Everywhere and Nowhere

High in the crystal spires, the pair of ex-lovers feverishly exchanged blows. Beatrix struck nimbly, jabbing her rapier in fast succession. Yet due to the size and length of Zeloph’s duel-handed blade, he held greater reach to deflect and counterstrike. As a result, the witch had narrow room for offense in the field of swordsmanship. So she switched up her attacks by firing her strongest spells, sending bolts, flames, and ice shards to smite her foe.

Opening his palm, the fallen angel activated his ophanim shield to absorb the spells, the intersecting golden rings adorned with eyes and wings spiraling around him briefly. Zeloph fired bright beams back at Beatrix in retaliation, who deflected each projectile with her sword, charging at him.

Zeloph intercepted the unicorn’s slash once more, parrying their blades away before delivering a spinning back kick to her midsection. Beatrix yowled as she stumbled back a couple of steps. Clutching her injured side, she glared at her opponent with seething breath. He gazed back with a curled lip, gracefully straightening his posture.

“Your blade work has certainly improved,” he complimented. “But if you think that oversized needle can best my sword, you’ve sorely overestimated yourself…as usual.”

“Hey, you’re one to talk!? That sword is nearly as long as your wings, jackass!” She pointed out, noting the zweihänder in Zeloph’s hand was much longer and differently shaped than the one he wielded during their last battle.

The winged immortal gave a haughty chuckle, responding, “Not my fault you choose style and finesse over power and extension. Don’t suppose you've given it a name?”

“A what? No, I--it doesn’t have a name!”

“Really?” His brows quirked in surprise. “Considering your love for theatrics, I would have assumed you gave your weapon a catchy title.”

“I wouldn’t have time for that since I’ve been busy trying to find Abadonna before you!” Beatrix snarled, her frustrations rising.

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time to think of one once I’ve vanquished you,” Zeloph cockily stated, looking over his heavenly sword. “This blade used to be called the Morning Star, given by my father. I used to think it was the perfect cognomen. But times have changed, and a more fitting alias was needed. Do you recall when Celestia banished her sister to the moon?”

The violet mare only offered a nod, using his time to boast as a means to recover her energy.

“I read that during those years, as the ache in her heart grew more unbearable, she adopted a despot's mindset. It was said that she took on a form like Nightmare Moon. During that reign, Celestia employed the sun’s might to end all conflict and established complete sovereignty. And those who dared defy her were vaporized in an instant. Such majesty and grace must be respected. So in tribute, I now call upon my sword... Daybreaker!”

“Gods, you’re so pretentious! I’m sick of your shit!!” Beatrix violently snapped, launching forth to pierce the arrogant prick. The unicorn dawned her cosmic shroud as her Onoma’s dark essence flowed around her steel.

Yet right as she struck, Zeloph’s Onoma surfaced around his zweihänder, shimmering with intense light. In a single stroke, the fallen one blasted his adversary backward with a wave of solar fire. Beatrix shrieked, feeling the Demiurge writhe in agony from the searing heat. The witch’s eyes stared widely at her former lover, who rested his ignited sword against his shoulder.

“How unsurprising,” Zeloph scoffed. “Do you think I told you all that just to inflate my ego? Unlike you, I know better.”

“N-no…that can’t be!!”

“You’re not the only one who’s gotten stronger, Belladonna,” the fallen one confirmed, eyes glowed hotly as he manifested a small orb that hotly glowed like the fabled star. “Like you, I have awakened great power within my spirit. Through Apollo, I, too, can conjure the divine might Celestia once did. The power of the sun…in the palm of my hand!”

While shielding her vision with how luminous his Onoma shined, a part of Beatrix couldn’t help but admire the beauty radiating off her fallen lover. The rest of her was equally terrified, given that this was a sliver of what Zeloph could delve into. She’d dare not imagine the ramifications should the demihuman master solaromancy.

As the sunny sphere dissolved, Zeloph gazed over his distraught opponent. “It’s not too late to settle this dispute peacefully,” he offered once more, hoping now she would listen to reason. “Put down your sword, Beatrix. This is your final warning.”

Yet Beatrix felt the Demiurge stir within her vessel, unsettled. The abomination was a force of nature that followed its instincts, much like the creature housed in the manor. The entity could manipulate and shape itself into whatever it needed to survive.

The same could be said for the fallen one. After all, Zeloph’s undoing was by his will, or so the witch reminded herself. Yet could she and Zeloph be victims, compelled by prophecy to produce the Child of Lightendark?

