Deathstroke
Backstory:
Slade Wilson was sixteen years old when he first enlisted in the United States Army, having lied about his age. After serving a stint in Korea, he was later assigned to Camp Washington where he had been promoted to the rank of Major. In the early 1960s, he met Captain Adeline Kane who was tasked with training young soldiers in new fighting techniques in anticipation of brewing troubles taking place in Vietnam. Kane was amazed at how skilled Slade was and how quickly he adapted to modern conventions of warfare. She immediately fell in love with him, and realized that he was without a doubt the most able-bodied combatant she had ever encountered. She offered to privately train Slade in guerrilla warfare. In less than a year, Slade mastered every fighting form presented to him and was soon promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Six months later, Adeline and he were married and she became pregnant with their first child. It was at this time that the war in Vietnam began to escalate and Slade was shipped overseas. At home, Adeline gave birth to their son Grant.
Some time later, Wilson volunteered for a medical experiment designed to stimulate his adrenal gland in the hopes of increasing a soldier's ability to resist truth serums. The experiment did not go as expected, and Slade fell into a coma. When he awakened however, he discovered that he was now capable of using 90% of his brain capacity, and his strength, durability and agility were increased to near-superhuman levels. He applied for re-assignment with the Army, but they refused him. Although his condition was now stabilized, depression took hold of him and he was desperate to serve his country. At this time, Adeline became pregnant with their second child, Joseph. Unable to further his career in the military, Slade turned towards hunting. He became a world famous safari hunter and great wealth followed soon after. Adeline always suspected however that Slade felt unfulfilled.
A few years later, a group of hired mercenaries broke into the Wilson's mansion and kidnapped young Joey. Adeline attempted to fight them off, but a gas grenade prevented her from saving her son. When Slade discovered what had happened, he knew he could not keep the truth from his wife any longer. Slade was not only a world famous safari hunter, he was also one of the world's deadliest and most highly sought after assassins - Deathstroke the Terminator. He promised Adeline that he would save their son. Together, they flew to Tangier and squared off against a rival mercenary known as the Jackal. The Jackal wanted Slade to reveal important information relating to a client or else he would have his men kill Joey. Slade gambled on the idea that he could save his son before the Jackal could give the order. Unfortunately, Joseph's throat was slashed by one of the criminals before Slade could prevent it, destroying his vocal cords and rendering him mute. After taking Joseph to the hospital, Slade's wife, enraged at his endangerment of her son, tried to kill Slade by shooting him, but only managed to destroy his right eye. Afterward, his confidence in his physical abilities was such that he made no secret of his impaired vision, marked by his mask which has a black featureless half covering his lost eye.
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Genius Intelligence,
Enhanced Senses (Can perceive faster than a normal human, all of this senses are increased by a thousandfold. Has thermal scanning lenses in his mask),
Acrobatics,
Immortality (Types 1 and 3. His experiment made it so that he does not age past his prime, and it has been stated that his regeneration makes him virtually immortal(barring total bodily destruction or anti-regeneration weapons),
Regeneration (Mid, can regenerate from being shot in the head and heal from deep cuts in moments),
Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant,
Expert Marksman and Swordsman,
Energy Projection (With his Energy Staff),
Explosion Manipulation (Has various types of bombs),
Smoke Manipulation (Has smoke and gas grenades),
Status Effect Inducement (Has Concussive Disorientation grenades and can stun foes with his Energy Staff); Power Nullification (Via a power dampener) and Flight (Via his jetpack),
Resistance to Analytical Prediction (Cassandra Cain was unable to read and predict his movements)
Weaknesses: Blind on his right side, but that's not really much of a hindrance.
Taskmaster
Background:
Tony Masters was born with the ability to duplicate the movements of others through brief observation. At the age of 8, he continued to discover his photographic reflexes to immediately copy other skills like learning to dive in a swimming pool when he saw someone else having performed a dive, learning special techniques from the best NBA basketball players, and learning to twirl a lasso by watching cowboys on T.V.
