>>293361
Glorious. Seconding this.

>>293346
"Because a bunch of so-called heroes try to murder me for being the son of a man I never met. Since I want to live I have no choice but to play the game, and if the moral high ground is nothing but lip service..."
Have NINJA BUTLER do the IRONY thing now.
"Then I'll pick the one that pays more."

He can't really attack you unprovoked after that kind of speech without looking like a total dick, and this will have him thinking he can redeem you which will give you an edge if you ever want to screw with his head.
Besides, this is winding down and you'll look better if you can walk away instead of running.

"I am Blackwick, the Baron Obsidian. I fight because it pays a hell of a lot better than my job working the checkout counter ever did. I fight to find out about my father, and I fight to find out who *I* am. And today I learned that this... *gesture at the aftermath around you* ...is not for me."

>>293346
Because I never knew my father. This is what he did instead of raising me. I wanted to find out what kept him away.

>>293346
Ok take a moment to calm down, he isn't going to smack you around mid sentence so take you time and talk.

"Black Wick, the Baron Obsidian" Give a little bow here. "And yes, the name is more prestigious than my efforts justify. Still I feel I've done well for myself so far, in this role I never expected to be in. Why do I fight here today? The Queen asked it of me, and she can be very persuasive. And for myself, fighting along and against new faces is valuable experience. Now then as for why I fight at all... well perhaps I am still finding my purpose. But I can tell you that I am not like these others here. Malice, deranged pleasure, inflicting pain... not my style. I am not an evil man."

At this point you teleport away and upwards, hopefully out of reach of whatever he would do to you.

"Now then, I submit that you are stronger than I, and I really would rather not miss my date tonight due to the grievous wounds fighting you would certainly result in, so I will take my leave. Take care, hero." At this point you want to teleport again and go warn little miss pumpkin head of our bloody friends loss. It's about time to wrap this up, I think.

Also seconding the way the first "heroes" you met tried to kill you while you were just a civilian. Maybe point out how the Iron City "heroes" responded to your nonlethal attacks and attempts to talk by trying to gauge out your eyes and carve you up with buzzsaws, respectively.

>>293346
"My name is Black Wick, and I am the Baron Obsidian. Why do I fight here today? I was asked to. Why do I fight at all? That's more complicated. I never fought as a child. But my father, whom I never knew, was a villain. He lived the life I've recently seized, and he fought. Then one day, when I was working my minimum wage job like every other slave to the system, I was attacked. Who attacked me? Why, men who would be heroes, of course. My father had been killed, and these so-called heroes tracked me down intending to end my father's line for good. He was so loathsome to them that they would see none of his blood left on this earth. Why? I know not. They told me merely that they assaulted me because I am a villain, and that I am a villain because my father was. So I fight because I am beset, and I fight because my father fights no more. And I fight to learn why it is that my father ever fought." [Insert dramatic action here] "Besides, villainy pays well."

>>293346
Tell him that you fight to regain your family's honour, or something like that. Then teleport the fuck out of there. This guy is one we don't want to mess with in any way.

"Heroes" killed your father and then tried to kill you, so you fight against them and the order for which they stand.

Make sure you come off as a vengeance-seeking badass and not a kid making excuses. Spend an FX towards this end if you have to.

Gentlemanly taunting, then sophisticated assholeishness.

>>293346
Leggy aimed his kick to not snap your neck, and he's taken the time to make the observation that you're a little outclassed. He's not going to kill you (probably), and you have the villainous healing power to recover from anything else. Try not to fight him, but if you have to, fight honorably and go down classy. Not every battle can be won.

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/11(Mon)01:49 No. 295607 ID: 5d54a5
File 130251179731.png - (98.45KB , 700x500 , 199.png )

I continue to sweat. My legs shake with fear. My wounds sting. It is difficult to hold my sword. But I bow anyway, lightly, and smile like the devil.

I have been invited to talk. It is time to dance the dance of words, that I may live to dance the dance of blood another day. Actually that was an awesome metaphor, I need to remember that one.

"My name is Black Wick, and I am the Baron Obsidian. The name may be more prestigious than my efforts justify, but I feel I have done well for myself so far, in this role I never expected to be in. Why do I fight here today? It was an invitation from a friend. Why do I fight at all? Well... that's a tad more complicated."

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/11(Mon)01:50 No. 295608 ID: 5d54a5
File 130251181874.png - (133.34KB , 700x500 , 200.png )

I swallow my fear, and stand up. My legs stop shaking, as I build momentum. I begin to rant.

"This destiny is not one I asked for. I was not expecting to ever become a villain, an enemy of society. I've always been a peaceful, quiet, useless man. But one day, not too long ago, when I was working my minimum wage job like every other slave to the system, I was attacked. Who attacked me, you wonder?"