Tightening her hold, Beatrix stood up firmly on her feet before once more taking her stance, this time gripping her rapier with both hands like Dion had shown her. Erebus’s might waved around her like spacial water. “You’re even more dangerous than before now. I’m sorry, Zeloph, but peace was never an option with a zealot like you!”

With an irritable groan, the winged immortal’s Onoma flared around his arms and head, forming gauntlets and a helmet out of sunfire. His avian wings stretched out ablaze, another pair unfurling from his waist as he began to levitate. This was Zeloph’s aptly named ‘crusader mode,’ amplifying his already impressive strength. Yet, no matter how unwilling he was to fight the bewitching beauty, Zeloph couldn’t ignore the bristling resentment that clung to his heart.

Channeling that anger to fuel his strength, the fiery angel aimed his heavenly sword towards his opponent, calling out, “Nor with a childish heretic like you!”

Both lunged at each other, ebbing darkness and radiant light trailing after them like curtains. Each clash emitted a wave of force, shaking the tower. Beatrix recalled a similar experience when fighting Shadow Scythe back at the manor. A climactic struggle that threatened to unravel the fabric of the universe as space lost color and cracked.

Yet her mind had gone blank, her wit lost in the growing sea of anguish from being in Zeloph’s presence. Each spell cast, every hit absorbed only re-opened old wounds he inflicted. Like the nephilim, Beatrix poured all her energy to overcome him, to make the bastard suffer for all he’d put her through.

Another threshold was meet as their swords pushed against each other, trying to overpower the other.

“What happened to all your sharp quips and taunts now?” Zeloph bellowed. “When did you become so serious?!”

“After you ruined my life!” She cried back. “Because of you, I’ve suffered for so long, searching for Abby in hopes she hadn’t faded into oblivion!”

“And who gave you the right to judge me?! You think you’re the only one who’s hurt?! I’ve cared for that little mare longer than you! You’re just as responsible for Abby’s disappearance as I am!”

“Yes, I am!” Beatrix mustered her magic to shove Zeloph back, launching a dark cosmic beam to slam him into a crystalline pillar. “I know I’ve hurt you too. But that doesn’t excuse how horribly you treated me, my sister, or all those people you murdered!”

“THEN WHY WON’T YOU LET ME REPENT!?” The false idol screamed, unleashing a solar projectile to force Beatrix down. “All I want to do is right the wrongs I’ve committed. I won’t ask for your forgiveness; I don’t deserve it. But you had the luxury of support from your friends and lover. I was left with nothing but bitterness and guilt. So why do I get labeled as an irredeemable villain? How is this fair?!”.

Anger boiled through Beatrix's blood, unwilling to listen or accept the fallen one's plight.

“I’m not the only one you cast out,” Zeloph reminded, his head looking down from the balcony, watching the distant fight miles away. His accomplice was on the defense now as the generals and Dion began forcing Shadow Scythe into a corner, the reaper struggling to withdraw. “What you did to Shadow Scythe was utterly selfish.”

“That’s not true!!” The violet unicorn stood firmly. “I gave her multiple chances to turn her life around. And every time, she would go back to her evil ways. I tried helping Shadow Scythe!”

The winged immortal laughed dryly. “You call altering her memories ‘help?!’ Trying to change her inner nature? Have you learned nothing from Lady Ewe?!"

"You keep Oona out of this!!"

"And what’s to stop you from wiping Abadonna’s mind if she turned out 'evil,' hmm? Going to clean the slate like it never happened?”

“Stop it, that’s enough! I would never do that to my daughter!!”

“Oh, I see! So when it comes to your blood, your sense of morality isn’t jaded. But everyone else is fair game to be prejudiced and altered to your liking?!”

His taunts and words drew bitter wetness from the unicorn’s eyes. She gripped her rapier with trembling hands, mustering all her stability to not sob in front of the fallen angel. Beatrix refused to shed more tears for Zeloph.

“Let’s cut through the bullshit, shall we? Like it or not, you and I are one and the same. We’ve both done many things we heavily regret. And we’re just trying to provide for our child. But since you so stubbornly rejected my proposal, I’m done trying to be civil with you. Know that I take no joy for the actions I’m about to be blamed for.”

He turned back towards the battle transpiring in the streets of the Crystal Empire before he conjured another small sphere of light, balancing it on his finger.

“Wait! W-what are you doing!?” Beatrix demand.

“Evening the odds by enforcing equilibrium!” Zeloph declared before sending the bright orb towards the brawl.

