The Demon Warlord stood agitated at the bridge of her modest flagship, the battleship Relentless. Amatricina was eager to return to the Earth, and the mighty warship couldn't travel fast enough for her liking. She had much to tell the Emperor of these last few days. The demon had requested a nominal fleet, no more than a dozen assorted cruisers and destroyers, led by a singular battleship. A menagerie of Crusher Corps and Kabochan Confederacy vessels, all filled with crews eager to return to their flagship and be rid of their interim commander. She knew she was disliked by the officers of the vessels, and the crew, but they had no say in the matter. If they wished to follow their Emperor then they would follow his allies, no matter how unlikely they may be. As promised, Amatricina had taken her forces and 'liberated' the planet Styx or demonic influence as part of her agreement with Carambolis. She had summoned forth a great portal to Demon Realm, a magnificent display of magic and sorcery unlike any she'd been able to conjure before. A testament to her markedly increased strength in recent months. It had taken an enormous expenditure of ki, as well as calling forth Dark Energy from her home realm. The latter task had been especially draining, Amatricina was not yet fully accustomed or proficient in drawing forth Dark Energy when outside the Demon Realm.

Regardless, her task had been completed and within acceptable parameters. Styx had its dissident factions brought to heel, its defenders crushed beneath the armed forces of her fleet and her own efforts on the battlefield. After the capital city's last bastion of resistance fell, she had summoned forth her beloved siblings through the rift she'd woven in time and space. Her brother Raigu brought with him an entire demonic legion, much to the dismay of her own soldiers. The Fire Demon clan spent the next few days scouring the planet of demonic life. Men, women, children, warriors, scholars, wounded, none were spared from Amatricina's ambitious claws. All were rounded up and dragged kicking and screaming through the portal back to her homeworld Monsigneus. There, a fate worse than death awaited them. They would join the ever growing ranks of the slave casts that toiled endlessly to keep the Fire Demon Clan running at peak efficiency. Toiling in the mines, working ceaselessly in factories and shipyards, or simply serving as a household servant to demonic aristocracy for the lucky few. Either way, it was a plunder of souls that Amatricina would needed have conquered a minor clan in her realm to accomplish. Millions of fresh bodies that she knew by now would be suffering in processing as her clan busily sorted through their spoils of war.

Meanwhile, in the mortal realm, Amatricina had let the portal collapse once her brother's legion finished scouring Styx. The non-demonic populations had been spared as per Carambolis orders, not that she wanted them anyways. An interim government and the cruiser Vigilance and the destroyer Unyielding had been left behind to maintain order and patrol the system. She had nominated the captain of the Vigilance to the rank of interim planetary governor, until someone of higher status within the Confederacy made the say otherwise. Overall the invasion, occupation, and subsequent decimation of Styx had been an enjoyable outing. Amatricina had met the cyborg frost demon, Lieutenant Kamui Solaris, and learned a great deal from him. She assumed his own ship was likely well ahead of hers if it was also returning to earth. In addition to having more than a day's head start on her fleet, she assumed the agile vessel could easily outrun the lumbering battleship she commanded.

Amatricina was eager to make her report to the Emperor. Both parties involved will have gotten what they wanted, and the demoness was more than ready to return to the earth. While she was not fond of the planet, she was familiar with it. The demoness did not like the many unknowns of the greater mortal realm as a whole. Moreover, she wished to be rid of her ships and her crew, they could return to the ranks of the Kabochan Confederacy's fleet and be rid of her. The demonrolled her shoulders slightly, looking out into the endlessly drifting abyss as her ship traveled at faster than light speeds. "Commander Amatricina." The vessel's navigator called out from his bridge station.

"Yes? What is it?" She asked curtly in reply, eyes not lifting from the view outside.

"We will be arriving in the Sol System within the hour." The officer spoke eagerly, he too was ready to be done with this mission.

"Excellent, carry on then." Amatricina said as she began to hover, crossing her legs and taking meditative state. She could at least focus her ki a bit for the last leg of her journey. When she was young she always felt this task mundane and boring, loathing to do it when her mother or father demanded it of her and her siblings. But as an adult she found it relaxing, like clearing the mind. She breathed out, exhaling a puff of black smoke as the demoness lifted the veil of her mind.

Amatricina's fleet arrived on schedule, not more than an hour later. Ten large warships slipping out of faster than light travel just beyond the planet earth's gravity well. "Commander. We have arrived." The helmsman of her flagship said, setting a new heading for the Omnipotence, which now hung in orbit above the blue planet. Amatatricina arose from her trance like state, cracking her neck and rising to her feet.

"Excellent helmsman. Communications, open up a secure comm channel with the Omnipotence." The demon spoke confidently, her voice full of authority and lacking its usual tone of agitation with her crew. The communications officer nodded in response, pressing away at the buttons on his terminal and hailing the flagship of the fleet. Amatricina cleared her throat as the signal was patching itself through. When the link was established she finally began to speak. "This is Commander Amatricina of the task force Molten Talons, returning from our assignment on the planet Styx. We request docking privileges with the Omnipotence to offload cargo and replenish supplies. I myself am officially dissolving the task force, our mission having been a success, and granting permission to the vessel's under my command to return to their previous assignments. Lastly... I request an audience with Emperor Carambolis. We have much to speak of..." With that Amatricina ended the communication relay, confident in the knowledge that female Kabochan that Carambolis spoke so highly of would likely be listening to this very message. With the sight of the massive flagship growing larger in the distance Amatricina breathed a sigh of relief. As much as she was a stranger here, and an unlikely ally of the Emperor's, there was no denying it felt good to be back.

