TEAM ALPHA WOLF SQUADRON VS. CHAOS & ORDER
PREPARATION TIME:
Well, what can I say? We’ve got quite a team here. Two villains, three heroes. Fortunately, both villains are also geniuses. Although Fernus would find working alongside the good guys despicable, he’s not insane: he’ll work with his team to defeat the opposing team, especially when he learns that he gets to face a Green Lantern. And in case you’re wondering, he’d be smart enough to know Quasar isn’t a GL, and thus not a part of his grudge.
Now, Kang too, has no real problems working alongside people that he would normally consider adversaries. This tournament is perfectly suited to his personality. Honour and victory are the most important things to him. On the good guy side, both Quasar and Black Panther have experience in working with their foes towards a common goal, so this shouldn’t be too hard for them either. Animal Man has worked alongside Quasar and BP before, so he’ll fall in line. So yes, this team might not work together perfectly, but they’ll work together nonetheless.
None of the Squadders might recognize the location, but they’re all fairly familiar with gladiatorial combat. The nature of the field, as the team would recognize, is pretty much going to lead to quick direct combat. Sneaking around and subterfuge won’t do very well in this setting. Real teamwork will only come into play when the team members’ respective opponents are defeated.
Let’s move onto the opposing team. Fernus is going to want to face Green Lantern. Fernus’ eagerness in that would make most of the team uncomfortable, but tactically it is also the best choice, as Kang would point out. Sending the telepathy-immune Quasar against Exodus is the soundest decision in this. Kang will naturally take on Vision, Animal Man fights the Scarlet Spider, leaving Proctor to the Black Panther.
BATTLE TIME:
Like I already said, this should be a pretty straight forward battle. There’s no real tactical advantage in the location, but I’d say my team starts off a little better strategically. Kang and the Panther should have just about every contingency mapped out.
So what happens?
Fernus is going to go for Green Lantern right off the bat, and he’s not going to do it gently. Rayner might be telepathically shielded for a bit by his ring and Exodus, but that still leaves a whole batch of powers in Fernus’ arsenal. Mix invisibility with phasing, add a little superspeed, and Fernus is on Green Lantern in seconds. If GL wants to survive that, he’s going to have to pull out all the stops.
While Exodus might try to aid Rayner initially, he’ll quickly have his hands full with Quasar. To Exodus’ surprise, unlike GL’s, Quasar’s shields do provide full telepathic protection. Exodus is going to have to fight this battle on with just his other, although still potent, powers. Like GL though, he’s going to have his hands full with Quasar, so stepping out to help anyone else is out of the question.
The Vision and Kang might be inclined more to stealth and subterfuge, but they’ll go for one another as well. Both are unable to avoid each other sensors, and would eventually end up in combat. Kang’s a little hindered by the lack of technology in the location, but he’s still got enough stuff on him to make this a worthwhile battle. Of course, Vision’s technology is all internalized, and it’s going to have to work at 200% in this fight.
Animal Man and Scarlet Spider will be more hesitant in going for each other. Most of the others are either hotheads or evil, so they’re more naturally inclined for quick head-to-head combat. Of course, these two end up face to face anyway. Why? Because both characters have an admirable knowledge of their own limitations. They’re not going to involve themselves in the powerhouse battles, and will be sticking to fighting people of their own power levels.
That leaves Proctor and Black Panther. There is no gain for Proctor in joining in the powerhouse battles. The sheer energy output between the fighting ubers would keep him at bay. A stray blast could well end up hitting him the wrong way. So it is up to him to take care of the regulars, and I think he’d take a certain pride in facing the Black Panther. Proctor has an advantage in this, being able to teleport.
Let’s go deeper into those battles:
Fernus the Burning vs. Green Lantern
When Fernus appeared in
JLA, he handled them their asses without much trouble. Among the Leaguers at that time was also John Stewart, Green Lantern. He was, as I recall, one of the first to fall. By applying all of his powers, Fernus was able to overwhelm Stewart and just plain took him down. Fernus had one helpful advantage in that: the element of surprise. Even then, it was pretty quickly established to be a Martian attack, and John had no defence.