“NO!!” The witch shouted, rushing at her enemy to cross blades once more. Sparks of arcane magic went flying off their steel as their duel and hatred intensified.

“We’ve got her on th' ropes now, laddies!” Dion proclaimed as the burly warrior ran his blade through one of the reaper’s shadowy appendages. Shadow Scythe lashed out, only for her sickles to meet the impervious shield carried around his forearm.

Every attempt to push her adversaries back was thwarted, her broken bones below her bandages still healing. The wraps were stained in a rust color of dried blood.

One successful punch from Tirek caused her to spit up a mouthful of red, her battered body landing into a forsaken house. The pale unicorn felt her power fading, struggling to fight off pain coursing through her lithe form. Her icy eyes glared down her foes as they advanced towards her, likely about to finish her off.

“End of the line, reaper!” Tirek bellowed, his bovine horns shimmering with his aura.

“W-wait! Projectile at eight o’clock!!” Cozy suddenly exclaimed, drawing their attention to the hurling ball of light descending from the tower.

“Huh!?”

The orb halted right above their heads directly before it exploded, unleashing a blinding light that stunned the defenders. Dion, Tirek, and Cozy covered their eyes, crying out in alarm.

Arm shielding her vision, Shadow Scythe stood up with astonishment. Her partner had assisted her from far away; the harshly lit orb provided plenty of silhouettes to use Thanatos’ power. Nevertheless, the bloodied mare was unable to conceal her smile.

“So this is what it’s like to have an ally…”

With her opponents dazed, Shadow Scythe seized her opportunity and sunk back into the shadows, where her Onoma activated to launch four wriggling tendrils to restrict the staggered ram, centaur, and pegasus. They struggled to break free, only for the reaper’s hold to tighten, pressing the steel blades against their vitals.

“D-damn ye!!” Dion cursed.

Cackling, the self-proclaimed death goddess emerged from behind him, her archaic signature clinging to her tattered robes. Wiping some of the crimson away from her stained lips, she sneered down at the incapacitated generals with a vicious smile.

“Was that the best you could do?” She taunted. “And I thought you prided yourself as warriors! How disappointing.”

“Wily Bitch! A true warrior would ne'er rely on divine intervention tae win th' battle!”

“Pha! You outnumbered me three to one. I wouldn’t call that fair. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure to give you machoistic fools the ‘honorable’ death you deserve!” The pale unicorn pulled out her scythe, channeling her deathly energy through the steel, preparing to send them straight to Valhalla.

“Mom! D-dad!!” A young voice called, her crying echoing throughout the streets.

Shadow Scythe tensed up, her eyes wide in alarm. “W-what?”

“Mommy! W-where are you?”

The reaper’s guard lowered, her magic disappearing as her head turned frantically, trying to locate the frightened filly.

“Quick! She’s distracted!!” Tirek growled, charging up magic through his longhorns.

“Tirek, wait!!” Dion and Cozy tried to warn. But it was too late, the heated blast being hurled at the reaper, who reflexively deflected the projectile away. Unfortunately, she sent it crashing towards the lost child, clinging onto a post, screaming for her parents.

All three heroes let out a panicked gasp while Shadow Scythe stared aghast, covering her mouth. “No!!”

A glimmering spiral swirled open as the head of a strange pachyderm creature emerged, knocking the fireball away with its trunk. As it dissolved, Lady Ewe stood in front of the child, silver aura highlighting her body and dreamcatcher staff. Yet, the azure sheep appeared somewhat different.

The reaper noted that another pair of horns had sprouted from her head, the ones coiling either side having grown out as well. Her wool was more extensive, waving in the cold air like clouds. Her normally honey eyes now glimmered like gold, the sclera almost wholly black. Even the symbols on her cheeks glowed ethereally.

“What extraordinary power..!” Shadow Scythe marveled, sensing tremendous magic flowing off the sheep shaman. She knew little about Belladonna’s lover, only that Oona specialized in seals, defensive spells, and spiritual awakenings. But clearly, the dream faun could be an absolute powerhouse. So why did she harbor so much self-restraint?

As her mystical aura diminished, Oona panted heavily. One hand felt over the newly adorned horns as the other clutched the ornament that kept her wooly hair tied. Her ears perked up to the sound of bawling, turning around to scoop up the sniveling child. Gently, she hummed a lullaby to calm the filly, which slowly drifted to sleep. Shadow Scythe floated down her own archaic magic, disappearing, releasing Dion and the generals. Both ignored the threats and taunts they made, fixated on each other.

