no room for illusions. The Council of Heroes stood as one and categorically said no to him. 

Nootra’s response stimulated the other planets and they too declined the conqueror’s demands. Galaxy 2 subsequently launched a secret program to create a fighting unit so as to frustrate the enemy’s plans. 

After receiving the answer of the Brave, the Supreme Fighter moved the Ablom to Galaxy 1, which was sparsely populated. With his multifaceted technologies, Kainos Ablom conquered it in no time, and made it his base of operation. He shortened the deadline against the Brave to three months. Whenever he threatened the total destruction of a galaxy, the Emperor of Rak had this habit of issuing an ultimatum followed by a deadline. He considered himself the strongest man in the world and none had proven him wrong so far, for none of the fearsome fighters he had faced ever defeated him. So he never acted impulsively, but gave time for his victims to weigh the odds.

Following the prevailing threat of the Supreme Fighter, the various security forces of the planets summoned a series of interplanetary meetings in secret locations. They talked of attacking the enemy in his ship. The most important point on the agenda was the creation of a galactic force consisting of fighters from the ten planets. Representatives of the various worlds kept in absolute secrecy what was being discussed at those meetings for the success of the operation depended on the element of surprise. Thus their dealings were held in complete confidentiality until the actualization. The delegates returned home after any of such meetings and reported the findings to the ears of the prominent people of their worlds.

The delegates from Nootra returned home and NSF convened an assembly with its renowned heroes. The following formed the Council of that session: Captain Nootra, Son Goku, Superman, Ancient One of Heyas, Ms. Marvel, J’onn J’onzz, Iron Man, Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Optimus Prime, Bulma, Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Professor Charles Xavier, Batman, Vegeta, Thor, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and others. It was in the underground hall of Central Headquarters of Nootra Security Forces of Mid Nootra that they gathered. Scarcely had the session opened when L5 contacted the Council. The agents working in Mid Nootra’s spatial secret base reported sighting Galactus approaching with a white flag tied to his finger. The Council dissolved immediately, and all agents hurried to space, some using their flight ability, and others anti-gravitationals. They rushed to the edge of their planet to stop Galactus before he entered Nootra’s atmosphere.

The five headquarters and secret bases among other bases, agencies, and security centres of Nootra had their weapons targeted on the incoming villain while following his progress through snipers. J’onn J’onzz had ordered his commanders to not open fire until they knew the intent of the planet devourer. A protective dome was activated the moment NSF captured the menace and a force field covered the whole planet, turning the sky over Nootra yellow. This indicated to citizens to stay indoors. If the sky changed to green, they were to carry out an evacuation plan onto which they had been trained. This protection was only an indicator for NSF had set up a greater defence since the time they heard of the Supreme Fighter menace. This invisible barrier enveloped the city to keep the people safe.

The agents reached the planet’s threshold and moved further to keep Galactus as far away from the city as possible. Galactus ran into the superheroes as he travelled to Nootra and NSF stood in his way and showed him they wouldn’t allow him to gain more space in that direction. Galactus stopped. He observed that the whole Council had come to give him a cold welcome. Captain Nootra, Storm, Cyclops, Batman, Son Goku, Invisible Woman, Pikkoro, Vegeta, J’onn J’onzz, Jean Grey, Iron Man, Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Mr. Fantastic, Wonder Woman, Thor and Superman were all on full alert and followed the devourer’s slightest movement through their techs and sensory faculties. He too passed his eyes on each one of them, staring hard at them. 

Captain Nootra separated from the group and moved closer to Galactus. He addressed their guest in an unfriendly tone. Galactus’ visit was undesirable. NSF didn’t want another villain to deal with now that the Supreme Fighter was behind their back.

Captain Nootra: “Why are you here, Galactus? State your intention clearly, and avoid any form of sarcasm for we’re not fond of it.”

Captain Nootra was impulsive, and Pikkoro followed him in front to get a clear-cut answer as to the arrival in the city of one of the most dreaded super villains of the galaxy.

Pikkoro: “Let’s get to the point. Make your stand clear, Galactus. What’s the nature of your visit? Have you come to fight us or not? Answer yes or no.”

