Forbidden Manor At The End Of Time : A Beatrix Belladonna Tale

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue

Chapter 1

It wasn't often that Beatrix Belladonna came to check on her prisoner. Trapped in a dead world, it seemed a cruel fate. However, she hoped that in time, her enemy's hatred for her had depleted somewhat.

The witch stepped forth from the bluish-white dimensional rift. Its presence hummed as it shimmered behind her before she touched down onto rocky terrain and the oval disappeared completely.

Her violet-eyed gaze scanned the barren earth, devoid of any life much like most planets trapped in this black void, forever to drift aimlessly in space. It wasn't much to look at. “Maybe in time, I can find a way to restore this planet from the Eldritch's damage,” she hopefully suggested with a rub of her chin.

As the daughter of Shining Armor and Trixie Lulamoon, she could have been her mother's twin. She swished back a platinum mane with light violet highlights that matched her richer purple skin and bright eyes.

Garbed in a cone-shaped wide-brimmed hat, cape clasped by a stylized eye she called her Prima Materia, fingerless gloves that came to her upper arms, a high-cut leotard that left her cleavage exposed and ended in a thong, and thigh-high boots that ended in heels, her costume was decorated to resemble an Ursa Minor's coat, all a nod to her mom's legacy who she strove to emulate.

Wandering about in circles, she peered about, trying to locate her prisoner. “Shadow Scythe? Helloooooooo~?” She cupped her hands about her mouth and repeatedly called out, but all that answered was an echo. “Must have ventured off to another part of the plain,” she sighed. "Better have a look around."

Her heels clicked into the rough ground with each step. An eerie wind swept over her, and she huddled her arms to herself and clenched her teeth, certain that Shadow Scythe couldn't have traveled far.

The last time she was here, the former reaper had been rendered powerless. Beatrix had even placed an enchantment that trapped her into a time loop should she wander too far from her cage. It would be cruel if Shadow Scythe weren't an immortal who didn't need any sustenance.

“Mmm, maybe I should have brought her a gift," she considered. "Lord knows how boring it must be to live here.... *Ahem.* I have a few books you can read!” The witch yelled out.

That was when she spotted a gothic mansion, floating ghost-like in the distance. Adorned by gargoyles that served as its guardians, it dominated a black sky, its oppressive surface the color of bone. "How did that get here?! Shadow Scythe shouldn't have been able to build a house!" She shivered, approaching the strange construction before her...only to be swept up off her feet. “W-whooaaaoh!” She floated skyward, weightless like gravity was no longer much of an issue.

The double doors creaked open. She sucked in a heavy breath, took the first step past the threshold. Gravity returned to normal upon her entry, and she attempted to settle in by inhaling and adjusting her hat, which sat sideways on her dome.

Part of her was tempted to slice another rift in the air and dip out. But she couldn't ignore the fact that an ominous-looking mansion now stood on this forsaken hunk of rock. Nor was there any trace of her prisoner.

Did Shadow Scythe find a way to manifest this house into being? “Should've known better than to underestimate her,” she mumbled and stepped into an expansive room.

A black fire crackled in the hearth. Twin staircases stretched ahead, a variety of furniture decorated the area, and the walls were adorned with various paintings. She noted some depicted various monsters, but no clues were given as to who might own this place. There were a few statues that depicted nude stallions and mares, each one a pinnacle of beauty, all of them beheaded.

A chandelier hung overhead, casting a dim light that made her shadows play across the interior. She spotted a banquet hall ahead, complete with a lengthy table where an apparently untouched feast waited, surrounded by rows of lit candelabra.

The doors slammed shut with a thud. She tried the knobs only for them to rattle. Part of her was tempted to simply channel magic through her unicorn horn and blast it open. Instead, she tried kicking it open futilely before giving up with a flustered groan.

Maybe this wasn't something the former reaper conjured and instead tricked her into coming inside like it had Beatrix. And if that was the case, the witch couldn't abandon her here, regardless of her crimes.

With a spin of her heels, she faced the interior with newfound courage. She was an adventurer, after all! She often traveled to different dimensions to see the sights and maybe learn more about herself along the way. She also made many friends and allies that she helped out. This was no different!

She approached the feast, ignoring the rumble of her tummy—no clue what would happen if she indulged herself. Although the choice was made for her on her approach, the meals aging before her eyes, rotting and cobwebs falling, the air filled with a putrid, rancid stench that made her snout crinkle. “Ugh, gross!” She wrenched, waving away the flies that buzzed over the decaying meat.

Clasping her cape around her, she dashed out into another room and slammed the door behind her with her rump. Another corridor loomed ahead; this was decorated by an embroidered carpet and full suits of shiny armor that carried halberds.

She paused, and her heart skipped, wondering if they would suddenly spring to life and attack her. Balling up her fists, she made tentative steps that resounded, ready to lose her magic at a moment's notice to defend herself. She also considered the smoke bombs and tubes in the hidden sleeves of her cloak, each which contained a concoction she'd created through alchemy.

Reaching the hall's end, she stopped to breathe a sigh of relief, only to freeze up when a rattle sounded behind her. Clanks sounded from the mass of metal that marched after her, and she burst into a mad dash, choosing a room at random and shutting herself in...only to wonder if she had intentionally been herded here. “Grr, gotta get a grip. The house is just weird and trying to scare you! Be an adult!" She urged herself.

At least the eerie sounds subsided. The room was pitch black before she lit up her hands with magic, illumination revealing a vast library. The shelves were lined with nearly every type of book she could imagine, a treasure trove of endless knowledge that made her eyes sparkle.

Cautious yet curious, she removed a tome, blowing off the cover, and opened it.

"This could be useful down the line! Ugh, why haven't I come across this before?" She wondered before losing herself in reading, almost oblivious to the dangers looming around her. And how could she not, given how rare a break she gets during her quests?

“What are you doing here?” a familiar voice said, cutting through her immersion and making the witch jump.

Huddling in the corner was a mare clad in tattered white robes lined in a black outline and bandages. Her mane was corpse pale white, her skin a deathly blue hue. Icy eyes leered from underneath her hood.

“Shadow Scythe! There you are," Beatrix exclaimed with a flourish of her waved hand. "I could ask you the same thing! Did you build this creepy house?"

“Have you forgotten how powerless you rendered me?” The former reaper answered with open bitterness. While a horn still sat on the unicorn's temple, the mare hadn't been able to conjure even the weakest of spells since her humiliating defeat. “Ugh, who am I kidding? Of course, you'd get stuck here with how childish and stubborn you are..."

“Hey! Childish as I am, I still bested you in combat," Beatrix glared, resting a palm on her hip while snapping the tome shut. "But that's beside the point. I've busted my way out of tighter situations, and I'll get us out of this haunted mansion. You'll see~."

The pale mare let out a dry chuckle. “What are you going to do, exorcize this whole household? You're out of your league, Belladonna. For me, I could have ended this whole 'paranormal activity' nonsense had my powers not been stripped. Oh no, humiliating me wasn't enough, was it? You had to take everything and keep me locked here like some house pet! I'd sooner die than let you rescue me!”

Beatrix frowned, feeling a little guilty over the manner of Shadow Scythe's defeat. “Maybe I got carried away, but after all the power you stole, you can't blame me for your own shortcomings! Besides, you make it sound like it's too late to turn around. I think, with enough time, you'll be able to return with a better outlook on life. Maybe even in a world different from your own!"

Shadow Scythe only glared more harshly at her captor. “You think I'll just accept that? What gives you the moral high ground? It wouldn't matter if I saw anyone again. Not when you're out there, traveling between dimensions and interfering, damaging and altering who knows how many lives! And yet, I'm the one who gets punished?! You can boast and proclaim all you want, Belladonna. Your selfish actions will cause the universe to unravel eventually...if it hasn't already,” she spat, rising up over the violet mare with a snarl on her muzzle.

“You think I don't know that?” Beatrix muttered, unable to tear away from her wrathful gaze. But how was she to know all the potential consequences of her actions and not dwell on them?

She traced the swirling cosmos cutie mark on her flank, certain that she must have been granted the ability to cut holes through dimensions for a reason. She assured herself she wasn't simply a tool to the Necronomicon or the Demiurge; that abomination once contained below her flesh. It took her so much grief to finally be rid of it, and even then, it still haunted her.

“Pfft, whatever. Doesn't change the fact that we're stuck here together. Potentially forever. Just fucking perfect,” said Shadow Scythe, crossing her arms together.

“We'll find a way out, I'm sure of it. Maybe there's a clue in one of these books. Now let's see...” Beatrix returned the book to its shelf and turned her back, lost in thought.

What she didn't notice was that Shadow Scythe momentarily ducked behind a shelf and recovered a scythe she'd hidden there, a weapon she'd taken from what appeared to be a dungeon below the manor. Its steel blade glimmered, casting a silhouette with her hooded and cloaked figure that made her look like death itself.

Silently she inched over; the blade raised high, ready to behead her hated nemesis.

Only this time, Belladonna wouldn't have the Demiurge to save her. Nor could her friends interfere.

A whoosh sounded. The blade scythed the air. Beatrix shrieked and stumbled back onto her bottom, a few threads of her hair cut and cast about, barely able to evade the blow on instinct more by dumb luck than skill.

Her aura seized Shadow Scythe, pinned her, and she used her magic to toss the scythe aside with a clang. “Should have known you'd tried something so brash,” muttered Beatrix, who stumbled to her feet and dusted herself off. “What am I going to do with you? We can't work together like this.”

“Work together?! Why would I work with the likes of you!?” Railed the former reaper. "You've kept me here as a trophy, to feel better about yourself when you're reminded of the fact that you're a terrible person."

“That's not true! I'm not here to mock you, really! I'm...I'm worried about you,” Beatrix insisted, unable to stop feeling responsible for the former reaper.

Guilt always ate away at her for forcing to condemn another to a life of isolation. Yet what other options did she really have? To let her roam free would be catastrophic.

"Oh, save it for someone interested in your lousy get-up," Shadow Scythe spat. "You disgust me."

Beatrix felt the urge to fling her across the library but relented on her magical hold with a sigh. “You remind me so much of my sister. She used to hate me, too. But after long fights and battles against the Eldritch and Sombra, we managed to break through some thick-layered walls."

“Well, I'm not your sister. And I have no intention of becoming your friend,” assured the former reaper.

Beatrix's face hardened. "Perhaps not, but I'm not gonna give that up! Maybe one day, you'll learn to put your animosity aside. Who knows, you might become a better person once you release all that anger," she suggested, planting hands on her hips.

Stubbornness was a trait she took from her parents, refusing to surrender, no matter what setbacks befell them. There must be some way to release this haunted mansion from its curse, and she would attack its halls until she somehow made it inhabitable!

At least this area appeared to be a sanctuary of sorts. Shadow Scythe, rugged as she looked, wasn't inflicted by harm.

She turned to explore the manor further before Shadow Scythe called out, “Wait...” Beatrix hesitated at the door turning back to the reaper, who was digging her nails into her palms with how tightly her fists clutched. “...a ditz like you isn't gonna last long, not without someone watching your sorry ass.”

“Hey, I'll have you know this ass survived a lot worse than this~!” She chimed back, a smile tracing her lips. At least now, she had a little more muscle to work with, seeing as physical bouts were always her weakest suite. "Why the second thoughts?"

“What else do I have to lose?” The reaper responded as robes shuffled behind the witch. "Besides which, I'm the only real strength you've got."

Beatrix rubbed her chin. As much as she wanted Shadow's help, she obviously still hated her and wouldn't hesitate should the opportunity arise to kill her. She really hoped redemption was possible for the former reaper, as she didn't want to live with more regrets. “Well, since you're so fascinated by my cute lil' butt,” she teased, wiggling her bottom with a swish. “I'll leave you to protect it. But at the first sign of treachery, I'll-”

“Yeah yeah, I know,” Shadow Scythe seethed, resting the shaft of her scythe onto her shoulder. “I'll settle the score with you after we get out.”

“Still, better be safe than sorry. We'll need a condition.” Reaching into her cape's inner lining, Beatrix searched the hidden sleeves sewn into them and produced a corked tube, its contents bubbly and sparkly. “A little concoction I whipped up thanks to my half-sister Flurry Heart. Think of it as 'insurance'. If you're coming along to help me, you'll have to drink this first!”

Shadow Scythe took the glass, studying it with narrowed eyes. “What is this, poison?”

“Oh please, like I'd poison an immortal! Just drink it, it won't hurt! 'Course, if you want the details, I'll list all the ingredients I found to make it, plus the methods in which best to-"

“Alright, I'll do it! Just shut up already,” she growled, biting off the cork before giving a small whiff of the contents. Scrunching her snout, the pale mare drank it down in one gulp before tossing the tube back...only for it to bounce off midair and strike an invisible blow to her breast, pushing her back. A shatter sounded where the tube hit the floor, reduced to shards. “What the hell?!"

“Think of it as a hex. Misused, it comes back on the caster three times. So if you ever get the urge to backstab me, you'll just triple the recoil damage you'll receive! Nifty, huh~?” She teased, batting her eyes back at her.

“Genius,” the reaper deadpanned with a roll of her eyes. “Anything else you want to torment me with?”

Beatrix ignored her, whistling and planting hands on her wide hips, obviously pleased as she rocked on her heels. “Just be ready to fight. We'll probably be attacked the moment I open the door.” A nod met her, and her hand clasped the knob.

Gradually the door creaked open, her horn already lit by a spell, but a glance down the hallway revealed it was now empty. She and her new partner stepped out, spotting a series of closed rooms all around them. “Hmm, this will be tricky to figure out. Which door should we try first?”

“I don't think it matters. Given that this is a haunted house, each door could just lead to more grueling traps or tricks.”

Beatrix nodded. “Just like the Necronomicon's interior. A labyrinth of layered parallel dimensions where eldritch abominations lurk.” Choosing the closest door on a whim, she pushed it open, her horn still alight in preparation.

Rather than a scene out of a nightmare like they expected, they emerged into what appeared to be some sort of barracks, not unlike the one her father Shining Armor had trained his soldiers in. Crates packed with supplies and sandbags lined the otherwise spartan floors, the walls decorated by a variety of stylized weapons and armors.

Portions were decorated by heraldry that recalled her late father's army, Shining's Force, and runes lined several arsenals to bolster their natural attributes. A thunk sounded somewhere ahead. “What the-”

“Someone's here,” cut in Shadow Scythe, who sidled forward, weapon raised and ready to behead whoever lurked here.

“Wait!” Beatrix threw herself into her path. “I-I think I know this stallion!” She recalled a paradise planet overrun with lush flora, where clothes were forbidden. “Midnight Blitzer?! Hey, it's me, Beatrix!”

The pegasus, clad in a simple set of light armor, paused between his pokes at a training dummy, lowered his spear, and turned with a breezy smile. “H-hey! It's been a while!” A draft-type stallion met them, his coat blue with a darker, spiky mane. His wingspan loomed far wider than usual, even tucked at his back, while golden rings decorated his wrists and ankles. Emerald eyes twinkled innocence, his form well-toned by compact muscles. “Who's your friend?”

“Shadow Scythe, and I am not her friend,” she sneered. “Don't tell me you plan to take him with us?”

“Why not? He's a skilled soldier, and he might have trained under my father's regime,” Beatrix suggested. It appeared behind each chamber was a manifestation warped to suit the psyche of whoever it trapped. His innate innocence acted as a barrier to the curses that suffused the mansion. “Actually, he might be perfect for several reasons! You'll see~! Won't you come with us, Midnight?”

He saluted them. “Always ready for duty! Not sure exactly how I ended up here, but I've been making the most of it. Got to keep in shape! The truth is, I couldn't break down the door no matter how many times I tried. It's like there's a barrier keeping me inside! Might have been stuck there if you hadn't come along! So, uh, where are we headed?”

“You'll see,” assured Beatrix, thankful to see a familiar face. Someone that, unlike the former reaper, she could trust.

She reasoned that the mansion somehow moved between dimensions and swallowed the oblivious stallion up, who naively went with the flow, and that there were likely more like him trapped within these walls, waiting to be rescued.

At least his innocence acted as a shield, one that could potentially be exploited to save them all. From what she recalled, he grew up without a family and still retained a pleasant demeanor despite his hardships.

Midnight peeked out the still-open door. “Yikes! This place sure is strange and creepy looking.”

“I've seen worse,” insisted Beatrix while following behind. "Still, better to keep on our toes!"

Shadow Scythe shook her head, face shadowed by her hood. “Of all the people to end up with..."

However, the moment the trio emerged back in the hall; they immediately encountered the cluster of armored suits that snapped to attention, each one sleek and shining. They clanked and closed in, weapons at the ready.

A war cry sounded from Midnight, who unfurled his wings and charged in to protect them, moving at such rapid speeds when he sped off the ground his spear tip pierced the breastplate of a suit and knocked it over with a clank. He immediately turned on another attacker, teeth bared in determination.

A swish of Shadow Scythe's sickle chopped another armored suit in two. Pieces of metal rattled, rendered impotent.

Beatrix backed them up using rapid-fire spells she worked through her horn, hands, and chants out her lips. A raised invisible barrier deflected an ax in a shower of sparks. Her aura bowled their opponents over and into each other. She watched her allies dodge and counter, wisps of ghostly entities with their faced twisted into grotesque mockeries escaping their metal prisons.

Magical explosions erupted. Shards of metal were cast about like shrapnel, contained by the witch's aura before they could do any harm. Midnight took flight the best he could in the confined hall, diving and stabbing, backed by Shadow Scythe, who used the soldier as a distraction to close the gap and help carve through armor in a shower of sparks and a metallic hiss.

Within minutes they downed the last one. A sweat-beaded Beatrix huffed and asked, “Everyone okay?”

“Pft,” Shadow Scythe scoffed, kicking a helmet she removed executioner-style with a precise stroke. “Lightweight.”

“All clear here!” Midnight touched down and folded his wings about him like a cloak, the spear grasped in his fist. At worst, he'd lost a few feathers but was otherwise unharmed. “That was amazing! You two did great!” He beamed wide and whistled.

“See that? Look what happens when we actually fight together,” proclaimed Beatrix with a flourish of her cape.

“Don't push it,” snapped back the reaper who knelt and studied the downed armor. “Each of these was cursed and embedded with tortured souls, probably by the manor itself. That might make this entire place a sentient, malevolent entity.” She called upon her knowledge as a ferry mare for Equestria, tasked to judge the deceased who were once saved or damned by her judgments.

“Could be! Glad to see you're still putting that old knowledge to use,” noted Beatrix, certain her study of the supernatural rivaled and, in many respects, surpassed her own. Sure, she'd seen quite a bit of the occult but had only dabbled into certain areas, whereas the reaper had lost herself in the dark arts in her relentless pursuit of more power.

“I've devoured most of the library here,” admitted Shadow Scythe. “Not much to do when you're bored as all hell.”

“Well, that's odd,” said Midnight, who studied the reaper's horn. “Why not just use a spell to get out of here?”

“Can't when your friend here rendered me a liability in the magic department,” Shadow sneered, glaring at the witch. “I could fly right out pf this place otherwise.” She attempted to weave a simple spell, only to be met by tiny sparks that popped about her horn.

“Well, I'm sure she had her reasons,” he replied with a sympathetic frown. “At least you're not completely defenseless with that weapon to fall back on!"

“Don't flatter me, kid. I'll choose a door this time,” decided Shadow Scythe, who impatiently picked another at random.

The cool chill of the halls was immediately replaced by a sensuous warmth that washed over the troika. Illumination spilled out.

Cautiously they followed her in. None of them could have anticipated what awaited them on the other side.

It appeared to be a bathhouse of sorts, the floors and walls a once polished ivory white now splattered in a myriad of psychedelic neon paint, soaked in moisture that spilled over under each subdued splash, the drip-drop of water echoing in a spacious tub.

Steam rose in wispy vapors that enshrouded them. Dyed bubbles floated around them.

Nor were they alone.

Chapter 2

"Lalalaaa Laaaa La La Laaaaaaa~♪"
A voice sang within the obscuring vapors as the trio of ponies stepped into the strange room. Warm yellow light peered through a window behind a luxurious bathtub, silhouetting the figure singing while she bathed. A radio played a song she sang along to, sounding like a mix of old-time jazz and electronica.

As the reaper grew closer, she noticed a single horn protruding from her head, eyes widening in recognition. "It's an Imp!" Shadow Scythe exclaimed, hefting her scythe for battle. The radio immediately went silent as the creature's humming stopped, noticing that others had joined the bathroom. "I should have known demons would manifest in this dimension," she said, a scary grin creeping onto the corners of her mouth. "It's about time! I've been itching for an exorcism!" Midnight looked bewildered at the display of hostile intent while Beatrix tried to call her off before the Imp laughed.

"Daan't cha kna 'a rude it is ter be sneakin' on someone 'avin' a baaf, lov?" She asked, a strange cockney accent adding to her sassy tone. "Might give me de impression you're tryin' ta peep at me tiddies~."

An angry vein pulsated from the reaper's forehead as she swiped at the mischievous creature in a flash of steel. But the lesser demon appeared to be faster as she shifted to the other end of the tub, colored bathwater splashing Shadow Scythe's face.

"Yeesh! If ya wanted ta cock me in aw me glory, y'all needed ta do was ask~" She snickered towards Beatrix and Midnight, hands resting over her vastly wide hips. The witch and soldier felt the heat rise in their cheeks upon gazing over the short and shapely imp. On top of her head was messy, punk-style purple hair tied in a short ponytail—each of her ears studded in gold, glimmering like the pink eyes alit with debaucherous intent.

X marked her cheeks in bright blue tones. Her skin was gray, marked with black banes in places. Tiny bat wings folded above her hips, along with a striped tail with a face painted over the spaded tip. In contrast, her perky chest was bright pink, as if intending for someone to gawk over her breasts.

The imp even wiggled her body, flaunting her assets to the blushing ponies before she shifted to another edge when Shadow Scythe made another attempt at her head.

"Stand still and die!" Shadow Scythe screamed, though with each swing of her scythe, she only succeeded in getting her white robes wet in the painted waters.

"Awww, ya 'ate ter see it! Tall, dark, and edgy 'ere can't even trim the cunt 'airs off me coochie," she laughed, eventually disappearing in a cloud of neon sparkles. Another cloud exploded before Midnight, who got a full view between the Imp's spread thighs. "See? Not a single ‘air departed~."

"A-aaargh!" The stallion clamored, turning his head away while blushing madly. "P-please put some clothes on! Who even are you?!"

"Awwww, what's da matter, cupcake? Is Moxxi comin' at ya too Pin' Pong? Want me ter brin' it daahhhn a notch?" The small demon asked with a giggle, patting the flustered soldier's head before poofing right behind Beatrix. "Na this wahn knows 'a ta strut 'er stuff! She looks loike a Nightmare Night gangbang itchin' ter 'appen~." This was immediately followed up by a swift smack to her butt, making the mare yelp.

"H-hey! I-I do not-"

"Oh, hairy biscuits and cheese, lov. Course ya do!" Moxxi scoffed, shifting over to face her while getting a handful of her bosom within the top of her leotard. The witch shuddered and moaned softly as the Imp juggled the bottom of her tits in her small hands. "Ya fin' anyone will take ya seriously dressed loike this? Yer belugas 're practically spillin' aahhht, girl! Wahn sharp tug daahhhn would be in the bleedin' buff ta buckshee these bountiful melons~" She emphasized by stretching the fabric before releasing it to snap back into place, causing her cleavage to jiggle while the mare yelped once more.

That's when she noticed the golden pendant embedded with an eye, keeping her cape together. "'old on a cock linnet," Moxxi murmured, letting go to get a better look. "Ain't dat the chuffin' Prima Materia? And if that's da case, might ya be Beatrix Belladonna?"

"Th-that's right," Beatrix stammered, wrapping an arm over her sensitive nipples. "How do you know me?"

"Twist n twirl! That ol' goat wouldn't stop runnin' 'er gullop abaht ya the bloomin' present and past nickle and dime we chatted!"

"Oh! You must mean Lady Ewe! That's.... Waaaait," she reared back, glaring at the lesser demon. "Guys, keep on your hooves! We might have a Vice Lord on our hands."

"A Vice Lord?" Midnight asked, gazing warily at Moxxi.

"A what?" Shadow added in, finding the title to be utterly ridiculous.

"Vice Lord," Beatrix continued. "Demons from a forgotten dimension that feed on and corrupt people to fulfill their sinful nature, like Greed or Gluttony. I've fought a couple of them on my adventures, and given her appearance and knowledge of myself and Oona, she's most certainly one of them!"

Her statement, however, was meet with hysteric laughter from the imp, clutching her chubby belly and rolling about in the air.

"Bahahahaa! Oh, 'oney, they wish they 'ad this Calvin Klein butt runnin' the chuffin' place~" Moxxi wheezed before catching her breath. "Pha! I wouldn't be caught brahn bread workin' for a Vice Lord. Do ya just assume every demon is aahhht ter rule da universe?"

"O-oh! W-well, I mean, yeah. That tends to the main goal of all the foes I face," the witch responded, casting a glance at the seething former reaper trying to clean off the mess on her clothes. "And just because you aren't with the Vice Lords doesn't mean we should trust you!"

"Funny ya should say that," Moxxi grinned knowingly as she took a seat on Beatrix's shoulder, burying her nose into her mane, much to the witch's dismay as she tried shaking her off. "Can ya beechams pill insist mistrust chicken pen you've been infatuated wif wahn of them?"

"I-infatuated? What do you mean?" Midnight asked skeptically, to which Beatrix turned her head away, crossing her arms protectively over her chest.

"I-I was tricked! Had I been in a clearer state of mind, I would have refused," the violet unicorn insisted.

"But ya didn't! Bless me threepenny bits, 'e was aw over ya! 'is essence still lingers within ye.… Mmm~!" The lesser demon murmured, licking her lips. "Though that's odd. Feels loike I kna this essence from somewhere..."

“You do?"

"Enough of this nonsense!" Shadow Scythe interrupted, aiming her blade towards the imp. "It doesn't matter where she came from or who she allies with; she's a demon all the same! And despite their short stature, Imps are known to slip around undetected before entire nations crumble into ruination!"

"Y'kna, I’m 'eaven and 'ell startin' ter get Uncle Dick of yer constant bitchin'," Moxxi leered back at the former reaper before a wicked smile spreads her painted lips. "Someone outta sha ya 'a ter relax~."

Taking out a long pipe from seemingly nowhere, she took a small huff before turning back to the witch and blowing sparkling plum smoke in her face.

“Gah! Hey, what's the big-” Beatrix coughed, accidentally inhaling the haze. As the smoke cleared, her eyes became slightly glazed upon looking towards the reaper. The shape of her pupils took the form of hearts, much to Shadow Scythe's annoyance as she glared back.

“What's with that look? Hey! Quit staring at me like-” Before she could finish, Beatrix swiftly closed the distance between them, clasped an arm around her waist and another about the back of her head before mashing her lips to the reaper. Their lip lock lasted for a moment before Shadow Scythe wrenched free of her passionate kiss, blushing furiously while wiping saliva off her mouth. “Grugh! Get away from me, you disgusting dyke! The hell is wrong with you?"

"Oh, cheer up, deary! Just a lil' 'umor ter lighten the mood. I fin' ya look adorable together~" Moxxi snickered before clicking her fingers to snap Beatrix out of her bewildered state. Realization and embarrassment overtook her as the witch covered her mouth, blushing madly. The little demon's attention turned to the soldier, equally flustered while remaining neutral. "Wot say ya, stud?" She asked before huffing another layer of dust towards his face. "Want a Merlyn Rees of the bleedin' action~?"

"Merlyn Rees? W-wha?! Ugh, this smells...weird," Midnight sniffled, waving the smoke away. "I-if you're going to smoke, could you please do it outside the room?"

The imp's eyes widened in surprise before looking over to her pipe. "'Uh, that's weird. Usually, a mickey duff is all it takes, and males be in a mindless rut aw evenin'! 'Re ya a virgin, lov?"

"I-I uh..." Midnight looked away, scratching his mane. "I-I don't feel comfortable answering that..."

"Oh, ‘on. If that's the case, ol' Moxxi's gonna take 'er sweet penny makin' a stud of ya once I-"

"Hey, leave him alone!" Beatrix butted in between the two, trying to shake off the lingering effects of the smoke. "You shouldn't pressure him into anything he doesn't want to. And don't do that again, alright?"

"I wasn't gonna do nothin' the on the floor Rob Roy didn't wanna 'appen. 'onest!" The Imp pouted before tossing her smoking pipe away.

"Thank you.... And um, I-I'm really sorry about that, Shadow Scythe.” Beatrix turned back to the pale blue unicorn, who only continued to death glare at the three of them. Laughing awkwardly, Beatrix stared at her boots and kicked one, ashamed to admit she did find the reaper strangely attractive.

Why did she usually go for the bad boys and girls, anyhow? Maybe it was her innate connection to the darkness, as her destiny remained tethered to the Necronomicon.

"Look," Moxxi interjected. "I fin' we've aw gotten on the Pete Tong foot 'ere. Why daan't we let bygones be bygones and…say, enjoy a baaf together? The water's warm, and the tub is big in the buff for four~."

"You can't be serious," Shadow Scythe snarked, quivering in disgust at the thought of having her bare body not only exposed to her enemy but sharing the same bathwater.

“Hmm, I could use a bath...” Beatrix sniffed her clothes before wincing a bit at the smell. "But you've gotta promise not to pull any tricks on me! You got that?"

"Ya 'ave me dicky bird as a chaos fiend," Moxxi promised, crossing an x over where her heart was. "I will not do aahhht ter disrupt the 'armony of everyone inside the bathtub. Na get in, ya daffy dahn dillies!" With a backflip, the imp dove back into the tub, resurfacing with a coo. Beatrix considered the Imp's promise before flourishing her hand, removing all her clothes with a magical sweep.

Midnight couldn't help staring over the beautiful witch while Shadow looked away, yelling, "Oh, for goodness sake! Warn me the next time you plan to get naked! It was bad enough, staring at that imp's fat ass!"

"Oh, so ya were starin' at me bum! Knew there laid a pervert inside somewhere~" Moxxi chuckled as Beatrix slipped into the steamy waters, moaning low before settling in.

“Ooohh~. Hey, it is pretty roomy in here! C'mon guys, come on in!”

“Not interested,” answered Shadow Scythe.

“Oh, don't be like that! You've been stuck in that filthy cloak forever!” Beatrix grabbed the former reaper and pulled her in amidst a splash, only to be met by snarls and hisses. With her entire cloak now damp in mixed colors and bubbles, Shadow Scythe reluctantly removed her attire and tossed it aside with her weapon, grumbling lowly over the many ways she wished to harm the giggling witch. “Damn! Now that's a sexy cutie mark!” She studied the horse skull with a scythe behind it that decorated Shadow's flanks. “Does this mean you were fated to become a reaper?”

“Who knows,” replied Shadow Scythe, who returned a look to study the swirling cosmos cutie mark that tattooed Beatrix's own rump. “Maybe yours depicts how you were destined to plague the cosmos with annoyance and stupidity."

"Now that's a little harsh," Beatrix pouted, sitting back down.

"'eaven and 'ell, in'cha the chummiest of chums," Moxxi teased. “Nuffin' a trip ter the glory hole together won’t fix~.”

"Okay, let's get one thing straight here, imp," Shadow snarled. "She and I are not friends. Never were friends and never going to be friends! This is a matter of convenience and nothing more.” She pushed away from the two while grabbing soap on a basin nearby to rub against her coat of pale blue fur.

"Yeesh." The imp rolled her eyes before looking back to Midnight, who remained still while clutching at his armor plates. "'ey, 're ya gonna keep standin' there, or 're ya gonna come join us?"

“U-um, aren't stallions and mares supposed to bathe separately?” He shifted nervously, face burning.

“I don't mind~” Replied Beatrix, who coyly battered her lashes in a half-lidded gaze. She posed for him, arms upraised and breasts pushed out, soap suds dripping down her succulent curves. “No need to be shy. C'mon, stud. Strip off that armor!”

Little did she know was that Moxxi was behind her, making lewd gyrations with her hips and swatting the air above the witch's curved ass. All with a bit lip and wagging eyebrows at the flustered stallion.

“Just like in that paradise world,” he noted, nodding before he removed his armor piece by piece. He slowly made his way towards the girls, his semi-erect shaft flopping between his legs.

"Oh me! Guess those big wings weren't compensatin' for Aahhht~" Moxxi complimented, eyes dilated like a cat as she nearly salivated over the sight of his stallionhood.

“Pft. The poor fool probably doesn't even know what sex is,” muttered Shadow Scythe, unable to hide her disdain. Not that sexual attraction mattered to her. From the few times she'd allowed mortals to gaze under her hood, she was often told how hauntingly beautiful she was, being thin and wispy yet well-sculpted.

Midnight settled into the warm waters, peering over the other females. Despite his red face, he was more curious about their figures than lustful, given he hadn't spent much time around mares. Even in the paradise world, he'd often kept to himself. “W-whoa.... I-I never knew you would be so beautiful," he complimented meekly.

“Flesh is simply a tool. This body has its limits,” Shadow Scythe interjected, staring down at herself with a curled maw. “I always admired the more powerful demons. I wanted to be among them, admittingly. So that I could strike fear and despair into the hearts of all who opposed me!”

"I fin' you'd loike me brother~" Moxxi coughed cheekily. "'e'd make ya a prime example of deathly fear and providence."

The former reaper's eyebrow rose with a bit of curiosity. "Really now..."

“Oh, please! Some people are never satisfied with just power,” Beatrix said, draping her legs over the side of the tub, her head laid back with a pleasant sigh.

It's not like she could talk, though. She'd traveled between various worlds in search of knowledge and novelty, both to better understand herself and expand her repertoire. What did she want, really? A life of pure freedom without responsibility?

Or maybe something more...

*****

After they finished bathing, the trio of ponies pulled towels off the racks, dried themselves off, then redressed, refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the trials that awaited.

Moxxi was also dressed now, a slick deep blue jacket adorned over her small frame with some mismatched baggy pants. Her breasts were still visible, but her nipples were crossed out with black tape.

After adjusting her leotard and hat, Beatrix turned to the lesser demon with questions in mind. “So Moxxi. Is this your mansion?”

“I wish," she answered, shaking her head. "I'd golden dove ter meet whoever crafted this crafty shack and suck 'im off, that’s for sure! But alas, nah clover. After this mansion sucked me up, I decided ter just...lounge 'round a bit, 'opin' someone else was suckered in. I never thought I’d cross paths wif the bloomin' infamous Beatrix Belladonna so soon! A shame yer sister couldn't join in. I'd love ter swindle sum secrets of 'er in 'opes of becomin' fully-fledged again!"

"Fully-fledged?" Beatrix questioned with a frown. Judging by her words, perhaps it was better Bellatrix didn't come along on this trip, despite how much she wanted her company.

"The current form of yours truly is but a weakened two and eight," the lesser demon admitted with a bow of her head. "Once I’ve replenished myself from the bloody naughtiness and wicked feelings of others, I can ascend once more ter me true form! In ovver words, lov, ya suck me off, I suck ya off. Ya 'elp me become fully-fledged; I 'elp ya make eigh'een pence of this nonsensical gaff. Savvy~?"

"And why should I trust you? Helping you become a full demon sounds dangerous," Beatrix said skeptically.

“Well, it's either that or ya can ran 'round aimlessly until the bloomin' ends of nickle and dime. I’m not picky~! Though I fin' sum consequences 're in order for ruinin' me baaf..."