---

Word Count: 1,167
Cam Emperor Absolut Cassava Doctor Kaijin Vex

The gathering took time but happened quicker than usual it seemed. He watched as each individual ship was slated to board the massive hangar. For those who had never been aboard the Omnipotence it was much like the sensation of entering a city more than a ship, lights shining down from a high ceiling and people of every race and creed bustling about, they weren't the only ships coming and going, with such proximity to Earth trade had become stimulated, all part of the plan of course. Through the hustle and bustle, a sergeant awaited each of them, Kamui greeted by a large, powder blue Xeno with long blonde hair and beard, forehead complete with two short but sharp horns, "Ah, you must be Kamui," he would say to the mechanized frost demon, meanwhile Meiku had her own escort in a sergeant named Sudae. They looked like a robot, however a small cephalopod like being about the size of a football was housed in the chest cavity of this robotic body, complete with four, metallic skinny arms and two legs, additionally a large cylindrical head that held three eye stalks that could swivel and turn. From a speak on the head placed where the mouth should be came a voice that contrary to the body, didn't sound mechanical at all, "Meiku, welcome aboard! I'm sergeant Sudae, Cam sent me to escort you," they would say before snapping a salute to the woman, gesturing for her to follow, "Right this way." Amatracina would find a familiar escort in Sergeant Scald. The Canean lizard man stood in his armored uniform but carried no anti-material rifle this time, the only apparent weapon he had was his holstered side-arm, though Caneans were known for their sharp claws and poisonous bite, not that the otherworldly demonic warlord would know this.

"Amatricina," he hissed out, "I hear you're more than capable of execution the more wrathful side of our Emperor's will, impressive. He sent me to await you and make sure you're escorted quickly to the bridge. If you'll follow me," Scald, Leatha, and Sudae all leading their charges towards the same destination, operating the railcars and flipping switches, opening doors, doing all that was needed to keep travel across this massive ship brief. Kamui was the first to arrive, though Meiku and Amatricina were quick to follow, each of their escorts leaving them once they entered the bridge of the ship. Rising from his command chair the Kabochan Emperor would turn to greet his subordinates, smiling, though that smile wavered for a second when he noted Kamui's state, "Ah... What happened to you Kamui? You look the Ikondans got their hands on you," he remarked towards all the cybernetic implants, he murmured, "Hate to see what the other guy looks like," trying to at least make some light of the teenager's status as a cyborg, "Thank you all for coming. Our ranks are swelling, our technology, trade, and influence is spreading across the galaxy and vanguard it from those who would simply manipulate it for self-gain or motives that would send billions to fall upon their own swords in a war that seems endless." the Emperor concluded, "What we've built is strong. It's a beacon to the rest of the galaxy that they can reach for strength and find unity in all of this," he paused, looking from face to face.

"It's still fragile though. I'm sure Polaris sees me as a proverbial head of a snake--one that hasn't truly bitten him yet, but that time will come. He'll try to cut the head off, simple as that," the thought was terrifying, he would have to fight many, many folks stronger than himself if he were going to do this, to unite the galaxy, that or he had to find some sort of way to unite what was already there, "The way I see it, the path forward is one of peace or one of brutal war. I will be marrying Colla soon no doubt, securing an Alliance with the Saiyan Dominion, I imagine that means I'll become a father eventually, but a child is far from a decent replacement. I trust all of you, that's one reason why you're here. Succession must have a clear path forward, I imagine that power would go to Colla," he remarked, "But until she's been married to me, we must know who would take over if I die, to do that you must all know what is at stake." He paused, his stance shifting as he stepped closer to the trio now, "The second reason is to determine the path forward, I am a leader but I am by no means the mightiest or smartest, to that end the path forward must be considered carefully. I am the final say, but any leader who disregards the brilliant minds and strong bodies that works alongside him is no leader at all." A hand brushed against the amulet around his neck, Amatricina knew the significance of such a burden and what it granted, "Set course for Kabocha," Cam ordered behind him, "There's something you all must see." He remarked. All at once the massive ship started to lurch, the sleeping giant awakened to react and quicker than one might think. The Emperor was taking them to his home world, for those that had never been, the galaxy regarded Kabocha as a sort of once proud but now dirty jewel. Intact, but dying.

That was changing.

When the Omnipotence would come into orbit over Kabocha a few minutes later, from orbit it looked much, much different, instead of the greenish brown marble in the sky it had turned emerald and blue, not too different from looking like the Earth at a distance, though the continents and bodies of water below were all in places they shouldn't have been. His planet had been restored, by who or what, was unknown.

---

WC: 989 TWC: 1,902

Doctor Kaijin Vex Cassava @amatricina

When the Relentless berthed within the main hangar of the much large Omnipotence, Amatricina was among the first to depart 'her' warship. Command relived the to the captain of the vessel, who in turn was no doubt relieved for her to be out of his hair. It mattered little to the demoness, for she at arrived and been successful in her mission. She had much to report to the Emperor, and was more than happy he had requested her audience. Upon disembarking the hangar she was greeted by a familiar face, the reptilian brute Carambolis had sent to shadow her as she explored the depths of his flagship. Amatricina paused before the warrior, who was less armed though no less armored than their last meeting. "Scald..." She said simply, narrowing her ruby gaze. "Here to follow me again? Or do you just like basking yourself in my heat?" The demon chortled at her own remark, her coldblooded escort seemed less than enthused but held his tongue. Her tone softened, and the demon smiled. "You heard well then Scald, Our Emperor's dissidents lie slain at my feet, Styx has been returned to Crusher Corps authority, and the demons hiding among the populace now serve a higher calling." She gave a short curtsy, bells and jewels jingling from her horns. "Lead the way..."

Amatricina followed the Canean commander to the bridge of the warship, she knew well where it was, she had been there before. But Carambolis and his Confederacy seemed sticklers for protocol and the chain of command, so she felt no desire to step on the Emperor's toes with petty insubordination. The fire demon was last to arrive, entering the bridge not far behind an earthling of all beings. She herself thought the race weak and malleable, save for the few notable exceptions she had met in her travels. She wondered to herself what the woman's purpose was in this meeting? Her power level was unspectacular, at a glance, but humans seemed fond of suppressing their strength until they needed it most. It was an easy task for them to blend in among the weaker members of their race that way, she reasoned. Perhaps the woman was an infiltrator, a mole within the earthling government, or a replacement for King Ches once the Emperor's and the demon's plans had come to fruition. Regardless, Amatricina could simply ask latter. She stepped into the bridge with a hand at her hip and a haughty sashay to her step. Armored heels clinking against the metal floors as she found herself a seat opposite the cyborg Changeling, Lieutenant Kamui. She shot the warrior a teasing smile, before turning to listen intently as the Emperor rose from his throne.

