Sometimes, there were moments Sombra felt like they were doomed to wander the vast expanse of the desert until certain death. The many anonymous skeletons buried within the scorched sands only fuelled this fear. Still, he tried to maintain faith in Somnambula; hoping her vision outside the present would lead them to new place to call home.

She practically walked in a dream-like state; as if simultaneously in the physical and spiritual world. Almost like he was during his years before his resurrections.

He had yet to bring up what was on her personal agenda. It was obvious she wished to save the world at any cost, but what did she have in mind for him exactly? Was he truly supposed to be a hero like she predicted, or had she taken what she wanted in the form of their child and was just stringing him along? Questions he would ask her when the time was right.

His eyes shifted to the rest of his concubines; seeing their expression vary from exhausted to concern for each other. Whether it be through love, lust or fear, they chose to follow him in hopes of survival.

One suspect he was growing cautious of was Diamond Tiara. She could really abandon them at any moment, and yet she remained loyal with a few hints of dismay. He would have a talk with her about once they were all rested and settled.

At their next pit stop to rest, he'd take the opportunity to look over Bellatrix and study her curse. While his hands traced and felt over her body for examination purposes, he could tell the demoness was enjoying his touch with each shudder and squirm. “I think it can be removed...though at a price. In order to do so, it must immediately be passed onto someone in close proximity. Worse, I think the Eldritch and anyone who's been altered by them is immune. I could inflict it on someone of lesser value and abandon them to die...”

Bellatrix smirked, seated across from him and twisting her tail. “So? Why don't we just do that then?”

“Well for one, there isn't anyone else here beside us and I'm not passing it on among my herd. For another...well...” He looked away, conflicted with his emotions. "Part of me wants to avoid doing things I would have done in the past. I've...grown to like my work with the resistance and wish to play the role of the hero for once. I even liked teaching your sister! And...to have that taken away thanks to Fleur has left me...deeply upset. Like...not even retaking my throne or power seems appealing anymore.... If there was a way I could go back to that, I would..."

“I see.... Maybe it's best I leave then.” The succubus looked away; trying to be as selfless as she could despite how much it contradicted her true nature. Yet her loyalty to him and Beatrix allowed her to struggle against her inner wishes.

“No, you don't need to. It be wrong of me to leave you on your own again...” He cupped her cheek and chin.

“Aren't you unusually sweet today~” She purred with a bat of her eyelashes and a smirk that exposed tiny fangs.

“That's what love is,” broke in Inky who was still massaging her wrapped up wing. “Something you're willing to destroy yourself for. I know I'd risk it all to be with my master,” she murmured walking over and draping herself on him.

He knew she was speaking more about herself than anyone. Inky was fanatically loyal to him, obsessive at worst. Perhaps she'd always wanted to change him to suit her. The stallion he'd once been would have resented that and simply conquered her into submission. But as much as he was hesitant to admit, she had made him a better person.

He knew she'd do almost anything for him, probably let him fuck her to death if he ever wanted it. Her only limit appeared to be Pacific Glow; wanting to make sure everything was okay with her.

Strange as it was, he could understand that sort of self-destructive obsession. He'd delved into the dark arts like they were a drug. Warped and almost shattered his now blackened soul. Become the tyrannical monster he was infamous for being.

Now that he'd finally tried to change the alliance had turned on him. Was it possible to win them back someday? And did he even care to? He tenderly stroked one of Inky's braids, knowing it wouldn't do to simply brood.

“Looks like we have lots of time to kill,” said Tree Hugger who waddled over. “Want to, like, break me in?”

Sombra's eyes slowly trailed over the heavily pregnant hippie. Was it wrong to make her his lover in her current state? But then again, it's not like he could reverse it either, and it's what she clearly wanted. “Why not?” With her uneven grin she plucked off the small leaves that hid her goodies, settling her shapely physique onto his laugh with a lazy chuckle.

Like most times when they made camp he'd already removed his armor and left it in a pile, so it wasn't difficult for her to strip the rest of his scant attire, giving her access to his cock which she stroke until it filled her tightened palm. She traced its veins, around the medial ring, and flicked the twitching and heated flare, his urethra beaded with precum.

“Yummy,” she almost slurred while breathing in his masculine musk and fondling his heavy testicles. “So virile.”

