23

[Bayo Bartolomeu: 01/09/2010]

Wildfire soared over the swamp, his wings beating rhythmically, creating gusts of wind that stirred the vegetation below. His long dragon form cast a sinister shadow over the marshy landscape, winding through the mist. Major Force, determined to bring down his opponent, flew around him like a predator, firing energy blasts that hissed through the air.

Wildfire dodged nimbly, his scales reflecting the light of the attacks. 'He won't stop anytime soon,' he thought, feeling adrenaline surge through his veins. An explosion sounded near his right wing - BANG! - forcing him into a sharp evasive maneuver.

Major Force's energy blasts cut through the sky like luminous arrows, buzzing - ZZZAP! - closer and closer. Wildfire dove towards the swamp, his body slicing through the mist like a sharp blade, trying to use the terrain for cover. But Major Force, relentless, followed in pursuit, determined to end the confrontation with a decisive blow.

'I need to find an opening,' Wildfire thought, his eyes quickly scanning the surroundings. The dark waters of the swamp reflected the flashes of the attacks, creating an almost surreal scene. He knew that a single misstep could be fatal, but he also knew he had the advantage of familiar terrain.

Wildfire felt his strength and speed increasing in his muscles as he continued to dodge Major Force's blasts. He knew he needed a decisive strike to end the confrontation. With a fierce roar, he accelerated towards the villain, his claws ready to grasp.

With a swift and precise movement, Wildfire clamped his jaws around Major Force, closing them around the villain. Though half of Major Force's body remained outside, his highly dense metallic skin protected him from immediate harm. However, the battle was far from over. Major Force struggled fiercely, his blows striking Wildfire's face repeatedly. Each impact left painful marks, but Wildfire did not loosen his grip.

Battling against the pain and exertion, Wildfire ascended into the sky, carrying Major Force with him. He flew higher and higher, breaking through the layers of clouds and rising beyond the swamp's view below. The thin air and cold altitude began to affect both combatants, but Wildfire remained resolute, focused on his plan.

When he reached the maximum height he could attain, Wildfire stopped and began to concentrate his internal energy. He felt the heat grow in his chest, his internal flame intensifying. With a final and powerful movement, Wildfire released his internal fire, enveloping himself in a blazing aura of flames. The heat was intense but controlled. The flames were not meant to kill but to incapacitate.

Major Force screamed in agony as the flames engulfed him, his metallic body beginning to melt and reshape under the extreme heat. In a few moments, the villain had been transformed into a statue of molten metal, unable to move. The battle was over.

Exhausted but victorious, Wildfire began to descend slowly, holding the now immobilized Major Force.

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On the swampy ground, monstrous vines, creepers, and roots rose from the earth, forming an almost impenetrable barrier. Poison Ivy, breathing heavily, moved her arms with determination, her eyes shining with controlled fury. Each gesture commanded the plant appendages, which flew like sharp spears toward the hero Sandstorm.

Sandstorm, with fluid and graceful movements, transformed into sand, dodging the strikes with impressive precision. The plant spears sliced through the air where he had been just a second before. He reformed immediately after, only to disintegrate again, always staying one step ahead of Poison Ivy's relentless attacks.

"Damn you! You can't run forever!" Poison Ivy shouted, her voice laden with frustration and hatred. She launched another attack, controlling the plants with almost superhuman vigor. The vines moved with renewed speed and force, trying to encircle Sandstorm and trap him.

Sandstorm, despite his ability, was beginning to feel the strain of the battle. Each transformation and evasion required great effort, and he knew his energy was not infinite. 'I need to find a way to neutralize her,' he thought, his eyes searching for a gap in Poison Ivy's offensive.

The attacks continued, Poison Ivy cursing Sandstorm with each failed attempt to hit him. "Why don't you just give up?!" she exclaimed, her gestures becoming more frantic and desperate. Giant roots rose from the ground, trying to grab him while the vines lashed through the air, creating a chaotic and dangerous scene.

Sandstorm remained calm, despite the fatigue beginning to set in his muscles. He knew he needed to be strategic. "She's expending a lot of energy too," he reflected, noting the villain's labored breathing and the desperate intensity of her movements. Taking advantage of a split second of distraction, he reformed out of the immediate reach of the plants, his sand particles quickly gathering to form his solid body again.

Sandstorm quickly analyzed the situation, his eyes scanning the chaos around him. He needed a plan, something that would use Poison Ivy's strength against her. With a deep breath, he prepared to act.

With an agile move, he created an identical sand clone. The clone advanced from the front, drawing Poison Ivy's attention. "Let's see how long you can keep this up," Sandstorm thought, hidden in the shadows.

