54.) Welcome to the Empire!!!

It was yet another fiery, shining day within the Phoenix Empire. The wild Phoenix sang and fluttered about throughout the vast cosmos as they flew between the stars. The pyrotoid plantlife danced in the hot winds as their red, flaming petals fluttered about. We take a leap throughout the many cosmos within the Empire and find ourselves at the capital. There, we see a massive castle that sat atop a giant pyramid structure that had rows of housing, skyscrapers, temple huts, city buildings, and much more. It was a kingdom that was bigger than that of 3 Earths. There, we could find Amiyama and co. in the outskirts of the kingdom. South of the high castle, within the flaming fields of Uams(You • Oms), right before you get to the City of Phoeno, which was located on the southwest corner of the grand crystal that the kingdom was built on. 

Amiyama: "Demetri! Start our match, please!" 

Demetri: "Alright, already! Eh erm! BEGIN!!!" *Fwish* *He brings his arms down into a cross* 

Aiyama: "CRYSTAL BURST!!!"*FWICHINGG*

Amiyama: "CRIMSON BURST!!!" *FUUFUEEEEHHRR* 

Demetri: "Oh yeaaaaah! They're kicking it off, grand, right from the start! Love it!!" *Fwish* *MUNCH* *he catches a flaming peanut out of the air with his mouth* 

The two blasts clashed head on as both took up more than three miles of land, stretching out both ways. They were equal in stature, and both Amiyama and Aiyama began to circle slowly around the center with small steps. Keeping up the blast as they go until… *BooWIIISSHHH* The heat from the crimson flame was extinguished by the ice-like nature of the crystal flame that was burned up. Amiyama and Aiyama both charge in on foot as the steam clears. *fffFOOM* *FOOM* Both dash through the cloud of steam and meet head-on. They clash right elbows as they leap into the sky. The force from the clash rips the ground asunder, causing the rocks to shoot into the sky! Boulders and stalagmites form, and fire spews from the cracks. "HRNN!!"They both go as they slowly descend to the ground. Aiyama lunges back and does a backward, spinning right heel kick aimed for Amiyama's ribcage. She blocks it with an 'X' guard and counters instantly with a sharp, stiff right punch. He dodges, then brings his leg in as he spins to the right and goes for a jagged, low sweep kick aimed at her front leg. 

Amiyama: "Ha, missed me!" *she says as she lifts her foot above his kick* 

Aiyama: "So it seems!" 

Amiyama forces her leg down towards Aiyama's face as he rises from his lowered sweep position. "Gah!" Aiyama yells as he narrowly dodges the kick. Amiyama immediately transitions into a quick four hit jab combo, 2 blows from each hand. Aiyama blocks each one with his right arm and then immediately counters with a left hook. Amiyama leans back and dodges the swing, then lifts her right leg, which is her lead leg, and smashes Aiyama right under his right arm. Near the armpit, "Dammit all!!!"he yells with a strained voice. He's thrown off balance, and Amiyama quickly puts her hands on his shoulders and swings her body to his right side, feet first. She comes around and wraps her legs around his right arm and uses her momentum to bring him down. Him being off balance only made it easier. 

*THUD* They both smash into the ground, and Aiyama is forced on his back and into an armbar. "AAAAAHHH!!!"he screams as Amiyama squeezes and pulls hard in an attempt to subdue her cousin. Aiyama is a hard fighter and grits his teeth as he flings his body over hers, then drags her body on the floor as he throws her in the opposite direction. 

Aiyama: "Son of a bitch! She nearly broke my damn arm!"

Demetri: "Damn… thought it was all over right there. She wastes no time at all, that sister of mine." 

Amiyama tumbles away for more than a mile before finally stopping. *THUD* *SMASH* *TFFT* She slightly presses her right hand on the floor and sends a ray of compressed force that creates a propulsion of air. She flips up and curls into a ball, twenty feet into the air. She flips backwards until she makes contact with the floor, landing on her left foot as her royal, purple, battle-ready waist cloth goes flapping about. She dug her purple stilettos into the floor and pushed forward with great stride. 

Aiyama: "Tch! Take this then, cousin. Imagine That: Triple Grand Falling!!!"

Amiyama: "Ah, you've got to be kidding! *WooSHHRRRTRT* *she drags her feet across the floor as she stops her forward march* Did he really summon three whole JUPITERS!!?"

