Horns sounded throughout the Pleasure Gardens the following day. Spike stirred and yawned wide, surrounded by a number of mares and a Kirin whose nude bodies cuddled with his own. His wingspan was wrapped around a number of them, along with his tail, his harem flocking to the Dragon Lord for the protection and comfort he was happy to provide. “Everyone sleep well?”

“Yeah, best rest I've had in some time.” Shining Armor had passed out between Sunset Shimmer and Trixie who were cradled around him. His first reaction was to cover his nakedness, but he reminded himself he'd slept like this all night.

Plus he'd have to forge his bond with these two soon or else they'd lose their place here. All mares were expected to bond with a male, in case they were needed to later repopulate Equestria, those required for other duties allowed to remain barren for now. But sooner-or-later they'd be expected to take either Spike's or Shining's seed into their womb if they wished to remain.

“Gnarly.” Tree Hugger rubbed her swollen tummy while she and Fluttershy munched on strawberries straight off the vine.

“I can see why no one would ever want to leave,” admitted Shining who brushed back his mussed up mane. And it was about to get even harder, pun intended, as he'd soon be performing before an audience with two of the loveliest mares imaginable!

“Time to perform my duties.” Sunset Shimmer rose, and beckoned the mares to line up, so that she could make certain they were down for the ritual orgy. Once she and Trixie mated with the Paladin, they'd unite into a herd, with the white knight serving as a lieutenant in the Dragon Lord's forces. Uncomfortable as they might be to them, they each had their own roles to fulfill.

Uncertain who to pick for this session, Spike settled on Shy and Hugs almost on a whim, unable to deny how their now heavily knocked up shapes excited him. And with the fertility potions Twilight supplied them with, the Kirin in their wombs started to develop rather fast. Unfortunately, she hadn't been able to find the ingredients necessary to craft more, much to the disappointment of his harem. Rarity would complain she hid them intentionally, until Ember and Smolder quieted her.

The flowers started to release a pink miasma that rolled over the exotic greenery. Their flesh burned all the way to their loins, the air thick with the aroma of their combined musk. And with Spike's enhanced senses, breathing in their mixed pussy scents made his nostrils flare and his twin cocks jut up, twitching and dripping and begging to be buried in them.

Those who weren't selected chose partners from the other concubines, or were content to simply watch, masturbating to lovemaking that made the air fill with a medley of sweet music. Moans overlapped or rang out in unison, pussies winking and squeezing out lubrication that matted their soaked thighs. Some of them whined and whinnied with shameless need.

Trixie took the lead with Shining, dragging her tongue down his dark rod and fondling his balls. Sultrily she met his gaze, and Sunset rushed over to help, lapping at the other half of his vein-covered cock. They kissed, nibbled, and pulled on his meat, worshiping it with perverse smacks, and lapping up the precum which continually oozed down his length.

But this was but a bit of foreplay, to work him up to the main course; he'd have to take them directly to satisfy the onlookers and prove his worthiness to claim the mares offered to him by the Dragon Lord. Trixie paused to say, “You can take Sunset first, Shiney.” She settled on Cadance's old pet name for him with a devious smile. “Then we'll conceive Belladonna, okay?”

He nodded, uncertain if another Beatrix really would be produced as a result, but hopeful nonetheless. Sunset had already taken a contraceptive potion in preparation, too useful on the field to lay around pregnant. He lifted Shimmer up, facing her while she wrapped her limbs around him and sat in his lap, the two sharing a slow, experimental kiss. “Should I, er, put it in?”

“What do you think, dummy?” She smiled warmly and flicked his nose, teasing his dick with a hand into her marehood which was contracting and watering it in anticipation. Gradually she sank upon him, taking him deep, and Trixie landed a hard slap on her ass to set her in motion. Sunset rocked back-and-forth upon him, digging her nails into his strong back.

He groped her behind with one palm, the other playing with one of Lulamoon's offered breasts. And in the distance he saw Twilight look their way on occasion, blushing hard when she noticed his stare and coyly turning away, pretending like she wasn't watching. Well, weird as it was, she'd always been rather curious, so he could hardly blame her.

While at the same time Spike took the lube offered to him by Twilight, and smeared it into Shy's and Hugs' puckered assholes, worried he might harm the Kirin growing inside them if he took them normally. But they cooed happily at any attention he gave them, resting on their sides with Tree snuggled up to Flutter's back when he sank himself into their exit holes.

