Sombra felt guilty. Extremely guilty. With all his talk about earning trust, he couldn't leave his feeling of wanting to know more alone when he swiped the holy tome. Bellatrix Primadonna had served as a suitable distraction and partner-in-crime, allowing him to spirit it away during their small orgy. Whenever he was away from the camp, who were busy celebrating, he'd seek a lone spot and quickly crack it open with trembling fingertips.

What was the worst that could happen? Somnambula's and the sphinx's wrath if discovered? A curse from long-dead pharaohs? Whatever the case, he didn't care, so long as what he learned from this white grimoire aided in their quest to defeat the Eldritch. Sombra remained seated in the shadows, taking in passing every word and secret he looked through, while the succubus was playing lookout, as he wasn't sure even his apprentice could be trusted.

It had been a long time since he was so obsessed with learning so much. Not since his youth when he'd first cracked open and started to decipher ancient manuscripts filled with arcane knowledge. He was also reminded of the Necronomicon; it was like a drug that he couldn't break the habit of reading over once or twice.

Supposedly, this was a holy book, and he entertained some doubts about what casting some of these spells might do to him, a well-known sorcerer of the dark arts. And yet, he couldn't deny its potent magic.

Unfortunately he couldn't be absent long. The she-demon subtly flicked him with the spade of her tail, drawing him away from reading to shut the book and hide it away. “Teacher,” called Beatrix Belladonna. “Rested and ready to train some more?”

“That I am, student,” he said, slowly rising. “But are you?” Saying that he spun and pointed in her direction, shooting a bolt of lightning from his fingertip, which she barely raised an invisible barrier in time to deflect. Sparks bounced, and a hiss sounded, leaving a scorch mark and small fire on the dunes. “Perfect reaction... But still far too sloppy. You must be aware and ready to cast at all times.”

She shook her hand about, blowing on it. “Hey, I think I did okay! What say you, sister?”

Bellatrix scoffed. “By the time you finished a barrier, I could have done that and counter-attacked.”

“Well, I'm glad you're feeling confident. Because you're training with us,” Sombra stated with narrowed eyes. He had to remain firm with them as he couldn't afford to show them mercy when the dark hour was fast approaching. Whooshes sounded, and the dark skies were illuminated when he started to rain down spells; and they raised their hands, casting their own in an attempt to keep up.

“Look at them go!” Flurry ran up to the sidelines with her parents and Trixie nearby.

“Perhaps the Great and Powerful Trixie should join the fray,” she announced with a flamboyant pose.

“I'm not sure that's-” But Sunset's warnings were ignored as the stage magician marched onto the blackened filed.

“Yikes!” Trixie jumped when she nearly got struck by a stray bolt, sparks snaking over sands which partially turned to glass. However, she quickly recovered and marched up beside her daughter, copying her moments as they channeled together.

“This is exciting! With you all together, this will almost be a challenge for me!” Bellatrix had fallen in line with the mother-daughter pair, and even altered herself to match them; soon she resembled Trixie too, only with a light pink shade to her skin and long stringy curls of a brighter tone. He assumed it was an attempt to fit in better, much as she had when Bellatrix and Beatrix had become close in their home dimension. He recalled his brutal murder of her after she turned on him, pangs of guilt gnawing at him.

“He's open! Strike now!” shouted Trixie, and the trio unleashed a barrage of the elements.

“Damn,” gasped Sombra, who raised a shield with both hands, his boots skidding and kicking up clouds while he was pushed back under the full fury of the trio. His horn crackled, threatening to snap under the power he summoned in his defense.

“Oops!” Beatrix lowered her hands. “Sorry! Wasn't trying to kill you there..!”

“Heh. It'll take more than that to do me in,” grumbled Sombra, who nonetheless felt the sweat run under his armor, knowing that had he slipped, he could have been blown to pieces. Something he certainly didn't want to endure another time! The magic retreated from his horn and hands. “I think you've all earned a break.”

He was particularly impressed to see how far Trixie had come. It was mostly her ego and insecurity holding her back; she had great potential to match them in her own way, even if perhaps she wasn't suited to offensive magic in particular.

Cadance, Shining, and Flurry clapped while Sunset smiled at them. The trio took a unified bow.

“You look sexy in those,” said Beatrix, who looked over the hot pink costume her sister had summoned that resembled their uniform, complete with white stars all over it. “Feel free to pick your own style if you prefer, though!”