Guiding him into her wet cunt, she moaned low while he sank into her and pushed her open. Fluttershy was hanging back, squirming and rubbing her thighs together while her longtime friend-turned-lover bounced upon his cock.

Hugs sensed the vibes in the air and knew she was being watched. She turned so that Shy could get a better view while he took her, staring at her friend with a sleepy smile and half-lidded eyes to match. Her milky udders slapped and trembled, lactation beading on her nipples and dribbling along her curves. She dared her to join in, her snatch dripping over his dick and balls.

“You could always join in,” suggested Inky with her own sultry look.

“Yep,” added Pacific who was busy stretching. “It's a ton of fun! Master will make you feel so good!” She spread her legs and lowered herself to the ground, doing the splits, the raver keeping herself limber to contortionist levels to improve her dancing.

“Reminds me,” said Hugs between huffs while she watched the raveslut. “Of the nude yoga we used to do, babe. You were almost as good as me at kegels.” She demonstrated by clenching, her pussy massaging his penis like it was sucking him off, milking him in a teasing and loving rhythm. “Best part? I can totally do the same with my asshole.”

“I could always use some more stimulation myself,” noted Primadonna who was rubbing her own entrance with her tail.

“Mmm.” Cozy Glow chewed on her lower lip, unable to look away while he claimed his latest concubine. She'd borrowed some old clothes from Diamond Tiara who sat by her, wearing a skimpy schoolgirl costume which looked more like fetish-wear; and a wet spot flushed across the crotch of her mild pink panties, unable to hide her own untended needs.

“No need to be gentle man,” urged Hugs who bounced her plush but powerful buttocks upon him. “I doubt even you could hurt the Kirin in my belly, so go nuts!” His hands squashed around her hips, slamming her down and impaling her with such force he stabbed his tip through her cervix. She squealed at this unexpected act of dominance, creaming all over his nethers instantly.

She was now winking around him with quiet intensity, begging him to spill his seed in her fertile garden. Not that he needed much encourage, with the way her burning, watery pink canal was noisily sucking on him.

While he groaned and shot himself inside her, she lifted up one of her swollen tits and closed her lips around it, messily drink down her own milk which dribbled down her chin. At this point Fluttershy was whimpering, lubricant running down her inner thighs, her shapeliness searing all over as she bunched up her swaying udders and leaked out her own lactate.

“Don't worry,” said Pacific who landed a loud smack on Shy's rump. “You'll get your turn!”

“I...I don't know,” mumbled Shy whose coy stare nonetheless kept wandering to the shameless coupling.

“It's not like Sombra can put a baby in you right now,” reminded Diamond Tiara. “It's just casual sex.”

“I need an emotional connection,” murmured Shy despite how much her body protested her reluctance.

“You'll come to learn I'm not so bad,” said Sombra who kept himself locked within the panting Hugs. “Not anymore. But I don't want to push anyone anymore. Do as you please. You're free to follow me or leave whenever you wish.”

“I won't abandon Tree Hugger, no matter what.” She firmly planted both hands on her motherly hips. She failed to look away when Inky and Pacific stripped off their scant clothes, and crawled to their master who was still inside Hugs, working as a team to clean his cock and balls. They slurped up a mixture of feminine and masculine excretions, kissing to trade it between them.

“Come closer babe,” said Hugs with a beckoning wave. “Let me make you feel good, like I always do.”

Fluttershy hesitantly strolled over. Her former lover removed herself from Sombra with a wet pop, more cum and pussy juice leaking from her twat, which his closest concubines caught in their open mouths and slurped down. A few droplets missed, rolling down their chins and their tits. The lewd, shameless sight made her lower holes further clench to be filled.

At this point Sombra was once again rock hard. She stared at his stallionhood which twitched with its demand to be buried. Wrapping an arm around Shy's waist, Hugs directed her forward, squeezing a buttery buttcheek while she did so. “We don't have to do this,” he reminded her despite how much he openly hungered as his eyes traced over a full body made to be bred.

“I...I'll do it,” she whispered almost inaudibly. She strained to deny her own lusts, inhaling his powerful scent, and already quite worked up after the performance his lovers was putting on. “Just...be gentle, okay?” She laid back, opening her thighs to him.