His claws grappled with their now heavily swollen udders, veins visible from distended skin that overflowed with sweet lactation. “O-oh my,” murmured Shy with closed eyes. “Mommy's so sensitive. Will you please relieve us, Dragon Lord?”

“You heard the babe, man.” Hugs snorted with laughter, blushing with her. “Milk us like we're cows, okay? Don't stop squeezin' until we're empty, I brought some buckets we can fill, so we won't have to waste a single drop, you know?”

While he played with their humongous breasts, squeezing out milky droplets that beaded their erect nipples and rolled down their curves, his tongue wrapping around them and licking up the oozing drops that missed splashing into the small buckets placed near them. Somehow their milk was almost impossibly sweet, probably from all the rich fruits they ate.

Slowly he spread their anal rings, pushing into him, carving open their bowels with his girth. Moans sounded while they pressed their ample asses into him, driving him even deeper. Hugs reached around, playing with Shy's inflamed, wet clit, and driving some fingers into her dripping canal. “Oh Tree,” she whined closing her eyes and huffing under her ministrations.

Not wanting to leave Hugs out, his tail's spaded tip brushed between her legs, and sank into her cunt which winked around it. They lifted a leg higher, to better allow him in, and with a grunt he drove in-and-out of their hot pink rectums.

Spike loosed himself around the same time Shining did, the stallion holding her close to his chest and feeling her limbs wrap harder around him when she cried out. He was thankful he'd managed to hold back until now, finally allowing the dam to burst with hers, a deluge of their release mixing when their nethers gushed. He packed into her uterus, witnessing Spike similar paint the posteriors of his chosen mares, the first part of the ritual completed while they rode out their climaxes.

But he couldn't stop until he claimed Trixie before the crowds, as well. He hated to cut this short, wishing he could stay locked inside Sunset and snuggle a little longer, but she smiled with an understanding kiss, leaking onto his crotch when she rose and excused herself to one side. She said, “Your turn, Trixie. I warmed him up for you.” She winked and slapped her ass forward.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie will put on the best show they've ever seen!” She started by putting on a sensual dance for the onlookers, and especially Shining, raising her arms up high and shaking her tits, hips, and buttocks which jiggled while she cackled and smirked with half-lidded, lusty eyes. She was used to performing before a rowdy, bawdy mob, and while the fall of the world had put her out of practice, she quickly fell back into step, emulating the mating dances she'd researched.

She drew Sunset to her to help warm him up again, pressing their sweaty bosoms together, making out and feeling one-another up while they playfully shimmied. His penis twitched, desperate to plunge inside them. But Lulamoon took her time teasing him, waving her delicacies before him like she was raw meat before some starved, predatory beast who drooled lustfully over her.

Suddenly she was pushing him onto his back, swinging a leg over him while she settled onto him. Figuring she'd toyed with him more than enough, she slapped his cock on her pussy a couple of times, before guiding its tip and driving it into her. Her eyes rolled into her head, a lewd smile crossing her face, when she impaled herself on him, having denied herself any real sex ever since she'd lost Starlight Glimmer. In that sense they were alike, both mourning what was lost, afraid to truly move on.

She heaved atop him, letting down some of that trademark arrogance and letting her more vulnerable side show, her palms kneading his muscular chest. “W-well,” she whispered with a heavy blush. “Time to put Belladonna in me.”

He nodded and cupped her cheek, delivering a tender kiss. She shuddered pleasantly, leaning her face into his firm yet gentle touch, and her marehood squeezed him in a welcoming manner, ready to take his seed. He basked in her body heat, meeting Sunset from the corner of his eye who smiled warmly and nodded at him to proceed. Slowly he pushed up into her.

“Y-you're not bad,” admitted Trixie who downplayed her praise a little, worried she'd lose all her dignity.

“I think you're wonderful,” he replied not so insecure like her when it came to these rare moments of true intimacy. Nothing could replace Cadance in his heart, much like he didn't want to take Glimmer's place, but he could love her in his own way. She nuzzled him affectionately, continuing to trace his musculature while she moved in rhythm with him.

Their fingers interlinked while they made love. They wanted to be with each other, wanting to bring new life into this dying world, despite the troubles their child might face, in the hopes it might somehow make it all better.

