Author's Note

First of all, I'm super sorry for the wait. A lot of things happened, and then I got all out of it, and I started to forget and procrastinate... Basically, I have no excuse and I'm really sorry. Anyway... A couple things about this chapter. It's going to be an exception to the "first-person present" style, for various reasons. On top of that, there's a certain scene I've decided not to include for the time being... I may add it in at a later date, or maybe as a bonus... Anyway, I'll have chapter 4 up for you guys very soon, probably tomorrow or the day after. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this one!

Chapter 3: Lapse

The next day, after Shell had been taken by Dr. Seer, Ayis and the others went to see her friend, Ronzul. She took them downtown, where they found a tunnel in an alleyway, which Ayis explained lead to Ronzul's home. The tunnel was masterfully made, and had seemingly no flaws in the stonework.

“This ain't creepy at all…” Marisa muttered sarcastically.

“No kidding…” Alexandria agreed.

“Alexandria, I'm scared…” Shanghai said, clutching tightly to Alexandria's shoulder.

“I'm scared too…” Daiyousei added, clinging to Marisa.

“Oh hush, Ronzul's a really nice guy. He just likes his privacy is all,” Ayis said as they arrived at a stone door, carvings of a stone and chisel on it. Ayis knocked on the door. “Hey, Ronzul, you in there?”

The door slid open to reveal a stocky, stout dwarf with a black beard and slight mullet, the beard braided thrice over. He looked up at Ayis, and the group noted he had tattoos on his arms, both of some strange form of runes.

“Ayis? What're ya doin' 'ere, lass?” he looked to the others. “And who are they? Friends?”

“It's a long story, but yeah, they're friends,” Ayis explained. Ronzul stroked his beard before shrugging.

“Well, git in 'ere, then. Jus' don't touch tha' soil samples,” Ronzul said, stepping aside to let them in. Ayis entered, the door just tall enough for her. Daiyousei stepped inside too, having no trouble due to being the exact same height as Ayis. Alexandria and Marisa looked at each other, both being taller than the doorway. Marisa shrugged and ducked inside. After a moment, Alexandria also ducked in. Starlight, hanging in the back and having stayed silent for most of the trip entered behind Alexandria.

Inside was a room made of concrete, though not a kind of concrete Starlight, Alexandria, Marisa or Dayousei were used to. For one, it was a much darker gray, and two, it had a much smoother feel to it. The concrete walls were decorated with intricate carvings and murals, and on a table in the middle of the room was a collective pile of soil samples, all of semi-differing shades of brown, with flags in them.

There were two other doorways on the left and right sides of the room, and straight in front of the group was a large number of stone shelves with glass jars of more soil samples. Ronzul walked over to the left doorway.

“This way, lassies,” he instructed, descending yet another staircase. Alexandria, Marisa, Daiyousei and Starlight were a bit hesitant, though Ayis followed without question. Alexandria looked at the other three standing with her before descending the staircase.

“Ugh, this just keeps gettin' creepier and creepier…” Marisa muttered as she entered the doorway and followed Alexandria down the stairs. Daiyousei continued to cling silently to Marisa's arm, shaking a little as she glanced around at the dark and gloomy concrete that comprised all the floors, walls, ceilings and even the stairs of the staircase. Starlight pulled her cloak tighter to her and felt Cataclysm shift on her back, the Nil Dragon reassuring her as she followed.

Ayis kept her wings close to her as they descended the stairs, and while they did, the smell of fire and the feeling of intense heat started to make them all sweat profusely. They arrived in a room with smelters pouring some kind of silvery metal into kilns, which had cement in them already. Ronzul walked past them and towards the door on the other side of the room, walking down a small aisle between the two channels of which the mixed minerals were flowing beneath and to some other room, behind another wall.

“Don' mind tha' Mixers, jus' try ta' stay in tha' aisle,” Ronzul instructed. “Don' want ya gittin' yer feet burned beyond repair.”

“Yeah…” Alexandria answered quietly as she cautiously walked down the aisle, eyeing the molten substance. “I doubt touching molten metal and rock feels all that pleasant…” Marisa carefully walked down the aisle behind Alexandria in silence. The aisle was too small for Daiyousei and Marisa to walk side by side, so Daiyousei had to let go of Marisa's arm. Instead of walking, Daiyousei used her wings to hover just above the floor of the aisle and crossed quickly, grabbing Marisa's arm again as soon as she was across. Starlight looked from one side to the other as she made her way across, still holding her cloak tight as her horn began to glow, followed soon after by the rest of her body and the outline of Cat on her back.

They descended another set of stairs, and arrived at what could be called a living room. There were polished black and white tiles with a loveseat sitting by a fireplace, most likely a gas one. The floor in front of the fireplace had a unique and slightly unsettling rug, made of the hide of some unknown beast. It appeared to be gray and fuzzy, yet there were craggy parts as well. There was a number of family portraits on a shelf above the fireplace, although they were of Ronzul and a few different ponies instead of more people like him.

There were also more loveseats around the back of the homey looking room, and a couch next to the one nearest the fire. On the far wall was an armor stand with very well decorated armor on it and a greatshield hung up next to the stand, as well as a very unsettling looking mace in a display case on the other side of the stand.

Ronzul gestured to the couch. “Have a seat, tell ol' Ronny whatcha need,” Ronzul said, sitting down on the loveseat nearest the fire. Alexandria took a seat on the couch, eyeing the odd rug in front of it. Marisa remained standing, and Daiyousei continued to cling to her, giving the mace a scared look. Starlight found a shadowed corner of the room and went to stand there only to shift as Cataclysm jumped from her back. The demon beelined for the fireplace as he came into view and jumped in amongst the flames, curling up happily.

“No, Cat, get back here,” Starlight said worriedly, taking a step forward. “I'm so sorry Mister Ronzul….” Ronzul simply laughed.

“It's fine, lass. Ah don' mind the lil'un sleepin' in the fire. Long as 'e's comfortable,” Ronzul assured. He turned to Ayis. “So, what trouble didya git inta' this time? Didn' see ya for months!” Ayis rubbed her arm nervously, looking to the others.

“About that…” Alexandria started. “A couple months back, Ayis happened to get herself, uh… 'Angel-napped' by a large-scale crime organization called the Circle of the Hightower. Just a couple days ago, Starlight, a few others who aren't here right now and I went to one of the Circle's complexes to complete an unrelated objective. While there, we discovered Ayis there and we busted her out.”

Ronzul closed his eyes as he stroked his beard, deep in thought. A tense silence filled the room, none of the girls sure what to say as Ronzul thought to himself. Finally, he opened his brown eyes once more.

“Yew have a kid in ya, dontcha?” he asked out of nowhere. Ayis sputtered for a moment and flailed a little, more than a little surprised. He sighed. “Figured.” He stood up, walking over to the armor stand. He stopped in front of it. “So, those lil' kucknas really want to start a war…” He growled, lashing out at the wall with a fist, instantly cracking it and making a dent. “...Then war it is.”

“Please, calm down Ronzul,” Alexandria said. “We can worry about declaring war on the Circle soon enough, but first we need to talk to you about the real reason we're here: we need to build a base of operations to stay in, and Ayis told us you're the guy to ask.”

Ronzul stood there, fist in the wall, for a good minute just seething with rage. Finally, he removed his fist, leaving behind the dent, and walked over to the fireplace, casually placing his hand inside and petting Cataclysm.

“Yew'll git one and more,” he said simply. Ayis' eyes widened.

“Ronzul, you don’t mean-” she began.

“Ah do, lass. Yer gittin' the Imperial Bundle. Fortress an' all. Ah'll cover half o' tha' expenses,” he turned to face the group. “Long as y'all tell me tha' next time yew go ta' fight those bastards, yer gittin’ all Ah can give.”

Ayis got a little teary eyed, and couldn't help but rush over and hug the dwarf. He simply smiled and rubbed her back as she cried into him.

Alexandria smiled. “If you're offering to fight alongside us, we'd be more than happy to have you, Ronzul,” she said. “And thank you for your offer. We'll need everything we can get our hands on if it'll help us take down the Circle.”

“Anythin' for the lil' Feather,” Ronzul said with a smile as he patted Ayis’ back.

“I'm only 36 years behind you!” she said with a laugh.

“Still a young'un to me, lass,” Ronzul said good naturedly as Ayis stood up and smiled down at the dwarf. “Now, let's talk about tha' specifications. Yew'll be gittin' ma' patented Supreme Dozer, which Ah'm thinkin' Ah'll put at tha' top o' tha' fort. But first, where do ya plan ta' build?”

“Heh, as it happens, we were in a pretty big and abandoned construction site just the other day,” Marisa answered. “It was real flat and everythin'. Seemed perfect for buildin' a base.”

“Where exactly was this?” Ronzul queried.

“It was near the shopping district,” Starlight answered, stepping up. “Northwest of Rarity's Canterlot Boutique.”

“Really? That ol' place?” Ronzul queried. At her nod, he hummed in thought. “Ah'd hafta' git some legal permissions, but ya got a real good spot there, lass.”

“Hah!” Marisa laughed. “Well, lucky me, huh?” Alexandria rolled her eyes.

“If you need time to get everything sorted out, then that's fine,” she said. “We'll need to relay the news to the others anyway. We'll let you work out all the legal details, and then we'll meet with you at the site with the rest of us.”

Ronzul nodded. “Understood, lass,” he said as they all moved to leave the room. When Alexandria passed by him, he stopped her with his arm. “Oi, keep an eye on li'l Feathers, will ya? She's like ma' own daughter.” Alexandria laughed a little.

“Don't worry, Ronzul,” she answered. “I don't plan on letting my girlfriend die.”

“Good, now, git goin'. Ah have to go polish ma' gear and git in touch with tha' legal boys,” Ronzul said, making a shooing motion.

“We're goin', we're goin'...” Marisa said as they were shooed back out into the tunnel outside Ronzul's front door. “Yeesh…” she added after Ronzul had gone off ahead of them to go do what he needed to do.

“Don' go touchin' ma' soil while I'm gone! Tha' Minotaur Ambassador wants tha' best 'e can git for 'is new fort!” Ronzul called as he climbed the stairs.

“I don't think we'd have any reason to touch 'em anyway!” Marisa called back.

“Alright, we should probably get going to Dr. Seer's so we can get Arela and Hikan,” Alexandria said. “They'll want to hear about this, I'm sure.”

“I know Hikan would,” Starlight said, stepping out the door with Cataclysm cradled in her arms. The little demon had not woken up and Starlight was softly stroking the feathers of his head with a worried look. “I'd… also like to know how Shell is doing.”

“Yeah, same,” Ayis agreed as they all walked up the steps.

Once at the clinic, Alexandria was the first to step inside. “Hello Ms. Touch,” she said to the receptionist behind the reception window.

The mare looked up from some paper work. “Oh,” she said in surprise before giving a small, tense smile. “It's nice to see you again. How can I help you?”

“We're here to grab Arela and Hikan,” Marisa said before anyone else could answer.

“We were also hoping to maybe see how Shell is doing…” Daiyousei added.

“Ah, you're here for the bug,” Gentle Touch said tersely. “The doctor is finishing up taking care of your… friend.”

Alexandria glared at the mare. “That's right, she's our friend. And I'll have you know that she's one of the nicest people I've known. In addition to that, it's the clinic's job to aid people when they're hurt, isn't it? I don't think you should be letting racial prejudice get in the way of your job.”

The mare looked up at the Yokai and returned her glare, starting to get out of her seat. “Look here, missy-”

“Gentle,” the low, dark growl made the mare jump a bit as the door swung quietly shut behind Dr. Truth Seer. “Sit back down.” The mare gulped and sat back down quickly, the doctor's gaze following her. Once she was seated, Dr. Seer looked up at the group and his scowl turned into a gentle smile. “Unfortunately, I can only let two of you back with the others, though that shouldn't be a problem. Your friend pulled through the night just fine and should be able to return home with you all.”

“That's great news,” Alexandria answered with a sigh. “And it's fine if not all of us can go back there to see Shell. As long as we can talk with Arela and Hikan.”

“I'll be sure to send one of them out,” the zebra said with his kind smile. “If two of you would please meet me at the waiting room door, I'll bring you right back.” With that, he turned and left through the same door he had entered the clerk's booth from. Before the door had even closed behind the stallion, Starlight was rushing to get to the waiting room doors. Alexandria went to follow her, but she stopped when she felt a tug on her dress. She turned to look behind her.

“U-Um…” Daiyousei stuttered, glancing away a little as she clasped her hands behind her back. “I-I'm really worried about Shell too… I was really hoping I could see her…”

Alexandria was silent for a few moments. Then her mouth turned up into a soft smile. “Alright Daiyousei,” she said. “I'll let you go see Shell.” Daiyousei looked up at Alexandria.

“Really…?” she asked. “You're okay with that?” Alexandria nodded. “Thank you!” Daiyousei said, a big, bright smile on her face as she gave Alexandria a quick hug before rushing to join Starlight by the waiting room doors. The door creaked open and Dr. Seer walked out of the way, letting Hikan step out of the door. He had bags under his eyes and his hair looked a mess.

“Hey, guys…” he greeted before letting out a long yawn. “Mm, sorry….”

“Triyte's Orbs, you alright there?” Ayis asked with concern.

“Hm?” Hikan hummed, looking to the fallen angel. “Oh, yeah. Just didn't get a lotta sleep last night, that's all.”

“You look like a vitelin for crying out loud!” Ayis cried.

Hikan blinked for a second before shrugging. “I'm going to assume that's a compliment,” he murmured before jerking his head back the way he came. “You guys better get going. Arela can catch you up once you get back there.”

Starlight looked worriedly at the man before she simply nodded and walked forward. She stopped only momentarily to give him a quick hug before disappearing into the depths of the clinic. Daiyousei followed Starlight silently, but glanced at Hikan with a worried look as she passed him. The man flashed her a tired smile and a thumbs up before Dr. Seer led them down the hall, the door to the waiting room swinging closed.

At the far back of the clinic, Truth took a right turn and led them down to a room. In the center was a full on medical bed, Shell being its current occupant while the futon had been pulled out into a bed, pillow and a blanket sitting on top of it.

Arela was standing right by the edge of Shell's bed, looking worse for wear than even Hikan did. Her wings had lost the luster and sheen to them, and her brown hair was frayed and looked oily. Her eyes were puffy and red, and she was staring straight at Shell's wound. She didn't seem to notice them.

Starlight stopped for a second, looking the angel over with a worried look before walking over to her side and stopping. “…The doctor said she's going to be fine…” she said quietly. Arela simply nodded. If she was affected by Starlight's presence, she didn't make any notion of it.

Starlight looked at her for a long moment before putting a hand on the angel's shoulder, and, a moment after that, wrapped her in a hug. This whole time, Daiyousei had been silently looking at Arela with a great deal of worry in her eyes.

Arela couldn't help but cry into Starlight's shoulder, body being wracked with sobs. Starlight rubbed her back, letting her cry as she held back her own tears. “She's going to be okay, Arela…” she said again, her voice tighter. After a moment, she started to hum a little tune. Something her mother used to sing to her and her sister when they were ill….

Arela cried harder for a little while, but slowly calmed, and, to Starlight's light surprise, passed out in her arms. It would seem her lack of sleep caught up with her.

“Ah…!” Daiyousei said in surprise, quickly running over to Starlight and Arela. “I-Is she okay?”

Starlight gave a soft smile as she held Arela and slowly and gently levitated her onto the futon, pulling the blanket over her. “She's just tired,” the unicorn answered quietly, gently brushing the angel's hair out.

“O-Oh…” Daiyousei said, though she still eyed Arela with worry.

After a few moments, Starlight got up from Arela's side and instead made her way over to Shell's, but an indent stayed on the couch as Cataclysm came into view, asleep next to the angel. The Changeling was sleeping soundly with bandages wrapped around her crown, a small barely visible stain a little ways over her right eye. Daiyousei turned to look down at Shell.

“I'm really glad Shell will be getting better soon…” she said. “I was really, really worried…”

Starlight nodded. “Yeah, me, too…” she said quietly, tears forming in her eyes before she squeezed them shut and grimaced. “How could we let something like this happen?”

“It wasn't our fault…” Daiyousei said. “That spirit lady was the one that hit Shell… And she did it too quickly… None of us could do anything about it… But I do wish I could have stopped her…”

Starlight was quiet as she let her tears fall down for several minutes before she opened her eyes. “...I'm going to make sure that never happens again,” she said quietly, her hands gripping the railing of the medical bed until her knuckles turned white.

“I… I agree,” Daiyousei said. “No matter how many times I have to sacrifice myself, no matter how much it hurts… I won't let this happen to anyone anymore.”

Starlight nodded her head and dried her tears before straightening up. “No matter the cost,” she said. “This won't ever happen again.”

Shell did eventually wake up, surprised by her new mane and went home with them. She spent the next month recovering in Gaelle's apartment alongside the others. But, nearer the end of the month, Ronzul found them and took them back to the construction site… only, it wasn't exactly an empty lot anymore….

The once empty lot was now a full on fortress, albeit not as big as the Castle in the upper district, but still bigger than what Hikan had seen. Arela and Ayis had seen forts of this like as well, but even they were a little blown away by the sight. Alexandria, Marisa and Daiyousei had never seen anything quite like it, and were speechless at the breathtaking sight of the building.

The walls and ramparts were lined with steel spikes, a few ballistae on each wall. The walls themselves were made of bricks of dark, almost charcoal color brick and mortar, and it was all masterfully done.

At the top was a small tower with what Hikan and Alexandria figured was a mortar, the large, quadruple-barreled hunk of metal standing proud as it's orange paint gave it a golden glow. At the entrance to the fort were banners with a symbol Hikan had specified he wanted. The black silhouette of a wolf head snarled towards the ground, it's yellow eye burning with the red cross pupil, the shape resembling something of a sword.

There were a number of smaller towers along the walls where archers could set up, and the fort had more than a few arrowslits all along the walls.

“It's…” Shanghai began before trailing off, unable to find any good words to describe the fort. Alexandria, Marisa and Daiyousei continued to remain silent, still stunned speechless.

