Devils

Chapters

01: Nothing
02: Fresh
03: Tales
04: Past

01: Nothing

BARREN

Harsh winds blow across an expanse devoid of life. Dust covers everything, encroaching on mountains far off in the distance, eroded by time and harsh winds. Clouds, made of the remnants of fires long since burned out, remain steady in the sky, blocking out all but the smallest portions of sunlight.

Trees here have no leaves, and even the oldest of creatures that still exist recall no time when they did, assuming they can be found. Many are charred, most are broken and fallen, but all are dead, many turned into the brilliant warm colors of petrification. Stumps indicate the removed remains of those that were pilfered for what little resource they had left by those just trying to survive.

There is no life in this wasteland.

ENTROPY

Though an uncommon sight, evidence of a civilization long since forgotten does lay scattered throughout the wasteland -- broken, fallen, and half-covered in the dust. Wooden structures have broken, been buried, and rotted. Plaster has crumbled into dust and scattered to the four winds to beat upon what little still remains. All that remains remotely intact are the stone structures which, like the wooden buildings, are broken and buried.

Stone roofs collapsed centuries, even millennia ago, breaking the stone pillars that once supported them. The pillars themselves lay strewn about, angled and half-buried as the dust slowly conquers them. Nature is a cruel mistress, controlling the destruction of all who oppose her.

There is no order in this wasteland.

OUT

An orange figure stretches out upon one of the columns that lay half-buried in the ground. The column was at a slight angle, and the figure was taking full advantage of it, with her head at the top and her outfit placed neatly on the broken base of a pillar nearby, leaving her body nude and fully exposed to the elements.

The figure itself is a young female with bright red and yellow hair, and light orange skin tattooed with symmetrical red flames. The flames adorned her forearms to the backs of her hands, and the sides of her torso, across her stomach, and down between her legs. Her head resembles something of equine origin, with folded ears and a short snout, while the rest of her body resembles something more human, a creature unknown to her land. Her eyes are closed, and above them in the center of her forehead is a curved horn.

A gust blows, and then dies. Her chest rises, inhaling deeply the clearer air left behind after the dust blew past, and then lowers as her lips part in a sigh. It isn't a sigh of sorrow or of boredom, but one of contentment. For many years, coming above the surface always gave her a sense of tranquility.

"Sister Hellfire, what are you doing up here?" asked a voice that the orange female immediately recognized. "You know it's forbidden to come up to the surface without one of the Mothers."

A sense of tranquility that, in many cases, was so rudely interrupted in this same way. Hellfire clears her throat, but keeps her eyes closed.

"Well, you're here now, Mother Midnight," the orange demoness retorts, "so that's no longer an issue, is it?"

Hellfire smirks, having finally been able to use a line she'd prepared after the last time her friend had caught her alone on the surface. Midnight crosses her arms, staring silent and unamused at Hellfire's comment. Hellfire frowns, having expected at the very least a small chuckle, but receiving nothing. "I'm sunbathing, of course," she replies, her eyes still closed.

Midnight sighs. "Hellfire, since we've become friends I've been up here almost as much as you have --"

"Not since Mother Daybreaker elevated you from a Sister to a Mother," she mumbles. Midnight ignores her comment and begins again.

"I've been up here almost as much as you have, and I've never seen this sun you believe is there. I've asked Mother Daybreaker and Mother Nightmare, and they haven't seen it either."

At Midnight's mention of the two matriarchs, Hellfire's eyes burst open and she sits up, facing Midnight with the heat of fire filling the coolness of her teal eyes.

"You told them I still come up here?"

"I didn't have to," the lavender Mother replies, putting one hand on her hip as she lets the other hang freely. "Others can't find you after you finish your duties. They look for you, but find you missing until it's time to eat or time to meet. The egress guards you pass on your way out talk." She crosses her arms again. "If you're trying to be stealthy, you're not doing a very good job at it."

Hellfire lay back down, her head resting on her forearm as she stares up at the infinite expanse of clouds, resting her other hand on her stomach.

"All for something that doesn't exist."

"I've seen it, Mid," Hellfire immediately replies, using the nickname she'd given her friend when they were children. "It was before I brought you up here the first time, but I saw a break in the canopy one day. There's something blue behind that dull gray canopy, and the sun lives there. I know it's there, and I just want to see it again."

Midnight picks up her friend's neatly-placed boots, armor, and loincloth and holds them out to her. "You'll never have a chance to see it again if you continue coming up here without permission." Reluctantly, Hellfire takes her clothing and starts putting on the burgundy thigh-length boots. "Now come on. It's almost time for the meeting."

Hellfire finishes putting on her second boot and leans down to pick up her loincloth. "The Mothers sure love their meetings." She looks up at Mother Midnight. "No offense." Midnight stands still and raises an eyebrow at her friend. "As long as you're just standing there, Mid," she turns away from her purple friend, "will you help me put on my armor?"

