- "A good old-fashioned showdown. You and me. Today. No weapons. No sneak attacks. A fair fight. If you win, you get Piranha. If I win, you leave and Harlem alone."
"Where?"
"High Bridge." - ―Luke Cage and Bushmaster[src]
The Duel at High Bridge was an open confrontation between Luke Cage and Bushmaster.
Background[]
- "If I'm not back in an hour, you call Mercedes Knight at Harlem P.D. She'll protect you."
"And what are you gonna do?"
"What I do." - ―Luke Cage and Piranha Jones[src]
Luke Cage and Piranha Jones began rushing through the streets as they tried avoiding the Stylers hunting them. Cage fought many of them and managed to bring Jones to an abandoned cinema to hide away from the Stylers. While they were hiding, Cage began interrogating Jones for information about his importance to Mariah Dillard and Shades. During their talk, Cage learned Jones was single-handedly responsible for Dillard's wealth and thus her access to power.
Bushmaster is challenged by Luke Cage
Cage decided the best course of action was to take Jones to the police. He called Misty Knight to update her about the situation. Unbeknownst to Cage, several Stylers had entered the building and captured Jones. When he was alerted by Jones' cry for help, Cage fought all the Stylers and managed to rescue Piranha. With no other options, Luke Cage brought Jones to a church and ask his father, James Lucas for help. Cage asked Lucas to keep watch over Jones while he goes out to confront Bushmaster. Having to take a phone from one of the Stylers, Cage called Bushmaster and challenged him to a fair fight which if agreed that Cage won, Bushmaster must leave Harlem and Jones alone. Bushmaster agreed to the challenge and decided to go fight at the High Bridge at noon as Cage proposed.[3]
Duel[]
Luke Cage and Bushmaster fight each other
- "You have power. I have power. Why fight up one another when we could join together and take it from Mariah? Hmm?"
"Because you're a homicidal criminal. And, for better or worse, I'm Harlem's Hero." - ―Bushmaster and Luke Cage[src]
Meeting at High Bridge at noon, Luke Cage met Bushmaster. Before fighting, Cage and McIver converse about their respective goals. McIver wanted revenge against Mariah Dillard due to past grudges and Cage had vowed to stop criminals like Bushmaster. Cage refused Bushmaster's offer for an alliance given his crimes. When the time for talk was over, both opponents immediately began fighting at High Bridge.
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Bushmaster aggressively defeats Luke Cage
Bushmaster's superior fighting skills gave him an advantage as his opponent repeatedly land blows on Cage. However, Cage's bulletproof skin, adapting to his opponent's fighting style and landing solid hits on his own, gradually allowed Cage to turn the tide against his opponent. Bushmaster's superior fighting skills gave him an advantage as his opponent repeatedly land blows on Cage. However, Cage's bulletproof skin, adapting to his opponent's fighting style and landing solid hits on his own, gradually allowed Cage to turn the tide against his opponent. However, Bushmaster pulls out a special powder out of his pocket and blows it onto Cage's face, leaving him paralyzed. Unable to move and at Bushmaster's mercy, his opponent gave his respect to Cage and sincerely wished that circumstances were different. Once that was said, Bushmaster kicked Cage off the bridge and into the river below.[3]
Aftermath[]
- "Under different circumstances, we could have been bredren."
- ―Bushmaster to Luke Cage[src]
Luke Cage continued to sink under the water, he saw flashes of his life. He saw his mother and his deceased wife Reva Connors. When he saw a memory of his father, Cage woke up from his unconsciousness and his paralysis gone. Cage managed to make his way back to the church before passing out. An hour later, he was told by his father that Piranha Jones headed out.
Bushmaster and Sheldon managed to capture Piranha Jones. Bringing him to a warehouse, they intimidated him to hand over Mariah Dillard's asset. Once Bushmaster claimed her wealth, he killed Jones and decapitated him, leaving his head in a fish tank.[4]