JohnnyChany

I was wondering about this too, but I assumed it was an intentional change.

OVERWATCH RIVALS: THE HERO SHOOTER SECRET WARS PART 1 A vast, empty city stretched out under a crimson-colored sky. Its architecture was a fusion of futuristic tech and classical ruins. Skyscrapers leaned at impossible angles, glowing faintly with neon lights, while holographic advertisements flickered intermittently. Cracked streets wove through the city, littered with debris, burnt-out vehicles, and abandoned drones. In the distance, a monorail looped endlessly on a broken track. Large, floating platforms hovered above the surface, creating dynamic high ground and low ground positions. The first people to appear was a five-person team that shimmered onto the scene. The team was composed of four heroic Overwatch agents and a villainous former agent. Tracer immediately zipped around the area with her twin pulse pistols in hand. She glanced around through her goggles. "Blimey, look at this place," she marveled. "We’ve got ourselves a proper battleground, mates." D. Va, already in her mech, adjusted her targeting systems. "This looks just like one of my simulated games," she said with a grin. Mei had a look of concern, and she clutched her Endothermic Blaster. "Are we all sure about this? Something doesn’t feel right. What if this is some kind of trap?" Reaper, the ruthless assassin, stood in the shadows. "Doesn’t matter. We fight; we win." Opposite of him was the angelic Mercy. Her staff glowed faintly as she assessed their surroundings. "We need to stay together. If this is what we think it is, we can’t afford to make mistakes." The air sparked as another five, although actually six, person team materialized. The leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Star-Lord staggered slightly, his Element Guns raised in confusion. The people he was now surrounded by were not his usual teammates. "What the hell is this? Did I press the wrong button on my jet boots again?" Nearby, Peni Parker adjusted her glasses as she looked around. Her SP//dr suit towered protectively behind her. "Where have I been sent to?” she wondered. “I’ve seen tech like this in simulations, but this feels... different." Luna Snow crossed her arms and took in the environment. A curious smile appeared on her face. "What is this place?” The fourth team member, the enigmatic Moon Knight surveyed the area with his crescent-shaped weapons in hand. "This reeks of manipulation. Gods playing games." Cloak and Dagger stood side by side in silence as they collected their bearings. A brilliant flash of light erupted, and the Beyonder appeared. He floated effortlessly above the two teams. His presence in his glowing white suit was otherworldly. "Greetings, mortals," he began. "I am the Beyonder. I have consulted with the great deities of multiple universes, my own as well as the gods of Blizzard and Microsoft. The consensus? A tournament of worthiness is to be held! The stakes? Vast rewards for the winners, and possible oblivion for the losers. Your teams have been chosen because of your abilities and ... and for my entertainment.” The Overwatch team listened intently. Resolve etched into their expressions. Tracer tightened her grip on her pistols. "So, the warnings were true. It really is do or die." Reaper smirked beneath his mask. "Good. I like a challenge." The Marvel team exchanged confused glances. "Hold on, what?" Star-Lord blurted out. "We didn’t sign up for this!" Cloak spoke up. "I have heard of the Beyonder before. He’s an entity of immense power. He once pitted the Avengers, X-Men, and others against each other in his 'Secret Wars' as it was called. This is... his thing." “Now that you mention it, I remember Peter talking about this at one point, He was a participant,” stated Peni. Moon Knight grumbled "I’m not a pawn in some cosmic chess game." Luna Snow raised her hand and frost swirled around her fingertips. "Since we are here now, it looks like we have to win, right?" The Overwatch team huddled together. "Alright, here’s the plan," said Tracer. "Mei, Reaper, and I handle the damage to the other team. Mercy, keep us alive. D. Va, you’re our tank. Absorb the hits, make space for us to move." D. Va gave a thumbs up. "You got it." Mercy nodded. "I’ll do what I can. Stay close to me." Mei adjusted her gloves with a determined expression on her face. "I won’t let you down.” The Beyonder reappeared. "Here are the rules: this is not a team battle. Each of you must prove your individual worth. One-on-one battles will decide your fates in a best of five style tournament. First up..." He paused dramatically and gestured toward Mei and Luna Snow. "A freezing cold clash between the scientist and the pop star. Mei versus Luna Snow!" Mei’s team rallied around her, offering encouragement. "You’ve got this, Mei!" Tracer cheered. "Freeze her solid," Reaper added bluntly. On the other side, Luna Snow exhaled. Her breath was visible in the cold air she conjured. "Guess it’s showtime," she said with a smile. Star-Lord shrugged. "Might as well play along for now. Do your best. We’ll figure out a way out of this sooner or later." The Beyonder snapped his fingers, and Mei and Luna were teleported to opposite ends of the battlefield. "Let the tournament begin!" the Beyonder declared

