Apex Arena - Battle D2: Ethan Hunt vs. Bryan Mills

[Culwych1]

Introduction

In 1950, physicist Enrico Fermi famously asked, "Where the f&&k is everyone?" That question led to what is now known as the Fermi Paradox, pondering why humanity has never encountered intelligent life despite the vastness of the universe. But when first contact finally happened, humanity wished the answer had been "nowhere."

The aliens arrived with technology and powers beyond comprehension, annihilating Earth’s defences. Yet, despite their godlike abilities, humanity's defiance intrigued them. Instead of total destruction, the aliens devised a twisted experiment to understand humanity’s unique will to survive.

They chose Earth's 32 fiercest warriors from across time and space, placing them in The Apex Arena—a constantly shifting battleground where only the strongest survive. The prize? The salvation of Earth and a place of honour in the alien archives. 4 groups, 8 fighters in each. Who would stand, and who would fall?

Each warrior stands alone, unaware of their competition, fighting not just for glory, but for the very future of humanity. The Apex Arena has opened its gates. The battle for survival begins now.

---

Battle 2: Group D – Ethan Hunt vs. Bryan Mills

The new arena took form – and this one was unique. A giant circular railway, more than a hundred miles of track and, on the track, a high-speed, runaway train. The roar of the wind and the deafening screech of steel wheels grinding against the rails filled the air. The train’s cars rattled violently as they careened through a dark tunnel, the rapid swaying making every step a battle for balance.

Ethan Hunt appeared inside one of the passenger cars, his instincts kicking in immediately. He had been here before—different vehicles, different stakes, but the same familiar sense of danger. The train rocked beneath him, causing him to grab onto one of the seats to steady himself. The overhead lights flickered erratically, casting long shadows that danced across the narrow aisles. Luggage and debris littered the floor, tossed around by the wild motion of the train. The forward momentum was relentless, and the train showed no signs of stopping.

Across the train, Bryan Mills appeared in a dimly lit baggage car. The confined space was filled with stacked crates and luggage. He steadied himself against the side of the car, his eyes sharp, quickly assessing the situation. The roar of the train’s engine and the constant clatter of the wheels were deafening, but his mind was clear. This wasn’t about where he was—this was about who he had to face and what needed to be done. Mills moved forward, his movements precise and deliberate, as he began searching for weapons hidden among the piles of cargo.

The train itself was a deadly obstacle course. Between the passenger cars and the baggage car lay narrow corridors, dining cars, and utility spaces cluttered with loose equipment. Every car was a potential deathtrap—sharp corners, broken glass, and shifting debris were everywhere. The train’s speed made every surface dangerous, as a single misstep could send either fighter crashing into steel walls or windows.

And this time around, a new facet to the Apex Arena: passengers. The faceless passengers scattered throughout the runaway train appeared normal at first glance, dressed in typical commuter attire—jackets, jeans, office wear. But as soon as one looked closer, their unsettling nature became clear: their faces were completely smooth, with no eyes, nose, or mouth—just blank, featureless skin.

Despite having no faces, they reacted in fear. Their bodies trembled, and their hands stretched out as if screaming for help. Some clutched seats or pressed themselves against windows, while others sat rigidly, motionless, with their heads turned eerily toward anyone who passed.

When a fighter came too close, these faceless passengers would reach out instinctively, grasping and holding on tight, their mindless terror a haunting reminder of their helplessness. They were human in shape, but their blank faces made them nothing more than eerie, silent shells.

Weapons were scattered throughout the train. A pistol lay half-hidden beneath a pile of luggage in one of the passenger cars. In the dining car, a butcher’s knife gleamed on a tray beside a half-shattered table. Farther up, a rifle was tucked into a maintenance closet, just waiting to be found.

Ethan Hunt moved quickly but carefully, making his way through the swaying passenger car. His balance was impeccable, even with the violent jerking of the train, his body leaning into every motion. He had navigated worse before—he knew how to move in a speeding vehicle. His eyes swept the car, landing on the pistol just ahead. It wasn’t much, but it would do.

Bryan Mills, ever the tactician, kept low as he maneuvered through the baggage car. He spotted a crowbar wedged between two crates and quickly retrieved it. The weight of the metal in his hand was reassuring. This fight wouldn’t be won by speed alone—it was about survival, and Mills had survived more than his fair share of impossible situations. His goal was clear: find Hunt, and end the fight quickly.

