-10 MINUTES EARLIER-
The cave's dim glow flickered as Shanna anxiously glanced at the entrance, her heart pounding with anticipation. She clutched a makeshift weapon a sharpened bone tight in her hand.
Shanna: Finally... You're here. I've been waiting for you!
Her voice carried a mix of relief and frustration. But as the shadowy figure approached, her expression shifted from hope to confusion.
Shanna: Wally?
Before she could react, a metallic tentacle lashed out, wrapping around her waist and slamming her against the cave wall with brutal force. Shanna's body crumpled to the ground, dazed. As she struggled to rise, the figure emerged into the light a towering man with pale skin, crimson armor, and flowing blonde hair.
Omega Red: Not who you were expecting, da?
With a flick of his wrist, Omega Red's tentacles coiled around her again, tossing her like a ragdoll across the cave. Shanna's weapon clattered to the ground as she gasped for air.
Footsteps echoed through the cavern, and Stryker entered, flanked by Blob and Lady Deathstrike. His cold, calculating gaze settled on Shanna.
Stryker: Pathetic. Is this the so-called Queen of Savage Island?
Shanna, despite her pain, managed to spit directly into Stryker's face. His composure cracked for a moment, replaced by a flash of anger.
Stryker: Insolent!
With a sharp backhand, he struck Shanna, sending her sprawling onto the cold stone floor.
Stryker: Omega Red, get this pathetic excuse for a queen out of my sight. Lock her up in Canada. I want her far away from here while we finish our plans.
Omega Red nodded, his expression impassive as his tentacles wrapped around the unconscious Shanna.
Omega Red: As you command.
He hoisted her effortlessly, her limp body swaying as he turned to leave. Stryker watched him go, wiping Shanna's spit from his face.
Stryker: Savage Island's queen, reduced to this... Pathetic.
Blob chuckled, but Lady Deathstrike remained silent, her gaze lingering on Shanna as Omega Red disappeared into the shadows.
Stryker stood at the center of the cave, his cold eyes scanning Blob and Lady Deathstrike, who stood at attention, awaiting his orders. The icy wind howled faintly through the cavern's entrance, carrying snowflakes that melted upon touching the rocky floor.
Stryker: You two stay here.
His tone was curt, authoritative. He paced a few steps forward, brushing snow off his shoulder, before turning back to face them.
Stryker: We're expecting someone. Goes by the name Wally, or something ridiculous like that.
Blob: Wally? What kinda name is that? Sounds like some punk kid!
Stryker shot Blob a sharp glare, silencing him.
Stryker: Don't underestimate him. Reports say he's fast. Dangerous.
Lady Deathstrike adjusted the clawed gauntlets on her hands, her expression stoic.
Lady Deathstrike: If he comes, he won't leave alive.
Stryker smirked faintly but didn't acknowledge her confidence. Instead, he turned toward the cave entrance, where the snow outside fell steadily.
Stryker: Hold your ground and don't fail me.
With that, he stepped out into the blizzard, his dark coat billowing as he disappeared into the white haze.
Blob let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his hands together for warmth.
Blob: Why's it always us stuck in the cold? I'm starting to think he likes making us miserable.
Lady Deathstrike didn't respond, her piercing eyes fixated on the cave's entrance.
Lady Deathstrike: Focus, Blob. He'll come. And when he does, we end him.
-PRESENT-
The cave was eerily silent except for Blob's heavy breathing as he lay sprawled on the ground, his massive form creating a crater beneath him. Nearby, Lady Deathstrike was tied securely with strips of vibrated metal cables that Wally had fashioned at super speed, her claws restrained and her glare burning with hatred.
Wally paced back and forth, occasionally glancing at Blob, whose face bore the bruises of their earlier encounter.
Wally: Alright, big guy. You said you'd talk if I won.
Blob groaned, clutching his head.
Blob: Yeah, yeah... You got me. The fight was all in my head... But damn, kid, you fight dirty.
Wally crossed his arms, tapping his foot impatiently.
Wally: You call it dirty; I call it smart. Now spill it. What happened to Shanna?
Blob sighed deeply, his voice tinged with resignation.
Blob: Fine. We ambushed her before you showed up. Stryker brought in Omega Red to deal with her personally.
Wally's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching.
Wally: Omega Red? Great, another psycho in the mix. Where is she now?
Blob hesitated, his expression conflicted.
