[Round 2 - C] Gilgamesh & Desman vs Erik Vrell & Deadpool

[Karl Jak]

Gilgamesh fumed as he tugged at the belt anchored around his waist.  He didn’t know what was worse—the furry blue parka or the fact that he was connected to Desman Black.

“Lookit,” Deadpool muttered to his partner. “Your boss got a leash.  Now he’s a literal mongrel.”

“I remember you,” Gilgamesh grumbled as he stepped forward, indirectly yanking an unwary Desman off his feet.  The young man smacked his knees into the ground and had a brief moment to wince before the king started dragging him toward Deadpool and Erik.  “Funny man.  You won’t be so funny when you’re on your knees.”

Deadpool pressed his palms to his cheeks.  “Is that a promise?”

Word Limit: 850
Posts: 2
Time Limit: 48 hours
Random Elements: On
Damage Meter: Off

Time limit starts at 5 pm CDT on June 25, 2018

“Snowdown” – This Fight Area is the (oddly) flat summit of a snow- and ice-covered mountain, likely inspired by a location or two in the Frozen Fields. The diameter of the Fight Area expands beyond the summit (which has a diameter of roughly 30 feet) by about 50 additional feet. Just be aware that the drop off from the summit is about three stories. So try and stop your fall, because that might hurt, pending your capabilities. Maybe your partner will save you, since you and your partner are connected to one another by an elastic tether cable. Have fun.

Stipulations: Tag team partners are clad in fuzzy parkas to protect them from the elements. These are optional and can be removed. The four-foot spandex tether cable that hooks partners together at the waist? Indestructible. The belt around your waist anchoring said tether? Locked in place. Indestructible. Well gosh. Hope you can communicate well.

[Gilgamesh]

The howling winds of the mountaintop raged, matching Gilgamesh’s feelings for the mercenary’s sharp tongue. In tow and directly attached to the witty soldier was, once again, one of Gilgamesh’s own. Erik gave the King a sheepish smile before Deadpool began to tug at their elastic cord. ”Let’s get this over with kid, my little ‘pools’ are gonna freeze up here.” Gilgamesh’s eyebrow twitched in rage, how could the merc dismiss his presence? Gil waved his hand, summoning a dozen portals to life.

“How about you control your demon this time. It was pretty fucking embarrassing last round.” Desman remarked, taking a sudden offensive stance towards their new enemies.

Gil shot his head towards his partner, giving him a bewildered look. Had the spineless boy grown a pair? “Watch yourself, child, lest I find a need to wield you again,” he hissed.

Desman gave the King a dirty look before the pattering of footsteps against the snow interrupted their banter. Deadpool flew through the air, his katanas threatening to pierce through them both. Erik lagged behind, a hint of hesitation behind his movement as he was comically being dragged along.

Deadpool landed gracefully in front of the King before slashing both of his swords at the King’s chest. Although this smelly, wool parka made Gilgamesh want to retch, it had done an excellent job at stopping the merc’s blades.

“Damn you!” Gilgamesh growled and retreated, struggling as he attempted to fight against the binding tie to his partner. While falling back, the Golden King caught the end of his leash and fell flat onto the snow. Desman had been exchanging a few feints with Erik, neither wanting to commit to full melee combat like their counterparts. Gil yanked upon the tether, pulling Des back into the snow next to him.

“What was that for?” The child raged. What had gotten into him? Though Gilgamesh was not one to talk, this was not the time to become rebellious. If they weren’t connected by the hip, Gilgamesh would have thrown Desman off the cliff by now.

Deadpool, inconsiderately, did not give them the time for dialogue, “Let’s go, princess.” With the mercenary already making another advance, Gilgamesh quickly summoned golden portals, each shooting their treasure towards the merc. They instead found their mark in a purple psychic barrier, uselessly burying themselves in it. Gilgamesh glared towards its source...Erik. The psychic warrior withered under his glare for a brief moment, averting his eyes before concentrating back onto the battle. Gilgamesh shuddered with rage. For two...long years he had been stuck in hell. For two long years, he suffered to come back to this place, expecting to gain some form of respect or power. Yet he had neither, even from those who were clearly beneath him.

Gilgamesh glared at Desman, old habits returning as if from a long vacation, “Look, mongrel. You will follow my orders. Be of some actual use and stay close.” He turned his attention back to his targets, who had coordinated an attack of psychic arrows and pistol shots aimed towards the Gilded King. Before Gilgamesh could react, Desman placed his hand to his temple and focused. An electric blue wall of pure psychic energy flickered into existence, absorbing the hailstorm of projectiles.

“How was that, mongrel ?” Desman spoke with a smug look on his face. The remark raised the King’s blood to a boil as he felt a nearly insuppressible urge to smack the shit out of Desman. How could this boy even have come close to meeting with Diablo? The thought of the two being on equal footing disheartened Gilgamesh. Was he really that weak?

