(A long-haired man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and dark trench coat points a modified crossbow at the screen.)
Gabriel Van Helsing: The fearless vampire hunter of the Vatican who personally took down Dracula...
(Van Helsing is shown raising his automatic crossbow and dropping one of Dracula's Brides using arrows soaked in holy water.)
vs.
(A man wearing a Stetson hat with a pancho wrapped around his shoulders and a mask covering the lower half of his face quick draws a revolver and points it at the screen.)
Erron Black: The Earthrealm mercenary who viciously served Kotal Kahn in his war against Mileena's rebellion.
(Erron is shown dropping two Outworld soldiers in a flurry of gunfire before kneeling down and dropping a third who is attempting to ambush him from behind.)
WHO IS DEADLIEST?!
Here in our elite fight club, we have gathered doctors, scientists and weapons experts to test out the arsenals wielded by our combatants to determine who would win a fight when two fictional warriors go head to head.
No rules. No safety. No mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who is...THE FICTIONAL DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
Using 21st century science, we will see what happens when two fictional warriors clash in a simulated battle:
Gabriel Van Helsing
First Appearance: Van Helsing (2004)
Loyalty: The Vatican
Origin: Unknown
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Erron Black
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat X (2015)
Loyalty: Kotal Kahn
Origin: Wickett, Texas
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 210 lbs.
"We have a shootout on our hands today and this isn't just any ordinary gun fight we've got here. In one corner, you have the monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing, and in the other, you've got the mercenary gunslinger Erron Black," biomedical scientist Bradley Foster started.
"Both of these men are used to fighting unusual threats, Gabriel from fighting vampires, werewolves and everything else in between, whereas Erron has faced down a plethora of different species from Outworld, so they are literally ready for anything.
"We also have to take into consideration that both these men have lived longer than a typical person, giving them far more training and combat experience," trauma doctor Joseph Kaiser continued.
"These are some serious gunslingers we have in today's battle, but that isn't all they rely upon. Van Helsing works for the Vatican, so you know he's got some gadgets you don't see every day. Black, he's spent over a century in the Outworld, so he's had time to gather some unusual trinkets of his own," computer expert Eddie Cortez added.
"Well, then let's get to it," Bradley concluded.
The camera cut to an Eastern European man with his long black hair pulled back in a ponytail and a noticeable scar on his right cheek. He is wearing a tactical vest over a green sweatshirt and khaki pants. He is holding a revolver in his hands, carefully loading each bullet into a chamber before slamming it shut.
First up to represent Van Helsing will be vampire hunter, Pavel Havlik.
Having studied the tactics of Gabriel Van Helsing and later putting them to use in the field, he now puts them to use for today's showdown.
"Gabriel Van Helsing was the best hunter ever employed by the Vatican. Erron Black has no idea what he is up against," Pavel proudly proclaimed.
The camera then focuses on an Italian man with short black hair and a pair of protective goggles perched on his forehead. He is also wearing a protective apron over a black short-sleeved shirt. He is shown tinkering with a modified crossbow before attaching a cylindrical drum.
Also on hand to represent Van Helsing will be Giovanni Luco.
An armorer employed by the Vatican, Giovanni is familiar with the kind of experimental weapons Gabriel Van Helsing used during his exploits and has recreated some of them for today's battle.
"Van Helsing faced down threats of the supernatural on a constant basis. He had to think outside the box. He had to be constantly on guard. One cocky gunslinger is nothing to him," Giovanni spoke.
Though his earliest years are shrouded in mystery, Gabriel Van Helsing would quickly go on to establish himself as a top monster hunter for the Vatican, traveling all over the world and facing down many supernatural threats in secret.
"He was found half-dead, crawling up the steps of the Vatican. He had no memory of his past, yet they must have sensed something special about him to take him in the way they did. He was sent to train in the art of combat under the monks and Mulahs from Tibet to Istanbul to combat the forces of darkness. He became our deadliest weapon," Giovanni explained.
Perhaps his most famous exploit was in 1888, when he teamed with Anna Valerious to hunt down the infamous lord of vampires, Dracula. Following a brutal hunt, he eventually managed to slay the vampire lord while in werewolf form, yet at the cost of Anna's life. It was only then the Valerious family would be freed from their curse and allowed to ascend to the heavens.
"Rumors circulated about him – that he wasn't even human to begin with, but something more...something of a divine nature with how he was able to handle such monstrosities with ease. This fight should be over before it can even begin," Pavel concluded.
The famed hunter marched into battle with a unique arsenal designed for fighting the forces of darkness:
Short Range: Spada da Lato
Mid Range: Double-Action Revolvers
Long Range: Repeater Crossbow
Special Weapon: Tojo Blades
But how will the dark hunter stand when he is pitted against an equally skilled sharpshooter boasting over a century's worth of experience?
The camera focuses on a man with an abnormally pale complexion and having no nose, ears or hair. He is wearing a brown shirt with a line of dynamite sticks strapped across his chest, stopping to pick up an Old Western period repeating rifle on the table before him.
First representing Erron Black will be the Black Dragon member called No Face.
A specialist in incendiary and explosive devices, No Face provides in-depth knowledge of the arsenal utilized by the famed gunfighter.
"This Van Helsing punk is about to find out the hard way that Erron Black wasn't just all talk...he could damn sure back it up!" No Face grunted.
The camera then focuses on an attractive red-haired woman in a sleeveless leather zip-up vest, red pants, and black boots. She had two large, serrated knives strapped to her sides, while pointing a revolver at the screen.
