Bobby's life would eventually change during one of his occasional public appearances.
The only time his 'family' bothered with him, so they could still garner sympathy from the public with his "condition".
He was supposed to make an appearance during the launch of their new movie. So, together with the rest of the family, they made their way to where the premiere of the movie was to be held.
They had smoothly reached the premiere venue, and the event was about to commence when several men, dressed in black combat uniforms with masked faces, invaded the venue. They were armed to the teeth with various blasters.
The security guards in the hall quickly sprang into action. However, the masked men seemed to be well-prepared. The weapons in their hands were more advanced than those of the security guards, and their experience and coordination allowed them to take out the guards with minimal damage on their own side.
The confrontation between the masked men and the current security was brief, resulting in numerous dead bodies of security personnel scattered across the hall.
The outcome was surprising to all the attendees, as they hadn't anticipated such an unfavorable result in the clash. Despite the experience and armament of the opposition, the security, with their greater numbers and decent experience, should have fared better.
The event primarily drew dignitaries and high-class families, each accompanied by their personal security details, not to mention the venue's own security. Despite this extensive protection, the mysterious masked men succeeded in subduing everyone in the hall without encountering any resistance.
As soon as the attendees grasped the lack of safety and the demise of their security personnel, panic ensued.
While raids and robberies weren't unprecedented in this region of New Earth, they were infrequent and typically involved small-scale operations. However, a raid on a high-security venue at this level was unheard of. What set this apart was the fact that these masked individuals wielded advanced weaponry, unlike what could be associated with typical small-time mercenaries and robbers. Moreover, they effortlessly neutralized the venue's security forces.
What made matters worse were the circulating rumors of sudden heightened activity by the terrorist organization, the Movement of Zod. These rumors suggested their involvement in robbery raids and coercive conversion to their movement. Despite the government's repeated denials, the attendees, based on the recent events, struggled to identify any other major criminal organization capable of such a formidable feat.
The people's fear and cries intensified at the mere consideration of this possibility. The Terrorist Movement was synonymous with death and significant casualties. In their operations, there were seldom survivors, and those who managed to survive were often individuals who either sympathized with their cause and crazy religion or were so traumatized that their existence was akin to being lifeless.
Affirming the people's suspicions, the raiders, numbering about ten, immediately revealed their connection to the Zod Terrorist Movement. Their objective was to coerce the people into joining their movement, compelling them to pledge allegiance to their god, Zod. The consequence for refusing to comply was death.
The individuals in the hall found themselves in a predicament. On one hand, they were reluctant to swear allegiance to the Terrorist Movement, surrendering their autonomy and wealth to fanatics. On the other hand, they were equally averse to the idea of facing death.
Prominent families, individuals, and organizations initiated persuasive negotiations, offering enticing promises to the terrorist group in an attempt to dissuade them from coercing allegiance without resorting to violence. Despite the tempting offers, the terrorists remained steadfast in their demand, even setting a time-limit for them to make their decision.
To Bobby the whole scene was quite comedic, seeing lofty rich people beg in the most shameless manner for their life with no care for their societal status and position.
Seeing his father and their family who always felt and acted like they were standing over the world begging like the lowly creature they always called him made him feel some sort of weird satisfaction within.
It was the best dying gift he could ask for.
Undoubtedly of all the people in that gathering, Bobby was the least worried about dying, he could after all barely describe himself as living at this point so what difference would it make if he died as well. The only regret he had was his online gaming character he had painstakingly built all those months…welp he was bound to lose that someday anyway.
He just sat quietly, preparing himself for the worst as the time limit the terrorist group had given them grew more closer to elapsing.
At this crucial moment, a man from the distraught crowd boldly rose and walked toward the group of terrorists. He moved with confidence, showing no signs of intimidation by the Zod terrorists. Everyone, including the terrorists, was astonished by this unexpected turn of events as they stood quietly, observing the man's slow approach.
The terrorists only bothered to ask what the man was doing when he had gotten so close to them. They all had their weapons pointed at him ready to waste him if he made the slightest mistake.
However at the same time something strange happened.
Small water orbs suddenly began hovering over his head, about ten of them in number and before any of the masked men could think of pulling the trigger on the man, the orbs each flew at an immense speed toward the masked faces of the Zod terrorists.
As the water orbs effortlessly traversed the masks of the terrorists, the man extended both hands and clenched them tightly, as if holding something. Initially, nothing appeared to occur, creating a somewhat comical moment that starkly contrasted with the earlier display of summoning water orbs and directing them toward the Zod terrorists.
The men suddenly started gagging, clutching their throats as if choked, and within minutes, the seemingly invincible masked assailants collapsed lifeless to the floor, one by one.
Bobby witnessed the entire scene, taking note of the acknowledgement and respect the crowd bestowed upon the man who had neutralized the terrorists, even his proud father and family. In that moment, he grasped what he wanted to achieve with his life.
This realization was heightened when he discovered that the Prime who had rescued them was a Tier II small-time hero. Despite his modest status, he had accomplished such a remarkable feat and effortlessly earned the respect of the affluent and influential individuals, including Bobby's own family, without even asking for it.
The one thing he had worked his ass over all these times even if it was just to gain a pinch of it yet he got nothing.
Bobby aspired to wield such power; he longed to command respect and appreciation effortlessly, to live life on his terms without constantly proving his worth and to completely achieve this his ambition extended beyond merely becoming a small-time Prime; he aimed to be counted among the greatest Prime Heroes to have ever lived.
A position where almost nothing could stand against his dream.
...
Bobby's pace picked up and his legs were less shaky now.
He had come a long way and gone through so much on his journey on achieving the feat of being the greatest Prime, to back out and run because of some strange man just because he has great strength and durability, regeneration and speed.