Bellatrix shrugged. “I don't mind. Although I find clothes cumbersome and uncomfortable.”

“Naturally,” pronounced Trixie who raised her arms and posed in sync with her daughter. “We're an unstoppable team!”

“I must rest and recover,” noted Sombra. “We will commune in an hour.” While it was true he needed to meditate and replenish himself; it was also an excuse to resume reading from the holy tome. Ever since reading it, he wasn't able to name what made this book so unable to be put down. Sunset could take over while he was busy if needed, although her attention had mainly focused on Flurry and Cadance.

Once he was away from the group, he rubbed his tired eyes before opening up the book and continuing where he left off. Only a part of him was weary of the obsession growing for this book, as he read more deeply into the secrets and words hidden with each page, his mind soon entranced by what was hidden within.

Spike's movements were slow, his brain addled, as he'd filled his belly almost to bursting. It was this place, he realized, lulling him into a sense of security; a paradise in its own way like the Pleasure Gardens. But he reminded himself it could be an attempt by Somnambula to make him vulnerable and shift the alliance's power in her direction. Nor did he understand Sombra's part in all this; would he blindly follow her if she tried to seize control? It certainly wasn't his style, but if she somehow controlled him.... Again he shook away such paranoid thoughts, knowing how unlike him they were.

“Careful,” came a voice. “Or you'll end up like Sludge!”

“Poor bastard,” he replied lounging naked in his bed and lazily turning to stare at Fluttershy who was flanked by Tree Hugger. “Oh, hey! Good to see you two! Uh, hope you don't mind.” He covered his groin with his tail.

“Oh, no problem. We've seen it all,” said Shy rubbing her heavily swelled belly. “I think it's almost time...”

“Come on babe,” said Hugs pulling on her girlfriend's arm. “We're promised to Sombra now!”

“How many times do I have to say it! This isn't you,” yelled Shy who was on the verge of hysteria as her voice echoed.

“Sorry you two, I totally love ya, but I'm, like, drawn to Sombra, you know? I wanna hurry up and deliver Spike's child so I can put Sombra's in my tummy,” she mewled with a crooked grin while rubbing circles around it, her belly button distended.

“You're far more than this, Tree! You used to love helping the world and other creatures...”

Tree Hugger's eyes glazed over for a moment. “I did, didn't I?” A certain lucidity crept up on her; almost as if her master's absence allowed her to temporarily break from his hold. “Well, no reason I can't while Sombra's away!”

“Yay! I have so many ideas! Let's talk with Sombra, see if we can help Spike's mares-”

“If the alliance goes through, babe.” She patted her on her plush bottom affectionately. “Where you leanin', Spike?”

“Still thinking it over.” Again he was being too wishy-washy, afraid to make a potentially disastrous move. “I'll discuss it with all my lieutenants and make my final decision from there.” He hoped Ember, Smolder, and Fleur were doing well, looking after his flock so to speak. He assured himself Limestone, Octavia, and Vinyl Scratch would back them up if trouble arose.

Redressing, he excused himself and wandered into the corridors to seek Somnambula. He wandered until he came upon her chambers, which were more like a shrine, a hymn coming from within the temple-like structure where she prostrated herself before an altar in worship. He was about to turn and leave when she spoke, “I've been expecting you, Spike. Please, come in!”

Diamond Tiara, who was reading a scroll in the corner, rose. “I think I can continuing reading outside,” She barely exchanged a glance with Spike while she passed, dressed in foreign garments suitable to this abode, and he briefly wondered what she was doing here.

“Diamond Tiara has been helping me with my studies,” stated Somnambula while the girl passed into the halls. “Such a bright and eager mare, that one. I needed an understudy for some time and was very pleased when she volunteered.”

“Right, ahem. Sorry, didn't mean to intrude.” He kept his voice down feeling out of place in this sacred place. The area was adorned with priceless holy relics, things believed lost to Equestria forever which she coveted. “Can we talk?”

“Of course. Make yourself at home~” She sat across from him when he settled down and offered him a chalice filled with wine. Touching her cup to his, they downed a heavy gulp. “Forgive me for abandoning you lot to aid Sombra. I feel he's much too important to lose. It's why I suggested reuniting our alliance before it was too late,” she said while tracing along his tail, making him pleasantly shudder. "Foolish emotions like pride should not hold us back."

