Undeath and Rebirth

Sir Dion the Dauntless didn’t like to be kept waiting.

Patience was always a thing he struggled to practice diligently since his youth. It was tough to wait when the hot steamy air flowed throughout the dense foliage of the jungle. Not even the thick vines around the trees could fully obscure the sun’s heat. When Ebony failed to show up after thirty minutes, the warrior suspected something was amiss.

But standing still wondering what might have happened wasn’t going to solve anything. And the white ram wasn’t about to let himself cook. So he began leading his pair of crystal mare lovers through the lush jungle, a thin layer of perspiration washing over his scarred musculature. Dion was thankful to have only a kelt around his black wooly hide. Had he brought his cape and pauldron, the added weight combined with the intense heat would have left him dehydrated.

He hacked his way through each obstacle with his heavy blade with gritted teeth. "Gaagh! A’m pretty sure Ebony said her tribe was this way," he whispered under his breath.

Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse followed close behind him; their usual maid outfits were traded for leopard-print bikini tops and leaf-made skirts. The crystal ponies turned half-succubi did their best to resist clinging to him. "You know we could always help," offered Foal-Bearer, who summoned her ax into her hands through her new demon powers.

Her sister nodded, adding, “We'd certainly get there faster!”

But the burly ram shook his head when he turned to the coral pink mares. "Best fur ye tae conserve yer strength if there's trouble ahead.”

The younger twin pouted as she banished her weapon. “Why do you insist on being stubborn?”

Dion chuckled before pulling Wet Nurse into a one-arm hug, loving the feeling of her squishy breasts against his bare chest. “Ah say this not because A'm bein' machismo,” insisted the warrior, who cupped a solitary cheek of her ass, giving an affectionate squeeze. “Ah just don’t want ye tae burn yerselves out!”

Foal-Bearer bit her bottom lip before wiggling her way into his other arm. “I guess that’s true. Mistress Bellatrix allowed us to borrow lots of energy from the manor. But if we don’t return in time, we’ll fade away! Forever!!”

“And we just got here,” moaned Wet Nurse, who ran her fingers through her lover’s chest fuzz. “It would be a shame if our little vacation ended abruptly…”

The caprine brawler brought his head to theirs and said, “Ah won’t let that happen. No matter what, Ah swore tae take care ov ye. Bellatrix would probably have mah cock mounted on her wall if anythin' happened!”

This earned an elated giggle from the pair, their mood lightening once Dion playfully squeezed and patted their bare buttocks. They cooed and kissed his pectorals while rubbing their ample busts into his torso.

But before things could escalate, a sudden flash of illumination caught their attention. The burst was large enough to frighten birds roosting in the canopy. The trio shielded their eyes until the glow dimmed down.

“What was that!?” wondered Dion.

“Perhaps Ebony finally arrived?” One twin suggested.

“No, it couldn’t be,” the other declined. “The portal we came through wasn’t that bright!”

“We’ll learn soon enough. Come on!” With haste, Dion split through the natural barriers with his blade, cutting every vine, branch, and brush in their path. Eventually, they found a clearing where a river flowed in the distance.

He cautioned his lovers to follow, where the twins nodded and materialized their axes. On their approach, he spotted a pair of figures near the riverbank. One was the familiar zebra huntresses they had been waiting for, sprawled on the ground. The other was a male zebra, who loomed over her with a spear raised.

"H-Hey! Hold it right there," bellowed Dion, who thundered up to meet him. Alerted, the hunter poised his spear at the outlandish ram warrior, his expression further perplexed.

“What’s an outsider doing here!?” grumbled the zebra.

“A’ll be askin' th' questions, fella,” the ram grunted. “Such as what yer business wit Ebony!”

He looked back at the unconscious mare, letting out a stiff chuckle. “Ahh! So you are also affiliated with my former mate?”

“Former mate?!” Both twins exclaimed while keeping their distance.

Dion furrowed his brows, his crimson eyes locked on the hunter. “Ah take it your Natural Selection, huh? Heard a bit about ye. Mostly that ye died.”

“Death had his chance,” scowled Natural, who returned the ram’s glare. Like Ebony, he was visibly wounded, his body shuddering in exhaustion. Despite this, he leveled his bladed pole anyhow. “This does not concern you, goat. I suggest you and your whores back off!”

Dion bawled his fist tightly, his Onoma’s aura flaring up. “Ye made it mah concern when ye pointed yer spear at a defenseless woman. Mah friend, no less! Now A'm givin' ye th' chance tae stand down before Ah snap that twig an' shove th' pointy end up yer f’ugly arse!!”

“Step away from Ebony, you bastard!” Wet Nurse added as she and Foal-Bearer infused a bit of their demonic energy into their weapons.

Natural Selection scoffed at the twins, casting a leer at them. "What kind of man allows wenches to fight alongside him!? Perhaps after dealing with you, I'll claim these trophies for myself and properly break them in-"

His threat was cut short as a fist connected with his face. Natural Selection stumbled, his spear falling out of his grasp when Dion pressed his assault, battering the zebra with hard blows to his head, chest, abdomen, and arms. Discombobulated, Natural attempted to fight back, but the burly ram intercepted the hunter’s arms, pinning them under his own.

With his foe utterly right where he wanted him, the livid sheep ended the one-sided beatdown with a decisive headbutt. The impact of Dion’s curled horns greatly fractured the zebra’s forehead, dark blood oozing out his mouth and nose before he crumpled.

Both twins stared in shock at how ruthless and unprovoked their lover responded, dispelling their weapons. Carefully, they came to his side, gingerly stroking his arms.

“So… d-did you just..?”

“Just knock him off his high horse, is all,” muttered Dion, who slipped his hand around Wet Nurse's hip.

Troubled groans arose from Ebony Ivory, who pushed up on shaky limbs. Foal-Bearer rushed to aid her, hooking an arm around her neck to stand up. “Are you okay?”

“Huugh… I am now, thank you,” breathed Ebony, who cast a wry glance at her friends and her fallen ex.

“What happened?” asked Dion.

“There was an attack right after you left,” the zebra mare explained. “A vengeful spirit called Mortis summoned an army of undead, aligned with some old foes of Beatrix. Normally, my former husband and I would be evenly matched. But whatever dark arts revived him also amplified his prowess. Fortunately, we arrived here severely weakened…”

Wet Nurse detached from Dion to kneel beside Natural Selection, checking him out. "You’re not kidding. His blood is all black and chunky!” She shuddered, fingers tracing over the scar around her neck.

Foal-Bearer shared her sister’s dreadful sensations, rubbing gingerly at her own. They had fallen under the dark influence once. First by the haunted mansion, then Shadow Scythe when she allied with the eldritch abomination disguised as their current home.

“How did you get here?” questioned the younger crystal mare.

“The last thing I saw was Zeloph’s sword igniting with light that opened a portal behind us,” recalled Ebony. “But for all I know, the fight is still going on…”

“Then we have tae go back!” the caprine warrior insisted, his eyes softening as worry washed over his face. “Mah sister’s vulnerable!!”

“Don’t work yourself up, Dion,” Foal-Bearer said soothingly.

“She'll be fine," reassured Wet Nurse, who focused her attention on the zebra mare’s injuries. “Our friends would never let any harm come to Lady Ewe or her unborn child!”

“Besides which, we’ve gotta take matters into our own hands here,” agreed Foal-Bearer. “We need to get her patched up!”

“All Ah wanted was a wee break. Just a few days wit'out bullshit…” The burly ram released a heavy sigh before he heaved Natural’s body over his broad shoulder. “Welp, since we have no way ov contactin' them, we'll make th' most ov our time here. Bellatrix planned tae open a rift outside yer tribal grounds fur when we return tae th' manor.”