“It's amazing,” Hikan finished, a bright grin on his face before he looks down to the Dwarf. “Thank you for this Ronzul. We really appreciate this.” Ronzul grunted.

“Long as ya give those Circle bastards what for, Ah don' care what Ah have ta' do. Jus' remember ta' pay tha' bill later, aye?” Ronzul said, looking up at his work. “Oh, and be mindful o' tha' walls inside. There're secret passages for ya.”

Starlight looked down from her gazing with a surprised look. “Um… maybe you should give us a tour…” she said, giving a nervous chuckle. Ronzul chuckled.

“Ah figured yew'd say that, lass,” Ronzul said as he began walking towards the doorway. As he walked, he called back. “Oh, and ma' pal in tha' Royal Guard said she was gunna send some o' her boys yer way.”

Hikan pauses for a moment at that and looks at the dwarf. “No offense, Ronzul,” he starts. “But are you sure that's a good idea? What we're doing here isn't exactly legal by any means. Not only that, but I can almost guarantee that some of the Circle's members will be nobles from the royal court.”

“Weren't ma' call, lad,” Ronzul replied, stopping at the doorway. “Was ol' Huey's idea. Crazy bat's been tryin' ta' find and stop these Circle clowns 'long as Ah've been 'ere.”

Hikan was quiet for a moment before he looked to the doors. “So long as none of us end up in handcuffs,” he muttered.

“Huey'll worry 'bout that. Now, let's git this show on tha' road, eh?” Ronzul said, walking through the doorway. Hikan nodded his head and followed after him, Starlight and Shell going behind him. After a moment longer of staring up at the building's outside, Alexandria, Marisa and Daiyousei also followed after them.

Ayis was close behind as Ronzul, much to the group's surprise, pushed the fifteen foot tall - and likely reinforced - iron doors open all by himself. He turned to their shocked visages and chuckled.

“What? Ne'er seen a dwarf push a door?” he asked.

“Well, I mean…” Alexandria started. “That's not it. It's just that I've never seen someone so small push something large and heavy with so much ease.”

Hikan laughed at this. “Seriously?” He asked, looking back at her. “You guys really are going to have to work on your physical strength if that's the ca-” A quick thud cut him off as Starlight chopped him in the back of the head. “...Ow… What was that for?”

“Be nice,” the unicorn answered. “They've all seen combat and know what we're up against… but they haven't seen the other things we've seen. The things on the flip side of the coin….”

Hikan was quiet for a moment before he let out a sigh and looked at the group. “She's right and I apologize,” he said. “But at the same time, we're not stepping into a game. Whatever or whoever the Circle is, expect feats of strength like that to become a norm. Not only that, but we'll have to be even stronger than that. Do you guys understand?”

“Got it,” Ayis said with a nod.

“Understood, my love,” Arela confirmed.

“I'll do whatever needs to be done,” Alexandria stated with conviction.

“Amen,” Marisa agreed.

“I may not be a very good fighter, but I'll do what I can to help,” Daiyousei said.

Hikan nodded before turning back to Ronzul. “Sorry for the interruption,” he apologized with a little bow. “Please, continue.” Ronzul nodded, guiding the three around the fort. He showed them the barracks where the, as he put it, 'Blind Guards', would be staying, the kitchens, the mess hall/dining room, the ramparts, and much more, like the bunker. In time, he showed them the rooms they would be staying in, along with the private bathhouse. Then, he brought them to the main tower where the mortar was, and explained how it worked, including how to make the special ammunition for it.

“And that 'bout sums it up,” Ronzul stated, looking back at the group as he turned from the mortar.

“You really went all out, didn't you Mister Ronzul,” Shell breathed, still looking around in awe. Ronzul grinned.

“Yer damned right, lass! Ah'd do anythin' fer Feathers 'ere,” Ronzul said, patting Ayis' side. Ayis smiled at this and gave the dwarf a brief hug. When she released him, she looked to her friends.

“So, who wants some Fallen cuisine?” she asked.

The base completed and the new Night Raid finally moved into their new home, time marched on. Hikan began to organize training regiments for them all, wanting to make sure they could all overcome their weaknesses before any real danger hit them. It was on one night while he was finishing up the last of the routines that the sound of someone pounding on the front door reverberated through the base.

“Hm?” Hikan looked up tiredly from the paperwork laid out before him as the loud banging seemed to pierce into his sleep-deprived head. “Now who could that be?”

“Sir! Somepony is here to see you! She has a young Hippogriff with her!” came the feminine voice of his personal guard, Little Locket.

“A…?” Hikan questioned before his eyes widened. “Thank you for reporting, Locket.” He got up from his seat and quickly ran to the front door. Locket nodded as he ran past her and out the door. The man stopped in front of the door before pulling it open.

Outside, in the cold and rain, Gaelle stood with an umbrella over herself and Garrick. The griffoness looked up from the ground, her eyes red. She'd been crying…. “Gaelle?” The assassin questioned before coming to stand beside her and usher them both inside. “What are you two doing out at this time of night? And in the rain, no less.”

Gaelle remained quiet as she and her son were led inside and Hikan closed the great door behind them. When he turned back to look at them, the griffon almost broke down into tears once more. “They found us, Hikan,” she said quietly, drawing a look of surprise from the hunter. “They… burned down the apartment we were staying in. Luckily, we weren't home… but when I saw the flames and smoke, I… I….” The griffoness' body shuddered and her voice broke as tears flowed down her face.

Hikan watched her for a moment before wrapping her in a hug. “It's okay…” he said quietly. “It's all going to be okay….”

The griffon sniffed and looked up at him. “How can you be so sure of that?” She asked, her voice tight.

Hikan looked up into Gaelle's eyes with a gentle smile. “Because I'm inviting you to stay here with us,” he said simply.

The griffon stared up at him in shock. “You… there's no way you could-”

“Of course I can,” he said. “After what you did for us, of course you can stay here. No charge and indefinitely.”

Gaelle stared up at him for a long time before her eyes teared up once more. “Thank you…” she breathed, holding him tight once more. “Thank you so much.”

Hikan smiled as he hugged her back. “It's no problem…” he said quietly. “No problem at all… not for our friends.”

And so, the Bludedges joined the Night Raid base, finally free of the nightmares that had plagued them for many, many long years. But, for a long time after that, everything went on normally. It wasn't until many months later that the group was given their next big shock….

“VYLASIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!!” screamed Ayis as she was on a bed, trying to push her baby out. Alexandria was next to Ayis, holding her hand.

“Just hang in there Ayis,” Alexandria said. “It shouldn't be too much longer.”

“Just keep breathing, Miss Filya,” Dr. Seer said over the sound of screaming. “You're almost through the worst of it.”

“Vilas kan til ghu!” Ayis roared at him in her native language before screaming again as she pushed.

“Just a little bit more Miss Filya,” the doctor said calmly. “Miss Kijin, if you would please help to keep her calm.”

“Come on Ayis,” Alexandria said. “The doctor unfortunately can't just do that. It'll just take longer and hurt longer unless you just grit your teeth, push and get this over with.”

“AAAAAAHHH!” Ayis screamed louder, until finally, the sounds of a newborn crying filled the room.

Dr. Seer let out a breath as the crying continued. He reached over to a table next to him and after little bit more shuffling, he stood up holding Ayis' new baby girl.

The little girl had pale skin, black wings with two-toned black and red feathers that faded into the other color across the length of each feather, a small horn on her forehead that was black with a red tip, the colors also forming a gradient in the middle like her feathers, and purple hair like her mother, but with black fringes.

She opened her eyes to show them all the heterochromatic orbs of green and blue that she had. Ayis panted, but smiled as she held her arms out to receive her child. The zebra gave a little smile as Nurse Red Cross handed him a blanket with which to swaddle the baby. With that done, he stepped over to Ayis and gently held her out. “Congratulations, Miss Filya,” he said gently. “You're officially a mother.”

Ayis took the child and looked down at her with a tired but warm smile, brushing the hair from the little girl's face. She held her close to her chest as she panted a little more.

“Yis…” she said softly. “Yis Vyala…” she said, nuzzling the child a little. Alexandria smiled.

“'Night's Splendor',” she said. “A beautiful name for such a beautiful baby.”

“Mother would have liked it,” Ayis said softly, giving her child a kiss. The child was asleep in her arms, but cuddled her head into Ayis' bosom at the action. Ayis looked up at Alexandria.

“Want to hold her, babe?” she asked. Alexandria looked down at the baby.

“I do want to,” she started. “But she looks really comfortable right now. I can always wait until later.”

Ayis smiled and shrugged, nuzzling her child more. “Suit yourself,” she said.

A new member of the family certainly did wonders to brighten up the mood, everyone pitching in whenever Ayis would let them. For two months after the birth of little Yis, things were pretty quiet, or at least as quiet as it could be with a team of assassins hunting down an evil organization. However, the turn of the third month gave the team something new to look forward to….

Alexandria was taking a moment to relax between training sessions when Marisa came up to her.

“Heya Alex,” Marisa greeted. “Got somethin' to ask you.”

Alexandria looked up at Marisa and noticed that she was carrying a doll. The doll looked exactly like Shanghai with a few differences. Notably, the irises of the eyes were red, the dress had a red colour scheme as opposed to Shanghai's blue dress, and the hair was just a little longer, with two long locks hanging down in front of the shoulders. Finally, the doll had been made with its mouth turned down in a frown. “…What is it Marisa?” Alexandria asked, not sure what to think of the doll.

“Well, a while back I thought it'd be cool if I could get a Fairy for myself, so I ordered one of Alice's dolls for delivery,” Marisa answered. “It finally got here today, but last week I remembered that it's not that easy to make a Fairy outta it. It was too late to cancel the order, so I thought I'd ask you if you knew what I should do with it.”

Alexandria was silent for a while, thinking of what to do with the doll… And also of how exasperating Marisa was being. “Just give it to me,” Alexandria finally said. “I'll figure something out.”

“Cool,” Marisa said, handing the doll to Alexandria. “Thanks Alex.” With that, Marisa left.

Alexandria spent another ten minutes thinking of what to do with the doll. Finally, she had an idea. She got up and went looking for Ayis. She found the Fallen Angel in her room with Yis, playing with the child and cooing at her. Alexandria smiled at the scene.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said to Ayis. “But I just wanted to speak with you for a quick moment.” Ayis turned to Alexandria, cradling Yis in her arms.

“What's up, babe?” she asked, curious. Alexandria walked in, doll in hand.

“Well, I got this from a certain magician who acted before she thought,” Alexandria started, holding up the doll. “I don't feel the need to have another doll - Shanghai is plenty enough for me - so I thought to give it to you as a gift.” Ayis looked at the doll and hummed in thought.

“It would be nice to have a Squirt of my own…” she mused. After a short while of thinking, she smiled and nodded. “Alright, I'll take it. Thanks, babe.” Ayis took the doll from Alexandria.

“No problem,” Alexandria said with a smile. “Though it's still just a doll for now. But giving it a name will help you grow more attached to it. So, why don't you do that now?”

Ayis hummed in thought as she kept it out of Yis' reach. “Hmm… Nyilla.”

“'Peace'?” Alexandria said. “That's not a bad name. I hope that Nyilla does eventually become your very own 'Squirt'.” Ayis smiled and nodded.

“Yeah, same here. Can you imagine the pranks we could do together? It'd be priceless!” Ayis said with a mischievous grin.

“Hah, you sound just like a Fairy yourself, getting so excited over pranks,” Alexandria said in good humor. Ayis giggled before Yis started to cry.

“Well, looks like my kid's hungry,” Ayis said, making to move her shirt so her child could latch onto her breast. Alexandria checked the clock.

“Aaaaand, I'm about to be late to my next training session,” she said before going to leave the room. “Remind me later to thank Marisa.”

“Will do. See ya later, babe!” Ayis called as Yis started to suckle on her mother's breast. Ayis smiled down at her child as she looked to the doll in her off hand. “This should be fun.”

Everything seemed to calm down after that and many long months passed. The Night Raid members trained and continued to dig into the Circle, though couldn't get very much farther than simple drug busts and other minor crimes. The team's time at the base slowly approached the one year mark before the next big event rushed to meet them. Only this time… it wasn't anywhere near as positive as the previous encounters….

Hikan slammed his fist into the concrete block once more, making the block shudder as he paused and took several breaths to relax his muscles. He straightened up and let the sweat drip off of him as he turned and grabbed his towel, quickly wiping his face and arms down before wrapping it around his shoulders and picked up his water bottle. He popped the cap off the bottle and lifted it to his lips.

“HIKAN!!!” Starlight's scream ripped through the base, making the assassin jump and pour the contents of the bottle over himself. He stopped and looked towards the living areas and listened to make sure his tired mind wasn't playing tricks on him.

“HIKAN HELP!!!” The second scream was more than enough for the man to dart towards the rooms, slamming the door open to the unicorn's room.

“Star!? What's going-” The man stopped as he saw Starlight sitting in the corner, cradling Cataclysm's head in her lap.

The mare looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. “He… He won't wake up…” she said quietly, her voice tight before she looked down at her familiar, stroking his feathery mane gently as sobs wracked her body. Arela came in the room and noted Starlight's tear filled visage and Cataclysm's still form, and gained a concerned look.

“What is wrong? Did something happen to your familiar?” she asked.

“I-I don't know…” Starlight said quietly. “He's been sleeping more and more, but he always wakes up when I come in…. But… But he won't wake up….”

Arela frowned, walking over to check the small dragon's pulse.The pulse was there… if only barely. The demon's chest didn't even move up and down as he took breath.

“This… Is bad. We need to do something!” Arela said, turning to her Devoted.

“But what?” Hikan said, stepping forward, a sad frown on his face. “We don't know any veterinarians, let alone anyone that knows anything about Nil Dragons.”

“Yukkuri shiteitte ne,” came Marisa's voice from the doorway. She was leaning against the frame. “Take it easy. If there's nothin' you can do about it, then there's no use worryin'. I'm sure everythin'll work itself out fine.”

“How on earth could you possibly be so sure of that?” Hikan questioned, turning to her with frustration in his voice.

“To be perfectly honest, she can't,” Hikan took a step back at the new voice even as Starlight's ears swiveled a bit and she looked up and around. “Excuse me.” A finger tapped Marisa's shoulder. Marisa turned around.

Behind her was a silver-haired man with deep purple eyes wearing a black trenchcoat. A constant half-smile lay on his face even as the hilt of his broadsword gleamed over his shoulder.

“Who're you supposed to be?” Marisa asked.

“A friend,” the man said with a twinkle in his eye. “May I enter?”

“Ah, right, sorry,” Marisa said, entering the room and stepping out of the man's way.

“Thank you,” he said before stepping in, Starlight giving him a confused look.

“Soldier? What are you-”

“Doing here?” Soldier finished, stopping just short of her and kneeling down to rub his hand over Cat's mane as well. “I heard from a little bird that you were worried and came to lay your fears to rest.”

“Milord?” Arela queried. “Did milord send you?”

Soldier shook his head. “Not this time, I'm afraid,” he answered before straightening up. “But the reason for my visit is no less important.”

“And what is that purpose?” Hikan asked, his voice suspicious.

“Simply put, delivering a few things,” Soldier said, throwing a smirk at the assassin. “Think of me as an overqualified mailman.”

“And what exactly are you here to deliver?” Marisa asked, her tone curious as opposed to suspicious.

“I'm glad you asked, Marisa,” Soldier answered with a little grin. “Mostly information, but with that information, a few gifts.” With that he reached to the inside of his coat and pulled out a small, blue crystal on a black leather cord, and a much larger dark red crystal.

“What-” Starlight began before she was yanked out of the way. Soldier moved in a blur and before anyone could stop him, plunged the dark red crystal into Cataclysm's side with a sickening squelch.

“Whoa, what in Hakugyokurou are you doin'!?” “What in Lleiya are you doing?!”

Marisa and Arela cried out in unison as they both moved to stop Soldier.

Soldier straightened up. “No need to worry,” he said before he found a blade at his throat.

“You have three seconds to convince me not to cut your fucking head off,” Hikan growled.

Soldier looked over his shoulder with an amused look as the crystal began to spread out and cover the Nil Dragon's body. “The crystal is cut from the original, a large column of gemstone from which this species of demon was first born. It is the only thing that allows them to metamorphose into their adult phase.”

Hikan’s confused look was more than enough for Soldier to chuckle.

“Something going on here, guys?” came the voice of Ayis as she walked in with Yis in her arms. She then noted the new arrival and how Hikan had his blade at Soldier's throat. “I'm guessing this is an intruder?” Ayis asked, eyes narrowing as she held Yis closer for protection.

“He's apparently tryin' to help,” Marisa said. “Or at least, that's what he claims. It's kinda hard to believe him after he shoved a large crystal into Cat's side.”

“Believe me or not,” Soldier said, bringing his finger up and pushing away the blade of Hikan's knife before turning around. “It is for his own good, but in order for it to do any good…” he paused and stepped towards Starlight before holding up the other crystal. “You'll need to wear this.” Hikan took a protective step back towards the unicorn before the necklace was enveloped in Starlight's aura and floated over to her.

The mare took it in her hand and looked between it and Soldier, to which the man nodded. Starlight looked back down at the crystal, took a breath, and slipped the cord over her head. The moment the gem made contact with her chest, her eyes flared up bright red and she collapsed. “What the hell!?” Hikan yelled, catching her before turning a snarl on the man. “Arela! Marisa!”

Arela immediately summoned her halberd and pointed it at Soldier, a scowl on her face. Soldier felt the octagonal face of Marisa's Mini-Hakkero press into his back at the same time.

“Jumpie bunch, aren't you?” Soldier said nonchalantly as Starlight began to stir.

“Wha… What happened?” The unicorn asked, putting a hand to her head.

“What did you do?” Marisa asked him in a flat tone, not moving an inch.

“I simply completed the mental link that should have formed between them at Cataclysm's birth,” Soldier answered without falter. “Now, she can keep tabs on his mental state as he grows. She can hear his thoughts, know his dreams. And, someday, he'll know hers as well.”