Looking up, he could see that his enemies communicated effectively. Both of them rushed towards Gilgamesh in synergy with steel blades in their hands. Gilgamesh stepped in front of Desman and waved his hand, summoning a purple barrier. Their unified attack fruitlessly ricocheted off the King’s shield, allowing time for Gilgamesh’s ‘useful’ partner to get up. Desman flicked his wrists and two electric blue katanas summoned to his hands.

“Hey! Don’t mimic my shit!” Deadpool remarked before changing targets to the boy who jacked his style.

Erik’s eyes met Gilgamesh’s, forcing him to hesitate for a second. The King did not share this moment and instead drew out one of his golden swords as he charged forward.The harsh winds of the mountain blew off both Erik’s and Gilgamesh’s hoods, leaving them vulnerable to the elements.

Erik’s own steel blades blocked Gilgamesh’s strike. With regret in his voice, he spoke, “I’m sorry my liege. I must do this to prove my capability.” Gil pushed forward, knocking Erik’s sword into the snow before he delivered a swift kick to his gut.

“Prove yourself? Ha!” Gilgamesh scoffed. “I just wish to beat the shit out of your mouthy partner.” From a golden portal came a mysterious vial with a glittering silver liquid swirling around inside of it. “Maybe this will keep you from acting like such a child,” the golden king smirked before nonchalantly tossing the glass container towards Erik.

847 Words according to Google docs.
Used Elixir of Immortality on Erik for 1 round
5/7 SP left

[Erik Vrell]

The vial soared through the air towards Erik, glinting in the low light of the snowy arena. The psychic watched the shimmering substance as it descended towards him, fascinated by the mysterious liquid. The fragile glass smashed against the priest’s parka, the elixir soaking through the thick, musty hide. The liquid seemed to move with purpose, soaking it's way towards Erik’s skin and absorbing into it. The noble was immediately struck with a pleasant feeling, as if his worries had evaporated. However, his cheery mood quickly gave way to a strange sensation.

“What was that?” Erik thought to himself as his stomach dropped and his lungs tightened. He could feel his skin crawling as he began to shrink, and worse yet, could feel his mind regressing. The psychic’s nausea abated after a few seconds, but he would have gladly traded it for what it was replaced by. Looking around the arena, the elixir’s effects were immediately obvious. 

“I'm a child again…” Erik groaned. “How exactly would this make me act less childish?” Refocusing on the fight, the young priest attempted to rush over to his sword, only to be yanked back by his tether. Deadpool glanced over to his partner, narrowly dodging a swing from Gilgamesh, before doing a double take.

“Shit, when's Chris Hanson going to come out and ask me to take a seat?” The merc quipped as he came face to face with his little teammate. Erik looked at him blankly before reaching out with his telekinesis to reclaim his sword. Even with his young mind, Mageslayer fit in his hands with barely reduced familarlarity. The psychic cast his now oversized parka aside as a figure loomed over him, the bitter intent palpable. The boy raised his head to see Desman staring down at him, his face set in a cruel stare. 

“Hey there, ‘pipsqueak’.” The king’s partner said, his mimicked katana raised above his head. Erik glared defiantly at his foe, Mageslayer grasped tightly in his small hands. 

“Don't pres-presu-...” Erik cried impudently, his vocabulary stunted by the elixir. “Don't think I'm weak! I saw you copy my psi wall, heathen! Only priests are allowed to use that!” The little psychic shouted, his face contorted in a mask of rabid anger. The psychic swung Mageslayer to meet the descending katana, the shortsword held like a longsword in the child’s grip. Desman blinked in surprise at the boy’s skill, but his shock didn't last long. The young man dodged around Erik’s maddened swings and planted a foot in the psychic’s side.

“Careful, kid, you could really hurt someone with that.” Desman teased as Erik picked himself up, only to receive a knee to the face. While the redhead’s blows inflicted no physical pain on the boy, each served to stoke the fire that burned in his chest. Desman didn't just manipulate psi without being a priest, but he was mocking Erik’s righteous anger while he was at it! The psychic felt like his rage could burn him up from inside. 

“I’m going to kill you!” The young priest squeaked, only for his high-pitched threat to be met with amused laughter.

“Yeah, whatever you say, buddy.” Desman chuckled as Erik stabbed Mageslayer into the snow. The laughter stopped as the clanking of steel resonated in the air, followed by half a dozen bloody chains erupting from the boy’s back. The chains formed a twisted steel net around their master. The steel lengths were grossly oversized on the psychic’s tiny frame, each coiled tendril was at least thrice as long as he was tall. 

“I’ll teach you respect.” Erik said bitterly as his chains slithered around him, attempting to find an opening. Desman lifted his katana nervously as Erik trudged towards him, the redhead’s eyes darting between the coiling blades. Seeing his chance, the young priest plunged the chains towards his foe. Desman blocked two of the sweeping steel lengths, only for the blade of a third to plunge itself into his thigh. 