“W-what do you mean by that?”

The imp ignored Beatrix's question. Instead, she turned to the former reaper and threw her a wink. Shadow Scythe stared quizzically at the creature before a subtle twinge of alteration sweep over her.

Realization over what the Imp did dawned on her, and she couldn't help a cold smile from creeping over her muzzle.

The witch continued to glare at the lesser demon. "You promised no more tricks!"

"I promised nah more tricks durin' the barf. Never said aahhht abaht after! Should 'ave been more specific, lov~!" Moxxi snickered. "Well, gotta ran na! Gonna clock wot ovver corridors 're left ter explore! Those cockles won't suckle themselves~."

"You're not planning on coming along with us?" Midnight questioned with a tilt of his head as the little imp levitated before the three equines.

“Nah, not me style. But i'll coytanlee be 'round. Just 'olla if ya need me! Tata~!” Moxxi winked before vanishing in a cloud of neon dust.

“Hmm. She's a bit of a strange one, but I don't think she means us any harm," the stallion said before turning to the wary gaze of Beatrix.

"She's troublesome, reminds me very much of Discord. But it would be wise to consider her offer, at least," Beatrix concluded before taking the lead, opening the bathroom door. "Alright, guys. Let's head out!"

"Yes...let's," Shadow Scythe nodded, acting eerily calm and delighted.

They exited the room, only to reappear in another section of the manor, this time dropping into a wine cellar, complete with heavy casks cobwebbed over. Fat spiders skittered across the dusty webs.

“Umph,” cried Beatrix, who landed on her bottom and rubbed it. Midnight hovered in midair where they'd been dropped off, the door closing behind them and vanishing into the ether, while Shadow Scythe floated down, thankful that the other two appeared too caught up in the moment to notice that she'd recovered a small portion of her powers. “Did Moxxi send us here?”

“Perhaps. She does appear to have some influence on this place,” said Shadow Scythe before shaking her head. "Ugh! What a nuisance."

Midnight landed and folded up his wings. “There are some stairs up here!” He set a boot on one, and it creaked. “Spooky!”

“Wait.” Shadow Scythe's ear twitched. “There's someone else here...” She pushed a barrel over, and it rolled with a clunk to reveal a bright-colored unicorn who sleepily stirred awake. “Wait, what are you doing here? Of all the ponies to run into...”

“Mmmnnaagh.... O-oh, hey!” Sitting up from her slumbering spot was Sunny. Reddish hair with yellow streaks that matched her fur hung about her, the well-shaped mare garbed in a black corset that ended in a miniskirt, laced up boots that matched her gloves, black-and-white thigh-high stockings, and a studded choker. “Long time no see, Beatrix. You too, Shadow Scythe. And heeey, who's the hunky stud with you?”

"Why does everyone keep calling me that?" He muttered before clearing his throat and putting on a smile. “Midnight Blitzer, nice to meet you! Hey, aren't you Sunset Shimmer?"

“Kind of. Her human counterpart, although I ended up somewhere between a mare and human after this mansion gobbled me up.” She shrugged. “Before you ask, Beatrix, I decided to switch up my look to try and separate myself a little from Sunset. Don't want to steal her thunder, you know? Not that I probably could. She was always the talented one.” She grimaced.

Beatrix offered her hands and helped her rise. “Now, now, you've come a long way!”

“I know.” Sunny shot her a lazy smirk. “Surprised you let her keep the scythe, though. Especially after she 'killed' you.”

“I made her take a potion so she can't harm me. Admittedly, I didn't expect to run into anyone else I knew here. So, I take it this place was drawn from your thoughts?” Beatrix looked around them.

Once Sunny harbored a self-destructive streak, smoking, and drinking until what the poor girl deemed was the 'real' Sunset Shimmer stepped back into her life and turned it around.

“Yeah, old habits die hard.” Sunny knocked on a wine barrel. “I keep it down to a bottle a day, at least. I haven't been here longer than a couple of days and couldn't escape no matter what I tried. Try to teleport out, and I just blink back in! Seems impervious, too.”

“It appears none of us match the manor's power,” Beatrix said, stroking her chin in thought. “Whatever it can't outright block, it will twist. Even with our combined magical prowess, it's still not enough! Perhaps the more allies we pick up, the more potential we'll have...if we can all learn to work together." Her eyes darted back to the former reaper, who stared away while thinking over the possibilities.

“Guess there isn't any other choice,” lamented Shadow Scythe.

“Cool! I'm always up for another adventure,” said Sunny, who casually rested a hand on her wide hip.

Beatrix held her tummy, which rumbled. “You wouldn't happen to have food around here, do you?”

Sunny reached into a satchel nearby and plucked a few flowers. “Will this do?”

“Thanks!” Beatrix chomped down on a few who were surprisingly sweet. They weren't much, but to overcome her addictions, Sunny had picked up a habit of consuming them on her trek across Equestria. “Mmm, scrumptious indeed!”

Flowers were shared between them. Shadow Scythe eventually accepted a few despite a lack of need for sustenance. Sunny poured them some spicy drinks, and after that short rest, they started up the stairway.

Somehow the cellar led them back to the main area. The doors remained closed behind them, and the pair of stairs loomed ahead, albeit this time a couple of familiar faces waited at the tops of both sides.

The chandelier's illumination enhanced the Crystal Pony twins' sparkle, decked in stylized maid attire that enhanced their feminine, coral, and prismatic frames. Their manes were in bob cuts, one with slightly wider hips, the other with a subtly fuller bust.

On their partially visible thighs were a matched cutie mark, two female symbols linked. “Welcome,” the sisters called and bowed in unison.

“Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse?” Beatrix blinked several times. While she still didn't know either of them too well, from what she recalled, they had been abandoned by their parents, shuffled to an orphanage, and taken in by Cadance to serve in her court.

But she reminded herself that they had counterparts across each reality unlike her, and these might not be the pair she'd met.

“Yes. Forgive the poor reception,” said the always professional Foal-Bearer.

“We're the caretakers of this manor,” said Wet Nurse, who frowned. “But we've lost control! Oh, what a disaster!”

“Sorry to hear that,” said Midnight, who watched the shadows crawl across the interior, uncertain if it was merely a trick of the light. Clinks sounded from the chandelier, which swung a little under a cool breeze swept through the open space. Crackles resonated from the burning hearth, the black fire hungry to consume. “Hey, can you show us around?”

“Wait. There's something off about these two,” said Shadow Scythe, who narrowed her eyes. “It's like they're...specters?”

“Ghosts? We're as real as you, I assure you,” replied Foal-Bearer, her lips drawn. “Should we prove it, sister?”

“Let's do it!” Wet Nurse's voice was warmer, her body language less rigid, but they moved as one. The twins reached behind them and, from out of nowhere, pulled out massive axes they hefted up. As one they announced, “Time to add to our collection!”

A portion of the wall slid open behind the twins with a whoosh and revealed rows of shelves, stocked by the preserved heads of stallions, mares, and other creatures, each meticulously stacked and labeled.

Midnight stared and gasped, Beatrix took an instinctive step backward, Sunny's mouth fell open, and Shadow Scythe curled her snout, weapon already at the ready.

Shrill battle cries closer to screams escaped the twins who rushed down the stairs, impossibly fast. Midnight shot into the air, barely able to dodge Foal-Bearer's swing. Beatrix stumbled backward; thighs spread to evade Wet Nurse's ax fall that slammed into the floor, embedded so close to Beatrix's crotch she wet herself with a yelp.

“Pathetic,” called Shadow Scythe, who appeared to float as she closed the gap. Wet Nurse pressed a heel to the floor, grunted, and barely pulled her ax free in time to parry her blow, the pair locked in mortal combat.

At the same time, Sunny's horn and hands lit, and she attempted to seize the weapons of her opponents in her aura, only for the spell to sputter out in sparks. “What gives?”

She repeatedly tried, while Midnight was currently engaged in melee with Foal-Bearer.

“Are they aided by the manor itself?” Beatrix lit her horn and added to Sunny's spell, and Foal-Bearer hissed, snout drown in a snarl, like her sister, her eyes wide and crazed. She practically foamed at the mouth and fought to hold onto her heavy ax.

“Got to be,” said Sunny, who caught sight of old bones in the hearth. “Think I get it now. The mansion must be providing them protection, letting them hunt down those trapped inside and behead them! The bodies are fed into the fires!”

“And at the moment their souls are released, the manor swallows them to empower itself,” finished Shadow Scythe, who had reached immortality with a similar method.

She'd found a method to slaughter titans and would-be demon lords, become one of the fiercest threats her version of Equestria had ever known, and even temporarily slain Beatrix in her rampage.

“They had a weakness,” cried Beatrix. “Their empathic bond is so strong the twins share pleasure...and pain, too!”

Midnight deflected another blow in a shower of sparks, muscles taut, and asked, “So take one down, and they'll both fall?”

“An unlikely result,” hissed Foal-Bearer, her skirts whirling behind her as she struggled to keep up with the airborne soldier despite the supernatural strength, speed, and stamina bestowed on the twins by the mansion.

A cackle sounded from Wet Nurse, who knocked Shadow Scythe's blade from her. It hurtled and clinked, but she offered no quarter, rushed in amidst laughter, and buried the ax in her opponent's breast.

The maid smirked, splashed in a flood of warm, sticky crimson that splattered all over her, her ears twitching in satisfaction as the reaper screamed and went limp.

“Shadow Scythe,” cried Beatrix, tears in the corners of her eyes.

“Who's next?” Wet Nurse licked her bloody chops, the hilt of her ax held in both hands. Thoroughly soaked in blood, she partially ripped costume clung to her bloodied curves, the reaper's fallen body slumped at her heeled feet in a sticky, spreading pool.

“You'll pay for that,” swore Beatrix, who tossed down a smoke bomb. Colorful, sparkly smoke rolled around them, and she slipped in near Wet Nurse, whose eyes darted about while Beatrix attempted to extract Shadow Scythe's remains.

A frustrated Wet Nurse wildly swung, and Beatrix barely ducked under the blade's flash. The maid's ankle was suddenly seized by Shadow Scythe, who pulled her down, and Beatrix tackled the maid with all her weight and knocked the ax from her grasp.

Beatrix, never much one for confrontation, resorted to slapping and clawing back at Wet Nurse as they wrestled.

“Ouch,” cried Foal-Bearer, who felt the lacerations her sister endured. She spotted a clock. “Almost time! Let's retreat, sister!”

Using both feet, Wet Nurse kicked off Beatrix, wiggled out of Shadow Scythe's grasp, and ran to recover her ax.

The twins made a mad dash up the stairs. Midnight started to chase them only for an invisible barrier to rebuff him. “Oof!”

“The manor...continues to interfere,” muttered Shadow Scythe, who trembled and rose to one knee, her mouth and chin drenched in dark blood. She traced the wound on her breast, felt the flesh twist and bones shift to mend her. “Be thankful I took the blow. The rest of you wouldn't have been so fortunate. Though yet again, my cloak has been ruined.... Typical.”

“An easy fix,” assured Beatrix, who used a simple spell to draw the blood out of her attire and tossed it aside. She also removed the urine from her costume with a blush. “They're not like any version of those two I've ever met. Sure, I know the Foal-Bearer in my world went mad after her sister died, but-”

“They're manifestations, probably drawn from your subconscious.” Shadow Scythe stroked her chin.

“Wait, do you mean-” Beatrix tapped her chin and thought it over. Each room they'd found somewhere trapped in was indeed based on their thoughts. An epiphany hit her. “Could it be...?” It certainly reminded her of the Necronomicon's interior. “Sombra destroyed the Necronomicon in one dimension, and a race called the Eldritch escaped. I thought they'd pretty much captured or killed whatever else was trapped in there. But what if this 'mansion' escaped, too?”

Shadow Scythe growled. “So this place is really just a monster that's taken the shape of a manor. And we're stuck in its belly.”

“That means we might never escape,” said Sunny, who huffed and leaned on a wall for support.

Midnight knelt by the hearth and spotted the ribs in the fires that were piled up. “What a messed up a hobby. All those poor creatures!” He looked up at the collection of heads. “Don't see anyone I know, do you all?”

“Not a one. Call me selfish, but I'm thankful for that,” admitted Sunny.

“I'm certainly in no mood to deal with that! I've seen enough death,” cut in Beatrix, who planted hands on her hips. But it was almost worse to see such twisted versions of the Crystal Ponies she knew and trusted.

She told herself they weren't really the twins she knew, but that didn't make her anymore comfortable. Wherever they ventured, the headhunters could always chase them down.

Worse, she and Sunny's magic were being suppressed inside the belly of the beast.

At this rate, she might have to rely on her potions and reached under her cape to trace the tubes, thankful that she'd loaded up recently. Unfortunately, some of them were of little use in combat, and her best ones would be difficult to craft again due to the rare materials they were made from.

*****

After a moment's rest, Beatrix set off into the dining hall, where another feast awaited. She hesitated to take a bite, no matter how much her stomach rumbled, worried they would suddenly rot the moment they were in her stomach. Nor did she spot any flies anymore.

Taking a moment to stop and explore, their steps echoed around them. A scratchy record started to play. Fire danced atop the candelabra, the interior still bathed in thick shadows. The air was thick with the rich scents of well-decorated meals.

“Forgive us,” came a pair of familiar voices further in the spacious room. “We got off to a poor start. Why not take a seat?”

Beatrix retorted, “What, so you can chop off our heads while we're vulnerable? No way!”

“You don't have much choice.” At the head of the table, the twins stepped out of the darkest portion of the room, and between them, they held an earth pony mare.

Her coat was charcoal black, neon hot pink mane done up in thick pigtails held by star-shaped baubles, shapeliness bound by a tube top and hot pants. She trembled in their hold. “An old friend, isn't she?”

“Cerise Silhouette?!” She turned to the daughter of Pacific Glow and Sombra, the earth pony supposedly a partial reincarnation of her mother, who had sadly ended up lost herself before her daughter had been cut from her belly to save her.

“I-I'm sorry! Somehow the door to the room I was trapped in finally opened, and they caught me.” Her eyes watered, and the twins pushed her down into a chair. “Don't worry about me! I know I'm not worth much-”

“Hey, don't think like that! You're a friend! Besides, my teacher and Inky Rose will never forgive me if I don't bring you home!” Beatrix sighed and took a seat. The others slowly fell in line, though Shadow Scythe did so out of obligation. “So, if you supposedly don't intend to kill us right now, what exactly do you want from us?" She waved at the table. "You plan to serve us dinner?”

“Precisely.” Foal-Bearer bowed. “We want to make you feel welcome.”

"This is really confusing!” Midnight groaned, holding his head between his hands. "First, you try to butcher us, now you serve us?!"

“It's part of the rules,” said Wet Nurse, who tilted her head towards a ticking clock. “We're not allowed to hunt at this hour.”

“Only serve.” Foal-Bearer started to slice into a honeyed ham, mouth drawn in a line. “I hope none of you mind meat.”

“So, you plan to fatten us up?” Sunny chuckled at the idea. “Well, I am pretty starved. Flowers only go so far.” She was the first to scoop up handfuls of candied fruits and started to munch on them messily.

Midnight poked at a buttered roll with a fork as it would suddenly attack him. “Are you sure this is safe? Is it cursed, too?”

“They're bound by certain rules so long as we're their guests. We're only safe for another hour, I wager,” Shadow Scythe said, who read the clock to see how much time they were allowed to relax and feast.

Of course, none of them were supposed to leave the table, either—an unspoken rule.

Shadow Scythe speculated that the manor needed to rest too, its supernatural power temporarily withdrawn from the twins.

“Ugh! Someone's still absent,” whined Wet Nurse. “Where is that infernal imp!?”

“Come now, sister dearest, we must not speak ill of a guest. At least not while we're on duty,” she mildly chastised and, to discipline her, patted her sister's rump, clad like her in frilled panties under their short skirts. “Perhaps a drink will help ease you?”

The twins bent over to pour wine into their cups. Beatrix couldn't help but stare at their cleavage, barely contained by their tops, plush bottoms half-exposed each time they bent over. The Crystal Ponies appeared to take no notice, ever professional, almost to a fault in Foal-Bearer's case.

She reminded herself Cadance used them to help satisfy her father's…other needs.

They were trained to sing, dance, cook, clean, and were well-versed in etiquette and the Crystal Empire's culture and history. Both pleasured the couple in any way they wished, Cadance not always able to be there for her husband whenever duties and responsibilities tore them apart.

From what she recalled, the twins were fanatically loyal to Cadance and her family.

"I'm Cerise Silhouette,” said the dancer who tried to stay upbeat despite their situation.

“Midnight Blitzer, at your service!” He accepted her hand with a puzzled expression, unaware he was meant to kiss it.

She giggled, and tiny bells attached to her scanty attire jingled. “Aww, You're a sweetheart! I wish I were a warrior. Not because I like to fight or anything, but I just want to serve people the best I can! I don't want to slow you all down or hold you back.” She emptied her cup, felt the spiced wines settle into her belly, and warm it up.

“Relax, Cerise. You know that's not your role, and no one expects you to take up arms,” Beatrix reminded with a sympathetic smile.

“I know. But I still feel bad,” admitted Cerise, who pouted and twirled one of her twin tails.

“You have plenty of other talents to help us,” reminded Beatrix, who recalled the dancer could place others in trances. But would it work on phantoms, even ones that could easily interact with the physical world?

She didn't dare chance it. Cerise could perish at the hands of these butchers for nothing, and she couldn't bear to face the dancer's parents if that happened on her watch!

“Thank you,” Cerise replied, dark cheeks painted by a small blush.

Over the next hour, they ate, chatted, and relaxed. Shadow Scythe barely touched her food but instead removed books she found on a shelf nearby and started to read.

The twins dutifully served them like promised until the clock would chime, and their truce would instantly be over. Sunny counted down the minutes between bites. "Yo, almost time," she muttered.

A thunderous chime sounded at the stroke of midnight. The twins reached behind them and readied their instruments of death. “Thank you for your attendance,” they said as one. “As a reward, we shall offer you a five-minute head start! Better hurry~!”

The group took off into the manor, where the labyrinthine interior continually twisted and shifted into new sections.

This time they were led into a vast, lush hedge maze contained inside, which came to the ceiling so that they couldn't merely climb or fly over it and reinforced by the manor's curse so the thick brambles couldn't be burnt away, even by powerful magic.

It was a lot of energy to expend, but they were certain such rare prey would please their master. Each target carried its own potential, usually identifiable by its cutie mark. Still, they were confident an immortal like Shadow Scythe, and a traveler between dimensions like Belladonna, in particular, would overfill the abomination that housed them and allow it to develop further.

Setting aside their axes for a moment, the Crystal Ponies undertook their own ritualistic preparations for the imminent slaughter.

“That was a practice run,” said Wet Nurse, who felt her sister undo the back of her costume. “Now, the real fun starts!” Her top and bra were undone, her plush breasts allowed to spill-free. Next came her skirt and panties, slid down and kicked aside.

“We hunt in our natural state,” said Foal-Bearer, who stripped herself, piece-by-piece. “Like feral animals. Primal. Untamed.”

Once fully bared, their crystalline forms glittered under dimmed lights, precious jewels that shimmered like prisms.

“I love the feel of hot blood on my bare skin,” moaned Wet Nurse, who rubbed circles around her breasts until her inflamed nipples beaded with milk. “Oh, to think we once resisted the manor's influence!”

“We were ignorant, then. But now we know; madness is liberation!” Foal-Bearer moaned alongside her, bright eyes hazed.

They had held out for weeks, trapped and tortured in the mansion's bowels, the first unfortunate victims to be swallowed up. Eventually, pain and humiliation had broken them, as anyone inevitably would be.

Or at least that was what they recalled, unaware that despite the sentience granted to them, they were now merely phantoms, kept around because the mansion remembered Beatrix's trips into the Necronomicon before it had been destroyed...and sure she would foolishly wander its way eventually to be consumed.

The twins reclaimed their weapons and set out for their latest hunt. They would claim their heads, chop them into pieces, and smear their blood over their supple bodies like war paint before they fed their corpses into a black hearth that blazed hatefully.

Chapter 3

Several potential paths were presented before the group of travelers. Beatrix's eyes darted over all of them, trying to guess at which ones were traps, which ones had monsters, which ones could throw them in weird time loops, and which ones were dead ends...literally. There wasn't much time to speculate, as the crazed maids would soon resume their pursuit and come collect their trophies. She shuddered over the thought of having her severed head be put on display amongst a mass perverse collection.

Though she was more worried over what would happen if the mansion succeeded in devouring her soul. Or even Shadow Scythe's soul. That, combined with its already immense power, could spell the end for numerous timelines and dimensions.

"Great! We're lost!" Shadow Scythe exclaimed, interrupting the witch's reverie. "Leave it to the 'great' Beatrix Belladonna to make an even bigger mess trying to amend her mistakes.”

“Hey! This hardly my fault alone,” she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.

“Says the one claiming I have no sense of personal responsibility! At least I'm honest about only looking out for myself. But everyone else here?” She pointed to Sunny, Cerise, and Midnight with what remained of her detached limb. “All victims drawn into yourconflict! This damned mansion wanted to hunt you down and collected prey to draw you in! Their blood is on yourhands, you ungrateful cunt!”

“Shut up!!” She bellowed at the pale unicorn with watery eyes, stamping her heel. “Just shut up, that's not fair! It wasn't my fault! I-I never meant to...t-to..”

“Hey! Cut it out, you two,” Sunny said, stepping in between the two unicorns. “Now is not the time for this. The twins will be here to hunt us soon. And that's if they're true to their word! They could already be here any second.” She shivered and stared into the darkness that loomed ahead in each passage. "We gotta keep moving, or else we'll be sitting ducks."

Midnight stepped forward. “I'll take the lead. With magic being limited here, I might be our chance to survive the battle ahead!"

“Oh, please," the reaper sniped back, pushing him aside. "As if I'd stake my life on the backs of you fools. Just stay out of my way, and no one gets hurt...intentionally." She floated through the air, robes rustling behind her as she held her scythe, snout drawn in a snarl after she pressed onto a path ahead.

With a sigh, he followed, and the others fell in step behind Shadow Scythe. Beatrix's head hung low, unwilling to move on as Shadow's scathing words echoed through her mind. 'What if she was right? What if I am responsible for this? What if my constant interference really did make things worse?' The mere idea made her stomach churn under nausea. Crunches sounded underfoot while she trailed behind them.

“Watch your step,” warned Shadow Scythe, who lit the corridor with a flare of her horn. “I can't afford to babysit-argh!” she screamed, a hidden trap sprung and a bear trap snapping around her ankle, chewing into flesh and bone. Blood spurted out the fresh wound and painted a wall. She snarled and instinctively tried to yank free, her eyes filled with hot, bitter tears.

“Whoa! Uh, hang on there. I know a thing or two about traps,” Midnight offered, kneeling down to unlatch the tight vise.

Beatrix watched him strain over opening the trap before he removed the sharp teeth off Shadow Scythe's wounded ankle. The pale mare slumped into a huddle nearby with a low growl while the soldier quickly made do with what he could to clean the wound. After a bit of hesitation, Beatrix knelt to Shadow's side, taking out a tube from her cloak. “Here, drink this. A balm that should help mend your flesh faster.”

“Pft! Don't expect me to thank you,” Shadow Scythe rebutted, yet taking the tube anyway. “You can try to act like a decent person all you want. We both know what you are...”

“I know,” Beatrix acknowledged, her maw drawn sadly. “I'm sorry...”

"I don't blame you," Cerise reassured, squeezing her shoulder. “Don't let her get to you, Beatrix. You've done amazing things! You helped mommy and daddy during their time of need. So what if you slip up here and there? We all make mistakes. What's important is that we own up to them, right?”

“R-right.... Thanks, Cerise. That makes me feel a lot better.” She softly smiled, rubbing some tears away from her cheeks.

“Ugh! Enough of this sentimental crap!” The reaper tore strips from her cloak and wrapped it around her chewed-up ankle. Once she held it into place, the contents of the tube hardened into artificial skin. She stumbled to her feet and winced. “Let's move!”

“Hey, take it easy there,” warned Midnight, but she ignored him, her body already starting to properly regenerate.

“Don't touch me, I'm fine!” She shoved him away. “I don't need your pity, nor hers. All you did was ease the pain. Nothing more.” It was obvious her pride was more wounded than her foot as she stalked on with a hiss.

Her icy eyes narrowed, hoping she'd run into the murderous twins soon to slice them apart. That would make her feel better.

Yet the question remained unanswered do which path to take through the intersection. It was guaranteed the maids were on their way to continue the hunt. And despite her nature to pick one at random, Beatrix didn't want any more baggage for her group of friends. "I...I'm not sure what to do, guys. I can't decide..."

"Finally, something we can agree on," Shadow Scythe chuckled dryly. "If you ask me, we have a better chance of fighting them head-on."

"And risk getting caught up in more spooky bullshit by this house? Yeah, no thanks," Sunny scoffed.

"But there's little chance we won't encounter anything less spooky going through any of those doors," Cerise whined.

Midnight stroked his chin in thought before an idea popped up. "Hey, I know! Why don't we ask Moxxi for help?"

"Like HELL I'm asking help from that skanky fuck!" The former reaper yelled.

"Moxxi?" The young dancer Cerise asked, turning to Beatrix in confusion.

"She's an imp who also got caught up in the house," the witch explained. "Very cute and friendly, but also very mischievous. It's tough to trust her, so...I don't know. She might not even be nearby..."

"Aw, c'mon guys," Midnight insisted. "We're running out of options before the twins get here. What else do we gotta lose? Y'know, besides our lives?!"

"How about your dignity, soldier boy," Shadow rebutted. "I'd rather take my chances with those ax-wielding harlots then some short-stacked, trashy, bimbo faced-"

"Ohhh fuck, lov! Keep talkin' dirty to me~!"

The group nearly jumped as the aforementioned demoness had spontaneously appeared right next to Shadow Scythe, who immediately moved away with a disgusted look. The little imp was rubbing her thighs together while eying the group of ponies (plus the former human) with an alluring set of bedroom eyes.

"Well, look what the calvary brought in, aye?" She purred, poofing from her spot to appear right before Cerise. "Oh, B! You never told me you were friends with a belly dancer, love! Ooohhh, I'd just love to get me hand all over those hips~!" The lesser demon swished her own hips around in a small dance, much to the earth pony's delight.

"Hehehe! I-I mean, I do other forms of dances than just that, though I guess my outfit kinda gives that impression," Cerise giggled with a blush.

"Oh, I bet you do, sweetie! I bet you know a lot of dances if ya catch my drift~."

"Moxxi!" Beatrix cut in, hands on her hips. "We really don't have time for this. So either help us out or leave us be!"

“Yeesh, who shoved a spiked dildo up your fanny?” The Imp pouted but nonetheless stopped her fooling around with the younger mare. "And here I thought cold, dark, and edgy over there was the mood killer."

"Bite me," called the reaper.

"Maybe later~."

"Look, the twins are close by, and we don't know which passageway is the safest. Can you at least give us some direction?" The witch asked, her ears perking at the sound of distant hoofsteps. The others were also on edge as the imp inspected each door, humming thoughtfully.

"I mean, I'm gonna warn ya; I'm not even sure what could lay in wait behind these doors," she admitted. "But isn't that half the fun?! It's like a blind date! Goin' in expecting some hot chap only to find herself on a couch with three burly zebra's about ta teach ya the Reverse Romanian Wilkinson~."

"The wha?" Midnight asked, tilting his head.

"Don't ask," Shadow hissed.

"But I gotta say; this one's callin' to me," Moxxi continued, leaning her thick frame-up against the far left door before giving it a few knocks. The door opened as bright white light poured through the hallway. "Step right in if ya want! Can't say for certain where y'all end up, but it'll be better than stayin' here, that's for sure! Good luck, lovs~." And, with a blown kiss, the imp flew right in.

"We shouldn't follow her," Shadow Scythe insisted. "It could easily be a trap. Or something worse."

"Oh, c'mon," Cerise rolled her eyes, swaying her way through the group as she took a step closer into the light of the room before them. "She seems harmless enough. I bet if we think positively, it'll change the atmosphere and effects inside. Let's go~!" The dancer stepped through.

And as the looming threat of the twins came closer, their choice was made up. Everyone stepped through the illuminating light, the door closing shut behind just as Wet Nurse and Foal-Bearer checked around a corridor.

*****

“Mmmnnug.... Where am I?” Midnight questioned, trying to orientate himself. It appeared he was splayed in his bunk, back in the base where he trained to become a soldier since the tender age of twelve years old. If he hadn't impressed Shining Armor to help him rise through the ranks, the pegasus might not have lived to discover the world around him. This place sure did hold a lot of fond memories.

As he rose up from his bed in the dimly lit room, it dawned on him that he was in nothing but black boxer shorts. “Hello? Is anyone else here? Shadow Scythe? Beatrix?”

“Well well well,” the witch's coy voice came as she stood from behind one bunk. "Look who decided to wake up~?"

A giggle caught his attention before Cerise wrapped her arms from behind him, rubbing her face into his neck. “You've been out for a while, soldier boy!”

“It's about time,” called Shadow Scythe, leaning up against the wall with her arms folded under her cloak. "We thought you might not get up, even after tending to you."

“Not that we minded,” added Sunny, who wandered to his side with a crooked smile. Midnight grew more nervous as he felt his arms and back being rubbed and held onto before Moxxi popped between his legs, fluttering her eyes up at him. “But I think you need a Lil' more ta settle down there, lov~” She purred, hooking the band of his shorts before tugging them down in one swoop. The pegasus yelp and blushed hard as his hardening penis flopped free, nearly smacking the imp across the face. “Oh, whoa, ladies! Look's like we have quite the shower on our hands! Let's see if he's a grower~!"

“H-h-hey wait! What are you-a--aaaahah!?” A soft moan escaped him as the imp began stroking his length with her tiny claws. Sunny joined in with a firm handjob until his stallionhood became fully erected. Midnight only became more flustered upon seeing each female participant remove her clothes. Beatrix struck a pose to better flaunt her large chest, while Shadow Scythe cooly took to his other side, and the dancer continued to rub her own voluptuous body against his bareback.

He couldn't remember the last time he even tried masturbating! And yet, here were his friends, who caressed him all over, worshiped his taut masculine form like they were his personal harem, much to his oblivious amusement. “L-ladies, please! What are you doing?!”

“N'awwww,” Cerise pouted playfully, jiggling her succulent tits against him. "The poor guy doesn't understand~!"

“Foolish boy,” Shadow Scythe added in. “We'll just have to teach you."

"Question is, who gets the honors of being his first~?" Sunny pondered.

"Pft, you gal's wouldn't know how to handle a stud this size," Moxxi spat, licking her plume colored lips. "Let Moxxi get a fix of him. And if he's still hard, maybe I'll--waaaAAAAH!"

The imp was magically pulled away before Beatrix lunged at the soldier, knocking Cerise to the side while gyrating her hips into his hard cock. "I call dibs on him, obviously~" Beatrix murmured, pressing her mounds into his chiseled chest. "I've wanted to pop his cherry ever since meeting him back on the paradise world. C'mon, stud. Let me show you how I work a rod~!"

Normally, most stallions would have easily surrendered to such a scenario, becoming the prime stud to such beautiful and needy herd of mares in estrus. Yet the feelings of desire and want were lost to him, far too overwhelmed by the situation.

Something was not right. Except for Moxxi and Beatrix, none of his friends had shown such lecherous intent towards him, especially Shadow Scythe. “N-no.... Stop! This isn't real! None of you are real!"

"Don't worry, babe. We can make it real~!" Beatrix cooed, pressing her lips all over his cheek and neck to try and goad him into responding to her advances.

"I-I said, no! Now, get off!" He ordered, shoving the illusion off him as the world around him evaporated into white. He stood back up, his armor suddenly on, and his weapon in hand. Midnight panted heavily before rubbing sweat from his brows, looking over the pale void.

He was thankful that he managed to free himself from this trap, thanks to his innocent demeanor. But he feared the others wouldn't have the same resistance to temptations.

He spread his wings to fly out and find his friends, hoping he wouldn't be too late...

*****

“This is how it should have been,” hissed Shadow Scythe, sneering down at her prey. Her cloak was drenched in the blood of Beatrix's slaughtered friends, some still dripping off her raised sickle. She floated before her captive, arms locked behind Beatrix's head while her costume was nearly ripped to shreds. With each one butchered, she'd taken a fresh soul and become more powerful as a result.

“H-how could you,” whined Beatrix, who sniffled, her nose runny. One after another, the party had fallen until only she remained. Less because of any real skill on Belladonna's part and more because the reaper repeatedly let her escape, so she would be forced to watch the rest of them die at her hands. “How could you murder them all?!”

“The weak deserve to die. That's the law of nature, you idiot.” They were back in the library, shelves overturned, and books scattered after a recent battle. A crimson and viscera trail followed the reaper, which floated before her last and easily most hated target. “They all died following your cause, believing that you would be the one to 'redeem me'! But it is you who should have changed her tune, Belladonna! Not I!"

“N-no,” whimpered the witch, her hat and cape lost in the scuffle, down to her ripped up leotard. Sparks popped on her horn after she tried to work a simple spell. “There's still time! Turn back and---ah~!” The blade flashed, cut her outfit down the middle, and it slipped off her. Her nipples stiffened in the cool air. “W-what do you plan to do? I didn't think you had any interest in me like that-!”

“I don't. But I do want to humiliate and punish you,” admitted the reaper, the cold steel of the sickle's flat side pressed to bare flesh. Beatrix wheezed, and Shadow Scythe's eyes lit up, pain and power one of the few things that still excited her. She traced over the witch's erect nipples, threatened to shear them off, watched her squirm and wet herself under the unspoken threat.

She traced the weapon's edge between her captive's breasts, over her belly, between her thighs, the curved portion level with her cleft. “I could slit you open in one swing; from the crotch to the sternum,” taunted the reaper. “Watch your intestines spill out!”

A muffled whimper met Shadow Scythe, who raised her weapon high. Beatrix closed her eyes tight and trembled.

The blade swooped down, the dismembered head rolled from its body that still kicked and shook, and the executioner moaned, bathed in fresh blood that spewed over her. The beheaded, nude corpse continued to swing back-and-forth as its soul escaped.

The glowing sphere flowed into the eager reaper. “Yes,” she cried out with a cackle. “The universe is mine to travel. And through every dimension, I'll absorb all the souls I want! Then nothing will stand in my way!” She licked the red spatters off her dripping sickle.

She took a moment to meet Belladonna's lifeless stare, landed amidst her cloak, and spitefully kicked her head aside.

After she made her exit from the mansion, the reaper slashed her scythe through the air, using her newfound power to cut into reality. And yet...nothing happened. Blinking, the pale mare attempted a second swing. Then a third. Then a fourth.

Grumbling in annoyance, she kept swinging her blade endlessly until her limbs grew sore and heavy. In a fury, she yelled before swinging her scythe with all her might and power to tear into the fabrics of time and space. But she was met with no wormhole or dimensional rift—just the desolate landscape of this accursed rock planet.

Her shoulders slumped. The scythe fell from her grasp. Triumph turned to emptiness and dread.

Ultimately, she was still alone, her enemies fallen to leave her abandoned on a barren planet. For reasons she couldn't understand, she couldn't open a rift and would forever remain condemned, trapped in a dead world. Bitter tears escaped down her cheeks before she crumpled to her knees in defeat.