Also on hand representing Black will be another Black Dragon member, Kira.
A former arms dealer who later served alongside the gunslinger, she brings first-hand knowledge of his tactics and strategy.
"Erron Black was already known and feared long before he joined us. Believe the stories you've heard – he's the real deal," Kira spoke.
Originally a gunslinger from the American West, Erron Black would go on to establish a reputation for himself as one of the deadliest shooters in the land. It would be a chance encounter with Shang Tsung that would change his life forever, his aging being slowed after he murdered an unidentified Earthrealm warrior for the sorcerer.
"Black would go on adventures that led him to the service of the Black Dragon, even going as far as Outworld. He was a mercenary, but he was worth every damn penny," No Face grunted.
Making a name for himself throughout Outworld, the gunslinger would eventually catch the Kahn's attention and become part of his personal guard. Whilst under the Kahn's employ, he would serve on the front lines against the former Outworld empress Mileena's rebellion and later, the events of Kronika's timequake, where he encountered a past version of himself and other Kombatants.
"Black learned much from his travels. He always knows to expect the unexpected. Gabriel Van Helsing would be just another payday to him," Kira concluded.
The gunslinger rode into battle with an arsenal gathered from his many adventures:
Short Range: Tarkatan Blade
Mid Range: Single-Action Revolvers
Long Range: Repeater Rifle
Special Weapon: Dynamite
When both warriors needed to take their opponents down at close range, they each relied upon their trusted blades to get the job done.
For Gabriel Van Helsing, he relied upon a trusted blade of the Renaissance, the Spada da Lato.
(Van Helsing is shown impaling a ghoul through its chest with his blade before pulling it out and driving it through their face.)
Spada da Lato
Double-Edged
Length: 39. 3 in.
Weight: 31.7 oz.
Material: Steel
"This sword is a successor of the medieval arming sword and the predecessor of the rapier," Pavel said drawing his blade for the panelists, "It is equally effective against armored and unarmored opponents, or in Van Helsing's case, non-human."
"It looks like it can give you plenty of options and we want to see it in action," Bradley spoke before motioning towards 3 suspended pig carcasses, "We have three attacking Outworld warriors here and we want to see the effectiveness of your blade. We don't care if you have to stab or slash, we just want to see your targets finished off."
"Consider it done," Pavel said and took his position.
"Alright Pavel, are you ready?"
"Ready!" he shot back.
"Then on 3...2...1, attack!"
Pavel waited as the first target came flying towards him on its zipline, only for him to shoot his blade out and into its stomach. He listened as the second pig zoomed towards him, only for him to sidestep and slash deep into its side. The third target then zipped at him, yet Pavel shot his blade upward into its throat before turning his body and thrusting into the back of the second pig's head.
"Good enough?" Pavel asked.
"It seems to be that way thus far," Dr. Kaiser replied as he went over to assess the damage, "Your strike to the first target goes right between this guy's ribs and tears right through the lung, even going deep enough to scrape the spine! A very slow, agonizing way to go."
He then looked over the second target, "Your first strike only leaves a deep flesh wound. It's gonna hurt like hell, but it won't kill. However, you did come back to finish the job with your strike to the back of his head. Bye bye brain."
"Van Helsing would have caught on and quickly executed any stragglers," Pavel nodded.
Dr. Kaiser nodded back and examined the last target, "And for this guy, it's instant lights out. You tore right through his windpipe in one strike and nearly drove your tip through the back of his neck. Altogether, you are 3 for 3."
"Quite the gruesome display. What are your thoughts, Kira?" Bradley asked.
"That would be nothing new for Black. He has fought enemies of similar skill and when he did, he brought his own blade to cut them down with," she replied.
To answer Van Helsing's challenge, Erron Black slashes back with a trophy of one of his many Outworld adventures, the Tarkatan Blade.
(Erron Black is shown drawing his blade and slashing the throat of an attacking Outworld rebel, before impaling another attacker with it.)
Tarkatan Blade
Length: 4 ft.
Weight: 2 lbs.
Material: Bone
"Damn, I've never seen anything like this before!" Eddie exclaimed as he noticed the severe arm attached, finding himself severely creeped out and backing off as Kira glared at him.
"Black was good at making due with what he had. He was able to fashion weapons from whatever he could salvage from his defeated enemies. In this case, it's the severed arm of a Tarkatan from Outworld, with its skeletal arm being used as the handle," she explained while showing the unusual weapon to the panelists.
"Unorthodox, yet a good show of resourcefulness on his part," Dr. Kaiser commented.
"It's the same test for you, Kira. We have three attacking ghouls on stand by and it's your job to take them out by any means necessary," Bradley said, motioning towards 3 fresh pig carcasses.
"Very well," Kira smirked and took her position.
"Alright Kira, are you ready?" Bradley called out.
"Yeah," she shouted back.
"Then on 3...2...1, slice 'em up!"
The first pig carcass was sent zooming towards Kira, who leaped towards it and managed to swing her blade twice into the pig's gut at lightning speed before finishing it with a slice to its throat. The second pig carcass was already zipping towards her by this point and she swung her blade outward into its throat before the last carcass was sent forward, to which she responded by thrusting her blade into its gut, followed by her pulling it out and stabbing again before she went a little higher and sliced downward, causing the pig's guts to spill out.
Yet that wasn't all as a loud 'snap' resounded and she was left holding just the handle.
"That doesn't sound very promising," Eddie commented.
Dr. Kaiser made his way over to assess the damage done to the targets, starting with the first as he examined the deep rends left in its stomach.
