Fleeting Chance charged straight out of the Revival Platform.
"Turn on her."
The members of Godmode stopped attacking the Pillar and turned on Miranda's approaching Avatar. After killing her instantly with their combined attacks, they could turn back and finish off the Pillar easily.
A brilliant light descended from the heavens and ethereal white feathery wings spread from Fleeting Chance's back before dissipating. Paladin ultimate skill, Divine Intervention. As attacks and skills landed ineffectually upon her, Miranda waited three seconds. Her hotbar ticked over.
"Tsk. Sure, fine, whatever. Back off."
Godmode retreated. Of the five members, three were on low health. Francisco had most of his health. Only Derek on his Sharpshooter had full health having just been Resurrected.
"Divine Intervention lasts four seconds. Attack on my mark."
Of course, Miranda wasn't wasting that time at all pelting them with her die. Her attacks hurt a lot. As the only fed member of the enemy team she had built full damage.
"What an annoyance."
"I'll Levitate her."
Kyle moved his Telekineticist closer and tried to click on Fleeting Chance but she disappeared. He started to turn to look for her and the color faded from his screen.
[You have been slain by Fleeting Chance (Gambler)]
"What?" Kyle blinked in surprise. He hadn't even seen the Gambler make a move, she had just vanished and a second later his screen was gray. Sure he was on low health, but he still should have been able to take a hit.
[An ally has been slain!]
[An ally has been slain!]
[Triple Kill!]
Messages flashed non-stop across the screen causing the members of Godmode to go bug-eyed.
"Ow, that really hurts." Francisco hastily made his avatar hurry to Derek's side. He was playing a tankier class and the only one left to protect him now that their main tank, Zhang, and their support, Kyle, were dead.
"Why is she always so f*cking lucky?" Justin held his head in his hands. "First that damn Divine Intervention to stop damage and then she just happens to roll Execute?"
The slumbering crowd stirred violently. Many of them leapt to their feet. What was going on? She was really going to try to turn this all around? A cheer went up from those hoping for a comeback. The commentators, a pair of students from the media classes, finally had something to hype and talk about.
Derek whirled his camera about and found Fleeting Chance off to the side. He cast Dead Aim, a targeting reticle appearing over her head. His next attack was a guaranteed hit at any range. Meanwhile Franciso had dropped an Icy Field. Her movement speed was slowed. She wouldn't be getting away unless she Void Walked toward the Revival Platform. Even if she did, he would just Void Walk past her and then Charge her back into the icy field again.
Sure enough, Fleeting Chance Void Walked. The moment the character disappeared leaving behind sparkling particles, Francisco used his own Void Walk. He appeared near the Revival Platform ready to Charge and lock her down.
Except that she wasn't there.
"F*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck!"
Derek hit Fleeting Chance. His attack was even a crit and took away a whole third of her health bar. But it wasn't his damage he was complaining about, it was the Gambler that suddenly showed up right in his face.
The die hit his character and only did a fifth of his hit points. He could kill her faster than she could kill him. Only she obviously wouldn't let that happen. With Francisco too far away to help, Derek and Miranda dueled, Miranda needed four more hits, Derek needed two, maybe even only one. With all the enemy ranged minions, Miranda was taking a lot of damage.
The Sharpshooter backpedaled swiveling wildly to try and hit the Gambler. He succeeded, another crit landing. Only one more to kill her.
But one more never came. The Gambler hit him with an attack and then blitzed through him as a beam of light annihilating him from over half health. The Light Assassin ultimate, Final Spark.
[You have been slain by Fleeting Chance (Gambler)]
[Quadra Kill!]
"What bullsh*t."
"Don't worry, it's over." Francisco had finally gotten in range for his Charge. His avatar locked onto Miranda's and ran towards her. She had a sliver of health left, there was no way she would survive this Charge.
"You're mine!"
The gap between the avatars closed. Right as they were about to touch, red light flared from Fleeting Chance as if the entire screen were bleeding.
[You have been slain by Fleeting Chance (Gambler)]
[Penta Kill!]
"... Okay seriously what the f*ck."
"I mean, we win anyways."
Sure enough, Fleeting Chance fell a split second later. Minion damage from the huge wave, the Ballistas, and Tyrant Minions. The minion wave finished off the Pillar. And then the Core.
The players from both teams stood up. Godmode filed across the stage, shaking the hands of Nobody Cares. They shook perfunctorily.
"It's you!" Everyone turned and looked at Justin who was staring at Miranda. He couldn't forget the random cheeser who had gotten the best of him. But what was she doing here? Fleeting Chance. This was the same person, right? The Telekineticist? She wasn't a fluke?
"Do I know you?" Miranda had not forgotten about the incident, she just didn't remember the details like who her opponent was. To her it was just a game she happened to win in hilarious fashion.
Apparently realizing he was holding the process up, Justin hurriedly moved on. But the distant haunted look never left his eyes as Godmode moved center stage and bowed to the crowd before packing up and leaving so that the next teams could take their place.
Nobody Cares had already packed up and left. They were going to find seats when they were stopped by one of the commentators.
"We want to invite one of you up to the desk to be our guest for the rest of the event." He looked around at the group before approaching Kelly. "Would you like to join us?"
"Sure, but can I bring her?" Kelly pointed at a surprised Miranda.
"Uh, why?"
"She knows more about the game than I do."
"Okay, that works."
"Best of luck you two." Archie gave them a thumbs up. Rina was currently stroking Jacob's head while whispering at him. He still looked thoroughly dejected.
Kelly winked back at him and then the two of them were dragged by the commentator up to the commenting booth.
Hiya folks!
Please rate the story, post a review, or vote with power stones if you are enjoying it.
I honestly don't know what my audience is like, what people like or dislike about the story, and what people want to see included.
As a reminder: No set release rate, I do this when I have the time and inspiration. Average about 2 ch / wk but I like to write in chunks to maintain greater consistency in the content.
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!
...And as always, enjoy! Cheers!