[AUTHOR NOTE: Slight spoiler. I know many, if not most, of you were hoping that the MC would meet Gunlovergirl and were disappointed when it didn't happen. So I'm sure you will be happy to hear that I am in the middle of writing her first true appearance in the story.]
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The capital city of Fenix Nest was bustling with activity and filled with far more people than you would normally expect to find. This was because of Empress Revi's announcement that White Dragon Tephe would be visiting the Ashes Galaxy and a grand celebration to welcome her would be held.
"I can't get over how busy the capital has become all of a sudden," An elderly looking phoenix said to his friend as they sat outside a cafe drinking together.
"It's not surprising, ever since Empress Revi announced that White Dragon Tephe will be visiting the Ashes Galaxy and that a grand celebration to welcome her would be held, people from all over the galaxy have been flocking to the planet and, in particular, the capital in hopes of seeing her," The friend replied.
"White Dragon Tephe might not be the same white dragon that saved us alongside the black knight during the Siege of Fenix Nest, but many of us still hope to honour her out of respect," The elder added.
They continued to watch people bustle around the city while merchants took the chance to set up stalls and sell their wares, while other people who lived in the city just went about their daily lives.
Suddenly, a large shadow was cast over the city, causing several people to look up before they gasped in shock and said, "What on Fenix Nest?"
As those near them heard their exclamation, they looked up and exclaimed in shock as they saw several ships which obviously belonged to the Phoenix Space Force flanking an unknown ship as they all descended out of the sky towards the city.
"What is going on?"
"Why are so many P S F ships flanking that one ship?"
"Do you think it tried to sneak in and they caught it?"
"It's possible, but I doubt they would send so many ships after just one lone ship."
"Don't be so sure, you know how strict access rights are to the homeworld, especially regarding ships that are allowed to enter the atmosphere."
"It kind of looks like an honour guard," The old phoenix remarked as he looked up from where he sat outside the cafe.
"Agreed, I haven't witnessed one since the former emperor's funeral procession," His friend replied.
"Are you two old timers sure? I mean, who could be worthy of an honour guard, especially one that descends towards the homeworld's surface?"
"There is only one person that springs to mind right now," The old timer replied with an excited look.
"You think she's finally arrived?" His friend asked.
"I do," The old timer replied before adding, "White Dragon Tephe has arrived."
As soon as he spoke those words, the news seemed to spread like wildfire and it wasn't long until what seemed like the entire planet knew that for the first time since the Siege of Fenix Nest, a white dragon had arrived.
"This is the Ashes Galaxy branch of USNN interrupting the scheduled broadcast to bring you breaking news.
"We have received unconfirmed reports that White Dragon Tephe has arrived on Fenix Nest.
Mere moments ago, USNN received footage of what appears to be the Phoenix Space Force performing an honour guard for another ship.
This ship has been confirmed to be the one that White Dragon Tephe was reportedly travelling on; however, neither the government or palace have yet to make any official announcement regarding who is on the ship.
Stay tuned to USNN as we continue to bring you live updates surrounding this story."
"What the fuck is this?" How can they already be here? Were they not supposed to be heading to Aqua Primus first?" Eight asked in shock as she stared at the news report on the holographic screen before her.
"How is it possible for their ship to travel from Sector Seventeen to Sector Eight in such a short time? Even using the jump gates, that's impossible.
Shit, I haven't even started to formulate a plan on how to go about assassinating Diva Lorelie since I did not expect her to arrive so suddenly."
Eight tapped her leg as she tried to think of a solution while she continued to stare at the holographic screen that was showing the honour guard.
"This could actually work out in my favour. The report I read on that ship notes that it is highly advanced and Seventeen's plan to hire the Noir family to steal it failed.
If I can get my hands on it, then that pretty much guarantees me a promotion."
As she finished thinking out loud, Eight started to contact some of her people.
"Wow, how formal," Lorelie remarked as the group looked out of the mess hall windows at a few of the PSF ships that were flying beside Spector.
