Red Robin Vs. Shang Chi [Fantasy Battle Tournament]

Stepping into the ring today is the Teen Titans leader versus the master of Kung-Fu . The fans have been polled. Their votes have been recorded. Let the battle begin.

Red Robin Vs Shang Chi

…

Darkness. Surrounding him in it’s gloom and lifelessness. Blinding his senses, but not his mind. That is his greatest asset and that is what he needs to use right now. He can still move  so its not all bad. Years of training under the greatest martial arts masters and crime solving detectives on the planet makes him one of the most capable people in the world. So how did this happen to him? The last thing he remembers is relaxing in a hot bathtub after a long day of fighting the many evils of Gotham City. But he seems to be fully dressed. Reaching down, almost positive that he will find nothing, Red Robin is surprised to feel his utility belt. Pulling open one of the pouches, he grabs a flashlight.

Suddenly, a strange and unfamiliar voice speaks in his head. “Defeat your enemy and you live. Lose, and you die. Refuse to fight and I’ll kill you both.”

“Sure. No problem.” replies Red Robin in a quiet whisper. “Maybe I can get you a sandwich while I’m at it too.”

His only response is a laugh and a sudden burst of light. As his vision slowly begins to clear, Red Robin gets a better look at his surroundings. He appears to be in the streets of a big city. A bunch of apartment buildings with broken windows and graffiti on the walls surround him. In the background though, he can see a skyline of multiple skyscrapers. There doesn’t seem to be anyone around. No people. No animals. No sounds at all.

Deciding to get a better look at his surroundings, without giving away his position, Red Robin pulls out a pair of binoculars from one of his pouches and takes a look. At first, all he can see is more emptiness and no signs of life. After a better look though, in the far distance, Red Robin makes out what appears to be a human shaped figure. What’s decidedly strange about the figure is that it appears to be sitting in lotus position atop a parked eighteen wheel truck. He, for the figure appears to be male, is sitting quite motionlessly. Red Robin is impressed at the man’s concentration skills.

Choosing to err on the side of caution, Red Robin slowly moves closer to the man’s position under the cover of parked cars. He is making absolutely sure that he keeps an eye on his enemy, while also allowing his opponent as little view of himself as he can manage. Moving cautiously, he makes as little noise as possible as he approaches the vehicle.

“So do I do this honorably or as quick as possible?” thinks Red Robin to himself. Slowly pulling out a batarang, Red Robin decides to try and end it quickly. Getting carefully into position, Red Robin tosses the Batarang.

Shang-Chi’s response is lightning fast. Dropping quickly onto his back, Shang-Chi manages to avoid the batarang as it flies harmlessly over his head. Almost as soon as it passes, Shang-Chi does a kip-up and tosses two shirukens at Red Robin. Using his own highly trained reflexes, Red Robin manages to leap and roll to his left, avoiding the deadly razor sharp weapons. Rising to his feet, Red Robin pulls out his bo staff and begins to size up his enemy, who has leaped off of the truck and onto the street. Assuming the Hachiji-dachi position, Shang-Chi assesses his opponent as well.

“Your moves are impressive” says Shang to his opponent. “I almost didn’t hear you coming. I knew you would. The voices said someone would. It will be an honor to defeat you.”

“Keep your honor. You’re probably just another flunky from Ra’s al Ghul’s League of Assassins. I just want to be done with this.” growls Red Robin and advances on his enemy.

“I don’t know who this Ra’s al Ghul is but I assure you I am no one’s flunky. Never again will I be controlled by anyone. Come! Show me what you’ve got!” yells Shang.

Red Robin happily obliges. Leaping with a textbook flying kick while swinging his staff, Red Robin is not surprised when his opponent easily dodges. A few more attacks are quickly parried with lightning speed. Then Shang-Chi goes on the offensive. With snakelike speed, Shang closes the distance with Red Robin and unleashes a flurry of punches and kicks. Red Robin manages to deflect some with his quick reflexes and years of training but not all. One manages to catch him in the leg, knocking him to the ground for a second. Another manages to disarm him as a third blow to the chest sends him flying into a parked car. If not for his costume’s padding and armor, Red Robin is positive he would be unconscious already.

Realizing his opponent is a much better martial artist than he is, Red Robin decides to use his head and go to his arsenal of Bat toys. Laying perfectly still and feigning unconsciousness, Red Robin waits as Shang-Chi slowly advances on him. When he gets within twenty feet, Red Robin quickly presses a button on his utility belt, launching a group of tranquilizing Bat Darts at his enemy. Too bad Shang-Chi sees the motion and is already diving out of the way as the darts harmlessly shoot past him. Quickly jumping up, Red Robin pulls out a dozen smoke grenades and smashes them into the ground, releasing a filmy white gas. Taking a risk, Red Robin jumps into the smoke and puts on his gas mask, hoping to lure his enemy into following him. The gamble pays off as he is suddenly smashed in the bicep by a powerful punch. Assuming a defensive crouch, Red Robin drops the last of his gas pellets and prepares to receive a beating. He manages to block a few of the blows but many get through his defenses. After about a dozen blows connect, Red Robin assumes that his opponents has become sure of his victory and prepares for his last trick. Reaching into his utility belt, Red Robin sets off a flash grenade while closing his eyes. Shang-Chi lets out a yell in surprise. Moving quickly, Red Robin unleashes a barrage of throwing disks in the direction of the sound. To that he adds a bunch of Batarangs and stun grenades for good measure, laying out his throws at multiple angles. Thankfully, many of them connect as Red Robin hears the grunts and yells of his opponent. Leaping in the direction of the yells, Red Robin manages to catch his dazed opponent with a powerful flying kick to the head, knocking him out of the gas cloud and onto the ground. Without slowing for a second, Red Robin uses every last ounce of strength he has to batter his now stunned opponent over and over with punches and kicks. Gabbing his Bat cuffs, he smashes them into Shang’s head. This last blow finally causes Shang-Chi to collapse into unconsciousness.

Falling to his knees besides his downed opponent, Red Robin begins slowly gasping for air while cuffing his prone enemy. “We..we..well that.. that.. was easy.” he pants weakly, trying to get his strength back. “Couldn’t find anyone tougher? Maybe you want some too?”

The only answer he receives is a laugh and darkness.

The Winner: Red Robin

With a slight edge of 60% of the votes,  Red Robin is the winner and moves on to round two. Is that who you would have picked? Make your opinion heard. Please comment on this article. Don’t forget to keep voting for the next battles…

Tags: Batman Comics Fan Fiction Fantasy Battle Tournament Heroes for Hire Marvel Knights Red Robin Teen Titans