"Who are you supporting?" Natasha asked Bucky while eating ice cream. The two of them were sitting a bit towards the back of the audience. Their postures were almost identical, both leaning forward with their elbows on their knees, eating while watching the match intently.
"Uh, Batman, I think he has a better chance to win," Bucky thought for a moment and said. "Even though the combination of Superman and Batman is strong, it's no match for Batman and Batman."
"Isn't a Batman consciousness in a Batman body just regular Batman?" Natasha asked.
"Not really, this Batman's body is obviously stronger. The armor he's wearing is different from other Batmans'," Bucky thought for a moment and said. "I just think this armor looks cool, so I think he can win."
"I think you could offer a little help for his victory." Natasha turned her head to look at him. Bucky felt her gaze and also turned to look at her, then saw Natasha grin and flash him a bright smile.
Bucky felt a chill down his back, but before he could do anything, Natasha directly pressed down on his shoulder and "click," took off his arm. Then she swung his arm and threw it towards the field while shouting, "Batman!! Over here!!!"
Arkham Batman turned to the sound and saw a mechanical arm flying straight towards him. He immediately shot out his hook, caught the mechanical arm, spun it twice over his head, and fiercely hurled it towards Main Universe Superman.
Main Universe Superman widened his eyes and hurriedly flew to dodge. But this thing was nothing like a Mexican corn stick. After countless iterations by Howard Stark, the Winter Soldier's mechanical arm could be called a masterpiece of Stark Technology. Although its appearance didn't differ much from the first generation, it was truly full of surprises.
Though not attached to a body, it couldn't be controlled, but the materials used made it a perfect strike weapon. The exterior used Vibranium, which can absorb all sound waves and vibrations; internally, Adamant Alloy and Molten Steel Alloy were intertwined, balancing hardness and flexibility, and it had additional counterweights, making the arm's weight quite balanced.
Arkham Batman grabbed accurately, catching the elbow part, and the hook securely wrapped around it, ensuring it wouldn't fall off no matter how it was swung.
Now things were getting interesting, Arkham Batman swung this arm like a giant windmill. Main Universe Superman didn't expect anyone to assist and took a direct hit, nearly falling from mid-air.
Furious, he grabbed the arm and instead pulled Arkham Batman on the other end up. Arkham Batman flipped and directly hugged Main Universe Superman from behind. The two crashed into the ground together.
This time, neither got off easy. Superman's Man of Steel physique had a high damage reduction, so he didn't lose much blood, but his cape got entangled by the hook. Arkham Batman, though armored, didn't have as high damage reduction, and lost quite a bit of blood from the fall.
Main Universe Superman, somewhat agitated, tore the hook's rope off, raised the arm, and prepared to throw it away. Before Bucky, the owner of the arm, could stand up, Rocket Raccoon jumped up from the other side.
"Here, here!! Superman, I'm your fan!!!"
Superman directly tossed the arm in that direction. Rocket Raccoon jumped high to catch the arm, and looking at the shiny mechanical arm, Rocket Raccoon genuinely exclaimed in admiration, "Wow——!!!"
Bucky covered his forehead with his single remaining hand.
Main Universe Superman was genuinely a bit angry now. This forced knockdown skill was already annoying enough, but it could also grab items from the environment. Grabbing a super-spicy corn stick might be okay, but even grabbing the Winter Soldier's arm? Why not grab Doomsday while you're at it?!
"Okay, okay, outside assistance, is it? You grab, I'll grab too." In a fit of anger, Main Universe Superman took to the air and flew directly to the Host's Sky Island above the arena.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?!! You're not allowed up here!!!" The Transcendent tried to stop Main Universe Superman, but it was too late.
Main Universe Superman in the air took a deep breath, and as he exerted strength, his muscle lines became clearer, his whole body like a solemn and majestic statue. He lifted the sky island with both hands, completely ignoring the Transcendent's screams, and fiercely smashed it towards Arkham Batman.
Boom!!!!!!!!
The dust blinked the eyes of the spectators, forcing them to quickly cover their faces. The huge airflow blew the ladies' long hair backward and sent popcorn flying into the air, creating a rain of popcorn over the entire audience.
The gray mist quickly took advantage of this opportunity to spread out. When it reformed, the previously empty popcorn bucket was refilled, and there were even two more cheese corn sticks already devoid of cheese powder.
"Batman should have lost, right?" Steve looked towards the field and then said, "Even if he has that armor, getting hit by such a big sky island, I'm afraid he wouldn't survive."
"There would be a voice broadcast for the win… Oh, the host's been tossed down? Then it's nothing," Stark said, taking a sip of Coke.