“Hopefully, her, Beatrix, and the others were able to vanquish those ghouls,” pouted Wet Nurse.

“But what if they haven’t?” her sister stated worryingly. “If they’ve failed, we can’t go back!! And then we’ll-”

"Now is not the time for panic," proclaimed Ebony when Wet Nurse finished wrapping the last of her wounds. Once she was stable enough to stand, she continued, “I have the utmost confidence our allies will triumph over this new threat. We’ll find a way to reach them here. For now, we head home. Noble Savage will want to know about this development.”

With their treacherous prisoner in tow, Ebony led the white ram and twin crystal ponies over the river, where her tribe awaited her return.

Melancholy hung over the mansion like a thick fog. No one said a word, the only ambiance coming from the beast's low howls. The heroes may have driven out their enemies, but it was a hollow victory. Bellatrix set to work cleaning up the broken bones and furniture. Midnight, Cerise, Moonlight, Kitsune, and Wispy all pitched in to dispose of the changeling corpses. As did Demi-Trix and Moxxi, though the latter was less enthusiastic than normal. No matter the tulpa's approach, her imp friend refused to speak with her. Just silently scrubbing the guts and blood staining the walls.

Magenta eyes narrowed at Shadow Scythe, who sat on the stairs, stricken. Zeloph sat beside her, stroking his lover’s back with a glowing hand.

"This… this is all my fault," the reaper mumbled, blinking away small tears.

“You know that’s not true,” the demi-human spoke firmly. “Most of them were after Beatrix as well!"

“But they invaded because of me!” The reaper dejected, failing to hold back the sobs in her throat. “Mortis is after me, Zell. I’m the one who murdered him and my fellow reapers! I betrayed their trust and took all their souls!” Her watery eyes glanced over the others, who paused at her confession. “And you all know firsthand what I’m capable of...”

“We do,” Bellatrix firmly nodded. “You’re capable of change. You’ve proven yourself as a noble heroine!”

“Have I?” She questioned bitterly, rubbing the snot and tears with her sleeve. “M-maybe it's not too late. If I turn myself in, then perhaps he’ll-”

"No!" interrupted Zeloph, who pulled her by the shoulders to face him. “You’re not the same mare as before. You know damn well the thirst for vengeance is never quenched! Mortis isn’t going to be satisfied with your demise. He’ll only continue to reap more lives if we don’t stop him!”

“He’s right,” Midnight added in, offering a smile. “You’re one of us now, Shadow Scythe! That means we’ve got your back!”

“And we’ll do whatever we can to protect you,” offered Cerise, who tenderly rubbed her husband’s arm.

"I…I don’t deserve your kindness,” admitted Shadow Scythe, who began composing herself through sniffles. “But thank you…”

It wasn't like the pale unicorn to show weakness, but ever since her empathic awakening, she had begun to make up for a lost time. She had a lifetime of suppressed emotions, the shadow of affection she once felt reserved for her parents.

"Don’t beat yourself up, Shadow Scythe,” encouraged the succubus. “If anything, I’m more at fault here than you are.”

Golden eyes studied the torn-up walls, which would routinely reveal the true organic matter below, the wiry muscle that contracted and expanded, filled with eyes and teeth. The creature gurgled whenever she tried to touch it, the tissue tensing up as if expecting more pain.

“I know you’re mad at me,” she whispered lowly, her hand clutched. “But I promise, I will set things right!”

"Look at all of you,” a voice echoed above as a tall figure made his way down the stairs. Everyone gasped at the sight of the charcoal gray deer, his hand holding a familiar staff with weaved webbing. It looked far cruder, with a tiny stag skull embedding the center. A cunning smile spread across his face as the buck continued. “Desperately gripping at the hope that this will all be somehow resolved. It’s touching, really~!”

Shadow Scythe and Zeloph rose in alarm, summoning their weapons, while Midnight and Cerise wielded their lances. Likewise, Kitsune and Wispy backed them up with their respective weapons. Their caution escalated when Beatrix and Iclyn walked behind him, helping Lady Ewe hobble down the dilapidated stairways. And if one looked closely, the male deer’s silhouette stretched out wide over the hearth, showing how monstrous he truly was.

“W-wait,” the dark dancer stammered uneasily. “Y-you’re the Nightmare Stag?!”

“Omen,” he corrected with a subdued chuckle, giving a polite bow. “A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, princess.”

Midnight stood in front of his wife defensively, stating, “Don’t come near her, or I’ll-”

Omen’s laughter cuts him off. “Or you’ll what? Hulk out with a raging hard-on? I don’t think that’s wise, considering the energy you dispersed during that battle. How much of your life was shortened, I wonder.”

The blue pegasus could only respond with a growl while Cerise and Moonlight held him back. "It's not worth it," they quietly urged.

“Hey! That wasn’t necessary!!” berated Beatrix, who stomped down with a heated gaze.

“Oh yes, it was,” countered the gray stag. “You think words of encouragement are going to help? If each of your plans on getting through this calamity, you must accept one fundamental truth that you refuse to believe in.”

Oona pursed her muzzle, asking, “An' that is..?”

He turned to each of them with an overstretched smile. “That deep down, you’re all afraid~.”

“Perhaps we are,” admitted Bellatrix, who sternly approached the towering buck. “But we will never be intimidated by the likes of you.”

“Well, you should be,” the nightmare stag mused with an arched brow. “I know everything that there is to fear. All the personal monsters haunting your dreams, the demons hiding under your beds…” Omen then leaned closer to whisper into the she-devil’s ear. “Or in your case… the one locked in your basement~!”

Bellatrix immediately backed off, her expression contorted with dread. And upon realizing neither Esmeralda nor Camellia was present, the succubus disappeared in a hot flash before anyone could ask what was awry.

“What did you tell her!?” demanded Beatrix.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” claimed Omen, who waved the angry witch off.

“Seems the only fundamental truth here is that deers are just assholes,” snarked Zeloph.

“At least I don't feast on my own kind!” seethed Iclyn.

Once more, the dark stag turned to his deighdyr cousin nonplussed. “It’s only cannibalism if we’re equals.”

His statement made Shadow Scythe shudder as she turned to Oona. “Why do you indulge with such abysmal suitors? Surely you could have done better! Uhh, no offense, Belladonna.”

The violet witch pursued her snout. “I do have my moments…”

“When you’ve lived a good fraction of your life in exile due to your relatives' crimes, then you can speak,” Omen scoffed unapologetically. “But, of course, your boyfriend is familiar with that scenario. Aren’t you, sunshine?”

Both Zeloph and Moxxi glowered, their eyes hotly burning with contempt.

“Omen, please,” Oona stepped in, tightly gripping his hand. “Why dae ye insist on rilin' e'eryone up? We suffered enough as it is. Dae ye intend tae prove them right? Was Ah mistaken tae entrust you wit Abadonna’s future?”

This pulled the charcoal deer out of his antagonistic behavior, his expression softening at the sight of her tears. A thumb tenderly traced over the knuckles, taking her hand into his. “Forgive me," Omen said. "It’s been too long since I could walk in the waking realm. And with so much negativity present, it’s hard not to psychoanalyze.” Once more, his maroon eyes surveyed all the heroes and heroines present. “But It is with the intention of help.”

“Well, forgive us for finding that hard to believe, creep,” Wispy Willow said skeptically, the tigress crossing her arms and flicking her striped twin tails. “For all we know, you’re secretly involved in this mess!”