The demon held little interest in Carambolis' words, the monologuing speech on the state of mortal politics. The ongoing war between the Saiyan Dominion and the Galactic Empire, or the part the Kabochan Confederacy had to play in the growing conflict. Her only concern was on the great and powerful warriors that led the warring factions, those who's strength exceeded the Emperor's... and therefor her own. Though her strength had returned considerably since first arriving on earth, her demonic body adapting to the suffocating lack of Dark Energy in this realm, it was not enough. Amatricina still doubted she could hold a candle though to the Emperor should they fight, though she wagered it would be a much more even fight than he expected this time. A small grin crossed the demon's face as she thought on that matter, only half listening to Carambolis as he mentioned marrying some Saiyan woman named Colla. The name meant nothing to her, she assumed it was the daughter of the Saiyan ruler, who admittedly Amatricina also did not know the name of. Regardless, the Saiyans had proven themselves a formidable race of warriors, and from all the demon had seen of them they were a foe worth killing, and to be treated with begrudging respect.

What did not sit well with Amatricina however, was when the Emperor said upon his unlikely death the authority of his rule would fall to his yet unwed wife. While primogeniture was all well and good in the Demon Realm among the warring clans, Amatricina was sworn to an individual, not a crown. She crossed her arms at the statement, exhaling sharply, two small wisps of black smoke pouring from her nostrils as she did so. "With all due respect My Emperor, the terms of my allegiance were sworn to you directly. I do not 'serve' the Kabochan Confederacy, and I am a member of the Crusher Corps in-name-only. My strength is pledged to you, and you alone, because my kind believe the strong must rule, and you are the strongest in this room. Should you perish I am not beholden to your widowed Empress, and I make no promises as to anything on the contrary." Amatricina's ruby eyes began to glow with fiery light, and she pointed a finger accusingly at the demonic amulet that Carambolis wore around his neck. "So long as you remain among of the living to rule your people, you'll find no grievances with me."

With that the demoness relaxed herself, uncrossing her arms as she returned to listening to the Emperor's words. The man began to speak of showing them something, and Amatricina presumed it would be his transformed state again. However soon the Omnipotence began to drag itself against the sheer physics of its mass, accelerating as its engines willed its vast form into motion. Soon enough the vessel's mighty engines had spooled to full power, and the leviathan warship tore through space faster than the speed of light itself. It was no small engineering marvel a ship this large could even move at such speeds. Amatricina had seen and studied its power cores, they were an ancient design that defied even her kinds' knowledge of space travel. Another matter to discuss with the Emperor in private, at a latter date. For now she had a more important report to make with her superior.

Amatricina cleared her throat, standing up and pushing back her seat. "My Emperor." She said simply, giving a short curtsy before addressing the meeting. "Allow me to use this time to make my formal report on my mission. As promised, I have retaken the rogue planet Styx, and returned it wholly to Crusher Corps authority. The resistance to your rule has been quashed, with some assistance from Lieutenant Solaris here." She motioned a hand to the cyborg, giving him a knowing look. "And the demonic population has been scoured of the world by my legion, and hauled back to my home world Monsigneus to serve until their dying breath. Lastly, I have left the warships Vigilance, and Unyielding in orbit above the planet to enforce law and order, and appointed the captain of the former as an interim planetary governor until you administrate a more permanent candidate. As you have willed, Styx is once more yours. Once we return to the Earth, I plan to resume my other assignment." Amatricina flashed a smile, fanged canines gleaming in the light of the bridge as the demon returned to her seat. The warship arrived at its destination not long after she finished her report, and the demoness stared out at the blue marble of a world before them. It was not dissimilar to earth, though she waited for the Emperor to say why they had set a course for this particular world.

---

Word Count: 1,267
Total Word Count: 2,437
Cam Cassava Doctor Kaijin Vex

The emperor seemed amused at Amatricina's outburst that he was the one she had made a deal with, really he had expected that kind of reaction from the demoness, "Ah, you should see some fottage of how Colla fights, Meiku is right, I'm not sure I would want to face her ever myself. I'm sure I will, her being a Saiyan and all," the Kabochan concluded, "That said, I can't make you swear allegiance to anyone. You're free to leave anytime Amatracina, people follow me because it's their choice, not because I make them. As for your mission, well done. I'm sure we'll both benefit in the long term, errant demons running about our realm, taking over entire worlds isn't exactly my definition of something acceptable." There was certainly an irony to that sentiment given what Amatricina was, though she had some measure of oversight and direction, if nothing else Cam could at least predict her behavior.

As psychic words entered Cam's mind, he would reply telepathically back, "Excellent Kamui. Give me the details and we'll make it happen." before he shifted around, "Someone interfered," he gestured towards the planet as their ship continued to descend, "I'm glad to see my homeworld so pristine and healthy, but someone robbed us of a tree of might. A problem we'll have to deal with, though I've some preserved pieces and many resources that were harvested. No seeds though," the Emperor concluded, even from orbit it could bee seen, the crumbling husk, "No. It's not gone Meiku, it's dead," like an ashy grey scar on the planet, he pointed to a spot on the planet, the tree grew so high and so mighty they often could be seen in a lower orbit. This was just that, a naked, dead tree. A symbol perhaps to the Kabochan people, but a loss all the same. "I'll be setting up an order on my home world. We'll cultivate enough food, gather enough minerals that entire new armies will be funded, we've been traded one boon for another." He shifted around, looking to Meiku, "Which means we can put that brilliant mind of yours towards new things. This doesn't change the plan, merely pushes it forward. How is the progress with our solution to the Ikonda problem?"