"Don't you usually do it yourself?"

"Usually, yes," she responds, "but I also usually have to press my chest against a wall or something in order to awkwardly reach back to fasten it. And since I have a friend here to help me this time..."

Midnight sighs and rolls her eyes, but obliges the orange woman. "Arms out," she commands, and Hellfire, who had just finished putting on her bracers, does as she's told. She closes her eyes and holds her arms out as Midnight deftly places the armor on her breasts. Without a word between them, Hellfire places her hands on Midnight's, allowing her hands to slide out from under them to fasten the clasp in the back. Hellfire surreptitiously brushes her tail against the calf of her friend's plum-covered boot.

"Watch your tail, Hell," she says with a mixture of annoyance and anxiety, and swats it away. Hellfire sighs, hearing Midnight's old nickname for her used in such a way. "You know Mothers and Sisters can't --"

"I know!" Hellfire turns around. Her eyes hold a different kind of fire than before, a cold, almost mournful fire. Her eyes glisten with moisture held back. "It's not my fault they elevated only one of us, Mid!" Midnight's expression softens, and she puts her hand on her companion's shoulder. Hellfire's own expression softens in response with memories of their bygone intimacy.

"I miss it too, Hell. Now come on. We've got some place to be."

Hellfire rolls her eyes with a sigh, but complies with her superior, grateful for her leniency.

There is no sympathy in this wasteland.

DESCENT

Midnight ushers Hellfire down the wind-beaten staircase that leads down to their underground community, following behind her. The purple woman used to look much like her friend, but that changed with her ascension. Where she once was slightly shorter than Hellfire, she is now nearly a head taller, which caused the teasing about her height to cease. Her curved horn, likewise, grew longer through the magenta highlights of her purple bangs. Mother Daybreaker also gifted her with two more horns, these a duller purple, nearly gray, than the one on her forehead. These sprout from the back of her head, curving around her scalp. It's because of these that Midnight no longer sleeps comfortably on her side, though the rayon fabric of a Mother's bedding certainly helps. But by far the most jarring change was the sudden existence of large bat-like wings with sharp bony protrusions. It's because of these that Midnight no longer sleeps comfortably on her back, and the rayon fabric of a Mother's bedding does not help in the slightest.

She also has tattoos like her friend, though only on her arms, which now disappear under the long gloves she wears. Her armor, also, was increased in size to curve under her breasts down her sides about the span of her hand, culminating in a point. These points hold clasps, to which white voile drapes elegantly down to clasps on her loincloth. Unlike Hellfire's armor which is pressure-fit around the breasts, Midnight's dark mauve armor clasps in the front and the back, allowing for more convenient donning and doffing. The back clasp connects two more strips of voile drape around her arms, one on either side, connecting to an intricate golden pendant that houses a bright faceted turquoise.

Hellfire feels like a prisoner being led by a guard down the steps, but her years of training don't let her thoughts show in her facial expressions or body language. Neither does Mother Midnight; she does, however, know her former partner too well to believe that Hellfire's stoic exterior does not hide a struggle between her duties and her desires.

There is no attachment in this wasteland.

Author's Note

Each named character in this fic has an equivalent character from the show. Some will be easy, while others may be more difficult. See if you can match all of them as the story continues!

Eight years ago today, MLP:FiM premiered. Four years ago today, I published the first chapter of The Princess that Equestria Never Had after six years of creative drought. Today, I begin publishing my Halloween fic.

02: Fresh

Well below the surface, torches hang on metal sconces on the stairwell's stone walls, far away from any escaping surface winds that might extinguish them. The stairwell and the several others like it are unadorned except for these, as their primary function is as a vent for the smoke from the torches placed on every wall of the underground tunnels and chambers.

Before long, Hellfire and Midnight can see the legs of the other Femescubi walking back and forth in the corridor below. On either side of the stairwell opening, the half-hidden forms of two winged Femescubi stand, one light blue with dark multicolored hair and the other a brighter turquoise with golden hair. Their wings, while bony and leathery like the wings on a Mother, are smaller than a Mother's but are no less powerful when trained for speed and agility. They are part of the fighting elite of the Femescubi, clad in lightwieght full-body armor, and they hold spears in their hands for defense and for intimidation.

"Did you find her, Mother Midnight?" asks the turquoise woman in a condescending tone as Hellfire's orange form crossed the threshold, still facing forward, but her head and eyes are turned slightly toward Hellfire. Hellfire glares at her, knowing that she knew fully well that Mother Midnight had done just that.

"Yes, Sister Thundercloud," she replies as she crosses into the guards' peripherals behind Hellfire. "Thank you for letting me know which stairwell she went up."

