We regret to inform the people of Epicentre that the Centre Stage Stadium will be closing down at the end of this year. It did have a good run as a focal point of Epicentre Culture for a few years, but as the culture of Epicentre has shifted away from the style of flashy Villainy that the Stadium best showcased, it has drawn fewer and fewer visitors as the years have progressed.
We will be hosting a gallery of famous Villains of the past who graced this Stadium in the months leading to the closure. Expect to see old faces such as Dr. Meeks, Spotlight and Madame L'explosif. Some of them will even be giving talks in person.
It is unfortunate that Centre Stage Stadium is unable to compete with the intrigue of the more modern Villains such as Princess Violet or Victoria, though we note that some Villains of the previous era have made a successful transition such as Dr Evil or Night and Day. Though here at the Centre Stage Stadium committee do believe that some of the blame has to lay at the feet of the media companies who have lent increasing airtime over the last few years to these “Cloak & Dagger” style Villains.
Nevertheless we hope this space will continue to serve the crowd’s passion for Villains in some new way after the Stadium itself has closed. We have heard whispered rumours of purchase of the land from some sort of investigation company. Could be the next big thing!
“Can we get a large round of applause for today’s guests, Geist and Spotlight!”
“Thank you very much Ms Senai we are happy to be here”
“Yeah. Thanks I guess.”
“No problem at all. You two have been the talk of the town recently. The crime duo who cannot be stopped! All the crimes of Nequam have been laid at your feet recentl-”
“You can’t prove we did nothing!”
“What my son is trying to say, I believe, is that we have never been caught.”
“That’s the mystery of it all right. Though everyone believes it was you two anyway. Speaking of mysteries, why is it that you two are working together now?”
“Random chance”
“Well you see, a good friend of my son got us talking about our differences, and it turns out that talking was good for us, and since I recently retired from my solo career I just decided to spend more time with Geist and support him with what he does best.”
“Not that I needed your help.”
“Haha of course of course. I have all the subtlety of a brick covered in floodlights. My son is the true expert here. I just get in the way really.”
“Tch! You’re not a complete liability…”
“Wow! I have to say this change in attitude is like Night and Day compared to before”
“Night and Day you say…”
“Dad, no! We are not using that name!”
Residents of Epicentre have learned to be wary of the dark forest that sprung up from Epicentre Central Park. Although its dark boughs and secluded vegetation provide an excellent place to either plot or commit crimes in secrecy, the forest is far from empty. The luckier visitors report being chased by packs of wolves or stalked by shadows in the night. Unlucky visitors haven’t been able to report anything.
Like any location of mortal peril, the Forest has proved incredibly popular around town. Indeed it is hard to get a foothold in the mysterious web of Villainy that encompasses the region without at least rumours of having conspired within the dark Forest.
Many tales have sprung up about the Forest, but the most consistent one is about a lady in black who tends to the grove. She speaks to those who would enter and warns them of the danger within. But why does she wear that reminiscent smile when she talks about those umbral terrors?