...More Human Than Human...

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. Reviews are welcome. I don't own any characters other than Fenix/Fi Flarestone, Faloray Skyborne, Lord Flarestone. I own Electi Illiusia/Electi Illiusians/Semita Caelesti. Enjoy and stay ethical y'all.

Chapter 36: Fenix and Faloray

Previously...

"Internal compass is back up and running properly. Thank you, Fenix." Data added, "Those dragons that are generating lightening and some sort of electromagnetic pluses... I think they might have something to do with my recent malfunctions." Fenix scanned the slate, "I found the it! This will open up a safe passage for us." She focused on the scriptures and closed her eyes in concentration. She mentally spoke the words and opened her eyes. Lore noticed her eyes were glowing momentarily as the dragons stopped mid-flight just as they were about to attack the ship, instead they created a tunnel for them. The dragons behind them closed the pathway once again the closer they got to the planet. Hues of purple, blue and green with floating land masses came to view.

"Electi Illiusia..." Lore whispered almost in a trance.

They were getting closer to orbiting Electi Illius, before Data or Lore could scan for life forms Fenix exclaimed, "I can sense them!" Her eyes were wide, Data asked, "Life forms?" She smiled brightly as she replied, "Androids… Lots of them."

Data, Lore and Fenix were orbiting around Electi Illius. It was a peculiar planet with floating islands. There was life here, everything was green, blue and purple foliage. They landed their vessel on the largest floating landmass with a great, imposing castle in the centre. The castle was magnificent from afar. It looked like it was made of black marble. They exited the vessel armed with their katanas and phasers. A row of androids dressed in fitted, ninja-like outfits with swords all in a row on either side of the path the trio walked. They all had pointed elven-like ears, two horns on the sides of the crown and eyes the same colour as Data and Lore's. They sang their anthem for the arrival of 'the heiress to the throne' in a language only Fenix could understand. Fenix beamed as tears welled in her eyes. Her heart raced with overwhelming new and unknown nostalgia as she sang along with them then started dancing towards the entrance. Lore and Data looked at each other knowing Fenix was doing this all from instinct and residual memory. They realized the Electi Illiusian in her was coming to full bloom during this journey and this was the peak. In the middle of the path, a male android dressed in similar clothes as the others yet more refined and regal waited for them as they walked closer to him. He seemed to be of higher ranking than the rest of them.

"You're more Electi Illiusian than I first thought... welcome back." The android that looked to be in his mid-thirties with cascading platinum blonde hair in a half pony-tail welcomed them. Standing taller than Lore and Data, he stood at 6'3 with broad, square shoulders towering Fenix. With a noble aquiline nose, sensual lips, and an elegant neck, he was a very striking android with pale skin. Fenix looked perplexed, as she massaged the back of her head in confusion and feeling mildly intimidated, "Umm, okay... I'm Fenix, this is my husband Lore and his brother Data." His yellow eyes darted to them, "They're androids... inferior... but still androids, and twins..." Lore's eye twitched at his little remark as he continued, "Twins don't exist here... and for good reason." Fenix looked at everyone with speculation, "Yeah, okay... I take it you guys are all androids, too." The man smiled proudly, "We are indeed. We have been created in Electi Illiusians' appearance, except our eyes are not the correct colour to make that distinction. We have awaited your arrival for over a millennium. The RCE was meant to be bestowed to I, Fenix Flarestone." The android answered. "Woah, you're Fenix Flarestone, too? How the heck was I named after you?" Fenix asked. He inhaled and took a step, his hands behind him, "The RCE had my name imprinted within it." His inquisitive eyes looked up and down Fenix as he slowly walked around her like a cat, "When the human gave birth to you, she subconsciously named you after me. The RCE was embedded with Electi Illiusian genomes, and we were very particular whose we chose. And we decided on Faloray since she was a pure blood and had the most amiable qualities." His eyes became hard, reminiscing as he spoke of her. He turned around to hide his eyes from Fenix. His voice alsmo shaky as he mentioned, "You look identical to her..." and clenched his eyes closed, "...other than the obvious missing physical attributes of our kind..." He sighed feeling an array of emotions he hasn't felt in a very long time, "It's been... so long since I've last seen her..." He trailed off. Lore picked up on his shift in demeanour when he began speaking of Faloray. He misses her… He loved her… For over a millennium… That would feel like an eternal hell if I was in his place. "Please, tell me more of my origins. I-I've searched all my life and now I'm finally here... please, I… I need to know." Fenix Soong pleaded.