He didn't hear anyone stepping up to the plate, so he decided to take the reigns now, "There's many irons in the fire. I'm trying to align with Earth--peacefully, mind you," he said towards Meiku, "Their king has lied to his people and in so doing started a religious revolution on false pretenses, I don't intend to let him get away with it. The galaxy deserves the truth--as much of it as it can handle anyway. To that end Amatracina has been helping me," he gestured towards the fire demon, "We'll need Ikonda to move forward from there. But this doesn't answer my question to succession should I fall before the marriage, who would take my place?" he asked, looking between the three of them, "I don't expect any of you to step forward with such high stakes, but I ask you all to be aware that someone will need to. We're about to enact some dangerous plans that once done, cannot be undone. The Galactic Empire will see us as their enemy and may come after us. Will, eventually."

Returning to his chair, the Emperor admitted something pivotal that could not be ignored, "I need all of you now more than ever. We're at war and we've stood on the side lines for too long. We need to take Ikonda, we need to get Earth and its secondary systems on our side, and we need to enact our plan Kamui. When these things have happened, I will make the marriage happen, and we will defeat the Galactic Empire, whether Polaris survives or not, his rule of law, his oppression and wanton destruction will end." What would be left over, the Emperor couldn't say but he knew what was happening couldn't go on much longer, the Saiyan Dominion couldn't fight the Kabochan Confederacy's war for it forever, and it wasn't just his war, but it was going to be. Radia hadn't stepped onto the stage, Polaris and Carambolis had, and that was important, it meant Cam wasn't afraid to face his enemy, where Radia either was, or simply chose not to. However he wondered absently what her own Saiyan soldiers thought of what she was doing. Hell, Radia hadn't even come to face Carambolis when he took back his homeworld, they merely sent Colla and Onyon to do her bidding, something Cam had taken as a great insult. "I need to know someone can step up to the plate, that this doesn't end if or when I die," Cam murmured. Legacy. That was all Carambolis had. No children, no family, no loved ones, only this. Only his might and his rule, and if it could change the galaxy, he would be immortal, regardless of what happened.

---

WC: 837 TWC: 2,739

Cassava @amatricina Doctor Kaijin Vex

Shifting restlessly in her seat, Amatricina watched the earthling woman's reaction with mild curiosity. She was visibly upset, excited, even a touch ecstatic. The demon could also practically taste the envy dripping from her soul. Had this mortal girl, whom Carambolis quickly addressed as 'Meiku', been working to restore or even remove the so-called Tree of Might? The Emperor had told her the god-plant was both a boon for his race as well as a blight for his planet. Was this development going to prove the Confederacy's blessing, or its curse? The demon's attention quickly shifted back towards more immediate concerns... beings stronger than herself. She raised an eyebrow when Meiku said this Colla could defeat even Carambolis in a fight? Between Polaris, and this Colla, the thought crept into her head that she was perhaps backing the wrong faction. However until these beings proved their strength to her, she would remain content... for now. Names were just that to Amatricina, words.

The demon scoffed aloud, before addressing her compatriots. "I will believe this Colla when I see her. I have felt Carambolis' strength, and there are several island chains and a mountain or two missing on earth that will testify on my behalf." The closest thing she'd said to a joke, the demoness crossed her arms beneath her massive bust, almost sulking at the memory of the Emperor's full power Helix Beam bringing her to the inch of consciousness. She perked up slightly when the Emperor thanked her for a successful mission, and Amatricina grinned slightly. "I was happy to help, and I'd gladly do it again you have another world rife with demonic influence. My legions hunger endlessly for fresh slaves. But for the record, I follow you because the terms of our agreement still stand." She chuckled, her grin widening at the audacity her Emperor's statement. "No, taking over entire worlds is only acceptable when the Emperor himself wills it..."

As discussion shifted to the state of the planet Kabocha and the now withered Tree of Might, the demon listened in intently but deigned to speak, having little knowledge on the matter. Once again she found herself out of her depths when it came to mortal history, but the tree did ruthlessly pique her curiosity. She held suspicion it was a Kaiju, one of the great world-trees that bore fruit that became Shinjin. Although this tree seemingly did not bare fruit even when it was alive that turned into godly beings, as it should have. Perhaps it could not do so outside of Other World? Or perhaps the tree was corrupted, or atrophied in some way? Maybe the life energy it took to create fruit of the Kais was insufficient on a mortal world? Amatricina had many questions, and no answers. And with the tree seemingly dead, she was unlikely to find any definitive answers among its withered branches. Despite her vast knowledge of the Other World, Amatricina did not share her thoughts with her comrades, believing mortals unworthy of such information.

Amatricina rubbed a hand to her chin, mulling over the tree. "If there truly no way to revive this Tree of Might? Outside of acquiring a new seed of course." The demon summoned a wispy orb of shadow in her other hand, gingerly coaxing it lovingly with a taloned finger. "There are those in my realm who practice foul black sorcery even my clan is distasteful of. Necromancy, the dark art of reanimating the dead. Though it does not return the spirit to the body, it does animate the limbs in a cruel mockery of life. The cadavers can walk, fights, and are usually predisposed to base desires like the urge to feed. But without their soul their minds are not whole, they retain none of their former personalities or intellect as they held while living." Amatricina crushed the orb with her hand, and the tendrils of darkness seeped back into her form through the seams of her gauntlet. "But... a tree is no thinking being. I cannot even begin to fathom the amount of black magic it would take to restore its form, or if the process would even work as desired. It could easily corrupt the Tree of Might, tainting its otherwise beneficial properties. Regardless, it is an avenue I would be willing to explore, if our Emperor willed it." With her brief spiel concluded the demon returned to quiet observation, she had offered the council her two cents on the matter. She may... experiment on a fragment of tree on her own accord later even if Carambolis declined her offer.