It was just as she said; nothing stood in her way.

*****

Sunny had always coveted the life of her counterpart. What she called the 'real' Sunset Shimmer had swooped in from Equestria, knocked her out, stripped the clothes off her back, and stolen her life. It had taken years and a lot of help to build it back up. Now that she and Sunset were friends, she still couldn't help but feel at times she simply lived in her shadow.

Somehow, their fortunes had reversed. She had been Celestia's prized student. She had made friends with the humanized equivalents of the Elements of Harmony and saved the world several times. It was all she'd ever wanted...or so she thought.

“But it can't be real,” she reminded herself, tears on her face. She and Sunset had faced a similar dream world, caused by her own hands, only for the spell to end up broken. Another victory the 'real' Sunset had claimed, while she was forced to vicariously savor her triumphs. The utopian dream was swiftly dispelled, and she found herself back in the white void of this empty space.

"Whoa...where the hell am I?"

“Sunny! Hey, wait up,” called Midnight, fluttering down from above. “Is it really you..?”

“Yeah, of course, it's me,” assured Sunny, smiling lazily. “Figured someone as adorable as you wouldn't become so gullible to get tricked inside this room. Any luck finding the others?”

“No, the only ones I've met were imposters,” They looked around an unfamiliar portion of the area. “Hope they can make it out on their own! I'm not sure we can interfere. Ugh...I feel like it's my fault. I was the one who asked Moxxi for help. And now, we're intentionally stuck here!"

“Hey, none of that. It already sucks seeing Beatrix doubt herself so damn much,” Sunny insisted, rubbing at his pauldron shoulder. “We'll find them. And when we find that imp, I'm kicking her fat ass to next Tuesday!”

Their ears flicked at a sudden noise. It sounded like a door was being opened. Instantly, the two took up battle stances, worried that the twins had finally located and cornered them. Sure, they could round around here in this infinite space, but who knows where else this place might send them too.

"Don't worry, Sunny! I'll protect you," Midnight proclaimed, spear held firmly.

“Hey, I'm not useless, okay! I can handle myself...” Her horn lit up, readying a powerful spell before it was snuffed down to a small glow. The mansion continued to interfere and suppressed most of her raw power. “...or I was able to handle myself. Damn it!”

Their observers stalked closer by the moment, axes at the ready. Despite the imp's intervention, it had seemingly made it even easier on the denuded huntresses.

Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse shared a nod, their shimmering nude curves resplendent in the bleakness that smothered the oppressive area. Both stepped forth, letting loose a united war cry, and attacked in tandem.

“Look out!” Stray feathers erupted around Midnight, who dodged a wild swing, forced into the air.

Sunny loosed a stray beam that connected with Foal-Bearer's chest. She yelped and hissed with her sister, flesh and fur singed, and an acrid stench filled the air, but it barely slowed her crazed advance.

In desperation, Sunny barely raised a defensive barrier in time, almost knocked from her feet under the impact as a blow connected with her invisible shield.

“It hurts,” complained Wet Nurse, who clutched her bosom. Yet her face twisted in a masochistic grimace.

“We've endured worse,” cried Foal-Bearer, who repeatedly battered at the shield, sparks erupting under each blow.

“I reallydon't wanna kill you,” warned Midnight, dodging around and parried the attacks aimed his way. Usually, he'd respect a fellow soldier, but these two were unlike any he'd encountered. He didn't understand why they hunted naked or what motivated them other than sheer bloodlust. “C'mon, can't we talk this out? Surely these two aren't beyond saving...”

“Maybe not. If I could touch them,” mumbled Sunny, who thanks to her counterpart, had increased her own empathic abilities. All it would take was physical contact, and she could attempt to burn the evil out of them.

Yet she dared not lower her barrier under the crazed assault. She sweated and strained, forced back. Midnight, too, struggled to keep the pace under their supernaturally enhanced reflexes.

Nor could he deny the visceral thrill of battle, the beauty of the crystalline maids, as the fantasy awakened a suppressed part of him.

The foursome danced on, wild and free, lost in their latest skirmish.

Chapter 4

This.

This is all Beatrix ever wanted.

Not the wacky adventures or the new worlds she explored. Not even the various villains she wanted to defeat.

Just this small picnic table with all her friends and family. The sun glimmered through the shades of the tree branches above, giving a small spotlight over the food on the table. On either side sat the many ponies and friends in her life. She couldn't help the big smile on her face, seeing so many wonderful people share the same scene. To her right sat her family, Shining Armor, and Cadance, conversing with her mother, Trixie, while her sisters ate and made jokes with one another. On her left, Midnight, Cerise, and her family ate and laughed with each other. Lady Ewe was also present, talking intimately with the king and queen of the Crystal Empire.

The witch beamed with happiness, stuffing her muzzle full of food before she stood up, tapping at her glass to get everyone's attention. "I, uh...I just want to say thank you all for coming. It means...so much to have all my friends support me," Beatrix exclaimed, getting a little teary-eyed. "I wouldn't have been able to reach as far as I have now without you. So...I wanna make a toast to my friends and family. Thank you so much!"

Everyone at the table looked at each other before slowly applauding the humble witch, a few letting out cheers and whistles. Shining Armor stood up, raising his own glass with a light smile on his face.

"Beatrix, you're far too humble!" The alabaster unicorn insisted with a chuckle. "None of us would be dead if it wasn't for you."

Beatrix's bright smile faltered at his wording, an anxious laugh escaping her lips. "Dad, that's...not how that saying goes, I think."

"Whatever do you mean, Beatrix?" Cadance asked, raising with Flurry Heart, her smiling slightly twisted. "You helped every one of us to our deaths."

"I-I.... I-What?"

The scenery started to dim, dark clouds slowly swirling over the sun as each participant rose from their seat, removing their torso coverings to show off the gaping hole, black liquid oozing out from the orifice. Their complexion growing more pale and lifeless while their faces continue to smile mockingly at the trembling unicorn.

"W-what!? N-no, I...I didn't mean to!" Beatrix insisted, backing away from the table. "I know I've made some bad decisions, but I never wanted anyone killed!"

"Don't be sad, Ceann Oga," The effigy of Oona comforted, her voice distorting in pitch as her eyes darkened completely, more ooze leaking down her face like tears. "We were happy to die for ya!"

"Our lives meant nothing to you," Cerise insisted, her figure twisting as shadowy haze poured off her skin, her neck bending to the side unnaturally. "As long as you made it out alive, that's all that matters~!"

"How many times did you think of abandoning us?" Flurry Heart giggled, the hole in her chest growing in size while limping her way towards the frightened witch.

"How many more people will suffer because of you?" Sombra's voice gasped as his entire form was melting down, exposing bits of his skeleton.

"How many worlds will perish thanks to your carrying out the ambition of the Necronomicon!?" Inky Rose berated.

Beatrix felt her back press up against the bark of a tall tree; eyes widened as the branches coiled around her limbs and waist. The entire woods twisted around her, looming over the witch while the remnants of her loved ones limped towards her, arms reaching out towards her, constantly whispering how this was all her fault.

"I-I'm sorry!" She pleaded, struggling to break free from the root's tight hold. "I never wanted to bring anyone harm! I-I should have known better. I deserve this...for being such a coward..."

"Yes, a ḉ̛̕͡ǫ͠ẁ̸̴̛a̧̢r̶̶̛͜͡d́͢!"

"A s͏͘t̶̶u͜͢p̢̕i͟͡d̶̨̕ coward!"

"Ungratefulw̷̢͝͡i̧͞t҉͠c̢̢̢̀h̡̧!"

"Ý̵̕òu̕͢͡ ̡͢͝k̷i̕l̸̢͟led̛ ̴u̶͝s̵ ̸͞a̴l̨̛l̨̡!"

Each harsh word thrown at her caused her to swell up inside. All the hatred she had for herself spewed forth as her friends rightfully tore her out. Shadow Scythe was right. Throughout her journies, nothing positive came out of it but more destruction and death by her hand.

This is what she deserved. Not a life of happiness. Not a table gathering to celebrate with her friends. Not...

"Abby?!"

Her eyes went wide upon spotting her daughter sitting there at the very end of the table. Unlike the horribly mangled and heartless remnants of her friends and family, the monochrome unicorn filly remained docile, though her defects had grown worse over her arms and face. And she sat there sobbing, looking towards Beatrix with absolute resentment.

"I thought you loved me, mommy," she bawled. "I thought you would try harder to find me! Why did you abandon me!?"

"No...NO!" Beatrix sobbed, her effort renewed in trying to break free from the pulling branches pinning her to the base of the tree. "Please, Abby! Mommy loves you! I would never leave you behind! There isn't a day where I'm not trying to find you! I'm trying, Abby!"

"Shhhhhh, don't listen to her, sweetheart," an all too familiar voice assured, sending a horrible shudder up Beatrix's spine. From out of the shadows came a tall figure, scooping the sniveling child into his arms. Pale robes spread to the ground, long curled night like hair shrouding behind. And those eyes. Those godforsaken magenta eyes gazing back at her with contempt.

"Beatrix could never learn to love something that isn't herself. But don't worry, Abbadonna... I̵͞͠ ́w͡íl͝l̢ ҉̵a̷͠l͞wà̡ỳ͠s̛ ̸͠ló̧͞v҉҉̷e ̧̡͠y̴͘o̴u͜~̸́͞."

"NO! STOP, ABBY! DON'T LISTEN TO HIM! GET AWAY FROM MY CHILD!" The witch screamed in anguish, her friends pulling apart her torso to rip out her innards. All the poor violet mare could do was watch as her daughter embraced her father.

"I love you too, daddy. Please," Abby sniffled, clutching to his pale robe. "Make the pain go away..."

"Yes, my child. Let daddy take care of those painful memories," his voice distorted as his fingers pulled apart the back of her head to expose the nape of her neck. The father figure's face slowly split open like flower petals, revealing endless darkness. Darkness with many eyes and teeth growing from within the void. Beatrix gazed helplessly as a long appendage slithered out to attach to the back of her neck, the pale daughter winching in slight pain while holding on tightly to her father.

"Y̨e͘è͟ęs̨̀,͝͞ ̵̵͏l͢e̛t́͢ ͟͞g̢͟o͏,̷̛͞ ̧̛Á̸b̧b̵͘a͟dó̕nna͢.̶̸ ̴Let́ ̨̛ǵ̛́o̶ ͏̸a̢̨n̶̶̡d̨͞ ̶͘f̵̶ò̵͟rg̕e̴t̕͢.̴̛ ̧͝Sh̵e w̴i̴͝l͟l̢ ̀͝n̵o ͡l̴̀on̕͡g͘er ̴҉͜p̢l̵a̴gu҉̀e̸͜ ̴̡y̶o̢u͟r̵̶̡ ̨́͘mí̀n̢͢͟d̕. T̡̕h̢͟i̧s ̡̀w̵i̕͝͝ļ͜l̸ b͟e̡ ͏n͡o̶̕͡t̨́h̷͞i̵̡nģ͠ ̨́mờŕ͞͞e͢͏ ̛̛͠ţ́͡han ̡a̵͠ ́͝b͜a̡̕d̴ ͢d̶r̸̛e̢͡a͝m̷~̷!̧͘͏"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo!!!"

Suddenly, the entire forest lit up with bright blue and pink flames, coloring the monotonous setting in an array of neon colors. The fiends clawing out Beatrix's insides burnt in the bright waves of fiery licks, the disturbed witch finally breaking her arms free as the forest evaporated from the roots up. A pale floor illuminated below her as her attention went back to her child, only to see a familiar short figure stand before the robed monstrosity, sporting an unfamiliar snarl on her face.

"Dat's enough outta you!" Moxxi sneered, snapping her figures before both father and child diminished into dark smog. Beatrix's legs gave in as everything became white. Instinctively, she clung to her chest and body. She wasn't torn open, nor was she stuck in the clutches of some demented looking tree. She slides her hands up to feel her face, the urge to sob being held back in her throat.

"For tit's sake, lov!" The imp exclaimed, floating before the distraught magic-user with both hands on her hips, a more remorseful look on her face. All her wrath converged towards the lowly demon. "What are ya doin' keepin' all this doubt and disarray trapped in yer head? That's an unhealthy amount for someone tryin' beat this place."

"Y-you...!" She seethed, getting up as her hands and horn powered up with magic, eyes flaring white. All her confusion and wrath pointed towards the tiny imp. "This is your doing! You made me experience all of that pain! All that torment! And for what?! To get off on my misery!?"

"W-whoa there! Calm down, lov," the imp rose her hands up defensively. "I don't like da tears and trauma. Quite the turnoff, actually! I warn y'all I didn't know what would happen if ya stepped through da door with me.... I certainly wasn't expecting that!"

"But you knew what would happen if we came in! What this place would do to us! Didn't you?!"

"I, uh.... Yea, that's correct," Moxxi admitted, her hands held behind her wide bottom while her tail whipped behind. "This space tries ta trap you, suckin' you in with what you want in the whole universe before blind sidin' you with all the faults yer try ta hide! I lead y'all here ta try an test ya, see if ya got da stuff ta take on this phantasmagorial plain!"

"Grrrnfh.... A little warning beforehand would have been nice," Beatrix sighed, doing her best to calm her nerves and wipe off her dried tears. "I don't take kindly to liars!"

"I had no choice, lov! If ya knew what would 'av happened, the house would have switched rooms on ya and trap you differently. At least with this room, ya had a real chance in gettin' a grip and comin' ta terms with yer struggles."

Beatrix said nothing, looking away while the imp floated close by, a small hand placed onto her shoulder. Despite how hostile she was towards the imp's method, she admitted that Moxxi had a point. Ever since coming here, guilt kept racking up in her subconscious. Shadow Scythe's aggressive comments only made it worse. With a weary sigh, she gazed back towards the lesser demon.

"I...I would have been stuck in here if you didn't pull me out, right?" She asked the imp, who nodded her head.

"Like I said, lov. Wasn't expectin' so much darkness to be brewin' in yer soul. Nor was I expectin' to see...him...again..."

"You know him?" The two dared not speak his name, as if both were frightened that the monstrous pale figure would be summoned to cause more heartache.

"Let's just say he and I are acquainted with each other and leave it at that," Moxxi offered rather quickly, Beatrix raising her eyebrow in suspicion. "C'mon, let's find ya friends and get you outta her-Yeeaaoh!!" The imp squeaked as the witch tugged her by the tail in a firm grip, glaring down at the imp.

"Moxxi, you're on thin ice with me as it is. I can forgive you for pulling me here just to come to terms with my own doubts. But if you're hiding something, I'd rather you tell me now than finding out later at a bad time!" Beatrix demanded through clutched teeth.

Moxxi gulped, sweating nervously before nodding her head. "I-I will, lov! Promise I'll tell ya more once you and yer friends are safe and sound!"

"As a chaos fiend?"

The imp rolled her eyes, crossing her heart with her pink middle claw before the violet mage released her satisfied. Moxxi brushed off her tail and jacket before she guided Beatrix through the seemingly endless void, hoping the others managed to break free from their gilded cages.

*****

"I've been to one of these concerts before!"

Cerise Shilouette didn't remember how she ended up in such a bumping party, but she didn't care to figure out! Unlike back at home, where most of her dances were private or during a ceremonial occasion, the black earth mare was dancing at a rave. Bright neon colors flashing and decorating the ceiling, many mares, stallions, and creatures all bouncing to the music's beat. Glow sticks and other toys highlighting her wrist. Whenever somepony came up to grind up or shimmy, she gladly returned the gesture.

She should go to more clubs like this! Especially if they had a bunch of cute boys performing on stage.

Yes, the main attraction to this whole gig was the three strapping young singers currently providing the soul of the party. The first was a slender, yellow maned unicorn, showing off his girlish figure through his tapping. The second was a burly looking blue maned earth pony, synchronized with the same dancing, but looking much more macho. The third was a fiery red-maned pegasus, acting as the group's bad boy with his tacky leather jacket. All of them sang in harmony while gesturing to the crowd as the song came to an end, much to the audience's applauds.

The bigger stallion whipped some sweat off his forehead before taking center stage, a spotlight highly him as he flashed a big smile to the audience. "Wooo! How's everybody doin' tonight?"

The crowd lit up in screams and cheer, waving whatever glowing device they could.

"That's what I like to see!" He laughed. "Wanna say thank you all for coming. This party couldn't be possible without you guys!"

"I LOVE YOU, BASS!" A crazed fan called out among the cheers.

"And I love you, random mare I don't know!" He replied cheerily, much to the squealing delight of said fan. "Alto. Tenor. What do ya saw we call up someone to the stage to come dancing with us~?" This caused the entire room to explode with noise and clamor, many mares and stallions asking to come up and join them. Cerise remained docile, giggling amongst herself, though a part of her hoped she would be chosen.

"Great idea, brother!" The yellow maned stallion beamed.

"Now, don't get salty if you weren't picked," Alto, the red-maned pegasus, added before flashing a wink. "Just means you'll have to come back and try your luck next time~."

"Right you are, bro! We're all here to have fun tonight. Now...let's get those spotlights rollin!"

The entire room went dark as many searchlights began to swirl around the audience, adding tension on who would be the lucky pony to come up on stage and dance with Sixth Measure. The group began to twirl in sync before all the lights came up to a point as the boys pointed towards Cerise, who was highlighted among the crowd.

"Can everyone help the pretty mare with pigtails to the stage, please~?" Bass requested. Cerise was almost motionless, in shock that she had actually gotten picked before the crowd pushed her along. Yelping with glee, she quickly scurried until taking Bass's hand to pull her up on stage. Her cheeks flourished upon being so close to the three handsome stallions, all grinning up at her. Alto snapped his fingers as a stage manager came out to give her a mic. "What's your name, gorgeous?"

"A-auuhmmm, my name is.... I-it's Cerise! Cerise Silhouette!"

"Cerise! What a lovely name for such a lovely face~" Tenor complimented, making the earth mare giddy.

"Gotta say, love the outfit you got on," Bass added in, twirling her around in his hand to get a better look at her while the audience eyed her with interest. Never had she felt so much attention before! It was almost overwhelming. "Why don't you show us your dance moves, baby~?"

"Yeah, DJ! Hit a beat!" The pegasus demanded before new music began to boom up the club back to life. As best as she could, Cerise swayed her hips and legs to the rhythm while the boys followed in sync. Once her confidence came back, the earth pony showed off everything to the public eye, flaunting her chest and assets with such a teasing demeanor before grinding up with each stallion, much to their delights.

"Whoooa, hun! Those are some slick moves~," Alto murmured, wrapping his arms around her hips to swing them along together. Cerise mewled from the contact, pressing her rump against his groin while her arms secured his face. "Yeah, Cerise. Maybe we could get you to be one of our back up dancers!" Bass added in as his brother pushed her up to him. The poor mare's head spun as each Sixth Measure member swung her around in their arms while grooving to the beat.

"B-back up? O-oh no, I much prefer to be your leading lady," she insisted, managing to catch her balance away from the stallions who looked among each other.

"Hmmm, I don't know about that, sweetie," Tenor said. "You've got a certain look and flare about you that says 'Alluring! But from a distance.'"

"Yeah, take it from the professionals, babe," Alto added in. "You're better off backing up the chorus than taking center stage."

"W-what? No... No, no, I can be more than that!" Cerise insisted, clutching her fists angrily. "I'm more than just a pretty face with boobs. I'm the daughter of the most powerful king in the world! I-I refuse to stand by and let people tell me what to do!" A dark purple aura flared from her hands and feet, hazy steam wisping from the corner of her eyes. The Clef brothers all backed up, frightened by the sudden change in tone.

"U-uh hey! Calm down there, Cerise," Bass requested gently, holding up his hands. "We didn't mean it like that."

"Y-yeah! We really like your dancing! We just thought you could make better use of your talent, is all...really!" Tenor added in, sweating bullets.

"What my brothers are trying to say is," Alto gulped. "We, uh...think you're more than just...a-a pretty face?"

"No," Cerise growled, her voice laid in darkness as her energy began to ignite the room with darkness, the crowd screaming in terror. "For too long have I been a liability to my father and friends. I know I can be more useful than just some...some tramp! I'm better than this! Better than them! Better than YOU!" She unleashed her fury towards the terrified boyband, their bodies dissipating in the shadowy veil until the entire building was white. Cerise shook off her daze before realizing the empty white void before her. She gazed at her own hands, unable to comprehend what had happened.

"D-did I do that? No, I...I didn't mean it like that...d-did I?" She questioned, so confused over what transpired. A much as she wanted to be more useful, she didn't want to hurt anyone! The ebony mare looked around for any direction that might lead her out of this place and to where her friends might be. They needed her... She knew they did deep inside. Taking a deep breath to calm her fiery nerves, Cerise rushed off through the void, searching for an exit.

She would be the one to rescue them.

*****

It had been or an hour since Midnight Blitzer and Sunny engaged in combat with the twins, barely able to push back under the ceaseless rampage. They were soaked in sweat, muscles taut, uncertain if their allies were even still alive.

Sparks bounced off the invisible barrier Sunny raised, hammered on by axes. “Naagh! Shit, I can't hold out for much longer," she warned through staggered breaths. "We better retreat before I end up tapped out!"

“No! Keep going; I can take them,” insisted Midnight, ignoring how hard his heart was hammering. His eyes wide and his snout drawn into a grin at the thrill of it. His wings beat happily. “Phew! This is exciting! Just need a second to catch my breath, and-”

He couldn't finish as Sunny grasped his arm, channeled all her magic into her horn, and blinked them away. They reappeared in some random portion of the maze, landing on their butts. She leaned on the mossy wall, huffing. Only the fact that the manor's power was stretched thin between trapping their friends and empowering the twins had allowed her to momentarily overcome its suppression, and it had taken nearly everything out of her. “S-sorry, I'll...need to rest a while,” she wheezed out.

"W-what! Aw, c'mon!" Midnight shook his head, his blood still boiling. “What was that for! I had them right then and there! We could've ended it!”

“Or we would have lost our lives to this house for no reason," retorted Sunny, her narrow gazing piercing through his innocent eyes. She took a moment to catch her breath and wiped a sticky stray lock from her forehead, thankful that the narrow corridor they'd ended up in appeared to be safe for now. “Look, I ain't got a death wish, not after my life turned around with the help of some good friends. I don't know about you, but I rather not lose my head over senseless fighting.”

“Oh, please, I wasn't going to die. It was just...starting to get kind of fun," he admitted.

“Fun? Don't tell me you're one of those macho types,” she grumbled with a shake of her head. Removing a flower from her satchel, she munched on it to calm her nerves and offered one to him, which he took and after a shrug ate it.

“We can't wait here forever,” he reminded her. "They'll figure out where we are."

"I know," she sighed, lowering her head. "I'm hopin' we might stumble on the others, but I've got no idea how else to reach them."

"Yeah...grrr, I feel like such an idiot for calling out Moxxi! I thought she would have helped us."

"Mmm, it's a little unwise to attract attention, especially with all the monsters lurking around the labyrinth. Just...give me a few minutes, and we'll get going soon."

Midnight nodded, his own nerves calming as he chewed thoughtfully. "So, uh...what's the story between you and Shadow Scythe? You helped defeat her, right?"

“Yep. Obviously, she's still sore about that. Not a lot is known about her, really. She was supposed to help guide souls to where they're meant to after death. But then she betrayed her fellow reapers, joined up with Grogar just to back-stab him and stole his powers, then butchered everyone that stood in her pursuit for power. She actually managed to slay Beatrix, too.”

He quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head. “Really? Then how is she here?”

“To make a long story short, Beatrix has this connection to THE grimoire on the dark arts, the Necronomicon. Every power-hungry sorcerer wants to get their hands on it. Beatrix's mom, Trixie, made contact with the tome during a battle with a cult that had seized it and subconsciously drew on its power to shape her daughter while she was still in the womb. Being the narcissist she is, she made her child a literal clone of herself, albeit with a touch of Twilight Sparkle, who she was thinking about at the time, hence her color scheme. As a result, Beatrix was born with a portion of the book inside her.”

Midnight took a moment to take it all in. “So she's fused with some creepy old book?”

“Mmm, scratch that. She's connected with this false deity of an abomination called the Demiurge. A creature that consumes everything in its path to empower itself. Trapped under Beatrix's skin, she used to believe it was her real self, not helped by how there was this race of creatures called the Eldritch that pursued her and eventually started to worship 'her' as their dark messiah. The Demiurge was momentarily torn from Beatrix's body after Shadow Scythe cut her down, then revived her after it crawled back into her skin.” She shuddered to recall that last part. “Thankfully, Beatrix finally found a way to free herself from that monster.”

“Wow.... That is a lot to take in, I admit! I'll have to ask her more about it later,” he said, rubbing his chin.

“You know, it's strange; I thought I was beginning to see a pattern. Everyone pulled in here has a connection to darkness. Beatrix and Shadow Scythe are obvious, Cerise is Sombra's daughter, Moxxi's an imp, and I became a she-demon that one time. Hell, from what Beatrix told me, the twins were involved in the Cult of the Nemesis that pursued the Necronomicon in one universe! But you? I don't see a hint of darkness in you. Maybe you're not so innocent in some other reality?” She pondered with a smirk, throwing a lazy wink his way.

“Bah, who knows? Hard to believe there are so many universes out there,” he shrugged, wrapping himself in his plumage. “The dark arts, though? I could understand why some would pursue it. If I had more power to look after my friends, I'd risk everything to obtain it."

Sunny pursed her snout. “Careful, that's a dangerous path. Plus, it's harder for a non-unicorn to cast spells. Some think it's not possible for earth ponies or pegasi, but so long as there's innate magic in a creature, anyone could potentially do it. And for all the talk of a 'Unicorn Master Race,' most of your average unicorns don't have the patience nor dedication to work more than casual, weak telekinesis. Top-tier wizards like Twilight, Starlight, or Sunset are scarce. I'm one of the lucky ones, really.”

“Huh.... Well, that's a shame. I'd really like to learn it myself," he confessed.

“Hey, I could probably teach you, given a few years at least. That's why most wizards started young. It would be easier if you're already used to some form of magic, but you're pretty much green.” Sunny let out a long sigh. “Sorry, I'm not much help when it comes to that.”

Midnight smiled. “Nah, don't worry about it! It's just wishful thinking, really...hmm...” He rubbed his chin, losing himself in thought over all that had transpired.

His mind wandered to the Crystal Pony twins, unable to deny his curiosity about them. There's so much he wanted to know but couldn't exactly ask in the heat of battle.

However, maybe they would offer another reprieve if they managed to survive that long? More than the hunt itself, he looked forward to their next respite, hopeful the maids could help fill in the blanks.

*****

Upon their return to the maze, Beatrix strolled alongside Moxxi, certain that whatever horrors awaited within couldn't compare to that terrible dream. They had walked through a white door that opened up then closed behind them, the imp able to sense where her friends were and took her to them. The pair soon arrived where Midnight and Sunny sat in wait.

“Yo,” called Sunny, who waved and shot to her feet. “Oh, thank goodness you're alright! Where are the others?”

“Cerise should be here any moment,” said Moxxi, avoiding the unamused look from both Sunny and Midnight. “It shouldn't be too long. I don't think she'd be one to have any skeletons in her closet. Shadow Scythe, on the other hand.... Ohhhh~" She quivered in place, rubbing her shoulders."Lemme tell ya, out of all the fiends and demons I've run into, she's probably the most messed up in da head. Poor girl ain't fairin' too well."

On cue, another white void opened from the ceiling, and out from it spilled Cerise, tumbling down to the group. Beatrix and Sunny lit their horns to catch her in their aura, but it was Midnight who swooped up and caught her. “O-oh, uh.... He-hey there,” Cerise giggled bashfully, her face lighting up while nuzzling his armor-plated chest. “Good catch!” She relaxed in his strong arms, wishing to stay in his grasp.

“No problem,” he said and gently set her down. “So, what's our next move? Take the fight to them?”

"Bad idea," Beatrix said while chewing her lip. "Besides you, Middy, we're mostly all magic-based. And who knows what the manor might pull behind our backs. We have to rescue Shadow Scythe."

"WHAT!?" Moxxi and Sunny said in unison.

"Did ya not just hear me a couple seconds ago, lov? Did ya get dicks on da mind while I was talkin?! She hates us! She hates you, especially!"

“Yeah, I'm with the imp. No way!" Sunny agreed, placing a hand on her hip. "She's more trouble than she's worth. I say let her rot in perpetual nothingness or whatever hell she's locked into!"

“We needher help,” assured Beatrix, not wanting to abandon any more problems she was responsible for; the biggest concerning the reaper's well being. “No offense, Midnight, but one soldier can only accomplish so much, plus we can't work the full brunt of our spells. She's our best bet. Especially since Moxxi isn't exactly reliable,” she emphasized with a stern glare at the little imp, who flashed a sheepish smile.

“Look now! Just because I'mma a bit of a stinker doesn't mean I can't pull my own weight. Remember, I don't have to help ya out as I'm not part of yer team, B."

"Don't think I'm letting you off the hook that easily. You still have a lot of explaining left on your part," the witch scoffed.

"I-I know! I promised I would, and uh...hold on a moment. Somethin's a Lil' off here. Mmm...and it's comin' from...you!" She puffed out of Beatrix's glare before reappearing behind Cerise, giving her a smack to the ass.

“H-hey!” Whined the dancer, bouncing away while rubbing her butt through her hotpants. “What do you mean-” She suddenly collapsed to her knees, hissed, and curled her arms around herself, eyes sealed shut as black wisps rose from them.

“Cerise?!” Beatrix dashed to her side before shooting a hard look back at the imp. "What did you do!?"

"I-It wasn't me, honest!" Moxxi protested before gasping. "L-look!!"

The violet mare gazed back with a similar sound, realizing Cerise's eyes were starting to glow like her father's.

“St-stay back,” warned Cerise, clenching her teeth and started to growl. She trembled, flesh twisted on her slender back, fangs popped out, enshrouded in an aura of purplish-black darkness that swirled around her shapeliness. Nails turned to claws.

She rose and bowled the witch over, clawing at her tube-top to rip it open, breasts bouncing out as they were bared to them. Similarly, she tore away her hotpants to leave herself fully exposed, her eyes turning to a hellish crimson as they opened, a spray of blood erupting out wounds in her upper back as a pair of bat wings arose out the slits.

“What the...a thestral?” Midnight shook his head. “I thought she was an earth pony?”

“She's supposed to be,” Beatrix insisted before approaching cautiously. “Cerise Silhouette! It's your friends! Can you understand me?”

Cerise's intense gaze slid over them. Rather than answer, she raised her arms and began to dance, her outstretched leathery bat wings washing her nude curves in hot, sticky scarlet that dribbled down them, stuck to her fur, and made her moan. Many neon colors slid over her charcoal skin and entranced the onlookers aside from the imp, who had a bit of drool leaking down her gaping mouth.

She swayed her supple breasts, hips, and buttocks in a slow, sensuous dance. Droplets of red fell off her erect nipples. Looking between them for the potential best prey, she settled on Sunny and plucked her up.

Speedily she sailed away with her prize, awareness returning to the hypnotized Beatrix and Midnight, still sluggish and feeling like they were trapped in molasses.

“I don't know about you, but I'd say she found some spiritual awakening," Moxxi mused with a flicker of her tail.

Set to follow, Beatrix realized she'd sped away so fast even Midnight would struggle to catch up before she vanished into another series of corridors that spanned in various directions. “Crap!” She smacked the wall. “We have to go after her! Moxxi! Leads us to--where are you going!?"

“Mmm, temptin' darling, real temptin',” teased the imp. “But I've got somethin' else that needs my attention. Call it a hunch, but I believe there's somethin' buried deep within the manor below; something the manor's tryin' to protect. Gonna see if I can reach it for meself. I'll explain myself later after ya caught up with Cerise. Ciao~!" She vanished in a plume of colored smoke.

“No, wait! Stop!" Beatrix called after, only to reach for her tail and grasp the puff of smoke left. "Grrrragh! Damn that imp!"

“Forget her," Midnight said. "It's just us for now. We better head out while there's still time!"

“Uuugh! You're right,” she sighed in disappointment, events continuing to spiral out of her hands. She rarely played the role of a leader, more suited to support in her mind. But she'd have to kick her ass in gear if they wanted to escape this nightmare alive.

He took point, spear at the ready, and she fell in step next to his march. Obviously, he resisted the urge to spread his wings and speed ahead from his subtle twitches but restrained himself so the unicorn could keep pace. She was tempted to break into a mad dash, but the memory of the bear trap that had eaten through Shadow Scythe's ankle reminded her to remain cautious.

*****

“Mmm...Cerise?” The whisper sleepily came to Sunny's lips. Taken to somewhere private, like she was a succulent meal ready to be consumed, she shivered and wobbled on her feet, forced to lean on the edge of a fountain discovered in the midst of a clearing. A trio of nude mare statues stood back-to-back at the center, each one carrying jugs that overflowed with fresh water. On closer inspection, she realized they were immaculately carved in the voluptuous likenesses of Celestia, Luna, and Cadance.

Splotches of her own dried blood coated Cerise's thin, charcoal coat. She wrapped her bat wings around the goth unicorn, drew her closer. Her claws sunk into Sunny's corset top, yanked it down, and slightly tore it, heavy breasts spilling loose amidst a wobble. An involuntarily moan escaped Sunny, head cast back as fangs sunk into a supple tit.

Cerise closed her lips around a wide nipple and happily sucked the sweet nectar that oozed out the twin marks her love bite left. Slurps sounded, and warmth filled her belly, cheerily drinking it down, more predatory animal than a woman in her unbearable hunger. Greedy hands slid lower, violently yanked down her skirt and panties, crotch slicked by Sunny's arousal.

“Oh fuck~” Sunny whimpered and writhed, froze up in unspeakable ecstasy, her cheeks burning bright. Hands wandered over her exposed flesh, kneaded her breasts, thighs, and buttocks until she squealed and small squirts escaped her inflamed slit.

Awareness returned to a half-fed Cerise who pulled back, still attached to her tit by bloodied saliva. “Sunny? I-I...”

She'd lost herself in the moment, awakened to a part of her she never knew existed. A darkness born from her father that tied her to the Necronomicon, despite her innocence. Quiet tears rolled down her cheeks, unable to believe what she'd done.

“W-wow. That was wild,” Sunny sighed dreamily, eyes glazing over.

“You're...not mad? I took advantage of you,” said Cerise, who looked away. Sure, she'd been overwhelmed by sheer instinct, but that didn't remotely excuse it in her mind.

To her, it was unforgivable. Nausea caused her stomach to seize up.

“Don't feel bad because I certainly didn't," Sunny snickered. "I'm sure you couldn't help yourself, what with how whacky this house gets."

“But...” She turned, unable to hold in her sobs, only for Sunny to embrace her from behind. Was it her fault? It was what she wanted, after all. The ability to better help her friends and not feel so useless. She shivered, and Sunny pressed closer to her slender back, arms wrapped around her midsection to warm her up. “Th-thanks,” she sniffled.

“Think nothing of it! Honestly, it's on us. We shouldn't have underestimated you.”

“I don't want to hold anyone back or weigh them down. But what if I can't control this?” She curled her wings about her front, studied the vein-like membranes that spread like a spiderweb across the thin, flexible tissue.

“I'll help,” offered Sunny. “I know what it's like to lose control. I bet Beatrix does too. Speaking of which, we better get back to them soon.”