The sand clone danced across the battlefield, skillfully dodging Poison Ivy's furious attacks. The plant spears sliced through the air, and the vines lashed out with force, trying to capture the hero. Each time the clone was nearly hit, it disintegrated into sand, only to reform at another point, continuing to confuse the villain.

"Give up, damn you!" Poison Ivy shouted, her movements becoming increasingly desperate. She did not notice that the real Sandstorm had stealthily moved behind her, approaching silently.

The sand clone was finally impaled by several creepers. Poison Ivy smiled triumphantly, but her victory was short-lived. To her surprise, the clone dissolved into a cloud of sand, falling inert to the ground.

At that exact moment, Sandstorm revealed himself behind her. With a quick and precise touch, he placed his hand on her back, drawing moisture from her body. Poison Ivy gasped, feeling her strength quickly drain away. Her plants stopped moving, and she was immobilized.

"What… trick… is this?" she murmured, incredulous, as her vision blurred.

Sandstorm maintained the pressure just enough to ensure she couldn't move, but without causing permanent harm. "Simple plan, but effective," he thought, keeping his focus until she was completely incapacitated.

With Poison Ivy immobilized, Sandstorm stepped back, breathing deeply. The battle was over.

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Far from the forest chaos where Sandstorm was engaged, Vixen was locked in a much more balanced and deadly struggle against Ultra-Humanite. The scene around her was a labyrinth of tall trees and dense shadows, the cloak of night lending a palpable atmosphere of tension.

Vixen moved with the agility of a predator, her silhouette nearly invisible as she leaped from branch to branch, using the trees as cover. The jewel in her necklace glowed softly, channeling the power of various animals to enhance her senses and abilities. Silent as an owl, she kept her eyes on Ultra-Humanite, always looking for an opportunity to strike.

On the other side, Ultra-Humanite, with his massive gorilla body and super intellect, remained vigilant. His heightened senses picked up even the smallest sounds, and his penetrating gaze examined the shadows with calculated precision. He wielded an imposing machine gun, ready to fire at the slightest provocation. "You can't hide forever," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Vixen slinked through the darkness, her steps light and silent like those of a panther. She knew a direct confrontation with Ultra-Humanite would be dangerous, so she used the advantage of the environment to her favor. With the keen eyesight of a hawk, she observed every movement of the villain, waiting for the perfect moment to act.

Ultra-Humanite, sensing a slight movement among the trees, quickly turned and fired a burst of bullets. The machine gun thundered, and the bullets cut through the air - RATATATATA! - hitting tree trunks and scattering splinters of wood. Vixen, quick as a cheetah, dodged the shots, using the vegetation to hide again.

"Think you can fool me with these cheap tricks?" Ultra-Humanite yelled, irritated. He advanced with heavy steps, his red eyes glowing in the darkness, trying to locate his opponent. Every time he thought he saw a glimpse of Vixen, she had already disappeared again, leaving only the soft rustling of leaves.

Vixen continued her dance of stalking and attacking, taking advantage of the terrain and the night. With feline reflexes, she silently moved to a closer position, preparing for a surprise attack. She knew she needed to be quick and precise, exploiting any gap in Ultra-Humanite's defense.

Finally, the moment arrived. Vixen saw an opening when Ultra-Humanite turned to examine another part of the forest.

Seizing the opportunity, she leaped from her position, drawing the villain's attention with a calculated move. Ultra-Humanite turned, but it was already too late.

Vixen had channeled the power of the animal with the fastest and strongest punch on Earth, the mantis shrimp, or Odontodactylus scyllarus.

With surprising speed, Vixen struck Ultra-Humanite with a devastating punch.

The force of the impact smashed through and destroyed the villain's machine gun, reducing it to metallic fragments. The punch continued, hitting Ultra-Humanite squarely in the chest with energy that seemed colossal for Vixen's size.

The villain was sent flying several meters back, his massive body breaking trees along the way and leaving a trail of destruction in the forest. He finally crashed to the ground with a thud, groaning in pain. Vixen, with feline grace, landed on top of the villain's body, her eyes fixed on the defeated figure below her.

A burn mark in the shape of a fist was clearly visible on Ultra-Humanite's chest, the burn showing through the hole in his red chest plate.

The villain panted, incapacitated by the impressive force of the blow he had received. Vixen, breathing steadily, maintained her position, ready for any movement.

The battle was over, and Vixen knew that her victory was the result of skill, strategy, and the strength of the animals she channeled. "Sweet dreams, dear," she said, satisfied with the outcome.

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"Hey guys! Sorry for the delay, I had some issues with my phone, but what did you think of the team's performance?"