"Already I am seeing this blade cut deeper than Van Helsing's side sword, with this guy struggling to keep his damaged intestines inside of him. From these wounds alone, you wouldn't have needed the slash to its throat at the end," he commented.
"Black would have done no differently," Kira replied.
Dr. Kaiser then made his way over to the second target, "This blade cuts deep. From this strike alone, you have a functional decapitation and a kill."
He then made his way over to the last target and had to carefully remove the damaged blade before he could proceed, "Damn, this went all the way through this guy. Your first strike alone tore through his intestines and even pierced his spinal column. Everything afterward is just overkill," he remarked while trying not to step on a strand of intestines dangling from the pig's gut.
"But yet your weapon is broken. Without it, you are nothing more than a sitting duck," Pavel commented.
"Black carried all sorts of weapons on him at once. If he lost one, he'd be able to surprise you with something else," Kira shot back.
Both blades cut through their targets, but where do our panelists stand?
"I think both blades are deadly without question, yet the better durability of the Spada da Lato wins it for me," Bradley started.
"I have to agree. Both blades can slash and stab with equal lethality, yet the Tarkatan blade is just a skeletal arm with the blade extended and if the user puts too much force in, it will break. My edge goes to Van Helsing's Spada da Lato," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"I agree. Edge Van Helsing," Eddie concluded.
In short range weapons, Gabriel Van Helsing takes the edge with the Spada da Lato.
Coming up, it's an Old West shootout when two trusted revolvers are put to the challenge.
XXXXXX
Gabriel Van Helsing, the famed monster hunter, and Erron Black, the Outworld mercenary.
Both combatants are deadly gunfighters who relied upon their trusted revolvers in a shootout.
For Erron Black, he brought the Single-Action Revolver.
(Erron is shown being approached by a lunging Tarkatan, only to shoot him down before the beast can extend its blades and then drawing his other gun to drop another Tarkatan trying to ambush him.)
Single-Action Revolver
Single-Action
Length: 10.25 in.
Weight: 2.31 lbs.
Cartridge: .45 Colt
Capacity: 6 Shots
And for Gabriel Van Helsing, he relied upon his customized Double-Action Revolvers.
(Van Helsing is shown drawing both his revolvers at once to fire upon an approaching werewolf.)
Double-Action Revolver
Double-Action
Length: 11 in.
Weight: 2.17 lbs.
Cartridge: .38 ACP
Capacity: 6 Shots
Pavel and Kira both stood at the outdoor firing range, which was lined with plates, foam busts, and both jars and glass orbs filled with stage blood. Both were holding their respective revolvers and eyeing each other close.
"Both of our combatants were expert gunfighters and we've set up a shooting range to test out the overall effectiveness of the revolvers they brought into battle. We are giving you both 12 rounds to make your case," Bradley explained.
Both shooters nodded and loaded their respective revolvers before turning to face the shooting ranges set up in front of them.
"Heh, good luck," Kira scoffed.
"The only 'luck' Van Helsing needed was skill," Pavel shot back, never taking his eyes away from the range.
"Alright shooters, on 3...2...1, open fire!"
Both experts squeezed their triggers, with Pavel firing in quick succession thanks to his revolver's double-action feature, whereas Kira had to cock her gun's hammer due to its single-action feature, yet her skill wouldn't leave her too far behind him.
Pavel's first shot misses, but he strikes a jar filled with stage blood, while Kira manages to strike a plate with a bull's eye painted on it.
Pavel: 1
Kira: 1
Kira followed up with another shot that struck a glass ball filled with stage blood, but missed a follow up shot directed at another bottle. Meanwhile, Pavel succeeded in striking a foam bust with a round through the side of its face.
Pavel: 2
Kira: 2
Kira wasn't too far behind him and struck another foam bust with a shot through its nose before missing another shot aimed at a suspended glass orb. Pavel wasn't giving up and fired a round that struck another bottle, followed by a shot through a small bull's eye and then missing his last shot before he clicked empty. Kira was still in the fight and fired a round through another bottle and then finally striking the glass orb that had eluded her before she clicked empty.
Pavel: 4
Kira: 5
Pavel had already reloaded by the time Kira clicked empty and fired another round into a foam bust, blowing off a chunk of the side of its head before putting another round through its right eye before missing his third shot. Kira quickly loaded each bullet individually before taking aim and firing through a large glass blood-filled bottle, following up with a round that struck another foam target just beneath its right eye before she missed the next shot.
Pavel: 6
Kira: 7
"It's been a lot closer than I expected," Dr. Kaiser commented.
"They're nipping at each others' heels. It's almost like watching a horse race," Eddie replied.
Both experts were down to their last three bullets, with Pavel taking aim and shattering another glass bottle before striking a suspended orb and then his last shot striking another plate. Kira fired a round that struck another plate nearby and then another foam target, tearing a chunk out of its cheek before missing her final shot.
Pavel: 9
Kira: 9
"Damn, that was close!" Eddie exclaimed.
"No kidding. We have ourselves a tie," Bradley replied before looking down to his stopwatch, "Pavel, you finished first with 9 hits in 14 seconds. Kira, you finished with 9 hits in 20 seconds."
"That double-action function of yours really made the difference in the end," Dr. Kaiser commented.
"But not by much. I still kept up with him," Kira said furrowing her brow, "That gun looks pretty fragile if you ask me."
Both revolvers met each other shot for shot, but where do our panelists stand?
