Prisoners of War : A Beatrix Belladonna Tale

Deep in the morgue, two recruits rolled out a slab for Fiery Kickstart's inspection ahead of the scheduled autopsy. Gray walls carried a chill used to help keep the corpses preserved, alongside many enchantments that had been applied to today's main arrival in particular. When the newly crowned supreme commander did arrive, both men saluted.

"We kept her on ice like requested, sir,” one attendant noted.

Fiery turned to the four soldiers accompanying him and nodded his head. They stood stationary while he appraised the cold steel table. His face grimaced slightly at the sight of Snowy Blizzard, pale and naked with her stomach grotesquely swollen.

“Those insectoid scum…” he muttered gruffly.

"That’s odd,” the other attendant said while surveying the bloated corpse. “It appears she already expelled the eggs infesting her uterus well before your men discovered the body!”

His partner nodded. “Yeah… Normally, a broodmare would have their innards eaten as the hatched grubs chewed their way out. Yet, strangely, no signs of bodily rupture, or-"

"You can spare me the details," insisted Fiery, who touched the clammy cheek of the snowy white mare. Her breasts and hips swelled in a motherly manner. She appeared to be sleeping peacefully, almost perfectly preserved by freezing enchantments... but he knew better. Gently, the mustard stallion momentarily rolled her across the slab onto her belly and saw the flurry of snowflakes that made up her cutie mark emblazoned across her wide buttocks.

"Oh, Snowy,” he exhaled forlornly. “If only I had gotten to you sooner…”

A bitterness resonated in his chest, recollecting the day Snowy chose Thunder Storm over himself. And while Fiery Kickstart wasn’t bothered by this, as he held great respect for the mighty pegasus, jealousy now lingered after Shining Armor's incompetence had gotten the commanding officer killed, and his wife captured. The fact that the privileged bastard slept with Snowy during her moment of weakness and sired a son made him livid!

Fiery would never forgive his former friend for this. He leered down at the pale mare while laying her on her back. The supreme commander leaned closer, whispering, “It should have been me! I would have loved you. Protected you. Saved you from those evil things! But now..."

“Uuhm… Do you want some time alone, sir?” One of the attendants spoke up, a little disturbed.

Fiery hardened his scarred features. "Negative. Just start the autopsy. I need to know how Snowy died."

"R-right away! But be warned; it's gonna get gruesome..."

The lab-coated stallion began by washing and sterilizing his instruments before drawing lines underneath Snowy's heavy breasts. A scalpel was nearby, ready to cut the tender flesh and bleed it into a metal basin.

But before the dissection could adequately begin, Snowy Blizzard's pale cadaver suddenly shook. All the soldiers jumped in alarm, drawing their weapons, while the attendants stumbled back with a yelp.

“Sweet Buttery Faust!!”

"Steel yourselves," commanded Fiery, eyes narrowing when small bumps moved around inside Snowy’s flesh. Then, various insects and arachnids crawled from every orifice of the corpse. It was as if his hated enemies had turned the mare he coveted into a horrific pinata. A mockery of the warm, kind mother she'd been in life. One of his men couldn’t suppress the bile spewing up their esophagus, vomiting his stomach’s content all over the floor.

The smell of death filled Fiery's nostrils, his steel in hand. The corpse's bloated belly quivered, then popped into a shower of rancid critters, which scurried across the dull room. He gripped his flamberge sword, which ignited with flames, and torched the pests with precise slashes.

A swarm filled the air with a violent buzz. Boots stamped across the floor.

One of his men bumped into a slab, which spilled out, where another naked cadaver of a mare flopped out onto the floor, her preserved form cold and clammy to the touch. One of the many cadets Fiery and his men had failed to save, though at least spared the fate of a changeling incubator.

"Keep away from her!” Fiery barked at the arthropods that tried to take shelter in the carcass, his flame sword and boot repeatedly stamped down. "Why can't we have dignity in death?!"

Fortunately, the mustard stallion dealt with most of the bugs before they could penetrate her various cavities, the floor littered with tiny green splats.

Everyone present received a few bites or stings until they managed to squash, burn, or splat every last one. Thankfully, it appeared there was no permanent harm. One attendant immediately broke out his first aid kit and attended to their wounds the best he could. The other used his gloved hands to reach up the mare cadaver's cunt with a wet squelch, where he withdrew more wiggling bugs and crushed them in his palm.

Another soldier upchucked his lunch into a sink, many shaken and unable to believe what they witnessed.

A sudden glitch in his perspective caused Fiery to turn his steely gaze to Snowy's corpse, watching it dissolve in a flash of scarlet light… and a female drone now laid in its place. His blood boiled, no doubt an off-hand sacrifice by the changeling queen for this ruse. For a moment, he almost admired the enemy, determined in their ruthlessness to win this battle, be it through war tactics or mind games.

One of his pallid men, sweating bullets, asked, "Wh-what does it mean..?"

Fiery cleansed the cinders off his blade and sheathed it, the area splotched in splatters of dead insects and burn marks. "We recovered a fake. A sick prank pulled by the enemy to rile us up. However… this could also mean the real Snowy Blizzard is still out there."

“B-but it doesn’t make sense!” One of the attendants stammered. “At this stage of the war, neither side can afford to expend resources like this!”

“Yeah, not to question your judgment, sir. But it seems very unlikely Chrysalis would dispose of her own soldiers just to scare us,” the other concurred.

“It doesn’t matter what it means,” one of the soldiers spoke up to reassure his comrades. “Their changelings, through and through! And we have to exterminate every last one before more of our mares get abducted and raped!”

While the rest of his military regrouped and tried to forget this whole ordeal, Fiery was deep in thought, pondering the reality of Snowy Blizzard’s fate.

Part of him believed death would be a mercy. She would have killed herself long before those abominations forced her to harbor their eggs. But what if she didn’t. And Fiery was prolonging her suffering… all because he split his forces after Beatrix Belladonna’s arrival.

The supreme commander would have to crack down harder and fix all the stuff his lousy predecessor bucked up. Contraceptives would be banned, children would be enlisted sooner, and more stipends would be paid to mares that birthed the most foals.

Fiery cares not about where the ramifications his actions would lead him. By the end of this war, many would see him as a hero, his legacy an inspiration for generations to come.

“Whatever it takes to secure victory for Equestria...!”

*****

"Welcome back~!" Strawberry and Blue Moon greeted in unison with a bow of their heads.

The twin crystal mare-turned holstaurs twins wore cow-spotted bikinis when they rushed towards the gates upon hearing the arrival of their old friends. Both took a moment to catch their breath, rubbing their gravid bellies.

“We’re so glad to have you back in our settlement!”

"Please, make yourselves at home! Would you like us to prepare you dinner!"

“Or a bath!”

“Or us~!!”

