Here the latest chapter, here is where I'm going to reveal a bit of Null's backstory and even add something for you all to enjoy a bit.
I don't own Shuumatsu no Valkyrie
Chapter 5: Justice Against Dark Justice? Hercules the Hero vs. Red Hood the Vigilante!
Some of the Gods were holding a meeting in Zeus's room, this was the second time a God had died in the Ragnarok tournament, but this was the first victory that Humanity had gained and that spoke volume.
"So… what's up with everyone's face?" Zeus asked, having a cup of tea and covered in bandages.
"Old man!" Shiva shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "This isn't the time to fuck around!"
"Your brother Poseidon was just butchered. Pretty calm, aren't you?" Loki asked.
"Hmm… well that mortal was just stronger than Poseidon… that's all there is to it." Zeus stated, plainly. "Besides… you've all seen the fight. You all know what these battles entailed." He firmly stated. "First… let us admit that Humanity is strong. Next it seems those Valkyrie girls really do intend on killing us, so knowing this we should respond."
"Now that's been settled… I'm next up! I'm not gonna let those little shits get cocky!" Shiva shouted, a dark purple aura oozing off him.
"Ah… about that…" Zeus said, which only infuriated Shiva.
"What now!? Another one of your selfish requests!?" Shiva shouted annoyed.
"My most sincere apologies, but… shouldn't we of the Greek Pantheon, repay this favour they've given us in kind?" Zeus asked, Ares, Hermes, and Hades all had a look of anger one way or another.
"Hmm…" Loki said, intrigue.
"Heh… damn… guess it can't be helped." Shiva said with a sigh. "I swear, you Greek God…"
Meanwhile with Brunhild, Null, and Geir they were preparing for the next round. Null told the two girls he had to use the bathroom for a bit and return like nothing happened.
"The God's insufferable pride won't permit them to lose twice in a row." Brunhild stated.
"She's right. This battle is one we can lose, because they'll be giving their all." Null stated.
"But Sis… Lord Null… who do you think they'll send next?" Geir asked.
"Me." A male voice said, then all three of them felt a great pressure, only Null wasn't affected by it.
"This pressure…" Brunhild thought.
Before them was a muscular redhead man, wearing greek clothing and was wielding a club with a lion's face. Geir ran right at the male with an intense frown and looked like she was going to hit him but instead linked arm with him and had a bright smile.
"Brother Hercules." Geir said with glee.
"Haha, you've gotten big, Geir!" Hercule, The Greek God of Fortune said.
"It has been a while… brother Hercules." Bruhild said with a small smile, bowing a bit.
"It sure has, Brunhild." Hercules said. "You're just as polite as ever, huh?
"I'm glad you're looking as healthy as ever too." Brunhild stated.
"You must be the one helping Burnhild with Humanity, huh?" Hercules said, looking at Null.
"Hmm." Null said in a neutral tone, having a blank face.
"Speaking of which, that response earlier would imply…" Brunhild said, getting serious.
"Yeah… I'm going to be the one appearing in the next fight." Hercules said seriously.
Null and Brunhild looked Hercules in the eyes, they were silent as there was an unspoken truth between them, Geir looked worried.
"Although, it is not my place to say this… I wish you good luck." Brunhild to Hercules.
"Yeah… you too." Hercules said back, and walked off.
"I saw that~." Loki said, appearing out of nowhere. "You sure get along with the Valkyries, dontcha? Hercules." the Greek God remained silent. "Oh, I get it. Though our pantheons may be far apart in geography… they're both full of you half-assed demigods, huh? Isn't going to be hard for you~?" He asked, but Hercules smirked.
"Humanity is a fearsome foe, they prove themselves that much." Hercules stated. "As a representative of the Gods and as a military man, I intend to have a fair fight."
"Hmm. Hope that works out for you." Loki stated.
"Loki… let me just say one thing to you… I'm opposed to the end of Humanity." Hercule said firmly. "However… even since Ragnarok started, I've had no intention of losing. As a representative of the Gods, I will win without a shadow of a doubt!" He shouted. "On top of that… I will move to save Humanity..!"
"Heh. You haven't changed a bit… you don't know who side you're on." Loki stated.
"I'm always on the side of Justice." Hercules stated firmly.
"Justice, huh?" Loki stated.
Null had listened to the whole conversation and the only thing he had to comment was on how foolish it was. Brunhild was readying the fourth round which would have Hercules, Geir looked on unsure, and Null remained unfazed by the fact.
"I see.. Our opponent for round 4 will be brother Hercules…" Brunhild stated.
"That's right. I'm not sure who to cheer for in this case…" Geir stated.
"Yes. Troubling indeed…" Brunhild said, flicking her tongue out. Null notice and found it attractive.
"That aside, who can even stand up against Brother Hercules?" Geir asked concerned.
"Worry not. I already have the perfect opponent for him." Null stated. "He's perfect for this fight." He said with a stone cold serious face.
"Eh?" Geir said, confused.
Back in the tournament of Ragnarok, there has been a huge change, this had to be the largest one yet, because the entertainment arena was a city. Not just any city, Gotham City, it was at the request of the one fighting Hercules, and he agreed to it.
"Make sense that "he" would request this… and that brother Hercules accepted." Geir said, not surprised.
"Of course he would accept." Brunhild stated. "How naive." She thought.
"Still… It's quite the impressive change." Null stated. "But you know this would happen, didn't you, Brumhild?" He thought.
