The five irangel leaders sat in the center of the conference room at Mirror Castle. The Iredescent Ruler and the Phoenix were seated among them, with Nend in between Cole and Demian, and Raistin in between Valerie and Civic. Peridot chose to attend, seated beside Stripes.

The entire wall was a window that displayed the magnificence of the city Auraglen. The weather was cloudy with no sun, a winter blessed with the beauty of holographic snowflakes that danced like ballerinas, leaping down from the glittering purple sky and descending softly amid the city lights.

The Black Rose was adorned in a royal purple dress with purple-edged black roses cascading down one shoulder and around her dress. A winter coat that looked like it was made of black rose petals, held together with a metallic purple clasp edged in silver, draped over the dress.

The men were dressed in sleek purple suits with black glitter in shape of roses. Though dressed alike, each of the men and woman were in contrast with each other.

Cole had a blue handkerchief in his suit pocket. Nend was wearing his glittery purple gemstone crown. Demian's shoulders were adorned with sprigs of forest green pine tied with black ribbon. Valerie was adorned with black roses on her dress and in her long, dark red hair. Raistin placed his own flames on his black suit, carefully weaving the flames within his suit. Civic was wearing stylish gold earrings that matched his wings. Stripes held a book in his hand. Peridot wore apricot and teal clothing with a champagne gold brooch.

Because the sun was hidden behind the clouds, Civic's molten gold wings were like the sun, blinding the camera with every flash. Demian's wings were like mirrors, reflecting the gorgeous scenery and lighting. To deflect the gold flash and silver reflection, Valerie's black rose wings caught the golden flash of Civic's wings and the mirrored shine of Demian's wings, entrapping them in a sparkly blitz of purple and black.

As the camera adjusted to the flash, shine, and sparkle, Demian began to speak, saying words that astonished people on planet Earth and planet Iredescent.

"As you all know and are aware, irangels have moved to planet Iredescent. We live among the Iredescent people as former humans who have turned into Iredescents. Before, no human has ever resided on planet Iredescent. However, irangels are permitted to live on planet Iredescent. The creation of irangels bridged the distant gap between Earth and Iredescent. Now it is time to solidify that bridge.

"As of today, the irangel leaders, including myself, Demian Daggers, Cole Matthews, Stripes Carven, Civic Acuratno, and Valerie Céliy, along with the wise counsel of Nend Nyssi, the current Ruler of Iredescent, Peridot Shodi, the former Ruler of Iredescent, and Raistin Fenice, the Phoenix and the Protector of Iredescent, have decided to allow communication between planet Iredescent and planet Earth for the first time in history.

"Iredescent has silently watched Earth from a distance, since before the time of the ancient Greeks. Iredescents have seen how selfish greed and corruption affected humans, and how quick they are to think of profit over what actually matters.

"We Iredescents are giving you one chance, and one chance only. Screw up, and we will forever close off communication and contact with our planet. For the longest time, humans have been forbidden to even see a glimpse of what our planet looks like. Wonder no more, for you are about to finally see the glimpse so many have longed to see and could only dream of."

After introducing each irangel, the camera cut back to Demian, who gave the floor to the Iredescents.

"I, Nend Nyssi, the current Ruler of Iredescent, approve the decision."

"I, Peridot Shodi, the former Ruler of Iredescent, approve the decision."

"As do I," said Raistin, smiling like a movie star as he waved excitedly on camera. "To the German governments who are well acquainted with me, Grüße von Iredescent! Raistin Fenice, former ambassador of planet Vasya, now Iredescent's forever guardian. Peace out."

And the camera reel ended.

The irangel leaders stood, joining the rest of the irangels as they awaited the first response from planet Earth. It came from the Polish government, the same government Tori worked for.

"All of this started because of our file," said an elected spokesperson in a crisp tan suit. "We are forever responsible for unintentionally influencing Tori Nichok to bridge the gap between our human kind and your Iredescent kind. Tori's creation of the irangel race is the biggest alteration in the history of mankind. For a human to turn into an Iredescent, an alien race previously unknown to mankind, is perhaps the biggest carve of legacy she created."