Sure, he'd never been the brightest, but it was obvious to him she was trying to wrap him around her finger. And from the way his member stirred within his loincloth, it was working; his eyes always on her bulbous breasts visible through her sheer top, swaying freely each time she moved with subdued grace. His eyes slid lower, over her nude belly, to the partially visible slit of her labia, determined to have him buried inside it.

She cupped his snout, smirking deviously. “If you wish to take me, you only need to ask. Come, Spike." She set her chalice aside and ran both hands over her bosom. "Let us make love and properly seal our alliance~"

“N-no! Wait, I can't!” He drew back, ruder than intended. “Sorry, but I haven't talked it over with my people. I couldn't just do that without their consent. You understand, right.”

“Unfortunately. And yet, I feel we both know the answer already~.” Teasingly, she slowly undid her garments, letting them cascade around her while she rose until she stood disrobed before him save for her ankh. “Surely a dragon takes what he wants without consideration for the whims of those beneath him~?”

“Nice try, but I no longer follow those traditions. Even broke the Bloodstone Scepter. Besides, didn't you promise yourself to Sombra? Wouldn't be cool to do this without his permission.” He still felt a little uncomfortable with the idea of females surrendering themselves to them for comfort and protection, bearing their offspring, but a surprising number seemed contented by the arrangement.

Her hand fell to her belly and rubbed it tenderly. "Our child has already taken root in my womb. Our future together is secured. I only wish you'd stop denying the inevitable and see that our forces must become one if we are to save Equestria. Still, I won't pressure you if you're not ready.” She sighed and refilled his cup as he tried not to breathe in anymore of the incense fumes, which made him dizzy. "Please, have another drink." She offered the overfilled cup to him.

His eyes washed excess droplets spill over her breasts which he stared up at, shiny and suspended over his head. “No, thank you, I just came to make sure we were clear. Maybe it's not Sombra I should be worried about,” he admitted, rising from his seat. “Just let me talk it over with my people before we come to a decision.”

“My chambers will always be open to you,” she mused with half-lidded eyes and a coy smile.

Rather than relieve him this meeting made him more concerned than ever. It wasn't unlike the games Rarity used to play when she wanted something. But now he had a bulge in his loin cloth which desperately needed to be nursed, and he sheepishly headed back to his room, figuring he'd jerk it off and be done with it so he could focus on important matters.

Marching down winding tunnels where torches did a ghostly dance, he paused when he spotted Twilight bending over while she translated some hieroglyphics. He paused as his heavy footfalls alerted her. “Hey Twilight, didn't mean to disturb you.”

She smiled. “It's fine. I could use a break.” Unlike him she kept her voice low as sounds echoed around them. “Huh, but I think maybe you came this way for another reason?” She laughed and nodded at the half-swollen crotch.

“Er, sorry about that. Running into you was coincidence, really, and I don't want to take time from your studies-”

“Don't worry about it. I know what it's like to have an itch you can't scratch.” She blushed lightly remembering the first time she'd started to hit puberty. “I used to think that I was intellectually above such things, and felt ashamed of myself whenever lust overwhelmed me, but now? Well, I wouldn't trade the love you or Sunset have shown me for anything!”

She undid his loin cloth, removed her own scant costume, and knelt before him. She took one of his members into her mouth, while she stroked the other, rubbing it against her cheek while she stared up at him with tender eyes. They didn't need anymore words; they'd learned to express their love through physical actions alone when necessary, since he had such an expansive harem to look after.

But it was a reminder of the special relationship they shared, forever attached at the hip as they might outlive all of them. Her head bobbed, her free hand cupping his boiling balls, while he reached around with his tail.

She moaned low when the spade penetrated her and parted her thighs, her wingspan flexing with his. Her horn lit and she wrapped parts of herself in her aura; manipulating her average-sized but well-shaped tits, tracing her clitoris, driving a magically-induced dildo into her rectum, seeking to get themselves off quickly and efficiently in case they were discovered.

It didn't take long before he came; one cock twitching as it deposited directly down her throat, another which she continued to rub while it repeatedly shot all over her face. She swallowed his load, wiping his gunk off and licking it from her fingers.

He knew she'd do anything for him, but he never felt satisfied leaving a lover hanging. Her eyes went wide when he suddenly spun and held her upside-down, her watery pussy facing his snout, as he hungrily sank his elongated tongue into it, licking out her walls. She cooed in appreciation, continuing to clean him as both knew they couldn't hold this position long.