So what’s Rayner going to do? He’s prepared, but he’s only got limited psi protection. He has some experience with Martians, but not a Burning Martian like Fernus. No weakness to fire, and absolutely no desire to play around. Fernus is going to go for the kill.
Now, GL is certainly able of holding off Fernus physically for a while, but eventually, Fernus is going to burn right into Green Lantern’s mind. Rayner starts to slip up, his will is starting to weaken. Fernus proceeds to up his own power output: Invisibility, phasing, Martian vision, etc. A veritable onslaught of powers. Rayner’s shields start to break left and right. He can’t pull of another good shot. Fernus starts to laugh, he’s closing in on him.
Then, suddenly, <SNAP!>, Fernus has snuck up and broken the Lantern’s neck.
“Oan dog,” Fernus remarks, a horrible grin upon his face.
Quasar vs. Exodus
Meanwhile, Quasar has engaged Exodus in battle. This is in some ways, a mirror of the Fernus/Green Lantern fight. Where you’d normally give Exodus the advantage because of his psionic powers, he’s at a distinct disadvantage here, because Quasar can block those powers. Lest we forget, Quasar’s shields can stand up to Moondragon and Overmind, two of the most powerful telepaths on Earth/in the universe.
So Exodus will have to fall back on his other powers. These are still quite impressive, but a little out of their league against Quasar’s. Quasar is top dog when it comes to energy manipulation, and Exodus’ blasts should prove no exception. That leaves Exodus with just his telekinetic skills, and such an assault is easily blocked. Exodus has one single advantage left, and that’s teleportation, but with a simple Quantum bubble around him, Quasar should be safe from any attack. From what I’ve read, teleportation also isn’t a power that Exodus often uses anyway.
Even then, Quasar can send out highly sophisticated constructs that can track Exodus wherever he goes. Exodus is going to be forced to go on the defensive. Now, he’s strong, but he can’t withstand the kind of power Quasar can throw up. Eventually, his blasts will break through Exodus’ shields and then it’s just a matter of applying enough force to knock Exodus out.
Quasar stands victorious, but he’s not exactly happy about it.
Of course, that’s when he notices the brutal murder of GL, and he’s going to engage Fernus, his own teammate.
The ubers are essentially out of the game.
Kang the Conqueror vs. the Vision
Another interesting match, although I’d venture to say Vision’s a little outclassed here. Kang has taken on Vision and the Avengers before, and emerged victorious quite a few times. Without any real preparation at Avengers Mansion, Vision is going to find it hard to counteract Kang’s tech in a meaningful way. After all, Kang would’ve had a better chance to prepare himself, working alongside Black Panther. Both are known for their contingency plans, even for allies. Give them 24 hours, and they should be able to adapt Kang’s tech to take on Vision.
So how does the battle go down? The two will circle each other initially, but Vision will quickly go over to attack. He can’t afford to let a powerhouse like Kang to stay standing for too long. The battle that follows is pretty spectacular. It involves a lot of dodging and phasing, with both characters relatively unscathed at the end of it. Vision decides he’ll have to step his game up somewhat, and goes for his patented ‘phase hand into enemy’s body’ tactic.
It’s a tactic that Kang should be prepared for, and of course, he is. Vision’s attack involves the partial solidifying of his body, and that’s when Kang strikes with a good old localized EMP. It’s detrimental to both characters, yes, with Kang also hurting. That’s where Kang’s own will power figures in. Withstanding the pain, he snaps his fingers, and his trusty sword appears.
<SHACK!>
Kang decapitates his foe.
Using his standard healing technology, Kang fixes himself up. Naturally, Kang acknowledges the Vision’s fighting prowess, and then proceeds to separate his android body further, so that he may not recover any time soon.
Kang the Conqueror stands victorious again.