“Y-yeah.” After another sniffle, Cerise helped her redress the best she could, thankful her top wasn't so torn it was useless. She scooped Sunny back into her arms, flexed her wings, and carried her back down the gloomy maze.

With her bloodlust half-sated, it was easier to control her hunger, but she knew there was always a risk she could slip over the edge.

*****

Unaware she was caught in a loop, Shadow Scythe replayed the same scenario with increased frustration, too single-minded in her obsession to realize she was trapped. She snarled and hissed, brought the blade down over-and-over, watched her 'allies' fall. Limbs were severed, heads chopped, blood-splattered, but she remained unable to escape the prison of her mind.

“Damn you!” She scrunched up her bloodied face and huffed, the whimpering mess that was Beatrix curled up in a ball before her. Torn and stained pages from shredded books fluttered in the air around them, the library an absolute wreck.

Using her free hand, she seized the witch by the mane, dragged her shaking form across the viscera that trailed between them down shelves. Another reminder of Beatrix's failure the reaper wanted to rub in, her slaughtered friends strewn about like so much garbage.

Yet, no matter how many times she broke her, it somehow left her completely dissatisfied.

What she didn't realize was that the manor had watched them all since they were drawn in to decide who to keep and who would simply be more fodder. Due to the natural darkness in her Shadow Scythe was easily the most promising. Someone who could help hunt down creatures across dimensions far better than the twins could ever hope to.

“Wh-what,” murmured a barely conscious Beatrix whose sleepy eyes turned to a white void that opened up ahead.

“Shut up,” she warned harshly and kicked her in the ribs, answered by a satisfying crack and shudder. However, the moment she saw the doorway, memories, and awareness of what had happened flooded back. She bitterly sighed and silently berated herself, aware that she'd been fooled this entire time. “It was all just...a dream. Huh.... Well, it was somewhat pleasant,” she coughed. "At first."

Aware that there was no reason to stay, this Beatrix no more than an illusion, she dropped her and brought the sickle down. Another scream and a hot splash of crimson splattered her stained white robes, Belladonna twitched and breathed her last, and after that final sliver of satisfaction to vent her rage, the reaper stepped into the mysterious rift.

She arrived in a spacious bathroom, not unlike the one where they'd met Moxxi. “Huh...?” Before she could even begin to adjust, the twins seized her weapon and started to disrobe her. She hissed out, “Hey, what are you up to-”

“Calm down,” chastised the surprisingly strong Foal-Bearer. “It's time for your baths.” She nodded at a spacious pool at the center where steam rose, her companions already submerged. “Another duty we must perform for our guests.”

“You survived another round,” added Wet Nurse. “So relax and enjoy yourself for the next hour!”

Grumbles escaped Shadow Scythe, who nonetheless let them strip her, lead her to the waters, and start to soap and rub her down. Warmth enveloped her, and she forced herself to settle down, her cold gaze focused on Belladonna.

Midnight watched the twins in fascination. “Why do you two hunt naked?”

“It makes us feel like wild animals,” calmly explained Foal-Bearer. “Primal, apex predators with no need to hold back.”

“Huh. What kind of animals do you picture yourselves as? I like to think I'm a wolf!” He thudded his bare chest.

"More like a dumb puppy," Shadow Scythe grumbled.

Wide smiles that revealed their sharp teeth crossed the twins, who said as one, “We also identify as wolves.”

“Really? You seem more like cats to me.” He shook his head. His eyes trailed over them, less out of lust and more curiosity, as their prismatic curves speckled. To him, they looked like priceless pieces of art that belonged in a museum.

“He's a weird one, sister. I like him,” salivated Wet Nurse. “Should we keep him as a pet?”

“Mmm. We've always shared everything,” reminded Foal-Bearer, who traced her sister's cutie mark, the two female symbols interlinked. They pleasantly shuddered at the contact. “Yes, perhaps our master will allow it, should he survive.” They sunk into the pool around him pressed their bare suppleness to his muscles, and he felt his loins stir.

“H-hey,” Cerise proclaimed, wading over. “Leave him alone!”

“Why? Jealous we made the first move, and you didn't~?" Wet Nurse challenged, a sly smirk on her face as she stroked his chest.

“Now, now, sister. We're supposed to take care of them. Why not let her join us? I'm sure he'll appreciate it,” mused Foal-Bearer, who traced his four-pack. “No surprise he's so strong, given it was Shining Armor who trained him. It feels like a lifetime since we were invited into his and Cadance's chambers to bed them. But I suppose this stud will do as a replacement.”

Cerise pursed her snout, blushing furiously. “Please, don't listen to them! You...could make love to me,” she offered with a bashful flutter of her eyes and blush, her head half-turned aside. “You haven't been with a mare, right?”

His oblivious stare met hers. “I-I still don't understand. Why does everyone keep getting naked around me? W-what even is a stud?!"

Beatrix just watched speechlessly while Shadow Scythe was clutching her chest with laughter over how stupid this was.

He was hushed by Wet Nurse, who touched his lips. “Do not fret, Cerise. Should you survive, you'll be an excellent addition to his herd!”

“N-no!” growled Cerise, balling up her fists. “That's not right! I won't stand here while you manipulate him! S-say something, Beatrix!"

The witch paused between splashes. "Uhm.... W-well, he should be making his own choices. If he wants to be with them, I won't stop him. But I won't approve either," she said, crossing her arms under her impressive bust.

Truthfully, she wanted to punch his v card herself. But she sensed that Cerise might be growing some affectionate feelings for him, so she silently kept aside, less she awaken more of Sombra's powers within the dancer. She didn't plan to settle down like he might plan to and wasn't certain he would settle for friends-with-benefits, either.

“It's my turn for a wash,” said Sunny, who had waited patiently for her chance.

“As you wish.” The twins reluctantly removed themselves from the stallion and waded over to her. The moment they laid hands on Sunny, she seized their arms with fast reflexes and eyes burning white.

They were momentarily frozen in place, overwhelmed by her empathic abilities as she attempted to 'purify' them. Succeed, and the evil would be burnt out of them.

Yet if they resisted too much, their sins would cause them to spontaneously combust until they were reduced to a pile of dust and ashes.

“St-stop!” cried Wet Nurse, eyes filled with tears.

“It's too much!!” whimpered Foal-Bearer, similarly assaulted by buried memories.

The surroundings around them twisted, deposited the group back into the center of the maze, their clothes and weapons back on them. Shadow Scythe realized it had been another illusion, albeit this time everyone there was real. She realized it was the manor's power that warped the interiors, the sentient abomination disguised as a mansion to hide its true nature.

As Sunny's touch continued to work over the maids, the surroundings further warped, their link to their master severed...and without their perception to help maintain the illusion, the truth was laid bare.

It was like they were trapped in the belly of some horrific creature, the fleshy, moist surroundings dripping and convulsing, the air rank with various scents.

Thankful that she hovered above the floor, Shadow Scythe heard the sucking sounds of Beatrix's heels on the slimy floor. A multitude of eyes studied them in all directions.

“So this is your true form,” the reaper muttered. Or at least how best they could perceive it; she knew some abominations would instantly drive one mad if you looked upon their real shape.

Wet Nurse said, “Stop...p-please.” The twins sunk to their knees, covered their faces, and choked on sobs. “What did we do...?”

Foal-Bearer held her, and they shook. “It's okay, sister. We'll make for it, somehow.” They were forced to relive their crimes, minds have broken after the mansion tortured them into submission, the various victims drawn in that they'd hunted down, beheaded, heads collected, and corpses tossed into the earth. Dozens butchered at their hands, all to serve their master.

“How can we? We're beyond redemption,” whined Wet Nurse, unable to accept madness and possession as an excuse.

“It's done,” said Sunny, who gently removed her touch. “The manor corrupted them, but I drove the sin out of them.” She studied the insides of the creature that enveloped them, paled at the realization it could swallow them at any moment.

Midnight asked, “Does this mean they can come with us, too?”

The twins shared a look, uncertain if they were worthy after their crimes. They hesitated, still shaking and crying.

“It's okay,” said Beatrix, who took a step forward through the discolored tunnel lined in sludge. “We can-”

Before she could finish, Shadow Scythe raised her weapon, then rushed forward in a flutter of her robes. In a wild swoop, she removed the twins' heads. The lobbed off heads rolled, blood spurted out of opened necks, and their carcasses slumped. Cerise screamed. The reaper cackled in delight. “This is exactly what you deserve-”

“GRAGH! I am so SICK OF YOU!!” Shouted Beatrix, who tackled her and knocked the sickle out of her hands. She laid into her in a flurry of punches, half-blinded by tears, straddled the reaper to keep her pinned, who was unable to properly retaliate due to the potion she'd been pushed to consume.

Despite her inability to retaliate, Shadow Scythe cackled between the punches rained down on her, blood running out a nostril, thankful for another chance to stab a knife in Beatrix's heart and twist it. “Stop,” called the weeping Cerise, pulling the witch off the badly beaten reaper. “That's enough.” She hugged Beatrix, who was still huffing and teary-eyed between her snarls at the reaper.

Shooting to her feet, Shadow Scythe lit her horn and wrapped her aura around Cerise, yanking the dancer into her arms and placing her shiny blade at her throat. “Finally, a shared assessment, Belladonna,” she snarled, cutting a little into the skin and letting a trickle of red dribble from the tiny wound. “Now then, shall I add her life to your growing list of casualties? What will her parents think of you when you return with their daughter's flayed corpse!?”

Beatrix stared in alarm. 'She shouldn't be able to use magic, not like this!' she thought inwardly. 'How did...wait' Upon a further study of the reaper's horn, a faint x mark glowed around it. The implications were clear. "Moxxi!!"

“That's right." Shadow Scythe smirked hatefully. "Turns out that imp is good for something after all. Whatever she did restored a portion of my powers, probably to make this interesting. After I desecrate you and your friends, I'll have to find her and give her my thanks...by giving her a swift death!"

"And then what, Shadow Scythe?" She demanded. "Will you finally be satisfied? Will my death bring you peace?"

“It's a start~" The reaper sneered. “Now bow your head to me. Otherwise, I'll tear this pathetic whore apaaaarrahh!?”

Unaware of Cerise's new nature, leather wings exploded out of the dancer's back in a hot crimson spray, and the thestral hurled her with a strength that belied her delicate appearance. “I will not be held captive,” she yelled at her. "Not by the likes of you!"

“What? How!? When!!?” Shadow Scythe huddled in her robes, tossed next to the corpses of the maids. She spotted Midnight and Sunny, who moved towards her and prepared another spell, certain she had enough left in her to make an exit at least.

“You've really made me angry, Shadow Scythe,” cried Cerise. “You will learn to regret that. Along with all your other crimes!”

But before any of them could act, the area around them rumbled. Groans surrounded from deep within the beast, growing in intensity by the moment until a fissure started to open at the center.

Cerise dove to sweep up Sunny, and Midnight did the same to Beatrix, lifted them up high as the hole continued to open. Around its sides were rows of serrated razor teeth, slathered in mucus and saliva.

Shadow Scythe tried to hover above, only for a series of slimy tentacles to shoot out from the blackness and seized her ankle. She swiped at them, managed to sever several, only for dozens more to replace them.

The extensions wiggled and thrashed each time she chopped one up, more intertwining about their prey. The heads and bodies of the twins were already tumbling down into the abyss, and the reaper screamed and cursed them all, before she too was inevitably dragged into the bleakness...

Chapter 5

“Ngghn.... Where am I?” The former reaper stirred within the depths of a dungeon. Shadow Scythe found nothing but grey walls around her, on the verge of crumbling from age. Its interior was filled by what appeared to be a laboratory, the tables lined by equipment in a mixture of science and magical materials.

She brushed down her moist robes, used her aura to float her sickle beside her, and hovered over to study the instruments. Rats scuttled and squeaked below, the ceiling and corners adorned in cobwebs, and she realized this place was partially drawn from her memories.

Another dream? No, she didn't think so. Yet, it was still an illusion formed by the 'manor.' Its alien voice emanated through her skull, a pulsation of pain throbbing through her. The sheer agony forcing her to her knees, barely able to take the strain.

How fortunate was she to be more than a mere mortal, whose head would have burst open into an explosive mess? Its words sounded like meaningless babble, but somehow she understood it perfectly.

“Naaagh!! W-wait, hold on. This is...all for me..? I am to the master of this house now? Is that right?" The manor responded by summoning the headless, denuded corpses of Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse, propped on chairs before a table where their heads were plated. Bright colors of potions, woven by alchemy, reflected off their prismatic coats. Shadow Scythe's headache lessened in severity, giving the pale unicorn some breathing room before she retorted.

"I-I will do as you ask.... In exchange; I want my power fully restored," she accepted grimly. Surely, the entity would see this as fair trade, something she would exploit later once the time came to enact payback.

And, sure enough, the pressure within her skull receded completely, allowing her to rise. Immediately, Shadow went to work, a rush of heat throughout her flesh invigorating the reaper as she was infused with magic that flooded her entirety.

Her aura lifted her scythe and set it aside with a clank, and she began to chant, flooding the twins with her power to keep them preserved.

Over the next hour, she took a spool of thread and needle, set the heads on the maids' necks, and sewed them back into place. By the time she tied the last thread, she had realized something was amiss. “Wait a minute...I think I mixed the heads up.... Bah, who cares?!" She shrugged with a cruel snicker. "You're both just worthless whores in the end. Interchangeable. For the time being, I'll make good use of your bodies."

The death dealer laid hands on their shoulders and emptied a portion of her strength into them amidst more chants. The interior darkened, the torches hissed and threatened to be snuffed out, and her robes rustled about her. Their bodies shook, weak murmurs slipped out their lips, but she left them to sleep for now, until her living dolls were ready to be used.

Necromancy. A specialization that had a 'light' and 'dark' form. Many ponies feared this style of magic, hated it, and mistook it as something inherently evil. Death was above the concepts of good and evil. It could be used to communicate, discern their wisdom, and help put souls to rest. It was how she had begun, recruited by the Lunar Princess, the skull and crossbones cutie mark that adorned her flank incredibly rare. Quickly she had been indoctrinated as a grim reaper like her 'brothers and sisters' in the order.

But the tedious task of guiding souls to the afterlife quickly bored her. Days were spent in Tartarus between her assigned tasks, reading about the history of Equestria and all its secrets. Including the dark arts and the Necronomicon, passing mentions of them made but most of the knowledge locked away by the Princesses, forever beyond her grasp.

In frustration, one day, she had been approached by Grogar, proposing the chance to aid his schemes. After a short internal debate, she readily accepted, offered a chance to absorb the souls of those their demon army slew to empower herself.

Eventually, after he abandoned her to die due to a failure, she had taken the chance to put him to death; having discovered a loophole while she had faked her death and now able to steal souls directly to strengthen herself.

At this point, she believed herself nigh unstoppable. Until her enemies had arrived and beaten her. She held Sunny and Beatrix in particular responsible. She fantasized about turning them all into her tortured zombies, enslaved to serve her for eternity.

She settled into a chair, brewed herself tea from the ingredients on hand, and poured herself a steamy cup she sipped at, satisfied by her latest work. A click of her fingers and the eyes of the twins snapped open. They prostrated themselves before her in obedience, earning her wicked grin as she pressed the flat of a foot over their faces. “Good. In the ground, under my heel, as all things should be.... But don't worry. You'll be back to hunting soon enough."

The pair nodded, whatever recollection and morality awakened by Sunny once more forgotten inside their souls. Trapped in the infused death magic Shadow Scythe commanded.

“And what of Midnight?" Foal-Bearer asked.

"May we keep him?" Her sister requested.

“Hmph...I don't see why not. But only after you've brought him to me," the reaper decided. An undead soldier would prove useful to her cause.

The reanimated twins shared a smile, bowing low before their mistress, conditioned to serve her without question. For now, her master gave her free reign to experiment. Perfect replicas of their maid costumes were conveniently placed on a rack nearby, where she ordered her 'dolls' to redress themselves before dismissively waving them off to tidy up the dismal place.

After a short rest, she drained her cup, stretched with a wide yawn, and got back to work, ordering around the maids to fetch her tools and ingredients as needed. Seeing all of them were still trapped in the beast's belly, Shadow Scythe found no need to rush her experimentation.

With luck, those fools would be trapped in an endless maze, unable to escape the agonizing torment she planned for them.

*****

Amidst a desperate escape, another white door materialized in the midst of the fleshy crevice. "Over there! Quickly!" Beatrix shouted to her companions. It was a risk to take these white doors, but they were without a better alternative.

They escaped into the rift that closed behind them, deposited into another room. This one was dim, with the interior smothered in sensuous, neon pink. A spacious bedroom, complete with silk curtains and heart-shaped pillows, a jacuzzi that bubbled, and a stockpile of varied drinks ready to be consumed. “Uuuugh.... Well, this was the last thing I was expecting,” the witch said, astounded.

“I'm not complaining,” motioned Sunny, settling herself down with a pour of a drink into the offered cups. "Any place that has free alcohol is a safe zone in my book!"

“It's pretty cozy looking!” Agreed Cerise, retracting her wings back into the slits of her back, now that the danger had momentarily passed. Her cheer softened upon the troubled expression of Midnight. “Hey...I'm sorry we couldn't save the twins. I mean, besides the manor making them murder happy, they felt like nice people deep down. And they surely didn't deserve the way they died."

The sturdy pegasus nodded somberly. “Soldiers often die in war. Civilians die, too, if they're not evacuated. I just...never thought I'd see it first hand so soon...”

She held his hands and offered a sympathetic smile. “One of my brothers is a soldier. It was through his cunning strategies and firm determination he rose all the way up to General. I"m sure you'll get there someday, too! If there's anything you ever want to talk about, I'm always here for you, okay?”

“Thanks,” he replied, though he kept his distance. “So, we're just gonna rest here for now?"

“So far, this has been the only comfy looking place since the bathroom,” Beatrix concluded, plopping her round butt into the bouncy bed. The aroma and atmosphere certainly smelled like that Imp, so she couldn't get too comfortable. For someone who 'claimed' to be a victim of the house, Moxxi sure had a lot of influence on corridors. The witch growled internally in frustration, determined to get the answers out of the lesser creature once she caught her. But knowing her, she'd pop up again when it was convenient.

Beatrix let out a weary sigh. At least the room provided a chance to consider all that had happened recently. Shadow Scythe's inevitable betrayal, the murder of the twins, a darkness in Cerise none of them expected, and the abomination's true nature disguised itself as a mansion now revealed.

She bowed her head, eyes watering, forced to accept that the reaper was likely beyond redemption. Was she even still alive?

She was supposedly immortal, yet the last they saw of her, she had been swallowed up by the beast...

“Let me help,” Cerise offered, undoing the soldier's armor, blushing over the act of undressing him. She got really heated over these eyes watching her remove her tube top and pants, that innocent confused look she had gotten acquainted too.

Once they were in the bubbly waters, Midnight sighed as his tired muscles relaxed. She rubbed him down using a soap bar, traced his taut musculature, trailed half-lidded eyes over his supple form.

“So tense,” she noted to herself before tracing over the entirety of his plume.

“Yo, save room for me!” Called Sunny, having emptied a whole bottle before stripping off to jump right in with them. “Ooooooh, that hits the spot~! Could we just not leave this place? It's been too long since we got to take it easy."

"We can't," Beatrix said bitterly. "Who knows how long this place will last before the house shifts again. Gotta keep on our toes." Unlike the rest of them, Beatrix was constantly fidgeting, unable to get comfortable no matter how hard she tried.

Was she to blame for Shadow Scythe's crimes here, and what happened to all the victims? No, she refused to accept that. She would take responsibility for any mistakes she made but wouldn't allow them to weigh her down. She tapped her foot along to the beat while she considered their options...wait a minute. What beat?

"Hey, who turned on the music?" Sunny asked.

All eyes fell on the source. An old radio was bouncing along while playing an old-time diddy, remixed with modern music. And by the stand was the dubious imp, dancing along to the rhythm, swaying those swinger hips along. Surprisingly, she had adorned a fancy, glittering red dress that, despite covering her up more, showed off all the curves and assets she shook.

"Now this is da good life, aye, lovelies~?" The demoness sang cheerily.

"Moxxi!" The hot tub companions exclaimed.

"You!!!"

The music immediately stopped as Beatrix seized the imp by her tiny shoulders and slammed her into the wall, a painful yelp coming out of her.

"W-whoa there, lov! I like the approach, but yer a Lil' too aggressive for my taste," Moxxi quipped with a sheepish grin.

"Why did you give Shadow Scythe's magic back?!" Beatrix demanded, not in the mood for the devil's antics. "Just to screw with us?"

"N-no..! Weeeeell, not entirely. I wanted to know how much power I did have. I wasn't expecting my magic to fully dispel yer...spell!"

"You idiot!! You could have gotten Cerise killed! Hell, I have half a mind to hold you responsible for what happened to the twins!”

"Hey now, don't be throwin' shade at me just to hide from yer own guilt! And you and I know who's the real cause of yer anger, don't we, lov?"

Beatrix glared hard into the sharp eyes before loosening her hold, partially blinded by tears but refusing to let go. "I-I know! But that doesn't excuse you ditching us like that!"

"Wasn't askin' for it. I know imma bit of tease, it's in my nature," Moxxi giggled before sighing, approaching the witch more seriously. "Look, I really do need yer help with somethin' if you hear me out. There's a lot you and I need to talk about, and I rather it be by mashin' our cunts up each other than tryin' to kill each other. Savy?"

Taking a sharp breath, Beatrix nodded and removed her grip over the imp. "Alright, let's hear it," she agreed.

“Smashin'~,” Moxxi smiled, dusting herself off. "Okay! So remember when I left right before yer big fight with Shadow Scythe?"

"Trying really hard not to right now," Beatrix sternly fumed.

"Good times! Anyway, there's this 'basement' I found a while ago, really just the bowels of this creature. Sealed off where no one can reach it. Lemme tell ya, it's hard trying to pull yerself out than it was pushin' in! I don't think the twins knew about it. But there's something hidden down there, and I can't open it on my own."

"So you want our help," Beatrix added in with an arched eyebrow. "And I'm guessing this may help you achieve full demon status?"

"Yes! See, I knew you were smart! And if ya think disarming magic and shiftin' rooms is a hassle, wait until you see me in my full glory~" The imp chimed, posing to show off her voluptuous frame, tail wagging excitedly.

Beatrix deeply considered it before nodding. "Alright, fine. But only because it might be our ticket out of here."

"Hot pockets! I knew you'd see sense eventually~! Now let's get down and dirty!" She flew up to smack the radio awake to resume playing her tune, resuming her little jig on the edge of the jacuzzi. The music and dancing were so infectious that Cerise eventually join in, giggling. "That's the spirit, lov! Yea, shake what yer mama gave ya~!"

“Hey! Stop encouraging her," Beatrix chastised.

"Oh, lightin' up, Beatrix. Just a little harmless fun," Cerise said, playfully sticking out her tongue while Moxxi followed suit, shaking her rump much to the witch's chagrin.

"Ugh! Where did you even get that dress?!"

"The closet, lov," Moxxi pointed to the other door just next to the bed. "Lots of neat stuff and clothes to try on." Beatrix decided it best not to give any more attention to the imp, lest she lose her nerves. Exploring the closet, the violet unicorn found many costumes that matched their own wardrobes, not that she needed to worry about that since she could summon back her own garments at will.

She plucked out a witch's hat and studied it, her face suddenly drawn. Memories of the first one she'd received from her mother, Trixie, rushed to the surface... and a similar one she'd offered to her own daughter, Abadonna, much too large for the child's head. She could still remember her happy expression on receiving it.

Her hands quivered, and she sniffled softly, almost forgetting where she was, her thoughts now distant.

"Whoa, hey hey hey!" Moxxi jumped in, offering tender claws to hold her hunching shoulders. "What's gotten yer panties in a twist, lov? Is it...about that dream?"

"Wait, you were there for her dream?" Sunny asked, suspiciously.

"Were you there for ours?" Midnight added in, concern over the sudden sorrow his friend showing.

"No, I wasn't. I was well into my own until somethin' caught my attention and brought to this...horrifying world of black and white, an--"

"W-what she means to say is that she pulled me out," Beatrix interjected defensively, clutching the hat tighter to her chest.

"Black and white? Hey, kinda like Abby! Did she appear in your dream?" Cerise chimed in before immediately realizing what she had said and covered her mouth.

"Cerise!!"

"O-oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I-it slipped, I didn't mean to..."

"Abby? Whose Abby?" Sunny asked, confused.

Pressure welled up in Beatrix's chest, all eyes on her now. With a deep breath and weary sigh, she forced a smile to her lips. "It's fine, Cerise. It was bound to come up sooner or later," she answered. "I...have a daughter named Abadonna; Abby for short."

"A what?!" Midnight exclaimed. "But.... But I thought you said you couldn't have children!"

“It's...complicated. I am barren, and by all means, I couldn't have. But remember how I mentioned Moxxi being a Vice Lord?"

Sunny and Midnight recalled and nodded.

"Well, I fought with one who...made it possible. And after she was born and he was defeated, Abby was trapped in a dimension where I couldn't reach her. It's on a higher plane, beyond my current powers. That's one reason I've continued my adventures since then, as I'm growing with each one. I'm searching for her...and I know he's searching for her too...”

"Beatrix..." Sunny said softly, astonished by what was described to her. Moxxi was uncharacteristically silent, her eyes wide with dread and sympathy.

"W-well then we have to find a way out sooner then!" Midnight proclaimed, his innocent eyes meeting hers. "Take me along with you. I'll help you find her! If we run into that creep, I'll-"

"NO!" Beatrix shook her head. "Midnight, he's not like anyone you've battled. He's extremely versatile and dangerous; it took a miracle to figure out a way to stop him!"

"B-but I..."

“Look, I'd rather not put more people in unnecessary danger, especially when that's my fight. Although admittedly, I'm not sure I can do it on my own. I'll...I'll have to think about it.” He seemed dependable, but she didn't want his death on her conscience. Normally she only took those with her she was certain could handle themselves, and while he was certainly a skilled fighter, she had no idea how he'd react if she brought him into a scenario that made this nightmare seem like child's play by comparison.

“Yeesh, Beatrix," Sunny added her voice to the conversation, reclining in the tub. "Talk about your ups and downs. I would never have guessed you'd have a kid!"

“Well, not the last time we met. I can't control when I arrive in a parallel dimension; sometimes it's practically instant, other times years have passed. The one constant is I've never traveled backward in a timeline. It almost feels like I'm summoned when I'm needed,” she explained and clasped a fist around the Prima Materia that kept her cape pinned.

“Yeah,” Cerise added in, leaning over the tub's side and resting her chin on her hands, her moist breasts draped on the rim. “Beatrix was there when I was still a cute little baby, then she returned a couple of decades later, and she hadn't aged a day!”

As the chat became more lighthearted, Midnight's eyes wandered to Cerise's heart-shaped bottom, the mare bent over before him. Usually, lust was alien to him...but ever since her little dance with Moxxi, his heart started to flutter a tad in her presence.

His loins stirred a tad, and she couldn't help but remind him of a thestral soldier he knew back home, despite how different their personalities were.

She swayed her hind end with a playful sashay that made a splash over his abdomen and winked over her shoulder. He swallowed hard and smiled back, unable to help the reflexive stiffening of his plumage to their full span.

“Looks like the 'classic mating position' got him,” teased Sunny, who winked.

“Mating position?” He tilted his head, unable to help but stare at the bright pink of Cerise's partially exposed butthole and slit. She and the twins had helped awaken a new hunger in him, one that instinct pushed him to sate.

“O-ooh! Umm, mmm...” Beatrix chewed on her lower lip. “H-hey, Mox. How safe is it here?”

“Safe enough to rub one out to boys back in Manehatten," Moxxi purred, her thighs rubbing together while her tail 'pulsated' in rhythm. "Or, y'know, long enough for Midnight ta finally accept the keys to dat cake factory~!"

Cerise turned to him, her face heated and her supple curves dotted in droplets. “Not sure you're ready to go all the way yet, Midnight, but it doesn't seem fair to work you up and then not help you out! If that's okay?” He nodded, and she waded over, then knelt before him. “If anything about this makes you uncomfortable, just say so, and I'll stop immediately, no questions asked.”

She started by tracing his muscles, starting at his chest and moving down his stomach to his thighs.

She stared up into his eyes, planted small kisses around his crotch but didn't make contact, and his shaft started to rise from its sheathe. By the time it went fully erect, his meat had fallen and slapped her over the head, between her eyes. “Wow,” she murmured. “You're huge! Just like your wingspan,” she teased and breathed in his musk, her own thighs rubbing together.

His heart raced, and he licked his chops, mind dulled as primal instincts surfaced. A hand went to her head, running over her scalp, and she mewled in appreciation, pressing her tongue to the base of his cock and lapping over his medial ring, all the way to his flare, where she kissed his wide tip, her lips glazed in his salty precum that she slurped from his urethra.

“Oh wow,” he murmured, and his cock twitched, his heavy balls swollen with the need for release.

Soft giggles tickled his tip. Her half-lidded eyes matched a coy smile, and she raised her heavy tits with both hands, cupping them around his member and squishing them together. Slowly she started to rub them up-and-down, wrapping her lips around the head of his dick, worshiping it with sensuous suckles that made him groan and lightly buck his muscular hips.

He played with her pigtails, undoing the star-shaped baubles that held them, letting his body act independently. The binds were set aside on the wet floor, and silky neon pink locks trailed around Cerise, who happily licked and sucked on him.

Spurred on by their audience, she started to blow him faster, his hands now locked onto her head. She submissively took him deep as she could while keeping her tits sandwiched around him, wet squishes sounding each time until she felt him throb in her mouth.

“A-ah,” he cried, unable to hold himself back any longer as his stallionhood started to violently pulsate.

Pulling loose with a wet pop, lips still connected to his dick by saliva strings mixed with pre, he whimpered and started to let loose his first payload. She stuck out her tongue with a wink, giving him double peace signs, as the first thick blast of cum slapped over her scalp and the second blasted over her snout, between her eyes. She tittered, more shots hitting her all over the face, coating her tongue in salty spunk, painting her shiny wet tits, which she started to bounce atop her palms.

She wanted to make this moment memorable to him. After all, there was a chance she would settle down with him!

Beatrix's cheeks burned, her nipples painfully erect at the lewd display, the crotch of her costume stained by her own need. She mumbled to herself, “I wonder if her parents would approve of him? He's chivalrous, so maybe father was that much of an influence on him?” Of course, it wasn't her Shining Armor...but like Trixie, she considered every version she met her parent. Her thoughts were interrupted as a pair of claws pushed and squeezed at her ample tits while something long slithered to flicker between her legs. Loud gasps came out from Beatrix as Moxxi leaned to her ear.

"Lemme make up for all da times I've done ya wrong... by doin' ya right~" She offered while tweaking and tugging at Beatrix's hard nipples. Too bothered by the eloping happening before her, she nodded and moaned along while the imp worked her magic in stimulating her hards nubs.

“Whoa. That was amazing,” he admitted, chest rising-and-falling as he grinned down at the cum-stained mare.

“Happy I could help! Could you do the same for me, too?” Cerise planted her bottom on the side, leaned back, and parted her thighs. Ribbons of pussy juice connected the hot pink walls of her partially exposed pussy, her heart-like nub of a clit swollen.

He moved in like a hungry wolf, started by licking her puckered asshole, and she whined in response. Gradually he traced his tongue up her inflamed slit, then sunk in his muscle, tracing circles as he licked her gooey walls clean. She groaned and clawed at the ground, bucked her own hips into his face, eyelashes fluttering, and her cunt starting to wink around him, dripping wet.

Already sufficiently worked up by the blowjob she'd given him, it didn't take long before she kicked her legs, squealing once she squirted into his mouth. He drank it down, continuing to lick her dry, amused by her reactions. Before, she had him under her control, but now she turned to putty in his hands, more of her love nectar oozing out with each wink over her asshole.

“Oh damn it,” she cried, biting her lower lip and scissoring his face with her slick inner thighs. She hunched over, clawed into his back, twat pressed so hard into his snout it slipped into her depths as she continued to squirt over him. After she finished, she collapsed on her back with a wet slap, breasts expanding each time she took a strained, heated breath.

"A-augh fuck, that's good! Mmmm, a-aah!” Moaned Beatrix, who was busy having her marehood masturbated by the imp's grinning tail. When the spade wasn't digging at her folds, the mouth on it would open to lather her with its tongue. "W-whaah!! I-I thought that was just paint~!"

"Pft! You should see me in gangbangs. I've got plenty of places to stuff chods into~" Moxxi laughed, licking and kissing the unicorn's cheek while bouncing her boobies around.

"O-ohoh, sign me the fuuuuuuu-aauck! I mean, C-Cerise! I-I take it he's good?"

“Oh yeah. He's a definite keeper,” answered Cerise between gasps. “Not every stallion who'll eat his girl out, let-alone be skilled at it!” She stroked his cheek and pulled him atop her, tempted to take this further but determined to remain patient.

Midnight said, “I still don't understand, but it felt reallynice.” His massive wings curled around her, feathers like a bed of downy that she cuddled in. Holding her snout to his chest, he asked, “Is this what the twins were planning to do with me?"

“Maybe. But I doubt there's any real affection beneath that lust,” she murmured.

“They certainly weren't themselves,” reminded Sunny, who shook her head. “Too bad we couldn't save them. At least that bastard Shadow Scythe got what she deserved. What will happen once we leave this room? We'll be back in that monster?”

“Oh, yer still there,” Moxxi explained while her tail's appendage twisted deeper into Beatrix, earning a loud squeak from her as femcum drool down her spaded tip. “Ya simply couldn't perceive its true form until now!"

Sunny scratched her scalp. “So...why doesn't it just swallow us up?”

Moxxi released her lustful grip on the busty unicorn as she slumped over to catch her breath while the imp began to remove her now drenched dress. "Not sure. Maybe it's not able to! The creature needs ta whittle its victims down before devourin' 'em. Probably the reason it used the twins as agents, to run us down like horny hornets 'til we gave into despair. It's a battle of wills, lov." Though Moxxi suspected that there was more going on and Shadow Scythe hadn't been consumed by the beast. Chances are, it transported her elsewhere for whatever reason, and the murderous reaper was biding her time before popping up to hunt them down the line.

"So...guugh," Beatrix added in, catching her breath. "It can't eat us unless we believe it can?"

“Bingo, slut~!” The imp snickered at Belladonna's flustered glare. “In truth, while the creature can shift the dimensions of its interior, I don't think it can attack us directly. Except maybe at its core, wherever that is. Maybe that's what it protectin' down below! Anyhow, we still have to worry about any traps the twins set up if they're still there. Not to mention this place sucked up monsters that now roam the interior, too. Who knows what kind of panty-wetting nightmares await us! Isn't that excitin'~?”

"No."

*****

A three-headed hellhound was splayed on the operating table, its wild fur rust-colored. Labored breaths emerged from its maw, doped up heavily to keep it incapacitated while Shadow Scythe carried out her grim work. She had requested many monsters to experiment on, and the master provided, as they aimlessly wandered into her dank lair, bewildered as their surroundings shifted and herded them into their doom. Swiftly, the maids had wrangled each wild beast.

Having drawn a line on its chest, she carefully slit down the mark using a scalpel. It whimpered, helpless while her latest vivisection began, similar evidence of creatures she'd turned inside-out piled into a grisly tub that overflowed with blood and innards the maids struggled to clean. Dispassionately she studied its pained reactions, curious how long it would last.

