The Depths of Oblivion

Instinct told Spike their enemies were driven into a corner. But he also knew that desperation would only render them more dangerous. Around him Smolder paced, and Ember folded her arms with a huff, while Fleur repeatedly polished her halberd. Octavia sat on the cleanest spot on the cool floor, seemingly lost in thought, and Vinyl Scratch tapped a booted foot. He too wanted to rush in and finish it; but also knew undue haste could be disastrous. They needed to wait for reinforcements.

The lost of Autumn Blaze and their child still made his heart heavy and his body numb. His eyes misted as her last moments replayed in his mind. He snapped back to attention when Smolder said, “You can still get more power, right?”

“Possibly.” He knew what she meant; were there more females he hadn't bedded that could increase his prowess? But he hardly had a taste for it at the moment, especially knowing it had already shorted his lifespan, and could now kill him outright. However, he also wasn't certain that they could handle Starlight, the Demiurge, and the Eldritch even now.

“We can decide when Twilight returns...or Sombra's group meets up with us,” noted Ember.

“But we can't wait around forever,” replied Smolder who stewed. “I wanna burn all the Eldritch I can!”

“Patience. Otherwise we could make a fatal mistake,” said Octavia.

“But it's so frustrating!” Smolder slammed a balled up fist into a wall which made the metal creak and crumple; more blood oozed around the wound and a foul stench filled the air. “See, look at this! I can't bear what they've done to our people!”

“Calm down. Save that rage for those who deserve it,” said Tavi who nonetheless quietly bristled too.

“Wait.” Fleur instantly leveled her spear down the dim corridor; they listened to the soft approach of heavy feet. They steeled themselves for whatever headed in their direction; was it friend or foe? “Show yourself!”

“Hello my old friends,” came a soft-spoken but familiar voice. Glowing saucer eyes pierced the shadows. What emerged from the darkness was a sphinx; but not the one they were familiar with. This one was none other than Somnambula, who coyly smiled at them, fluttering her wings and flicking her leonine tail. “S...the Sphinx has passed her role onto me.”

“You're beautiful,” observed Tavi who looked her over.

“That's an understatement,” said Vinyl who whistled. “Sorry you had to lose your friend, though.”

Somnambula shook her head. “We knew this day would come. She passed on with pride. Spike, I take it you still seek more power?” He swallowed and nodded. “Perhaps this new form could provide it? I know not the logistics, but why not try?”

Spike looked between his allies who nodded or shrugged. “Okay, why not? Stand guard, will you?”

Smolder planted claws on her wide hips. “Aw, I wanted to have some fun, too!”

“Later,” promised Ember who watched with a quirked brow.

For his part Spike wasn't entirely sure how to approach the ancient creature. She settled back on her haunches, and spread her muscular thighs, while her puffy moist lips contracted and leaked down her anus. He buried his twin cocks in her love tunnel the best he could manage, and she hissed in delight, her heavy breasts rising and falling in rhythm while he rutted her.

Her musk was so overpowering it left him dizzied. He swayed and bucked his lower half, practically bathed in her womanly spatters which washed over him amidst loud schlicks, clawed into flesh and fur to seek purchase between growls. Her slit eyes studied him, hr face twisted into a smile while she gently clamped down her nethers, purring. “Cum inside me, Spike.”

“A-as you wish!” He bared his teeth and humped her faster. She rocked under each powerful slam. His body moved with desperation, his dragon instincts demanding that he seed her, and his balls churned for sweet release!

He was the first to erupt into her sacred chambers. His white torrent coated her pink walls with such force she howled and climaxed too; the gusher she unleashed washed him away and made him slide along the metal grates below.

They panted and he lied on his back, his dual cocks still twitched and throbbed, while her gaped foalhole was sticky with his spunk which tethered its wide open walls. “Do...do you feel it, Spike?” He weakly nodded; a renewed vigor burned throughout him that he would tap into once he recovered. “Good,” she whispered sleepy-eyed. “I hope the lost of stamina was worth it.”

“Oh yeah.” He felt a certain comfort with her; usually he was the protector, but it was nice to have a guardian watching his back for once! Not that he didn't trust his companions to faithfully watch his back. Nonetheless he couldn't afford to be coddled, either; it was simply a rare moment to relax before the inevitable final confrontation arrived...

*****

“Damn!” Shining Armor clenched his teeth. Despite their haste the quarry they sought eluded them. Small parties searched the pyramid, or stayed behind to protect the noncombatants and wounded. While it was risky to split themselves up, they could cover more ground faster, not to mention they couldn't afford to let Chrysalis wander about unchecked!