Before her were three planets that resembled Jupiter in both size and appearance. They were covered in frosty, blue flames as they came crashing down on her. "What's your next move, cousin?" Aiyama says with a smug look on his peach red face. Amiyama bends down and charges up an abundant amount of force in her right arm. She locks it in and concentrates on all three planets then…

Amiyama: "Let's try this out… Study+Element: Cosmic MELT!!!"

Aiyama: "Mrrhmm! That could be an issue!" 

Demetri: "Whooooo!!! They're not playing any games."

Amiyama summons forth a gigantic cluster of flames of multiple colors. The main being purple with specs of stardust flowing through them. The first wave sends out a wave of Cancel essence that literally disperses the icy flames around the planets. Then the remaining flames burn away the planets as if they were sheets of paper.

"I got you now!" yelled Aiyama as he blitzed an unsuspecting Amiyama and roundhouse kicks her. She receives the blow to her abdomen, and it sends her flying back a mile. 

Amiyama: "GYAAAH!!! (He got me good!)" 

Aiyama: "That should do it!" *he says as he swings his left arm across his chest in a celebratory manner* 

Amiyama: "Heh! You underestimate my study, cousin! Cancel Me: Event Removal!" *She waves her hand, and purple essence shoots out and covers from her location to Aiyama*

Aiyama: "Wait, what-" *he stutters back two steps in a surprised and shocked manner.* 

Amiyama completely cancels the receiving of the kick, the damage and resulting blowback that occurred. She stood in front of Aiyama with her feet firmly planted and while her body was rotating to the left. Her right arm was cocked back over her left shoulder, and a build of essence distorted and swirled the air around them. (Damn… I won't be able to react!) , he thinks as he attempts to jump back at full force. Amiyama releases her arm and smacks Aiyama back before he can even flinch. "TuAAH!!"screamed Aiyama from being struck in the chest, right below the base of his neck.

Aiyama: "I'll have to use my element to stop myself. Crystalline Wall!!!" *fwuSHIINGGG* 

A huge wall of ice is created and catches Aiyama as it solidifies and hardens. He claps his hands together as he slides down the crystal wall. Amiyama dashes in at light speeds and notices a shadow of great proportions forming around her person. She looked up and noticed a blue, floating object that seemed to look like an oval until fins sprouted from the sides. 

Amiyama: "What the hell is that?!" *she yells in confusion as she picks up her pace* 

Aiyama: "FWUAAAA!!! Study+Element: Crystalline Creation; Planetary Diamond Whale-King!!!" 

Amiyama: "Damn… this'll have to end in a draw then!" *Leap* 

Demetri: "I can honestly say… they're doing far too much while being THIS close to our home." *he says as he watches his sister ascend into the sky* 

Amiyama flew at speeds more than fifteen times that of light. She rapidly approached what seemed to be a whale with three crystal-like horns sticking out of its forehead. A great big crystal dorsal fin sticking out right behind its blowhole, which was ¼ the size of the body. Right before its tailfin lies a great collection of icy spikes. There had to be at least thirty of the damn things back there. The under belly was covered in ice as well, and the whale itself resembled a great, big, apex-class blue whale from the regions of Earth 52. Its size was greater than two Jupiter put together. Not to mention the collection of asteroid sized ice shards that formed three rings around its body. 

The creature let out a yell as it saw Amiyama's approach. "BYEUUUuuUuuuUUUUU!!!"it yelled as it hastened its own descent upon Amiyama. But Amiyama does not back down and enters a stance that has her left leg hanging back, her right leg bent, and in a high knee fashion. Her arms were both cocked back as she leaned forward with her head and eyes aimed in on the prize. Her purple, glossy legging squeezes to her legs as muscle definition shows from her building energy in them. Her left helps build essence flow when it's placed above her right fist in a kamehameha-like manner. Her royal, white blouse dances as the essence build intensifies. 

Aiyama: "She's going to cancel the full thing!" 

Demetri: "Yep." *Munch*  *crunch*

Amiyama: "HrrRRrhHm!!! Planetary, Cosmic Phoenix; CANCEL VERSE!!!" *FWIP* 

Amiyama swings her arm forward and stretches her body out as the massive amounts of essence burst forth. A massive phoenix at least half the size if the whale-king came forth. The whale-king opens its jaws wide, revealing millions of rows of teeth as it devours the phoenix whole. Amiyama twists her arm in a wide fashion and causes the phoenix to burst while within the whale-king. Both attacks disintegrate as a small burst if essence flows out into the sky for at least two astronomical units. It could be seen by the citizens of the kingdom who were busy walking to the high-castle. 

