In the Void, at the Heart Collection Store.
Since Clark left, especially after news of his mysterious disappearance following an encounter with a mysterious master, numerous lawless thugs began eyeing the store. These action-oriented individuals started causing trouble the day after Clark vanished. However, they overlooked a crucial detail.
Clark may not have been in the store, but the three women present were not to be trifled with:
Sif: A heavyweight expert from Asgard, whose power in the universe can't compare to the supreme rulers but is certainly formidable. Not just anyone could provoke her.
Ava: Possessing an almost complete immunity to physical attacks, Ava became even more formidable under Clark's nurturing, to the point where even Sif couldn't match her.
Nebula: A notorious space pirate known for her brutality, beyond what mere words could describe.
During the three days of Clark's absence, these three women made it clear to everyone in the Void:
Those who dared to cause trouble at the Heart Collection Store would face death. In three days, they eliminated 137 troublemakers, turning the street into a river of blood. Though no business was conducted, they thoroughly deterred the petty criminals and made it clear that the store wasn't a target for their kind, even in Clark's absence.
Ava, tossing a dagger taken from a thug into a pool of blood, breathed a sigh of relief, "After three days of hunting, those guys should think twice before troubling us. Can we finally return to our peaceful life?"
As Sif wiped the multicolored blood off her beloved sword, she shook her head gravely, "Ordinary ruffians won't dare to trouble us, but if someone else comes, they won't be easy to deal with."
Ava, puzzled, asked, "But all we have in the store are a small Kree spaceship and a billion credit points. Would powerful figures really bother us for that?"
Sif didn't answer but turned to Nebula, "What do you think?"
Nebula shook her head, "I'm just a prisoner, I have no say."
Sif chuckled, "Clark never saw you as a prisoner. When he returned to Earth, he left a clone there to collaborate with a top Earth scientist to study your blood and develop a regenerative serum."
Nebula was surprised, a rare warmth seeping through her cold, mechanical body.
Was this what being cared for felt like? She had only known cold cruelty – the Dark Order was heartless, and Thanos, in pursuit of his ambition, had dismembered and transformed her into something barely human.
Only brief moments with Gamora after brutal training sessions had given Nebula a semblance of human feeling. But as they grew, Thanos forced them into a cruel wager – duels where the loser was mechanically enhanced. Nebula never won, not once. She knew Thanos harbored different feelings for Gamora and wouldn't truly harm her even if she lost. But Gamora never showed mercy, which eventually made Nebula's warmth towards her sister freeze into hatred, fueling her desire for strength and freedom from Thanos.
Initially, Nebula's interest in Clark was based on his strength, potential, and background, hoping it would free her from Thanos. If Clark could eliminate Thanos, that would be ideal.
Though considered a prisoner, her life had improved significantly under Clark. However, prisoners were still prisoners, and her relationship with Clark was still purely utilitarian.
But now, Clark had devoted effort to restore her body without any apparent benefit to him. Nebula was more powerful in her current half-mechanical form, but Clark's actions went beyond practical warfare considerations.
During her time with Ava and Sif, Nebula realized Clark treated everyone well and was never treated as a prisoner. In the Heart Collection Store, she even felt something like 'home'.
After a moment of silence, Nebula, wiping her double-edged sword, added, "With our strength, few enemies can threaten us, but I fear Thanos might come. The Infinity Stones are his ultimate goal, and Clark already possesses two."
Ava, alarmed, asked, "Do you mean Thanos might take us hostage to force Clark to surrender the Infinity Stones?"
Nebula shook her head, "Thanos isn't that foolish. But if he captures us, especially you, Clark will be at a disadvantage…"
Before she could finish, the sky suddenly darkened.
Sif, facing the cosmos, froze mid-sheathing her sword, horror and shock in her eyes.
Ava, visibly more shocked, swallowed hard and muttered, "Oh my God!"
Nebula turned around and cursed upon seeing a massive spaceship, blocking the Void's exit like a shadow over the sun, "Damn it, it's the Sanctuary II, Thanos is here!"
...
Three days of intense sparring passed quietly, and Clark finally mastered his recently surged power.
Although his overall strength hadn't increased noticeably, he was more graceful and composed than three days prior. If he had to fight his past self now, he was confident of winning within a hundred moves.
The only thing Clark couldn't figure out was Monica's true strength. He could sense Carol's limit, but even after three days of sparring, he couldn't push Monica to use her full strength.
Clark felt deflated discussing this; despite three days of combat, he only understood one thing about Monica – speed.
Her beyond light-speed ability had him utterly outmatched for three days, with no chance of turning the tables.
Seeing Clark's dissatisfaction, Monica teased, "Do you really want to see my true strength?"
Clark nodded seriously.
The next moment, dazzling light illuminated the dim Malagar star.
Three minutes later, a disheveled Clark confirmed two guesses:
Monica's power was terrifyingly strong, leaving him feeling utterly defenseless.
He truly possessed an undying body!
Initially, Monica was cautious not to harm Clark, but she was astonished to find his resilience... to taking a beating. So, she increased her attack intensity, and Clark's rapid recovery even left her speechless.
Afterward, Monica unleashed her full strength, and Clark experienced both her terrifying power and his own grotesque immortality.
Watching Monica disappear as a golden light in the distant sky, Clark closed his eyes and absorbed the star's light energy to replenish himself.
After three days of intense combat, his undying body remained intact, but his energy still needed replenishing.
In other words, he had health, but not infinite energy.
Luckily, it was daytime on Malagar, and the abundant light energy should speed up his recovery.
Suddenly remembering something, Clark quickly summoned his equipment from his personal space.
"Ding Dong!"
As he was about to change back into his battle gear, his phone chimed with a short notification.
Opening it, his expression darkened.
Thanos had arrived.
— Ava
The message was sent five minutes ago!
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