A Post-Apocalyptic Night

by Brindled

"You are our last hope," Boxer had said. "Our generators that power the players of Vault 13 who bring glory to the terran race are running dry. They require more GSL trophies for power. Simply put, no more trophies, no more zerg tears."

"You are probably the best person to go out and search for a new trophy to power our T-Generators."



Maru remembered those words as he walked up to the town of Gritty Sands Locale (GSL), where he was stopped at the gate by Bbyong. Next to Bbyong was a man with big lips and wonderful build orders. He was the town greeter, Tasteless. Maru looked at Tasteless. He had a very pretty smile.

"Holster that micro, stranger. We are a peaceful people here in GSL," warned Bbyong.
"Am I supposed to fight you now?" barked Maru.
"No, dude. I'm playing in the next group," replied Bbyong.
"Oh, well don't worry, man. I don't have any medivacs yet." said Maru.
"I see. Carry on then. You should probably go talk to our town leader, Artosis. You can find him in the center of town." responded Bbyong.

In the center of town sat a makeshift town hall, a dilapidated Command Center which had since lost its ability to lift. Inside stood a grasshopper thin robed man, with pale skin from the many hours that he had stayed inside to play Starcraft.



Artosis greeted Maru. "Your business in Gritty Sands might be?"
"I have to get a GSL Trophy, bro." said Maru.
"Wanderer, I shall believe you...for now. You may enter the GSL, but be warned your every move will be streamed." responded Artosis.
"Right...so what do I do now?" said Maru.
"Great packs of Radscorpions are killing our esports. We don't know where they're from, and no matter how many we kill, there's always more!" exclaimed Artosis.
Maru sighed. "I will help you get rid of the Radscorpions—"
"They're led by some guy named Trust," interrupted Artosis. "He has some pretty good PvT."
Maru was dumbfounded. "What? Whatever. I'll go Doom Drop him later. I'm gonna go crash at your town inn."



At the inn, Maru saw a strange man wearing a leather jacket. His name was Classic. "Hello, stranger. You look like you're new here. What's your name?" said Classic.
"I'm Maru."
"Good to meet you. I'm Classic."
"Could you help me out a bit?" asked Maru. "Your experience would be useful."
"Hmm. Tempting offer, since this place gets boring. Tell ya what. Standard rates. 100 WCS points, and you've got a deal," replied Classic.
"How about a piece of the action instead?"
"No, I don't think so. Come back when you have some points."
Indignantly, Maru exclaimed "I think I'll just take them from you!"
"Please," Classic scoffed, "I just beat you last week in Proleague."
Maru then lost 2-1 to Classic because he flew his Medivacs into packs of Classic's Stalkers.
Classic took pity on Maru. "Alright, fine. I'll help you out in exchange for my share of the points. Let's go. It'll be good to get back into PvP!"
"Man, you just played one two weeks ago." said Maru.

---

After a short rest, Maru and Classic went to Bbyong and Tasteless at the town gate. "What can I do for you?" said Bbyong.
"Take us to the Radscorpion caves," demanded Maru.
"Are you sure? Trust's PvT is pretty good." warned Bbyong.
Maru rolled his eyes. "So I've heard..."
Bbyong gave the pair directions to the cave, where they proceeded immediately. Upon entrance to the cave, Maru and Classic discovered that there were no Radscorpions, but that they were actually overly rabid protoss fans mistaken for Radscorpions, equally as venomous. It was they who were attacking and killing esports in the nearby GSL.



They surrounded and worshipped their leader, Trust, who emerged from the shadows, gloating, to greet the pair.
"My PvT is pretty good, Maru--"
"Yeah, yeah, shut up and play."
"So BM."

Maru then trounces Trust 2-0 with aggressive dropping in all stages of the game, overtaxing Trust's multitasking capabilities. The Trust fans hissed.
"Damn...just like Bomber Death-Hand..." Trust muttered.
"Who?" asked Maru.
"Oh, Bomber." said Classic, "He leads a group of raiders to the south of GSL who all play terran, like you. I 2-1'd him when you were sleeping at the inn."



"The Triple Crown winner?" asked Maru.
"Yeah, but his Korean title is GSL Code A." explained Classic. "Not as awesome as you think."
Dejected at his two straight losses, Trust was feeling a little awkward about having a Terran Vault Dweller and a Protoss Caravan mercenary hanging around his cave. "Can you guys, like, leave now?" said Trust.
"So BM," replied Maru.

---

When they got back to Gritty Sands, Artosis hurried up to them from the town center.
"Thank goodness you came! I am in desperate need of assistance. My daughter, Aria, is missing. I do not know what to do!" said Artosis. "Bbyong and I believe the terran raiders are responsible—retribution for terran not winning a GSL in two years!"
"Didn't INnoVation win Season 3 last year?" replied Classic.
"He doesn't count! He's a robot!" exclaimed Artosis.
Classic looked at Maru. "You're on your own, brah. I won my two matches already. Peace."



And so Maru set out to find Aria and rescue her from the clutches of Bomber alone. No one knows for sure what happened to the two when they met. Similarly skilled at TvT, some say Maru triumphed, rescued Artosis' daughter, and advanced to the round of 16. Some others say Bomber rekt another terran player like him on his way to the round of 16, with Maru's name lost to the sands of time for this season, his quest from Boxer unfulfilled and the Terrans of Vault 13 doomed. You'll have to watch the games. One thing was for certain: that in the world of GSL, fighting continued, nerds were slain, and many fortunes rose and fell—just as they had in previous seasons. Because esports...esports never changes.

Predictions:

Classic is an easy first pick to advance. The former champion easily outclasses the rest of the players in the group. Trust unfortunately will stand little chance, despite statistically being great at PvT. He may take a game off of Bomber or Maru, which will be interesting to see, but the main event will be between Maru and Bomber. Their overall skills are pretty similar; even both of their best matchups happen to be TvT. One can only wait eagerly to see what kind of games will be shown by those two when and if they meet in the arena. I have to give this match to Maru, due to his aggressive nature. He has the ability to control the initiative which may win him the night.

Maru < Classic
Trust < Bomber
Classic > Bomber
Maru > Trust
Maru > Bomber

Classic and Maru advance to the Ro16.