"I never expected this when you agreed to come pick up Revi," Rowena remarked.
"Neither did I," Adam replied before continuing. "I just expected to spend the day here touring the city before leaving for Aqua Primus. No one said anything about an honour guard."
"It seems like Empress Revi has more than an honour guard planned," Aphrodte suddenly said.
"What do you mean?" Rowena asked.
"Take a look at Xer-verse, there is a topic on there discussing a celebration the Phoenix race will be holding to welcome White Dragon Tephe," Aphrodite replied in amusement.
"A celebration? For me?" Tephe asked as she pointed at herself while Maya stared at the ships through the window.
"First a celebration for Lorelie and now one for Tephe," Stacey remarked.
"What's wrong? Jealous that you're not getting a celebration of your own?" Lorelie teased as she shot Stacey a smirk.
"Hardly," Stacey scoffed
"Why didn't Revi tell us about this?" Adam wondered aloud.
"Either she planned to make it a surprise, or the more likely reason is that she came up with the idea after you agreed to come pick her up," Rowena replied.
"True, it would be hard for her to keep a celebration honouring Tephe secret, considering how much the Phoenix race reveres white dragons," Eri remarked.
"I am amazing after all," Tephe boasted proudly.
"You know it's the white dragon that helped them during the Siege of Fenix Nest that they revere and not you, right?" Stacey asked with a teasing smirk.
"Of course, I know that, that white dragon was me after all," Tephe replied while pouting
"Well, they don't know that," Stacey replied while pointing out of the window before adding, "As far as most people are concerned, you're two different dragons."
"Some people know the truth, they've just decided not to release that information for whatever reason," Lorelie said in a consoling tone.
"Wow!" Emma suddenly said, attracting everyone's attention as she stared down at the city below that had just come into view.
"So that's Fenix Nest's capital city," Eri remarked.
"Looks far cleaner and more impressive compared to the last time I saw it," Adam remarked with a smile.
The group continued to stare over the city until the honour guard departed as Spector began its approach to the docking bay and touched down.
"Took you long enough," Revi said happily as she saw Adam and the others disembark from Spector.
"Revi!" Tephe said happily as she ran forward and hugged her friend.
"Hello goddaughter," Revi teased.
"Bah," Tephe pouted while gently hitting Revi before smiling at her happily.
"This must be Maya," Revi remarked as she observed the Levithen that sat atop Tephe's head.
Maya blinked and stared back at the new, unfamiliar woman.
"It's been a while, Revi," Adam said with a smile.
"Yeah, two thousand years," Revi remarked as she turned to Adam with a smile, confusing those who had joined her in order to welcome them.
"Phoenix Empress," Lorelie, Rowena, Stacey, Aphrodite and Eri all said while bowing slightly as Emma just watched on with interest.
"Enough of that, we are all friends here, just address me by my name," Revi said as she smiled at them.
"Empress, I'm not sure that's appropriate," One of the phoenixes who stood behind Revi said. However, Revi just ignored him and turned to Emma before saying.
"So you're Emma, I never expected to meet another Earthling other than Adam."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. We have interacted a few times in Adam's chat," Emma replied.
Revi smiled at Emma before saying, "Indeed, I look forward to discussing a few things with you."
"Err, sure," Emma replied in surprise as she didn't know what Revi would want to discuss with her.
"So what's the deal with this celebration?" Adam asked.
"I thought it would be fun after you mentioned how Aqua Primus was planning to hold one for Lorelie," Revi replied happily.
"You sure you didn't just want to avoid a certain someone, thinking that you had been outdone by the leader of another planet?" Rowena asked while flashing her signature smirk as Aphrodite chuckled.
Revi ignored the pair of mischievous divas as she said, "This hangar bay isn't exactly the ideal place for us to talk and catch up, so why don't you all follow me?"
"Sure," Adam replied with a nod and as Revi turned, a polite cough was suddenly heard, attracting everyone's attention.
Revi rolled her eyes before saying, "But first introductions."