“If you're certain.” Once she nodded he slowly pressed his flare to her slimy entrance, her meaty pussy lips almost painfully swollen. Gradually he pushed into her, and she easily took him with a whimpering moan, her toes curling and her eyes closing. He knew her type. She wanted to be conquered, dominated, but also enjoyed topping from the bottom, manipulating her lovers.

At first she'd let them think they were in charge, driving into her with repeated thrusts. But when he started to pick up speed, she wrapped her wingspan and limbs around him, drawing him closer and deeper while their snouts met. His palms clasped her veiny udders, milking them, licking up the sweetness that beaded her pepperoni nipples and trailed down their smoothness.

“Oh yeah,” said Hugs who knelt beside them with a grin. “Breed her harder.” She helped molest Shy's ample form, her eyes glazed and the color partially lost from her hair and coat, making her move in a more lethargic manner than ever. Yet despite that she hadn't seemed to have lost any of her natural earth pony might; if anything, she somehow seemed stronger than ever.

“You can go a little rougher. Um, if you want.” Shy bashfully turned her head aside with a deepening blush.

Needing no further encouragement, he slammed into her, smashing her wobbly ass into the ground with each thrust. She whinnied and whined, her snatch leaking down her puckered pink asshole, which Hugs darted her tongue into. Instantly the pegasus squealed and quickly came on her face and his crotch when she started to eagerly probe it.

“Told you. Total butt-slut,” said Hugs with a chuckle while she licked up her runny juices across her soaked face and hair.

Her tunnel was sucking on him, without quite the force of his lovers but with her own delicate touch, until he too was quickly pushed over the edge. Burying himself completely in his latest conquest, he fired himself into her, until she was so overcome by it all she nearly slipped unconscious. He too slackened atop her, spent after his latest session with his harem.

It was a good thing too as his midsection stung like he'd partially reopened his internal wound. He winced and withdrew from her gaped, gooey birth canal, Inky and Pacific rushing to catch him while he settled back.

"You should not push yourself too much," warned Somnambula who hovered by the camp's edge. “We have many miles of traveling left, and the last we need is you injuring yourself more...”

“Gah! I'm fine really. Nothing serious,” he complained with a grunt. “It appears even with her untapped potential to the Necronomicon partially unlocked, my apprentice wasn't able to fully heal my wound."

“Regardless, it was quite a show,” beamed Cozy Glow, sporting a grin. “I could get use to that kind of treatment... guh!" She winched as her body was still sore and after testing her battered wings, she was not able to lift herself off the ground. They were still healing from having nearly all the feathers plucked clean. “Gosh darnit! I'll be grounded for weeks!”

“Surely you prefer being flightless to being an egg depository,” reminded Sombra who carefully examined her.

“Well, duh. Anything's better than that...and speaking of~” Cozy clutched her hands before her, head tilted to one side with an innocent bat of her lashes. “You know I'll do anything to help you as I can. I might be small, but I can handle big responsibilities~” She teased, tracing his bare chest with a fingernail.

He sighed; grabbed her wrist to cease her flirting. Not hard enough to hurt her, but simply to show he wasn't going to play her games; especially if she planned to back-stab them. “When I need you, I'll let you know...” He insisted, his bright red eyes gazing into her amber orbs.

She was certainly a catch, what with her blouse, miniskirt, and stockings that ended in heels clinging to her subdued curves. Her freckled face beamed; daring him to take her whenever he wished.

He let her go before moving up front in preparation to move. Grumbling, she folded her arms to her chest and went to collect her belongings. It wasn't that he didn't want to break in the Pegasus, she was clearly asking for it. But if he wanted to convince people that he was one of them, he couldn't give in to his cruel and malicious tendencies. And even then, he wanted to tend to the other members of his harem first.

It had been a long while since he claimed Diamond Tiara and it felt like ages since he and Inky properly laid with each other. Hell, Belladonna and he hadn't had much intimacy that wasn't by force.

He wanted everyone to feel welcomed and needed by him, so he could only hope the little con artist didn't try anything before hand. If he could overcome the worst aspects of his nature, maybe she could too.

Beatrix Belladonna sat with her sister's head in her lap. She stroked the curled tips of her mane, kissing her temple. The procession had halted again to rest for the night, and when she wasn't busy spending time with her family she'd experiment a little with her potions. Unfortunately with the lack of resources any advanced alchemy was almost impossible.

