world weaver

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The Setup

The clearing beneath the towering World Tree was quiet, the air heavy with tension as Batman and Captain America stepped forward. The two leaders, icons of strategy and strength, sized each other up, their stances reflecting discipline and readiness.

Steve Rogers adjusted his shield, his calm blue eyes fixed on his opponent. "This isn't personal. It's about trust, and the best way to build it is by testing each other."

Batman's expression remained unreadable beneath the cowl. "Trust isn't built by holding back."

Nick Fury raised a hand, his voice firm. "This is a controlled fight. No killing, no crippling injuries. Show us what you've got." He stepped back and dropped his hand. "Go."

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Steve moved first, charging forward with his shield raised. His approach was direct but calculated, every movement efficient. Batman held his ground until the last second, sidestepping the shield strike and throwing a quick jab toward Steve's ribs. Steve deflected it with his forearm and countered with a low kick, which Batman jumped over, landing lightly a few feet back.

"You're fast," Steve said, stepping into a defensive stance.

"You're predictable," Batman replied, closing the distance with a series of quick strikes aimed at Steve's midsection. Steve blocked the blows with his shield, his strength pushing Batman back slightly with each impact.

Batman dropped low, sweeping Steve's legs. Steve hit the ground but rolled smoothly to his feet, his shield ready. He threw the shield in a wide arc, aiming for Batman's chest. Batman dodged, the shield whizzing past him before ricocheting off a tree and returning to Steve's hand.

Batman's gaze flickered to the shield. "A good weapon. But it's a crutch."

Steve smirked. "Let's find out."

He charged again, his strikes faster and more aggressive. Batman met him head-on, using his gauntlets to deflect the shield while aiming precise counterattacks at Steve's exposed areas. A batarang flew from Batman's hand, striking Steve's shield and sending a small electric charge through it.

Steve gritted his teeth as the shock ran through his arm but didn't let go of the shield. "Nice try."

Batman closed the distance, delivering a swift kick to Steve's side. Steve stumbled but used the momentum to swing his shield upward, forcing Batman to backflip out of range. Steve pressed the attack, his enhanced strength and agility beginning to overwhelm Batman's defenses.

Batman retreated a few steps, pulling a smoke pellet from his belt and throwing it at Steve's feet. Thick smoke billowed out, obscuring Steve's vision.

From the shadows, Batman's voice echoed. "You rely too much on sight."

Steve crouched low, listening for movement. He caught the faintest sound of a cape shifting and turned just in time to block a stun baton aimed at his back. Sparks flew as the baton struck the shield, and Steve pushed forward, knocking Batman off balance.

"You rely too much on tricks," Steve said, swinging his shield toward Batman's midsection. Batman dodged and retaliated with a precise punch to Steve's ribs, the force enough to make him wince.

The two warriors engaged in close-quarters combat, trading blows with increasing speed and intensity. Steve's strikes were powerful and deliberate, while Batman's were precise and tactical. It was a battle of endurance and strategy, neither giving the other an inch.

Batman suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Steve's arm and using his own momentum to flip him onto the ground. Steve landed hard, his shield skidding out of reach. Batman moved quickly, pinning Steve's arm with his knee and holding a batarang to his throat.

"Yield," Batman said, his voice steady.

Steve gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he pushed against Batman's weight. With a sudden burst of strength, he twisted his body, knocking Batman off balance and rolling free. Steve grabbed his shield and got to his feet, breathing heavily.

"You're good," Steve said, adjusting his grip on the shield. "But I'm not done yet."

Batman stood, his cape settling around him. "Neither am I."

The two charged at each other again, but this time Steve anticipated Batman's moves. When Batman went low for a leg sweep, Steve countered with a shield bash, knocking Batman to the ground. Before Batman could recover, Steve pinned him with the edge of his shield pressed against Batman's chest.

"Yield," Steve said, echoing Batman's earlier command.

Batman lay still for a moment, his sharp eyes meeting Steve's calm gaze. Finally, he nodded. "I yield."

Steve stepped back, offering a hand to help Batman up. Batman hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

"You're stronger than I expected," Batman admitted.

"And you're smarter than I gave you credit for," Steve replied.

---

The Aftermath

The two warriors returned to their teams, their movements slower now but filled with mutual respect.

Thor clapped loudly, his voice booming. "An excellent battle! Both of you fought with honor."

Tony Stark smirked. "I was betting on Cap, but I have to admit, Bat Guy put up a hell of a fight."

Superman approached Batman, his tone curious. "What do you think?"

Batman glanced at Steve before replying. "He's strong. Disciplined. Trustworthy. For now."

Steve chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Nick Fury stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Good. Now that we've got one fight done, let's move on to the next pair. We've got a lot more to see."

The tension between the teams had eased slightly, but the underlying caution remained. Trust would take time, and there were still many battles to fight.

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Daniel POV

From his cosmic perch, Daniel watched the fight with a grin. "That was satisfying. Two of the most disciplined fighters in the world testing each other's limits. This is only the beginning."

Beside him, the Ancient One observed with quiet approval. "They've proven their worth, but unity will take more than combat."

Daniel nodded. "True. But this is a step in the right direction."

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