"I am your grandfather, Violet. Auroa's blood connects us; I have been keeping watch over you from a distance. I wanted to reach out to you on this special day and offer my support and guidance."

"Grandpa, why are you here now? I don't even know who my dad is."

"Violet, enter the portal and embrace the power that lies beyond. Your father, Auroa, gave his life for a better cause. I am here to carry out my duty as your grandfather. Together, we can unlock your true potential and shape your destiny."

Violet enters the vortex without thinking twice and is carried right into the center of Rare's palace, where he sits atop a massive throne. With a menacing grin, Rare welcomed Violet.

 “For your 16th birthday, I present you with a gift.” Rare darkly chuckled. “This exquisite charm will amplify your magical potential.”

Rare summoned a pendant in the shape of a black heart with a wave of his palm.

"This is the Enchanting Heart Locket," Rare proclaimed. "It's a cute little item that holds the spirit of six poor souls who are dying to ruin the world. All they need is a container to carry out your will."

Rare went on as Violet stared at the pendant with a black heart.

"Place it on, and you'll become the Mistress of Shadows. With this have the ability to control and mold the shadows with your hands."

Violet remarked, "Mistress of Shadows, huh? I like the sound of that," as she imagined herself sitting on a stately throne.

She became even more excited as she saw the wonderful locket, but Rare, still hiding behind his devious smile, spoke on.

"It seems that you have a desire to destroy someone named Miyu. Is that right?" Rare asked.

Violet's expression brightened and she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! That Miyu thinks she's so perfect, always showing off in front of June. I want to put her in her place!"

"That's great. You can use this locket to make Miyu regret coming across you. But first, child, allow me to tell you a little bit about your father, Auroa."

Violet's eyes gleamed with interest as she leaned in, wanting to know more. Rare, clutching the photo Violet was holding, recounted his false story as he patted Violet on the head, behaving like the loving grandfather she thought him to be.

"Auroa was one of my most valiant warriors. A demon lord with immense strength in battle, but even the mighty can lose, and he met his demise at the hands of Miyu's parents," Rare said at the outset.

Rare then went on telling his story with a feigned sadness in his voice.

"That day was dark for me, Violet. Auroa's defeat hurt me much. In my sorrow and rage, I attacked Starlight City to exact revenge. I sealed Miyu's parents away to make sure they could never be a threat again. It was the only comfort I could find in the loss of my darling son."

As Rare continued to weave his web of deception, Violet paid close attention, taking in every word.

"So that's why I hate Miyu," Violet yelled, her feelings stoked by Rare's made-up story. "I never really got along with her at first. And suddenly everything makes sense!"

Rare stood up from his seat and said, "Now follow me, I wish to show you more."

She proceeds with Rare to a different area of his stronghold. Rare was in a beautiful room with sumptuous furniture when he reached out to Violet.

"I will fulfill all of your wishes if you decide to submit to the powers of shadow and embrace the darkness. You could have this princess-worthy room all to yourself."

"Really, Grandpa?" Violet let out a gasp.

"Yes, all you need to do is make sure the Four Seisos are defeated. Let the demons in the Enchanting Heart Locket free themselves and begin collecting Celestial Essence. The secret to removing the thing that keeps me in the city is this essence."

Violet then made her way to the balcony, where she stared at the blood-red moon that was illuminating the Starlight City ruins with a sinister glow. Violet couldn't help but smile and feel warm as Rare took care of her, granting all of her wishes. Vinerva observed from the shadows, jealous and envious of the rich surroundings as she basked in them.

"What a fraud he is!" Vinerva hides in the shadows and mutters beneath her breath. "I never saw this kind of love from Father." What makes her special?"

Rare leaned near to Violet as Vinerva kept watching.

"But keep in mind, Violet...This needs to stay our little secret. It may be disastrous if anyone finds out, particularly your mother. Can I have faith in you to not tell anyone about this?"

"Yes, anything. I'm not into leaking people's private information. Please don't stop giving out the gifts." Violet shrugged casually in response.

"Very well, dear. "Until next time," Rare said, letting Violet pass through a dark doorway.

She smiled deviously as she passed through, disappearing into her room and out of the mysterious stronghold. No sign of the extraterrestrial encounter remained as the dark hole closed. Violet rolled her eyes and responded in a way that was characteristic of a teenage girl heading back to her bed.

"Yeah…whatever, Gramps. Not that I'm going to announce it on the roof, or anything. It's just some stupid secret, geez."

Violet glanced up her smartphone and saw a June text. She was reminded by the message that they were supposed to meet at the skate park at 7:00 p.m. She glanced at the time and saw that it was nearly seven. She was grounded, but a rush of enthusiasm and will drove her to sneak out and join June.

"Sorry, Mom, but June is waiting." Violet grinned mischievously to herself, whispering, "I can't let him down on our secret rendezvous."

With her chest thumping with the excitement of defiance, she stealthily left her home. The timer approached the prearranged meeting time of 7:00 p.m. Violet's thoughts was racing with anticipation as she slyly made her way through the dimly lighted neighborhoods as the sun began to fall. When her smartphone beeped in her pocket, she reached in to retrieve a text message from June.