The reaper expected to see hatred, yet only concern reflected off those beautiful golden eyes. For once, an ally of Beatrix did not see Shadow Scythe as an enemy that had to be defeated. Just another broken person in need of a bit of guidance.

“I-I…. Oh, what have I done?” The pale unicorn stuttered, staring over the slumbering foal nuzzling into Oona’s chest. “I’m no better than Beatrix! I thought that by becoming more powerful, I-I could…”

The sheep woman shook her head, a sad smile gracing her snout. “A king can conquer as mony kingdoms as he desires. Bit without th' loyalty or love from his subjects, he is no true king. Thair’s more tao life than acquirin' power, Shadow Scythe. Ah only wished you an' Zeloph discovered this sooner. Maybe then, ye wouldn’t have become advocates of th' Burning King…”

The reaper lowered her snout, rubbing her seared forearm. “I think maybe you’re right…” She admitted before gasping in realization. “Oh no, Zeloph!”

“Go tae him,” Oona encouraged. “Convince him tao abandon this plight. An' whate'er ye do, stay wary ov Doppia!”

With a grim nod, the unicorn sunk into her silhouette, just as Dion, Tirek, and Cozy Glow were about to seize her. The male sheep looked to his sister in distraught. “Furfaxake, Oona, we almost had her! Why’d ye let her go!?”

“Because she is not our true enemy, Dion. Nor is Zeloph,” the azure sheep stated, standing firmly. “Ah realize that through hatred, th' Burning King an' his forces grow stronger! If we are tae prevent th' End ov Days, we must fight back through unity!”

“Ye better not be suggestin’ what Ah think ye’re suggestin’...”

But the determined look was unmistakable between the sheep siblings. Dion’s crimson orbs were fixated by the quadruple horns adorning Oona’s head. It had been so long since his sister allowed her horns to fully crown.

“Look around you, Dion! If she wanted to, Shadow Scythe would have slaughtered these innocent soldiers an' townsfolk. Yet she avoided causing any direct deaths!” Her gaze turned to the centaur general, who rubbed his neck sorely. Had Tirek not launch that attack, the child’s life wouldn’t have been in danger.

“Yer brain’s gone out th' windae,” the stubborn ram rebuffed. “Even if Shadow Scythe is against th' Omega Prophecy, there’s no way we can-”

“We have tae, brother!” Oona asserted, locking horns with him. “It’s the only way…”

The two said nothing as the filly whimpered in her sleep. Sighing, Lady Ewe turned away from Dion and the generals, more concerned with returning the lost foal back to her worried parents.

“A’m tired ov all this constant fightin'. Ah just want th' madness tae finally end. Everyone is hurt.”

As he watched Oona depart, Dion turned to the generals, who wore perplexed expressions. Unsure of what to think, he settled his gaze towards the illuminated tower, where Beatrix and Zeloph continued their personal skirmish. Dark and light arcane magic flashed against darkened skies.

Hard hits resounded through the dungeon corridors. Bodies and blood were littered everywhere, yet the rank smell didn’t deter the two stallions from beating the living crap out of each other. Their knuckles were bruised with how frequently their fists connected to their opponent. And while Shining Armor held greater experience, his strength had obviously waned with age.

Each blow Midnight delivered brought up more memories of his basic military training, as well as the more advanced tactics he learned from other cadets. The pegasus even recalled the fun scraps he and Moonlight would get into during downtime.

Yet one staggering punch brought him back to reality, snarling at the ‘father’ who molded him. He realized how considerably more muscular Shining suddenly was, notably familiar pulsating veins bulging out from his body and bloodshot sclera.

Moreover, the alabaster unicorn noticed the same enhanced body structure Midnight possessed. “Bullshit,” he growled through ragged breath, wiping off the sweat and blood from his brow. “How did a pissant like you become a fucking hyper-stallion?”

“I could ask you the same, ‘dad’!” Midnight huffed, panting as heavily. He hadn’t tapped into too much of his baser instincts, afraid of the consequence should he fully surrender to a berserker mindset. He wouldn’t become a cruel barbarian like the stallion before him.

“Get over yourself, kid. Even if I did have a son, he wouldn’t be such a sheer disappointment!” The white stallion rushed to tackle Midnight on the ground, pinning his arms against his massive wings to prevent their use. Then, with a free hand, Shining Armor bashed Midnight’s face with repeated punches.