The young man let out a cry of pain as the serrated edge ripped itself from his flesh, spraying the snow with blood. Desman staggered backwards, struggling to stand as agony shot up his leg. Erik smirked to himself as his chains returned, preparing himself for another attack. Before the psychic could strike, however, he was yanked back by his tether.

“Hey kid, get ready. We’re going to do Gil’s ‘use your partner as a weapon’ bit, but better.” Deadpool called, swinging the boy like a flail. Desperate not to let the heathen get away with his insults, the psychic sent his cruel chains out to grasp his foe. 

The mercenary whipped his steel-bound partner towards the King, only to find that his weapon had a weapon. Desman was flung towards Gilgamesh as Erik’s chains released him, crashing heavily into the gilded demigod. The psychic landed hard himself, but quickly rose to his feet.

“I'm not done yet, heathen!” Erik cried as his eyes crackled with violet power. A bolt of eldritch energy formed in his grasp before careening towards Desman. “Feel your mind shred apart!” 

850/850 words

Erik used Mageslayer, false emperor's sting, mindbreak on Desman (-1 SP, 4/5 remaining)
Desman used his mimicked katana.

[Desman Black]

A swollen ball of lilac energy catapulted towards Desman, his vision going blurry as it hit, sending him into a sort of temporary coma.

“Finally, a chance to pay back this Vision knock-off for stealing my signature weapons.” The Merc with a mouth tried to rush his partner’s current opponent before being stopped by the gold-haired hunk. Their weapons clashed together with a striking clang that would make Thor jealous. “Come on! What’s the point of copyrighting things if some anime fool can come through and steal them!? That’s like putting Wolverine’s claws - rest his soul - on some spunky ass little girl! If everyone’s doing it then it's not ‘SIG-NA-TURE’, is it?”

As the two locked blades and the competitive spark launched from their eyes, Erik summoned his sacred blades. He then rushed in to do as much damage as he could before the dishonorable imitator could regain his mind. “This will teach you to steal from me!” His hilariously high pitched voice squeaked over the frosty winds as he went in for the first of many attacks.

---

Darkness consumed the mind shared by the infinite personalities, the current dominant one and the one that created this lightless serenity around him.

“Stupid child.Why did you bring me back in here…” The whispered voice was somehow both electronic and gravelly. The robot took the time to look over his shoulder to find the boy laying there motionless. “Good, I don’t need him waking up any time soon. The coward would be utterly useless for what we need to do next.”

“And what exactly would you need him to do?” Asked a clearly female voice from a vaguely feminine shaped light bound between two pillars of shadow.

“You’ll find out soon enough…” The rough voice was intentionally vague. “Now if you excuse me, my other self is starting to rebuild his mind.” He smiled. “If I’m not there he might wake up, and we wouldn’t want that, would we?” With a motion of a popped collar and the feeling of a sly grin, he casually stepped back up to the wheel.

---

Erik was right up in Desman’s face, slashing and stabbing all over with his violet, glowing blades. Each of his movements too erratic for Desman to predict. Instead, the human male bit his tongue and lay there taking each of the stinging blows. He stayed perfectly still, any movement would alert the baby mage to the fact that he was conscious. Not that it really mattered with the brown-haired boy only coming up to his thighs. Now that he thought about it, he could probably kick the little runt a fair distance away if he wanted to.

“Hey, there son.” A dark smirk appeared on Desman’s face as the annoying child looked up to see a hand above his head. They locked eyes briefly. “Catch.”

”One... Two... Three strikes and you’re out!” Deadpool’s commentary could be heard over the electric blue shots as they tear into his partner. The fourth-wall-breaking-wonder’s fun is cut off shortly before he could say much more.

“I will not be ignored by you, Jester. You best keep your eyes on the battle, fool!!” Gilgamesh roared like the proud lion his blonde mane reminded Desman of. A number of gold portals rippled into existence above his head. A moment later a multitude of gorgeous weapons lanced through the air to chase after the costumed clown.

“Aw~! Are you jealous because I have my attention on someone else?” The madman taunted gleefully as he maneuvered through the weapons that rained down on him, narrowly dodging most of them, but taking hits from more than enough due to the slippery terrain. “Sweetheart, you ought to know by now I only have eyes for you~!” He sang as heavenly as possible, the dagger through his foot aiding in the perfect pitch for that high note.

The God-King’s patience have already worn thin and this was but the second round. This man... this jester irritated him beyond relief. Gilgamesh would like to cut out his tongue, or better yet, decapitate the obnoxious fool. “Forget about the child!” He snapped at Desman. “Help me to silence this bubbling lunatic. He grates on my nerves almost more than you do.”