Losing track of their surroundings, they surrendered completion to their passions, much like many of the mares around the Pleasure Gardens, almost moved to tears while they remembered what was lost. His teeth grit. “I'm about to-”

“Just hold on,” urged Trixie who was close herself. Desperately she cupped his hands on her breasts, flicked her clit and pinched one of his nipples, whatever she could do to stimulate herself further, whining in frustration to try and reach climax with him. Seeing she needed help, Sunset rushed to her side, nibbling and sucking on her neck while she fingered her anus.

Caught by indecision for a moment, Twilight decided to aid her too, blinking over and lighting up her horn. She applied a careful spell, her aura carefully reaching into Lulamoon, massaging her g-spot and widening her cervix to better take her brother's virile sperm. Her face burned, trying to keep her thoughts scientific, reminding herself it was simple reproduction.

It was almost too much for Trixie's poor, overstimulated brain to handle. Her eyes fully rolled into her head, her tongue lolled out while she wailed, going limp while she spattered the two helpful mares and absolutely drenched her lover in mare honey. He grunted and his flared tip sunk directly into her opened womb, layering its slimy walls with an excess of spunk.

“T-Trixie?!” Sunset caught the witch who passed out, still skewered on him with a goofy smile on her face.

“Don't worry, she's fine.” Twilight looked her over with a sigh of relief. “Just a little overwhelmed!” She shared an awkward smile with them. “Um, sorry I interrupted, but I wanted to make sure things turned out alright. She should be inseminated for sure, after this. I can tell she's really, er, fertile.” Some bashfulness returned as she rubbed Trix's swelled belly.

“Thanks, Twiley.” Relaxing, he pressed Trixie's sleeping, perspiration drenched frame to him, still buried in her.

Horns resounded to end the ritual orgy. Not that it stopped Shy and Hugs, who knelt before their Dragon Lord, licking his halfway flaccid members clean. Gently Spike placed his claws atop their heads, helping direct them while he ran claws through their manes and over their scalps. With Shining Armor as his new lieutenant, and Trixie's magic, he'd furthered his position.

He'd wait a while, until Fancy's camp settled down, and try to approach again. They were obviously struggling terribly, if they'd turned to a monster like Sombra of all ponies for aid, and he couldn't simply leave them in his clutches. And while they might resent his intrusion, he knew that in order to eventually mobilize against the Eldritch, the alliance needed a firm leader.

“I'm not certain,” admitted Octavia with a tired sigh who leaned on a wall with arms folded. In her slick black suit and fedora, she cut an impressive presence, and some believed she could easily take the reigns from Fancy Pants if she wanted to. “It's true if we joined up with you directly, your position against Sombra would be far more secure, but...”

“Think it over carefully,” urged Limestone who looked between Tavi, Vinyl Scratch, Fleur de Lis, and Fancy. “Morale is pretty bad. If the others start to doubt Fancy anymore? Well, it's almost certain they'll turn to Sombra for support! That traitor Somnambula has already been spotted near him! I thought she had more standards!” She clenched a fist.

“Yes, I wasn't too surprised Diamond Tiara turned, but...” Fancy shook his head.

“I was hesitant to form a herd too,” admitted Fleur. “But ponies will perceive my husband as stronger, more worthy to lead the more mares fall under him. It's now an arms race between him and Sombra. And we must be pragmatic.”

“I should have never requested Sombra's aid.” Fancy bitterly recalled the moment they'd happened upon him in the ruins of a recent battlefield, crippled at the time and leaving him with the choice of saving him...or finishing him off. Fleur had wanted to slay him then-and-there. “But much as I loathe to admit it, without him we probably wouldn't be here now.”

“I know. We have to take matters into our own hands.” Octavia pursed her lips, and the DJ squeezed her arm with a sympathetic smile. “Is there really no other way? Are you okay with this, Vinyl?” With a casual shrug Vinyl set her shades aside, and took Fancy's hand, nodding. “Okay,” she relented. “I...I'll do it. For Equestria's sake.”

She started by removing her hat, jacket, and tie, then slowly unbuttoned her white dress shirt. With the removal of her clothes it revealed how much slimmer they made her appear, surprisingly supple breasts in a lacy black bra spilling out. She kicked off her dress shoes, tossed aside her belt, and shimmied out of her slacks, unveiling a similar pair of silk panties that clung to her well-shaped hips and posterior. She obviously took great pride in her perfectly-sculpted body, almost on the level of Fleur.