Beatrix giggled eagerly but waved off the tempting suggestion. “Maybe some other time. For now, we just need a place to rest. And this place sure is cozy~!” She whistled happily while admiring their decorative home.

"Of course!" Blue Moon said when she took the witch's hat and cape for her. "Whatever you need-"

"-we're happy to provide~," finished Strawberry Moon with a coy wink.

“Udder-brained bimbos!” Iclyn dryly stated.

“It’s a good thing we didn’t bring Middy here, 'cause I doubt he’d control himself with them around,” Lightning Spark quietly said while the unicorn-disguised Deinos nodded. Cerise said nothing, staring hard at the ground.

"Right then! I'll make me preparations," announced Arcanum Folklore, who tossed his duster onto the coat rack, rolled up his sleeves, and prepared the ingredients necessary to traverse the dimensional planes. With permission from the half-cow, half-mare twins, the erenn warlock settled in the guest room, took out a piece of chalk, and began sketching a complicated runic circle across the floorboards.

“Now, just so you know, I've never used this to transport someone else,” he warned the deighdyr. “Might want to bag an extra coat. You could end up naked, like I did back when I first attempted this!"

"Uh huh," the snow fawn drolled, her arms folded. "When will it be done?"

"Hours. Probably half a day at most. I’m afraid you’ll have to settle in for now. Take a bath, kill some time."

But instead of heeding his advice, Iclyn moved over to help him draw the circle, which he stepped in the way. "Whoa, now! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“I don’t have time for this,” answered the cyan cervine, her face deadpanned. “Show me how to draw the portal. I need to get to the Isle of Parras immediately!”

Arcanum scowled. “Now listen here, you frosty cunt. It’s bad luck to be messing with me flow! Just be thankful this ritual doesn't require any bodily fluids to complete! So I suggest you act like your magic and cool it!”

Iclyn bitterly cursed while backing off, frustrated by her inability to rush in and aid Oona. With a troubled breath, she said, "My apologies. I understand each spell caster has their own unique style.”

"Good! Wouldn’t want to send you back with two heads.” Arcanum swallowed a dark chuckle. "Think of this as a last chance to say any farewells. Though granted, you’re not the most popular person here!”

"Like I need anyone's approval," pronounced Iclyn, who turned and strode out.

The shaggy stallion shook his head and muttered, “Cold stone bitch!” before continuing his meticulous work. One bad mistake, and he'd be a hypocrite, especially after he'd drummed down Beatrix's blunders. Still, while he found her unpleasant, Iclyn proved to be one of the few people he could depend on here.

Someone that could keep a level head and do what needed to be done, yet remained acutely aware of the potential consequences. Didn’t have to like the icy doe to get along, which worked nicely for him!

Eyes blotched with dark circles scanned his companions, who each ventured out to explore or find respite elsewhere in the Minotaur Ville. Could he rely on the others?

“Mhm. Penumbra, maybe,” Arcanum murmured. “Possibly Kyube and Kitsune! But the rest of them are too soft or immature. And I ain’t betting me life on a changeling yet!”

With a scoff, he drew another sigil. Unfortunately, this one bore a resemblance to the chalk outline he drew for Bloody Merry after failing to save her.

“Bah! Give it a rest, old boy,” he scolded himself gently, wiping under his eyes. “Let her rest in peace…”

In truth, Arcanum knew he deeply needed someone like his old flame right about now. And he'd have to do his best to whip this motley bunch into shape before time ran out.

*****

Inside the foyer, a fire crackled in the hearth while coffee, tea, or hot cocoa was offered to everyone. Cerise and Lightning had taken seats on the couch while Penumbra stared into the flames. Deinos, still using his Web Spinner disguise, sat in a chair.

"Thank you," he said with a smile when accepting his steamy cup from Blue Moon.

Beatrix arrived from the kitchen with food in tow, a tray in her arms and more lifted by her aura while she placed them across the table with a clink. The fresh aroma of a well-prepared meal tickled their noses. "Come on, try and cheer up! At least everyone's safe!"

"Not all of us,” the charcoal thestral said with more sourness than intended. She tossed a log into the hearth, longing for the days she could cuddle up in Midnight’s fluffy feathers. When his overbearing needs didn’t outweigh his love…

When she felt the busty witch embrace her from behind, Cerise reached to pet her forearm and said, “Thanks, Bea. I’ll be fine, really.”

“You’ve gone through worse,” Beatrix reminded, which conjured terrible memories of Madame Doppia that the princess shook off with a shudder.

“Doesn’t mean it hurts any less. I just wish we could have found a cure for Middy!”

“Yeah. Been wishing for a lot of things lately…” Even though she tried to reassure herself, Beatrix felt at fault for causing her friends such heartache. Iclyn, Arcanum, Shadow Scythe, Zeloph. Even Midnight spoke his grievances with her! And their words rang true.

Perhaps this was also why the wayward witch chose to stay behind, instead of returning to Oona and Abadonna. Not just to keep her word, but also to ensure the cosmic abnormalities that followed her never reached them. Especially now the Cult of the Nemesis was back in full magic harvesting force…

“Y’know, I’m something of a scientist myself,” said Web Spinner, who watched the marshmallows the twins put into his cocoa melt over his crooked glasses. "I think there might be a solution to your ‘hyper-stallion’ problem.”

Cerise perked up a bit. “R-really?”

“What do you mean, Webs?” Asked Lightning Spark.

Adjusting his spectacles, the earthy unicorn explained, “Now, it’s just a theory, of course. But when Shining Armor tasked me to awaken his repressed hyper-stallionism, I set out to produce a medical formula to help release those dormant cells. It was experimental, with the risk of increasing the aging side effect.”

He took a moment to sip his chocolate drink before continuing. “I buried my nose deep in research for weeks creating that drug. I still have the calculations and equations in my head. So I’m thinking… What if there’s a way to reverse-engineer the formula? Create a new pill that neutralizes the hyper-stallion affliction rather than amplifies it?"

Hope lit up Cerise's hot pink eyes. "That… th-that would be amazing!! You can do that?!”

“Hold on, sister,” Penumbra intervened, wearing a doubtful look. “Wouldn’t that take time to produce?”

"Unfortunately, yes," affirmed Web Spinner uneasily. "Even if I were to experiment with the formula in under a year, I’d still need to test the drug safely on a hyper-stallion. It’ll take many trials until I get the right result!”

“Well, I think it's worth a shot,” encouraged the electric blue pegasus, who patted the unicorn’s hand affectionately.

Blushing faintly, Web Spinner rose up and declared, “Then there’s not a moment to lose! Blue, Strawberry. If you could assist me in setting up the basement, I’d like to begin conducting early trials!”

“Yes, sir~!” Both holstaurs said, accompanying the determined scientist while he started scribbling down a list of ingredients.

