The First Mighty HDC Battle Royale for the UNDEAD!

[ferretchucker]

but soon three will become one.

[cactus]

Outstanding job, Noir. That was fantastic.

[Papillon Noir]

The Deadites enter the Catacombs for what is truly their final outing. They pause at the fork in the tunnels, pistols drawn.

"Are we still going to go through with the plan?" asks Cactus. Both Neverending and Fortunato nod, holstering their pistols. Cactus holsters his pistol, saying to Fortunato, "Lead the way then, my friend."

Fortunato leads the way into Tunnel Sec B, spying the chest he goes over to it. Trying the Brass Key this time, but to no avail.

Fortunato starts to leave as he gets slammed in the back by a fireball. He glances over his shoulder to see a rather annoyed Belial preparing a second one. Neverending and Cactus pull him out of the way in time.

Fortunato uses his last re-animation packs to heal himself, most of the way.




The Deadites continue on into the Antechamber, a little more cautiously this time.

Cactus kneels in front of the chest, trying the gold key this time. An audible click is heard and the chest springs open revealing a crossbow with 2 arrows and 2 re-animation packs. Cactus laughs triumphantly as he adds these items to his arsenal.






The Deadites continue on again into the Chapel.



"Wow," says Neverending as the group notices the change to the room, "Astaroth must have done this when he came here."

"He must still be running around here...somewhere," comments Cactus.

"Well there is only one room left and Chimera has yet to show himself," says Fortunato.

"This is the Final Outing after all," says Neverending as he kneels down to open the chest. Choosing the Brass Key, he turns it in the lock and the chest springs open revealing--nothing! The chest is empty.

Neverending shrugs then turns to his teammates. "One room left," he says, "Are you read for the Final Battle?"



Cactus and Fortunato both nod. Neverending nods as well, leading them out of the room towards the last room left of this great battle, where the ultimate outcome and the ultimate victor will be revealed.

[Papillon Noir]

I was hoping to finish this today, but I have a bunch of work to finish at the office and I'm getting married next Thursday so I'm super busy right now. I will write up the rest this weekend and have the finale battle on monday before lunch. Have a great weekend! :)

[ferretchucker]

Cool. Looking forward to it!!!

[Papillon Noir]

The Deadites enter the Ossuary.



Neverending, Cactus, and Fortunato walk to the center of the room eying each other suspiciously. "Well, Deadites," Neverending begins, "we have made it to the final three."

"A feat not to be taken lightly," Cactus continues.

"Though, a clear winner must be determined..." Fortunato says as he pulls out his pistol.

Neverending and Cactus follow his lead seconds later. All three Deadites pointing their pistols tentatively at each other in a standoff.

BANG! Fortunato fires into Neverending, breaking the truce. Neverending and Cactus both fire twice into Fortunato as he ducks behind a column of bones.

With Cactus and Neverending both still in the open, they turn on each other and they both make a b-line for cover, each sending three bullets into the other on the way.

As Cactus dives for cover behind another pile of skulls, he opens himself up to Fortunato, who takes two shots. Cactus returns fire with two shots of his own before maneuvering out of the way.

Meanwhile, Neverending sneaks up behind Fortunato, firing three quick shots which is enough to dust Fortunato. "One more," Neverending murmurs to himself.

Cactus, seeing Fortunato dusted moves around to flank Neverending firing one shot before an audible CLICK! is heard. "Shit!" says Cactus as Neverending wheels, pumping three more shots into Cactus before he is able to take cover behind another column of bones.

Pulling out the crossbow that he won from the treasure chest, Cactus loads both arrows. Slipping silently around the outskirts of the room, he moves to flank Neverending, but Neverending is ready for him and they both fire their last two shots at each other.

Neverending and Cactus are still both alive and now out of ammo. Cactus frowns slightly as he tosses away his empty weapon, "Who won?"

Neverending tosses his empty weapon and is about to speak when a low growl is heard. Both Neverending and Cactus turn to see Chimera slowly stalking towards them.



"No, one" Neverending comments as he and Cactus slowly back up.

Chimera stalks closer and is about to pounce them, but is ignited in flames mid-leap, landing as a burnt-out carcass between them.

They both look up to see the demon Astaroth, who had just ignited Chimera with a stream of flames from his palm.



"Oh, this just gets better and better." Cactus murmurs.

Astaroth laughs, "You have no idea! Though, I have to say that this was one of my better ideas."

Neverending and Cactus look quizzingly at each other.

A click of high heels is heard as a tall blonde in a black cocktail dress, carrying a clipboard, appears. She looks at Astaroth and smiles before turning to Neverending and Cactus.

"I'd say so," says Noir. "Well, Gentlemen," Noir continues, "You've both played a great competition and congratulations on actually surviving this competition."

"So, he's not here to kill us?" Neverending asks, indicating Astaroth.

"No, he's been watching the whole time and only came down here for the finale," says Noir.

"Managing the denizens of hell can be so boring", Astaroth comments boredly.

"And for the winner," Noir continues, as she reads her clipboard, "Neverending! Congratulations, you are the winner of Battle Royale for the Undead!"

"Woohoo!" Cheers Neverending.

Cactus pats Neverending on the back, "Good job, man!"

Noir turns to Cactus, smiling, "Congratulations to you too Cactus, you didn't win, but you didn't get dusted either." Cactus nods, grinning.

Turning back to Neverending, Noir says, "Now for your reward, Neverending. You get to go back to the world of the Living." She grins, continueing, "Try not to get shot."

Neverending looks astonished, and before he can comment, Astaroth touches his shoulder, sending a white heat through his body.

There is a flash of light and Neverending is standing by a swimming pool on a tropical island. The sun is shinning and a warm breeze is coming off the nearby beach. Next to him is a large trophy with the words, "Champion of Battle Royale for the Undead."

There is a monkey with sunglasses sitting in a lawn chair smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer. There is an large trophy next to him with the words "King of Battle Royale".

"Zero?" Neverending asks.

Zero pushes down his sunglasses, "Neverending? Damn, Man, I thought you were dead...you want a beer?"

"Definitely," Neverending says as he takes a seat, stretching out in the lawn chair next to Zero. He grins.






------------------END OF LINE------------------






Thank you to all of you who participated and for making this a great competition! It wouldn't have been a competition without those of you who played! I hope it was as fun for everyone who played as it was for me to put it together! :)

[ferretchucker]

Brilliant! Couldn't fault that ending and I would like to thank you for making a huge contribution in keeping us involved even after we've died. A big round of applause for Noir. I hope your husband knows it is he who postponned this, and for that...well, let's say I'll pay him a "friendly" visit.

One more thing. What happened to Cactus afterwards? Did Astaroth dust him, or is he doomed to wander the netherworlds. Or will he take on a part as a Demon in next years BR for the UD? (If there is one)

[neverending]

Wonderful job, Noir! It was very exciting to read! Thanks very much for a wonderful game- it was lots of fun!

I had a different ending plaNned at the beginning but it didn't work out. Perhaps next time it will.

Congrats to my fellow teammates Fortunato & Cactus. You guys were awesome teammates and I'm glad it was us that were the final three.

[cactus]

That was great, Noir. Thanks for running a fantastic game - it was a blast!

Congratulations NE, you played a great game and deserved it. Congrats to fortunato as well, both of you were great teammates.

[fortunato]

well done, ne!

it was a pleasure battling you.
and you too, cactus.