It felt like the world was crumbling around Beatrix Belladonna, who was on the verge of hysteria, desperate to liberate Flurry Heart however she could. She planted her heeled boot on a stone for purchase, her lithe muscles straining, wishing she'd bothered to work out more often. “Come on, damn it!”

Unfortunately the binds pulled tighter under the strain. Groaning in frustration, she grit her teeth and charged up her hands with magic, ready to burn the sticky tethering if necessary.

“...wait.” Shining Armor finally stumbled back to his feet, recovered his broadsword, and illuminated the area in a holy radiance. An arc trailed when he carefully slashed into the strands, meticulously freeing Cadance, Flurry Heart, and even Cozy Glow, the three slumping into the muck. He rushed to grab his wife, while Beatrix tended to his other daughter.

“Oh Shiny,” sniffled Cadance whose voice threatened to crack. She buried his face into his breastplate.

He held her close with his free arm and stroked her mane. “Don't worry, honey. I won't leave you. Not ever.” Even with the eerie emerald glow, the low hum and pulse of the caves, and the sour smell he managed a warm if melancholy grin.

“Sister,” murmured Beatrix who held Flurry's head in her lap. Tears bounced off her almost blank face. Of course she hadn't expected a version of her she'd never met to recognize her; but it was like she was out-of-touch with the whole world.

“This is awkward,” whispered Trixie who shifted nervously. She wanted to step forward and comfort the Paladin, but thought better of interfering, especially when Sunset touched her arm with a sympathetic smile and shake of her head.

“We'll make this okay...somehow,” said Sunset who tried to convince herself.

“The-the Eldritch planned to reduce us to spare parts,” choked out Cadance. “We refused to join them outright, so they handed us over to Chrysalis, as a gift after she joined them. They...they probably hoped she'd break us in to convert us...” She struggled to take in a breath. “She's been feeding us bugs. Th-they're not so bad when they're mushed up and you get used to them...”

“Don't talk,” urged Shining who knew she wasn't in her right mind. The evil Queen had probably fed on his family's love for him and each other for some time, until she'd drained Flurry almost dry. “Sunset's right. We'll find some way to help you two!”

“And what about her?” Sombra loomed over Cozy Glow who was slumped on her back, heaving and sobbing while staring up at him. “I think it's only fair to fulfill Tirek's dying wish and ending her suffering as well.”

“Yes! P-Please, just...kill me!” Pleaded the stricken pegasus; her stomach churning with a nest of eggs.

“No!” Sunset strolled over and took her hand. “You'll be okay, I swear it. This will all seem like a nightmare, in time.” She turned to look at the Paladin. “Time I got us out of here. It's dangerous, and we can do more for them back home.”

Shining nodded and sheathed his blade. “Okay.” Gently he lifted his wide bridal-style, his eyes blurry, remembering their wedding; how bright and hopeful their future looked then. Chrysalis had never stopped hating them for that, had taken it out on his family, and any happiness he felt to see them alive was offset by the unimaginable horrors they'd endured.

“Sister, I'll take care of you.” Beatrix kissed Flurry's temple and tried to stay strong. She was on the verge of hysteria, wanted to run to anyone for comfort, which Trixie provided by squeezing her shoulders. They gathered into a circle with Sunset, who made sure they were all touching before she blinked them out of the hive and back to the Pleasure Gardens.

Ever since her return to the beach's shore Bellatrix Primadonna had been at a loss about what to do next. She'd never been a long-term planner, preferring to let her capricious whims guide her. She and Wallflower had wandered aimlessly since then, snacking on what soggy food which hadn't been ruined. Her teeth sank into a chewy scorpion, gnashing it sloppily.

Eventually she and Wallflower settled down to camp. “We can't just stumble around forever,” said Blush.

“Why not?” She shrugged and reclined back with a slurp, nudging another bloated arachnid skewered on an arrow tip. “Works for me. Well, other than the fact that I get bored! Not like I can drop in on Beatrix or Sombra like I want to...”

“Maybe we can. It's not like they're safe anyhow with the Eldritch on a tear. How about we head to the Badlands?”

The succubus looked skyward at the sun and moon, frozen in place, with stars barely peeking out. “Eh, sure. I don't want to put them at risk, but if the Eldritch are already headed that way, maybe it can't hurt? Still, I'll have to keep my distance. I'm sure they think I'm a traitor. Not that I blame them. You, however, can safely approach I hope?” She dismissively waved a hand.

