[Quarter Finals] Dave & Kenpachi vs Zedd & Violet

[Karl Jak]

Zedd recognized the landscape.

It was Coruscant.

"The flames don't add that much," the villain scowled as he glanced over his shoulder. "Minions?"

"I wasn't expecting a second shift," the man in the red helmet replied. "Judge Jak, at your services."

"Good," Zedd sneered.

On the far side of the battlefield, Dave and Kenpachi stared at the beast that was Butcher Jak.

"The fresh meat is on the other side of the field," the rhinestone-studded monster spoke as he hoisted his cleaver in the correct direction.

"Good," Kenpachi growled as he clenched his hands into tight fists and started the march into battle.

Word Limit: 900
Posts: 2
Time Limit: 48 hours
Random Elements: On
Damage Meter: Off

Time limit starts at 12 pm CDT on July 15, 2018

“Omniverse: End Times” – You are fighting a post-apocalyptic version of the Omniverse. The Fight Area is a 2 square mile chunk of Coruscant’s Tier 1, although the entire place has long-since been overrun by Diablo and the Underverse itself. The skies are blood red, the machinery and shining metals of Coruscant are rusted and warped. Several of the landmarks are still visible on the skyline, even if they are crumbling or otherwise… befouled by the darkness of the Lord of Terror. In this battle, one side portrays ‘survivors’ of this apocalypse, while the other represent a horde of Diablo’s faithful.

Stipulation: Team A will receive backup in the form of a squad of 10 stormtroopers and 3 space marines, and a Judge (but not the Judge). Team B will receive backup in the form of a squad of 10 Doom Guard, 3 succubi, and the Butcher (all three are Diablo mobs). All these units are considered exactly the same capabilities in terms of ‘gameplay’ so there’s no advantage or disadvantage to each side.

Zedd/Violet are the Coruscant side
Dave/Kenpachi are the Underverse side

[Dave Strider]

The heat from the nearby burning structures radiated heat so strong that the air seemed to blur, gradients of smoke blowing between the pairs of fighters and their temporary allies. Already steps ahead, Dave dashed to close the gap between the two sides, taking no time to plan or give commands.

“What are you all standing around for? Get in formation and fire!” Zedd called out in annoyance towards the squad he and his partner were assigned, the stormtroopers taking cover and beginning to fire.

Kenpachi shook his head, sliding his palm down his face. “Leaving me behind now? The fire inside you burns bright but I can’t let you continue to abandon me in the ashes…”

The shinigami looked back and gave a big wave to his small army. “Just don’t get in our way and you won’t become an example for our enemies.”

Grunts and nods followed as the group moved forward with the shinigami, eager to tear into their opponents as they slinked around the mounds of rubble against the barrage of fire.

Halfway to his opponents, Dave held shelter behind the remnants of a smoldering building, Caledscratch anxiously wavering in his grasp. His teeth clenched, sweat dripping down his brow for more reasons than the simple heat around him. He hardly broke any during his time in the Land of Heat and Clockwork, and it was far more scorched than this with even flowing lava covering the surface. A moment later, a small ball of red energy whipped around the corner of the building and smacked the Knight of Time in the chest sending him into the narrow alley.

“Stop hiding back there you piece of shit!”

A feminine voice screeched from across the arena, Violet commanding her Ki to hit those behind cover. Zedd continued to bark orders.

“No! I said corner them on the right! Useless white armored henchmen! What do you mean I need to use tactical vocabulary? Then relay my intent in an organized fashion, Judge.”

With the squabble over with, the Judge nodded and began directing his men. He sent the three Marines to the front line just in time as a wide volley of magic burst forward from the succubi and blew away two of the troopers cover, and them along with it. The remaining few fell back, bringing their injured with them as the Marines pushed forward. More commands were shouted as the three took aim at one of the succubi. The bolters sent their payload shredding through its wings, the last hit shedding its shoulder as it plummeted from the air into a mound of fire. Screeches filled the air as it attempted to recover.

Kenpachi was taking his time this round, moving up with his guards and demons, his adrenaline filled body anxious to bring his weapon down on some poor soul. He soon caught up to his partner, who had by now recovered from the previous hit he took, a singed circle on his red clothing.

“You alright, kid?”

“Yeah, watch out for the one chick, she can shoot around corners. Fuck, that hurt.”

“How about you let me take the lead on this one, I've been aching to start the slaughter. Those last two guys left me longing for more.”

“Fuck it. Sure.”

Kenpachi nodded and turned back to the battlefield, watching as one of the Doomguard shredded to pieces as it attempted to rush one of the marines.

“Looks like we are gonna need to use these guys to help us get to our enemy. Though I can’t help but want to cleave one of those marines in half.”

“Yeah, let’s make sure we can tear through those guys first, I don’t know about the one dude in the back, but he is probably gonna shit on us too.”

Now acting more as a duo, the two came out of cover and begin making their own commands.

“Hey Cleaver-dude, in front! Flying bitches behind him! Everyone else, try to flank them!”