"This was much closer than I expected. Aside from the difference in firing mechanisms, both revolvers were able to match evenly in terms of effective firing range and stopping power. I'm calling this even," Bradley started.
"I would normally be inclined to believe that the gun with the more advanced firing action would have taken the edge in the end, but today's test just shows these revolvers being too close. Perhaps in the end, it will fall down to the warrior behind the gun, but for now, I'm calling it even," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
"I'm with both of you. This was just too close to not call it even," Eddie concluded.
In mid-ranged weapons, our warriors are even.
Coming up, a secret weapon of the Vatican goes up against a feared killer of the Old West.
XXXXXX
Gabriel Van Helsing and Erron Black, two feared hunters whose exploits made them legends.
When both fighters needed to take their targets down from afar, they relied upon very different means to do so.
For Gabriel Van Helsing, he relied upon a secret invention of the Vatican, the Repeater Crossbow.
(Van Helsing is shown firing a flurry of bolts from his repeater crossbow at an approaching vampire.)
Repeater Crossbow
Semi-Automatic or Full Automatic
Length: 34.75 in.
Weight: 6.9 lbs.
Capacity: 10, 25 or 50 Bolts
"This is a brainchild of the Vatican's elite R&D team," Giovanni said as he presented the repeating crossbow to the panelists, "It was initially developed by a friar who accompanied Van Helsing on his mission to Transylvania. It is gas operated and fires metal bolts from a rotating drum. It's select fire, so I can go semi-automatic or fully auto. Plus, it's easily collapsible for easier concealment and always ready to be deployed at will."
"Even by today's technological standards, this still looks advanced," Eddie commented.
"Care to give us a demonstration?" Bradley asked.
"With pleasure," Giovanni said as he took his position before six foam targets and loaded a fresh drum magazine into the crossbow.
"Starting with semi-auto," he announced while taking aim at one of the targets and firing a bolt into its center mass. He then followed up with a shot to the second target's face.
"Dead center of the face, going all the way to poke the brain stem. Instant lights out," Dr. Kaiser commented.
Giovanni continued, firing a bolt into the third target's chest before following up with a shot that caught the fourth target in its throat (causing the panelists to collectively wince), an arrow to the fifth target's chest, and then a bolt to the final target's face.
The armorer then looked to the panelists and smirked.
"Now, we go full auto," he said flipping a switch on the crossbow.
With that said, he depressed the trigger and a flurry of bolts flew at the targets until the crossbow clicked empty, riddling them with bolts while only a few missed and punched into the wall behind them.
"Wow! We've had crossbows on here before, but this is something entirely different!" Bradley exclaimed.
"Yeah, it's like an early sub-machine gun almost," Eddie added.
"And like any sub-machine gun, it's spray and pray," No Face grunted, "The rifle Erron carried into battle might not have had as many rounds, but with his skill, he didn't need them."
To answer Van Helsing's challenge, Erron fires back with a staple of the American West, the Repeater Rifle.
(Erron is shown quickly dropping two Earthrealm Special Forces soldiers with a single, well placed shot for each from his repeater rifle before they can react.)
Repeater Rifle
Lever-Action
Length: 49.3 in.
Weight: 9.5 lbs.
Capacity: 8 Rounds
"These rifles were common in Erron's day," No Face said showing his chosen rifle to the panelists, "Even as he started to encounter enemies with far more advanced assault rifles, he still trusted this with his life. He could draw, aim and fire before your friend could even get his little toy out," he grunted towards Giovanni.
"I'd like to see you try," the Van Helsing expert scoffed.
No Face turned around to face six more foam targets. Without a word, he took aim and fired a burst into the first target's chest before working the lever-action and firing into the second target's chest. He repeated the motion as he fired into the other four targets, leaving similar gaping holes.
"All center mass. Perfect kill shots," Dr. Kaiser commented.
"And in under 4 seconds," Bradley added.
"Yet still, he had to rework the lever-action after every shot he took. That's not an issue when my crossbow is set to full auto," Giovanni countered, eliciting a dark chuckle from No Face.
Both long range weapons proved their deadly merits, but where do our panelists stand?
"After seeing both weapons in action, I am with the crossbow hands down. It can fire far more bolts, and with an insane rate of fire compared to the rifle, not to mention the user has the option between going semi-automatic and full auto, where the repeater rifle has the outdated lever-action that would probably come back to bite the user in the end," Bradley started.
"Normally, I wouldn't go with a crossbow in this case, but this is no ordinary crossbow! You can attach a freaking drum magazine to this and fire a flurry of bolts faster than any typical crossbow! It's unlike anything I've seen and I'm giving the repeater crossbow my edge," Eddie seconded.
"I too would have been tempted to side with the rifle at first, but seeing that crossbow in action did it for me. Edge Van Helsing," Dr. Kaiser seconded.
In long range weapons, Gabriel Van Helsing takes the edge with the Repeater Crossbow.
Coming up, we are on the final stretch as it's explosive versus cutting edge...
XXXXXX
Gabriel Van Helsing taking on Erron Black in a showdown to determine who will be "The Fictional Deadliest Warrior."
The time has now come for both warriors to unleash their special arsenal.
When needing to make a statement, Erron Black liked to make a bang and he did so with a staple of the robbers of his day, Dynamite.
(Erron Black is shown pulling out a stick of dynamite, lighting it, and then tossing it over a large boulder at a Netherbeast that has been stalking him, which then detonates and blows the beast into pieces.)
Dynamite
Length: 8 in.
Weight: 8 oz.