"It wasn't her idea to tell you," says the light blue creature on the left. "She wanted to tell Mother Daybreaker and Mother Nightmare, but I convinced her to only tell you. You're more lenient than them."

"And I thank you for persuading her to do so, Sister Pallid," Midnight replies. "I know we were friends before, but please refrain from saying such things aloud. I am a Mother now, and though I hate throwing around my title like that, it's your and everyone's duty to grant all Mothers the respect they require."

"Yes, Mother Midnight."

"That goes for you as well, Sister Thundercloud. Sister Hellfire may be more insubordinate than others at times, but so are you. Don't think I haven't noticed your own behavior, or that I didn't recognize the condescending tone in your question."

Thundercloud swallows, and the quaver in her response betrays her stoic stature. "Yes, Mother."

"Good. Now, as you were. The meeting will begin soon."

The two pound their spears on the ground in response, standing at attention. Two Sisters nearby become startled at the sudden clamor move to the wall as they pass, giving wide berth to the two soldiers. Hellfire and Midnight take the path directly ahead of them, Midnight following behind Hellfire as if escorting her.

"I don't recall you lecturing me about respecting your title on the surface a few minutes ago," Hellfire comments.

"Because it was only us up there and nobody else."

A smile creeps across Hellfire's face with a thought of love forbidden but not forgotten. She turns her head, glancing over her shoulder. "So you do still--"

"I never said I didn't," Mother Midnight interrupts. "And I suggest you not finish that thought, nor entertain those like it. You know the rules."

Hellfire looks forward, and her response is tainted with annoyance. "Yes, Mother."

They walk in silence through the rest of the corridors toward their destination. Every other Femescubus gives the passing Mother berth without a word. Hellfire knows this path well; it is the path she must take every time she returns below from the surface. Mother Midnight is leading her toward the washroom.

"This is where we part ways, right, Mother Midnight?" Hellfire asks by the arched aperture embedded into the stone. The room to their left is filled with Femescubi in various stages of dress and cleanness and the heat and humidity associated with naturally-occurring underground hot springs.

"I will see you at the meeting, Sister Hellfire. Won't I." Her question is less a question and more a command. It creates an awkward tension that sends a chill of down the orange woman's spine.

"Yes, Mother."

As one of three washrooms in the subterranean society built around such artesian wells, the washroom is large enough to contain a significant number of Femescubi. Aside from the entrance Sister Hellfire is currently walking through, there is another on the opposite wall. Benches line each of these walls, on and under which are set the armors belonging to the women bathing inside. In the center of the room is a pool edged in stone, and water runs from the ceiling down into the center, where a stalagmite rises, causing the water run into the pool.

Hellfire passes through the archway of stone and steps to her side, a pink-skinned woman with bright bushy pink hair who has neither a horn nor wings passing through the door. She finds an available piece of floor under a nearby bench, and doffs her boots and armor, kneeling as she sets it neatly in the vacancy. She stands, turns, and walks toward the center of the room, ignoring the not-so-subtle glances of the other women. She doesn't have to look around to know they were looking at her; rumors and gossip spread quickly, and being escorted by a Mother is of utmost interest to most Femescubi. Hellfire sits on the edge of the stone fountain, slipping her feet into the warm water. She cups the water in her hands and runs it over her legs, the dust and dirt soiling the water as she cleans. Her ears turn at each quiet whisper behind her, which quickly become silent as her ears start focusing on the familiar sound of a certain woman's footfalls approaching her.

"Everyone knows where you've been, Hellfire," says the voice of the other woman. Hellfire smirks, confirming her suspicions. "I'm just the only one with the guts to say it."

"Why, Sister Extinction," the orange woman replies with feigned surprise, "how unexpected to meet you here." Hellfire finishes washing one leg and swings it out of the water, leaving her other leg in. Some water flies off her leg in Extinction's direction, and a few drops land on her pristine white leg. Sister Extinction, the white woman with a fabulous purple bouffant, frowns. She takes a towel from a nearby Femescubus, wipes away the few drops, and tosses it back to its previous owner. Extinction's armor is no less exquisitely crafted than anyone else's, but is made of a shimmering silver metal (perhaps platinum, though no other Sister truly knows) and golden trim. Her horn curves up from her forehead, but is a few inches shorter, and noticeably straighter, than Hellfire's.

"Honestly, Sister, how do you expect to clean off all that surface muck in time for the meeting?"

"I'll be there, just like I always do." Hellfire finishes cleaning her other leg and swings it over the edge, not trying to splash her Sister this time. "But what about you?"

"How do you mean? I'm already ready for it."

"That's what I'm talking about, Sister Extinction. What are you doing here in a dirty washroom when you've already primped and preened yourself as if preparing for a Mascubus lover?" Hellfire slides herself backwards into the fountain, arms behind her to keep her above the water. She spreads her legs and smirks up at her opponent, giving her a sly wink. "Unless you came looking for another Femescubus lover... Tink."

