CHORUS VS. ROQUE
“The first Fiend of this match played all your favorite roles in films and TV decades ago. Now they use their ambition to put the Fiends For Hire in the spotlight. Their ambition will never be quelled until the group is all anyone talks about. They can judge your potential as a star with just a single glance. The Questionable Quick-Changer, Chorus!”
“And our next competitor has already made more money off of this tournament than any of you will see in your lives. He gave me a pre-emptive notice that if I say anything positive or nice about him in any regard, that he will sue me out of existence. So welcome renowned global zjikstain, The Scummy Swindler, Roque!”
“Both competitors refused obstacles. And there will also be no commentary, because, and I quote, ‘They will provide all the commentary themselves.’ Fight!”
“It was inevitable that they would face us off against each other,” Chorus smirked at their opponent. “I just didn’t think it would be in the first round. What a waste. This is at least a faceoff worthy of the quarter-finals, I’d say.”
“I’d even wager the semi-finals,” Roque amended. “But I guess the commoners aren’t as intimately aware of the nature of our relationship as our companions. Shall we go ahead and settle this farce?”
“As you wish,” Chorus nodded.
A gun suddenly appeared in Roque’s hand and he fired a shot in the blink of an eye. But then Chorus’ wardrobe spawned directly in front of them, blocking the shot just as quickly. “As expected,” Roque tossed the gun aside and it vanished into a contract. “A fight between us would be a waste of time.”
Chorus nodded again, “I wholeheartedly agree. Our powers and skills are a bad matchup for each other. We’d just get all worked up and sweaty, no closer to a proper outcome. Unless you know something that I don’t.”
“No, I’d say we have a full understanding of what the other is capable of,” The Swindler spouted truth. “That was the fastest I can fire a gun, but you can defend just as fast. I have no weapons in my arsenal with a faster reaction time. Sure, I have some that could blow up any other opponent, but with your invulnerable box, you can always cover yourself before I can hit you.”
“And I don’t have much more on my end,” The Quick-Changer admitted. “Any outfit that I put either of us in, you could take away with a contract. I could attempt to throw something at you, but I’m aware of how my physical capabilities scale versus yours. And if need be, we could enter a war of attrition, you in your cottage, and me in my wardrobe. We could drag this on for days.”
“Yes, the only definitive way I can see to defeat you is to steal the very stage we’re standing on,” Roque surmised. “Assuming that wasn’t an immediate disqualification, I’d still then be gambling that your feet touched the ground before mine. That’s not a bet I want to take since my victory would be far from assured. Besides, neither of us are fighters at heart. We’re both stronger with our words than any weapon.”
Chorus took a step forward and swept a gesture with their hand, as if inviting Roque to come closer. “So our words it shall be. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“I believe so,” Roque reciprocated and began strolling towards the middle of the arena. “Let’s have a threat-off!” The pair started circling around the Fiends For Hire logo that stretched across the floor. Their eyes locked together, unblinking, unyielding, staring into each other's very being.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“I’ll start,” Roque insisted. “A special cut of the hit 2059 classic spy movie, Loveless Lick, where you star as the lead actress; the first alleged female to play the lead in a spy thriller. Groundbreaking stuff that helped shatter gender roles in the film industry. My cut includes the thought-lost blooper reel where your wig falls off, revealing a rather nasty mishap from the dressing room earlier that day.”
“Ohoho, softballing to start, are we?” Chorus snickered. “That’s nothing. I could spin it any way I wanted to, even say it was a body double, and everyone would believe me. So let’s hit a little harder. A picture of a much younger Roque Personson, newly divorced, ragged, homeless, panhandling on the streets and begging for food. The poorest man in the world.”
“Go right ahead,” Roque shrugged at his foe, still refusing to break eye contact. “If anything, it should serve as motivation. Rags to riches and all that. They can hope that one day they’ll achieve the same thing as me. They won’t, but it’s nice to imagine. But if we’re upping the ante… Your very first audition tape. No makeup, no acting lessons, just a teenager with a thick accent and untamed eyebrows.”
“Ah! Now that spices things up,” Chorus’ grin only grew. “If you were to release that, my reputation would receive an uncleansable stain. I could recover from it given enough time, but it would also slightly strain our friendship. We’re getting somewhere. Well then, a list of all charitable donations and their amounts that you’ve made over the years. As expected of someone in your position to be used as tax write-offs. But here’s the thing. You didn’t write them off!”
Roque scowled and sneered at the direct attack that clearly wounded his pride. He made no witty response and instead just jabbed back. “Fine, if we’re going with damning lists. A comprehensive list of every single actor and industry worker whom you’ve had a hand in destroying their careers and dreams. Every trick you ever pulled, even the ones no one else knows about, not even those you hurt.”
Chorus took a pained step back, nearly stumbling over themselves from the shock. But they recovered and stepped back, rejoining Roque’s rhythm in their pacing circle. “So we’ve gone from friendly prods straight to the throat. Know that you stooped so low first… A video… of your wedding, specifically the vows that you made to your now ex-wife, whom the world blames you for her death.”
Roque stopped walking entirely at that, his face lit up with rage. “I see you’ve crossed a line,” every word fumed with anger. “So I’ll cross it too.” A contract appeared behind him, and a single envelope fluttered out into his hand. He then held it up high, waving it in front of the crowd.
“A single nude,” Roque’s words were heavy and vindictive. “It bears it all for everyone to see. Finally, the entire world will know the truth of what lies under the mysterious Chorus Mistrion’s wardrobe.”
“How-How did you get that?!” Chorus broke all composure and demanded to know.
“Money can buy anything,” Roque smirk became absolutely fiendish. “But rest assured, I’m the only one who’s seen this, has seen your shame. And it can stay that way, my friend.”
“You’re the biggest Cosdamned Mawhging Zjikhole of a Draz on all of Rathe! You know that, don’t you, Roque Personson?!” Chorus couldn’t contain their malice. “And there’s no way that’s the only copy either, so I couldn’t wrestle it away from you.”
“...Is it at least tasteful?”
“Oh no…” Roque huffed, even his breaths sounding wicked. “I’d say it’s rather provocative… reputation ruining, even.”
Chorus started stomping around muttering to themselves, occasionally they’d throw a hateful glance in Roque’s direction, but found they couldn’t maintain eye contact with him any longer. “Fine,” they finally relented. “I surrender.” They turned towards the edge of the stage and started to march away. “But mark my words, Personson. Before the end of the day, that picture will be destroyed, no matter what I have to do.”
“Roque… wins? I guess.”
~Unfulfilled Wish~
Chorus: To film and release whatever I want without having to ask permission.