“I dunno…” Marisa said, slowly lowering her arm. “Sounds like a load'a hooey to me.”

Starlight was quiet for a moment, staring up at the man before looking towards the crystalline cocoon that now covered her familiar. “He's… not lying....” She said quietly. “I can feel… something… like the edge of a word….”

Soldier smiled a bit at that. “It will grow to be more than that, I assure you,” he said before clapping his hands together. “NOW! For the other reasons I came here.” He opened his trench coat once more and reached inside. Arela sent her halberd back to her pocket dimension, but kept a close eye on Soldier. Marisa kept her Mini-Hakkero in hand as she watched to see what Soldier pulled out of his coat.

The Displacer withdrew his hand and pulled out a black coin. It was about an inch in diameter, one side having the imprint of a wolf's head with intricate engravings and the other having the image of an owl, wings spread wide and talons outstretched. “This is for you,” he said, flipping the coin to Hikan, the assassin catching it with cupped hands.

The younger man stared at it for a long moment before he looked up with a confused look. “What is this?” He asked.

“That,” Soldier answered as he took his sword belt off his shoulders and swung the scabbard into his other hand. “Is your Token. You'll have to ask Alexandria about that later. Would you hold this for me please?” The question was directed at Marisa as he pulled his sword free and held the hilt of it out to her. Marisa grabbed the hilt of the sword and almost immediately began inspecting the weapon in obvious intrigue.

“Try not to drop her,” the man said as he overturned the sheath in his hand and started shaking it. “She's rather sensitive about that sort of thing.” As if to accentuate his point, the blade glowed an esthetic gold color, a serpentine hiss sounding from it. Marisa jumped, and the others present expected her to drop the weapon in surprise. On the contrary, however, her grip on the weapon tightened, Soldier's point having gotten through.

“A hissin' sword…” Marisa said. “That's a new one for me…”

“She does a little more than hiss, I can tell you that,” Soldier said with a chuckle putting his hand inside the scabbard. “…Ah! Here it is!” He pulled his hand out of the sheath and with it came a long, slender box. It appeared to be made of polished red wood, with a handle and a pair of silver clasps holding it closed. “I took the liberty of snatching this as it made it's way to this world. You all might find it useful someday.” He held the case out and Hikan took it.

“What's in it?” He asked curiously, his eye scanning over the case.

“A Teigu,” Soldier said shortly, causing Hikan to pause. “Specifically, L'Arc Qui Ne Faut.”

“That's an odd name,” Marisa said, looking at the box. “What is it, and what's it do?”

“I imagine it's like my love's weapon, but as a bow?” Arela surmised.

“A bow, huh?” Marisa said, a twinkle in her eye. “Though… I'm not sure what it'd do to be honest.”

“L’Arc is the bow that doesn't miss,” Hikan began to explain. “Even the worst bowman in the world could pick it up and hit their target, so long as they knew their name.”

“Really now?” Marisa asked, handing the sword back to Soldier and swiping the box from Hikan, catching the man by surprise. “Well, ain't that nifty?”

“I wouldn't,” Soldier warned, putting his sword back into its sheath and throwing it over his shoulder. “Teigu are known for their pickiness in choosing a partner.”

“Well, we won't know if I can use it unless I try, right?” Marisa countered as she undid the clasps and opened the lid. Inside was a bow with flat, curving arms and a strange ring around the grip, and what appeared to be a normal quiver, though the quiver was rather small in order to fit in the slim box, only capable of holding about ten arrows at most. Marisa picked up the bow while slinging the quiver - which already had five arrows in it - over her shoulder. She then drew an arrow from the quiver and nocked it.

“Alright, let's see how well this works,” Marisa said, drawing the bowstring. “Shanghai!” she announced loud and clear… Though she then just stood there for several seconds, not letting go of the drawn string.

“....Marisa…?” Starlight asked after several more moments. “Are you okay…?”

Marisa hesitated a little longer before gently letting the bowstring go loose. “Gah, I suddenly hurt all over…” she muttered, wincing. “What in Hakugyokurou is this all about…?”

“I did warn you,” Soldier replied, gently taking the bow from her. “Being rejected by a Teigu can be very painful… and sometimes lethal.”

“Well I ain't dead… Nor do I plan on dyin' anytime soon…” Marisa answered, wincing again as Soldier took the quiver off her shoulder. “But damn, does this hurt… I think I'd better be off to the infirmary, make sure I get properly looked at…” Marisa then left, clearly in a great deal of pain.

“And that, my love, is why I do not wish for a Teigu,” Arela told Hikan.

Hikan shrugged. “They're not for everybody,” he said simply. “I've seen people who were just as powerful without a Teigu as those who had them.” Arela turned to Soldier once more.

“So, is there anything else you came here for?” she queried.

Soldier seemed to think for a moment before something flashed in his eyes and he frowned a bit. “...Do any of you know any Displaced named Sam, Chris, or Amelia?” He asked, a somber tone in his voice. Arela shook her head.

“I know of only the few milord kept eyes on, like Herobrine, Alonne, Kalt, and a few others,” Arela answered before shivering. “The first of which is not my favorite.”

Soldier frowned a bit. “Would Alexandria know about them?” He questioned. “What I have to say is very important, but I'm running out of time.”

Hikan and Starlight shared a look before turning back to the man. “Of course we can,” the assassin said. “What is it that's so important?”

The man was quiet for a moment before he sighed. “I've… made a mistake,” he said quietly. “I Displaced someone I shouldn't have, and now many worlds are suffering for it. But I fear it could get worse. There is another Displacer whose sole goal is to destroy the lives of those he thinks have wronged him. I fear he set his eyes on my mistake… and the three I mentioned will be in grave danger.” Arela looked to her Devoted, worry etched on her face.

“...What can we do to stop it?” she asked.

“Yeah, I'd rather my kid doesn't get thrown into this crap, especially at her age,” Ayis concurred.

“I doubt any of you would get directly involved,” Soldier assured. “I simply need you to pass on the message.” Arela looked to her Devoted once more.

Hikan shared her look for a moment before he sighed and looked to the Displacer, nodding his head. “We'll pass it on,” he said. “One way or another.”

Soldier smiled a bit, the desperation leaking away from his eyes. “Thank you,” he said before turning towards the door. “I should be off now.”

“Thank you for what you've done,” Arela said politely, watching him go.

“Anytime,” the man said, giving them a smile before he stepped out the door. “Stay safe. All of you….”

“We will,” Ayis affirmed. With that, Soldier left, and the group was somewhat more at ease. Ayis looked around at her friends. “So… Anyone wanna help me find more outfits for little Yis here?”

With their fears laid to rest, time continued on its march and soon, two years had flown by since they had begun their crusade against the Circle. Frustratingly, they hadn't made as much progress as Hikan would have liked, but the day wasn't a day for fighting or death. Instead, it was a time of celebration….

Today was the day of Ayis and Alexandria's wedding. Or, as Ayis called it, 'Devotion Ceremony'. It was late in the evening, and the moon was a bright, blood red, the perfect time and only time that the wedding could take place.

Alexandria was wearing a beautifully pristine, white, sleeveless gown with a large, puffed out skirt that had many frilled layers. Her hair was glossy and brushed, a white rose in it off to the side. Needless to say, she was quite stunning as she stood in the atrium, waiting for Ayis. Floating just behind her shoulder was Shanghai, wearing an identical - if much smaller - dress. Alexandria gazed around at the numerous empty chairs, only a few of them filled with her friends in Night Raid. Alice and Medicine had also come to attend. Alice had been overjoyed to see that her best friend was okay. According to her, Patchouli had also wanted to attend, but couldn't make it due to her asthma acting up.

Alexandria had been told by her lover that the rest of the seats were for her ancestors, though Ayis had never explained how they would possibly attend, instead focusing more on the decorations. This brought a smile to Alexandria's face as she remembered seeing her love get fired up over something as girly as a wedding, and thus her attention to the decorations.

A number of banners with Ayis' family crest on them hung from the walls, the crest itself being of a black rose dripping with blood on one side and the other dripping black liquid. Ayis had gone through many arguments with those who made the banners about getting it done right. The rest of the atrium was decorated with black streamers and ribbons, and there were even an assortment of black roses along the corners of the room. An organ player patiently sat to the side, his massive organ at the ready. Numerous other musicians with various other instruments were also standing at the ready.

“I can tell you're excited to see what Ayis looks like in a wedding dress,” Shanghai said to Alexandria with a smile and a slight giggle. Alexandria blushed a little at that comment.

“Y-Yeah, I'll admit I'm curious…” Alexandria answered.

“This should be interesting,” Arela whispered to Hikan, head on his shoulder.

“It really should,” Hikan answered just as quietly, a smile on his face as he rested his hand on hers.

“Just wait until ours,” she said with a smile.

Hikan's smile widened and he squeezed her hand gently before planting a kiss on her forehead. “Can't wait,” he said softly. Then, the doors to the atrium flew open, and out walked Ayis, wearing a black and red wedding dress with black frills and dark red trim. A black veil covered her face and sparkled with small gemstones, courtesy of Rarity. Her ears had two red roses tucked behind them, and the dress accentuated her figure quite well, her large, raven black wings tucked behind her as her bridal train, covered in more roses, slid along the floor behind her.

Alexandria was silenced, her face awestruck. “Wow, that dress is beautiful…” Alice murmured, staring at the dress with wide eyes.

“I must admit she's got a good taste in colour,” Medicine agreed, referring to the fact that her own clothes were also red and black.

Starlight stared at the dress with a happy smile on her face, her hand going to the jewel that had embedded itself into the center of her chest. She didn't say anything, but the look on her face showed just how happy she was for her friends. Arela smiled widely at Ayis, who quietly walked up to her lover and stood beside her. She then smiled at Alexandria, and turned back to the altar, which had a small basin with a prong in the middle.

Ayis quickly pricked her finger on it, letting the blood flow down and into the basin, before beginning a chant.

“Oh Hallowed fathers, brothers, mothers, and sisters… Denizens of Triyte's holy kingdom of gentle light… Come to see your child begin a life anew with her partner…” she chanted, and the lights dimmed until all that was visible was thanks to the light of the blood moon. After that, a number of winged, transparent forms appeared in the room, each one smiling at Ayis. Two in particular walked up to her and smiled.

“My little vintala…” the female said softly, gently stroking Ayis cheek.

“Hey mom. Glad you could make it,” Ayis replied back just as softly.

“You've done us proud, sweetie,” a tall, bulky man said with a smile. He turned to Alexandria, smiled at her and winked, then turned to the woman. “Come, my dear. We shouldn't cause too much of a scene. This is a Devotion Ceremony, after all.” The woman nodded and the two took their seats, many of the others doing the same. An elderly looking man walked up to the podium, and began the procession.

“We are gathered here today, under Our Lord's holiest of nights, to bring these two lovely women together in matrimony. We are here, for a Devotion Ceremony,” the man spoke, voice like rolling gravel. Ayis reached over and grasped Alexandria's hand, squeezing affectionately. “Should any of you wish to object to this hallowed proceeding…” the man's ghostly eyes glowed red for a split second. “Then damned to the Wastes you shall be.” His eyes returned to normal. “Now, let us begin. Ayis Filya VII, do you take this woman to be your Devoted? Do you vow to protect her from all harm, to help her through life, to hold her and care for her, until Triyte takes you both into his sweet embrace?” Ayis nodded firmly.

“I do,” she said with conviction. The man turned to Alexandria.

“Alexandria Kijin, do you take this woman to be your Devoted? Do you vow to protect her from all harm, to help her through life, to hold her and care for her, until Triyte takes you both into his sweet embrace?” he asked. Alexandria nodded without hesitation.

“Of course,” she answered. The man smiled.

“Then commence your vows. As is tradition, the proposed shall do so first,” he gestured for Alexandria to speak. Alexandria turned to Ayis and cleared her throat.

“Ayis,” she began. “I promise that I will love and protect you, help you up if you feel down, to care for you when you're sick, and to stand by your side for all my life and beyond.” Ayis wiped a few tears from her eyes, and cleared her own throat as the man turned to her.

“Alex, you are my moon, my vyala, my everything. I promise that I will always be there for you. That I will always be a shoulder for you to cry on, that I will always be there with you, like a blessed shadow. I promise to hold you and love you like a dragon does it's treasure,” Ayis said, taking Alexandria's other hand and staring into her eyes. “This, I vow.” As Ayis was finishing her vows, Shanghai came around and wiped some of the tears from Alexandria's cheek. Shanghai had a few joyful tears of her own running down her face.

“Then, by the power invested in me, I declare you both Devoted. Present your tokens of love,” the man said. Ayis plucked a feather from her wing, whilst Alexandria presented a lock of her hair. Ayis placed her feather to Alexandria's lips, then removed it and kissed Alexandria on those very lips. She withdrew, smiling widely as tears of joy ran down her own face. Alexandria then took the lock of hair and pressed it to Ayis' lips before removing it and returning her kiss, tears streaming from her eyes the whole time. “And thus, by the holy decree of Our Lord so long ago, is this Devotion Ceremony now finished! Devotees, feel free to mingle with everyone now!”

Alice was the first to reach the two of them. “Congratulations Alex!” she said. To those who paid attention, she was trying to hold back the tears of joy in her eyes. “I'm so happy for you!”

“Yeah, congrats,” Marisa said simply with a large smile.

“Indeed,” Shell said, making her way over. “It's nice to see you both express your love for each other openly like this after these last few years.” Ayis grinned, wrapping an arm around Alexandria's waist.

“Damn straight!” she concurred. Arela walked over, Hikan with her, as she smiled broadly at the new couple.

“It's great seeing that you two finally made it official,” Arela said.

“It definitely took long enough,” Hikan joked.

“Oh shut up,” Medicine said, taking it a bit too seriously. “They couldn't do something like this until Alex turned eighteen anyway.”

“I see you've made some good friends, sis,” came a male voice from behind the group. Ayis quickly turned to find a transparent, ghostly man with a broad grin and wild, untamed long hair and what must have been some form of officer's getup.

“Arn!” she cried, rushing over and, to the group's surprise, hugging him. The man laughed, patting her back.

“Calm down, sis. Jeez, you're gonna embarrass us both,” he joked. Ayis released him, then turned to the group.

“Guys, this is my older brother, Arn Filya II,” she introduced. The man waved.

“Heya,” he greeted.

“Hello Arn,” Alexandria said. “You have a wonderful sister.”

“Don't I know it,” he said, ruffling his sister's hair. “She saved my skin more than once back during the Cataclysm. Of course, I died in the end, but hey, I'm here now, yeah?” He told them, smiling. “Did she ever tell you guys about the time when she tried to eat a-” Ayis elbowed him in the gut, blushing madly.

“Don't tell them that!” she said quickly. Arn just laughed as he recovered from the blow to his gut.

“Now you've gotten me curious,” Alexandria said with a grin. “Maybe you could tell me about it later?”

“You'd have to perform a ritual, buuut-” Arn began, starting to stand back up straight before Ayis stomped on his foot with her high heels.

“No! Absolutely not!” she said, blushing more. Arn just laughed the pain off.

“Still as fiery as ever, sis,” he chuckled.

“Um, anyway, congratulations!” Daiyousei said, trying to divert the conversation from the subject of whatever Ayis once tried to eat.

“Yeah,” Ayis said, before grabbing Alexandria by the waist again. “I can't wait for tonight~.” She purred, squeezing Alexandria's rear. Alexandria blushed but smiled.

“Neither can I,” she answered.

With the two newly Devoted, the group spent many hours dancing and enjoyed a wonderful banquet afterwards. The Devotion of Ayis and Alexandria was one of the best moments the Night Raid group shared together. The bonding of two souls was one that warmed their base, turning it from being the simple headquarters of a group of assassins into a home they each cherished. And over time, the little mix matched family grew….

Ayis was playing with her daughter, Yis, in her room, throwing up unwanted trash that had been left around the fort, while her daughter changed them into stuffed toys in mid-air with her magic, clapping and giggling all the while.

“Amazing that such a simple activity can bring so much joy,” a voice suddenly said from behind Ayis. The voice sounded very much like Shanghai's, if only a tad deeper… And maybe more passive-aggressive.

Ayis looked around in surprise, turning to find that the doll Alexandria had gifted her, Nyilla, was standing behind her, arms crossed and brow furrowed slightly, watching the angel play with her baby.

“Well I'll be damned. You're awake and alive now, huh, Shrimp?” Ayis said, picking Yis up and cradling her in her arms.

“That's Nyilla to you,” the now Fairy retorted, puffing out her cheeks as she frowned. “You gave me that name. The least you could do is use it.” Ayis blinked at this.

“Well, alright then, Nyilla,” Ayis said. “Can I ask how long you've been watching?”

“About a few minutes or so, not too long,” Nyilla answered.

“Huh,” Ayis said simply. She then noticed how Yis was reaching for the doll, and smiled. “Why don't you come over here? Yis seems to like you.”

“Oh, I'd love to,” Nyilla answered in a sarcastic tone. “Except that you're all the way up there.”

“You can't fly like Squirt?” Ayis asked, a little surprised at this.

“If I could fly, why in the Wastes would I be standing on the floor like this?” Nyilla shot back. Ayis blinked again, before giggling a little.

“Oh by Triyte, it's so adorable hearing you attempt to swear at your size,” she said, hiding her giggles behind a fist. Ayis noticed as Nyilla blushed.

“I-I am not adorable!” she stuttered. Ayis giggled uproariously, and Yis joined in.

“Oh Gods, oh Gods… You,” Ayis devolved into a fit of laughter. Nyilla blushed even more.

“V-Valas!” she shouted in embarrassment. Ayis laughed harder. After another moment, just as Nyilla was about to say something else, Alexandria came into the room.

“What's going on?” she asked. “What's so funny?”

“Can you please just make this zil stop laughing at me!?” Nyilla shouted. That stopped Ayis' laughter dead.

“…Did you just swear in front of my kid?” she asked in a low voice. “Using a word even I rarely use? Because if you just called me what I think you did…” Ayis began. Nyilla was silent for several moments.