As an adult, Tony joined S.H.I.E.L.D. and became an agent. During a mission, Tony found an elderly scientist, shot in the chest and slowly dying. Before the scientist died, he gave Tony a syringe containing an experimental Nazi version of the Super-Soldier Serum to enhance the abilities gained through his photographic reflexes. After Tony injected himself with the Nazi Super-Soldier Serum, he began to develop additional powers, set back by the fact that the memories he gained by watching others overwrote his personal memories. As a result, Tony forgot his wife and field agent partner, Mercedes Masters, as well as his own history with S.H.I.E.L.D. Mercedes crafted an elaborate set-up to help control and guide Tony in his new guise as "Taskmaster". Using a series of muscle memory and reflexive tasks, she linked Taskmaster to "the Org": his "handler" between jobs and a constant to keep him on task despite his frequently overwritten memory. The Org was actually Mercedes herself, gathering intelligence and feeding it back to S.H.I.E.L.D. thanks to Taskmaster's reports. Tony, therefore, became the ultimate double agent in the super villain underground -- one who didn't even know what he was.
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Genius Intelligence,
Acrobatics (He has the combined acrobatic skills of various heroes),
Master Martial Artist,
Weapon Mastery,
Enhanced Senses and Accelerated Development (He has "photographic reflexes", which enables him to perfectly replicate any movement or action he sees within his physical capabilities. Due to this, Taskmaster can rapidly pick up skills and techniques, without the need for training or practice. Reached Bulleye's level at golfing just by watching footage of famous golfers in action. His technique improves with each use in combat),
Information Analysis (He was able to deduce who Typhoid Mary was simply by seeing her walk, despite the latter being disguised. Could instantly identify Ami Han possessed enhanced senses just by looking at her. Is able to analyze any style he sees within seconds, allowing him to come up with counterattacks, or break down them down into individual Kata's. Could instantly tell the exact fight where Finesse had mimicked her fighting style just by seeing it),
Analytical Prediction (He anticipated that Iron Man was going to attack him from behind and somehow replied to his thoughts. He claimed that whatever he can't duplicate, he can anticipate, after doing so to dodge an attack from Spider-Man, and also claimed to "kinda make up" for superpowers he can't duplicate via anticipation, as he maneuvered away to avoid something that he knew Hawkeye would do. He claimed to know Captain America's every move before he does after overwhelming him in combat. He usually claims and proves knowing his opponents' next moves and short-term strategies, dealing, avoiding, or countering them, but it doesn't account for actions he doesn't know they can do and strategies out of character), Speed Amplification (Can double his speed at the cost of increased strain upon his body),
Stealth Mastery (Infiltrated Stark Industries Vault with ease),
Chi Manipulation (Holds a decade long mastery of Chi by copying an opponent),
Pressure Points,
Resistance to Fire Manipulation (Tanks a flamethrower canister exploding near him with little to no effect) and Poison (He has built an immunity to most every toxic substance known to man)
Shockwave Creation with his sword,
Disruptor Arrows and Electro-Shaft Arrows,
Explosion Manipulation with Concussion Arrows,
Electricity Manipulation with his suit,
Light Manipulation using a Magnesium Flare and Resistance to Mind Manipulation (His mask was able to resist a psychic assault debilitating everyone in an intelligence office building, including Black Widow),
Magnetism Manipulating Device,
Knockout Gas,
Weapon Creation with the Energy Construct Generator,
Weaknesses: Whenever he copies something new, it pushes old memories out of his brain in a form of amnesia. Can't copy the meaning behind the actions (for example, he might be able to play an instrument like a master after watching a virtuoso play, but that doesn't mean he can read music)
Song: Masters of Death
Slade Wilson, known as Deathstroke, sat in front of his computer, scrolling through a list of mercenary contracts with a focused expression. To keep himself occupied and entertained, he was casually flicking a dagger into the air, twirling it with expert precision before catching it by the handle with practiced ease. Deathstroke leaned back in his chair, gazing intently at the screen in front of him as he discovered a potential contract that piqued his interest. He then called out, addressing his trusty butler and confidant, Wintergreen.
"Wintergreen, I've found a contract that seems promising."
"I see. And just one might it be?"
