When the dust finally settled over the battlefield Inky Rose sucked in a breath while she tried to take stock of the situation. Small fires still dotted the area, the colored smoke clouds fading away, the fireworks and rockets no longer screaming. With all the chaos around her she'd lost track of everything. Including her sister and their former father-figure. “Pacific? Where are you?”

She noticed Sunny take off like a fiery comet. Another who'd abandoned them. But she felt no resentment towards her. She'd saved them, after all. Luna was still cradling Onxy's now still shape, inconsolable. Adagio kept a crossbow trained on the witch, but all the fight had gone out of her. Further back Aria kept vigil over the unconscious forms of Celestia and Cadance.

Sonata walked up to her sisters. “Is it over?” She carried with her a large boomerang that had almost prove more of a threat to herself and her allies at times, but she'd picked it up well enough in the heat of battle. Not that she'd dared engage too much, figuring she'd simply be in the way while her siblings did most of the work like always. “What happened to Luna?”

“Back to normal, I think. Well, aside from the mental scars she'll no doubt carry.” Aria shook her head.

“Everyone accounted for?” Adagio looked around her.

“Pacific...no...” Inky wailed when she fell to her knees beside the raver girl she'd swore to always look after. She cradled the body to her breast and snarled. Empty eyes stared up forever locked in horror like her wide, bloodied lips, a nasty gash upon her brutalized throat. “Who did this?!” The realization dawned. “Sombra! I swear, whatever it takes-”

“Settle down,” warned Wallflower who appeared beside her. “Or you could turn into a monster, too.”

“I'm not sure I care anymore. She was my life. I'd do anything for her. And now...” In truth she didn't know what to do now. She wasn't a fighter like them. What could she possibly do? “Trixie. You're a vampire, right? Turn me.”

“Trixie would rather not,” she shouted with a step back.

“Please. I'll beg if I have to. I'm tired of being normal. I need this.” At this point Inky would do whatever it took to have her revenge on him. He'd carved out the last piece of her heart. “Sire me,” she demanded seizing Trixie's cape. Knowing her own sensual allure, she slid down her silky dress which fell into a pile at her ankles, and sliced a thin cut across a breast with a nail.

“Drink,” she whispered and Lulamoon's mouth watered at the sight of fresh blood. Especially from such a gorgeous specimen. Her resistance lasted scant seconds before her lips encircled the slit and suckled from it. “Mmmm,” she crooned pulling the magician close with hands pressed to the back of her head, the cone-shaped hat falling off in her feeding frenzy.

A wet smack sounded once Trix pulled away, still tied to her by reddish saliva strings. She huffed with Rose who stared her down and urged, “Now turn me. You should know how. It's intuitive to vampires!” Bitter tears continued to spill out when she looked at her sister's cold, pale, bloodied, and bruised corpse, semen drying upon her defiled remains.

“Trixie refuses to risk damning another. No matter how rude she is. But she is sorry about what happened.” She offered a hand. “We're a bunch of outcasts. Why not come with us? Maybe this can be your chance to start anew?”

After a moment's hesitation Inky accepted. She'd make certain Sombra met his downfall however she could. And if she couldn't, then she'd at least be there to witness it. “Fine. But where do you all intend to go now?”

“Back to the history museum,” answered Wallflower. “It's relatively safe there.”

Inky lifted up her sister's body. “I can't simply leave her here like this. She deserves better.”

“Okay. We'll decide from there once we're home,” replied Wallflower.

Luna rose and wiped her face. “Allow me to help. I...have much to think over, and make amends for, as well.” She shared a look with the Dazzlings. Tiny black flames appeared atop the witch's palms, which she snuffed out. “It seems I retain a little of my powers.” With her head bowed she made her way over to Celestia and Cadance. “Sister,” she muttered unable to meet her eyes.

“We'll work this out later,” said Celestia who had Cadance's head in her lap, stroking the unconscious woman's tresses. “I don't mean to rub it in...but she'll probably never be the same, after all that's happened to her.”

“I know. I'm not sure I'll ever live this down. I gave into weakness, and you two paid the price for that folly.” She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. “I suppose I should be thankful I didn't do even more damage. But I am partially to blame for what happened to Sunny. I dived into her dreams, turned them into a nightmare, and she too fell to darkness.”