“…Yeah,” Nyilla answered. “Yeah I did. What are you going to do about it?”

“Oh, I'm not going to do a thing…” Ayis said as she slowly placed Yis down, who spread her wings. “My kid, is.” Then, before Nyilla knew it, her head was in the child's mouth. To Alexandria and Ayis' surprise however, Nyilla didn't struggle. Not even in the least. She simply let the baby have her way with her. Ayis watched this with a frown as Yis continued to slobber all over Nyilla. After a good minute, she sighed and picked Yis up, pulling Nyilla out of the child's mouth. “Look, I don't want to make an enemy of you, but I would like it if you keep the swearing to a minimum around my kid. Capiche?”

“…Fine,” Nyilla said.

“Um…” Alexandria started awkwardly. “Con… gratulations on your Fairy…?”

“Yeah, I guess,” Ayis said, her child gurgling up at her. Ayis looked to her Devoted. “You wanna hold her? She doesn't see you all that often with how much training you do.”

“Alright, sure,” Alexandria answered.

The family grew evermore, even as the present day caught up with them. Gaelle and Garrick still made their home with them, the young ones grew, Cataclysm still slept, Nyilla was integrated into the home, and the bonds amongst them became stronger. Even now, those bonds were being reinforced….

Arela and Hikan's Devotion Ceremony was almost larger than Ayis and Alexandria's, if it weren't for the fact that they did not have as many guests as the previous Ceremony did. There were golden water fountains lining the walls of the atrium, something that Hikan had to pay many expenses for, gold and white streamers and ribbons, and sunflowers in pots placed between each row of seats whilst the fountains were placed between the pots.

Like Ayis, Arela's family crest hung up on golden banners, a white flame with a golden blade inside. The flame itself had been given much detail, really making the banners stand out.

Hikan was currently waiting for his bride at the altar, where Ronzul was, taking the place of Priest in place of another High Angel. Hikan was wearing pitch black slacks with a matching jacket, an amber tie sitting over his slate silver shirt, his wings held tight to his back as his tail mirrored the butterflies in his stomach. Then, the double doors opened, and the harp player began to play as Arela walked down the aisle, her white and gold dressing shocking all present as it looked like it was a complete piece of art.

The flowing, intricate golden patterns of flames, swords, and fleur de lis' were expertly woven with gold thread into the dress. Her head was adorned with a golden circlet made up of small golden leaves, and the train looking like golden fire with how the light caught it just right. She held a bouquet of morning glories in her hands, and she stopped at Hikan, blushing madly with a smile as she looked up to her love.

Hikan returned the smile, albeit a bit nervously. “Are you ready?” He asked quietly, joy springing through his voice. She nodded, turning to Ronzul.

“Well, let's start the proceedin's, then, aye?” he said, opening his tome. “First, ten moments o' silence, for tha' fallen brothers and sisters that once made up tha' Biore family.” Arela immediately closed her eyes, clutching her bouquet tightly. Alexandria, Marisa and Daiyousei all complied as they looked to the floor, Marisa going so far as to remove her hat in respect. Hikan bowed his head and closed his eyes as Starlight also closed hers. Shell looked to and fro for a moment before she followed the example of those around her.

A solid ten minutes of silence followed, and when they all opened their eyes, Hikan looked to Arela to see that she was fighting back tears and losing. Ronzul noticed this as well.

“Do ya need a bit, lass?” he asked. She shook her head, wiping her tears.

“N-No, I'll be fine,” she said reassuringly. Ronzul looked at her for a good second before nodding.

“Right then,” he said, turning back to the tome. “Before we continue, are there any objections ta' this Ceremony?” Ronzul asked. At the silence that ensued, he smiled. “Good. Now, Hikan Kanshi, do ya take this 'ere lass ta' be yers? Ta' hold 'er and love 'er, ta' keep 'er safe from all harm, e'en beyond yer death, should it be ta' pass? Ta' nurse 'er back to health should she fall ill, 'till Triyte takes yer souls ta' Eyther?”

“I do,” Hikan answered without pause, his voice unwavering. Ronzul smiled, turning to Arela.

“Arela Biore, do ya take this lad ta' be yers? Ta' hold and love, ta' keep safe from all harm, e'en beyond death, should it be ta' pass? Ta' nurse 'im back to health should 'e fall ill, 'till Triyte takes yer souls ta' Eyther?” Ronzul asked the Angel. Arela nodded firmly.

“Yes, I do,” she said resolutely.

“Then commence yer Vows,” Ronzul told them.

Hikan looked towards the dwarf for a moment before he took a deep breath, looking back to the angel he loved. “The day I met you,” he began. “Was the day I got my wings. That morning, I woke up not knowing what to look forward to. Just like the rest of my days in this world, I woke up dead to what was to come, so grounded that the only things I felt were anger… and numbness. …And then we danced. We danced to a song that I still remember in the hall of a god, beneath the stony gaze of a deity… and for the first time, I felt happy again. That day, it wasn't my wings that allowed me to soar. It was you…. And so, from this day into the rest of eternity, I vow to stay by your side. To protect, to love, and to care, for the rest of my days… and beyond.”

Arela cried tears of joy as she heard those words, and took his hands in hers. “Throughout all my years, I was told to find a suitable husband. One who would sweep me off my feet without a second thought, one who did so selflessly. I was told by my grandmother that the day I met that man, I would know true bliss.” She looked up to her love. “Even after all I knew was in ruins, and my body was violated, you appeared in my life. The handsome, dashing rogue of my wildest dreams, come to steal me in the broad light of day. I swear to always love you, to care for you as you have me and more, and to protect your honor and spirit for as long as I am allowed to live.” Arela was crying throughout all of this.

“That…” Ronzul drew all attention back to him as he sniffled and pulled out a handkerchief, blowing his nose into it. “That was beautiful, yew two.” He shook his head. “A-Anyway, present yer tokens of love.” Arela gladly did so, taking one of her feathers like she had all that time ago, and placing it against Hikan's lips. Then, she removed it and kissed him swiftly but passionately. Hikan smiled gently as the kiss ended before he brought up the lock of his hair, a swirl of honey blonde and chocolate brown. He put the lock tenderly against her lips before pulling it back and returning the kiss with all the love he could muster before pulling back. Shortly after this there was a shout from outside.

“Everybody come outside!” came Shanghai's voice. “There's a surprise for all of you!”

“Trust us!” Nyilla's voice added. “You won't want to miss this!” Alexandria turned to Ayis with a knowing smile as the two got up and left. Marisa got up as well.

“Now, what's this all about?” she asked as she stepped outside as well. Daiyousei followed her, a look of curiosity on her face. Gaelle nudged her son gently and the two got up from their seats, making their way outside as Starlight and Shell followed them out. Arela looked to her official Devoted, grabbed his hand, and led him out, Ronzul following closely behind.

Once outside, they found Shanghai and Nyilla. Nyilla, being flightless, was riding piggyback on Shanghai. Meanwhile, Shanghai was holding one of Die Leaguer's Orbs, the Explosion Orb, while the Ice Orb and Flame Orb both floated near her.

“Hee hee, are you ready Nyilla?” Shanghai asked with a smile.

“Go for it, just like we practiced,” Nyilla answered.

With that, Shanghai then tossed the Explosion Orb upwards, and Nyilla caught it, passing it back to Shanghai. Meanwhile, the Flame Orb lunged at Nyilla before bouncing off her. Shanghai then threw the Explosion Orb up again, Nyilla catching it and passing it back, followed by the Ice Orb striking Nyilla. This pattern repeated several more times before Shanghai stopped. Everyone present noted that none of the Orbs were going off even though all three should have gone off upon contacting Nyilla.

“Heh,” Nyilla chuckled. “Prepare to be amazed.” With that, she then raised her hands above her head. Suddenly, a large fireball shot from her hands, shooting high up into the air before exploding beautifully in midair. Then, an iceball shot up and shattered, the shards of ice in the air catching the sunlight and sparkling brilliantly. Nyilla then continued to fire off more of the fireballs and iceballs in varying combinations and frequencies, putting on a beautiful fireworks display. Soon enough, the makeshift fireworks stopped.

“Looks like I'm all out,” Nyilla commented, lowering her arms. “We hope you enjoyed that. A lot of work and a lot of practice,” she looked at Shanghai pointedly who blushed a little in embarrassment and looked away. “…Went into making that possible.”

“Wow…” Arela breathed, leaning against Hikan. She smiled up at the two dolls. “Thanks, you two.”

“You're welcome!” Shanghai said cheerfully.

“That was really somethin',” Marisa said.

“It was amazing…!” Daiyousei said, her eyes shining in awe.

Hikan smiled up at the Fairies before turning the smile to his Devoted. “The perfect way to kick off a new beginning, don't you think?” He asked softly, wrapping an arm around her before kissing the top of her head and holding her close. Arela nodded, nuzzling into her love's embrace.

“That was downright beautiful, yew two,” Ronzul applauded, drawing everyone's attention. “But Ah think we should git on with tha' event, aye? Specifically, tha' dance,” Ronzul reminded.

Hikan nodded his head before starting to lead Arela back inside. The others joined them as they arrived in a small makeshift ballroom. The man smiled a bit before looking to his Devoted. “Almost like the day we met, isn't it?” She nodded, smiling up at him.

“I think we both know the right music for this, too,” Arela told him.

The hunter's smile widened a bit. “I think we do,” he replied before his four will-o'-wisps formed in the air and each floated to a different corner before music began to play. The entire group danced for what must have been hours, Hikan and Arela too lost in one another's eyes to notice anything but themselves as they danced beautifully.

Night Raid only grew stronger with this, the family of assassins only forming greater ties to one another as their strength grew and their hunt for the Circle continued. However, it wouldn't be for another month or so before the group was given the breakthrough they needed….

Starlight and Shell were in the meeting room, waiting for Hikan after he had summoned the team. Starlight leaned back in her chair, fingers rubbing against the gem in her chest while the Changeling tapped the tips of her fingers together.

Alexandria was also present, leaning forward in her seat, head resting in the palms of her hands, elbows on the table as she waited patiently. Marisa was standing in the corner of the room, leaning against the wall as she looked over her magic device - which she had finally explained to the group only last week was called the Mini-Hakkero - making sure everything was in working order. Daiyousei sat quietly and patiently in her own chair, her hands resting in her lap.

Ayis was holding a sleeping Yis, rocking her back and forth gently, Nyilla sitting on the tabletop nearby, cross-legged with her usual surly expression. Arela hadn't arrived yet, as she was likely with Hikan.

The door opened with a knock as Hikan pushed it open at a brisk pace, Gaelle following behind him and Arela at his side. “Alright ladies and gents, we caught ourselves a big one,” he said only to be met by a cacophony of groans from Marisa, Starlight, Ayis and Nyilla. He lifted his hands in surrender as he took his place at the head of the table, Gaelle taking her seat near the end while Arela sat next to her Devoted. “Okay, okay, I know I've said it before, but this time it's for real.” More groaning was met by the hunter rolling his eyes. “Gaelle has brought us a lead. The Circle has been picking up where they left off. We've been waiting two years for a break like this. There's rumors of a meeting going to take place for the drug running sect of the Circle. Our mole has dug up a time and a place… and we're going to take it.”

“Alright, so we go to the appointed place before the appointed time and camp out there,” Marisa started. “If this exchange happens, then what're we gonna do next after campin'?”

“What we've trained for,” Hikan said, putting his elbows on the table and lacing his fingers together before his voice took on a dark tone. “We take them all out except the one in charge. I'll take care of him….”

“Awww… I wanted to be the one to torture 'im…” Ayis whined.

“Relax,” Alexandria said. “There will be plenty of mooks for you to torture. Besides, the leader probably won't be any different from the mooks.”

“We're not here to torture ponies,” Hikan said firmly. “We're assassins. Not murderers or monsters. We're not here to send a message. We're not here to get even. We are here to wipe out a disease. We kill quickly. We kill efficiently. In… and out.” Ayis groaned.

“But efficient is so unfun!” Ayis complained.

“Ayis, maybe you should tone it down when your child is present. You could wake her,” Arela scolded.

“Yeah, you complain whenever I swear in front of your kid, but then you go and say that kind of stuff right in front of her,” Nyilla added before muttering 'Hypocrite…'. Ayis flicked Nyilla in the head.

“I didn't use any swears, Pipsqueak,” Ayis reminded.

“You're talking about torturing people,” Nyilla shot back, the flick to the head having done nothing. “I'd think that's just as bad as swearing.”

“Guys,” Hikan said, trying to reign everyone back in. “This could be our chance. It could be our only chance.”

“Every time is our 'only chance',” Marisa sighed. “Shame we're obligated to follow through with all of 'em anyway just in case it's not another false alarm…”

“What do ya expect, lassie?” came the rumbling tones of Ronzul as he entered the room, wearing the armor that had been in his home. It was a slate gray, much like his house's foundations, but decorated with intricate carvings that most smiths would kill to be able to do. It held carvings of what must have been an ancient war, and this was further added to by his shield, which was the same color as the armor, but had a black gem in the middle, of which there were carvings of dwarves worshipping.

His mace, the unsettling, sleet black, spiked and pronged weapon made more than a few of them sorry for any whose head was whacked with it, as it looked like it would not only bludgeon, but rend and tear out flesh.

“Those Circle vykals are a buncha cowards. They like ta' hide,” Ronzul told them.

“Ronny, please don't swear in front of my kid,” Ayis warned the dwarf. Ronzul chuckled.

“Right, right, sorry Feathers,” he apologized.

“You're right though,” Hikan said as he got up from his seat. “They do enjoy hiding themselves away. If we're going to do this, we need to go. Now.”

“I don't care how many false alarms we have to go through,” Alexandria said, also standing. “I'll keep going until we catch them.”

“Alright, fine, let's go,” Marisa said without much enthusiasm as she pushed off the wall. Daiyousei simply stood quietly, not having been one to talk much at these meetings. Starlight and Shell rose to their feet, the unicorn summoning her staff.

“If this does turn out to be a dud,” she said, looking towards Hikan. “Y'know we're screwed, right?”

Hikan was quiet for a moment before he nodded. “I know.”

The unicorn nodded in return. “Good,” she said before turning and summoning her hat to her head. “Let's be on our way then.”

“Awright, let's git goin', li'l roofies!” Ronzul cheered, marching out the door. Ayis sighed and shook her head.

“He gets way too excited sometimes…” Ayis said with a smile. She turned to Gaelle. “Can you keep an eye on my little one?” She asked, holding the sleeping Yis to the griffon.

“Of course,” Gaelle said with a grin, taking the child in her arms. “Stay safe. All of you.”

“We always try, Miss Gaelle,” Shell said as she got up and followed after the unicorn. Ayis kissed Yis' cheek before turning to leave.

“Make sure to keep an eye on her. She likes to teleport around, and she has a lot more magical power than unicorns,” Ayis warned.

“Of course,” Gaelle answered before turning her attention back to the child. Yis was still asleep, thankfully, cuddling into Gaelle's bosom.

Hikan smiled gently at the sight. “We'll be back as soon as possible,” he told the griffoness as she cradled the baby. “Don't wait up for us though. Asap may be longer than we think.” With that, he tapped the table and walked towards the door with an air of optimism. Marisa and Daiyousei left the room after him and Arela. Alexandria also made her way to the door. Ayis came back into the room.

“Oops,” she said as she grabbed Nyilla. “Sorry Pipsqueak.” With that, she walked back out as Nyilla muttered 'You'd better be sorry…' with her arms crossed and a pout on her face.

“…Uh… See you later Gaelle,” Alexandria said after a moment, waving to Gaelle as she left. The Griffin briefly raised a hand to wave them off.

“Okay, guys,” Hikan said as the group made their way to the door. “Here's what I've been thinking. The place is a warehouse with a basement level and two entry ways. The first is a large bay door that's locked from the inside. The second is a tunnel that leads from the warehouse into the city maintenance tunnels. There are six guards on the ground and three more on the roof. Arela, Ayis, Shell, I need you guys to take the three on the roof. The rest of us will take the other six. Take them down quiet and meet back at the bay door. Our informant told Gaelle that they would be leaving the door open a little before taking off. Once inside, divide and conquer. We hit fast and hard and take out as many as we can before they regroup.” Alexandria nodded.

“Ooh, so we're actually gonna hit a base this time?” Marisa said. “Wonder what happens if this turns out to be a dud… 'Cause I don't feel like killin' innocents today.”

“Stop it Marisa,” Alexandria said, punching Marisa lightly on the arm. “We should be able to tell if it's a dud long before we have to kill anyone.”

“She has a point, though. I don't like killing innocents, either,” Ayis agreed.

“Indeed. It would be very bad if we killed innocents. I shudder at the thought,” Arela concurred, proceeding to shudder.

“Our Intel has never led us to innocents before,” Hikan said assuredly. “A few empty buildings, but never any innocent people.”

“Yes… Thankfully…” Daiyousei said.

Shell nodded her head in agreement and Hikan gave a little sigh. “C'mon, guys,” he pleaded as they reached the door. “This could be the big one. Couldn't you try to be a little more optimistic?”

Marisa rolled her eyes. “It's kinda hard to be optimistic about this when every other mission we've been on could've also been 'the big one',” she said pointedly.

Hikan looked towards her for a moment before giving another sigh as he opened the great doors. She was right after all. The group all stepped outside. However, before they could go much further, something happened which caused them to stop short. A spot in midair about fifteen feet in front of them opened up. It was as if the fabric of space itself tore open. The strange opening was somewhat oval-shaped, with tapering points at the two ends of the oval. Meanwhile, on these tapers were… What appeared to be red bows, almost as if they were preventing the tear from widening by holding the ends closed. Inside the tear seemed to be a strange, indescribable space, beyond the fact that it appeared to be a flat, purplish-red colour. Marisa instantly recognized this tear.

“Hey, it's one of Yukari's gaps!” she said in surprise.