Wintergreen's voice echoed through the room, but Deathstroke's experienced ears detected something amiss. There was a subtle discrepancy in the inflection, and the butler's footsteps seemed quieter and more subdued than usual. Slade tilted his head slightly, his senses heightened by the discrepancy. He played along, feigning nonchalance as he continued the conversation, all the while maintaining a watchful eye. Slade continued to play along with the conversation, feigning interest in the contract he had supposedly found.
"It's a lucrative job, and it involves one of my old prey: Robin."
Slade deliberately used the outdated alias to see if the imitation would reveal itself in the response.
"Oh yes, I remember Robin quite well. How do you plan on dealing with him?"
Slade's suspicions were confirmed as he heard the response. The mimicry of Wintergreen's voice had spoken directly from behind him, the footsteps unnervingly quiet. And then there was the use of the outdated alias, "Robin," when "Nightwing" would have been the correct name. With a preternatural instinct, Slade swiftly propelled himself backward and backflipped off the chair, just narrowly avoiding the lethal thrust of a broadsword aimed at his upper body. As he landed on his feet, he found himself face-to-face with his unexpected attacker: Taskmaster. Taskmaster extracted his broadsword from the chair he had impaled, and a smug chuckle escaped his lips. He acknowledged, a note of grudging respect mixing with arrogance in his tone,
"Just as I would expect from a man of your legendary reputation."
The mention of his friend and butler prompted Slade to focus intently on Taskmaster's response. He stood up straight, his muscles coiled and ready to react, and asked a pointed question,
"What have you done with Wintergreen?"
Taskmaster's smirk widened as he chuckled, clearly enjoying Slade's agitation.
"Oh, don't worry about that old man. He's alive and fine, currently taking a nice long nap from a good ol' nerve pinch. It's your bounty I'm really after, Deathstroke."
Slade's expression remained stoic, but he bristled inwardly at Taskmaster's nonchalant response about the butler.
"Big mistake."
In a swift and calculated move, Deathstroke threw his dagger, initiating the assault. Taskmaster retaliated by firing energy shots at the projectile, deflecting it before realizing that the assassin was already behind him, performing a spinning jump attack. Taskmaster quickly erected an energy construct shield to block the impending attack, just in time to fend off the surprise assault.
Slade swiftly executed a sweeping kick, aimed at destabilizing Taskmaster, but the villain swiftly counter-attacked with a leg sweep of his own. Although Slade successfully leapt over the attempted trip, Taskmaster capitalized on the moment, using his shield to forcefully slam into his back, knocking him to the ground. Undeterred, Slade rapidly recovered and regained his footing, ready for the next move from his opponent.
Taskmaster quickly rushed towards Slade, effortlessly evading the shots fired from his pistol. Following the pattern, the skilled fighter executed the same twirling spin jump he had used earlier, yet he underestimated Deathstroke's adaptable style. As Taskmaster soared through the air, Deathstroke swiftly deployed his extendable staff to strike him, disrupting his movement and forcing him to land awkwardly, yet still on his feet.
Taskmaster responded to Slade's barrage of staff attacks by materializing another energy construct shield, effectively deflecting the blows. In an attempt to counterattack, he managed to kick Slade away, aiming to send him tumbling out the broken window. However, Deathstroke's quick reflexes and resourcefulness allowed him to use his staff to catch onto the windowsill, harnessed the power of centrifugal force to swing back into the room after his body shattered the window. Seizing the moment, Slade executed a powerful kick that connected with Taskmaster's face, briefly pushing him back.
Taskmaster found himself briefly winded at the force of his impact with the ground, but he was quick to roll out of the way as one of Slade's daggers hurtled towards his head. Desperately attempting to defend himself, Taskmaster struggled to keep up with Deathstroke's rapid and calculated attacks. Despite his best efforts, Slade managed to land a few blows which ended with another kick, sending the assassin flying backwards once more.
Instead of crashing to the ground, Taskmaster adroitly used his device to manifest an energy bo staff, executing a similar centrifugal force maneuver to avoid stumbling through the doorway. With surprising agility, he kicked at Slade's distinctive black and orange armor mask, managing to repel the villain, who stumbled back.