When Carambolis asked if any of his council were willing to step forth and rule upon his death Amatricina simply scoffed, but otherwise remained silent on the matter. He had offered her a planet and she denied it. Now he offered up his whole government, and she did not so much as peep up. As tempting as the offer was, she had no hope of ruling realms in two separate dimensions. It was an arduous process just traveling between realms as is, and between the Kabochan's long history and innate distrust for demons, she knew well enough the faction would crumble instantly upon her ascending to lead it. But what of the others she mused to herself? She knew nothing of Meiku the earthling, what talents did she possess that qualified her for leadership? Or Kamui, he was a pirate turning cyborg. Powerful in his own right, but Amatricina doubted he any experience in ruling. "What of your commander. The female you seem to have such a high opinion of. Could she not rule in your stead?" Amatricina piped in, having long since forgotten Coca's name.

Kamui offered his own solution to the problem of an heir. Some boy, a changeling child by the sound of things. Amatricina knew not of who he was talking of, but based on what she'd seen of Kamui's race, she could only assume this child held great power. But youth was no substitute for experience, not that she cared much for mortal politics. All this talk of heirs and ruling was growing thin on her patience. She wished to excuse herself from the room, go find a quiet place within the ship and meditate or train. But, common courtesy kept her paying some small attention on the matter at hand, even if bored her to tears. Her ruby gaze however remained locked on the sickly withered visage of the now rather ironically named Tree of Might, and all the untold secrets it held. This Meiku seemed to have studied the organism, perhaps she'd see if she could enlist her for her experimentation on the dead husk of the tree.

The cyborg changed his subject to something more interesting, his dislike of his current predicament. She had questioned the changeling on his race's abilities when they had first met. Without the ability to transform due to his cybernetics, Kamui had expressed frustration and resentment of his crippled body. In that Amatricina saw opportunity. She cleared her throat to signify she wished to speak. A sinister smile slowly crossed her porcelain face. "Lieutenant Kamui, if I may be so bold, I believe I have a solution. My race cannot regenerate severe injuries such as dismemberment on our own. However, the power of Dark Energy is near limitless, and with our dark magics we can harness its chaotic power, using it to reconstitute our physical forms. I could do the same for you, if you wished it. But I can make no promises you would be able to survive the process. It is like drenching your every cell in dark energy, forcing them to regenerate lost or damaged tissue. Despite your race's nickname, you are no demon, and demonic ki does not flow from your spirit. And with the extent of your injuries... I cannot say for certain you'd even survive the procedure, or that it would not change you in ways I cannot yet fathom. But as always, my magics are at my allies' service..."

Discussion shifted to a new threat, a mechanical life form from the Planet Cane. Kamui had briefly mentioned the world when he met Amatricina, and now she knew why he was so eager to finish his mission there. She looked at the footage of the strange creature, its appearance both unnatural and slightly unsettling. Like a mechanical parody of life, the demon did not like these artificial lifeforms, especially if they truly did lack a finite supply of stamina as flesh and blood beings did. "It is nothing of demonic origin." She added to the conversation. "Nor is its strange manner of speech any demonic tongue I know. This being is alien to me, I will attest it is not of the Demon Realm, for whatever comfort that is worth." She paused, feeling the anger and the rage building within Kamui. Wrath fast overpowering every sin within his heart, it brought a smile to the demon's face. "Kamui, if you wish to slay this menace to redeem your honor, I would suggest you redouble whatever your current training is. I'd be more than happy to help." Truly that was what Amatricina was today, helpful, without the slightest hint of ulterior motives. Except this time she was being earnest, aside from the fact she wished to feed the flames of the cyborg's wrath and corrupt what little virtue remained inside that cold mechanical shell he called a body.

---

Word Count: 1,596
Total Word Count: 4,033
Cam Cassava Doctor Kaijin Vex

Carambolis gave a small, amused chuckle at Meiku's assertion that Absolut was indeed, flighty and scared, "You're not wrong there. He's a child still in many ways, perhaps a few years down the line he would be ready but I'm not so sure he is now." Cam concluded. All this conversation keep steering towards was that he simply didn't have a viable replacement among his ranks yet. Amatricina had suggest Coca, and she was a strong choice comparatively. Only one person stood out in his mind. "Right, well, I just wanted to have that conversation. I have no intentions of dying regardless of how strong an enemy we face. Raw strength hasn't been enough in the past, I can outsmart that as I need to," the truth of the matter is against Polaris, no one knew who would win. Sure his might and power seemed overwhelming, but then again he had lost a very important battle on Mitra. One of his lead henchmen had been struck down easily, and he had only just survived an assassination attempt from Colla herself. Were Cam and Colla to strike at the frost demon, he wouldn't have stood a chance, not to mention if this entourage was there to help. He had numbers, logistics, and his enemy was reeling, it was time to strike. "Meiku, an Ikondan has been retrieved from a scouting mission I sent some troops on, alive and well, save for some battle damage to restrain him. When you're ready to run the first test, you may use him as a subject." Cold perhaps, but if they were to win without killing the entire population the virus had to be debilitating enough to Ikondan technology that their system was broken, at least for a few hours.

Then there was the whole matter of what Kamui had been bested by, "So he wishes to speak to me directly," Cam murmured. He could tell Kamui was a prideful changeling, he certainly didn't blame the cyborg for wanting another shot at this unknown enemy, a chance to restore his pride and defeat a potentially lethal foe that had killed some of Kamui's crew, and yet...

"I'm going to go to these coordinates when we're done here, if such a creature could be brought into the fold, even temporarily, could only help turn the tide quicker. We don't win wars by destroying the things that can help us, even if they might seem monstrous. I'm more worried about the intentions and nature of something like this," he said gesturing to the display of images within the message, "And more importantly, who made something like this. I wouldn't blame the actions of something mechanical, rather the motives of whoever made it. Perhaps I can reach into its mind and pull out what information I seek, a sort of tit for tat, if you will Kamui," he could likely make the experience entirely unpleasant, even for a machine. "Amatricina. I want to finish with Earth, we're close to the goal I assume, and if you can get me a seat at the table with Ches, we'll end our mission there. You'll see a weak ruler be replaced with a strong one, as you seem to say it should be, and the Earth will have the charade its fallen under dissolved. Anything that can be destroyed by the truth should be," Cam concluded, "This little fox man buried himself when he lied about what happened on his planet. These satanists have already done damage across the galaxy, if we don't contain them they'll only cause more harm outside of Earth. Last thing we need is an interplanetary cult." Cam scoffed then at the idea. He shifted them to look back at his homeworld, "We have seeds of the tree of might, its legacy is not entirely lost. Perhaps a new host world will have to be claimed, something teeming with life but not civilization," a few worlds came to mind as his amber eyes met Amatricinas gaze. If anyone would cull a world for him, it would be her, though that was a talk for a different day.

