Sitting in the announcer’s booth, which was attached to the wall a good ways away from the entrance ramp leading to the ring, SSBFreak, Unknown1 and Tinyrocket pressed a few final buttons on the switchboard in front of them to get things ready.
Very few alterations had been made to the arena since the last tournament. The bleachers still formed an octagon and right in the middle of it was the arena, which was a simple, square ring with rubber ropes. The entrance ramp leading to the ring led up to a curtain at one of the walls, which was where the fighters would be making their entrance. A mysterious force was holding the arena suspended in midair, making it float above the floor, which was far, far below. The fans were starting to get anxious, and were cheering loudly for the announcers to start.
“Okay. Final check.” SSBFreak said. “Lighting?”
Unknown1 flipped a few more switches, making the lights on the beams above the arena light up. “Check.”
“Microphones?”
Tinyrocket pressed a button. “Double check.”
“Sound?”
Unknown1 looked out the window of the announcer’s booth and over at the Sound Booth, which was attached to another part of the wall, a little higher up. Shadow the Hedgehog, Astaroth from the Soul Caliber node and Aila from the Suikoden 3 node gave the hosts a thumbs-up.
“Looks like they’re ready.” Unknown1 noted.
“Are the first thirty fighters ready to come out?” SSBFreak asked.
“I just checked with the Ready Room. They’re all there.” Tinyrocket explained.
“Okay. I…Think we’re good to go.”
“You wanna make the announcement?” Tinyrocket asked. “It IS your tournament.”
“On it.” SSBFreak said as he took a deep breath and flipped a switch, turning his microphone on.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second Megamix Tournament!” At the name of the tournament, the audience erupted with cheers. “I’m SSBFreak, this is Unknown1 and that’s Tinyrocket. We’ll be your hosts for the night, so sit back and relax as your favourite fighters duke it out!”
Unknown1 pressed a few buttons. A white portal appeared underneath the arena, then vanished from sight, turning invisible.
“Like before, we will be paying homage to the original UVR by having the elimination portal.” Unknown1 explained. “Whomever gets thrown from the ring will sped ten minutes in a random node until they are brought back to the dome, where our crack team of doctors will heal any injuries they sustain.”
Tinyrocket threw a switch, making a huge, multi-paneled TV lower from the ceiling and stop about fifty feet above the ring.
“If you can’t see the action too well, don’t worry. We have cameras focused on the arena so you can watch on the large TV up there.” Tinyrocket explained. “And if someone gets eliminated, we will all be able to see whom gets credit for it.”
“Before we begin, I’d like to mention a few things about the UVR just in case you don’t know about it…” SSBFreak said.
(Hotel; Bison’s Room)
Bison was standing in his room at the hotel, looking out the window at the vast view of VG Central. Unfortunately, he wasn’t focusing on the view, but rather was putting a plan together in his mind.
“I think it might work…” Bison mused to himself. “…If we had some more help. With the Marvel node not entering, we’re down about one-third of our forces.”
“Then perhaps I can be of assistance?”
Bison turned around. He was surprised at the new voice, but recognized it, knowing that it wasn’t a threat.
“Maximov. What brings you here?” Bison asked.
Demitri Maximov, having come through the door, bowed politely. “Forgive me for intruding, but I couldn’t help but hear that you needed some help.”
“You have excellent hearing, then. I don’t recall saying that very loud.” Bison noted, an eyebrow raised in suspicion.
Demitri chuckled. “Well, I AM a vampire. Making me a bat gives me the excellent hearing ability.” He replied.
“Right. I forgot.” Bison shook his head. “Well, I’m planning something big, much like I did last year.”
“I heard about that.” Demitri said with a smirk. “Didn’t that fail miserably?”
Bison growled. “NO. I was honestly THIS close to accomplishing my goal before I was stopped.” He said.
“So what makes you think this plan will work?”
“I have taken every precaution this time.” Bison replied. “I will not disregard anyone as a threat until I know for certain they can be dealt with easily.”
“Well, then don’t you worry.” Demitri assured. “I’ll lend you a hand here. I’m sure I’m more reliable than most of those villains from the Marvel node, anyway.”
“Indeed you are. You assistance will be welcome.” Bison nodded before pausing. “But there must be something you’re after. What’s the catch?”
“Nothing ever escapes you, eh? Very well.” Demitri said. “I also require assistance for something, and I’m sure that you would help me with my problem as I help you with yours.”
“What is it you desire?”
Demitri gave a sharp, toothy grin. “A wife. I need you to help me locate a wife.” He replied.
“I take it you’re looking for someone very specific?”
“Indeed. Only one woman is good enough for me, and I already know whom she is. I just need help in getting her.” Demitri said. “Will that be a problem?”
“On the contrary, I’m surprised that is all you want.” Bison replied with a smirk. “Maximov, you have a deal.”
(The Arena)
“…Well, that’s all the disclaimers, I think.” SSBFreak said as he finished talking.
“Good, because I think these people are tired of hearing talking.” Unknown1 said into his mic.
“Yeah! I think they wanna see some fighting!” Tinyrocket added.
“Alright. So without further delay, let’s start the second Megamix Tournament!” SSBFreak said.
A spotlight focused on the entrance curtain. The audience cheered, clearly excited.
Once again, the first fighter was about to step into the arena…