Chapter 23: Crash and Burn
The clash between Dr. Mike and me intensified, a whirlwind of chaos and power swirling around us. I could feel the electric energy crackling in the air, a reminder of the dangers that came with facing a mad scientist who reveled in the art of destruction. Each swing of my hatchet met resistance as he manipulated his surroundings with an ease that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
"Is that all you've got?" Dr. Mike taunted, his eyes gleaming with manic energy. He twisted his wrist, sending a surge of electricity coursing toward me, the bright arc of light zipping through the air like a serpent. I dodged just in time, the shockwave rattling the ground beneath my feet.
"Not even close!" I shot back, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The fight had become a dance of wits and strength, each of us trying to outsmart the other. I feigned left, then spun right, swinging my hatchet in a calculated arc. It connected with a surge of electricity, and for a moment, I was lost in the bright light as sparks flew in every direction.
Dr. Mike staggered back, momentarily stunned. "Impressive," he said, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "But it'll take more than a little agility to take me down!"
I could see that he was calculating his next move, his mind racing as he prepared for a counterattack. "What's your deal, anyway?" I pressed, trying to buy myself a few precious seconds. "What's your ability?"
"Electromagnetism!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with pride. "I can manipulate electricity at will! And right now, you're about to find out just how powerful that can be!"
With a swift motion, he raised his hands, and the surrounding metal began to quiver, drawn to him like iron to a magnet. I could feel the pressure building as he lifted nearby objects into the air, a makeshift arsenal that would only escalate the violence of our encounter.
"I can keep up!" I declared, my determination solidifying. The adrenaline surged through me as I tapped into the power of my Eyes of Truth, feeling the energy flow through my body like a river. I had managed to evade his attacks thus far, but I could feel myself wearing down. Each dodge, each swing of my hatchet, was taking a toll on my stamina.
"You think you're clever, don't you?" Dr. Mike said, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "But your time is running out!"
In that moment, I realized something profound amidst the chaos. My Eyes of Truth were more than just a passive ability; they were a gateway into my own mindspace, a way to tap into a well of potential I had yet to fully explore. I needed to activate that potential if I was going to have a chance at defeating him.
But before I could delve into that thought further, Dr. Mike's demeanor shifted dramatically. He glared at me with a newfound intensity, his hands lifted as he began to summon the power around him. "Enough games!" he roared. "It's time to end this!"
In a swift motion, he raised two nearby buildings, lifting them effortlessly into the air as if they were made of paper. My heart raced as I realized the imminent danger. He had declared this was the end, and I had no idea how I could possibly evade the wrath of two towering structures hurtling toward me.
"Look out below!" he shouted, laughter dancing on his lips as he hurled the buildings in my direction.
"Not on my watch!" I shouted back, instinct kicking in as I focused on my Eyes of Truth, feeling the magic leak from them, pooling around my body. I could sense the flow of energy, each pulse driving me into a heightened state. I was tapping into my flow state, my magic surging and intertwining with my very essence.
The world around me blurred as I propelled myself forward, my body moving with blinding speed. I felt every muscle fiber ignite with energy as I weaved through the debris and destruction, a comet streaking through a collapsing universe. I aimed straight for the first building, my hatchet poised and ready.
With a primal yell, I struck the structure, my blade slicing through it with an unearthly force. The building split in half, collapsing into itself, the sound echoing through the air like thunder.
But I couldn't stop to revel in my success. I pushed onward, racing toward the second building as it loomed ominously above me. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat fueling my determination. I could feel the magic coursing through my veins, threatening to consume me as it pushed my body beyond its limits.
I reached the second building and, with one final burst of energy, sliced through it just as I had the first. The chaos of collapsing concrete surrounded me, but I remained focused, my gaze locked on Dr. Mike. He stood there, his eyes wide with disbelief, unable to comprehend the power I had just unleashed.
"Wha—? How is this possible?" he stammered, staggering back as the remnants of the buildings fell around us.
I seized the moment, my instincts guiding me as I leaped forward, my hatchet aimed directly at his chest. "This ends now, Dr. Mike!" I shouted, the determination in my voice unwavering.
With a swift motion, the blade found its mark, lodging deep into his chest. The look on his face shifted from surprise to something akin to respect, mixed with a hint of fear.
"What... how?" he gasped, clutching the hatchet, blood seeping through his fingers.
"Tell me where Strange is!" I demanded, my heart racing as I felt the weight of the moment. I had him right where I wanted him, but I needed answers.
Dr. Mike chuckled weakly, shaking his head as if to dismiss my urgency. "You really think I'll give you that information?" he scoffed, though his bravado wavered under the circumstances. "Me and Strange? We're business partners. Even if I told you everything, you wouldn't be able to stop him. He's become a monster, JLC—a force of nature you can't even begin to fathom."
His words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the darkness that lurked beyond our immediate battle. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, uncertainty creeping into my mind. "What do you mean?" I pressed, urgency rising in my voice. "What has he become?"
"He's evolved," Dr. Mike replied, his voice shaky yet filled with a strange sense of pride. "You can't hope to understand the power he wields now. If you want to try, go ahead! But I promise you, you'll just end up like me—broken and battered."
With a deep breath, I considered my options. I could easily end this here, dispatch him without a second thought. But something within me held me back. I remembered the power I had just tapped into, the potential waiting to be unleashed. Maybe I could spare him, not for his sake, but for mine.
"I'm not going to kill you," I said, my voice steady. "You'll get stronger, and when the time comes, I'll be ready to face you again."
"Why?" he rasped, incredulous. "Why would you spare me? You should want revenge!"
"Revenge isn't the answer," I replied, pulling my hatchet from his chest. I watched as he stumbled back, collapsing onto the ground. "I want to grow stronger so that I can protect those I care about. And I won't let a coward like you hold me back."
Dr. Mike's expression shifted, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "You're a fool," he murmured, but there was no venom in his words, only a begrudging respect. "You'll regret this one day."
"Maybe," I said, stepping back to give him space. "But I'll be ready for whatever comes next."
As I turned to leave, I could hear the distant sounds of chaos still echoing through the city. My fight with Dr. Mike may have come to a close, but the larger battle against Strange and the darkness looming over Prime City was far from over.
I had spared Dr. Mike today, but I knew deep down that this was just the beginning. I could feel the energy within me crackling, my potential waiting to be unleashed. I would grow stronger, and when the time came, I would be ready to face whatever horrors awaited us in the shadows.
