V.I.R.A.L

"3, 2, 1…. Surprise! Happy Birthday, Alice and Iris!"

Iris stared on dumbfounded, taking a few seconds to process what was going on. Standing in the hallway just outside Team Rhapsody's karaoke booth, she kept blinking speechless. This got Alton chuckling as he walked up, wrapping his arm around Iris rubbing her head. "I think we surprised Iris so much she stopped working."

"It's my birthday?"

"You mean you forgot? You were the one pressuring us to remember it. November 1st. Remember?"

Alice shook her head, smirking. "Iris isn't used to this sort of celebration, so cut her some slack."

"Well, she is part of Team Rhapsody, is she not?" Gale yelled, throwing a can of soda at them. Iris caught it coming to her senses. "As a member, it's our duty to celebrate your birthday."

"Not worded the greatest, but he's right," Scarlett added, flicking Gale's head. Keeping her good nature going, Scarlett bowed slightly, smiling. "Happy birthday, you two."

"Thank you all so much." Alice cried, shaking Iris. "This means the world to us."

After the commotion, everyone had settled in, getting ready to celebrate the party. Cutting Iris, a slice Alton sat next to her, holding it out. "Velvet cake, your favourite."

"O-oh. Thanks!"

"Is everything alright?" Alton questioned, giving Iris an odd look. "You've been awfully quiet since coming here."

Panicked slightly, Iris shook her head, feeling guilty for giving off the impression of being ungrateful. "No, no! It's nothing. The party is great. Perfect in fact, I was just really caught off guard."

"I'm surprised you were. I honestly thought Zinnia or Percy would have let the party slip."

"Hey, for the record, I am very good at keeping secrets!" Zinnia pouted, making everyone blankly stare at her. "I am…. I mean, sometimes I am!"

"I won't deny it. I am the worst when it comes to secrets. If you want something to spread around, tell me it's a secret, and the whole city will know by the end of the day." Percy nervously laughed to himself, stuffing a mouthful of cake. "I made sure to keep far away from you two for the past week for a reason."

"I did think Percy was acting strange," Alice added, chuckling to herself. "I should have known."

"It's been a little while since we've been here, isn't it?"

Alton stared at the old karaoke bar feeling a nostalgic wave hit him. "It sure does. To think it's been nearly two years since we defeated the Garden. That was a bloody close call, I'll say. Any moment later, and I think they might have broken through."

"If it wasn't for Iris, they might have just done so." Zinnia exclaimed, holding her glass up. "I don't think we've had a toast yet, right? Here's to Iris, the girl who saved the world."

"To Iris!"

Iris looked away, embarrassed, muttering. "Stop it; I don't like all the praise."

"There she goes again, getting embarrassed for no good reason." Alice sighs with a smile. "Say what have you all been up to over the year? It's felt like forever since we last came together like this."

"I think that was for Alton's birthday, wasn't it?"

Alton shook his head, still not happy by that. "You just had to pry my parents over the date of birth, didn't you? Good grief…. Well, I've been making amends with my father. I'm happy to say we're back on good terms. He's even helping me fix up on the new place."

"Oh yeah, I've heard about that. You brought a plot of land just outside Sunset Peak, right?" Emil questioned, glossing over it. "I saw an update on Zinnia's V.I.R.A.L page about the build."

Zinnia nodded, sitting down next to Alton, nudging up to him. "Yup. He was adamant we get our own place. I mean, I can't disagree with him. Living at the orphanage at my age is getting rather sad. His parents and Sam are helping to build the home of our…. Well, my dreams."

"Sometimes, it's just best to let her take charge. It's better that way." Alton said, squeezing her shoulder. "The house is looking to be something awesome, so I can't fault her too much."

Scarlett poured the last tea, smiling. "I'm about to take over the Dawn family. My father is happily stepping down and letting myself and Riley take charge. It's a lot of responsibility but something we are both chuffed about. We've already got plans to renovate the estate and start helping those in needs who are still suffering from the Garden's presence."