“Your Majesty, you wound my pride!” The charming child faked pity, then launched himself into another torrent of attacks! Or at least attempted it.

The playful tyke’s tackle was stopped by Desman’s hand upon his head. With Desman’s arm straightened out and his palm in the head-pat place, the little boy could do little to fix his predicament. Erik glared up into Des’ eyes, his tendrils starting to unravel to prove how superior he was. Before that could unfold, however, Desman, with the dark toned-voice he developed since the first fight, caught the mage off guard, “Your turn. Boy” Cyan psychic lights came to his otherwise amber colored eyes.

818 according to Google Doc’s word counter.
Mimic'd mindbreak (-1 SP, 4/5 remaining)

[Deadpool]

“Enough!” the chibi Erik retorted.

Just as Desman’s eyes flashed cyan, the mage’s body radiated a bruising purple; the hand placed on his head went through it, splashing a mist of violet energy into the air as it exited from the back of his cranium. Erik drifted to the right, unphased. His body returned to its normal color.

”Well, I guess I won’t have to waste energy saving him this round,” Deadpool quipped.

Punctuating Erik’s counter, the mercenary corkscrewed around, and planted his foot into Desman’s ribs. The redhead curled like a cooked shrimp, retching and cradling his side before collapsing.

Deadpool returned his attention to Gilgamesh, who stood no more than a couple yards away away, disgusted with his partner’s disobedience.

“I told you to focus on the lunatic,” the king said. “Now look at you, you poor fool.” Eight golden portals swirled behind him, shimmering through the gentle cascade of snow; crucifix-shaped hilts of swords protruded from each of them.

”So, Erik, is your king always so self-centered?” Deadpool asked as he unsheathed both katanas.

The boy stood to Deadpool’s right, energetic blades manifesting from his fists. “He’s self-centered, yet generous--compassionate, yet dangerous; even his rivals revere him.”

”Let’s leave the rhymes back in round one.”

The mercenary cocked his swords back and rushed Gilgamesh, snow spitting out from under his boots (glorified white galoshes, with latticework attached to the soles); Erik followed close behind, if for nothing else, to avoid being dragged along. . . like a Desman. When they got close enough to swing, they did. Deadpool slashed left, then right, while Erik slipped under one of his arms to thrust a dagger forward at crotch level. Yet none of their blades could even shear the fur from Gilgamesh’s Inuit parka, or challenge the metallic cup protecting the king’s jewels. A trio of longswords materialized into the form of a triangle, blocking both of their attacks.

Erik gasped, hard and abruptly, right before Gilgamesh backhanded him to the ground like a pestering fly.

”You’re skilled enough to conceal your moves from me?!” the mercenary inquired. His eyes were wider than jar lids.

Gilgamesh grinned with delight. “No mortal man could ever wish to hurt a God-King, like myself” He reached over his shoulder and grabbed the hilt to a sword, pulling it from one of his portals, then swung it at Deadpool.

”My parka!” Deadpool screamed as his right arm separated from his clavicle, blood staining the powdery ground. ”I was gonna try and persuade Karl into letting me keep this outfit!” He dropped to one knee, grimacing; his katana carved a bed for itself in the snow as his left arm fell to his side.

“That’s right, mongrel, kneel before your king, and beg for mercy.” Gilgamesh raised his sword above his head to execute his enemy.

Deadpool looked up, and glared at Gilgamesh. ”I’m not a mongrel, I’m Deadpool.” In one fluid motion, the mercenary bounced to his feet, jumped into the air, and twisted around like a dreidel; while sticking out his right foot, he began butchering the name of his own Hurricane Kick: ”DYSLEXIC FLU KICK!” His foot belted the king’s face four times, each subsequent strike more jarring than the last.

When he landed, he stole a moment to watch a staggering Gilgamesh clench his face with his left hand. Blood poured from his mouth, staining the fur on his zipper trim, and the crisscross pattern on the bottom of Deadpool’s boot faintly showed between his fingers. The portals behind him dissipated to dust, and assimilated into the wind. Same went for the longsword in his right hand.

“My face!” Gilgamesh cried, “you bastard!”

The mercenary chuckled. ”You’re still the same egotistical blonde with a god complex that I vaguely remember from three years ago.”

“Silence!” The king removed his hand from his face, then shot a glance towards his partner, who now slowly returned to his feet. “You, be of some use!”

With a tug on the cord latched to his waist, Gilgamesh launched his partner at the mercenary, but the effort was a failure. Erik had intercepted Desman’s flailing, rag-doll body by shooting a purple ring of energy at him. It collided into the redhead, knocking him on his side; then it ricocheted into Gilgamesh, exploding against his parka, and putting him on his ass.

”Quick, throw me my arm,” Deadpool said to Erik, while gesturing towards the lifeless limb a foot away from him. ”I don’t have enough space left to fully grow a new arm from my chest.”

