Most of Sunset Shimmer's search party's time was spent in an aimless scour across the city. They rode through the areas that were still safe in Flash's sports car, asking around for clues, but their search mostly proved fruitless. At least the rain had started to die down, still pelting the empty buildings, while the tires rolled through the partially flooded streets.

A number of authorities were out in full-force to rescue any stragglers, dressed in bright and heavy raincoats, blocking off the most dangerous areas. One of them waved them down, and Sentry rolled down a window as they pulled closer. “Hey Twiley,” the officer called. His alabaster, chiseled features were warm under his yellow hood.

“Big brother,” cried Twilight who returned his grin. “Are you a full-time officer now, or-?”

“I've pretty much been deputized for helping out. Call it nepotism, but it pays to be married to somebody so important!” They shared a laugh. “Hey, all of you!” He waved to her friends. “Not to pry, but do you really need to be out in this storm?”

“Well...” Sunset hadn't wanted to involve them, but figured there was little choice. “Pacific Glow is missing.” She dug through her photos, finding the tamest one of her she could, which was still a bit on the risque side, her unmentionables censored only due to the way she was laid out in a sensual manner. “Uh, don't tell Cadance I showed you this.”

“No worries, she's not the jealous type. In fact she gave me a subscription to Equestrian Suicidal Girls! Uh, TMI.” He chuckled nervously, sharing a mild blush with them. “Glow, huh? Well, I'll keep a look out for her. Don't hesitate to call if I can help.”

“Thanks, brother. It means a lot.” Buzzes sounded from several phones. “Oh no. Fluttershy needs us!”

Shining frowned. “Should I come, too?”

“No, you're needed here. People could be lost in the storm,” reminded Sunset and he nodded. “We need to go. Take care.”

Moondancer took meticulous notes wherever they went, and showed them to Twi, who nodded in approval. They raced back to the cottage quick as they could under the conditions without risk of being pulled over, and within a short time they pulled to a stop in the remote countryside. Tire tracks were molded into the mud. The party hurried past the bead curtains.

While Fluttershy, Tree Hugger, and Sonata had worked to clean up the studio, most of the art proved beyond recovery and was placed in a corner. Blood stains were rubbed from the floor. Sunset gasped. “Are you all okay?!”

“Yes...thanks to Spike,” said Fluttershy who patted his head.

“Um, what happened to Spike?!” Twilight stared incredulous at the lycanthrope on all fours by Shy's side.

Moondancer cocked an eyebrow. “And why are you all naked?” They all looked down awkwardly.

“And why is she here,” said Flash who stared down the youngest siren.

“Sonata make a mistake, but I think she's remorseful.” Tree Hugger put an arm around Sonata's waist. “She didn't have much choice, you know? She's been turned into a vampire. And so have I.” With a crooked smile she showed her fangs.

“Oh no...” Sunset wandered over and hugged Tree and Sonata. “D-does this mean...?”

“Are we damned? I don't know,” admitted Hugs with a resigned shrug. “According to what Sonata's sire Tirek told her, most of the old vampire superstitions don't apply to them. They've evolved past that thanks to his dark magic. They can survive in the daylight, but lose their powers temporarily. Crosses, stakes, garlic, holy water? Totally bunk.”

“Tirek, huh. I've heard of him.” Sunset considered consulting her diary and contacting the other Twilight, but knew she had her own troubles, and didn't wish to bother her if it could be helped. Couldn't she solve her own messes? On the other hand she didn't want her pride to cost the others. She'd keep her in mind if things became too much, at least.

“My sisters were always bad, but they've turned into complete monsters!” Sonata wiped her eyes and runny nose. “Please, I know I don't deserve another chance, but I want to help out! Pretty please?” She batted her eyelashes at them.

“Sure, why not. We could use the help,” said Sunset. “Plus, we're all about second chances.”

“Must be the experiments I ran,” observed Twi as she looked over Spike. “Never expected results like this!”

Sonata pressed close to the furry lycanthrope. “Can I keep him?” She beamed while Hugs and Flutters blushed and tried to play innocent, having decided it best to keep what he'd done a secret. Dusk had never experienced such intense sex in her life, not that Adagio allowed her sisters to have a boyfriend, convinced that they would be dominated by them.

“You can't. But you're free to visit him anytime,” offered Twilight. She adjusted her glasses, determined to study him at the first opportunity. She decided to wrangle Moondancer in for assistance since she constantly wanted to hang around her.

A short time later the second search party made their way there, and the hostesses prepared food, drinks, and snacks for them as they conferred about recent events. “Chrysalis wants to forge an alliance with us,” explained Inky Rose. “She claims to be a vampire huntress too, and that Tirek is an old enemy of hers. Not that I trust her, but we could use some assistance.”

Sunset shook her head. “She's bad news in Equestria. I doubt that's any different here.”

“At least I have a vague idea of where Tirek's at?” Sonata took a notepad and scribbled down some loose directions. “Um, sorry I can't do better. Aria or Adagio usually did all the driving.” She recalled lots of spacing out and staring out the window.

