"By the way, where is our helicopter? Has it received the bomb yet? Perhaps, we can give 'em real hell!" George gnashed his teeth as he said this.
A police officer in the back picked up the communicator, asked a few questions, then said, "The bomb prepared by the lab has been successfully loaded onto the helicopter. The pilot is rushing our way. At his speed, it won't take more than ten minutes..."
George sneered, "So this bat dares to fly recklessly down the road and even dares to fly so high? Notify the pilot to encircle this Giant Bat from the other side. The moment it enters the firing range, they should detonate the bomb in midair!"
"Received!"
After Dracula began fleeing, most of the bats flew with him in another direction. On the ground, apart from humans who couldn't run because of short legs or common police officers, heroes with stronger mobility were chasing after Dracula.
Initially, Otto, who led the chase, moved in a unique fashion and was quickly outpaced due to his slower speed. The Lizard also fell behind a few people due to his modified limb structure, and thus, lacked speed.
The Spider-Men, most of whom can't fly, struggled to keep up with Dracula because of height differences, so they were at a certain distance from him.
Currently, those nearest to Dracula were Jessica, who could fly freely, The Hulk who, filled with fury, was leaping extraordinarily high, and Venom, who could glide using slime-formed wings.
Simply put, the experienced, cautious ones who thought about consequences got left behind. Meanwhile, the young, the brainless, and the insanely furious ones were all rushing forward.
At the same time, another chase was happening in the opposite direction, with an equally massive momentum.
Nitro, with his skin entirely dark red, ran while shouting, "What on earth is the matter with the madman behind us? Why is he not letting us go? !!"
"Isn't that the young and foolish superhero, Speedball, who caused a blast which killed Spider Man? Hahaha!!" another person responded.
"It seems he wants to avenge Spider-Man. Nitro, you are in big trouble!!" another criminal shouted.
Nitro cursed under his breath, dodging a kinetic ball attack. With a hard, discomforting cough, he said, "Damn... I didn't fully release my power that day; a fire is burning in my chest!"
Suddenly, in the distance, two flashes swept past.
The Cobalt Man leading the chase hesitated for a sec, shaking his head as if being controlled, and quickly regained his composure. He said, "Running like this won't do; sooner or later, he'll catch up!"
"So what are you suggesting?!" Nitro looked back and asked, "That lad is insane! He isn't even afraid of getting hurt. Plus, his ability is too weird. If I don't leave his range, I won't even be able to run!"
"I heard a government officials' meeting is happening nearby. Once we take hostages, someone will deal with him!"
Nitro looked at his companion in surprise. To his knowledge, Cobalt Man wasn't the type to be particularly well-informed. Seeing Cobalt Man's serious expression, Nitro narrowed his eyes.
He felt that Cobalt Man had no reason to lie to him. After all, they were all in the same boat now. If they got caught, it would spell doom for all of them. Nitro gritted his teeth and said, "Take us there. Those scared politicians will surely save us!"
Cobalt Man immediately led them towards another direction to flee. Surprisingly, the target wasn't New York City Center, but a small island closer to the coastline.
Located in the Lower New York Bay, it was at a certain distance from Brooklyn, but not too far. Nitro and the other criminals hijacked a speedboat to invade the island. The moment they set foot on it, they saw a helicopter within their view.
The criminals were taken aback, but immediately after, Nitro said, "It must be here to pick up those politicians; don't mind it. Let's go in and take hostages!"
Just as they turned to leave, they spotted a shaky bat appearing on the skyline.
This bat was glowing red. Under the moonlight, it was more conspicuous. It was flying unsteadily, like it was drunk. But after seeing that island, it sped up like it had just regained its energy and was flying towards them.
The criminals who just invaded the island were utterly perplexed about the situation. However, Jessica, who was chasing after the bat, narrowed her eyes. She said in a low voice, "Wait, the people below... My God, aren't they the criminals who killed Spider-Man?"
Jessica gasped. Suddenly she was consumed by boundless rage. Spider-Man had always been her idol; all her classmates adored this superhero.
When she saw on the news that Spider-Man had been brutally killed, Jessica vowed to bring his murderers to justice.
With her rage ignited, Jessica charged at Nitro regardless of all else. At that moment, George was speaking into the walkie-talkie, "Have you found the target? Elevate the altitude, get ready to unleash the bomb. And remember, don't affect the ground!"
The helicopter's crew prepared to drop the bomb, but just then, The Hulk, who had been trailing, made a high jump, directly pouncing the Giant Bat, grounding it.
The bomb that was supposed to detonate in midair was suddenly grabbed by a black slimy tentacle and hurled directly at Nitro on the opposing side.
On the other side, Jessica's punch sent Nitro flying away. Enraged, Nitro fed the energy he had absorbed from Spider-Man's punch on to his attack.
The hit was true. Jessica was ready to pursue, but suddenly she noticed a huge bomb flying towards her.
This young superhero might act impulsively, but she wasn't foolish. With panic written all over her face, she quickly decelerated and rose up into the sky just before reaching the bomb.
Then, within her view, Nitro and the bomb made a terrifyingly close encounter.
At this moment, the secret base just behind the elevated hill on the other side of the island, the general narrowed his eyes and said with confusion, "Did you guys hear the sound of a helicopter?"
"Boom——Boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
After a small point of light lit up, a blinding sphere of light diffused, then an ear-shattering explosion rang out.
After the first blinding glare dissipated, the entire island was shattered and lifted into the air.
The debris with the sparks of an explosion fell, bringing with it strange shades of blood, organs, body tissues, all flying along with the splendid fireworks.
Bloody, glamorous, eerie; they carried an ultimate ceremonial sense, like a manic and perverse sacrifice.
Under the illumination of the flames, they were brilliantly shining like stars.