-3 DAYS LATER-
The yacht glided smoothly across the ocean, but the closer it got to Savage Island, the more unnerving the sight became. The once-vivid tropical waters surrounding the island were now a solid sheet of ice, stretching out like a lifeless mirror under the pale sky.
Jimmy Woo, standing on the deck with a pair of binoculars, lowered them slowly as the extent of the freezing devastation became clear.
Jimmy Woo: This isn't good... even the water's frozen solid.
Tigra, leaning casually against the railing, flicked her tail nervously, her feline instincts clearly unsettled by the unnatural chill in the air.
Tigra: No way this is natural. The entire ocean around the island? That's some next-level power. Blizzard really went all out.
Jimmy scanned the ice ahead, spotting jagged cracks and patches of snow scattered across its surface.
Jimmy Woo: It's worse than I thought. The freezing reached farther than our reports estimated. This isn't just an attack it's environmental destruction on a massive scale.
Photon stepped up beside him, gazing out at the frozen expanse with a deep frown.
Photon: The Savage Land's ecosystem depends on its unique climate. If this ice doesn't melt soon, it could cause irreversible damage.
Falcon, hovering above the yacht with his wings spread wide, called down to them.
Falcon: The air temperature's dropping fast. We're looking at sub-zero conditions all the way to the island. Everyone better bundle up. It's gonna be a long day.
Jimmy nodded, turning to address the rest of the team.
Jimmy Woo: Red Runner, Blink, you two are up first. Once we're close enough, Blink will open a portal to the island's interior. Scout the area, locate Shanna and her family, and assess the situation. Don't engage Blizzard unless absolutely necessary.
Wally, already in his suit, tapped his foot impatiently.
Wally: Yeah, yeah, got it. Fast, sneaky, and no showboating. Let's get this done.
Blink, adjusting her gloves, gave him a pointed look.
Blink: Just stick to the plan, Wally. No hero stunts this time.
Jimmy Woo: Photon, Falcon, you're next. Keep an eye out for any reinforcements or surprises from the air. Tigra and I will stay on the yacht and monitor your progress.
The yacht slowed as it neared the edge of the frozen water, its engine groaning against the cold as the hull scraped lightly against the thick ice.
Jimmy Woo: This is as close as we're getting. Blink, Red Runner your turn. Good luck out there.
Blink stepped forward, raising her hand to open a shimmering portal. Wally cracked his knuckles and gave the team a quick salute.
Wally: Time to show Blizzard why you don't mess with the speedster.
As the portal formed, revealing a glimpse of the frozen jungle ahead, the biting cold seemed to grow even sharper. The team watched as Blink and Wally stepped through, disappearing into the icy wilderness.
As the shimmering portal closed behind them, the eerie silence of the frozen Savage Land enveloped Blink and Wally. The dense jungle, once vibrant and teeming with life, was now a ghostly wasteland encased in thick, glistening ice. Each step crunched against the brittle frost coating the ground.
Blink turned to Wally with a sharp, commanding look.
Blink: Wally, put your mask on. The cold here isn't just uncomfortable it's dangerous.
Wally smirked, giving her a mock salute as he reached up to adjust his mask.
Red Runner: Roger that, friend. Mask engaged.
He snapped it into place with a dramatic flourish, the red material completing his full-speedster look.
Red Runner: Now I'm completely Red Runner, ready for action! But seriously, this place is cold as fuck! Is this what Frostbite Level 10 feels like?
Blink rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile creeping onto her face.
Blink: Focus, Wally. Blizzard's out here somewhere, and we need to find Shanna and her family before anything else. Save the jokes for after we're done.
Red Runner rubbed his gloved hands together, bouncing on the balls of his feet to keep warm, though the super-speedster hardly needed it.
Red Runner: Fine, fine. But if I freeze solid, you owe me a hot cocoa when we get back.
Blink: Deal. Now, let's move. Stay quiet and stick to the plan. This isn't the time for showing off.
The two moved deeper into the frozen jungle, their breaths visible in the frosty air. Despite his usual playful demeanor, Wally couldn't help but feel the unease of the icy silence surrounding them.
Red Runner: Man, even the animals must've bailed on this place. Feels like we're walking into a snow globe of doom.
Blink: Keep your guard up. Blizzard's power might not be the only thing we're up against.
Red Runner: What did Blizzard do, unleash the next ice age?
The frozen jungle eerily quiet. The thick ice coated the trees, turning them into glistening sculptures.
Red Runner: Alright, alright. Let's get moving before I turn into a popsicle. Any idea where they might be?
Blink: Reports said they were in the central camp before the attack. If they survived, that's where they'd try to regroup. Stay close and don't do anything stupid.