The faces of each mare lit up with delight. Cerise and Lightning hugged each other, overjoyed by the thought of finally ridding Midnight of his ailment!

Realization dawned over the princess through a gasp, turning to Beatrix. “Wait! Since a cure is underway, you could potentially take off with Iclyn!”

“Hey, yeah!” Lightning beamed. “Kill two birds with one stone!”

“And be with Oona!” The violet unicorn said longingly, her smile nearly eclipsing the other mares… only for it to fall when she reminded herself, "Oh, but a potential cure is so long off! Plus the changelings, the Cult’s return, the risk of breaking more of reality through travel… I can’t leave at such a crucial time!” She stuffed peanut butter crackers in her mouth when her shoulders slumped back down in defeat.

Scrunching her snout, Cerise assured her, “Oona needs you more than we do. As much as I can’t bear the thought of losing my husband, I don’t want you to lose out on your child's birth!”

“B-but-!!”

“We’ll find a way without you!” Lightning Spark insisted. “The universe is already falling apart. You might not get another chance!”

Yet before Beatrix could think further about a decision, a horn sounded across the villa. The party rose with tense shoulders, joining the gathering crowd of bovines.

What first was dread that the horn was announcing the invasion of the changeling swarm slowly became relief when a scout heralded the return of Moon Hammer’s cart, which pulled to a stop in the villa's square.

The minotaurs welcomed their beloved leader once he thumped down from the wagon, wrapping an arm around a couple soldiers. Leaping down next to him was-

“Moonie!?”

Cerise pushed through the crowd to see her herd mate, who jerked her head at the call of her name. Spotting the charcoal mare, the thestral cried out, “Cerise!!”

The two bat mares intertwined in a tight hug while Beatrix, Lightning, and Penumbra followed to meet with the blacksmith. Moonlight pulled away to embrace the other mares, tears leaking down her face. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you all again!”

“You’re here, now,” said the witch. “That’s all that matters.”

“Glad to see you’re alive and well,” the pale pegasus told the blacksmith, who gave a wry chuckle.

“For the most part,” he said, yanking a rope tethered to the arms of a hooded passenger. He was dragged off the cart to his knees, landing with a grunt. To everyone's dismay, Moon Hammer pulled up his hood to reveal Shining Armor.

Lightning’s glare lit up with electricity, recalling the sleazy supreme commander. “What’s he doing here?!”

“Believe it or not, he was demoted,” Moon Hammer grunted sarcastically.

“It’s true,” Shining said, avoiding their spiteful eyes. “Fiery Kickstart calls the shots now. He’s been after my position for a long time.”

“Well, that certainly makes things better,” spat Penumbra. “Both of you aren't fit to lead an army, let alone rule an empire!”

The alabaster unicorn failed to suppress a chuckle. “You sound an awful lot like Sombra when our paths crossed. And look where he ended up...!”

Before the pale pegasus could kick Shining’s royal shit in, Moon Hammer got in between the two. “Regardless of who is in command, this one shall be treated as my prisoner.”

“He deserves a lot worse,” Moonlight commented scornfully, earning a concerned look from Cerise.

Handing the rope to one of his men, the blacksmith ordered, “Tie him to a post. I’ll pry into him for information later. Right now, I wanna see my wives!”

The soldier gave a nod and pulled Shining Armor along, though not before another passenger gracefully stepped off the cart. Beatrix tilted her head and asked, “Who's the crystal maid?”

“That’s Marathyssa,” Moonlight whispered. “She’s actually a protoquen changeling!”

“A WHA—”

The batmare clasped her hand around Beatrix’s snout, preventing her from making more noise. Raising a finger, she explained, “They kept her locked away and used her like their personal cum dump! Had to get her out before Fiery and his goons captured Midnight and have them breed hyper soldiers!”

“Yeah, Deinos mentioned that was likely his plan,” Lightning recalled.

The thestral scrunched her face in perplexion. “‘Deinos?’”

“Long story,” quipped Cerise, who pushed her along. “I’ll explain once we get to the guest room!”

Skeptical, Moonlight gave a passing glance to the crystal maid, who was consulting the disgruntled Shining Armor.

“This one will be with you soon,” she whispered, placing a hand to pet the former commander’s shoulder. “But she senses her friend close by!”

The unicorn stallion gave a short nod as he watched the changeling venture off before being towed by the burly minotaur guard. Penumbra walked alongside Moon Hammer to catch each other up to speed. This left Beatrix alone to weigh her options before heading out into the fields, deciding to practice her magical discipline.

*****

“… So, just to recap,” Moonlight said after Lightning and Cerise settled her into the guest room next to Moon Hammer's. “The changeling that captured you is currently posing as a scientist and is actually one of the good guys? Meanwhile, both here and Oona’s world are preparing for war while the multiverse collapses on itself?!”

“Plus, the Cult of the Nemesis is back and likely working with Chrysalis,” added the light-blue pegasus. “Oh! And another anomaly like Beatrix might be behind all this entropy.”

Moonlight said, “… Fuck's sake, mares. We really are in the worst timeline!”

“Thankfully, Deinos— or ‘Web Spinner,’ is working on a cleansing gene that’ll sterilize Midnight’s hyper-stallion nature!” offered Cerise, optimistic that would cheer up her herd mate.

But the wingless bat mare gave a dower look and asked, “And where is he now?”

“The forest, not too far from here,” Lightning said, rubbing her forearm. “Kyube and Kitsune are watching over him and—” She caught herself, unsure if she should mention Equinox. “A-and, hopefully, he’ll calm down enough to-”

“I’m not sure I’ll be ready to face him anytime soon,” admitted Moonlight moodily.

Chewing her lip, Cerise nodded when she watched her herd mate pace away, dressed in the same two-piece maid costume she arrived in.

“Sorry. I-I didn't mean to make any of you feel bad,” Lightning began apologizing. “I’m just worried about losing my family again, that's all!”

The dancer offered a pained smile. “It’s okay, really. I understand what that’s like…”

“My dad got himself killed in the first damn changeling war. My mom is still trapped in that hive. Then I found my brother again, a-and… He becomes a thick-headed, fuck hungry pig! It’s Inexcusable!” Her mane and feathers bristled with pops of tiny sparks, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions and electricity.

She managed to collect herself and say, “But he’s still my brother! I can’t give up on him, nor should you or Moonie!”

Cerise heaved a sigh, resting her hand on Lightning’s shoulder. “I think it’s admirable you're holding out for Midnight. We all could use that level of hope. But for now, just give us time to digest things. We’ll bounce back eventually. Promise!”

Lightning pursed her lips before eventually nodding her head. “Okay, well, you better! We’re going to need you both before the swarm hits! And I’m gonna need cover when I’m out on the battlefield!”