Awesome work. An epic confrontation. I'll have to think about this one.

Cool to see Orka in a match. He was the villain in the first comic book I ever had. I also have early memories of the Winter Guard, specifically Darkstar, from the 90s X-Men cartoon show. Of all the mutants to randomly appear on that show, she really stuck out to me. For this match, I think it will be a hard fight, but the Winter Guard will prevail in the end.

FINAL GIRL FACE-OFF Round 1: Match 3 MATCH 1 RESULTS LORI'S FIGHT Lori Campbell stood in the shadowy forest. She clutched a makeshift spear tipped with a jagged piece of silver she had scavenged from a jewelry box provided in her trailer. The werewolf’s guttural growl echoed through the trees. She tightened her grip, her heart pounded like a war drum. Beside her, Will stood with a baseball bat wrapped in silver chains. His face was pale but resolute. LORI: “Stay close. We hit it fast, keep moving, and don’t let it corner us.” The werewolf burst from the underbrush in a blur of claws and fangs. Lori darted to the side. She jabbed with her spear as Will swung his bat. The silver made contact, and the creature howled in pain. It recoiled as smoke sizzled from its wounds. WILL: We’ve got it! LORI: Don’t get cocky! Lori lunged forward and drove her spear into the werewolf’s side. The creature thrashed and knocked Will to the ground. Lori pulled the spear free and struck again, this time aiming for its heart. With a final, ear-splitting roar, the beast collapsed. Its body twitching before going still. Lori turned to Will, offering a hand to help him up with triumphant smile spreading across her face. LORI: We did it. Her relief was short-lived. Will winced and clutched his arm. Lori’s eyes widened as she noticed the ragged scratch marks trailing down his skin. LORI: No…Will, no… WILL: It’s fine…I’ll be… Before he could finish, his body convulsed. His eyes turned yellow, his teeth elongated, and a low growl escaped his lips. Lori backed away, her heart sunk as Will’s transformation completed. Before she could grip the spear again, the werewolf that had been her boyfriend pounced, and Lori’s scream echoed through the forest as the darkness claimed her. NANCY'S FIGHT Nancy Wheeler crouched behind an overturned table in the dilapidated cabin with a crossbow loaded with silver-tipped bolts, her mind raced. Jonathan stood nearby with an axe in his grip. NANCY: We stick to the plan. Draw it out, trap it in the hallway, and finish it. JONATHAN: You sure this will work? NANCY: It has to. The werewolf’s growl reverberated through the cabin, and Jonathan stepped into the open, holding his axe. JONATHAN: Come on! Come and get me. The creature charged; its claws tore through the air. Jonathan darted into the hallway, leading the creature into the narrow space where Nancy waited. As the werewolf lunged, Nancy fired. The bolt struck true, embedding itself in the creature’s chest. It howled in again. JONATHAN: Hit it again, Nancy. Nancy quickly reloaded and fired another bolt; this one pierced the werewolf’s throat. The werewolf staggered then collapsed in a heap. Jonathan approached cautiously, axe in hand, and delivered the final blow to decapitate the werewolf. He then leaned against the wall and exhaled heavily. JONATHAN: We did it. Nancy did not loosen the grip on her crossbow. NANCY: Let me see your arms. JONATHAN: What? NANCY: It got very close to you. Show me. Now. Jonathan was briefly taken aback as he eyed the crossbow. He rolled up his sleeves and revealed unblemished skin. Nancy let out a relieved sigh. “ NANCY: Good. I didn’t… I couldn’t lose you too. Jonathan smiled weakly. JONATHAN: I’m fine, Nancy. You did great. HOST CHECK-IN ELVIRA: Well, folks, Nancy