“Careful, Imoto,” cautioned Kitsune, who kept her eyes fixated on Omen. “We know nothing about this cervine cryptid…”

“Then allow me to shed some light,” offered the dark buck, which proceeded down the stairway to help the pregnant sheep sage settle into one of the chairs. Beatrix and Icyln flanked by her sides, eying the Nightmare Stag with uncertainty. Oona reached up to stroke her equine lover’s cheek affectionately.

“To start,” began Omen, who slowly paced around the fireplace, eying all the torn walls and exposed flesh of the eldritch abomination. “I am indeed a part of the faction banished by the deighdyrs. The prophet, actually.”

Moonlight tilted her head. “Prophet?”

The dark gray deer clarified, “Through dreams, I could see the future. Make predictions based on their meaning. Though, as you can imagine, many of us were stubborn stag heads. So, I had to get a little… ‘creative.’”

Cerise pursed her lips. “Through nightmares…”

Omen nodded. “Using their fears and insecurities, I would make them understand my visions. Warnings of imminent disasters if left unchecked. But then the long winter came. And food became scarce…” His head dipped down, his frown deepening. “It was a desperate time.”

“You ate our people!” Iclyn cut in, staring angrily at her distant relative.

“I did. But unlike those savages, I was aware of the consequences. I left the tribe quietly, well before they labeled us Wendigos.”

Oona spoke up next. “Sae then ye’re not responsible ur th' sickness plaguin' th' deighdyr?”

He shook his head. “I’m a picky eater. I don’t have the appetite for revenge. If I have to eat something or someone, I at least honor every part of them that I consume. A twisted sense, I know. Doesn’t really help my case.”

Wispy snarky added, “Nooooo, really? Where’d you get that idea?!”

Omen responded with a huff. “Regardless, I knew I didn’t belong anywhere. And since so many viewed me as a monster, that’s exactly what I gave them. Something to be feared. Someone to warn them of the troubles that crept closer every night. And, thanks to the unacquainted aid of a certain monarch and her bull…” His fist trembled as it tightened. “... I found myself imprisoned in the dream realm, spreading despair and darkness for anyone I could find. Thus, the legend of the Nightmare Stag was born.”

Midnight furrowed his brow. “Wait a minute… you’re saying Tatyana and Grimmwald are nefarious?”

Beatrix added her voice to the statement. “Well, Tatyana, I can understand! But Grimmwald?”

“Especially Grimmwald,” insisted the charcoal deer. “Don’t let his nobility fool you. He’s a cunning warlock and a sociopath, able to convince you that his desires are righteous. And before you realize it, you’re already the latest pet in his menagerie of Grimms. So take heed the next time you visit Canterlot, Beatrix. It might not return as who you were….”

“Why should any of us believe you?”

“Really can’t stomach the idea of trusting me, can you?” The nightmare stag chuckled. “Not that I blame you. I’ve been tormenting people for so long that I forgot whether it was out of spite or necessity. But you have more daunting matters at hand.” His maroon eyes scanned the bones and broken marionettes strewn throughout the wrecked furniture. "I know I can’t convince you that I truly mean well. But I can show you!" One of his claws stretched towards the murals on display, which shimmered with crackling ethereal energy.

“What dae ye have in mind?" asked Oona, who rubbed at her tummy.

"A ritual," elaborated Omen, who turned back to smile at her. "One that can allow you to communicate across every traveled world. Consider it a first tentative step."

Cerise gasped. “Wait, really!?”

“If that’s true, then we have a better way to contact each other,” considered Kitsune.

“I have to admit, that does sound incredibly helpful,” agreed Shadow Scythe.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” disdained the icy doe. “Don’t tell me you pathetic saps are actually buying into this horseshit! He’s a cannibalistic, opportunistic monster!!”

“I don’t see ya contributin' any solutions ter this plight,” remarked Moxxi, who planted her claws onto her wide hips. “Aw you’ve done is ridicule Beatrix and your ‘childhood friend’ for their life choices. You’ve been nuffin' but a bully wif a fat dildo up your bum!”

Zeloph nodded. “It’s also hard to fault Omen for his dining choices when we’ve committed similar atrocities. We’ve all been monstrous at one point or another. At least he comes with an intergalactic telecom.”

Beatrix stroked her chin in thought before a smile formed. “What do we have to lose? It’s definitely worth a shot!” She turned over to address the Nightmare Stag. “Alright, Omen. How do we perform this ritual?”

A gracious grin spread the male deer’s features as he bowed his head. “First, I will need a cauldron,” he instructed.

“Ooh! There’s one in the kitchen,” clamored Demi-Trix, excitedly. “Follow me!”

The cartoonish tulpa led her companions down the left corridor, with everyone muttering to themselves about trusting this fiendish cervine. Beatrix helped her lover stand before a slight gasp left her muzzle. “Did ye feel that, Ceann Oga?”

The witch’s smile widened as her hand traced over the shaman’s expectant tummy. “Sure did! Didn’t take Abby for a kicker~!”

While the couple tittered over their child’s development, Iclyn trailed behind with a perpetual scowl. While the deighdyr could care less what anyone thought about her, she couldn’t hide her disdain for how easily Omen swayed the group into his favor. Much like he had Beatrix and her former lover.

"Aaaah~. Well, that was satisfyin'!"

Countess Alma laid bare with the vampire women who sauntered around her in the dank cell. Her chest heaved with deep breaths, her claws brushing through their manes. She let out a soft sigh and twitched whenever they lapped up the leaking marks on her forearms.

“Mmmmm~! Such sweet, succulent blood,” mewled Esmeralda, who smacked her lips to savor the Vice Lord’s taste. “Much tastier than the thralls or lesser vampires from our district.”

“That’s because she wasn’t engineered in a lab by pathetic men,” reminded Camellia, who adjusted her porcelain mask after sampling the Baobhan Sith, her ruby lips stained. “We’ve longed for the chance to lay with a proper vampire~!"

Alma tittered in a sultry manner before saying, “A’d be mair than happy tae fulfill those desires if you free me from these shackles~."

"In due time, lovely," replied Camellia, whose ears twitched at the anguished groans echoing the dungeon. The pale, masked mare winced, cut to the core by the beast's howls. “Something’s clearly amiss. The manor hasn’t ceased its constant howling. If anything, it’s gotten louder!”

"Aww, poor baby," said Esmeralda, who patted a slimy wall. "We treated our home with better respect, didn't we? My love, I think it's time we headed up before anyone notices we’ve been gone for too long!"

“A little late on that, I’m afraid.”

Their heads snapped at Bellatrix’s voice, where the succubus approached the trio of vampires with a heavy glare. “Care to explain why you’re indulging my prisoner?”

“We were going to ask the same thing, actually,” huffed Camellia, who took her partner’s hand to stand in front of the Baobhan Sith protectively.

“Yes,” spoke Esmeralda. “The manor has been in constant agony! What gives?!”

“We were under attack by a legion of old adversaries,” Bellatrix confirmed begrudgingly, stalking closer on clawed feet. “And perhaps we’d have an easier time warding them off if you two weren’t fucking around down here!”

“Oh, trust me, Primadonna. There was a lot ov fuckin' around~,” the auburn beauty teased.

“That’s enough out of you!!” The she-devil summoned her curved dagger and demanded, “Camellia! Esmeralda! Step away from the Baobhan Sith immediately!!”

The couple took a moment to confer before they shared a nod. They followed Bellatrix’s request… and then lunged with blinding speed. Camellia knocked the weapon out of her grasp while Esmeralda secured her arms. Their eyes glowed a blazing scarlet as black veins pulsated from their cheeks.

Bellatrix squirmed violently yet was aware of how drained she was of energy. “Gaagh! N-No! Stop! L-Let me go!!”

