Invasion pt1

Wow! So much energy! The System screen popped up once again with the listed skills that I absorbed from Carol.

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Skills:

1. Decelerated Aging, 2. Flight, 3. Superhuman strength, 4. Superhuman durability, 5. Superhuman Agility, 6. Healing, 7. Energy absorption and manipulation, 8. Photon blast, 9. Binary mode, 10. Ergokinetic phasing, 11. Cosmic awareness, 12. Seventh sense, 13. Energy construct.

[Focus on the skill to read the description]

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Argg!! My head! A splitting pain swept through my mind as the influx of information flooded my brain. Everything went blurry and I was barely able to hear anything... It was just pain, extreme pain. It felt like someone had split my skull open with an axe. The pain was so intense that I couldn't even think. Flashes of memories, emotions, and sensations rushed through my mind. I clutched my head tightly, trying to ease the pain, but it was no use. The agony was overwhelming.

It felt like an eternity, but finally, the pain subsided. My mind was clear... Not only my mind but my entire body also felt refreshed. Like every fiber of my being was rejuvenated. I stood up from the floor and took a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" Carol asked.

"Jack, you are...!" Irani also gasped in shock.

I looked at my hands, and the changes were immediately noticeable. My skin was glowing with a golden aura. I was filled with energy and strength beyond anything I ever experienced. I could feel the power coursing through my veins. It was exhilarating. The System rearranged Carol's knowledge of how to use cosmic power to fit my mind. So, using these powers comes naturally to me now.

It's like a freaking cheat. Now, should I just stay here and fight or take my family and get the hell out of Xander, leaving them to their fate? Hmm... Well, staying here and fighting for Xander sounds cool, but kinda dangerous. I mean, it's a freaking symbiote army and space cracks we are dealing with here. One wrong move and that's the end. As for the quest, there wasn't any penalty, so it doesn't matter.

But I doubt that Nebula or Rosia would run away with me in this situation.

Sigh! Well, can't leave them to die here, can I? Not to mention, staying here and contributing to the fight will make me a hero. Plus, if I manage to contribute enough, I might get a nice reward. Finally, if we survive and defeat this symbiote army, then my status will rise dramatically. And I might get a chance to... You know... There's Carol and we might just... Ahem! Get along very well...

My train of thought was interrupted when Carol touched my shoulder.

"Same energy as mine," She said, "What did you do? Is this some kind of mimic skill or mutation?"

"Let's just say, the present me is as strong as you and some more," I smiled confidently.

Irani's eyes widened in surprise, "Jack, this isn't time to joke around."

"He isn't," Carol said, "His energy signature is similar to mine but with a few differences. So, Jack. Are you going to help or run away?"

"Run away? That's a nice way of taunting. You see, I got a family here and there ain't no way I'm gonna let some parasite kill or enslave them. So, yeah, I guess I'll help. Now, how many superhumans have we got other than Captain Marvel and me?" I asked. As far as I can remember, Nova went missing a long time ago and as for Adam Warlock, I've no idea where that dense guy is. Haven't seen him in Knowhere or here.

Carol nodded before saying, "Just us two for now. Adam is busy dealing with another problem. But we have technology on our side. We just need Nova Corps to hold them long enough for me to go to the other side and destroy the High Evolutionary and stop the invasion. And with you here, things would be easier."

Dang! That freak is still alive?! Oh, man, this universe has no shortage of problematic freaks. They just won't die. Whatever...

"Just don't get stuck on the other side," Irani said with concern, "We can't afford to lose you again, Carol. We lost too many good people already."

"Don't worry Irani, I got this," Carol smiled confidently before turning to me, "Jack, I'll leave this side to you."

"Fine. By the way, Irani," I glanced toward the screen where the army was slowly approaching Xander. "You got any weapons that can generate sonic waves and flames?"

"Yes, but what do you plan to do with those?" Irani asked.

I smirked, "Oh, nothing much. I thought there was no way that guy could have removed the weakness of all these symbiotes. And since they are made based on the original symbiote, some might still retain their weakness. So, we will use their natural weakness against them."

Irani's eyes widened once again, "How do you know about their weakness? Even our database doesn't contain such information."

"It's a long story and we don't have much time left, so... If you have the weapon, have someone mount them on a squadron of ships and prepare for a counterattack. Better hurry up, Irani. Time is ticking. We will buy you as much time as possible." I said.

Irani nodded and immediately contacted her troops and gave them orders. Carol and I flew out of the command center and headed toward the battlefront. I can't believe I'm flying naturally. All hail the system. I feel so free and it's fun.

While flying, Carol said, "After all this is over, we should talk."

"Why? You gonna ask me on a date or something?" I chuckled.

"You want to go on a date with me?" She smirked.

"I'll take that as a yes. So, where do you wanna go? Movies or dinner? Or both? I know a good place where..." My words trailed off when I saw the army of symbiotes below me. "Well, looks like we arrived."

"I'll leave it to you," Carol said as she sped up and charged toward the army of symbiotes.

"Oh, my, how considerate of you," I grinned as I followed after her.

The Nova Corps soldiers formed their defensive line, blasters raised, while the few advanced fighters took to the air, firing plasma bolts into the distance. I could see them, the fighters flying like specks against the massive dark wave. My heart was hammering like crazily. I'm in space and before me was death. Shit! Fighting on the ground and in space is so darn different. Not to mention that massive hoard looks too gross. It's completely different from movies or comics.

Damn it! Why did I have to get myself involved in this shit? Fuck! My mind screamed for me to run away but my body just wouldn't listen to me. I took a deep breath and calmed down. 'Ok. Calm down. Don't think of anything and just focus on the battle.'

Carol was already ahead, blasting through the swarm with photon punches and explosions. Classic Carol. I hovered just behind her, feeling my new powers tingling at the tips of my fingers. Time to put them to work.

I thrust my hands forward and a blazing beam of energy shot forth, engulfing a group of symbiotes in front of Carol. The blast sent them scattering, opening a path for Carol.

"Not bad," She smiled as she continued to plow through the symbiote army.

"Thanks for the compliment," I replied, "Now, I hope you won't mind if I steal the spotlight. It's showtime!!"

My body was radiating golden energy, and I focused it all on my right hand. The energy glowed brightly as I formed a small ball of energy. Then, I flung it towards the symbiote army. The ball expanded and exploded upon impact, sending symbiotes flying everywhere. Carol immediately used that opportunity to rush toward the space crack from where these freaks were coming out.