Blast Radius: 4 m
Filling: Nitroglycerin
The panelists were outside, where No Face stood before an enclosure with 4 mannequins inside. He reached onto the bandolier strapped across his chest and drew a stick of dynamite.
"Black had a number of ways to take someone down. When he needed a bigger bang, he carried plenty of dynamite on him. These are filled with nitroglycerin soaked by any type of absorbent, be it sawdust, sand or clay, with a protective coat surrounding it with a blasting cap with an attached fuse. Good for mining...or blowing people up...heh!" No Face chuckled.
"Right...well for now, we've got four targets here for you to practice on. Each of them have been outfitted with two shock patches, one measuring 38Gs and the other at 100G's of force. When the 38G patch is tripped, they're disoriented. If the 100G is tripped, they're dead," Bradley explained.
No Face nodded and walked over to the safe space outside the enclosure, where he pulled out a lighter and lit the fuse before tossing it inside. He then walked over to join Kira.
Five seconds later, the explosive detonated and plastic chunks were thrown around, leaving only a small crater where the stick landed.
Dr. Kaiser waited until the smoke cleared and the flames were doused before he made his way over to assess the damage done, starting with the remnants of the first target.
"The stick of dynamite landed right at this guy's feet, so he's bearing the brunt of the blast, losing both of his legs beneath the knee cap, along with his right arm, and his torso being shredded to bits. There's no saving him," the doctor said tossing the mangled torso aside.
"For our second target, both patches are tripped. His whole stomach was torn apart and he'd be dead within seconds," he said before walking over to the third target.
"Once again, we have both patches tripped for a kill," he said before making his way over to the final target.
"Well, we are 3 out of 4 on this one. This guy right here has his 38G patch tripped, meaning he will be disoriented, possibly suffering from blown out eardrums, and possibly suffering additional injuries from being thrown, but he is left alive and covered in the blood and guts of his friends, very likely shell shocked by this point," the good doctor concluded.
"No doubt it would be deadly if you caught your target, yet you've got a delayed fuse, meaning they can run away before it detonates," Pavel commented.
"He did always enjoy a good challenge," Kira smirked, while No Face nodded.
"We don't have that issue with our weapon. As soon as we deploy it, instant results," Giovanni spoke as Pavel nodded alongside him.
To counter the dynamite's explosive power, Van Helsing cuts back with a deadly secret invention of the Vatican, the Tojo Blades.
(Van Helsing is shown activating a Tojo Blade to cut down a ghoul before drawing another and flinging it to behead a second ghoul.)
Tojo Blades
Dimensions: 4" x 10 1/2" Blade
Weight: 2 lbs.
Material: Steel
Giovanni stood before the panelists as he produced two strange circular shuriken-like blades with eight jagged blades, of which he then pressed an unseen trigger that left them spinning at blinding speeds.
"What are those?" Dr. Kaiser asked.
"These are the Tojo Blades, originally designed by the Vatican's secret order to assist Van Helsing in his fight against evil. They are meant to be easily concealed, with the blades able to be deployed at will. They are powered by a pump trigger on a side mounted grip, activated by the user's hand. Once you get these moving, they can cut through anything better than a knife or a sword," Giovanni explained.
"You've basically got your own hand-held buzz saws," Eddie commented.
"Those look like they can be absolutely vicious. How about we see them in action?" Bradley asked as he looked towards a ballistic gel torso, "We have a target here with all the similarities to human flesh and organs for you to test it on."
"You got it," Giovanni said pulling down his protective goggles.
"Then on 3...2...1, let 'em have it!"
Giovanni powered up the blades and launched himself at the gel target, bringing one of his blades down onto the target's collarbone and leaving a deep gash, while he swung his other arm into the target's gut, tearing it wide open and letting the fake intestines spill out as the panelists gasped in awe.
"Goddamn, you weren't kidding!" Eddie shouted to Bradley.
Giovanni continued with his "demonstration," bringing the blade down onto the target's right arm and severing it just above the elbow without struggle before he repeated the process on the other arm, going slightly higher than before.
Seemingly satisfied with his work and covered in the gore of his "kill," Giovanni turned and made his way back to the panelists, only to stop himself in mid-stride before turning and flinging one of his still running blades at the target, catching it in the throat and beheading it.
"Holy shit!" Dr. Kaiser exclaimed.
"Man, and here I thought shop class always sucked," Eddie added.
Dr. Kaiser made his way over to assess the damage done, "From your first strike alone, you cut right through this guy's collarbone, taking the tendons and blood vessels along with it, almost deep enough to cut the lung. This guy would bleed out within seconds from that alone. Then, you went lower and disemboweled this guy, another quick kill. From your strikes to both arms, you cut through bone, biceps and triceps all at once, another quick bleed out," he said before reaching down to pick up the dummy's severed head, "This needs no further explanation."
"He'd never get that close. It'd be like shooting fish in a barrel for Black," No Face scoffed.
"Until he throws it of course," Giovanni shot back.
Both special weapons showed off their deadly killing power, but where do our panelists stand?
"After seeing both weapons in action, I feel they have their strengths, as well as their weaknesses that hold them back. The dynamite has more destructive power, a blast radius that can kill multiple people at once, and is light enough you can carry multiple sticks at once. However, it has a delayed fuse that can buy time for an enemy to run away, plus it likely can't be thrown as far.
"As for the Tojo Blades, you get instant results when they make contact with an enemy, they are light and easily concealed, and they can be thrown. However, their range is extremely limited and as it is with all thrown weapons, they can end up missing their target and thus you've effectively disarmed yourself.