He worked her over, really grinding his muzzle into her velvet folds, which clamped in desperation around him. There might not be much time for this soon and he wanted to show her some appreciation after she'd worked so hard, wishing that they could take their time a little more. She tensed and contracted, squirting down his gullet while he drank up her release; and pretty soon he was cumming a little too again, small spurts which coated her tongue and tickled her throat on the way down.

After they'd finished he gently placed her down and they shared a short kiss. He swept her and their clothes up, carrying her towards their bedroom to rest while she nuzzled his chest with hands upon it, hoping Shining wasn't secretly sore with him...

While she knew it was wrong to spy, Bellatrix Primadonna hardly cared about such things. Returned to her usual guise, she'd slipped away on her own while the camp settled down, peered through a cracked window of the wagon, and licked her lips while she spied on the couple within. They'd tried to be stealthy, not having much time with each other, but the walls rocked under their lovemaking, making her swallow a devilish giggle between low creaks mixed with the slap of flesh carried on the wind.

Cadance was prostrating herself under Shining Armor, plume unfurled while he took her. She look back over her shoulder at him with a pensive expression. “You're not upset about Spike, are you? It was only once.”

“No, it's fine.” He huffed, sweaty muscles rising and falling.

“It doesn't sound fine,” she replied patiently, her heart-shaped love butt smacking each time he pounded her. “Let me make it up to you. Whatever you want from me tonight? It's yours, no questions, no judgment, no hesitation. Share your dirtiest fantasies with me. Do it hard as you like. Fuck all traces of Spike out of me,” she teased enjoying playing the bad girl for once.

“Meow,” whispered Bellatrix to herself sliding a hand between her thighs when she shamelessly started to poke herself.

“Hey, are you spying?” She hissed and jumped, spinning to see Flurry Heart staring her down.

“So what if I am,” replied the succubus in a hushed voice, not that they needed be too quiet with all the ruckus the couple were making. “Kinky, aren't they? But they're still amateurs compared to what I've experienced!”

Flurry had mixed emotions when she peered inside the window, watching her father pick up his pace. “It's nice to see them so happy! Although those faces are going to be burned into my memories forever.” She blushed, turning aside from their lewd expressions. “Now where is he putting...oh. Well, I sadly have firsthand experience with that thanks to Chrysalis...”

“If it makes you feel any better I took care of her. Quite messily too,” said Bellatrix with smug pride.

“Not really. I don't believe in vengeance. But I am thankful she can't hurt anyone else. I'd like to thank you, though.” She was in a rather simple light purple dress and sandals, a purse slung over her shoulder which she fished a tiny corked perfume-like bottle out of. “I know you miss your old mass, and whipped up something that might temporarily replace it.”

“Huh.” Bellatrix swished the contents about, tilted her head to one side, and opened the top, taking a sniff. “Seems safe enough.” She drank the flavorless drink down, let it settle, and rapidly blinked. “Eh?!”

It was like a gelatinous mass was attaching to her being, reminding her of the Smooze. Best of all she soon learned she could shift it, filling out her body and replacing her wings. “Wow! Thanks!” She hugged and kissed the alicorn.

“Don't mention it,” answered Flurry. “But it will have to be replenished on a regular basis-” She handed her more potions. “And those wings are mere decoration, I'm afraid. Don't expect to glide well with them, let-alone fly!”

“It'll do. Huh, he's really going to town on her~” Bellatrix had already turned her attention back to the couple.

“Think I've seen enough,” said Flurry who's blush deepened. “Let's be friends!” She offered a hand.

“Sure. But I warn you,” said the devil taking her hand and shaking it firmly “I'm not a nice person.”

“Well duh, you are a demon! Beatrix has told me a lot about you, though. Sorry we didn't get along too well where you come from. Come back to me whenever you're running low, I'll set you up anytime!” She beamed bright.

“Th-thanks,” replied Primadonna uncomfortable with such kindness. “See you around.” She hurried off, still feeling out of place, and kindness she didn't feel she'd earned made her instinctively squirm. She could abandon or betray them any time; it was mainly her adoration for Sombra, Beatrix, and to a lesser extent Wallflower which kept her around.

Not that she'd ever side with the Eldritch either. No, survival and pleasure came first. She didn't like to owe anyone anything.

She'd left Sombra alone to privately tutor Beatrix. Trixie was sprawled out by the campfire, snoring, while Sunset stood on watch, just in case. She'd come to realize her life was pretty much aimless. The curse of maturity had struck her, spending more time around civilized people, and now she wanted more. Yet she wondered if anything could really satisfy her?