Sensing her quiet frustration, Twilight and Sunset had been kind enough to donate some of their own materials. Sometimes her mother would also joined in, but she didn't have nearly enough experience in this field, let-alone patience to keep up with her. Instead Trixie eventually sauntered away in boredom after she kissed her cheek, then returned to where Shining Armor was looking after Cadance. She'd started to stabilize, but the Princess of Love also still seemed to be in her own little world.

In her short time with Sombra she'd increased her proficiency quite a bit. The temptation to multiply her innate abilities with the dark arts was always there; all she needed do was ask the entities in her clothes for help. Yet memories of the abomination she'd temporarily become stilled that desire. Better to remain stagnant than risk becoming what the Eldritch obsessed over.

Shining turned to her. “You know how I feel about Sombra, but it's okay to be worried about him.” He smiled sympathetically at her. “Love's a strange thing, or so the expert on it tells me.” He brushed Cadance's mane where she was snuggled up in blankets to sleep. “It doesn't always make sense. I mean, I always wondered what you're lovely mother saw in a dork like me!”

“You're our dork,” reminded Trixie who poked his snout tip. “Strong, handsome, if not too bright...”

“Smart enough to choose two of the best mares in Equestria,” he teased back. “Plus I-”

“F-father...” Flurry Heart twitched and stirred.

“Pumpkin...?” Everyone turned to her. “I'm here! How do you feel?”

“Awful,” she whispered straining to focus with tired eyes. “All I remember is...is...”

“Don't think about it,”said Beatrix who brushed away her half-sister's tears. “Nice to meet you. I'm Beatrix Belladonna.”

Flurry stared up at her. “You look like-”

“She's our little hellspawn,” said Trixie with a smirk while she wrapped an arm around her lover's broad shoulders. “It's hard to explain, I'll let her handle the details later.” She hand-waved it away. “Anyhow, make yourself at home!”

“I hope mother will be okay.” Flurry swayed when she sat up, rubbing her pounding head. “Chrysalis really hurt her bad!”

“We'll do everything we can to help her,” assured Beatrix. She was so sensitive, just like the half-sister she knew, no doubt from her mother's side. “Just rest and let us handle everything. We're safe here.” She smiled down on her.

“I...I want to help, if I can. Mommy and daddy always said it's the right thing to do!”

“Hmmm....you're not familiar with alchemy by any chance, are you?”

“I am. Quite skilled actually,” replied Flurry who beamed with obvious pride.

“Good! I mean, I'm pretty talented myself, so maybe you'd like to mix some potions with me, whenever you're up to it?” Sure, she wasn't quite the Flurry she knew, but surely the pair of them could get up to some mischief here? She missed those older, simpler times, and was convinced if they could whip up the right formula it would allow Spike to finally turn the tide.

“I'd like that,” admitted Flurry sleepily with a low yawn. “So tired. Need to rest.”

“She's adorable,” said Belladonna who watched her drift to sleep in her lap. “She doesn't seem too different from the sister I know. Of course, I can't make much of a judgment when we've hardly even met!”

“Cadance always said I spoil her too much,” admitted Shining. “But she was my only little girl until I met you!”

“Being a parent is certainly new to me,” said Trixie who absentmindedly shuffled a deck of tarot cards. “I'll level with you. Sometimes, I...I wonder if I'm even capable of being a good mother. Patience doesn't come naturally to me.”

“You were a wonderful mom,” said Beatrix. “Okay, I'll admit you had a bit of a skewed moral compass, or so my daddy always told me, but you taught me most of what I know! Magic, street smarts, sleight-of-hand...all I needed to survive!”

Trixie almost fumbled the deck. “Is...is that enough?”

“Oh, I certainly think so. We were so in sync we could copy our movements, like a well-choreographed dance! We'd perform on stage and even weave spells together on the battlefield!” Belladonna's eyes twinkled at the memories. “We were part of daddy's army, and Flurry, too! We saved a lot of lives, did everything we could to stop the Necronomicon's corruption!”

“Trixie's little hellspawn has a way with words,” she noted with a laugh as her usual cockiness returned.