Wheeler proves she’s still the queen of taking down monsters. Not only did she walk away unscathed, but she also beat her werewolf quicker than Lori. Typical overachiever, am I right? Elvira’s cohost, Randy Meeks, concurred and added his own spin. RANDY: Meanwhile, poor Lori Campbell had a rougher time. She managed to take out her werewolf, but Will’s transformation into one of the beasts was her undoing. Still, I’d say that’s a better fate then what happened to them in Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash. ELVIRA: Not only a horror nerd, but a comic book one as well. RANDY: Yes, m’am. So, what do we do with werewolf Will? Elvira chuckled. ELVIRA: We will have him captured, naturally. A spare werewolf might come in handy later. Randy nodded with an unsure expression on his face. ELVIRA: And now my little ghost and ghouls, we proceed to our next challenge. The third match in the first round. The Final Girls participating this time will be Kristy Cotton and Mia Allen. Randy launched into his breakdown of the competitors. RANDY: Kristy was living an unremarkable life until her family became the targets of hellish demons thanks to her hedonistic scumbag Uncle Frank and a sinister puzzlebox promising otherworldly pleasure. Since then she has been dealing with the twisted torturers, the Cenobites, for years, narrowly escaping an eternity as an experiment in their realm. Mia is also no stranger to horrible experiences as she went to a family cabin with her estranged brother and three other people and watched them all die brutally while suffering some gnarly injuries herself thanks to them foolishly reading an evil book and summoning the Taker of Souls. ELVIRA: It’s always the family that will get you banished to hell. She smirked and took a step forward in her long black dress. ELVIRA: You are probably wondering what challenge we have in store for them. Well, without their knowledge we had them unlock a particularly nasty djinn from an ancient fire opal. The task for these two Final Girls now is to survive his trickery and avoid making three wishes that will unleash him on the world. RANDY: This is such a perfect challenge for these two. The Powers That Be are geniuses. Both Kristy and Mia are intimately familiar with cursed objects that seek souls just like the Lament Configuration and the Naturom Demonto. Randy briefly paused and rubbed his chin. RANDY: I do wonder… if Kristy tries to negotiate with the djinn like she does the Cenobites, it could backfire spectacularly. And Mia? Well, there will be no one to bring her back this time like when she became a Deadite. Elvira’s eyes widened. ELVIRA: I’m dying with excitement to see the choices these ladies make. This is going to be one hell of a ride. START OF CHALLENGE Kristy Cotton and Mia Allen found themselves transported to separate, empty lofts. The only furniture was a couch, a coffee table, and a book about djinns. Each woman stared at the book as they sat down. KRISTY: This feels too familiar; I don’t like it. Mia picked up the book. MIA: Another book. Three wishes? Five souls? Where do these numbers come from? Both Final Girls steeled themselves, ready for the challenge ahead.

I'll go with Q, he can do just about anything so creating an enjoyable fantasy island experience should be in his wheelhouse.

Some highlights for both Final Girls showing what they have confronted before going into this battle against Vecna. Nancy Thompson Alice Johnson

Some unexpected sadistic bloodlust from Gohan, the princesses must be protected. As for his dad, he will be fine and win this fight.

I was also wondering this I assume you pick the tournament option and just post the link here.

My 2nd Round Entry.