"With that being said, I give my edge to the dynamite for its sheer killing power," Bradley started.
"With the edges and weaknesses you pointed out, I think this would call them even," Eddie countered.
The tiebreaker would fall down to Dr. Kaiser.
"While the Tojo Blades were deadly and down right gruesome, I'm giving it to the destructive power of the dynamite," the good doctor concluded.
In special weapons, Erron Black takes the edge with Dynamite.
As it is with all warriors, there is a critical X-factor that makes them who they are. For Gabriel Van Helsing, it's his sheer dedication to his cause.
"Van Helsing was a lonely man who didn't have much else to live for aside from ridding the world of the creatures of darkness. He saw it as a means of atonement for the sins of his past," Pavel explained.
For Erron Black, it's his adventures through various realms.
"Erron Black has been on adventures throughout various realms before they were absorbed into Outworld. He was able to sharpen his skills against the kinds of monsters Van Helsing would never have dreamed of and he came away with more than just the trinkets he turned into weapons. He came away with experiences that hardened him both physically and mentally, and has been doing so for over 100 years," Kira explained.
Coming up, it's a showdown between two deadly gunfighters when Gabriel Van Helsing and Erron Black clash!
XXXXXX
With our testing complete and our X-factors evaluated, we are now one step closer to deciding who will be "The Fictional Deadliest Warrior."
Our teams tested 4 weapons used by Gabriel Van Helsing: the Spada da Lato, Double-Action Revolvers, Repeater Crossbow, and the Tojo Blades.
On the opposite side, 4 weapons used by Erron Black were tested: the Tarkatan Blade, Single-Action Revolvers, Repeater Rifle, and Dynamite.
In short range weapons, the Spada da Lato's durability allowed it to stand firm against the Tarkatan Blade.
EDGE: Gabriel Van Helsing
In mid-ranged weapons, both revolvers matched each other shot for shot.
EDGE: Even
In long range weapons, the Repeater Crossbow took down the Repeater Rifle.
EDGE: Gabriel Van Helsing
And in special weapons the Dynamite blew away the Tojo Blades.
EDGE: Erron Black
Our scientists and weapons experts have concluded their testing. The results are in and the time has come to decide who will be the victor. To ensure the battle won't be decided by a single, lucky blow, the battle will be simulated one thousand times in a duel to the death.
Who will prevail in a showdown between two fierce gunfighters?
Monster Hunter
(Van Helsing is shown riddling a gargoyle with bolts from his repeater crossbow.)
vs. Mercenary
(Erron is shown taking aim with his repeater rifle and dropping an Outworld rebel as he sits near a campfire.)
Deadly Creativity
(Erron is shown impaling an attacking Outworlder with his severed Tarkatan Blade.)
vs. Advanced Technology
(Van Helsing is shown cutting up an attacking demon with his Tojo Blades.)
Seeking Salvation
(Van Helsing is shown in a cathedral, kneeling before a cross.)
vs. Seeking Wealth
(A royal servant presents Erron with a bag full of gold as Kotal Kahn looks on from his throne.)
"Everything is set and ready to go. It's showtime!" Eddie said before typing in the final commands and starting the simulation.
XXXXXX
We are taken to an unnamed European city with a full moon high in the night sky as a lone figure in a wide-brimmed hat and dark trench coat makes his way through the empty streets, not another soul in sight as rumors of sinister, monstrous activity circulates keeps the citizens indoors.
It brings him comfort, knowing no innocent bystanders will be caught in his way as he makes a left turn into an alleyway.
Unknown to him, another figure is lurking nearby, looking down at a wanted poster torn from the nearby wall. Even in the dim lighting, he could make out the man's features. They were offering a hefty bounty for his capture: dead or alive.
The man smirked beneath his mask, his revolvers loaded, both his repeater rifle and blade fashioned from the severed, skeletized arm of a Tarkatan strapped to his back, and several sticks of dynamite strapped to his sides.
It was time to get paid.
Meanwhile, the lone figure continues down the alley as he searches for any signs of otherworldly activity. He stands ready with several weapons concealed beneath his trench coat, ready for the horrors that would await.
He was Gabriel Van Helsing and he had been dispatched by the Knights of the Holy Order to investigate rumors of vampires lurking about. Had another one of those menaces managed to survive his adventure back in Transylvania?
Something sinister was afoot. He could sense it within. The feeling left him reaching for one of his revolvers as he crept forth towards another opening.
It was there he found a body lying in the middle of the cobblestone street and he approached with his gun drawn. He knelt over the body – a young woman with a look of sheer horror etched upon her features. Turning her head to the side, he saw the tell-tale puncture wounds on her neck.
The sight disgusted him and all he could do now was mutter a short prayer for the woman as he reached down to close her eyes and mouth.
It was then the jangling of spurs caught his attention and he whirled around to find a silhouetted figure standing before him.
There was only silence as the figure stood there, a few seconds passing before he stepped into the light to reveal the Stetson, along with the poncho around his shoulders and the strange mask covering the lower half of his face.
The monster hunter had no idea he had just come face to face with the notorious mercenary gunslinger Erron Black.
The gunfighter remained silent as he eyed the monster hunter before without warning, he pulled out a coin and flipped it into the air. It was then with seemingly superhuman speed and accuracy, he withdrew a single-action revolver and fired a bullet that ricocheted off the coin while it was in midair, the bullet grazing Van Helsing's cheek.