It was at this moment that a woman came out of the gap, a young girl in tow. The woman had long, blonde hair that was tied at the tips with the same red ribbons as the bows on the gap. Her eyes were a deep purple colour. She was wearing a white dress that had a tiered, frilled skirt, and a wide purple strip down the front. She was also wearing a white cap that had a large, thin red bow on the front.

The girl had blonde hair that was done up in very long, loosely coiled pigtails, thin, pale purple streaks spiraling down them. Her eyes were a bright violet colour, several shades brighter than the woman's. The girl was wearing a black dress with a short skirt, the whole dress having pink trimming and highlights on it. The abdomen of the dress was covered by a grey material that was thicker than the rest of the dress, seeming like leather. She also had on long, black gloves as well as long, black stockings, the stockings having pink ribbons wrapping around them in a criss-cross pattern. On the sides of her head were large black bows, one at the base of each pigtail.

“Let me go, you hag!” the girl shouted in a high-pitched voice, struggling to get away from Yukari.

“Oh my,” Yukari responded with a grin on her face. “What are they teaching royalty these days? You should learn to respect your elders young Elise.”

Hikan's eyes narrowed and he dropped into a ready stance. “Guys, what are we looking at?” He asked, his eyes darting back and forth between Yukari and the girl.

“The woman's Yukari,” Marisa answered. “Dunno about the girl though.” Marisa shook her head before speaking up again, addressing Yukari. “Yukari, what in Hakugyokurou did you do now?”

“Oh, nothing special,” Yukari answered, still grinning. “I simply met Elise here in her time of need and thought I would offer my assistance. Now that my work is done, I'll leave her with you and be on my way.” She then let go of Elise's arm.

“'Assistance'!? Yeah right!” Elise shouted. “You creep, bring me back!”

“Sorry, but that was a one-way trip,” Yukari said. “Perhaps I'll see you again another time.” Yukari then turned towards her gap to leave. She was going to leave when an orange orb with eight, purple stars in it dropped on her head hard, rolling to the ground.

“Ouch,” Yukari muttered as her gap closed and she turned to watch the orb roll. She then walked over to it and picked it up, examining it, her grin having been replaced with a frown. A voice spoke in her head then, mature yet smooth, a hint of an Italian accent in it.

“To any who find this orb of wishes, I am Asala, an Arcosian or, Frost Demon, freed from my previous ties. Should you have need of a gentleman, call upon me by saying the name of the sacred dragon whilst holding this orb.”

Slowly, Yukari's grin returned to her face. “This 'Frost Demon' sounds like they could be interesting…” she said out loud. “The name of the sacred dragon, was it? Hmmm… If I remember correctly… Shenron!” With Yukari's shout, a portal opened, the howl of a blizzard emanating from it as a tall, alien creature stepped out and floated down.

It seemed male, and wore a suit that was so skin tight it could be mistaken for its actual skin. Parts of it were a purplish gray, seemingly made from a bone-like substance, whilst the rest was black. On its forearms, shoulders, ankles, and head were blue, gem-like substances, completely opaque but shining in the light nonetheless. There was even one in its abdomen. It had a mask of that same bone-like substance fitted onto its face, and reptilian, purple eyes that gazed around with interest. It had two horns protruding from its head, both curved upwards, but one smaller than the other, creating a strange lopsided look. Its tail swished back and forth as it gazed around, then looked to Yukari.

“Greetings, young lady. Might I ask why you summoned me?” the being spoke in a male voice, one that was mature and smooth, with a hint of an italian accent.

“I summoned you because I felt that it might be interesting to battle a 'Frost Demon',” Yukari answered truthfully. “I have a lot of trouble finding people who are strong enough to fight me properly. It's quite boring.” The alien blinked at this, then sighed.

“Young ones nowadays, always raring to go without even a proper introduction…” he said with a shake of his head. He looked to her again. “Might I at least know your name, before we fight?”

“I suppose I could share it with you…” Yukari said. “I am Yukari Yakumo.”

“I see…” the alien looked to the others behind him. “Could you all stand back? I'd rather not harm innocents. Already have to deal with that enough back home.”

Hikan, thoroughly confused at what was happening in front of him, slowly started to step back towards the Night Raid base, putting his arm out in front of Arela protectively. Alexandria, Marisa and Daiyousei all backed away as well. Ayis did the same. Elise, unsure of what else to do, made her way around to the group and stood awkwardly to the side, a few feet away from them.

The alien looked back to Yukari. “Let us fight up there,” he pointed to the sky. “At this distance, they will still feel the shockwaves.”

“I suppose collateral damage would be unfortunate,” Yukari said, rising into the air. The alien floated up after her, then, after rising a fair height above the city, the alien did a duel bow.

“I, Asala, humbly accept this challenge,” he said, before rising and taking a stance, hands outstretched and feet somehow finding purchase in the air, one foot in front of the other. It almost seemed mocking. “Come, let us begin.”

“Hmph.” Yukari brushed her hair out of her face as one of her gaps formed under her and she sat on it cross-legged. “I again sincerely hope that this is at least a little interesting…” With that, another gap appeared next to Asala without warning, a large bundle of street signs erupting out of it, slamming into Asala before retracting as the gap closed again. She blinked when he disappeared and reappeared behind her, slamming a fist into her back, the sheer speed of it knocking her nearly a hundred feet away and making her reel. Asala simply stood there, waiting for her physical retort.

Yukari fell into the gap she had been sitting on, the gap closing behind her. After a moment, another gap appeared to Asala's left, and Yukari fell out of it, stabilizing in the air. “It appears I've underestimated you,” she said. “Fine. Make your next move. I dare you.” Asala shrugged, disappeared once more, but not behind her. Above her. The moment Asala vanished however, Yukari did something.

Boundary Sign「Border of Fast and Slow」

Yukari declared a Spellcard… And manipulated the boundaries of speed. Asala's movements became sluggish, his every move playing out almost in slow motion. His eyes began to widen, but that too had been slowed. Before his eyes had even widened a fraction of an inch, Yukari had summoned a parasol from another gap and struck him with it. He grunted, trying to do a stance, but it was still too slow. Yukari smirked as she began to literally fly circles around him, continuing to strike him with her parasol, and also summoning those ridiculous street sign gaps as well. After a good minute, she stopped, and a large gap opened above Asala. Yukari then moved out of the way as a train whistle sounded from deep within the gap. Asala attempted to move away, but Yukari's Spellcard rendered him too slow and he couldn't move out from under the gap. After a few moments, a subway train came barreling out of the gap, falling straight onto Asala.

It didn't seem to bother him all that much, but it certainly hurt if how he grit his teeth was any indication. The subway train fell to the ground where it crushed him with a violent shaking. After a second, before the train could fall over, a gap opened in the ground, and the train fell inside, taking Asala, who was under it, with it. Then, Yukari opened another gap in the sky, letting Asala out.

“Had enough yet?” she asked.

“You… Are more powerful than even he…” he groaned out, then stood up, brushing himself off. It surprised her that he wasn't bleeding or even really mangled. Just scraped slightly. He bowed to her. “I admit defeat.” He looked up to her. “I hope to one day fight you again.” She could tell he was smirking under his mask. “And win.”

“Well, you'll still have a long way to go if you wish to accomplish that,” she said. “Though, your particular skills and your hardiness are rather intriguing… And you are the first person to push me so far. As such… For the time being, I will be satisfied with that battle. I will also be looking forward to our rematch. Good day, Asala.” With that and a curtsy, Yukari disappeared into one of her gaps. Asala stood back up, looking down to those below and floating down. Once he landed, he looked up at the group that had been watching.

“Terribly sorry to make you wait like that. Now, is there anything I can help you all with before I go? I have a lot of time on my hands,” Asala offered.

“Gah, that stupid hag really did leave me here!” Elise suddenly said, drawing everyone's attention as she crossed her arms and scowled up at where Yukari had vanished. Asala turned to her, gazing at her for a good moment.

“Hmmm… Might I ask your name, young lady?” he queried.

Elise turned to look at Asala. She was silent as she glanced to the others, who had heard Yukari call her Elise. She turned back to Asala sighing. “I guess you can call me Elise,” she said. “And I may look and sound young, but I'm technically an adult.”

“Elise, hm? A fitting name for a lady,” Asala appraised. “I assume you are the same as that man and young woman over there,” he pointed to Hikan and Alexandria with his tail. “A Displaced. Correct? I can feel the energy of the Void on you three.”

“I'm sorry, a 'Displaced'?” Elise asked, a confused look crossing her face. “I'm not sure what that is.” Asala hummed in thought.

“Well, I suppose I might as well be the one to explain this to you,” He cleared his throat. “A Displaced is a being taken from their home world and placed into a new one, typically Equestrias like this one. They are usually brought to one as a character they dressed up as, and sent to an Equestria by a higher being, known as a Displacer or Void Dweller.”

“Well, the part about being changed into a character I dressed as would explain why I'm shorter than I should be and also why I've got Elise's voice…” Elise said.

“Indeed. You remind me of an old friend, in fact,” Asala said. He gained a distant look in his eyes, before shaking his head. “Anyways, let us move on to the subject of what you wish to do now. It is unlikely you can return home, that much I can tell you for certain. Thus, you will have to find a new one.” Elise was silent, and she didn't turn. After a few moments, Alexandria turned to Hikan.

“Hikan, do you think we could…?” she began. Hikan glanced back at the Yokai, still trying to process what he'd witnessed from the two fighters. After a moment, everything seemed to click in his head and a thoughtful look took hold.

“Well… there is plenty of room in the base,” he admitted. “I don't see why not.”

Elise's eyes widened as she heard this, and she turned to look at the group. “You mean…” she started. “You'd take in a complete stranger?”

“Kindness is in our nature,” Alexandria answered. “You're in need of a home, we have space that we can provide. So, we'd be happy to let you stay.”

“As long as you're comfortable staying with a bunch of assassins, of course,” Hikan said idly before wincing as Starlight elbowed him and shot him a warning glare.

“Sooooo… You're all assassins, but kindness is in your nature…?” Elise asked, raising an eyebrow. After a moment she shrugged. “I guess that's not necessarily the weirdest thing I've ever heard… But I'm just wondering, if you're assassins, who do you assassinate?”

“We were actually off to kill a bunch of drug runners,” Shell answered, lifting a finger and giving a bit of smile.

“Ah, I see now,” Elise said. “You're a group of assassins that work to end illegal activities, is that it?”

“A noble thing to do,” Asala commented. “Although, I am curious, what exactly are two angels doing in your care? It seems strange for such holy beings to be killing others.”

“I believe you might have us confused with a different kind of angel,” Arela said. “We are from Lleiya.”

“Yup. Born and bred,” Ayis concurred. Asala nodded.

“I see…” he said, looking around. “Well, is there anything you all need me for? I cannot exactly go back home unless my work is done.”

“I think we're short on instructors right now…” Alexandria said in thought. “I'm pretty sure many of our instructors in the base that have been helping us with training are currently away sick…”

“Yeah, that's right,” Marisa said. “Heh, I remember Dai bein' upset that she couldn't cure a common cold.”

“I-I'm still kind of embarrassed about that…” Daiyousei said, blushing slightly. “I'm supposed to be the healer, but I couldn't even cure a cold…”

“Nah, it's fine Dai,” Marisa said before turning to Asala. “Anyway, we could use another instructor 'till some of the sick ones come back.” Asala looked at them for a good long minute.

“I suppose I can do that. Just know this…” his gaze hardened, and all present felt chills go up their spines. “…The training shall be hell on earth.”

“Heh… Heh… Yup, that sounds like one of our instructors…” Marisa said, sweating slightly.

“Um… I'm sorry to say this, but…” Elise started. “I can't actually fight. I may have Elise's body, but I don't have her skills. I am an excellent tactician though, for however much that's worth.”

“This training does not require innate skill. What it involves is possible for any living being to do,” Asala explained, raising a hand and creating a small orb of purple, swirling energy. “In time, you will all be able to do this.”

“Well, either way, I don't have any combat ability right now,” Elise said, turning to the assassin group. “So I can't exactly go with you guys to stop the drug runners. I could offer some radio support if you'd like.”

“Well, we don't have any computers or anything of the sort,” Hikan said before he lifted his hand and formed one of his will-o'-wisps. A pair of the earpieces formed in his hand before he picked one up and rolled a wheel on the device's side. It glowed a faint blue color, the wisp's color changing to the same before the hunter held the earpiece out to Elise. “But we have these.”

“Alright, looks like I'll be playing it by ear if I can't see the goings-on,” Elise said, taking the earpiece and putting it on.

“I believe I shall remain here until you return. I do not want to deprive you all of your fun, after all,” Asala said.

Hikan nodded as the wisp floated over to Elise. “I appreciate that,” he told the alien. “After seeing your abilities, I believe you'd be more useful in a more direct assault. And luckily, you won't have to play anything by ear,” he said, turning to Elise. “The wisp is synced to your earpiece and so long as you're wearing it, you should be able to access any information that mine gathers as we go.” He put his hand underneath the sphere and a glowing map of their current location appeared, showing one orange and one blue dot. “Once we enter the combat zone, I'll activate the scanning mode and the wisp will generate ally and enemy signatures, plus give you a perfect three-dimensional map of the warehouse.”

“Perfect, a map with all enemy and ally positions,” Elise said with a grin. “Now that's what I'm used to working with.”

“Well, shall we be on our way, then? We don't want to waste time,” Arela pointed out.

“Yeah, our chance could be gone if we don't get going,” Ayis added.

“Yeah, you guys go,” Elise said. “I'll be good from here.” With that, Elise entered into the base, the blue wisp following her.

“Good luck, everyone,” Asala said, following after Elise.

“Thanks,” Hikan said after the Arcosian before turning back to the rest of Canterlot as his wings flared. “Okay, guys, let's get going.” With that, he launched into the air, Shell transforming into a Pegasus and Starlight using her levitation magic to follow him. Alexandria took to the air as well, with Marisa following on her broomstick. Daiyousei also leaped into the air as her wings flapped, the three all following the hunter. Ayis and Arela were close behind, Nyilla holding onto the Fallen Angel's shoulder.

The group's flight took them to the warehouse district at the edge of the city. Hikan dropped onto the roof of one of the buildings across from and several buildings down from their target. “Alright, Elise,” he said, pushing the button on his earpiece. “Activating scanner mode now. What can you tell me?”

There were a few moments of silence, presumably while Elise looked over the map on her end as it loaded. Finally, there was a response. “Well, you can probably already see this, but there're six enemies on the ground. Three're patrolling outside, and three inside on the ground level. There're another three guards on the roof of the building. Also, there appears to be a large basement level under the warehouse… Down there I'm getting… A lot of enemy signatures. And I mean a lot. So much, that it's kinda difficult to count them all right away…”

“We didn't get that in our intel…” Hikan muttered, rubbing his chin before turning to the others. “Looks like a change in plans is needed. Nyilla, Shanghai, I need you two to find a way inside and take the guards there. Starlight, go with them if you can. The rest of us will stick to the original plan.”

“…Woah, hang on,” Elise suddenly said, sounding as if she was caught off guard. “I just got three other signatures in the basement. They're different from the enemies, but… They're extremely high energy. One of them appears to be fragmented, but be careful anyway.”

Hikan frowned and turned back to look at the building, Dorkifu's visor forming over his eyes. He scanned the building, his gaze lowering towards the basement until he found out what Elise was talking about. Six enemy signatures sat near each other, four in a circle while two of them stood behind them. One of these two had something strapped to their sides but the energy reading was so high that whatever the readings were looked like a blur to Hikan. One of the four standing in the circle had a much larger signature emanating from their back. Inside the circle was the weakened and broken object that Elise mentioned, but still what it was exactly couldn't be made out.

The visor deconstructed itself and Hikan frowned. Alexandria looked at Hikan. “Everything okay?” she asked.

“No,” Hikan answered, a hand over his mouth as he thought. “This is way more complicated than we were led to believe…. Maybe we should turn back.”

“We've finally found an actual enemy stronghold,” Marisa said. “There ain't no way we can just turn back now.”

“Agreed. If need be, I'm sure Sir Asala can help us out,” Arela said. Ayis nodded.

“Yeah! And besides, I want to get back at those bastards for what they did to me. Preferably by sticking my sais in their eye sockets,” Ayis concurred.

Hikan was quiet for a minute. “....Okay,” he finally said, squaring his shoulders and forming Dorkifu's claws. “We go in. But… we go in quick and quiet. Take these bastards out before they get a chance to fight back. That means no games. No stopping to take pleasure in the kill. No torture. Kill and move on. Everyone understand?”

“Yeah, of course,” Marisa said while Alexandria nodded silently.

“Aww… Fine, party pooper,” Ayis pouted adorably.

“Very well, my love,” Arela conceded.

Hikan nodded his head. “Then let's get to it,” he said before vaulting over the ledge of the building and landing on the ground silently. Shell's disguise disappeared and Starlight faded from view as they followed, the changeling taking to the air while a soft clip-clop echoed over the roof before disappearing. Shanghai flew over to Ayis, allowing Nyilla to climb onto her back. Shanghai then flew towards the warehouse, Nyilla riding piggyback. Alexandria then quietly flew down to the ground, Marisa not far behind. Daiyousei remained on the roof. She wasn't yet cut out for fighting, so Hikan rarely asked her to fight.

Ayis muttered a phrase in what the others recognized as Mana script. “Valaten,” she said, and the light around her bent, making her nearly invisible. Her outline was still faintly there, but she was mostly invisible to the naked eye. After that, she moved towards the building, flying as silently as she could to a window, and then to the roof.

Arela muttered a similar phrase, and swept her hand in a circle as she did, “Valasen,” she said, and she disappeared in a flash of golden light. Then, all of a sudden, she was on the roof, appearing right where the light shone down on the mooks, and, with a coordianted attack with Ayis, the two angels eliminated the targets, Ayis thrusting her sais in their throats, and Arela just decapitating them before they could make a sound. As the final guard turned to face them, Shell dropped from the sky and slashed downwards, claws drowned in green flame.