“Sorry, Bella. But we can’t bear the sight of our own trapped like a feral animal!” sneered Camellia, who flashed her fangs.

“Not to mention,” giggled Esmeralda, who hotly panted against her captive’s neck. “Something about her blood has pumped us full of adrenaline. Hoohhhh, feel amazing~!!”

The Baobhan Sith let out a sinister cackled, “Ye see? Where ye only offer promises, Ah offer power. This is what separates th' rulers from cattle~!”

It was then that the red-skinned woman realized what had happened as her golden eyes surveyed the bite marks littering her foe’s arms. Enraged, she accused, “You’ve brainwashed them!!”

Alma shook her head. “It’s not that simple. Mah Onoma, Ambrogio, only works wit th' ingestion ov blood. Like you, other vampires aren't affected by mah hemomancy. But if they feed on mah blood, they get a nice little boost tae their speed, strength, an' regenerative abilities. Th' only reason th' manor isn’t recoverin' as quickly is because A’m starvin'..!.”

Her glowing eyes glanced at the ceiling of tendrils, still poised around the jail cell. “... But imagine all the yummy energy A’ll supplant once Ah get a proper meal~!”

“No! Don’t listen to her!!” begged Bellatrix, who futilely kept squirming within the thestral’s grasp.

“I think we’ve all had enough of your false promises, she-devil,” said Camellia, who squeezed the succubus’ neck to silence her.

Esmeralda shouted and asked, "What say you, our beloved 'Womb of Conception'? Join us, and we’ll guarantee you lots of meat to sate your bottomless belly!"

The creature withered and gurgled, evidently conflicted with the circumstances. But whatever goodwill and kindness Bellatrix had shown failed to remedy the agony and hunger. After a moment, Alma's chains fell away with a clink, letting the chimeric demoness free to stretch cat-like on her hooved feet. “Aaaaaahhh! That’s better~!” she purred, rubbing at her wrists.

Bellatrix could only gaze in horror as the cage bars bent open and the Vice Lord strutted out. Then, tendrils sprouted from the floor to confine her legs, arms, and neck. With the shapeshifter tangled up, the bat mare couple released their hold as all three vampires leered down at her.

“Ooooooh, you love tae see it~,” crowed Alma, who bent forward to playfully boop Bellatrix's nose. “Should have listened to yer imp friend. Ye gambled more than ye could afford!”

“Come, Camellia,” urged Esmeralda. “Let's head back before anyone else grows suspicious of our disappearance!”

With a nod, the porcelain masked vampire collected their clothing and proceeded towards the exit. The Vice Lord ran a tongue over her lips, eying their supple, naked buttocks as the couple climbed the stony stairs with swaying hips. After they vanished up the trapdoor, her attention turned back to Bellatrix, who glared up defiantly.

“Oh, come now, sweeting,” the Baobhan Sith purred alluringly, tracing the succubus' cheeks with her long talons. “Don't act like ye didn't see this comin'. A’m not some pet ye can just tame. A’m a Vice Lord! Sin an' ecstasy flow through mah veins. An' very soon, they'll flow through yours. Face facts, honey…”

She leaned towards the side of her face, slowly running her tongue along the shell of her ear, causing Bellatrix to shudder.

“... you belong tae me now~!”

Alma pulled away and inspected the mouth-like rows of teeth protruding from the walls, tenderly tracing the worn structure. “What was it they named ye? ‘Womb ov Conception?’ A’m sure ye realize that servin' Bellatrix will bring about yer undoin'. The time has come for ye tae bond wit someone much more appreciative ov yer gifts!”

The vampiress traced a palm down over one of her heavy breasts, giving it a hefty squeeze as she moaned. “An' unlike her, A'll let ye feast on anything ye wish. Ah won’t ever sacrifice a fellow predator fur mah own ends!” Alma held out her arms to the ceiling on tentacles that steadily lowered.

“Yeeeess, that’s it! Come tae me, love!! Let us become one~!!!”

The mansion shuddered as its cool black tendrils wrapped around the Vice Lord affectionately, feeling up Alma’s voluptuous form and squishy assets. The Baobhan Sith mewled and laughed with elation. Her lustful gaze found Bellatrix, who could stare back and watch helplessly as the foundations she built crumbled before her eyes.

"What a waste," noted Esmeralda as she and Camellia stepped into the foyer, adjusting their clothes and garments. They studied the broken clockwork marionettes scattered in pieces everywhere. “To think, we missed a fierce battle!”

"For what we just acquired, it was worth it. Trust me," cooed Camellia, who licked her ruby red lips. They heard a hiss and sizzle from the kitchen and headed in to find Beatrix and the others gathered there. Their eyes were drawn to the stranger looming over the cauldron, an eerie azure glow highlighting his dark face. He carefully dropped some ingredients, the contents threatening to spill over.

Upon noticing the thesrtal’s arrival, Beatrix exclaimed. “Hey, there you are! Where have you been? We could have used your help back there!”

“We were, erm… detained by the manor,” lied Camellia. “It instinctively locked us in a room to avoid the danger.”

“Besides, we wouldn’t have been much use,” added Esmeralda as her attention turned to the shapely cat and fox woman. “Ooh! Who are they~?”

“Wispy Willows an' Kitsune,” introduced Oona. “Had they not shown up, we might have been done fur!”

The petite bat mare offered a hand, yet the two cybernetic assassins stared at her wryly due to her aristocratic appearance. For a few seconds, Esmeralda stood there awkwardly before retracting her arm, frowning.

“You must be Lady Ewe’s ‘baby daddy’ then?” Camellia presumed, scanning Omen with slight interest. The gray buck only offered a nod, focused entirely on his spell as he slowly stirred the pot.

“Hmm. I can see the appeal,” she concluded before facing the violet mare. “Anyway, is there something we can do to help with the ritual?”

"If you have something of your world, I suggest throwing it into the cauldron," suggested Kitsune, who removed a lock of her copper mane and let it fall into the soup. Once the hair was swallowed up and burned away, there was a small flash the air filled with an acrid stench.

Wispy face scrunched at the horrid smell. “Blegh! Are you sure that will work? Couldn’t have tossed in old tech or something?”

The kunoichi nodded. “A piece of myself should suffice. We’re not what you’d call ‘normal’ after the experiments.”

“What do you mean?” Moonlight asked curiously.

The fox woman partially transmuted her hand, which appeared to resemble mercury once the flesh turned to liquid metal. A testament to what the cyber kunoichi truly was below.

“Geyaagh!” yelped Midnight, unnerved.

“Like something out of an old sci-fi movie,” commented Zeloph, who looked over the details of her circuitry. His frown deepened. Something about the material seemed very familiar…

"Well, I think it looks cool!" complimented Cerise, wide-eyed. "Say. D-do you think maybe we could…"

"Heh! Already ahead of you," smiled Wispy, who turned to Moonlight. “Demi-Trix mentioned you lost your wings before she pulled us over. So we prepared a little something for the trip over! Can't wait to unveil it after this is done!"

Moonlight couldn't help but shake with excitement she tried to subdue. She traced the false plume Moon Hammer had managed to craft for her, hopeful that the cybernetics of their world could help her return to the skies. "Oh, thank you! It means a lot..."

"Now, now, no tears!" Wispy flicked her with a striped tail. "We still need to test it!"

"That's wonderful news," chimed Midnight, who embraced his herd with his massive plumage, giddy with excitement. He could hardly wait to visit his homeworld soon. But it was also tempered with a sense of dread after the horde of warped drones had made their appearance.