“This is what a real hyper-stallion looks like,” Shining Armor continued. “If you were anything like me, you’d have a harem of whores by now, begging to get fucked daily!”

Midnight managed to pull an arm free to block his father’s jabs, but this left his limb exposed for the former prince to apply an armbar submission, muscles straining with pressure.

“A weak beta male would never survive in my world! It’s through ruthless domination and genetics that earned me the respect of the caribou. I even bagged a few of their does! But you? You’re a disgrace to our kind and a waste of genetics!”

With a sharp tug, he popped Midnight’s arm, the blue stallion bellowing in torment. Flinging his father off, the hyper-soldier clung to his dislocated shoulder, seething with rage. Shining Armor rose to stomp his foot onto the pegasus’ chest, leaning down to glare at him.

“Let me leave you with some advice, kid,” said the white unicorn, spitting at Midnight’s disgruntled face. “We don’t live long. The only reason I’m still alive is because of King Dainn’s will. Sooner or later, you’ll be dead. So better spend your miserable life taking everything you can…hmm?”

Something shiny caught his eye, spotting the silver wedding ring around his finger. A sick grin twisted his features.

“So you do have a wife, huh? Well, I bet she’ll look real pretty riding my cock, her belly swollen full of my children~.”

“D-don’t... You fuckin’ dare..!!” Midnight scowled.

“Like you’ll do anything about it,” Shining scoffed, kicking him back down as he began walking towards the entrance. Violence had reactivated his repressed hyper-stallion side, new ambition filling his lust-fueled mind. He would go on one last crusade, retaking the Crystal Empire and claiming Radiant Hope and all mares for himself. It was a glorious image, returning to his old world!

“Now, if I could just get this fucking thing off me!” He snarled, struggling to take off the inhibitor ring stuck around his horn.

An alarmed gasp escaped Shining’s snout as his body suddenly stopped moving, his limbs contorting behind his back in awkward positions. “W-what the fuck!? Gugh!? GAAAAAGH!!”

The pale rapist hollered as his bones snapped within his muscular arms, falling back down to his knees. More sickening cracks resounded from Shining’s body, his veins bulging out to the point of almost bursting.

Midnight looked upon his father, perplexed by his sudden anguish. With a pained breath, he forced his arm back into its socket, letting out a sharp yell while rolling it to make sure everything was in place. Then, favoring his left arm, the blue pegasus addressed Shining Armor by throwing one final punch to knock the screaming stallion out.

Midnight leaned his hulking frame against the bars, heaving for oxygen as his body started swelling down to normal size. Wearingly looking down, he was thankful Shining Armor’s musculature also begun to recede back to normal, the adrenaline wearing off. He didn’t want to think about how Shining Armor obtained such longevity, but he wouldn’t be surprised if an obscene amount of stallions were sacrificed.

More pressing questions raced through his mind. Why were so many inmates dead by his feet? What was the reason behind Shining Armor’s sudden collapse? And what became of Cadance!?

Shaking his head, Midnight limped his way out of the prison hall. He’d worry about that later, as the only thing that mattered was finding Cerise and helping her secure the Crystal Heart. “H-hold on, Cerise... I’m coming!” He wheezed, pushing through the pain that overwhelmed his body.

Yet, as he passed by the missing alicorn’s cell, he failed to notice the grotesque sounds coming from within. Something had been watching their brawl, mouth dripping in crimson as she swallowed the last of Cadance’s succulent flesh. The mangled alicorn corpse was barely recognizable, save for pink feathers and dirty clumps of mane hair.

The creature slowly swayed out from the cell bars, her eyes glancing at the soldier before he turned the corner. Then, licking her bloody lips, her reddish-pink eyes gazed back at Shining Armor, who slowly recovered from unconsciousness.

And when his eyes fell on the bestial beauty, they widened with dread. “N-no...! H-how did you find me!? Get away, you slut!!”

An amused hum purred from the woman’s mouth, her tongue lapping at the remains of Shining’s wife off her nails. Cat-shaped pupils narrowed as she spoke in a sultry tone.

“Intriguing! Even with yer mind warped by carnal desires, ye can still recognize me. A’m almost flattered~.”

A faint scarlet aura shimmered around her hand as the mutilated blood flowed into her palm, forming a small sphere that she sipped from. Leering down at the fallen hero, she flicked her wrist, Shining’s body responding violently as his chest started tearing apart. He cried in agony, wriggling to free himself from the demoness’s control.