"It certainly is," Cole replied gravely. "We are forever grateful for that legacy because it not only changed our own lives, but also the lives of millions on both planets."

"You mean over millions of lives on both planets," Raistin said pointedly.

Cole gave him a look. "Everyone knows what I mean, right? Forget math today."

"Actually – " Raistin started to say when Tereza touched his arm, shaking her head slightly. Raistin dropped whatever he was going to say and let it go.

Demian smiled quietly at them. His attention returned to the Polish government, who clearly felt responsible for the way things turned out. Cole assured them that despite Tori going darkside, it turned out good in the end.

The Polish government said, "Though the incident atop Aerospace Station Nieznane that caused the deaths of ten humans and six irangels is not nor ever will be forgotten, as long as there is no hostility from your kind, we will allow communication between your kind and our kind. We do not, however, allow your kind in our country unless under strict delegation approved by our authorities."

Cole responded to the Polish government, saying, "We will not visit your country without permission, and we will let you know should the need ever arise. The Aerospace Station Nieznane has become a global landmark as well as an important past event involving humans and irangels. We assure you such an incident will never occur again."

"Should it ever, we will not hesitate to do everything within our power to handle it on our terms," the Polish government retorted.

A seasoned but good-natured gentleman from the German government decided to intervene, speaking in German, "I remember you, Raistin Fenice. You and I had quite a discussion regarding my country's failed attempts to send ships to planet Iredescent."

"Good to hear from you, William Nieuten! I recall an exciting high-speed car chase in Prague," Raistin said, grinning at the memory. "That was one of the best times I've had on your planet."

"Not me," Tereza muttered, remembering it full well. Tereza was the passenger and Raistin was the driver of a luxurious black Lexus car as they evaded pursuit. It was the night they revealed themselves to humans as the Iredescent and the Phoenix.

The telepaths, Demian and Cydtin, understood the familiarity between Raistin and the German government official after seeing the memory of the car chase in Raistin's thoughts.

William Nieuten was good friends with Raistin and Tereza. He had spoken on their behalf to the German government. Willian steadily maintained good terms, being a mediator between the humans and the Iredescents. He was the one who kept trying to establish peace, preventing war from breaking out.

Borsok Brüggemann was the man who kept sending Earth ships to planet Iredescent in a mission led by Sciattle Cleayr. Even after Irina Acai, the Ruler of Iredescent Past, came to Earth and talked with the government officials in person, Borsok still sent out ships until Irina had him surrender and give up.

Borsok, mastyer nosochki, Cydtin told Valerie in an aside, speaking telepathically to her in Russian.

A few iriseconds passed before the two left quickly. Neither irangel was able to hold back the peal of laughter, so they hurried to go off camera before the eruption of laughter could cause a potential misunderstanding.

It was because Cydtin said, "Borsok, the master of socks" in Russian. Borsok was very similar to the Russian word nosok meaning sock. Nosochki was the affectionate plural term for socks. In other words, Cydtin called Borsok 'the master of socks'.

Demian put up a serious face, collecting himself and trying his best to stifle his own silent laughter, unlike Cydtin and Valerie who had to go into another room.

Ironically, it was the Russian government that spoke next. "This is truly a wonderful event to finally be able to see an alien planet. You can be sure we will do nothing to damage relations between humans and Iredescents, at least us Russians won't."

Cydtin and Valerie returned as several other world governments spoke with the irangels. It was well over an hour by the time the discussions were over and the communication reel ended.

Soon as they were off camera and the film crew left, Raistin rose and stretched, saying happily, "Wow, we made history today! Great work, irangels!"

"Cheers!" said Desmond, holding up a glass of tonquels. It was a popular Iredescent alcohol that tasted like champagne. It was light pale yellow with shimmery gold sparkles reminiscent of sunlight.

Raistin glanced curiously at him. "Dude, it's too early to drink. Set your glass down and celebrate the morning in a better way."