Inside the building, Shanghai and Nyilla had slipped inside through a window. Nyilla was still riding on Shanghai's back as Shanghai hid in the shadows cast by the rafters. There was a brief spark of electricity before Shanghai went to float above one of the guards, who had stopped to look around for a moment. Nyilla dropped from Shanghai's back and landed on the guard. “Surprise, bitch,” she said, and before the guard could react, she electrocuted him with hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity, directly to the spinal cord. Meanwhile, Shanghai had gone and snuck up on another guard with her broadsword drawn. Without a sound, she swiftly jammed the weapon into the unicorn's back with a practiced hand, targeting a very specific point and killing the guard near instantly. The final one's head suddenly fell from its body, but before either could hit the floor, they were slowed and gently set on the floor. Starlight reappeared moments later, straightening up in her armor, sword dripping blood.

Outside, Alexandria had decided to hide in the shadows of one of the alleyways next to the warehouse. As one of the guards passed her, she did a small hand motion - one for her flip ability -
causing the guard to stop short as his hand suddenly shot to his heart. The guard was about to start coughing, but Alexandria leapt from the shadows and put her hand over the guard's mouth. The guard struggled in her grasp for a couple seconds before going limp, and Alexandria gently laid him on the ground. Around the back corner of the alley, behind the warehouse, there was a brief flash of light, signifying that Marisa had done something to another guard. A moment later, Marisa turned the corner, dragging a badly charred corpse. A thud sounded out from the other side of the building and Hikan came around the corner not much later. “Everything good?” He asked in a quiet voice.

“Yes,” Alexandria answered. “Both of our guards went down without trouble.”

Hikan nodded his head before Shell flitted down to the ground next to him. “The roof is secure,” she reported. Arela and Ayis slowly glided down beside the changeling, Ayis giving a thumbs up and a grin while Arela simply nodded. Daiyousei then came down to join them, seeing that they had finished. She looked down at the dead guards, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“Good,” Hikan said, before starting to head for the door to the warehouse. “Let's hope the others cleared the-” He stopped as the door to the building swung open and Starlight stepped out, Shanghai floating out behind her, Nyilla on her back again.

“What're you slowpokes waiting for?” She questioned before disappearing back inside.

“Guess that answers your question,” Marisa said with a shrug as she passed Hikan and entered, Alexandria following. Shanghai deposited Nyilla with Ayis before following the Yokai. Ayis went after Alexandria, Arela looking to her Devoted before following the others.

Hikan and Shell followed quickly, the man bringing a hand to his earpiece. “Any sign of trouble, Elise?”

“Nope,” Elise answered. “The nine enemy signatures that weren't in the basement all disappeared, and if anyone in the basement noticed, there's yet to be any movement to suggest so.”

“Good,” he said before looking at and nodding to the others. “Let's go. Quick, just like we planned.”

“You got it, soldier boy,” Marisa said. Alexandria was silent as she nodded.

“Understood,” Arela replied.

“Got it, hiln,” Ayis said with a nod. Hikan nodded one more time and headed towards the back of the building, Starlight and Shell following. Alexandria, Marisa and Daiyousei followed as well. Arela and Ayis were close behind them all. The group came to a metal door and Hikan pulled it open to reveal a staircase leading to the depths of the building.

Hikan looked towards the group before letting out a breath. “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here,” he said quietly, turning his gaze from them and starting down the stairs. Arela was the first to go after him, Ayis looking to Alexandria, smiling, and then following after the other two. Alexandria grinned and shook her head, following Ayis. Marisa and Daiyousei were the next to descend. Starlight and Shell shared a look before they followed the rest of the group.

The stairway led them deep underground, until it opened up onto a metal catwalk, Hikan suddenly stopping and throwing his hand out as the sounds of voices reached their ears. The others stopped when Hikan did this.

The hunter slowly motioned for them to come forward, walking onto the catwalk on silent feet as the voices below continued. Arela was right behind her Devoted as Alexandria silently stepped out of the door onto the catwalk, Ayis not far behind her. Marisa and Daiyousei followed them, as Starlight looked out over the room and Shell stuck close to her. The room below was filled with tables, at least four stallions of varying races sitting at each one. Between the tables walked mares and females of other races, carrying trays and if they listened carefully, the sound of rattling chains could be heard over the sounds of conversation. Near the end of the great hall, a table sat on a raised platform, four stallions standing around it while another stallion and what appeared to be a human woman stood behind the largest of the stallions, a large dark blue pegasus. Marisa made her way up to Hikan.

“Hey, do you think that big blue guy is the leader?” she whispered to him, pointing. Hikan nodded his head.

“He's gotta be…” he muttered before looking to the rest of them. “Find a position and wait for my signal. Then, we drop these assholes, but don't hurt the hostages.”

“I have a spell that can do just that, but it will leave me open for a bit,” Ayis offered. “It could also compromise the structure, but I'm sure it won't. Sort of.”

“We're not going to risk crushing the hostages,” Alexandria whispered to Ayis. “Or ourselves for that matter.”

“She's got a point,” Hikan muttered before walking further down the catwalk. “But if it comes down to it, Shell, you cover her.” The Changeling nodded and Hikan turned his eyes back on the raised table. “Now, let's get to work.” With that, he threw himself over the railing and fell silently into the shadows of the next platform down. Starlight raised her staff and soon disappeared once more. Alexandria crouched near the edge of the catwalk, prepared to attack when the time came, meanwhile Marisa pulled out her Mini-Hakkero. Marisa then whispered into the device like she always does just before-

Love Sign「Master Spark」

Marisa's Master Spark then shot out of her Mini-Hakkero, blasting straight into one of the men standing around the raised table. The woman immediately looked up before turning and swiftly leaving the room.

Ayis twirled her sais, then spoke a phrase in Mana script, “Vin tin gyn!” she cried, and a number of hands made from the cement of the floor sprung up, grabbing two of the stallions at the raised table - one of which had already been subjected to Marisa's Master Spark - and crushing them effortlessly.

Arela summoned her WarSuit and halberd, then charged in, a whirlwind of limbs flying and metal slicing through flesh and bone emanating from her side of the room. The hostages were left unscathed, although they did scream and run away. Arela was precise and efficient with how she moved, whirling over the heads of hostages if she had the need to.

As the stallions around the room started to get up from their seats, each reaching for their weapons, the occupants of one table suddenly found themselves without their heads as Starlight manifested on the table, her blade glowing in turquoise aura. The mare lifted her blade and thrust it forward, unleashing a beam of magic that cut through a unicorn that had drawn their crossbow.

Alexandria then unleashed a bolt of lightning which struck one of the henchmen, who dropped dead on the spot. She then had to instead focus on moving as a few of the stallions turned their crossbows on her.

Arela destroyed a volley of crossbow bolts out of the air by twirling her halberd, making the stallions who fired them at her step back in fear, until she cut them in twain.

Ayis was all over the room, moving with the help of her magic and blocking bolts of magic and crossbows with the cement from the floor, moving it as if it were clay. She crushed or smacked the stallions and Circle goons with little effort, and when one got too close, she cut off their heads or stabbed them with her sais.

A number of stallions backed up to a corner, their eyes wide at the chaos around them. A small click on the floor made one of them spin around on the spot to stare into the shadows. Nothing could be seen… until Shell jumped out in a flash of claws, cutting deep trenches into his chest. Before the others could react, she turned on them, picking up the fallen one's spear and thrusting it into the chest of one before shoving him into the unicorn behind him. She jumped and flipped backward as a crossbow bolt embedded itself into the ground where she'd been standing. She spun in the air and her sharp claws flashed in green fire. When she hit the ground, so did the bodies of the other three, throats oozing blood onto the ground.

Shanghai and Nyilla were working together as a team. Shanghai would hit Nyilla with an ability, and then Nyilla would release that ability on one of the goons as Shanghai released another on the same goon. Their progress wasn't quite as fast as the others', but it was fast for just two Fairies.

Arela saw a number of stallions charging her, and she grinned as she charged them as well, running towards them with her halberd pointed at them, the spear impaling them and creating a pony shishkebab as their attacks deflected off her armor. She raised a hand religiously, and the bodies turned to ash on her halberd.

Ayis was now launching spears of cement at every stallion who tried to get her, one managing to get through her barrage, only for her to take a javelin made from the cement and toss it at him, nailing him in the throat and stretching his mouth more than was possible for him, ending up with a torn jaw as he was nailed to the wall, hanging there as other stallions looked at the Fallen Angel with fear.

A barrage of orange shots suddenly rained down from the shadows on a platform under the catwalk, scorching smoking holes into the heads of many unfortunate souls. The firing stopped and Hikan lifted the smoking cannon on his wrist. A whistling sound caught his ear, his eyes widening before he jumped backwards, going horizontal as a flying blade spun over him. He leaped off the platform and to the floor as the blade boomeranged back to the raised platform where a dark brown earth pony caught it, a stark white pegasus coming to stand beside him with his scythe drawn, the blade looking suspiciously like a bat's wing.

Shanghai then stopped to have a quick tête-à-tête with Nyilla. After a moment, the two nodded, and Shanghai tossed Nyilla at one of the stallions before quickly rushing after her. Before reaching Nyilla, Shanghai struck her with a lightning bolt. Nyilla seemed to absorb the electricity, and then a moment later, Shanghai grabbed Nyilla's hands and swung her up behind herself, and over her head, flames igniting over her hands. The stallion finally turned and saw the two and raised his sword to strike them. At that moment, Shanghai tossed Nyilla again, and Nyilla fired the lightning bolt she'd stored, while Shanghai released an Agni Shine. The lightning bolt and the fireballs both struck the wide-eyed earth pony, frying him well-done. Shanghai then rushed forward and caught Nyilla, the two high-fiving each other, Shanghai smiling wide and Nyilla with a huge grin as Nyilla got herself positioned on Shanghai's back again.

Arela took a free hand, raised it, and summoned a bolt of lightning in her hand, then tossed it down at the ground. When the goons laughed and tried to charge her, they paused when they heard the rumble of thunder, and suddenly a number of smaller bolts of lightning struck them all, flash-cooking them.

Ayis slammed two final goons into each other, mashing their brains together like paste. She then turned to face the remaining enemies, grinning like a maniac.

Starlight and Shell backed into each other as a mob of the stallions surrounded them. The two looked over their shoulders at each other before giving twin smirks. Eldritch flames lit up the Changeling's arms before she extended her hands, a stream of flames hitting the ground between her and the ponies in front of her. As she did this, Starlight's horn, hands, and sword glowed in her magic aura before she raised her free hand. Magic swirled around the pair, picking up the flames to become a green and turquoise fire whirl. The stallions stared up in horror before screaming as columns of fire shot out of the top of the fiery tornado and slammed down over them, roasting them alive.

Hikan slashed through another mook, dropping them to the floor before the sound of slow clapping drew his attention to the figures left on the platform. “My, my, my,” the big stallion from before said as he lowered his hands into his pockets. “So, you're the ones that have been making a mess of our business. To be perfectly honest I was expecting some individuals that were a bit more…” he paused and took out one hand to roll it through the air, as if searching for the right word. “Well… more.” Alexandria and Marisa both leapt down from the balcony.

“You'd do well not to underestimate us,” Alexandria said.

“My thoughts exactly, vyls,” Ayis concurred, the slur shot at the pegasus. Arela simply stomped near Hikan and glared at the stallion through her visor.

The stallion gave a puff of laughter at that before his hand went back into his pocket and withdrew a cigar and lighter, raising the cigar to his lips and lighting it. He took a long drag from the lit cigar before pulling it away from his mouth and blowing out the cloud slowly. “Kill them,” he said evenly. The two stallions raised their weapons and Hikan's eyes widened before they rushed forward.

“RUN!” Hikan roared, rushing to meet the pair as Dorkifu formed the rest of the armor's arm and chest plates. He threw his claws out and slashed at the two only to have the stallion holding a double-bladed ax dodge under his attack and continue on as his partner clashed with the hunter with a slash from his strange scythe.

“Woah, what's going on!?” came Elise's shout through the earpiece as the others stood, wide-eyed from Hikan's sudden shout to run. “I just received two energy spikes!”

Hikan grit his teeth together before lifting his leg and kicking out at his opponent who spun his scythe, the blade folding in like a wing and taking the kick. “They have Teigu!” The assassin shouted, turning and rocketing after the other stallion as the scythe wielder slid backwards. The stallion turned and seemed to break his ax in half, throwing one side at the hunter. Hikan lifted his arm and the blade clinked off his wrist, the man continuing. Behind him, the ax head turned in midair and flew back towards him. Hikan swung his claw, the stallion lifting the other ax and catching the blow before Hikan yanked his head to the side, the flying blade cutting his face before it was caught by its owner. Behind the man, the scythe wielder straightened up as his blade folded out and extended out more than it had originally before he rushed Hikan from behind. Arela blocked him with her halberd, pushing him away with a swift kick.

“Stay away from my Devoted!” she cried. The stallion slid back, slamming his blade into the ground to bring himself to a stop. The pegasus looked up with a smirk and spun his scythe to hold his polearm over his shoulders.

“Well, aren't you the feisty one?” The stallion questioned, starting to stride forward with a sort of swagger. “Eh, sympa?”

Arela growled at the term, not knowing what it was, but hating it all the same. Her anger caused her armor to glow more, blinding all present as heat built in the room. Suddenly, the stallion felt his arm go limp and burn like hell, and then, the feeling of limpness faded, and all that was left was burning.

When the light faded, his arm was gone, cauterised, and Arela was panting heavily, but still standing.

“Hil na san cro vin,” she rumbled, the last word echoing as a blade of light stabbed his other arm, right in the shoulder. At his scream of pain, she stumbled back, then fell to a knee, panting even more heavily. She was trembling.

The stallion turned his shades on the collapsed angel, his teeth grinding against themselves. “Sale salope!” He shouted, before rushing forward, scythe blade carving through the concrete as he aimed for her neck. The stallion slashed upwards only for the attack to get blocked by something. The stallion looked up to see Shanghai in her CPU form, Alexandria standing just behind her, the two between him and Arela.

“I don't think so,” Alexandria said.

“En garde!” Shanghai shouted, drawing her rapier and pointing it at the stallion.

“Vas te faire foutre!” The stallion shouted in response, spinning his scythe in one hand and knocking the rapier out of the way, slashing at Shanghai. The blow had absolutely no effect on the Fairy. Shanghai didn't even flinch. She simply gripped her rapier with a grin.

“Is that all?” she asked. “You'll have to try a little harder than that.” Shanghai then lunged at the stallion, slashing her rapier across his already impaled shoulder.

“Gah!” The pegasus shouted, taking a step back as he raised his blade, the scythe folding back in on itself before he switched up his stance. Shanghai took notice of this. She glanced to Alexandria, who nodded back. Shanghai then turned back to the stallion.

Aku no Tsuihō「Agni Slash」

Shanghai rushed him, her rapier bursting into flames. She deliberately made for one specific side of the stallion. The pegasus widened his eyes, letting the staff of his weapon slide a bit as he spun it, the thickened blade acting as a shield in front of his unprotected side. Alexandria, thinking quickly, made a few hand gestures, and suddenly the stallion felt an extremely strong force resisting against the scythe. As a result, the spinning slowed considerably, just enough so that Shanghai could pass through and she brought her weapon down on his shoulder. The attack burned, and the rapier cut through his flesh like a hot knife through butter.

The stallion screamed in pain before twisting the staff of his weapon, the blade jumping out to full length before he swung the scythe towards Shanghai's throat. But to his horror, the scythe did nothing on impact as Shanghai continued to gouge through his shoulder, reaching the bone and pushing down hard. After a moment, there was a sickening crack as his shoulder joint dislocated and Shanghai finished chopping the arm off, blood spurting from his partially cauterised shoulder.

The stallion's eyes went wide as his scythe clattered to the ground. He looked in fear at his wounds before he looked up at Shanghai… and gave a shaky smile. “Well played, mon amie,” he murmured before taking the knot of his tie in his teeth. “But let's see you take this!” Shanghai's instincts told her in that moment that whatever the stallion was doing was not good, and she rushed forward, hoping to stop him. She clearly wasn't worried about herself, she was invincible after all, she wanted to prevent this last-ditch attack from hurting Alexandria. Unfortunately, she was too slow. Just as she grabbed the stallion, a click sounded out and an explosion erupted from under his shirt.

But no worries were needed, as a dome of concrete rose over Alexandria, the blast washing over it, and when the blast faded, Ayis growled and rushed over to the ashes of the stallion, eyes glowing with rage. She raised a finger, muttering one word in Mana. “Vin.” She said lowly, and the ashes were absolutely gone. She then turned back to Alexandria, worry etching her features.

“Til la fita cun tu De?” she asked worriedly in her native tongue, having been so worried she naturally slipped into it.

Alexandria went and hugged Ayis tightly. “Te De V'i fi. Fan la,” she answered in the same language, Fallen, which Ayis had taught her over the months since they'd become Devoted. Ayis breathed a sigh of relief, kissing her Devoted deeply as she hugged her to herself.

On the other side of the room, the ax wielder swung his dual blades at Hikan once more. The hunter jumped out of the way, dancing back in as the blades slammed into the floor, the man twisting and swinging a spinning back kick at the stallion's head. The earth pony raised the ax blades quickly in front of him, the flat of the blades catching the kick. He threw the blades out, staggering Hikan before swinging one blade up and the other down in a scissor motion. Hikan moved his armored arms in front of him, intending to block the attack. “ARGH!” The man shouted in pain as the blades sank into the armor, the axes biting into his flesh underneath.

“Hey! Hands off!” Marisa shouted, swinging her broomstick and catching the stallion in the chest, staggering him away from Hikan. The stallion came to a stop and lifted his gaze to the witch and let out a growl before slamming the two halves of his ax back together and rushing her. He lifted the ax over his head and swung it down towards her, deadly intent oozing from him. Marisa swiftly sidestepped the attack, a grin on her face. She then gripped her broomstick and slammed it into the back of his head, turning his momentum against him as he was hurled face-first into the floor.

