Lr stories part 1: Power royale

Chapter 3: Fire and Ice, Part 1

**Announcer 1:** "Oh, what a show we have for you today, folks! Two more competitors down, leaving just 97 fighters still clawing for that billion-dollar prize! And if you thought things were heating up before, wait until you see what's coming next!"

**Announcer 2:** "We're entering a critical phase. Every encounter now holds more weight, more danger, and with fewer places to hide, confrontations are inevitable. But remember, it's not just about brute strength—it's about how you use your powers and who you trust."

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The sun barely peeked through the dense canopy as William, Angelo, and Laurel made their way through the forest, the undergrowth crunching beneath their feet. Laurel walked a few paces ahead, his small frame tense with anticipation. The alliance between them had grown stronger, but the looming threat of other contestants made it clear that trust could only go so far.

The crackling of an announcement echoed through the air, sending shivers down their spines.

"97 left," William murmured. "Who knows how many more we'll lose before this is over."

Angelo shifted uneasily, his thoughts clouded by the idea of what it would take to survive. He'd turned into a panther earlier to scout ahead, but it was clear now that no amount of animal instinct could prepare him for what they were about to face.

The trio pressed on, moving carefully through the woods, until they came to a wide-open clearing. It was an unnatural break in the forest, like something had forced its way through the trees and left only destruction behind. The air was thick with tension, a warning that they weren't alone.

"Hold up," William said, raising a hand. "You see that?"

Across the clearing, two figures stood side by side, waiting. They were twins, both tall and lean, their identical features twisted into smirks as they eyed William, Angelo, and Laurel.

The girl—Jenny—held her hand out, and from it, a flurry of snow and ice crystals formed, swirling in the air like a small blizzard. Her brother, Johnny, grinned wickedly as flames licked up his arms, dancing between his fingers with deadly intent.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a couple of wannabe heroes," Jenny said, her voice cold and mocking.

"And a kid," Johnny added with a laugh. "This is going to be fun."

Laurel's eyes blazed with anger, but before he could react, William stepped in front of him. "Stay back, Laurel. Let us handle this."

Angelo nodded, his gaze locked on the twins. "We don't want any trouble. But if you're looking for a fight, we won't back down."

Jenny's smile widened, and with a flick of her wrist, sharp icicles shot out toward Angelo and William. They barely had time to react, diving out of the way as the icy spears embedded themselves in the ground where they'd been standing.

"Guess that answers that," William muttered, using his power to pull a metal rod from the debris scattered around the clearing. The rod twisted and shaped itself into a makeshift sword, gleaming in the faint sunlight.

Johnny responded with a blast of fire, scorching the earth in front of them. The heat was intense, forcing Angelo and William to fall back.

Angelo grimaced, feeling the heat singe his skin. "I'll take the fire guy," he said through gritted teeth, shifting into the form of a massive lion, his claws digging into the earth.

William nodded. "I'll handle the ice queen. Laurel, stay out of sight and be ready to strike if you have to."

The battle began in earnest, with Johnny sending wave after wave of fire at Angelo, who used his animal agility to dodge the attacks. But the flames were relentless, and soon enough, one searing blast caught Angelo's leg, the heat burning through his flesh.

Angelo let out a roar of pain, stumbling as he tried to keep his balance. He shifted back into his human form, clutching his leg as the pain radiated through him.

"Laurel, get him out of here!" William shouted, deflecting a hail of ice shards with his metal blade as he tried to keep Jenny at bay.

But Laurel hesitated, his eyes flicking between Angelo's injury and the deadly twins. He knew he couldn't stay hidden forever, but rushing into the fight felt like a death sentence.

**Announcer 1:** "Oh! Looks like Angelo's taken a hit, folks! That leg burn's gonna slow him down, but will it be enough to take him out of the game?"

**Announcer 2:** "A crucial injury at this stage could be devastating. But let's not count him out just yet. We've seen competitors bounce back from worse. What's important now is how William and Laurel handle this critical moment."

The tension mounted as the fight raged on. Jenny's ice attacks were growing fiercer, and William could feel himself starting to tire. Meanwhile, Johnny's flames continued to scorch the earth, trapping Angelo in a fiery corner.

But before the final blow could land, the chapter ended, leaving the outcome uncertain.

**To be continued...**