"Yeah, with me," said Cloridy, winking at Desmond.

Raistin shook his head incredulously. "Whatever, guys. I'll be hanging out with the mature ones here. Oh, and get ready for a party at noon. The communication initiation was a success, so we've got to celebrate!"

Luciu rolled his eyes and shook his head at the mention of a party. "Let me guess, you're hosting it, again," Luciu said dully to Raistin, who cheerfully confirmed, "Right on, irangel dude!"

"That's like the fourth party we've had since we got here," Amanda remarked in surprise. "Is our life on Iredescent just gonna be a nonstop party?"

"Stars, I hope not," Luciu groaned, disliking parties due to the alcohol, loud noise, boisterous activity, and scantily clad people in crowded areas. Though Iredescent parties were stylish and elegant, with glamorous music and shimmery food, it was still loud and noisy, with attention and sparkles galore.

"Raistin's Phoenix fire never ceases to amaze me," Stripes commented, watching the Phoenix set off fireworks, releasing them as firelit sparklers that expanded in the morning sky, appearing vivid purple and orange. The Phoenix fire burned through the falling snow, turning the dusty snowflakes into burnt crystals.

Black roses danced upward, spiraling around the Phoenix fire. Raistin turned around and smiled when he saw Valerie had decided to join him in a spectacular display of power.

Together, the Phoenix and the Black Rose expanded the fire and black roses all over the planet, not just in Auraglen. The fire formed into roses linked with sparklers, self-made by the Phoenix. The fire and black roses touched the ceiling of Iredescent's atmosphere, hovering just on the border of outer space where the Phoenix roamed endlessly for millennia.

For a moment, Valerie saw a glimpse of Raistin's past, as Demian used the connection to share what he saw in the Phoenix's mind.

Images of many different Iredescent people, men and women, flashed like a series of photoshoots, one after another. Each one was a Black Rose from Iredescent Past. More images appeared as Raistin clearly remembered the inevitable death of each Black Rose.

Each Black Rose and connected had a different ability. Each one had a different death. Some were quick and merciful, others not so quick and merciful. It was a story that repeated itself every ninety years, a story of an immortal fight with darkness.

An uncomfortable feeling crept through Demian at the mention of darkness, an alien entity murked in mystery, cloaked in unmistakable hate aimed towards the Black Rose. He had sensed this darkness that seemed to activate upon his arrival on planet Iredescent.

It wasn't just our Iredescent abilities that amplified, Demian realized, dreading the awakened darkness he knew very little about. He tried to gleam more information from the Phoenix's mind, but Raistin sharply cut off the painful past memories, refocusing on the present, and continuing his hope for a better future.

Valerie glanced at Demian from across the room, both irangels astonished by the memories they had seen in Raistin's mind. As the Phoenix proceeded with his fire display, the Black Rose and her connected sensed that the Phoenix felt he was trying to make amends for a past mistake, and that he was genuinely glad for the friendship with the current Black Rose.

A friendship that had not been formed with several previous Black Roses.

The stunned solemness was interrupted when Viraj elbowed Demian, saying, "Desmond sure likes to party. Don't you think he's had one too many drinks?"

Demian looked to where Desmond was holding a glass of tonquels. His eyes widened when he realized it was his fourth glass.

"He's already drunk," Demian murmured, reading the incoherent gibberish that was dancing around in Desmond's mind.

Cydtin shook his head pitifully. "Desmond, Desmond."

"Yeah, see, this is another reason why I don't do parties," said Luciu, tossing a distasteful glance as Desmond came over, nearly splashing his glass of tonquels. "How is it fun to get drunk and lose control of yourself?"

"Hi guys!" Desmond said, his voice slurred. "Have you seen my dazzling Cloridy?"

"Dazzling?" Stripes repeated, astounded by the peculiar word.

"Yup, he's definitely drunk," said Amanda, shaking her head. "What are we going to do with you, Desmond?"