Wandering around aimlessly in circles for nearly an hour, until boredom proved too much, she returned to where her master and sister were situated. Her ears twitched while she listened for a moment. “Hey,” she said, breaking up their conversation. “Why don't you two try being more honest?”

“Honest? What do you mean by that?” Sombra quirked an eyebrow.

“I don't have any particularly interesting secrets you two don't already know,” confessed Belladonna who was doing some sleight-of-hand with the tarot card deck her mother had let her borrow. “Just trivial stuff, really!”

“Oh, cut the crap, you two! Show her the book already master! Of all the people here, she's the most trustworthy.” He narrowed his eyes at her, about to protest but gave a sigh and unveiled the gold-trimmed white grimoire from his belongings, a shining beacon in the darkness. Beatrix looked back from the book to him, astonished. “Good, now you can study in the open! Less sneaking around. And as for you, sister? Just admit you're in love with him already!”

Beatrix fumbled the cards she'd been shifting with an apologetic laugh. “Love? M-me? I mean I do like him, but-”

“Oh, come off it!” She planted hands on her hips. “It's obvious you're hoping he chooses you instead of Inky Rose, hoping one day, you can settle down with him, marry, maybe have a bunch of kids. So spit it out already!"

For a moment Beatrix said nothing, staring down at herself. “It's true,” she murmured almost silently. “I am in love with you, Sombra. I can't explain it. I used to be wired to...to mate with Shining Armor at nearly any cost, thanks to the Necronomicon's influence, but since it was destroyed that desire has dwindled. It's like my obsession has somehow been transferred to you. Like maybe if I bore your child, we'd create a perfect vessel to become that dark messiah the Eldritch want if they can't have me? That's the closest theory I can come up with, anyhow. I can't help how I feel.”

“Beatrix...” He lifted her chin in sympathy, meeting her tear-stricken face.

“But I've changed a lot. I'm not even sure I can have children!” She clasped the Prima Materia with a shaking hand. “And would I even want to after all I've seen?! Look at how horrible most places I visit are! Trust me, I don't want to feel sorry for myself, but I can't deny the mistakes I've made!” She heaved, letting it all out in a childish outburst.

“It's okay. Forgive yourself and move forward. I have,” he said soberly. His hand brushed over the grimoire's cover. “I retrieved this from Somnambula's treasury. I shouldn't have, knowing I'd be betraying what little trust I can earn from these people. But I've learned so much from it already! Before, I could only research forbidden magic. But this? Arcane arts lost to history, requiring a rare intellect to even begin to parse.”

Bellatrix peered over his shoulder. “I certainly can't read it.”

“Me either,” admitted Beatrix with a pout. “I must be so dense!” She wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

“Don't be so hard on yourself. This comes from a lifetime of experience. I started from the bottom and had to work my way up. I care deeply about both of you, but I've promised myself to Inky Rose first.” He brushed a tear off Beatrix's cheek.

“I-I know. I don't want to feel this way! I wouldn't want to come between what you and Inky have built. You're a cute couple! I'm just...lonely and lost.” She managed a sad smile. “But thanks for coming. It means a lot to me. Still, maybe it's about time we returned home? Don't want to stay away too long before we're missed, after all!” She rose with a sigh.

“I wanted to train you quite a bit more, not to mention continue my research...”

“Just a quick stop to show our faces before we return home, then?” He nodded and Beatrix pointed her index finger at thin air, then slowly drew a circle, slicing a hole into reality. The portal shimmered and cast a glow over them.

“Finally,” came a voice from the other end.

“What the-” Hastily, she tried to shut down the rift but the invader was already marching through. A brilliant blast of magic funneled out, beams of energy which the trio barely raised a shield against in time, bowled back under the whirlwind of force which made the air ripple. The caster crossed overdressed in a black leather gown which swept behind like a curtain.

“Starlight Glimmer?!” The explosion had alerted the camp with Trixie being one of the first on the scene, with Sunset close behind. “Trixie thought you were dead! Where have you been all this time, and why are you-”

“She's been brainwashed by the Eldritch,” screamed Sunset who channeled a spell of her own. However, several Eldritch were spilling out behind the unicorn, alien voices threatening to flood their skulls and overwhelm them. They hit those closest particularly hard, Beatrix and Bellatrix crumpled into heaps while Sombra collapsed to one knee under pressure.