Kenpachi pushed forward with the powerful demon, helping him try to block both laser fire and the homing shots from Violet. The marines were forced back, shooting at the thick cleaver of the giant demon, leaving large dents in the metal with each round. Kenpachi jumped forward as they came close, quickly heaving his sword over and slamming it against one of the marines, digging deep into the armor with his blade as he slammed him against the wall. One of the two succubi swooped down and tore at the victim’s head, enough to manage to pull off its helm. Horror fell upon the marine’s face as Kenpachi pulled his sword out of the armor and then proceeded to relieve the man’s body of his head. Exhilaration flowed through the shinigami. Damn did that feel good.

From the end of the battlefield, a wide spread of lightning shocked the demons and duo alike, forcing their hearts to skip a beat. In the distance, Zedd roared his threat.

“Fools! You think that small victory will be your triumph, but we shall be your downfall!”

850 words according to gdocs
Two stormtroopers have been injured
A succubi has been shredded
A Doomguard is now in pieces
A Marine has been relieved
RIP 

[Lord Zedd]

For the first time since his arrival in the miserable, backwards reality that robbed him of his true might, Lord Zedd was truly happy. If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought that Karl Jak was finally rewarding him for putting up with the ridiculous trials and tasks of this realm. Unfortunately, he knew it was all about the bottom line of entertaining the masses, but at least he could take a little bit of enjoyment out of it.

Around him Coruscant burned. His tenure as an Imperial gave him no love of the regime, so he basked in the setting. The only thing truly greater than seeing Palpatine’s home crumble was the simple fact that the Stormtroopers here were actually following his orders for once in their miserable lives. It was all a show that would end soon, but Zedd was determined to milk every last bit of pleasure out of this brief fantasy come to life.

His time sharing a head with Vi had given him a taste and appreciation of the Underverse, and now he interested in testing his mettle against some of their infantry. He briefly pondered how Karl Jak had such detailed knowledge of the land below, but cast that thought to the wayside, as well. It was one more thing he would question the entertainer when he made it to the champion’s circle.

“Stand aside, minions!” Zedd suddenly declared.

Zedd stomped forwards, casting a lightning bolt from his staff into the massive Butcher. The creature was stunned for just a moment, then turned its attention to the warlord. Smoke exhaled from his deformed nose as it snorted in anger. It charged Zedd, swinging a huge bone sword above its head.

“…to me, minions!” Zedd quickly ordered as he dove aside, and the weapon crashed down into the cracked city streets beneath him.

The remaining two marines charged in, while Zedd got back to his feet. Again he raised his staff, only to be struck unexpectedly from above. Dave arrived with a flying jump kick, slamming his foot into Zedd’s exposed brain and sending the warlord stumbling away. Zedd recovered and turned to see Dave ready to fight, wielding the Caledscratch. But the Imperial prime merely looked above and beyond the ridiculous opponent that stood before him, not quite recognizing his fighting stance.

“Right here!” Dave beckoned, snapping his fingers to get Zedd’s attention.

“The Underverse has the audacity to throw children at me?” Zedd bellowed, continuing to look for the primes he was supposed to be facing. Violet was supposed to be off handling them, anyway.

Dave tapped his weapon against the ground, finally causing Zedd to look down at him. After pausing for a moment Zedd burst into laughter, something Dave took a small amount of offense to.

“Oh, how terrifying!” Zedd mocked his younger opponent. “Tell me, young one, are you trapped in the throes of puberty? Do your parents suffer through disciplinary problems at your home?”

“What are you talking about?” Dave asked, tilting his head, more confused than insulted.

Zedd’s laughter roared on. “I have plenty of experience handling teenagers with attitude!”

Dave decided he’d had enough, and charged at the bellowing prime. Zedd wasn’t quite ready, still wrapped up in his mirth about how everything was playing out, so he got a quick reality check when the elaborate sword was suddenly drilled into his abdomen. Blood caught in his throat and he gagged mid laugh, pausing for a moment of reflection as Dave twisted the blade. Oh yea, this was why he hated this land.

Zedd flailed with his staff, catching the side of Dave’s face with the massive Z at the top. The younger prime was knocked aside, ripped his weapon from Zedd as he was launched. He only needed to preform a simple backflip to land on his feet, sliding back with perfect grace. As Zedd approached him, Dave gave him a small, confident smile. Zedd’s low opinion of this boy was continuing to drop.

Blood curdling screams caught Zedd’s attention, though, and the prime turned to see another ridiculously out of place person was beginning to hack through his stormtroopers. This would not do at all. Zedd cast a quick lightning bolt at Dave, which the young man gracefully dodged. It was enough to distract him, as Zedd charged an Kenpachi with all the speed his ancient body could still muster.

