Jerry found himself imprisoned in an ancient dungeon. The chilling stone walls seemed to breathe frost, and the air was suffocatingly still. At the heart of the chamber stood a colossal cage, its bars thicker than his arm, into which he was unceremoniously thrown. But as his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he realized he wasn't alone. Huddled shadows filled the corners, and amongst them, a familiar figure captured his attention—Kelly.
The Kelly before him was a stark contrast to the vibrant girl he remembered. Her eyes were vacant, and her pallor was a ghostly shade of white, clearly having endured unimaginable torment.
Jerry approached her, "Kelly, it's me, Jerry."
Kelly blinked, as if awakening from a trance. A pained smile twitched at the corners of her mouth, "Jerry... why are you here?"
"To save you," he replied tersely, scanning her, "Are you alright?"
She sighed heavily, "I'm not sure... They've been conducting experiments, trying to harness my abilities. I haven't used my powers in so long. I feel them waning."
"We need to find a way out," Jerry asserted.
"It's not just us," Kelly whispered, pointing to the cage's dim corners. There, several more prisoners sat, their eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and despair. "They're like me."
Jerry nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. They needed to combine their strengths if they were to stand a chance against the menacing Colonel James and Allen.
The night deepened, and the meager lights in the dungeon flickered weakly. Together, Jerry and Kelly plotted their escape. Jerry's flying abilities were rendered useless in this enclosed space, prompting him to rethink his strategies.
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He mentally reviewed his special abilities: Mosquito mode, Cat mode, and the all-powerful Phoenix mode. Allen and his crew only knew of the Mosquito mode. The other two remained his secret. The Phoenix mode was immensely powerful but came with a toll on his body. Jerry was torn; he'd never taken a life before, but circumstances seemed dire.
Suddenly, a voice filled his head, dripping with resentment, "Why do you hesitate now?" Jerry froze, searching for the source of the voice.
"Stop wasting time, it's me," the voice continued. Jerry's heart raced as he realized it belonged to the Phoenix he and the eight-headed serpent had slain.
"Why are you helping me?" Jerry asked, eyes filled with suspicion.
"Although I despise you, if you perish, my spirit will dissipate along with yours. Our fates are now intertwined," the Phoenix responded with a hint of resignation.
"I can aid you now, but in doing so, I must occupy your consciousness, and you have merely three minutes," the Phoenix warned.
Jerry hesitated for a moment. He understood the urgency, choosing to accept the Phoenix's assistance. But to execute their plan, he needed Colonel James and Allen within his reach.
As the Phoenix's voice echoed louder, Jerry recognized he couldn't face this alone. He confided in Kelly, explaining his ability to take down James and Allen but emphasized the three-minute window. He hoped she could bolster their plan.
Taking a deep breath, Kelly nodded, "I have an idea, but you must protect yourself at all costs."
Jerry affirmed, "I trust you. Whatever you do, I stand by you."
Kelly turned to the other prisoners, "I need your assistance. Channel your powers through me."
Kelly had the ability to radiate blinding light. In the confines of the cage, that light might not be enough to break through. But amplified by the powers of other superhumans, it could change the game entirely.
One by one, the prisoners nodded. Despite their weakened state, they were ready to try anything for freedom. They began to concentrate their powers onto Kelly. Soon, beams of light emanated from her, forming a massive, portal-like halo.
With another deep breath, Kelly combined her voice and powers to craft an illusion – as if the military base's deepest secrets were unveiled. To the base's defense system, this appeared as a grave threat.
As expected, alarms blared. James and Allen were immediately drawn to the dungeon. They stared, dumbfounded at the mesmerizing halo and Kelly, clueless about the unfolding events.
Jerry saw his window of opportunity.
Merging with the Phoenix's spirit, he was enveloped in roaring flames, readying his assault.