Celestia pursed her lips. “Sunny's made her choice now. I'm not certain she can be saved at this point. I can't help but feel responsible for all this, too. These are supposed to be our students, and here they are, fighting a senseless war. If they've gone astray I take partial blame for that, too. I only hope we can pick up the pieces after this storm finally passes.”

They headed towards the parking lot where their cars were still parked and thankfully untouched by the devastation. Luna seemed to pluck their keys from thin air, and handed them to her sister. Fortunately there was more than enough room for all of them. A buzz sounded from the walkie-talkie on Trixie's scooter. “Hello? Twilight? Managed to finally boost the signal, I see?”

Trixie circled her ride with eyes looking upwards. “You all want to come to the historical museum?” She turned to Wallflower who nodded. “Sure, head on over! The Great and Powerful Trixie, over-and-out!” She shut off the device.

“Looks like it's about time we faced the music,” said Aria who sounded resigned.

“Whatever happens, we'll be in it together.” Adagio took her and Sonata by the hand.

“They'll simply have to forgive you!” Sonata was on the verge of tears, dreading the worst. “I mean, I'm supposed to spend a couple years in prison, but we're all immortal now, right?! Do human laws even apply to us?! Especially now?!” She waved a hand at the broken-down city in the distance. “M-maybe we can run away to Equestria and hide somewhere-”

“No. I'm tempted sometimes, believe me.” Adagio stared skyward and exhaled. “And sometimes, in darker moments, I'm tempted to simply end it all. But I've been on the run my entire life. It's been eating away at me. At both of us.”

“Yeah, what she said. Sorry I used to beat you up all the time, little sis.” Aria squeezed her close. “I'm a real jerk.”

“We'll work it out later. Count on Sunset,” murmured Adagio wistfully with thoughts of what could have been. Once she'd dreamed of ruling this world and Equestria alongside her. Now? She'd settle for a peaceful life with her and her sisters. But she knew that would forever remain a fantasy. Most likely her and Aria would face imprisonment...or even execution.

Unknown to all of them was that Chrysalis and her bodyguards watched from a distance. In truth the trio had come to hunt Nightmare Moon, but denied a shot at her or even Sunny, the Queen settled on new prey. She licked her painted lips in anticipation. She figured it would come to this eventually. She'd claim the heads of the Dazzlings as her trophies!

Flitter and Cloudchaser had willingly been turned by her, knowing she'd provide the love and meaning the twins craved. Her strippers were her works, her bouncers her drones, once working to make the Hive a well-oiled machine. She'd have to rebuild it from the ashes someday. And if anyone got in the way of her latest hunt? Well, they'd simply be more collateral damage!

Clothing was fetched for Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and the shells of Moondancer, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, who appeared capable of following simple commands. Of course they couldn't help but be unnerved seeing them reduced to this doll-like state, quite literally in Rare's case. They joined the group in their circle spread throughout the living room. Fluttershy and Tree Hugger had whipped up some snacks, while Twilight had meddled with the walkie-talkies and contacted Trixie.

“So...” Sunset paused when she looked between them. “I...kind of...know where the Dazzlings are.”

Applejack quirked an eyebrow. “When did'ja plan to tell us?”

“After this is all over. We need them,” urged Sunset who struggled to hold their gaze. “Even if they're responsible for what happened to Rarity and Rainbow Dash.” She turned away. “They killed them and stole their powers.”

AJ was instantly on her feet. “What now?!”

“They're not our enemies anymore! I purified them...” It was all coming out wrong. How could she ever make them understand? “They're at the historical museum. I've looked into their souls. Believe me, they're prepared to die for our cause if necessary.”

“But still...what if Rarity and Rainbow are stuck this way?” Fluttershy frowned at the state of her friends.

“There's a slim chance,” said Twilight who placed the soul jars in the center. “But according to Somnambula it requires a trade. Someone must willingly trade their souls into these to unlock them. I'll have to study them when I have the time, but I have a feeling there's no way around the pharaoh's curse. “Of course, it won't bring Shining Armor back.”

“I...I'm sorry Twilight...” Sunset reached for her but she drew away.

“You shoulda come clean at the start,” accused AJ who poked her in the sternum. “Don't ya trust your friends?”