As the dust gradually settled, the Transcendent climbed up from the ground somewhat disheveled, picked up the microphone, and began cursing furiously at Main Universe Superman. But unfortunately, he was just the host, not the referee; he had no power to disqualify the contestants. He couldn't even use his powers for self-defense, as it might affect the contestants' performance, so he could only curse as he left the field.
And when the dust fully cleared, the brilliant white light everyone expected did not appear. A gigantic pitch-black war vehicle was parked on the field.
Batwoman couldn't help but curse, "Where did he find the Batmobile?!"
"Probably one of the items he picked up," Main Universe Superman said somewhat helplessly, "Our luck really sucked, not a single key item picked up. If it weren't for you planning so strategically, blocking their resources, we might not have won at all."
"No, that's not right," Batwoman shook her head and said, "This isn't his usual Batmobile, the material and style are different. He probably crafted it himself."
"He has this skill too?"
"It's not a skill. I guess he might have dismantled a building in the map and assembled a car for himself."
"Isn't this against the rules???"
Batwoman shook her head and said, "It's not against the rules. The game's freedom is higher than we imagined. Like us dragging them to race, causing them to have no time to search for resources, is also a gameplay method. He must have gotten some items to dismantle the building."
Just as they were talking, the dark Batmobile engine emitted a deep roar, like a beast ready to devour someone, showing its fangs to Main Universe Superman.
Main Universe Superman swallowed and said, "This thing... shouldn't be able to fly, right?"
"What you should consider is whether the Batman from your universe will show mercy to you," Batwoman said, "Now is the time to test your past friendship."
"I don't know if he'll show mercy, but the other one certainly won't."
As the Batmobile started up, Main Universe Superman turned and ran. He fired two heat beams, but both were dodged. He changed direction, trying to attack in close range, but Arkham Batman can drive and shoot the hook at the same time.
Main Universe Superman dared not let him hook, otherwise, whether the car could fly or not, it would definitely fly. So he dodged left and right, constantly using heat beams to interfere with the opponent.
"I have an idea," Batwoman said, "You pretend to be hooked, and then we throw him out."
"But he won't just stay in the car. He will jump out during the process of throwing the car."
"But he really can't fly, and in the air, he can't change direction. You can seize that moment to attack him with a heat beam. His blood is not much left, as long as you can hit him once head-on, we win."
Main Universe Superman looked at both their blood volumes, calculated the attack damage, and figured Batwoman was right. Now both their blood volumes are almost gone, it's basically a one-hit kill. If he can seize Arkham Batman's airborne moment and hit him with the heat beam, the win is his.
No other way around it, dragging it on further, he wouldn't be able to win, better to take a chance.
Main Universe Superman immediately made a flawed move, seemingly flying to the left but actually staying still for a moment, as if distracted by a tactical discussion. His performance was so lifelike it even fooled Primary Universe Batman.
Arkham Batman didn't get a warning from Primary Universe Batman, so he fired the hook from the car, grabbing him, and the Batmobile soared into the air. Another cheer erupted from the audience.
Main Universe Superman, seeing his purpose achieved, stopped acting and directly grabbed the hook rope, swinging a big circle, tossing Arkham Batman and the Batmobile towards the outside of the field.
The Dueling Field has walls around it, and they deal collision damage. If Arkham Batman doesn't come out, this collision would clear his remaining blood volume; if he does come out, there would be a moment of air stall. Arkham Batman can't really fly, during this immobile moment, it would be enough to hit him.
Sure enough, Arkham Batman had no intention of staying in the Batmobile. Just as the Batmobile was thrown out, he jumped out of the car. And just as he jumped, Main Universe Superman with Super Vision and reaction ability captured him.
Szzz—!!!
The heat beam swiftly shot in that direction. However, three sharp Batman darts also flew straight towards Superman at this moment. To complete the attack, Main Universe Superman couldn't dodge. He gambled that the three darts wouldn't kill him.
At this critical moment, everyone held their breaths. Then, two white lights almost simultaneously lit up.
"What's going on? They both perished???"
Selina jumped up anxiously and said, "What the hell? Who won? It can't be a draw, right?!"
"It shouldn't be," Bruce said, "I saw one light slightly earlier, but I couldn't see clearly which one."
By this time, Transcendent had already repaired the Firs Island and returned to the island, but this time he had gotten smarter, positioning the Firs Island above the audience instead of the Dueling Field.
"Alright, everyone must be curious about the final outcome of this exciting battle. Next, let's take a look at the battle replay!"
Once again the sky screen fell, everyone held their breath. Was it Main Universe Superman who succeeded in a desperate counterattack, or Arkham Batman whose skills were superior?!
The competition screen returned to the moment of the final duel. It showed the heat beam hitting Arkham Batman, while the Batman darts also hit Main Universe Superman. The two moments differed by only a fraction of a second. But in the end, the first light to come on was Main Universe Superman's.