WORKING WITH JACK SLATER THE OPPORTUNITY The LAPD precinct buzzed with its usual chaotic energy, a symphony of ringing phones, shouted orders, and the occasional explosion in the background. It was a normal day in the world of Jack Slater. A world he had recently learned was fictional, but that fact did not deter him from wanting to do his job to the best of his ability. Currently, there was a more pressing problem keeping him from dwelling too much on the existential crisis of his existence. It was the imminent departure of a close colleague, a dear friend, and a damn good cop. Jack leaned against the desk of Whiskers, the animated feline detective who dressed in a trench coat and wore sunglasses inside. His sharp wit and sharper claws had been instrumental in keeping the precinct’s more bizarre cases under control for as long as Jack could remember. "You can’t be serious, Whiskers," said Jack. "Retirement? You’re the glue that holds this place together." Whiskers took a drag of his cigarette, his whiskers twitched with amusement. "Jack, I’ve had a blast dedicating most of my nine lives to this job. But the way this city’s going, I’m worried I’ll lose the last of them before I even get to enjoy a decent round of golf." “Do you really think you would enjoy retirement?” asked Jack. “You’re going to miss all of this excitement.” “Won’t know until I try,” replied Whiskers. “And I can get one of ‘em pretty nurses to take care of me. That’s all the excitement I’ll need.” “That only happens if you have a disability or injury and are in need of assistance.” Whiskers stood up from his chair. “Well, there is still time. I’m sure I can rustle up some trouble before my last day.” Jack sighed. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Sounds like you’ve got your mind made up. We’re going to miss you, pal. The precinct won’t be the same without you." Whiskers appeared to get choked up. “You okay?” asked Jack. Whiskers quickly composed himself. “Yeah, I had a furball coming up. Anyway, I’ll miss you too, Jack. You’ve saved my fur more times than I can count.” "Enjoy retirement, you earned it." Whiskers smiled, He tossed away his cigarette and ambled over to Lieutenant Dekker’s office to inform him of his decision. Later that day, Dekker’s voice roared across the precinct. "SLATER!" The bellow was so powerful, it shattered the glass pane on Dekker’s office door. Jack ducked into the office. "What’s the emergency, Lieutenant?" Dekker’s face was red with a mix of frustration and panic. "How are we supposed to replace Whiskers? He’s an animated cat, Slater. There’s literally no one else like him!" Jack gave him a reassuring nod. "I’ve been thinking about it all day. Give me a week. I’ve got a few ideas." THE CANDIDATES A week later, Jack returned with two candidates that he was able to locate through his friend Danny. Both of them followed him into the precinct. Bonkers D. Bobcat bounced along with a hyperactive energy. His orange fur stood in vibrant contrast against his bright blue police uniform. Beside him, Judy Hopps. a petite gray rabbit with sparkling purple eyes, stood with a composed yet eager demeanor. "Wow! This place is amazing!" Bonkers exclaimed as his eyes darted around the precinct. "It’s way more expansive than where I was before!" Judy smiled politely. “It’s impressive.” Her gaze scanned the bustling precinct and settled on a large dispatch station handing out assignments. "It looks intense. But not too different from Zootopia." “Just wait here and he will bring you in when he is ready,” said Jack. Dekker already had their applications and perused through them on his desk. BONKERS D. BOBCAT Goals: - To bring laughter and justice to the world. - To prove that toons can be serious law enforcement officers. Experience: - Former cop in the Toon Division of the LAPD, mainly focused on Toon Town, Hollywood. - Solved cases involving rogue cartoons and human suspects. - Expert in slapstick combat and improvisation. References: - Miranda