At the JLE Headquarters, Captain Atom is visited by the Phantom Stranger, who has come to inform him that he is going to be summon to a problem in Africa that only he must do it alone as it involves his soul and power. Furthermore, Nathaniel will meet a man who calls himself Rasputin, and he has his information. Just as the Stranger disappears, Captain Atom receive word from Sue Dibny about a emergency request in Ogaden, Ethiopia. The area has been hit with a long-running civil war and recently there is some sort of black fire raging there.

Captain Atom flies to Ogaden, where he meet Rasputin. The occultist knows Captain Atom and that he seek certain knowledge, particularly in elementals. He knows Captain Atom is an elemental, but note Nathaniel doesn't display the traditional aspects of an elemental. Suddenly, Shadowstorm - an elemental formed from the darkness within Firestorm - burst out from the black fire and engages Captain Atom.

The battle seemingly comes to favor Captain Atom, but it is not. Shadowstorm has poisoned Captain Atom's emotional system, releasing all the suppressed rage and hate accumulated inside of him. Captain Atom tries to use his willpower to overcome the poison, but only to apparently die from his efforts.

However, Captain Atom wakes up to find himself inside the Quantum Field. Rasputin project his mind into Captain Atom to help as his guide. He explains to him that he had just turned his power on himself to purge of Shadowstorm's psychic poison and consequently drove his essence into the field. This is both is and is not his Quantum Field. Rasputin rationalize that Captain Atom is a quantum elemental that is not of Gaia and Earth, and due to his connection to the Quantum Field his powers are unlimited. For example, Captain Atom could create a universe by his mind alone. He does so. He created a Earth, a Earth he desire where he was never unjustly accused and being a normal man being with his family that he never has the chance to enjoy.

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