Guilt once more threatened to consume him; just like when he'd lost his men. But now he risked losing his wife and daughter a second time, not to mention Beatrix had almost died due to the mad Queen's infiltration! Feeling helpless with frustration, his hand traced the hilt to his white rune-inscribed saber, uncertain whether his love could still be saved.

Sunset squeezed his shoulder. “Chrysalis may have disappeared into the lowest tombs...”

Realizing that their search was currently fruitless, she convinced him to return with her to Twilight's lab. But she had other reasons to come here too; not only were the Dazzlings here, which she felt responsible for, but like Twilight she had also argued to keep the eggs for study despite knowing that they were potentially dangerous. She squeezed Wallflower's hand when they entered the lab. While she regretted it was too late for Adagio, at least Aria and Sonata were currently still alive.

“Good timing! I could use your expertise,” called Twilight who used a combination of science and magic in attempt to safely extract the Eldritch tech. Sunset was instantly at her side, and lit her horn while she deftly manipulated surgical tools.

Wallflower took the opportunity to prepare some more arrows. She also prepared more poisons and explosives from what was on hand, this section rich with chemicals. At the same time Shining stalked in a circle with a groan.

Sunset pursed her lips in sympathy. “Why don't you join Trixie and visit Beatrix? I'm sure they could use the company.”

“Maybe so. I'm sure I'd only be in you and Twily's way.” He started to turn when Sunset grabbed his shoulder.

“That's not what I meant. But they do need you,” she assured him with a mild smile.

“Of course not! You're my B.B.B.F.F.!” Twilight paused between her work, the lab coats she and Sunset had thrown on now stained with blood while they worked. “We have to save Aria and Sonata, or-”

“-or else what did we take the risk for?” Sunset finished for her.

“They're victims, too.” Wallflower shook her messy mane. “I sure hope we can save Starlight...”

“We will,” said Twilight who tried to assure herself. Their study of the eggs hadn't turned up much; but she had managed to gleam some of the forbidden arts the Eldritch infused them with. Again the warnings Sombra had leveled at her played in her thoughts; she'd seen how his research into the dark arts had ultimately corrupted and almost damned him forever.

Nevertheless she wasn't certain if they could match Starlight's magic prowess as they were after the Eldritch had enhanced her. She'd held back until now in attempt to convert them. But what about their next confrontation...?

She'd seen Sombra's grimoire when it had been confiscated by Celestia and Luna, even sneaked about and scrawled some notes on the spells within. Before she'd never dared even attempt one, despite the temptation. However, desperate times...

*****

Reminders of Chrysalis' failures hung heavy on her. She had vanished into the labyrinthine maze of forbidden tombs at the very bottom, and taken shelter amidst the treasury. She knew her foes would hunt her down eventually; that she was also on the verge of death. Worse, she was ultimately alone, without a single ally left she could possibly turn to for support.

She'd turned her own spawn into weapons, and they'd abandoned her. She had tried to bring Tirek and Cozy Glow over to her side, and they had betrayed her. She'd escaped the Eldritch's influence, at least...or had she...?

The arcane magic they had woven into the eggs she'd been reborn through still swirled inside her, forever bound to her soul. She'd given herself over to them completely in attempt to use them. “What's...happening?” Her eyes darted around the faces of the sarcophagi, which seemed to mock her. She hissed and screamed and thrashed, her blood seeming to boil.

“Flurry Heart,” she cried in desperation; but her drone was captured and tended to by her enemies who planned to extract the egg she'd implanted. She rolled over a pile of coins, and her flesh bulged and shifted. The curses and evil spirits which were normally contained within these sacred grounds were loosed in her presence, drawn to her; a bevy of twisted apparitions floated in the air, whirled and howled, were drawn into her. With that her shape started to expand, slowly filling the chambers.

Her shape split from Cadance's, tethered momentarily before they split, yet they still were trapped nude within the gelatinous mass. “Stop this,” yelled the Princess of Love who watched and felt blackness flow around them. “All you'll do is kill us both!”

“I can't!” Chrysalis waded through the dense slime that came above their knees. “What have the Eldritch done to me?!”

“Remain calm. Maybe I can-” But the Queen refused to listen, doubled down like she always did; if she couldn't deny her situation she would simply embrace it! She cackled amidst her tears and raised her arms, danced while she embraced the malice around her. It didn't matter how monstrous she became, so long as she was able to enact her will!

Already she could hear intruders approach. The hunters had found her. Time to turn the tables! By this point she was too far gone to care whether the effort destroyed her; somehow, she would take all of them down with her if necessary!

*****

Sombra knew he couldn't dally too long, not with Chrysalis still out there, not to mention Spike's party would need their support. But he lingered in the hospital wing where the wounded, which included his students Beatrix and Bellatrix were placed. Flurry Heart was sedated nearby, and Diamond Tiara was also looked after by volunteers which included Fluttershy and Tree Hugger.