Wright, former partner - Lucky Piquel, former partner - Chief Leonard Kanifky JUDY HOPPS Goals: - To prove that anyone can be anything. - To bridge the gap between animated and live-action policing. Experience: - Officer at Zootopia Police Department. - Solved high-profile cases, including the Night Howler conspiracy. - Skilled in negotiation, investigation, and physical combat. References: - Chief Bogo, Zootopia PD - Nick Wilde, ZPD officer THE INTERVIEWS Bonkers was selected first to go in. He sprung off his tail and bounded into Dekker’s office. He took his seat with a wide smile across his face. Being a bobcat, he reminded Dekker of Whiskers, although their demeanors couldn’t be farther apart. Dekker leaned forward and studied Bonkers. "Why do you think you’re the right fit for this job?" "I’ve got the experience, Lieutenant. I’ve worked with humans before, even if they were cartoon humans. Also, I know how to think outside the box..or inside it, if I’m being chased by a rogue anvil." Dekker raised an eyebrow. "How do you handle high-pressure situations?" "Pressure? That’s my middle name! Well, actually, it’s D. But I’ve been flattened, stretched, and squashed, and I always bounce back. Literally. There’s nothing that scares me." Dekker pursed his lips. "What’s your biggest weakness?" Bonkers’ ears drooped slightly. "Sometimes I can get too excited. But I’ve been working on staying focused." "Final question. Do you foresee any problems working with live-action officers?" Bonkers saluted. "No sir! Humans, cartoons, live-action—it’s all the same when it comes to justice." “Thank you for coming down, Officer Bobcat. We will let you know.” Bonkers reached over the desk to shake Dekker’s hand. “If you decide to give me this opportunity, I promise to make this precinct proud.” After the departure of Bonkers from Dekker’s office, Judy was motioned to go in. She strode in with confidence and sat across from the lieutenant. Dekker eyed Judy. "You think you’re tough enough for this precinct?" Judy smiled. "Lieutenant, I’ve faced predators twice my size and taken down a city-wide conspiracy. I’m not worried." Dekker leaned back on his chair. "Human Resources tells me I’m mean and intimidating. Does that bother you?" Judy’s ears twitched. "Not at all. From where I sit, you’re nowhere near as intimidating as Chief Bogo." Dekker chuckled. "Fair enough. What would you say is your biggest strength?" "I don’t give up. No matter how hard the case gets, I’ll see it through." "How do you handle team dynamics?" "I work well with others, even if we start off on the wrong foot. I believe building trust is key." Dekker nodded. "Final question. Why do you want this job?" Judy’s eyes widened. "Because it’s a new challenge, a chance to prove myself in a whole new way and help bridge the gap between our worlds." “Thank you for your interest in this position, Officer Hopps. We will let you know.” “I hope to hear from you soon.” Judy nodded respectfully and exited. Dekker did not leave his office for the rest of the day. Eventually Jack walked in to check in on him. He saw Dekker looking wistfully at a group picture with Whiskers. “How you doing, lieutenant?” Jack inquired. “They both seem like upstanding police officers.” Dekker exhaled. “But they’re not Whiskers.” “Of course not. But different doesn’t always mean worse. Like Classical music. I had never heard it before until I was Danny’s house and now…” Dekker cut him off. “What are you talking about? I need to hire a new animated officer here. We aren't talking about music. Who would you choose?” Jack held up his hand in protest and shook his head. “No, no. That’s not my job. My job is to beat the bad guys and deliver great one liners. I found you the candidates, the decision is now up to you.” Jack slung his jacket over his shoulder as he turned to leave. “I'm going to have dinner with my daughter. Let me know when you’ve made up your mind.” Dekker looked back down at the two applications on his desk.