Slade aimed his staff to catch Taskmaster as the latter charged forward, but he was caught off guard as the assassin suddenly moved with doubled speed, using the staff as a platform to mount a powerful jumping knee strike into Slade's face. The force propelled him backward, crashing into the wall with a thud.
Taskmaster swiftly closed the distance between them, landing a solid punch at Slade's face, but the skilled fighter reacted swiftly, catching the following punch and then grabbing a firm hold of the hood of Taskmaster's cape, preventing his escape. Without hesitation, Deathstroke unleashed a powerful headbutt, crashing it into Taskmaster's forehead.
Slade seized Taskmaster by the throat, seeking to slam him into the floor, but Taskmaster cleverly exploited the proximity to the wall, spinning and extricating himself from the chokehold. Countering with lightning-quick reflexes, he grabbed at Slade's throat in return and hurled him forcefully against the ground. Despite the impact, Slade swiftly rolled and bounced back onto his feet, prepared to continue the heated exchange. Slade's annoyance grew evident as he observed his opponent's continued mimicry of his moves. Frustrated, he retorted,
"Hmph, can't you think of something more original? Copying every damn move is starting to get a bit predictable, don't you think?"
Taskmaster's defiant chuckle echoed through the room, reflecting his confidence in his abilities. He adopted Slade's stance, asserting confidently,
"That's precisely the point, genius. With my photographic reflexes, I can perform anything you do, and after seeing it once, I can do it better. Nothing's original when you're facing someone like me."
Slade narrowed his eyes, his irritation mounting as he recognized the truth in Taskmaster's words. The assassin's ability to replicate and improve upon any technique he witnessed posed a significant challenge.
"You may have an uncanny ability to mimic and refine my moves, but that doesn't make you my equal. I've faced the unexpected and triumphed. You're not the first cocky adversary I've faced, and you sure as hell won't be the last."
Slade fired an energy beam from his staff, only to have Taskmaster block it with his energy shield. In an attempt to counterattack, Taskmaster attempted a kick in Slade's signature style, but the assassin was quick to defend himself, blocking the kick with his staff. Seizing the opportunity, Slade delivered a swift strike with the opposite end of his staff, delivering a hefty blow to Taskmaster's head.
As Slade attempted to spin and strike with the opposite end of his staff, Taskmaster demonstrated remarkable agility, swiftly catching the weapon before it could hit. With a powerful kick, Slade pushed Taskmaster back, while the assassin stumbled momentarily. Taskmaster swiftly regained his footing, the flow of the battle continuing.
Slade unleashed a series of skillful flourishes with his staff, landing a few solid blows on Taskmaster. However, on his final downward strike, Taskmaster adeptly sidestepped out of the way, retaliating with a kick to Slade's head. The forceful impact momentarily destabilized Slade, causing him to stagger backwards as he tried to regain his balance and focus.
Slade swiftly shifted his approach, jumping backward while simultaneously throwing down a flashbang. The ensuing explosion unleashed a blinding flash, effectively concealing his movements as Taskmaster shielded his eyes to protect them from the intense glare. Taskmaster carefully observed the aftermath of the flashbang, realizing that Deathstroke had successfully evaded his sight in the blinding flash. Remaining vigilant, he moved cautiously forward, his senses heightened, fully committed to preventing the assassin from escaping his grip.
Taskmaster diligently followed the subtle hints that led him to a combat training room. As he ventured deeper into the room, he heard a noise from behind him and swiftly spun around, bringing his energy shield up just in time to block a sudden attack from Deathstroke, who had descended upon him from above.
Taskmaster, caught in a defensive position, suddenly discerned that something was amiss. He struggled to fully assimilate Deathstroke's fighting style, as his mind grappled with the overwhelming array of rapid and complex movements. It dawned upon him that the sheer speed and complexity of Deathstroke's attacks were overwhelming his photographic processing, similar to attempting to decipher a frenzied choir singing too quickly and loudly.
Recognizing the urgent need to seize the upper hand, Taskmaster seized hold of Deathstroke's staff, simultaneously headbutting him to inflict a measure of disorientation. Drawing from his recent experience of watching Ip Man fight scenes on fast forward, Taskmaster effectively channeled his knowledge of Wing Chun to unleash a barrage of punches at lightning-fast speed. With an astonishing dozen strikes per second, he assaulted Deathstroke relentlessly, exploiting the villain's momentary shock from the headbutt.