As Kenpachi’s sword descended, it suddenly clanged against Zedd’s metallic staff. The warrior looked into Zedd’s unforgivingly rigid face mask and heard a low laugh as he quickly processed this foe’s sudden arrival. Zedd loved a good entrance, so he embraced it.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to deal with-”

Kenpachi slammed his elbow into Zedd’s face, knocking him back with a yelp. Still, he recognized the truth of the words Zedd had managed to get out. This fight took precedence. Zedd readied his own weapon as he regained his footing, ready to gut this infidel just the same as the ones before.

Even this wonderful vision of the future was taxing his patience.

849 words, per Scrivener

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

In spite of the blistering heat and sulfurous fumes billowing from the post-apocalyptic wreckage of what remained of the Empire’s gem, Kenpachi could do nothing but beam. Around him, his legion of infernal underlings cried out in fiendish glee, rampaging across a hellscape of their own design to clash with what remained of Palpatine’s faithful. Though Zaraki typically found himself among the stalwart ‘good-guys’ of his world’s approximation of Heaven, as commander of a menacing cadre of bloodthirsty brutes, he was never more at home. As his zanpakuto met his opponent’s staff with a raucous clang, he allowed a deep belly laugh to escape his lips. “This is fantastic!”

Though the visored kaiser opposing him appeared to bear a permanent grin himself, the indignation in his gravelly tone was unmistakable. “Why do you jeer at me, you brutish imbecile?” As if to underline the authority behind his inquiry, Zedd leapt forward, rearing back to bear the sharpened end of his chrome pike. “I’ll wipe that disgusting simper off of your face!”

The Death God’s blade was raised in an instant, the grating rasp of metal-on-metal ringing clear through the battle’s din as Zedd’s polearm forced past the samurai's parry and found its mark in the robed ronin’s shoulder. With a sneer, the flayed emperor tightened his chrome-clad digits around the staff’s girth, twisting powerfully as he drove still forward. The vindictive light behind his visor soon faded as he felt resistance, a beat later cursing loudly as Kenpachi’s nodachi tore a path across his armored chest.

“I’m laughing because it’s funny,” Kenpachi replied, seemingly oblivious to the weeping stab wound he had so recently incurred. “A guy like me is usually fighting with guys like them,” he paused to point his sword toward the group of marines charging toward his cloven-hooved comrades. “And you look more like a demon than some of the guys on my side. Whoever is running this sure does have sense of humor.”

“Silence!” Zedd snapped, raising his staff. He turned his skull-less head to glance over his shoulder before gesticulating toward his foe. “Minions, fire!”

From the royal Prime’s wake came a salvo of gunfire, laser blasts intermingling with bolter rounds as those not currently being hassled by Diablo’s spawn let loose on their leader’s command. As if solely to spite the armored monarch, Kenpachi lunged through the motley bombardment, throwing a ferocious haymaker into Zedd’s skinless abdomen with his free hand. Zedd had little time to curse the swordsman’s gaul before a sandalled foot quickly followed after, slamming into his menacing countenance.

“I’m really liking this place,” the robed Captain commented as the cannonade of ammunition continued, his voice barely audible over the sounds of gunfire. “After these last few fights I think I’m pretty warmed up.”

“Cease!” Zedd boomed, the gunshots dying down at the alien dictator’s command. Grinding his metaphorical teeth, Zedd raised his staff, the stylized ‘Z’ gleaming in the flickering pyre light for an instant before unleashing a bolt of superheated plasma toward his towering foe. “Now burn, fool!”

Pain danced across Kenpachi’s chest as the electrical assault discharged through his body and into the rusty flooring of what was once Tier-1. The impact was followed swiftly by an explosion, though he couldn’t know whether this was produced by the impact or whatever volatile gasses wafted around him. Either way, it mattered little to Kenpachi. Staticky strands of his unkempt black mane stood on end as he brought a hand to his face. “Lightning...” he considered, before wrapping his fingers around his eyepatch and pulling it free with an effortless tug. As his other eye finally saw firelight, a halo of radiant, golden energy began to rise from the surface of his skin. The eyepatch slowly dropped to the ground as a toothy grin split Zaraki’s visage.

A single word. “Thunder.”

All at once Kenpachi exploded forward, closing the distance between the two combatants in an instant. Zedd faltered backward as the shinigami neared, finding himself a bit too slow to avoid what felt like the impact of a raging bull as he found himself on the receiving end of a dropkick that sent him careening into the dilapidated remains on an overturned hoverbus. For all of the shaggy samurai’s might, though, Zedd’s pride seemed to be the only part of him sustaining any real damage as he angrily wrenched his muscular frame from the twisted auto’s grip. Despite a lack of actual skin, rage itself seemed to be enough to assuage his pain.

“That eyepatch seals my power,” Kenpachi hollered, walking slowly toward his now-recovered opponent. “Seems only right that I start this fight off at full stre-”

The Death God failed to utter the last few words of his taunt, his attention instead drawn by a powerful scattergun blast to the chest, courtesy of a Judge Jak driveby. Lips twisting in annoyance, Kenpachi’s ire quickly vanished as he spied an alarming sight some distance behind the enforcer. Dave Strider lie on his knees at Violet’s feet, his back toward them, wisps of ebon spoke ensnaring his neck. The boy’s blade was nowhere in sight.