“I'm sure she gets that from you too,” teased Shining some more with a grin. “It's a shame Luna's not around anymore.. I bet if she could travel into Cadance's and Flurry's dreams, she'd probably be able to help them heal much faster.”

“Hey mom,” said Belladonna who decided it best to change the subject. “Did you have anyone else? Before, you know-”

“Kind of. It gets lonely on the road,” admitted Trixie. “Sometimes Glim-Glam and I, well, you get the picture!”

“I see.” She toyed with her Prima Materia, sorry she'd awakened old wounds. She'd befriended Starlight in her home dimension, who'd aided her when she'd went to explore the innermost layers of the Necronomicon.

“Well you're with us now,” promised Shining who wrapped his arms about them and drew them close.

“But for how long,” whispered Trixie to herself as she looked pensively at Cadance. “I can't compete with that!”

Quietly the family reflected on better times. Yet from the moment Beatrix had been born, she'd been thrust into a devastated world, and had been fighting a war before she'd even reached double digits in age. While the Necronomicon had all but destroyed her Equestria, it had also influenced her before she was even birthed, paradoxically the best and worst thing that had ever happened to her. It shaped her into what she was. Continued to haunt her through the Eldritch to this day.

She considered if Sombra and Bellatrix were having similar thoughts, wherever they were now. The grimoire had united their fates.

It was impossible to escape it now. Especially after a stunt to save her teacher had allowed the darkness to contaminate her. She returned to dabbling in alchemy, laying out fresh ingredients such as crushed flowers, heart heavy with concern.

“We'll have to move on soon,” reminded Spike who stood within the makeshift lab Twilight and Sunset had hastily set up. Instruments were meticulously set out in the small cove, the batch of changeling eggs kept in a globe-like transparent container they routinely reinforced with enchantments in case they happened to spontaneously hatch. “You sure about-”

“Don't worry. We're careful,” promised Sunset. “I don't want to abort them before they're born, but...” She pressed a palm on the glass. “The Eldritch infused them with black magic. I don't think the changelings inside could've been saved. They were tainted and damned before they even had a chance to be born,” she whispered blinking back quiet tears.

“They're complete monsters. Our enemies, I mean. But we already knew that,” noted Twilight. “I'd hoped this would give us some insight into how to beat them, but no luck so far. Guess I have no choice but to study it some more!”

She sounded almost happy about that. With everything else going on she rarely had a chance to study much anymore.

Spike however was consumed with his own worrisome thoughts. Like if the Eldritch captured his impregnated lovers, and twisted their offspring into monstrosities. Taking his leave, he left for another section, where Smolder was currently on guard duty. She nodded to him, further in Fleur still chained down and seated with her hair a wild mess.

“What do you intend to do with me?”

“I don't know,” he admitted hoping that she'd eventually cool down and everyone would feel she'd been sufficiently punished.

“You're lucky,” called Smolder. “Lots of older Dragon Lords would've forced themselves on you!”

Fleur stewed and seethed. “Without my beloved I have nothing. No matter how many Eldritch I butcher he won't come back.” Her eyes were pink from crying. “You want me as your lover? Take me, then. I hardly care anymore.”

“I don't operate like that,” assured Spike who had to admit her loveliness was beyond compare. In fact she reminded him a little of his first crush on Rarity. Ember and Smolder took turns looking after her, making certain she was fed, watered, and that she had regular trips to the bathroom, which only added to her humiliation. Yet if he exiled her, she'd die for certain on her own.

“Punish me before the camp then. Make me one of your mares,” she dared him. “Wouldn't that be sufficient punishment?”

“It probably would,” he admitted turning aside and tightening his grasp on the Bloodstone Scepter. “I'll think it over.” It was obvious how much she coveted her freedom. But could he do something so barbarous, even if she wished it?

He continued to make the rounds about the encampment. Octavia was busy teaching Vinyl Scratch how to properly play her double-bass, the latter still adjusting as she struggled to form words sometimes. Autumn Blaze listened attentively, and would often sing along. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were crafting more runes on the armaments that Ember and Smolder had forged.

“Team's almost ready,” said Limestone who stretched her well-toned frame.

“Good. Not sure everyone can take much more of this.” His eyes wandered to a number of tired mares. Between the invasion of the Eldritch and the burning of the dying Pleasure Gardens, morale was lower than ever. Again he was reminded if he was willing to sacrifice a loved one and become a greater dragon he could win them back in an instant; such raw power would be impossible to ignore.