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/11(Mon)01:50 No. 295609 ID: 5d54a5
File 130251183026.png - (144.60KB , 700x500 , 201.png )

It feels natural. My rant strengthens, and I shout the next line triumphantly, a crescendo reached, momentum built. I can't stop now.

"Why, men who would be heroes, of course! My father had been killed, murdered, and these so-called heroes tracked me down, intending to end my father's line for good. He was so loathsome to them that they would see none of his blood left on this earth. Why? I know not. They assaulted me because I am a villain, and say that I am a villain because my father was. My father, a man I had never met! And they tried to kill me for it. What choice did I have, but to accept these powers I have been granted?"

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/11(Mon)01:50 No. 295610 ID: 5d54a5
File 130251185330.png - (316.79KB , 700x500 , 202.png )

I lean back a little, returning to a more reserved stance My grip tightens on my sword. I can't feel my wounds anymore. They don't exist to me. I was born for this. I feel something carrying my words... confidence.

"But I do not blame them. In fact, were it not for their assault, I'd have never left the reverie that was my old life. I have since abandoned the life of the mindless corporate drone. For the first time, my life is truly mine. I don't need to be held back. I can press onward, with anything I should desire! I am a villain, because I despise my old self. My old limitations."

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/11(Mon)01:51 No. 295611 ID: 5d54a5
File 130251186822.png - (167.98KB , 700x500 , 203 AdviceWick.png )

Words I never thought come from my lips. Phrases I never knew come to mind. I am carried onward, carried away.

"But that's all gone. I can't possibly go back now. The old me is dead. I fight on because I must. I fight because my father fights no more. I fight to learn just exactly why my father ever fought in the first place! I fight for this new life, for this role that has been thrust into me beyond my will. I will not run from this destiny. This world is mine to seize, and I refuse to let go."

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/11(Mon)01:51 No. 295612 ID: 5d54a5
File 130251188693.png - (173.01KB , 700x500 , 204.png )

My wounds are no more. My weakness is gone. My fear has vanished. In this moment, I am invincible, and I am carried away.

"I am the Baron Obsidian..." I draw up my sword, pointing it at Law Legs dramatically. "...And I am free. There is nothing in this world that can stop a free man. Would you bother to try, Law Legs?"

He stands silent. He has stood silent this entire time, his left sleeve whipping lightly in the wind.

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/11(Mon)01:51 No. 295613 ID: 5d54a5
File 130251190296.png - (119.14KB , 700x500 , 205.png )

His eyes narrow, and with a look of profound sadness, he breaks eye contact, and answers.

"Yes."

The moment passes. Law Legs looks back at me, the mask firmly back in place. Whatever I saw in that one moment is gone now. He loosens into a fighting stance. I do the same, but as I do, I ask one more question.

"And why, Law Legs, do you wish to stop me?"

The answer is simpler than I had expected.

"Because I can stop a free man."

I smile. The air is charged. The stage is set. "Is that so? We shall see. We have danced the dance of words, hero. It is time to dance the dance of blood. Show me your worst."
...Did I just say that? I just said that. Well, too late now. The Baron Obsidian does not go back on his word.





...does he?

>>295613
Oh god we're going to die

Well, maybe not. Fight defensively. Have a teleport prepared at all times. Do not use teleports offensively ever, as your goal here is to stay conscious until your two allies are finished with Mana. You could try blocking one of his regular kicks but NEVER let him connect with a power attack.

>>295613
He totally does. He dies if he doesn't. This guy just danced the dance of blood with a guy entirely made out of blood and kicked his ass. We don't stand a chance. Besides, you're a man free of everything. That totally includes your own word.

Leap towards him with a strike, but teleport as far away as you can during it. Maybe still somewhere you can see how Deli and the Queen are doing, but only if you're sure you won't be found.

Of course he doesn't. Are you really going to back down now? This is who we are. Fight till the last.

>>295614
Use this for tactics.

>>295613
Not after such a speech he doesn't.

Doesn't mean you have to fight like a moron and take his hits though. Use your teleports defenively. Keep alive and try to get a feel for him, how does he attack, how does he move and where and when can you strike? Once you have the information you think you need it will be time to unleash the counter attacks. And don't try for a big god damn hero/villian strike. You're unlikely to be able to end it in one glorious move, you will have to wear him down, make him tired and try to get him to make mistakes.

>>295614
We are totally going to die.

Fight defensively. Like, really defensively. None of that "Suddenly I am behind you!" stuff that's worked before. If he attacks, suddenly you are at least ten feet away. Have your sword ready only for that brief moment when he closes in, before you move away. Throw obsidian shards. We really need a ranged attack.

He said he can stop a free man? Let's make that a challenge. He has to catch us first.

