Return of the Ghost

If you Like this story! Check out my other story! One Piece: Elden Lord!

and

If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patréon at

"https://www.patréon.com/Riadooo"

Don't forget to change "é" to "e"

//********************************************************\\

As Raiden walked down the hallway flanked by Bruce on his left, the air was thick with purpose. The guards stationed at intervals along the corridor bowed slightly as he passed, and Raiden nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes fixed ahead. Bruce, ever the pragmatist, voiced the question weighing on his mind.

"Is this really necessary?" Bruce's tone was quiet but firm. "The enemy could strike at us any moment. Shouldn't we focus on defending Earth before we launch an all-out assault on another galactic empire?"

Raiden didn't break stride, his gaze steady as he replied. "Darkseid is the greatest threat we face, Bruce. I can't guarantee a victory against him—not yet. That's why we need more. More allies, more people rallying to our cause. If we liberate Tamaran, we're not just fighting another empire—we're sending a message. We'll show the galaxy that Gaia stands for peace and against tyranny. Empires across the stars will support us. And with the Green Lanterns limiting Apokolips' movements, we have a window to strike. We need to take advantage of it."

Bruce considered Raiden's words as they emerged from the tunnel into the vast hangar. The scene before them was staggering—a battalion of hundreds of Gaia War Drones stood ready, gleaming in the light, their mechanical precision a testament to Da Vinci's genius. She stood at the center of it all, hunched over her tablet, making final adjustments. The hum of the drones powered on filled the air like an orchestra preparing for war.

Da Vinci straightened up as Raiden and Bruce approached, a wide grin lighting up her face. "Ah, Raiden, you're back! You're going to love this. The Boom Tube technology—it's absolutely fascinating. I've managed to reverse engineer it, and now, no one can teleport to Earth without our permission. We control all access. But that's not all—I've perfected it so we can use it for our own teleportation needs!" She gestured to the drones. "So yes, before you ask, all the drones are ready. Destination: Tamaran!"

Raiden's eyes gleamed as he admired the rows of war machines, marveling at the breakthrough Da Vinci had achieved. To reverse-engineer Boom Tube technology without Mother Boxes—something no one in the galaxy had ever managed—was nothing short of miraculous.

Bruce's gaze swept over the massive army of drones, then shifted to Raiden, his brows furrowing. "You've planned for everything, haven't you?"

Raiden turned to face him, his voice calm but resolute. "I wouldn't be leading this charge if I wasn't certain we could do it, Bruce. I've prepared every detail. This isn't reckless. It's calculated. I will fulfill my promise, to Tamaran, to Kori, and to everyone who believes in this vision."

Bruce's eyes lingered on Raiden, measuring him, before he gave a slight nod. Though the plan was audacious, Raiden's confidence was unshakable—and perhaps that was exactly what they needed.

.....

Lord Vigon sat behind his lavish desk, his cold eyes gazing through the massive windows overlooking the chaotic scene below. Today had been another successful raid, his forces capturing more of the rebel resistance fighters. The Tamaranians they had apprehended would soon be sent to the slave camps, where they would labor away in the mines. His empire was growing richer by the day, and soon the wealth of Radion rocks would allow him to expand beyond the Vega system.

A knock interrupted his thoughts. Vigon turned sharply as one of his officers entered and saluted.

"Lord Vigon, sir! We've captured thirty more resistance fighters. They'll be sent to the camps immediately. However—" The officer hesitated. "There are reports that Queen Blackfire isn't pleased with the way the Tamaranians are being treated."

Vigon smirked, waving his hand dismissively. "Ignore her. Blackfire's nothing but a puppet! I am the true power here. Do as I say—we need more miners to dig up the Radion. Our empire will soon spread beyond Vega, and when it does, we will conquer worlds."

The officer nodded but continued, "Sir, there is still the matter of the northern resistance. They're growing bolder. Koriand'r's loyalists—"

The mention of Koriand'r's name caused Vigon's face to contort in anger. "Those idiots? Clinging to the past and their emotions? Their so-called Princess has long abandoned them for a life among Earth's heroes! They're wasting their efforts. They should surrender—"

Suddenly, the door to his office burst open, and another soldier rushed in, out of breath. "Sir! We're under attack! Something—something's in the skies!"

Vigon shot up from his chair, furious. "What? WHO DARES?!"