But he banished such thoughts, hopeful that Beatrix might one day be able to brew the potion she spoke about to empower him.

However she'd also only managed such a feat with the aid of another version of Flurry Heart...

“We've arrived,” noted Somnambula who halted. “However, it will take time to raise our new home. And the downside is, while it may serve as our fortress, it will doubtless draw the attention of the Eldritch. We can but hope most of their forces will be preoccupied with Spike's alliance, else this could spell disaster for us all. I must be left in peace. Please make camp elsewhere.”

She started to shimmy out of her already transparent costume, in order to better attune herself with the spiritual world. Pretty soon she stood naked save for the ankh, rubbing scented oils into her supple flesh until it shined all over.

'Thank you... We'd be lost without you here," said Sombra; gently squeezing her shoulder while resting his head onto hers. She looked back at him with a smile and half-lidded eyes.

"And it is only because you are with me that fortune smiles upon us all.... Rest now, love. You'll need your strength to keep this place safe," she whispered kissing him on the cheek before sending him back to the others; leaving her alone to stare off into the dunes with raw determination, clasping her fist around the ankh. She started to chant a prayer in a lilting, musical tone, one which made them all stop and listen, her words so ancient even he struggled to understand most of them.

His attention turned to Bellatrix Primadonna, who sat by herself while gazing over her shoulder to him. Laying hands upon her, she bared her soul to him much as Beatrix had, trusting that he'd not take advantage. Not that she tended to mind however he treated her as she still felt compelled to serve him.

Nevertheless tonight he was all business, delving into the she-devil's soul; taking note of the curse and what methods could truly dispel it. It wasn't like he could do much else about it really; in truth it was mostly an excuse to stay busy and keep in practice.

He wondered how Spike's alliance fared now, and if Beatrix would keep on top of her own studies since they parted ways.

Inky and Pacific were close by, while Fluttershy and Tree Hugger cuddled up, quickly starting to doze off upon the blankets they laid out. Thankfully the wind had stilled here and left them in peace. Stars glittered in a sky eternally trapped somewhere between day and night. Lastly he spotted Cozy Glow and Diamond Tiara seated away from his other lovers.

A soft sob escaped Cozy who was curled up on her blanket, half-mangled wings drawn close to her. She'd combed and styled her ringlets best she could, freckled cheeks wet as she kept trying to wipe her face.

“What's the matter?” Diamond Tiara asked, scooting closer to her. “Are you really sad or are you pulling up a front?”

“N-No games...” Cozy rubbed her eyes and failed to hide a sniffle. “Just tired, I guess.”

Sombra pursed his snout with bemusement. “You miss Tirek, don't you?”

“Maybe a little," admitted Cozy who bowed her head. “He and Chrysalis were the closest things I had to, well, friends.” She spoke the word with all the contempt she could muster, narrowing her eyes. “But then she screwed us over! With Tirek, I thought we were just using each other until we gained back power. Never thought I'd actually miss him...or that it would hurt so damn much...”

“That's normal,” replied Tiara. “Used to think I didn't really need friends either. The only one I had back then was Silver Spoon; and even then, I treated her like crap half the time. I got better, thankfully! Though it wasn't without the help of Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Babs Seed...all of them lost to the Eldritch. The only one I have left was Sweetie Belle, but we've grown pretty distant. Maybe...I should have tried harder to stay close to her instead of giving into darker influences... No offense,” she said sheepishly to Sombra, who shook his head.

“Might not be too late,” said Cozy who rubbed her misty eyes. “Who knows? Spike would likely let you come back.”

Tiara shook her head. “He's a softy, sure, but even if I accepted, I wouldn't really fit in with them. My skills are pretty useless now that civilization's collapsed! It's for the best I remain here, where I won't be judged for my actions.... Tell you what though. Why don't you and I become friends. Would that be something you want?” She wrapped an arm around the pegasus.

Cozy thought it over for a moment, as if really considering before she got herself nice and close to Tiara; accepting her embrace. “I don't see why not! We could be close! But not, too close, y'know. I still got a reputation to uphold!”

