Who do you think you are? A Superhero? ACT I The One About Trash

Chapter 8 - "The One About Trash"

Massimo stepped out of the darkness, and he could see torches lining the wall of the tunnel. He realized immediately that he had gotten to the main area of the east zone. But something else caught his attention - it was the smell of danger, hiding and waiting for him to step forward. He paused, not moving an inch as he stared into the distance.
"Aiish..." A voice finally cut through the darkness. "I didn't think you would find me so easily." The Hyena said, stepping into the light. As soon as she did, the tension in the air increased tenfold. Massimo realized that saving the captive soldiers stealthily was no longer possible. "Hi cutie! I'm Trash! Who are you? " She smiled, tilting her head to the left as she crouch into a menacing pose. As soon as she did, the three earrings in her left ear caught the light causing it to glint. Trash had a tall and commanding presence that demanded attention. She also had dark skin that glistened under the light. On her upper body, she had a full mane and a big afro that covered half of her face. Although Massimo couldn't see her eyes, he could feel her piercing gaze staring at him with an intensity.
Massimo stared blankly as he answers, "I've heard rumors about you from the Admirals" as he gets his claws ready, "you are the Queen of the East"
On Trash's back rested a blood stain machete. She was known to be a complete terror, and the wide smile that was always on her face was nothing but a facade. As she slammed the bloody machete onto the ground between her feet, a 'chakk' sound echoed through the air, sending vibrations that spoke of her strength.
"Certainly, that's how the low class refer to me... However, I remember asking, what might your name be?" growls the menacing Hyena, her voice dripping with menace.
"I'm Captain Massimo Solare, leader of the K9." Answers the determined wolf,
"Massimo Solare? Oh, how charming you are," she giggles softly, savoring her words as she traces her lips with her tongue, a mischievous grin playing on her face. "I'll certainly keep that in mind as I enjoy whatever morsels of you remain..."
Massimo and Trash stood on opposite ends of the tunnel, each ready to fight to the dead. Both were skilled warriors in their own right, but only one would come out victorious.
One. Two- Shaaaak!
The fight began with a fierce exchange of blows, the sound of metal against claw filling the air. Trash swung her machete with an erratic move, but Massimo was able to deflect each attack with his superior agility. "Dance for me, boy! Dance for me!" Trash laughed maniacally, her eyes burning with a crazy glint. Her fighting style had no pattern, and it was more of an impulsive movement. She attacked from all angles, weaving the machete in the air, and creating a shrill sound each time she moved it. "I haven't had this much fun in a long time. Make sure to hold out for as long as you can." She smiled, causing chills to run down Massimo's spine.
He was dealing with a crazy woman, and there was only one appropriate answer - Subdue. Massimo increased his output and this time he was able to push her back.
"Chikk!" She gritted as his claw swiped against her left arm. Massimo's strength was undeniable, and by her strained smile, it was clear that he was winning. Trash threw a knife kick at Massimo's face, but he had his guard up. Instead, her leg hit the side of his arm; causing it to redden. "Next time I won't miss." She promised, moving in for the next hit. Massimo slammed his fist in a right hook to her left side, causing the trash to stagger; but that didn't slow her down as she returned the pain with another kick, hitting him right on the jaw. The fight for domination continued, one blow after the other.
Massimo dodged her panicked swing and sliced at her armor, leaving two deep gashes.
"Hiuuk!" She winced, flying backward. With enough distance between them, she looked for another opening, but that seemed Impossible. In the end, she decided to attack face to face. She swung her machete with more ferocity, but it was deflected every time. She struck at his arm, his neck, his leg, but Massimo's body strengthening made it impossible for the machete to penetrate.
"You're one tough bastard!"
Massimo didn't respond. Frustrated, she swung the machete in a horizontal line. Slash!
Massimo lowered his head to dodge, the blade of the machete passing just inches above his head. As its attack was powerful, the opening created below was equally huge. He did not miss the opportunity and instead focused all of his power on her legs. His claws pierced through her skin. As Massimo raised his claw above his head for a deep swipe, the force split the wind, compressing the air currents around the attack. Massimo's fist descended towards Trash's head - but before it could strike, a blur of silver flashed in front of him.
"I am not going down." She gritted, a sardonic smile on her lips. "Yaaaaaa!" She yelled as she pushed back with all her strength. And just as she was about to move him back, Massimo leaned into her attack, making the force lax. In slow motion, he sidestepped around her weapon, causing Trash's eyes to widen.
"Ah-ack-" But it was too late. His claw swiped against her face, taking half her ear.
"You bastard!" Trash's voice echoed with so much rage, that it made the tunnel tremble. As she held on to her right ear, blood gushed out from the wound, staining her hand and shoulder. "I will kill you. I'll murder you even if it's the last thing I do." She swore, her eyes filled with a murderous intensity. She threw a rock towards his face, and as Massimo reached out to shatter it into dust, he realized Trash had used that opportunity to escape. His muscles relaxed as he watched her escape. It wasn't the right time to go after her. Just like she promised, they would meet again - and Massimo had no plans on losing.
Taking a deep breath, Massimo looked down, he realized that the ground looked damper than earlier; which meant the sea level was slowly rising. There was only a little time left. He began to run down the path, and the further he walked, the damper it became. Finally, Massimo spotted a metal door on the right. Without hesitation, he dug his claw into the surface. The metallic screech of the claw meeting the metal filled the air, but Massimo had no time to worry about that.
"Hghhhk!" He grunted, pulling the hinges off. Inside, four soldiers looked up frightened, not sure if he was foe or friend.
"Please don't kill us."
"We are innocent!"
"Don't worry," Massimo reassured. "I am here to bring you home."
At the same time, the rest of the crew arrived.
"Captain you already found them!" Maui commented, looking tired, at the same time, relieved.
"Let's go!" Dominic grinned.
"Boss move!" Izzy smirked, shrugging.
The mission was halfway done. Now, they had to escape the tunnel before the water levels increased even more.