It was another secret of a necromancer who plied the dark side of their arts; the ability to study a being's innards and discern their secrets. Each one she butchered allowed her to gleam another mystery polite society had forbidden her.

A heavy pressure rumbled in Shadow Scythe's skull. “Grrngh! So...they're on the move now, are they?” Before her master had seemed unconcerned, but now images of the manor's deepest section flashed in her mind's eye, and compelled her to safeguard it. Tossing her scalpel onto a tray with a clink, she sighed and smoothed down her stained and tattered robes, the half-dead hellhound left to whimper as it would take at least an hour to expire on its own. “Very well. Foal-Bearer, Wet Nurse!” The maids snapped to attention. “It's time to hunt. I'll lead this mission myself,” she announced and hefted up her shiny sickle.

“Time to bag us a Midnight Blitzer,” they announced as one with a shared smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” She swished past them in a rustle of robes. “Slaughter the rest of them for all I care. That includes Sunny since she hardly matters to me anymore. But Beatrix is mine...” The fool had the audacity to try and change her, and pride demanded she rub her snout in the dirt at the depths of her failure.

Now that her powers were returned, she would claim their souls, and through them, would be able to hunt countless more across an almost infinite number of dimensions.

Grabbing their axes, the maids cheerily hummed and trailed out the dungeon after their mistress. Their skirts fluttered in the draft, and their leader sailed ghost-like in her bloodied white robes, hooded and hemmed in black trim. Dark circles hung under icy blue eyes that appeared to glow; her snout drawn in a malicious grimace at what was to come.

Like the twins, her birth name was long abandoned, similarly chosen as theirs was to match her cutie mark. A constant reminder on her flank that she was born to be a monster. Her fellow grim reapers were simply in denial and deserved their deaths at her hands, foolish enough to blindly follow the Princesses who tasked them with meaningless drudgery for all their wasted lives.

She knew the truth. Deep down, everyone was out for themselves. They obeyed simply because it offered them security and companionship, neither of which ever appealed to her. She couldn't remember loving anyone, not even her parents.

Climbing the crumbling stone stairs, they ascended back to the maze, brought back into existence by their perceptions. The labyrinth manifested throughout the darkness before their eyes, and the sisters cooed and sparkled in delight. She imagined each hedge has obscured a portion of the abomination's grotesque innards.

Unlike the maids, Shadow Scythe wouldn't bother with a reprieve for their guests. She'd always been efficient. To a fault, some of her instructors had chastised.

Love? Familial bonds? Like most she'd met before her betrayal, her parents believed she was simply cold because she felt like an outsider, not helped by her grim cutie mark. Instead, she had secretly worn the adornment with often unspoken pride.

“I can't wait,” said Wet Nurse, who obsessively rubbed the stitched scar around her neck.

“Patience, sister.” Foal-Bearer held her clammy hand and squeezed. “Midnight will warm us up soon.”

Waving a sleeve at them, Shadow Scythe ordered, “Silence, both of you.” The howls of wild beasts sounded from deeper within, loosed by her master, who she realized struggled to act on its own.

Without agents like them to act as its 'hands,' the abomination was practically helpless. She pondered if perhaps it strained to maintain its existence in the realm of the flesh, as its true self existed on another plane?

If so, it was another weakness she could potentially exploit down the line. A thin smile crept onto her snout.

She studied the twins from beneath her hood and realized that it had taken quite some time to break them, warping their perceptions until they surrendered to madness to escape the anguish; and that a similar fate might have lay in store for her and the rest of Beatrix's team had they not escaped their trap. It had been looking to replace the twins for some time.

She had been chosen. Naturally. Her palm stroked a mossy wall, and she further speculated the beasts trapped here were similarly drawn from other universes, sucked in wherever the phantasmal mansion passed as it attempted to interact with the mortal realm. Most would have thought the abomination mad, but she knew it didn't think like mortals did.

The alien was a living dimension. Its own miniature cosmos, displaced and unable to fully integrate itself into another universe.

*****

Her fists flared with an ethereal energy that matched her horn, and Beatrix launched a colorful blast that forced the hellhounds before them to scatter, growling and whimpering. “Is it just me,” she called between huffs. “Or has our magic gotten much stronger?” Her cape fluttered after her, her entirety rushing with raw power she channeled from her core.

“Definitely,” shot back Sunny, who raised a shield that deflected the flames breathed their way. Embers danced off the invisible barrier, smoke pouring around the cramped tunnel. “I think the manor's influence is growing weaker!”

Scorch marks painted the battlefield. Ashes whirled in the air that carried an acrid stench. While only a portion of their full potential had returned, the magicians were now able to tear through the walls that once bound them, supported by Midnight and Cerise, who fought side-by-side. Despite her lack of experience, the dancer's now bestial instincts helped carry her.

“Watch out!” Cerise called out, fluttering away.

“Don't worry about me,” said Midnight, who grinned, blotches of scarlet across his armor. “Here, catch!” He tossed his spear to her, which she caught, and instead, he unsheathed a sword at his hip he'd discovered back in the love motel room.

“Thanks!” She kept her distance, stabbing at the drooling, snarling beasts that thundered their way. She'd never taken a life, barely harmed so much as an insect, but the predatory instincts that now burned inside helped Cerise push down her hesitation.

While she still had her reservations, Midnight sailed next to her the best they were able in the enclosed space, his smile warm and his eyes alight with delight. The rush of blood made him feel more alive than ever, bloodlust from battle and desires aroused by Cerise and the twins awakening a part of him he'd been completely unaware of in all his short life.

“Let's just blast our way through,” called Beatrix brashly, tossing a smoke bomb from the folds of her cape. The object rolled and hissed, spewing dense clouds that obscured the path behind them. “Moxxi, where are you?!”

“Still here, Lov!” The imp groaned, vanishing in puffs of colorful smoke rapidly to confuse the scattered monsters. Though some came close to grabbing at her tail.

“Not much of a team player, huh? Well, I'm used to playing support, too.” Beatrix shook her head and then launched another beam that seared into solid stone.

They were reliant on the imp who lead the way between the battle with their pursuers, now able to tear down the maze with ease and take shortcuts that allowed them to close in on their destination.

She wondered what waited at the very bottom. The mansion's heart, hidden to protect itself? Knowing it was pointless to focus on right now, she shook such thoughts away, chanted, and called on the elements, colors flashing over her allies and opponents alike as she helped Sunny unleash a storm. Gales tossed the hounds about, some of them flash-frozen in an instant.

“Almost there, I think,” said Sunny as the tossed about beasts rained down and bounced yelping off her shield.

“You think the manor's trying to exhaust us on the way there by throwing all it has at us? Must be getting desperate,” Beatrix said hopefully, breathing on her fingers, surprised at her own strength.

It had been a while since she'd been able to really cut loose. Her mentor had taught her well, and while she wasn't nearly on Sunny's level, her talents were far beyond the norm.

“Maybe. Best not to get cocky,” answered Sunny, who took a moment to study the devastation they'd unleashed.

Portions of the earth were iced over and sparkled. Tufts of rust-colored fur still whirled in the winds. Walls were cracked and fallen entirely. And that was merely a taste of what they could do. After she had united with her counterpart, Sunset Shimmer, she'd awakened to her own potential, but unlike her, Sunny had never been formally trained to harness that raw power.

“Hey! No time to dwindle,” broke in Moxxi, poking at her belly. "No need to be holdin' back now either, lov.”

Midnight panted as he and the dancer landed. “Can't believe it's over already!” He wiped his bloodied sword on the fur of a dead hound, one of several who'd fallen at his hands. He'd beheaded and dismembered them in the heat of battle, almost in a trance once his blood was up. “Hey Cerise, you okay?” He turned to her, concern written on his features.

“I'm fine, thank you!” Unlike him, Cerise still hadn't managed a clean kill, the several monsters she wounded left for him to finish off. Her heart raced with ambivalence at what she'd been driven to do.

Was she truly her father's daughter? Sombra wouldn't have hesitated. But then again, he'd never lived a pampered, protected life under a concerned mother.

He'd been forced into a life of hardship at an early age from what little she knew, from a rather primitive time. Once more, she took the soldier by the arm and pressed close to his plume, wondering if her parents would approve of him?

He tore a strip of his tunic over his armor and tied it near the spear's point. “Something to help us bond.”

“How romantic,” she said and batted her lashes between titters, wiggling in glee and making the bells on her costume jingle.

“Oye! Lovebirds! Time and a place for makin' goo-goo eyes at each other. Mama needs her mojo back!” Moxxi growled, beckoning them with both claws. They spread their wings and sailed to catch up, Beatrix stalking alongside the imp who bounced in the lead.

Whenever a trap reared its head, the imp was quick to point them out and disable them with a touch of magic, due to her chaotic nature detecting certain anomalies in their surroundings.

They soon arrived back at the fountain, where the voluptuous nude statues of the Princesses towered. “So it's beneath here,” reasoned Beatrix, to which the imp nodded. She started to approach, only for the fresh water that flowed from the urns to suddenly turn bloody and flow over the sides where they pooled before her heels. She stared upward. “You! How the-?”

Seated at the top were the twins, who smiled and kicked their feet. “Welcome back, everyone!”

“You're still alive?” Midnight tilted his head. “What happened to you two?”

“Oh, you know,” came another familiar voice. Above them, Shadow Scythe materialized like a phantom, her weapon held in her grasp. ”A little necromancy and some inherited magic means not even death is an obstacle...at least not to me!” She coolly smiled down on her enemies, seeing them take defensive stances. “You wish to cross this threshold? Then you'll have to go through us first.”

“Fine by me,” said Beatrix, who pursed her snout and took a step forward.

“Wait,” called Sunny, who raised an arm in front of the witch to stop her. “How are you still alive? We saw you-”

“Get swallowed up? Yes,” mused Shadow Scythe, whose black-lined white robes rustled around her. Icy eyes heavy with dark circles traced over them. “The manor has appointed me the new master of the house. The rest of you weren't worthy, I'm afraid. And through our mutual hatred for you, I've almost returned to full power! Almost. Your souls will help me fill in the blanks!"

“Tch! And I bet you plan on betraying the manor too, right?” Beatrix scoffed while pointing at her. "When are you going to learn? You've become nothing but its pawn!"

“Pha! As if simpletons like you could ever understand. You know why I was granted such an exceedingly rare cutie mark? Because I was born as a candidate to become a Goddess! The rest of the reapers were fools to chose servitude! The Princesses feared our potential and tried to suppress it, but I refuse to be contained! For I am death incarnate!" She cackled maniacally.

Beatrix planted a hand on her hip. “Done with your trite villain speech? Because I'm just about finished with you!”

Memories of how many times and ways she'd slaughtered the irritating little witch and her friends surfaced to the forefront of Shadow Scythe's thoughts, her cruel grimace widening. “For once, the feeling's mutual! You were born cursed with your power!” She nodded at the swirling cosmos cutie mark on her partially exposed flank. “A bad omen! One fated to ruins whole galaxies! I'm sure it's your fault Shining Armor died! And as a Goddess, I've come to sit in judgment of your sins!”

“Look out,” warned Cerise as the reaper swooped in and flashed her sickle. Another smoke bomb was cast, Beatrix rolling to avoid the blade. Immediately the twins hopped down, axes at the ready to match their teeth-baring smiles.

A rush of sheer magic rushed from Shadow Scythe's horn, and Beatrix desperately raised a barrier, sliding back on her heels that dug into the earth with a grunt. Sweat poured down her temple, struggling to keep pace, only to be aided by Sunny, who added her own mystic might to the equation. But she too was pushed back against the reaper's beam, who doubled down on her attack.

“Come with us,” teased Wet Nurse between swings at Midnight. “Cerise can join you, too!”

“Don't you want her to submit to you? To be part of your herd?” Foal-Bearer made their pitch, engaged in her own melee with him and Cerise. She purred, “She can help us fulfill your every unspoken, taboo fantasy...”

Still unable to fully understand what they offered, nonetheless he couldn't deny how they thrilled him, both in-and-out of battle. They were able to match him blow-for-blow, and their exotic nature similarly fascinated him. He'd always been different from other stallions. His wingspan much larger, and likewise his 'package,' as a classmate had teasingly told him in the unisex showers.

“Stay away from him!” Declared Cerise, stabbing at the elder twin.

Foal-Bearer replied, “You want him? Then prove it after you've wrestled him from our cold, undead hands!”

“You hear that? They're not even alive!” Cried Cerise who poked at her. “I'm not sure any of their old selves are left in there!”

“I think their souls are still trapped in there,” called Sunny over the deafening sounds of magic she, Beatrix, and Shadow Scythe worked in an attempt to turn the tide, still locked between their colliding beams. “Probably pushed way down deep, but who knows if their consciousnesses are still locked in there, forced to helplessly suffer and watch as their flesh reacts?”

“That's horrible! I'll set them free,” swore Cerise, certain they were better off dead than left in such a state.

The sound of glass shattering caught their attention as Beatrix was blasted to the other side of the wall, yowling in pain from the impact.

"Beatrix!!"

Shadow Scythe hovered before her, weapon poised at her throat. The struggling unicorn mustered one more effort to blast the deadly scythe wielder, only for her to deflect it with the edge of her blade. "Your time has finally come, Beatrix Belladonna. Now die, knowing you've failed to save those you love once again!"

But right as the final blow was about to be delivered, a puff of neon smoke appeared as Moxxi caught the blade between her claws, a wicked smile on her face. "Forgettin' someone, lov?"

Shadow Scythe jerked back, seething at the lowly imp who kept getting in the way of things. "Pft. Doesn't matter! All of you will be dead at my feet!"

"M-Moxxi, move..." Beatrix groaned, her limbs shaking to pull herself back up. "She's so strong, I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me.... I-I can, I'll.... Gnngh!"

"I understand what yer feelin', lov." The imp glanced back at the unicorn, a sad smile on her painted lips. "But you need to save yer breath. Yer not gonna rescue my niece if you tryin' to finish a fight on death's door..."

"Your.... W-what?!"

"I've been meanin' to explain lov, but... I guess we got caught up in this. I've still got my promise to ya. Once you and yer friends are safe...I'll tell ya what ya need to know." She crossed over her heart, reminding Beatrix of the gesture before the little imp turned to face the reaper. Taking a deep breath, rainbow-like light began to illuminate around Moxxi, the entire room whiting out.

"Graagh! What is this?!" Shadow yelled, shielding her eyes. The rest of the fighting halted, everyone blind to really continue. But the light dimmed down as the colorful haze swirled over the levitating figure. Everyone gasped over the sight that they saw.

In the place of the imp was instead a tall, curvaceous creature. Two pairs of bat wings spread from her back to curl over her figure. Two tails coiled around her long legs. A long, asymmetrically woven dress hung lowly from her shoulders, showing off her impressive bust. What was once messy short hair had grown too long, flowing locks with a wide mane. Two horns twisted in different directions. Her cheeky smile remained as her multicolored eyes opened...before a third eye revealed itself.

"Moxxi!?" Beatrix stammered in alarm. The full devil turned back, chuckling softly—her voice lower pitch and far more sultry.

"It's as I said. Things get different once I'm in my full glory," she explained before turning to address the stunned reaper and the maids. "And this maniacal Lil' cunt isn't prepared for the world of hurt I'm about to put her through~."

"Pft. So you got taller!" Shadow Scythe scoffed, unimpressed. "I'm still the master of this house! Life and death are mine to rule over! Doesn't matter who is in my way. All will be cut down!" She lunged at the newly formed demoness, who would shift quickly to another part of the room, poised with the grace of a ballerina.

"Well, you're not gonna cut anything down swinging wildly, like that, deary~."

"Grrrrngh!"

The chase was on. Shadow Scythe continued to slash and blast at the demon, who kept moving around at blinding speed, striking many fabulous poses. While the twins were distracted watching, Midnight, Sunny, and Cerise helped Beatrix stand up.

"You alright?" Sunny asked, checking for any cuts or wounds.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Beatrix insisted, pulling away from their shoulders to direct her focus on the battle at hand. "But what happened to Moxxi? I thought she couldn't..."

"More lies, perhaps?" Midnight suggested.

"I don't think so," Cerise added. "She was very adamant on finding this part of the manor. Maybe she can't hold onto this form for long..?"

As the group's questions and concerns continued, Shadow Scythe grew more irritated, being unable to land a single blow to this taunting demoness. "Enough of this!! Taste inescapable death, you whore!" She shouted, her scythe emanating deathly energy before she slashed a wave at her, much to her amusement.

"Oh love, you are mistaken," she sighed, striking a pose as weird energy glowed around her hands. "This isn't the end...but the beginning~!"

Suddenly, the entire room began to spin and distort, causing gravity to be thrown off balance. Beatrix yelped as every inch of the corridor bent to the demon's will, which rose out of Moxxi's hand and fired out a wave of bright pink waves, disrupting the flow of the projectile before it disintegrated into mere specks.

Shadow Scythe stammered in disbelief. "WHAT!?"

"Behold, the power of Eris! Behold, Anarchia!" The demoness declared, her eyes shimmering before unfurling her wings to unleash the full might of her archaic magic. The room's colors constantly shifting as before arms formed out to make a grab at the reaper. Desperately, she slashed at the reaching arms, trying to find her footing.

But the flow of gravity pulled her into each wall while Anarchia remained still in the center, channeling her prowess to make sure Beatrix and her friends remained unaffected by the mind-boggling energy.

"Whoa.... This is so trippy!" Sunny proclaimed, growing dizzy from the display of light and movement.

"I-I never thought Moxxi would be anything but...small," Midnight admitted. "She's...so powerful!"

Beatrix remained disarrayed, a feeling in her chest of familiarity upon watching the little imp unveil her true form, displaying her chaotic powers. Anarchia secretly was straining to main the flow she committed. This form was difficult to maintain, feeling all the energy she collected drain from her. This was to be her trump card in case of emergencies like this.

But the raw explosion of light and waves would be too much to hold. Still, it kept her foe on edge, being battered around the room like a ping pong ball before getting blasted by the twisted pressure.

Soon, the world around them stopped spinning so uncontrollably, Shadow Scythe finally maintaining her position by wrapping herself in her own cloak of aura. The twins had landed in the fountain with a bloody splash. She gazed maddeningly at the imp turned demoness as she refused to let up her potent waves and disarming magic.

The fact that someone so small hid this much power was inconceivable! Shadow Scythe cringed as Anarchia unleashed one more blast of disorienting power, faced with a raw force that reminded her of the Elemental Titans that once served under Grogar. She hated to admit it, but in her current state, this devil was gonna shred her apart to such a degree she wasn't certain her immortality would save her.

Would she be reduced to a bunch of pieces, aware but unable to perish? She shivered and raised her barrier, which formed a nigh-indestructible bubble around her.

“Damnit, you.... I can't...hold out!” The demon strained, already feeling her form beginning to collapse from exhaustion.

“Damn you all!” Cried Shadow Scythe between clenched teeth. “Twins! Fall back now!” The twins nodded, but not before they lunged towards Midnight, breaking through the faltering magic field, protecting them, and tackling the stallion, his blade knocked from his grasp.

Trying to dive in, Cerise's bat wings beat furiously, and yelped as she too was tossed about some more. The twins stayed low and held Midnight down, straining to drag him with them to another void that manifested.

“Until next time,” said Shadow Scythe, who followed them into the rift. The white void closed behind them.

“Midnight? No!” Cerise tried to follow again, despite knowing deep down it was too late.

With the last of her strength zapped, the demoness lowered down onto the stable ground. The fountain erupted in a shower of heavy stones, and hot blood flowed out. Groaning, she fell to her knees before returning to her imp shape, panting hotly while struggling to hold her body up.

"Moxxi!" Beatrix rose up, rushing to lift the weak imp up into her arms. "Are you okay? What was that?!"

"A-aaaaang... I thought if I.... Haach! Ended it then and there, you'd all be safe.... But I guess I overexerted myself..." The imp muttered sleepily.

"C'mon, stay with me! I have so many questions! How was it you did all that? What did you mean by..." But her questions fell of deaf ears as Moxxi was out like a light, breathing softly. "Hgn..! Damn it!"

“We have to save him!” Cerise pleaded.

"Hey, look at that!" Sunny pointed at the hole where the fountain once stood. A river of crimson sloshed down the pit into a slimy tunnel where there came a faint heartbeat.

Shaken, Beatrix cradled the fallen imp in her arms. "Let's go inside. Maybe whatever's inside will help Moxxi perk back up."

“But what about Midnight?! He'll die,” reminded Cerise, who blubbered and stared at the cloth tied around her spear.

Beatrix shook her head. “Sounds like they still plan to make him their pet.” Not that it will likely be a much better fate, she thought but refused to say aloud.

Sure, they would offer him pleasures of the flesh, but at what cost?

“We'll do whatever we can to help him. I promise,” said Sunny, tracing the fracture in her horn. Thankfully, she didn't think it would be permanent, but it would take time to heal, and powerful magic channeled through it might misfire...or worse.

She imagined it exploding into shards, destroyed forever in a bloodied mess, and trembled at the thought.

“I'm sorry,” said Beatrix. “Hopefully, he can hold out until we find him. He's tough. After all, he was trained by my father!” She wasn't certain whether she was trying harder to convince Cerise or herself.

Forced to take the lead, she felt responsible for them all, and come what may, she refused to let them down! Her attention returned to Moxxi's clutching form and said, “You hang in there too, Lil' scamp. Ready to head down, everyone?”

Sunny nodded, tore part of her skirt, and wrapped her horn. “Careful, we're down an ally.”

“I know.” Not to mention they were all fatigued or otherwise compromised. But knowing it was far more dangerous to turn back now, Beatrix waved everyone to follow.

Sniffles arose from Cerise, who folded her leather wings around her and reluctantly fell into step, still taking looks at the void where her lover and their enemies had vanished.

Cautiously they descended into the bloodied hole, down the twisted slope, where stone soon gave way to a fleshy, bowel-like passage that trailed further downward.

*****

The incessant drip-drop was maddening. The prisoner wasn't certain how long she'd been trapped down in the darkness, where she should have been at home. She hung bent forward, naked and restrained by a series of heavy chains, trapped within a chamber where a continuous uneven heartbeat sounded that made the area shudder.

Barely able to remain conscious, the room itself drained her, a parasite that fed off her lifeforce...but she was weaker by the day, practically at death's door.

The she-devil's golden eyes stared down at her scarlet flesh. Stringy black hair curtained her human-like face. Atrophied leather wings drooped on her back, and a spaded tail draped down her buttocks.

She clawed at her palms, scratched with her sharp toes at the floor, clenched sharp teeth between bestial growls, all reminders the proud succubus had been rendered helpless.

Prey. Not unlike the ones she once hunted as a mindless monster, before she had awakened to self-awareness.

A creak sounded. The sealed double doors opened, and a sliver of light spilled in. Heavy eyes turned to stare, and a short but well-shaped silhouette spilled in across a floor decorated by a pentagram written in blood. “Who...?”

More footsteps echoed before Beatrix pushed through. Her eyes widened before she placed the imp in Cerise's arms. “Sister!

Cerise stammered before securing her hold over Moxxi's body. “Bellatrix Primadonna? You were captured by the mansion, too?” Rushing ahead, Beatrix was already hard at work to undo the binds, horn lit up in an attempt to break the powerful enchantments fused into the chains.

“Not sisters by blood, I take it,” observed a skeptical Sunny, who folded her arms.

“No. But she's one of the most important people to me,” admitted Beatrix, who hunched down and channeled her magic into a chain. In frustration, she threw her entire weight into it, throwing herself back and gritting her teeth while she channeled her entirety into it. Her hands and horn glowed, her eyes shut tight, desperate to free her sister as soon as possible.

“W-wait.... Allow me,” Moxxi quietly added, struggling to lift her finger up before drawing her x shape over the bonds. Despite her weakened state, her chaotic nature proved enough to make the difference as the chains snapped, Bellatrix collapsing to her knees while Beatrix tumbled backward with a yelp.

“Damnit, Moxxi! You really shouldn't be pushing yourself,” groaned Beatrix, who scrunched her snout and fluffed out her squashed hat in her hands. “Still, thanks...” She rose off her rump and dashed to her sister's side. “You up to travel with us?”

“I think so. But I'm still weak,” admitted the succubus who drew her mouth in a line. “Ever since this place captured me, it's siphoned all it could.” She slumped in her sister's grasp, barely able to focus her heavy eyes. “Whatever this abomination is, I get the sense it's one of the most powerful we've ever faced. Yet it's like a wounded animal, unable to utilize its potential.”

“Sounds familiar,” said Beatrix, and her sister shared a small smile with her. It was a melancholy reunion, another person close to her swallowed up by this monster and forced to endure torments for who knew how long?

She reminded herself that whatever Shadow Scythe claimed, she wasn't responsible for the actions of others, not even those villains who used her friends to hurt her.

The she-devil turned to address her sister's companions this time around. “So who are these two? This one looks an awful lot like Sunset Shimmer," stated the succubus.

“Not the one you've met,” Sunny cleared up. “I'm her counterpart from the 'human world,' as ponies like to say. Sunny.”

"And this is Moxxi," Cerise introduced, the imp dreamily smiling up at the fuller demoness. "She's an imp wanting to return to her full power.... She just spent a lot of it saving us. We don't know the details yet...“

"An imp? A lesser demon,” she stated, unable to hide an edge of contempt and pity. “If I was born that weak, I would have killed myself. But not to worry. I'll help you overcome your unfortunate limitations.”

"M-much appreciation, lov~" She giggled softly before shutting her eyes to rest for a bit longer.

"Admittedly, I'm not certain how much I can teach you. It's taken quite some time to understand myself.” Helped to her feet by her sister, she leaned on her for support, thankful that now the chains were removed, her strength had slowly started to return. She stared at the pentagram drawn below, her face drawn in quiet distaste. “How tacky.”

“I'd figure you'd feel at home,” her sister teased.

She was met by Bellatrix's casual shrug. “I'm not simply a succubus anymore.” She concentrated and groaned, flesh shifting before their eyes as she recovered.

Weak as she remained, she managed to shift her supple form, skin turning unnaturally pale, black locks turning to golden curls, eyes turning cerulean, leather wings shrinking into slits in her back only for a white plume to explode out in a shower of downy feathers. Her claws turned back to delicate nails, transmuted from demon to angel.

They watched, transfixed. A thin light radiated emerged from her bare flesh, dome topped by a thin halo. “For a time, I was trapped in this form,” said the she-devil. “Now I can switch between guises at will.” She rubbed the area where her curved horns had receded. “Sunny, is it? Allow me,” she said on her approach and started to undo her horn's dressing.

“Yo, what are you-” Hands were laid on the fractured horn, caked in dried blood, and warmth rose from Bellatrix's hands, which glowed like white gold.

Sacrificing a portion of her life essence, the cracks were filled in and healed over, and a soft moan escaped the unicorn. Within seconds the wound vanished completely, and the demon withdrew her touch.

Bellatrix heaved and murmured, “That should do it. A boon of this guise.”

“Hey, thanks!” Sunny rubbed her horn. “But doesn't that take a lot out of you? You already look half-dead!”

“I'll survive,” mumbled Bellatrix, who rubbed her forehead. “Besides, we'll need your aid to escape.”

Beatrix supported her with her shoulder. “Hate to say it, but it's not that simple.” She quickly summarized all that had happened so far, and the succubus nodded each time, used to her sister's wild tales. After all, she'd been a part of some of them.

“So Midnight's here too? Not to mention Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse? I didn't expect to see a civilian either,” said Bellatrix, who looked over Cerise. “Although it appears you're not quite the hapless wench I recall.”

“Come on, don't be rude!” Cerise scrunched her snout and flexed her wings. “I'll show you how far I've come!”

“Cool it,” said Beatrix, who came between her bemused sister and the irritated dancer, pushing them apart when they pressed closer together. “We're all on the same side!” She noted how much bolder Cerise had gotten, no doubt due to the animal instincts her thestral shape now burdened her with. “Please,” she asked more softly. “You're both dear to me. I need both of you.”

Cerise exhaled. “I know. I-I'm sorry. But I just want you all to take me seriously for once!”

“Mmm, I like this bold new direction.” Bellatrix smiled, unable to deny she admired her boldness, at the least. “Very well, I apologize, too. I sometimes speak without proper forethought.”

She offered her hand, and after a moment Cerise took it, and they shook. Beatrix breathed a sigh of relief, hopeful they could finally move on from this dreary place.

Beatrix turned to take in the chamber, realized that its outward appearance had started to warp and reveal the truth buried below. It appeared they truly were in the abomination's bowels, where the slick discolored walls pulsed, the heartbeat grew louder, and the chains were replaced by thick tentacles covered in suckers. She trembled, thankful it appeared unable to assault them.

A cape swirled behind her once she spun on her heel and marched out, followed by her allies, who trailed close behind.

After her sister recovered, she had no doubt they would be a match for Shadow Scythe, despite the reaper's deal with a devil.

Chapter 6

Having returned to her laboratory tucked away in the dungeon, Shadow Scythe drank down a cup of bitter tea, the steamy liquid settling in her belly. The latest beast she'd opened up was slumped over a gurney, dripping onto a sheet the maids had laid out, tongues hanging out the hound's mouths. Empty dead eyes stared at the gray, battered walls. She paced about, her latest setback playing over-and-over in her head, her plan ruined thanks to the imp’s true form.

Soft coos echoed behind her as Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse placed Midnight on a bed of clean blankets, stripping him down. They pressed their supple nakedness to the unconscious stallion, who stirred fitfully in his sleep, leg kicking out.

“N’aaaaw, He’s so adorable,” murmured Wet Nurse, who traced his downy feathers. “Such a sweet little pet he’ll make!”

“Careful not to spoil him, sister,” chided Foal-Bearer, tracing her fingers down his muscles to feel up his chiseled stomach. “A true stud can't afford to be soft, or his herd will lose respect for him. I hope we can add sweet little Cerise to our wonderful family.”

“Enough fooling around, you two,” Shadow Scythe seethed, tossing her cup away, the shatter startling the twins. “Break him in.”

“With all due respect, mistress,” began Foal-Bearer. “We shouldn't rush this! He should be allowed to reach his full potential. Certainly, he will make a powerful soldier in his current state, but merely that. We can mold him into the stud he was meant to be.”

“We can groom him into a proper stud,” Wet Nurse added, giddy with glee. “Help him become the hyper-stallion he is meant to be! Do you not know what that means?!”

“It just means he’s particularly virile,” Shadow Scythe scoffed. “What does any of that have to do with my plans, you lowly sluts?”

“Hyper-stallions can end up feral,” explained Foal-Bearer, careful not to sound condescending and to put on her most reserved, polite voice. “They can grow larger than average, as evidence by his wings…and other appendages~” She clinically traced his penis and testicles, swollen larger than before, even in his unaroused state after he'd started to sexually awaken.

“That means he will have more strength, speed, and agility than normal!” Giggles escaped Wet Nurse, who blushed bright and shook, unable to contain herself.

“And what about intelligence? Is that not enhanced?”

Wet Nurse said, “W-well, Scholars speculated hyper-stallions are a throwback to our primitive ancestors, so...”

“Phah! That would explain why he’s so dumb,” the reaper chuckled.

“Perhaps,” admitted Foal-Bearer, continuing to fondle his junk, causing Midnight to stir more as it swelled in her relaxed grasp. “However, it also makes him an ideal mate, able to pass on his genes to large herds at a time and ensure his offspring will turn out exceptional. We'll draw his domineering instincts to the surface, making him an excellent tool for you to exploit.”

Thinking it over, Shadow Scythe wondered if the older twin, in particular, was far more crafty than she pretended.

Was she trying to manipulate her because the sisters wanted to keep the endowed fool for themselves? Bah, It didn't matter.

More alien babble reverberated in her skull, and she understood with a nod. “Very well. For now, you have my permission to work him over as you like.”

“YES! Erm, I mean! Thank you!” Wet Nurse cheered sheepishly, bowing her head alongside her twin.

“We will no doubt surpass your expectations, mistress,” added Foal-Bearer, continuing to trace his groin with her sister. A low growl emerged from his snout, wingspan flexing, his stallionhood swelling out of its sheathe to fullness. “Oh my! Any poor, untrained mare would struggle to take such a monster into her! Thankfully, we have lots of experience handling studs like Shining Armor~!”

Wet Nurse burned all over, eager to take him into her, but a sharp look from her twin reminded her they shouldn't go all the way yet. They needed to work him up to that if they wished to see him become a powerful stud unlike any that had ever lived.

Perhaps the manor would even allow them to capture mares across dimensions and add those vixens to his herd? They believed a mare couldn't be happier than when she sexually submitted to a dominant stallion in their current state, slave to their vices.

Shaking her head in silent disdain, Shadow Scythe returned to her operation, gleaming what secrets she still could from the dissected hound. Her ears flicked at the sound of the twins running their tongues gradually up-and-down Midnight's shaft, its tip now runny as they lapped up his thin release and shared it between them, noisily making out around his swelled cock.

Curious, she paused to watch as his hands shot up and firmly seized the twins by their manes. They mewled in satisfaction, mouths forced down on his shaft one at a time, as he alternated between them.

Messily they sucked his thick vein-lined meat, taken to the base, strings of saliva and precum still attaching their glazed lips to his gargantuan horsecock that throbbed.

They were careful to keep him in a drugged state, somewhere between sleeping and awake, where his conscious mind was pushed down and a lusty, feral beast suppressed beneath that innocence was allowed to rise. A hungry, domineering creature who mares would thank to be broken by his pillar of masculinity.

His hands tightened in their hair, making them surrender. Howling, his cock and bursts of incredibly thick cum repeatedly fired over their blushing faces. Slapped by dense rope-after-rope, they stuck out their tongues, coated in layers of gooey slime that dribbled and swung off their chins.

Forced to close their eyes at the relentless onslaught that practically drowned them, more smacking over their bare tits in droves.

“Oh wow,” slurred Wet Nurse through a mouthful of spunk that clung to her teeth and gums. She and her sister were unbelievably drenched between their inner thighs, their pussies winking, and their assholes clenching to be filled.

Yet they reminded themselves they couldn't allow his dick inside them, no matter how desperately they wished otherwise. They settled on making out instead, passing the slimy discharge between them, the shared pleasure between them doubled.

“Ah sis,” murmured Wet Nurse, who massaged her sis's cutie mark of intertwined female symbols. “I feel...different?”

Reaching between Wet Nurse's thighs and sinking fingers into them, Foal-Bearer withdrew the stick digits, still connected by a drooling trail of twat nectar. “You're wetter than normal. More like…me!” She watched her sister swallow each digit all the way, sucking them clean, her cunt still oozing without ceasing. “We've been...switched?”

Testing her theory, Foal-Bearer squeezed her own tits, slivers of milk leaking out her perky nipples. That settled it. She traced her own stitched scar, uncertain what to feel as she massaged her now overly sensitive breasts in slow circles.

“How did the mistress mess up reassembling us so carelessly?!” whispered Wet Nurse.

A stern look from Foal-Bearer silenced her sister. She couldn't help but worry that questioning their mistress could have severe consequences. From the corner of her eye, she surveyed the offal that now filled the ghoulish bathtub.

“Let's continue,” said the older twin, afraid their mistress would show her impatience.

Watching the twins lick his loins clean, Shadow Scythe rolled up her sleeves and snapped on disposable gloves, sliding into the open chest cavity of her specimen and digging around. Her eyes flashed white, small flashes of where the creature had been, and the fragmented memories of what it consumed zipped like subliminal messages through her headspace.

