Jimmy Woo: Alright, you know what to do. Let's move. We don't have a second to waste!
-Meanwhile to Wally-
The frozen jungle was eerily quiet, save for the distant crunch of boots from Stryker's soldiers searching the area. Red Runner crouched behind a jagged ice-covered rock, breathing heavily. His mind raced as he calculated his next move.
Red Runner: Alright, Wally. Just one sprint. One good sprint, and you're out of here.
He took a deep breath, then launched himself forward, but as soon as his foot hit the ice, it slipped out from under him. His arms flailed as he crashed down onto his back with a muffled thud.
Red Runner: (whispering) Dangit... it's so hard to run with this ice!
He clenched his fists in frustration, quickly scrambling to his knees. The sound of boots grew louder.
Soldier: Did you hear that? Over there!
Red Runner froze for a moment, then carefully pushed himself up, wobbling slightly on the slick surface.
Red Runner: (mutters to himself) Okay, new plan... slow and steady... or maybe Blink wasn't so wrong about portals.
He glanced toward the faint glow of Stryker's campfire in the distance. His jaw tightened as determination replaced his frustration.
Red Runner: (whispering) No way I'm letting this ice beat me. Not today.
He started to shuffle forward carefully, sliding his feet across the ice instead of running. Though it wasn't graceful, it was effective for now. But in the back of his mind, he knew this wasn't over.
Red Runner: (to himself) If I make it out of this, I'm asking for ice-proof boots next time...
As he pushed off to start moving, his foot slipped on a patch of slick frost, sending him sprawling onto his back.
Red Runner (whispering, frustrated): Ugh... classic Wally.
Nearby, one of Stryker's soldiers caught sight of his flailing figure.
Soldier (shouting): There he is! Light him up!
The air was instantly filled with the deafening sound of automatic gunfire. Red Runner's instincts kicked in as he flipped to his feet in a blur, his superspeed activating just in time to dodge the incoming bullets.
He leaned into the ice, skidding across it like a pro skater, using his momentum to weave between the soldiers.
Red Runner (grinning): Sliding? Guess I'll just have to improvise!
With precision and speed, he darted into the group of soldiers, zigzagging in a red blur. In under two seconds, he swiped the clips from their rifles, yanked a few triggers to jam the chambers, and even snapped off a few gun barrels for good measure.
By the time the soldiers realized what was happening, their weapons were useless.
Soldier (panicking): My gun's jammed!
Soldier 2: Mine too! What the!
Red Runner skidded to a stop a few feet away, holding one of their rifle scopes in his hand like a trophy.
Red Runner (mocking): You guys might want to get those checked. Pretty sure the warranty's expired.
The soldiers hesitated, clearly outmatched by his speed and cocky attitude. One soldier reached for a radio to call for backup.
Red Runner: Oh no you don't!
In a flash, he zipped to the soldier, snatched the radio, and tossed it far into the frozen wilderness. He leaned in close with a smirk.
Red Runner: Tell your boss I'm just getting warmed up.
Red Runner was still skating across the icy ground when he felt a sharp impact against his face. The world spun as he was hurled across the frozen landscape, skidding painfully to a halt. He groaned and pushed himself up, clutching his bruised cheek.
Red Runner: Ugh… who hit me?
A low growl answered his question as Sabretooth stepped into view, his feral grin bared like a wolf toying with its prey.
Red Runner: Oh great... Sabretooth? Wait, who now?
Before he could process, Sabretooth lunged at him with alarming speed, claws outstretched. Red Runner barely rolled to the side, his body sliding on the ice to avoid the strike.
Red Runner (muttering): Okay, think fast, Wally…
Springing to his feet, he spun in place and slid backward, performing an exaggerated moonwalk.
Red Runner (mocking): Bet you can't keep up with these moves!
Sabretooth snarled and charged again, but Red Runner smirked, waited for his moment, and delivered a swift kick directly to Sabretooth's groin.
Sabretooth (grinning, unfazed): Nice try, kid, but it's gonna take more than that—
Red Runner blinked in confusion as he noticed something slimy wrapping around his leg. His gaze darted down to see a grotesque tongue gripping him tightly.
Red Runner: What the hell?
Before he could react, Toad yanked him off balance with his prehensile tongue, slamming him face-first into the frozen ground. Blood smeared the ice as Red Runner winced in pain, his vision momentarily blurred.
Toad (chuckling): Didn't see that one coming, did ya, speedy?
As Red Runner tried to recover, Sabretooth grabbed him from behind in a crushing bear hug. His muscular arms squeezed the life out of him, making Red Runner gasp for air.
Sabretooth: Rest now, little one. We'll kill you… in kindness.
Red Runner struggled, his body wracked with pain as he felt the crushing force threatening to break him.
Red Runner (shouting in agony): EURRGHHHH! Too much love! TOO MUCH LOVE!
Feeling his ribs on the verge of cracking, Wally gritted his teeth and focused.
Red Runner (through clenched teeth): Time for a shocking exit, ugly.