The train barrelled through the night, swerving violently as it approached a sharp curve. Both men braced themselves as the train tilted dangerously, the momentum sending loose objects flying through the air. A piece of luggage slammed into a window, shattering the glass, while the overhead lights flickered once more, casting the train into brief moments of darkness.

Hunt moved swiftly through the cars, his hand brushing against the pistol as he reached it. He grabbed it just as the train jolted again, sending him stumbling back against a row of seats. He caught himself quickly, but the delay had cost him. He knew Mills was somewhere ahead—he could feel the tension building. The veteran operative had no intention of being caught off guard.

The train roared into another tunnel, the lights flickering, casting the faceless passengers in and out of shadows. Hunt pressed forward, his sharp eyes scanning for Mills, but the passengers made each step more dangerous. They reached out as he passed, their hands trembling with mindless terror, and he had to shove one aside to keep moving. The pistol in his hand felt heavy, but Hunt knew it wouldn’t matter unless he could find his opponent.

Mills was moving just as quickly, his combat instincts heightened. The faceless passengers were nothing but obstacles in his mind. As he approached the next car, one of them grabbed at his coat. With a swift motion, he knocked its hand away and kept moving, barely sparing it a glance. He was closing in on Hunt, and he wouldn’t let anything, not even these strange, lifeless beings, stop him.

The train rattled and shook, the passengers trapped in their helpless, faceless state. But neither Hunt nor Mills were distracted. Their focus remained sharp as the battle between them drew nearer, the faceless passengers just another unsettling element in this deadly, high-speed arena.

The train screeched as it entered another sharp turn, the walls vibrating with the strain. Both men could feel the tension in the air as they closed in on one another. The confined spaces of the train cars left little room for escape, and every step brought them closer to their inevitable clash.

Hunt steadied his breathing, his pistol raised as he moved into the next car. His mind raced with possibilities, scanning the environment for any advantage. The narrow aisles and close quarters were perfect for his style of combat, but he knew Mills wasn’t someone to underestimate.

Mills tightened his grip on his own pistol, retrieved from under a seat. His eyes narrowed as he heard the faint echo of movement just ahead. He stepped lightly, moving closer to the edge of the baggage car. The train swayed violently once more, sending a wave of metal crashing into the walls. Mills barely flinched—he was locked in, ready for whatever came next.

Both men were moving closer together, and they didn’t know if the sounds they heard was their opponent, the sound of a faceless passenger, or the crunching of the train’s metal.

Closer and closer… and soon the fight would be joined and only one would remain!

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Ethan Hunt
Read more about Ethan Hunt at Wikipedia
Official Site: Paramount Pictures Links: Wikipedia (character) Wikpedia (m:i) IMDB

Bryan Mills
Read more about Bryan Mills at Wikipedia
Official Site: 20th Century Fox Links: Wikipedia-Taken Bryan Mills - Profile Taken

[leroypowell3]

I'd say Hunt here.

[Pizza Guy]

While I like Mills more, I think Ethan just has the better feats.

[JohnnyChany]

Another vote for Hunt. He is more willing to do some crazy things on that train to ensure victory.

[Boratz]

I'd probably go with Hunt. With the same argument that I had with Cobra and Bauer. Ethan Hunt seems more over the top in the action sequences while Bryan is more grounded.

[DSkillz]

Another very good chapter to you Apex Arena arc, Culwych. Way to keep up the tension in each match so far. 

As for the match? I'd have to agree that Hunt might have the edge here. Yeah, Mills is older and more experienced, but Hunt just pulls off more spectacular feats with his skills. 

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
4.60 - DSkillz
4.50 - Yazmal
5.00 - JohnnyChany
5.00 - Boratz

FPA Calculation:
4 Total Votes cast
19.10 Total Combined Score
19.10 / 4 = 4.78 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Ethan Hunt: 4
Bryan Mills: 3

[Culwych1]

4 hours ago, Callisto said:

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
4.60 - DSkillz
4.50 - Yazmal
5.00 - JohnnyChany
5.00 - Boratz

FPA Calculation:
4 Total Votes cast
19.10 Total Combined Score
19.10 / 4 = 4.78 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Ethan Hunt: 4
Bryan Mills: 3

Ooh, closer than I expected given the comments.