Van Helsing grimaced as he felt the fresh blood running down his cheek, yet he shrugged it off and drew his double-action revolvers to fire a barrage upon the mercenary. As if expecting that reaction, Erron had already been ducking for cover behind some wooden crates as a few of the bullets tore through his pancho's fabric, yet he was unharmed and fired a few rounds back, his opponent vaulting over a low brick wall.
Seeing his opponent's latest move, an idea came to mind for Erron and he reached for one of the sticks of dynamite strapped to his side, pulling out a lighter and lighting the fuse. He waited a second before chucking the stick over the wall. Van Helsing had been in the process of reloading his revolvers as the stick landed at his feet and was forced to jump through a nearby window, the explosive detonating from behind and launching him through the air.
Erron watched as from a distance as the smoke rose into the air, but wanted to make sure his target was dead. He approached a nearby door and kicked it open, finding himself in a shipping warehouse lined with large wooden crates and barrels, pointing his revolver around as he looked for any signs of the missing hunter.
He found the shattered window Van Helsing had leaped through and slowly edged towards it, finding a few unused bullets scattered nearby. He followed along the catwalk until he spotted the darting shadow and the glint upon metal, causing him to open fire again.
Van Helsing ducked low as the bullets struck the brick wall behind him and he kept moving until he spotted a valve handle near the approaching mercenary, firing a round that pierced it and sent a burst of steam shooting out, yet it only managed to halt Black's advance.
The gunslinger was not deterred and vaulted over the railing, landing on a large wooden crate before leaping to the floor. He raced along the floor just as Van Helsing continued firing at him, rolling for cover behind two wooden barrels. Taking time to compose himself, he stuck his arm out and fired a shot that struck Van Helsing's revolver, knocking it from the monster hunter's hand.
Van Helsing grunted through the pain, yet he wasn't out of the fight and deployed his repeater crossbow. He listened for any movement from his attacker before popping out and firing a barrage of metal bolts, until he heard a cry of pain.
One of the bolts struck Erron in his side and he reached for it, only to feel the cool, metallic surface. He wouldn't be able to break it off, so for now, he would have to tough it out. Holstering his revolvers, he drew the repeater rifle strapped to his back and popped out to fire a shot as Van Helsing made his way to the ground level, firing another bolt that almost tore through the mercenary's shoulder.
Erron rolled along the ground and took cover behind another wooden crate before popping out to fire three shots in succession at his opponent before looking up to see a pallet full of crates suspended from a pulley above, not far from where the hunter was located. He took aim and shot the chain holding the load up, sending it falling to the floor with an ear-splitting crash.
Van Helsing had seen the load falling towards him and managed to roll to safety just in time, hugging his back against another tall crate as he listened for any signs of his opponent. The jangle of the man's metal spurs came from not too far and he tossed his crossbow aside, drawing his Spada da Lato and waiting as he approached before leaping out and taking a slash.
The attack knocked Erron's rifle from his hands and he was sent reaching for the severed Tarkatan blade strapped to his back, drawing it just in time to intercept another strike from the monster hunter. The clash of metal upon metal echoed as the two men met head to head, swinging their blades wildly at one another, only to be broken up when Erron ducked low and performed a sweep kick that knocked Van Helsing from his feet.
Van Helsing grunted as he hit the concrete, yet had to roll to the side as Erron brought his blade down. He pushed himself back to his feet and barely sidestepped a stab that tore through his trench coat's fabric before swinging his blade downward and slashing into the mercenary's back.
Erron grunted through the pain and brought his blade up to deflect another attempted blow from the monster hunter and another back and forth struggle followed until a loud crack resounded and the Outworld mercenary's blade was sent clattering to the floor. Van Helsing saw his opening and prepared for a follow up thrust, yet was cut off as Erron quickly drew his revolver and fired, the bullet tearing through his arm and forcing him to drop his sword.
The gunslinger wasn't done as he fired another round into Van Helsing's leg, dropping the monster hunter to a knee and leaving him gasping in agony.
"Pathetic," Erron grunted as he approached the kneeling monster hunter. With a chuckle, he pointed his revolver at the man's head and cocked the hammer.
"End of the road," he said.
Van Helsing grunted and looked up to his opponent, furrowing his brow.
"No!"
A low whirring noise sounded and before Erron knew it, a disc-like object was flying up from beneath the monster hunter's coat and slicing through his wrist.
Erron looked on in bewilderment as his severed hand fell to the floor, still clutching his revolver.
Another whir sounded and Van Helsing launched himself upward with his other Tojo blade activated, driving it into the mercenary's stomach and driving it as deep as he could, looking into the man's eyes until their glow faded. Only then did he allow the infamous gunslinger's body to fall backwards.
The wounded Van Helsing stood tall over his fallen adversary before looking down to his blood-stained blade.
He quietly crossed himself, begging forgiveness for the violence he was forced to inflict.
XXXXXX
Winner: Gabriel Van Helsing
Gabriel Van Helsing:
Spada da Lato: 55
Double-Action Revolver: 125
Repeater Crossbow: 338
Tojo Blade: 70
Total: 588
Erron Black:
Tarkatan Blade: 20
Single-Action Revolver: 90
Repeater Rifle: 216
Dynamite: 86
Total: 412
"In a fairly lop-sided battle, Gabriel Van Helsing emerged over Erron Black. It was largely thanks to him coming equipped with more reliable, professionally made weapons, whereas many of Erron's weapons were carry overs from his days in the Wild West or improvised weapons he had crafted himself. The most devastating weapon in all of his battle was the repeater crossbow, scoring over 300 kills alone," Bradley explained.