Citizens: "Woooow!!!" 

Phoenix Godling: "Mommy, mommy, look at that! Look at that!" *the child points at the fireworks like bursts of essence* 

Phoenix Goddess: "I see honey, I see it. It would seem our future King and Queen are having a bout." 

Phoenix God: "Seems to be that way, babe. *Smooch* * The man in a full-on purple dress suit kisses the woman on her left cheek* Hey, my little princess! Hup!" 

Phoenix Godling: "HAHAHAAA! Hi Daddy! Did you guys say they were fighting? How do you know its them?" 

Sonya: "He can sense their essence, little one. Something you'll be able to do very soon." *Rustle* 

Phoenix Godling: "Really!? Daddy… really!?" *she looks up at her father with sparkling, big eyes* 

Phoenix God: "Yes, baby girl, of course. We'll teach you and your soon to be born brother everything we know." 

Kimichi: "Considering your parents are both royal guards, I say you and your brother are in great hands. *grin* Hmm, hmmh! It's great to see you both, Alissa and Terkshaw." 

Terkshaw: "It's pleasure to see you two as well."

They all give each other hugs and greetings as they make their way to the castle. Sonya and Kimichi were both wearing royal Phoenix dresses that were laced in gold. They had traditional tribal-like phoenix symbols stitched into the dresses along the diamond patterns. Alissa had on a similar dress but had a single paldron on her left shoulder. They all had sleeves missing and their shoulders exposed. Alissa and Terkshaws' daughter wore a literal mini version of her mother's own dress. 

Terkshaw: "So where are you two coming from?" 

Sonya: "We were in the southern shopping district over on Yéfort Dr." 

Kimichi: "Had to pick up gifts for the Queen, of course." 

Alissa: "Ah, surprised we didn't run into each other sooner. We were just there getting our gifts as well." 

Terkshaw: "Along with a few things for a baby boy." 

Kimichi: "When is he due?" 

Alissa: "Next month, actually." 

Sonya: Aawwwe. I can't wait to meet the little guy. How about you Shalissa, ready to meet your younger brother!?" 

Shalissa: "YEAAAAH!!!" 

Everyone collectively laughs during their commute to the Queen's event. Amiyama and Aiyama finish up their spar and bow as a show of respect. Demetri hops from the pedestal created by Aiyama and lands next to his sister.

Demetri: "Mhm! Are you guys ready to head for the house? Mom is probably getting sick of waiting, sister." 

Amiyama: "Oooo. You're right, little brother. Aiyama, I would be guessing your mother isn't all that fond of being kept waiting… either? Umm… where'd he go?" 

Demetri: "I don't know." *He shrugs his shoulders* 

Aiyama: "I'll see you guys there!!!" 

Amiyama: "Tuh… that's not too bad an idea." 

Demetri: "Yeah, I say let's get a move on -"

Amiyama: *PEW* "Last one there is a spring phoenix-chicken!!!" 

Demetri: "Hey… that's bullshit you asshat!!!" *PEW* 

The two siblings race off into the sky, rushing for the castle and to their mother, who had already started sending out signals of essence, calling them home. The two can be seen by the Empire's citizens, speeding by at high speeds. 

Kimichi: "Hey lookey there." *tap* *tap*

Sonya: "Hmm? Oh… it seems they're finally heading back to the castle. I can feel the queen's calling essence." 

Kimichi: "Shall we go?" 

Sonya: "Of course! We'll see you guys there!" 

Both the goddesses fly off while Terkshaw and his family wave them off. They quickly catch up to the two siblings, and they head to the fiery, norse style castle. More than twelve guards can be seen at the main gates welcoming guests from all over the Empire. The gates lie between two massive flaming willow trees, both standing at a hopping 500 feet tall. ⅛ the height of the castle. The siblings, Sonya and Kimichi, fly through the front gates, waving at the guards and citizens as they fly by. 

Amiyama: "Just a bit more, and we'll be at mom's chambers. Let's hurry it up." 