“I'll be your advocate,” assured Wallflower. “Sombra's familiar with curses, isn't he? Maybe he can break the one the Eldritch are using to track you? It's worth a try. Oh, and I think I've got an idea to recover your wings, too.”

Bellatrix shot up and grabbed her thin arms. “Really?! Tell me already!” She shook her a few times.

“Whoa, calm down.” Wallflower shrank away from her, messy hair falling over her freckled face. “It's simple. You said you can't shift your mass too much past your usual size, right? Well, consider this. Just take it from an...unnecessary area. For instance, excessive body fat.” She looked over the demon's ample figure, paying special attention to her bulbous breasts.

“What?! Destroy my perfect physique?!” She protectively ran her palms over her supple flesh. “I couldn't!”

“Your choice. Wouldn't have to be permanent.” Blush shrugged.

“But I don't want to be a skinny beanpole like you,” she whined with a sultry pout.

“Hey, thin isn't bad...” Wallflower curled up in her baggy clothes and cloak which made her look larger. “Get over yourself, okay? Wings will allow us to cover far more ground rather swiftly. At least consider it?”

Primadonna sighed with a toss of her silky black hair. “Oh, very well.” She rose to her full height, flesh starting to unfurl from her back, while her frame started to thin. Breasts, hips, and buttocks in particular were shrunken, and she groaned with clenched teeth, like she was giving birth. The skeletal wings popped out in a spray of misty blood, leather and membranes spreading over them, until she finally recovered her full span. With a huff she asked, “Did it work...?”

“Beautifully,” said Wallflower who looked her rather lithe form over. “And you still look quite nice.”

“Meh, it's okay I guess.” She flapped her newly-formed wings to test them. “Anyhow, I'm rested, so let's beat feet!”

Unfurling her own wingspan, Wallflower took skyward beside her, kicking up a dust cloud. Her tattered cloak trailed in the cool winds, the pair sailing towards the Badlands. Much of the desert had been torn up by Eldritch machines, leaving scars upon the earth.

And unbeknownst to them, a certain trio had taken on legs to pursue their potential prey...

Blankets woven by Rarity and Sweetie Belle were placed over the victims who's corpses were laid out in rows across the Pleasure Gardens. It was a time of mourning, where Spike could do little more than look on helplessly. He'd never been very good at speeches, preferring to simply speak from the heart. Fancy Pants might have written him one, were he not a casualty of their campaign, his widow Fleur de Lis placing the most exotic flowers she could pluck around his ashen corpse.

Limestone performed a similar ritual with the Diamond Dogs for their lost packs, gathering precious gemstones they'd collected in the mines. Her fellow miners observed a moment of silence with her, their heads bowed.

A few butterflies collected around Fluttershy in attempt to cheer her up. She sidled next to Tree Hugger, the latter's coat unusually pale, almost like part of the light that animated her had been snuffed out. Nevertheless the hippie took her hand.

Just in case Twilight, Ember, and Smolder were preparing fresh defenses, even though with all the setbacks the Eldritch had recently suffered it seemed unlikely they'd attempt another brazen all-out assault so soon. With their lair compromised they couldn't remain here much longer; but was there really anywhere remotely safe left to escape to?

While she hadn't died in battle Octavia had slipped into a coma after the wounds she'd sustained. Vinyl hadn't left her side since, touching her cheek in the vain hope she'd regain consciousness at any moment while Somnambula tended to her.

Not too far away Inky Rose nursed her wrapped up wing, which Pacific Glow who stood nearby had helped set. Diamond Tiara paced back-and-forth, like them impatient for Sombra's return. Until then they could do little more than wait.

Crunches sounded underfoot when Spike walked down the lines, barely able to take in the wrapped up corpses. “Fancy sacrificed himself to get a lot of mares to safety. He's a hero,” he said trying to console Fleur the only way he knew how.

“Thank you. But that is little comfort to me,” she answered without looking back while meticulously placing more flowers.

“I understand. You're still welcome with us, of course. Thanks for all your help.” When she didn't respond he shrugged and moved on. His thoughts went to the former Dragon Lord, a sight which filled him and his allies with dread. One day he could become an ancient powerhouse like that; but only if he was willing to undergo a secret ritual known to Ember alone.

She'd offered to teach him, despite her reservations, for the same reason he hesitated; he liked the intimacy this smaller form provided. His relationship to his lovers would certainly change if he were trapped in that behemoth shape. Plus it filled him with dread for another reason; the Eldritch might turn him into a nearly unstoppable weapon, too!