"At 7:00, head to the skate park! Don't be late!"

She accelerated her pace, a cheeky smile playing on her lips. She was determined because the skate park wasn't far away and she was excited about the upcoming night. When she got to the skate park, she slipped behind some bushes and watched June and his buddies. She was shocked to see how many girls encircled June, trying to make small talk and give him presents. Violet watched from the shadows, and her jealousy burned.

June says with a smile, "Well, thanks, but I'm not really into all this stuff."

He attempted to politely decline the gifts.

"June, please, this is just a small present. Come on." The determined girls persisted in their efforts, thinking that you may find it interesting.

  June was clearly uncomfortable as the gaggle of girls continues to bother him.

"We ought to go out together!"Said another girl.

“I apologize; perhaps next time. In fact, I'm waiting on someone.”

Violet tightened her hands and murmured to herself while hidden in the shadows.

"Just wait till they see what I can do with it." Violet laughed as she started to activate the locket.

A chorus of women's voices burst from the locket the instant Violet turned it on. In a disorganized symphony, the six demons—each with a unique personality—started introducing themselves.

"Unleash me! I'll take to the skies and wreck havoc from above!The spunky and impetuous winged demon, Vespera, yelled.

"Avoid being stupid! Let me loose, and I'll strategically transform this place into a battlefield," shot back Orzvah, the sly, strong demon with a large jousting blade.

“Oh, sweetheart, pick me! Meow!” Rubylyn purred. "I'll enchant them into submission with my captivating gemstone eyes," murmured the charming and cunning gemstone cat demon.”

"Stop playing these games! Release me, and my enormous strength will crush our enemies.” The ferocious and hostile ogre, Rashina, growled.

"Now let's have some fun!" Purluna, the lively and mischievous wolf demon, giggled. "If you summon me, we can unleash a whirlwind of playful chaos and turn their world upside down."

"Silence, you fools." Freesia, the mysterious Ice Witch, murmured, "Free me, and I'll cast a cold darkness that will freeze their very souls."

Violet was caught in the midst of the tumultuous introduction of the demons, uncertain which one to unleash first to create the ideal pandemonium, while they quarreled amongst themselves.

"Enough already! Let me think!," Violet snapped.

After a short while, Violet looked around her, her eyes darting all over the park to find something appropriate to call Vespera. She peered among the objects and saw a chic pink purse with spiky fur that had been left next to a bench.

"Vespera! You are my choice!" She held the purse high and declared with resolve. As the shadowy force whirled around, Vespera materialized, dramatically unfurling her wings.

"At last, an individual possessing style," Vespera exclaimed, inspecting the surroundings with a self-assured grin. Now, sweetheart, what kind of mayhem are we causing?"

Vespera was mid-planning when she couldn't help but lean over to take a closer look at Violet's hair.

"My, you look just like your dad," she said. "I used to date Auroa, you know. You might have been my child!"

"Are you serious? My father dated demons before? And you might have been my mother? That is...astonishing."

This was a shocking revelation to Violet, who had no idea that Auroa had connections with other female demons. She couldn't resist daydreaming about having wings.

"Tell me more later; let's stay on topic. You understand that I want to be the one to give June his first kiss, right? It is your responsibility, Vespera, to either frighten those females away or perhaps... seize June. Put on a show!" Violet darkly giggled.

Vespera followed Violet to June's location, and the winged demon looked excited in her stylish high heels.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a handsome catch," Vespera cackled. "Maybe I might have some fun being naughty with this boy?"

Violet's eyes were wide, and she answered right away.

"You'd better not take his first kiss. He's all mine to have!" Violet yelled.

"Are we possessive, then? Don't worry, dear! I will ensure that it remains light. However, mischievous behavior never hurt anyone, right?" Vespera laughed, taking pleasure in Violet's response.

Vespera swooped into the air, her wings fluttering widely. With a sly smile on her face, she entered the scene prepared to cause mayhem. The sight of her swooping down shivered through the spectators, especially the girls trying to grab his attention and June's pals. Their abrupt fear dispersed them, making Vespera's lighthearted meddling possible. She amusingly fixes her gaze on June, obstructing his path.

"I got you, sweetheart! How about we play a quick game of sky tag now? I'll follow after you as you run. Ready or not, here I come!"

June stammered, taken aback by the sudden presence of a formidable demon. He hurriedly fled, his heart racing as he dodged obstacles and sprinted through the skate park.

"Whoa, this is more than just your typical school demon encounter." Where are you when I need you, Miyu?" June stumbled over his words.

Vespera looked down on the mayhem with a sly smile as June ran across the busy downtown street.

"Hoo wee, it's time to add some spice to things!" Vespera said as her energy needles releases sparks through the air, "Let's see if he's as fast as he is cute."

Around them, explosions burst forth, shattering windows and causing cars to erupt into spurts of flame pandemonium on the sidewalk. As Vespera persisted in her playful pursuit, the mayhem in the city streets grew more intense as terrified pedestrians dispersed in all directions and screams echoed in the commotion.

Bonus Sketch: Monster Vespera - (By Max. M 2023)