Derrick decided to review his current ability set before going through with the plan....
Derrick – Internal Systems Audit
Assimilation complete. Reclassification required.
Current Core Ability Categories (Simplified):
1. Physical Dominance
Super-strength (planetary-biome scale consumption capable)
Adaptive muscle density & impact dampening
Momentum storage & redirection (Viltrumite-derived refinement)
Regeneration (cellular, viral, structural)and can be accelerated through consumption.
2. Mobility & Space Control
Super-speed (non-relativistic, non-causal movement) comic book quick silver can still out run him without trying unless he releases all built up .
Teleportation (short–intercontinental range)
Folded-space traversal (limited dimensional skip)
Gravity manipulation (locks, compression, directional null)
3. Blacklight Assimilation Suite
Biomass consumption (organic, semi-organic, synthetic organism )
Memory absorption (experiential+procedural)some memories are difficult to absorb if the brain tissue is too damaged.
Viral propagation (controlled spores, loyal sleeper agents)
Molecular rewriting (self-only, adaptive)
4. Energy & Elemental Control
Lightning (non-divine)
Fire & plasma compression
Wind / pressure manipulation
Thermal resistance viltrumite level (non magical) the sun and anything close to its intensity could kill him if he cannot leave within an hour.
5. Magic Interaction (NEW – PARTIAL)
Low-tier spell resistance (demonic-energy buffering) holy, divine magic is still dangerous to him..
Thaumaturgical friction (spells degrade faster) in his presence
Soul-density shielding (unintentional but effective) he cannot actively use soul manipulation beyond surrounding his soul as a protective membrane against telepathic beings
6. Genetic Keys (NEW)
Thor genome trace: 0.00001%
Minor divine conductivity tolerance
Reduced lightning backlash
Marginal resistance to weak god-forged weapons
Potential Asgardian-biometric compatibility
Conclusion:
Magic remains a threat.
But no longer an instant loss condition..
Derrick exhaled slowly now more composed..
NEW YORK CITY – OUTSKIRTS OF AVENGERS TOWER
Derrick reshaped himself as he walked skin tone lightened, features softened, posture slouched into harmless curiosity a simple nobody, a tourist.
Just another face beneath glass and steel.
He joined a small group near the perimeter fans waiting for a scheduled tour of the tower
He smiled. Practiced. Ordinary.
Inside, his senses were anything but.
Heartbeats.
Breathing rhythms.
Micro-tensions in shoulders and necks.
He remembered this discipline from Viltrumite war academies in Nolans memory, the way soldiers hid among civilians before planetary compliance.
Two men near the entrance breathed too evenly.
A woman by the elevator controlled her blink rate.
Exactly what he was looking for shield agents
..... Derrick silently let spore free and controlled their direction and made sure they go directly to his intended targets...
Elsewhere..
KRAKOA..
Pandemonium's absence rippled outward.
Mutant sensory types staggered.
Cecilia Reyes gasped.
Jean Grey went pale.
Magneto stopped mid-sentence.
"He's gone," Jean whispered. "Consumed by that thing ."
Storm's eyes darkened. "Then we wait no longer I was hoping he'd be on our side but I was wrong."
Cyclops nodded. "Scramble a small team. Observation first to analyze his abilities and engagement only if necessary."
The gathered mutants looked at each other as they collectively knew this won't be another simple enemy to deal with..
..
AVENGERS TOWER – INSIDE
Derrick let the tour proceed.
He laughed when others laughed.
Looked up when they pointed all the while, his focus stayed on one agent male, mid-thirties, controlled gait, calm but alert.
The man excused himself toward the restroom.
Derrick followed casually .
No cameras inside meant no witnesses.
The absorption took less than a second.
No sound. No mess. The man never hit the floor.
Derrick walked out alone, already filtering through stolen memories.
Coordinates.
Clearance phrases.
Shadow protocols.
S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ identified.
ASGARD – THE ALL-SEEING WARNS
Thor knelt as Heimdall's voice thundered through the realm.
"The Trickster has meddled," Heimdall said. "Loki sent a beast to Midgard. It fell. The anomaly grows."
Thor's jaw tightened.
"Then this ends," he said. "I will find the creature before my brother's games escalate."
Mjolnir answered him eagerly.
SHIELD – THE SLEEPERS AWAKEN
Derrick moved like a rumor through the city and into shields hidden arteries.
The spores spread earlier were becoming handy , Sleeper agents infected, unaware, loyal only when triggered slipped back into routine. Analysts. Archivists. Custodians.
Orders were simple:
Gather all intelligence on magic-enabled assets.
One active sleeper delivered gold.
The active roaster for the midnight suns a supernatural division within shield..
Meanwhile Derrick decided to search through the memories of Essex, also known as Dr sinister.
MEMORY STREAM – ESSEX'S MAP
Derrick sifted deeper and found some information on a few interesting mutants like
Multiple Man.
Emma Frost.
Hellfire Club.
" I'll find those guys later." Derrick decided.
For now magic....
....
Elsewhere...
...
HELL'S MOVE
Maphisto plans continue as he intends for more demons to attack Derrick as the i density of souls in his body make the wannabe Satan of Satans salivate.
Mephisto snarled.
"Test him."
A combat demon tore through dimensions bladed, ancient, built for extermination.
It never reached Derrick.
The Midnight Suns intercepted it in a blaze of hellfire and sanctified steel.
THE MIDNIGHT SUNS – BRIEF INTRODUCTIONS
Blade – Daywalker. Vampire hunter. Relentless. No fear response.
Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) – Spirit of Vengeance. Hellfire chains. Soul judgment.
Doctor Strange – Sorcerer Supreme. Reality anchor. Tactical spellcaster.
Magik (Illyana Rasputin) – Darkchylde. Limbo ruler. Demon-slaying prodigy.
Wong – Master of the Mystic Arts. Defensive specialist. Artifact handler.
They fought like veterans coordinated, brutal, precise.
The demon screamed.
Derrick appeared a mile away, perched atop a ruined spire, eyes glowing faintly as Viltrumite-enhanced vision dissected the battle frame by frame.
"Good," he murmured. "Exhaust each other for me ."
He waited.
And when the moment came,
He would step into hellfire and see how much it could really burn him now.