Animal Man vs. Scarlet Spider
This is actually a fun match. What powers does the Scarlet Spider possess? The proportionate strength and speed of a spider. You know the drill. Now, what can Animal Man do? Take the powers of every known animal in the universe, including, obviously, the spider. If he wants, these two can be quite evenly matched.
Of course, Animal Man isn’t an idiot. He’s not going to stick to spider powers. He’s going to use the speed of the cheetah, the strength and endurance of a rhino, and eventually, a scorpion’s sting. All powers that the Spider will be familiar with, but not in this manner. Consistently switching up the powers to maximum effect, Animal Man is going to be able to overwhelm the Spider pretty handily.
Scarlet Spider still has a trick up his sleeve of course, his webbing, which should hold off Animal Man for a bit, but he can just slip out of it by mimicking a slippery eel or a snake. It’s then that Animal Man’s numerous advantages come to the fore. He’s faster, stronger and can take more damage. He can also fly.
The only reason the Scarlet Spider should be standing for any length of time is Animal Man’s good nature. He’s not one to go for the quick take down. He’s also not a ruthless person. These factors don’t hinder Buddy too much though. He still has the advantage in this match, and he’ll push it.
The finish on this match is relatively straight forward: Animal Man wins by knock-out.
Black Panther vs. Proctor
Normally, I’d give this match to Proctor in a heartbeat. The teleportation, mixed in with a sword that can cut through anything, is just devastating. Luckily, the Panther has an adequate defence, namely, the same sword as Proctor. That means we’ve got one hell of a sword fight coming up.
Of course, Proctor still has an advantage. His ability to teleport is still incredibly handy, but BP’s reflexes should help him out here for a while. In fact, this battle isn’t really about defeating Proctor, but about staying alive long enough for someone like Kang to step in. Still, Proctor is going to get in quite a few good hits.
Although he’d like the battle, before long, Proctor is just going to get fed up and go for a killing blow.
Being the evil bastard he is, Proctor simply teleports behind Panther, and before T’Challa can properly react, Proctor impales him. Panther staggers forward, while Proctor turns and takes the Panther’s blade from him. With another swipe, Panther’s head is rolling along the arena floor.
Proctor smiles as he holds the two blades in his hands.
Kang vs. Proctor
“Proctor?” Kang asks, standing ready to do battle.
“Kang…” Proctor replies with a smile as he turns.
Both fighters have their blades at the ready.
Proctor charges.
Kang smiles and brings out his really large gun.
<ZAP!>
Proctor takes the blast full into the face, and is knocked to the floor.
Proctor stands up again, grumbling, and is faced by Kang before him. Proctor strikes with his sword. Kang fades away: a hologram. Angered, Proctor teleports around, trying to find his adversary. Proctor notes Quasar and Fernus fighting a short distance away, and that he’s the only left of his own team.
Kang suddenly appears, engaging him from the front. Proctor successfully deflects the sword strike, destroying the blade in the progress. Proctor smiles, thinking he’s got an advantage, and lunges forward. Kang unleashes with a powerful concussive blast. Proctor absorbs the blast using the blade.
Still, Proctor decides to go for a sneak attack, and teleports behind Kang. Just before he can strike, Kang lets loose with a powerful electric charge, knocking Proctor back. The brunt of the attack is taken by the blade. Of course, Kang is angered by this cowardly attack from behind, and turns to fire more of his blasts.
Proctor is hit by a few before he can teleport away again.
Proctor stays away now, for a bit, to recuperate and formulate a new plan of attack. Kang doesn’t give him the opportunity though, tracing Proctor’s energy signature to follow him. Continuing his previous assault, Kang lets loose with a variety of energy attacks, directed entirely at Proctor. Unable to absorb it all (the blade can only absorb what it’s hit by, and Kang’s attack would focus on more than just the blade), Proctor has to take an incredible punishment.
Proctor is burned, bloodied and broken.
With a grim smile, Kang ends Proctor's life.
WINNERS=TEAM ALPHA WOLF SQUADRON