Erik’s amber eyes paced frantically until he located his partners’ detached arm. It still firmly held the katana in its grip. He snatched it from the earth with both hands, and underhanded it over to the mercenary, who jammed the arm back in place; not even a flinch wrinkled his mask.

WC: 849 (google docs)

Erik uses t1 defensive super, Psi Form, to counter Desman’s t1 offensive (given consent via Discord)
Gilgamesh used Gates of Babylon: Golden Swords (both functions)
Deadpool used t1 power-up (+2/+1/+0/+2 ~ 3/6/3/6) -1SP
Deadpool used Tatsumaki Senpukyaku
Erik used Psi Chakram
Deadpool exhausts 1 SP to partially heal his arm (its reattached and functional, but mobility and range of motion are limited)

Deadpool used 2 total SP this post (2/6)
Erik used 1 SP this post

[Gilgamesh]

The abomination of a mercenary slammed his arm back into place, the limb limply dangled from his torso. “I’ve got something for you, Goldilocks!” the Merc giggled. He attempted to raise his arm but failed to get it erect. “I swear this never happens.” Deadpool glared at his unresponsive arm and flailed it around. “Just give me a minute. I just need to play with it for a sec.” 

All eyes were on him, his flailing body captivating the other contestants. After a few seconds, his arm stood fully erect, able to move again.“Here we go!” he exclaimed confidently. He then outstretched his hand and flipped the King the bird. Tadaaa!” Deadpool had an unmistakable smug grin even though the mask covered his face.

“Tch.” Gilgamesh gave the merc a sour frown, the simple gesture made his blood boil. Suddenly, the King flinched as his chest began to burn. “Not again,” he seethed, grinding his teeth. Resisting the foul presence felt like keeping down bile. Deadpool wasn’t as kind and withdrew his firearms from their pouches. Aiming down his sights and probably saying something ‘clever’ and ‘witty’, he unloaded his weapon’s clips into Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh stumbled on his feet, feeling his mind grow murky. The pain of bullets ripping through his arm brought him back to the real world. Desman was on the ground, sweating icicles in the freezing temperatures. His trembling hands were outstretched, creating a blue psionic wall.

“Is now the best time for daydreaming?” the red-headed mimic shouted. The bullets ricocheted off of the telepathic wall and left small cracks that eventually accumulated into larger ones. Gilgamesh felt the presence within persist, despite his regal and divine right. Taking a deep breath, he decided the best course of action was to keep his mind occupied. From beneath his parka, his skin seemed to glow a radiant crimson and his feet dug into the ground. The click of Deadpool emptying his clips tickled the king’s ears. He bolted toward his opponents.

Desman, who was prone next to Gil, buried his hands into the snow to slow the Golden King’s advancement. “What the hell are you doing?!” he shouted but was drowned out by the howling winds from the mountaintop. The smug grin on Deadpool’s face disappeared when Gil’s shoulder crashed into his chest. As Gil ran, he forced Deadpool’s head into the snow. Desman and Erik, who was now miraculously back to full size, dragged along comically behind. Both of them clutched at the wet snow, trying to halt themselves before they had noticed each other.

Erik glared at Desman before shouting with clenched teeth, “You do nothing but blaspheme, miscreant!” While being pulled through the snow, the psychic brought an arm back, summoning his violet bow to hands. Desman mimicked Erik’s exact motions, materializing the same bow, but of a lightning blue tint. The two rapidly fired while their partners yanked them along like sled dogs.

Deadpool wrapped his hands around Gilgamesh’s face, attempting to stick his fingers in any hole he could find. “Whoops, wrong hole!”
The Golden King could feel his consciousness waning and bit his tongue to retain it. Gil wasn’t paying attention to the mercenary’s fingers pressing into his eyes. All he wanted was the wave of nausea to pass; however, the feeling of freefall came first. Based on instinct, Gil released Deadpool only to have his heart drop to his stomach. The jagged ravine beneath awaiting him wasn’t the most reassuring of sights.

Turning mid-air, the Monarch saw Desman and Erik too preoccupied squabbling with one another to prevent their own tumble from the cliff’s edge. After an initial moment of panic, Erik was quick to respond. Chains ripped themselves free from his torso before embedding themselves into the slope of the mountainside. Erik came to a pleasant halt but caused whiplash for Deadpool. The tether around the merc’s waist tugged violently and would have broken the back of a normal man. Despite the painful and sudden stop, the pair felt a wave of relief.

Desman and Gilgamesh, however, were still plummeting down the mountain. Trying to think quickly, Gilgamesh summoned a golden portal to retrieve one of his treasures. A ruby encrusted necklace fell into his hand. As the necklace made contact with his hand, the King suddenly slowed his descent, weightlessness washing over him. Desman still fell past Gilgamesh, flailing as he went. While the Gilded King wouldn’t ordinarily care, the tether said otherwise.