"Kamui. Your mission is to take planet Cane. Do not deviate from that mission again. The raging ki storm there threatens the entire planet. If it grows we may lose two entire species of warrior races from the galaxy, not to mention everything else that dusty world has to offer. We need it as a staging point, the golden fleece armada has set up shop in the Eastern quadrant so resources are there if you need the assistance, but that's become only more time sensitive. Make it so," his voice grew tiresome then, some iron and venom reinforcing the next phrase he uttered towards the Changeling, "Do not disappoint me. I don't care to see another world needlessly destroyed." He didn't mean to make it sound like a threat, more a warning that the teenagers actions had repercussions, "Once planet Cane is ours, we'll focus on the next prize. I intend to take Arcose and Vegeta. The Arcosians need to know that any attempt to restore the Frieza force or planet trade organization will be met with extreme force. We are not world enders, we will not tolerate those who wipe away whole civilizations for simple profit." Cam said affirmatively. Though, if he could get changelings in his army, how fearsome it would become. Sure, few were as strong as Frieza had once been, but even the most average of arcosians was worth a battalion of troops, maybe more. Not to mention what that would say to the rest of the galaxy if Carambolis could bring arguably the strongest race in the galaxy to heel. To serve the Kabochan Confederacy and write a new path for the species as a whole, one that wasn't soaked in endless blood and innumerable profit solely. "Once we have these planets, I will gift Vegeta back to the Saiyans, as they have gifted me Ikonda and Konats. When the entire East quadrant is brought into the fold alongside with Earth and its systems, our reach will be in every corner of the galaxy. Polaris and his army will have nowhere to run or hide and we will end this war once and for all. People who have never known freedom will know it wholly." And he will have atoned--atoned as much as he could. "I want you all at your very best. Completing your missions, gaining in even more power. Meiku, you're a brilliant mind, but if you could fight half as well as you think, you'd be a force of reckoning on any world," he complimented, "I am going to order a training regimen for you with my bodyguard Duria." He then looked towards Kamui, "You have the power to take Cane as it is, there's no enemy there to oppose you, only that raging ki storm. Stop it, earn your keep and prove your worth. There might be more in it for you than you think." He then looked towards Amatricina, "I know your terms, I won't pretend that I can order you as I do others, so I will state simply: get me what I need to take the Earth without bloodshed. I want a seat at the table with Ches. You say yourself, he's not fit to rule, so lets unseat him already."

---

WC: 1,237 TWC: 3,976

Doctor Kaijin Vex @amatricina Cassava

The Demon Lord gazed out the window, eyes focused on the decrepit husk of the supposedly once grant spectacle of a tree, whose sap yielded almost supernatural rejuvenation properties. She didn't even get to see the leaves, she wondered if they were green as most trees on earth, or red as were the ones of the few species of trees stubborn enough to grow on her home world. Their rocky bark and ashen leaves protected against the extreme heat of her volcanic world. Amatricina's attention was lost on her thoughts of the tree, she only half listened as the others prattled on about some cybernetic race. It seemed Meiku had created a weapon of sorts against them, as was requested. If Carambolis wanted to wipe out a population to expedite conquering them, then it had finally become clear why he had invited the otherwise unassuming earthling woman to this meeting. Between her fascination with the now dead tree and the supposedly restored world of Kabochan, and her apparent gift for technology and research, Amatricina assumed Meiku to be a valued scientist working in service to the Confederacy. It was the only explanation that made any sense to her.

Amatricina's attention shifted back to matters at hand when the Emperor addressed her by name, the others had been discussing this 'Absolute' individual again. She would have to meet him at some point, to see what the others saw in the boy, especially since they continually addressed him as a child. She held no desire to be led by a child, the demoness was over eighteen hundred years old. There was a high probability she was born before Absolut's society first traveled the stars, it certainly felt that way with the pace at which the mortal civilizations tended to wipe each other back into the stone age. The demon smiled when Carambolis mentioned their task on earth, it had been her entire reason for ultimately siding with the Emperor. She nodded her head in agreement, the jewelry and ornate bells that hung from her horns jingling as she did. "I am in complete agreement." She said simply, snapping her fingers as wild crimson fire momentarily covered her form. As it dissipated the demoness had shifted back into her favored mortal guise. A tight red top and black leggings replaced the demoness' usual crimson and gold armor. The demon's normally wild mane of fiery red hair was fashioned into a long braided ponytail that trailed down to the small of her back. Amatricina's great crown of black horns were hidden away, replaced only by a simple black headband. Her armored heels were traded out for black high heels, and the normally ostentatious amount of jewelry the demoness wore was replaced by simple pair of ruby and gold earrings and a matching set of gold bracelets about her wrists. Lastly, Amatricina's normally crimson gaze was exchanged for soft blue eyes. She had long since mastered adopting her human guise at a moment's notice, perhaps a sign she was spending far too much time on earth.