"FIGHTING FOR HUMANITY, IS A TRUE TERROR… ONCE FIGHTING FOR THE SIDE OF GOOD AND JUSTICE ALONG SIDE THE DARK KNIGHT, THIS MAN SUFFER A TERRIBLE INCIDENT THAT WOULD FOREVER CHANGE HIM! HE ENDURE HORRIBLE BEATENS AND UNBEARABLE TORTUE, THEN ONCE IT WAS ALL OVER HE WAS KILLED! BUT DEATH WASN'T THE END! AFTER BEING RESURRECTED, HE WAS FOREVER CHANGE! HE ABANDON THE BELIEVES OF HIS MENTOR AND TOOK ON A NEW COURSE OF ACTION!" Heimdall shouted, soon mist came rolling in as a figure was seen walking through it. "NOW BECOMING THE EMBODIMENT OF VENGEANCE, HE TOOK ON HIS OWN FORM OF JUSTICE! HE SLAUGHTER AND MURDER THE WORSE OF THE WORSE WITHOUT BLINKING, NO ONE IS SAFE FROM THIS ASSASSINS OF DARK JUSTICE! COMING TO SOAK THE GROUND WITH THE BLOOD OF THE GODS… IT THE RED HOOD!"
Jason Todd, better known as Red Hood walked through the mist wearing his signature red helmet and outfit, he was ready to fight. The crowd didn't like the thought of a criminal representing them even if he was a vigilante.
"Oho… I see." Loki said amused. "So this is how you want to play it… just as always… you're an unpleasant woman."
"AND FACING HIM… STANDS THE MAN THAT INTENDS TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF RETAKING THE GODS IS FIRST LOSS! HERE HE IS! THIS GALLANT DEMIGOD FORCED BOTH THE NEMEAN LION AND CERBERUS, THE HOUND OF HADES… INTO SUBMISSION WITH HIS BARE FIST! AFTER CLEARING ALL 12 LABORS ASSIGNED TO HIM, HE ADVANCED THE STEPS OF OLYMPUS!" Heimdall shouted, a chariot pulled by horse appeared. "HE SHINES LIGHT UPON GODS AND HUMAN. THE ENVOY OF JUSTICE! UNPARALLELED IN BRAVERY! IT'S HERCULE!"
The crowd cheered for Hercules, both God and mortal alike.
Both fighters look each other in the eye, this would be a battle of Justice vs Dark Justice, A Hero vs A Vigilante, God vs Man. The fourth match of Ragnarok, begins now!
Hercule didn't look pleased with who his opponent was and glared in the direction where Null and Brunhild stood.
"S-Sister… L-Lord Null… I think that brother Hercules is really glaring at you two right now…" Geir said nervously.
"Hmph." Null said unfazed, Brunhild remained silent but held a smirk.
"Why?" Hercules thought. "To date all of the representatives of Humanity have been worthy. Kenpachi, Adam, Gyomei Himejima… all worthy enough to shock us Gods to the core… and yet, this man is my opponent!? A man who once swore justice but now butchers and murders others and claims it to be justice!" He thought in anger, his face swelling with rage. "Why… don't fuck with me! Brunhild!" He shouted.
"Brother Hercules is really angry!" Geir shouted in fear.
"Hmph, he doesn't know the meaning of angry." Null said calmly. "This is for Humanity's survival, not for him to have a "worthy opponent" to fight." He scoffed, his eyes turning bright red.
"And you do… Null?" A deep rough voice said from behind the Bookkeeper. Null was then slammed into the wall being held by the throat, the one doing this had the same cloak as Null but had dark blue eyes and was 2 feet taller and more muscular then Null. "Do you have any idea of the trouble you have caused?" They asked in a calm angry tone, pushing Null deeper into the wall.
"It…It's nice to meet you too… Lord Arcane." Null gasped out.
"Using the Book of Knowledge in such a manner for such a reason, I should banish you to the deepest hole there is in existence and leave you there to rot." Lord Arcane growled. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't…"
"W…What would you have me tell you?" Nul gasped, grabbing the hand. "That I'm sorry? That I shouldn't have gotten involved? That it none of my business?" He asked, tightening the grip on the hand on his throat. "Because… I'm not." He stated.
Lord Arcane looked Null in the eyes for what felt like minutes, Geir was sweating fiercely from the aura that large being gave off, Brunhild kept a neutral face but had a single cold sweat. Finally after staring into the Bookkeeper's soul he let out a sigh and tossed him to the ground. Null coughed a bit and rubbed his throat, he picked himself up.
"You've always been a problem child, always causing trouble." Lord Arcane grunted. "But this most be you're most stupid act of defiance yet. Going against the Gods?"
"I see no reason why not, shouldn't the mortals have a chance to fight for their existence?" Null asked.
"Hmmmm." Lord Arcane answered.
"L-Lord Null… who is this?" Geir asked confused and frightened.
"My apologies, this is Lord Arcane. My mentor, master, and previous owner of the Book of Knowledge." Null answered. "He taught me everything there is to know, so even though I may surpass in raw power he far eclisple me in terms of knowledge."
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Valkyrie." Lord Arcane bowed.
"Likewise, Lord Arcane." Brunhild bow, Geir quickly follows suit.
"L-Lord Null… just what are you?" Geir asked, confused.
"I am an Observer." Null answered. "Basically were beings that watchover both Humanity and Gods alike, watching, learning, and improving ourselves to better see across time and space. Every major battle or event that's ever happened is placed into the Book of Knowledge, it's the Bookkeeper's job to protect it at all causes and further it's knowledge by adding what the holder has seen."
"Re-Really…?" Geir asked in shock.
"Yep." Null nodded. "That's how I was able to bring such powerful fighters, every battle they ever had the book has recorded." Null stated.
"You have a lot to answer for, Null." Lord Arcane said seriously.
"I'm fully aware, but it will have to wait…" Null stated. "For now, let's watch the fight."
"Hmmmmm…" Lord Arcane grunted.
Humanity was still skeptical about someone like Red Hood, a person who murder even for the right reason was still a killer, some thought a true Hero should be fighting but those that knew Red Hood thought better.