Gilgamesh grasped at the air as if it would help slow his descent. His mind raced with thoughts before he turned and shouted towards his partner. “Desman! Look out!” The former robot turned his head to see twin spears coming towards him. The spears pierced the mountainside underneath him, creating something to land on. Giving Gilgamesh a nod, his hands clawed into the mountain to slow his descent before coming to a complete stop upon the hilts. Gilgamesh floated down to Desman’s level.“Come, serve your king,” the monarch declared, “together we shall crush them like the insects they are.”

844 words by  google docs
Used T1 Transformation Runes of  Babylon for the round
3/7 SP left
Stats for Refrence
5/2/5/6

[Erik Vrell]

Erik's sighed deeply as he grasped his tether and yanked Deadpool up and over the cliff face. 

“This is some of the shittiest bungee jumping ever, I want my money back!” The mercenary sputtered as he struggled to his feet. The psychic watched his partner steady himself, the noxious inferno raging within him petering out as Desman left his sight. Though Erik hated to admit it, his ability to control his anger was hardly any better than when he was a child. 

‘Calm yourself, fool, your fury just keeps getting you killed.’ Erik thought, silently berating himself. He wasn't able to scold himself long, however, as Gilgamesh soon hovered up from the void with Desman in tow. The heat in Erik’s chest seemed to rise once more as the redhead hauled himself back into view, his upper body decorated by the numerous cuts delivered by the young Erik’s assault.

It was rare for someone to have been mauled to such a degree and still soldier on, and normally Erik would respect someone who could perform such a feat. Even the beast Kenpachi had earned more respect from the psychic through his sheer devotion to battle. Desman, however, filled the priest with the utmost contempt for reasons he couldn't quite place. Perhaps it was his casual thievery of psionic abilities, or the pathetic aura he exuded when not plagiarizing his foes, or his lack of hesitation to attack a child. Or maybe, Erik just wanted someone to distract him from having to fight the King. Whatever it was, he couldn't stand to keep the boy in his sight. 

“Look at my little sociopath, death staring any ginger who pisses him off.” Deadpool said, wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye and sidestepping a blow from Gilgamesh. “They grow up so fast!”

“You, Desman.” the psychic said as he flicked his wrist, calling Mageslayer back to his hand. The priest tried his hardest to control his burning desire to crush the boy, barely managing to maintain a stoic expression. “Come and face me now, coward, see how well you fare.” 

The redhead stared at his foe for a moment before a grin split his face. 

“Are you sure he's fully recovered, Goldie? He still has to strain his neck to make eye contact.” The former robot casually turned to his partner, as if he didn't have an armed psychic attempting to burn a hole into him with their gaze, even as the King battled Deadpool in melee. If Erik had a fire burning within him before, his gut had just become an erupting volcano. 

“You pathetic grub of a human being. Your bones aren’t even fit for feeding ghouls.” The priest snarled as violet power exploded from his furious gaze. Erik felt as though he could be sick at any moment, nauseous heat pervading the core of his very existence. His limbs trembled as he grasped Mageslayer in one hand and summoned a psi blade in the other, his typically suppressed emotions tumbling out like water from a shattered floodgate. 

“You're nothing but filth on the face of this world. A degenerated facsimile of a civilised human, a gods forsaken reprobate who is lower than a witch, and you dare to commit your despicable thievery. You dare to assault a child with a smile on your face and a quip on your lips?!” Erik spat, unable to understand how such an individual could exist. 

“Yeah! What kind of asshole does that?” Deadpool said, faking shock. The priest opened his mouth to snap something back at his partner, but held his tongue. At least the mercenary wasn't plundering the energies of the divine without a care in the world. 

“Did someone buy you a thesaurus for your birthday?” Desman called back, his grin still present on his face. “That would piss me off, too.” 

Erik took a long, shuddering breath as he desperately tried not to tear his own eyes out in frustration. As much as he wanted to go berserk and allow himself to rip Desman limb from limb, he had already let his anger get the better of him too many times since he had been brought to the Omniverse. 

‘It's time to get a grip on your rage.’ Erik thought to himself as he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. ‘This is it. Mature or die. Kill as an adult or be killed as a child.’

The priest swept his foot back as he took up a proper fighting stance His body steadied against the tugging of his tether while Deadpool and Gilgamesh brawled. Erik took a step towards the smirking Desman, his breathing and his steps synchronised. 

“No more comebacks?” The former robot asked, a slightly disappointed expression crossing his face as he summoned his cutlass. “Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.” 

The psychic said nothing, instead opting to quicken his pace as he closed in on his foe. Erik had made his choice. He would live, and Desman would die.

839 words
Erik used Mageslayer, psi blade, T1 power up psi overcharge for 1 round (-2 SP, 1/5 remaining)
Desman used elemental cutlass

[Desman Black]

“What is it with your friends and being so angry,” Desman asked rhetorically, grinding his teeth as he barely dodged a swing.