Bumping up for any last-minute voters.

FINAL GIRL FACE-OFF ROUND 1: MATCH 2 Elvira stepped back onto the stage with her black gown shimmering under the lights. ELVIRA: Welcome back, fiends and freaks, to Final Girl Faceoff! Tonight, we’re doubling the danger, because today’s generation has the attention span of a fruit fly on caffeine. That’s right, two matches are happening at the same time! Randy Meeks quickly slipped on a sweater vest over his Wolf Man t-shirt RANDY: That’s right, Elvira. While Nancy Wheeler and Lori Campbell are busy fighting werewolves in the woods, we’ve got a unique battle of the minds coming up between two Nightmare on Elm Street icons: Alice Johnson and Nancy Thompson! Elvira clapped her hands together dramatically, ELVIRA: Oh, the Freddy connection between them and Lori! This end of the bracket is giving me life. RANDY: And possibly taking some away, considering who’s coming for them. Because Freddy isn’t the only connection on this end of the bracket, there are also some Stranger Things happening. Elvira raised an eyebrow. ELVIRA: Vecna, right? Hawkins’ favorite trauma demon? RANDY: Bingo! Vecna’s targeting both Alice and Nancy, looking to sacrifice them to open a portal to our world from the Upside Down. A fitting challenge for these Final Girls, given their history of battling evil in their minds. Elvira beamed with a wicked grin. ELVIRA: Not to mention their shared trauma buffet. Vecna must be salivating. RANDY: Henry Creel’s not just a monster; he’s a trauma connoisseur. And these two have been through enough nightmares to keep him busy for a while. Elvira’s eyes widened in mock concern as she leaned forward. ELVIRA: But I wonder, will Alice’s dream powers give her an unfair edge? RANDY: Not necessarily. Vecna doesn’t attack in dreams, Elvira. He invades your subconscious. Both women have the mental toughness to fight back, and I’m confident they’ll bring their own flavor to the fight. Elvira winked. ELVIRA: I do love flavor. Speaking of which, we’ve given both Final Girls a little prep time and some assistance from Hawkins locals Eddie Munson and Steve Harrington. They’re here to fill in the blanks without dragging our heroines through the whole "watch your friends and loved ones get twisted into pretzels" routine. Randy nodded. RANDY: And for the record, I’m not suggesting they dispatch the boys this time. They will need Eddie and Steve. When you’re up against Vecna, any extra set of hands, or someone to pull you back to reality, is crucial. ELVIRA: Fair enough. For me, I’m dying to see their musical choices. Music’s the key to blocking Vecna’s influence, and I have some fabulous guesses based on their 80s roots. Randy chuckled. RANDY: Let’s hope they pick something better than my high school mixtapes. None of the girls seemed to like those songs. Elvira shook her head. ELVIRA: Let’s get this show on the road! Both Final Girls are now arriving in their respective trailers within the trailer park. It’s Alice Johnson versus Nancy Thompson, with Hawkins’ worst nightmare as the main event challenge. Enjoy the