Then, his eyes lit up with determination. He began vibrating his entire body, a blur of movement building within Sabretooth's grip. Sparks of lightning crackled around him as he focused his power.
Red Runner: You wanna hug? Here's one with a jolt!
With a sudden surge, bolts of lightning erupted from his hands, striking Sabretooth directly in the head. The feral mutant roared in pain and released him, staggering backward with smoke rising from his singed hair.
Red Runner collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath but managing a weak smirk.
Red Runner (panting): Now that's what I call a shocking personality.
Toad glared at him from a distance, his tongue twitching in annoyance as he prepared to strike again. But Red Runner was already back on his feet, adrenaline pumping through his veins.
Red Runner: Okay, villains. Round two? Or are we done here?
Red Runner's breath came in short, labored gasps as he stumbled through the icy terrain. His legs felt like lead, his speed faltering with each step. The ice that had once felt like a mere inconvenience was now starting to overtake him, seeping into his very core. His body was fighting to keep moving, but he could feel his consciousness slipping.
As he pushed through, his vision blurred, his mind clouding with the cold, exhaustion, and pain. Suddenly, a sharp, intense pain shot through his stomach, and he stumbled, barely able to stay on his feet. His eyes widened in shock as he looked down.
Red Runner: Shit...
A jagged shard of ice was embedded deep into his stomach, the blood staining his suit in stark contrast to the pale frost surrounding him. He reached weakly to touch the wound, but the effort sent a wave of dizziness over him. His vision swam, and the world around him began to fade in and out.
His head grew heavy, and despite his will to keep going, he could feel himself losing the battle. His knees buckled as he collapsed onto the frozen ground, his body unable to hold itself up any longer. His last thought was a desperate wish to hang on, to escape this nightmare, but his strength was gone.
Everything was silent.
Then, through the haze of his fading consciousness, Red Runner heard a voice soft, but clear. A boy's voice, calling out to him.
Little Boy (panicking): Mom! Mom! Please, help him!
Red Runner's fading eyes saw the blur of movement small, blonde hair framing the face of a young child, kneeling beside him. The boy's hands trembled as he reached out, a sense of urgency and fear in his voice as he continued to call for help.
The voice echoed in his mind, growing distant. His vision blurred even more, and the world around him faded into nothingness.
Red Runner (weakly, to himself): ...No... don't...
But it was too late. His body couldn't fight it anymore. The cold, the blood loss, the exhaustion it all caught up to him at once.
As the boy's face blurred in front of him, Red Runner's vision darkened completely. His head fell to the side as his body went limp, completely unconscious.
-Meanwhile to Jimmy and his Team-
The team stood frozen in a moment of stunned silence as they surveyed the carnage before them. The icy landscape was now stained with blood pools of it, mingling with the snow and frost, a horrific sight that sent a chill deeper than the freezing temperatures. Weapon X soldiers, once deadly and disciplined, lay scattered across the ground in twisted, unnatural positions. Their bodies were mangled, shredded in ways that suggested a violent force beyond human comprehension. It was as if something or someone had torn through them with brutal, predatory intent.
Jimmy Woo, his usual composure slipping, let out a shocked breath, his eyes scanning the aftermath of the battle.
Jimmy Woo: Oh my God... so much blood in here...
Tigra, her fur standing on end, crouched low, her sharp eyes narrowing as she examined the remains of the fallen soldiers. Her instincts were on high alert, every fiber of her being screaming that something was wrong, terribly wrong.
Tigra: Also, not to mention... most of the Weapon X soldiers are dead. It's like they were... eaten or something?
As they continued to take in the gruesome scene, the air around them seemed to grow heavier, colder. The snow crunched underfoot as they slowly backed away from the grotesque scene, their attention shifting. Something wasn't right. Something was watching them. The hairs on the back of their necks stood up as an unnatural sound echoed through the icy wasteland.
And then, without warning, the ground trembled beneath their feet.
Out of the mist and swirling snow came a terrifying roar deep, guttural, and primal. The sound vibrated through their bones as a massive shape emerged from the fog. It was a Tyrannosaurus, its gigantic form charging at them with terrifying speed, teeth bared, and eyes glowing with a savage, predatory rage.
Photon (eyes wide, frantic): What the hell?!
Falcon (gritting his teeth): Is that... a goddamn dinosaur charging at us?!
The massive creature barreled toward them, its enormous jaws snapping shut with a sound that could shatter bone, its powerful tail whipping behind it like a battering ram. It was as though the island itself had come alive, sending its ancient, deadly creature to finish the job.
Jimmy Woo barely had time to process the situation before the beast lunged, its monstrous jaws snapping mere feet from the team. With adrenaline surging through his veins, Jimmy barely managed to shout, his voice urgent and commanding.
Jimmy Woo: Get ready! Stay on your toes!
Blink, her body already shifting into combat mode, prepared for the unexpected. Photon took to the air, her eyes glowing with energy, while Tigra crouched into a defensive stance, claws extended, ready to face the dinosaur head-on.
The beast was close now, its roar deafening, its eyes fixated on the team as though they were prey. But what had summoned this creature? And why was it here, in this frozen wasteland? Was it a product of the experiments gone wrong on Savage Island?