>>295628
>>295636
These these these. Fight ultra-defensively while observing his tactics. Try using forge obsidian to blast shards as makeshift buckshot if possible, perhaps you could even make them incendiary blasts using your flame aura. Whatever the case, wear him down heavily with a ranged hit and run strategy if you wanna stand a chance in melee.

Oh, yeah, and we can fly. So don't just hang around ground level either, absolutely no reason to.

Your flight leaves after images, use this to your advantage.

Start flying around him and teleport whenever he attacks.
Don't always teleport behind him, keep a random-ish pattern going.

Throw Obsidian shards when you can.

Whittle him down.

Sorry, after that speech, I'm afraid you're not allowed to chicken out.

Lets sum up what we know of this guy thus far:

-He's a kick-fighter.
-He does not hold back in combat.
-He's currently breathing rather heavily from his fight with Blood Knight.

Normally, I'd say we don't have a chance, but given the exertion he's been under: Fighting both Hollow Queen AND Blood Knight in rapid succession...we may have a fighting chance. Just don't test the waters by getting hit. Both Blood Knight and Hollow Queen went at him, full-out offensive. They got fucked up. Try to bait him into dangerous situations using your afterimages and teleportation, as was mentioned.

If you EVER lose sight of him, TELEPORT. I don't care where, just somewhere.

That was a pretty good speech.

You agreed to dance, but you have no obligation to focus overmuch on harming him. You're better off avoiding attacks as much as possible. Since he kicks and you fly, your waist should absolutely not be bellow his head ever. You should only be even that low when directly attacking. If we're lucky, Hollow Queen and Delirium will be able to incapacitate Mana, and will reinforce us.

>>295613
>>295612
Good news, everyone!
With that little speech you just made the win condition change into: ESCAPE. IT is now no longer dishonorable to simply run away and hide.
Why? Because you challenged him to stop you, to catch you, and he accepted. This fight can only end in one of two ways: he catches you, or you slip from his grasp to fight another day.
So let's run away, DRAMATICALLY.

>>295771
Utilize smoke bombs, if you have any. When you get fire control, if you don't already have it, remember that fire is always the best blinding weapon. Always always always. Especially with your teleport ability.

After the speech you made, you should probably avoid out right fleeing.

Fight defensively for as long as possible, hoping your allies can come to your assistance.

Of course, you should not forget a few simple things. Namely, your allies are villains, which means that if they deem it necessary. they can just abandon you, so do not completely depend on them coming to help you.

The second thing is that you are also a villain. If during the fight it becomes obvious that you are about to lose rather painfully or terminally, just get the fuck out. Who cares what happens to the other villains, as long as you remain in relatively good health. The escape has to be done in a suave and dramatic fashion, of course.

Teleport upwards, just within earshot.
"Oh wait I forgot, I have a date tonight. I don't mind having a epic battle leaving us both with concussions, but it simply would not do do disappoint a lady. Take a rain check?"

Villainous? Every long term villain knows when to run, ones that don't never get there. Practical? As not getting the snot beat out of you ever is. Classy? Nothing wrong with punctuating drama with a quick bit of funny. Theme? Ladies are your villainous soft spot, and this fits fine with that.

Port over and let the queen know how things went over here.

Seriously, people, run away? This is NOT the time to run away. We aren't being support right now, we're the main attraction. We have to stick this out. Fight defensively until we get backup, but do NOT run away.

Blacwick ain't gonna pussy out now. Fight!

>>295613
No, the Baron Obsidian does not go back on his word.

That said, your whole speech ended up with you declaring yourself free- and he's said that he can stop you. As long as you make at least a respectable effort to fight him, you'll be keeping your word because you are, after all, as free to escape as you are free to stay. He might try to hunt you down and kill you, though; stopping free men can't be all that easy. Might want to keep an eye out after this is over.

Anyway. You know he'll slaughter you in melee, so keep on your toes and on the defensive. Teleport to a random place somewhere not to his front if he's closing on you, kite him with obsidian missiles, and keep your sword/shield ready to take the impact of any blow if you absolutely must. Keep to the air so that he has to keep leaping at you in order to engage, and if you ever lose track of him teleport to some distance away to reassess the field of battle immediately.

While doing this, steal a glance at Hollow Queen, Delirium, and Mana. If you can manage to delay this battle until theirs is over, you've effectively won- you'll be able to either rely upon your allies to defeat him, or be able to withdraw gracefully from combat with a quick one-liner after having made a good showing against a superior opponent. So all you need to do is survive for a while and make it clear that you're fighting (even if not terribly effectively) while not completely getting your ass kicked.

>>295918
We can regenerate. We're a total newby on this scale. He's a big name. Even totally getting our ass kicked is impressive as long as it's one on one.

On the other hand, running away after a speech like that?.. We might as well hang up our cloak right there, we'll never get any respect again.