“Ooh, remind me to use that line later. It sounds like something I would say, just you know, more sarcastically.” Deadpool blabbed to the king while blocking the swords as best he could.

The king however, was having none of it. “Do I have to sew your mouth up myself?!” The question was accompanied with a hit to the rib, another soon following due to the slow reaction of his opponent's another arm.

“Trust me, no one wants that mister. I already look ugly enough being the genetically mutated child of Ryan Reynolds and an Avocado.” On Gilgamesh’s third attempt, the merc with a mouth dodged by front flipping over the golden kings head (probably while also flipping them off) before ramming the side of his foot into the poor man’s face.

The attack hit hard, sending Gilgamesh stumbling into the path of an oncoming Desman, who had presumably been sent flying by an attack from Erik. “Can’t you do anything right?” The high and mighty Babylonian growled at his companion through his teeth.

“I mean, apparently I’m very good for him to bounce jokes off.” The pattern of the dark voice made it hard to figure out whether it was a joke or serious.

“He’s worse than a child in that regard.” Gilgamesh snorted, as they both got up, wiping the snow off themselves.

“If you are reusing material so your friend can mimic your ultra move, that’s where I draw the line.” The crude comic book comedian dashed at the dastardly duo thinking that the metal mimic would thrashingly throw the pre-teen potion as the no-good narrator used way too many amateurish alliterations to overtly overcompensate for his lack of literary legitimacy.

As Gilgamesh’s form went back into a battle stance, his partner placed a hand in front as if to say, ‘let me handle this.’

“Stand aside mongrel, Unless you want to make me angry.”

“Unlike you, I can control my anger.” The red rebel words came back at his partner like a snake bite. “But there’s a secret gil, I’m always angry.”

Within a second the air around them lit up in flames, the eyes of everyone being filled with hues of red and yellow. Gilgamesh was surprised by how little it burned to touch, was this even real fire? It still provided a nice sense of heat being this close to it though.

The fire soon disappeared as quickly as it began, though remnants remained to remind people it had been there. His cutlass has been drenched in the fire, as had a new cape that had appeared, it seemed to be made if similar martial to a towel, as for his clothes however…

“FORGET WHAT A SAID BEFORE, THAT WAS THE LAST DRAW!” Deadpool shouted, seemingly genuinely angry this time. “NOT ONLY DID YOU STEAL MY REFERENCE MAKING GAME, BUT YOU ALSO HAD THE NERVE TO BE NAKED IN A DA BEFORE ME! AHH!!!”

Desman easily dodged the cancerous mercenary, leaving him right open for a counter attack of from the redhead's elemental shots.

“How about instead of you shooting blue balls, I shoot you in your blue balls!” Deadpool quickly upholstered his pistols, firing a barrage of bullets towards the private’s of the man who he wished he could sue for copyright infringement.

Two out of the three had managed to hit the intended target, the third one grazing as Desman went down, before he found a rock to hide behind. “Come out, come out wherever you are.” Deadpool sang, firing his bullets and reloading as he walked slowly closer the insufferable brats hiding place. “If you don’t come out in 3 momma Deadpool’s gonna hafta take serious disciplinary measures. One… Two… Th…”

“AAHHH!!” The Elemental Chains hurt as they were pulled from Desman’s body, his whole being shaking as his torso bled, he knew immediately how powerful these would be under his control as the tentacle-like extensions of his body swayed around in the open air around the rock

“I’ve seen enough hentai to know where this is going.”

…

“FUCK! I just realised I forgot to use that line.”

Word count google docs: 710

[Deadpool]

As the chains jutted out from Desman’s torso, the redhead yowled. There were six of them, composed of a blue energy; sawtooth blades, coated in Desman’s blood, ran down each of their spines, stopping at the shank-like heads.

Gilgamesh watched, motionless as a statue. A mixture of awe and disgust contorted his visage with an agrog frown, like an expecting father observing his spouse’s vagina accomodate for the size of their crowning infant. He finally moved when one of the spiked chains nearly lashed him, parrying the full extent of his four foot cable as the chain whipped past to join its siblings on the other side of the boulder.

The mercenary glowered at Erik. ”What the fuck!?” His voice thundered. ”You can turn  into a knock-off Dr. Octopus, and you didn’t tell me about it?! Think of the fodder!”

Two of the chains burrowed into the ground, exploding snow and small stones into the air, which blanketed the rock concealing Deadpool’s adversaries. They straightened and went taut, lifting Desman into the air, over the rock; Gilgamesh rode his back, one hand resting a large scythe over his shoulders, the other gripping Desman’s cape to stay mounted.

“Now’s not the time to argue,” Erik said. He took the form of an archer, and manifested his purple bow. “Target the chains being used for movement!”