Taskmaster relentlessly unleashed a barrage of punches at breakneck speed, leaving Deathstroke grappling to keep up. Although the assassin possessed the ability to perceive each strike and his armor provided some protection, the sheer velocity and ferocity of the onslaught was unlike anything he had ever encountered. Not even opponents renowned for their swiftness, such as the members of the League of Assassins, Nightwing, Cassandra Cain, or Batman, had ever engaged in combat at this unparalleled level of speed.
Sensing his body nearing the threshold of prolonged exertion at such an intense pace, Taskmaster kicked Deathstroke away, simultaneously snatching the staff before promptly snapping it over his knee, allowing his body to slow and catch his breath. Both fighters backed into opposite walls, panting and recovering from the physically demanding encounter.
Deathstroke, acknowledging Taskmaster's formidable skills, offered a sincere albeit reluctant compliment.
"I'll give you credit where it's due, you're not a pushover."
From his back, Slade retrieved his twin katana, preparing himself for another round, the blade gleaming in the light. Taskmaster's voice revealed a hint of excitement, the thrill of anticipation evident in his tone.
"Now we're talking."
He asserted, conjuring another energy-based shield in one hand, as he activated a handle that unleashed a crackling laser sword. With his weapon ready, he stood at the ready, eager and poised to engage Deathstroke once more. Deathstroke charged forward, unleashing a series of swings with his twin swords, the blades forcefully clashed against Taskmaster's energy shield as the latter defended himself. As Taskmaster observed an opening, he seized the opportunity to counterattack, maneuvering the laser sword to slice through the katana blades, severing them from their hilts.
Deathstroke was caught off guard and found himself at a disadvantage upon losing his twin swords. Taskmaster seized the opening created by the villain's momentary vulnerability, delivering a powerful kick that sent him crashing against the wall. Cursing his adversary's tactics, Deathstroke retrieved his Prometheum double-edged broadsword from his back, preparing for the next round of the intense battle.
Slade swung his broadsword downward, aiming to strike at Taskmaster. The assassin countered the attack with his own sword, but the force of the clash pushed him backward, as he hadn't anticipated the strength and durability of the Prometheum Sword. Taskmaster was forced to take a step back, his surprise momentarily evident as he had underestimated the power of the weapon before him.
Deathstroke seized the chance to execute a low kick that knocked Taskmaster off balance, but the skilled assassin swiftly halted his fall by impaling the edge of his shield into the ground. Regaining his footing, Taskmaster retaliated with a powerful kick that sent Deathstroke stumbling back yet again.
"It makes no difference what weapon or trick you employ against me. Each one merely adds to the arsenal at my disposal, the longer this fights persists."
Slade's expression showed a mixture of annoyance and respect for Taskmaster's ability to adapt and learn from every move he made. He knew he was fighting a foe who could not be underestimated, as every new tactic only fueled Taskmaster's growing arsenal of countermeasures.
"You may be quite adaptable, but I've got a few tricks of my own left up my sleeve."
Deathstroke hurled a smoke bomb onto the ground, filling the entire training room with a thick, opaque cloud. Taskmaster's guard was up, cautiously navigating the smoky surroundings, striving to pinpoint Deathstroke's whereabouts among the swirling smoke.
Taskmaster, despite being partially blinded, relied on his keen understanding of Deathstroke's fighting style and thought process. Although Deathstroke's speed may have been quicker than Taskmaster's photographic reflexes, the assassin anticipated the next move to come. Taskmaster managed to duck under a menacing sword swing from behind, retaliating with a well-aimed slash. The blade sliced through Deathstroke's armor, causing a cut and even drawing blood.
"Even if I can't see you, you're still you. Nothing you do surprises me anymore."
Taskmaster declared, his voice carrying the confidence of a man who believed victory was inevitable. He tossed a grenade at a wall, causing a powerful explosion that cleared the smoke-filled room. Leaping through the gaping hole created, he burst out into the moonlit night, finally escaping the smoky confines of the training room. Slade glared in irritation, emerging from the smoky room wielding his formidable Promethium Sword, his recovery from the previous cut clearly evident.