Sadly, wretched animals could only teach her so much. It was why she had first turned to sapient subjects, even though it was strictly forbidden. Mostly ones who wouldn't be missed as she delved into their hearts and minds, her greed for knowledge insatiable.

“One must have a certain level of self-awareness for their soul to be claimed. A shame most choose to indulge themselves with lesser things…like procreation,” she lamented with a bitter sigh.

After her operation was finished, she peeled off her gloves, tossed them into a bin, and wrapped her aura around the hound, its corpse deposited on a pile atop the other torn up carcasses. The stench was overpowering, but the maids would no doubt feed the remains into the hearth soon. Probably the moment they finished their distasteful 'fun' with Midnight.

Intrigued by what Midnight would be like in a more primal state, she imaged that he would be converted to an undead warrior without peer. A tool that would run rampant over her adversaries. And who knows?

Maybe he would even let him add her defeated foes to his herd! She snickered cruelly, a twinge of excitement over the thought of that irritating Beatrix being reduced to a lowly fucktoy for all eternity.

*****

Returning to what Beatrix had dubbed the 'love motel' room, she plopped back down on the bed. Thankfully, it was roomy and spacious enough to support all of them to lay down together. Cerise sat herself atop it, dismay written all over her face.

“Look, I know you’re fired up to go and rescue Midnight,” Beatrix offered to comfort the daughter of darkness. “But we're simply not up to it! Not when Bellatrix and Moxxi are in their current state, half-dead. We all could use a little rest, for once.”

“I-I know,” replied Cerise with clutched fists. “I just don’t wanna feel hopeless anymore! I wanted to come out of this stronger and more reliable. And yet, I couldn’t stop them...”

A bemused Bellatrix tucked the imp into the silk sheets, who yawned cutely while snuggling up in the covers. “Painful as it's been to realize, there's a limit to how much one can accomplish on their own. The fact that Shadow Scythe hasn't realized this folly is why she's destined to lose.” After stretching her sore limbs, she slid her battered, radiant body next to the worn-out imp, gazing at her thoughtfully. “Rest easy, short one. Then, I’ll teach you what I can.”

“Swell~” Moxxi cooed softly before coiling her tail around the she-devil’s ankle. Bellatrix shook her head before laying her head down on the heart-shaped pink pillow.

“Someone should stay up in case the house changes, or Shadow Scythe approaches,” Beatrix suggested, standing up. “I'll take point for now. Someone can take over later.”

Sunny poured herself another drink before taking a side of the bed. “Didn’t you just say we all need our beauty sleep?”

“Y-yeah, but I’ll be fine,” Beatrix insisted with a swish of her mane. “I'm used to long, sleepless nights on the road alongside my mom. We used to travel worldwide through war-torn areas and sites, all to inspire happiness to others… for the right price~.”

Taking a sip, Sunny shrugged and said, “Suit yourself. Just don't try to carry the burden alone, okay?”

“Pft. Please, I’m not my father. You’ve got nothing to worry about,” the witch laughed.

A born trickster didn't concern themselves with ideals like honor, and she was undoubtedly her mother's daughter. No, she assured herself that as a leader, this was simply the most practical option.

Once more, her mind wandered back to Abadonna. Was she okay? Was she missing the best parts of her life? The higher plane she was supposedly trapped in meant she would barely age.

But how would that affect her psyche? In a sense, Beatrix and her half-sister Flurry Heart had missed their own childhoods in their war with the Cult of the Nemesis, as a potion they developed between them had allowed them to age up quickly.

And as a result, neither has fully emotionally matured by the time of adulthood.

The violet mare sighed. It seemed so long ago. A more carefree life despite the circumstances. When she believed Shining Armor and Trixie Lulamoon invincible. Her father's brutal loss at the war's climax had been one of the first real steps to maturity.

And now she felt the weight of responsibility rest on her shoulders, her maternal instincts driving her to keep searching.

“I’ll find you, Abby. Just.… Gotta be strong.” Her eyes watered, clasping the Prima Materia that held her cape for comfort.

Gradually, her companions settled down to sleep. The lights were dimmed, and the witch removed her hat, staring at it. She couldn't afford to mess around too much, not when so many counted on her.

Removing a glass, she poured herself a mild drink also, her eyes trailing over the bed where they slept, Moxxi noisily snoring while hogging most of the covers for herself.

“Seems I'm not the only childish one,” she murmured quietly with a giggle, reminded of her own misspent youth on the road. Boy, did that child-like cockiness of hers lead to lots of instant karma, back in the day!

Once she found her glass empty and set it aside, she looked over to the jacuzzi and figured she could take a dip, having not gotten the chance to before.

Turning on the jets, she slipped out of her leotard, gloves, and boots. She slid her legs, then her body inside, sighing out heavenly over the warmth and rolling bubbles. Wiggling her fingertips, Beatrix decided to work on a few spells. Simple ones, as she couldn’t afford to burn herself out.

The witch tried to trace a circle in the air, hopeful that the manor was weak enough for her to cut a rift in a last-ditch effort to escape should they need it. Beatrix frowned in disappointment as nothing happened, and after a couple more minor spells, she resigned to just relax in the hot tub.

With her daughter still fresh on her mind, she started to dose off before a splash sound alerted her. “Bwaaah!!” She yelped.

“Whoops! Sorry there, girlie!” Moxxi apologized cheekily as she resurfaced from the steamy waters, smiling coyly. “Didn’t mean ta make ya wetter~.”

“Nggh.... Moxxi, you should be asleep,” Beatrix groaned, rubbing her face.

“Nah, that’s my line, lov,” The imp giggled, comfortably stretching her arms over the rims of the tub. “But since we both can’t get some shuteye, why don’t we have our Lil’ one on one? I think we’ve held off long enough.”

“You mean you’ve held off long enough. But, yeah, we’re way overdue for some answers. So.… Tell me about yourself; let’s start there.”

“Well, as ya can see, I’mma sucker for gossip…and lollies.… And meaty co-”

“I’m serious, Moxxi!” Beatrix cut off in annoyance. “Can you not have your mind in the gutter for one damn second?!”

“Sure, I could! But where da fun in dat?” She snickered before clearing her throat, a more subdued expression on her broad face. “But, for starters...my name’s not Moxxi, mate. That’s more of a pet name I’ve acquired. My real name’s Anarchia.”

“Anarchia.… Like ‘anarchy’?”

“Eeyup. Rebellious to da bone, I am~” Moxxi confirmed, her tail swishing about in the jacuzzi waters. “Just call me Moxxi, though. Much easier on da tongue, along with some other things I can put on there~.”

“...you’re never going to take things seriously, are you?”

“I do, Lov! Honest! It’s just my way of lightin’ da mood around this dreary place. Nothing harmful about a few dirty jokes and innuendos, amirght?”

“No, I guess not,” Beatrix sighed, holding her bust under crossed arms. “I’d rather be talking with you for real than under fake sympathy.”

“Oh, Please, Beatrix! De only thing fake around here are those fat tits of yers~” She teased, her tail quickly whipping over to smack one.

“Gahh! H-hey!” The witch hissed, folding her arms over her breasts with a flustered expression. “They’re not fake!”

Moxxi raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it.

“...okay, so I may have used a few alchemy-derived ‘enhancements’ to make myself a tad bustier,” she admitted in a conspiratorial whisper. “But only a smidge! People would've noticed. What’s the shame in giving your girls a tad more bounce?”

“Pft. I’m not complain’! Boobs are boobs. As long as I can grab ‘em, smack ‘em, rough ‘em up, I’m a happy scamper~” Moxxi smiled, much to the witch’s embarrassment.

“Okay, no more getting off track,” Beatrix urged. “I want to know what your relationship is to Ze-”

“AAAAAAUUP!!” The imp rushed out to shove the spade of her tail into the mare’s mouth, muffling her speech further. Her eyes darted to the rest of their friends, still sound asleep despite the noises.

“This tub is a safe haven, lov,” Moxxi instructed, now acting seriously. “We don’t use dat name from now on, got it? Because I have my own questions about you and ‘he-who-shall-not-be-named-as-of-further-noticed’ eva since dat dream of yers. Now, I’m gonna remove my tail and explain my side, but I expect to hear yers. Savvy?”

Beatrix nodded, shocked to see this side of the imp as she pulled out with a wet ‘pop’ before rubbing the taste off her lips. Moxxi gathered a deep breath, exhaling the nervousness out of her system before looking back into the unicorn’s eyes.

“He’s…my brother.”

“Your WHA-”

Once more, her mouth was sealed shut, this time with an X marking over her muzzle. “SHHHHHHH! They’re still sleepin’ lov!. For tit’s sake, shut yer mouth for once!” Moxxi insisted with a hiss. The witch glared hard at the imp but nodded nonetheless.

“Yes, we’re siblings,” she continued. “In our universe, there was a god known only as the Divine Father; One of those ‘celestial creator’ types. They created the primordials or ‘first ones.’ Me and my brother that is. We were meant to be opposites. Him, a son of order and righteousness to sing the Divine’s holy praises. Me, a daughter of chaos to keep balance with my shenanigans. We traveled to many planets, full of lifeforms and creatures to ensure our creator’s will.”

Beatrix listened intently, Moxxi’s tale reminding her very much of how her own mother would take her to many places. She would never guessed that she and this infuriating imp shared something in common! This was intriguing, especially as it revealed more about the father to her child.

“We did a lot together! Had our little squabbles and petty arguments, but we were tighter than bondage knots. But.… Things changed when the Divine Father discovered a forgotten world. A world he didn’t create! We were shocked, so naturally, we wanted to explore it. And there, we found mortals, beings with their own lives, thoughts, and spirits we hadn’t a clue about!”

“My brother and I became so enamored, wanting to learn as much about them as they did us! Discovering what got people off, hostin’ da first orgies to go down in record books. Oh, those were wonderful times!” Moxxi sighed, eyes closed to recall the memory for all its warmth and nostalgia. But her smile faded as she looked away.

“But the Divine Father was furious; the gall for a world outside their control to exist. We were ordered to eradicate the planet. Your’s truly, naturally, went against this. I wasn’t gonna commit genocide on a bunch of good people. Enraged with my defiance, they sought to smite me, even though they made me this way. And I would have died…if not for my brother. He had come to love mortals and, together, we used all our ancient magic to fend off the Divine Father. Eventually, we defeated them, but at a cost. They cursed me with this short n’ chubby body, incapable of usin’ my full power and charm. And my brother? Well.… He left him a purpose.”

‘Oh no…’ Beatrix’s eyes slowly widened in realization.

“Heh…. Jugdin’ by dat look, ya know precisely what happens next,” Moxxi chuckled dryly. “The Divine Father turned his love against him, as he soon learned how horrible and cruel mortals can be. Dat love became the catalyst to his descent into madness, insisting that their souls must be free of wicked deeds and thoughts. That order must be established. That everyone must be purified.” The imp shuddered at the words, the implications clear to the muted witch.

“It was heartbreakin’, Lov. Seein’ yer own flesh and blood turn zealous to purge the mortals he adored into husks without emotions or consciousness. I didn’t know what to do.… Until yer friend, Oona came into da picture. She and her father planned to seal him inside a tome that would become the Necronomicon. Course, he was heckin’ powerful, and they would have perished had I not used what little power I could to disable him long enough to lock him away.”

The imp fought hard to keep the sobs from escaping her lips, her claws wiping some drips from her eyes, sniffling. “It’s not easy goin’ against yer family, lov. I loved my brother to death, and it hurt seein’ what he became. But we had no choice…”

At the snap of her fingers, she removed the X mark off Beatrix’s mouth, much to the witch’s relief through deep pants.

Once she caught her breath, she looked over how ridden with guilt the small demoness was. “Moxxi…” She murmured, the imp shaking her head as she concluded.

“Lady Ewe tasked me with disposing of the Necronomicon so that no one could use it at risk of freein’ my brother. But, along the way…I kinda lost it. Though I think I was in Sunny’s world when I misplaced the book.”

Beatrix blinked a couple of times. “Wait.... What?! You mean to tell me you’re responsible for all the hell my universe endured?!”

“H-hey, now, it was an accident!” Moxxi protested, arms held up defensively. “I-I tend to get distracted when I’ve got dick on the brain. But it’s not like it matters where the Necronomicon ended up. That black book would have doomed whatever planet discovered it. Besides, it’s not like ye’re ta blame for inviting the Eldritch to one version of Equestria, right? Or do ya secretly agree with Shadow Scythe on dat one?”

Silence hung in the air between them before Beatrix reigned with a groan.

“...okay, you’re right. That was unfair, and I was hypocritical. Sorry…”

“Tsk. Nothin’ personal, lov,” Moxxi accepted with a smile. “Y’know, in hindsight, ya would have been an ordinary unicorn if not for the Necronomicon.”

“Yeah, I still have mixed feelings about that…”

“And what sort of feelings do ya harbor for my brother?” Moxxi asked with a curious brow. “I mean, there must have been somethin’ if ya willingly slept with a primordial!”

Beatrix pursed her lips, the image of her nightmare of him still fresh on her mind. “I don’t know. When I first meet…he-who-shall-not-be-named-until-further-notice, he was kind of.... Charming, sweet, and considerate before I found out he was a lunatic. He’s adaptive, unpredictable, cunning, and ruthless…but I think there is a softness somewhere. He clearly loves Abby, but…I fear what would happen if he got to her first...”

Moxxi leaned a claw to tenderly rub her shoulder, eying the unicorn mother sympathetically. “You and I both, lov. Though ya gotta admit, takin’ an angel’s first time must be quite da accomplishment~!”

“Wait…. He was a virgin?!”

“Oh, he read da books, knew the birds n’ bees, but he never dared try to toss anyone ‘hail marys’~! Often said it was beneath him, but I think he was just shy.”

“...huh,” Beatrix pondered. That did make her feel somewhat robust. Not many could claim to have bagged an angel. She shook her head before clearing her throat. “W-well, that’s beside the point! I’ll have plenty to ask Lady Ewe the next time she and I cross paths. But until then, we need to focus on the task at hand.”

“Aye, yer right. We’ll celebrate with a big smashin’ party once we bust outta here,” Moxxi agreed, pouring some champagne into a glass to take some sips.

Beatrix watched before a coy smirk appeared on her snout. “Though I will admit, I do hold fond memories of the second time he and I got intimate~.”

The imp’s eyes bulged out of her head, spitting out her drink.

“Ya fucked him TWICE?!”

*****

“Mmnaagh…really gotta stop waking up like this,” yawned Midnight, stretching out his tired limbs. As his eyes fluttered open, he found himself naked atop a pile of blankets. Cuddling him on both sides were the nude twins, whose dulled prismatic, crystalline curves were a gorgeous contrast to the dingy dungeon that surrounded them.

He attempted to rise and seek a weapon, only for his feet to give way as he crumpled back down immediately.

“Don’t bother trying to fight,” Shadow Scythe said, addressing the stallion like he was a child. She remained seated by her lab equipment, sipping tea. “They've pumped you full of enough drugs to slow down a yak. Face the facts, kid. You’re our slave now.”

He slumped back between the maids, basked in their coolness, unable to deny how lovely it was to be held onto like this. The sisters stirred, tracing his chest, stomach, and buttocks, his broad wings continually twitching. He grimaced upon seeing the carved up meat that filled a tub overflowing with blood. “How did you become so cruel? Did you have an abusive childhood, or-”

“Hah! Hardly. My childhood was wonderful, if a tad dull. I could have been a famous scholar, were it not for my cutie mark. That was the moment I realized my destiny. And that to seize it, I couldn't allow anyone to restrain me. You self-righteous hero types would proclaim me born a monster. But in reality, I simply operate on a level far beyond the reach of common fools.”

Midnight struggled. He never wanted to believe anyone could be naturally evil, but Shadow Scythe made a convincing case.

“Relax,” cooed Foal-Bearer as she and her sister started to pepper his muscles in tiny pecks, bare skin pressed on him.

“We'll take good care of you, stud,” promised Wet Nurse with a wink. Before he could ask what that meant again, she quickly brought up an explanation. “A stud is a stallion who knows how to please a mare in the ways of sexual intercourse. Studs also typically pick up lots of mares to form a herd where they’ll all bear his offspring. Don’t worry, you'll have your pick once your herd properly forms!”

“And we’ll be here to help you achieve that,” Foal-Bearer sultry whispered, playing with his sheath to raise his meat pole into her cool palm.

He furrowed his brow. “You mean like what Cerise did?”

“Yes, quite lik--w-wait what?! That coal-coated bimbo got to you first?” Wet Nurse's face fell.

“How far did you take it with her,” asked Foal-Bearer distraught. “Did she make love to you?”

“Uhm.… I-I kinda just went on instinct. I think she gave me what was called a blowjob, and then I ate her out?” He stated with a shrug of his broad shoulders.

“Oh! Whew,” Wet Nurse sighed in relief before punching the air. “Good, so you’ve still got virginity!”

“Patience, sister. We still need to take this nice and slow,” reminded the older twin. She and her sibling's delicate fingers traced up his length, and he shivered, unable to restrain a muffled moan as they tickled the dense patch of nerves.

Mind foggy after all the drugs pumped into them, the lust they stirred up also started to bring buried instincts back to the surface. Possessively, he pulled the maids to him, groping a breast and buttock in his rough hands. They mewled and squirmed, inhaled his musk, wiggling their lower halves in frustration that they couldn't be bred appropriately yet.

“Gugh…. For all the years of civilization, you prove to be a fine example of how people are no better than animals,” Shadow Scythe sneered while setting aside her empty cup.

However, he barely heard her, lost in a haze of lust that made it even more challenging to think. They needed him, didn't they? Beatrix...Cerise...Sunny...Moxxi.... He repeated their names like a mantra, afraid they would slip entirely from his mind.

At the same time, he continued to play with the twins, felt supple flesh squish and roll between his hands, his groin now afire.

His eyes glazed over time until small growls arose from his belly. Every time he tried to line his cock up with their pussies, they playfully slapped his hand away, instead stroking him off together to quench his needs. He groaned and blew another massive series of loads that shot into the air, showering all over their faces and bodies, running down their gem-like curves.

“So tasty,” purred Wet Nurse, who scooped his cum off her and her twin, then lapped it up.

“Well done, pet,” murmured Foal-Bearer into his ear and nipped it.

Sleepily, he slumped back into the blankets. The sisters licked each other clean, then cuddled back into his fluffy fur; his half-lidded eyes blurred as he tried to focus on the maids and their mistress.

Gradually, sleep claimed him.

The soldier dreamed he was a wolf on the hunt. That he pounced on his former allies and made them his own. They were resistant at first but soon submitted to him, indoctrinated into his herd.

Begging their stud to breed them, he filled each of them with his offspring, and he stirred in his sleep, growling as wet dreams made him stain his blanket and lovers...

*****

“The first lesson is about having control,” Bellatrix began, standing boldly before her audience, dressed in white lingerie so thin and clingy it barely concealed her unmentionables. “One can't allow their power to master them. From what I've heard, that's how Shadow Scythe ended up in her current position. Far as I'm concerned, she's no better than a garden variety addict.”

“Well, guess I’m screwed in dat department,” Moxxi scoffed, impatiently swishing her tail. “I mean, how does one even maintain a sense of restraint. Willpower?”

“Partially,” nodded the angel. “It’s hard to put into words. On one end of the spectrum, Shadow Scythe has too much faith in her abilities and prowess. But on the other end, my poor sister thought she was destined to remain a puppet to hers, and the results were almost ugly indeed.”

“What?! Oh, c’mon, I would have…. Yeeeaah, okay, that’s true,” admitted Beatrix, who slumped her head. “I used to be terrified of who I was. Can you really blame me, though? I had an eldritch abomination inside me, wearing me like a skin suit!” She shuddered at the creepy idea.

“Right, right, so gotta find a balance. Got it,” said the feisty ball of deviousness, bouncing on her heels. “If I wanted a lesson in self-discovery, I’d just visit that ol’ goat Oona.”

“Hey, it’s something I need to learn too,” Cerise chimed in with a smile, hoping to alleviate some of the tension.

“I’mma pass on that lesson since I learned that the hard way,” Sunny said, arms folded.

“Hmm, then perhaps a demonstration is in order? Try to copy a simple spell,” Bellatrix instructed, crafting a sphere of energy in her palm. “That's it. Charge it. Shape it.” She let the orb break apart in wisps and reform as it traveled from one hand to the next.

Her class did their best to mimic her; Beatrix quickly followed, thanks to the lessons she'd learned under her numerous teachers. Sunny wasn’t that far behind, while Moxxi strained to keep her power in check.

Eventually, the imp's ball exploded into a colorful display of sparkles and light, showering the room and comrades. “Whoops!” She chuckled sheepishly. “Looks like I popped too early~.”

“Don't concern yourself. You're chaotic by nature,” reminded Bellatrix. “We'll have to turn that into controlled chaos.”

“That’s…quite the oxymoron there, mate.”

“I can't work magic,” pouted Cerise, feeling left out once more. But unwilling to let that keep her down, she instead stripped so her clothes wouldn't be torn and bloodied, stood in the jacuzzi, and groaned as she practiced the strangely painful and pleasant task of summoning her bat-like wings, trying to control the process tightly.

“Don't force it, either! Let it come naturally,” Bellatrix reassured while juggling a pair of spheres. After a while, she added a third ball, barely able to stifle a yawn. “This should help a little, but you can't expect amazing results overnight. I am an expert, after all.”

Her attention went back to Moxxi, who was handling her single orb much better than before, balancing it on the tip of her tail. The she-devil wondered if the imp was born from the Necronomicon as well. A piece of mere fiction willed to life like the succubus had been, created by some mad author like all sex demons to satisfy baser needs?

Bellatrix was stumped over the possible dimensions this odd little creature might hail from. Though the presence of another being like her was somewhat comforting.

“You know, I used to think imps were mere pests,” admitted Bellatrix, who watched Sunny bounce flames between her palms, the crackle and glow of the intense heat filling the room before she snuffed it. “But based on what you’re capable of.… You’re not so bad.”

“Aww, thanks, lov! Nice to know someone appreciates us shortstacks~” The imp replied with a wink.

“Touche, small one,” the shifter smiled thinly, patting the imp on her head. Her attention returned to Cerise. “Perhaps I can't teach you magic…but I can teach you how to fight. You're already a dancer. So limber, you're at contortionist levels, from what I've heard.”

Cerise perked up. “That's true!” To demonstrate, she started with a cartwheel into a handstand, then once she twisted back, she broke into side-splits, lowered all the way to the floor, a cheeky smile on her snout. “Not bad, don't you think?”

“Mmm. We can work with this,” she replied and licked her chops.

Was this what Bellatrix had been missing in her life? Having a child held no appeal. However, she couldn't help but feel giddy over teaching a class. The imp, in particular, was a creature she could empathize with on a deeper level than the rest of them.

They were both outsiders. Whatever her differences, Beatrix at least appeared normal at first glance and could fit into society, should she choose to.

Yet like the imp, she was a monster. The difference between her and Shadow Scythe was that she chose not to embrace that role. Instead, Bellatrix integrated that part of her nature into herself, to aid those few who were close to her.

She alternated between lessons with the mages and the dancer, determined to help whip them in shape under the short time they had. They needed every advantage if Shadow Scythe was indeed the nigh unstoppable force of nature she'd heard.

*****

“Ooh...ah...” The same murmurs arose from the twins, Midnight's snout wet as he buried his nose into their snatches and licked them out. They squirmed under their would-be stud, who couldn't keep his hands off their sparkly suppleness.

By this point, Shadow Scythe rolled her eyes, thoroughly bored by their antics, despite her acceptance of their supposed necessity.

His mind blanked, driven purely by instinct. Watching in fascination while they cooed and squirmed beneath him, breasts and buttocks molded between his firm squeezes, he growled in further frustration, determined to be buried inside them.

“Hey sister,” murmured Foal-Bearer into her twin's ear once their mistress was distracted by her latest experiment.

“Mmmngh~! Yes?” Wet Nurse's face burned all over, eyes glazed, tongue out as she drooled.

“You know, the mistress will turn our pet into nothing more than an empty shell,” she said and continued playing with her twin's tits.

“Yes, but--gnnah~! What can we do about it? We're supposed to serve her,” she whined. After the necromancer revived them, they were supposed to be shells of their former selves, no more than dolls.

Something was amiss that made their souls burn so brightly, keeping them buried deep inside while affording an autonomy they kept secret from their mistress.

A titter arose from Foal-Bearer, who smiled. “Our pet might be the key! He's already well on his way. Perhaps we can 'convice' him to serve only us~?”

Wet Nurse murmured lost in thought before slowly nodding. “It could work. The mistress will most likely dispose of us after we've outlived our usefulness.”

“Exactly. Who knows? Perhaps our stud will want Shadow Scythe for his herd, too. She may be somewhat flat-chested by comparison, but she's otherwise a pinnacle of beauty, underneath those cold features. Such a fate would suit her after how she's treated us.” Another titter escaped, and she exchanged a drawn-out kiss with her sibling, who was still messily being eaten out.

Giddy with glee, Wet Nurse clamped her ample thighs around the face of their well-trained lover. They didn't want some cold, mindless beast who would carry out Shadow Scythe's orders without question. They wanted the absolute, savage beast of a stud they knew the hyper-stallion could be, the hotblooded stud unable to be satisfied no matter how many mares he conquered.

Memories of his friends continually slipped away, buried under a shroud of lust. His blue fur fluffed out, and he enveloped them in his massive wingspan, their palms stroking his swollen penis and testicles.

Nipping their necks, he curiously traced their cutie marks, a symbol of a destiny that had caused their parents to abandon them, calling them perverse...and the start of an eternal shared bond between them. They had always promised to take the same lover and surrendered their birth names.

His heart sank after they shared the story of their childhood. It had been a reminder of his own family, lost to him. They had been taken in by Cadance, and he by Shining Armor, their sworn loyalty to the Crystal Empire and particularly its royalty.

Would he soon lose that part of himself, too? Or would the maids be kind enough to preserve that tender part of him...?

*****

The two opposing parties trained in their own ways, unaware that the mansion itself was observing them. It could barely maintain its presence in this realm.

Each time it shifted to a parallel world, it had devoured another hapless prey, each victim it gathered having signature energy that reminded it of the real target it sought; Beatrix Belladonna.

Her soul and Shadow Scythe's would enable the ancient abomination to fully manifest into an unstoppable juggernaut of destruction, as the sentient universe swallowed other, innumerable realms.

Moxxi had warped a room that not only proved impenetrable to the beast, but nor could it quite pin down the location, as its location constantly shifted throughout its interior, out of phase like the creature was.

Dying much faster than before after the removal of Bellatrix once trapped at its heart, it was forced to pin its hopes on Shadow Scythe to preserve itself.

Its multitude of eyes manifested all over its innards focused on the dungeon and the love motel simultaneously. “There,” cried Bellatrix, who blocked a high kick aimed at her face. “Don't hold back, child.”

“I'm not a child,” retorted Cerise, who panted, soaked in perspiration as she launched another volley. She hissed, pulled back lips exposing her fangs, weaving about on her clawed feet as the bat pony worked her new moves into her dance routine.

“That's it. Stay unpredictable. Keep your opponent off-balance,” demanded the she-devil, arms sore after the series of wild blows she'd deflected. The wench was unfocused, but her raw power was undeniable under each angry strike. The imp shadowboxed, copying the dancer's movements, which allowed her to land a kick to Bellatrix's cheek.

“Oops! I-I'm sorry,” called Cerise, who rushed to the side of the fallen she-devil.

Bellatrix grinned at her, eyes shining. “Don't apologize. That was fantastic,” she admitted and spat out blood.

A challenge made her feel alive, a reminder that, while her loved ones had civilized her, she was still a huntress at heart.

Sunny nibbled on a cheese sandwich she found in the fridge. “You've come a long way. Color me impressed, too.”

Beatrix's tummy rumbled, and she gripped it. “Is that food even safe...? It's not monster guts, is it?” Her snout scrunched.

“Ah, relax, lov,” replied Moxxi. “The manor’s lost a bit of power, so I was able to pull grub from other places in space. I expect plenty of ass kissin’~” Thanks to the small bit of training and replenishment, the imp’s arcane magic had strengthened enough to warped reality in small doses.

And if she could tap into her true self again, she should be able to last long enough to bend a few more rules, if not break them entirely! “C’mon, dig in! Just try not ta let it go to yer butt, BB!” She planted another loud smack across her plush rump to send the witch forward.

Almost stumbling over herself, Beatrix opened the fridge and helped herself to the plate of sandwiches. She grinned between noisy munches, also proud of how far Cerise had come in a short time, certain the dancer's parents would be proud.

She'd always tried to win her mother's favor, and no doubt Abadonna wanted to do the same. It was in their blood, even though Trixie had denied Beatrix the Lulamoon name in fear it would make her unlucky! Not that it had seemed to help much!

The creature's focus shifted back to the laboratory. The sweat-soaked maids huddled around the fluffy soldier, who was bewildered and heaved in exhaustion, forced to entertain his lovers for hours until they were delighted. They traced his muscles covered in blue tufts, murmured more promises of all the mares that awaited their stud in return for his submission.

Lastly, it settled on Shadow Scythe. She cupped her throbbing head, filled with unbearable pressure. Groaning, the cup slipped from her shaking hand and shattered near her feet. “Yes, I know. Believe me; I'd rather be done with this, too. But if what they say about hyper-stallions is true, we can't afford to waste this opportunity!” Gradually, the alien voice relented its pull.

She rose and paced around a table lined in equipment. She could speed the process and flood Midnight in her dark energy...but not only would that drain another small portion of her own powers, but it would also crystallize him in his current state.

Much as she hated to admit it, she needed the twins if she wanted to see what a hyper-stallion unleashed could truly become.

Yet like her master, her patience was finite. Were the maids unable to deliver within a few days, she would take matters into her own hands, like she always had.

She met her reflection in the sickle. Let Beatrix and her friends think themselves secure! That would make their imminent, brutal deaths all the sweeter...

Chapter 7

It felt like days had passed, yet Beatrix remained on her toes, anxiously awaiting the moment they’d suddenly be discovered or attacked. She could practically feel the manor searching for them with a multitude of eyes. Thankfully, Moxxi continued to shift their sanctuary location while Bellatrix trained with them, determined to whip them into shape in the limited time they had left.

They were currently taking a break, the room momentarily altered into a flashy dance floor, complete with a disco ball suspended above. “It's kind of like the rave clubs Pacific Glow used to hang around,” Cerise stated over the music, squealing in delight as she shook her shapeliness, arms raised and tiny bells jingling all over her scanty clothes.

“Yeeeeee, shake those milkshakes and buns, baby,” teased the imp who wiggled alongside her, the dancer breaking into gleeful giggles.

“You're a bad influence,” muttered Beatrix, who nonetheless grinned while shaking her head, a hand poised on her hip.

“And you’ve got a Jack Sprat stick up yer arse. Take it aahhht and get jiggy wif us~!” Moxxi insisted, sticking out her tongue.

They were working themselves up to a wild sweat, Sunny and Bellatrix on the sidelines lounging about drinking and watching them strut their stuff amidst the light show.

As the music slowed down, Cerise leaned onto the counter to catch her breath. “Phew! Gosh…. Kinda sucks we don’t have a single stallion here anymore,” Cerise mumbled with a blush. “I-I mean, I’m down with mares and all, but a cute colt or two would help keep things interesting, don’t you think?”

“Ya sayin’ I’m not in the bloody buff for ya, lov?” Moxxi snickered jokingly, seating her fat ass onto Cerise’s lap while rubbing herself up into the dancer’s bosom, spaded tail stickin’ up between the imp’s thighs, acting like an erection. “If there’s cock on da John Wayne, I wouldn’t mind switchin’ genders for ya~!”

“You can do that?!”

“Sure can~! But I fin' you’re cravin’ a certain stallion’s lollipop, amirght?”

“W-well, I mean.… I’m just worried about Midnight, that’s all,” she insisted, though it was evident to everyone in the room she was crushing on the soldier hard.

She'd been throwing herself into her training, helped by her teaching to incorporate her dancing into her fighting. At first, she'd told herself it was to save Midnight, and whereas that was still true, she couldn't help but wonder if it was also a way to distract herself from what had happened to him?

Beatrix routinely experimented with elemental spells across the room, wiggling her fingers and finding more energy charged through them by the hour. “Well, What do you know! I think I’m almost back to full power! I can't quite open a rift, though...” To demonstrate, she traced a circle, cutting a hair-thin fracture in the air that swirled bluish-white but didn't quite open.

“Seems like the manor can't quite restrain us anymore,” observed Sunny. “Think we can duck out of here soon?”

“What?! No! Not without Midnight,” Cerise insisted, a record scratch on cue as the music stopped and she stamped a foot, causing the imp to fall off. The flashing lights also died down, the observers not sure if it was due to Moxxi or the wispy darkness that swirled around the dancer.

“Well, duh. I didn’t mean it like that,” Sunny rephrased. “There's a slim chance we can still save the twins, too.”

Cerise sheepishly nodded; the bat wings sprouted from her back spread widely. “I sure hope so! They're not the same ones I know from my world, but they were always nice and helpful to me. I might not be here without them!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna leave anyone behind,” assured Beatrix. “I can’t afford to run away anymore. Not when this manor is scooping up people to devour, and Shadow Scythe is loose! They're my responsibility.”

Aware they couldn't stick around here forever, she considered ways they might take the offensive. Unfortunately, their enemy maintained the home turf advantage!

Bellatrix lazily rose and set aside her glass. “Riveting as these heavier conversations are, break time is at an end.” Her spaded tail snapped on the floor like a whip, the crack audible. “Prepare yourselves, because we're about to resume our latest session!”

“Meow~” The imp playfully swiped a claw.

“Afraid I can't take it easy on you either,” spat Bellatrix, who launched at the imp, determined to show her students a little tough love. Her life in the Necronomicon before her awakening to awareness had been a brutal one; a constant hunt as a food chain of demons across various dimensions constantly battled and fed on each other. She had narrowly evaded death many times.

How many of her sister succubi had fallen? What would have happened if Sombra had wandered upon one of them, instead?

Pondering such possibilities, she snarled then went to all fours, unleashing the fullextent of her demonic powers. The scant black leather bikini that hid her shredded under a ripple of lithe muscles, and she growled and snapped, tail swishing and bat-like wings unfurled as she swiped and bounded at them across the dance floor.

“Come at me, all of you!”

“Oye! Watch the ‘orns, Lov,” yelped Moxxi as they nearly rammed into her butt. The lesser demon tried to reverse Bellatrix out of her form using her ancient magic. But to her audible shock, the she-devil remained unaffected by the x mark on her cheek.

“'re ya fuckin’ me dick, mate?! Why 'ren’t ya switchin’ back?!” She bellowed, avoiding another dash of horns.

“Yikes,” yelled Cerise, who pirouetted out of the she-devil's path, light on her nimble toes. “Didn't she tell you? Her encounter with...erm, ‘he-who-must-not-be-mentioned,’ made it so she could change freely.”

“Oh, NA ya tell me!” The imp grunted, vanishing in neon smoke before claw-like nails lashed through the air.

“Settle down, sister! You could hurt someone,” reminded Beatrix, who knew how unruly she could get whenever she embraced her monstrous side, the she-devil feeling most like herself whenever she acted like a wild animal lost to her instincts.

“That's the idea,” the she-devil hissed and leaped again, forcing them to scatter. She clawed and snapped, nostrils flared.