One-by-one, everyone present offered their own sacrifices. Finally, the ritual reached its completion, signaled by a misty poof. The liquid contents constantly spiraled, glittering like stars. “There we are,” sighed Omen, who wiped a few beads of sweat off his brow. “Just call upon the location or person you desire to speak to, and a passage should open.”

“Ooh, most excellent!” the azure sheep beamed and squeezed his arm into her chest.

“See? Told you he wasn’t a bad guy,” Beatrix taunted Iclyn, who kept her snout high, unimpressed.

A bit of color washed the dark deer’s cheeks before he cleared his throat. “Now then. Would anyone like to go first?”

“Ohh! Can I please?” Cerise asked, stepping forward. "I want to see if we could ask one of my brothers if they’d be interested in our trip to Middy's world? Ashen Dune travels a lot, and I’m sure Penumbra would appreciate taking on a real mission. Gotta make sure he’s doing okay!"

At her request, the cauldron lit up as liquid whirled rapidly to form a picture of Cerise's homeland. Everyone gathered close, marveling at the visual spectacle. Slowly, the window into another realm took shape before the onlookers.

Ashen Dune's pastel-colored airship came into view. It hummed and trundled over the deserts, the crew busy at work across the deck, while a helmsman took control of the wheel.

Cerise tilted her head to one side. "Huh? Why did it take me here first?" She worried that Mortis would seek her family out since the unicorn lich had threatened to punish anyone who sided with Shadow Scythe. Her heart raced, yet she willed herself to seek them out.

As the vision took them below decks, Cerise concentrated on locating her younger brother until he finally came into view. "Ahah! Hey, Ashen Dunes, are yo–ooooooh my..!”

A furious blush crept across the princess’s cheeks once the window revealed a hot tub, the steamy waters dotted in rose petals. Everyone equally became heated by the sudden feminine moans and pants that sounded out of the heated pot.

Ashen Dunes rested naked in the waters, his wiry hands wrapped around Rheneas, who faced him while their snouts repeatedly mashed together when they made love. Their attention snapped to the sound of Cerise's voice, and Rheneas quickly shrouded them with her plume. “Cerise!?”

“W-what in the-!? Sister!!”

“Oh! Eheh! S-sorry," said Cerise sheepishly. "I didn't know this was a bad time!"

"More like unexpected," coughed Ashen, who quickly reached for a towel to clothe his lower, trim body while stepping out. The jade pegasus sunk further into the bath, completely flustered. This was a stark contrast to the deceptive Vice Lord demoness that once inhabited the ballerina's body.

“Yeesh! You barely knew each other for a day, and you’re already bonking~?” teased Demi-Trix, who nudged Moxxi. But the normally raucous imp was half paying attention, making an uncharacteristic expression that deeply concerned the tulpa.

Shadow Scythe also noticed something was off, yet didn’t want to intrude and doubted she wanted comfort, so she remained silent.

Using a second towel to dry off his mane by way of the unicorn's aura, Ashen bashfully admitted, “I suppose we did move rather fast…”

"I-I hope you don't mind," squeaked Rheneas, who reached for a towel while keeping an arm over her chest. “After all the turmoil I endured, it happened sooner than I expected!”

Cerise shook her head, wearing a wide grin. "Of course not! I think you’d make a fantastic couple! Mom and dad will be happy to know all their children finally found romance!”

Her comment made Iclyn roll her eyes.

“Actually, We need your advice,” Midnight hastily explained. “We're about to head into my world, and we could use the extra hands. I thought maybe you or Penumbra might be interested. Y’know, help take his mind off of recent stuff?”

“Ahh, that's true! My brother has never been one to relax, even on his days off," noted Ashen, who cuddled his lover close to his chest. His hand trended across Rheneas' mane, who returned his tender embrace. “Well, since you’ve asked me, I-”

Their call was interrupted by a thunderous roar that vibrated through the ship, making everyone jump. Ashen and Rheneas clung to each other tightly, heads whipping around in alarm. The bulk shuddered violently like it threatened to snap.

“What the hell was that!?” yelped Moonlight.

A speaker above crackled. "Captain," came the helmsman's voice. "You're needed on the deck!"

With haste, the pilot and ballerina rushed for their clothes and quickly redressed. Cerise gripped her husband’s arm tightly as the vision followed her brother up to the deck, where a most unusual sight came into view. The charcoal mare gasped, “What in the world..?!”

Black clouds had formed in the distance, partially eclipsing a clear sunny day. Beneath the foreboding nimbus, bolts of lightning struck the dunes, and whirlwinds tunneled in places.

“Do we pull back?”

Ashen frowned, shaking his head. “My family doesn’t run away from any form of darkness! Head above and investigate!”

Omen’s eyes narrowed when he voiced his concerns. “I don’t think that’s wise!”

“Yeah, it might be best to avoid it!” agreed Cerise. But the storm had already washed over them before they could change course. The vehicle strained and tilted before Ashen righted it, light and sound flashing above the zeppelin.

Beatrix pursed her snout. “What could possibly be causing this?”

The answer came in a series of violent shrieks once a winged silhouette was framed beneath the blazing sun, its rays peeking through the eye of the storm. The helmsman ordered manned cannons at the ready while Rheneas held her hand over her muzzle to muffle a scream. Everyone in the kitchen watched, aghast.

Ashen managed to find his voice. “Is that… a dragon?!”

The conjured portal zoomed in on the reptilian creature, its body armored in russian violet scales with a lightly shaded underbelly. Magenta spikes decorated its shoulders, limb joints, and wing wrists, matching its claws. A lengthy, flog-shaped tail whipped about with each beat of its massive wings. But its most distinguishing feature was the number of heads that protruded from its long necks.

Not one. Nor two. But three. Each with its own muzzle shape, indigo horns, and fins. All sharing red eyes that glowed with malice.

The tri-headed dragon released another terrible howl as archaic sorcery discharged from its body, causing the weather to worsen.

Rheneas clung onto the side rail as wind gusts rushed through the deck to batter the onlookers. She cried, “Such power...!”

Ashen handed her a pair of binoculars while he peered into his own. "Indeed! Most curious." They watched as the creature descended down towards the desert, unleashing hellish green flames from its jagged tooth-filled maws. Scorching the sands crystallized into the glass, it forced a herd of cattle to flee before scooping up a poor cow in its paws. With a couple of flaps, the monster darted towards the dust storm.

Noticing one of his men was about to take aim, Ashen waved him off. “Stop, hold your fire! We don’t want to needlessly provoke it!”

“B-But sir-”

“I’d rather that thing not become aware of our existence! Do you?”

This shut the crewmate up while the helmsman kept the ship afloat against the strong gale. Everyone on board and watching from the cauldron was puzzled by the monster’s sudden emergence.

“I don’t remember ever seeing a dragon like that before among Spike’s thunder,” whimpered Cerise. "He's supposed to be the last male!"

“That’s because it’s not a native to your world,” Omen spoke up, unease on his face. “Or rather he’s not of your world.”

“You know this dragon?” asked Beatrix, who crept closer to the cauldron.

The Nightmare Stag shook his head. “Not personally, but I learned through visiting dreams from the dragons of our world. Nightmares about a violent atrocity born out of jealousy and hatred. Andrei, Kralot of the Zmey Isles.”

Oona visibly paled, clutching her belly as she leaned on her dream catcher staff for support, visibly disturbed from their recent troubles. The witch wrapped her arms around her shoulder, doing her best to soothe her lover.

“In the Lost World,” Omen began to elaborate. “Dragons were split up into factions based on their appearance. Those bipedal and winged, like Spike or Ember, were considered true dragons, the highest order that has governed all dragonkin for centuries. But those years of being ridiculed provoked resentment from the lesser dragons. They would fight for the right to rule and often failed.”