“Are you sure? You could use some more food and rest-”

The pegasus waved her concerns away. “Pft! I’ll be fine! Thanks to my Onoma training, I could call down a storm and turn the tides in a flash!”

When she beamed widely, Cerise could easily see the resemblance between her husband and twin, that youthful exuberance and determination.

After sharing a hug and watching the young pegasus flutter off, Cerise went across the room to comfort Moonlight, looking out the window to see Penumbra assembling troops and clockwork automatons. The landscape was gradually darkening, nighttime about to settle in despite the murky clouds blocking the sun.

The charcoal princess fully took in her friend’s attire now that the hood and robe were off. Hard to believe tomboy Moonlight would be caught dead in a scanty two-piece maid costume!

Noticing Cerise’s intense stare, the thestral’s face flustered. “I-I meant to shed out of this after we got here! Not at all my style!”

The dancer giggled. “You sure? Because I think you look adorable in it~!”

Moonlight snorted. “Thanks.” She then exhaled deeply when she stood up to face her herd mate. “Cerise. I-I...” Unable to find proper words, she practically leaped into the dancer's arms, buried her face in her bosom, and burst into tears. Momentarily stunned, Cerise brushed the ex cadet's short mane while Moonlight blubbered, “I was so stupid! I shouldn’t have come here!”

Cerise's soulful pink eyes watered as she brushed through her mane and back. “Shhh! Hey, It's alright! You're here with me now. I got you.”

“I... I killed would-be comrades... Let slimeballs have their way with me just to survive… The military was supposed to be my family! And they betrayed me! Equinox was right… I'm not fit to be a soldier…”

“No! Don’t let that egotistical bitch get into your head!” Cerise practically snarled the words out. “You are better than her! Better than them!!”

“Then why is Midnight with her and not us!?”

That question struck through the princess’ chest like a cold knife. She pulled away, wholly disarrayed.

“Lightning was polite about it, but I already knew,” confessed Moonlight. “Fiery’s wives, Chezka and Panna, offered themselves, and he took them like a moth to a flame! And now he’s getting cozy with that insufferable bat bimbo, isn’t he?”

Cerise confirmed with a slight nod before proclaiming, “I don’t like it any more than you. As his wife, I’m furious he's allowed his instincts to get the better of him. But I’ve also sworn to stand by him even during his worst moments. And despite what he’s said and done, Middy needs us!”

“… No,” Moonlight asserted with a shake of her head. “He's too dead set on this war against the changelings. Fiery Kickstart is a total fanatic, and I'm afraid he’s already pulled Middy into that mindset! I have stood beside him since childhood, pining for him! And you know what that got me!?”

“Moonie, please! I understand you’re upset, but we must—”

“Forsaken by my friend and lover, ridicule from my comrades for being a cripple, the stallion I once admired and looked up to literally took my trust and fucked it in the ass! So why should I suck it up and suffer for someone who no longer values me!?”

“I VALUE YOU!!”

“THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING TO SAVE YOU!!” The bat mare cried out. “You’re the one thing that’s kept me going! I have loved you ever since you welcomed me into your herd. But you’ve gotta open up your eyes, Cerise! Things are drastically different now! This world. These people. We… don’t belong here.”

Cerise frowned with a tremble of her pouty lips. “A-and what about Midnight?”

Moonlight lowered her head, teardrops hitting the floor. “He can do whatever he wants if it makes him happy. I’m done sticking by him…”

“Are you… breaking up with our herd?”

“…”

“Moonlight..?!”

“I don’t know, okay! Just… doesn’t it seem one-sided to you?”

Cerise tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“I get it. A hyper-stallion has his needs, but that’s been the basis of our herd ship. Always catering to Midnight’s needs! What about our needs?! Are we not important?”

Moonlight grabbed Cerise by the shoulder, staring her intensely in the eyes. “I’m tired of living in someone else's shadow. And you are too! You’re going to prove your family wrong by becoming a queen! But you know you have to make sacrifices for that to happen!”

“Moonie, I couldn’t—”

“You can!” she reaffirmed, squeezing her hands tightly. “You’re smart, athletic, and beautiful! You could have any stallion or mare you wanted! And no matter what, I’ll always be beside you too!”

Moonlight slid the princess's hand lower to the curve of her back, over the slope of toned buttcheeks that peeked out from below her pleated maid skirt.

“Please, Cerise,” she pleaded with watery eyes. “I really need you right now..!”

Before Cerise could respond, their snouts met in a hungry kiss, and the princess was practically shoved to the bed when the former cadet straddled her. The faint red glow from outside the window submerged their bodies, lost in a series of wandering hands and kisses, hopeful there would be no more interruptions once teal maned thestral disrobed her herd mate, tossing every article aside until the charcoal beauty was naked.

A wet smack and Cerise momentarily withdrew her lips to speak, connected to her lover's lips by a messy saliva trail. “M-Moonie… you… y-you’re really hot in that outfit~!”

She dragged the top down, let Moonie's shapely breasts spill out, and planted kisses across her areola. Next, she slid up the maid skirt, taking a scissoring position when their plush asses shuffled across the bed sheets until their moist cunts wetly kissed. Grinding their hips, their moans started to mix while they savored each other's radiant warmth and affection.

Cerise could feel the ambivalent emotions stew in Moonlight, like they made love to cleanse the hardship she'd endured while imprisoned. Watery squishes filled the air, and the first of many orgasms splashed across the bed."Ah...princess..." Puffed-up pussylips wetly winked, casting small splotches of lubrication that dripped down their anuses whenever their heart-shaped clits rubbed under each lusty impact.

Given no time to rest, the dark dancer huffed when her herd mate crawled over her. Grayish-purple asscheeks and a slitted mound with puffy pussylips settled over her face. Cerise spread her toned buns apart and took in the sight, and scent of her cunt and asshole before she dove into them. Moonlight spread the princess' thighs and devoured her, savoring the warmth and moisture she radiated. They lapped and fingered their partner's inflamed sex holes and worked each other up to another series of fresh releases.

Cerise reached out with a leather wing and fumbled at her bag. “Sh-should I pull out the toys? Or-”

“N-Nah… that potion Beatrix offered us. You know the one.” Moonlight's yellow eyes lit up when the vial came out, her mouth masked in princess pussy lubrication. She took the tiny bottle and spun to face her. “You ready~?”

With a deep blush, Cerise chirped, “Sure!”

She watched her lover uncork the vial and down its bubbly contents. Groans escaped Moonlight's gritted teeth as her swollen, heart-shaped clit started to throb. After a moment, it began to expand above her snatch and unfurled further as its wielder moaned, all the while, until it hardened to resemble a stallion's member.

The shaft slid between Cerise's bunched-up tits and booped her nose, not able to match a hyper-stallion's size, but quite respectable nonetheless. Its owner shuddered when the princess delicately kissed and suckled its flared, drippy tip.