Beatrix raised an invisible, protective barrier, scratching sounding as it sparked under her slashes. “Looks like you still need to learn how to control yourself too, sister! Those new powers that amplified your old ones? Getting out of hand here!” She realized it must be an effect of being trapped in the core so long, drained to the point where the she-devil was still adjusting to her old self.

The demon panted, surrounded by the group, her eyes glowing. “Y-yeah, you’re right,” she admitted taking a deep breath to still herself, and as the rush of adrenaline started to come down, she wobbled and nearly collapsed. Beatrix scampered to her side, falling to her knees to support her adopted sister. “Forgive me, I...don't know what came over me,” she said shamefacedly, rubbing her ram-like horns.

Sunny folded her arms, her face scrunched up. “You could've killed us.”

“Ah, ham and cheese,” Moxxi scoffed while coming to comfort her new friend. “You’d be on the rampage bein' cooped up wif aw that unyieldin' aggression~.”

“Yes…. T-thank you,” Bellatrix replied, looking away while grateful for the imp’s support.

“Happens to the best of us,” said Beatrix, stroking her sister's hair. “Better switch back to your angel form for now, just in case?”

“Yes. I’ll be a lot calmer that way.” Sighing, Bellatrix shifted back within seconds, feathers erupting around the now radiant angel who rose to her full height in an attempt to reclaim some dignity. She wrapped her plume about her, shivering.

Cerise touched her arm. “Hey now, thanks for all you've done so far! When I get home, I wanna continue to train how to fight with my father! Maybe my brothers, too!”

“You've come quite a ways,” admitted the angel who smiled back. “It's not your fault you were pampered and sheltered. Inky Rose couldn't bear the idea she'd lose you. She may be worried sick about you, as we speak.”

“Gotta say, lov. I 'aven’t felt more at ease wif me magic since becomin’ this cheeky lil’ thing. When we get aahhht, the first fin’' I’m doin’ is takin’ ya downtahn ter me secret Rub-A-Dub 'ouse~” The imp promised with a wink.

“I’ll…take you up on it,” Bellatrix retorted with a blush, not used to having reliable people.

It reminded Beatrix she needed to take this seriously, so she could return everyone safe and sound. She would be devastated, perhaps beyond recovery, if her own daughter Abadonna was forever lost to her.

Luckily for her, she still hadn't played her own trump card. Like Moxxi, Beatrix was a user of ‘arcane magic,’ thanks to some mentorship from Lady Ewe.

It was an absolute last resort since she was still unused to it. But the next time Shadow Scythe tried to corner them, the witch was confident the reaper would be in for a nasty surprise...

*****

An exasperated sigh arose from Shadow Scythe, having unearthed all the knowledge she could from her surroundings. The corpses of the monsters she eviscerated had been neatly disposed of by the maids, the area cleaned up until it was practically spotless. All that was left for them was to simultaneously unleash and tame the apparent sex beast that was Midnight Blitzer.

The sisters were whispering something into his flicking ears, the usual nonsense she assumed. Her lip curled in disgust at their prismatic nakedness pressed to his bare muscles on both sides. His fingers sunk into their lower holes, met by squishes and leakage from their pink, puffy slits. His cock had somehow swelled further, his snout wrapped around a heavy tit, suckling.

“Ooh,” whined out Foal-Bearer, the oversensitive breasts of her sibling now her own. Warm, sweet milk filled his maw, dripped around it and down his chin, her big tit distended as he tugged on it and nipped at a broad, erect nipple that sprayed.

“Fuck,” murmured Wet Nurse, fluttering half-lidded eyes, face similarly burning. She stroked his cock against her swollen clit, slapped it on her snatch, desperate to let him inside them finally. “It's-it's almost time, right? The mistress is losing patience.”

Foal-Bearer subtly nodded. “You want us, don't you, Midnight?” He grunted, their hot breath in his inner ears. “Why settle on us alone?” She titled her head at Shadow Scythe. “She wants to hurt us. She won't treat you kindly, like we do. We're merely tools to
her. But you can save us and relieve that awful pressure in your testicles. Just pin her down, and make her your bitch.”

Midnight unsteadily rose to his feet, spurred on by their words and a frustrated need for release. The twins were knocked aside on the blankets. The thick, heavy slab of meat between his thighs swung, painfully hard, a feral growl rising out of his toned belly. His massive wingspan unfurled, his hazy eyes turned white, and drool ran from his wide jaws, his nails now closer to claws.

Shadow Scythe narrowed her eyes. “What are you staring at? Piss off, you dumb bruuuOOT!!” He rushed her with frightening, supernatural speed, tackled her into the table that rattled, lab equipment spilled over and shattered. She howled in fury, struggling and horn starting to light up, only to have it seized on both sides by the twins. “W-what?! How dare you, you worthless harlots!”

“I wouldn't suggest it,” Foal-Bearer warned her with a cruel smile. “The backlash could cripple or kill you, mistress~.”

“Don't worry,” added Wet Nurse, giggling wickedly as she licked her chops. “He's about to break your tight virgin cunt in!”

Whites robes trimmed in black were shredded by Midnight's muscular arms, her tall and lithe form exposed, one of the rare times in Shadow Scythe's life where she openly cried, face twisted in sheer hatred.

She'd sworn from an early age never to be helpless, the first real taste of that dreaded reality when Sunny and Beatrix had helped overcome and imprisoned her.

Grunting and half-blinded by hot tears, his hands wrapped around her ankles, spreading her thighs and lifting her feet until they were on both sides of her head, her ass raised so that her pussy and asshole were presented to the feral beast.

His shaft throbbed and rubbed between her buttocks, traced over her orifices, which clenched hard to keep out his invasion.

He aimed and missed, his precum smearing over Shadow's pale blue fur on her abdomen. His tip flared and dripped.

"She still has her hymen?" Wet Nurse gasped. "How fun! If it regenerates, he'll get to deflower you again-and-again! Time to pop that cherry!" She traced the reaper's barrier.

“Let us help,” offered Foal-Bearer, who grabbed his hard cock, lining it up. She teased between the reaper's two lower holes and whispered to their cruel mistress, “What do you prefer? Want him to wreck your pussy or that puckered ass first, broodmare bitch?”

“Yeah,” added Wet Nurse with a maniacal laugh, playing with one of Shadow's small but shapely tits. The flesh rolled in her palm, an erect nipple pinched between her delicate fingers. She moved her hand lower, down to the reaper's pussy, and her fingers fully parted an inflamed pussy to expose a pink, slimy interior. “Who's the whore now, slut~?”

Shadow Scythe snarled, her body betraying her as her pink cunt winked with neglected need, a trail of juices ran down her puckered asshole. Through years of discipline and meditation, she had neutralized such base lusts so they wouldn't distract from her work; but now they stirred back to the surface, forced to inhaled Midnight's overpowering, masculine musk that dulled her mind.

Her twat spattered more lubrication down her clenched exit hole ring, desperate to fulfill her biological purpose. To take his cock into her and have its virile seed dumped down her womb so she would carry his baby.

Her pallid face burned, denying a need to be mated, her instincts screaming to be fucked senseless. That the explosive orgasm she refused herself would be the most wonderful experience she'd ever have. “I'm-I'm not a stupid, horny animal~!” A loud slap sounded on one of her buttocks, and it wobbled under the impact, a nasty red handprint left on the pert cheek as the sisters disciplined her.

Foal-Bearer said, “Can't decide? That's okay. You can't die, can you? At least, not permanently. That means poor pent up Midnight here can go absolutely wild. He'll rape you to death until you're a broken, submissive bitch who begs for his cum-”

“FUCK YOU ALL,” shrieked Shadow Scythe, horn launching a charged up spell without care for the consequences!

The explosion of magic knocked the three of them away; the twins slammed into the dungeon walls, Midnight sliding back on his feet. A rush of hot blood ran between the reaper's eyes, trembling as her horn shattered, stumbling to her feet as she reclaimed her sickle from the floor.

The sisters were winded, but Midnight didn't hear the reaper's commands to stop, his loyalty twisted to the Crystal Ponies.

She backed up to the wall, hands shaking as they grasped her weapon's handle; specifically, he wouldn't stop until he pinned her down and had his way with her until sated. Which if his sessions between the twins were any indication, could take hours.

A section of the cool wall melted away. Shadow Scythe vanished into the slimy flesh that closed around her, cackling once the muscular beast howled and rushed at her.

Unable to pry the wall open, the true likeness of the manor bled away, instantly returned to the false appearance of the dungeon.

*****

“Y’know, this could have solved so many problems earlier. Why are you never helpful when needed?!”

“Wouldn’t be me if I was, darlin’. If I solved aw your problems for ya, ya wouldn’t learn a bloody thing~!”

While the training continued, Beatrix decided to scout ahead, with Moxxi tagging along. The latter's chaotic nature created an invisible flow that made it less likely the pair would end up stuck in a corridor or other such trickery. She also led them down paths that evaded any traps the maids had left behind, dim lights on the walls around them.

In their wanderings down the stairs, a rattle sounded below that shook the area with such force the nude bust of a mare toppled and smashed into fragments. The witch choked on the dust that rose from the fragments and mumbled, “What the-”

“Sounds loike it was comin’ bela,” Moxxi noted, pulling ahead with Beatrix following behind. Descending below the manor, by the time they arrived where the noises and shaking came from, Shadow Scythe had slipped away, and from behind bars, they could see a feral Midnight, practically frothing at the mouth, the half-conscious twins sprawled naked on the cold concrete.

“Midnight?! Hey, it's us!” Beatrix waved at him. He spun to face them, heaving and whimpering, hunched over.

His swollen penis and testicles ached, but vague memories of the witch and the little imp resurfaced in his addled brain.

“Whoa...!” Moxxi murmured lustfully, getting an eyeful of his dick. “Look’s loike someone’s been 'avin’ a ride on the midnight express! Where can I punch me ticket~?”

“He's ours,” Wet-Nurse groaned, stumbling onto her feet.

Foal-Bearer too rose and beckoned him with a finger. “Come back to us. We're ready for you to make us yours!”

“Oh no, you don’t!” Beatrix unleashed her aura to pin both sisters into the wall before approaching her friend. “You don't want your first time to be like this. C’mon, big guy! Think of Cerise,” Beatrix reminded desperately. He wrapped his fists around the steel bars, rattled but couldn't break them, despite straining so violently veins were visible as they rose all over his bulging musculature.

“Try ter 'ang on there, lov,” called Moxxi. “I’ll go get the others! Be Hammer and Tack in a flaa-aagh!” Before she could poof away, one of Midnight’s hands secured her tail through the bar and began pulling her through, the Imp holding onto the steel pole for dear life. “A-ahh, scratch that! Ya get the others while I 'ang on!!!”

“Moxxi! Don’t worry; I’ll get you-” Beatrix reached to grab the lesser demon before her grip slipped, and the imp was pulled inside. Midnight rubbing her face into his cock, smearing his viscous precum against her cheek. “N-na lov! Nah need ter get Brian wif me--MMNGH~!” Midnight ignored her in favor of pushing his heated rod into Moxxi’s mouth, a bulge appearing in her as he forced her to bob her head up-and-down on it amid lewd slurps. Grunts arose from Midnight, humping his hips into her face, finally putting that dirty mouth to fair use.

“Holy shit, you can really take that dee--I mean! H-hang in there, Mox!” Beatrix stammered, hesitantly rushing off the scene as the twins dropped to the floor. The Imp responded by holding an ‘ok’ sign with her claws while getting skullfucked; her gullet thoroughly swabbed each time his monstrous cock pushed through it.

“No fair,” whined Wet Nurse, who clenched her moist thighs tight.

“I suppose we'll have to amuse ourselves,” said Foal-Bearer, who held her midsection from behind and planted pecks on her neck. Soon the twin sisters rolled onto the floor, let their hands rove about, and their inflamed pussies mash in noisy, messy squelches.

Hazy, half-lidded eyes stared up at Midnight, who groaned and clenched his buttocks, his wings fluttering in satisfaction. Thick smacks of flesh echoing each time he slammed into the imp's face, feeling a release of tension in his balls before howling out. An explosive load puffed out her cheeks, unable to swallow it all down as it settled in her belly, an excess erupting out her burning nostrils.

Moxxi’s eyes rolled up in their sockets; her rounded belly swelled out further. She could barely keep conscious while the hyper-stud kept savaging her sore, bulging throat.

Thankfully by that time, Beatrix arrived with their friends. Bellatrix marched forward, confident she could handle the beast if necessary, and strained under her own demonic might, prying apart the creaking bars that kept them contained.

“Down boy,” warned the she-devil, who wrestled with him, pulling the exhausted imp off his wet cock before she fell onto the floor, knocked out cold. “Damn, he's even stronger than he looks! A little help here!”

At the same time, Sunny raced to the intertwined twins and laid hands on them. Her eyes went white, and she stirred up their souls buried in their undead flesh, which Shadow Scythe had failed to dispel due to Sunny's attempt to purify them.

The crystalline sisters slipped unconscious, slack in her arms, and she gently placed them atop the blankets to let them recover.

“Midnight, it's me!” Cerise's bells jangled as she cautiously approached him, his large shadow falling on her. “Please, stop!”

Color returned to his white eyes, and his taut muscles started to relax. “C-Cerise...?” He released his hold on the she-devil, head murky as buried memories tried to resurface. Offered a drink by Beatrix, he waited a moment and then accepted.

The milky contents were thrown down his throat. Within moments the drugs in his system were vomited up as he keeled over.

“Are you okay?” Cerise knelt by him and rubbed his broad shoulders.

“I-I'm fine,” he muttered, his sight hazy as it passed over the familiar faces around him. “The twins turned me on Shadow Scythe, but she managed to escape. The last time I saw her, she was badly wounded. I think the mansion saved her.” He looked apologetically to the twins, the passed out imp soaked in cum, and the she-devil he'd wrestled. “Sorry.”

Beatrix shook her head. “What matters is we finally have you back. Good thing we stumbled on you when we did!” She turned to Moxxi, who slowly rose while coughing up some of Midnight’s viscous juices. A sly grin crept across her snout. “Good job keeping him occupied, Mox~.”

“Ooooh, just ya wait, lov,” she groaned, shaking her head clean. “We’ll see who’s laughin’ when your throat’s sour from 'avin' so much dick crammed daahhhn!”

“Shadow Scythe's been driven into a corner,” reminded Bellatrix, who crossed her arms and flicked her spaded tail about, lips pursed in a pout that matched her prissy manner. “She'll be more desperate than ever.”

“We'll deal with them soon,” assured Beatrix. “We need to recuperate first.”

Cerise used a napkin to wipe Midnight's chin. Her attention then turned to his painfully erected cock, still coated in spit. “Oh my, you’re still so hard,” she whispered while tracing his muscles. It was evident a mere blowjob was not enough to satisfy him now that he'd been stirred up for so long. “Do you want me to help? I don't mind.”

“Yeah,” he admitted, hand wandering to grope her ass through her hotpants without thinking. Instinct and desire were running hot, and she giggled, nuzzling his cheek as his other hand slipped a heavy tit from her tube top, rolling it about in his firm palm.

“I'm all yours,” she murmured to him. “However you want to do it. However, I'd prefer to start with vaginal. Anal can come later.” He nodded, now vaguely aware of what she meant after all his lessons under the maids. His loins burned.

Stripping her top, her charcoal breasts topped by hot pink nipples jiggled free. He treated them like he had the sisters, nibbled and pulled on them, and she squealed in delight as her cheeks went rosy. His hands slid down her sides, rolled down her shorts, and tossed them aside, her lower half exposed to the breezy air. Her moist twat winked, and she sucked in a deep breath.

“I'll be your first,” she reminded him. “I wish I could say it was my first time, too.” But that confession didn't matter to him, pressing his monster cock against her inviting slit, teasing its warmth as the massive shaft threatened to split her hot pink pussy wide open.

She whined at his unintentional tease, and her heart-shaped clit throbbed while droplets oozed down her bright asshole.

Tensing up with a blissful yelp and casting back her head, his flare skewered her and pushed her moist canal apart. She dug her painted nails into his back, wrapped her limbs around him as he made his flared head piston against her oozing cervix.

“O-oh fuck,” she murmured, eyes glazed as she reveled in the beautiful feeling of being filled to the brim. "Make love to me."

He moaned too, feeling her tighten around him, the heat of her snatch as it lovingly milked him. Gradually he began to move, muscular buttocks clenching each time he pressed against her final barrier, instinctively wanting to seed his new mate.

They forgot everyone around them, gazes locked. She pulled him to her, and his pace picked up. “Harder,” she urged, nipping his ear. “Wreck me. I'm the daughter of Sombra; I can take it!” She surrendered to her own instincts once he started to slam into her until he broke the last blockade, a girly squeal rising as his flared tip punched past her cervix and invaded her slimy womb.

She spread her thighs as he battered the back of her uterus, scissored his hips and ass to help his mating press. “Umph,” she cried each time he impaled her, squirting all over his crotch, her buttocks bouncing under each brutal slam. "Faster! Make me yours~!"

Leather wings sprouted out of her back, fangs rising in her delicate mouth. She felt like a wild animal, caught in a mad mating dance. He howled, arcing his muscular back as he roared, and he pumped the first thick shot of his seed directly in her womb. Spray-after-spray blasted her slippery walls, feminine squeals rising from Cerise, who continued to squirt on his soaked groin.

Her belly ballooned under the hyper-stallion's virile load. Goo dripped over and caked her hot pink asshole, clenching hard and pulling some of the cum mixed with her own feminine lubricant inside.

He'd bottomed out in her, her core swimming and sloshing in his splooge, her eggs adrift in a sea of dense spunk, burned with sheer lust all the way to her ovaries.

Barely able to take anymore, to stay conscious she instinctively bit his shoulder. He winced a little under the pain but was too caught up in euphoria like her to really care, the completion of their sexual frenzy the most fantastic thing he'd ever felt.

Pumping her full, her toes curled, and her legs shook, her wings at a full spread. She mashed her muzzle to his, met him in a passionate kiss, their orgasm dying down as he left himself driven against her innermost portion. Neither of them ever wanted to abandon this interlinked position. He rested on his palms, still mounting her, their sweaty chests rising and falling as they huffed.

“Na that’s sum quality wally wank material~” Moxxi snickered, rubbing her belly stuffed with cum.

“You're now locked in this state,” reminded Bellatrix. “The price of a hyper-stallion.”

He smiled from the side of his muzzle, soaked in perspiration. “Didn't expect to see you here! It's been a while.”

“Indeed. Whoever you mated with you would confine you to your current state.” The she-devil nodded at his muscular bulk, the size of his wingspan and junk, still snugly nestled in his lover. “A true hyper-stallion stud. Do you plan to let him inseminate you, princess?”

She shook her head. “At least, not yet! We have lots of wild fun ahead of us! Contraceptive potions are cheap, huh?”

“They are,” said Beatrix, who grinned and winked. “I'll brew you a fresh batch when I can! Good thing I have some on hand!”

Her eyes drifted to the sleeping twins, and Sunny nodded, confident they would physically be well, at least.

With the party finally reunited, she hoped that after they rested, her companions would be ready to finish this once-and-for-all.

*****

Shadow Scythe's skull ached. Her shattered horn burned and bled, dried blood caked on her face. Scraggly white hair hung around her face, black circles under her icy eyes.

Her lithe, naked figure heaved, and she spun in a circle, thrashing and shrieking in unrestrained fury, burning in shame at an estrus-like need those traitors invoked in her. She whirled about, hysterical.

Finally, the reaper slowed, wiping her face. She shuddered, her body still burning all over, wet and aching, marehood winking. “Ugh...how humiliating!” It was a reminder of her fleshy limitations, ones she needed to overcome on her ascent to perfection.

The alien babble sounded in her head. “You're at the end of your rope too, huh?” The entity disguised as a mansion was at death's door, and she rubbed the cracked stub of her broken horn, uncertain if she could adequately work her spells. “That bitch Belladonna. I suppose neither of us has any choice anymore.… Ugh, fine! I accept your offer,” she said and tilted back her head.

Gooey walls pulsed once the organic innards of the eldritch abomination shed its disguise. The reaper felt herself being pulled into the turgid flesh by tentacles that wrapped around her bare skin, viscous slime dripping over her lithe curves, wet and slippery.

She hissed between clenched teeth after the tendrils slipped beneath her supple skin, her brain overwhelmed by agony and ecstasy; like she was in heaven and hell all at once, as every last nerve in her was overstimulated.

She panted, squeezed out tears, was hit by explosive, multiple climaxes that made her knees buckle and euphoric moans escape, thankful the coils held her frame aloft.

For a moment, she wondered, was this a terrible mistake? Would her identity be swallowed up? No, her will was too strong!

Molded into the interior, her insides ran hot and cold, breaking into a fever and chill. Her heart hammered so fast she dreaded it would stop. A crimson trickle ran from a nostril, her veins visible all over her pale blue skin below a thin coat of fur.

Shadow Scythe and the entity gradually fused into one. They would multiply each other's power, the creature able to feed off her life force; and she in turn able to enhance her regenerative potential, the nub of her horn already starting to regrow.

Shaking under a fervent, religious ecstasy, she burst into maniacal laughter.

She could see through every embedded eye that wandered over the manor's walls. Shift the interiors. Smell the putrid stink of her enemies. To them, she would be a living nightmare, unable to run or hide from her.

But she was the self-proclaimed Goddess of Death! None would escape the final hunt!

Chapter 8

Sensuous pink walls surrounded the group who had returned to the 'love motel,’ resting up before the presumed final clash with the power-mad death-dealer. Bellatrix carried the imp in her arms, cradled her like a child before placing Moxxi under sheets. Near her were the twins, also unconscious.

And after rescuing Midnight Blitzer and dealing Shadow Scythe a fatal blow, Beatrix couldn't help but feel psyched… yet reminded herself her adversary could strike at any moment. Not to mention the manor itself was a constant threat that surrounded its trapped inhabitants.

“I knew you'd come back to me,” said Cerise, helping her blue pegasus polish his spear with the cloth he’d given her.

“I’m glad to be back,” He nodded. “Still, I feel awful about everything that happened.” While blurry, Midnight’s memories remained vivid of all the drugs and affect the twins injected into him. He felt his skin crawl upon sharing all that happened during his captivity. “To think, Shadow Scythe could have used me to kill you all!”

“Pft. As if I’d allow a mere soldier to do me in,” Bellatrix scoffed.

“Plus, you’re way too sweet for that,” Cerise added in with reassurance, caressing his bare chest with a warm palm.

“I dunno,” he sighed, scratching the back of his head. “This whole ‘hyper-stallion’ stuff has been messing with my head…”

And while Shadow Scythe was cruel, not even she deserved the fate Foal-Bearer and Wet-Nurse attempted to give her through his newfound prowess. Killing in battle was already a difficult thing for him to do, when necessary. But to take advantage of a helpless opponent...

Sunny took another drink before asking, “Got any idea what Shadow Scythe’s planning now?”

“Hard to say,” Beatrix said, pacing around the room with pursed lips. “Her horn might be busted open, but who knows if she can regenerate it! If the manor saved her, it must think she's valuable…unless it plans to eat her. Ugh, this sucks! Why is everything always harder to figure out?!”

The potion she'd forced the reaper to ingest wasn't designed to last long either. It was merely a deterrent while she sought a more permanent solution. And with the manor's help, its effects probably wouldn't have applied anymore, regardless.

“A shame we haven't had more time to train,” lamented Bellatrix, who slapped the spade of her tail on the floor with a toss of silky black hair. “Alhough, I guess we’re fortunate to have all come a long ways in a short period. I don’t think I’ve felt this strong in a long time.”

“Mhm,” her sister agreed before pulling a chair by the barstool to take a seat. Pacing around, fearing for the worse, wouldn’t solve anything. For now, they’d have to wait and make the best of their relative safety.

With many still pensive after recent events, they attempted to relax. Cerise's jubilant nature tried to keep them cheery, celebrating the return of her lover with a playful dance under the disco ball and flashing neon lights. She jingled her bells to the fast-paced music, gyrated her hips, and grabbed Midnight by the wrist, pulling him onto the dance floor with a series of giggles. Awkwardly, the pegasus did his best to mimic her movements, earning more laughter.

“Heheh! Those two make quite the cute couple,” Sunny snickered, taking another swig of her bottle. “Color me a tad envious~.”

“Hey, who knows! Your own Flash Sentry may pop around the corner eventually,” Beatrix assured, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“Well, sharing him with Sunset and Twilight wasn't so bad. But a girl has to carve her own path sometime.” She sighed, finished a drink, and covered her mouth to hide a small burp. “I want to write my own story, you know?”

“Oh, trust me. I know,” The violet witch winked. “And I’m sure you will! Wherever you want to go after this, I’ll take you there!”

“I'll hold you to that. Can't wait until we kick Shadow Scythe's sorry butt again,” Sunny said with a sly grin. Rising, the goth mare decided to join the couple on the dance floor, hands thrown up high and eyes closed once she lost herself to the noise.

An hour later, the maids finally stirred as one. Their eyes darted around wildly like they had been trapped in a horrid nightmare for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, the sisters remembered all the crimes their bloodied hands had been forced to commit. Holding each other, soft sobs arose from them, their buried souls restored thanks to Sunny's intervention.

They offered everyone apologetic looks, Midnight in particular. He smiled at them and fluffed his wingspan, bigger and stronger thanks to their 'training', but the hyper-stallion's innocent demeanor mostly intact. The twins staggered out of bed, headed over to the jacuzzi, and washed in a ritualistic manner like the near scalding waters could wash away their sins.

Beatrix cautiously approached the two crystal ponies, hand poised on her hip. “Hope your heads are clear now that Shadow Scythe isn’t toying with your minds.”

“Oh, yes! Much clearer now,” Wet Nurse nodding before her sister leaned forth. “We want to fight alongside you, as penance for our mistakes.”

“Well, welcome aboard! We could use all the help we can get,” Beatrix nodded, smiling kindly. While they usually weren't fighters, the siblings had inherited a degree of skill in that area due to their possession by the manor.

“Consider our lives yours,” the twins said and bowed, prismatic bodies wet and gleaming under the bright lights.

“Whoa, now! I don't want either of you to sacrifice yourselves,” replied Beatrix with raised hands. From what she knew of the twins from other dimensions, they could be almost fanatically loyal to those who won them over.

“We'll do whatever is necessary,” assured Foal-Bearer, who bathed her sister. “But Shadow Scythe must be stopped.”

“That bitch is crazy,” added Wet Nurse, who almost lost her composure. “A complete megalomaniac!”

“Sister,” chided Foal-Bearer softly, though her expression shared the sentiment. “Though, yes, she’s quite the twisted individual.”

“It's a shame, really,” sighed Beatrix, watching the sisters wash one-another, supple curves lined in soapsuds. “She's one of the most brilliant ponies I've met in all my travels. But then she decided to use all that knowledge for evil.... Think of all the good she could've done if she put her mind to it! We probably could have saved the multiverse a thousand times over!”

“Wot abaht fuckin’ the bloomin' multiverse thousands of times over?!”

Beatrix rolled her eyes before turning to see Moxxi had awakened, walking her way before taking a seat on the jacuzzi ledge. The little imp yawned and stretched herself before asking groggily,” “Did aahhht interestin’ 'appen while I was nappin’?”

“Not much,” Sunny answered with a shrug. “Just a little bonding. And plans for what to tackle next.”

“How’s your head, Mox?” Beatrix offered with a cheeky grin. “You took quite the pounding back there~!”

“Pffft! I’ve 'ad bigger slobs bein' stuff daahhhn me gullet! If ya want, lov, I can take ya ter me favorite glory hole sum nickle and dime. Get that tongue wrestlin' over sum of the meanest cocks 'round,” the imp proposed, sporting her own witty smirk.

“O-ohh! Uhm, hmmm…. I’ll have to think on that once we’re out,” the witch considered with flushed cheeks.

The imp threw a wink before rushing onto the dance floor, not one to be left out of a party.

“O-ohh Moxxi!” Midnight greeted, blushing heavily. “I-I’m so sorry about…m-making you…well, y’know…”

“Dick. I sucked your dick, lov,” Moxxi giggled, fluttering her eyes at him. “Though if ya wanna make it up ter me, why don’t we head aahhht for abit an--”

“H-HEY!” Cerise interrupted with a sneer, cutting between the two while hooking her arms around Midnight protectively. “Back off, he’s mine!”

“Ohh, don’t be loike that, lov! I’m only playin’~” Moxxi laughed before resuming to swing her wide hips to the beat. The couple laughed it up with the lesser demon before joining in with her movements.

A short time later, Bellatrix joined the maids after they redressed in their usual costumes. Beatrix allowed herself to ease into her seat while watching her friends dance like it was the last night of their lives.

Everyone deserved at least one break. And she would enjoy what leisure she had until--

“FOUND YOU, BELLADONNA!”

All at once, the walls burst open, the once lavishing pink decore torn as slimy tendrils wriggled out. Everyone screamed in alarm, huddling close to one another as each direction they turned was blocked by dead flesh. Beatrix prepared a shielding spell as the ceiling started to give out, the light flickering lifelessly as the final wall crumbled.

And out from the carrion texture emerged Shadow Scythe, gushing in viscous fluids like she had been reborn, nude form tethered to the organic pulsing mass once she occurred and arced her sickle amidst cackles.

“Sweet tits and fuckin dicks! 'ow’d the bloody blazes did ya find us?!” Moxxi exclaimed.

“Not like you were trying, with all the rachet you were making. Figured I’d catch you with your faces down, and asses up~” Shadow snickered, mocking the imp’s dialect.

“See, it’s not as fun when ya make lewd jokes, mate. Especially since ya still ‘aven’t popped your cher-”

“SILENCE, IMP!” She demanded, one arm growing out to slash at her with a sharp blade, making her yelp while clutching onto Bellatrix’s leg.

“W-what do we do?!” Cerise cried.

“Arm yourselves,” called Beatrix, everyone quick to reclaim their gear and weapons before forming a stand behind the space witch, glaring at their visceral foe. “Damn it, Shadow Scythe! What have you done?!”

“Only what was necessary to ensure my victory, witch,” the reaper explained. “The creature and I have become one, and through our bond, I have become stronger! And now, I have you all trapped in one space where no one can hide. You were fools to think you were ever safe. Death comes for all, whether it be natural or sudden!”

The arms wielding her wicked blade swung through the air, firing a white arc towards the trapped companions. “Get down,” Midnight yelled, barely able to shove Cerise down to the floor. He yelped as hot blood sprayed from his back and splattered.

“NO! Grrrng, how dare you!” Cerise seethed, about to fly at the reaper before realizing her limbs were stuck. Gasping, she found rotten flesh coiling around her legs and arm, showing not even the ground was safe. Her eyes widened as another scythe grew out from the ceiling to swing down at her like a guillotine.

The sound of steel banging into steel resounded as Midnight blocked the arm with his spear. “L-let go of her!” The pegasus grunted, bouncing the blade away before swinging his spear to pierce through its arm.

Shadow Scythe hissed, leering down as the stubborn soldier jabbed into the corpse raised from a wall, arms binding Cerise down. The couple nodded to each to her before lunging at the reaper. They were met by cackles as she retreated into the wall.

“H-huh?!”

“Stay on guard,” Beatrix warned, the room emitting laughter as Shadow Scythe emerged from different areas, taking wild swipes at her friends, who all narrowly dodged.

"Shes toying with us," Beatrix realized, eyes looking around for the pale unicorn. "Trying to stir up enough fear before we’re more digestible for the manor!"

She did her best to follow where Shadow Scythe would appear next before taking a lucky shot at the west wall, managing to blast a magic spell directly into her face. “Grraaaaaaaaagh!?” the reaper yelled, clutching her scalded face.

“Moxxi, quick! While she’s distracted!” Beatrix urged.

The imp nodded before jumping to the wardrobe, the only furniture that wasn’t consumed in the manor’s innards. Channeling her archaic magic into her claws, she disabled the creature’s effect to open another white corridor, beckoning her friends inside. All of them rushed inside, coming into another portion of the mansion.

Grotesque innards expanded and contracted around them, the discolored tunnels slick and sticking to their feet. Worse, they could hear the wild howls and screeches of monsters trapped inside.

The whole place turned on them. Midnight, Cerise, and Bellatrix hovered under a flap of wings. The twins carried smaller axes they discovered in the 'love motel,’ no longer 'blessed' by supernatural strength.

Sunny worked overtime, horn lit by magic, as was Beatrix's who led the party and raced beside Moxxi, whose chaotic nature made sure they could safely navigate the maze.

But Beatrix knew they couldn't run forever. Eventually, Shadow Scythe would find them, and they’d have to continue their fight.

Again, she tested her powers and tried to cut a hole in the air where they passed, almost completing the link and punch between dimensions. "Almost there..."

“There’s no escape for you, Belladonna!” The reaper’s voice growled.

The witch yelled, ducking down as Shadow Scythe appeared from above and her blade swiped like a pendulum. Maniacal laughter reverberated, the sickle brought down like a guillotine, fliers forced to break formation as they were almost cleaved in twain.

They headed into a more open area, the entrance Beatrix assumed. Could they finally breach the exit...?

Fleshy walls opened above, and from it arose the severed, preserved heads of stallions and mares the huntresses had claimed. Their eyes snapped open, and they lifted into the air, whirled about, screamed, and laughed once they hurtled at the group.

“Ugh! Enough of the lame funhouse tricks,” Beatrix called out. “Why don't you face us, coward?”

“As if I’d risk exposing myself for another secret attack! You’re so predictable, Belladonna!” The voice of Shadow Scythe rose from all around them. “I might be outnumbered, but I have you completely surrounded. How does it feel to be inside me, Midnight? Bet it’s a lot tighter in here than it was in your lousy marefriend~!”

The winged couple snarled, Cerise more so while fending off the swinging blades. The reaper herself manifested from the ceiling, suspended upside down as she leveled her sickle at the twins. “And you! Look what you’ve done by pushing me to this, you pathetic zombie harlots!”

“You truly are beyond redemption,” Foal-Bearer snapped back, clutching the hilt of her weapon.

“You can’t blame us for being such a vile monster!” Wet Nurse grunted, swiping down to split the skull ahead. Bone fragments erupted in a splatter of blood, the party around her doing the same to their assailants.

Moxxi strained, aware that nowhere would be safe if they couldn’t force an exit out of this thing. “Keep up the gud fight, lov’s! I’ll 'ave us aahhht in a jiffy,” she insisted before halting her actions to dodge another swipe at her head. “Just...keep a mince pie aahhht for me sweet lil' arse, please!?”

Beatrix and Bellatrix shared a nod as they weaved spells alongside Sunny, more heads charred and blasted from the air, reduced to ashen wrecks that rolled in an acrid stink.

But these were mere distractions, there to waste their time as, like Beatrix feared, monsters pulled from all over the abomination's innards converged on the area, acting like the manor’s horrifying immune system. All hell broke loose at once, forced into another heated battle.

The witch raised her hands, letting loose a flurry of spells taught by Sombra. Sunny and Bellatrix covered her with their own elemental attacks, discharged in a storm.

They were protected by the more direct fighters, Midnight's arm shaking each time his sword split a creature in half. Near him hovered Cerise, who skewered the beasts on her lance and kicked their corpses loose.

The twins caved in domes, the meaty floor now splattered in blood and brain matter, some of it caked on the clothes and armor of the winded combatants.