A beat.

He hadn’t time to think. “Hey, kid!” Kenpachi bellowed, quickly tossing his sword up before snatching it again by the blade, wrenching his arm back and hurling his zanpakuto toward the pair like a javelin. “Duck!”

900/900 words, via Google Docs.
Kenpachi sworded, Zedd staffed and then threw a lightning bolt.
Zedd is (predictably) annoyed, Ken is having a grand old time.
Eyepatch removal is mostly fodder, it just means he’ll be fighting without holding back.

[Violet]

Fingertips brushed softly across the mark near her collarbone, the mark Diablo himself left. It burned, reminding her that despite her protests, the Dark One still owned her. The world around her was His work, every inch touched by his presence. She was simply another pawn on his chessboard, to be moved by his deft fingers towards the goal.
 
The pain she felt was projected from her body in dark rivulets of power, entwining around the smaller man’s neck. Threads of energy snaked around those coils, biting into his flesh. The compulsion to hurt, kill, to maim overwhelmed her. Her tongue flicked out, just the tip, to run along her plumped lips as a hunger not unfamiliar to her seemed to take over. She knew that hunger well.
 
Perhaps it was the close proximity of the demons that amplified the hunger, or perhaps it was just there all along, but it was there, this bloodlust. Almost as necessary for her to function as food, water, or even intimacy, it was a part of her that needed to be sated once it manifested.
 
“Little one,” she whispered. “Look at me.”
 
He fought, bless his heart. Strider kept his eyes tightly shut, his lips taut as they struggled to keep from crying out. The dark glasses he wore hid half his face, but they couldn’t conceal everything. He was in pain, but he squashed it down admirably. She shocked him again.
 
“Look at me!”
 
“Duck!”

Violet’s gaze jerked from the boy to the other opponent, the raven-haired man Zedd had been toying with. Suddenly, a whoosh of metal flew towards her, enough of a distraction for her to break her hold on the boy, and not enough time for her to dodge out of the way. Strider took that fraction of a second to roll out of her hold, an arm shooting out and grabbing the weapon as it zipped towards her. His fist clenched around its handle as he moved to his feet.
 
“Is this what you wanted?” He jeered, eyes locking onto hers as he smirked.
 
“Not what I planned, but definitely what I wanted,” she replied, circling him. “I want you to look at me while I beat the fucking life out of you.”
 
“I want to see you try!” he launched himself forward, his sword slicing the air in front of her. Violet fell backward just as the blade sung right by her face, the wind left in its wake caressed the wispy hairs hanging across her cheek.
 
The pair fought viciously, Strider with his blade, Uzumaki with her ki and wits. He managed to pin her to the floor, knees positioned on either side of her ribcage. She bucked beneath him, trying – and failing – to throw him off. The control she fought so hard to gain was lost as quickly as it had come.
 
The sky above her was redder than the blood sploshed across both of their faces, plunging her mind into a place she swore she’d never revisit again. Crying out, Violet thrashed harder. The demons were closing in, they had caught her scent. They were taking her back.
 
“No, no no!” she whimpered, feeling their energies collecting around her. There would be no escape this time. They had her. She’d forgotten all about Strider and saw only their bleak faces staring back at her with those soulless, empty eyes. Hands colder than anything she’d ever felt slid slowly up her legs, inching towards her belly, her heart…the mark on her chest. She cried out.
 
Dave, completely befuddled, backed away.
 
Violet squirmed on the ruddy cemented floor, her eyes shut tight against everything, terrified. They were here to take her back! “You won’t have me! I’ll die before going back there!”
 
“The fuck?” Dave took a few steps back, chancing a glance towards his partner, who was fully engaged with the metal and muscle warrior. Shrugging, he turned his attention back to Violet, who was suddenly frozen, her own icy gaze staring blankly towards the sky.
 
Her chest was tight as she took in deep, hearty breaths. All around her was chaos and blood and so much death. The icy fingers that crept ever upwards clenched tight around her throat, a face finally coming into view. She screamed.
 
One moment, she was staring into the visage of something most definitely not human, the next, was Zedd, her partner, ever so reminding her of the present. This wasn’t real.
 
“Remember when I said to tone down the crazy?” He grabbed the front of her shirt and hoisted her to her feet. “Do that.”
 
Violet couldn’t speak, still too traumatized from the vision. Zedd gave her a little shake and pointed towards Strider. “That’s your focus right now.” Nodding, Violet tried to recenter herself. The demons were still there, a little less of them now, and weren’t attacking her. They were busy with Zedd and Vi’s own miniature army of white-clad troops.
 
“Oh, yeah, forgot about those guys,” she smiled sheepishly up at Zedd.
 
“Dimwit,” he muttered, and sauntered off towards his own prey.
 
“Dimwit,” she mocked, huffing.
 