Moonlight, overwhelmed by the male hormones that came with her temporary tool, felt her face and body burn with newborn types of lust. The dick throbbed painfully and spurted precum on Cerise's black tits, topped by wide pink areola. “Y-yeah! Now it’s my turn to breed you~!”

Cerise smiled at her and opened her legs wider to offer herself, feeling the horsecock fumble and brush over her slick, puffed-up pussylips, aware her lover was overwhelmed by male lusts mixed with her usual female ones. She could tell it was taking Moonlight everything she had to hold back and not rush into rutting her into submission, thankful that according to Beatrix, whatever seed spilled from this horsecock couldn't knock a mare up. “Go ahead, Moonie! Give me all you’ve got~!”

With the princess' ankles lifted to rest on her shoulders, Moonlight pushed the horse shaft into Cerise and felt those hot, slick, inviting pink canal split and spread wide open to admit her. They hissed in appreciation, and more veiny inches fed in until she finally bottomed out, her hands around Cerise's plush hips to lift them as she started to rut her with wild abandon.

“Aauuugh~! Fufu-fuck!”

Cerise tightened and soaked her breeder's lap. Sticky flesh rippled and smacked under each thrust. Eventually, one of her legs was lifted and pushed onto her side while Moonlight grunted and continued to fuck away. Then without withdrawing, she was flipped over face down, ass up, her charcoal asscheeks bounced while she was repeatedly skewered hilt deep.

Eyes momentarily crossed, nails bored into the sheets like her teeth, another squirty climax washed over her partner while she was bred into submission, surrendering to her lover. Determined to help her release all that darkness.

Moonlight squeezed the princess' asscheeks, pulled her flagged pink tail, and watched that leather wingspan spread further when she landed playful spanks on those jiggly buns while she pounded away, her teeth clenched as she grunted and felt her core tense up.

Was this how it felt when Middy took them? This sensation of dominance, the thrill of a sexual conquest that overwhelmed all reason?

Finally, she tensed up, sheathed herself in the princess fully one last time, and all the tension snapped once she started to unload. Blast-after-blast of sticky cum coated Cerise's innermost chamber, the tip of her horsecock forced past the cervix, the flare spread to lodge in place, locked in while it throbbed and spat rope-after-rope of spunk across her slippery womb walls.

The pair howled and rode out a shared orgasm, hopeful their voices wouldn't carry across the villa...or across the abode, where no doubt Moon Hammer would be ready to rut his own twin wives silly at the first opportunity.

The pair collapsed into a wet, sticky mess, Moonlight still lodged in and atop her lover, who she kissed on the cheek. “Th-thanks for that.” She discarded the soaked two-piece maid costume, sans the garters and stiletto heels, thrown aside into a pile with Cerise's attire. “I wasn't too rough on you, was I? Never realized how rut-crazy boys must feel all the time.”

“Mmmm, no,” the daughter of darkness mewled sweetly. “You were wonderful~!”

They shared a long, tender kiss and curled up into each other.

“Though I might be a little sore in the morning though,” confessed Cerise, warm seed sloshing inside her womb. She felt Moonlight's flaccid horsecock pop free from her gaped and creamed pussy, the tool shrinking until it fully turned back into a clit now that its wielder was satisfied.

“So… What’ll you-” She jumped when another rap at the door interrupted their spooning. Moonlight wrapped a clean sheet around them as she sat up. “Who's there?”

“Just Moon Hammer,” came his voice. “I'm sorry. Is this a bad time?”

“Oh, no, not at all! Matter of fact…”

The former cadet stepped naked from the sheet that slid off her curves, crossed over, and opened the door, unconcerned after all she'd been through lately. With a seductive grin and half-lidded eyes, she said, “… you came at the perfect time~!”

Cerise stared at her flabbergasted, while the minotaur curled an eyebrow in surprise when he drank in the bat mare’s athltic nude body in front of the doorway. Clearing his throat, he said, “Urmm. A-About the new arrivals-”

“You want to take me to them? Sure. But first...” Moonlight stood on her tiptoes to reach the minotaur's height and met his lips. “The twins don't seem like the jealous types. Do you have room for one more, at least for a little while?”

“Heh! I’d be a fool to say no,” replied Moon Hammer with a warm smile before glancing at the princess, who held her blanket over her chest. “So long as you’re okay with this..?”

Moonlight turned to her lover with a pleading look. And despite the returning ache in her heart, Cerise offered a pained smile and nodded. Elated, the thestral jumped into the minotaur’s arms, where he palmed her tender rump.

“Take care of yourself, Princess. And I’ll be sure to look after her,” Moon Hammer promised as he carried her herd mate away. Moonlight waved goodbye before resuming to cherish the blacksmith’s pectorals with her hands and mouth.

“Thanks…”

Cerise shifted her knees to her chest, hugging them while a whirlwind of emotions flooded her mind. Anger for her husband pursuing his own desires. Guilt for making her best friend stay behind for an empty promise.

And now, sorrow festered within her heart at the thought of her herd dissolving…

The princess shook her head and quickly rose to clean herself up, slipping back into her clothes. Aware that if she stayed alone in this dark room, she would break down again. She needed support. But to who could she turn...?

Her course decided, Cerise descended from the window into the evening breeze, almost blending into the starless sky. She sailed to meet her brother, White Shadow Penumbra, the pale pegasus stationed by the main gates.

Now came the most challenging part: the army constantly waited for signs of the enemy's arrival.

Penumbra offered her a small smile upon spotting her. “Sister! Glad to see you up and about.” She landed before him, where they hugged, his plume wrapped around her. Shiny clockwork sentinels stood still under the moon's rays, each shaped like an impossibly tall, muscular minotaur made of steel. His eyes narrowed under his turban,his snout adorned by a goatee drawn. “Do you intend to fight on the frontlines beside us, despite the risks?”

Cerise nodded and insisted, “I’m not the pampered princess I once was.” She opened her palm and formed a small glittery crystal. “I’ve come a long way with my magical prowess!”

“I can see that,” chuckled Penumbra. “But don't rely on that power too much. It was the same black magic that corrupted our father.”

“I'll be careful,” she promised, and the crystal collapsed into glittering diamond dust at her mental command. Rubbing his goatee, she asked, “You miss your wife, don't you? She’s bound to give you hell for leaving her behind!”

“Someone has to protect our nation's borders. But yes. I do miss Lily.” The crush of his sister's breasts into his tunic reminded her how pent-up he truly was. Lily offered permission to sate his needs here, and he was sure some of the holstaurs here would be quite willing. But he steeled his temptation, aware of what such indulgence did to his father and brother-in-law.