His frown deepened. “This caught the attention of a selfish warlock, who offered to perform a conjunction spell and aid three draconic factions in pursuit of power. A drake, a wyrm, and a wyvern, respectively. With their combined might, he sought to command the most powerful dragon ever created and rule over every land. But, as you witnessed, no creature of that magnitude is so easily tamed.”

“The fool was eaten, and his magic taken. The fusion of three minds, combined with the overwhelming strength, caused Andrei great madness. He went on a rampage, decimating entire landscapes and slaughtered everything that dared stand on his warpath.”

This made Ashen and Rheneas shudder, grateful they hadn’t drawn the malicious beast’s attention. The gray buck continued, “An alliance with the alicorn sisters and Lord Torch was formed to subdue the monster’s onslaught. Together, they vanquished the great beast and cast Andrei to the far eastern islands, where he has ruthlessly ruled the ponies and dragons there as Kralot, or ‘King.’ Thankfully, peace was maintained between the draconic factions even after Celestia and Luna’s passing. But the threat of Andrei one day returning to wreak havoc on Equestria kept even the most valorous of Dragon Lords paranoid!”

“But that doesn’t explain why he’s in Cerise’s world ov all places!” exclaimed Oona.

“Oh, I can think of a reason,” stated Iclyn, who folded her arms and curled her snout at Beatrix. “Figures your powers would warp some kind of abomination into your so-called friend’s world.”

“H-hey, that isn’t-”

But Omen stepped forward, gazing at his icy cousin with deprecation. “Y’know, there is a saying in my tribe whenever we encounter unpleasant company. ‘Eat the Rude.’ And you, my dear, have been very rude…”

Iclyn stiffened as his shadow loomed over, flashes of the dark void the Nightmare Stag trapped her in. She could feel the world disorienting as she quivered underneath his maroon eyes.

But Beatrix pulled on Omen’s shoulder with a shake of her head. “No, it’s alright, really. Rude as she may be, Iclyn has a point. It's probably my fault a three-headed dragon now roams in Cerise’s dimension. But that's more incentive to find a way to fix it! Her world's suffered too much!”

“You don’t have to trouble yourselves,” assured Ashen with a nervous chuckle, much to his crew's perplexity. “I had a feeling something was up when the scorpions around the border suddenly ceased their mindless attacks! See for yourself.”

He and Rheneas pointed to the desert below, cut off by his nation's borders. The scorpion hybrids stood motionless in the whipping sands, their stingers vibrating in a trance-like state. The manifold eyes across their exoskeletons peered towards where the hydra-esque dragon had vanished. Almost like the abominations had anticipated his arrival.

"Ah think Ah get it,” Oona presumed. "These creatures were failed experiments ov th' Eldritch, which they abandoned. Simple creatures, genetically engineered tae obey orders. But wit'out a master, they've mindlessly scoured th' deserts fur sustenance an' bred out of control. Sae what if they see th' Kralot ov Zmey as a potential new alpha tae serve under?"

Ashen nodded with pursed lips. "It would explain why they’re so tame! They’re awaiting instructions from him! Though this is worrisome." He yanked at his colorful silk scarves. "If Andrei’s reputation is as fearsome as you say, what are the chances he’ll use them to invade other territories?"

“Undoubtedly high,” Camellia said with a huff. “All males have the instinct to dominate everything they believe is theirs…”

“Then we can't stay here! We have to act before that happens,” cried Cerise. “Let's do whatever we can to help! Maybe call up my father's and Lord Spike’s forces if necessary!”

Midnight turned to his half-sister with a sharp nod, his snout drawn in determination. "You're coming too, right, Beatrix? If there's a portal there, maybe you can shut it down?"

“Of course, I'll come,” the violet unicorn answered as guilt weighed her down. “I owe you all a sizable debt. One I probably can't pay.”

Beatrix struggled to meet any of their eyes. The fate of Midnight's world, his hyper-stallion nature, what the Eldritch had done to Cerise's planet, Zeloph’s inclusion, even the release of the Burning King, which resulted in Penumbra and Moonlight losing their limbs! How could the result of her actions be anything but a burden...?

"Sad to say, Ah won’t be there tae guide ye, Ceann Oga," admitted Oona bitterly, cradling her gravid belly with one arm while the other leaned on her staff. “But since Ah won’t be able tae join you… Someone else should take mah place.” She cast wry eyes on her former lover, who snapped her head between the azure sheep and violet mare.

“... No!”

Beatrix looked at Lady Ewe, appalled. “W-wait, you can’t be serious! I second that, no!!”

“Out of the question! As if I’d leave you in the care of that cannibal,” she pointed accusingly at Omen, who smiled slyly. “Let alone get roped into this hussie’s reckless, senseless travels!”

“Yeah! If anything, you should be the one to accompany me, Omen!”

“Sorry, but I am needed here,” refused the Nightmare Stag. “I can ensure Oona and Abby’s safety. Besides, it’s not that bad of a suggestion! Who better to teach Beatrix restraint than you, Iclyn? You're the one who's always demanding she learn self-control. Why not rise to the occasion and help her?”

The deighdyr scowled at the buck, her antlers and hands flurrying with frost. But upon looking back to Oona, who stared back pleadingly at her, Iclyn couldn't deny the truth of their words. She turned her back on them with a long sigh and said, “...You owe me big time for this!”

"Of course,” nodded the dream shaman, who tittered weakly. “But it's why I know I can count on you.”

Beatrix failed to suppress her dismay. “This day just keeps getting worse and worse,” she muttered, stomping her heeled foot. But maybe this was a chance to finally show Iclyn up by proving how helpful her powers could be, too!

Moonlight looked towards the reaper and fallen angel, questioning, “Will you guys be staying behind to protect the manor?”

“We can’t,” proclaimed Shadow Scythe, hands-on her sickle. “I have my own mission to undertake in my world. Mortis has my father...and I won't rest until I've set him free. Whatever it takes!"

"I'm going with her," added Zeloph at her side. “There's still the matter of a possible demi-human there. Plus, we can figure out more about the fabled Vorpal Blade and its untold secrets.”

“I’m coming too,” Moxxi spoke, much to Shadow Scythe’s visible begrudgement. “Been cooped up 'ere too long for me taste. I could use the trip ter cut loose.” She playfully sauntered her hips.

“Zeloph, was it?” Kitsune cut in as she and her sister approached the couple. “I’d like to apologize for attacking you earlier. I see now that what happened with Ebony was an accident.”

“Water under the bridge,” responded the demi-human with an awkward chuckle. “It was a misunderstanding. And please, call me Zell!”

Wispy crossed her arms over and sighed. “I’m just glad there are demi-humans on our side. The last one nearly screwed us over.”

This made both Zeloph and Moxxi double-take, exhorting, “Wot 're ya talkin' abaht..?”

Wispy cocked an eyebrow. “Oh… you don’t know?”

Kitsune turned to Cerise, motioning a hand at the cauldron before she asked, “May I?”

“O-oh, sure! Hey, we’ll be there soon, brother! Don’t do anything rash until then! Rheneas, watch after him! I know how reckless he can be!”

Ashen Dune and Rheneas nodded, waving goodbye as the portal dissolved so that a new vision could form from the swirling liquid. A new portal depicting the cyber world was formed as the group leaned in to see a fancy-looking casino. And inside the tallest tower stood a suited figure, wearing a stylish hat with matching pinstripes. His face was covered by a bright red bandana with a snake fang design. His slime yellow eyes focused on the city outside his window while his spaded tail flicked about.