Dave’s face tilted slightly, still confused. “Uh, are you alright?”
 
“Peachy keen, jelly bean.”
 
Dave rolled his eyes and wasted no time pressing his attack. Violet struggled to keep up, but there was only so much she could do with her hands and what was left of her sanity.

Wordcount: 900 on the dot.

Violet is having a difficult time separating reality from her past experience in Hell. She may be a bit unstable.

[Dave Strider]

Dave’s knuckles shone a pale white as he gripped the foreign blade, even more so than usual. Though he had held a many shitty katanas in his adolescence, this weapon was far from his style. It felt like something his bro might use out of irony. For some odd reason, this comforted him. Even amongst the constant rooftop battles and ass puppets, he couldn’t help but love his brother.

The Knight of Time held the sword up and glanced to his own blade embedded in the mound of mud in the distance to his left. A deep breath from his lungs helped him calm his nerves. This wasn’t him. None of this.

With a focused heave, Strider tossed the sword back to his teammate.

“Thanks, but I think I got this now.”

Even with this knowledge, he couldn’t bring himself back. Is this what rose went through back on LOLAR? This feeling of emptiness? Earlier, when the snarky chick began to freak out and yell about going back, it caught him off guard, but now he felt nothing. He didn’t care what she went through. He needed to prove himself here, prove that he wasn’t some kid to push around. He was in control of his life.

A quick flick of his wrist summoned a timetable and began to speed up the time around him, bending it to his will. There was no need to let everything go to his head. He needed to focus.

Violet had already moved into a position to cut him off from his sword, being very cautious as she did so. Although her partner had prevented her from falling into her personal sinkhole, it was obvious Dave was still going down his.

The blonde hairs on his head had become starch white, his neck and arms beginning to show a sickly gray and become surrounded in dark wisps. Whatever this kid was doing, it wasn’t good. At least he was unarmed, so she wouldn't have to worry too much unless he had something up his sleeve.

A burst of movement allowed Strider to weave through the piles of rubble like a blur, causing Violet to frantically search for him. Her blue eyes scanned the fires, trying to keep up with him. Small ki balls were tossed out but were not enough to catch him in time.

The kick came swiftly to her chest, a spin in his stride allowing him to twist it into her while another quick kick made contact with the side of her face, sending her falling to the floor.

“If you couldn’t handle this shit, then maybe you should have stayed in whatever hell you came from.”

Violet groaned as she stood up coughing while Strider homed in on Caledscratch.

“Shut the hell up, kid.”

The words came out as a hoarse whisper, but the words that followed held more value.

“KAMEHAMEHA!”

A beam of swirling blue and red energy flew across the battlefield, nicking one of the Doomguard before making its way to Dave. His fingers had barely graced the handle of his sword before the energy drilled into his back, the force slamming him into a crumbling wall.

The teen grumbled as he recovered, his body aching from his injuries. Damn did all the people he fought hurt. In the crash, his glasses again seemed to be damaged. Of course, why the fuck not. Strider took a moment to take them off, looking at them for a moment.

Fuck it. He didn’t need them. The glow of his red eyes reflected back at him before he tossed the shades into a nearby fire.

His moment was cut short by a few blasts of ki next to him, his reflexing leading him to dive behind cover. Violet began to assault him from afar, peppering him with shots. The teen took his chances and rushed to his blade, swiping it up from the mud pile as he blitzed to the rather pissed off looking woman.

More shots came his way, most being blocked by his sword, though one managed to clip his shoulder, searing into his flesh and leaving a stinging pain. Dave attempted to again follow up with the slice and dice, though Violet was quick to dodge, barely managing to avoid being hit. The kid was much faster than her now, and she needed to keep him off of her.

“That’s one way to let your angst loose, kid.”

“Shut the fuck up, I could cut myself on your edge.”

“You look like you do that yourself already, punk.”

Dave stopped mid swing and cocked his head.

“You want to fucking go?”

Violet chuckled at the kid’s reaction, seemed like he was getting stirred up.

“I would, but I don’t think you meet the height requirement.”

Strider couldn’t help but smirk, his faceless expression finally broken for a moment.

“Then how about we play on my playground then.”

The Knight of Time’s arms reached to the side and stroked his turntables before suddenly reaching out and pulling a mic out of thin air.

“Let’s get this shit started then.”

850 words according to google docs

Dave used A Change of Pace for the whole round : 2 SP used

Stats: 5/2/5/3

Dave used Sick Rhymes on Violet, prepare to feel this nasty burns that will make the arena feel like a fridge. 1 SP used

0/3 sp remaining

[Lord Zedd]

Zedd rose to his feet once more after another strike that could have killed a weaker warrior. Truly, this sword wielding foe was a worthy adversary, even if he was a complete mystery to Zedd and his months of researching the finer details on the Omniverse. That was the beauty of this competition, it presented an opportunity to learn all sorts of unknown fighters that would foolishly push themselves into the spotlight. Sure, he was doing the same, but it was with glorious purpose. All would know and fear the name Lord Zedd by the end of this debacle. All he had to do was get past this opponent and his entourage. The man was an impressive warrior, and Zedd felt a bit of respect within his blackened heart.