“But clearly, ye’ve forgotten th' pact ye made back in yer Equestria. Foolish colt, thinkin' ye could hide from me in mah own homeworld! Oh, Shining Armor. Ye’ve become nothin' mair than another sex-crazed lunatic, obsessed with dippin' his genitals in whate'er hole he can find~!”

The stallion snorted, tears oozing from his bloodshot eyes as he felt his rib cage magically be pried open, his vital organs on display. The hemomancer strutted over him, smirking down before reaching to grasp his frantically beating heart. In utter defiance, Shining Armor slurred,

“Y-you bitch! You STUPID BITCH, I’LL FUCKING KILL YOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!”

“Pigs. They ne'er learn,” she sighed, shaking her head as her talons dug into his pulsating flesh. “None can escape a bargain with a Vice Lord. Still, Ah hope ye've enjoyed the last bit ov yer miserable existence. Ye belong tae us now~!”

A sickening rip echoed the violated halls. Shining Armor’s screams died down to pitiful wheezes as his life was painfully taken from him. The bitter old stallion’s dying moments were spent in utter agony, watching the demoness feast away at his heart.

In all of her life, Cerise had never contorted herself to this extent. Matching move for move with the enigmatic Madame Doppia, the pair of dancers twirled around the crystalline floor with grace and expertise. To any outside observer, they might find this ‘competition’ sensuous, maybe even a little ridiculous. But the charcoal batmare sensed something horrible would happen should she slip up. And she absolutely refused to lose to this twisted ballet dancer as her delicate feet glided across the floor.

Raising a shapely leg, she hooked it behind her neck, treating this battle as if in front of an audience. And for all she knew, they were. Lady Ewe never elaborated how deceptive Doppia could be. Only that Cerise shouldn’t trust her eyes.

What further raised her suspicions was that she flicked her ears at the music she swore swelled up from around them. It was as if the two clashing instruments represented their duel. Or was it in her head? She couldn't discount either possibility when such an adversary was involved!

“Not bad, amica~!” The Vice Lord complimented, landing on her feet after a gravity-defying pirouette, those malicious amber eyes taking in every curve Cerise’s body had to offer. “Such a fragile and delicate form!”

“I don’t understand,” Cerise began, performing a handstand before twisting back onto her feet. Despite her soft and curvy appearance, the daughter of darkness packed some athletic muscles beneath smooth skin and fur. “You’re a crystal pony! How could you betray your own people?!”

“The only thing I share with the Crystal Empire is heritage. It and its people can burn for all I care,” Doppia mockingly stated, swiveling to copy her foe’s patterns.

Yet, it was apparent the crystalline pegasus was a few steps behind Cerise and was barely keeping pace with her. Unlike the professionally trained ballerina, the princess was a natural, boasting a lifetime's worth of experience.

“People like you are scum!” The thestral cried, extending her wings to leap over towards the Vice Lord. Cerise blamed Doppia for all this mess. So overcome by sudden rage, she ignored how roughly she landed, given her left-wing hadn’t fully healed. Still, it was enough velocity to whirl around and deliver a swift roundhouse kick to the demon mare’s stomach.

“Gaaaagh!!” Doppia yelped, her back slamming into the mirrored wall with enough force to shatter the glass.

“Aaand stay down!” Cerise warned, preparing for another attack should the Vice Lord pull herself up, thankful for Bellatrix's combat lessons. “I don’t want to hurt you. But I will!”

“That’s too bad~” Doppia’s voice cooed behind her. Cerise gasped, turning around in alarm before being blindsided with a feather strike from the assailant’s wing, knocking the charcoal mare down. Shaking her head deliriously, she gazed upon another Doppia posing before her. The one by the wall slowly evaporated into dark green dust.

“Because I want to hurt you! Very badly, I might add~.”

“You bitch!!”

“Naawww, such a bocca sporca!” Another Doppia called over, stepping out from behind a severed pillar. Then another jaded Vice Lord appeared. Then another. And another.

Cerise rose to her feet, taking on a defensive stance as soon the whole room was surrounded by a dozen Doppia doppelgangers, all-dancing around in sync, cackling wickedly.

“Give up now, Cerise!”

“You’ll never figure out which one of us is the true Doppia~!”

“Should have let your husband handle this.”

“Should have just stayed home, instead of burdening all your friends~!”

“They’re better off without you!”

“Worthless cagna!!”

“Lowly sow~!!!”

Cerise tried to block out the crude taunts echoing around her, clutching at her large ears. “Shut up…just shut up! This isn’t real!”