He marched toward the window, fully expecting to see some pathetic rebel uprising. But what he saw instead made his blood run cold. A massive ship—larger than anything the Citadel Empire had ever built—hovered in the skies above, casting a shadow over the ground below. Its immense size was enough to strike fear into the heart of any man. And then, more ships began to emerge from a golden gate, one after the other, each as colossal as the last. The sky was soon filled with them, blocking out the sun.

His fury turned into disbelief. "How is this possible?!" Vigon growled.

As he stared at the overwhelming sight of the invasion force, a voice boomed through the air, shaking the very ground beneath them.

"My name is Raiden Kagawa," the voice declared, clear and commanding. "I am the current King of Gaia, formerly known as Earth. I have come here to claim the planet Tamaran as part of my kingdom, in the name of my second wife, Queen Koriand'r of Tamaran. Surrender, or face death. The choice is yours."

Vigon's heart raced as the message echoed across the landscape, his hands clenched into fists. He had never seen anything like this. His grip on Tamaran was slipping, and he could feel the iron fist of Raiden's power closing in.

....

As expected, the Citadel wouldn't surrender. Raiden knew this well and had anticipated their defiance. With a swift motion, he ordered half of the Gaia Mother Ships to take formation around Tamaran, creating an unbreakable blockade to prevent any reinforcements from approaching the planet. His eyes shifted to Kori, who stood beside him, adorned in her ceremonial Princess dress from Tamaran.

Her dress was a striking vision of elegance and warrior spirit. A deep, royal purple fabric clung to her form, with intricate gold embroidery tracing ancient Tamaranean symbols across the bodice and flowing down the hem. The skirt, flowing and layered, was designed for both grace and movement, billowing with every step she took. Her shoulders were adorned with ornate golden pauldrons, a reminder of her status as both royalty and a warrior. Her long, flame-like red hair cascaded down her back, contrasting against the regal hues of her attire. Around her neck, a pendant shaped like the Tamaranean sun rested, a symbol of her birthright.

"You look stunning," Raiden said, his voice soft but full of admiration.

Kori nodded, her emerald eyes burning with determination. "I feel ready," she replied, her voice carrying both excitement and gravity.

Raiden smiled faintly, correcting her with a confident tone. "You are ready. It's time to take back your home."

Her eyes welled with emotion for a moment, and she smiled at him warmly. "Yes! Yes, I am ready." Her voice grew softer as she turned to him. "Raiden, I love you... and thank you. For everything."

Raiden gave her a brief, reassuring nod, and Kori turned towards the assembled Gaia War Drones, her voice ringing with resolve. "ATTACK!"

In an instant, hundreds of thousands of drones burst forth like a swarm of locusts, blotting out the sky. Though each drone was the size of a fighter jet, they moved with deadly precision. They were equipped with the finest weapons Gaia had to offer—rockets, lasers, anti-missile systems, and anti-plasma shields. Completely self-sustaining, these drones would not stop until their objective was achieved.

Their target? Every Citadel fortress on Tamaran.

The air was alive with the whirring sound of machinery, the glow of laser cannons, and the thunderous boom of rockets. As the drones descended upon the Citadel strongholds, they left destruction in their wake, methodically dismantling every defense the Citadel had painstakingly built.

....

Sitting upon a throne she never truly desired, Blackfire stared out into the vast horizon of Tamaran, her expression cold but laced with regret. The seat of power beneath her felt like a burden—a symbol of her greed, her ambition, and her betrayal. Once, the allure of ruling had consumed her, driving her to take what wasn't hers. But now, the weight of her actions pressed down heavily upon her shoulders, filling her with the bitter taste of remorse.

Her mind wandered to thoughts of her own end, the demise that she could now feel drawing near. Perhaps it was what she deserved. The end was something she should have faced long ago, something she could no longer avoid.

Then came the news—the message she had been waiting for, the message she had dreaded and longed for in equal measure. The Ghost of the Resistance, the symbol of defiance against the Citadel, was back. But now, the ghost was no longer a whisper in the shadows. He was a king, Raiden Kagawa, the one who had once fought for her people from afar. And alongside him… her sister.

Her heart raced in her chest, and for the first time in years, Blackfire felt something beyond regret.....

It was relief.

"You're finally back, Kori"

//********************************************************\\

If you Like this story! Check out my other story! One Piece: Elden Lord!

and

If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patréon at

"https://www.patréon.com/Riadooo"

Don't forget to change "é" to "e"