57.) Advance!

The game of Galaxy Ball had come to an arousing and grand end as the Eternal Ashes came out on top. They celebrate as their kingdom goes insane over their great victory. Thinking "Our Queen's birthday AND a victory in Galaxy Ball!? How grand!" It was quite the incredible experience for all those who lived in the Empire. The festivals continue, and the citizens get even more lively than before. Amidst this all were the two shadows that now blent in like natural inhabitants. They were a little over halfway to their goal and a lot quicker with their approach. 

Slith: "Have you contacted that bastard Jollister?" 

Jabreeze: "Hm?! *SKUUUURRRT* Uhhhh… no." 

Slith: "Oh, you're slacking there, Jabreeze. Tell him we know what and where the key isss. We're heading there now." 

Jabreeze: "Everyone slips and slacks every now and then. But I'll do that real fast, and then we can continue." 

Slith: "Mmhmm… Well here'ss the essence-communicator. Make it quick. 

Jabreeze grabs the communicator, sets it down, and immediately begins pouring his essence into it. He was to convey a simple yet highly important piece of information to their Captain, Jollister. It took about a good five secs, and the message was sent over in an instant to Jollister, who was actually lingering outside of the Gahwardian Capitol, H'Warmalla. He was watching MorZick train Zo'Meesz, Scrâg and Fong. All three had risen to 9.5's in no time at all. Well, Fong was actually up there with Morpheus and toted a 10.5.

Jollister received the message, and a smirk full of malice swept across his face for a mere second, and MorZick turned his head to the south but could see nothing. 

"Ooooh, that was a close one, mayne. But it would seem things are going well. I'll shoot a message over to the tall bastard." Jollister says as he pulls out a mini essence-communicator that seemed to resemble a high-tech smartphone. He taps the screen with his thumbs a few times and then speaks into the device. The message is recorded and sent over to their associate. From there… Jollister continues to watch as if he were waiting for something. 

In the meantime, Jabreeze and Slith get their confirmation that the message was received and continue their march onward. They walk through the gate to the 425th universe of the Empire. Once through, they were greeted by two royal knights that were stationed there. Jabreeze and Slith both wave as they enter a festival that seems to have engulfed the entire universe. The two of them hop up high into the cosmos, and over the platform, some of these gigantic stands sit on. They could see a clear road stationed into the center of the stands that was built out of asteroids and fallen planet debris. 

"Did they actually destroy planets just to construct this? Why not use their essence for creation? What a waste!!" Jabreeze says as they slowly fly forward to get a better look at everything. 

Slith: "You seem to be… a little too worked up about this. Are you one of those cosmic environmentalists?" 

Jabreeze: "Mhm!... Maybe…" *he gives an awkward side eye to Slith* 

Slith: "Uh huh… just bleh! You and your ways." 

Jabreeze: "Aye, hold your tongue, King Murder! You're stepping out of line." 

Slith: "You think so?" 

Jabreeze: "Mrrhhm!" *an annoyed look comes across his face*

The two continue flying and notice that there was a fight festival going on above the normal festival. A match between twin natives was underway, and they had seemed to be evenly matched. That was until the more bulky built one, who looked like a classic super saiyan with flaming hair, had landed a smashing Superman punch. It sent his opponent flying out the fight circle. 

Both Slith and Jabreeze come floating down to get a closer look at the festivities and are noticed by the winner of the last match. "Hey, you up there!?"The man yells at them to get their attention. 

Jabreeze: "Hmm? What is it?" *Jabreeze raises his left eyebrow in curiosity* 

Slith: (Don't tell me this dunce is about to…) 

The man quickly gets to the point and requests a match from Jabreeze as a great showing for the audience that was collected there. He claimed to be able to sense high volumes of flame essence coming from within Jabreeze and wanted to see that for himself. Jabreeze gives it some hard thought and then says yes. This surprises Slith, leaving him astonished even. Jabreeze calms him by telling him this could help them blend that much more. Doing a match and forming some phoenix fire would leave them in the clear. 