Everyone: "Let's go then!" 

All of them quickly dash through the lower levels of the castle into the mid section. There, the queen's chambers can be found behind a massive door in the center of the castle. A precocious action is used to help keep invaders from finding the room so easily. Keeping the queen safe. They open the doors and see the queen sitting on her throne. She had a face of agitation and impatience on her and gave an evil gaze at her children and their friends. 

Amiyama: "Oh crap…" 

Demetri: "She's pissed!"

Kimichi: "Uh…." 

Sonya: "We brought you gifts!" *she says with a nervous smile while lifting up her shopping bags* 

Queen Amiyahss: "So… you fools thought it was smart to keep ME waiting." 

Amiyama: "But mooom!" 

Demetri: "We were sparring out in the outskirts of the kingdom." 

Queen Amiyahss: "Don't… care!" *rumble* 

Kimichi: " I say… drop the gifts, and let's run." *she says in a quiet voice*

Sonya: "Huh?" 

Kimichi: *head nod* "Yeaaaah."

Queen Amiyahss: "Nah, I'm just kidding around my darlings." 

Kimichi: "Huh?" 

Sonya: "Oh?" 

Amiyahss: "Sonya, Kimchi. Thank you both for the gifts. You can leave them in the next room over to your right, actually. *Snap* There." 

Sonya: "Wow!"

Kimichi: "She snapped them right into the next room. Such control!" *she looked in awe at the ability of the Queen* 

Demetri: "So mother, are you ready for the festival in your honor?" 

Back in the 400th universe, there was Jabreeze and Slith quickly making their way for the central universe. 

Slith: "A festival in the Queen's honor? For what reason?" 

Jabreeze: "Don't you know anything? It's the Queen's birthday today, my man." 

Slith: "Oh? Ok… so who is the queen anyway?" 

Jabreeze: "Well, she's the mother of Amiyama, and she has a legend behind her name. I'm honestly surprised you don't know." 

Slith: "Yeah?"

Jabreeze: "Yeah. She's actually the one who fought toe to toe with MorZick himself. They fought to a draw, which resulted in their Empire gaining independence. She formed a treaty and pact with Gahwardia right after so they could remain here but govern themselves. She's probably had the longest term alongside her younger brother, the king. And one must remember this about this empire. The king and queen are chosen from the two houses, Crimson and Crystalburst. One chooses the most fit male and the other a female of the same stature." 

Slith: "Hmmm… alright, keep going." 

Jabreeze: "They usually have to go about choosing the opposite sex after an ending term. But that can be avoided if you make the first choice. The house of Crimsonburst got that this time when Amiyama was chosen early on due to her high skill affinity. Note that this system was made by Amiyahss herself after gaining independence." 

Slith: "You sure do know a lot, Jabreeze." 

Jabreeze: "Of course I do! Do you study anything other than ways of deception, treachery, and violence?" 

Slith: "Nope!" 

Jabreeze: "Ah… Anyways, let's keep pushing forward. We're crossing the gate again soon." 

Slith: "Alright. O do want to hurry, though. This damn poncho is itchy and just… not right." 

Jabreeze: "Hahahaaa!! You sound like a girl, but yes. You are right." 

The two of them cross through the next gate and get into the next universe of the empire. Walking alongside the millions of citizens heading for the capital universe. Within the capital kingdom, people were dancing and celebrating on the streets. Dance circles and many events of all types happening. Including a game of the Colossaverse's favorite sporting event, Galaxy Ball. Where a familiar face is playing for the Kingdom of Life clan, Kitiro. He was the leading scorer against the Gahwardian team. The Queen and her family were getting prepared to go watch the game. Demetri was a player for the Gahwardian team and was being saved for the final round. Which would seem to be the tie breaker out of 3 rounds. 

Amiyama: "You ready for this game, little brother?" 

Kimichi: "You had better go all out against your friend." 

Sonya: "Don't lose to Kitiro, my man." *pat* *pat* *she taps him on the left shoulder* 

Amiyahss: "Give it your all, baby boy. We'll all be watching." 

Demetri: "Oh, trust me, you guys. I'm all fired up for this! *Prch* *Fweuur* 

The festival for the Queen's birthday is underway! It's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the game! Let's PLAY BALL!!!

Next Chapter: Kitiro VS Demetri! Galaxy Ball Extravaganza!!!