Whereas Tavi hesitated to take the final step and discard her undergarments, in contrast Vinyl rather lackadaisically chucked her white top, shoes, jeans, and even the neon colored bra and panties which she mischievously tossed to Fancy. Of course before Equestria collapsed she'd run an underground rave club full of drugs and wild parties full of debauchery, often playing her role as a DJ fully naked, the strobe lights drenching her bared curves which she shook in a sweaty mess to pounding music.

Somehow her body even outdid Tavi's, and she grinned, pinching her wide pink nipples. Tavi huffed in defeat, and removed her last coverings, similarly baring herself to their leader. His wife removed his clothes with help from Limestone, and he studied their luscious forms, uncertain who to begin with. But the DJ made the choice for him, kissing Tavi before she moved in.

She pushed him back with a playfully swat on his chest, crawling atop him rather slowly with a huge toothy grin, her breasts hanging suspended and swiveling while she swayed her hips and buttocks. While she'd been struck mute by the Eldritch's mass butchery, she'd done her best to bounce back and relish life, determined to take whatever pleasures were offered to her.

Besides, her flesh could communicate all her needs, her snatch already starting to wink and water itself. Behind close doors she and the often too prissy Tavi shared a love life, but she did miss casual hook ups with stallions at her old club. Just someone who would take control for a while, ease her stressful life, and push her to give them a blowjob or fuck her in a bathroom stall. The kind of wild, bestial breeding that her current marefriend was hesitant to ever indulge in, to her disappointment.

But for Vinyl it was ride-or-die. She didn't wait for an invitation, wasn't certain how well Fancy could take charge anyhow, and took him inside her with a quiet chuckle. Unfortunately they faced the same dilemma, Tavi and Scratch unable to let him seed him, since they were both skilled on the field. In contrast Sombra had surely knocked up at least a couple of his mares by now.

Speaking of the dark unicorn, Sombra was observing Fancy's recent maneuvers through the silvery liquid, a petty grin clear on his face. "The poor musicians..." He snickered. "At this rate, they'll be wondering if poor old Fancy is even capable of knocking any of them up; let alone his wife! If only Octavia and Vinyl were a bit wiser to realize just who is the winning team. No matter the stalemate we're in, the addition to our lovely Pillar of Old will surely help flourish their doubts~.”

“Foals have taken root in the pair of you,” noted Somnambula who paused to stroke the bellies of Pacific Glow and Diamond Tiara. “The others will soon see Sombra is a natural born leader, worthy to seed the next generation. Fancy represents an old, civilized and sadly rather soft Equestria, one which he lacks the raw power to rebuild. He's an organizer, not a warrior.”

Inky shook her head, watching Fancy's seed loosed upon Vinyl's stomach, before she slid off and allowed Octavia to take her place. He lifted one of her legs, breeding the musician who squirmed and moaned low. “They're fools.”

“Poor Vinyl.” Pacific frowned, remembering all their old times at the underground rave club. “She kinda made me who I am.”

“Keep a close eye on them, report to me anything of importance as always,” he stated to Inky, affectionately rubbing her shoulder as he rose from his seat. During these worrying times of growing darkness and despair, Sombra was nearly astonished he'd so willingly let another handle his possible fate. Yet it was through her words and utter devotion from the beginning that proved him when she once claimed she'd follow him to the depths of Tartarus. Not only had he come to trust her, he may be feeling much more for the pale Pegasus than just a loyal servant or fucktoy.

He could sense it inside her. The growing envy of not being able to bear his children like her friend Pacific or Diamond Tiara. And it somewhat pained him to keep it that way. But in time, he would promise her; she'd be first in line to do nothing all day but bath in his cum and essence. But first, there was another matter that was more concerning...

“Beatrix has been mostly absent as of late. And it seems she's found a way to block out any attempts to peer into her mind or spy on her... and that simply will not do," he muttered to himself as he walked towards her quarters before finding his path blocked by some force. Somehow, she'd managed to erect a magic barrier around her lair; one that blocked any observes from entering or looking inside. Clever girl, he admitted, but she had a duty to him and she was not going to weasel her way out. Not while he lived to torment her.

To bypass her spell, Sombra lost his physical form before shifting his shadows through the tiny cracks and openings in the cave walls. Once within the cave, he resumed his form and walked into the windy tunnels; his boots echoed in the dim underground as a soft eerie breeze whispering through the cracks around him.