"Fine, fine. Do as you please, but do hurry up, Jabreeze." Slith said as he slowly floated down into the front of the crowd. Jabreeze took his place at the center of the circle as he's approached by the challenger. The challenger wastes no time in getting into his stance and immediately told Jabreeze, "You seem strong. How about you show me your grit!" 

With that, the referee who was dressed in a flaming, referee uniform. As well as the host to the event who was dressed sharply, from head to toe. Almost seemed like he was covered in gems the way his long tailed blazer and slacks glistened in the light. They both raised their hands into the air and brought them down instantly to signal the start of the match. 

The challenger sat in place waiting for an opportunity while Jabreeze leisurely sat in one place, hands in his pockets, and a stance that told the challenger, "You aren't worth my time." This angered the challenger enough to want to rush in wholeheartedly, but blindly all at once. With someone like Jabreeze, countering a flailing oaf is of no great feat and can be done with ease. The challenger knew this, which kept him from letting his anger get the best of him. 

Slith: "This is just -" 

Jabreeze: "Yo." 

Challenger: "Huh?" 

Slith: (What's this?) 

Jabreeze: "Hurry the hell up and bring it. You seemed a LOT more unruly and ready to strike with the last guy." 

Challenger: "U-Uhhh…" 

Jabreeze: "I take it you can only make such a move when your opponent isn't strong at all." 

Crowd: "Oooooohhh!" 

The crowd looks at the challenger who was broken down and analyzed by Jabreeze. They awaited his response, but yet again… only Jabreeze chose to speak.

Jabreeze: "You must be one shallow and weak person to do something so low and beneath us gods. But hey… I can't judge." *a smug look swam across his face* 

The challenger finally was broken and could no longer hold back after such blatant disrespect. He clenched the entirety of his body and leaped forward, clearing the 10 meter gap between them almost instantly. The intensity could be felt by the entire crowd. Even Slith let the thoughts of this being a great match cross his mind. And when all these thoughts came into being, a simple yet very loud slap could be heard, and the body of the challenger went limp quite quickly. The big question everyone's got is… what happened, and why hasn't Jabreeze moved yet? 

Slith: "A single chop to the nape, huh?" 

Jabreeze: "All that, and he wasn't even a slight challenge… What a waste." *THUD* 

The challenger fell to the floor, and the crowd grew silent as they watched Jabreeze walk away, simply uninterested in the challenger… almost as if he were invisible. The crowd remained silent and stared to the point that one would notice the announcer and host for the event could not muster any words. He was high enough on the scale to keep up with Jabreeze's movements and saw the simple chop that did it. 

Slith: "Not even a hint of you wanted that to be fun?" 

Jabreeze: "Let's go… I got the wrong idea about the guy and pissed myself off. I no longer want to be here. Let's. Move!" 

Slith: "Kuku! Alright, alright. We can continue further." 

The two begin their commute again, paying no mind to the many eyes that stare. The people gossip about them and what had just transpired, judging them one could say. But to our two shadows… they were faints drifting behind them as they marched onward. 

Unexpectedly, however, there were the two royal guards lingering about. They, too, had seen the event and grew suspicious of the two and decided to begin following them while leaving their posts to the next two guards on duty. They were smart about their approach and masked their presence and essence while also keeping a safe distance, so they suspect nothing. 

Slith: "We should really ask around and see what kind of shortcuts there may be to the capitol." 

Jabreeze: "There won't be a need for that, my slithering friend." 

Slith: "Ohhh? And why is that?" 

Jabreeze: "We seemed to have been wrong about its location." 

Slith: "What?" 

Jabreeze: "From what I can sense, now that I have their essence type and fire type down pact. I can tell that we're far closer than we'd originally thought." 

Slith: "Is that right? 

Jabreeze: "Yes, it is." 

Slith: "Well then… let's get a move on then and get to the capital. As well as our target." 

Jabreeze: "Mhm hmm." 

The two begin to fly through the universe at great speeds, heading for the gate in their high pursuit of the key. Behind them were the two guards who were suspicious of who the two may be and what their agenda is. 

Meanwhile, within the capitol. The two teams showed their respect and gave their thanks to the crowd as the dimension falls. The two teams walk to the locker rooms and shower so that they can get dressed for the festival. A quick hour goes by, and they begin exiting the locker rooms and out to the crowds to splurge and get down! 