"It's not a surprise that he was picked." Dick Grayson better known as Nightwing and the first Robin stated. "He's just as good of a skill fighter as me, maybe even better." He said, looking at his former successor.
"But will it be enough?" Barbara Gorden or more known as Batgirl asked. "What do you think?" she asked, the Dark Knight better known as Batman or Bruce Wayne.
"Hmmm." Batman grunted.
Back in the Arena, Hercules was glaring at Red Hood and the vigilante was doing much of the same.
"I shall warn you now… bow down and accept defeat." Hercules told him. "If you do that, then I swear that I will make Zeus accept it. And you can be saved from niflhel. I do not relish and senseless killing… but you're a special case!"
"Hmph. How about a hell no, this fight just started… so I can't accept it." Red Hood stated. "It's time to die… traitor."
"What…?" Hercules asked confused.
"I won't back down from a fight, no matter what…" Red Hood said firmly. "I'll take down anyone that threatens Humanity." Then pulls out a set of dual daggers. "Feast your eyes on my Volund." He twirls them around a bit and slash through a lamp poll. "It can cut through anything in existence."
"Very well." Hercules stated. "If that is what you've decided… then I'll answer your resolve with all my might!"
Red Hood then turned around and ran off, surprising Hercules which only angered him and followed after him, he then saw Red Hood leading against a wall. Hercules charged forward but then saw a trip wire.
"This is… a petty trick!" Hercules shouted, and set the trap. Multiple Red Hood style birdarangs came right at them, Hercules scoffed and the weapons didn't even leave a scratch on him. "Fool, didn't Brunhild tell you? Human weapons can't hurt the body of Gods!"
"We won't know until we try, traitor." Red Hood stated.
"Begone." Hercules said, raising his club.
"My words exactly." Red Hood said.
Pulling out a gun and firing it which turned out to be a grappling hook. He swung from roof to roof with the grappling hook, Hercules grew angry and he jumped forward with all his might, cracking the ground in the process. He raised his club and was about to crush Red Hood into a pulp with it but the vigilante was able to block the blow with the dual daggers but they shatter from the impact, leaving him defenseless. Everyone thought it was over now that his Divine Weapon was broken.
"It's over…" Hercules said.
Red Hood quickly got up and back away, he looked to be pulling out more birdarangs and one of his classic guns, Hercule thought it was pointless because they wouldn't hurt him.
"How many times must I tell it… human weapons won't harm me." Hercule told him, but Red Hood tossed the birdarangs anyway. "It's useless!" He shouted.
But a surprise event happened, all of the birdarangs had pierced the divine flesh of the God and shocked and confused him. He couldn't understand how this was possible, there was no way it was!
"Wha… h-how." Hercule said, coughing up a bit of blood.
"Remember I told you that toss daggers were my Volund, that was a lie." Red Hood told him. "But to fall for it… you're truly something else."
"So… your true Volund are those flying blades?" Hercules asked.
"Just watch and see, traitor." Red Hood stated, then fired a few bullets into the muscular God's chest making cough more blood, then pulled out his other gun from a pouch. "It's this pouch, with it I can make any Divine Weapon, but it's unable to make anything bigger than a bo staff. But this should be enough for a traitor like you." He stated.
"I… I don't quite understand. Why… Why did you choose this man? Even though he used to be a hero." Geir asked, confused.
"Geir… what is the one thing that Humanity excels above the Gods in…? Do you know?" Brunhild asked, but the young Valkyrie remained silent. "It is… malice." She answered with a smile as her eyes formed a black swirl that seemed endless.
"She's right. In my time of observing Humanity, I've seen just how corrupt, twisted, and evil they could be." Null added, finding her act attractive. "But we don't need a villain that could have a secret plan." He stated. "Just someone with enough malice intent that can swallow the "righteous" God." He said, no one but Arcane noticing the tone in Null's voice.
"Now, mighty God… tremble before true justice!" Red Hood shouted.
"Hmph. If this is the extent of your "justice" then… I'll crush it!" Hercule stated.
Back in the stands on the side of the Gods, Loki appeared out of nowhere and floated above Ares, Hermes, and Hades.
"Oh my~. How are you feeling?" Loki asked the two Greek Gods. "Isn't this a troubling result, my Greek friends? And after you talk such a big game before too~."
"Silence." Ares stated. "That man, Hercules… I trust him wholeheartedly." He said firmly, Hermes and Hades simply smirked.
"Show time." Red Hood stated.
Red Hood threw more of his birdarang but Hercules deflected them with his club. He was unleashing a torrent of blades against the Hero God, he made a few of them curve so they hit their target. The criminal in the crowd cheered believing Hercules was scared but Ares knew better. Hercules had a calm stoic face and advanced forward to the vigilante, the truth in Hercules's power wasn't in his strength but in his will!
In the past Hercules was still mortal and had a weak body but after years of training and hard work he slowly grew but it wasn't enough. At the same time the Gods were deciding how to deal with Humanity and in that time they were going to wipe them out, Ares was the one to lead the charge against mortal kind but he mortal Hercules those firm against them with the Ambrosia, better known as the blood of Zeus. The young mortal Hercules consume the drink whole and nearly died but instead of dying he transform into the large and muscle Hercule everyone knew him for and fight off against Ares and his army and took them all out by the end of the battle it was just Hercules and Ares going blow for blow and were about to finish each other off but Zeus step in and offer Hercules to become a God, Hercules agree to descend into Godhood if they spare Humanity and does Hercules return with Zeus and complete the 12 Labour and was given the title of God.
Hercules had destroyed the last of Jason's birdarangs and raised his club to finish him.
"False Hero. Begone from my sight!" Hercules stated.
