Welcome, bloodsword and VintageVulpes, to Redemption Island. It's not a fun place, as parishsp can attest to, but it is a bit of a blessing in disguise, isn't it?
After all, without Redemption Island you would both be eliminated from SmackDown: MadMike's Revenge completely, though the two of you being here might not necessarily be something I personally agree with. But now you've got a shot to get back in it.
The question is: How hard do you want it?
That sounded a bit weird, eh? Apologies.
Anyway, in order to get back in the game—or in parishsp's case, actually get in the game—you will have to do a series of writing duels.
Welcome to your first duel.
You will be given a sub-genre and some prompts and then you'll write a story. These stories will be judged by me and will follow the judging criteria listed in this book.
Two of you will be eliminated from SmackDown: MadMike's Revenge completely, one of you will survive to fight another duel.
Alright, SmackDowners, let's draw for spots and get this challenge underway! (I always wanted to say that.)
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The sub-genre for this first duel is Superhuman SF. Superhuman Sci-Fi, as you might know, is pretty much sci-fi with superheroes and superpowers. It's just more science-y. This can come through whatever science-y means you can imagine, whether it be radiation or genetic manipulation or alien interference, or whatever.
Your stories must be at least 1,500 words, but there is no maximum number of words.
As usual, submit your stories to mikemarsbergen@hotmail.com in .doc or .docx form.
The deadline for this duel will be Canada Day—that is, July 1st, 6:30 PM EST/10:30 PM UTC.
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Your prompts for this duel are:
1. You must include some kind of reference to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" in some way. I'll leave it to you to decide how you do it.
2. You must utilize two of the following quotes to satisfy my Survivor fetish:
"Did you hear when I said 'Dragon Slayer'?"
"So I kicked ass, like I always do. And... uh... if any ladies want my phone number... I guess... uh... Ask!"
"Because you're wrong, okay? So shut up!"
"I'm actin', bro. I'm puttin' on my De Niro right now."
"A great man named Marcus Aurelius once said..."
"This is exactly what happens when you leave your fate with... y'know, people with early onset dementia and potentially Alzheimer's."
"You can call me the puppet master. They can be my little puppets. They'll run when I'll tell them to run, they'll walk when I'll tell them to walk. When I'm done with them, just throw 'em in the trash."
3. You must choose two of the following images to use however you see fit in your story:
Sound good? Get writing, SmackDowners!