Oblivion - Kingdom Come

Chapter 1: The Grand conference

In the grand, lavishly decorated conference room, Mr. L was commanding at the podium. "I would like to welcome you to our 7th Annual Grand Conference," he began, his voice resonating through the hall. Unlike the previous conferences, there was a palpable tension in the air, a sense of foreboding that clung to every word he uttered. "This one is pretty special," he said, a hint of dark amusement in his tone.

As he spoke, the representatives of various countries sat in attentive silence, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. Mr. L's eyes gleamed with a malicious intent as he continued. "As you all are representatives and not presidents, I shall temper my anger accordingly." The smile that crept onto his face did little to mask the threat underlying his words.

Standing, Mr. L cast his gaze around the room, meeting the eyes of each delegate in turn. "A total of six members representing your countries have been gathered for an event that might just be the most significant in the history of our planet," he declared, his voice growing more intense. "A tournament with consequences for every living thing in the universe."

A smug smirk spread across his face as he delved into the specifics. "Participants can range in age from 6 upwards. Remember, once chosen, they will be compelled to fight. The consequences of refusal... are not to be taken lightly." His gaze then shifted to Dr. Ryder, a man of science with a reputation that preceded him. "Dr. Ryder, your experiments are of great interest to us all. I'm eager to hear about your team."

Dr. Ryder stood up with a stern countenance and a glint of obsession in his eyes. "My craft has been perfected. North America shall be represented by a team crafted from my hands – individuals who are more than just fighters; they are the culmination of my life's work." He then listed the names, his voice betraying a hint of pride, especially when mentioning his daughter, Sinn Ryder.

The room buzzed with murmurs as each representative took their turn to announce their selections. Edward Churchill of the European Union, Kristoff Kosloff of the Russian-Chinese Republic, and Nippon Akihito of the Japanese-Korean Empire each revealed their chosen warriors with veiled barbs and thinly veiled contempt for Dr. Ryder's methods.

Mr. L listened intently, occasionally nodding or offering a brief approval. When Thomas Maxwell and Marcus Nyomba announced their selections for the United South American Powers and Africa, respectively, Mr. L's interest peaked, especially at the mention of African royalty participating in the fray.

As the meeting progressed, the atmosphere grew more charged. Dr. Ryder defended his choices and methods, asserting his confidence in the North American team's victory. But his words were cut short by Marcus Nyomba's interjection, who questioned the consequences for those who might refuse to participate.

Mr. L's response was chilling in its simplicity. "The punishment for refusal is death – be it theirs or someone dear to them." Dr. Ryder echoed this sentiment, his voice cold and devoid of empathy.

Finally, Mr. L concluded the meeting with a stern reminder of the tournament's rules and timeline. "The tournament begins in August," he declared, "and it will end only when one team stands victorious."

As the room emptied, Mr. L remained behind, sipping a glass of red liquid, his back turned to the departing delegates. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, a promise of a brutal and unforgiving contest that would soon engulf them all.

The misty night shrouded Area 63, where Dr. Ryder's laboratory lay hidden, its secrets cloaked in darkness. It was 00:24 hours, two days after the conference. Inside, a sense of urgency permeated the air.