The twisted ballerina began twirling closer, swarming around the defenseless dancer, continuing to call upon her insecurities and shortcomings. It took everything Cerise had not to break down then and there.

Slowly, she stood up, taking deep breaths to bury her emotions. Biting her lip, Cerise focused her attention on the crowd of twisted grins and littering feathers before striking a sensual pose.

“I really hope this works...” She muttered quietly as the room went dark, save for the flickering illumination of the Crystal Heart. Neon colors slid over the charcoal mare's nude contours, and her sensual silhouette flitted over the mirrored interiors. Her bared reflection danced below, causing the Doppias to back off, yet their eyes unable to tear from Cerise’s display of talent.

“W-what? How?!”

“What magic is this?”

“It can’t be!”

“No, this is impossible!”

“I-I can’t move!”

“I-It worked!” Cerise exclaimed, astonished that the Vice Lord and her clones were susceptible to her dazzling motions. She had always danced for a small group, so having an entire room of onlookers spellbound was incredible! Still, from what the princess understood, her ability to trance another depended on her opponent’s will.

So as long as they found her aesthetically pleasing, she could seduce them. She doubted it would work on someone like Shadow Scythe, but it made her smile, knowing a creature that preyed on desires was so easily paralyzed by her charms.

Summoning her spear, she swept and cut down each immobilized ballerina. One by one, they each disintegrated into dust until only one Doppia remained, bewilderment clear on her face.

“N-no! How dare you..!”

“You underestimated me, Doppia,” Cerise spoke with confidence, striking an elaborate pose that showed off her assets and power. “I may not be as powerful as Beatrix or any of my friends. But I’m still awesome in my own right. So take a nice long look at me, cagna. Because it’s the last you’ll get!!”

Without hesitation, Cerise soared at the Vice Lord and stuck her weapon straight through Doppia’s chest. A pained moan arose from her, volume increasing as the dark dancer twisted the spear deep into her black heart.

‘I did it,’ she thought proudly. ‘I took on a Vice Lord all by myself and won! I…I finally won!’

But her internal celebration was short-lived as the crumbling demoness wheezed out a chuckle. “I must admit…you are certainly skilled, Cerise. Had I not been a bit more cautious, you would have gotten me!”

“What are you talking about?! I got you right where I--I-huh!?!”

Cerise found her right hand shakingly lifting up on its own. And then her other hand released the spear until she clumsily moved away. The charcoal mare cried out in shock, finding her body acting involuntarily, her limbs twisting in odd positions. And no matter how hard she struggled, Cerise couldn’t stop herself from dancing.

“Aaagh! W-what’s happening!?” She demanded, staring at the grinning decoy before it too crumbled into pieces.

“Silly wretch,” Doppia’s voice announced around the chamber. “This battle was mine the moment you set foot here~!”

“N-no! Where are you!?”

Finally, Cerise’s body ceased its marionette-like movements, forcing her to take a bow. And upon looking to the side, the dark dancer was aghast to find her reflection missing.

Instead, Doppia had taken its place, smirking cruelly.

“A-aaaaaaahhh! No! Nooo!! What is this!?” Cerise screamed as her hand mimicked her reflections, only it revealed strains of the mare’s neon pink hair wound around Doppia’s fingers.

“A binding ritual,” Doppia explained. “Once I’ve acquired a piece of my prey, I can tether our souls together and take control of our movements.”

Doppia resumed to playfully dance from beneath to demonstrate, causing Cerise to mimic her steps until the two were in perfect harmony. Every muscle and fiber ached as she tried desperately to resist.

“Gnngh! Let me go!! I won’t let you get away with this!”

“But you already have,” the crystal mare cackled. “And through my Onoma, Apate, I can achieve something more significant than mere puppetry~!”

Doppia slowly emerged from Cerise’s reflection until the two dancers stood in front of each other, grabbing onto each other’s chins. Frightened neon eyes gazed into the demoness's, who was hotly panting in fatigue. Leaning their snouts close, Doppia gave a crooked smile before stating in her native tongue,

“Quello che una volta era tuo ora è mio~!”

Doppia's eyes rolled into the side of her head, her mouth opened unnaturally wide as dark smoke was vomited around Cerise, who coughed violently. Everything around her was black, the disembodied music becoming muffled until fully muted. Doppia disappeared into the mist, relinquishing her possession of the charcoal mare’s motor skills, much to her relief.

