THE MOMENT
"Before we start the match, I have a very special guest that would like to say a few words," Marcie said. She spoke into her microphone while standing at the Goal line in the center of the track. She faced a wall of cameras and half the cheering stadium while enormous monitors showed her to the other side behind her. "It is my honor to introduce the head of Sharp Development...," the audience roared at her mention of Sharp Development. However, the cheer soon died down when she completed her sentence. "...Mrs. Melody Sharp!"
Marcie did her best to encourage the audience to clap but they were all expecting someone else. Only the two competing teams actively cheered for Melody while sparse, obligatory applause echoed in the bleachers. The short woman in a black suit reached Marcie and took the microphone from her with a nod. Marcie rushed off the track.
Melody took a moment to spin around and look at the full stadium. It was only a fraction of the billions she knew were watching across the multiverse. Finally, she sighed, then brought the microphone up.
"On behalf of Sharp Development, I am sorry that I lied to all of you," she said. The silence was almost deafening. For a brief moment, it would have been impossible to tell that the stadium was open by sound alone. Melody continued despite the cold stares she picked out in the audience. "During my time with Sharp Development, I've seen many things. I thought I knew how the universe worked enough to manipulate it. But, I couldn't do it alone. I needed to collect as much will as I could. I planted seeds of hope and wished with everything I am to help those seeds flourish." The coldest stares took on a confused expression and Melody shook her head to reorganize her thoughts.
"I believed I could bring my wife back, and I promised you I could do it. The semantics of whether I was wrong or lied are irrelevant; I made decisions and must take responsibility for them. This exhibition match was intended to announce a partnership between Sharp Development and Chroma Corp. Instead, I am announcing my departure from Sharp Development and handing the company to Chroma Corp." Dull murmurs ran through the crowd but Melody continued her speech.
"Furthermore, our joint project is a high school for Unique Souls. The Nexus Academy opens tomorrow, and this exhibition match demonstrates the main sport played at the school: roller derby. Although I am leaving the company, I would like to encourage any school-aged Unique Souls out there to learn more about the Nexus Academy. It's not too late to sign up," Melody said. She began to walk off the track, but paused and raised the microphone again.
"I understand many of you might consider me a monster and I deserve that. But, please...," Melody's pale face took up the giant screens. Her eyes were red and beginning to overflow with tears. "...don't let my actions taint the Sharp name. Dana Sharp worked harder than anyone to be the best version of herself. My own stupidity should not damage her wonderful memory." She walked off the track and shoved the microphone into Marcie's hands.
"Oh. Wow.... uh okay...," Marcie's thoughts fumbled around in her mind as she returned to the track. "That went quicker than I thought it would..so ..um.. oh! I'll go over the rules for this match while our skaters...," Marcie motioned to the two teams sitting on the closest bleachers. "... get to their starting positions.
"Looks like we're up!" Astra hopped to her feet. She walked to the edge of the track while Marcie continued speaking.
"On top of the level handicap we've given the Green Tornados, Flutter has volunteered to handicap herself further. For those that don't know her, Flutter is widely accepted as the best Paladin in the multiverse. She included a rule promising she would not use any Active Abilities for this match," Marcie explained.
[Hey. Question. - Ruin] Astra felt the text on her wrist and heard Ruin's voice in her mind. She continued stretching at the edge of the track while she replied.
[What's up? - Astra]
[Can I change something? - Ruin]
[Loadout? No. - Astra]
[Favorite card? - Ruin]
[Oh. Yes. - Astra] She nodded subconsciously as she stretched her other leg.
[Thanks. - Ruin] he replied.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's get rolling!" Marcie said. The crowd roared again as she walked off the track. Marcie nodded at Astra as they passed each other.
"Good luck," she said.