Gahwardian Girl: "OH MY GOSH! It's KITIROOO AND THE KNIGHTS! AAAAAHHHH!!!" 

The girl began to jump with joy, for today was the day she could finally see her favorite Galaxy Ball player, Kitiro. Many others called out to both teams as they joined the festivities and got pictures with the fans. Kitiro and Demetri head over to where Sonya and the others were waiting. 

"Yo yo yooo! Y'all were amazing out there, man!" Joseph said while extending his arm out for some hand shakes. *CLAP* Demetri and Joseph grasp each other's hands and lock their fingers. They release the clench and slide their fingers across each other, all smooth-like. Then, end it with a fust bump. The same is performed with Kitiro. 

Joe: "You boys ready to get down!?"

Kitiro: "Oh, you know the deal with me, mahn! I be ready to wind and grind at any time!! Hope you guys don't mind my gwamboa over here." *he uses his thumb to point over his shoulder, at Deamonte* 

Sonya: "Oh, your name's Deamonte, right? *she stretches out her right hand* My name's Sonya." 

Deamonte: "Nice to finally meet you. Kitiro spoke of all of you highly." 

Sonya: "Oh, we know." *She turns and winks at Kitiro* 

Demetri: "Miamori and Yolmi should be joining us pretty soon." 

Kimichi: "Sounds good, sounds good. But while we're sitting at these benches waiting on them. I say… "Let's enjoy some of this Gaia Tears, wine, and watch the people rejoice in this town square."" 

Kaguro: "Pour me a cup, sis." 

 Joe: "Me too." 

Demetri: "I'll take a swig of that. 

Kitiro: "You know dis gwamboa is takin' a sip." 

Kimichi begins pouring cups for everyone at the benches. They all give an arousing toast to Galaxy Ball and eternal prosperity. And at that very minute of them all taking their first sips, Miamori and Yolmi walk up with bottles of their own. 

"Heyy, there they go, and they even brought that hard liquor." Demetri says as he looks at his teammates. The girls raise the bottles and start to fake scream in excitement as they pick up their pace. Both were wearing traditional Phoenofian dresses that hugged their bodies tightly. The dresses were identical to one another as they came in a set… for a set of twins. Yes, yes… Yolmi is Miamori's older twin sister. 

"Hey babe!" *Smooch* Yolmi gives Demetri a welcoming kiss right before taking her seat to the right of Sonya. 

Miamori: "Now answer this for me, you guys. But have y'all ever had the honor of trying this goddam Gaia Sweat, vodka hybrid? This shit is absolutely divine." 

Kaguro: "Mhm… *Gulp* Pour me a cup." *He raises his right arm* 

Kimichi: "Me as well." 

Sonya: "Mhm." *she stares at Kimichi* 

Joe: "Mhm." *he stares at Kaguro* 

Kaguro & Kimichi: "What!?" 

Joe & Sonya: "Fucking drunkies." 

Everyone burst out into laughter while Miamori prepared a cup for everyone to enjoy. Another great toast was made in the name of ascension. Everyone there wished to rise on scale and became greater than they could ever hope to be. Once everyone finished their drinks, Demetri suggested they make their rounds through the festival and splurge a bit. Meanwhile, Amiyama had walked off a bit earlier to speak with Shii, using their mini, portable essence-communicators. 

Amiyama: "Baaaabe, you promised me you and Gaia would come home and visit my mother and I! You're such a liar dude." 

Shiishii: "Baby baby baby… come on now. I'm sorry we're not there yet, but bad things are happening within Luminaria and we want to assist in stopping it." 

Amiyama: "But that's not what we promised Shii. *Sigh* Can't you guys take a break and come here?" 

Shiishii: "Babe… I-I can see about that but its really bad over here. Their balance has long since tipped the scales and its getting worse. Can we get a… raincheck?" *he shrugs his shoulders ina nervous manner* 

Amiyama: "Shiishii Lucis Von Senkozen." *she gets stern and angry with our boy* 

Shiishii: "GeeEEeh… uh… yes?"