"I am not surprised by the outcome. Van Helsing accomplished far more in his lifetime, including killing Dracula. He was up against a mere lackey who had his ass handed to him by better fighters more often than not," Pavel spoke.
"Ha! Do you honestly believe we should listen to what a few twerps in lab coats say? Send them my way and they'll learn what a battle is really all about!" Kira spat.
(Van Helsing is shown limping down a city street, stopping long enough to tear down another wanted poster bearing his visage.)
XXXXXX
Next time on "Fictional Deadliest Warrior," it's a battle of the mercenaries:
(A man wearing a green fatigue shirt, beige pants, black boots, military webbing, a black balaclava and tactical goggles points a Colt M4A1 assault carbine at the screen.)
Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service: Umbrella's private military force that specializes in some of its most dangerous rescue operations...
vs.
(A man wearing a brown and black field uniform, black boots, gloves, tactical vest, a black balaclava and helmet points an AKS-74u assault carbine at the screen.)
Gurlukovich Mercenaries: The battle-hardened Russian soldiers who fight to restore their homeland to its former glory as a world superpower.
Who will be...THE FICTIONAL DEADLIEST WARRIOR?!
XXXXXX
Author's Note: And so concludes another chapter that thankfully comes sooner compared to the last time around, and also one where I have quite a bit to say at the very end.
For anybody who closely follows the Van Helsing lore, it is stated that Gabriel Van Helsing is actually the Archangel Gabriel, who later descended to earth and lived among humans for hundreds of years before the events of the live-action movie. I purposely leave that bit of information out throughout the chapter in order to make the fight seem a little more fair.
I don't recall if anybody else was ever made aware of Gabriel's true divine nature, hence it was unlikely anybody would have been around to tell Pavel and Giovanni about it, although I do have Pavel making a veiled reference with him talking about the rumors circulating that Van Helsing "wasn't even human to begin with" during the intro.
Speaking of which, Pavel and Giovanni are my OC's.
I tried to look up info that I could regarding the kind of revolvers used by both Van Helsing and Erron Black, which apparently are entirely made up, yet draw inspirations from real-life firearms. It is believed the customized revolvers Gabriel uses are meant to be inspired by the Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver, whereas Erron's revolvers are inspired by a combo of the Colt Navy and LeMat revolvers. I would also naturally assume that given its popularity at the time, any model of Winchester could have inspired the Repeater Rifle used by Erron in the games.
The Repeater Crossbow is also obviously a completely made up weapon, yet they never seem to specify how many bolts it uses in the movie, although its drum magazine makes me think of the Thompson Submachine Gun and the Soviet-made PPSh-41, which could also be fitted with a drum magazine. For its specifications, I thought of the Stryker Strykezone 380 as used by Darryl Dixon from "The Walking Dead," since its size made me think of that.
I also went through a few different ideas for giving Erron his special weapon.
At first, I was going to give him the Netherbeast Trap as his special weapon seeing it is unlike anything in the real world, yet I ultimately decided against that given it was meant as a stationary weapon, which Gabriel could have completely avoided. I also decided against giving him his sand grenades as from what I've seen, they mostly seem designed for stunning an enemy similar to a tear gas/flashbang grenade in real-life. The Saurian Spit was also out of the question given that has been seen in my previous "Ra'Zac vs. Saurian" matchup, so it ulitmately fell down to the Dynamite so that way, Erron would take the edge in one weapons category and thus, this battle would avoid becoming a complete one-side slaughter in favor of Van Helsing.
Now that I've gotten all that mumbo jumbo out of the way, I am going to do something different given that this is my 30th chapter and as part of a special 30th chapter celebration, I am going to provide a list of future battle ideas!
I warn you however, this list is NOT an exact order of things and some of these ideas might not even happen to begin with. These are just my most concrete ideas I've thought up as serious possibilities:
Shirai-Ryu (Mortal Kombat) vs. Ottoman Assassin (Assassin's Creed: Revelations)
Sheikah (Legend of Zelda) vs. Xing Bodyguard (Full Metal Alchemist)
Enigma Corporation (Lost Tapes) vs. AMS (The House of the Dead)
Royal Army (Far Cry 4) vs. Fuerzas Nacionales de Defensa (Far Cry 6)
Mandalorian (Star Wars) vs. Cerberus (Mass Effect)
G-Force (Godzilla) vs. G.U.N. (Sonic Universe)
Dawnguard (Skyrim) vs. Grey Warden (Dragon Age)
DiMeo Crime Family (The Sopranos) vs. Sons of Anarchy MC (Sons of Anarchy)
Black Widows (MCU) vs. Haven Troopers a.k.a. FROGS (Metal Gear Solid 4)
Wei Shen (Sleeping Dogs) vs. Niko Bellic (Grand Theft Auto IV)
Joel Miller (The Last of Us) vs. Deacon St. John (Days Gone)
Rico Rodriguez (Just Cause) vs. Mattias Nilsson (Mercenaries)
Stormcloak (Skyrim) vs. Merry Men (Legends of Robin Hood)
Agent 47 (Hitman) vs. John Wick (John Wick Series)
State Alchemists (Full Metal Alchemist) vs. Last Battalion (Hellsing)
Gabriel Van Helsing and all references are inspired by the creations of Universal Pictures and owned by Sommers Company. Erron Black and all Mortal Kombat references are the property of NetherRealm Studios.
With apologies to Mortal Kombat fans...who had been on an undefeated streak as of late.
I think that's all I've needed to say, so until next time read and review! This is Metal Harbinger saying KEEP IT FUCKING METAL!