“To take another chance with the Dazzlings after what they've done? How could I expect any of you to? Yeah, they were monsters, but punishing them now won't help anybody. Fighting on our side is the best way to pay us back. I'll make sure they face whatever justice we think is fair after this. Right now, all I care about is saving what's left of this city!”

“That's part of the problem! You always rushin' off half-cocked!” AJ clenched her teeth but couldn't hold back her tears when she saw the state of her friends. “Makin' plans behind our backs, lyin' to us, we're supposed to be a team!”

The pair pressed so close they almost touched as their stares locked. “I looked into their souls,” explained Sunset. “This isn't like with Sombra. I know there's potential for good in them. But it will be lost if we don't at least give them a chance. I'm not saying to have to like or forgive them. That's your choice. But I know this is what's right.”

AJ poked her with an index finger. “Yeah, well I still reckon those two are beyond redemption at this point!”

“Hold up, let's chill a little.” Tree Hugger tried to come between them simply to be pushed aside by the cowgirl. “Come on, take five! We're all, like, running on fumes by now. We could use some rest, you know? We need to think this over.”

“No time. I feel fine.” Sunset rose to meet AJ. “I'm headed to the museum. You plan to stop me?”

Shy pursed her lips. “All of you, stop this! You're right, we're all tired. We need to carefully think this over.” For a moment no one dared move nor speak. But finally the pair relaxed their tensed up bodies a little. Even so they continued to stare each other down. “That's better! Now, how about we have some milk and cookies? Tree and I baked them ourselves!”

Pinkie swiped one and took a messy chomp. “Mmm, tasty! Wish we could share them with all the Rainbooms.” Her face fell.

“Before we head out, I'd better complete what you and Flash started.” Twilight pulled on her lab coat. “This is bigger than any of us. I'll need you both.” She couldn't help but glare at Sunset, and slid her glasses back into place, heading towards the basement. “Spike, look after the place. You too, uh, sphinx.” She had no idea what her name was but she obeyed.

Over the next hour Twilight, Sunset, and Flash worked in almost absolute silence, speaking solely when necessary. The communication devices she'd worked with alongside Moondancer were completed and slotted into the collars. The entire time Tirek watched them with his coldly hateful eyes. They all put one on and pressed a button on the devices to test them.

“Not the manliest look,” quipped Flash as he tried to lighten the awkward mood. “You two look sexy as hell, though.”

Twilight laid out a bunch of collars. “There's more than enough for everyone now. Even the Dazzlings.” Until now she'd spoken in a clipped, business-like manner, but at her mention of the sirens bitterness crept into her voice. “You're right. We will need their help.” She shut her eyes tight and balled up her fists, shaking when she recalled her brother's terrible fate.

In truth she'd almost fallen to the darkness herself in a moment of weakness. With her brother dead and her sister-in-law heartbroken, not to mention all the other terrible stuff piled on top, when she'd been trapped inside that sarcophagus it was like someone had reached into her dreams and turned it into a nightmare. One she feared she'd never awaken from.

She'd seen herself as some crazy mad scientist using the whole city as her playground to experiment with. It would've been so easy. Worse, she would've enjoyed it, were she simply willing to embrace that madness. But memories of her loved ones enabled her to barely pull away and helped snap her back to awareness which had eventually enabled her to escape her prison.

Flash's voice snapped her from the reverie. “Guess it's time we head out, huh?”

Knowing there was a chance they wouldn't be able to return, Sunset scooped up Tirek's head, just in case he fell into someone else's hands while they were away. When she headed back upstairs Spike growled at her once she approached. She backed away, more to avoid a confrontation than out of fear, certain she could take him if they went all-out. But she didn't want it to come to that. She wanted things to go back to the way they were, in simpler times. But she knew that was impossible now.

Maybe she could go back to Equestria? No, that was a fantasy, too. She knew what needed to be done and couldn't run from it. If everyone hated her by the end of this? So be it. She didn't fancy herself a martyr, even if her new appearance fit the profile, but she'd sacrifice whatever it took, her relationships, her reputation, even her life to make certain this insanity ended.

Luna pulled out of the lot with Celestia and Cadance in tow. Trixie led the way to the historical museum with her scooter. Everyone else prepared to pile into the cars they'd borrowed. “I'll drive,” volunteered Wallflower. “Need to keep in practice, anyhow. The rest of the gang's headed that way, so we'll be able to work out our plans from there.”