"Hey, if you'd like, the Montague can be of assistance. Hollie and Butch and are always looking to help those in need. We'd be happy to lend a hand." Emil offered.

"You know Emil, I might just take you up on that offer."

Gale sipped his tea, unaware of how hot it still was. "I'm helping the old Captain with the fishing boat. I often get to see my family from time to time, so It's all a win-win. Even Percy has been lending me a hand."

"It's actually a lot of fun riding out on the ocean, the wind in your face and the sense of adventure. I'm doing that when I'm not working with Vanguard rebuilding V.I.R.A.L."

"How is that oversized washout doing these days?" Alton questioned, twirling his straw around. "Last I heard, he was the new CEO of V.I.R.A.L."

"Yeah, he's been rebuilding their legacy and trust after Mortem was taken down. We focus on using V.I.R.A.L to help people rather than manipulate the masses and create a toxic fanbase full of streamers. It's tough, but he and I are determined to work it out. Plus, we've been getting a lot of help from Aoi and Gemini over the weeks. Hell, even Diego has offered his aid every once and awhile."

"Diego Jolts helping others out of the kindness of his own heart. Now that's something you don't hear every day." Zinnia chuckled, too, carrying the conversation on. "What about you two?"

"Iris and I are finishing our studies. We've missed out on a lot being streamers, so our father let us take time out to go back to school. Truth be told the Alice is pretty terrible at it. If it wasn't for Iris, I'm sure I would have failed." Alice embarrassingly admits.

"Come on, it's not that bad. It's only maths you're not good at."

"And science, English, history, music, drama and cooking!"

"Is there anything you are good at?"

"Hometime." She said in a goofy tone.

"Go figures…." Alton whispered. Glancing at everyone, Alton wiped his eye, sighing. "Look at everyone all grown up…. It felt just like yesterday we formed this group of misfits in order to pay off the debt we owed to your brother Emil. Fighting corrupt streamers, evil cults to power-hungry villains, we truly have done it all, haven't we? I guess what I'm trying to say is…. Damn, it stops getting all emotional, Alton…. I love all of you guys. You all really changed my life forever."

"Aww, Alton." Zinnia whispered, hugging him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "We all feel the same, right?"

"Absolutely. One hundred per cent!" Percy nodded.

"You've been the best leader, Alton. We wouldn't be here without you."

"Guys…. Thank you." Alton whispered, wiping his eyes. The door knocked as Alton looked up, remembering. "Aww shit, I forgot that should be the pizza we ordered. Do you mind if you get that, Iris?"

"No problem."

"You better have gotten stuffed crust; otherwise, our friendship is over."

"Yes, Gale…. I got you stuffed crust. And yes, Percy, don't worry, I also got the little chicken bites."

Iris opened the door staring blankly as a tall man stood in a coat with his hood up. Something about him was off, almost like Iris recognised him. "I have five pizzas for Team Rhapsody."

Iris took the boxes as Zinnia went to meet the pizza man. "How much does that all cost?"

"It's on the house. The manager is a big fan says it's on him for saving the world."

"For real!?" Gale yells. "Everything tastes better when it's free."

"I wouldn't know. I've never had anything for free." Scarlett wondered, looking up, trying to guess what that feels like.

Once the pizzas were passed along, the delivery man tilted his hood to Iris. "You all have a good day now, folks. Enjoy the dream."

Iris looked into the hallway, confused as the man walked off without much else. "Oi, Iris, hurry up before Zinnia eats all the pizza, again!"

"Coming!" Iris yelled, giving one last glimpse before ducking back into the private room.

As Iris ducked back in, the man turned back around, his eyes glowing bright yellow. "You sure seem to be enjoying yourself, Iris. It didn't take you long to accept this dream as your reality. I am glad it makes the plan much easier. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that. Any dream can be your reality if you wish it enough. After all, don't we all deserve a happy ending?"