“No wealth, no ruin, no silver or gold. Nothing satisfies me, but your soul~♪” Shadow Scythe sang lowly as a menagerie of beasts drawn across various parallel dimensions was driven to beset them, lost, trapped, and frightened.

Beatrix couldn't help but pity them. They, too, were kindred spirits condemned to wander in search of a purpose. But knew she couldn't afford to hold back, or else she and her friends could pay the ultimate price for her mercy.

“Look at you, cutting through them like a butcher,” the reaper continued to mock. “You’re no less a monster than I, and you know it!”

Even after all this time, Beatrix still couldn't deny it. They were assailed by hellhounds, puddles of slime, bat-winded eyeballs, disembodied brains surrounded by nests of tentacles, and all other manners of minor, twisted abominations.

She imagined some were written into the Necronomicon by its author like Bellatrix had been, others once animals who were drawn into the tome, warped into monstrosities.

“Don’t listen to her, B!” Cerise assured, skewering one of the eyes on her blade, gushing with fluid. “She’s the one who’s sick!”

“We saw the real Shadow Scythe,” yelled Foal-Bearer between a two-handed stroke that chopped a hound in two. “Terrified. Vulnerable. Is that why you're so hostile? To protect yourself and hide from the world?”

“Be quiet! You don’t know a thing about me! So shut your mouths...” Shadow Scythe dissolved back into the wall, not content to play around anymore. “Or better yet… I'll shut it for you!” Unbeknownst to her younger twin, the pale unicorn resurfaced behind, ready to strike.

“Look out! Behind you!” Sunny cried, trying to fire a spell, only for another hellhound to accidentally intercept it mid-lunge.

Wet Nurse screamed as a leg was severed from her in one precise swoop. She crumpled in a bloodied pool, Foal-Bearer shrieking too as the pain was shared. The reaper snickered in satisfaction and bled back into the surroundings.

“This is bad,” said Sunny, two of their warriors down in an instant. “Yo, Mox! How much longer do you need?”

Her question was met only with small whimpers. Beatrix and Belladonna looked in, confused to see the imp curled up, her claw deep into her panties, panting hotly. The witch stared dumbfounded.

“Wha-ah!? What are you doing!? This isn’t the time or place for this!!” She yelled in frustration. Of all the times…was she actually getting off to this?

“A-aaah~! Almost.... There,” she muttered, furiously fingering her snatch while her tail vibrated, ignoring the bewildered looks of her comrades.

Shadow Scythe merely laughed at her. “Hahaha! The small slut can’t even focus on her task without falling to depravity. Oh, this is too rich! Here.... Let me help you reach your climax!”

Disappearing into the wall of carrion flesh, Shadow Scythe reappeared above Moxxi, scythe poised to behead the little creature.

“Moxxi, stop! Watch out!” Beatrix called out, knowing she wouldn’t make it in time.

But the little imp was oblivious to the danger, too busy rubbing at that sweet spot while whimpering, “Yes yes yes yes... Yes! YES! YEEEEEESS!!” She moaned out, head arched back as neon light and smoke enveloped her form in the heat of her orgasm.

As Shadow Scythe swung down, her blade sliced through the haze...only to meet nothing.

“What the?! Where did she--GUUGH!?”

The reaper gasped to find her form within the grasp of two large hands, luxurious fur of pink and purple growing out the back.

Her cold eyes widened, staring into the x shape slits of the demoness, plump lips curved into a smirk. “Caught ya~!” She purred as Anarchia appeared out from the fog in all her glory.

Beatrix sighed in relief, shaking her head. “For fuck sakes.... You could have warned me next time, you cock muncher!”

“Would have ruined her flow,” Bellatrix added in, a slight smile to her lips. “Looks like the imp found a better way to access her true powers!”

“All thanks to you, lov,” Anarchia winked before coiling her tail around the wriggling body of Shadow Scythe, its tongue slithering out to lap at the reaper.

“Gaaugh! Get off me, you insufferable whore!”

“I dunno, I think you look much sexier tied up, doll~” She giggled before giving one short yank to pull the pale unicorn entirely out from the manor’s innards.

A harrowing shriek rose from Shadow Scythe as the wall collapsed, a tidal wave of sticky innards washing over the group, flooding the chambers and washing most of them out to the rocky surface outside.

The fliers headed out behind them, the cold darkness of space around the dead planet lit by stars in the distance.

Realizing they were free, many monsters broke into a mad run, without direction or purpose except to try and save themselves.

“We...we made it out!” Midnight exclaimed, he and Cerise holding each other in joy.

“NO! Graaagh, Damn you!” The reaper growled in spite before sinking her teeth into Anarchia’s tail.

“Yoaaach!” The demoness yowled, loosening her coil just enough for the reaper to burst free, knocking her back. She was swift to fuse herself to the manor’s flesh, straining the exterior to a twisted lump of meat on the surface of endless rocks. The group was floating a little, the lack of gravity outside rendering them near weightless.

At Shadow Scythe's mental command, the mountain of discolored flesh trembled and started to rise. It formed into a titan before their eyes, cast a shadow over them, and loomed far above, Beatrix's eyes wide as she cradled the twins who were in shock to her breast. The land shook once the hulk began to move, like a golem of decayed meat, its thick fists balled up and ready to strike.

“Wild,” whispered Sunny.

A blow rang out. Each fist was intercepted with Anarchia’s giant hand-wings. The demoness tried to disrupt the titan’s form with her arcane signature, Eris. But there was too much mass and flesh to properly flow her essence into.

Luckily, Bellatrix came to her aid, taking her own demonic shape to help hold the monster back. Beatrix and Sunny helped launch another shower of raw spells at the titan, while Midnight and Cerise zipped around its 'head' where Shadow Scythe sat embedded in it.

The reaper swatted at them, hissing and spatting while being pelted by explosions. A cooked meat stench lingered in the atmosphere.

Wrapped in her aura, Beatrix barely lifted the twins away in time as a meaty fist made a crater in the rocks. A rush of lightning thundered up her arm and blasted the exposed reaper directly, yelling in anguish.

“I’m done playing around, Shadow Scythe,” Beatrix declared, releasing another squall of magic. She threw all that Sombra taught her at the reaper; smoldering flames, shock waves, crackling bolts, shards of ice, gales that swirled. They battered the titan all over, and alongside the other spells that peppered Shadow Scythe's body, forced her back.

Another swing bashed into Cerise, who yelped and hurtled through the air, only to be caught by Midnight. She smiled at him and winced, aware that were it not for the lower gravity here, the brutal blow would have broken her spine.

“My hero~” She cooed before shaking it off to focus. “We have to find a way to stop this thing. It could destroy the whole planet!”

“If we can cut Shadow Scythe out again, the monster will be defenseless,” Midnight nodded, carrying the dancer in his arms.

“Easier said than done!” Sunny yelled.

“Not if I have anything to say about it.… AND I DO!” Bellowed Shadow Scythe, who stomped about, her arms and legs coiled in tendons that tethered her to the titan, allowed her to manipulate it like a meat puppet. She yanked her lithe arms and legs, maneuvering the clumsy abomination.

Cerise and Midnight danced around the reaper from her lover’s grasp, tried to cut the tendons. Nonetheless, they were repeatedly forced back, with little choice but to momentarily withdraw each time she punched at them.

The fliers circled the abomination, zipped and weaved, barely able to so much as scratch it as magic thudded around them.

Bellatrix, Sunny, and Anarchia were swatted away, their bodies rolled into the rocky ground, struggling to rise up.

“Oh no! Hang guys, I’m--GNNFH!” Beatrix groaned, a fist seizing the witch as Shadow Scythe cackled in triumph.

“Nowhere to run now, Belladonna,” the reaper said, smirking wickedly while lifting her up to get a better look at her face as she squeezed the life out of her through the titan’s iron grip. “No friends to come to your rescue. Nothing to save your putrid soul. Whatever will you do now?”

But her smile faltered upon realizing the witch had stopped struggling. Instead, she was calmly breathing, eyes closed as strange dark energy began to flow around her.

And upon a deep exhale, her eyes opened, her pupils darkened. “This!”

In a flash of dark light, the titan’s hand disintegrated, Shadow Scythe reeling back in pain. The self-entitled ‘Goddess of Death’ gazed in astonishment to see Beatrix, her limbs and cape bathed in dark cosmic energy, the very darkness of space underlining her figure.

And in her hand was an ethereal sword, dripping with dark matter. Shadow Scythe gazed into the piercing violet eyes of her foe.

“What is this?!” She demanded. “Where did you get this power?!”

“This is arcane magic,” she replied, opening her palm as a dark sphere materialized. “This is Erebus. And this is the end for you...!”

Beatrix slashed her phantom blade through the titan’s arm through blinding speed, soaring towards the startled reaper. Shadow Scythe forced herself out of the titan with little time to choose, rose to block the assault with her own weapon. The clash resonated in an audible ring.

“Grrrn! So you’ve learned a new trick! You must think you’re so clever, huh?!"

“Enough to whoop your sorry ass,” Beatrix sneered as the two slashed at each other with fervor. Down below, her friends slowly recovered before looking upon the sight of the two unicorns, locked in battle.

“Whoa,” Sunny marveled. “I knew Beatrix had strong magic, but this is unreal!”

“Didn’t know she could wield a sword like that,” Midnight agreed, green eyes wide.

“This is amazing! Get her, B!” Cerise cheered.

“Ye, shove it where it 'urts, lov!” Anarchia joined in.

“Guys,” Bellatrix shouted, drawing attention to her as she pointed to the mass of carrion flesh letting out a howl of pain, attempting to regenerate its severed hand. “We've still got to take that thing out! For good!”

“Right!” They all called in unison, combining their abilities to subdue the flesh titan as it attempted to reform.

As the duel raged on, Beatrix threw all her weight into the attack and knocked the sickle out of Shadow's grasp. She gave her no quarter, her free hand used to draw a circle in the air.

Shadow Scythe snarled before finally realizing the battle below them, her eyes widening at the sight of her titan being brought to its knees by Beatrix’s assemble of dimension hoppers. “NO!”

“You're in checkmate, Shadow Scythe,” Beatrix proclaimed, aiming the tip of her ghastly blade to the reaper’s throat while warping space with her other hand.

“Not yet, I'm not! Two can play at this,” Shadow Scythe spat defiantly, drawing on the last of the abomination's strength to use its own space-traveling powers. Despite her separation, she could still channel much of its potential, and between their simultaneous attempts to tear a rift in reality, the atmosphere shuddered, time and space warped to the point the universe around them started to lose color.

“No, stop!” Beatrix cried out, everything around them turning monochrome, her friends frozen, she and the reaper the only ones unaffected. “Don’t be stupid. Even I'm not crazy enough to tear two holes at once! It could cause the entire universe to collapse!”

“What do I care if everything dies? Death is the natural enemy of life!”

A horn flashed as the reaper summoned her scythe back into the hand, her white hooded cloak trimmed in black manifested over her.

As they resumed their duel in mid-air, Beatrix unfurled a pair of ethereal wings with her arcane magic, struggling to keep up as her foe pressed the attack.

Lights arced in each stroke. Sparks showered around them each time they made contact.

“You look like such an amateur wielding that sword!” Shadow Scythe scoffed.

“Oh, give me time, and I’ll swing it just like my father!” Beatrix persisted. But she had to admit that Shadow had a point in calling her out for her lack of swordsmanship.

Thankfully, the umbral blade handled itself to make up for her lack of experience. Though its aid came at a cost, for she could feel the reserves of her magic drain by the second. Her nemesis would easily claim her head once her reserves tapped out.

She may have inherited Shining Armor's stubborn nature, but hardly his combat finesse. She was forced to let the magic sword guide her. Around them, more visible fractures appeared across the universe, audibly reminded they were doomed at this rate. ‘I’ve gotta finish this now!’

As her foe swung overhead, Beatrix shifted her magic for her sword to disgust into ethereal tendrils, wrapping around the pale unicorn’s limbs to immobilize her.

Releasing her hold with the blade, Beatrix launched forth to deliver a hard punch into the reaper’s face, the blow sending her spiraling into the rocky, planetary crust.

Beatrix hissed, clutching her fist as she bruised her knuckle before descending down. “Not my best choice in actions, but boy, did it feel real good,” she chuckled dryly as she walked over the Shadow’s crippled form, the wretch struggling to break free from the ethereal sword’s grasp.

‘Damnit…. How did Beatrix become so strong? If I don’t act quick, she’s gonna…’ Shadow Scythe lamented, glaring weakly at the approaching witch. A thought came to her as she used what remained of the manor’s powers for one last ploy.

“Mommy?”

Beatrix stopped in her tracks, eyes wide at the sound of a familiar voice. Shakingly, she turned towards an overwhelming light, the silhouette of a young unicorn standing a few feet from her. Violet pupils meet scared milky eyes.

“Abby?!”

Her hand reached out for her, slowly walking towards the shivering form of her child. Her voice died down as the light behind Abadonna unveiled a tall figure behind her, gripping her shoulders gently. The only thing visible on his features was his graceful smile, glowing wings spreading wide around them.

“No.… S-stay away! Come to mommy, Abby!!” She pleaded, the magic of her sword disrupting as Shadow Scythe rose up, holding her weapon like a crutch. Steadily, she walked towards the distraught witch, maliciously smirking, dark circles under her narrowed icy blue eyes.

“I learned everything that the manor ‘saw’ within its walls,” she snickered. “To think, the biggest whore of them all actually has a daughter! When I killed you and your friends, I thought maybe I’ll go find her, bring the head of her weak mother.” She was right behind her now, arms raising a sickle above her head to deliver the final blow.

“Or raise her as my own, hmm? But judging by your reaction, I think it’ll be far sweeter if I reunite the child with her father…. What was his name again? Ah yes.... Ze--AUUGH!?”

The phantom blade had manifested in Belladonna’s hand as she leaped forward to plunge it into Shadow’s abdomen. The startled reaper stammered, blood oozing out of her gaping mouth while staring into the tranquil fury in Beatrix’s eyes.

“Don’t ever think about touching her again,” she warned with righteous indignation, her voice cool.

“B-but how?! You were…. Gaagh!” She coughed up blood, pushing back while clutching the wound in her stomach, red staining her bandages.

“I’m the daughter of an illusionist. I have been under enough spells to know I’m being tricked,” she explained, taking a more aggressive stance. “I just wanted to make sure you had nothing left before I end this.”

Letting out a pained war cry, Shadow Scythe lashed out in wild swings. But in swift movements, Beatrix swirled all her raw power into the umbral sword before swiping across the reaper’s torso.

The sheer impact caused her weapon to shatter into fragments. Shadow Scythe shrieked as she was hurled towards the ground, spinning and smashing into rocks. Skidding to a halt, her broken snout filled with the taste of copper.

Any movement she made shot searing pain through her bones, her spine twisted at an unnatural angle. She whined, “I-I can't move.”

Color returned to the universe around them all at once, time resumed as warped space dwindled away. Beatrix landed before the broken unicorn. Even after all the heinousness, she had planned to simply banish her somewhere else.

But after that ploy and threatening her daughter? She stared down her helpless opponent, coolly lifted her ghostly arcane blade high, ready to carve her into so many pieces she'd never revive.

“N-no, you can’t! I am…death incarnate,” Shadow Scythe insisted to herself, blinded by tears as she limply clawed at the rocks.

“Beatrix!”

Her sharp focus turned to her friends and family, rushing to her side. Behind them, the charred meat titan was still too weak to move of its own volition anymore.

“Tit’s sake, lov! I fin' ya went overboard in puttin’ 'er through the wringer,” Anarchia hissed, winching at how brutally battered the deathbringer was. Midnight stood by her, looking at the witch with concern.

“Are you...really going to kill her?” He asked.

“After all the hell she’s put us through? I’d say she deserves it,” Bellatrix asserted, arms crossed under her chest.

“It's up to you,” Sunny said, placing a comforting hand on Beatrix’s shoulder. “I could attempt to 'purify' her, but I don’t think she’ll be willing...”

Beatrix glanced over her shoulder at the wounded twins, who Cerise tended to, another of the reaper's many victims.

After a few moments of consideration, she wryly sighed before dispelling her archaic flow, her sword vanishing as she stumbled back into her sister’s arms. “Nnghn…Do it Sunny,” she panted, too exhausted to weave another spell anyhow.

Crouching and placing her hands on the reaper, Sunny's eyes went white, and she channeled her power into her. The patient was forced to relive all her sins, the onslaught of guilt she'd never been capable of feeling before overwhelming her.

Shadow Scythe thrashed about, desperate to resisted the purging of her immoral soul, letting out animalistic screams after inky smoke poured out her mouth and eyes.

“Stop resisting,” Sunny pleaded, despite her dislike for the unicorn. “Otherwise, you’ll be reduced to dust!”

“B-better than being a-altered~!” A surge of alien emotions threatened to destroy the reaper, cooking within by her own malice, unable to accept the consequences of her actions, which were thrown back in her face.

She whimpered and burst into tears, curled up into a fetal position, all her bravado that protected her like armor stripped away by the harsh truth under her innumerable sins.

A short time later, Sunny withdrew and announced, “It's done. If she weren’t immortal, she would be ashes by now...”

Beatrix nodded, finding her balance with the help of Bellatrix as she glanced down at the once-proud reaper with barely a trace of pity. “It’s finally over…that’s all that matters,” she exhaled. The violet unicorn saw no glint of familiarity in Shadow Scythe's watery eyes, closer to a frightened, trembling child.

Gently, she lifted her into her arms, cradling her face into her bosom. “Hush now,” she murmured, allowed her maternal instincts to manifest. “It will be okay, I promise.”

After a moment of rest, Sunny marched over to the abomination and turned the same power on it, uncertain if it would work on such an alien creature even though it was sentient. They watched in fascination as the meat twisted back into the shape of the mansion, hardened back into a building.

To her surprise, the creature didn’t resist in order to preserve itself. Fear still remained in it, the beast driven by self-preservation.

“It’s dying,” she stated. “Without food, it won’t last much longer.”

Cerise lifted her head to Sunny, having finished wrapping bandages around Wet Nurs’s severed leg. “Is there any way to sustain it?”

“You think we should save it?” Midnight added, conflicted. “The place did try to kill us many times.”

“It's more like a wounded animal than a malicious spirit,” noted Sunny. “It only survived by siphoning off Bellatrix and then fusing with Shadow Scythe.”

“What...happened...?” A soft murmur came from Wet Nurse as she and Foal-Bearer awakened. They shimmered and started to fade out of existence, no longer tethered to reality by the mansion's power, nor animated by Shadow Scythe's necromancy.

“It seems our time is up,” lamented Foal-Bearer, her smile melancholy as the twins held each other. “At least our last moments will be in peace, thanks to you all...”

“What?! No! It isn't fair,” Cerise sniffled, watery-eyed. “It's not your fault what happened! Can't we do anything...?”

Anarchia shook her head. “Afraid not, lov. This creature 'as a taste for demonic flesh, and I can’t maintain this body for long. Not that I’m willin' ter fuse wif it, mind you…”

“Then allow me,” Bellatrix strode forward.

Beatrix turned to her sister in surprise. “What? You want to fuse with it?”

“It won’t be Ham and Cheesy gettin' ya aahhht loike da last nickle and dime, Bella. Ya sure ya wanna bind yourself again?” Anarchia chimed in, sporting a worried look.

Bellatrix nodded confidently. “I know you're not the type to be tied down. Neither was I, once upon a time. But now? I must admit it feels nice to help those I care about.” A warm, small smile was on her lips as she approached the gothic manor.

Touching its interior, Bellatrix felt the tendons wrap around her arm, heard the muted alien babble in her head.

While she couldn't discern all the words, the intent was clear. All the creature wanted was to survive at any cost.

“Unite with me, and you'll live. But in return, you must not harm anyone else, unless in defense of us. I'll make certain you're well looked after and fed. Are these terms acceptable?” A moment later, she had her answer, and a portion of the surface opened up to expose the organic innards. She walked into it, allowed the warmth and sliminess to close around her shapeliness.

Beatrix, who still cradled the reaper, sucked in a breath and waited a few moments before she called, “Sister? Are okay in there?”

A prissy voice sounded from the domain inside their heads. (Yes. I feel...different. I can see, hear, and smell from every angle of this building. Consider this place your new home away from home, should you wish to stay here.) She quietly laughed.

A warmth flowed over the maids and suffused them, a field of energy arising from the structure before them. The Crystal Pony twins broke into tears, staring down at themselves once life and heat returned to their prismatic, coral bodies.

“S-so we'll be okay?” Wet Nurse sniffled. “Oh, thank you!” She held her sister, glancing at the bandaged, severed nub of one leg.

(I've given you some of my power to help keep you animated. Unfortunately, if you leave my sphere of influence, less than a mile beyond the manor's grounds, I fear you two will cease to exist. Forgive me, but I fear that's the best I can manage.)

“It's more than enough,” said Foal-Bearer, who carried her sister in her arms and shared a warm smile between them.

“This is great,” Midnight exclaimed, smiling. “Looks like it all worked out!” He linked his arms with Cerise at his side.

The double doors creaked open, torches on sconces flared to life amidst hisses, and they crossed the threshold back into the entrance, albeit this time their hostess was able to welcome them. They were now given free rein to explore the halls at their leisure.

The click of heels and boots echoed in the foyer. Dim lights fell from a chandelier, shadows looming cast by the statues and busts of nude mares and stallions, the shining suits of armor on display.

Murals and paintings decorated the area, and Beatrix realized they were drawn from her memories and depicted many of her adventures across the galaxies.

“You'll be fine,” she assured Shadow Scythe again, the pale unicorn shivering and trembling, carried and pressed to her warm bosom like she couldn't understand where she was anymore. “I'll take care of you. I swear it.” She kissed her forehead.

Soon they were seated back at the banquet table, where a feast was placed before them. More preserved food drawn from other dimensions. They were quick to settle in amidst a rattle of dishes and chatter between them. Beatrix sat Shadow Scythe in a chair next to her and wondered if her mind was really shattered? Would she regain her memories, and what would happen then?

She tried to shake such thoughts away as she helped the now child-like reaper spoon food into her muzzle.

Around her, Midnight and Cerise shared stories about their lives. Moxxi, back in her imp shape, sat on top of a statue, deep in conversation with Bellatrix through the walls. Sunny drank herself stupid while the maids politely savored their meal, thankful to have a second chance without any worries.

Beatrix smiled warmly and studied them, lettuce crunched between her teeth as she pushed a fork into her salad.

No longer a nomad except by choice, the traveler imagined she would return here to rest between trips many times.

Yet she couldn't cease her days of adventures yet. Not when her daughter was still out there, and she needed to further sharpen her ability to warp space.

Author's Note

Stick around, readers! There will be an epilogue!

Epilogue

Making the rounds in the mansion, Beatrix Belladonna visited all the current inhabitants. First on her list was Sunny, who she discovered back in the wine cellar, pouring herself another drink from a cask.

“Yo,” Sunny greeted, turning off the tap before her mug threatened to foam over. She threw down another glass and covered her mouth to hide a small burp.

“A couple of drinks for the road?” Beatrix asked, grinning before she planted her curved buttocks onto the stool. “Or have you decided to stick around for a little longer? Either way, I’m just glad to have an opportunity to relax.”

“Eh.” She shrugged. “Don't have anywhere in particular that I need to be, so why not enjoy the goods? You got a pretty swell deal here! No rent, all you can drink.... The only downside is that there aren’t any guys other than Midnight around here, and Cerise got her hooks into him. Kinda dull.”

“Oh, don’t worry, there will be other visitors. I’m sure you and I’ll find some men to play with,” assured Beatrix with a wink. “Still, I can’t thank you enough for all your help!”

“Don't mention it,” she snickered, waving away her praise. “Shadow Scythe was my responsibility, too. It wouldn’t be right having you face her by yourself.” She held up her glass to her, smiling. “Good luck on your next journey, Beatrix. And I hope you find your daughter!”

“You and me both, Sunny,” the witch nodded before moving on back up the stairs.

Next, she headed to the training room, and on the way, she cut through the massive library, where the twins were hard at work to keep it dusted.

Despite repeated attempts, Bellatrix hadn't been able to restore Wet Nurse's lost limb. But the false one Beatrix crafted through a combination of alchemy, and arcane magic served as a reasonable facsimile. The sisters were currently perched on ladders as they took feather dusters to the top shelves.

“Enjoy the view?” Foal-Bearer asked with a wiggle of her hips, the witch able to see up their skirts, frilly panties snugly nestled to their sparkly asses.

“I-it's very nice, indeed,” Beatrix giggled sheepishly. Those two sure knew how to tease her. However, she couldn't help but feel bad about what had happened, how they were forced to live the rest of their lives confined here.

“Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine,” assured Wet Nurse, sharing her sister’s titter while they bent over further until the silky underwear rode up to their behinds.

Sometimes Beatrix swore they could practically read her mind, but deduced it was due to their connection to Bellatrix, which also enabled them to see, hear, and smell all places in the interior at once if they so chose.

They slid down the ladders and surrounded the witch, pressed soft cleavage that spilled free of their tops onto her. Beatrix savored the warmth of them, the scent of their perfume, which she inhaled, her hands drawn around their trim waists.

“If you insist on making it up to us,” Foal-Bearer whispered in one ear.

“Let us pamper you with our proud, valuable bodies as we did with Shining Armor and Cadance~!” Her sister sultry sang while licking the other ear.

“O-ohhhh~! T-that’s a tempting offer,” Beatrix shivered, however reluctantly pulling away. “But I gotta see everyone else first.” The siblings pouted while guiding her hands lower to rest on their half-naked, smooth rumps. She paused to trace their cutie marks, relished their supple, squishy skin, contained below thin coral coats.

“What a shame,” murmured Foal-Bearer hotly into her ear, which flicked in response.

“We'll be around,” whispered Wet Nurse in her other ear, and Beatrix reflexively squeezed their asses between her fingers.

Reluctantly she withdrew and moved on to her destination. Passing down more corridors, she eventually came on the barracks, where Midnight Blitzer and Cerise Silhouette were engaged in a friendly bout. The witch stayed back to observe, the two down to their underwear as they worked up a sweat, huffs, and the slap of wet flesh meeting the air with each playful strike.

It was their usual round of foreplay. Soon they were wrestling, Cerise laughing, almost able to keep up with the hyper-stallion's strength due to her bat pony nature. The dancer rolled atop him, straddled him, planted pecks all over his smooth chest.

Deciding to turn around and come back later, Cerise wiggled atop him in her neon thong and called, “Hey Beatrix! Come on in!”

“O-oh, hey!” She smiled awkwardly. “Sorry to interrupt, but, well, you two are always at it like rabbits!”

Cerise beamed and nodded. “I can't keep my hands off him! I have every intention to marry him on the spot!”

Beatrix and Midnight shared a broad eye look before Cerise cleared her throat, blushing hotly. “W-well, I mean, after we get to really know each other. Don’t wanna rush into things again, eheh~!”

Midnight chuckled, rubbing her cheek affectionately. “Right! She’s taught me so much about things I didn’t know I was missing! I’m ecstatic to meet with her parents! Although I'm a little nervous how King Sombra’s gonna react knowing that I, well, slept with his little princess...”

She playfully punched his muscular chest. “He's not that scary, trust me! I know Inky Rose will adore you, too!”

He swallowed and nodded, his massive plume wrapped around her. His hands tightened around her lower back, traced the dimples of her buttocks, body heat shared between them as their gaze met. His emerald eyes looked back to the witch. “So uh, what brings you to us?”

“I’m just letting you know that I’ll be heading out for a bit,” Beatrix explained. “Let me know when you’re both ready to head home, and I’ll take you. Your mother might be worried sick, princess.”

“Ahhh, she can wait,” assured Cerise, waving the thought away. “Inky Rose used to run around partying and going on her own adventures, so why can't I? She never would've married my daddy if she wasn't willing to take risks!”

“That's true,” said Beatrix. “But don't forget Midnight gets a say in this, too!”

He thought it over a moment. “I want to stay with Cerise. I don't have much to keep me back where I live. No family or friends…well, not including you guys.” He frowned a moment, then perked back up when he studied his lover. “Just another soldier, really. Shining Armor will wonder where I went, but probably assume I deserted or died. I want to drop in and tell him the truth, at least.”

“We’ll tell him together,” Cerise assured, nuzzling her snout to his before casting her glance to Beatrix. “Oh, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you find Abby!”

“Yeah, I wanna help you out! You’ll tell us, won’t you?”

“I-I will, thank you,” Beatrix nodded, smiling. “I’ll be back in a bit. Have fun, you two~” With a wink and shake of her hips, she turned around to leave the lovers be, mentally counting down to when the two of them would be at it again. After all, a hyper-stallion has his needs, and Cerise seemed more than happy to sate them regularly.

Not even reaching the bottom step and she could hear the lovers moaning for each other, the shift of undergarment removal, her face burning and her ears flicking as her imagination ran wild.

Lastly, she headed to the basement, once the abomination’s core, now tamed by her sister Bellatrix Primadonna. The chamber was spacious and straightforward, complete with a bed, table, and a small television.

“Oye, lov!” Moxxi waved, sitting on her sister’s shoulder, who had temporarily detached from the manor to wander about.

The angelic shifter, radiant and clad in flowery white lingerie, stepped forth to hug her sister tightly. “I’ll be here to look after things while you’re away. Just don’t get stuck somewhere, alright?”

“Relax, I’m noting going to be gone for too long. I’d miss you too much,” Beatrix exclaimed, returning her embrace while scooping the little imp in-between, nearly suffocating her in their pillowy flesh.

“Oh, blimey~! If this is wot 'eaven feels loike, I don’t eva wanna go back ter 'ell~” The imp snickered, doing her best to snuggle between them.

“Oh, hush you,” Beatrix sniggered, playfully flicking her nose before releasing the demon from her marshmallow prison. “What about you, Moxxi? Got any place you wanna go?”

“Nah, I fin' I'll stay 'ere for a while.” The imp stretched, floating back onto the bed. “It’s all sugar and spice ter talk wif someone 'oo doesn’t wanna donald duck me Dahn The Drains aahhht, ya feel me? Plus, there 're still quite a few places where I can go explorin’ that might be useful for your journey.”

Beatrix froze up a little before looking away.

Bellatrix noticed the sudden shift in posture. “Something the matter?”

“No, it’s just…. Everyone wants to help me find Abadonna and I…I don’t know how to react! I’m…a little overwhelmed, is all.” She sniffled, rubbing some tears away from her eyes before a soft smile spread across her lips. “But I’m really grateful!”

Just then, the tv started to light up, a strange static visible through the glass. Moxxi jumped back in alarm. “Uh, mate? Don’t ya fin' it’s a lil' Liz Hurley ter be playin’ gaff tricks on us?”

“T-this isn’t me! I’m not tethered to the manor right now,” Bellatrix reminded, her eyes narrowed in concern.

The three of them slowly looked closer as a muffled voice tried calling out through the white noise.

“...ahmzzz… zzzaahmm…. Maahmzz!”

“You heard that, right?” Beatrix asked before a tiny hand held out from within the tube, the witch yelping.

Soon, the static cleared as a monochrome unicorn filly appeared, pale white eyes staring widely at Beatrix’s shocked expression. “Abby?!”

“Mama!” Her voice echoed.

“Oh, Abby, you’re okay!!” Beatrix gasped, kneeling to her height, hands trying to push through the glass as if she could reach in and pull her daughter out. “Where are you, sweetie? Can you tell me where you are?!"

“I-I don’t know, mommy.” The little unicorn wept. “It’s like a big…library that never ends! And there’s this…creature here, looking for me…eyes full of stars!”

“A library?!” Beatrix looked to her sister, hope in her eyes while she and Moxxi stared, astonished at the child. “Don’t worry, sweetie! Mommy’s coming to get you!”

“P-please hurry…. I’m so scared…. I need you, mommy! I need you and daa--a-ahahazzz...”

The transmission started to fizzle out before Abadonna’s form dissolved back into the static, the television shutting itself back off.

At once, Beatrix stood up, a fist tightened as she turned to the angel and demon. “A library. I need to check every library there is. I’ll be back!” They nodded, watching the unicorn rush up the stairs.

But before she could head out the door, she reminded herself there was one more person she needed to visit.

Shadow Scythe had settled herself in the library, much like how she and Beatrix initially met in the manor. Once her hated enemy, she was now left in her care.

As Beatrix walked towards her, she drew her hood back, looking up from her book and smiling. Before the witch could respond, the reaper rose, rushed up, and embraced her, barely able to hold back a soft sob.

“I-I've missed you,” admitted Shadow Scythe while trembling, unable to hold back the emotions that poured out.

“Hey, don’t worry! I'll always come back! I swear it!” Ever since Sunny had awakened empathy for the first time in Shadow Scythe, she had clung to all of them, her in particular, like she was her mother. She cradled her to her bosom, heard her whimper like a frightened foal.

Would the reaper ever recover her memories? Bellatrix swore to keep watch over her at all times, just in case. She retained the same brilliance but was emotionally a child, a stark reminder of herself, who'd never been able to grow up.

“Please, don't leave!” She clung to her, worried she would abandon her, and Beatrix stroked her pale mane, looking around uncomfortably. Whatever her sins, they had done this to her. Was it crueler to let her live like this? Or was this for the better, the reaper offered a second chance at life? Her heart ached each time she peered into those now innocent, ice-blue eyes.

“I have to. But I'll be back soon, I swear it!” She needed to find her daughter, after all. And to do so, she would need to explore every new dimension and spend time in them until she could perfect her ability to warp space. And as of now, that started by checking every library.

Most of them tried to keep their distance from Shadow Scythe and were sworn not to discuss her past. She'd tried to befriend them all, and imprinted on Beatrix in particular, the irony not lost on the witch.

The reaper asked, “What about-”

“My sister will look after you while I’m gone. She can shift the whole interior at her will! There will always be something new to see! And I plan to invite more people to befriend, too! Who knows how many will crash here by the time I'm done?” There was a twinkle in her eye when she booped the tip of the reaper's snout.

Shadow Scythe frowned. “Okay.” Reluctantly she turned back to her book.

Beatrix took one last look at her. With everything in order she exited the mansion.

Outside there was sunlight now, or the illusion of such, Bellatrix's sphere of influence slowly increasing over the immediate area where tufts of grass had started to grow. Eventually, she speculated the entire barren planet might be altered to fit a vision of paradise.

But that was a long time off. At the least, it meant the twins could follow her outside. They bowed then waved her off.

She waved back, traced a circle in the air, and sliced open a shimmery bluish-white portal that hummed.

Where would this one take her? Perhaps somewhere that would guide her to where Abadonna was hiding?

With determination pumping her heart and magic flowing through her veins, Beatrix walked in without a second thought, never one to ignore the call for adventure.

But just as the portal she drew closed behind her, a new one opened right after. Bright light emerged from the swirling nexus before a tall pegasus in white robes emerged. His plume unfurled, each wing adorned with dozen of magenta eyes.

The pair on his face opened as the light diminished behind him, taking in the sight of the looming manor before him. A sinister smile spread his muzzle.

“So this is where you’ve been staying, Beatrix,” the winged immortal complimented with a chuckle.

“E͏̺̭̩̣͓̦̖̬̣x̢̨͚̱͓̥͖͓̀c̴̭̰̙̖̪e̷̬̤͈͍̹̝͘͝l͏̲͞l͍̬̝͢è̺̟̭ͅn̫͓̹t̺̺̞̙̳̩̣͈̻~͇͔̟͓̹̤͡!̢̡͔̘̳̤͔̰͖̦”