Zeloph and Moxxi couldn’t believe their eyes, fixated on the stranger while Kitsune elaborated. “His name is Seb. He’s a gambler who profits off of others' fortunes. When we encountered him, he relied on sharp cunning and card-based magic that summoned various weapons at his leisure. His publicity and status have only grown after Oona and Beatrix helped us in our bout.”

“Wait a cock suckin' minute…” the imp hunched her shoulders before shooting a nasty look at the aforementioned couple. "You knew there was anovver loike us!? A-and didn't say a Dicky Bird!?!”

“... Well. Actually, there's two,” corrected Wispy.

Both demi-humans exclaimed, “Two!?”

The liquid rippled, showing another part of the cyberverse with what looked to be an illegal fighter’s pit. The audience roared, celebrating the victory of their champion, who held up a gold-plated belt high. Much like Seb, he was an unmistakable demi with gray skin, a unique tail, and a set of bovine horns crowning his head of dirty blonde hair. A charismatic grin spread his features, amplified by the shades hiding his eyes.

The wrestler garbed devil worked the crowd over with multiple poses, flexing his adonis physique. He held a hand to his ear, listening as adoring fans shouted his name. “Arron! Arron! Arron!”

“Yeeeeeah, baby~!” the amply named demi laughed. “Who wants a piece of the champ?!”

Gunfire answered his statement as police forces swarmed in, placing everyone involved under arrest. Contestants and audience members evacuated the scene, but Arron stood his ground, only raising an eyebrow to the cops, who aimed their weapons at the gold-studded brawler.

“Put your hands in the air! We have you surrounded!” An officer ordered through a megaphone.

This only earned a hardy chuckle out of Arron, who placed his championship belt onto the ground and cracked his neck.

“I said freeze, punk! You’ve got nowhere to run!!”

Squaring up, the golden demon retorted, “Oh yeah? Run this fade, bitch~!”

Aaron rushed at his opposition as a topaz crystalline substance hardened around his arms and shoulders, deflecting the rounds shot at him. Everyone watched as the enforcers received a brutal beatdown by Arron’s hands. The window closed on the last shot of an incoming fist.

“Sweet lucid dreams,” murmured Oona. “Two demi-humans?”

The fox woman nodded. “We only recently discovered Arron, but I suspect he’s been there even longer than Seb. Whether it’s because of Beatrix’s magic or not remains uncertain…”

“Man,” Midnight said, flabbergasted. “As if there weren't enough problems on our plate already!”

“Understatement of the decade,” scoffed Moonlight.

Beatrix's face soured once more. “Jeez! This has gotten so out of hand! Look, whatever happens, I’ll-”

The witch was cut off when a hand seized her neck. In a quick flash of neon, Moxxi was fully formed as her true self, Anarchia. She glowered at the violet unicorn, her dark aura manifesting around her curvy figure.

“Ya lil' tit for tot!” the demoness hissed. “Ya knew abaht ovver demi-humans, and ya didn’t tell us!?”

“Aaaugh! H-hey, I’m sorry, okay! It never crossed my mind; I didn’t think it was that impor-TANT!!” Beatrix choked, feebly kicking her legs.

“Not important!? For the longest nickle and dime, we were lucky ter believe we were the only ones cursed by the Divine Father! But ya discover more of us exist and 'ave the audacity ter wave it off as not important?!? Ya selfish berkshire 'unt!!!”

“M-Moxxi, calm down!” begged Demi-Trix, who tugged on her tail while avoiding its venus flytrap-shaped end.

“Ana!” Zeloph pulled her attention towards him by taking her free hand. “Stop it! This isn’t like you!”

“'a 're ya okay wif this!?” the female demi fumed. “She withheld valuable information from us!”

“A lot is going on right now,” her brother said firmly. “Beatrix likely learned when I was still being a shithead. I don't blame her for not trusting me. But that doesn’t give you the right to take it out on them!"

“Oh, that’s bloody rich comin' from ya, brother! Ya can’t say that and be so.. s-so.. fuckin'-! Daugh!! Fuck all of you!!!” She dropped Beatrix and stormed out of the kitchen.

The witch wheezed while Omen helped her stand up. Oona rubbed at her lover’s neck, gently asking, “Are ye okay!?”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” she coughed. “But what the fuck is her problem? Talk about an overreaction!”

“I don’t know,” answered Shadow Scythe, who lowered her snout. “She’s been acting strangely after we fought the Burning King. Always inserts herself into our affairs. I might have something to do with me…”

The Fallen One cupped the pale mare’s cheek assuringly and said, “I’ll go talk to her. We’ll figure this out, I promise.” Planting a chaste kiss on her forehead, he kindly ushered Demi-Trix to his side before hurrying upstairs after his sister.

The reaper was still lost in ruminations about her parents. She had released the captured souls of the reapers she betrayed...so how was Mortis still able to exist, even in this decrepit state? Was the Necronomicon somehow responsible?

With a weary sigh, Shadow Scythe rambled on, “This is so stressful. Not to mention the matter of the Vice Lords that escaped. The further out we travel, the more likely our paths will cross with Varys."

Wispy Willow perked an ear. "Varys? As in that mad scientist that greatly altered our world?!"

The reaper gazed up at the sisters. “You’ve encountered him?”

Kitsune's face hardened. "We haven’t. But it was his actions that led to us becoming who we are." She recalled the mysterious syndicate that had kidnapped the sisters, wiped their memories, and altered them. Shaking off the horrible memories, the kunoichi stroked the hilt of her beam saber. “Let us come with you. Triad was an old enemy of ours, as well. He could likely lead us to Varys…”

"We need to be there," insisted Wispy. "Besides, you've seen what we can do! We can more than handle ourselves! I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t work together."

“Neither do I,” admitted Shadow Scythe. “We’ll need all the help we can muster.”

Omen chose this moment to say, "Indeed. Mortis has apparently spread his dark influence to several worlds. No doubt he wishes to keep everyone separated."

“But we can't simply abandon our homelands,” reminded Cerise, the idea of that draconic menace anywhere near her family frightening her. “We don't have any choice but to split up!"

"A conundrum indeed," noted Esmeralda, her mouth split into a coy smirk. "Yet you cannot simply leave the mansion unattended, either. Luckily, Camellia and I will help Bellatrix look after the place. We can rebuild and prepare more clockwork maids for whatever lies ahead!"

"Yes, no need to worry," assured Camellia, her crimson eyes drawn to the sorry state of the walls, which on occasion revealed the meat below the surface. “This place shall be in worthy hands!”

“Ah hope so,” Oona huffed, feeling nauseous by the growing list of problems.

Omen lent her his frame to lean on. “You need to rest,” he suggested sweetly. “All this anxiety won’t be good for the baby.”

With a quiet nod and a yawn, the azure sheep allowed the dark deer to guide her out of the room. Omen turned back to the party and said, “I suggest you take this time to prepare yourselves. The storm is only brewing. It’ll only get worse from here…”

With their missions realized and nothing left to lose, everyone went to their respective groups and began preparations to tackle the next journeys ahead.

When Quicksilver Bullet opened his eyes, he expected to be back in Mortis’ crypt, which made up his lair. But to his surprise, lich and his followers (except Natural Selection) appeared in the midst of an industrial factory. The sound of iron pistoning and gears rotating like clockwork echoed. In front of the foursome, the mechanical coffins used to replenish themselves were somehow here.

Turning to the revenant unicorn, the older stallion asked, “What is this place?”

“You may call it my sanctuary,” a different, mechanized voice answered. Everyone turned their heads towards the steel tapping of footsteps when their benefactor approached them. Like Penny and Triad, his body was robotically modified. Adorning his towering physique was an olive green parka jacket with an extensive fur collar and steelwork baggy pants. Oversized steel gauntlets rested behind his back. A long bionic tail waved behind him, the tip looming near his avian masked face.