Gasps and giggles spread throughout the washroom, and Extinction's pallor cheeks flush at both the implication and the nickname she'd once had. Extinction glares at a few of the other Sisters, killing the giggles, before crossing her arms and glaring back down at Hellfire.

"Careful, Sister," Hellfire says, bringing one of her arms across her chest and under her breasts to wash the other. "You're staring."

"You think you're so clever, don't you?"

Hellfire finishes cleaning her arm and starts cleaning her other arm in the same manner. "I'm smarter than you and everyone knows it."

Extinction moves closer, stepping to the side of Hellfire's legs which are still spread apart, and points her finger at Hellfire's chest. She raises her voice to speak, and a keen "Now you listen here, you hellion. I will not be made a fool of in front of anyone!"

"Oh, no one is making a fool of you, darling. You do that all by yourself!" Hellfire quickly grabs Extinction's wrist and pulls her down beside her, using the momentum to pull herself up. Extinction screams as she falls into the hot water. Deeper gasps and laughter spread throughout the room as they look upon Sister Extinction's humiliation. "Nobody calls me 'Hellion' and gets away with it. Not anymore." The orange woman turns around, placing one hand on her hips and the other on her cheek in shock horror as she looks down at the white woman. "Well, would you look at that. I'm all clean, and you're an absolute mess! How will you ever be ready in time for the meeting?"

Hellfire turns toward where she left her boots and armor, finding them exactly where she'd left them. It only takes a moment to don each piece, and some of the other Femescubi are all to eager too help her put them on. She thanks her Sisters and makes haste toward her chamber to finish preparing for the meeting, and all the while Hellfire feels the warmth of fury in her cheeks. Many of her Sisters can make her angry, but a very special few are able to infuriate her, Sister Extinction being the worst of all for manipulating her emotions and betraying her trust.

Hellfire finds her way to her room, the same small dugout room every Sister is given, dressed with little more than a hung curtain for privacy, a comfortable cot, and a place to hang her armor. She draws the curtain and closes her eyes, her hand gripping the fabric against the wall. She lets out a breath she has been holding in. Her body shudders with the bittersweet memories, and she lays down on her back on her cot. Her chest rises with deep breaths as she takes a few minutes to calm herself down.

Hellfire doesn't know how much time passes before she hears the curtain draw back a few inches. She turns her head and sees a teal Femescubus with lighter teal hair and a curved horn slip her head into the chamber. Hellfire recognizes her as one of her Sisters who was in the washroom.

"The meeting's about to start, Sister Hellfire."

"Thank you, Sister Whammy."

Hellfire sits up, adjusts her hair and armor, and passes through the curtain. She can feel some of her Sisters' eyes watching her without looking around, continuing to make her way toward the common room. The common room is very large, easily containing the hundreds of Femescubi for events such as celebrations and meetings, though the latter occurs much more frequently. Along one wall of the room is a raised dais where the four Mothers of the Femescubus commune stand, waiting for every woman to file in.

Mother Daybreaker is the tallest and the oldest of the four. Her skin is whiter than Extinction's, and her hair is long and flowing past her waist, colored as vibrantly as flames. Her horn is the longest and most curved of any Femescubus, and her wide leathery wings are tucked in at her sides. Her body is adorned with intricate and durable metal armor a dark maroon color, as if made of highly glossy rust. The gorget of her armor has a large, spherical, multifaceted golden jewel. The horns on the side of her head curve forward and down to frame her cheeks, and her head is adorned with a helmet the same color and metal as the rest of her armor that fits over the base of her horns, giving her a threatening and powerful appearance.

Mother Nightmare is taller than everyone except Mother Daybreaker. Unlike Mother Daybreaker, Mother Nightmare's skin is black, and her hair is long and flowing to her waist, colored with deep blues and violets. Her wings are black, and even more pointed, and almost as big. Her horns are curved in the same way as Mother Daybreaker's, and her armor and forged in a similar manner. A light blue diamond is set into her gorget.

Mother Dissonance is somewhat taller than Mother Midnight. Her skin is pink, her colorful hair, shades of yellow, magenta, and deep purple, reaching the middles of her back. Her leathery wings are pink with purple-frosted tips, and her horns and armor are much more like Mother Midnight's than the other Mothers'. She has a necklace of gold, in which is set a blue stone like Mother Midnight's.

Mother Daybreaker steps forward as the last of the Sisters file in, and flares her wings wide. Immediately the room becomes silent.