A sword flashed from seemingly nowhere. Due to her enhanced speed Aria almost managed to dodge the slash, which missed her heart but cup deep into her torso in a messy spray. “Damn!” She staggered back when Chrysalis pressed her attack.

Adagio readied her crossbow. “Have you lost your mind? No, you never had it!”

Sonata froze when the twins crossed blades around her neck, ready to sever it. “Nope,” said Chrissy. “I'm here to hunt the Dazzlings! Aria and Adagio, in particular! But if any of you interfere? Well, I won't hesitate to end you, too!”

A yellow dome suddenly materialized around Sonata which hurled Flitter and Cloudchaser away. “Leave our little sister out of this,” said Adagio who raised another barrier to protect Aria. “I suppose it's time we ended this little dance.” She rained arrows in the Queen's direction, who giggled when she dodged between them, the shafts embedding landing with thunks.

With the battle underway Inky backed up against a car, while Wallflower vanished, prepared to recover a weapon cache and launch a sneak attack. “Nuh-uh-uh,” crooned Chrissy who slipped over and pierced seeming air. A red patch spread and dripped down the saber. A weak cry escaped Wallflower's lips when she reappeared and toppled from the swordtip.

“You asshole,” wheezed Aria who strained to move as she threatened to bleed out. An axe appeared in her hands, which she hefted when Flitter came at her with a saber raised, and she swung wild, carving into flesh and bone and rapid speeds. A scream escaped the stripper whose weapon rolled with a clink when she fell. She raised a hand for mercy.

The axe fell with a crash. Flitter's skull was split in two, brain matter exposed under a stroke which made Aria's arms tremble from the impact. “Sister no,” cried Cloudchaser with her eyes wet when she rushed to avenge her. However Adagio didn't hesitate, letting loose a barrage of missiles which buried themselves in Chaser's back. She skid and fell.

“Just because we're on the side of angels now doesn't mean we have to act like them,” mused Dazzle with a sly smile at their work. It was almost too easy. Her face hardened when she saw Sonata once more taken hostage, this time by Chrysalis.

“Sorry, sisters! I-I messed up like I always do!” Sonata had attempted to intervene when Chrysalis tried to rush down the oldest siren, and the Queen had easily disarmed her, wrenching her arms behind her and sticking a sword to her throat.

“It seems the tables have turned,” she purred as the edge cut a sliver into Dusk's neck. Thin trickles spilled down. “Don't even think about it,” she warned when Aria's muscles twitched and Adagio's tattoos started to flare. “Else I'll peel her open! Njow, what to do with her? Maybe I should make her one of mine?” She spontaneously pressed her wet lips to Sonata's.

“Mmph?!” Sonata's pupils boggled and she tensed up but soon started to settle in while the succubus Queen worked her over. She was dragged away by Chrysalis, and Adagio skulked forward, keeping her bow trained the entire time.

The axe handle slipped from Aria's sweaty palms. “Gotta save little sis,” she murmured struggling to stay conscious, let-alone on her feet. She clutched the deep wound on her breast. “Need blood...” She wandered over to Flitter's body, as her sisters and Chrissy vanished into the distance, when a discarded sword entered her lower back and exited her stomach. “W-who-?”

Inky twisted the blade. “Sorry, but...you know what? I'm not sorry.” She hovered over Blaze's form when she bowled over. “You're partially to blame for all this. You deserve it, so far as I'm concerned. And since you won't turn me...”

She collected what blood she could in her cupped hands, and forced it into the mouth of Pacific, holding on to the desperate hope that if she ingested enough she could still be revived. The siren simply stared up weakly with a look somewhere between anger and purity, but she ignored that, and continued to dump more handfuls down Glow's gullet. Eventually Aria passed out.

“It will all be okay, sister.” Inky tore strips from her dress and wrapped it around Glow's torn flesh. “I'll make you all better. I promise.” She loaded her up into the spare car's passenger seat, and raced away, hoping to leave this nightmare behind them.

Meanwhile Chrysalis continue to wrestle tongues with her latest prey, who slackened in her hold while she was drawn along, her psyche slowly eroded as she converted her into another succubus. Teeth gnashed down on her lips, severing through her lower lip, and the Queen withdrew amidst an offended shriek. Before she could cut her throat an arrow penetrated her throat.