Galactus: “I don’t intend to respect any of your conditions, Namek. I’m not a child that I should answer yes or no.”

Vegeta also dissociated himself from the crowd and spoke, rather aggressively, to the visitor.

Vegeta: “If you came to make guesses, Galactus, we aren’t interested. Our mightiest fighters are here present and your size doesn’t impress us. You have one minute and if you don’t show us your motive at its expiration, we’ll charge at you. So you better start talking, villain.”

Galactus: “You better not give me ultimatums, Vegeta, or I’m making you my special case. Continue if you want to incur my wrath. Nootra, I’ll obey none of your requirements and whether you like it or not, you’ll listen to what I have to say. Yet it is not I who wants to speak to you. Here he is who seeks you.”

As the heroes’ eyes were on Galactus, they saw Broly come out of his armour. He was in his normal human form; tall and slightly sturdy with long black hair and beautiful eyes. The sight of him put the heroes on full alert, and they grew tenser. The least they wanted was the traditional case of Broly to encumber them at a time they were facing an external threat the size of the Supreme Fighter. They took position, but didn’t launch any offensives for the enemy wasn’t in Legendary Super Saiyan mode, and had shown no hostility towards them. Broly was rather calm and his whole expression was gentle. He started advancing towards the heroes, but Son Goku transformed into Super Saiyan, and leaving his companions behind, went past Captain Nootra. Son Goku’s movement stopped Broly, and the hero had something for the planet devourer.

Son Goku: “Galactus, I warned you last time that I wanted this chapter closed for good, but you insisted on taking him with you. We have our hands full at this moment and we can’t fight on two fronts. You said you were responsible for this case, so what do you mean by this?”

Galactus: “If you want to know why we’re here, you’ll hear it from his own lips. You’d better be attentive for my Broly doesn’t speak as rowdily as you band of poorly behaved kids do. Broly, what do you want to say to Nootra?”

Cyclops: “I can’t believe this. Is he actually pampering him there?”

Broly finally got the heroes’ audience and he addressed them.

Broly: “Nootra, I am Broly, Legendary Super Saiyan. I am the one who caused you many troubles in the past. I almost destroyed your galaxy and home because of a complex I received in my childhood. I take full blame for what my actions cost you and today, I’m sorry for what I did. I wish I could erase that history. Since our last confrontation where your champion defeated me, I have been with Galactus, and living in him these two years made me see truths I was unaware of. Yet what caused what I can call ‘change’ in me are the words, which you, Son Goku, said to me when you beat me. You said you admired me and dreamed of seeing us fight side by side. Although I brought suffering to you and your loved ones, you still found love to speak to me with kindness at that time, which was supposed to be my last, even before the miracle happened through Galactus who saved me.

‘Nootra, I came to ask you something I know I don’t deserve. Yet when I learned that your civilization was the most promising in the world, I resigned myself to asking you this, even if you might consider it impudent. I heard your city gave a new beginning to a man though he might be the worst of men; that you’re a people who offer second chances and give people the opportunity to redeem themselves. When I saw you all fighting side by side, and when the villains Megatron, Magneto, and Galactus allied with you, I perceived there was something in you that I didn’t have. 

‘I want to belong to this civilization and live your dreams. I want to know your friendship; and this love you have for each other, I want to be part of it. I haven’t always made life pleasant for myself and the people around me. I lived to destroy. Planets, systems have been wrecked by me. Yet seeing you standing as one to defeat me, it dawned on me that you were living something beautiful, something I didn’t know. I don’t want to fight the wrong fight anymore. Now I want to use my powers to protect the people of Nootra and the galaxy. This is what I’m asking of you. Since you didn’t kill me, give me the chance to live what you’re living in this city.

‘Kakarot, I know it’s asking a lot but still, I have to make every effort to refuse to let guilt prevent me from living what has been revealed to me as the beauty of friendship and family in the city of Nootra. I beg for your forgiveness for what I did to you, your children and friends, your people, and the people of the galaxy. My plea goes to you directly because it was to you I did all those things. I considered you my enemy whereas you didn’t do anything to me. But I tried to harm you in every way I could. Forgive me and allow me to join Nootra and be one of you.”