The stallion's hand and ax scraped against the floor as he pushed himself up from the floor. “I'mma make you pay for that,” he growled before lifting his ax and splitting it once more to be thrown at the witch, the blades spinning through the air as they rushed her. Marisa deftly dodged the two blades, remaining aware of their positions as she jumped onto her broomstick and accelerated towards the stallion. The pony grinned as he flicked his wrist, three blades ripping through his sleeve before he slashed forward with them towards the speeding witch, the blades of his ax turning in midair to rush at her back. Marisa grinned as she ducked on her broomstick, stars beginning to emanate from it.

Comet「Blazing Star」

Marisa then slammed into the stallion at an incredibly high speed. So high, in fact, that it seemed as if she passed straight through him and his arm blades' slash, decelerating rapidly behind him to avoid crashing into the wall. The stallion gripped at his stomach feeling the full force of the impact. Then the two ax blades reached him, and he wasn't ready to catch them. The stallion lifted his gaze only for his eyes to widen as a pair of sickening squelches filled the air. The stallion groaned as he fell to the floor, the ax blades protruding from his chest and stomach.

Hikan took several deep breaths as he looked at the pool of blood forming under the pony. “Thanks,” he muttered, looking towards Marisa.

“Heh, no problem,” Marisa answered with a grin as she hopped off her broomstick.

A soft thud jerked the hunter's gaze back to the platform where the boss stood, his suit jacket and shirt on the floor as he pulled on a pair of heavy metal gauntlets, the knuckles spiked. “Seems I have to do everything myself,” he muttered around his cigar before he took it from his mouth and dropped it to the floor, stomping on it with a hoof that left a small crater in the concrete. He jumped from the platform, his landing on the ground below sending out a tremor before he started to stalk towards them. “What a disappointment….” Alexandria eyed the pegasus carefully, Shanghai hanging back as well. Marisa decided not to make any rash decisions.

Arela was too exhausted to fight or move, and Ayis was protecting her Devoted from any harm, wings spread in front of her protectively. Starlight and Shell glanced towards one another before nodding. The two rushed towards the large stallion in a pincer maneuver. They quickly closed in on him as he stopped in the middle of the room, the unicorn swinging her sword towards his head while the Changeling aimed her flaming claws at his abdomen. Hikan blinked and a metallic clank and shink sounded as they opened again. Starlight was stopped against one of his metallic gauntlets, grinding sparks off of it as Shell stumbled from her claws sliding off the other. The stallion didn't even seem phased as he brought his knee up into Shell's stomach, the Changeling's eyes widening as air rushed from her lungs. He brought his hoof back down and planted it as Shell tumbled away, his fist rearing back and slamming into Starlight's torso. The mare's eyes bulged as she folded around the punch before being thrown across the room by the force.

Arela made to move, but couldn't, collapsing back to her knees. Ayis' eyes widened at how easily the pegasus dispatched Starlight and Shell, and backed up a bit, keeping Alexandria close behind her. Alexandria looked on in surprise, deciding that it would be best to remain behind Ayis for the time being. Marisa rushed over to Starlight.

“You okay?” she asked, giving Starlight a worried look as she crouched next to her.

Starlight winced and put a hand to her stomach before pulling it back to find blood dripping from her robes and hand. “Sh-Shit,” she gasped, folding over herself as she held her wounds.

Marisa's eyes widened. “DAI!” she shouted over her shoulder. Almost as she began to shout, Daiyousei rushed over.

“J-Just hold on Starlight,” Daiyousei said, slightly panicked. “I-I can't fix it all the way, b-but I think I should be able to stop the bleeding…” Daiyousei then gently put her hands on Starlight's stomach, the green glow of her healing ability flowing over Starlight. The pain eased a little, and the bleeding stopped, but Starlight was definitely still severely injured. She'd need medical attention later.

“Thanks…” Starlight muttered before her eyes widened as a shadow fell over them. The unicorn jerked her head up to see the boss standing over them with his fist already reared back. He threw his fist forward and Starlight squeezed her eyes shut as a blur moved in front of them. A loud bang sounded out as the spiked fist met with the flat of a large, wide-bladed sword with orange accents. Hikan glared past the sword at the stallion, arms still bleeding.

“My love…!” Arela managed to say, but couldn't move due to her exhaustion. Ayis watched this go on as she kept Alexandria safe, her wings around the girl. She looked worried, but knew she couldn't do anything to help. Alexandria looked on, wishing she could do something.

Hikan's gaze darted towards Arela before he looked back at the stallion once more with a snarl. “…What're you going to do? Little man?” the boss taunted.

Hikan pushed violently on his sword and shoved the pony back before lifting a leg and kicking the stallion in the chest. “You're dead,” the hunter said before Dorkifu started to glow brightly and buzz loudly. “Ace of Spades.” Armor spread over the man's chest and forearms, the sword growing longer and losing some of its width. Hikan looked up at the stallion before his visor formed. “Let's see you handle this!” He shouted before rushing forward and swinging out.

The boss jumped back to avoid the horizontal slash before Hikan lifted the blade and slashed down. The stallion lifted his gauntlet and diverted the sword, punching forward with his other fist. The hunter quickly took one hand off the hilt and lifted his arm to block the punch, crunching sounding out and the man wincing as the spikes once more tore into his armor.

“Hikan!” Alexandria shouted as she rushed forward, only to be stopped by Ayis' arm. She glanced at Ayis, who shook her head.

“No,” Ayis said. “I will protect you.” Alexandria turned back to look at Hikan again, a pained look in her eyes… Before she remembered that there was something she could do. She then reached down to her waist where her pouch was. She then pulled out one of Die Leaguer's Orbs, then threw it past Ayis straight at the large pegasus. The Orb found its target, who promptly burst into flames.

The boss roared in pain, tearing his gauntlet free from Hikan's arm as he stumbled back, trying to slap out the flames to little avail. “OI!” The stallion turned his eyes just in time to see Hikan's blade flashing towards him. The sword passed through his throat effortlessly, body slumping to the ground as the head rolled away. Hikan was left panting and holding his injured forearm. “Heads up, bitch,” he said. Arela panted as her armor disappeared, her halberd being used by her to keep herself up.

“Is filt la ta Graan,” she muttered, making Ayis chuckle.

“Damn Ar, didn't know you could use such language,” Ayis said.

“He deserves said language though,” Alexandria said before turning to Hikan. “Are you okay?”

“Banged up,” Hikan grunted as he straightened up and cancelled out the Ace, leaving him armorless, blood seeping from his puncture and slash wounds. “But I'll live.”

“Thank Lithg…” Arela managed, before collapsing to her face, knee no longer able to support her as she fell unconscious.

“Shit,” Hikan said, rushing to her side. “Dai!” Daiyousei quickly made her way over and swiftly inspected Arela with a trained eye she'd acquired working as the healer these past years. After a few moments, she pulled back, most of the urgency gone from her movements.

“Um, I think she's just tired…” Daiyousei said. “I don't think it's that big of a deal…”

Hikan let out a sigh of relief. “Thank god,” he muttered, bowing his head and slumping a bit.

“Hey Hikan, what's all this stuff?” Marisa called from the raised platform, standing over the table on it and looking over something on the tabletop. The man looked up to her before letting his head fall down again. With a grunt, he gets back to his feet and trudges over to the platform, taking the steps up to stand next to Marisa.

And his eyes widened. “…That's not possible,” he muttered. On the table sat an open briefcase, inside of which was a belt with a large, round buckle with an octagonal indent in it. Around the buckle sat some sort of metal or stone fragments that might have gone in the indent at some point.

“What is it?” Ayis called to him.

Hikan ripped his gaze from the belt and looked towards the angel. “It's another Tei-”

“WATCH OUT, BEHIND YOU!!” Elise suddenly shouted through Hikan's earpiece.

“HIKAN!” The man spun around with just enough time to spare to see a flash of turquoise light shine in front of him. Starlight's body jerked and everything stopped. The man's eyes widened and he looked down to see a column of red protruding from Starlight's stomach and stabbing into his. Insane laughter filled the air before the red spear was pulled from their bodies with a sickening suction noise. Hikan started to fall forward, but had just enough wit left to reach his arms out and catch Starlight as they fell, putting his body under hers when they hit the ground.

The man looked down at the unicorn, tears forming in his eyes. “Star…?” He said quietly. The mare didn't move for several moments before she lifted her eyes to look over her shoulder with pain filled eyes and a fake smirk on her face.

“Told you I'd… save your ass… someday,” she gasped out between breaths before laying her head back down and going still. Hikan stared at her for several moments before black spots started to take his vision. Soon, his eyes closed and his head hit the ground, unwept tears falling down his face. Manic laughter once again filled the room as the blood spilled under the two began to collate to one position.

“Star! Boss!” Ayis cried in shock. Alexandria gasped, putting a hand to her mouth.

“No…” she whispered. Marisa was shocked speechless. Daiyousei began to tear up and turned to Marisa, grabbing the witch's dress and burying her face in it as she began sobbing. Marisa put her arms around the Fairy, but was still dumbfounded as she continued to stare at her two friends' corpses.

“Seems the mighty hunters aren't so invincible as the bug claimed!” A high pitched voice said cheerfully, followed soon by mad cackling. “Maybe the council will reward me for bringing back their heads! Let's start with the angels!” The sound of rushing liquid filled the air again before shadows fell on Ayis and Arela.

But just then, a massive shockwave and woosh of wind knocked the forming blood spears away like they were nothing, and all present turned to see Asala standing there, purple reptilian eyes filled with icy rage.

“I see some filth has decided to torture my pupils,” he said in his smooth, Italian voice. Gone was the warmth and politeness in his voice. All there was was ice. Literally. The ground was freezing over. “How despicable.” Asala looked to Starlight and Hikan, then, in another shockwave and woosh of wind, they were gone, and Asala was still where he was, as if he had teleported them away without any light. “So, shall we see who wins this bout?” he asked.

“Ohhhh, how sweet!” The high pitched voice echoed out, before a clip-clop from the corner of the room announced the presence of the new player. A mottled gray and white stallion stepped out of the shadows, wearing a dapper little suit with coat tails, a black diamond plastered to his right eye. “A hero comes to save the damsels in distress! Oh, it's almost like a fairy tale come true!” The pony paused to throw his head back and laugh maniacally at his own joke… only to cut short as the floor shook.

From the wall behind Asala, a monstrous, glowing head forced its way through the concrete. The beast stepped fully into the room, towering over the Arcosian as it solidified. Smoke gray feathers on off-white scales, four wings spread out over its head as red crystals jutted from its shoulders. The demon reared up on its hind-legs, freeing its four forelegs to show off the pair of hands that were more claw than hands, red orbs pulsing in their palms. Cataclysm let out a roar that shook the building, the jester actually balking a little.

“...Oh, dear…” he muttered. Asala was suddenly in front of him, and the next thing the stallion knew, there was a gaping hole in his knee. Alexandria and Marisa blinked in surprise. “GAH!” The stallion screamed, dropping back onto the hard floor. He looked up at the alien before scooting back a little and raising his fingers as if to snap, a snarl forming on his face. “Big mistake!” He hissed before snapping his fingers… and going wide-eyed as nothing happened. He looked up at Asala and gulped. “Uh-oh.” Asala leaned down to the stallion, letting him take in his full icy rage.

“You know… In my day, I was known by many fearful names, all told to children to scare them in the long winter nights,” Asala swiped his fingers, chopping the other stallion's raised digits off, only for the blood spurting out to painfully freeze over. “Chilled Soul…. Demon of the Tundra… The Coldest Wind…” he said, each title ending with a lower voice, before Asala pointed a finger at the Stallion's elbow, and a beam of purple energy shot out, creating another gaping hole in his elbow. The wound, like his fingers, froze as well. “I despise them to this day. But, for these short few moments of your life…” Asala's eyes glowed with baleful light, “...You shall know why they called me such.” Asala then proceeded to litter the stallion with holes, until most of his body was frozen over. He was still alive, but barely. Holes riddled his arms and legs, all the holes frozen over, the same able to be said for his chest, but nothing hit his heart or neck. “Now, worm. Do you understand?” Asala asked, pointing a finger straight at the stallion's head, but waiting for a reply nonetheless.

The stallion stared up at the alien, fear replacing the mad joy that had filled his eyes only moments ago. His lip trembled as he tried to form his last word. “M… Mommy…” He squeaked. Asala laughed, the sound cold, like the rumble of an avalanche. Asala leaned over to the stallion's ear.

“No mother would love a son such as you,” he whispered, before blowing a hole straight through his skull, the hole immediately freezing over. The stallion's eyes glassed over as the life faded from him. The ground shook as Cataclysm walked up behind the alien.

'You didn't save any for me….' A voice suddenly boomed out into the minds of all present.

“Apologies. My anger got to me,” Asala said, straightening up as he turned to the others. “Come, everyone. It's time to leave this nest of filth.”

“Woah, just a moment,” Marisa said. “Did Cat just-”

'Yes, Miss Marisa, I did,' the demon answered, whirling in place and putting his foreclaws back on the floor to walk towards the unconscious Arela. 'At the moment, however, I'm worried about getting everyone else home, not the fact that you can hear me.'

“Right,” Alexandria said. “We should take the Teigu from the guys here on the raised platform too. It would be a bad idea to leave those out in the open here.” Alexandria then walked to the table and closed the case before picking it up. Marisa had already been searching the corpse of the stallion that had made the blood spears.

“Hello, this looks interestin'…” she said, coming to the stallion's finger. On it was a silver ring with an ornament shaped like a dragon's head on it. There was a blue gemstone embedded into the dragon's forehead. Oddly, this ring was the sole object on the stallion's body that had escaped Asala's icy wrath. “This thing is probably a Teigu. Even if it's not, it's still pretty cool lookin',” Marisa said to herself as she took the ring.

Shell slowly picked herself up off the ground, eyes glued to where she had last seen Hikan and Starlight. She made to step forward only to stumble as her hoof clipped something metallic. She looked down to find the scythe laying at her hooves. Slowly, she reached down and picked it up in her hands, her knuckles going white in her grip.

Asala scanned the room, noting the disarray it was in. He sighed, shaking his head, before walking over to one of the bodies and picking up the ax. He gazed at it for a long moment, then sighed once more and began walking to the entrance of the room, muttering phrases in a language none of them fully recognized. Alexandria looked at the rest of the group. She closed her eyes and exhaled heavily. When she opened her eyes again, they were much more determined.

“Alright guys, let's get this stuff back to base and safely locked away,” she said, taking charge in Hikan's absence. “It seems like Asala has taken care of the hostages anyway.” Cataclysm walked past her, Arela cradled in his less feral arms before they glowed in a golden light and became slightly transparent as the Nil Dragon walked into and through a wall. Shell nodded her head numbly and made her way to the stairs, still clutching onto the scythe. Asala followed after them, Ayis doing the same. Alexandria let Marisa and Daiyousei leave ahead of her before taking up the rear.

Once outside the warehouse, the group saw the familiar form of Ronzul, who had mysteriously disappeared on the way to said warehouse. They saw him planting cylindrical, cloth covered and metal filled objects against the supports of the building. After planting one more, he noticed them and waved.

“Oi! How'd it go in there? Sorry Ah weren't with ya, Ah found a group o' Circle mooks hanging 'round mah favorite drinkin' hole. Couldn't have that, ya know?” he told them.

“Wait, you weren't with us?” Ayis queried, then blinked. “Oh. Huh. Can't believe we forgot you. You were so silent on the way here that we must not have noticed.” Ronzul laughed heartily.

“Probably comes from bein' part elf on me Mam's side, lass! And yew know those elves, always sneaking and lurking,” he said. He shook his head. “Anyways, Ah was jus' finishing with these charges.”

“I see. Then it seems we shall be getting fireworks,” Asala said, a grin likely under his mask. Shell simply kept walking. If she heard the conversation, she didn't show it, simply… kept walking home. Marisa grinned.

“Shame I don't know how to set that kinda stuff up,” she said. “As the supposed demolitionist, I'm obligated to blow shit up. Mind if I push the button?” Alexandria just shook her head at that with a grin. Ronzul grinned, gesturing to the string of fuses that were tied together, leading a good twenty feet back to safety.

“Be mah guest, lass,” he said, stepping back to where the fuse ended. Marisa followed him, rubbing her hands together giddily.

“Alrighty, looks like a fire's gonna be needed,” she said. “Good thing I specialize in heat magic.” With that, Marisa brought her hands together and placed them a foot above the fuse ends. After a few moments, the air near the ends seemed to begin shimmering, and after several moments more, the buildup of heat caused the fuse to ignite.

“Git back e'eryone! Place is gonna go kablooey!” Ronzul yelled, rushing for cover. Asala did so, Ayis grabbing Alexandria and flying for cover with the others. Marisa peeked around the cover and watched as the fuses burned up to the building.

“Aaaaaaaaand…” she said quietly in anticipation. A moment later and the building went up in a glorious fireball.

“HAHAHA! Take that, ya right kilvas!” Ronzul laughed. Asala watched the flames engulf the building for a while with the others, and then looked to where Shell was, seeing that she was farther from the group than she should be. He floated over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder whilst the others enjoyed the sight of the flaming building.

“Miss?” he queried.

Shell jumped at the contact and swung her wide and frightened eyes to look at the alien. “O-Oh… I'm sorry…” she said quietly, gaze going to the ground. Asala shook his head.

“No need to be, Miss…?” he began, raising an eyeridge.

“Shell,” she answered quietly, hands wringing the staff of the scythe.

“Yes, right, Shell. Apologies, I realized I did not know any of your names,” he said, before shaking his head once more. “But back to the matter at hand. You're leaving the safety of the group. Are you alright?”

Shell looked up at him and stared before her lip started to tremble and tears flooded her eyes. Silently, she closed her eyes and shook her head as she looked down.

Asala's mask retracted into the sides of the bone-like substance framing his face, showing his frown. He wrapped his arm fully around her, then looked to the sky.

“...This is about the two who fell, yes?” he guessed. The Changeling nodded her head slowly. He was silent for a while. “They should be fine, so do not worry. All we can do now, is hope for the best, and keep moving forward.”