"You wish to hear your past life?" Flarestone asked.

"Yes. Desperately."

"You are the equivalent of a reincarnation of Faloray Skyborne, heir to the throne of Caelum Volans, the master race amongst Electi Illiusia." Data leaned to Fenix and whispered, "You are royalty, Fenix." and smiled as Lord Flarestone continued, "Caelum Volanians created us... androids, so their brilliant past will not be forgotten and that one day, you will grace us with your presence once again." Flarestone had charisma as he spoke, his yellow eyes glimmering like the sun. Fenix was taken aback and took a step back, "Dude, I'm sorry but, I'm not Faloray... I don't know anything about you guys other or anything about Electi Illiusia... You guys lived together... the Caelum Volanians and androids, right? Like coexisted peacefully and equally." Fenix asked. He spun and admired Fenix, "Oh yes... we did. It was just like you and... Lore? Was it? Yes. We lived in harmony and loved each other." Flarestone reminisced as he scrutinized Lore and then Data. "So, did you know Faloray?" Fenix intrigued. Lord Flarestone's heart stopped for a moment and composed himself, "Yes. I knew her very well indeed. In fact, I've known her since her infancy. I was the king's diplomat who also raised and taught Faloray since she was a small child." Fenix handed him the marble slate with spells that had the name 'Faloray' imprinted on the corner, "I think this belonged to her, Data somehow ended up with it." Flarestone's eyes watered upon seeing the old slate, "I... I gave this to her the day that I officially became her protector... she was... she was five years old. I'm sorry..." He pinched his eyes dry as he continued, "I was her tutor, protector, guardian and... friend. We spend every day together from that day on. She befriended me without any second thoughts, accepted me for exactly for what I was. She never cared for rankings and treated me as if we were equals and not just... her tutor or guardian." He chuckled, "Faloray was a handful... too curious and smart for her own good... Very mischievous. In my 500-year servitude, I've never had as much trouble until she came into my life and I was to raise her. I never raised a child before in my entire life, I didn't know what I was getting myself in to... She refused to spend time with her own kind because she wanted to spend her time with me, an old dutiful android of the Caelum Volans castle." And glanced at the castle, "Come, let me show you around and not remain loitering here like peasants."

Lord Flarestone led them inside the castle grounds. Everything remained intact or it was restored. They walked through the castle gardens. Flowers, blooming trees, grass and even the fountains were still working. Lord Flarestone continued, "I watched her grow over the years... She started to blossom into a devastatingly beautiful young woman-child." and sighed deeply. She destroyed me long ago and I was more than happy to succumb to her beautiful destruction. "Her curiosity began to shift into what I initially thought what nothing more than a young girl's infatuation, she... embraced me more and more. Sometimes even peck my cheek now and again when I did something for her. Eventually, her fangs started to grow, and her baby horns fell out... a sign that she was maturing." He reached into his inner chest pocket and gently took them out to show her, a gentle smile graced his alluring face. "Faloray said that she was supposed to give her baby horns to her mother but instead, she let me keep them and told me not to say a word..." Fenix looked at him with kind eyes and stated, "You fell in love with Faloray, didn't you?" He smirked and replied, "Uncontrollably so. I knew better than to fall in love with her but alas... the heart wants what it wants. But... it was out of line. Not only was she still much too young, she was betrothed to marry Artemis Skyborne, her older brother."

"WHOA! No way! That's… that's what animals and beasts do..." Fenix protested. Even Lore and Data scowled.