"Do you ever shut up? If you weren't so focused on mimicking my moves and bragging about it, maybe you might have actually secured a victory by now."
Taskmaster chuckled in response, his confidence unwavering.
"Oh, Deathstroke, still not appreciating the art of trash talk? You really should work on your banter skills. And if you thought I've been holding back thus far, you haven't seen anything yet."
Taskmaster swiftly switched to a dual-wielding approach, brandishing his energy pistols to maintain a safe distance while shooting. Deathstroke skillfully deflected the laser blasts with his Promethium Sword, nimbly darting around in response. With impressive finesse, Deathstroke retrieved a pistol of his own, aiming for Taskmaster's right sidearm and successfully disabling it with an accurate shot. Taskmaster let out a brief exclamation as he lost one of his energy pistols, the other one still clutched in his hand. He swiftly sought cover behind a nearby fountain, peeking out to fire his remaining pistol in Deathstroke's direction.
After deflecting several of Taskmaster's shots, Deathstroke aimed for a strategic spot on the fountain, causing a burst of water to hit Taskmaster squarely in the face. Caught off guard, the mercenary stumbled back, temporarily blinded and disoriented, his shield raised in defense. Slade charged with determination, swiftly rolling past Taskmaster's defenses, the blade of his Promethium Sword viciously cutting through armor and arsenal. He spoke with a sense of challenge in his voice.
"No more tricks, no more energy weapons. If you truly believe you can be my superior, prove it by using nothing more than the fighting style you've been so diligently mimicking from me."
Deathstroke demanded. Taskmaster, his body cut and bruised, took a moment to recover his bearings before responding.
"Fine, Deathstroke. No more tricks, just our skills against each other. You wanted a pure test of our fighting prowess? You got it."
He agreed with a hint of determination in his voice. Deathstroke charged forward, sword swung in a powerful overhead cleave. However, Taskmaster, doubling his speed once more, seized the opportunity to counterattack mid-swing. With precision and lightning-fast reflexes, Taskmaster targeted Deathstroke's pressure points, delivering a devastating strike with the force of a spear's tip. The impact temporarily immobilized Slade as he cried out, leaving him at a disadvantage momentarily.
Taskmaster, noticing an opportunity to level the playing field, quickly seized Slade's Promethium Sword, and with a skilled throw, hurled it onto the nearest roof, out of reach. He declared with a touch of satisfaction,
"Impressive sword, but if I can't use mine, neither can you."
With the weapon effectively out of the mix, Taskmaster prepared for the next phase of their struggle. Slade rose to his feet, his body swiftly healing from the momentary immobilization caused by Taskmaster's attack. He took a moment to stretch and reposition himself, his voice exuding confidence.
"I don't need a sword to beat you."
He asserted firmly, his stance and demeanor conveying determination. To counteract Taskmaster's photographic reflexes, Deathstroke employed a varied and unpredictable fighting style. He seamlessly integrated the open-hand and elbow strikes of Kenpō with the swift kicks of Taekwondo, followed by the grappling techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By continuously shifting between different martial arts, Slade managed to keep Taskmaster guessing, momentarily outmaneuvering him. As the fight intensified, Slade successfully executed a joint lock, slamming his foe forcefully into the ground.
"Guh! Alright, you know your martial arts. But so do I."
Taskmaster's counterattack was swift and precise as he seized Deathstroke's thumb and yanked it out of its socket, causing intense pain that forced the assassin to momentarily retreat. Deathstroke managed to dodge a Muay Thai flying kick but was met with an unexpected Bajiquan elbow strike to the shoulder as he attempted to punch. Off-balance, Slade stumbled, allowing Taskmaster to execute a Judo flip, successfully bringing the mercenary down onto the ground. Taskmaster's voice held a confident resolve as he proclaimed,
"I said it once, and I'll say it again. No matter what you do, I can take everything you do and do it better."