Cerise looked to the minotaurs, many of them adorned in light armor, weapons at the ready. Grim faces stared ahead. “It might be hours before the swarm attacks...if it happens at all. Maybe what you all need is a morale boost?”

He quirked a brow. "Such as...?"

The princess thought it over. “Ooh? Hang on!” She shot off into the night sky, leaving her brother and the guards momentarily perplexed. A couple minutes later, the dancer returned, adorned in her hot pink arabic bikini with decorative bells.

“My my! I haven't seen you wear that in ages!” Penumbra complimented, the eyes of many minotaurs also drawn to her supple loveliness.

She colored with a titter. “It's a special occasion! Now, if only I had some music...”

As if on cue, a few holstaurs approached, complete with instruments, and started a steady rhythm, space cleared for the princess. Cerise closed her eyes and raised her arms when she started to dance in the darkness to the claps and cheers of onlookers and the tinkle of bells.

She savored all the eyes on her, swayed her limber form in a sashay of hips, breasts, and buttocks, barely contained within her slip of a costume. A few scarcely clothed holstaurs joined in her dance, some garbed in cow print-style tops and panties like the twins; and Cerise's half-lidded, hot pink eyes had a blue hue around them under the cover of darkness when she opened them to meet her half-brother's warm stare.

A smile shared between siblings, both lost in the moment, the proverbial calm before the storm.

Usually, the princess would discard her clothes; nudity was not much of a taboo where she came from, and similar rules applied here from what she'd seen. However, Cerise didn’t feel entirely secure tonight, not knowing what would happen if she became too risqué with her audience…

If she allowed herself to devolve like Midnight or use pleasure as an escape from pain like Moonlight, the charcoal mare would never forgive herself. A future queen needed to be disciplined!

So while Cerise didn't undress, her thong had ridden down the curves of her ample buttocks, underboob exposed from her tiny top while a hot pink areola slipped into view to rowdy whistles.

Penumbra swallowed, felt his pants tighten, and wished his wife was here more than ever. He imagined she was up there on 'stage' atop a podium like his dear sister, wanting to get up there, hold his wife close to his lean muscles, and make love to her until they were both spent.

But the stoic pegasus had always denied himself life’s simple pleasure, lest he lose himself to hedonism and bloodlust, like Sombra. There was a curse in his family's tainted bloodline. A curse the swordsman was adamant about breaking.

Besides, he had no interest in cheap thrills. He needed something substantial to fulfill him.

Faster and faster, Cerise danced into a sweaty frenzy, where each pirouette threatened to bounce her assets free of their scant confines. Her pink pigtails whirled around her, bells that accentuated her clothes jingling. She swished her tail, took to the skies with her bat wings, and danced in the air to more jubilation, reminded of what Moonlight had lost with her wings clipped.

This freedom, this sense of adventure...it was almost impossible to imagine life without it after she'd tasted it.

Beads of tears flowed out the corners of her eyes. There had to be a way for her to save Midnight and Moonie!

For the princess was too afraid of a life without them both.

*****

Midnight awoke from an intense dream, heavily panting with precipitation pouring down his brow and musculature.

The bulky pegasus dreamt about being abandoned to this tree, time passing over him until he was old and gray. His once taunt muscles and handsomeness were reduced to raisin skin over bone. Then, at some point, Lightning Spark and Moonlight flew down to mock his fragile masculinity, shaming him for his selfish behavior.

“You’re disgusting, brother! It’s a wonder you're even still breathing!”

“Look how old and frail he’s gotten! Serves you right. Who could ever want a worthless sack of horseshit!?”

He tried to apologize, but no words or sound came out of his voice. All Midnight could do was take their spite before revealing their new partners. The monstrous changeling, Deinos, and Moon Hammer respectfully emerged and fucked his sister and herd mate right in front of him. Caressing their palpable assets while pumping their dicks into their soaking wet cunts. The blue stallion seethed, recalling their chants…

“That’s it, Deinos! Show him how a real stud fucks his wife~!”

“Yeah! Pound that hammer into me. Knock me up, my strong bull~!”

Both male competitors grunted and lifted their sows in their muscular arms, spreading their legs wide to show Midnight how their turgid spears reshaped Lightning and Moonlight’s fuckholes. The mares moaned for more, begging to bear their children. Midnight sobbed silently for forgiveness, his brittle limbs struggling to break free.

But the worst was yet to come. At their climax, they each dissipated into perpetual blackness that swallowed the entire forest. For a moment, there was nothing. Nothing but the sound of the pegasus’ frantically beating heart.

Then another figure swayed her way into the scene. Cerise danced naked in the darkness, flaunting her breasts and supple backside. Unlike the other mares, she offered no words of ridicule for Midnight. Just a tear-streaked glare of utter contempt.

Once again, the blue pegasus tried to call out for her. A disembodied laugh track sounded off as if something funny was said instead.

Fear escalated when a new form emerged from the blackness to join his wife in a dance. A dark unicorn with a shadowy mane that resembled her father. And he, too, stuffed his erected stallionhood inside his daughter’s tight pussy.

His hands grabbed possessively of Cerise’s charcoal tits and neck, making her squeal with every thrust of his hips. Midnight found himself petrified, unable to look away or shut his eyes.

His terrified green orbs were locked with Sombra’s crimson gaze, the older unicorn staring him down while ramming into his daughter. An inky liquid oozed out of his blacked sclera.

The unicorn king suddenly spoke, his gravely baritone layered with another voice Midnight couldn’t identify. Nonetheless, the words cut into his very soul.

“You don’t deserve her…

You never deserved her…

And now, thanks to you…

… ꇙꁝꏂ ꃳꏂ꒒ꄲꋊꍌꇙ ꓄ꄲ ꂵꏂ!”

And then Midnight woke up, still bound to the barky surface under a series of chains. No matter how much the blue pegasus struggled, his sore, bulked-up muscles proved unable to budge the steel binds.

His tired eyes found Autumn Equinox across from him, then surveyed the dimly lit area. A crackling campfire was the only source of illumination in this immense darkness.

The foxy pair worked in tandem, Kitsune placing traps around the perimeter while Kyube sent his clones to hide in the thick trees. If either were aware the hyper-stallion was awake, they didn’t show it.

“What’s even the point,” Midnight lamented, broad shoulders slumped in defeat. His nightmare had left a negative effect. “It’s no use…”

“Don't be too sure,” whispered Equinox from the other side, steadily sliding her body across the tree. “Got a few splinters in my butt and back, but just a little more time, and it’ll be worth it! Gotta wait for the right moment…” Her solitary eye watched their wardens while the male vulpine kept a lookout down from a short distance.

“No signs of trouble yet,” Kyube murmured. “Though I worry about the fire. It gives away our position.”

“Let them come,” Kitsune said firmly. “We’ll hit them long before they see us.”