”Fuck that, let’s shoot them in the face,” the mercenary asserted. ”I think my arm is starting to feel better--I can make that shot.”

Desman and Gilgamesh now lumbered towards them on four iron legs, splashing snow everu time a chain sank into the ground. The king perched further up his partner’s back, near his shoulders. He held his scythe with both hands, choking the butt and neck of it. A spiteful grin was plastered across his face.

Erik growled. “Do what you want then.” He took aim, and loosed an arrow.

It struck the front left chain, but had little effect; Erik loosed another.

”I’m gunning for Gilly’s front teeth,” the mercenary said.

He pulled a pistol out with his right hand, and aimed at Gilgamesh’s handsome mug. Simple shot--a shot he could easily make in his sleep, even while dreaming about life as Tony Stark, parading around intoxicated. But not a simple shot with an arm still recovering from complete dismemberment. Deadpool shot three rounds. None hit--two went between Desman’s legs, lodging themselves in the boulder, and the last was so inaccurate it vanished off the summit.

“He missed!” Gilgamesh exclaimed. “Quick, attack him now!”

One of Desman’s two free chains winded back, then hissed as it snapped forward at the mercenary.

It was at that moment Deadpool realized he fucked up.

”Well fuck me, and paint my ass gay-pride rainbow,” he mercenary muttered.

The chain came down hard, smashing into the left side of Deadpool’s neck with the might of a falling tree. The mercenary crashed sideways, into the snow, barely breaking his fall with his right forearm. He gritted his teeth as a sharp pain reverberated up his arm, rattling the tender ligaments not yet fully healed in his shoulder and around his clavicle.

“Wade!” Erik yelled. His bow and arrow dissolved.

He attempted to drag Deadpool closer to him, before the chain could strike again, but when he went to tug on his cable, the other chain--coming from the right side--swung at him; Erik threw out a palm towards the chain, and called upon his psionic powers to generate a barrier. The purple wall flashed in front of him just in time, saving him from a fate similar to Deadpool’s. Blue and violet sparks spat from the point of contact, dancing in the whistling breeze together, as the chain persisted to try and drive through Erik’s defense

Gilgamesh rocketed from Desman’s back, cocking back his scythe as he descended upon Erik. He intended on cutting through the mage’s wall and the mage, in one forceful slash, presumably cutting himself a spot into the next round of Dante’s Abyss as well. His face displayed his confidence; with his eyes burning with desire, and his tongue sticking out, the king levered his scythe into Erik’s barrier. The long, curved blade dug deep into the mage’s defense, slitting the wall halfway.

“I will cut your wall in two!” Gilgamesh roared.

Erik now used both palms to support his technique. “Deadpool! For the damned Gods, get up and help me!” He barked, beaming his eyes towards the mercenary.

Deadpool slowly returned to his feet, cracking his neck, reassuring that it wasn’t broken. He gazed back at his ally, oddly embarrassed--now it was Erik saving his hide.  

The mercenary reached for his waist with his left hand, snatching a furry red toy from his belt. ”Super Serial Furypool time.”

He winced as he gingerly stuck his right index into Furbypool’s rectum , but found mild solace in its eyes glowing a milky blue.

”Hope you three are wearing your brown underwear.”

[Karl Jak]

Face to Face
#03 Gilgamesh & #13 Desman Black vs #12 Erik Vrell & #20 Deadpool

Furbypool left devastation in its wake.

The snow was gone, melted in the towering inferno that surged throughout the domed fight area.

Deadpool let out a groan and rolled off of Erik, who he had graciously shielded from the blast.

“Was it good for you too?”  The mercenary chuckled as he sat up and gave his lame shoulder a smack.  Across the summit, he saw a shuffling mass.  “I think it’s time for the epilogue.”  Deadpool spoke aloud as he pushed up off his haunches and half-dragged a groggy Erik to the far side of the mountain.

Lying next to the broken corpse of Desman Black was a charred, broken Gilgamesh.  The king clenched a fist as he tried to drag himself into a seated position.

Drawing his katana, Deadpool started to whistle as he sized up a nice strike on the side of the monarch’s neck.

“Don’t,” Erik muttered as he pushed the sword aside and knelt next to his beaten king.  “I apologize, my lie—”

BANG!

Gilgamesh’ blood splattered Erik’s face as the round tore a neat hole through the monarch’s face.

“Now that’s a money shot!” Deadpool chuckled as he holstered his sidearm and patted the blood-stained kid on the shoulder. “Good job, kid.”

[spoiler]

Erik Vrell (2.35) & Deadpool (3.5) defeat Gilgamesh (3.3) and Desman Black (2.15)

#13 Desman Black DEAD
#03 Gilgamesh DEAD

Deadpool & Erik Vrell advance to Match J of the Consolation Bracket, where they will face Cell & Ricter.

Desman and Gilgamesh will respawn in the Nexus in 7 days.[/spoiler]