Kite! Kite for your freedom, kite for your life.

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/12(Tue)05:40 No. 295983 ID: 5d54a5
Audio Shadowlord's_Theme_-_Unknown.mp3 - (5.33MB , Shadowlord's Theme - Unknown.mp3 )

No, I can't back down. Not now.

After a moment that feels much too long, he charges.

Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/12(Tue)05:41 No. 295984 ID: 5d54a5
File 130261207244.png - (2.17MB , 700x5000 , 206 copy.png )

I immediately teleport up, 40 feet into the air. I watch as my after image disintegrates before his kick, and as I prepare a second teleport, I throw out a few shards with a taunt. "Oh c'mon, you're faster than that!" He follows my voice, and steps back to dodge my attack, before leaping up at me.

I teleport again, over the hospital this time, well away from him. "I thought you said you could stop a free man!" I taunt, preparing another obsidian shard. He looks to me, and kicks off the air. A small green burst appears behind him, and he is propelled towards me. The sound of a church bell echoes in the air. Well, that's not quite flying, but it might as well be when he can kick the freaking atmosphere.

My teleport needs another moment to charge. I toss an obsidian shard, and he deflects it with his book, using the momentum to turn towards a kick. I fly with the direction of his motion, swinging my sword in a desperate attempt to deflect the blow. It connects, and a loud crack splits the air.

My blade snaps, the top half sent flying, the bottom half falling from my grip under the force of the blow. I cry out in pain as I'm sent spinning through the air, but I recover, over the next building over. My wrist is broken, but I'm certain I managed to cut him with that. Law Legs lands heavily on the hospital building, slumped over for a moment. It doesn't last.

Law Legs raises his book up to me, and a runic circle appears on the floor around him. That... that can't be good. He begins to chant something, but I can't exactly hear it. The runes begin to glow, and I immediately teleport away, down to the roof of the next building over.

A giant green cross flies through the air where I was but a moment ago, the sound of bells ringing through the air once more. I don't know what it would have done to me, but I'm glad I dodged it. I look back to where Law Legs was, but he's gone! I teleport back 20 feet, to the other end of the roof, out of paranoia...

...just in time to see Law Legs slam down on the roof, right where I was. The roof crumbles under the blow, and Law Legs collapses into the building under me. My breathing hitches, and I'm sweating bullets. I need to move, but my body won't reply. I'm terrified.

1 FX (Law Legs) Blacwick!94Ud9yTfxQ 2011/04/12(Tue)05:41 No. 295985 ID: 5d54a5
File 130261209133.png - (1.32MB , 700x4000 , 207 copy.png )

The ground underneath me erupts, and I am knocked flying up into the air. I don't have a chance to respond before he's in the air beside me, delivering a hard kick to my ribcage. I'm sent rocketing over to the middle of the street. I open my eyes to see Law Legs above me, gearing up for another kick...

...And the next thing I know, I'm in Delirium's arms. "Why hello there, Wicky! So good of you to drop in!" And she laughs her maniacal laugh over her own pun. "Eeeheheeeheeheheheheee!"

And then the world becomes very... quiet. Delirium keeps talking to me, but I can't understand her. I try to make out the words, but it's very difficult... and I am very... tired...

...The world fades to black around me. Dark, silent black.

>>295985
Is Mana dead?! Oh my goodness!

>>295986
Forget Mana, are we still alive? DAMN, that guy kicked our ass, epic music by the way. Seriously though, the power diffrence was beyond belivable. Espeacily with the FX use by Legs there.

O GOD DAMMIT, I JUST REMEMBERED! Don´t we have a date later this day with Angel Frost?

>>295987
Of course we're alive - Delirium is saying 'Okay, good' in the penultimate panel. But yeah, shit was pretty crazy.

>>295987
Yes!
WAKE UP BLACWICK! You aren't dead enough to miss a date!
Don't you dare be unconscious at me young man!

Wonder if you can use FX to wake the fuck up, because you will not fall pray to a stupid cliché.

>>295985
Fuck yeah that was awesome. Hope we can wake up before our date though. Why the hell did we put the date the same day as our epic battle anyway?

>>295986
She can be rebuilt, they have the technology.

>>296023

Because we're Baron Obsidian, and that's how we roll.

>>295985

Let's hope we wore him out a little, because wasn't Hollow Queen missing a hand from the last time she was fighting Law Legs? Even if she did get better..

>>295985
You did well, Blackwick. Not perfectly, but as well as anyone could ask. Held your own with attitude and class, like a true villain should.

Now there's nothing left to do but hope that Delirium gets you out of there and that you wake up in time to date Angel Frost this evening.

>>295984
>>295985
*slowclap*

You did well baron.
You did excellently.

Deserves a movie deal.

>>295991
Fuck you are NOT missing this date.