Once he arrived at the base, he was dumbfounded to fine another obstacle in his path. This time, a shimmery web-like barrier was around the entrance; the magic almost blinding. At this point, he was incredibly tempted to blast the damn thing out of his way, for he was confident his offences would easily price through her defences. But he managed to keep himself calm for he didn't want to alert and make a scene with the strange unicorn mare; especially if she had a trap somewhere he couldn't see.

“Beatrix Belladonna..." He called to her, acting as polite as he could manage. "...I wish to speak with you.”

And just like that, the obstruction diminished. But before he could invite himself in, Beatrix popped up to block him, hands cupped behind her with a troubled expression. "Y-Yes, what is it? Now's really not the best of times, Sombra..."

He didn't buy it; eyes narrowed as his hand cupped her chin to pull her face towards his, making it hard to look away from him. "Care to explain to me why you've gone the trouble in trying to keep me out? Need I remind you we have an agreement and you will keep up your end."

"I know! Listen, I'd like to explain, but I can't right now! If you'd just give me second--"

"What are you trying to hide from me, witch?! Let me in!" He demanded, his eyes glowing a dangerous shade of crimson.

Before she could argue, Beatrix was interrupted as a strange humanoid female with scarlet skin, tiny horns, and veiny membrane wings pushed her aside, her tail swiping about. They were squeezed into the narrow entrance; the witch nearly dropping the heavy diary she'd clumsily tried to hide behind her. “Hey now, no need to be so pushy!”

“Sombra...” said the succubus who looked him over with curious golden, slit-like eyes. “It's been so long, you're even more handsome than I remembered!” Shamelessly, she placed a palm upon his silver breastplate, tracing over it, tiny fangs visible between her lips.

"What? Who are you and how do you... know me..." His puzzled expression turned pained as a sudden flash of memories coursed through his brain; her face, expressions, feelings and memories. Clutching his aching head, his narrowed eyes widened before returning to gaze over the strange woman. "Wait...I...remember you... Bellatrix.... Yes, Bellatrix Primadonna..." He said in astonishment. "You exist on this plane as well?"

“Not quite. I was born in the Necronomicon, so there's no other version of me in existence. The Eldritch spent quite a lot of energy to resurrect me; hoping I could be used as leverage to twist my sister into their dark messiah.” She took his hands, pulling him further into the cozy little room despite the small protests of Beatrix. “We're kind of the same, really.”

“So it would seem.... You both are far more twisted than what your appearance would say!" He chuckled lightly. Beatrix grumbled as she hid Sunset's diary while he focused on her sister.

“No, what I mean is it all makes sense now.” Bellatrix proclaimed while undoing the top part of his armor and tossing it aside; leaving his muscular chest bare for her to snuggle up to and press her nude form against. It took him a minute to realize this as a small blush tried to peer through his dark fur. “I'm surprised neither of you have realized it yet!”

"Realize what..?" He asked, turning to Beatrix for any explanation to what she was talking about. She returned his bafflement with a shrug.

“You died twice on this world, didn't you? So how did you come back a third time? Didn't the timing strike you as odd? You simply popping up, crippled and with your memories scrambled, right when the Eldritch invasion was underway?”

"Now that you mention it, it is rather odd I have no recollection of what or why I was brought back to life..." He admitted. "I'm... still having a hard time following..."

“The destruction of the Necronomicon resurrected you. After all,” she reminded. “You do practice the dark arts!”

"But that's...not possible! I've been immersed into the scrolls, forbidden text and cursed findings for my research of dark magic. And not once did anything tell me if that far-fetched tale was a red herring or a secret to finding the forbidden tome. Besides which, wasn't I...I mean, a version of me, responsible for the Necronomicon's destruction in your dimension?"

“That's exactly it,” she explained excitedly, her tail swishing even faster. “You've been drawing on the grimoire's power for quite some time! All versions of you that ever dabbled heavily in its power and have died are now bound to the tome's fate! That's why when you came back, your memories were all messed up! You're like a bunch of Sombras rolled into one!”

“Y-you mean the Sombra we faced back in our-?” Beatrix swallowed hard when the succubus nodded. “This is crazy!”

“Pretty sure it's true, though. Don't you see? Our fates are all tied together, maybe now and forever.” Bellatrix wrapped her arms around the pair and pulled them close. “I don't give a crap about this world, or any other. I just want to be with you two.”

“Well, I do care!” Beatrix frowned. “Do you think maybe the Eldritch will try and use Sombra as their messiah?”

“Maybe if they believed he could reconstruct the Necronomicon. But no. I think they've settled on you,” said Primadonna.

