Ok, clearly, Alex had underestimated how dangerous the Purple Platypuses really were. Their only funny business policy and jokey attitude had lulled him into a false sense of security. It made them look like pushovers, which they were clearly not.
As Tony's body vented purple steam, Alex had to come up with a plan. But what? If only there was a way for Alex to fight on the same level of strength and speed as Tony.
Tony's body wasn't fully organic. Maybe Alex could hack it. Maybe he could slow Tony down and weaken him. Bring him down to Alex's level.
Alex reactivated his forcefield. The fact that Tony could smash it didn't matter. If Alex took a single one of Tony's punches full force, he would be toast.
And not the good kind of toast that was all crispy and warm. It would be the bad kind of toast that was all burnt and gritty.
Alex was tempted to use Wave of Fear to send Tony fifty feet away again, but Tony wasn't walking towards him right now. He was sort of just standing there, breathing. His body was slowly venting more steam, and his eyes were glowing brighter, but that was it.
It was better for Alex to just leave him alone and take this opportunity to do his own thing. Alex focused on trying to hack Tony's body.
[New skill created: Hacking]
Alex told Tony's body to slow down and grow weaker. He did this by trying to trick Tony's body into thinking it was slower and weaker, thus putting a cap on its power.
[New skill created: Electronic Debuff]
[Anti-hacking software detected. Electronic Debuff failed]
Damn. Even that route was blocked for him. Alex would have to come up with something else. Alex thought back to what he needed. He needed to match, well, surpass Tony's physical strength and speed.
If only there was a way he could make himself stronger and faster. Looking through his list of core skills, he came up with an idea. What if he could make himself stronger and faster with telekinesis?
If he could surround himself with telekinetic energy, he could not only use his physical strength but his telekinetic strength as well. And he was sure he could do the same for speed. Alex concentrated on creating the skill.
[New skill created: Telekinetic body]
Yes! He did it! This must be the way, he thought. In games, no enemy was unbeatable—except the ones that were obviously designed not to be fought—and no problem was unsolvable. He just had to find the solution, and he felt like he finally did that.
He felt amazing. His body felt lighter, more agile. He threw a punch. It was smooth and swift. He threw another, and another, until he started to work up a sweat. Whoo! This was awesome!
Well, time to get down to business, Alex thought. Tony noticed a change in Alex. He was moving faster. He was practically bouncing on his feet. And he had a look on his face like he'd just conquered the world.
Alex ran up to Tony and threw a gut punch. Tony blocked it with his hands, but it sent him flying back and landing on his ass. As Tony got up, he threw out a kick. Alex caught it and grinned.
Alex lifted Tony up into the air by his leg and slammed him into the ground. Hard. When Tony got up, there was a slightly dented in panel on the side of his forehead. He felt it with his hands.
"My face! You bastard!" Tony roared.
Tony threw out a series of punches, but they hit nothing but air. Alex dodged every one of them. Then he started blocking them. Eventually, Alex was blocking them with one hand behind his back.
He faked a yawn. "Is that all you got? You're going to have to do better than that!" Alex said.
Alex locked Tony's hands together with one hand and leaned in close. He proceeded to pummel Tony in the ribs with his other hand. Tony spat up blood.
With great effort, Tony broke free of the hold. "I didn't want to have to do this, but I'm going to have to go Ultra-Violet!" Tony said.
Tony started screaming. Panels opened all over his body to release the massive amount of heat and steam his body was producing. His eyes glowed pure violet.
"Did you choose that name because your ability has something to do with UV radiation, or because it sounded cool and violet is a shade of purple?" Alex said.
"The second one!" Tony yelled.
One second Tony was ten feet away from Alex and the next he was right in front of him. Alex threw a punch, but Tony disappeared.
"You gotta start watching your back or someone's gonna stab it," Tony said from behind Alex.
"I don't want you behind me. I don't like you like that," Alex said.
Alex turned and swung his arm out to hit Tony, but Tony hopped away. Tony got into a running position and charged at Alex, tackling him and carrying him into a wall.
Tony slammed Alex through the concrete wall of a security building. Alex's forcefield shattered. Tony didn't stop though. He slammed Alex through the other wall on the other side of the building.
He threw Alex against the pole of a security gate. Pain exploded through Alex's back when his spine impacted the pole. This time it was Alex's turn to cough up blood, and cough up blood he did. All over the ground.
"You're a lot tougher than I thought," Alex said. Tony gave him a surprised look. "I didn't have anything witty to say this time."
"You're a lot tougher than I thought too, but you're not quite tough enough. Are you?" Tony said.
"Don't count me out just yet," Alex said as he got up. "I didn't want to have to do this, but I have to go Psionic Surge Mode!" Alex paused. "That didn't sound as cool as it did in my head. Maybe I need a branding lesson from you after all this is over."
Alex activated his Psionic Surge. He chose his telekinesis as the target, boosting the effect of his telekinetic body. His eyes glowed blue and waves of psychic energy came off his body. His hair turned blue and started blowing in the nonexistent wind.
"You actually hurt me. Like really hurt me," Alex said. "Now it's time for me to return the favor."