Villain Retirement

"We don't work for you!"

Queen Vania's green hair once again lit up. This time, there was a sort of buzzing that echoed in the air as she did so. The two other Elders in the banquet hall, Apo and S'adar, also stepped forward from their seats as their people stood behind them.

"Well, if you remained as just an advisor to the Common Council, that statement would be true, Your Highness."

Riley let go of Ahor Zai's hand as his throne that was just resting at the Strays' table suddenly emerged from behind him — allowing him to sit almost seamlessly without even looking back,

"But the truth is, except for my sister and Aerith, all of you are under me now—always been," Riley rested his cheek on his fist as he looked Queen Vania in the eyes, "This is not a friendly Tournament between all the races of the universe…

…This is my Tournament."

"..." Queen Adel looked at Diana and Aerith, only for the two to just shake their heads; gesturing to her not to attempt anything. Adel, however, also shook her head as she approached the two, "Once again, we are all just dancing in the palm of his hand. All of us should have realized something was amiss when he was allowed to do anything he wanted. Creating his own group of champions? That was already the biggest sign he could give all of us and we just let it be because we are all used to his antics."

"Well," Riley looked at Queen Adel, "Everyone says they want an end to Riley Ross, but everyone also wants to redeem me. What else can they really do, Your Highness? They all seem to think that if my abilities are pointed in the other direction, it will make the whole universe a better and safer place."

"I am not one of those people, Riley Ross," Queen Adel let out a scoff, "I am withdrawing the themarians from this tournament. I will not allow us to be your playthings again."

"As will I," Queen Vania stood up straight, "I wish to withdraw."

"Us too!"

"This… whatever is going on here is not worth a ridiculous prize that might not even be real!"

"We will also withdraw!"

"We are staying. This is a chance to revive our species."

"Hm," Riley smiled as he looked at the tables who had their hands raised. He then turned to look at Ahor Zai, before nodding his head and once again looking at the people. And as he did so, all the arcade and entertainment machines returned to the floor, giving everyone a full view of the large screens on the walls…

…which was showing some sort of city… and a scenery of carnage and chaos.

"That's… a city in Buro!"

"Buro… Krukux's plane!?"

"What's going on here!?"

The footage then very slowly zoomed out, giving everyone there a better view of what was happening. Octophoids were all crawling for their lives, swimming away to their ships only for them to explode. The feed zoomed out even further, showing a full view of a city that was in ruins… and soon, everyone could see a ball of steam being shown in front of all of them—the ball being the planet of the Krukux race.

"!!!"

And with a collective gasp, they all watched as the planet imploded and collapsed into itself.

"W—"

And before anyone could speak again, the images on the screens started to change—this time, several different planets were being shown. There were planets that were completely obliterated as their own moon fell on them, some just turning into balls of fire, and some completely splitting in half.

And soon, the images started to shift as a hand seemed to retrieve whatever camera was being used to record all of this—and there, they saw a humanoid that was completely covered in black, wearing a helmet that reflected the collapsing planet in front of it.

[Done, Boss.]

[I guess that's that, Boss.] And it wasn't just one—all of the screens were showing the same silhouette either saluting or shrugging their shoulders.

"Riley!" Hannah's voice was the first to erupt out of all the stuttered breaths that turned the banquet hall into some sort of breathing orchestra, "What are you doing now!? What… please, tell me this is fake!"

"I truly apologize for disappointing you again, sister," the smile on Riley's face disappeared as he let out a very long and deep sigh, "But everything you are seeing now is happening in real-time."

"No…" The light on Queen Vania's hair faded as she spun in place, watching all the screens scattered on the walls of the banquet hall, "These… are all the races that lost their match?"

"Correct, Your Highness," Riley clapped his hands, "These included all those who lost the Battle Royale."

"You…!" Elder S'adar rushed toward Riley; his hair that was akin to needles, vibrating as he did so—he was, however, quickly blocked by Queen Vania,

"Why are you trying to stop me!?"

"Understand the situation, Elder S'adar," Queen Vania whispered; her words, slightly stuttered, "We've been had."

"Those of you who wish to forfeit could still do so," Riley glanced at Ahor Zai, who nodded her head as the images on the screen once again changed—this time showing the planets of everyone who raised their hand and wanted to forfeit,

"But you would be considered defeated, and your planet and everyone in it will, well…

…die."

"Riley…?" Hannah looked Riley in the eyes.

"As I said earlier, sister—I want to give the universe the most entertaining Tournament they will ever watch," Riley shook his head as he returned his sister's pleading glare, "And for Tournaments to be more entertaining, there should be a prize… as well as a consequence for losing. What better consequence than losing one's home?"

"You…"

"And what better entertainment than watching people lose their homes?" Riley started giggling, "What better entertainment than watching your champions fight… for your right to live?"

"All those who could fight… are here," Queen Vania looked at all the champions standing in the hall; their faces showing that most of them still do not understand the situation at all, "Our planets… are practically defenseless."

"...No," Queen Adel looked at all the planets being shown, but the asteroid she and the other themarians were temporarily living in was not being shown—and it wasn't just her, the planet of the evaniels was also not present,

"Both our homes are not… being shown."

"As is ours," Elder Apo and his people have scanned the screens, but they could not find their home planet. The same goes for Elder S'adar, whose breath could almost be heard across the entire hall.

"I am glad that all of you have noticed," Riley chuckled, "I made things even more entertaining. Since it is already obvious that the Higher Races will win, no matter what, against the Normal Races—I am giving the Higher Races a chance to rescue their opponent's home. Generous, no? I am sure everyone who is watching this in their homes are just…

…trembling with excitement. Now, shall we start the—"

"I did not sign up for this!"

And before Riley could clap his hands, someone suddenly rushed toward him; her fists, already cocked and filled with force.

"But you did…

…Gracy."