"Thank you all for coming quickly, as always." Her eyes and Mother Midnight's scan the room, pausing momentarily on Sister Hellfire before continuing her survey. Hellfire notices their hesitation, and suppresses a shiver of anxiety. Hellfire realizes that Mother Midnight must have told the other Mothers about her excursion earlier. "There are many things to speak about this meeting, so I shall begin with the most pressing. The Mascubi will be arriving within the week for the usual intermittent interplay."

Author's Note

That scene between Hellfire and Extinction was so much fun to write! As much as I love cinnamon roll Sunset, I also love sinnamon roll Sunset.

03: Tales

The next few days are spent preparing for the arrival of their Mascubi compatriots. Sisters all across the subterranean compound polished their armors and made sure their rooms were as clean and as organized as could be.

The evening before the arrival of the Mascubi, Sister Hellfire walks though the passages amidst the bustle and din of her Sisters ensuring their chambers are presentable to their male counterparts. Hellfire's room is relatively untouched from its state a few days earlier before she arrived at the meeting. Her aim is the Mothers' Den, where the four Mothers reside when not in public, and where Sister Hellfire knew Mother Midnight likely was.

Hellfire turns the last corner and sees the familiar figures of Sister Pallid and Sister Thundercloud on either side of the door to the Mothers' Den. She hesitates, then continues forward as her heart beats faster.

"Halt!" commands Sister Pallid. Hellfire stops, and Sister Thundercloud glares at her. "State your business."

"Sister Hellfire requesting the audience of Mother Midnight."

Sister Pallid nods and knocks on the door. After a few seconds, a panel slides open to reveal a pair of purple eyes. They glance to the sides to see which guard knocked, then darts back to where Sister Hellfire is standing. Mother Midnight opens the door and steps into the hall.

"Sister Hellfire? What are you doing here?"

"I'm requesting permission to be escorted to the surface."

"You're going back up there?" asked Thundercloud. "You know that's forbidden!"

Mother Midnight immediately turns to face Thundercloud, her arms folded across her chest. Her face holds an expression that is unamused and, even moreso, annoyed. Thundercloud swallows.

"Only without the presence of a Mother, which Sister Hellfire has explicitly requested this time." she says as she steps closer to Thundercloud and spreads her wings. "This shows an improvement in her behavior. However, this is the second time you have berated your Sister in front of me in the last week, Sister Thundercloud. Should it happen again, there will be unpleasant consequences for you. Do I make myself clear?"

Sister Thundercloud quivers. "Yes, Mother Midnight. It will not happen again."

"Good." Midnight turns to face Hellfire. Thundercloud makes a face at her orange Sister, but Hellfire says nothing. Sister Pallid hides a snicker behind a smile. Mother Midnight gestures to Sister Hellfire to lead the way, and they make their way to the closest shaft to the surface. The two winged guards bow their heads to Mother Midnight, allowing them both to pass. As they make their way up the stairs, Hellfire breaks the silence.

"I'm honestly a bit surprised you agreed to come with me, Mother Midnight."

"We're out of earshot of the others, Hellfire," the purple woman replied. "You don't need to use my title. Would you have come up here anyway if I hadn't?"

"Not so soon after getting reprimanded."

Midnight nods. "So why are we going to the surface?"

"Honestly, I hadn't thought that far," Hellfire admits. "I didn't think my request was going to be accepted. I almost didn't ask. The guards could have turned me away, especially after I saw Sister Pallid and Sister Thundercloud there. Any of the other Mothers could have answered and said no, given my reputation. Even you could have said no."

"What makes you say that?"

By this time the hole on the surface is visible. Hellfire looks up and hesitates. Mother Midnight pauses behind her. "You're a Mother. You don't need a reason to be obeyed."

Midnight lets out a sigh. "Hell, need I keep reminding you I used to be a Sister like you?"

Hellfire starts walking up the stairs again. "It's not that, Mid," she replies. "Every Sister down below is used to how the other Mothers act, and expects you to act the same eventually."

They continue the rest of their journey up in silence, standing together at the edge of the hole.

"I heard what happened with Sister Extinction the other day after I left you to prepare for the meeting." Midnight turns to her old friend, a firm expression on her face. Hellfire sees and stammers trying to find an explanation. Midnight giggles and gestures to a nearby ruin. "I'm kidding, Hellfire. Come on. Tell me all about it, like old times."

Hellfire lets out a sigh of relief. "I was minding my own business, cleaning the dust off, when Sister Extinction came up behind me, talking in that annoying better-than-thou voice she has. I accidentally-on-purpose splashed some water on her just to get a rise out of her."

"Surely it did."

"It did. She grabbed a towel to clean off the drops. She asked how I was going to manage to clean all the surface dust off in time for the meeting, and I pointed out that she was already ready like for a Mascubus lover but for some reason had gone out of her way to see me. I was sitting on the edge facing her, so I decided to tease her. I leaned back and spread my legs."

Midnight gasps, putting a hand over her mouth. "You didn't!"