Blob: Stryker ordered her to be taken to Canada, some secret Weapon X facility. Said it was too dangerous to keep her here. That's all I know, I swear!
Wally stepped closer, his face inches from Blob's.
Wally: You better not be lying, or I'll come back for round two, and this time, no frying pans just bolt of deadly lightning.
Blob raised his hands defensively, wincing as he moved.
Blob: I'm not lying, alright? Look, I don't even care about this whole Savage Island operation. I was just here for the food and a paycheck.
Wally turned to Lady Deathstrike, who remained silent but defiant, her piercing eyes locked onto him.
Wally: And you? Got anything to add?
Lady Deathstrike: You won't get far, speedster. Stryker planned for your kind. You'll regret chasing us.
Wally smirked, stepping back.
Wally: Yeah, yeah, heard it all before. Thanks for the motivation.
He turned back to Blob.
Wally: Stay here, big guy. Don't try anything stupid, or you'll regret it.
Blob: Like I've got a choice...
Wally grabbed a map from Lady Deathstrike's utility pouch, glanced at it, and then zipped out of the cave in a blur. Lady Deathstrike glared after him while Blob groaned, shifting slightly in his crater.
Blob: This kid's gonna get himself killed...
-To Wally-
Wally raced through the frozen terrain at lightning speed, the icy winds howling around him as his feet barely touched the ground. His mind was focused, piecing together a plan to rescue Shanna and stop Stryker's operation.
Suddenly, his speed faltered as his peripheral vision caught movement—an enormous shadow looming over him.
Wally: Wait, what the?!
A deafening roar echoed through the icy wilderness as a T-Rex charged at him, its massive jaws snapping dangerously close. The ground trembled under its weight, and the beast's icy breath chilled the air.
Wally: Of course, it's a dinosaur! Why wouldn't it be a dinosaur?
He attempted to veer left, but the slick ice betrayed him, sending him tumbling. He skidded across the frozen ground, coming to a stop just as the T-Rex lunged.
Wally: Oh, come on!
The T-Rex opened its massive jaws, ready to clamp down on him, when a sudden burst of energy shot through the air. A glowing yellow disk appeared in front of the dinosaur, and it stumbled back, disoriented.
Voice: Need a hand, Speedy?
Wally looked up to see Blink standing atop a nearby ridge, her hand outstretched as she threw another portal toward the T-Rex, warping part of its tail away before it could swing at him.
Wally: Blink? What are yo-
Before he could finish, a flurry of claws and fur leaped past him. Tigra pounced onto the T-Rex's back, slashing at its thick hide and distracting it further.
Jimmy Woo: Team, focus fire!
Wally turned to see Jimmy Woo and Photon advancing from another direction, firing energy blasts and projectiles at the massive beast. Falcon swooped in from above, tossing small explosives that detonated against the T-Rex's sides.
Tigra: This thing's got thicker skin than Blob! It's barely feeling it!
Wally scrambled to his feet, shaking off the dizziness from his fall.
Wally: Well, at least you guys showed up. Thanks for saving my bacon.
Jimmy Woo: You're welcome, but less talking, more helping! Let's take this thing down!
Wally smirked and cracked his knuckles.
Wally: Alright, big guy. Let's see how you handle a little speed.
He launched himself into action, zipping around the T-Rex in a blur, creating a vortex of wind to slow its movements. The dinosaur roared in frustration, snapping at the streak of red that encircled it.
Photon: Wally, keep it distracted! We'll hit it with everything we've got!
As the team coordinated their efforts, the T-Rex roared one final time before collapsing to the ground, subdued by their combined attack.
Tigra leapt off its back, landing gracefully beside Wally.
Tigra: Nice teamwork, Speedster. Though you might wanna watch your step next time.
Wally: Yeah, yeah. I'll make a note: avoid giant carnivores while running.
Jimmy Woo approached, patting Wally on the shoulder.
Jimmy Woo: Glad you're okay. Now, what's the status? Any sign of Shanna?
Wally's expression grew serious.
Wally: Not yet. But I know where they took her.
He looked around the group, noticing someone missing.
Wally: Wait... where's Falcon?
Jimmy Woo glanced at the others before responding.
Jimmy: Falcon stayed back with Kevin Plunder the Queen's husband. They headed to the yacht to regroup and meet the kid you brought back. Why? What happened?