But he reminded himself it was a silly worry. They'd driven the former Dragon Lord mad by overwhelming his psyche with a massive psychic attack through millions of them. He wasn't certain if even more than a few thousand still remained. No way he'd fall so easily...right? Yet he imagined attacking his own loved ones, and was forced to stifle a shudder.

“Guess I'll have to ask Ember after all.” He scratched his chin, aware he'd also have to find them a new home soon. Returning to the dragonesses who were perched on a cliff-side, Smolder returned the Bloodstone Scepter to him.

“We did what we could,” said Ember who stood with arms crossed.

“Yeah,” added Smolder with a punch skyward. “We sent the former Dragon Lord packing! Um, I mean-”

“It's cool,” replied Ember. “My father's dead. That grotesque zombie doesn't count!”

“About that. If I'm ever going to beat him and protect my clan, I'll need to become like him.” Spike laid a hand on her scaly shoulder. “Teach me the ritual. It's time I shed this old form and seized my destiny as a Dragon Lord.”

“Are you sure? Once it starts, there won't be any going back. Plus, even after it's finished it will take time.” He nodded and she sighed. “Very well, then. I'll show you. But once you learn the price, you might think again.”

“Whatever it takes!” Despite his doubts he tried to sound bold as possible. Would he be the same drake anymore after his transformation? Or would he become far more aggressive, predatory? Ember and Smolder sometimes questioned if his pony influences were a weakness, but he certainly didn't think so after they'd saved Equestria so many times!

After their return to the Pleasure Gardens, the group tried to make the rescued mares feel as comfortable as they could be. Cadance, Flurry, and Cozy were all placed on the pond's bank; blankets laid under them and moist cloths placed on their foreheads. Sombra gazed over each before turning to Beatrix. “We must act with precision, yet swiftly if anyone is to survive. Seeing as you went through the same misfortunes, you'll help me with the extraction. Understand?”

She didn't respond; far too worked up while staring at her barely conscious sister.

Growling, Sombra grabbed her to pull her away and turn her to face him. "Get a grip, will you? Standing there feeling sorry for yourself won't save their lives! You're stronger than this! I refuse to believe this whimpering child before me is the same star-struck magician that managed to one up me. Prove me wrong, damn it!”

“O-Okay, okay!” She groaned; pulling out of his grasp with a wince. “I'm going to be strong...for Flurry's sake!”

While she began to psyche herself up, he turned to Shining Armor who had been glaring at him this entire time. “The longer you stare at me like that, the more permanent that frown will become. Not a reassuring sight for when I save your family,” he chuckled lightly. For one to make ease with a situation, one must find a source; sass at the expense of others was a fine with him.

"Now...with your permission, shall I proceed?" He asked with a slight bow of his head in a mocking gesture before the Paladin curtly nodded. “In all seriousness, who do you want me to try first? Who do you harbor more value and love for? I can't imagine it will be your wife considering you've begun a whole new relationship with others. Maybe you'll wish your daughter to survive, since Beatrix holds a lot of affection for her would-be sister.... Or perhaps I try my hand at rescuing Cozy Glow to start; just in case this method goes horribly awry.... What say you, Shining?”

“Enough games, Sombra!” snapped Shining before his tone lowered with an edge of anguish. “...just... lstart with Flurry Heart.... Cadance would understand...”

Sombra let go of his smug edge momentarily as he nodded at his request. “As you wish. Beatrix. By my side, please.” As the young witch came to him, Sombra knelt beside the younger alicorn who'd usurped him. He could barely recognize her in this pitiful state she was in. Her broken horn was laced in dried blood upon its removal; her cut, bruised body held strifes of horrible experiments and cruelty. And she no longer had those large wings as each feather been plucked clean.

Surely, he would be relishing in her agony by now. So why did he feel disgust for what had happened to her? Absorbing the memories of his alternative selves must have something to do with this new source of empathy from him...

Or was it more than that. Fighting alongside old enemies, coming to respect some of them to a certain degree, feeling something akin to affection for Beatrix and maybe even outright love for Inky Rose.... If he were in his prime and youth, he'd butcher them on the spot for suggesting he held any source of affection. Now all of his hatred and rage was directed at the Eldritch. Needless to say, wether this made him stronger or weaker would be up for him to decide later. For now, he would help the daughter of his old rival.

“Trixie wishes to help too! Just tell her what she needs to do!”

“We both will,” said Sunset. “Unicorns are far more powerful when they combine their spells, right?”

