[pickarooney]

In an effort to provide an outlet and a little side entertainment during the down periods between (rounds of) the bigger writing contests, this is an experiment in a new format of one on one writing battles. My idea is to give this a shot in a fairly rough format and to tweak the rules as it goes on. Here's how it works:

We start off with the first two contestants to throw their hats in the wring. A theme is given and the two have 24 hours to write around 300 600 words on that theme. Voting then begins, using the thanks button, and runs for 24 hours. The winner then stays on and faces the next challenger.

To start off, I'll give the first theme when the two contestants are ready. Thereafter the challenger gives the theme. We might change this later so that some third party gives the theme if it turns out the challenger has too much of an advantage by pre-writing a story.

Contestants will need to keep scores themselves, both of the votes and number of consecutive victories. Obviously, bragging rights go to whoever wins the most fights in a row. In the event of a draw, the champion stays on.

In order to try keep this rolling, challenges must be accepted within 24 hours and the clock starts as soon as the challenge is accepted. You might want to come up with your own personal catchphrases for issuing/accepting challenges and announcing victory.

The first two posters to respond to this thread go into the ring.

[Antilles]

GOURANGA!

[CaptainNegative]

LET'S DANCE!

[pickarooney]

Excellent. You pair will do battle on the self-referential theme of "The Arena".

It's all gone meta now...

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!

[CaptainNegative]

Mines done, but there's pros and cons to posting it early. Need to post it before the deadline regardless, because I'll be in work tomorrow, so I guess there's no time like the present...

[CaptainNegative]

“Are you ready, Big Man?”
“I’m not going to fight tonight Skip. Call it off.”
“Call it off? Quit joking around Mikey, and get your head in the game.”
“No joke. I’m done Skip. Call the fight off - I can’t do this anymore.”
“You can’t just quit. You’re Mike Dexter – two fights away from becoming World Champion Cage Fighter and record holder of most consecutive wins. I understand you’re nervous, but get a hold of yourself – we’ve got big money riding on this.”
“God Damn it, Skip, I said I’m out and I mean it, so call the fight off and find yourself someone else to represent, because I’m finished.”
“Represent? Represent? Is that all I am to you Mikey? A manager? After all we’ve been through?”
“You know that’s not what I meant. You’re my best friend.”
“Then as my best friend, go out there and kick some ass!”
“I can’t do it. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
“Of course you can do it. You have to do it. For me. For the little guy. For the guy who can’t fight his own fights. For the guy who got the crap beaten out of him every single day as a kid, until Mike Dexter came along and stood up for the school punching bag. You’re the people’s champion, my champion, and two fights from now, the world champion. So what the hell is stopping you?”
“Vlad’s dead, Skip!”
“What?”
“Annette called a few minutes ago. I killed him Skip. I killed him. And I won’t fight again.”
“Mikey, what happened to Vlad was an accident – he was warned not to fight last night. He knew the risks - it wasn't your fault. But I understand. I’ll call the fight off and we’ll go for a drink. Drink to Vlad’s honour. Ok?”
“Thanks, Skip.”

[Mr E]

I guess we better wait for Antilles before voting.

Alternative dialog for Cian's story:

"Click click click"
"Whats that Skip? Vlad's dead?"
"Click click click click."
"You killed him?"
"Click click click"
"You punched him in the face, driving his nose bone into his brain, killing him instantly?"
"Click"
"Streuth."

[Antilles]

When the dazzling light faded, he opened his eyes and realised he was no longer on the space station. Instead, he found himself in an enormous coliseum, filled with an audience of thousands of hideous green- scaled creatures. The aliens roared a sudden cheer and a chill ran down his spine. He turned and saw an enormous monster with dark red skin and three cranial horns, running on all sixes towards him.

He scanned the area for weapons. Feet away, he saw them: spears, knives, firearms, scattered across the arena floor. He scrambled forward and too late, the creature turned to follow. He lifted a rifle, turned and fired. An energy beam exploded from the muzzle, knocking the beast to the ground. He ran back towards it.

"Please," it groaned. "I'm the..."

Taking no risks, he fired again.

The audience cheered and a blinding light flashed behind him. He turned and saw a purple creature, smaller than the first but with five legs, standing in the middle of the arena.

"Is this the afterlife?" it shouted. "I'm the last of my kind!"

The spectators guffawed, and suddenly he realised why. The nuclear war at home had finally killed everybody else. He too was the last...

And he would stay so. He took aim and fired.

The creature collapsed, fatally wounded by the energy blast. The rifle flashed "Empty Battery," and he dropped it, kneeling to pick up a knife instead. He understood the game now. When this creature died, another would appear, and they too would duel to extinction.

The light flashed and another creature appeared. Like him, it had two legs, but only two arms instead of four, and brown fur covered its head but not its pasty white skin.

"It looks weak," he thought. "Like an easy kill..."

[pickarooney]

The early submission seems to be backfiring, CapNeg. You're taking a bit of a beating here

[Antilles]

Three deaths vs one death.

The people want what the people want

[CaptainNegative]

Originally Posted by pickarooney

The early submission seems to be backfiring, CapNeg. You're taking a bit of a beating here

Indeed. I was taking a risk sticking entirely to dialogue anyway, but Antilles story is far superior regardless (it'd definitely get my vote)... Best to be beaten by the best as they say...

[pickarooney]

Not to mention by Mr E who's not even in this round... You guys do realise it's Captain Negative vs. Antilles, right?

[Mr E]

I wasn't entering. Cap's entry just reminded me of Skippy.

[Antilles]

GOURANGA!

Next?

[Mr E]

I accept the challenge.
Looks like I get to pick the theme/topic.

Regret.