4 Cause and Effect

I open my eyes to see something I can't explain. The gnat-like thingamajigs started to orbit me like one of Saturn's rings. It could be because they are little moving balls of light, but it looks like there are more of them than before. Years of taking care of both my aunt and myself have taught me to keep calm, that there nothing I can't do if I keep it together. To lock away my feels and take the best course of action. It didn't seem like whatever it is was going to hurt me right away. I had to stop panicking and fast. I sat down crossed legged.

"[Analysis: Heart rate rising, increase in perspiration, energy levels rising..... output stable. Conclusion: The host is currently stressed. Actions necessary for correction.]" The automated voice commented.

"Host!", I say out loud in a worried tone, trying hard to keep things together. The little balls of lights respond to this and slow their motion till they come to a stop.

"[Responding: Correct, as of 300 seconds ago the carbon-based life form (you) were accepted as both our host and energy source.]" Said the automated voice. My one thought is it talks, great... just great. I want to do so many things right now but my only opinion is to find out what this thing is and what it wants with me.

"What are you?" I ask defensively, I had finally calmed down and wary of the danger I face.

"[Responding: We are biomechanical symbiote serial number: 0000.]"

Symbiote?! Great the radioactive cloud and now this. It's like I've been dragged into a rip-off marvel comic, like Spiderman's Austin Powers. While making fun of my own irony a thought came to mind.

"What do mean by energy source? I'm just a battery for you? How would that even work?"

"[Processing Question...Answer: You are a carbon-based life form capable of producing energy beyond the amount needed for cell function...]" I cut it off,

"Wait, wait, hold on a second here. Are you saying that my body is making some sort of energy? I'm not an electric eel."

"[Correction: The organism Electrophorus electricus does not produce enough energy to compare. The amount of energy your body produces far exceeds that amount. Inquiry: Are you not aware of your body's energy production ability?]"

"No! How could I know something like that!?"

"[Further Analysis Needed... Deep Scan Of Host Initiated.]" The little gnats formed a sphere around me, moving in sync like they were dancing. I was both amused and scared.

"What in the..." It was over before I could finish.

"[Analysis Complete: Foreign DNA, Ongoing Mutants, and Unknow Chemicals found.]"

Foreign DNA! I'm American, for all I know I could have a cousin in every country. And as far as mutants go a five year could've told me that. No matter how you look at it, the stupid orange cloud was more than just crop dust.

"[Foregin DNA not found on the current planet. DNA mixture of extinct life forms detected. Unable to identify chemical corruption found, merge with host's Homo sapien DNA at 1%. Farther mutants expected as foreign DNA continues to merge.]"

"So that means that I'm going to get even weirder as time goes on. Great and here I thought that puberty was my only problem."

"[Correction: You have a much worse problem.]"

"And what would that be my unwanted complain?"

"[Answer: Due to the unnatural production of energy your body now produces due to the mutations brought on by the foreign DNA. Your body is now forced to contain this energy. The mutations also give you that ability but in a severely limited capacity. Producing more energy than the body can contain. Causing several side effects. Such as feeling heavy and having little to no energy to take action. However, these are just precursors.]"

"To what...?"

"[Continuation: A mass explosion would the accrue after a set amount of time.]"

"Hold on! I'll blow up! How long do I have till that happens?!"

"[Calcuation...Answer: 96 Earth hours in total from the start of the mutations. If actions are not taken...]"

"I have less than a day till I die! Great, just great, I survived death just to die anyway. At least on Junk Island, I don't have to worry about hurting anyone."

"[Incorrect.]"

"Of course I am! About what?"

"[If you detonate the following explosion would cover an area of 196.9 million mi².]"

"Can I get that in English? You were doing it so well before. "

"[Processing request...Answer: The following explosion would cover the entire planet and wipe out all the living organisms on it.]"

"From a firecracker to a doomsday device! Damn it!"

"[Correction: That would be the case.]"

"Which is it? Am I going to end the world or not! Make up your mind! You're worse than a politician before an election."

"[Explanation: You became our power source, as well as, our host. Due to irreversible damage sustained before activation, we are unable to create our own energy. Without power, we would in effect die. But by absorbing the excess energy your body produces we can power ourselves and stop you from detonating.]"

"Let me get this straight. As long as you use me as a battery you won't die and I won't take out the planet A-Team style."

"[Processing statement...Answer: Correct, also now that we are synchronized with you, we can not be removed till your death or ours.]"

That's good to know, I guess. At least I won't end the world before global warming does. It also explains why my body doesn't feel like it's made of lead. But now I have to think. What's my next move? Then I remember why I came here, to learn about my abilities. I could use trial and error, but why not ask this intergalactic google machine if it knows.

"Can you tell me what powers these mutants give me? Cause if I have to live with them then I need to learn what they are."

"[Processing...Answer: Due to the unpredictability of future mutants, we can not hypostasis what "powers" you will get, but you're current abilities include, the production of pure energy, containment of pure energy, manipulation of energy in its many forms, and pigment translocation.]"

"I sorta get the first three, but what does the last one mean?"

"[Answer: Pigment translocation is the ability to change the color of cells by shifting the pigment causing the visible color to change. This ability is often found in reptilian species. However, you can only change the color of your hair and eyes, and only to colors found naturally in your DNA.]"

I guess that explains why my eye and hair color changed. I don't remember my parents, but there are pictures of them at home. My mom was Japanese with black hair and grayish-blue eyes, while my dad was Irish with rust color hair and bright green eyes. If the intro bio class that I took last year is right I should have the alleles for those colors.

"I wonder if I can control it?" I wondered out loud

"[Answer: With enough training and proper lessons it is possible to control the abilities.]"

"Lessons? Just so you know my summer vacation just started."

"[Clearafication: The current level of knowledge concerning energy that this planet has is far too primitive to be of use. Further instruction is necessary.]"

"Let me guess, you have the knowledge I need?"

"[Answer: Correct.]"

"Oh boy, why do I feel like I just volunteered myself for a hell greater than public school? By the way, what do I call you? You got a name?"

"[Answer: We are biomechanical symbiote serial number: 0000.]"

"I know that already. You told me that an hour ago. I asked you what your name is."

"[Inquriry: What is a name?]"

I'm stunned for a know it all alien symbiote, who seems to know everything not to know something that every two-year-old knows, not to know what a name is frightening. It makes me worry.

"A name is what you call someone or something. More times than not it has some sort of meaning."

"[Processing information... Statement: We do not have a name. Inquiry: Is it possible to acquire one?]"

"I suppose I could give you one."

But what to name it? I could call it Venom or Data, but that's a copyrights clam waiting to happen. After a moment, a thought came to mind.

"How about Blinky?"

A stupid name I know but it's the only thing I can think of. It's only characteristics are being a talking google machine and it glows.

"[Updateing registry... Update complete. Name: Blinky confirmed.]"

I shook my head, I knew then and there I'd regret that name later.

I stood up and stretched, "Alright, Let's get this started. I want to get home before dinner. ( Even if I'm eating alone.)"

Just then the blue gnat things came together forming screens, with information on them. In a blink of an eye, they numbed in the thousands. This was the start of two months of growling training. I was wrong. Hell doesn't even begin to describe what I was going through.

But it would be more than worth it the first time I had to be a hero.