Decimation

In a time when humanity had advanced to the level where individuals were born with advanced capabilities, humans faced higher, interplanetary threats. The government made it their duty to search for super-powered individuals who would protect earth from such interplanetary threats.

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Calvin was chosen from a tender age as the one who would protect earth. He had super strength, an almost impenetrable skin, he could fly. In simple terms, he was indomitable.

Richard was put in charge of the agency that dealt with things that had to do with super abled individuals and interplanetary threats. He was the one who chose Calvin, and he trained Calvin to be able to measure up to the threats ahead.

By the age of 17, Calvin was so strong that he couldn’t be compared to other humans with advanced capabilities, not to talk of humans who weren’t super abled at all. However, Calvin had a flaw. He let his abilities get to his head. He began to see himself as a god amongst humans. He had little to no regard for anyone or any life and it didn’t sit well with Richard and his agency.

With time, Richard realized that Calvin could no longer be trusted with the task of being earth’s protector. He saw the kind of man Calvin was becoming, and he was more concerned with Calvin's domination of earth than protection against external forces. Richard began the search for Calvin’s replacement. Someone with abilities measurable to Calvin’s, who could protect earth from the threats that lurk around.
On finding out about Richard’s decision, Calvin went crazy. He had trained his whole life to have the honor of being earth’s prime protector. Now, it seemed as if he was being tossed away just like that.

Calvin went rogue, and ran rampage on earth. It took the combined effort of every super abled individual on earth to stop him, but it came at a cost. The destruction was monumental. Many lives were lost. Calvin was forced to leave earth when he saw that everyone had turned on him. He was no longer the hero everyone loved.

Years later, people tried to move on from the tragedy. Richard found another individual, Tony, to be earth’s protector. Tony grew up in a loving home. His parents did their best to raise him up properly. He was the life of the party. Had friends that loved him.

When his powers manifested by the age of 16, Richard and his agency stepped in. Richard trained Tony to be the best version of himself. Richard was fast, super strong, and could also fly. He had the ability to lift buildings and big ships.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the galaxy, Calvin found refuge amongst a race called the Thirians. They were a highly advanced species poised to overtake other planets. They had the drive to expand their civilization across the galaxy and they did just that. The thirians have been a menace. Calvin became their mercenary. He was their most loyal and fierce servant. He went around conquering worlds in their name. The species that resist pay with their lives. Earth’s turn was fast approaching for Calvin to decimate.

Back on earth, Richard laid on his bed. His alarm had just gone off. He stood up to drink some water when he saw on the news that a thirian had made an appearance and was causing panic. This was the third time a thirian was coming to earth within a space of three months. The other two didn’t make it back in the best of condition thanks to Tony. Tony immediately flew to the sky to meet this Thirian.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Tony asked.

“I am Venn. As you may already know, I am Thirian” he said, with a stern face.

“You are not welcome here Thirian” Tony gave a cold reply.

“I was sent here by the Thirian Empire. You have been a thorn in our flesh. I am here to give you your last warning. Surrender earth now, or face terrible consequences” Venn said.

“This is not the first time I am being threatened by a Thirian. Do your worst!” Tony replied.

“You have refused to do things the easy way. The decimator is coming. The annihilation of your people will be on your hands” Venn said with an angry look as he flew away.

Tony was worried after that moment. He went to meet with Richard to talk about it.

“That was a weird encounter” Richard said.

“Yeah, it was. That was my first time meeting a Thirian who didn’t fight me. He just came to warn me. He said the Decimator is coming. Probably someone worse.

“Don’t worry Tony, whoever is coming, I’m sure we can take him down together” Richard said, trying to put Tony’s mind at peace.

Some weeks after, Richard went on with his normal life. One afternoon, as Richard left his school gate to head home, a big shadow was cast around him. He noticed a big presence just above him. He looked up to see someone dressed like a Thirian. It was Calvin. The decimator had arrived.

“It is time for your reckoning boy” Calvin said with a deep harsh voice that could almost cause trembling.

Tony’s heart skipped a beat. He was intimidated by Calvin’s huge size and aura.

“You have managed to piss off the Thirian Empire, and I thank you for that. It gave me the opportunity to come to earth. I will gladly lay waste to this planet to teach you the error of your ways.” Calvin said.

“You talk too much!” Tony said in anger as he charged at Calvin. Tony attacked him viciously but all Calvin did was smile as he bled a little.

Calvin was a psychopath. He enjoyed destruction and violence. He loved the challenge. He could take massive punches and revel in it.

“Yes! Give me all you’ve got. I want more!” Calvin said as Tony continued to attack him.

In truth, Calvin was just trying to see the extent of Tony’s powers. That was when he saw that Tony was miles below him in terms of sheer strength.

As Tony launched the last attack, Calvin had a smirk on his face and said “My turn”.

That was the beginning of a gruesome beating for Tony. Calvin mopped the floor with Tony. Sonic waves could be felt across the planet with every hit Calvin gave Tony. At this point, they had destroyed numerous buildings during the course of their fight. So many people were either dead or injured.

Richard watched in horror as his former protégé mercilessly beat up his current one. He had to involve other Super abled individuals.

Calvin stood above Tony as Tony gasped for breath.

“I was rejected as a kid by this planet I called home. The man I looked up to turned on me. I trained so hard to be the best, to be worthy of protecting earth, yet I was rejected. Instead, this planet accepted a pathetic weakling like you. I found a home among the thirians, but they fear me. They think I’m unstable. They send me across the galaxy, decimating worlds in their name. The more I cause destruction, the better I get at it. I am so lonely because no one dares to get close to me. loneliness has become my companion. People barely know me by my real name. They call me the decimator. However, this is no time to complain, I have accepted my fate. Just like you should accept yours, Tony. You are a dead man” Calvin said in a moment of reflection.

Just as Calvin was about to deliver the final blow that would end Tony, he received a combination of fatal blasts from the individuals Richard called to intervene. They took him by surprise. Calvin’s body was severely burnt. He managed to fight back, but he was already severely hurt.

He laid on the ground, dying. Tony managed to walk up to him.

“Is this what you wanted? It didn’t have to end like this.” Tony said.

“Yes, this is what I wanted. I had so much fun” Calvin struggled to say as he took in his last breath and gave up.

The destruction was massive. But the people of earth were able to find a way to mourn, rebuild and move forward.