Thinking quickly, Trixie managed to yank a cluster of smoke bombs from her cape lining, tossing them haphazardly and causing colored smoke to blossom around the perimeter. The Eldritch were temporarily half-blinded, systems disrupted under the onslaught, cybernetics sparking and popping while portions of their systems were fried under her improved creations.

“Damn you,” spat Starlight who waltzed forward. “Can't you see they'll make us better?! Thanks to Bellatrix's presence it wasn't hard to track you down! All we needed to do was wait and the I ran interference on where the portal opened! I can make it all better, though! Trixie! Come with me!” She offered a free hand. “You won't need to be alone anymore!”

“Trixie's not alone,” she yelled back, head throbbing. “You should come with me!”

“I can't,” admitted Starlight with finality. “You'll understand, once they've converted you. I don't want to kill any of y-”

“Die,” commanded Sombra who managed to fire off a spell from his open palm, ripping apart the nearest batch of Eldritch in an eruption of blood and guts mixed with metal and bone that splattered overall. Beatrix and Bellatrix were struggling to rise, weighed down by the discordant voices ringing in their heads, but more Eldritch were already pouring out in droves.

Shining Armor rushed to the scene in full white armor, broadsword drawn, and keeping his wife and daughter behind him. He backed up Sunset who was firing off wild spells in desperation, smiting the invaders close to him with two-handed blows that splattered blood with each cleave. “Damn it, how are there so many of them?!”

Still unable to cast very well, Flurry readied some potions she'd prepared, handing a few to her mother. They chucked them and glass exploded into fragments, vines rising wherever they touched and ensnaring Eldritch; an idea inspired by a mixture the Sunburst that Beatrix knew had come up with, Belladonna sharing what she knew of the formula with her.

“You're all amateurs compared to me,” claimed Starlight. “With the experiments the Eldritch have done on, I'm the most powerful mage that's ever lived! They've made me an alicorn!” In response, she spread her arms, and a set of metallic wings arose from her back, the metal feathers casting long shadows. “But I'm still nothing compared to their messiah...”

She removed a black tome from her outfit, a book bound in dried and stitched flesh, covering in faces frozen in their final death throes. “It's nowhere near the true Necronomicon's full power, but not bad for something I cobbled together!”

“That's...” Sombra recognized portions of his own grimoire he'd written, believed destroyed after Celestia and Luna confiscated it. “Those hypocrites,” he seethed certain they'd studied his writings before locking it away. But part of him was almost thankful, if not for whatever horrors Starlight was about to unleash upon them all now.

However, the Eldritch were mainly there to hold off the group while Starlight did the real work; she opened the black tome, read the words, and started to chant a complicated formula. Beatrix Belladonna started to shriek, the spell that was worked attacking the stains upon her soul, trying to cloud her in her own inner darkness until it inevitably consumed her.

“Sister!” Bellatrix stumbled to her, only to be caught in the same spell, a shrill shriek escaping until she smoked and collapsed.

“No,” cried Sombra who was trembling as he tried to rise.

Pitched forward onto all fours, Beatrix's insides churned, and she started to vomit a stream of black goo that pooled on blackened and bloodied sands. The eyes and mouths all over her attire were going wild, bleeding a similar substance.

A multitude of eyes and tentacles arose from the mass, which continued to flood out of her, pooling into some sort of abomination that was taking shape. She wept and clasped the Prima Materia for support and comfort, helpless to do anything as the monstrosity she contained slithered out of her. “D-daddy,” she managed to cry. “Kill me now!”

“Daughter,” he cried, continuing to hack his way through to no avail, overwhelmed by the sheer numbers that were trying to shred his psyche. Even if he wanted to strike her down, he couldn't make it, pushed back by the mob psychically attacking them.

“Master...please...stop me,” she whimpered and slurred while the darkness started to take shape before them.

A blackish-purple flame lit his fist. His heart skipped a beat. Yet somehow, Sombra couldn't do it, either.

“Maybe we can't summon our perfected messiah,” called Starlight like a crazed priestess, not unlike her days as a cult leader. “But we can come quite close! Behold! The Demiurge!” The monstrosity flickered with sparks of electricity, seeming to warp reality itself around it, slipping between multiple dimensions for brief moments while it tried to settle into place.

Beatrix tumbled onto her side like a sack of old potatoes and went still.

