Match 20987 Pumpkin Jack vs. Jack O'Lantern (Crime-Master's)

[JohnnyChany]

CONTINUED  FROM PUMPKIN JACK VS. JACK PUMPKINHEAD

 

A shimmering wave of light rippled around Pumpkin Jack as he tapped the silver shoes together, repeating the words with confidence:

"There’s no place like home... No place like home."

He had succeeded in obtaining the magical footwear. He had beat down Jack Pumpkinhead, made it to the Emerald City, and finished his quest before Glenda the Good Witch could stop him. 

The magical hum of the silver shoes filled the air, and Jack felt himself pulled through the fabric of dimensions. His companions, the crow and the owl were also sucked in. Colors twisted, stars blinked in and out. After a blinding flash, he landed with a thud, not on soft grass or the wizard’s doorstep, but on cracked, burning rock. Red skies stretched out above him, and the stench of sulfur filled the air. All around pillars of flame erupted with ill intent. The damned wailed in the distance.

Jack groaned as he dusted himself off and stared at his surroundings.

“Hells… bells,” Jack complained. “The damn shoes must be broken.”

The crow let out a panicked caw and fluttered in circles around Jack’s pumpkin head. "Uh… J-Jack? This ain't good. This definitely ain't good!"

The owl remained calm in his assessment of the situation. “Shouldn’t be surprised, Jack. After all, you did say, ‘There’s no place like home’.And, well… this is your home.”

Pumpkin Jack was nonplussed. "Great. Just great. I got a wizard to squash, and instead, I’m back in this fiery waste bin. The Devil better not be trying to weasel out of our deal."

The crow spiraled down toward Jack. He was practically hyperventilating with panic. “This isn’t right. You two are demons. Or dead! But I’m not! And I don’t belong here! I don’t—”

Jack snapped. “You squawk one more time, birdbrain, and I’ll roast you myself overt these lovely flames!” He gestured toward the pillars of flame. "We'll see how long that beak of yours stays intact after a little roasting."

The crow perched on a nearby stone and kept his mouth shut, at least for now.

Jack growled. “All this trouble. We’ll have to figure out a way to get back into the lving world so I can complete my end of the deal.”

A ripple appeared in the infernal air. An imposing figure stepped through a rift in reality: It was Lilith, the mother of demons, cloaked in shadow and elegance.

“That deal may have passed its expiration, Stingy Jack,” she stated.

The crow immediately freaked out again and darted into the air. 

"Oh no, who is she? Is she here to finish us off? We’re dead, actually, more dead than dead!"

The owl blinked. “Not technically possible, but admirable panic nonetheless.”

Pumpkin Jack was unimpressed by Lilith’s entrance. “And you are? What business is my deal with the Devil to you?”

Lilith smirked and held her hands in the air dramatically.  “I am Lilith. You have caused quite the disturbance, Pumpkin Jack. The Devil had some concerns when you were tossed into another dimension. Thought the opportunity to slay the wizard was slipping through his fingers He needed a new champion…quickly.”

"Are you saying the Devil brought in someone else to do my job? Who was it? Is it you?” Pumpkin Jack accused.

Lilith chuckled. “No. I don’t run errands. However, I also don’t pass on the opportunity to have the Devil in my debt. When I heard the Devil’s description of you," She pointed to Jack's flaming pumpkin head. "I had the perfect candidate in mind to  fit the bill.”

A swirl of magic formed in her hands, and a projection shimmered into view: The projection was of  the villain and assassin, Jack O’Lantern. The crazed mercenary who had been killed and sent to Hell twice begged Lilith for another shot at life after failing the last time she assisted him.

“Please, please, just give me one more shot at the mortal realm,” Jack O’Lantern pleaded. “Deadpool. Danny Ketch. Those were mistakes that won’t happen again.”

Lilith’s cruel laugh echoed through the projection. “And you are confident this time will be any different?”

“Oh, it will! Just give me something…anything!”

The memory fizzled out. 

“As fate would have it, a golden opportunity for redemption would present itself for Jack O’Lantern not long after that conversation,” stated Lilith.

Pumpkin Jack clenched his fists. "I haven’t failed yet! I am back, I should still get my chance."

Lilith shrugged. “Normally, I'd prefer to dispose of you and avoid any messy competition." She leaned closer. "But you’re already dead. And if the Devil learns you’re back, it might complicate our little arrangement.” She stared into the hollowed out eyes of his pumpkin head “So this is what we are going to do. You are going to get the chance to reclaim your position. We are going to determine who is best suited for the job the old-fashioned way. You want your spot back, all you have to do is defeat Jack O’Lantern in combat.”

Jack smiled. “Deal. I have a bone to pick with that pretender trying to take what is rightfully mine anyway.”

Lilith nodded. With a flick of her hand, the flames of Hell twisted and reformed into an eerie, desolate arena. Jagged rocks jutted out from the ground, and a swirling vortex of fire encircled the area where Jack stood . Again, the owl and the crow were transported with him. They looked around at their new surroundings for a few minutes. In a flash of green flame, Jack O’Lantern materialized across from Pumpkin Jack, with flames also flickering inside his head. Jack O’Lantern adjusted the hook scythe strapped to his back.

“Well, well. Lilith told me all about you. If I want a crack at the wizard, I will have to carve you up first. Works for me,” he sneered.

Pumpkin Jack leaned on his crow skull adorned hook spear. “Many better than you have tried and failed.”

Jack O’Lantern twirled his scythe in one hand. “You’ll be singing a different tune once I hollow out that ugly pumpkin head of yours.”

“You are one to talk.”

The crow piped up from the sidelines, jittery as ever. "Uh, this whole thing seems unfair. Doesn’t it? Doesn’t it?."

Pumpkin Jack waved a hand dismissively. “Relax, bird. Your head isn’t the one on the line here..” 

“What are these birds? Your pets?” asked Jack O’Lantern.

“We are his traveling companions and allies in battle,” the crow squawked. “We are a package deal.”

“They are more like hangers on,” input Pumpkin Jack.

“Actually I am a servant of the Devil,” the owl corrected. “I serve the Devil’s champion. If that continues to be you, Jack, that’s great. If not.. Well loyalty is a matter of practicality. And, Jack O'Lantern, you would find my guidance most helpful in the crusade against the wizard.”

“Traitor,” Jack muttered. He gripped his weapon tighter. “After I’m done with this clown, you’re next on my list.”

Jack O’Lantern cackled. “Enough of this prelude, let’s get down to business. I have a wizard to slay.”

The flames inside Pumpkin Jack’s eye burned bright. “No! I have a wizard to slay. Let’s dance, glowstick.”

 

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Pumpkin Jack
Read more about Pumpkin Jack at Wikipedia
Official Site: Headup Games Links: Wikipedia

Jack O'Lantern (Crime-Master's)
Read more about Jack O'Lantern (Crime-Master's) at Wikipedia
Official Site: Marvel Links: Wikipedia Marvel Database Comic Vine