180

Chapter 180: Air Combat

The situation took a sudden turn for the worse. Before Gwen could react, she found herself tightly entangled by Carnage's tentacles, suspended in the air.

She twisted and struggled, realizing the tentacles weren't strong enough to cause pain or suffocation but were incredibly slippery. They restrained her limbs, waist, and torso, efficiently neutralizing her strength and bypassing the vibranium suit's defenses and energy absorption capabilities.

Desperate to free herself, Gwen snapped at Carnage, "Do you also have a symbiote in you?"

"Hey! Bastard, don't even think about touching her!" Gwen yelled fiercely.

Peter, as Carnage, shifted blame to the symbiote, silently admiring Gwen's fiery spirit. Despite his current form and intentions, he never wanted to harm her.

But now, how to separate Gwen from the symbiote posed a significant challenge. Peter wasn't sure which symbiote Gwen hosted; it could be the very one causing him trouble now.

"Gwen..."

The sound filtered through the symbiote's layers, reaching her ears somewhat distorted and thicker.

She recognized the tone, a familiar echo from moments past with Green Whip...

Though she brushed off suspicions, hearing that tone from such a ferocious creature piqued her curiosity about who lay behind Carnage's mask.

Meanwhile, Swallow, witnessing Spider-Woman's capture, lunged forward without hesitation to aid her.

Peter, occupied with managing Carnage's power, inadvertently weakened the grip on Gwen, allowing her to swiftly break free.

"I'm fine, Spider-Woman," Gwen assured, momentarily distracted by a thought. She queried Huan Mo silently, "Miss Phantom, who is Carnage's host?"

"Huh? Why ask... Carnage's host is Cletus Kasady, a serial killer."

Though perplexed, Phantom answered truthfully, "He's also from another universe."

Gwen's confusion deepened. Did this mean the person from another universe knew her too?

With no immediate answers forthcoming from Phantom, she temporarily set aside her speculations. The priority remained thwarting Carnage.

However, Gwen noticed Carnage suddenly gaze skyward and mutter, "It's finally here."

What's arriving? Tony's voice resonated through the suit's communication,

"Gwen, we're here!"

A red and gold suit descended from the sky, Tony Stark's Destroyer Armor, landing squarely before Gwen and Swallow, confronting Carnage. Several auxiliary armors controlled by Jarvis hovered overhead, monitoring Carnage to prevent escape.

Preparedness swung momentum to Tony's side.

Yet Peter, as Carnage, calmly remarked, "You're late. I've been waiting."

Tony was taken aback by Peter's composure in such dire straits. He responded sternly, unwilling to admit defeat, "Then I hope you don't regret it and try to flee like a coward again. You won't get another chance."

While speaking, Tony signaled Jarvis to maintain vigilance over Swallow, trusting Gwen's assurance of his alignment.

Peter scrutinized Tony's armor briefly... then summoned his ace, the Destroyer Armor.

Unlike its earlier, rushed version lacking refinement due to time constraints, the current Destroyer Armor seamlessly melded Asgardian craftsmanship with Stark technology, both aesthetically pleasing and formidable.

It appeared Tony had delved deep into magical studies over the past six months.

His mastery had optimized the armor's magical elements, essential for its enhanced capabilities.

The battle was imminent, and the narrow alley no longer accommodated their scale of engagement.

Amid rapid explosions, Carnage unfurled his wings, soaring skyward, with Tony's Destroyer Armor in pursuit, accompanied by numerous allied armors.

"Human sea tactics?" Peter quipped.

"You're in for it now, monster. Jarvis, prepare for a display of skill."

"I'm honored, sir."

Since discontinuing weapon production, Tony's armors primarily utilized light cannons or lasers for combat.

Now, under Jarvis's precise coordination, dozens of armors fired lasers, illuminating the sky like dazzling fireworks in the waning daylight.

Tony's Destroyer Armor assumed the front-line containment role, its powerful energy cannons in palms and chest posing lethal threat to Carnage.

Encircled by a swarm of armors, Peter maneuvered Carnage adeptly, dodging the onslaught resembling a barrage.

Previously, such a confrontation would have challenged Carnage alone.

Unknown to Tony, orchestrating this array was his long-prepared tactic, devised with Jarvis's exhaustive simulations and strategic prowess.

But as Carnage, Peter disrupted each trap at the last moment, evading total enclosure.

Tony's meticulous plan failed, necessitating a rethink and fresh encirclement strategy, consuming valuable time.

Tony couldn't fathom anyone out-calculating Jarvis in computational prowess, backed by vast servers and expert knowledge.

Yet, accepting the unexpected, Tony implemented his backup plan.

"Jarvis, activate the backup plan."

"Are you certain, sir?"

Though pained, Tony affirmed, "It's the best option."

"Activate the backup plan."

Instantly, all armors received orders, altering flight patterns, advancing suicidally toward Carnage.

No words exchanged—only actions. If containment failed, they'd sacrifice themselves to immobilize Carnage.

Observing the altered trajectory, Peter understood Tony's gambit. He smirked, "Such self-inflicted cruelty? You've never been this decisive."

With a swift flap of wings, Peter accelerated. However, Tony anticipated vigilant measures.

But Peter, in his essence, wasn't a true menace. He pivoted and steered Carnage toward Tony, trailing overheating armors.