“Only if they're in harmony,” corrected Sombra. “It could be disastrous if even one of us falls out of sync...” He imagined Cadance's stomach bursting into a bloody mess that splattered them. Or worse; that they'd somehow accidentally stir up the eggs if Chrysalis had already fertilize them.... He shuddered, hoping that wasn't the case. “It'll be very difficult as none of you are really tuned with my own magic. So if you decide to follow through, you'd better keep up with me...”

Shining swallowed hard and took a step forward. “Hey now, I can-”

Sunset shook her head. “Sorry, Shining. Don't take this personally, you're a great warrior! Really! But your spellcraft isn't advanced enough to keep rhythm with us.” She shot him a sympathetic look, trying to be delicate so as not to wound his pride.

In truth even Trixie wasn't quite on their level, and they'd have to slow themselves a bit for her to match them, but she had enough magic talent to offset the sacrifice, making her a valuable addition.

“Father,” began Belladonna. “Why don't you look after Cadance. You've spent a lot fo time apart. I think she'd appreciate waking up with you by her side.”

“Okay...” He nodded, then wandered over to the waterfall's cascade where Cadance was sleeping. In contrast, Cozy retched, too beaten down and sickly to care much about how pathetic she looked in her current state. At times like these, Beatrix would normally try to lighten the mood with some humor. But she'd soberly decided it would be inappropriate.

Hands and horns lit between the unicorns when they weaved a combined spell. A rainbow of colors bled into one entity. Unlike when Sombra had worked on Beatrix, who'd only been impregnated a short while, these mares had likely been carrying eggs for quite some time. It would require a certain delicate touch to remove them without fatally harming their carriers.

It required all their focus, like a delicate surgical operation. And they were forced to place their trust in Sombra who stood at the pinnacle of their sorcery. It wasn't unlike meditating, as he did when he needed to restore his reserves, but he'd worried Trixie's mind would prove too restless. But to his surprise, she remained composed and calm. Perhaps he should learn better to not underestimate any relations to Beatrix Belladonna.

The next portion would be the most intimate; they'd already started to trick the alicorn's brain into believing it was going into labor. “It's your turn now..." He whispered to Beatrix, who nodded and stepped before Flurry.

Sucking in a deep inhale, Beatrix spread her sister's thighs; ignoring the slimy mess and urine which escaped her. The reek was almost overwhelming; reminding her what she had to endured. A protective glow wrapped around her hands and forearms, an aura opening wide Flurry's birth canal to the point where her widening cervix was visible.

Reaching inside her sibling, she told herself it was like a gynecologist exam, that she'd understand and would want her to do the same were their positions reversed. Carefully she extracted the first egg with a wet pop and a spatter, setting it aside. Flurry stirred with a low moan and hazy eyes, sedated by their spells, her muscles taking over and pushing for her.

Guided by her companions, over the next hour all the would-be parasites were extracted from Flurry's womb. These were placed in a pile on the grass.

The group let out a collective sigh once they finished. Sombra looked over them and gave, for once, a genuinely nice looking smile. "Well done. You all did very well..." While they muttered to themselves, Sombra couldn't help but gaze over Sunset Shimmer. Among the unicorns, her magic was very close to his own. In fact, if they weren't slowing down, he imagined it would have skyrocketed past him. She was potentially much stronger, and he grew bitter at the thought of her easily overpowering him. He could tell she had raw natural talent when it came to magic; something he would have killed for during his years of learning and brutal training.

As she turned to catch him staring, they both looked away awkwardly. He released a sigh, letting those thoughts and feeling of resentment go. There would be a time to learn more about her to see where they were in terms of power.

For now they needed to rest and recover. Attempting to work on Cadance and Cozy now could prove fatal to them. At least Flurry was stable for the moment, and was already lulled by a spell into a peaceful slumber, in the hope she'd heal faster.

As his followers approached him, he laughed in delight before opening his arms to the grey Pegasus. “Inky Rose.... It's been too long,” he said taking her slender form into his arms and embracing her gently. She cooed and laid her head upon his breastplate. “A shame about what happened to your wing...”

“She saved my life,” chirped up Pacific Glow, who cupped her hands behind her and beamed in appreciation.

“I would have done so for any of my master's lovers...” She admitted, though turning back to the pregnant mare with a slight grin. “You just happen to be my closest friend, Pacific.”

“Oh, you~!” The raver giggled while bouncing up-and-down; casually showing off her scantily-clad form while her boobs jiggled. “I was really scared though; didn't want the baby to come in harm's way!” She rubbed a circle around her belly, her stomach not even starting to visibly swell yet.