A smile stretched the fox man’s snout, admiring how her rusty red hair, golden fur, and nine bushy tails danced in the wind.

Kyube briefly checked at the two rogues below, detecting no attempts at escape yet. Frowning, he said, “A little risky to be using them as bait, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps,” the vixen acknowledged. “Though I feel it’s justified, given their actions thus far. My sister would often serve as a distraction when we were on missions.”

“Ahh. Wispy Willow, Right?”

The kunoichi nodded, smiling fondly. “Often she wore extravagant and exotic dresses to charm many targets. Heh… As if she needed an excuse to show off her immaculate appearance."

Kyube couldn’t help but chuckle. “I bet she’s a real knockout like you are...”

Kitsune’s face flourished under the black hood of her attire. “I’m... nowhere near as desirable,” she admitted. Few had been brave enough to flirt with the vixen, who was still unused to all these sensations after her cybernetics were neutralized. And being close to another handsome vulpine wasn't helping her hormones.

“Well, I can’t wait to meet Wipsy once we reunite with her and Chisana,” he teased with a snicker.

“You’d like her,” Kitsune said half encouragingly. “Agile, full of life, beautiful… Everything a man or woman could desire.”

She gasped at how quickly Kyube had shifted in front of her, losing herself in his cool eyes as he gently whispered, “But this man has already found a woman he could desire…”

Kitsune’s thin blush brightened, body quivering when his finger glided to the cloth hood obscuring her face in shadow, caressing her cheek, their snouts millimeters apart.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she said with a trembling voice, “Shadow Scythe kept her name hidden from all but the one she loved. I think… should I remember mine, I’d like to do the same.”

His smile widened. “Then I look forward to the day you-gaagh!?”

Their touching moment was interrupted by a faint green aura manifesting around the vulpine, who collapsed and tumbled from a branch, only to be caught by Kitsune when she swooped down. “Kyube! What happened?”

The vixen's feet clung to the side of a tree while he hastily explained. “One of my clones was ambushed,” he panted. “Their memories just came to me!”

Her eyes narrowed. “What did you see?”

“Infected changelings,” he revealed once he was back on his feet. “Thousands of them! All rushing past here towards the minotaur village! Took out my copies the moment they were spotted! We have to warn Beatrix and co...”

Kyube heaved a long breath as they descended to the campgrounds, where the shackled pegasus and bat mare picked up on their conversation.

“The experience shared from your clone has weakened you,” Kitsune noted dourly. “You need to stay here and recover while I go.”

“H-hey, don’t count me out yet,” the bandit said with a cheeky grin. “I’ve still got plenty of tricks up my sleeve. Still, it’s probably for the best. I’ll watch them; you go.”

Once she was confident he could stand on his own, Kitsune turned to leave… before quickly planting a soft kiss on his cheek. It was Kyube’s turn to fluster bashfully.

“Kōun o, watashi no ai,” she said before covering her smiling visage and hurrying back into the air. The vixen zipped across the branches so fast Kyube's head nearly spun while he stroked the wet spot on his cheek.

He couldn’t help but chuckle warmly. “Dono yōna josei~!”

All it took was that momentary distraction for the marauder to slip out of her bounds, sneak behind the smitten fox, and clock the back of his head with a balled up fist. The knocked-out fox bandit crumpled into the dirt at her feet.

“Not so slick now, huh, foxy?” Equinox spat sarcastically and fished through Kyube's pouch for his tools. Once she found a key, she rushed back to Midnight and unclicked the locks. The chains fell away, and the male pegasus rubbed his wrists. “If we hurry now, we can follow her back to the villa before-”

Her plan was cut off by a connecting fist to her jaw, propelling her on staggered legs. Clutching her bruised cheek, the bulky bat mare sneered at her attacker. “Gaagh! What the fuck?!”

Midnight glared back at her, flexing his oversized plumage. “Look what you’ve done to me! My family and friends hate me! Because of you, I'm now a pariah! I don't even know what I’m doing anymore!” He slammed his fist into the tree trunk, nearly splitting it in half with a sharp crack.

“Oh, don’t you dare put your blame on me!” Equinox barked back, shoving a finger into his bare chest. “Just because you can’t stomach the thought of being in your loser friends' bad grace! Well, news flash, genius. You did this to yourself! Now, quit your whining and be a man!”

Her taunt was met by a growl as he grabbed her arm, threatening to crush her wrist. She winced a little, her snarl twisting into a grin. “You wanna dance, pretty boy? Don't start something you're not prepared to finish!” The amazonian mare broke his grip and kneed him in the belly.

It only served to fuel his fury before Midnight lunged for the marauder.

They wrestled and traded blows next to Kyube's unconscious form, the risk of alerting the oncoming swarm not even a passing thought. Unlike his herd mates, he figured this brutal bitch could take whatever punishment he threw her way. Equinox tanked his punches, threw back her own flurry and a series of kicks, while the pair tumbled in a scatter of wet leaves across the soil.

For a moment, she rolled atop and straddled him, pinned him down with a mad cackle, after which Midnight seized her top and tried to yank her off. Cloth tore with an audible shred, breasts bared to the cool night air that made her nipples perk up. “Filthy hypocrite,” she scoffed. “Complaining about hurting your wife when you’re not even trying to keep your hands off me! Admit it! You’re a dirty fucker, just like your old man!”

“I am not my father!!” He snarled with a strained breath.

“At least he had the balls to fuck me. Hell, he was this close to getting into your twin sister’s pants before I-“

That made Midnight bellow with rage, throwing the thestral down into the dirt and slamming the wind from her chest. “Shut up!!”

“What are you holding back for! You think I can’t take it!? I’m not gonna coddle you like your soft-hearted sluts!!”

“Shut your fucking mouth!!”

“Then make me, you half-ass piece of shit! Stop treating me like a fucking flower, and FUCK ME!!”

His hand slipped into the side of her bikini-style bottoms and, with a snap, ripped it off clean. Her muscled ass and mound were left exposed. Equinox arced her back and arched her breast when the hyper-stallion's cock finally spilled from his ripped pants and fully sank into her waiting pussy without mercy. She writhed, howled and squirted over her conqueror's crotch, feeling his turgid cock batter her cervix and claim her womb. He shouted, “This what you wanted? Huh?!”

“Yessss~!” She hissed her euphoria, driven into a mating press by the virile stud; her cunt and asshole flexed when he started to ruhtlessy pound her into the earth. Her leather wings bent, her nails dug into his muscled back, and her legs wrapped around his midsection. Her buttocks slapped and bounced under each brutish thrust. “Aaaauhh, that’s it, Middy! Fuck me like the pathetic pig you are! 'Cause unlike your bitches, I'm not-umph~! Content to lie and take it!”