Red Hood pulled out two katanas and used them to deflect the blow to the side, the blow from Hercules left a huge crater in the ground. Red Hood raises one of the blades and swings at the neck of the God but the greek God blocks with his club, Red Hood goes for another swing but it blocks as well.
"So you can deflect and fight, so you're not a normal coward." Hercules stated.
"Say what you want, I'm no traitor." Red Hood stated. "Do you know what happened in a rainstorm?" He asked.
"Huh?" Hercules said, confused.
"They can be a bit, shocking." Red Hood stated.
He pulled out a taser and jammed it into Hercules's neck and gave him a nasty shock, Hercules let out a scream of pain but power through it long enough to throw a powerful punch right at the gun wielder but he blocked with the katanas, they snapped against the blow but the force of the impact was able to send Red Hood flying to the ground, he grunted in pain and got up.
"Motherfucker…" Red Hood groaned.
"Son of a…" Hercules growled.
"You're a tough one, the last guy I used that one ended up having his whole head exploding." Red Hood stated. "Tell oh, heroic God just what you are gonna to do against my justice?" He asked.
"You ask me what I'm gonna do, simply I'll face it head on and crush it!" Hercules shouted.
"Oh dear~. Still trying to overpower the competition? As strong as he is, isn't it a bit too muscle brained?" Loki asked rhetorically. "And he says he'll face it head on? Was that a bluff?"
"Don't group him in with you, fool! Your head is full of nothing but schemes!" Ares shouted.
"Tsk damn~. You really trust him that much?" Loki asked.
"If that's what he says, then that's what he'll do." Ares stated. "That's just the kind of man he is."
Hercules ready himself for what he was about to do next, he called out for the Nemean Lion and his club's eyes glowed, this worried Ares. Hercules raises his club and attacks with his First Labour: Nemean Lion and a huge explosion of energy is released! Red Hood tried to back away from the attack as fast as possible but couldn;t and was sent flying into the wall and coughed up a bit of blood within his helmet, both God and mortal cheered for the Hercules but their cheers died down at the sight of Hercules tattoo growing.
It turns out it was rebound, due to the fearsome power of the 12 Labours it causes great pain for even natural Gods, if the tattoo completely covers Hercule's body he will die. Ares didn't understand how Hercules could use such techniques of scum like the Red Hood.
"Brother Hercules is strong." Geir stated.
"Indeed. But this fight is just beginning, so watch Geir." Null told her.
"Ugh, impressive." Red Hood said, he felt his shoulder and snapped it back in place. "Shit that hurts." He mutters. "Well, that was something else. It's safe to say the first act is over. So how about we start the second act." Jason said, pulling out two nightsticks that Nightwing used.
He charged forward and goes for a right swing but Hercules meet the blow head on with a swing of his club the mix impacts push Red Hood back and he fixed himself and attack with a large black batarang and toss it at Hercule dodge, Red Hood pull out him birdarangs and toss them and also fired a few bullets at the greek God, he deflect as many as he could but a few manage to hit his chest and torso, the giant batarang came spinning back but Hercule jump over it, Red Hood caught and used the momentum to double the speed of the throw right back at the Hero God, he was getting ready to destroy the batarang with a swing of his club but before he had the chance to it exploded! Hercule only suffers a bit of damage but it creates a smokescreen that Red Hood took advantage of and charges through and unleashes a torrent of bullets, filling the chest of the Greek God with holes and following up with a roundhouse kick to the jaw. Hercules raised his club and was about to smash Red Hood with it but he used a grappling hook to get away and throw a few birdarangs at God but Hercules took care of them with his club, he jumped down and gripped both nightsticks and slams them against the back of the head of Hercules, or try to but it was block by the club and they end up snapping in half. Jason jumps back and fires a few more bullets but Hercules guards against them with his arm and swings his club down but Red Hood retreat back quickly and even begins jumping in the air, until he comes to a stop and is on a rooftop.
"More of your petty tricks?" Hercules asked.
"Say, do you have an umbrella? It rains a lot here in Gotham." Red Hood stated, pulling out more birdarangs, he then tossed them into the air and they rebound against the wire. "So better be careful!"
They started moving much faster and in different directions and pierced into Hercules's flesh, Red Hood pulled out a sniper rifle and shot Hercules in the right arm, left leg, left shoulder, right thigh, and in the chest, Jason then tossed more birdarangs. This was becoming too much to watch for must, Hercules gritted his teeth and ready himself and this time used the Sixth Labour: Bird of Stymphalia, with one swing Hercules sent all the birdarangs right back at Jason using a wave of strong winds! Red Hood dodge as best as he could but one hit in the left forearm and one in his right leg, he wheezed in pain and fell to the ground.
"Fucking dammit." Red Hood cursed, pulling them out.
"It's useless… your petty tricks… won't work on me." Hercules stated.
"Big talk coming from you…" Red Hood said, getting up.
"Really?" Hercule asked, confused and irritated.
"If you still haven't realized then it's pointless trying to tell you." Red Hood stated. "Let continue, this is the first time I faced a God."
"Bastard…" Hercule said angry.
"Honestly, your so-called justice is bullshit." Red Hood stated. "Just like my mentors, letting the scum of the earth live only for them to escape and cause more trouble. But you know, the fact you claim to be a Hero for Justice but you nothing more than a traitor." He stated. "I'm going to make sure to fill you with holes and leave you on the ground bleeding. And show you the despair I was shown"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but even if I die here. I won't show you want to see." Hercules stated. "I won't fall to the likes you!"
"Keep telling yourself that, traitor." Red Hood stated, pulling out his duel guns.