Immediately the Eldritch around the Demiurge prostrated themselves before it, bowing and throwing their arms in worship of their dark messiah; forever flawed but drawing those aliens closest into its mass. The tendrils whipped out, yanking them into oozing sludge, devouring them whole; and in doing so, its power gradually increased by increments.

A blood-chilling howl escaped a gaping maw that arose from it, sweeping over the group which appeared unaffected. That was until a tiny sliver of light was plucked from Trixie's belly and pulled in to it, so quickly she failed to notice its removal.

Sombra intuitively knew what he had to do. He searched for the holy book, opened it, and began to cast a counter-spell which seemed to come naturally to him. Part of him knew the release of power could destroy him; and yet he felt a sense of peace unbeknownst to him. He cast the spell, illuminating the area in a golden-white aura that spiraled outward.

His allies were frozen in place, entranced by the sheer beauty of the dazzling display, like they were being granted a look into the peace of the afterlife. The Eldritch balked, their whirring equipment slowing to a stop, as they started to smoke; as did even the Deimurge, thrashing wildly under the radiance which seemed to burn the abomination from within.

“We've got what we need,” cried Starlight. “Retreat! We'll seal them here!” She stepped through the nexus, the Demiurge and a mass of Eldritch following. Soon the oval closed and near silence descended quickly as the chaos had broken out.

The shine faded, and Sombra dropped the book. A pure white streak crossed through his wavy black mane. The wrinkles on his face from his use of necromancy were almost gone as if his youth had rejuvenated.

“Is everyone okay?!” Sunset ran about to assess the damage, a miasma of smoke rolling around the blackened field. “Oh, no...” Her eyes settled on Beatrix and Bellatrix. Most curious of all was that a shiny cocoon started to envelop the succubus. Sunset tried to touch it, winced, and shook her hand.

“Something's wrong,” cried Trixie holding her stomach while the tears came. “It's like something's missing...”

Sunset rushed to her, grabbed her arm, and her eyes went white. She started to shake. “Trixie, I'm sorry, I-”

She was on the verge of frothing hysteria. “Spit it out! What's the matter?!”

“It's the baby.” She shook her head. “It's soul is...is gone. Stolen by the Demiurge.”

“No!” Trixie wailed, clamping her belly while she ran to Beatrix's side, sobbing. “Wake up,” she demanded, shaking the still form, her nose runny and unable to stop her violent shaking. “I can't lose you, not twice in the same day! Damn it, you're the Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon's little hellspawn! You're supposed to be invincible!”

She continued to helplessly wail and Shining bowed his head, comforted by his wife and daughter who hugged him from both sides. He shook in their hands, slipping, and fell on his knees; unable to hold back his own cries as he shared in her losses. Once more, he felt the weight of his failure, someone else close to him that he hadn't been able to protect.

“It's not your fault dad,” said Flurry between sniffles. “Everyone tried their best!”

Cadance nodded. “And that's all we can do.”

“It still isn't enough,” he lamented bitterly. “I'm going to cut down every last Eldritch in existence, I swear it!”

Sunset knelt beside Beatrix's form, shivering, hoping-against-hope she'd somehow pop back to life any moment. She also did her best to console Trixie, who wept, “My baby...my baby...” Over-and-over without pausing to draw breath.

Everywhere one turned there were either scorch marks, innards and other debris, vermilion-stained sands. Smoke was still rising in places, the scent of ash and decay lingering; a brief prelude to Apocalyptic events yet to come.

“If she doesn't wake up...we're trapped,” realized Sombra who stated the facts flatly. He could be despairing or panicking like the others. Instead, now that the power abandoned him, he merely felt hollow. He held the holy book to him unable to care who noticed it after what had happened, not daring read it again so soon, certain it would annihilate his soul in his current state. But would that be so bad, he briefly pondered?

He decided it would be. He'd come to care about the alliance despite himself. Especially the personal circle he'd formed. He didn't want to contemplate how much havoc the Demiurge might wreak when and if they returned to their Equestria. It would likely sweep across the land like a plague, swallowing up the alliance to increase its still growing power. But if there was the slightest shred of hope they could escape being marooned to this desolate land, he'd find a way!

That's when realization dawned upon him. Somnambula had likely known how dangerous this holy book was when she passed it to him. He didn't just take it from her. She was counting on him to pursue the knowledge it held. A bittersweet smile crept back in. He'd have words with her, oh yes. He assumed it wouldn't be long until that zealot convinced Spike to follow her blindly much as he did. And in a cruel irony, her plans were starting to unfold to him.