Chapter 5: Feathery Thoughts

Peridot and the rest of the five demons had retreated back to their home realm. Now, Tartarus was as radically different from Heaven as demons were to angels. It was an underground realm with a blood red sky, volcanoes, stalagmites, rivers of lava, caves where demons dwelled, and the patriarch's could see why angels wouldn't want to be dragged down to this place.

However, demons that came back to Tartarus from angel hunting empty-handed tended to be audible about their disappointment, growling and grumbling to themselves. But, Peridot didn't make a sound; which didn't go unnoticed by his brother.

"What's up, Peri?" Squaridot asked. "It's not like you to be so quiet."

"I can't stop thinking about that angel we saw on Earth today." his little brother answered.

"You're going have to be more specific, Peridot." Aquamarine told him. "We saw a lot of angels on Earth today."

"That shy one with the blue hair." he specified.

"You mean the crybaby?" Spinel said. "I swear, she was the most wishy-washy angel we ever ganged up on. Am I right, Eyeball?"

"I know." the red demon agreed. "I've never seen an angel cry that many tears in my life."

"There was something interesting about her." Peridot said thoughtfully. "When the two of us were alone together, I felt like there was a spark between us. She was so beautiful. Her skin was supple like silk and her blue eyes were like crystals. I could spend days looking into those eyes."

"That's what you were doing with her?" Aquamarine questioned. "Am I crazy or are you falling in love with that angel?"

"That angel's name is Lapis Lazuli." Peridot retorted. "Oh, just saying her name makes my body tingle."

"Oh no, you are falling in love with her." the tiny blue demon gagged.

"Peridot? In love with an angel?" Spinel snickered. "Gee, if Yellow Diamond ever found out about that; he'll never let you live it down. You know demons can't fall in love with angels. And even if they could, there's no way an angel would love you back."

"Well, you never know." Peridot said. "I would give anything just to see her again."

"I still think that this is a bad idea." Eyeball commented. "What do you think, Jasper?"

He turned to the muscular demon to hear his input, but to everyone's surprise; he disappeared without a trace.

"Hey, where'd he go?" asked Aquamarine. "He was just here."

Unbeknownst to the other demons, Jasper had slipped away from his pack with a scheming look in his eyes.

"So, a romance between an angel and demon has been formed once again." he muttered to himself. "I should've known that history would be destined to repeat itself."

Later that evening, Peridot was left alone in his cave home. Squaridot was gone for the night. He said that he had to take care of something private. When his younger brother asked if he could tag along with him, the older green demon just turned him down. So, there he was; all by himself with nothing but his thoughts.

As Peridot continued to stare off into space, his mind went back to the beautiful blue-haired angel he encountered on Earth. He closed his eyes and envisioned every one of Lapis' attributes: her blue eyes that twinkled in the sunlight, her short blue hair that had a scent of flowers, her light skin with a rose petal like softness, her snow white dress that billowed in the breeze, and her feathery wings that hugged her body.

Peridot daydreamed of him and Lapis dancing in the clouds as feathers swirled around the dancing pair. He almost made himself swoon when he imagined his dream angel spinning gracefully as he twirled her. Then, he wrapped his arms around Lapis' slender waist after sending her into a dip and she put her hands on the demon's shoulders in turn. The two of them drew their blushing faces closer and closer as they slowly closed their eyes. Neither of them hesitated as their lips made contact with each other and the two beings kissed.

Peridot's eyes shot open as he gasped and snapped back into reality. That daydream felt intense. It also made him realize that now he wanted that kiss to become a reality. But more importantly, he yearned to see the gorgeous Lapis once again. It was then that the demon made a secret pact that he'd see her again the first chance he got.

Meanwhile, a bunch of other demons including Squaridot had gathered to a secret meeting place after being summoned by Jasper.

"Everybody had better be here because I do not like to repeat things." the brawny demon said with a glare in his eyes.

"Relax, Jasper." Eyeball assured him. "We're all here."

"Now, would you mind telling us why you called this secret meeting?" Aquamarine asked.

"And why you made me keep Peridot out of it?" Squaridot added.

"I don't suppose you're all familiar with the legend of the forbidden romance between the angel Heliodor and the demon Kyanite, correct?" Jasper said to everyone.

"Of course." Spinel answered. "Every demon knows that story. Why?"

"It has come to my attention that own Peridot has somehow fallen in love with the angel which he calls Lapis Lazuli." the burly demon responded.

"I knew it!" the pink demon exclaimed as the other demons gasped in disgust.

"But, what does the story of Heliodor and Kyanite have to do with Peridot and his angel friend?" asked Squaridot.

"I believe that the spark of the doomed romance has been passed down to a new generation." Jasper explained. "And if that is so, then we need to take action now."

"Take action?" a deep green demon named Emerald echoed. "What are you suggesting, Jasper?"

"I suggest nothing." the muscular demon growled. "I demand that you align with me so that may steal the Fourteen Unearthly Treasures. And we can use that lovelorn Peridot to our advantage. Once we obtain all the Unearthly Treasures, we shall unite their powers and then, the domain of all the three realms will fall in favor of the demons."

"And how exactly is my brother supposed to help steal the Unearthly Treasures again?" Squaridot questioned, raising an eyebrow. "And keep Yellow Diamond from suspecting anything?"

"The answer's simple, really." answered Jasper in a conniving tone. "We'll pretend to support his relationship with the angel Lapis. He'll be gullible enough to do whatever we tell him and break any rule if it means keeping his lovely partner. And the best part is, Peridot won't even be aware of what we're plotting and neither will Yellow Diamond."

The other demons began to murmur schemingly amongst each other.

"Soon, we will be the ones calling the shots!" the burly, orange demon proclaimed. "And everyone will cower and knee before me, the future king of the world!"

He cackled evilly as his fellow demons cheered for the conquest of the whole world.

The angels didn't know it yet, but their realm was about to be plunged into complete disarray. Not just from the mutinous demons, but from the forbidden and possibly doomed romance of Lapis and Peridot. Goodness only knew what would become of the risky lovers.