C 33

Golden Gate Bridge.

Two monstrous figures clashed on the bridge, their fierce battle causing chaos among the surrounding cars. Some unfortunate drivers, panicked by the sight, lost control and collided, while others even plunged off the bridge, sinking into the sea below, never to be seen again. 

Waves surged ominously, as horrified citizens scrambled out of their vehicles, yelling for help and running frantically to escape. Yet, in the crowd, a few fearless individuals clung to their phones, recording the fight, mesmerized by the nightmarish scene before them.

One young man, with a bright-eyed addiction to internet fame, felt as if he had stumbled upon the perfect viral moment. The monsters before him seemed straight out of a fantasy game, and he had no intention of missing the chance to capture every second. 

"This video is going to blow up," he thought excitedly, already imagining millions of views, a lavish influencer lifestyle, and a hot model girlfriend. His aspirations filled him with reckless determination as he edged closer, his phone focused intently on the chaos.

Suddenly, the monsters collided with a bone-rattling impact that reverberated through the bridge. The internet-addicted youth blinked, his courage wavering as one of the creatures swung a railing, tearing it from the structure like a twig and hurling it through the air. 

The realization hit him with a chill—he wasn't nearly far enough to be safe.

"Run!" someone shouted nearby, jolting him back to reality. But before he could move, his legs went weak, every grandiose fantasy vanishing in a flood of pure terror. The twisted steel railing spun toward him, leaving him frozen as he watched his life flash before his eyes.

Just then, a roaring sound pierced the tension. A sleek, black car shot through the air from the distant skyline, descending toward the bridge. 

Perched on its front, with cloak billowing in the wind, was a figure unmistakably familiar to everyone watching. 

"Batman!" a voice from the crowd exclaimed. Eyes lit up across the bridge as people recognized the legendary figure, now rumored to be more than a myth. 

Recent internet buzz had spread stories of Batman's heroics, his name frequently trending alongside videos and discussions, his fame rivaling that of Hollywood stars.

"Batman is here to help us!" The internet-addicted youth's heart swelled with hope as he continued filming, now filled with the ecstatic belief that he was saved. "Batman! I'm your biggest fan!" he yelled, his voice cracking with relief.

But the monsters didn't care about his newfound enthusiasm. As they tore pieces of the bridge to hurl at each other, the stray railing barreled toward him. He saw the twisted steel approaching in horrifying clarity, his life flashing before his eyes yet again.

At that exact moment, Batman leaped from the front of his Batmobile, landing squarely on the bridge. 

His boot struck down on the flying railing, halting it with a crash that sent a gust of wind across the bridge. The internet-addicted youth, now mere inches from being impaled, stood there in disbelief, his camera trembling in his hands.

"You… you saved me!" the young man stammered, unable to tear his gaze away. He could hardly believe his luck. Not only had Batman saved him, but he'd captured the entire thing on film.

"Get out of here," Batman replied curtly, his gaze already shifting to the two monstrous figures continuing their clash. Without another word, he sprinted toward the symbiotes, his car, now in auto-pilot, hovering close behind, ready to supply him with whatever he needed.

Batman reached the center of the battle just as the symbiote known as Riot noticed his approach. Its chilling smile stretched wide as it snarled, "Another little shrimp for me to crush?"

"Little shrimp?" Batman scoffed, his expression hidden beneath his mask, though the mocking tone was unmistakable. Nearby, Venom, struggling under Riot's relentless attacks, managed a smirk despite his own dire situation. He knew Anton had come prepared with a weapon that could tip the scales.

Batman didn't waste time with words. He signaled to his Batmobile, which released two specialized weapons from its chassis. "Venom, keep him busy. Don't let him escape," he ordered as he seized the weapons.

"Of course," Venom grunted, lunging at Riot with renewed aggression.

Seeing the threat, Riot growled, "You think you can take me down? Pathetic! I'll devour you both." With a terrifying roar, Riot launched himself toward Batman, sharp fangs bared.

Anton was ready. Without hesitation, he activated the sonic cannon, releasing an ear-piercing blast in the 4,000 to 6,000 Hz range that shattered the air. Riot's scream tore through the bridge, as his symbiotic form convulsed, his body writhing in agony under the assault. The sound waves boiled his substance, breaking it apart piece by piece.

Even Venom, standing at a distance, felt the agonizing effects, barely managing to keep his balance. But Anton wasn't finished. As Riot collapsed to the ground, quivering, Batman raised the flamethrower, unleashing a blaze of thousands of degrees toward the fallen symbiote.

The intense heat reduced Riot's form to a shriveling mass, his once-menacing frame crumbling away like an insect underfoot. Anton smirked beneath his mask, addressing the villain with scathing sarcasm, "What happened to devouring us? I thought we'd be fighting a real challenge here, but you're done before we even get to the next chapter."

Eddie, still aching from the sonic blast, managed a tired chuckle. The sarcastic banter felt oddly familiar—there was something about Anton that reminded him of Tony Stark, the snarky billionaire genius with whom Anton shared a peculiar friendship. 

That same irreverent attitude seemed to carry through, and Venom couldn't help but appreciate it, even if it was at Riot's expense.

The entire scene had been captured by the internet-addicted youth, who remained crouched on the bridge, his legs too weak to carry him to safety. Fear kept him frozen, yet his phone never wavered, recording every second. 

In his mind, he was already imagining the upload: the hero Batman saving his life, the monstrous clash, the epic takedown. He was convinced he'd go viral. "If this video doesn't make me famous, nothing will," he thought with a shaky smile.

As the flames subsided, a limp figure emerged from the remains of the riot. The young man's jaw dropped as he recognized the man behind the monster. 

Carlton Drake—the founder of the Life Foundation and one of the city's most prominent figures. People on the bridge stared, realizing the horrifying truth: Drake, the city's respected businessman, had been the creature wreaking havoc.

….

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