He didn’t have to be so aggravating, though.

“Stop smiling this instant,” Zedd demanded of Kenpachi.

“I can’t help it,” Kenpachi laughed as he spun his sword gleefully. “This is too much fun.”

“Evidently I have not hit you hard enough,” Zedd growled, insulted by the man’s lackadaisical approach to the battle.

Kenpachi’s grin widened as his opponent made the taunts too simple. “No, you haven’t.”

A roar of fury preempted Zedd unleashing another lightning bolt at Kenpachi, who was more than prepared for the sudden attack. He ducked beneath it and rushed towards Lord Zedd, stabbing at him with his deadly blade. Zedd brought his own staff down fast enough to parry the blow, forcing Kenpachi’s sword to the ground. The bloodthirsty prime drove the weapon right back to Zedd’s chest, and the fallen warlord had already begun to swing the bladed end of his own staff at the same time. The two primes impaled each other with their weapons, but neither faltered from the wounds that would have killed lesser men.

“This is ridiculous!” Zedd bellowed, clutching his staff tightly while showing no signs of pain. “We could be doing this forever.”

“I certainly hope so!” Kenpachi chimed in, with another sly smile. “You don’t seem too thrilled about it, though.”

“Impudent fool, I am irate!” Zedd decreed the obvious as he ripped his weapon from Kenpachi’s chest.

Zedd raised a steel covered foot and delivered a powerful kick to his foe’s chest, hurling Kenpachi into the crowd of enemies that had deteriorated into more of a brawl than a firefight. To his great displeasure, he could still hear the man laughing as he joined the fray. Zedd paused to try and collect his composure when he noticed Violet hit the ground from a violent throw a few meters from him. He watched as his ally, with her deteriorating mental state, rose to her feet. Then again, he had observed the youngest of their foes resorting to some odd part of youth culture that was completely incompatible with combat as his defense. Perhaps Violet wasn’t the only one losing sanity. Either way, they had to bring this group together.

“You! Insane girl!” Zedd ordered, to get his partner’s attention and hopefully issue some proper orders.

“Insane woman,” Violet corrected him as she stood up.

Silence fell between the two as their arena was anything but. They stared hatefully and silently at each other, utilizing their valuable time to express their overwhelming contempt for one another. Neither felt that it was time wasted. Zedd finally shook his head and marched into the larger melee. Never mind. Violet could do as she pleased.

A member of the Doom Guard and an Imperial stormtrooper had lost their weapons in the battle, and with no other alternative had resulted to trying to strangle each other to death. Zedd approached the duel of inferiors, but paid them no mind. He could see Kenpachi on the other side, waiting intently on the foe he was enjoying so much. Zedd pried the two peons apart and shoved them in either direction, never taking his hidden eyes off the prize before him. This infidel would be silenced.

Zedd and Kenpachi’s weapons clashed against each other several more times amid the chaos and destruction of the hypothetical Coruscant. Zedd loathed to admit that he felt matched not by the demented physics of the ridiculous reality he was a prisoner of, but of a legitimately skilled warrior in his own right. Not many of those escaped his purge of the world before. He wouldn’t allow the man before him to escape the new cleansing.

The two combatants broke away and stuck combat stances, just as one of Violet’s stray Ki blasts connected with an inappropriately explosive object beside them. The resulting explosion wasn’t enough to draw their attention, but one of the stormtroopers couldn’t resist raising his phone and snatching a picture of the two primes before the wall of fire. As the flames warmed the area, both of them merely watched each other for the next available opening in their stance.

Once his thin patience evaporated, Zedd charged Kenpachi. The swordfighter approached as well, and the two ancient beings struck each other a single time as they passed each other. Zedd, however, fired a lightning bolt backwards from his staff, hitting Kenpachi in the back and finally earning a small victory in this infernal contest. He looked forward to see the war raging on, and basked briefly in the embrace of the chaos before him. It was all the encouragement he needed to turn and continue his battle.

900 words exactly, per Scrivener.

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

Kenpachi crumpled involuntarily, falling to his knees as Zedd’s bolt raced down his spine, overloading his faculties. The Death God’s head hung heavily for a pregnant moment as his breathing began to slow, a curtain of scraggly,  ebon hair obscuring his face. The galactic warlord saw his opportunity and seized upon it, racing forward on legs of chrome and sinew to bring down hard the serrated rune atop his staff and carve a crimson valley down the back of the incapacitated ronin. With a victorious cackle, Zedd wasted no time in raising the pike once more to expertly spin it overhead and unleash a storm of pain, alternating between bashing Kenpachi about the head and tearing still more vicious slashes into what remained of his robes.