Yet somehow, she suddenly had a bird's eye view of the world. Her world. The desert kingdom appeared more prosperous than ever. Inside the pyramid that overlooked the capital, she saw King Sombra and Queen Inky Rose on their thrones, attended by their servants and her brothers.

“M-mom?! Dad!!” She exclaimed

“Welp! We did it,” yelled Beatrix, smiling loudly as she and Midnight entered the royal throne room. “Another world saved!”

“Well done,” said White Shadow Penumbra. “I must confess I had my doubts, but you all performed admirably.”

“Couldn’t have done it without a little help from my sister!” The witch winked, throwing her arms around Bellatrix, who slumped her shoulders with a smile. “We all played our part. Not too few, nor too many.”

“Guys? I-I’m right here!” The charcoal mare proclaimed, waving her hands to try and get them to notice her.

“Hmm. It’s times like these where I often wish I had a sister too,” Penumbra confessed while stroking his chin, causing the dark dancer to stop her motions, slowly lowering her arms.

“W-what?!”

“A shame, really,” his brother lamented, pacing around the throne room. “But I suppose it wasn't meant to be. Our lands couldn't be more peaceful, thanks to your help.” He looked over Beatrix, Bellatrix, and Midnight, who clung to either side of the burly pegasus. “Ohh! Have you decided to-”

Midnight nodded with a smile, blushing brightly. “Yep! And we couldn’t be happier!”

“We bagged quite the stud, haven’t we sister~?” Beatrix giggled while Bellatrix gave a nod. Wrapping her arms around Midnight, the two kissed deeply, much to the cheer and applauds of the servants and rulers.

“N-No…this is wrong! I’m here! I-I’m... I’m real…”

Yet as she tried to interact with the scene before her, everything continued without change. Her vision became impaired as tears steadily oozed from her face. This was a world that Cerise didn’t exist in. And from the look of things, the people in her life were better off. Far happier. Had she really held them back so hard, like she feared?

“I-if…that’s the case, then... Why was I even born...?” The words choked in her throat.

Cerise sunk to her knees, curling into a ball as she openly sobbed. The agony of the truth overwhelmed her, unable to conceal her wounded emotions any longer.

“So useless…worthless,” she blubbered in between sobs, hands over her face. “I-I should just… disappear… Midnight’s better off without... Midnight… Midnight...”

Midnight finally reached his destination, entering through the chamber, his heart pounding loudly in his chest.

“Cerise?! CERISE!!”

He spotted his wife sniveling on the floor, her naked form illuminated by the fractured Crystal Heart. Laying next to her was an unconscious crystal mare, whom he could only assume was the third assailant to Shadow Scythe and Zeloph’s legion. In the jade pegasus’ hand were strains of Cerise’s hair, the missing shard just inches away.

Slowly, Cerise rose her head to see the blue pegasus, face drenched with salty tears and snot, as she ran up to tightly embrace him.

“H-hey! It’s okay, Cerise! I’ve got you, babe,” reassured Midnight, clutching the charcoal mare tightly before whipping away her tears.

“I-It was so awful, Midnight! It was dark, t-then I was back home! Everything existed without me! You and B-B-Bea-Beatrix…w-were...” She buried her head into his chest, sobbing openly.

“Shhhhh,” he comforted. “It was just an illusion. Look! Madame Doppia is down for the count! You beat her!”

He pointed towards the demoness, causing Cerise to gaze weary. “I-I did..?”

“You’ll always be number one in my book!” Midnight smile. “I love you so much.”

Weeping, a sad smile traced her snout as she kissed her husband deeply. “I-I love you too… O-oh! The others!”

“We’ll back them up. But let’s bring back Doppia. We can interrogate her for information after we help kick Shadow Scythe and Zeloph to the curve!”

Nodding, Cerise leaned down to collect the severed Crystal Heart shard while the soldier lifted the lithe ballerina over his shoulder. “We need a fragment for the portal, right? Maybe they'll let us take this?” She suggested.

“We’ll figure that out with Ambros later. We have to hurry!!” Midnight urged as the pair rushed off through the catacombs, praying it wasn’t too late to join back into the fray and provide support.

“Wait! Let’s take this tunnel,” Cerise directed, pointing towards a particularly dark pathway leading upward. “We can reach them faster this way! C’mon!”

Midnight nodded, letting his lover lead the way as he trailed behind. Yet as they passed through the corridor, the pegasus’ ears perked up at a strange groaning coming from his shoulder.

It appeared to be coming from Doppia. And as he leaned closer to listen, it sounded like she was whimpering,

“...Mid…night...”