“Bullseye,” said Adagio when the succubus Queen's grip was lost on the youngest siren.

“You're...the real...monsters...” Chrysalis crumpled under more arrows. Her last thoughts were on the sad realization that she was the last of her kind. She soon appeared to be peacefully asleep, were it not for the shafts embedded in her.

“A shame this geode would probably conflict with my own.” Adagio laid a hand over her bosom, and felt a conflicting resonance, as if too much power in close proximity could cause it to lose control. “Here.” She tossed it to Sonata. “Don't abuse it, okay?”

“Yay! Um, thanks for saving me! But we'd better check on the others!” They headed back to find an unconscious Aria. There was no sign of Wallflower, other than some blood she'd left behind, and figuring it was better not to waste it, they pressed some to the middle sister's lips. “Hey, Wallflower Blush! You out there? Why are you hiding from us....?”

“I don't like this. Inky's not here, either.” She saw faint tracks on the parking lot. She tried to sniff the air, but between the blood of several victims, not to mention the lingering stench of smoke and fire, her scent was swallowed up. “Maybe she headed back to the museum on her own? We can only hope. Aria needs serious attention. Get in.” She pulled the hot pink car's door open.

Sonata squealed and took the wheel. “Ooh, this must've been Cadance's! It's like something Barbie would own!” Normally the sisters never let her drive, knowing she was a nightmare on the road, but thankfully traffic was pretty much nonexistent now. At worst they had to contend with other wrecked vehicles, debris, and the occasional corpse smeared across the asphalt.

They loaded Aria into the backseat, and headed out, blissfully unaware of what lurked nearby...

Wallflower attempted to vanish, but merely succeeded in becoming transparent, finding it difficult to concentrate as her life force bled from her. Someone had knocked her sack of shurikens away, grabbed her, and carried her kicking and screaming from the scene, her nails biting into her captor's skin. That was until repeated punches had bloodied her nose and dizzied her.

For quite some time she'd battled alone. Mostly reconnaissance. But she'd saved a few lives on the way. Even so she'd always been aware it might come to this one day. She tried to remain valiant despite the dire circumstances.

“Y-you,” she choked out when Sombra pressed atop her. “Unf,” she cried, her freckled cheeks heating up when he speared her. A sliver of blood ran from her slit once he pierced it. He tugged at a nipple between his teeth, twisting and pulling it, fangs puncturing a small tit which he suckled warm honey from. “Think this makes you tough?!”

He grew even stronger by the moment. Felt a renewed vigor well up within him.

He saw his own horse-like cock embedded in her translucent form, could see the walls of her cunt instinctively squeezing around him,, her ovaries throbbing, and her womb convulsing when he slammed straight through her cervix entrance. She howled when he bottomed out deep in her slippery canal, his flared tip spurting small spurts of precum to mark his latest prize.

“I don't care.” In truth he simply relished the power he could exert over others again. She was a tad leaner than he usually liked, but the resistant attitude definitely excited him, much like he'd picked Aria as his favorite Dazzling. He rammed her former virginal fuckhole full-force. His eyes bored into hers while he took her. “Become my whore, and I'll let you live.”

Her face was wet and her small, freckled breasts bounced each time he drove into her, topped by perky, erect nipples. He'd forced her legs up and apart to better piston into her, striking her each time she clawed at him. “Never!”

Flipping her over, her studied her small but pert bottom, squeezing it under both palms while he continued to rail her. “Freckled here too, I see. Cute.” He smacked her hind end, which pinkened and shuddered under repeated strikes. He bit into her neck, feeling her drip over his testicles, while he siphoned more of her nourishing essence.

She realized there was no escape. And that all her continued existence would do now was allow him to grow stronger. She hoped her new allies could find a way to deal with him, and like when she'd almost lost herself before when she first discovered these new powers, she closed her eyes with one last sob and willed herself to disappear...forever.

He emptied himself directly into her uterus, saw his potent seed flood her chamber, moments before she blinked herself out of existence. He stared incredulous for a moment. “What a shame. A waste of raw, fresh pussy. Ah, well.”

Already he'd all but forgotten her. What mattered was that he was almost back to his old self. Most of his would-be rivals had fallen. But Sunny was still out there. He'd seek out the source of this Hellish scenario, and make the she-demon his again!