Hellfire nods. "I called her by her old nickname and suggested she was there to flirt with me, which she did not care for in the slightest. That angered her more than the splashing did. She leaned in, called me 'hellion', and I pulled her into the fountain, making a quick exit."

Midnight giggles again, then sighs. "I miss being a Sister sometimes, especially when I miss scenes like that."

Hellfire nods. "Your turn to tell me a story."

"That's fair," the purple Mother says. "What would you like to hear?"

Hellfire takes a deep breath. "Tell me about your Elevation."

Midnight closes her eyes and sighs. "That's fair. I'll start at the washroom."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sister Hellfire and Sister Midnight sit next to each other on the edge of the central fountain in one of the compound's washrooms. They are both completely undressed and their feet are resting in the water as they take turns washing each other's bodies. Sister Midnight pushes her breasts into Sister Hellfire's back, rubbing her sides and nuzzling her neck and shoulder. Hellfire's eyes are closed, and she breathes out a contented sigh. Sister Hellfire brings her hand up, caressing her lover's cheek.

Two Femescubus guards walk through the washroom's entrance, followed by Mother Daybreaker. Every Femescubus turns to face their Mother, lowering their heads in respect. Mother Daybreaker passes by, giving no indication whether she notices her subjects or not.

"Sister Midnight," she says, prompting Sister Midnight and Sister Hellfire to stop washing each other and stand straight up. They lower their heads.

"Sister Midnight at your service, Mother Daybreaker."

"Once you are clean, don your armor and follow me to the Mothers' Den. Make it quick."

Sister Midnight and Sister Hellfire give each other a concerned glance, and quickly finish washing the purple Sister. Sister Hellfire towels her off, refraining from their usual play as she does. Sister Midnight puts on her armor and bows her head to Mother Daybreaker. Mother Daybreaker snaps her fingers, and the two guards turn about, leading Mother Daybreaker and Sister Midnight out of the washroom.

The journey to the Mothers' Den is made in silence. As they near the Den, the two guards part the doors. Mother Daybreaker passes through, as does Sister Midnight after a brief hesitation and insistence by one of the guards.

The dome-shaped Mothers' Den is uniquely decorated and furnished, a stark contrast to the plain chambers of the Sisters. The main chamber consists of silks and linens draping from the ceilings and walls, and the floor is covered in soft, colorful pillows and cushions. The chamber is lit by ornate wall sconces that contain torches, and the smoke from each torch crawls up the curved walls to a hole at the top, leading somewhere outside. Directly across from the main door lies another door emblazoned with the symbol of Mother Daybreaker's fiery orb. On either side are two other doors, one emblazoned with the crescent and stars of Mother Nightmare and the tarnished crystal heart of Mother Dissonance.

Mother Daybreaker leads Sister Midnight to a fourth door, one with no symbol on it. This chamber is much darker, where Mother Nightmare and Mother Dissonance are waiting. Mother Daybreaker tells Sister Midnight to stop and stand still before taking her place between the other two Mothers.

"Sister Midnight, today is an auspicious day for you, for you have been chosen to join our ranks as a Mother of the Femescubi. As such, you are no longer required to follow the rules of the Sisters once expected of you."

"Which means I can speak freely around other Mothers?"

"That is correct," states Mother Nightmare.

"Why me? What made me stand out from hundreds of my Sisters?"

"This orb and water," says mother. Mother Dissonance produces a shallow bowl of water, on which floats a perfectly spherical crystal. "These are said to have been sent from the heavens eons ago when what was beyond the clouds was not a mystery. When used together with the proper incantation, we are able to glean the past, present, and future with great accuracy. We have seen you as a Mother among us."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My initiation began right away. I was stripped, given a concoction to drink, and then I felt sharp pricks on my body. Soon I was in a lot of pain. The next thing I knew, I'd grown two more horns and a pair of wings. My Elevation was announced the next day."

"Did the Mothers ever tell you how long the process had taken?"

"No. I asked once I'd regained consciousness, but they didn't see how it was relevant so I stopped asking."

Hellfire's body is shaking as she holds back a rush of emotions. "Mid, it was almost two weeks from the time we last bathed together to your Elevation ceremony." Midnight's mouth drops open. "Two weeks with no word from you or the Mothers what had happened to you. Two weeks without my lover, which turned into an eternity as soon as I saw you'd been Elevated."

Midnight wraps her arms around her old friend and lover. Hellfire immediately buries her head in Midnight's neck and cries, holding her close.

"It broke your heart," Midnight says, repeating what was on Hellfire's lips that she is unable to speak through the tears. After a moment Hellfire breaks the embrace and wipes her eyes.

"I waited every day for word of what happened to you. None of the Mothers or guards would tell me anything."

They sit together in silence, leaning against each other.

