(outside, on the steps of the city's hospital)
“I sense that everyone that is joining us today, on this chilly afternoon, is expecting to hear the gravest of news, but I reassure you, that is not the case.”
Professional doctorate android #74646998MUX01, or Medical Unit X01, as it prefers to be categorized, recalls his previously loaded speech of this brisk afternoon, in front of members of the city and press. It is a fully articulate specimen with superior artificial intelligence and an uncanny knack for advanced learning. It was actually one of the examples used that lead to android voting rights on Alterae nearly a half century ago. A photograph still hangs in it's office of his first electoral participation, standing and smiling inside the voting compartment.
“The Mighty Mjaeder is healthy,” it continues to recall, reading off his memory. “He is quite fine, actually, considering all possible factors, but as a professional on the matter and a member of this city, my medical team and I have been forced to take a closer look at him. We, at least, owe that to him for the work he's done for us. As you might have heard or seen, Mjaeder defeated Nyarlath by transforming into a giant lightning elemental. We still have no idea how he accomplished this task, but we suggest this is where a great deal of the fatigue is coming from. This is why it's our professional opinions that Mjaeder should take a leave of absence.”
A panicking gasp comes over the crowd. Cameras flash. Suddenly, everyone is nervous to hear the next word.
“This by no means is a retirement,” it clarifies. “Our city's champion defeated two forces of evil, nearly back to back, and now it's suffering his mind and body. He needs time to recover, to rest, and to heal, so that one day, very soon, he can protect this great city like he has done in the past. But for right now, The Mighty Mjaeder has to protect himself.”
The crowds surrounding the steps aren't easily settled. They are nervous, and rightfully so. Evil has been banging on their doors constantly for the last few months. The Mighty One has been one of the few to be able to stop it, and now medical officials are taking him away.
“This is the time to rely on the other heroes around this city,” it proclaims. “We are lucky to have so many good-doers, both large and not-so large, protecting our home. They have been there for The Mighty Mjaeder, whenever he needed them, and now it's time for them to be there for each other. The mayor has sent me a memo that he too has something to add to this event, and he'll speak sometime later on tonight. Thank you all for coming, and have a good night.”
(deep inside their underground headquarters...)
“Yessssss! YESSSSSSS!” The leader of Lesser Power stands shouting at his overhead monitor, both of his fists raised above his head like a vicious Dr. Frankenstein.
Outside, being videotaped and transmitted to Lesser Power's unknown base, is a battle of epic proportions, one of which seemed to sway into his favor. The battlefield is littered with sore and beaten monster bodies. Citius is hunched over, completely exhausted, and seemingly out of nearby rocky materials to fuel his regenerating powers. Off in the distance, Blake is pounding on SatelLight's controller. It doesn't seem to respond, and back in the battlefield, his offline robot is defenseless to a barrage of beatings from strange composite-monster, BlunderGore, who appears to have his joints and inner-workings in some functionality. Along side BlunderGore is the focus of Lesser Power's attention, or rather, it's improvements in battle. MechaAxel, the new and improved robotic shark monster, tries out his new homing missile expansions, triggering a folly of arcing destruction to befall on the two heroes. BlunderGore laughs and cheers in devilish glee, as Citius and SatelLight finally look defeated.
“Homing missiles,” the leader wonders out-loud. “It's a good touch, but I hope the crew didn't just add some range attacks without ironing out the rest of the model.”
Just then, the ocean bursts from below. It's Axel the Mutated Shark, coming to the fight late, but late is better than never, and as the heroes crumble to the earth, they agree as well. Axel marches out of the deep waters and charges head-long into battle. Easily, using his own momentum, he shoulder blocks MechaAxel into the beach's sand. BlunderGore, appearing stunned that Axel is so quick and determined to fight, looks to flee, but Axel is on the abomin-monster, clobbering him relentlessly.
“Oh, come on now!” the leader shouts. “Him again? ...Fine! I hope you'll find MechaAxel's improvements to your liking then!”
Coming back to his feet, MechaAxel fires his homing missiles. They swirl around the sky, searching for Axel's heat signature. Axel's attention quickly darts to the sky, and within seconds he knows the missiles have locked onto their target. He panics, running down the beach, but he knows it's only just a matter of time the homing missiles turn him into chum. Instinctively, he pivots, changes direction, and charges directly towards MechaAxel, and in a feat of pure lucky and athleticism, he leaps and tumbles over his mechanic nemesis. One by one, the missiles collide into the monster that launched them. After a series of fiery blasts and smoke, MechaAxel teeters back and forth and crashes to the sandy beach. There is no life in his eyes, just a heap of smoldering metal.
BlunderGore sees all this, and with his wretched limbs and stumps, quickly hobbles away.
A silently-raging leader of Lesser Evil watches on, as his monster mech is defeated once more. He opens his palm and punches it with his other.
“Sometimes I feel I should just make this pile of scrap metal explode into a million pieces!” he shouts, letting his anger flow from his words. But, quickly it stops, as if discovering something by accident. He tone changes. It's calmer now. Calculated. “...that's it. That's exactly what I'll do now.”
(outside the mayor's office...)
“Thank you all for joining me, this late of notice.”
The mayor of the city, a proud and strong man, was once something of a defender of this area too. A very long time ago, back when his younger body could take the punishment, he chased after bad guys and evil-doers, but unfortunately could only correct the crimes of the human-sized. Age never crept up on him, it ran. He could feel the wear and tear on his muscles and bones. He could see he could only keep up his vigilantism for so long. As his body grew weak and the threats grew larger, the proud and strong mayor kept his promise to protect the city, but as a politician. He won in a landslide during his first campaign.
“I am hear to elaborate on what was said earlier this evening and to unveil the city's plan to move forward. It's true: The Mighty Mjaeder needs rest badly. He won't ever admit it, and rather it was quite the feat convincing him of it. He's a natural born warrior and he'd rather fight and die than go idle, but we need him. He's an important piece of this city, nay, the world, and we should use caution in allowing him to overexert himself. That is why, under medical advice, I sign onto Mjaeder's leave of absence as well.”
Like before, the city-folk get a little restless. They are confused and getting answers they would rather not hear.
“I hear you loud and clear,” the mayor says, picking up on their dismay. “The Mighty Mjaeder is a mighty figure for this city, everyone knows that. Threats around the galaxy think twice about invading the lands that The Mighty Mjaeder protects, which is why it's important to instate another with the same sort of iconography. Two heads are better than one, right? So, without further ado, allow me to introduce to you...”
The mayor turns slightly and signals for an assistant to uncover a giant poster.
“The Monster City Invitational Hero Tournament!”
The sheet flutters off a colorful poster bearing a bit too many words. The audience is virtually confused by just trying to read the mess.
“Hero monsters around this great city will show which one of them can carry The Might Mjaeder's mantle while he rests. It will be rigorous. It will be tough, but the heroes of this city are the best in the universe, and we will have ANOTHER KING OF THE MONSTERS! Thank you all and have a good night!”