Gaia: "Oh my, she said your full name. This is serious." 

Amiyama: "UUUUGH!!! *she stomps her feet in frustration* What if I… came to help you guys right after the festival? Would that work?" 

Gaia: "Oh?" 

Dante: "T-That… could work." *he stetches out his right arm in an unsure fashion* 

Shiishii: "Hmm… I think we've reached a compromise. We'll be there shortly babe. Smooches!" 

Amiyama: "Yaaayy. Oh my gosh, thanks babe. Smooches, *MUAH* byyyee, see ya soon." *she closes the communicator* 

Amiyama used her high sense for essence to locate Demetri, then high tailed it over to where they were walking. They had made a stop at a weapons stand that seemed to be selling a few unique weapons of high value. As she caught up… she could see guns, nunchucks, swords, maces and even a scythe. As one would expect, Sonya and Joe were staring at the swords and guns the merchant had for sale. Demetri seemed to be interested in the scythe that was laying there. It was riddled with an odd fire essence that not even Amiyama had sensed before. Just as he was about to grab it, a portal tore open to their right and Shiishii had stepped out of it. Behind him were Gaia, Dante and Beeso who had just come to visit Dante and decided to join in. 

Everyone began to greet each other and by surprise, yet another portal had opened right behind them, in the middle of the road. From the portal came Vashjai and Ebon who had presents for the queen. And to a great surprise, Sanjin and Bujuro stepped out right behind them with what seemed to be, rolls if divikeef. 

Amiyama: "Oh my gooosh! *hug* Where have you two been!?" 

Sanjin: "We both went back to headquarters for a bit of training with Lady Meenahs." 

Bujuro: "We made quite the progress. When we were trying to visit her for another session, we saw these two in her office and when they saw us..."

Sanjin: "They invited us here and we just couldn't resist. But to think we'd be seeing the Life and Death gods today. What an honour." 

Both men humbly bow to Shii and Gaia. Everyone went back to greeting one another and updating each other on their lives. But since some of the group actually wanted to shop at the current stand they were standing at. They remained in place. Shiishii could notice Demetri trying to reach for the scythe and quickly grabs his hand. 

"Woah there big bro, what's going on?" Demetri said in a confused manner as Shii was gripping his wrist quite harshly. "Is your fire at the form where you could handle death particles?" Shiishii asked him as he stared at him with a serious face. 

Amiyama: "What're talking about babe?" 

Shiishii: "That scythe is one I made by fusing our two essence types together and sealing it into a scythe made from wartanium." 

Demetri: (Sis AND Big bro's essence wrapped into one scythe?) "I gotta have it!" 

Shiishii: "Mhm! If thats the case then you can buy it, but I'm carrying it due to the dangers." 

Demetri: "That's fine!" 

Amiyama: "Oh, Demetri." *she drops her head in shame while placing her left hand in top* 

Demetri buys the scythe and Shiishii carries it on his back for when they head back to the castle, and to the queen's keep. Meanwhile, Jabreeze and Slith could both feel the high powers that stepped into the capitol. Shii's and Gaia's were easiest to distinguish out of the group. They immediately reported back to Jollister to see what their next move should be. 

Jollister: "You say WHO just arrived!"

Jabreeze: "Shii and Gaia have arrived in the capitol sir." 

Jollister: "Tch! That wasn't supposed to happen mayne! N-Ngh… mhhmh. Alright, our best plan of action is for you guys to lay low and find a place to reside until they leave. And lets hope they dont meddle by mere coincidence. Sound good?"

Jabreeze: "Yeah that sounds like a grand plan. We'll keep you updated in the mean time." 

Jollister: "Alright, out!" *Click*

Slith: "I'm really hoping they don't stay here for long." 

Jabreeze: "Yeah… for if they do." 

Way back over in the outskirts of the Gahwardia's territory. Jollister still lies in wait. 

Jollister: "For if my family does stay too long, they risk our only chance of avoiding Flametress. The clock is ticking!" 

In the midst of their advance, the worst case scenario takes place. Shiishii and Gaia show up in the same place that the Key lay dormant. The clock is ticking and Flametress is on her way! 

Next Chapter: A New Recruit!