Chapter 207: Venom's Capability
Anticipating formidable New Mexico opposition, Batman had redesigned his bat-claws—relocating mechanisms from outer forearm to inner forearm positioning.
Unlike Spider-Man's wrist-mounted web-shooters, Batman's bat-claws remained concealed within inner forearm armor plating.
The vacated outer forearm surfaces received defensive armor reinforcement. Currently raised vertically alongside both knees, they formed battering ram configuration driving toward Red Hulk.
WHAM!
Peter Parker's physiology had reached fifty-plus ton strength threshold through Batman's conditioning. Even without Venom augmentation, Batman's collision forced Red Hulk backward several steps.
Post-impact, Batman's form instantly unfurled. One hand executed magician-swift motion across utility belt, extracting bat-mine.
Batman abandoned web-slinging tactics used against Abomination. Instead, close-quarters combat—heavy punch connecting with Red Hulk's eye socket before seamlessly shoving bat-mine into Red Hulk's mouth.
BOOM!
Mine detonated instantly as Red Hulk's jaws crushed casing. Tremendous concussive force snapped Red Hulk's head backward involuntarily.
When he shook off disorientation, Batman had vanished from frontal view. Simultaneously, another bat-mine slapped against his skull base.
Batman maintained constant vigilance against Gamma Goblin manifestation. He eschewed web-slinging, exploiting Peter Parker's wall-crawling adhesion to navigate Red Hulk's surface.
Everywhere Batman traversed—minimum one mine, maximum three to five—thunderous detonations erupted continuously across Red Hulk's massive frame.
Beyond bat-mine bombardment, surface-level positioning reactivated previously idle composite waveform device.
Batman's compiled waveform sequences transmitted continuously toward gamma facility, drilling into Red Hulk's cerebral cortex.
Simultaneously, sustained bat-mine detonations enabled Batman to maneuver Red Hulk incrementally toward containment cage—inch by methodical inch.
Given sufficient duration, Batman could maintain Red Hulk suppression indefinitely, ultimately imprisoning him.
But Red Hulk wasn't Batman's sole opponent. The Leader's low-altitude aircraft—apparently depleted of missiles—commenced sustained energy beam targeting.
Concurrently, spider-sense transmitted urgent warning. Batman immediately dropped from Red Hulk's surface, body compressing before explosive evasion burst.
The instant Batman cleared position, Gamma Goblin materialized—single talon raking Red Hulk's torso viciously. Blood the color of molten fire streamed immediately.
Batman barely stabilized when The Leader fired another beam.
"Without Barbara, current armor lacks remote operation functionality. Cannot activate EMP charges remotely."
Batman rapidly assessed tactical situation. Defeating three gamma creatures without casualties remained unrealistic. Sacrifice would be necessary.
Decision crystallized instantly. Batman finalized specific combat protocol without hesitation.
"Robin!" Batman commanded.
Venom's pitch-black symbiote material rippled rapidly, enveloping Batman's entire physiology.
As Venom prepared manifesting cross sword again, Batman interrupted:
"Unnecessary. Focus on avoiding Red Hulk."
Statement concluded, Batman felt velocity and strength amplification from Venom's bonding. Foot exploded against concrete, launching forward.
BOOM!
Underground plaza engagement had primarily showcased Venom-enhanced velocity—combining spider-sense to counter Gamma Goblin's relentless assault patterns.
Now, Batman finally deployed Venom-augmented strength exceeding eighty tons—potentially reaching ninety-ton threshold.
Single footfall launched Batman like projectile arrow, vectoring toward Gamma Goblin just disengaging from Red Hulk.
Batman hadn't channeled maximum force into that step—otherwise, concrete would've behaved like soft tofu, trapping him rather than propelling. But leg strength limitations from relatively soft concrete substrate didn't restrict Batman's fist strikes.
Identical to Gamma Goblin's attack velocity, Batman's fists achieved extreme speed under ninety-ton force application.
Atmospheric compression preceding fists left visible afterimages—as though previous instant showed Batman distant and coiled, next instant fists materialized point-blank.
Gamma Goblin might exploit extreme velocity for evasion. Venom might recoil from Red Hulk's thermal output. His fists might shatter without Venom reinforcement.
Within microseconds, Batman calculated every catastrophic possibility. Yet he committed both fists without reservation.
WHOOSH!
Gamma Goblin performed exactly as Batman predicted—vanishing the instant before fist contact.
But Batman's force remained undiminished, redirecting trajectory toward Red Hulk's midsection.
"AHHHH!"
Venom screamed. Red Hulk's extreme thermal envelope awakened primal terror within Venom's consciousness—instinctive recoil beginning.
But mere fraction of second later, Venom recognized Batman's attack trajectory encompassed both Gamma Goblin AND Red Hulk.
If Venom retreated, Batman would suffer catastrophic bilateral arm fractures.
Psychologically, Venom couldn't accept Batman sustaining such devastating injury.
But following Batman this extensively, understanding crystallized instantly:
'Dad isn't gambling I'll physically absorb Red Hulk's heat—he REQUIRES my recoil! Dad's sacrificing both arms pushing Red Hulk closer to containment cage!'
That's why he ordered avoiding Red Hulk!'
CRACK!
Batman's fists connected with Red Hulk's waist. Dull impact resonated throughout gamma facility.
Red Hulk's tensed musculature rippled like disturbed water. His massive frame lurched forward uncontrollably—several steps closer toward awaiting containment cage.
Simultaneously, cascading bone-fracture symphony merged into singular horrific sound. Both Batman's arms—every bone structure virtually pulverized.
Beyond skeletal damage, arm musculature detonated completely. Skin and flesh exploded outward in catastrophic rupture.
But precisely as Batman faced bilateral limb loss, rendering subsequent combat impossible, Venom acted.
It desperately manipulated pitch-black symbiote material, instantaneously enveloping Batman's physiology—especially destroyed arm regions receiving thick reinforcement layers.
Venom's fundamental capability: regardless of host's injury severity—short of complete amputation—transformation reversal restored original condition!
Anti-Venom had previously regenerated Eddie Brock from Crossbones' sniper round creating chest cavity—Venom possessed identical regenerative capacity!
Within instant, black symbiote material rapidly proliferated from Batman's shattered arms. Batman clenched both fists again, fully restored.
***
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