"Hmph. To say my fate is tied to you is preposterous. Make no mistake; I am Sombra! And I will not fall victim to the shortcomings of my inferior counterparts!" While his declaration was boastful and loud, he was secretly hiding how anxious he was over the situation. Upon his unexplained rebirth, he'd wandered amidst a desolate land; lost and confused while on the verge of death. He'd feared the worst when a small party led of nomads led by Fancy and Fleur stumbled upon him. He'd been ready to lay waste to them with a spell in a final, spiteful act before she speared him.

But he saw the hesitation and fear in Fancy's eyes, playing upon his mercy until he'd taken him in despite the wishes of his wife. And after they'd nursed him back to health he'd started down his current path. Primadonna's tale stirred something in his soul, and fragments of memories from that other world slowly filtered in, of battles with Beatrix, Flurry Heart, and Trixie.

No matter the reality or insanity of the situation, one thing was for certain; the Necronomicon would continue to haunt them. While they'd annihilated its shell, the Eldritch trapped within one of its countless worlds were released. And while millions of their number had been lost, the few thousand that still remained were determined to hunt down Beatrix and start anew. The alliance needed him more than they realized.

He would ignore the succubus' nuzzling before returning the top of his armor back on his body. He rose up and made his exit, needing a moment to ponder and figure out for himself what sense any of this meant. He didn't get far as Bellatrix trailed behind him. Beatrix too was following begrudgingly, if only to try and pull her back to the cave in a futile attempt. He chuckled, recalling now that she was once brainwashed to serve him. And despite the horrors he made her face and the depraved actions he made her do, she was still in love with him.

“You've returned,” said Somnambula who strolled out to meet him. “Oh, and who is this?”

Before he could explain the she-devil's presence the caves started to quake. Sediment toppled, and elsewhere a tunnel collapsed with a deafening boom, as they were almost knocked from their feet and Bellatrix took to the air. But he could tell this was no accident from the Diamond Dogs and miners digging; but somehow he doubted this a mere natural disaster either.

Cracks spread and screams echoed through. Heavy stones were tossed about when machines tunneled up, a strange fusion of dragon skeletons and metal, powered by the blood of sacrifices. They absolutely towered over them, claws snatching out, seizing whoever they could find.

“Damn you,” cried Limestone, landing a two-handed blow with a pick axe with such fury it smashed bone.

“Necromancy,” hissed Somnambula.

“Wh-what do we do?!” Pacific had rushed out like many of the others, head darting about.

While a number attempted to battle the fiends it was clear they were no match for these war machines. Limestone had managed to wreck one before it scooped her up, placing the snarling mare in its ribcage, which closed around her and held her in place. Fleur, Tavi, and Vinyl rushed to defend Fancy, but they were quickly driven back, their weapons barely able to scratch them.

By now Sombra reasoned his powers had mostly recovered. He was aided by Bellatrix and a reluctant Beatrix, their fists and horns swirling with energy called upon, and they unleashed a combined blast that rushed out like a dazzling laser show, blowing apart one of the grotesque creations. The shattered bone fragments rained and skidded about, blood pooling out of its hollows.

“No, you can't!” Belladonna seized his hand before he could unleash another barrage, seeing Limestone trapped within.

“We have little choice,” he warned as his eyes glowed. “Without our intervention we're all-”

“Look out!” Inky spread her dark wings and hurtled to his side, barely able to knock him aside before a bony tail lashed out. She cried out when it snatched her up, constricting so tightly she feared her insides would snap, before the pegasus was placed within its core like so many others. “S-save yourself,” she called to him, mascara running with her tears.

“Inky~!” Bearing his teeth, Sombra called upon more power than he'd dared in quite sometime, despite knowing it could potentially annihilate himself and everyone around him. Black-and-purple flames that burned cold radiated around his fists.

He poised himself for a suicidal attack, weighing his options. But Inky was his right hand, his potential key to victory, and despite his nature he found himself unable to abandon her.

He closed his eyes and focused, loosing a violent storm of raw black magic. But with the help of Beatrix and Bellatrix, he was able to safely pinpoint the attacks to his targets as they weaved with him, helping direct the flow while they channeled. Several of the abominations erupted, volcano-like as they crumbled and molten blood oozed out from their smelted ruins.

“Oh yeah,” called Diamond Tiara who punched the air in victory, Sombra's true power clearly demonstrated.