“You and me both, sister,” snickered Tiara as they shared a sly chuckle before her attention fell back to the dark unicorn. “Truth is, Sombra, I'm really not too sure why I chose you over Spike. Just seemed right, somehow. Probably because we both used to being 'bad guys'. But I want you to know I don't regret my choice. I'd be proud to be with you...and have your kid when the time comes...” She said, blushing a bit while her hand fell to her tummy.

He swallowed a laugh, wrapping an arm around the both of them in a close hug. "I think it's ridiculous of you to compare us. What we've done is history. Let's help each other find a better future."

Truth be told, he was relieved to see her bonding a little more with the others. And that Cozy Glow was starting to fit in too; even if that made him more wary as it could all be a part of her latest schemes. Still, if he wanted another chance he'd have to give her the benefit of the doubt, too.

As a few people slowly drifted to sleep, Sombra was up looking up to the skies. He felt something lean onto him which broke his trance.

“I wish I could be more useful to you,” confessed Inky; wrapping her good wing around him.

“What are you talking about? You've been keeping me on my current path every step of the way,” he exclaimed, pulling her closer to face him as their snouts touched lightly against one another.

It still felt strange to show such open affection, something he hadn't done since he'd first fallen in love during his youth; before he'd betrayed that mare in his pursue of power. It was the first time he'd felt a real twinge of guilt, one he'd tried his best to banish from his soul. But now it was resurfacing; Inky reminding him of a more vulnerable time and how he now had things outside himself to possibly lose.

“Me too. But all I really know how to do is dance!” Pacific sucked on the pacifier she wore around her neck, which she'd used to relentlessly chew on while high at her latest rave party, until she'd met Inky who'd gradually helped her kick a drug habit.

They'd been friends ever since, practically sisters, as her brain was so fried she'd struggled to make it on her own, and constantly relied on Inky's support.

“Make no mistake; you are all important to me,” he stated, caressing one of her twin tails. “By the time this war is over, our children together will know nothing but safety, compassion and kindness.”

“Ahh! So romantic!” Pacific rubbed her cheek into his palm with a series of high-pitched giggles. “Shame that Fluttershy and Tree Hugger are already knocked up. But hey, that shouldn't stop you from really knocking them full afterwards. And Cozy, too!"

“Well, they will have to all wait until I've given at least a dozen of your children,” proclaimed Inky with a huff while clutching at his hand. “I just...really hope this war ends soon...if it ever ends...” She stared into the wastelands past Bellatrix; observing them while grinning smugly. No matter what happened in the end, she would have Sombra with her at all times.

“It will end. No matter what must be done to achieve that. This, I swear.” He clasped a fist to his chest.

While he made this proclamation, his gaze wandered to Somnambula, the priestess in that state akin to sleepwalking; like she was possessed while supposedly communing with the spirits.

But whatever her intentions he knew better than to cast doubt on her strange beliefs which had always borne fruit. She'd warned him it could be days before her vigil was completed.

Until then they were to keep watch in case the Eldritch crossed their path. While Beatrix had done a good job patching his wound, there was still some internal damage she hadn't been able to fix, which Somnambula assured him would heal over time.

He'd have to be patient and recover his strength. If he needed to call upon too much of the darkness within him soon it would likely destroy him; and unfortunately despite their other talents, few who'd chosen to follow him were worth much in a fight.

It was his duty to protect them. Much like he was supposed to protect the Crystal Empire, before the dark arts played upon his pride and corrupted him, turning him back to the cruel dictator he had come to despise. All he could do was continue onward.

Deep below the ocean depths lurked the most massive Eldritch compound that still remained. A city-like fortress carved from the bones of undersea creatures, it was unreachable by most creatures; but the remaining sirens were telepathically summoned and forced to swim into the murky depths, lest they too meet the fate of their eldest sister.

Aria took Sonata's hand, their tails swishing while they dove through water pressure that would have permanently harmed lesser creatures.

They shuddered at the sight of the pulsating lair, entombed halfway into the ocean floor in the midst of the ocean, surrounded by seaweed which churned under the waves.

Blood pumped through its calcified surface, mouth-like openings sucking in the sea life foolish enough to wander too close, pulping them into raw material to help power their dwindling reserves.