chaos, everyone! ALICE'S TRAILER Alice smiled politely as Eddie Munson entered. ALICE: Hi, I’m Alice. Eddie grinned and slightly fidgeted. EDDIE: Eddie Munson. Nice to meet you. Uh, just to get this out of the way… yeah, I got killed by Vecna. I was one of his victims. Well, sort of, not really. It was more like his creepy bat army that did me in. Alice frowned sympathetically. ALICE: I’m sorry to hear that. Eddie shrugged. EDDIE: Eh, I had already become a pariah in Hawkins. There wasn’t a lot for me to go back to. Look, I’m going to be straight with you, I’m no Dustin Henderson when it comes to planning, but I’ll help however I can. Alice placed a reassuring hand on his arm. ALICE: That’s all I need. But are you okay? You’re shaking. Eddie chuckled nervously. EDDIE: After being chewed on by bats in the Upside Down, I’m not exactly thrilled about a rematch. Honestly, some recreational… uh… remedies would really help right now. He was mostly joking but watched Alice for her reaction. She smiled softly. ALICE: I appreciate the honesty, but I need you focused. Don’t worry…Vecna can’t be worse than Freddy. Eddie blinked. EDDIE: Freddy Krueger? The guy with the knives for fingers? Alice grinned. ALICE: Yep. And I beat him. Eddie felt a small surge of confidence. EDDIE: Well alright then, Alice. Let’s show Vecna who’s boss. NANCY'S TRAILER Steve Harrington was already rummaging through a box of cassette tapes as Nancy entered the trailer. STEVE: So, what’s your favorite song? NANCY: Excuse me? Steve paused and held up a cassette tape. STEVE: Music blocks Vecna’s influence. Trust me, it works. So, what’s your go-to? Nancy crossed her arms. NANCY: Would you even like to know my name first? Steve looked sheepish. STEVE: Right. Sorry. What’s your name? Nancy smirked slightly. NANCY: Nancy Thompson. Steve laughed. STEVE: Of course it is. Leave it to The Powers That Be behind this tournament to pair me with another Nancy. That’s some sick twisted humour they have. Nancy regarded him with curiosity. NANCY: Another Nancy? STEVE: Don’t worry about it. I’m Steve. I have fought against this guy before. It was tough, we had to attack him from a bunch of different angles. I wish we had Eleven here. Her powers would make this so much easier. NANCY: I don’t know who that is, but I want you to know I’m not scared. I’ve faced evil before. Fear is a weapon monsters like this use. Knowing that takes away one of their best advantages and makes you stronger. Steve thought for a moment. STEVE: That’s… actually really inspiring. I’m glad I volunteered for this. If participating in this gets rid of Vecna and the Upside Down for good, I’m all in. Nancy smiled. NANCY: Good. Now, the tape you’re looking for is this one. She picked out a Cyndi Lauper taper. NANCY: The song is Time after Time. Steve held up the tape triumphantly. STEVE: Perfect. Let’s do this. As Alice and Nancy prepared themselves for the coming storm. In the distance, the faint, ominous chimes of a grandfather clock echoed through the air. The battle for their minds, and their lives, was soon to begin.