The stunning mortal woman smirked, this had been the form she first met the Emperor with. She had hoped to seduce him, but look where that had gotten her. "Amata Tricina has several contacts within the earthling government, the most notable being the commander of the Venus War Fleet, a human soldier by the name of Joshua." The two had a brief fling in North City, and though the man was somewhat skeptical of the woman, he was none the less enthralled by her beauty. Moreover, he was a capable warrior, malleable, and held a disliking of bureaucrats. The woman quickly shifted back into her true demonic form in a second burst of hellfire, snapping her fingers as she grinned ear to ear. "The weak should serve the strong, or be crushed beneath them. It is an edict my race has followed since we were enkindled by the blaze of the First Flame. I would love nothing better than to see King Ches deposed and despoiled. I care not if he lives or dies, I just want to see the light fade from his eyes as the cretin finally is exposed as the fraud he is." Amatricina licked her lips, already anticipating the terror that would seep from the man like puss from an open wound. "And then Carambolis, the Earth shall be yours. Just find someone who rules with might, not 'rhetoric' or 'compassion' like you told me earthlings do." Amatricina pointed to Meiku, shrugging her shoulders. "Perhaps Meiku here, I assume she is a powerful warrior. She can probably rule over the earthlings on the Emperor's behalf." The demon was only half serious with her suggestion, earthlings all looked the same to her, she just cared that their ruler ruled through strength as a proper leader should. She simple nodded as the Emperor gave her her marching orders. "As you will My Emperor..." came her swift reply.

Amatricina shifted back to silence, listening to Kamui's report on the Planet Cane he been sent to conquer in the Emperor's name. When the cyborg's gaze turned to her, she rubbed at her chin thinking of how best to deal with the Ki storm that ravaged the world. "You have seen my Dark Siphon, but if you think trying to absorb the energy is folly, then so be it. I could conjure a portal to the Demon Realm, but I would have no way to draw the storm into the void, unless the rest of you have a means. Moreover, the act itself is massively taxing, I do not wish to do so without great necessity." Kamui was well aware of how much energy a sufficiently large dimensional rift took to create, he had seen the demon's finest one first hand. She felt a presence push against her mind, at first she assumed it was Carambolis attempting to speak with her telepathically as he had before. To her surprise it was Kamui's voice that flooded her mind, it was not an entirely unwelcomed intrusion.

Fire Demon. Not devil, devils live in Hell. Her mental tone was curt, she was ceaselessly tired of mortals incorrectly associating her kind with the beings that serviced Hell in the Other World. And do not flatter yourself Kamui, so long as I draw breath, the title Strongest in the Universe will one day be mine. But, I'd rather strive towards it alongside you than against you. We can discuss this later, perhaps over training. This warship has a truly impressive number of gravity chambers, I have explored the Omnipotence quite thoroughly. Regardless, I accept your offer, if only to slate my curiosity. We can discuss payment later, perhaps you teach me these damnable psychic powers you mortals all seem to possess... Amatricina did not let her expression change, and let her inner voice drift off. She had said what she needed to, she disliked protracted conversations within her mind. It made her feel out of control of the situation, a feeling she did not like in the least.

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Word Count: 1,195
Total Word Count: 5,226
Cam Cassava Doctor Kaijin Vex

Cam mused on Kamui and Amatricina's words for a moment. They had indeed posed a good question, absorbing a ki storm like that might have been something only he could do--quickly shaking his head, no, there were always multiple solutions to a problem, they just had to see them. "This is your challenge. Killing is easy, if I needed purely killers for my army and what we are, then I would have simply scooped up every Frieza force brigand and paid them a premium for their abilities. We're not just killers. We're healers, we're conquerors, we're installing a new order to everything, one where people won't have to know fear or tyranny unless they're a threat to their fellow men and women. Those beings, well, they get crushed into oblivion," Cam stated as a matter of fact, crushing his hand closed for effect, "Siphon the energy, carefully counter it with your own, perhaps those would work, however I do have something that can assist you in your endeavors. I want you to take on two new crew members." Cam announce to the Frost demon, reaching up to his scouter he pressed a button on the side, "Coca, have the naga brought here, gently please." It took only a moment for his trusted lieutenant to reply, "They're on their way."

Shifting his gaze Amatricina Cam seemed elated, "My my, already sounds like you have an in. I've recently helped defend Earth from an assassination attempt as well. With all of that, this should become an easy task for you. Perhaps after Earth is brought in, we can test your abilities further. You value strength, I value it as well. It would please me to see all of you grow stronger," speaking to Meiku then, "As for your arcane abilities, if you wish to hone them with me, I won't say no. Duria is a good trainer day in and day out, he's even learned to channel something close to a super saiyans abilities, though it is somehow... Different," Cam murmured, "I've seen a few different transformations the Saiyans have, Oozaru, Super Saiyan, a legendary super Saiyan, this is altogether something different. I'm sure he'd take a challenge from any or all of you." He remarked then, tossing the idea out that perhaps the trio could fight Duria as a unit. Perhaps it would be fair then, underestimating his bodyguard would be a fatal mistake in most cases.

Though then Meiku spoke of an heir, something he hadn't exactly expected, but it wasn't entirely an unwelcoming notion, "Ah, you taking over should things go sour?" he paused, in his minds eye trying to imagine the kind of leader that Meiku could be, her clothing more regal, her hair styled and skin and nails manicured and taken care of, he for a moment, imagined the human as an Empress, a hand coming up to touch the red jewel around his neck, imagining it around hers, the thought had a certain enticing appeal to it, it didn't hurt that the Emperor was surrounded by so many beautiful beings, though Kamui perhaps didn't fit that bill anymore, he was battle scarred and rugged in his own way. "I just don't care to see what I work for fall apart if things go to their worst outcome. If you would take on that mantle in that event, I would accept that as would my people, all you'd need to do is claim this," he pointed to the jewel around his neck, "It's known as the Emperor's blood amulet. The wearer is the Emperor of Kabocha, the king, the ruler of all there. No ifs, ands, or buts. If I were to put it on you now the loyalty I receive from my men would be the loyalty you would receive."

He neglected to mention of course that the amulet was demonic in nature, Amatricina had revealed that little detail, he wondered suddenly if it had magic within it--it certainly felt otherworldy, perhaps it could compel others to serve and obey? After all, the Kabochan Confederacy and the Crusher Corp. had never once had any great acts of dissenting voices or mutinies, and mercenaries were fickle creatures, yet they followed him, he assumed because he paid well and always found a good fight for his men to participate in, plus it wasn't like they were fighting for a cause that would force them to do horrendous acts or crimes against humanity.

It was then the Naga had been brought in.