With a controlled stomp, he cracked and split open the mercenary's armored mask, revealing Deathstroke's face beneath; the eyepatch and white hair now fully exposed. Taskmaster, eager to conclude the fight and collect his bounty, attempted one final, powerful stomp, aiming to knock Deathstroke unconscious. However, his foot was unexpectedly caught in mid-air, and to his surprise, Slade was not yet defeated. The mercenary fiercely held off the finishing blow, proving that he still had some fight left.
Slade countered with a swift response, as he twisted Taskmaster's ankle with force, causing the bones to fracture and break. Taskmaster cried out in pain and collapsed, writhing on the ground.
"Try being better with a broken ankle."
Slade retorted, taunting his downed foe. Taskmaster desperately tried to strike with his undamaged foot, but Deathstroke quickly intercepted it, mercilessly pinning it to the ground with a sharpened dagger. The pain became excruciating as both of his feet succumbed to injury, rendering him temporarily immobilized. Taskmaster's wails of pain echoed through the area. Deathstroke climbed atop his incapacitated foe, delivering savage blows to Taskmaster's face, unflinching in his onslaught. Any feeble attempts by Taskmaster to inflict pain or discomfort in order to break free proved futile against Slade's remarkable healing factor. The repeated, powerful strikes rained down mercilessly.
Once his foe was disoriented enough, Slade's grip tightened around Taskmaster's throat, applying tremendous pressure to crush his windpipe. The intensity of the moment was palpable as Slade seethed,
"You can memorize everything you see, right? Memorize my face as I witness the light fade from your eyes."
The mercenary's one good eye bore directly into Taskmaster's, his gaze intense and ruthless.
Taskmaster's futile attempts to break free continued, his eyes bulging behind the skull mask as the slow, agonizing torment of denied breath gripped him. Every struggle proved futile, as he struggled against the inexorable tightening of Slade's grip on his throat. The desperation and panic in his eyes spoke volumes, as he was utterly overpowered, unable to fight back. Taskmaster's struggles began to falter, his movements weakening as his body desperately fought for air. The color drained from his face, and his movements became more languid with every passing moment. His life hung in the balance, completely at the mercy of Slade's grip around his throat.
Taskmaster's struggles finally began to subside, his movements weakening as his oxygen-starved body grew weaker. Just as the mercenary teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, Deathstroke delivered a swift, deadly snap to his neck, effectively ending his life.
With a moment to gather his breath, Slade stood tall, inhaling the night air. He then gripped Taskmaster's foot and dragged the lifeless body back inside to investigate who he was, and who had hired him.
Strength: Both assassins are stronger than peak human capability due to their respective super soldier serums. Taskmaster is generally around Captain America's physical strength, and can Judo flip a 425 lbs. Iron Man. At best, he could lift about 2 tons. However, Taskmaster has shown more impressive feats of strength, such as breaking the shatter point of missile proof glass with his staff, which would require 6.6 physical tons of force to pull off. This makes it a 3.3X difference.
Speed: Taskmaster is typically shown to be faster than bullets, which would at minimum put him at Mach 2.2. However, Deathstroke is shown to be consistently faster than Cassandra Cain, who can react up to Mach 16 speeds, which is a 7.27 times difference. Even when Taskmaster can go twice as fast to close the gap to a 3.63 times difference, that still makes him overall slower, and Slade has fought against several different Flashes before.
Skill: Taskmaster is the superior martial artist. Slade may have broken record time of learning martial arts under Adeline Kane, but Taskmaster can learn everything he does in seconds. Not only that, Taskmaster has gone up against way more varied types of martial artists, giving him the edge of the amount of martial techniques to pull from.
Experience: Roughly, they're both experienced in terms of time span and what sorts of things they've gone up against. There's nothing these two could do more than initially surprise one another.
Powers: They each wielded a similar arsenal to go up against each other, and Taskmaster's photographic reflexes would certainly pick up on some of Deathstroke's techniques, even if Slade was consistently too fast to read. However, there was nothing he could do to slow down or negate Slade's healing factor. Any damage he can do, Slade would just be shrugged off. Taskmaster would have to physically overpower his opponent with strength and speed to win, and he had neither.
The winner is Deathstroke.
Next time:
"WAKKA, WAKKA, WAKKA!"
"Hiiiiii!"