It didn't matter. All that mattered now was survival. And they weren't about to let a prehistoric predator take them down without a fight.
Jimmy Woo: It's not over yet, team! Stay sharp!
The Tyrannosaurus let out another bone-rattling roar, its massive jaws snapping as it lunged at the team with frightening speed. Its eyes locked on them, fixated like a hunter stalking its prey, ready to strike.
As it moved closer, its teeth gleaming with deadly intent, the team braced themselves for the inevitable. Tigra crouched low, claws extended, her muscles taut, ready to spring into action. Photon hovered in the air, her eyes crackling with energy, ready to unleash a blast. Falcon prepared to swoop down and intercept the beast. Jimmy Woo's hand was already reaching for his sidearm, a weapon that would do little against such a creature, but he was ready to fight nonetheless.
Just as the dinosaur was about to close in, the ground shook once more. But this time, it wasn't the tremors of the beast's heavy steps. No, this was something different something powerful.
The Tyrannosaurus let out a startled roar as an immense force slammed into its side, knocking it sideways with such intensity that the beast tumbled through the snow, temporarily stunned by the impact. It rolled across the ground with a deafening crash, its monstrous form crashing into an ice-covered boulder, leaving a massive crater in its wake.
The team staggered back in surprise, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Before they could react, a tall figure appeared through the swirling snow, emerging with the confidence of someone who had faced far worse than a prehistoric monster. He was dressed in a rugged outfit, his posture commanding and solid as a rock.
Kevin Plunder, Shanna the She-Devil's husband stood at the forefront, his eyes narrowed, his hands clenched into fists. The Tyrannosaurus slowly righted itself, growling in fury, but Kevin was already in motion. He moved with the grace and precision of someone used to taking down beasts much larger than himself. With a swift motion, he placed his hands on the ground, calling upon the earth to channel his strength.
Kevin Plunder: I didn't expect to be doing this today, but here we are.
He raised his arm just in time to redirect another of the Tyrannosaurus's charging attacks, sidestepping with unnatural speed, and delivering a crushing blow to the side of its head. The creature staggered back, disoriented from the sheer force of Kevin's strike. It was clear now that this was no ordinary man Kevin Plunder, the man who shared his life with Shanna the She-Devil, was as dangerous as the beasts he fought.
Jimmy Woo blinked in disbelief, his eyes widening as he recognized the man who had come to their aid.
Jimmy Woo: Kevin?! What the hell are you doing here i thought you frozen too?
Kevin turned, eyes flashing with an intensity that showed no sign of hesitation or fear.
Kevin Plunder: Saving your asses, obviously. But this isn't just some random attack. Weapon X made sure the island wasn't safe for anyone, even us.
He paused for a moment, his gaze turning distant, as though reliving a painful memory.
Kevin Plunder: Shanna and I got separated when they came to Savage Island. It was chaos. After they attacked, she was taken by their forces or escape with my son. I've been trying to get back to her ever since, but you people had to go and stir up the hornet's nest, didn't you?
Tigra, who had been caught off guard by Kevin's intervention, straightened up and regarded him warily.
Tigra: You've been here all this time? Why didn't you come forward sooner?
Kevin Plunder's face darkened as he glanced back at the Tyrannosaurus, which was starting to get back up, clearly irritated by the interruption. The fight was far from over, but there was a fire in Kevin's eyes one that promised this dinosaur wasn't going to stand a chance.
Kevin Plunder: I wasn't exactly in the mood to introduce myself when there's a damn dinosaur running around. But I've been tracking the chaos, trying to find my wife. Now, we can all deal with this.
He gestured toward the wreckage around them, his voice serious.
Kevin Plunder: Weapon X isn't the only threat here. If they've been letting these creatures loose, there's something much bigger going on and we need to stop it before it gets worse.
Jimmy Woo, still processing everything, nodded as he looked at his team.
Jimmy Woo: Right. We don't have time to waste. Let's finish this.
The Tyrannosaurus let out another furious roar, but this time, it wasn't the only thing they had to worry about. A new wave of chaos was about to unfold, and Jimmy Woo knew they had to act fast.
Kevin Plunder: If we're gonna survive this, we do it my way. Follow my lead.
Jimmy Woo, still taking it all in, gave a short laugh, half in disbelief.
Jimmy Woo: Well, that's one way to handle a crisis...
Kevin Plunder, wiping the sweat from his brow, turned to the team with a smile.
Kevin Plunder: I don't like to leave a mess unfinished. You guys good?
Jimmy Woo (smiling with relief): I think we owe you one, Kevin. Big time.
Kevin Plunder: No need for that. Just doing my part to clean up the mess on my island.
As Kevin turned back toward the Tyrannosaurus, ready to finish the fight, the team gathered around, preparing for the battle that was sure to come. With Kevin's strength and the team's powers combined, they were ready to take on whatever the island could throw at them next.
But the question still remained where was Wally and Shanna? And what else did Weapon X have in store for them?
TO BE CONTINUED