Any celebration was immediately cut short when another shudder trembled under Sombra's boots. Before he could call upon another spell, stone split and a dragon's skull emerged with jaws opened, closing around him, Beatrix, and Bellatrix; who were swallowed by the twisted undead machine and cast into utter darkness while they were trapped within its humming core.

Clanks sounded each time the anvil was struck in a shower of small sparks. Ember and Smolder had discarded their garments to work, forging the weapon and armor the Dragon Lord instructed they prepare. An intense heat radiated around them, the air twisting in waves, as they lowered the glowing armaments into waters which hissed and steamed to cool them. While dragons rarely bothered with such things, feeling they were a sign of weakness if relied upon, they knew ponies depended on them.

After countless hours of work it was finished. They'd used schematics laid out by Twilight and Sunset to complete them. Spike watched from the entry into the heart of the volcano, where glowing lava rolled and churned. “Looks like it's done, huh?”

“Yeah,” said Smolder with a claw on her hip. “Good thing we thought ahead!” She brushed her mane with her claws. “If this was normal hair, it would catch ablaze! But hey, it makes sense we should be tougher than them in every way!”

“Never mind that,” said Ember who crossed her arms and shook her head. “Check out the finished products!”

“Good stuff!” He lifted up the white armor that shined with an almost holy radiance and a broadsword to match. “Still, hunks of metal on their own will only help so much. Time for Rarity and Sweetie to earn their keep.” They'd claimed to have been working on an experimental new spell which required a delicate touch Twilight and Sunset couldn't quite achieve; an ability to enchant weapons and armor with runes that would place quite a large portion of power into a tiny space.

They delivered the creations to the sisters who awaited in the Pleasure Gardens by the pool. “Sweetie dear,” said Rarity with a bat of thick lashes, lounging around nude like she was sunbathing. “Let's show them how talented we truly are, shall we?”

“You said it!” Sweetie grinned, also bare and swishing her feet in the waters. They looked over the weapons and armor, having memorized the schematics which Twilight and Sunset wrote to their specifications, making certain the sword and armor were exactly right. “Looks like it's all in order! Oh, if only Apple Bloom and Scootaloo could see me now!”

“I'm certain they would be proud,” assured Rarity who hugged her wet body close. “Now, for the finishing touch!”

Their horns lit up and carefully the sisters applied the runes into the holes in the armaments. Concentrating, their magic filled the clefts, and they delicately strained their combined essence, until it started to crystallize into a neon blue. Over-and-over they did this, until the full body armor and broadsword were lined in these shiny symbols. After an hour, it was completed.

Sweetie panted, now drenched in sweat beads. “D...did it work?!”

“Let's put it to the test. Oh Shining~” Rarity waved him over with a smile, and he approached with Twilight, Sunset, and Trixie close by. “Mmm, almost a shame to cover up a natural adonis.” She pouted flirtatiously at his mild blush. “But I do appreciate a stallion in uniform!” She watched his companions help him into it, while Sweetie innocently hummed.

Pretty soon the Paladin was suited up, and with the white blade in his hands, he looked every inch the sort of white knight his parents named him for. He stood boldly, twisting the blade in his grasp. “Hey, it's all almost weightless!”

“Just like we projected!” Sweetie squeaked with glee. “With this, we'll finally be able to strike back against the Eldritch!”

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves,” reminded Rarity who nevertheless shared her giddy glee. “But yes, if we can mass produce similar arms, even a pony could potentially match a dragon. The runes are designed to multiply the innate abilities of our creations. That enchanted armor can endure a small explosion, at the least, and as for the sword-”

He stalked over to a boulder, swung overhead with both muscular arms, and the blade radiated an almost holy white, leaving an aura trailing behind it when he cleaved the stone in twain with ease. He grinned at them and Spike gave him a thumb's up.

They were interrupted when Sunset's diary started to resonate in her satchel, the only thing she bothered to wear here, choosing to casually stroll around naked like the rest of them. She plucked it out and opened it. “What the...Beatrix is in trouble.” Her eyes scanned Belladonna's hastily scrawled notes. “Looks like their clan is under attack from the Eldritch!”

Spike's expression turned stern. “There's no time to waste. Ember, sound the war horn. We'll mobilize and move in to support them.” Would they be in time? He didn't want to consider the consequences if they weren't.

Grabbing the Blood Scepter, he steeled himself for the bloodshed no doubt to come. He'd spearhead the war effort himself, as a proper Dragon Lord should.