THE MOMENT
"This is ridiculous," King Deliea shook his head with a chuckle, except Ruby wasn't smiling. He wanted to do right by his people, and he was willing to do what he needed to. But, he couldn't possibly need to go along with her suggestion.
"It is ridiculous, I'll give you that," Ruby nodded. She sat behind a large polished chrome desk in an executive office with shiny floors and walls. Behind her, King Deliea could see a city unlike any he'd imagined before. It only made him want the same kind of progress for his kingdom even more. "Unfortunately, the nature of rules requires we go along with it, regardless of the silliness."
"Aren't they Chroma Corp. rules?" King Deliea asked. He was still trying to wrap his mind around being a ruler, and the strange happenings over the last week only added to his stress. It felt like it happened overnight, he was named King of a budding monster civilization. Then, as if the universe was determined to overwhelm him, he also discovered the reality of alternate realities. He was approached peacefully by a representative of Chroma Corp., and after some discussion he made an appointment. Now, he sat in an unfamiliar world, in an uncomfortable situation, trying to do the best he could.
"It's quite a bit more complicated than that," Ruby shook her head. "It's so far removed I can honestly say they are not rules written by the company, yet we are still required to enforce them. It helps to consider it more akin to a law than a rule."
"And, there's no other way to get recognized as a nation?" the King asked.
"It is a requirement in order for Chroma Corp. to recognize you, and provide you with our services. But, don't misunderstand, we're not trying to take advantage of the situation. Should you agree to pursue formal recognition, Chroma Corp. will aid you as best we can to try and ensure success."
"If you're helping, doesn't that ruin the entire point of forcing it on me?" King Deliea asked.
"As I said, it's a required rule, not ours. We'll do what we can within the loopholes."
"If it's not one of your company's rules, why are you following it?" The King wasn't angry. However, he was anxious and desperately seeking some sort of clarity. He might have been talking in circles, but it was important to find an answer he could process.
"I told you that too," Ruby nodded. "You should consider it a law. A universal law at that."
"A universal law?" The king chuckled, and shook his head. He was desperate to believe she was making it all up, but his mind couldn't find a reason that she would be. As it was, they'd spent a solid chunk of time discussing the mechanics of the process. "The only way for Chroma Corp. to formally recognize a developing nation is to win a roller derby match? I didn't even know what Roller Derby was before I came, and honestly, I'm still not entirely sure. How is that a universal law?"
"Roller Derby is just the most standardized, accepted version," Ruby nodded. "The law is Games. To accomplish anything notable, you must 'play' for it."
"If you're going to let us win, why even play at all?" the King asked. Ruby shook her head.
"Letting you win is not how we do things," she said. "We'll help you pick out and train a team, and get you competitive. But, you won't be up against a Chroma Corp. team, so the winner is out of our control."
"And... if I don't. The only thing that means is Chroma Corp. can't recognize us as a nation. Right?" he asked. It'd been a whirlwind since he discovered the multiverse, but this was the first chance he had to do some thinking. Chroma Corp. was a multiversal corporation, and his kingdom would thrive with their support. But, how necessary was it? "That's only important as far as the multiverse goes, you said my people were the first people on our Earth to discover there's more. If I decline, I can just return to trying to create a Nation with my own power, can't I?"
"You could...," Ruby nodded. "However, I wouldn't recommend it. Now that you've stepped into the Multiverse, your Earth is open to other travelers and monsters. If Chroma Corp. recognizes you, we can keep you protected."
"Is... that a threat?" King Deliea asked. He was a reliable judge of character, and Ruby had seemed honest and kind so far. Even as he asked, her face contorted with insulted regret.
"I wish it were," Ruby replied. "The multiverse has been more dangerous than ever, lately. Colder than before."
"So, are there groups that invade other Earths?" the King asked. He was trying to plan a guess around what size of military he needed.
"You need to understand how vast it is...," Ruby commented as she shook her head. "Not other groups, there are singular individuals capable of destroying entire Earths. And, given that 'Games' are the law, a few of them are competing to see who can destroy the most Earths. Fortunately, they respect Earths that are 'Protected'."
"There are people, going from Earth to Earth, destroying the entire planet??" On some level, it made sense, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
"There are," Ruby nodded. The King let his eyes drift past her to the city below. It was buzzing with activity, almost like the forest in its own way. Everything he could see, to the edges of the Earth, could be decimated by a single person. His entire home and everyone he loved could be wiped away on a stranger's casual whim. What was the point of creating a Nation that might not last?
Ruby let him consider his thoughts silently for several moments. Finally, he nodded, and his eyes met hers again.
"Tell me more about Roller Derby."