“Finally, you have realized your folly in opposing me,” Zedd announced with satisfaction as he finally paused his assault to gloat. “Rest assured that it was my absolute pleasure!” As if to punctuate this final verbal jab, the skinless sovereign planted his foot firmly in the center of Zaraki’s wide back before booting him forward with enough force to send the swordsman tumbling through the Imperial wreckage like a discarded can of Palpatine Pop. “Minions, bring me the next one!”

“We're not done here,” Zaraki’s gravelly voice met Zedd’s non-existent ears with all of the pleasantness of nails on a chalkboard. The visored Kaiser’s ire boiled over as he watched the shinigami captain climb slowly to his feet. His once pure white haori was now more red than anything, shredded and barely recognizable as a garment, the robes beneath having not fared much better. “I’m having fun.”

“You enjoy being eviscerated by the soon-to-be emperor of these lands?”

“Yes,” Kenpachi replied, not missing a beat. “Or rather,” he continued, an impish grin crossing his mug as he finally turned to face his enraged opponent once more. “I enjoy watching you try,”

“Fine,” Zedd roared indignantly, brandishing his polearm with finality. “You are clearly putting on some idiotic act of bravado for our audience after suffering a thrashing at my hands. I will do you the mercy of finishing this quickly.”

Kenpachi freed himself of the tatters of his uniform and tossed them aside as Zedd harangued, exposing his already scarred chest, now littered with still more injuries to join the count. “Oh, please don't offer me any mercy; that's no fun at all. Besides, I'm far from my limits. I just needed a second to think is all.”

Zedd raised his Z-staff high as his bare-chested opponent continued to oppose him. “I have no doubt that an imbecile like yourself would need time to figure out how you could ever hope to defeat me.” Once more he unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity from the staff’s head, landing a direct hit to Kenpachi's mocking face.

“Heh, maybe,” the captain replied, standing unfazed despite the galactic emperor's voltaic strike. “We’ll see I guess. I was actually thinking more about my little buddy over there. He’s changed a lot since our first battle. He's really cutting loose now, it's getting my blood pumping to see him thrash your comrade.”

“Will you just shut your insolent trap and surrender to death at my hand?!” Kenpachi couldn’t tell if he had struck a nerve or if Zedd was constantly in some state of rage, but had to admit he was finding some satisfaction in seeing the ruler seethe. “I did not come here to have a dialogue with you!”

“Then shut me up.” Incidentally, he hadn't much else to say.

“Retrieve your blade so that I can fell you where you stand,” Zedd sneered, gesturing to the ronin’s misplaced sword. The nodachi lie among the rubble a few meters away, not far from where Butcher Jak and Judge Jak had found themselves trading blows atop the remains of a toppled building.

“Nah.”

At once the two brawlers charged forward, closing the distance before any other words could be exchanged. The armored emperor brought his staff to bear as he neared, driving the spiked end forward like a lance. To his chagrin he found it striking empty air as Kenpachi lunged into an uncharacteristic dodge, keeping his momentum going as he threw his arms wide and grabbed hold of his irate opponent around the neck. As his python-like arm coiled around Zedd’s throat he flexed his powerful legs against the rusting metal flooring, propelling the two skyward. The samurai held fast to his quarry as the warlord thrashed, twisting his body mid-fall to position Zedd beneath him. The chrome king felt a spray of blood and spittle escape his mask’s mouthpiece as he found himself clamped between Zaraki’s knee and Tier-1's flooring with a wet crack.

Whether by natural strength or by another outburst of unbridled fury, it was not long before the galactic tyrant freed himself from the grapple. Like a wounded bull, he bucked forcefully against the scruffy ronin’s weight, tossing his rider and wasting no time in attempting to gore him once more. Zaraki could only smile as he raised his fists to offer reply to Zedd’s constant fury, ignoring the jolts of pain down his wrists as his blows found purchase against the warlord’s faceplate.

“Just die, you infuriating simpleton!” Once more the ‘Z’ rose overhead, unleashing a bolt of brilliant electricity.

“Wouldn’t dream of it!”

900 on the nose.

[Violet]

The fight was devolving into absolute madness around her. Stormtroopers and demons brawled amongst each other while Zedd and Kenpachi were locked in mortal combat just a few meters away. The kid she’d been assigned was almost comically insane. Were those…turntables?
 
“Excuse me, what the fuck are you doing?”
 
Dave took his mic in hand and smirked. “Think you can stop me?” he spun a catchy little beat from his machine. “Let’s turn this all the way up.” A few twinges of his fingers and some dope rhymes later, several copies of the Mad Rapper poofed into existence.
 
Violet’s brow quirked. She’s supposed to take this kid seriously. Just because he’s being ridiculous doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous.  “Alright. Witty banter is on point, I guess.”
 
“You’re about to go down, best not to clown!”
 
Violet rolled her eyes. “You’re going to try and…what, sic these guys on me?”
 