The largest maw of all opened like a shell, a whirlpool-styled vortex sucking them in. They funneled down the tubes, for what felt like miles, nearly losing their lunch in the process, before they were deposited with a flop of their fishy tails onto a lab floor.

“Ugh,” moaned Aria as seawater dripped from their naked forms. She tried to sit up on her mermaid half, studying the rows of tubes and jars where corpses or preserved portions of such were kept for study and experimentation.

“A-are they going to kill us?” Sonata trembled, barely able to whisper while her eyes adjusted to the crimson hues around them.

“I dunno.” Aria doubted it if they'd been summoned all the way here. Far easier to just pop their heads like poor Adagio. “No use trying to hide, I guess. They can read our minds anyhow. I should've tried harder to talk Adagio out of making a deal with the Eldritch, but it's too late now. But I promise, whatever happens, Sonata, I'll do what I can to protect you.”

“You've been unusually nice lately,” said Sonata who sat up beside her. “You feeling okay?”

“Hey, we're all we have left. We shouldn't have come here. All we wanted was to go home, see the ocean again, but now we've lost something we can never get back.” Adagio's last moments kept playing in Aria's head, shaking her to the core. How long before they screwed up too bad or were no longer useful, and they suffered a similar fate or worse? But there was no turning back now. They watched some of the scientists approach, twisted fusion of mangled flesh, bone, and metal flecked in dry blood.

A constant low hum and subtle vibrations permeated an area otherwise cloaked in eerie silence. The creatures often moved in a ghost-like fashion, appearing to hover when they walked, almost like their very existence bent the basic rules of reality.

A collective of them converged on the Dazzlings and lifted them up. “H-hey,” said Aria.

“Please don't hurt us,” begged Sonata who was on the verge of hysterical tears while they were placed upon tables and strapped down by their wrists, midsections, and the bottom portion of their tails. “We-we can still be useful, I promise!”

“Don't think they care,” said Aria who slackened, feeling defeated. “Is this how it's going to end? How stupid. To come this far all for nothing.” She bitterly shook her head with gritted teeth, wanting to rage but knowing it was useless.

“I-I don't want to die!” Sonata wiggled in her taut binds, her nose running as she bawled. A gurney was laid out covered in various instruments which glinted under the hellish lights. One of the Eldritch prepared a scalpel, and she screamed, emptying her bladder at the realization they were about to be operated on again, this time without any anesthetic.

“And I thought we were monsters,” hissed Aria who tensed up. “Sonata, I'm sorry! I...I love you!”

“M-me too,” mumbled Sonata who heaved. “You think this is like karma or something?!”

Before she could answer a voice said, “Don't fight it. They only want to make some overdo adjustments.” They tried to turn and see where the familiar voice came from. “The Eldritch, as you call them, realize that terminating Adagio was rather hasty when she could have still been useful. Granted neither can they afford to lose Bellatrix, not after what they sacrificed to resurrect her, and that she might lead their messiah to them. Soon, you'll be better than ever! Just. Like. Me.” She laughed to herself.

The pair gasped when the unicorn walked between their tables. “You?! But I thought-”

“That I vanished at the war's climax? True. I was captured by the Eldritch. They realized I was far too valuable to simply kill, but nor was it easy to convert me! No, it took a long time...” She rubbed the metal plate on her scalp where it had partially been shaved. “They've been inside my head for years, whispering to me, never letting me have a moment's rest...”

These days Starlight Glimmer struggled to remember who she'd been. Certainly the memories were all still there, but they felt like they belonged to someone else, that she was a mere shadow of what she'd once been. The Eldritch told her tales about how in Beatrix's dimension she'd resisted the Necronomicon's possession through sheer will, had nearly mastered it, but the story may as well have been nonsense to her. All she could think about was her former friends and her severed connection to them, her black leather dress sweeping behind wherever she tread.

Now she was simply their tool. A mouthpiece to further their machinations. She watched the Dazzlings squirm and scream, blood gushing out of freshly opened wounds and trickling onto the floor, while more cybernetics were meticulously woven into them by a team of Eldritch scientists and engineers. It was quite possible their identities would be stripped from them completely by the time they were fully converted.

Tears ran down her cheeks, but she no longer really felt them, disconnected after years of careful conditioning as they tried to make her like them. Her sole comfort was that once the Eldritch won, perhaps she and Trixie could be together forever...