“We can calculate the most likely location,” assured Moondancer. “Just leave it to us.”

“You should take a hot shower outside,” said Hugs to Inky. “You'll catch a nasty cold in those wet clothes.”

“I suppose so,” said Inky who looked at the sheer fabric which clung to her wet curves.

“Don't forget about me,” urged Trixie who squeezed some moisture from her clingy attire. She started to peel it off with wet slaps and kicked it aside, not caring much who saw her or what they thought. After all, wasn't she rather lovely?

“Whoo-hoo! Party time!” Pinkie threw up her arms and started to toss aside her clothes. She was followed by Rainbow who was used to bathing with lots of other girls after she trained or had played a usually intense game. Rarity and Applejack looked at each other, shrugged, and also removed their attire, more comfortable than ever with nudity since they posed for Equestrian Suicidal Girls. They hurried to the side of the cottage, where hot faucets splashed them down in steamy waters.

Water trailed over their bared physiques which shimmered under the moon's rays. Tree Hugger had intentionally had them installed outside so that she and Shy could bathe in the open and relax in nature, knowing that in this remote location they were unlikely to be bothered. They lathered themselves and each other up in soap, the suds running down their supple flesh.

For the moment they could relax. It was unlikely the sirens would stage another attack so soon. But just in case Flash stayed near the car on lookout, while Spike padded around the perimeter, sniffing and darting his eyes about. Twilight and Moondancer trailed close behind with portable machines which they used to check his vitals for any clues about his condition.

Sunny wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to head to the cottage, but she knew the sirens had raided the place, and wished to check in on her old friends. They were pretty much all she had. Besides, they needed to know Pacific Glow was safe. And as for Sombra? Well, he hasn't her problem. He could explain himself! She pulled the van to a stop near Flash's car and hopped out, palms raised in front of her to show she was no threat. “Hey, Flash? It's me. Sunny.” She smirked with self-deprecation.

“Sunny...you're okay.” He tried to play it cool like always but his eyes were moist.

“Yeah, thanks to a little trickery from Tirek. Not that he had my interests in mind. Oh, Pacific Glow's with me, too.” She tossed open the back doors to the van. “Not to mention, well, Sombra. It's a long story. Or at least a weird one.” She chuckled at the way his eyes couldn't help but wander over her nude frame. “Like what you see? Well, I'm pretty much her twin, after all.”

“Um...yeah.” He scratched the back of his head with a cheeky smile. “Sorry.” He nodded back to where the others were bathing. “Maybe you'd like to join them? I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Pacific Glow, too.” He peeked in at the torched mess that was Sombra, who stared back with those deep, crimson eyes. “Man, do you ever look like hell.”

“Leave him alone,” warned Pacific who draped herself on the occultist.

“No, he's correct. I have fallen far and must rebuild myself from scratch.” Even he didn't know his next move. For now he simply had to play nice no matter how much it pained him. Glow had nursed him the entire way here, and while some of his old vigor had returned, he'd need far more to be formidable again. “May I speak with Inky Rose? I've missed her.”

“Sure.” Flash hesitated to take his eyes off him for a second, but nevertheless went to fetch her.

Sunny went to meet the others, getting all kinds of shocked but positive reactions, and she grinned and joined the others in the open-air shower. In particular she noticed Twilight looking her way from the corner of her eye with a mild blush. “Nice to see you too,” she chuckled as Pinkie's slippery nude form pressed to her own as she embraced her. “That goes for all of you!”

Rarity bit her lower lip. “Not that I'm ungrateful, but how? We thought you were...”

“Deader than dead,” said Rainbow in her usual blunt manner, stretching her limber form. “Glad to see that's not the case!”

Applejack continued to lather up her well-toned, freckled curves. “I reckon you're a vamp now, too?”

“Nah. Well, maybe I'd be considered a minor form of one. Few of the gifts other than the ability to heal using blood, but none of the weaknesses, either. Not sure whether to consider myself lucky but I've got a second chance, at least! Can't wait to do all the stuff I missed out on. And some of the same-old, same-old. I'd kill for a drink and a smoke. Not literally, of course.”

“I'm sorry about what happened too,” said Sonata who kept her distance a bit from the others, uncertain if they could accept her. “Aria wasn't always all bad. Adagio, either. But they're turning into total monsters! I-I might be a liability to you all, too. I mean, more than usual.” She stared down at her feet. “What if I suddenly back-stab you due to Tirek's influence?!”

“Well chickadee, I'm in that boat too.” Tree hadn't been commanded by her sire to obey her, but she knew if they met again, she'd feel compelled to obey her. “I think you deserve another chance. That's, like, what we're all about, you know?”

“Yes, I agree with Tree.” Fluttershy held her girlfriend's hand and ignored Dash's eye roll.

“Count Trixie in too,” she said as they all laid hands together in a circle, relishing the water which washed over their skin and rose in tendrils of steam. Despite all their differences, they had managed to form a powerful bond, one which even the schemes of the Dazzlings hadn't been able to sever. They closed their eyes and shared a moment, broken solely by the running showers.