"As a Mother, I'm able to access the orb at will. Not even Mother Daybreaker knows exactly how it works, just that it can show the past, present, or future. I used it after the meeting where we announced the arrival of the Mascubi."

"What did you see?"

"I saw you from years ago looking up at the sun, and I saw it and something blue beyond the canopy."

Hellfire smiles and lightly whacks her friend's back with her tail.

"I told you it was real."

Author's Note

Originally I was going to have the third chapter focus on the Mascubi, but as much as I wanted the flow to work that way, I had a lot of difficulty figuring out how to create that society and make it both similar to and different from the Femescubi. So instead I decided to continue Hellfire and Midnight's story for now and I'll introduce Mascubus culture as needed.

04: Past

It is the day the Mascubi arrive. Each Sister waits one one side of the common room, silent. Some are patient; others, less so, but they dare not show it. The Dalliance was a formal observance. The dais is vacant.

It is the day the Mascubi arrive. Each Mother waits at the ruins at the surface, silent. All are patient. The winds are unusually still this day. The horizon is vacant, until it isn’t.

A dark spot appears in the distance. It grows until its form is visible: an enormous purple winged beast. The ground shudders as it approaches. Large gondolas carrying groups of Brothers hang from heavy ropes wrapped around the green plates on its back, and one carrying each Father and their personal guards hangs below the creature’s head.

Midnight can’t help but watch the approaching beast. "So that’s why the ground shakes every time the Fathers and Brothers arrive."

"Awe-inspiring, isn’t it?" Mother Dissonance asks her. "The Mascubi don’t live underground like we do. They spend their days wandering the wastes in search of resources."

"The first time Mother Dissonance saw the Great Lamina, she was just as captivated by its presence as you are, Mother Midnight," Mother Nightmare says.

"Silence, Mothers," Mother Daybreaker interjects. "Soon it will be too loud to hold conversation."

Indeed, as the Great Lamina approaches, its footfalls cause louder and greater tremors until finally it stops a fair distance from the Mothers. It lowers itself so the gondolas rest on the ground, and the Brothers begin departing. They wait until the Fathers step out before following them to meet the Mothers.

Father Chaotica, Father Tragic, and Father Harvester lead the procession. Each Father has two horns curving around each side of his head and wings, much like the Femescubus Mothers. Father Chaotica is the oldest and most powerful of the Mascubi, his hair and goatee having gone white with age.

However, he appears sickly. His tail is inflamed and flaky, one horn shows damage from fragility, and one discolored arm appears to have begun shriveling. In contrast, Father Tragic appears to be the ideal pinnacle of strength. Father Harvester appears equally healthy. It takes longer than usual for them to approach as they assist Father Chaotica.

"Well met, Fathers," Mother Daybreaker says when they approach. "I hope you are well, Father Chaotica."

"Yes, I’ve seen better days," he replies. "We can discuss it more tonight, but first I believe we have a meeting to attend."

"Indeed," states Mother Daybreaker. She turns to the rest of the Mascubi and raises her voice for all to hear. "We, the Mothers of the Femescubi, welcome the Mascubi to our dwelling. We shall lead the way, followed by the Fathers, followed by the Brothers. Once we arrive at the gathering hall, the Brothers shall take positions in the empty half of the room."

Mother Daybreaker turns and begins descending down the nearby stairwell, followed by Mother Nightmare, Mother Dissonance, and finally Mother Midnight. Father Tragic leads the Mascubi, followed by Father Chaotica and Father Harvester. Under normal circumstances, Father Chaotica would lead, but given his condition Mother Midnight doesn’t consider it unusual. The Mothers reach the culmination of the stairwell and continue into the gathering hall. The Mothers and the Fathers continue walking toward the dais as the Brothers begin to fill the empty space.

The eyes of Brothers and Sisters alike dart across the room to see if their favorite companions are present. Hellfire glances over at the Brothers and after a moment sees the familiar blue hair of a previous lover. Her body tenses and she averts her gaze to look directly forward.

Mother Daybreaker stands in the center of the dais. The other Mothers flank one side, and the Fathers flank the other. She waits until all the Brothers are standing and guards fill in the door behind them.

"Tonight, the Femescubi welcome the Mascubi," Mother Daybreaker says. She has no need to raise her voice, as the sound reverberating against the walls does it for her. "Many centuries ago we were of one kind until arose a conflict that separated us. For the safety of our kinds, it was decided that we remain apart. For the continuation of our kinds, it was decided that periodically we would have a celebration of Dalliance where our societies rejoined before parting ways once again. Tonight, that celebration begins anew."

A lone shout of exaltation comes from a Brother. His Brother nudges him to keep him quiet.

"There are those present for whom this is their first Dalliance," Mother Daybreaker continues without skipping a beat. "The more experienced Brothers and Sisters shall ensure their Brothers and Sisters understand what is acceptable and what is not."

