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

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...