Chapter 206: Flash Bang Assault
Countless Gamma Goblin afterimages simultaneously converged on Batman from every vector.
Simultaneously, Red Hulk advanced with ground-shaking footfalls, hurling concrete fragments ranging from thirty square feet down to cooking-pot dimensions toward Batman.
After sustained bombardment, Red Hulk closed distance, massive fist descending with devastating force.
Red Hulk's extreme thermal output created continuous atmospheric distortion, air shimmering with heat waves.
His punch never connected physically. But radiating temperature caused pitch-black symbiote material covering Batman to recoil instinctively.
Venom feared more than flames alone. Extreme heat generated identical terror response.
Instantly, Batman abandoned two-handed sword defense against Gamma Goblin, transitioning to single-hand blade work while opposite hand reached utility belt, rapidly assessing tactical environment.
Before departing for New Mexico, Batman had prepared extensive equipment arrays for this operation.
EMP charges, composite waveform device, spider-drones, bat-drones, three bat-pods, plus comprehensive sedative and anesthetic pharmacology...
Portions had seen deployment. Reusable equipment like bat-cycle's composite waveform device remained operational, but currently positioned nearly thirty feet below surface level—effective range couldn't penetrate underground facility.
Equipment designed specifically countering Norman Osborn's potential gamma mutation remained temporarily inaccessible.
Regarding EMP charges—The Leader's long-range bombardment presented minimal tactical threat, while his psychic manipulation proved ineffective against Batman's consciousness.
Therefore that countermeasure remained unutilized.
Currently, Batman's utility belt extraction retrieved equipment unused since facility infiltration began: flash bang grenades.
Batman suspected immediate deployment would result in Gamma Goblin's velocity advantage—intercepting projectile, ejecting it through Leader's ceiling breach to surface level.
Therefore zero hesitation: Batman detonated flash bang directly in his grip.
Simultaneously during detonation instant, Venom retracted completely from Batman's body. Even symbiote-manifested cross sword vanished entirely.
Venom couldn't withstand flash bang impact and high-frequency acoustic assault. Batman would absorb full exposure alone.
BOOM—
Flash bang detonation. Multi-spectrum intense luminosity flooded entire underground plaza with blinding radiance—artificial sun materializing instantaneously.
Even Hydra soldiers cowering in corners reflexively shut eyes, raising arms defensively. But intense light penetrated mercilessly through closed eyelids like invasive flame, flash bang ruthlessly overwhelming their vision.
Red Hulk and Gamma Goblin suffered identical disorientation—especially Gamma Goblin.
He'd relied on extreme velocity for continuous Batman assault patterns. But luminosity's instant emergence halted offensive completely. Simultaneously, distant underground plaza wall transmitted resonating CRASH.
Gamma Goblin had collided with concrete barrier.
But this marginal tactical advantage provided insufficient cause for satisfaction.
For self-preservation, Batman had detonated flash bang point-blank. As detonation epicenter, his eyes suffered identical intense light stimulation—unable to open.
Eyeballs registered zero pain response. But eye sockets and facial tissue experienced extreme searing agony from explosive thermal bloom.
Batman suppressed respiration. Inhaling superheated atmosphere would instantly cauterize entire respiratory tract.
Eyes sealed, enduring excruciating pain stimulus, Batman's brow furrowed minutely. But movements remained fluid—relying on pre-detonation environmental assessment to adjust positioning.
Batman utilized flash bang not merely inducing universal blindness.
Standard flash bang concussive force and high-frequency acoustic assault remained integral to Batman's enhanced variant design with amplified effectiveness.
Thus, intense luminosity engulfing underground plaza coincided with Batman's optimized positioning—flash bang concussion launched him airborne toward elevator shaft trajectory.
Exploiting flash bang's kinetic energy for surface-level extraction represented thoroughly calculated strategy.
Modified web-shooters integrated with grapple launcher mechanics provided rapid ascent capability. But Batman needed contingency against mid-ascent Gamma Goblin interception probability.
Furthermore, The Leader and Red Hulk remained immediate threats.
SCREECH!
Following flash bang luminosity and concussion, high-frequency acoustic assault and subsonic waves erupted.
This indiscriminate attack caused Hydra soldiers to hemorrhage orally while Red Hulk unleashed furious roar. Batman's mouth similarly expelled blood traces involuntarily.
But if flash bang enabled surface extraction, his injuries remained acceptable cost.
Eyes still sealed, Batman refrained from web deployment. Instead, knees bent explosively, launching upward through elevator shaft—emerging topside within gamma facility proper.
"AHHHHH!"
"ROAR!"
Underground plaza echoed with Red Hulk's enraged vocalizations and Hydra soldiers' agonized screaming.
Batman ignored them completely. Surface-level priority: single-foot pivot, executing full rotation.
During rotation, Batman's opposite foot swept facility floor debris, launching fragments in comprehensive spread pattern.
TING!
Fragments scattered. Single stone struck containment cage—transformed from crashed Batwing cockpit module.
Batman's vision remained compromised. But stone-cage collision acoustics provided immediate positional lock.
CRASH!
Underground plaza transmitted violent structural failure. Red Hulk's massive hands punched through flooring, hauling his form topside into gamma facility proper.
His eyes blazed crimson. But pupil rotation immediately oriented toward Batman's position—obviously Red Hulk had recovered from temporary blindness.
"ROAR!"
Red Hulk bellowed again, massive palms clapping toward Batman's vector with devastating force.
WHOOSH!
Hurricane winds immediately scattered floor debris, clearing entire trajectory between Red Hulk and Batman pristinely clean while launching Batman airborne.
Batman didn't resist wind force. Riding momentum skyward, he rapidly adjusted mid-flight positioning, knees bent for explosive counter-thrust.
The instant wind carried Batman toward containment cage proximity, both legs detonated with tremendous force—velocity exceeding windborne trajectory, rocketing toward Red Hulk.
Whether Red Hulk or Gamma Goblin, Batman required imprisoning one opponent within containment cage immediately.
Otherwise prolonged engagement guaranteed defeat despite Venom augmentation.
Airborne, Batman prevented Venom redeployment. The symbiote could engage Gamma Goblin adequately but transformed into vulnerable liability against Red Hulk's extreme thermal signature.
Yet Batman charged regardless. Body mid-flight, both knees raised shield-like while arms positioned vertically—entire form compacting into spherical configuration resembling black iron cannonball hurtling toward Red Hulk.