| GCB Fanfics: Vs. Mode |
Vs. Mode - Gordon vs. Max"We're back after a close match between Kirby and Ramza, where the cute little pink puffball scored a knockout with Ramza's own Repeated Fist attack." "Payback is Kirby's modus operandi, Brock," Lucca adds. "He sucks you into his gaping mouth, spits you back out, and hits you with your own attack. That is a humbling experience for anybody who's battled the hero of Dreamland. Kirby advances to face Alucard in the second round." "The third match of the night will begin shortly, but we've just received word that there's going to be a change of field. Our next two fighters both rely on their guns, and they apparently have agreed to use a specialized ring for shootouts," Brock announces as the stone circle in the center of the arena sinks into the ground. "After seeing the inherent flaw of using an open ring for a gun battle, the GCB officials got Shinra Corp. to build another ring, one with plenty of walls, obstructions, and ambush spots." A ceiling-less building, with a maze-like interior, rises from where the original ring had retracted. "Ref-Bot will hover safely above the action, relaying what his lens sees straight to the giant screens around the stadium." "First though, let's get an injury update from Max. Are you there, Max?" "I'm here, Brock," the boy responds. "Well, I'm outside Hojo's laboratory where Pac-Man has been undergoing special re-constructive surgery for some time now. I've yet to even take a glimpse inside. Bomberman's sword and burn wounds have been treated, and Ramza has fully recovered, thanks to Aeris' healing magic. So, that leaves-" "Success!" Hojo shouts as he bursts through the doors to his labs. "I have done it!" "Doctor, have you finally reassembled Pac-Man?" Max asks. "Not just reassembled, but he's new and improved as well! Come see for yourself!" The boy shudders at Hojo's overt glee as he follows the doctor through the double doors. Max sees a white sheet covering an obviously spherical subject. "Behold!" Hojo proclaims, pulling the sheet off with one good tug. Max covers his eyes, afraid to look at what hideous form has been bestowed upon the old character. The boy chances a peek through his fingers to see Pac-Man, as yellow as ever, much to Max's surprise. "Incredible! You did it, Doctor. Pac-Man looks like his old self again." "Ah, but you haven't seen the best part, yet," Hojo replies. The doctor tosses a Power Pellet to Pac-Man, who immediately gobbles it up. A few seconds later, the round yellow character undergoes a startling change. The pellet eater is still round and yellow, but he now has fur, fangs, and claws as well. Max sweatdrops as the new Pac-Man tears off and starts munching on some of the lab machinery. "That's... certainly an imaginative new twist. Ghosts, beware! Back to you, Brock!" ---- Both announcers are stupefied at what they just witnessed. They snap out of it though when the theme to Half-Life plays. "Uh... thanks again for your report, Max," Brock manages. "Here comes Gordon Freeman. He's a scientist that somehow ended up in the worst place in the world, having to fight off both soldiers and aliens at the same time. Gordon got bounced last year in an embarrassing first round loss to the beautiful Tina Armstrong." Max Payne's theme cues up as the title character of Max Payne enters the arena. "Our other gun fighter had slightly better luck last year, where he managed to get to the second round before suffering at the hands of Scorpion. Max's unique ability, Bullet Time, allows him to make like Neo and dodge incoming fire." Gordon and Max enter the special ring and stand at their respective starting locations. "This should be an exciting match, but it seems like most of the fans aren't in their seats. What's going on?" Brock asks. "Either there are long lines at the restrooms and concession stands, or the spectators just don't care about who wins this one. That's kind of a shame really, because these two are characters in their own rights. It's just that they're not really as famous as some of the other fighters." "Players, to your positions. Player 1, ready?" "Ready!" Gordon loudly says as he pulls out his handgun. "Player 2, ready?" Max loads his Beretta. "Ready," he responds. "Combatants ready. Raise force barriers. Match 23, Gordon Freeman vs. Max Payne. 3, 2, 1... fight!" "Power's on; game's started as Gordon and Max make like rats, weaving through the ring's maze to see who finds their opponent first. They both do, and the bullets are flying from the fighters as they take cover behind corners." "Gordon pauses to reload, and Max shortly does the same. The scientist has a 17-round clip, while Max's Beretta holds 18. Coincidence? I think not! The two continue firing, taking time to get closer and closer before they pass each other and run out of ammo at the same time. Max tosses the Beretta and takes out two Ingrams, while Gordon ditches the handgun for an MP5. Both whip around and spew bullets at an eye-melting rate, while backpedaling all the way to a safe corner." "Gordon's body armor has several dents, and Max looks like he's bleeding a little bit. The two fighters opt to change weapons again: Gordon with a Gauss and Max with a Jack Hammer! They spring from their safe spots and unload pain upon their foe! Max used his Bullet Time to dodge the Gauss shots, but Gordon wasn't as fortunate. His body armor looks more like scrap metal at this point. The scientist could be in trouble." "Maybe not!" Lucca shouts. "Gordon's got Egon out!" "Why is that gun named after a Ghostbuster?" "Your guess is as good as mine, but what I do know is Egon completely disintegrates anything its beam touches. It's a good thing the force barriers can handle it, because Gordon fires and leaves a gaping hole behind where Max was before he dodged! The ex-cop is making liberal use of Bullet Time, as this match will surely be over if he's hit by Egon." "Max continues to dodge, but he fires the Jack Hammer at Egon and destroys it! Gordon was thrown back from the explosion of his weapon. He tries to get back up, but Max levels the Jack Hammer to the scientist's glasses, and Gordon is forced to surrender." "Winner: Max Payne." "Another close match has come to an end," Lucca notes. "Max helps Gordon up, and shakes the guy's hand. How about that show of sportsmanship?" "At least Gordon loses with respect this year, and Max is once again going to the second round. We'll take a short break, but please come back for the last match of the night. Vs. Mode returns, after this." Next Entry Back |