“Ooh my,” Penny Dreadful inquired with a coo. “And who is this lovely chap?”

“Varys,” the undead reaper introduced him. “It is through his generosity and advanced technology that all of this was made possible.”

“Master Varys, if you’d please,” corrected the cyber demon, who turned his sensors towards Penny Dreadful, scanning the life-like automaton's exposed mechanical parts.

Noticing those glowing visors, the huntress smirked and playfully brought her wings over her bosom. “You silly lecher! Don’t you know it's impolite to gawk at a woman’s chest~?”

The mechanical plague doctor gave a mute chuckle. “Forgive my prying. My intention was not lascivious, I assure you. I was merely admiring the inner workings of your machinery. What a remarkable blend of magical and clockwork components! Superb craftsmanship!”

Penny giggled like a flustered schoolgirl. “Awww, you flatter me~! But really, it's all thanks to Doctor Kilroy's genius. Isn’t that right, daddy dearest?” For a moment, not a word was spoken among the band of villains while Penny tilted over her shoulder, beak twisted by cheer.

“Erm, you’ll have to excuse her,” Quicksilver said. “She’s, uh… ‘non compos mentis,’ if you know what I mean.” The older stallion made a rolling motion with his finger next to his head.

Varys said nothing, though his scanners did detect some sort of invisible force looming around the clockwork assassin. Instead, he drew his attention towards Triad, who quietly studied him.

“Such a wide range of technology,” the black stallion complimented. “It reminds me much of the cybernetics back in my homeworld.”

“And would your home happen to be a futuristic city rich in augmentation?” the Vice Lord questioned, a hand under his chin.

A smile formed on Triad’s muzzle. “It is! I take it you were there before?”

“As a matter of fact, many of the structures and weapons built there were based on my earliest iterations. I had much planned for that universe before my untimely banishment. But where one door may permanently close, another shall open. And fortunately for me, one has.”

Both Penny Dreadful and Triad grew curious and were about to ask Varys to elaborate when a whir sounded once the mechanical casket lids popped open and steam hissed. The insides were filled with black, viscous ooze, like an oil slick that shined under the factory's eerie red illumination.

“Rejuvenate yourselves,” commanded Mortis. “I will not halt my revenge for anything.”

“I could murder for a bath. Literally,” Penny Dreadful muttered between sniffs of her clothes.

“Hmm. Another time then,” noted Varys, who stepped away as his computer A.I. sent him a digital message. “Excuse me, A shipment just came in. My other client requests more weapons to supplant his people. Nonetheless, I look forward to conversing with you two again.” With a bow, he ascended the rafters to resume his work.

Penny waved at him before letting out a titter. “Daddy! Don’t be ridiculous! He’s a machine! You know they don’t possess actual feelings~,” she rambled to herself while twisting out of her soiled clothes. She slid in, her dark aquamarine feathers puffed up and shivering while the blackness enveloped her. “Blimey, that’s cold!”

Triad sighed before removing his pin-striped business suit. The black stallion's muscled back has emblazoned a tattoo depicting a dragon and tiger locked in conflict. "I'm quite curious about your world, Penny. I did not think clockwork tech was viable." His brown eyes drew to her open wound. "How does it work?"

Penny massaged the gears and cogs within her automaton body, a sickening squelch sounding. "Sorry, but I'm afraid I couldn't explain it very well. Not like my father would, anyway!”

"But he’s dead,” whispered the politician, who shook his head while bathed in the darkness, the coffins primed to pump eldritch lifeblood into their undead forms to animate them.

Yet whenever Penny relaxed her muscles, she met the kind likeness of her creator. Doctor Kilroy, a middle-aged, bald, and muscular stallion garbed in a button-up lab coat, looked at her with his circular glasses and warmly smiled. "Oh, dear. Seems no one can hear or see me yet, my dear. Though it’s to be expected! The common person lacks the faith you possess."

"Bollocks! Oh well… Can’t say I blame them for not understanding. Either way, I’ll live to carry on your work, father," she swore, her face hardened.

Beatrix had helped Esmeralda and Camellia murder her creator! The one society had condemned as a 'mad scientist, simply because poor Doctor Kilroy wished to use his automatons to revolutionize the world! But his specter continued to whisper his secrets in her head!

The casket lids slid closed over Penny and Triad, then churned as more of the darkness that animated their undead bodies were pumped in.

"You need to recover, too," reminded Mortis, who turned to the former crypto-zoologist. "Fury alone will not be enough to fulfill your vendetta."

"Bah," spat Quicksilver, whose heavy boots paced around the factory, filled by the echoes of machinery that methodically worked behind them. “We’re wasting time as it is. If we don’t leave now, Atalanta will slip away!”

"You of all people should understand patience," the undead unicorn stated. "I am sure you mustered it on many occasions as a hunter of cryptids. The traitor can only hide in so many places. She's become dependent on her friends and her lover. We are also down a comrade, who must be retrieved before our next assault."

The old unicorn turned. “What, you mean Natural Selection? I say ditch him. He ain’t no team player! We're better off without him."

"He will serve his purpose," noted Mortis, who floated over to Penny's coffin to see Dr.Kilroy talking with his creation. "What curious beings, these tulpas. The one shaped like Beatrix was able to summon those cyber ninjas. I could make use of this. And, in return for Penny's service, I will breathe life back into you once this is over. Unlike the traitor, I keep my word."

"The traitor...my daughter...my sweet Atalanta," muttered Quicksilver, his coat draped off his withered body while he prepared himself to sleep in his casket. The hunter exhaled, prepared to renew his tired form for the war ahead.

With his minions now incubating, Mortis floated towards the central computer where his partner was typing away at. Upon clicking send, Varys spun in his chair to face the tattered cloaked revenant. “I take it the assault was a success?”

Mortis nodded once. “We dealt a heavy blow. Beatrix and her allies are beset from all sides, their worlds struck by obscene peril.”

He chuckled. “Good. With the Burning King no longer around, there’s nothing that can stop us from seeing our plan to fruition. Although I will admit, I remain curious about Beatrix's anomalous state. And whether it can be cured.”

The undead unicorn’s bony hands pulled out the flesh-bound cover of the Necronomicon, the stretched and mummified faces of the Eldritch trapped across it. “If one exists, it is likely hidden within the pages. I have no further use for it now that I’ve mastered all the required spells. But through your research, you might find something valuable to aid in your 'side project.' So long as we make certain Beatrix does not reclaim it."

He offered the heavy tone to the cyber demon, who accepted it. Briefly skimming the pages, Varys said, “Rest assured. There is nothing anyone can do that will interfere with our operation. With your magic and my intellect, we're practically invincible.”

With a nod of his head, Mortis opened his palm to levitate the cybernetic coffins with the inhabitants undisturbed. He was about to spirit them away before Varys spoke up again.

“Oh. And one more thing. A personal request. Leave Zeloph to me.”

“Anyone aligned with Shadow Scythe has already chosen death,” the revenant restated before teleporting away through the ghastly green portal back to his dimension, where his nemesis awaited to face his wrath.

With his guests gone, Varys placed the Necronomicon into a file cabinet for later. He descended towards the cargo bay, where the latest subjects for his experiments laid unconscious. Beneath his vulture-shaped mask was a smile as he scanned each of the three zebra princesses his drone had captured.

A small price for the ruler of the Pundamilian Empire, but one that would ensure his legacy as the most powerful nation in Zebrica.

“Excellent work, I.V.O,” he congratulated. “Now then. Let us proceed with phase two.”