The team turned their eyes to Wally, awaiting an answer. He lowered his gaze, frustration and guilt evident in his posture.
Wally: The Queen... Shanna. She's gone.
Blink: What do you mean, gone?
Wally sighed deeply, his voice dropping as he explained.
Wally: She was taken.
Jimmy Woo: What?! By who?
Wally clenched his fists.
Wally: Weapon X. Omega Red got to her first. She's been sent to Canada.
The group was silent for a moment, processing the grim news. Tigra broke the silence, her tail flicking with agitation.
Tigra: Canada? That's a hell of a distance. Why would they send her there?
Wally: Probably some kind of holding facility. Stryker wouldn't let someone as important as her stick around here. It's their base now, isn't it?
Jimmy Woo nodded grimly.
Jimmy Woo: That complicates things. Without her, our mission isn't complete. We have to find a way to track her down.
Wally sighed, his head hanging low.
Wally: She trusted me... I should've been faster, should've seen it coming.
Photon placed a reassuring hand on Wally's shoulder.
Photon: Don't do that to yourself. We'll get her back, Wally. Together.
Jimmy Woo: She's right. This isn't over. First, we regroup at the yacht, check on Falcon and the boy, and plan our next move. If Weapon X wants to play hardball, then so will we.
Wally raised his head, determination returning to his eyes.
Wally: You're right. Let's move. Every second we waste is a second closer to Stryker getting what he wants.
As the group prepared to move out, Wally raised a hand to halt them, his expression serious but curious.
Wally: Wait... but first...
Everyone paused, turning to look at him. Wally crossed his arms and glanced at Jimmy Woo.
Wally: What's our team name? I mean, we're doing all this crazy, high-stakes stuff, but I have no idea what to call us.
Jimmy Woo blinked, then gave a knowing nod and stepped forward.
Jimmy Woo: You're right. If we're going to take on Weapon X, we need to stand united under a name. A name that represents who we are and what we fight for.
He straightened up, his voice rising with authority as he turned to address the team.
Jimmy Woo: We are the bridge between nations. A team of individuals from different walks of life, coming together to defend the world from chaos. We are... the AGENTS OF ATLAS!
The team felt a spark of pride and energy ripple through them. Tigra smirked, Photon gave a small, approving nod, and Blink clapped her hands together, grinning.
Jimmy Woo: Agents of Atlas! Move out!
-Location: Stryker's Command Tent-
Inside Stryker's command tent, the tension was thick as the general barked orders into his radio.
Stryker: Get me the helicopter, now! I want this camp cleared in five minutes!
Before he could finish, a crackling bolt of lightning shot through the air and struck him square in the back, sending him crashing to the ground. Groaning, Stryker turned to see Wally standing in the entrance, holding the unconscious bodies of Toad and Sabretooth like trophies.
Wally: Calling someone?
Stryker narrowed his eyes, fury and panic brewing in his expression.
Stryker: Yes... Blizzard!
At his call, Blizzard appeared from the shadows, hurling a barrage of razor-sharp ice shards toward Wally. Without hesitation, Wally used Sabretooth's limp body as a shield, the ice shards embedding themselves in the unconscious mutant.
Wally: Thanks for the assist, big guy.
He tossed Toad's body toward Blizzard, who swiftly deflected it with a kick and charged at Wally, the ground freezing beneath his feet.
Blizzard: You want to fight me again, kid? You're out of your league!
Wally disappeared in a flash, reappearing behind Blizzard with a devastating punch that drove him face-first into the ground.
Wally: Oh, I definitely want that rematch. Bring it.
Blizzard growled, wiping his mouth as he struggled to stand.
Meanwhile, Stryker attempted to crawl away, but his path was blocked by a polished black shoe. He looked up to see Jimmy Woo standing over him, his foot firmly pinning Stryker to the ground.
Jimmy Woo: Going somewhere, General? You're under arrest.
As the rest of the team stormed the camp, Blink created portals to evacuate captured civilians, Tigra tore through the remaining Weapon X troops, and Photon unleashed a dazzling blast of energy, toppling the remaining defenses.
The once-imposing command center of Weapon X was reduced to chaos as Wally smirked down at Blizzard, lightning flickering in his eyes.
Wally: Guess you're not as cool as you thought.
Blizzard groaned, trying to get up but still dazed from the blow. He scoffed, trying to recover his bearings, but it was clear Wally had the upper hand.
Blizzard: You... you're insane.