Match 21374 Taskmaster vs. Mystique

[broadwaybeyonder]

“This had better be good, mister!” 

Henry Gyrich glared through his glasses at Taskmaster.  The two men were surrounded by a circle of eight, black-suited agents of the NSA.  Even in the darkness of the warehouse Taskmaster could see the glint of the pistols in their holsters. 

“We contracted you to determine the location of Mystique and the Brotherhood!” Gyrich went on.  “You told me you would bring her in dead or alive!  You instead go radio silent for 3 months and now you drag my men and I to the middle of nowhere!” 

“You hired me to do a job, Mr. Gyrich,” said Taskmaster coldly.  “And I intend to fulfill my end of the contract.” 

Gyrich huffed.  “Right.  I always had a feeling the reports on you were overblown.  The President wants results!  He wants that blue, mutant freak’s head on a platter!  So where is it?” 

Taskmaster gave a slow glance towards Gyrich’s escort.  “A very good question, Mr. Gyrich.” 

The mercenary swiftly drew a pistol and aimed it at Gyrich.  All eight agents drew their weapons and held them at the ready as Gyrich instinctively raised his hands. 

“Taskmaster!  Have you lost your mind?!” 

“I’ve been watching you, ‘Mr. Gyrich’.  I’ve been paying attention to your stance, how you walk, how you speak.  You’ve obviously have been practicing, but it just wasn’t good enough.” 

Gyrich started to sweat as he shouted orders to his agents. 

“What are you waiting for?! Shoot him!  He’s crazy!” 

“But how do we know he’s not lying?” one of the agents asked. 

“Yeah!” said another.  “How do we know you aren’t that mutie witch disguised as Gyrich?” 

“Security code 8457245 Charlie Echo!” snapped Gyrich.  “Verify the code and shoot this lunatic!” 

The agents slowly raised up their firearms.  Except for one who fired. 

Taskmaster jumped in front of the bullet’s path, drew his faux Captain America shield and blocked it before it could reach Gyrich. 

“Simmons!” gasped Gyrich.  “I gave the code!  I’m not Mystique!” 

“No, Mr. Gyrich” said Taskmaster.  “But he is.” 

Simmons gave a smirk as his suit became a white gown and boots and his skin turned blue. 

“Very clever, Taskmaster,” hissed Mystique.  “It’s a shame that you aren’t a mutant.” 

Gyrich’s jaw dropped.  “My God!”

“Get out!  Now!” shouted Taskmaster. 

Before the other agents could react, Mystique had already fired two headshots and delivered a kick to a third agent.  Three more agents hurried to escort Gyrich to the door of the warehouse.  Mystique drew a cutlass and cut down another agent and took aim at the last one straggling behind Gyrich.  Taskmaster hurled his shield and knocked the gun from the mutant leader’s grasp. 

“I’ve got to ask,” said Mystique as she and Taskmaster circled each other.  “What gave me away?” 

“Your Simmons was perfect.  Too perfect.  I remembered his movements from the day Gyrich approached me for this job.  I had no luck finding you in known Brotherhood locations.  But then I realized.  What better place for you to hide than right under Gyrich’s nose?  I knew that if I instigated a fight with Gyrich, you would use the opportunity to kill him.  And leave me to take the blame for falsely accusing him.” 

“Hmm.  Impressive.  But you know I cannot allow Gyrich to live.  You have no idea what he is planning to do to mutantkind.” 

“Unfortunately, that’s none of my concern.  The contract says dead or alive.”   

Mystique held her cutlass at the ready.  “I’d rather be dead than to be handed over to Gyrich!” 

Taskmaster drew his own sword.  “As you wish.” 

 

OK:

Both Taskmaster and Mystique are at full strength. 

Both have access to handheld weaponry (pistols, swords, Taskmaster’s shield, other replica Marvel weapons). 

Taskmaster wins by killing Mystique. 

Mystique by killing Taskmaster or subduing him long enough to escape. 

Fight takes place in an abandoned warehouse. 

Game On! 

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Taskmaster
Read more about Taskmaster at Wikipedia
Official Site: Marvel Entertainment Links: Wikipedia Marvel.com Marvel Database

Mystique
Read more about Mystique at Wikipedia
Official Site: Marvel Entertainment Links: Wikipedia Marvel.com UncannyXmen.net

[Pizza Guy]

Sorry Mystique but Tasky just has much more higher end feats then her, including but not limited to holding his own(if not beating) guys like Captain America, Deadpool, Spider-Man, Iron Fist, Bucky, Daredevil, he even beat Venom once with a flaming sword.

[JohnnyChany]

Good match. Mystique always finds a way out of danger although it is hard to see her take down Taskmaster.

[DSkillz]

Good set-up, broadway. Frankly, I'm surprised that it looks like Taskmaster and Mystique haven't encountered each other in the comics. 

As for the match, since per the set-up, Taskmaster has spent three months looking for (and therefore likely studying) Mystique, he probably has something in his arsenal that can help take her out, and therefore may have the slight edge.  Otherwise, Mystique might just narrowly escape in a random encounter. 

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
4.50 - DSkillz
4.50 - Pizza Guy
4.60 - JohnnyChany

FPA Calculation:
3 Total Votes cast
13.60 Total Combined Score
13.60 / 3 = 4.53 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Taskmaster: 2
Mystique: 1

[broadwaybeyonder]

THE BOTTOM LINE

Mr. President: 

I am happy to inform you that the mutant terrorist codenamed "Mystique" has been compromised.  The mercenary codenamed "Taskmaster" engaged her in combat, resulting in her shapeshifting into the form of Taskmaster himself.  However, Taskmaster was able to disarm the target and deliver a fatal blow with his sword decapitating her.  The body will be delivered to Dr. Trask for further study.  

I have also been informed by Taskmaster to deliver this message to you: 

Expect my bill.