In the end, you had him pinned beneath you, his body trapped under the weight of Venom's powerful form. His limbs were tangled awkwardly in the sand, grains clinging to his suit as he struggled, his muscles taut beneath the red fabric. His lenses were wide with shock, white eyes glaring up at you in disbelief as Venom's long, serpentine tongue slithered out, glossy and wet. It flicked across his face, leaving a trail of saliva that gleamed under the sun's harsh light.

"Ugh! Cut that out, you gross girl!" he yelled, his voice cracking as he twisted his head, cheeks blazing a vivid scarlet that matched his costume. He scrubbed at his face furiously, his hands moving in frantic circles, trying to erase the sensation of Venom's warm, sticky tongue.

You threw your head back, laughter pouring out of you, rich and full, echoing off the crumbling stone walls surrounding the beach. It was a sound laced with triumph, amusement dancing in your eyes as you watched him squirm beneath you, his pride wounded more than his body.

"You're not bad," you admitted, your voice low, tinged with grudging respect as you narrowed your eyes at him. But there was still a challenge there, a spark that refused to die. You leaned in closer, your nose just inches from his mask, and sneered, "Why do I feel like you're mocking me?"

Scarlet's jaw tightened, his shoulders going rigid as he forced himself to look at you. He crossed his arms over his chest, the gesture defensive, protective, like he was shielding himself from more than just your words. "I'm not one to mock others," he retorted stiffly, his voice steady despite the flush still staining his cheeks. His gaze flickered away for a moment before returning, his posture slumping slightly. A sigh escaped him, barely audible over the roar of the ocean, his annoyance fading into resignation.

He looked tired, you realized. Tired and worn, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. "Now come along," he murmured, his voice softer, almost pleading. "We better get this done if you really want to defeat Hydra."

He didn't wait for your answer, his body coiling like a spring before he launched himself into the air, red webbing shooting out with a sharp thwip. He swung gracefully, his silhouette cutting a perfect arc against the sky before he disappeared into the gaping mouth of a nearby tunnel.

You watched him go, heart pounding in your chest, his words echoing in your mind. There was something more behind them, a weight you didn't quite understand. But the fight wasn't over yet, and neither were you.

With a flick of your wrist, Venom surged around you, black tendrils wrapping tightly as you crouched low, muscles coiling in anticipation. Then you leaped, the ground falling away beneath you as you followed him into the shadows, your laughter still lingering in the salty air.

SCENEBREAK

You winced as the foul stench of the sewer hit your nose, the odor assaulting your senses with a vile mixture of decay and stagnant water. Venom shuddered, the inky tendrils tightening around you protectively, the symbiote just as repulsed by the smell. You could feel its discomfort crawling beneath your skin, a shiver that ran up your spine and made you grit your teeth.

"It's not that bad," Scarlet's voice echoed off the grimy, moss-covered walls as he easily adhered to the brick surface, his body coiled like a serpent ready to strike. His red suit stood out starkly against the filth, the dark shadows of the tunnel curling around his form. "You get used to it after a while. This way, I don't have to see people when I move through the city."

You shot him a glare, unimpressed. Yeah, because smelling like a trash heap is so much better. But you kept your mouth shut, focusing on the uneven ground beneath your feet as you followed him deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels. The sound of rushing water echoed around you, a constant, eerie backdrop to your mission.

Then you saw it—an iron grate above, light seeping through the cracks. It was faint, but it was enough to make your heart leap. You could feel them—your friends—just beyond that barrier. Their familiar energy signatures thrummed in your mind, sparking relief in your chest. But there was one presence that was noticeably absent, and your heart sank, a cold fear gripping you. Where are you, Peter?

Scarlet's voice cut through your thoughts, his tone laced with impatience. He was standing just beneath the grate, arms crossed over his chest, his posture rigid. "What's your plan, doll?" His lenses narrowed, a challenge in his stance.

You felt a grin tug at the corners of your mouth, the familiar thrill of battle sparking to life inside you. Oh, I've got a plan. Without answering, you shot a web at the grate, the thick black strand wrapping around the iron bars with a loud thwip. With a sharp yank, the grate was torn free, the metal groaning in protest as it was ripped from its hinges. You didn't hesitate, hauling yourself up and through the opening, your body twisting mid-air as you landed gracefully on the other side.

The moment your feet touched the ground, guns were pointed at you. The spider-like creature loomed before you, its metallic frame gleaming under the dim light, cannons aimed squarely at your chest. Its glowing eyes narrowed, a low hum filling the air as its weapons powered up.

You raised your hands slowly, palms facing outward, the universal sign of surrender. "Hey, hey, easy! I'm giving up!" you called out, forcing your voice to remain calm. Your eyes flicked to the creature's feet, calculating your next move.

There was a loud thud behind you as Scarlet dropped down, his landing less graceful, boots scraping against the concrete. He took one look at the scene before him and slapped a hand to his face, his fingers dragging down the smooth fabric of his mask. "That is not what I meant by 'a plan'!" he groaned, exasperation dripping from every word.

You couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing off the walls. "Relax, Red," you teased, your stance shifting as Venom coiled around you, ready to strike. "I've got this."

His shoulders tensed, his fists clenching. "You better," he grumbled, eyes narrowing behind his lenses. "Or I'm leaving you here with Robo-Spidey."

The creature's cannons whirred, the barrels rotating as they locked on to you. A feral grin spread across your face, your eyes flashing with excitement. "Don't worry," you purred, your voice dripping with confidence as you flexed your fingers, black claws glinting under the light. "This'll be over before you can even blink."

And then you moved, your body a blur of shadow and fangs, Venom roaring in your ears as you charged headfirst into the fight.