"Exactly, they are feared, revered, magical beasts. Quit literally. You forget, Electli Illiusians only look humanoid. They've practised 'purity' since the beginning of time to keep the royal bloodline strong and free of any useless qualities. The royal bloodline or... the pure-bloods would always have a first-born male, and then a second-born female so the two could carry on the bloodline. Unlike humans... it works in their favour, genetically speaking." Fenix felt both perplexed and disgusted at the thought but tried to not judge their ways. They're not like humans at all. They're beasts. Kemono as my adoptive mother would call them. This is their world, and their people. Don't judge them. If it works for them biologically then who am I to judge? For humans, it goes against our nature. But this is Electi Illiusia. These are Electi Illiusians, they're nothing like humans. Get it in your head, Fenix! He looked at Fenix and smiled in understanding, "Fenix, I know it sounds very strange to you, but remember, the organics that were once here were not human. Falory was not human. I don't expect you to wrap that pretty little head around it knowing where you were raised and being partly human, too." Data thought to himself. The reason incest was frowned upon was because of the genetic complications the offspring would have to bear. That was prominent in many organic species. The bond between family members differ from a bond with a mate. It is wired in them to not be attracted to family members in those sense because that is how nature intended. The Electi Illiusians, the organics here only appear to be humanoid. Lore Fenix quirked an elegant eyebrow seeing Data trying to take in all the information given and then to Lore who didn't show anything other than a scowl, "One very beautiful sunny spring day, Faloray... sweet lovely Faloray confessed her love to me. I tried to turn away when she tried to kiss me but I couldn't stop her." He closed his eyes remembering every detail of that day, "I loved her, and we already formed an undeniable bond that was out of our control. I wanted her... she pressed her soft lips onto mine and I kissed her back. She proceeded to mark me to eventually become her mate for life." He tugged down his shirt collar and revealed four small puncture wounds on his neck. Data and Fenix stared at the bite mark as Lore curiously glanced in an aloof manner."It was a forbidden, star-crossed love from the very beginning. It was also my first time in love... I remember every detail about Faloray. She made me feel things I never thought I would ever experience." He took a break and averted his eyes from Fenix. I can't look at you… I know you're not her and the bond isn't present… but you look too much like her. "We took every precaution to keep our relationship hidden but alas... her nosy mother found out. When her parents found out, they were outraged. The whole castle was outraged, it was the biggest scandal in Caelum Volan's history. So, they chose me to become the ultimate weapon of mass destruction as a way to get me away from Faloray and force her to marry Artemis." He stopped as he looked into a room... Faloray's old room. Her scent has long been dissipated but this room holds so much of her to this day. "She would sneak out of her room at night to play games or paint with me... or just show off her magic to me... or come into my quarters to kiss me as I held her in my arms." He fondly stroked the entrance. A tear fell from his eye as he remained staring into her old room. "That's terrible. You guys loved each other, yet she was getting forced to marry someone she didn't love and you were getting handed over to become an experiment. How cold and... so cruel." She sympathized. Lord Flarestone collected himself, "The day that I was to be sent to the Observatory to have the procedure done, Faloray snuck into my quarters before daybreak and coerced me to run away with her." Data asked, "Did you run away with her?" Lore Flarestone grinned, "Of course, without a second thought. If I was to be taken away from Faloray I'd have nothing, but she would also be losing everything just to gain me." Lore leaned up against the wall as he listened intently, "I warned her of the precautions, yet she then told me that she'd rather die than live a life without me in it." He looked through the window out in the hall and stared at the sunny sky. "I rode our glider as she flew by my side and headed westward into one of the many floating lands. We found a perfect isolated place to land. It was hidden from all the other islands in the sky, and it was also the place we always spent time together from when she was just a little girl." He swallowed the lump in his throat remembering the most exilerating and beautiful moment of his life, "There, she wanted to complete the bonding ritual since she had already chosen me... We made love in the sun on our little floating paradise. I sunk my teeth into her fragile neck in the throes of passion... and we were mated for life." Fenix blushed hearing their intimate details. Lore smirked. Maybe that's why little Fenix likes being bit. It's the Electi Illiusian in her. "I should've rejected the offer since her adult horns still hadn't even begun to grow yet... but we were in a desperate situation. Once we were mated, no one could do anything, so time was of the essence... At least that was my excuse for mating the under-aged heiress to the throne." He chuckled. "She was the first and only woman I ever made love to since... we Electi Illiusians choose one mate for life..." and his eyes darted to Lore, "...Even us, androids." Lore understood his implications. You don't know me. I may not be of your kind but neither is Fenix, not entirely. But I wouldn't want anyone else. But I don't need your approval, you are not her father or guardian. "Okay, so like... how old was she and how old are you?" Fenix curiously asked. "She was seventeen, and I was only five-hundred-seventeen at the time." Flarestone replied nonchalantly. "Well then. Lore you are not the only cradle robber." Data joked as he nudged Lore's side. He scoffed sarcastically, "Yeah, fantastic." The group were in the throne room and Lore Flarestone's demeanour darkened, "Then... the inevitable happened... The scientists were overconfident when they enslaved the crystalline entity. It should've never been captured... but what do I know? I'm only an android." Flarestone spat bitterly. "If... if they just kept their filthy paws away from the damn crystal... the Electi Illiusians wouldn't have died... Faloray wouldn't have died... She was taken away from me the day we bonded!" Flarestone raised his voice with unshed tears. He looked to Lore and said, "You're lucky she's immortal... you'll never have to suffer as I have for the past thousand year. It can... drive a man crazy... to live without the love of your life... feels like you're missing a very vital part of your body... whatever that may be." Fenix thought for a moment, "Can't we recreate her from me?" The three men's eyes widened, "I have some of her genetics... Take what you need and make her." Fenix ordered. "Fenix, I won't allow this. It could be dangerous. I lost you once, I refuse to take any chances." Lore protested.

