Chapter 16: Chapter 16
Sam leans back in his chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he watches Scarlet overcome the Scarecrow challenge. Her quick thinking with the Bat-Signal impressed him - most streamers took much longer to figure out that solution.
"Only one death," he mutters, scrolling through the analytics. "Not bad at all."
The data shows other streamers averaging two to three attempts before beating Scarecrow. Some even rage quit after multiple failures. But Scarlet adapted quickly, learning from her first encounter to triumph on the second try.
Sam takes a sip of water, feeling proud of how the level turned out. The fear toxin sequence struck just the right balance - challenging enough to create tension, but not impossible to overcome. Scarlet's genuine reactions and the engagement of her chat proved the psychological horror elements worked exactly as intended.
Sam watches intently as Scarlet, embodying the role of Batman, swiftly rescues Commissioner Gordon from his captors. With remarkable stealth, she silently takes down the inmates one by one, her movements fluid and precise. As Harley Quinn appears, Scarlet doesn't hesitate, delivering a well-timed knockout blow that sends the Joker's unhinged accomplice tumbling to the ground.
The upcoming boss fight is next. Sam wonders how Scarlet will defeat Bane. He leans forward, anticipation building as the iconic villain appears on the screen. Scarlet's skills will truly be put to the test against the Venom-enhanced powerhouse.
…
Ruby watches in awe as Batman bursts through the glass, knocking out Harley Quinn in a single, fluid motion. The Caped Crusader's precision and power are mesmerizing, and Ruby can't help but be impressed.
Commissioner Gordon's voice snaps her attention away. "You took longer than I thought," he says, his tone laced with relief and concern.
Ruby, still inhabiting Batman's body, moves swiftly to free Gordon from his restraints. "He's out of control," Batman replies, his voice deep and gravelly. "He's trying to prove something. I'm not sure I can stop him this time."
Gordon's expression turns grave. "You'll do it. Batman, listen. We're not alone. He's got something else down there. I don't know what it is." He gestures toward a glass room, the contents obscured from view.
Ruby feels a chill run down her spine. Whatever lies behind that glass, it can't be good. She steels her nerves, knowing that as Batman, she must be ready to face whatever challenges await.
Batman and Gordon enter the room, and Ruby's eyes widen at the sight before them. A thin, bony man with a black mask is suspended in the air, connected by many red tubes to his back.
"Bane..." Batman exclaims, his voice tinged with recognition and concern.
[TechnoGeek]: "Whoa, who's this guy?"
[GamerGirl42]: "He looks pretty scary, chat."
Ruby watches intently as Bane speaks, his voice strained and desperate.
"Cut me down..."
Batman's jaw tightens, and Ruby can sense the gravity of the situation. "Who did this to you, Bane?" he asks, his voice unwavering.
She drained the Venom from my blood. The 'bruja'... Dr. Young. I must stop her..."
[TechnoGeek]: "Venom? Dr. Young? This is getting intense!"
[GamerGirl42]: "I don't like the sound of that 'bruja' lady. She sounds like trouble."
Ruby watches in horror as Joker takes control of the camera, his twisted grin sending a chill down her spine. "Sorry. Has-Bane. The good Doctor won't be a problem much longer. How do you like my puppet? What say we cut him down?"
Suddenly, red lights begin to flash, and the tubes attached to the bony figure, Bane, start pumping a green liquid into his body. Ruby's eyes widen as Bane's slender frame swells and transforms, his muscles rippling and expanding to a towering 6'8" height.
[GamerGirl42]: "Oh my god, look at the size of that guy!"
[TechnoGeek]: "This is getting seriously messed up. The Joker is one sick dude."
Ruby watches, transfixed, as Bane's appearance shifts from a frail, weakened man to a hulking, Venom-enhanced monster. His features become distorted, with visible veins pulsing across his pale skin. Ruby can feel the raw power emanating from this transformed being.
[GamerGirl42]: "I do not want to be on the receiving end of that guy's fist!"
[TechnoGeek]: "Whoa, Scarlet's in for a fight. This is gonna be intense!"
Ruby shouts to Gordon, "Get back!" as Bane's hulking frame towers over them. The Venom-fueled behemoth seizes Ruby, still in Batman's body, and with a mighty heave, flings her towards the nearby brick wall.
Ruby tenses, bracing for impact, and crashes through the wall in a shower of debris. She hits the ground hard, dazed but unharmed. As the dust settles, Ruby peers up to see Bane standing over her, his monstrous form casting an ominous shadow.
"You'll have to do better than that," Ruby growls, her voice tinged with Batman's signature gravel as she pushes herself up off the ground. Her eyes narrow, studying Bane's towering physique, searching for any weaknesses she can exploit.
"You are not my true enemy, Batman," Bane rumbles, his voice distorted by the Venom coursing through his veins. "But you will not stop me from my revenge."
Ruby feels the weight of Batman's mantle as she stares up at the towering villain. She knows she must be ready to face Bane's onslaught. Steeling her nerves, Ruby clenches her fists, prepared to meet the challenge head-on.
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