Limbs wrapped around him so he couldn't withdraw from her cunt; Equinox tossed him onto his back and raked her nails across his chest while she started to ride him. Midnight’s eyes were half-white, lost in a hyper-stallion lust haze to breed a fertile female; her breasts bounced above her toned tummy each time she impaled herself womb-deep on an oversized hyper-horsecock, muscled asscheeks clapped atop him.

This dance continued over-and-over, as each one wrestled for control and dominance, their rage unleashed in a hatefuck fest of epic proportions when she continued to remind him she'd fucked his father and twin sister...not to mention how he relentlessly mocked his wife and childhood friends. His shaft swelled larger than ever to compete with Deinos and Moon Hammer, who outsized even a hyper-stallion. But some dark part of him wanted to spread this bitch wide until he split her in half. The batmare yelped in a mix of pain and pleasure, felt and saw his tool leave a ludicrous impression across her filled stomach.

“Fuuuuuhuhuck! S-so full~!!” She cried out, cumming once more all over his fat dick, shaft lined with thick veins that throbbed angrily. Shuddering in another messy orgasm, it was a simple matter to spin her, the bitch still wrapped around his cock when he shoved her face first into the dirt and brutally mounted his bitchy broodmare to finally put her in her place.

Midnight yanked her tail and landed slaps across her buttocks like he had with Cerise and Moonlight many times. But unlike the ones he loved, the pegasus found no reason to hold back. No, some brutish part of the hyper-stallion wanted to violently punish this hardass slut!

Equinox shuddered when he sheathed himself beyond her cervix and started to unload into her core, determined to knock his claimed bitch up!

“Holy...shit~!!” She wheezed as she rode on many more micro orgasms; her muscled belly swelled up by an excessive amount of cum fired into it, left to slosh as tiny swimmers sought out her eggs in an attempt to gangbang them into submission. With his needs sated, sanity started to return to Midnight...and with it came shame and horror at the line he'd finally crossed.

“Cerise...Moonlight...” He popped free in a deluge of her juices, and his spunk, which oozed from her gaped pink carnal canal, felt his stallionhood start to soften. “I'm not like my father...I'm not...”

Hastily, he recovered what he could of his torn clothes, threw them on, and shot to the sky, his eyes blinded by hot tears when he raced to intercept the incoming storm. "I just wanted to be a noble knight,’ he lamented internally. "Not a sex-crazed beast...I have to make things right somehow! Cerise, Moonlight… I’m coming!"

“H-hey, wait!” Equinox called out, leaning on a tree to stand on shaky limbs, a deluge leaking from her raw pussy. “I'm not finished with you!”

Grumbling, the nearly satisfied marauder retrieved her torn garments and flew after him. Yet despite how hard she pushed herself, her bat wings proved unable to catch up with the speedy pegasus, who left an azure blur in his wake.

Moments later Kyube rubbed the back of his bruised skull, uncertain how long he'd been out. His ears perked in alert, eyes widened to see the captives gone, and a massive swarm was between him and the way back to the village.

“Shit!!”

Gathering what wasn’t stolen from his belongings, the bandit leaped into the trees. Leaves scattered from every branch he bounced across, aware there was no time for subtlety when speed was of the utmost essence.

Ahead of them, the Mi-Go-infested swarm continued to close in on the villa. The black mass converged from all directions underneath the cover of darkness, to slake the parasitic hunger that now dominated their consciousness...

*****

Chrysalis maintained her connection to the Mi-Go toadstool within her glowing emerald chamber. She was submerged naked in a pool that sloshed around her voluptuous curves, trying to blot out her recent meeting with the Cult of the Nemesis… but to no avail.

Every time she closed her eyes, flashes of Flurry Heart’s horrified face, accompanied by her blood-curdling screams, bombarded her psyche.

Why did this haunt her so? Countless unicorns had been sacrificed, their horns refashioned into wands in use for their enigmatic purpose. And yet, the fact that the cultists she ‘aligned’ with weren't above using children to supplant their nefarious leader’s needs frightened her.

Not that Chrysalis would ever show fear to the likes of them. Once she achieved victory in the war with the Crystal Empire, the Nemesis and the anomaly they served under would be next!

She didn't dwell on her vendetta for long when a distorted shadow announced the approach of an acolyte. Hooded robes made their features unseen, the sigil of an almond-shaped eye between teeth embedding their red cloak. To remain anonymous was their identity, though their spokesman, who was walking towards her pond, had graced her with a name.

Chrysalis rose with a splash as liquids trailed down her curves. “Vox,” she addressed with a stern glare. “This better be important.”

“I think you’ll find that it is,” the cultist said after a deep chuckle. “We’ve found what you’ve requested, your majesty.”

Her tattered eyes opened wide at this announcement.

“XIII! V! XI! III! Fetch my property!”

Her voice echoed across her chambers, and her harem of changelings buzzed to life. A unique bunch bred solely for her pleasure from the most handsome and beautiful of her brood. The majority were males, with a few females to add spice, not that gender mattered as much to their kind. Like the cult, none of them went by anything outside numbers, nor wore clothes unless she chose to dress them up for amusement.

Vox appeared to float to one side in billowing robes, hands hidden in the sleeves of their robes as the four changeling slaves snapped to obey. Despite how long it would take to breed more like them, they were not soldier drones and, therefore, expendable. Their queen killed many of them when they failed to make her reach climax or had otherwise disappointed her.

The foursome dragged a crystalline sarcophagus into the rocky cavern. “Careful,” Chrysalis hissed. “Don't scratch it, or I'll have your ovipositor put in a vise!”

Her eyes lit up when she emerged on the bank, a trail of gooey liquids cascading behind her, and she hunched to trace a palm across the casket's surface. “Yeeesss! Ohoho, yes!! I can feel the umbral energy wafting from within! This is it!”

“You sound pleased,” noted Vox.

“More than pleased,” cooed Chrysalis, who stroked the limp member of her boytoy in appreciation and felt him shudder as precum beaded the tip of his flared equipment. No doubt she'd make use of her harem later to celebrate this momentous occasion.

“Consider this a reward for maintaining accordance with the anomaly’s ambition,” the spokesmen said with a bow.

“‘Anomaly.’ Ugh! Surely, they can allow me the decency of knowing their name?”

“The less you know of something, the more-”

“More you begin to fear it,” Chrysalis filled in with annoyance. “Yes, yes, fine! Keep your secrecy. If there’s nothing else to discuss, then kindly fuck off!”

Vox nodded as he and his fellow acolytes traveled through the dark corridor. Their hidden gaze remained fixated on the obsidian coffin. “A petty ghost trapped between rifts. I’m almost curious about his role in our plans.”

Once certain the cult had vanished entirely, the queen allowed herself to wriggle with excitement at what lay entombed within her new prize.

“Sombra… at last, you're mine~!”