It’s common for a Brother and a Sister who had been partners in the previous Dalliance to be partners again in the next one. Hellfire hopes her previous partner didn’t attempt to be her partner again. She glances over at him, only to find his head turned toward her. She turns her eyes toward the dais once more, but cannot focus on the rest of Mother Daybreaker’s words. Soon Hellfire sees her Brothers and Sisters begin to intermingle. She turns toward the nearest egress. Fortunately, the guards at the door had already stepped aside to let partners through, so she slips between them toward her room and closes the curtain. She sits on her bed.

Hellfire hears voices pass as partners make their way to other Sisters’ rooms. After some time alone she hears a voice she wishes she wasn’t able to.

"Brother Flare requesting Sister Hellfire."

"Give me a moment." Hellfire takes a deep breath and rubs her eyes. The one thing she doesn’t want tonight, she has, and it’s rude to ignore requests. Denying them is a different matter.

Hellfire waits until she hears no other voices before she opens the curtain and ushers him quickly into her room. They stand on opposite sides of the curtain.

"I see you remembered how to get to my room."

"I saw you leave quickly and asked a Sister where it was."

"Am I that forgettable?"

There’s a pause. "What happened since the last Dalliance, Hellfire?" His voice is softer now. Brother Flame is smart, and is a characteristic that first led Hellfire to choose him. Hellfire looks away and tells him about Midnight’s Elevation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the Brothers and Sisters begin the Dalliance, the Mothers and Fathers make their way to the Mothers’ Den to do the same. The Fathers’ personal guards wait outside with the Sisters guarding the Mothers’ Den. The Mothers and Fathers make themselves comfortable with the pillows in the main chamber to discuss politics and what each of their societies has accomplished since the previous Dalliance. Father Chaotica and Mother Daybreaker excuse themselves and enter Mother Daybreaker’s chamber. The other Mothers and Fathers remain in the main chamber The glances from the other Mothers and Fathers indicate to Midnight that it’s unusual for Mother Daybreaker and Father Chaotica to separate from the others so soon. Midnight excuses herself and enters the dark chamber with the orb. She recites the incantation and focuses on Father Chaotica and Mother Daybreaker in the present.

"—life is in jeopardy," she hears Father Chaotica say.

"You’re certain of this?" Mother Daybreaker asks. Both speak quietly so as to not be overheard by the other Mothers and Fathers in the next room.

"Quite certain. My maladies came too quickly to be natural."

"This is indeed troubling. Do you have any inclination who could want to kill you?"

Midnight covers her mouth with her hand. This is a private conversation, yet the implications of the topic could be disastrous. She continues watching.

"If it had been a direct threat on my life, it would be easier to say. Whoever is doing this to me is cunning and patient. If it’s a Brother, that doesn’t shorten the list very much. We all value those characteristics."

"And if it’s not a Brother?"

"Then it could be another Father or some unknown agent I’m not aware of. The Fathers wouldn’t dare. We encounter others from time to time, but never for long enough that they would want to have me killed."

Midnight recites the incantation to deactivate the orb and leaves the orb chamber. She is face to face with Father Tragic.

"Is something wrong, Mother Midnight?" he asks. She sees that Mother Dissonance had returned to her chamber, and that Mother Nightmare and Father Harvester were stepping into her chamber.

"Nothing is wrong," she lies with a smile. "Please excuse me, Father Tragic. I wish to speak with someone." He steps out of her way and she walks down the corridors to Hellfire’s room. "Sister Hellfire."

A moment later the curtain opens to reveal Sister Hellfire and Brother Flame. This surprises her, but she pushes that confusion aside. She closes the curtain behind her.

"Brother Flame, how much do you know about Father Chaotica’s condition?"

"No more than you do, Mother Midnight," he replies. "It’s a mystery to all of us."

Midnight lowers her voice. "And how well do you know and trust the Fathers and the other Brothers?"

Brother Flame’s face grows serious. "I don’t like where this is going."

Author's Note

So it's been about five years. How y'all doin'?

Why'd it take five years? Well, I couldn't figure out how to introduce the Mascubi, and then I did, but by the time I did I'd moved onto other writing and cosplay projects. Not long after I uploaded chapter 3, I got the idea for Ragazze Equestri (which I'm also going to be working on this month) and wrote 50k words of for NaNoWriMo last year, the first year I actually met that goal (and I'm not even done with it!). I'll put a life update in a journal later.

So um... Brothers and Sisters as lovers. I genuinely didn't consider that implications when I started writing this, so try to separate the taboo from the titles they call each other.

It's been a long time since I've written a chapter this short. Usually I put in a lot more description and whatnot, but that's not the style I chose for this story. It's been fun getting back into the unique style I chose to write this in.