Hercules charged forward and swung down his club, Red Hood dodged and shot more bullets at Hercules, the greek God deflecting them with his club. He dodge the club and this time pulled out a katana sword that Damian Wayne used, he gripped it with both hands and charge forward and tries to thrust it through the chest and stab the heart of Hercules but he swing his club as a counter so Red Hood blocked with the sword instead, the force of the impact sunk his feet into the asphalt he gritted his teeth and quickly pulls out his gun with his right hands and unloads the whole chamber into the chest of Hercule and made him cough up blood and falter, Red Hood take this chance to swipe his leg and cause the God to fall on his back, Jason tries once more to stab the God but Hercule caught the blade and was going to crush it but Red Hood delivers a soccer kick to the chin, making Hercule flinch from the pain and letting Red Hood free the blade, he was about to try slash the neck of the God but Hercule swing his club and that forces him with block with the sword once more and knocks him back a bit. Hercules get up and charge forward, Red Hood lunge forward and dodge by sidestepping the swing of the club and slashes at the torso, the cut wasn't deep enough so Red Hood goes for another from behind, Hercules counter with a back swing and nearly knock Red Hood's head off but he duck and slash the Greek God across the chest and follows up with a downward sash and cut the right shoulder, Hercule gritted his teeth and swing his club downwards, Jason dodge by backing away he "tsk" because the muscle were too tough to cut through he charge forward and goes for a stab this time, Hercule saw this and attack with swing of his club with more fury, Red Hood dodge the first one, then the second one, and the third and thrust the blade into abdomen, he was about slit the abdomen but the blade was stuck! Hercules flexes his muscle to keep the blade still and instead of hitting him with his club he delivers a fury right punch to the chest and Red Hood flying to the wall, he grunts in pain and slides down the wall, Hercules pulls out the blade and snaps it in half.
"Not bad, traitor." Red Hood said, shakingly getting up.
"Why do you keep claiming me to be a traitor!? I've betrayed no one!" Hercule shouted in anger.
"That's where you're wrong, you claim to be a hero, that you're one the side of justice, you call me a false hero…" Red Hood said calmly. "But I'm fighting for what's right! You used to be a human and yet, your fighting for the Gods! Your fighting for their victory and if you won then Humanity will be one step closer to extinction! Your nothing more than a naive tool of the Gods, a fucking traitor!" He shouted, pointing his finger. "I'm not the false hero here, you are." He said firmly. "I'm not going to die here, you will."
These words surprised everyone, some could see the logic in his statement, other rage at his insult of Hercules, Null merely chuckled at his words. Red Hood pulled out a bo staff and charged forward and jumped in the air and swung at it across the head, and followed up by smashing it against the jaw. Hercules wheezed in pain and tries to retaliate with a of his club but Red Hood blocks with the bo staff and counter with a few harsh jabs to the vital spot of the chest and torso, he spin the bo staff and swing it at Hercule once more but he dodge and swing down his block, he jump away and raise his staff and pressed a button and activated it and slam it down and unleash volts of electricity and gave Hercules another nasty shock, he gritted his and charged forward and swing his club right at him with all his might! Red Hood blocked with his bo staff and the force pushed him back and snapped under the pressure of the blow. The vigilante found his back against the wall, he looked up and it was the clock tower. He pulled out his grappling hook and shot up and climbed the rest of the way with his hands.
"It's useless." Hercules said firmly.
He then swung his club against the clock tower and caused it to fall and lean against another building. Red Hood hangs against the hand of the clock tower and looks down at the Greek God. Hercules used his Seventh Labour: Cretan Bull and was preparing to deliver a powerful strike, Red Hood acted quickly and grabbed the clock of the tower and tossed it like a disc!
"It's useless… how many times must I remind you!" Hercules shouted.
He then used his arm to guard against it and everyone expected it to shatter on impact, but that wasn't the case… instead the clock disc cut right through his arm! Shocking and even horrifying them to the core as Hercules's arm falls to the ground.
"I've heard you say that over and over again, dumbass. So tell me, how does it feel." Red Hood asked seriously.
Humanity and the Gods, were both frozen at the sight of a God being injured by a man-made weapon.
"I see." Hercule said, figuring out the truth. "That's the real one, huh?" He asked.
"So you figure it out, guess you're not any old muscle head." Red Hood stated.
"Ah, I see~. He got us good…" Loki said with a smirk.
"Wh-What the hell just happened!?" Ares asked, still in shock.
"You still haven't figured it out?" Loki asked.
"Huh?" Ares asked confused.
"Red Hood's little chat about the bag being his Volund was also a lie." Loki told them.
"A lie!?" Ares asked.
"Yes… his true weapon… was neither those daggers nor that bottomless pouch… it's those gloves." Loki clearfield.
"Interesting, it most likely whatever those gloves touch becomes a Divine Weapon itself." Hades concluded.
"He can transform them into Divine Weapons?" Ares asked confused.
"He pulled all his weapons from that pouch… in order to make us believe it could create them… in order to make us believe there was a size limit. Time and time again, he continues to launch barrage after barrage of attacks… all in order to have Hercules slip all for that one strike…" Loki explained. "In hindsight… Red Hood first trick had a fairly weak result… to think that it would be used for another that would take his arm. In any case, it would seem that he got Hercules good. Everything that man has done was a bluff."
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Ares repeated. "You damn coward!"
"Was this all according to your plan, Brunhild?" Loki thought.
"His true weapons are those gloves…?" Geir asked, confused.
"Indeed. I never informed you, did I?" Brunhild stated.
"Y-You knew, didn't you? About that weapon… and Brother Hercules would fall for it completely…" Geir said in a shaking voice. "You know this would happen all along!" She shouted.
"Well… I did have to make an executive decision to set it up, after all." Brunhild stated.
"Null, did you have a part in this?" Lord Arcane asked.
"In a way, I'd be lying if I didn't." Null answered calmly.