Red Runner smirked beneath his mask, his feet already twitching with impatience.
Red Runner: Define stupid. Because I've got a lot of ideas for this cold.
Blink gave him a flat stare before moving forward, her boots crunching against the icy ground. Wally followed, his speed dropping to a jog as he scanned their surroundings.
Red Runner: Man, I hope this Blizzard guy's ready. I don't do cold gracefully.
The icy stillness was shattered when Wally abruptly grabbed Blink, covering her mouth with one hand and pulling her behind a frozen jungle bush in a blur of red. Blink's muffled protests were sharp, and the moment he released her, she pushed him back.
Blink: Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?
Wally held a finger to his lips, gesturing for her to stay quiet as his glowing eyes peered through the dense, frost-covered foliage.
Red Runner: Shush! Look over there.
He pointed toward a cluster of figures moving through the frozen jungle, their heavy boots crunching against the ice. Blink narrowed her eyes, leaning forward to get a better look. The figures were soldiers heavily armed and clad in tactical winter gear. But leading them, unmistakably, was a man with a commanding presence and a mechanical arm.
Blink: Oh no... That's Stryker.
Red Runner: Stryker? Who the hell is Stryker? And why does he look like a Bond villain?
Blink: He's worse. That's William Stryker, head of Weapon X. He's dangerous, Wally.
Red Runner glanced back at her, his normally light-hearted expression replaced with unease.
Red Runner: And those guys with him? Are they... mutants?
Blink: No. They're experiments brainwashed soldiers enhanced by Weapon X. They're just as dangerous as he is.
The two watched as the squad moved methodically, scanning their surroundings with practiced precision. Stryker stopped for a moment, surveying the frozen terrain as though sensing something amiss.
Stryker: Spread out. Blizzard may have created this mess, but we're not alone here. Find them.
Wally's jaw tightened, his fists clenching as he whispered.
Red Runner: So? Do we run in and take them out, or do we portal out of here and let Jimmy know these creeps are crashing our frozen safari?
Blink peeked through the bushes again, her fingers brushing against her teleportation daggers.
Blink: We can't risk engaging them yet. Let's gather more intel first. If they're working with Blizzard, we need to know what they're after.
Red Runner nodded, his usual smirk replaced by a determined frown.
Red Runner: Alright, but if they so much as sneeze in our direction, I'm breaking their snow globe.
Blink hesitated, her gaze shifting between the soldiers and Wally.
Blink: If we fight, it's going to draw more of them. But if they find us...
Red Runner: So we either run, or we risk a showdown. Your call, friend.
Stryker's voice echoed again, colder and more commanding.
Stryker: No mistakes. I want those targets alive.
Blink: Let's move carefully. We'll circle around and stick to the plan find Shanna and her family. If they catch us... we'll handle it.
Red Runner gave her a nod, his usual grin returning faintly despite the tension.
Red Runner: Alright. But if this goes south, I'm blaming you.
Blink rolled her eyes as they silently slipped deeper into the frozen jungle, avoiding the advancing Weapon X team.
Blink froze mid-step as the faint crack of her boot against an icy stick echoed through the frozen jungle. The sound reverberated like a gunshot in the stillness, immediately catching the attention of Stryker and his squad.
Stryker's voice rang out, sharp and authoritative.
Stryker: Who's there?! Show yourselves!
Without missing a beat, Wally crouched low and, in an exaggerated tone, called out.
Red Runner: Meow?
Blink turned to him with a look of utter disbelief, dragging her hand down her face in frustration.
Stryker: Meow? Wait a damn minute there are no cats in the Savage Land! Shoot them down!
The jungle exploded into chaos as gunfire erupted, bullets whizzing through the icy air.
Red Runner: Damn it! Blink, portal! Now!
Blink quickly extended her hand, a glowing, swirling portal materializing just behind them.
Blink: Move! Go, go, go!
She dove through the portal, landing back on the deck of the yacht, but when she turned back, Wally wasn't following. He was slipping and stumbling, his super-speed hindered by the uneven, frozen terrain.
Blink: Wally! Come on!
Red Runner was about to reach the portal when his sharp eyes caught a flash of metal streaking through the sky a missile heading straight for him. His heart raced as he realized he couldn't make it in time.
Red Runner: Close the portal! Now!
Blink's eyes widened in panic as she screamed back.
Blink: No! Wally, don't—!
But she could see the missile's fiery trail closing in. Reluctantly, with tears in her eyes, she swiped her hand to shut the portal just before the missile could reach her.
The last thing she saw was Wally turning, a blur of red as he sprinted to evade the explosive.