"Dude, I'm a chimera, a freak of nature... Part human, part crystalline entity and part... Faloray. Lore... imagine living a thousand years without me." His eyes widened in fear. Knowing that he understood, she continued, "For some reason, no one could clone me, yet." Lord Flarestone stated, "They made sure that when you were created, no one will ever be able to clone you because you are still a weapon of mass destruction. You were destined to be alone. But... if we take only the essence of Faloray that is in you... we might be able to make her. It won't alter your current genes... we aren't cloning you, either. Besides, we won't be able to clone you, you consist of Electi Illiusian, crystalline entity and human. It is impossible even for our technology, we made sure of that. You are your own entity, what we are will be doing is replicating Faloray's genetics." His eyes held warmth and excitement as he looked to Lore, "I promise you, she will be unharmed. I will not dare take her away. I understand the pain from when Faloray was taken from me. You have my word, from one android to another." Lore inclined his head in understanding. He then looked over to Data who was filing all the information they were getting bombarded with.

They made their way up to one of the many perches of the castle. The air was crisp and the wind was strong."We will take the gliders to the Observatory where we will begin sequencing your genome of Faloray." Lord Flarestone instructed. Gliders were all neatly perched and ready for use. Large red, horned creatures resembling phoenixes flew above them. "Magnificent creatures... " Data commented. "Yes. We've been trying to recreate many species, both flora and fauna in hopes for when her highness returned to give her a sense of familiarity. Something's we weren't able to replicate biologically." Flarestone stated. Not without the help of an organic Electi Illiusian, unfortunately. Lore's eyes darted from one creature to another, "The androids here rebuilt this kingdom... Have you considered maybe it's for the best that you don't need biological people? What you've created is beautiful and perfect." he suggested. "I learned from observing the neighbouring planet... our competitor... that all androids... they cannot flourish without our biological half. We were fortunate that Electi Illiusians were accommodating towards us... they cared for our well-being, treated us we were no different than themselves. We were different from the rest of the galaxies because Electi Illiusians were special. Ultimately... biological humanoids created us and they came from the earth, water, and air... they gave us the breath of life. We are an extension of our biological counterparts..." Lord Flarestone touched one of the flowers on the tree, "Everything stems from nature… even us, androids. Life and death. Biological and synthetic. Light and twilight. Creations and destruction. We cannot thrive fully when we're taken away from the roots." Flarestone lectured. "And that's why I'm willing to try this experiment. Electi Illiusia has been without its biological queen for far too long and I don't know how much longer we can stand being here. I don't know how long I'll be able to stand being here without her..." Data and Lore thought about what he had just said. Lore thought to himself. All this time, I thought a world without humans or organics to oppress us would be amiable for our survival. But... he claims the androids here... are miserable. Is this why Data joined Starfleet? Is this why he always strived to be more... human? Preposterous. They treated him poorly. At least Electli Illiusians loved, respected and treated androids no different than themselves... but then again... they're not humans. They're beasts. That's where the difference lies. Fenix is part beast. "Hey Data, you looking forward to seeing the Observatory or flying?" Fenix asked with a smile. "Both." He smiled. Fenix grinned, grabbed a glider, sprinted and jumped off the deck. She flew into the sky and hollered a cry of joy. Lore stood in sheer horror which quickly turned into mild frustration. "This is incredible! You guys gotta try it!" Fenix screamed as she flew. Lore sprinted to the edge in worry and powerlessly watched Fenix. "Faloray used to do that when she was just a child... do not worry, that is how it's done." Flarestone reassured.