Earlier, Brunhild and Null approach the next Valkyrie to fight and it was Hlokk, the Seventh Valkyrie sister. But she was making a fuss about being parted with a vigilante, Null simply sweatdrop and let out a sigh while Brunhild had a blank face, Red Hood out of nowhere and surprise the Valkyrie, he wasn't so thrilled about this either. In order to make things go faster, Null removed his helmet to reveal a young handsome face under, Hlokk looked at him with shock and awe and was more willing to fight with him, Red Hood "tch" and took his helmet back from Null and the two used Volund.
"That's just like you Null." Lord Arcane stated.
"It was the best option at the time compared to what else might have happened." Null said with a shrug. "This battle needed her power."
"The Seventh Valkyrie Sister, Hlokk. Morphing the true nature of those weapons… the truth lying in behind that name…"
"The unsettling one." Null stated.
"Yeah, with these gloves I can turn anything in a Divine Weapon." Red Hood stated. "With these…" He said picking up a pebble and flicking it, it hit a wall and left a dent. "A pebble can smash right through a wall. And the simple face of a clock can kill a God." He stated. "You understand what I mean, right?"
That meant all of Gotham had become his weapon! Both Humanity and Gods alike dread for Hercules and cheer him on, Null merely sighed and Red Hod scoffed.
"You're quite the famous one, well… let's begin the final act." Red Hood stated, pulling out his guns and reloading and cocking them.
"Hercules…" Ares said, dreading the worse. But was then punched in the face by Zeus.
"What are you doing breaking before the man himself!? You foolish son of mine!" Zeus shouted.
"Z-Zeus… b...but his right arm…" Ares stated.
"Ah, yes. You really think, that's enough of an excuse for him to lose." Zeus asked. "He won't lose. Hercules just isn't that kind of man."
"Well said, brother." Hade stated.
"That's right. He is… the man who passed the trails of Zeus himself! And the man I call my greatest friend!" Ares thought with a smirk.
Hercule packed up his right thumb and stopped the bleeding, Red Hood gripped his guns and ready himself for the final act of this battle.
"You should be careful, those techniques look like they take a lot out of you." Red Hood stated.
"You needn't worry." Hercule told him.
"Hmph." Red Hood scoffed. "Don't get it twisted, I just want to make sure that's it me who puts you into the ground, nothing more nothing less." He stated. "I meant what I said early, you're a false hero, a naive fool and a tool of the Gods. A traitor." He told the greek God. "You're just as naive as my mentor, the only right way to deal with criminal scum is putting them in the ground." He stated.
"I see… you have lost, haven't you?" Hercules asked, with sympathy.
"What…?" Red Hood asked seriously.
"What is it that you fall into darkness because of the pain you suffered or was it because of the feeling of betrayal that cut your soul?" Hercules asked. "No… the reason is… irrelevant. You lost to despair and gave into bloodlust."
"... … …" Red Hood stayed silent, glaring through his helmet.
"I'm a demi-God. A human born on earth, who ascended to Olympus as a God. Humanity and Deity… as one holding both titles… I can say this… Humanity is foolish, jealous, hatred, discriminatory…" Hercules told him, he began listening to all of the sins of Humanity. "And yet… in spite of all that, I truly love Humanity." He stated. "And… with what you say earlier, maybe you're right. About me being a false Hero, you're fighting for Humanity so they can live so maybe you are a hero…"
Red Hood's hands tremble not from rage or hatred but from despair. The emotion that Hercules gave off reminded him of Bruce, his mentor, the man that trained him. He loved Jason like a son and Joker took him away from him, Jason was never angry at Bruce, it was Joker for what he did.
"God dammit, why… Why did it have to be like this!" Red Hood thought.
"Red Hood, I will save you from your suffering!" Hercule stated.
"Don't bother, someone beat you to it." Red Hood stated, he then took his helmet off and toss it.
Hercule tossed his club into the air and it began to transform more sinisterly, Hercules called forth the Hound of Hades, and activated the Twelfth Labour: Cerberus. Hercule looks more beastly and monster-like than before.
"Cerberus…" Hades muttered.
"Hmmm… it's a battle of time from here on out." Zeus stated.
"Time?" Loki said, confused.
"That skill possesses an overwhelming power capacity of destruction." Hades stated.
"However it takes a proper toll on its user…" Zeus added. "Will he engulf his opponent? Or be drained of his essence first?"
"That Labour can be stopped." Hades stated.
"A skill that burns through the user's own life… so if he doesn't win that tattoo will overwhelm his body, stripping if of his life in the process… a truly amazing man." Loki stated.
"Hercules!" Ares shouted. "Hurry!"
Hercules charges right at Red Hood, he throws a savage punch, the vigilante dodge it and the blow looks like a claw mark. Red Hood dodge unload bullets into him aiming for his vital spot but couldn't get them, he put his guns away and grabbed a piece of wood and stone and tossed them at Hercule but he smashed them to pieces with a single punch. Red Hood would toss piece of debris and reload his gun and fired bullets but Hercules smash them with ease, he grab a sign but Hercule smash it and the impact shook his whole arm, Hercules attack with Great Hero Blow, Red Hood jump over it and the blow destroy the ground, the greek God swing his stump at him but Hercule missed Red Hood felt his face and there was a small cut on his cheek. Hercules goes for another punch and Jason uses a manhole cover to block it, it worked at first but Hercules forced it way through and delivered a strong blow to the face! Red Hood got sent flying, he roll across the ground and quickly fix himself, he slowly get up and spit out a bit of blood, he grabs his grappling hook and retreats to for a plan and Hercules jump after him and slammed his fist against him, Jason blocked with both arm and that sent him falling and he ended up getting impaled by a spiked fence, Jason's abdomen and right arm were hit he cough up blood and gritted his teeth in pain, he pull out a birdarang and cut himself free, first pulling out the one in his abdomen and the two in his right arm.
"Fuck! The shit hurt like hell!" Red Hood cursed, getting up and holding his abdomen in pain.