Inky Rose tried her best to keep her usual calm-and-collected composure, nut when she saw what had become of her father-figure-turned-lover, she couldn't choke back a few tears which made her mascara run. She'd wanted to join the others in the shower but was thankful she'd held off. “Sombra? It's me.” She approached the back of the van where he huddled up in a bunch.

“Yes. I'm relieved to see my lovers are well.” He stroked her chin from the deep shadows.

She carefully wrapped her arms around him and Pacific Glow, afraid she'd hurt him. “I wouldn't know what I'd do if I lost you both. You're my kin. Is there anything I can do for you?” She noticed the bite marks upon Pacific's breasts, and immediately slid her spider-web gown over her shoulders, tossing it aside and offering herself to him. “Drink. Please.”

He set upon her without hesitation, popping the comparatively small fangs of a ghoul, and sinking the spires into her teat. She moaned and shuddered from an unspeakable rush of heat and electricity which filled her. He drew her closer with shaking, malformed arms, suckling from her with abandon. After a hardy drink more of his muscle definition started to return.

He switched to her other tit and drank down, savoring the hot blood which filled his mouth and the hollows of his points, until eventually his skin was still red but otherwise looked almost normal. When he pulled free with a hiss she swooned into his lap. He stroked her braids with a smile. “Thank you, Inky. And you too, Pacific. I knew you wouldn't abandon me.”

Glow stroked her sister's cheek. “So what now, master?” She blinked dizzily. “Do we crash here?”

“I doubt they'll ever accept me. Not after our...complicated history.” He recalled knocking Sunset and Twilight out, and burying them alive at Adagio's behest, not to mention what he'd done with Sunny. There was quite a lot of bad blood between them, to say the least. “Even so, perhaps we can use each other? Believe me, everyone has a price.” He chuckled to himself.

“I'll be your mediator,” she offered with her usual eagerness to please.

“Thank you, my pet.” He squeezed her cheek. Perhaps she was smarter than he gave her credit for. She'd save him, after all. “Inform them I wish to make an alliance, and that I may have the means to fully restore their geodes.”

He considered stealing the van and taking off, but he didn't want to risk them tracking him down, plus there was still Tirek and his minions to deal with. His best chance at survival was with them. He'd heard that the geodes were reduced to colorful dust from what Glow had relayed, but perhaps with what he'd learned there was a method to recover them faster?

Of course he'd lost all his tools when The Shadow Dimensions burned down, and as for his connections, well they were likely loyal to Tirek before him. Especially now that his small fortune was no more. He continued to cradle the slumbering Rose, who happily dozed with shallow breaths after all the blood he'd drain, her dreams haunted by rather erotic fantasies.

Chrysalis made her on preparations for the oncoming storm. She sat in her office, slapping the flat of her blade upon an open palm. She'd hunted vampires for a number of years. Her reasons? She'd been a prostitute once upon a time, targeted by a number of predators, some of them human vermin, and some of the more supernatural variety. Lots of her friends had been turned by Tirek's minions or slain in the crossfire. She'd killed her pimp and relocated to this strip club.

It hadn't been hard to claim it as her own. Not once she'd taken a trinket from one of Tirek's followers which had unlocked a power deep inside her. She fondled the ebony-and-emerald geode hung on necklace that draped between her mostly bared cleavage. All it took was a kiss, and the original owner had become infatuated with her, signing over the lease to his properties. She'd changed its name to The Hive and slowly turned the closest strippers and bouncers to her side, forming a small army.

Of course she'd had to take it slow and careful. She chose those without many friends or families that wouldn't be missed. Now her dancers were being hunted anew, and she had no doubt Tirek had finally decided to make his move, her succubi and incubi now in direct competition for prey. She chirped, “Flitter, Cloudchaser? Your Queen requests your presence!”

The twins entered the dim office in string bikinis that left little to the imagination, bowing low before her. They were her most trusted servants and bodyguards. “We live to serve you my Queen,” they stated as one.

“Excellent!” She tossed them the twin swords she kept as decoration behind her. “Twin blades for twin slaves! She tittered to herself. Her spies had reported Tirek's followers were on their way, not that they were being too subtle. It wasn't like her old enemy to be so brazen unless he had a severe advantage. Was it desperation, or did he really hold more cards than it seemed?

She'd sent away all the 'normies' until solely the strippers and bouncers she'd infected remained. She was ready to hole up her and made her stand, refusing to be so easily driven from her feeding grounds. After all, didn't her servants depend on her, too?

While a few blocks away a hearse pulled to a stop. The doors popped open, where Adagio and Aria filed out, the former wielding a sword of her own and the latter an axe, while behind them came a number of vampires dressed in whatever they'd had on before Tirek had turned them. But these were warped to the point where they were mere brutes, mostly males but with the occasional female scattered in, also armed and driven to obey the commands the master demanded.

The gang stormed down the soaked streets with the sirens in the lead. Splashes sounded from puddles underfoot. When they reached The Hive neon lights flashed and reflected below, making their skin glow. Chrysalis had to die!

Author's Notes:

And now, a gang war between villains, and Sombra as a potential unlikely ally...?