“B-but,” Shell stuttered, looking up at him once more. “H-Hikan always knew what to do, a-and Starlight, she-she-” The Changeling had to stop as her throat tightened up, making it impossible for her to continue.

“Life does not care for feelings. It is unwavering in its resolve. So, in turn, so we must be,” Asala said sagely, squeezing the Changeling's shoulder. He looked down at her. “Hikan and Starlight, while bearing grievous wounds, are being treated as we speak. Once they wake up, which they will, you must be ready to continue.”

The Changeling sniffled and looked up at him. “H-how do you know all this?” She asked in a hoarse whisper. “One second they w-were on the floor bl-bleeding out and the next they were… they were just gone….” Asala simply smiled at her, though she could feel it was sad.

“Do you recall the names and titles I listed off earlier?” At her nod, he continued. “I have seen much death, Miss Shell. I have seen ponies, malnourished and broken bodied, force themselves to stand up through sheer force of will. With the resolve I have witnessed in those two, I have no doubts they will make it out alive.” He winked at her. “Not to mention I can sense their life energy. It's dim, but slowly regaining its ground.”

Her eyes widened at that and her hand shot up to grab his arm. “Where?” She asked frantically. “Where are they?” Asala gently moved her hand off his arm.

“At the fort. Do not worry, they are safe,” he assured her. The Changeling hadn't even heard the last part as she immediately turned and started running through the streets of Canterlot, forgetting to even put on her disguise as she sprinted through the city. Asala chuckled, and flew after her, easily matching her speed. “Why don't I take you there? I can go much faster.” He offered, opening his arms to her as he flew while she ran. The Changeling practically jumped into his arms when he said this, her eyes flaring for a second in green flame.

“Hurry,” she said, her voice far more demanding than anything she'd used before, but the fear and worry tinging it gave her tone another meaning. Asala smiled and nodded, zooming off at insane speeds, making the Changeling clutch his body to keep from falling or slipping.

Elise was near the front door of the fort, waiting somewhat nervously. The wisp and earpiece she'd been given had both vanished suddenly shortly after the surprise spike in energy she'd tried to warn Hikan about. Not too long after that though, a strange pod of sorts had appeared in the base. She didn't know what it was for, but it worried her somehow. She was also worried about the safety of the others. After all, if they all died… Then where would she go? She didn't have anywhere to stay except this place the assassins had generously offered her.

Suddenly, and without warning, the doors to the base slammed open as Shell stood in the doorway, eyes flaring with green flame. “Where are they!?”

“JESUS CHRIST!” Elise shouted in surprise, jumping a good seven inches off the ground, and moving backwards a few inches in the process. The Changeling marched through the doors, eldritch flame jumping from her hooves with every step until she was face to face with the young woman. The short princess leaned away a bit, her personal space violated.

“I said,” the Changeling growled. “Where. Are. They?” Despite the flames in her eyes and aggression in her tone, the echo of worry and fear that still permeated her voice were still there, if not magnified. Elise guessed that she was probably really worried about Hikan.

“Uh… I dunno for sure, but shortly after I lost contact with you guys, a weird-looking pod appeared in the medical room, maybe you'd wa-” Elise began to say before Shell was gone like a rocket, leaving scorch marks on the floor behind her. Asala walked in the door then.

“Sorry about her. She is quite worried,” Asala said politely.

“I, uh, figured as much,” Elise said, staring after the Changeling with a raised eyebrow. She then turned to Asala. “What about the others? Are they okay, or is it just you two that're left?”

“They are on their way, so do not worry,” Asala told her. He patted her shoulder before walking further into the fort and past her. “I will be in the training room, should anyone have need of me.” With that, he left.

After a little more time, Alexandria and the others came through the front door. “There you are,” Elise said.

“Yeah, sorry, we were watching some fireworks, hehe,” Ayis said with a manic yet goofy grin.

“Quite the amazin' display too,” Marisa added with a similar grin.

“I… see,” Elise said. “Anyway, I don't think you've introduced yourselves yet. You probably already heard this from that hag from before, but you can call me Elise.”

“Yeah, Yukari did say somethin' like that,” Marisa said. “The name's Marisa Kirisame, a human magician.”

“My name is Alexandria Kijin,” Alexandria said. “I'm half human, half Yokai.” She then gestured to Shanghai. “And this is Shanghai,” she added.

“I'm Alexandria's Fairy,” Shanghai said cheerfully. “Nice to meet you!”

“I'm Daiyousei,” Daiyousei spoke up. “And I'm a Greater Fairy.”

“Ayis Filya VII, Fallen Angel,” Ayis introduced, waving to Elise. She then gestured to Nyilla, who was on her shoulder. “This is Nyilla, my little Fairy.”

“Hey,” Nyilla said dismissively with a half-hearted wave.

“'Ello, lass. Name's Ronzul. Ah helped build this 'ere fort. Hope it's to yer likin',” Ronzul introduced himself, giving a little bow of his head.

“Yeah, I looked around a bit,” Elise answered. “It's well-built. Anyway, glad to finally know all your names.”

“Yeah. Say, where's Gaelle? I wanna see how my little girl is doing,” Ayis queried.

“Ah, yeah, I met her while exploring,” Elise said. “Last I saw her, she was in the common area.”

“Sweet,” Ayis turned to Alexandria. “You wanna come with me to see her?”

“First I need to make sure these Teigu get stored safely,” Alexandria said. “I'd be happy to go see Yis afterwards though.”

“Alright then,” Ayis gave her Devoted a quick kiss on the cheek and a slap on the ass. “See ya there.” She then walked off, a sway in her hips.

“'Teigu',” Elise said. “The winged man mentioned that word too, but I dunno what it means.”

“Hikan,” Alexandria supplied. “And Teigu are really powerful tools, often weapons, that can be extremely destructive in the wrong hands. We're keeping the ones we find locked up tight so that the Circle, the organization we're fighting, doesn't get their filthy hands on them. Hikan has his own Teigu that he uses, and I've got one too.”

“I see…” Elise said. “So, are more of you gonna start using the ones you just found?”

“Not necessarily…” Alexandria said. “Teigu can be very picky about who uses them. If rejected, it's extremely painful, and sometimes deadly.”

“That's… Definitely something,” Elise said. Alexandria and Marisa moved to leave. After a few moments of silence, Elise chased them and stopped them. “W-Wait,” she said.

“Yeah?” Alexandria asked.

“I, uh, wanna look at the Teigu you've got,” she said. “With Hikan gone, I won't be able to offer support… So I won't have anything to contribute. I don't wanna be a mooch, living here without doing anything in return, so I wanna see if one of your Teigu will accept me.”

Alexandria was quiet for a few moments. “…Alright,” she finally said. “Just as long as you know that you're risking death if one rejects you.”

“I'll be ready,” Elise said, determined.

“Alright, come with us,” Alexandria said. Alexandria then lead Elise to the armory. Once there, she went up to a large safe. She inputted a combination and the safe opened. Inside was the ax and scythe from before, presumably put there by Asala, and also L'Arc Qui Ne Faut.

“Is that a bow?” Elise asked, referring to L'Arc.

“Yeah,” Marisa said. “But I wouldn't try it if I were you. It's notoriously pissy to us, havin' rejected everyone.”

“Alexandria said these things're picky, right?” Elise responded. “It'd make sense for it to reject everyone then; it just hasn't found the owner it wants yet.” Elise turned to look at the bow Teigu. “I've always been fond of Archers,” she said. “Can't say I'm good with a bow, but…” She hesitated for a moment, as if thinking deeply about something. “I'd be willing to try using it. Does it have a name?”

“Hikan called it 'L'Arc Qui Ne Faut',” Alexandria said.

“Hmmm…” Elise hummed. “Does it do anything special?”

“You're supposed to be able to call a name, and then the arrow'll hit that target, guaranteed,” Marisa said.

Elise was silent again for a few moments. Then she walked into the safe and picked up L'Arc, slipping the quiver onto her back. She took an arrow and nocked it. “Now what?” she asked. “Who should I call out?”

“Go for Shanghai,” Marisa said. “She'll be able to take it.”

“Yeah,” Shanghai said. “It won't hurt me.”

Elise was a bit hesitant. “…Okay, if you say so…” she said, stepping out of the safe as Alexandria and Marisa put the case and ring inside. The two stepped out of the safe as well, and Marisa stepped away from Alexandria. Elise went and stood about twenty feet away from Alexandria, and turned to face away. She took a deep breath, then drew the bowstring, aiming for the wall in front of her. “…Shanghai!” she shouted, letting the arrow fly a moment later. The arrow flew straight… for half a second before suddenly redirecting in midair and whizzing past Elise's ear. The arrow then made a beeline for Shanghai, who was still on Alexandria's shoulder. The arrow made solid contact, striking Shanghai right in the face, the only part of her exposed over Alexandria's shoulder. Elise turned just in time to see this. Shanghai shook her head as the arrow clattered to the floor.

“See, I'm perfectly fine!” she said with a cheerful smile.

“So, how excruciatin' is the pain?” Marisa asked.

“Uh…” Elise said hesitantly. “…There's no pain.”

Marisa was silent for a good five seconds. “…What. Are you tellin' me the infamous L'Arc Qui Ne Faut, the pickiest Teigu we've seen so far, accepted you?”

“Yes, Marisa, it looks like that's the case,” Alexandria said in a slightly exasperated tone as she closed the safe. The safe locked itself with a deep, echoing clunk. Alexandria then turned to Elise. “Which means… Congratulations on your Teigu.”

“Ah, um, thanks I guess,” Elise said, not sure what to think.

“You said you weren't very skilled with the bow, right?” Alexandria said, receiving a hesitant nod from Elise. “Then maybe Asala would be able to tutor you. You'll need to get better now that L'Arc chose you. Anyway, I'll be going to see Ayis and Yis now.” Alexandria then waved to Elise and left.

“Ugh, no use standin' around here,” Marisa said to Elise. “C'mon, let's go find somethin' to do.” With that, Marisa left the armory, Elise slowly following a few moments later.

Within the infirmary, all was calm… for a grand total of three seconds before Shell came rushing in, flames practically pouring out of her hands, hooves, and eyes. She peered inside, chest heaving before she suddenly straightened up and the flames died in an instant. Her eyes stared straight ahead as she stepped forward shakily, walking towards the black pod in the corner of the room. The orange glass at the front of the chamber showed the inside where Hikan sat in the back, his arms wrapped around Starlight. Their wounds still bled, if the reddish liquid floating from the holes to the top of the pod were any sort of evidence. Hikan's Dorkifu was the only answer to the sudden pod, as his wings seemed to have been bent and wrapped to form part of it while the gauntlets on his arms seemed to be connected to the walls from where they were wrapped around the unicorn's torso.

Shell stopped mere inches from the chamber and put her hand to the glass. They both looked… so peaceful. Tears welled up in the Changeling's eyes once more and she broke down again, falling to her knees as her head bowed and hand stayed pressed against the pod.

'...Mother really cares about you.' The sudden voice had the insectoid gasping and jumping up, whirling around to see Cataclysm's ethereal form lay Arela on a medical bed, her body becoming solid once more. The Nil Dragon didn't glance her way as he seemed to shrink down. The reduction in size didn't stop until the demon stood at about nine feet tall, slowly lowering himself down to stand on all six claws as he, too, returned to solid form. He turned to face the Changeling to show off the brilliant emerald irises in his once solid red eyes… and the tears that stayed trapped in them. 'She loves all of you very much….'

Shell could say nothing as the demon bowed his head and walked over to the side of the pod, lowering himself down and curling up beside it so that his side was pressing against the container. It was only then that Cataclysm allowed his tears to run down the side of his face.

“Il sangue non c acqua,” came the words of Asala. The two turned to the door to find him there, wearing a suit and slacks with a red undershirt and bolo tie, along with white glasses. “In other words, 'Blood is thicker than water.'” He approached the pod, gazing inside. “I'd say you all are quite a good family. Your worry is proof of that.” He glanced to Shell, then back to the pod. “I am sure your family members will survive, and when they are back in shape, you can rest easy.” He tapped the side of his head with a finger. “Trust the teacher. I've been at this longer than most.”

Shell was quiet for a long while, staring up at the Arcosian before she looked back to the pod. “…How long do you think it will take?” She asked, her voice still constricted from her weeping. Asala looked back to the pod, humming in thought.

“…I'd say about three days, give or take,” he surmised. Shell glanced at him for a moment before taking one last look at the figures behind the orange glass. She gave a sigh and stood to her hooves.

“Anyone hungry?” She asked, her voice quiet. Asala chuckled.

“My dear girl, I am famished,” he told her. Shell nodded her head to him before looking towards the demon still laying against the pod. Cataclysm glanced up at her before slowly nodding his head a few times and curling in a bit tighter on himself.

Shell looked sadly at the Nil Dragon for a moment. “…I'll be right back, then,” said in a hoarse voice before turning and making her way towards the kitchen.

Asala watched her go, frowning as she was obviously still distraught. He looked back to the pod, and hummed in thought. He then placed his hand on the pod, and a purple energy flowed over it briefly, before he retracted his hand.

“There. Now they should waken by tomorrow,” he said, before his stomach growled. “Although that just made me infinitely more hungry…”

Not much later, Shell came back with a tray of sandwiches of different varieties… and a large side of meat that looked like it had been taken straight off a meat hook. “I didn't know what you liked, so I just made whatever combinations I could think of,” the Changeling said, coming to set the tray down on an empty bed before dragging the meat over to Cat. “And this of course is for you.” The demon's tail thumped against the ground a few times before he lifted his head and pulled the morsel to him, biting into it and tearing out a large chunk.

Asala gratefully took the tray. “Thank you, Miss Shell,” he said, before his mask retracted and he took one sandwich and inhaled it, then another, and another, and another, until the tray was empty. He lifted it. “Might I have seconds?” he asked politely.

Shell blinked for several moments. “…Tell me truthfully,” she said. “How many more trays could you eat?”

“About fifty,” Asala answered without a beat. Shell blinked again before turning towards the door again.

“I will probably be a few minutes more,” she said as she walked away. “I'm going to see if I can't recruit some of the guards to sandwich duty… and perhaps get someone to run to the market….” Cataclysm looked up as the Changeling left, licking some of the blood from his maw before he looked towards Asala. Ever so slowly, the Nil Dragon drew his meal closer to him.

“What?” Asala queried at the dragon's action. “I'm not going to eat your meat. I am not some impolite barbarian.”

'Merely a precaution…' the demon replied before returning to his meal.

Asala sighed at this and quietly waited for Shell to return.

Just as promised, the wait was noticeably longer before the Changeling returned, this time carrying two trays. “Luckily, there will be more where these came from,” she said, setting the trays down before moving off to take her own seat. “However, we did have to send a few guards off to run some errands.”

“Apologies for any trouble caused,” Asala said as he ate two sandwiches in seconds. “To be honest, I am normally not like this, as I do not usually use up as much ki as I did earlier.” He swallowed two more sandwiches in one go. “Using my innate Frost Demon abilities is more draining than some of my other skills and abilities, and thus I have gained a good appetite.” He sighed. “At least this isn't like back then…”

Shell looked at him before closing her eyes for a moment and reaching her senses towards the Arcosian, using her Changeling abilities to read his emotions. She felt a load, nay, a tsunami of sorrow from him, along with regret and guilt. There was also rage. So much rage.

Shell let go of her ability as if dropping a hot iron, letting out a pained gasp as she did. Asala looked to her with some worry, the previous thought disappearing from his mind.

“Are you alright, Miss Shell?” he queried. The Changeling looked up at him with wide eyes before shaking her head and clearing it.

“I… I tried to…” she stuttered out before looking up at him again, her eyes softer. “I tried to read your emotions….” She fell quiet and waited for his response. Asala's eyes widened slightly, and he glanced to the entrance of the room, then scanned for anyone else. When he found no one, he sighed and put the tray of sandwiches down, walking over to Shell and sitting by her.

“…So you saw my rage and sorrow, then,” he surmised. The Changeling nodded her head at that and looked away ashamedly.

“I'm sorry…” she said quietly. “I was curious… it… I shouldn't have done it….” Asala was quiet for a long time. When Shell made to further apologize, he surprised her by wrapping an arm around her.

“…My youth was not pretty. I was treated as a glorified machine of war, and nothing else. I received no freedoms save for what I wished to eat, and at times, even that was taken from me,” Asala began. He was shaking a bit now. “…The things I was forced to do… They can never be taken back. I can only hope God can forgive me for my sins.” He released her. “Do not worry for me. And next time, please, ask before checking my emotions.” He walked back over to the tray and continued eating in silence.

Shell stared at his back for several minutes before looking down at the floor in front of her. Hesitantly, she made her way to her hooves. “Please excuse me,” she said quietly. “I need to ask Ayis and Alexandria if I can feed off their love…. I will return… eventually.” With that, she made her way towards the door again.

“A final note, Miss Shell,” Asala said suddenly. She stopped. “…Thank you for your concern. It is appreciated.” The Changeling looked at him for a moment before she nodded her head in a pseudo bow before turning back and walking out the door.

'…That went well.' Asala sighed deeply.

“It could have gone better, yes,” he admitted, eating another sandwich. “…But even a gentleman has his flaws. Mine is my rage.”

The demon gave a soft rumble at this. 'Everyone has rage inside them,' the Nil Dragon said, chewing on the end of a bone. 'Some simply have more of it. I believe you and Hikan would agree on that.'

“…A wise statement,” Asala replied simply, eating two more sandwiches.

Cataclysm rumbled again, deep in his throat. He chewed on the bone for a few more bites before it snapped, the demon starting to suck on the marrow. Silence reigned for several long minutes before he suddenly paused and looked towards Arela's resting form. A breath blew itself from his nose and he looked towards the ground. 'Who will tell her when she wakens?'

“…I believe that should be left up to the others. I am not in the right position to be doing so. I don't even know most of the names of those who call this place home,” Asala said. He stood up. “With that said, I believe I should go remedy that.” With that, he left, taking the trays with him. Cataclysm stared after him as he went before laying his head down and slowly moving his tail so that the feathers at the end rested over the angel.

End of Chapter 3