The four of them flew in the sky. Lore, Data and Fenix were mesmerized by the feeling of the being airborne. They flew side-by-side with the pheonix creatures. Lore smiled. They were beautiful and fierce, just like… Fenix. That name really does suit you.

Once they arrived at the Observatory, Flarestone and Fenix started up the lab. Memories of the previous scientist bestowed on her began to surface and she knew how to make an incarnation of herself with the technology they had. It was very much advanced than anyone could've imagined and began working in another room, she couldn't hear what Data was about to ask. He asked Flarestone, "Earlier you said that twins do not exist here for good reason. What reasoning might that be?" Flarestone smiled sadly as he answered, "As you now know, Electi Illiusians choose one partner and mate for life. Once, one of the android makers made a double. The woman that mated the one twin didn't know of the other's existence until one day she ran into him. She described it as a magnetic pull towards both twins... ultimately, she fell in love with both of them and complicated her current marriage. Electi Illiusians are naturally drawn to androids and they choose only one, but when there's two... their internal instincts get confused. They end up needing both, become dependent towards both through an unseen bond. She forced herself to stay with her chosen mate, knowing it was the right thing to do. Tragically, she yearned for the other twin so much she went insane with absolute sadness. She became a danger to society and was locked away to wither and die." Data scrunched his eyebrows with worry as he thought of Fenix and their attraction to each other. Lord Fenix caught this, "Tell me, Data, has anything transpired between her and yourself?" Lore had a look of dread as he listened and thought of the interactions his brother and Fenix shared. Data tilted his head as he recalled with caution, "I... I love her. She said to me that... she is drawn to me. She feels something for me... But insists that she is to be with only my brother." Lore sighed, "She has never strayed, other than the two kisses they shared, she says she believes in monogamy." Lord Flarestone looked at Lore with a look of melancholy and worry, "She was raised as a human all her life. From what I've witnessed, she's more Electi Illiusian than I ever thought possible. Lore, what I'm about to tell you is going to hurt you, but... there is already a bond formed between her and your brother. The bond is organic, she had no control over it. She is already in love with... Data. If she continues her way, she will eventually become insane... lose her soul, become nothing more than a dark, unnatural, empty shell of her former self. If you want to prevent her from walking into the lonely darkness, you must-"

"-Let them be together." Lore cut in as he clenched his jaw. And my nightmare becomes a reality... Is it so bad, though? It's not like I'm giving her up to my brother. We'll be sharing her. Ugh... I want her all to myself, I don't want anyone to touch her except me... Am I so selfish to let her become broken? No. Ultimately, I love her too much to let her fall into darkness. "Lore, if you truly love her, you would come to terms with this new fact." Lord Flarestone stated. Lore inclined his head with a deep sigh. "Dear brother, I care deeply for her, I would be willing to share her with you if it meant for her well-being." Data answered honestly. "Ugh... I know. But I don't know how she's going to take it. She's stubborn." Lore boggled. "We will talk to her, she will understand." Data stated. "You make it sound so easy, brother." Lore shook his head. Lord Flarestone's face hardened with worry. It is like watching the blind leading the blind. At this rate, Fenix will lose herself. Lore, you need to let her be with your brother. Prove to her and to yourself that you truly love her and that this is not just a mere obsession with her. You too, will suffer if she is gone… so will your brother.