"No matter what you do, it's useless." Hercules told him. "There's nowhere you can run in this city."
"Maybe you're right, but did you forget." Red Hood asks him, finding his helmet and tossing it at the feet of the greek God, it then blows up before him. He then took off his jacket and tossed it behind him but not before pulling out six birdarangs. "Everything in Gotham is a lethal weapon for me." He shouted, and threw the birdarangs and at the same time his jacket blew up, causing the small building to fall!
The birdarangs pierce Hercules's body and at the same time Red Hood charges forward and attacks with a drop kick but Hercules blocks and Jason uses him as a springboard to jump through a window of the falling building and escape. The building comes crashing down on Hercule, he tries to force it up but the birdarangs started beeping and then exploded! Which weakened Hercule and made the building crash on him. Red Hood stood on top of the rubble, he was panting and holding his wounded abdomen, his plan was complete. The crowd gasped in shock at the plan Red Hood came up with and dreaded the worse and thought Hercules was crashed, Gods and mortals pleaded for him to get up and fight, after a moment a fist burst through the rubble, Hercules got right back up and was burned and a bit bloody the crowd cheered for him once more, Jason "tch" and pulled out his guns once more, he was out of tricks and gadgets.
"Welcome back, did you like the gift?" Red Hood asked sarcastically.
"No matter what you do, the justice in my heart won't waver." Hercules stated.
"Hmph, justice." Red Hood mutter. "You're impressive and look to be an honest guy, all the more reason I want to put a bullet in your head for picking the wrong side!" He shouted in anger, pointing his guns at Hercules.
"Just try it!" Hercule said with a smirk.
Red Hood wheezed in pain and fell to his knees and dropped his guns, he clenched his bleeding wounds with his hand and coughed up a bit of blood, he went to far jump through that window. He picked himself up and gripped one of his guns.
"Let's end this." Red Hood said, wiping blood off his lips. "Time for the finale."
The curtain for this fight was coming to a close, the truth was clear to everyone that was watching. The battle between Good and Malice, which would win? The Dark Vigilante or the Divine Hero?
Hercules advance forward and and Red Hood follow suit he pick up a piece of a door, the two clash, Hercule kept throwing punches and Red Hood kept firing shots, Hercules smashed the door to pieces leaving Jason defenseless and throw another powerful punch, he used his gun to block the blow but it was smash to piece and into his gut, he spat out a glob of blood and was sent flying. He was living on the ground for a few moment before getting back up to his feet and was panting, there isn't anymore time left and Hercules charge to finish off Red Hood but he swiftly avoided the fist of the greek God until he was at the right angle and blind spot to strike and pull out the spiked rob that stabbed him and thrust it forward to stab the God in the face and skull but he missed and only got his cheek and Hercule counter with a blow to the side of his end and sent him flying once more and into the ground, Jason lay on the ground in a daze.
"Dammit, this is bad." Nightwing stated. "Is this the end?"
"Should have now, he was nothing but a vigilante punk… shouldn't have expected nothing more..." A man in the crowd said.
"Mankind last hope, yeah right." Another man scoffed.
"So do you want to go down there and fight a God?" Batgirl asked. "He's out there all by himself fighting for his life and yours."
"Say those words again, you vigilant bitch!" Another man said, offended.
"You want to say that to my face!?" Batgirl shouted.
"Calm down, this fight isn't over." Batman said in a firm tone.
Jason slowly picked himself up, his legs were shaking and his vision was bluntly. It was clear he was on his last legs, he was using the spike rod to hold himself up and drag his feet forward and advance once more for a few minutes before stopping, he found his other gun and empty and the chamber and refill it with one that was cover in his blood, he pointed the spike rob and gun at Hercule and still held a determined glare.
"So strong…" Hercule said with a smirk.
Red Hood was up and close with Hercules and both fighter strike at each other once more, he struck Jason across the head and he was dazed, and nearly fell to his feet but stood him and fired five shot of bullet into the God's chest but Hercule didn't falter and throw another punch but Red Hood was able to parry the blow somehow and counter with punch to the chin but Hercule tank it and got the former boy wonder in the ribcage, he cough blood and counter with a uppercut with his foot and stagger back a bit, he put one hand on his knee and vomit up blood. He wasn't giving up though and charge forward one more, Hercules felt his end near and channel all his strength he had, his eyes turn blood red like in his fight with Ares and as Jason goes for a jab he miss and Hercule got him across the temple and Red Hood was stunned and slowly fall forward.
"You've done well… Red Hood." Hercules thought. "Rest." He said, ready to finish him off.
But this was still a bit of energy in Red Hood, he caught himself and ready himself for a strike, Hercules wasn't expecting this and tries to finish off now! There was a splash of blood and everyone widened there's eyes at the result, Red Hood had one of his hands going right through Hercules's chest and the other one held his gun and pressed it against the forehead of the God.
"Dear Falling God." Jason stated. "That's what I'm calling this move, made just for you."
"Why… why is a mere mortal piercing divine flesh with his bare hands…?" Ares asked, stunned.
"It's your… blood?" Hercules answered, coughing up blood. "I thought you were trying to cover your injuries but you were coating your hands in blood.
"Not just my hand, the bullets in this gun
"Your something else, right to the very end." Hercules stated, but Jason didn't look happy.
"This isn't a win…" Red Hood stated. "You're still standing."
"I will never change…" Hercules said, clenching his fist. "Never forget I will always… love mortals." he said, hugging Jason.
"Dammit, your one stubborn bastard." Red Hood, and pointed the gun at the chest, aimed for the heart and unload it.
"In the end… even if he lost the strength to strike, he still possessed enough strength to embrace, hm?" Loki said.
"Cerberus…" Hade muttered.