Two of them, unlike the other species of planet Cane the Caneans, Naga had no legs, only a hard armored scaled torso that melded into a stout, strong serpent tail, flecks of rust red and cobalt blue made up their scales which glinted and shined in the light of the monitors among the bridge. Duria and Scald escorted the pair, along with four other armed soldiers. The each had a collar around their necks, "Well, I had wondered who had taken us," apparently this was the first time they had seen Carambolis, "Ha'ta, Simmer," Cam stated their names, "Kamui, you would know these two as the voices in that prison that antagonized you. These are Naga. The second species of planet Cane. They are few in number, these might even be the last two, who knows?" the Emperor stated, "They live millenia at a time. They should be of some use, able to tell you how the storm started, they are to serve you, be careful though," their power is great. Flourishing a hand, his psychic powers snapped the collars that had been suppressing the brother's powers. Immediately their was a surge, well into the seventy thousands from each of them, "Ahaha!" Ha'ta laughed, he was the darker scaled of the two, more cobalt blue on his scales than rust red, lifting a palm an energy orb formed, aimed directly at Cam, "Time to die kabochan!--Augh!" Duria had sidled up right beside them, and with a simple manuever he gut punched Ha'ta, the energy channeled dissipating as quickly as it had come. Simmer gave a low, humming laugh, "That was foolish brother. We're no longer prisoners, we're guests. Lets act like it." Cam tapped his nose before pointing at the other Naga. "Indeed. You'd be dead if it weren't my orders that pulled you from that prison, so lets not forget that shall we?"

---

WC: 1,070 TWC: 5,046

Doctor Kaijin Vex Cassava @amatricina

Amatricina merely shrugged at Meiku's response to her suggestion she rule the earth. The demon did not truly care which earthling held dominion over the planet, so long as they were a capable warrior and ruled through force. So long as the new King of the Earth fit those criteria, and the weakling craven Ches made to suffer for his insolence, she was content. She dryly listened to bits and pieces of the conversation between the others, only half paying attention as her thoughts drifted back to the Tree of Might, or rather the now dead Husk of Might. Ideally she would be rid of this meeting, free to wander the ship at her leisure and travel down to Kabochan to study the giant flora in peace. Carambolis said something though that caught her interest. 'We're installing a new order to everything, one where people won't have to know fear or tyranny unless they're a threat to their fellow men and women.' She couldn't help but laugh to herself at the words, letting out a soft sigh and shaking her head at the rosy optimism. Did the Emperor forget in that moment with whom he consorted? He was free to be as blindly optimistic as he liked, Amatricina had no intention of changing her demonic ways. She rolled her eyes at such naivety, but deigned to speak up on the matter. It was the Emperor's council, not hers, and while she

The demon grinned as the Emperor showed off his amulet. Her own hung clasped around her neck. His was the artifact of a Demon Lord, the symbol of power to the once mighty demon clan that had enthralled his race. Hers was a family heirloom, passed down from one generation of Warlord to the next, all the way back to when the First Flame placed it upon the next of his mightiest creation in the first generation of Fire Demons. She found it humorous how a man seeking to unite peoples great and small from across the stars wore the amulet of powerful, and likely very dead demon as his badge of office. Were he not as powerful as he was, she'd have long since considered reclaiming it for a more 'rightful' owner, namely her, specifically a glass case in her castle archives. But, things were not that simple, so Amatricina let this one slide.

Kamui began to speak of his plans for this ki storm that ravaged the Planet Cane. He seemed to believe himself up for the apparently daunting task, going into great detail about his plans. Amatricina nodded along in silent agreement, listening as the cyborg illustrated his varying techniques that would be used to remove the hurdle from their way. "So between your Siphons and my Dimensional Rift, that is a great deal of ki needed to do so. As Kamui has seen, it takes a phenomenal amount of normal ki for me to create a stable portal of significant size. Depending on how big his 'condensed psychic ball of energy' ends up being, I could opt for a smaller rift... which would be preferable. Once in the Demon Realm the energy will simply be converted to Dark Energy in time, as most errant energy is." Amatricina debated summoning some of her siblings to assist in the matter, but she alone was in service to Carambolis. The fire demon had little desire to bring more of her siblings into the equation, helpful as they may be. She did not even remember if she had told the Emperor of her vast number of kin... though Kamui had seen the eldest three of her younger siblings.

She raised an eyebrow when the hideous serpent creatures were brought force. While the demon admired some facets of their appearance, their size, physical prowess, and colorful scales, she found their overall forms too bestial and savage for her tastes. The demon mused on how the race would make fine demons in another life, poisoned fangs biting through armor as thick powerful tails crushed the life from her foes. Amatricina was slightly saddened to hear these Naga were few in numbers, her early dreams of a new vassal race within her clan dead on arrival. They certainly were lively, ill tempered creatures. Were she in Cam's shoes she'd have torn off one's head and forced the other to watch. The surviving one would at least be more compliant.

It seemed these Naga were to be granted a chance at freedom, press ganged into Kamui's warship's crew. It was an odd turn of events, though Amatricina admitted to herself she did not begin to know the half events between the Emperor and her fellow compatriots. Her time in the mortal realm was predominantly spent on Earth, and now Styx. The landscape of her bargain with the Kabochan was ever changing, as if she had been caught in an ever growing web of alliances and promises. One man stood at the heart of it all, and she was looking directly at him. She felt compelled to speak to the Naga siblings on their behalf. "For what it is worth, Ha'ta and Simmer..." She stated simply, shifting restlessly in her seat. "Lieutenant Solaris fancies himself an honorable commander, he holds the safety, opinion, and companionship of his subordinates and crew in high regards. Be thankful he has extended such a merciful and generous offer to you, you would do well to accept it. Were I the one doing so, you would have no say in the matter. You'd be press ganged into indentured service, or forced into the front lines of combat as little better than cannon fodder. If you believe me a liar, there is a recently depopulated planet by the name of Styx that will attest to my statements." With that Amatricina let out a loud sigh, returning to quiet observation.

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Word Count: 991
Total Word Count: 8,217
Cam Cassava Doctor Kaijin Vex