24

[Bayo Bartolomeu: 01/09/2010]

*Boom!!*

Sunspot burst through the glass ceiling, shattering it with an energy blast. Entering the hideout, he looked in more detail at the enormous tree functioning as a satellite to control all the mutant plants attacking cities around the world.

"Impressive, a very inventive use of these materials," Sunspot praised the enormous apparatus.

"Thank you, it's always nice to hear compliments from the audience, hahaha!!" a deranged voice responded.

Looking down, Sunspot saw Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime, alongside him Atomic Skull, with his helmet glowing, ready to fire another blast.

"Don't get too cocky, I don't think you contributed much to the whole project," Sunspot said, looking at the villains.

"Oh! But quite the contrary, my radiant friend! You see, I made some alterations to the little plant," the Joker said, gesturing with his hands.

Small spores appeared on the vines around Sunspot.

"Try to have a good laugh, hahahahah!!" Joker laughed sadistically as the spores released his personal toxin.

-----------------------

The toxin gas enveloped Sunspot entirely as the Joker continued laughing, watching the scene with delight.

"I can't understand how Black Adam and the Wizard of Oz had so much trouble with you," mocked the Joker, giving degrading nicknames to Black Adam and Wotan. "You'll see that my masterpiece is much more effective, hahaha!"

However, the Joker's laughter was cut short when Sunspot began to slowly walk out of the gas cloud, inhaling deeply. With a sarcastic smile, Sunspot exhaled the toxin from his mouth as if he were just blowing out smoke.

"What an old trick." Sunspot mocked, his tone calm but full of disdain. "You think I'm not prepared for toxins? I've smoked cigars stronger than this."

The Joker looked visibly irritated and confused, his eyes wide with surprise. Without wasting any time, he signaled to Atomic Skull, who stood beside him with his helmet already glowing with energy.

"Time to melt his shine, Atomic Skull!" the Joker ordered, his expression growing increasingly desperate.

Atomic Skull grinned maliciously, concentrating his power as he aimed at Sunspot. An intense blast of radioactive energy shot from his helmet, rapidly advancing toward the hero.

Sunspot raised a hand, easily absorbing the energy from the blast, his own aura glowing even more intensely. "You'll have to do better than that," he said, his words full of confidence.

The Joker, now clearly disturbed, took a few steps back, but his frantic mind was already trying to formulate a new plan. "Alright, my dears! Let's see if you can handle... this!" he shouted, gesturing with his hands.

The huge tree-like apparatus began to vibrate and writhe, sending numerous thorny vines toward Sunspot, each carrying small spores that released toxins into the air.

Sunspot, however, remained firm. He concentrated his energy and released a heat blast, burning the vines before they could reach him. "If that's the best you've got, I guess I'll finish this faster than I thought," he declared, confidently advancing toward the Joker and Atomic Skull.

Sunspot then decided to immobilize Atomic Skull first. Flying at super speed, he launched himself toward the villain, swerving to the right side of the base and slamming Atomic Skull against the wall.

BAM!

In a quick move, Sunspot absorbed all of the villain's radioactive energy, draining him until he was nearly dead and unconscious on the ground.

"You're really just a glowing bag of bones, aren't you?" Sunspot taunted as he felt the energy pulsating through his body.

With the extra energy, Sunspot turned his attention to the massive satellite tree that controlled the mutant plants around the world. He raised his hands and fired a massive energy blast.

The Joker, with his insane agility, narrowly dodged, but not unscathed.

"ARGH!! My hand!" he screamed as the blast sliced through the air, severing one of his hands. The energy continued its path, enveloping the thirty-meter tree in an incandescent aura, burning it from top to bottom.

"Oops, looks like you'll need a good plastic surgeon," Sunspot commented with a sarcastic smile.

The force of the attack was so intense that it broke through the base's ceiling, lighting up the night sky with a blinding glow. The tree's circuits and roots exploded into flames, and the mutant plants around the world began to wither and die, their central control destroyed.

Sunspot descended slowly, his gaze fixed on the Joker, who was desperately trying to staunch the bleeding from his arm. "Looks like your show is over," Sunspot said with a cold, resolute voice.

The Joker, now panicked and without a hand, looked around, searching for an escape, but knew he was cornered. "You... you can't do this to me! I'm the Joker!" he screamed, his usual laughter mixed with hatred.

"Oh, you've always been good at jokes, but I think yours just ran out," Sunspot replied, advancing with determination. "You've had your fun, Joker. It's time to pay for your crimes."

"All that shine... don't you get tired of being so flashy?" the Joker tried to taunt, his voice slightly trembling with pain.

"Flashy? I prefer to think I'm just lighting the way to justice," Sunspot said, smiling. "But don't worry, you won't need sunglasses anymore."

The base around them began to collapse from the impact of the attacks.

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Sunspot grabbed the Joker and Atomic Skull, lifting them with ease. "Time for you two to get out of here," he said, flying out of the base as it started to collapse.

*CRACK! BOOM!*

Debris cascaded down as Sunspot flew through the wreckage, firmly holding onto the villains. Emerging from the base, he found his team waiting outside: Vixen, Sandstorm, Celsius, and Wildfire (in his human form).

"Look who I brought to the party," Sunspot quipped, tossing the Joker and Atomic Skull to the ground.

He then took a look at his teammates.

Celsius was clearly the most injured, with cuts and bruises visible on her arms and face from her intense battle with Felix Faust. Despite this, she maintained a determined posture, though her movements were a bit slower than usual.

Wildfire, still recovering from his dragon form, had a noticeable swelling on his face from the blows he received. Despite this, he stood firm beside the others, his eyes shining with determination.

Sandstorm was visibly exhausted, breathing heavily. The excessive use of his powers had left him drained, but he remained standing.

Vixen, on the other hand, appeared unscathed, showing no signs of injury. She was ready for action at any moment. She approached Sunspot, giving him a nod.

"Good job, Sunshine," she said, observing the captured villains. "Looks like the mission was a success."

Sunspot deposited the Joker and Atomic Skull on the ground with a thud, looking at his team with a smile of approval. "You all did an amazing job," he commented. "How's everyone holding up?"

Celsius gave a small smile, despite her visible pain. "Nothing I can't handle," she replied, her eyes shining with determination.

Wildfire lightly touched the swelling on his face and gave a tired smile. "Just need some ice and a good night's sleep," he said.

Sandstorm nodded, still catching his breath. "I'm fine, just need a bit of rest."

Vixen crossed her arms, surveying the scene. "Seems like we all deserve a break after this."

Around them, other members of the Injustice League were defeated. Felix Faust was half-frozen but still alive, while Major Force, with his metallic form now melted, lay immobilized. Ultra-Humanite was unconscious, and Poison Ivy looked half-cadaverous and unconscious, her plants withered around her. Count Vertigo was being restrained by the young heroes: Superboy, Kid Flash, Aqualad Kaldur'ahm, Robin, Miss Martian, and Artemis.

Sunspot looked at the sky, which was beginning to lighten with the dawn. "Let's get these guys to a high-security prison and make sure they don't get out anytime soon," he said. "After that, I think we all deserve a break. Who's up for a beer?" he asked, smiling.

"Um, boss, I think that might have to wait," Celsius said, pointing upwards.

Sunspot turned and saw what she was pointing at.

Descending from the sky, the members of the Justice League were making their entrance. Hal Jordan and John Stewart created a green platform, allowing those who couldn't fly to descend smoothly.

Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Atom, Captain Marvel, Zatara, Red Tornado, and Martian Manhunter floated around the platforms.

"Now that's a welcoming committee," Sunspot joked. "Looks like our beer is going to have to wait."