"Roar!!!" A dinosaur-like roar echoed over the Oscorp Building, resonating with both fury and a lonely resolve.
Professor Lizard, clutching the green virus in his mouth, made a desperate leap.
"I admire your spirit!" Barry said, for once serious, as he charged toward his opponent.
As they closed in, Professor Lizard lashed out with his claws, each swipe accompanied by a heavy whoosh, but Barry deftly deflected them with quick, calculated movements.
"You're faster, but you still lack skill!" Barry remarked, navigating around the claws with ease. He moved in with a precise strike, only to be countered by the lizard's tail.
"You never learn!" Barry taunted, ready to catch the tail. But as he grabbed it, he realized the tail's force was different—too weak.
Before Barry could release it, the tail coiled around him like a serpent and flung him backward.
"It's not fair; you have an extra disgusting tail!" Barry grumbled as he rolled to the ground, eyeing Professor Lizard who resumed climbing the tower. Instead of panicking, Barry shot webbing at the tower's top, launching himself into the air.
As Professor Lizard reached the top, Barry was already there.
"Two seconds!" Barry announced, facing the towering lizard from his smaller stature.
Wasting no time, Professor Lizard lunged, one claw aiming at the panda, the other reaching for the Ganali device.
But as his claw neared the device, he froze.
He looked at Barry, realizing his claw was pinched between the panda's paw and the tower.
"One second!" Barry declared, releasing the claw.
"Ding..." A resonant chime echoed, as if cleansing the world, followed by an energy wave radiating from the tower's peak. The blue serum in the Ganali device erupted like fireworks.
Dusk had settled over New York, casting a gray veil. Chaos reigned in the streets as virus-induced lizards rampaged, with evacuations underway elsewhere.
Suddenly, all eyes turned to the Oscorp Building as a golden light burst forth, painting the sky with light blue hues. The scattered blue droplets shimmered under the halo, resembling a sprawling galaxy.
Gwen, watching from below, was entranced by the surreal spectacle.
Meanwhile, George had no time for wonder. He struggled against the fierce winds, dragging Peter to safety.
Windows shattered around them, as if caught in a typhoon.
The energy wave subsided, the winds calmed, and peace returned.
---
"Crack, crack..." The sound of metal twisting came from the tower beneath Barry. He peered over, seeing the structure begin to crumble from the earlier impact.
With the tower's collapse imminent, Barry noticed Professor Lizard beside him. Unconscious and drenched in blue droplets, the lizard's form dissolved like acid, his cold pupils returning to human normalcy.
Quickly, Barry webbed the unconscious form, leaping from the tower with Professor Connors in tow.
"Whomp!" Barry landed, dragging Connors to safety as the tower finally gave way, collapsing into the abyss.
The Ganali device had fulfilled its purpose, descending with the tower's remnants.
After landing, Barry deposited the nearly naked Dr. Connors and hurried to George and Peter.
Peter, pale and weak, managed a smile as Barry approached.
"Great job. I didn't expect you to have a secret move. That was the coolest thing I've seen. I need to learn it," Peter praised.
"That move requires understanding, not just training. But I can show you other skills. I can't have my student beaten like this; it's embarrassing for a master," Barry replied with a shrug.
"Is talking part of your kung fu?" George asked, intrigued by Barry's banter during the battle.
"Well, it can distract the enemy," Barry explained, scratching his head, unwilling to admit Peter's influence.
George considered the idea, even contemplating martial arts training at the police station.
"Buzz..." The sound of approaching helicopters signaled reinforcements.
"Why do police always arrive after everything's resolved?" Barry quipped, surveying the scene of disarray, with Connors lying nearby.
"Aren't I a policeman?" George retorted.
"Well, at least I can finally get some rest," Barry sighed.
"Hold on, can you take me home first? I'm pretty beat up. Do you have any ointment?" Peter asked, struggling to his feet and donning his mask. With his web shooters broken, he needed Barry's help to maintain his anonymity.
"Of course, I've got spares at home. Want to come with me or head to your place?" Barry offered, leading him away.
George watched them depart, then turned to Connors.
"I didn't expect Barry to respect privacy," he mused, covering Connors with his jacket. Despite everything, Connors was still Gwen's mentor and deserved dignity.
---
Barry leapt across rooftops with Peter on his back, heading toward Queens.
"Honestly, I'd love to stay and bask in the glory!" Barry lamented.
"Huh? What did you say? The wind's too loud!" Peter shouted back.
Barry: "....."
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