The beginning of a pirate epic, I am all the way in. What role will Ishmael play in it all, I wonder. I am going with Blackbeard. Perhaps John Silver betrays Flint at a crucial moment so that he can pursue a certain treasure. Who knows, but I want to find out.

FINAL GIRL FACE-OFF ROUND 1: MATCH 1 Elvira stepped onto the stage with a dramatic flourish in her traditional skin tight black dress with plunging neckline and black beehive hair. ELVIRA: Welcome, boils and ghouls, to the first-ever “Final Girl Face-Off!" I’m your mistress of ceremonies, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. And joining me tonight, all the way from the VHS section of your local video store, if you can remember those, is horror’s favorite trivia geek, Randy Meeks! Randy Meeks, from the Scream franchise, stepped in to the spotlight wearing a Wolf Man t-shirt and an awkward grin RANDY: Thanks, Elvira! It’s an honor to be here to help host… or you know, doing anything after… you know… being stabbed to death by Billy’s mother. Elvira smirked. ELVIRA: Darling, I’m not sure what’s more shocking: that you’re here or that you managed to stay quiet long enough to be resurrected. But seriously, it’s good to have you. I’ve heard you’re a big fan of mine. Randy blushed nervously as Elvira drew in close. RANDY: Huge fan. I’ve seen every movie, every TV appearance… I even had your poster on my wall. ELVIRA: I’m flattered. Though I’m sure your love of horror meant you had posters of chainsaws and masked maniacs too. RANDY: Guilty as charged. Speaking of maniacs, let’s tell everyone why we are here. We’re about to see sixteen brave horror heroines face off in the ultimate test of survival skills, guts, and… maybe even the creative use of sharp objects. ELVIRA: That’s right, Randy. Sixteen Final Girls have been selected to compete in various horror-themed challenges. At the end of this tournament, one will be crowned the top Final Girl. RANDY: And if there’s one thing I’ve come to learn, it’s that survival isn’t just about luck. It’s about strategy, smarts, and knowing your horror tropes inside and out. ELVIRA: Speaking of tropes, let’s introduce our first match-up. Competing first are two incredible women who know a thing or two about facing down scary things that hunt in the dark. We have two monster mashing maidens from the Midwest. First, from Hawkins, Indiana, we have Nancy Wheeler! And her opponent, straight out of Springwood, Ohio we have Lori Campbell!" RANDY: For this challenge, we’ve dropped Nancy and Lori into… drumroll please… cabins in the woods! Each will be in their own separate cabin and will be tasked with surviving a werewolf attack. The Final Girl who lasts the longest, or takes down the werewolf first, will move on to the next round. ELVIRA: Both ladies will have supplies, useful werewolf lore provided, and ample prep time. This challenge was specifically selected to showcase their incredible ability to devise plans and adapt to otherworldly threats. RANDY: Nancy and Lori are veteran strategists with proven track records. Nancy’s tackled Demogorgons and planned assaults on Vecna, and Lori successfully pitted Freddy and Jason against each other in a bid to defeat both horror icons. ELVIRA: And for their benefit and to increase the drama, they won’t be alone. Nancy will be joined by her boyfriend, Jonathan Byers, while Lori will have her love interest, Will Rollins, by her side. RANDY: Honestly, I would advise them that they should just kill their boyfriends now before they inevitably turn into werewolves and make everything worse. Elvira gasped is mock horror. ELVIRA: Randy! How could you say such a thing? Randy shrugged. RANDY: I’m just saying, horror history isn’t kind to the boyfriends. Survival means thinking with your head, not your heart. ELVIRA: Well, let’s see if our Final Girls are as ruthless as you suggest. Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the first match of the Final Girl Faceoff! CABIN CONVERSATIONS NANCY'S CABIN Jonathan Byers paced nervously. JONATHAN: So… we’re really doing this? A werewolf, Nancy? Like, an actual, flesh-ripping, moon-howling monster? Nancy organized supplies on the table with a determined focus. NANCY: We’ve faced worse. Remember the Mind Flayer? Or any of the other threats posed by the Upside Down? JONATHAN: Yeah, but… a werewolf. That’s not… I mean, it’s not the same. Nancy looked up at Jonathan with a reassuring smile. NANCY: It’s exactly the same. It’s a monster, Jonathan. And monsters can be killed. Jonathan sighed. JONATHAN: And you’re sure this is worth it? I mean, closing the Upside Down for good? Can we even trust these "Powers That Be” behind this tournament to do that just because they promised to? NANCY: If there’s even a chance they can keep Hawkins safe… keep your family and my family safe… it’s worth it. Jonathan reluctantly nodded. JONATHAN: Okay. So what’s the plan? LORI'S CABIN Will Rollins sat at the edge of the bed. WILL: This… this is insane, Lori. We’re supposed to fight a werewolf? What if it’s just like Freddy or Jason? What if it’s… worse? Lori looked over a map of the area as her mind started to formulate a plan. LORI: It won’t be worse. Freddy messes with your mind, and Jason… well, he’s practically unkillable. A werewolf? It’s dangerous, but it’s not unstoppable. Will frowned. WILL: And you’re okay with this? Just… risking our lives again? Lori looked at him with compassion. LORI: If we win, Freddy and Jason are gone for good. Forever. No more nightmares, no more looking over our shoulders. Isn’t that worth it? WILL: Yeah, but… I don’t want to lose you. Lori placed a hand on his shoulder. LORI: You won’t. We’ve been through too much to lose now. Will sighed. WILL: Alright. So, what do we do? Outside the cabins, the sun draws closer to the horizon marking the ticking time clock for preparations to begin. The battle for survival has started.

Somewhat of a new character rumble. When @Mercenaryblade added Phosphorus and Atomic Skull I realized that I get all three of these mixed up, which is somewhat because I believe Blight is based on Doctor Phosphorus, but either way death match for all three of them where only one can remain standing for my sanity.

Rain has had two CBUB fights, both ending in ties, one against Amon and once against Kenji. Three-way battle to find a true winner.