Viraj took the champagne glass from Desmond and set it on a nearby table. "You've clearly had one too many drinks."

There was only one person who wasn't in a celebratory mood. Her thoughts strayed from the glamour and sparkle, feeling hurt and resentful each time Demian looked at Valerie, while ignoring the woman he called girlfriend.

The ignorance came to an end when Demian met Ariel's eyes, seeing the pain in them as he finally looked at her for the first time that day.

Cydtin warningly placed a hand on Demian's shoulder, alarmed after learning how he intended to end the pain. Don't, Cydtin said sternly, but Demian removed his hand and began walking towards Ariel, prepared to break up with her so he could recommit himself to Valerie.

His footsteps faltered when he suddenly heard a second heartbeat within the same person. Demian's black leather shoes came to a hard stop on the glittery marble floor, his heart sinking upon a new realization.

Ariel is pregnant with my child.

There is no way he could break up with her now. It would be morally wrong to leave her, now that a child was involved. He had become a father, and he needed to take on that responsibility.

Sparkling stars. Of all the swirling galaxies. Glistening dewdrops. Glittering roses....

The expletives ended when Ariel turned and walked away, heading towards Civic at the dessert table.

Demian seized her hand, but Ariel pushed him away, refusing his touch. "I'm done with you, Demian. I'm done with the pain, the hurt, the jealousy, the turmoil. I'll be with Civic, and you'll be with Valerie. The one you truly love."

"I can't." Genuine pain saturated Demian's words, and he began to shake. "You're pregnant, Ariel."

Doubt arose, even as Ariel shot back, "I don't believe you."

But she believed him when Demian telepathically sent her the memory of the sound of two heartbeats from a few minutes ago.

Cydtin left discreetly, headed for the nearest bathroom.

Ariel couldn't move, a storm of thoughts keeping her frozen in place. Even when Demian slowly walked forward, carrying the weight of a heartbreak.

"Instead of one heartbeat, I hear two heartbeats. One is yours....the other is our child's."

Ariel didn't know whether to scream or cry, feeling as though her life had stopped at a standstill. For once, she had no words.

Demian's voice broke through the deafening silence, like the few drops of rain before a heavy storm.

"I wasn't careful, and neither were you. It is too late." Demian gently took hold of Ariel's hand, his next words filled with promise. "However, the pain ends today. From now on, I will hold you and our child in my gaze."

Because it is your responsibility now, your obligation. Not your desire.

Demian sighed. "It is a good thing you refrained from drinking alcohol, choosing fruit juice instead."

Ariel didn't smile, didn't move. It was simply further confirmation that her life was no longer that of freedom, but of responsibility. Her life was no longer her own. Even things like food and diet were to be dictated upon the coming arrival of a new living being.

A child born of an irangel would be an Iredescent. If a human and an irangel had a child, the child would always be Iredescent, since Iredescent n-r element and blood naturally overtook human blood and elements.

Demian tenderly held Ariel, holding back the tears that threatened to cascade like a waterfall. He was surprised when Ariel finally spoke, her voice like cold, solid stone.

"But you love Valerie. More than you ever loved me."

"Yes," Demian admitted, trying unsuccessfully to prevent tears from surfacing in his eyes. "But I cannot abandon you. It wouldn't be right." He sighed heavily, taking on the emotional turmoil that began to surround him.

Ariel looked up into his eyes, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Will you try to love me?"

Demian held her gaze, even as the alien darkness stirred, moved by this unexpected turn of events. The connection hissed, trying to force him towards Valerie, but Demian kissed Ariel, accepting her request. Though he wanted to cry, Demian knew he needed to stay with Ariel, resisting his passionate desire for Valerie.

The alien darkness quieted, and the connection faded to silence. But Demian knew it wouldn't be long before he would lose control of something worse than temptation. He clung to Ariel, needing to hold onto this temporary slice of freedom for as long as he could, before the alien darkness threatened to take it away.

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Music:

"We Like to Party (twoloud Remix)"
by Showtek

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