The portal sealed with a shimmer, and Blink collapsed to her knees, trembling.
Blink: Wally... no.
Behind her, Jimmy Woo and the rest of the team rushed over, alarmed by her panicked state.
Photon: Blink! What happened? Where's Red Runner?!
Blink couldn't answer, her voice choked with fear and guilt. Meanwhile, on the other side of the portal, the icy jungle erupted into a massive explosion, the sound echoing across the frozen wasteland.
Red Runner: Guess cats really do have nine lives. Now... how do I get out of this mess?
He turned his head, hearing Stryker's voice cutting through the chaos.
Stryker: Spread out! Find him! No one escapes me!
Red Runner smirked, his breath visible in the freezing air.
Red Runner: Alright you, Anti-Mutant Leader. Let's see if you can catch me.
With a burst of speed, he vanished into the icy wilderness.
Photon: What happened? Where's Wally?!
Blink: He... he told me to close it. He's still back there!
Jimmy Woo's face tightened, his voice calm but edged with urgency.
Jimmy Woo: We'll find him. Blink, you did what you had to. He's fast he can handle himself.
Her hands trembled, her breath shallow, and her face was clouded with guilt. Her teammates were scattered across the deck, their expressions grim as the reality of what just happened sank in.
Blink: It's all my fault... Wally was right.
She stopped, turning to face Jimmy Woo and the others, her eyes wild with frustration and panic.
Blink: He said, "But if this goes south, I'm blaming you." He was right! What if he was killed?! What if he was captured by Stryker!?
Her voice cracked with the weight of the situation, and she fought to keep herself composed.
Monica Rambeau, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.
Photon: Blink, I get it. We all do. But right now, getting upset won't help him. Wally's fast, we know that. And he's tough. He's been through worse.
Blink shook her head.
Blink: You don't understand! I-
Jimmy Woo: Blink, stop it.
Jimmy Woo, who was observing Blink emotion, stepped in before she could continue. His face was hard, his eyes sharp with determination.
Jimmy Woo: It's not your fault. You did everything you could. But I'm not going to let that man Stryker win. We won't let Wally stay out there alone, and we're not abandoning Shanna and her family.
Blink opened her mouth to protest, but Jimmy Woo's tone cut through her like steel.
Jimmy Woo: Then we have a new mission.
He stepped forward, his eyes locking onto each member of the team, his voice firm and resolute.
Jimmy Woo: WE WILL NOT LEAVE THIS LAND UNTIL WE GET WALLY, SHANNA, AND HER FAMILY. OUR MISSION IS ALL OUT BRAWL, NO MATTER WHO IS ON THE OTHER SIDE. IF BLIZZARD IS ALLIED WITH STRYKER OR NOT, WE WILL CAPTURE THEM ALL.
The room went silent for a moment, the weight of his words settling on everyone like a heavy storm cloud. But then, the resolve in Jimmy's words began to take root in their hearts.
Falcon stepped forward, his hands already moving to adjust his wings.
Falcon: Count me in. We don't leave anyone behind.
Photon nodded, the glow in her eyes matching the intensity of her emotions.
Photon: I'm with you. We're a team. And no one is going to fall today.
Tigra cracked her knuckles, her voice low but with a fierceness that matched the growing tension.
Tigra: Let's make this count. I didn't sign up to watch my team fall apart.
Blink still shaken, wiped her tears away, her voice finally steady as she spoke with newfound determination.
Blink: Let's get Wally back. And everyone else. I won't let anything happen to him.
Jimmy Woo glanced at them all, his lips curling into a rare, approving smile.
Jimmy Woo: Blink Open the portal, now!
Blink's eyes widened as she stood up, the urgency in his voice catching her by surprise.
Jimmy Woo: We move fast. No hesitation. No mercy. We're going in, full throttle. And we're not backing down. Do it and OPEN THE PORTAL NOW!
Blink nodded quickly, her expression hardening with determination as she focused on her powers. Her hands began to glow violet, summoning a swirling portal in front of them. The whirling energy seemed to hum with anticipation.
Photon: Ready when you are, Jimmy.
Falcon cracked his knuckles as he stepped up beside Jimmy, his voice calm but ready.
Falcon: We don't leave anyone behind. We stick to the plan, and we hit them hard.
Jimmy Woo nodded, his eyes scanning the team. They were all in. No second-guessing.
Jimmy Woo: Get ready. We move now.
The portal flickered, and Blink stepped through, leading the charge as the team followed. As they all crossed through, Jimmy's voice echoed out to the team, solidifying their purpose.
Jimmy Woo: This mission just became personal.
TO BE CONTINUE!