“Of course,” said Somnambula, who strutted her way to lay her hands upon Sombra's shoulders. "Sombra is our savour, as I have seen to it..." She would then lean in to whispered softly into his ear. “It is best that I remind you that you and I are due for some...much needed privacy together. So the moment you find yourself available..." And she placed emphasis by pressing her heavy breasts against his back while slowly licking up the lobe of his ear; gleaming with excitement in watching him shudder slightly. "...I will always await you in my sleeping quarters~"

"As do I," he whispered back with a low chuckle.

Diamond Tiara would push through Inky to get her own arms around Sombra; glowing as his hand would pet her head. "I hope you are feeling very proud, master! Not only do you have a harem of gorgeous mares around you, I expect you'll have many other mares more interested; especially after your recent victory!”

“You would be right, little one" he mused. "The tides are certainly in my favor.” While he couldn't take the Dragon Lord in a direct fight, the confidence his followers had in him was now undermined by the latest Eldritch assault; not helping was how he and Beatrix swooped into the Pleasure Gardens and saved his mates. The loss of Fancy also added to their doubts, with Fleur most likely being the biggest. He could feel how lost she was without her husband.

"Hey um.... Like, s'up" came a voice from a distance. Sombra brow furrowed before turning his attention to Tree Hugger, watching her walk up towards their group.

"Hello..." He greeted, not sure what to make of this as she lazily leaned up onto him, her eyes half-lidded and her crooked smile relaxed. Outside of the bandana, not a stitch of clothing was on her body.

"So like...I came by here to give thanks to you for saving my life. It was really...mmm...unexpected from someone with such black and dark vibes going off."

"No please. Think nothing of it, I was just--" But his stammering was cut off as the playfully booped his snout with her own; the weight of her swollen belly and breasts causing him to stumble back a bit.

"Nah man. Like...I wanna show you some real appreciation, if you can dig it. Ya feel me, right?"

"O-Oh.... Well, I can most certainly feel you, that's for sure..."

She giggled as Fluttershy waddled up beside towards her, worry and shock clear on her face. “Tree Hugger, what are you saying? You can't possible mean to sleep with...w-with...”

“I don't see why not! Y'know, like, ever since he gave me these wicked vibes, I've been on a new plane of existence,” she said while nuzzling the stallion's cheek. Indeed, ever since their encounter, all she could feel and think about was having him force himself and molest her; completely rail her for all to see. It was...unlike her, but in a way, felt really good to not feel like herself.

Sombra suspected that because a part of his life force was now with her, his spirit was also tainting her. Not that he was complaining...

Unintentionally, she was now primed to be loyal to him much in the way he'd made Bellatrix Primadonna his in another life. And who was he to deny welcoming another eager mare into his fold? Especially one well associated with the Dragon Lord.

He smiled and responded, "How about we follow these 'vibes' and see what journey they take us, shall we?" Then he pulled the earth pony into a heated, passionate kiss; much to Fluttershy's dismay.

“I...I can't believe this!” She blubbered before making break to the opposite direction towards her own kind; mentally processing what had happened.

She passed Rarity and Sweetie Belle who were chomping on some fruits to replenish themselves. “Yuck! Sweetie dear, what have you been eating?!” The fashionista waved a hand over her nostrils, flaring at a foul stench in the air.

“It's not me,” squeaked Sweetie. “Oh, look here! Gross!” She plucked a rotten, worm-filled apple.

“This shouldn't be! Fluttershy and Tree Hugger have never failed to keep the Pleasure Gardens in tip-top shape before! Could it be due to something the Eldritch did?” Rarity reached for Shy, but she pulled away and covered her face while crying; muttering that she wished to be left alone. Confused, she looked towards where Hugs was at and her eyes nearly shot out of her skull upon seeing her with Sombra. "Heavens, it simply cannot be!"

A mere tiny portion of paradise had been affected thanks to his influence. But soon it would start to spread, seeing the shadows closing upon Hugs; who was fast losing her natural connection to the earth. Sombra realized she would be little more than a loyal ghoul now; a complete perversion of what she'd been. Perhaps if he managed to save Fancy in time, no doubt he would have become a loyal servant, too.

Even so, he was hesitant in considering using the necromancy spell again. For as much joy as the thought of using it to turn all of Spike's loyalists into his own, the cost was far too great; seeing as his appearance and age would be effected heavily.

For now, he would have to take responsibility, as Tree Hugger's sudden change would no doubt attract the attention and wrath of the Dragon Lord. A skirmish between them was now surely inevitable.

Until then, he would enjoy the company of his concubines to ease his tired spirit; especially as he would need his full concentration if he was going to help with Cadence and Cozy Glow.