Dave nodded, and with a few skillful strokes of his table, one of the clones branched off and sped towards her, a fist cocking back. Violet barely moved away in time as the apparition and his fist flew by. In that instant, Violet’s leg shot out and mule kicked Clone #1 in the upper thigh, shattering its leg. It crumpled to the ground with a howl of agony, but Violet didn’t give a shit. Pivoting on the other foot, Violet brought her leg around and down on the thing’s head, satisfied at the crunch of skull and softer bits. It disappeared with a poof of smoke.
 
“If only you were as squishy as these fuckers, this fight would have been over long ago,” Violet sneered.
 
“Can’t take a G like me down with such whack ass moves,” he replied. One by one, the kid sent his goons, and one by one, she knocked them down.  
 
“All outta bitches,” Violet rounded him, arms out at her sides and filling with a glowing red energy. “What else you got?”
 
Dave looked around him, noticing the minions that fought around them. They were heavily unutilized, but not for long. With a snap of his fingers, the remaining demons came to him. That was fine, she thought, two could play at this particular game.
 
“Troopers, to me!”
 
The smattering of white armor clad fighters surrounded them. Although it was taking a lot of power to quell the anxiety of being around the Underverse denizens, Violet couldn’t afford to show weakness, regardless of how silly her partner was.
 
Dave dropped the mic he was holding, which vanished with a soundless puff of smoke. The demons charged forward, and Violet commanded her men to attack. Taking point, Violet began tearing through the demonic entities, one by one, while her troops blasted and parried away. Dave stood back, lost in a sea of bloodied faces, his face almost beatific as he watched his soldiers tearing hers to bits. Only a few remained on each side, with one particularly brutish demon absolutely demolishing her men.
 
Dave’s laughter lifted over the grunts and cries of the fighting armies. “This isn’t working out too well for you, is it?”
 
Rage filled her then, filling her completely with a burning heat. The mark on her collar pulsed, and she had an idea. “Fight isn’t over yet, kid!”
 
With a sudden burst of confidence, Violet stalked over to the brutish demon that was happily tearing away at the remaining troops. “You!” It looked towards her, eyes glowing a crimson red through the sheet of blood that covered the front of its body. “Yes, you.” She pulled the top of her shirt down, revealing the glowing mark on her body, the mark of Diablo himself. “You see this?” A curious look crossed its visage as he nodded gently. “You know who this belongs to, don’t you?”
 
“What of it?” Dave inched closer, his expression more curious than anything.
 
Violet reached up and patted the demon’s bloodsoaked cheek. “You know, don’t you, big boy?” It nodded.
 
“What’s happening right now?”
 
She turned her face towards Dave, lips curling in a wicked smile. “One thing the military and being in Hell has taught me is that there are always ways to take advantage of a situation, you just have to find it.” Turning back towards the hulking brute, Violet leaned up on her tiptoes and whispered something into its ear. A deep, rumbling growl bubbled up within its throat in response as one clawed hand clasped onto her shoulder.
 
The air around them began to stir, becoming warmer as sparks of electricity wove through the increasingly tempestuous winds. They began to glow, light seeping out from the myriad of wounds that pocked their bodies. Violet reached up, framing the brute’s face with her hands as her lips moved with words even she herself couldn’t understand. The feeling of darkness and just pure malevolence welled within her as the incantation continued. His energy pulled at hers, mixing, mingling until their flesh began to meld. Their bodies disappeared in a cocoon of bright light, and Violet just kept chanting.
 
When the light finally died away, she stood, alone, but changed. Red, pupilless eyes turned towards Dave, who stood awestruck at what he just witnessed. Apparently, it was enough for even Zedd and Kenpachi to take notice and look their way. The game had changed, but none of them knew just how much, nor for who’s favor.

Wordcount: 898

[Karl Jak]

Face to Face
#26 Dave Strider & #42 Kenpachi vs #06 Lord Zedd & #38 Violet

The battle was ravaged and stained in gore and viscera.

From the Syntech booth, the previous Judge Jak and Butcher Jak cringed at the violence and were glad the union prevented them from working two shifts.

In the end, the battle came down to the primes (what battle doesn’t?), who clashed atop the ruins of a collapsed monument. The youngest-looking combatant swung, hoping to catch the demon-addled woman unaware. A bolt from a staff caught him and sent him crashing viciously through the twisted debris pile.

Seeing that Dave wasn’t going to victoriously arise from the smoldering hole, Kenpachi turned to face both of his foes and grinned. He charged. A knife cut his side, but his follow-up shattered Violet’s cheek. A second blow busted open her nose, but as the Death God pulled back for another, a staff smashed down onto the crown of his head.

Vision muddled, Kenpachi still managed to land a clubbing blow to the woman’s sternum before a second staff blow ushered him into the darkness.

[spoiler]
Zedd (3.6) & Violet (2.95) defeat Dave (2.9) and Kenpachi (3.5)

<Again, this doesn’t do full justice to what was an excellent fight scene. The four of you are welcome to collab on your own ending at some point but this is all I can really muster at the moment without cramping or agitating my hand>

Dave and Kenpachi will face Jak Mar and Friend in Match K of the Consolation Bracket.[/spoiler]