He stood between the cots where the sisters were laid out and stroked their heads with a smile. “You've both made me so proud,” he reminded them. But his face fell when he saw Inky Rose seated by herself; head bowed in despondence. She had barely spoken a word since Pacific Glow's death, and instead watched over the baby which they kept preserved with magic.

“Naturally,” said Trixie who hovered by her daughter. “Too bad we couldn't halt Chrysalis' meddling!”

A sleepy-eyed Beatrix managed a weak smile and squeezed her mother's and teacher's hands. “I hope sister wakes up soon,” she murmured with a glance over at the unconscious Bellatrix. “And what about Flurry Heart? Can the egg be removed?”

“She's sedated for now,” explained Sombra. “We'll take her over to Twilight's lab-”

“Where you and Pacific Glow's child is,” finished Inky Rose who wiped her eyes. With a combination of science and magic the premature foal survived, for the moment, but even if the child made it, would she be cursed to a fragile existence?

“Yes. I am sorry I must abandon you again so soon. And that Chrysalis was able to slip in under our noses. Yet there could be many more victims if I hesitate to act now.” His cape whirled behind him when he turned, and Trixie quickly followed.

“What a shame I have to sit this one out,” mumbled Beatrix with a pout.

“I'll look after your students,” assured Inky in attempt to ease his troubled thoughts.

He paused and pulled her to him by the waist; they exchanged a drawn out kiss. She closed her eyes and fluttered her wings in appreciation. With reluctance he finally withdrew; while Shining Armor and Sunset Shimmer had proven themselves more than capable, he dared not leave the hunt to their party alone. His silver armor gleamed under the torchlight, and his hand rested over the hilt of his sheathed sword, hopeful that it could taste the flesh of the mad Queen's neck as he beheaded her!

No sooner did he and Trixie exit into the corridors when the pyramid started to quake. She was almost thrown from her feet, and he leaned on a hieroglyph carved wall for support, the torches dancing wildly and casting shadows about.

“Ugh,” cried Trixie who landed with a bounce on her bottom. “What in Tartarus is happening?!”

“The blackest kind of magic,” he mused able to sense the Eldritch powers infused into the spell after so many years of studying the darkness. He could almost smell its twisted reek. Pressing his palm to the wall, he closed his eyes and concentrated. He could feel the darkness envelope the structure from all directions. Somehow, he knew Chrysalis was connected to this.

He helped Trixie rise and they headed off to locate Shining's small search party. Their boots echoed in the labyrinth around them. Whatever Spike's crew was up to, he hoped they would be able to hold out for now. While he was weakened after working so many spells while raiding the Eldritch's lair, seeing what Chrysalis had done gave him a second wind.

While she may not have been the brightest, Pacific Glow had been the most loyal and loving of his lovers after Inky Rose. He wanted to believe the child he'd fathered on her survived. Most of all he burned with a desire to avenge her...

*****

Far below Chrysalis continued to evolve. Her mass continually spiraled out of control, attached itself to the pyramid, intoxicated the enchantments around the fortress to weaken it. By this point she was helpless to stop it even if she wished to; she cackled melodramatically, tears streaked upon her cheeks, while Cadance failed to break free of the sludge she stood in.

“You're mine,” cried the mad Queen who grabbed the Princess of Love by the wrists. She strained against her, but Chrysalis surged with supernatural strength, keeping her pinned to above her knees in the gunk while she extended her elongated tongue and repeatedly wrapped it around Cadance's bulbous breasts and nipples. “I'll torture you forever!”

She slammed Cadance onto her back, held her in place, and extended another stinger from between her legs. Her victim whimpered when she pressed the tip into her slit which sunk in with a wet schlick. Mercilessly she fucked her, enjoyed the sounds of Cadance's strained screams, determined to punish one of those she most blamed for her current predicament.

Whimpers escaped Cadance, who attempted to work a spell, only for it to fizzle out with a pop. Instead she attempted to charge with her balled up fists,but Chrysalis wrapped them in her aura,laughing at her useless efforts. Again-and-again she hammered into her moist treasure trove, eyes swelling larger, even more insect-like while she grew even more nightmarish.

“Chrysalis!” She paused and turned to the voice's source; a white saber pointed in her direction.

“Perfect~” Chrysalis studied Shining Armor, who was flanked by Sunset Shimmer, Wallflower Blush, Sombra, and Trixie. She concentrated, and a portion of her blackish flesh slammed over the entrance, hardening to seal them in. She rubbed circles around her belly with one hand. “I've already taken your whore wife! And soon, the rest of you will be one with me...”