"That was a good fight… I'm sorry… for yelling before." Hercule stated. "Brunhild… are you watching? I live the rest to you… though they may be foolish, I still hold them dear… please save them." Thoughts were Hercules last words before turning into light particles.
Everyone cried both mortal and God mourn the loss of such a hero and lovable person. Jason Todd looked at the sky, completely exhausted and fell to his knees. He never felt sorry for killing someone, but the death of Hercules left a bitter feeling.
"Why… why didn't you fight for Humanity?" Jason muttered.
Round 4 of Ragnarok:
Red Hood vs Hercules: The victor is Red Hood
Deciding Move: Dear Falling God
Scoreboard: Humanity: 2 and God: 1
R1: Tie
R2: G
R3: H
R4: H
"T-THIS CONCLUDES OUR FOURTH MATCH… RED HOOD IS… OUR VICTOR…" Heimdal said, lacking his usual energy.
The gloves returned to normal and it was Hlokk, it took Jason a few minutes to acknowledge her.
"Hey…" Jason said, turning to her. "How do you feel?"
"Hmph! I should be asking you that." Hlokk countered. "How's it feel to kill a God?"
"I feel like shit, physically and emotionally." Jason answered. "It's definitely not what I thought."
"Jeez, you look so pitiful when you're sad." Hlokk told him. "And look at me! I'm filthy to dear sake!" She shouted, she began to float away. "Now I have to take a shower, you better head to the infirmary! Got it, kiddo!"
"Yes ma'am." Jason said, and picked himself up.
As he was slowly making his way through the now destroyed city of Gotham, thinking over the events of his battle, he was holding his bleeding abdomen to keep anymore blood from leaking out.
"If... I could have one wish, it would be to see once more." Jason stated.
He gritted his teeth in pain and fell to his knees once more, meanwhile the audience tremble in violent whirlpool of emotions, and what Jason was meet with instead of gratitude was scorn, the crowd chuck rock and anything else they could at him, he brace himself it but it never touch him because standing over him was none other then, Null. He shielded vigilante, merely taking in the words they shouted at him, this went on for a few more minutes the Bookkeeper had enough and with a snap of his finger and unleash a shockwave the ripple through the air and over the crowd, silencing them.
"You did well, no one has the right to judge you for this let alone any of them." Null stated, pointing to the crowd.
"Haha, you think so?"Jason muttered, not completely sure if he was right.
"No one said this would be easy." Null stated, helping him to his feet. "But it's for the greater good, or in your cause for your family, right?" He asked, Jason looked through the crowd and at the Bat family.
"Right…" Jason said, with a small smile.
With the Gods, now Humanity had two victories over the Gods and that was enough to show that they couldn't let them get ahead and further. Ares was mourning over the death of his friend and crying his eyes out. Zeus unleashes a bit of his power as a reaction to the second loss to the greek Gods. Hade had a dark mourn-filled look on his face for losing his trusted hound too Humanity.
"We can't let them move any farther." Zeus said seriously.
"I'm sure that's exactly how they feel." Loki stated. "Who will be sent next."
Geir was crying her eyes out for the death of Hercules, Null had returned to where Brunhild was where they are, Lord Arcane merely let out a sigh. He looked at the younger Valkyrie with a look of sadness and followed Brunhild.
"Are you happy now!? Seeing brother Hercules die!? Are you satisfied!?" Geir asked angrily.
"The meaning of our name, "Valkyrie" is "chooser of the slain". There is no need for emotions in our line of work." Brunhild stated, Null put a hand on her shoulder.
"Geir, Humanity needs to be saved. All that matters is the success." Null said, calmly.
Brunhild walked off while Null decided to leave her alone and walk off to get his own space, lord Arcane followed after him. Null was now floating in a criss-cross stance, he was mediating to clear his mind. Lord Arcane appeared behind him and Null could sense him and stopped.
"You seem distraught, Null." Lord Arcane stated.
"Hmmm." Null said back.
"I'm guessing it has something to do with the latest match." Lord Arcane stated.
"I'm… just unable to break myself to mourn or even feel sorry for what happened to Hercules." Null stated. "He claims to love Humanity but fought for the Gods… I-I just don't understand…" He stated. "Honestly, I felt nothing, but I didn't say anything for the sake of Brunhild."
"I see… still holding one to those intense feelings for the Gods?" Lord Arcane asked.
"I never lost them, I just… can't help but hate the Gods." Null said the last part darkly. "Hercules was an honest guy and lovable Hero, I have nothing against him, but… this is just how things have to be."
"Oh, Null…" Lord Arcane muttered.
Deep within the arena in Humanity, there was a door that had chains all over it. Within was a basement, two silhouettes sitting and watching the fight.
"My, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of strong fighters." A male being said with a monster-like smirk.
"Indeed, master… Kenpachi, Adam, Gyomei Himejami, and now Red Hood." A female being said with a smile. "True fighter from all over other dimensions, being a representative is truly exciting,wouldn't agree Master?" They asked.
"Indeed, Seras." The male stated. "I can't wait for my turn in the ring, fighting a God. How exciting." Alucard , the monster of Hellsing and representative of Humanity said with a grin.
The battle was just beginning, now with Humanity having the lead for the moment will they be able to keep it or will the Gods caught up and either tie with them once more or jump ahead of them?
Here's the latest update in a while, sorry for that. I wanted to get my other fanfic updated. Tell me what you think of the fight. And the bit of Lore I added with Null on what he is. And let just say this, Round 5 isn't going to end how you expect it too. But on a more serious note, if any of you have a problem with how I do things here your welcome not to read it but please don't let judgemental comments on how I want to write it! Apologizes, I just wanted to get that off my chest. Thanks for your support and see ya in the next update!
P.S. Someone gave me the idea to keep a scoreboard, The H is for Humanity and the G is for God.
Peace!