Far beyond the perimeter of Sinner City, the venturing demons, Sunset and Barb, continued their flight towards the Big Forbidden Apple. After deciding that Barbed Wire had suffered enough dangling upside down, the fly forward was rather calm. However, the further they journeyed, the more doubtful they became of the direction they were heading.

"So," Sunset awkwardly began. "How do we know where the city is?"

"It's said that a gateway separates all realms of Hell. There's only one road outside the city, so if we just follow it, we should find something," Barb said, pointing towards the long, single road far below them.

The two kept their heads up, looking into the distance, hoping to see something standing out from the barren landscape. And finally, within their range of sight appeared a near vertical mountain, stretching hundreds of feet into the air, and sitting in front of that mountain was a tall, dark purple archway coiled into a double-helix. The road they followed lead straight to it; it had to be the gateway!

But as quickly as the demonesses got their hopes up, they suddenly heard a rumbling from behind. Barbed Wire looked back, and watched in fear as a colossal worm raced in their direction!

"Wormillium!!" Barb exclaimed. She frantically shook Sunset's shoulders. "Fly faster, fly faster!"

Sunset, however, was not as afraid. Instead, she had a look of determination on her. "So, you wanna play again, huh? Okay, let's see which one of us is faster!" And with a big push from her wings, the devil broke into an incredible speed!

The Wormillium remained hot on the trail, craving the taste of unsalted demon blood. Even at the speed Sunset flew, the worm was still only just faster. It caught up, slowly.

Barbed Wire hung on for dear life, wrapping her arms around Sunset's neck like a rope, with the devil's skin being too tough for her to even realise. They were getting close to the gateway, but Barb peaked back to see the Wormillium almost beneath them.

"Sunset...!" Barb said.

"Hang on!" Sunset shouted. The devil turned downwards and resorted to making a dive for the portal.

They gained more and more speed as they fell, but the Wormillium had a last gambit of its own. It lunged forward to catch its prey. Barbed Wire closed her eyes as the two were inches between the gateway and the giant worm.

But fortunately, Sunset was only just quick enough to avoid the leviathan and disappear into the gateway. Left without its lunch, the Wormillium tried to break to a halt, but it continued to slide, and its head followed the demons to the new realm.

In a world unfamiliar, the orange sky shined down on a luxurious metropolis. The streets were active with demons fulfilling their daily duties or conversing with fellow others. The buildings stood tall, with signs and jumbotrons advertising all kinds of news, goods and businesses, all with the entire city sitting upon a floating chunk of land high above a vast sea of molten lava. This was the Big Forbidden Apple.

Across the edges of the city were a variety of bridges, leading towards different realm gateways by the surrounding and confining wall, and by one of these gateways, a rumbling could be felt, concerning nearby residents that could feel it. Many eyes were turned towards the nearby portal, watching as it began to glow. Out of nowhere appeared two small demons, who one of which seemed to fly for a few seconds before crashing down onto the bridge. Some of the city's natives came to the aid of the two newcomers. However, as they ran across the bridge, they immediately came to a stop, realising that the rumbling persisted.

The two strangers collected their bearings and brought themselves back to their feet. Feeling the shaky ground below them, they looked back to the gateway, which still had that glow, signifying that not everything had passed through. Knowing of the coming danger, Sunset and Barb scrambled to get as far away from the portal as possible, and right at that moment, a humungous pink beast began to move into the new world. With the Wormillium's terrifying roar, every close by demon turned and ran for their afterlives, screaming as the bridge around the monster began to crumble and fall into the ocean far below!

Everyone on the bridge managed to clear out, but the Wormillium kept trying to work its way through the portal. Fortunately, the leviathan proved to be much to big to fit all the way through, and was left only able to thrash around in the little space it had.

Finally in the clear, Barb and Sunset fell to their knees as they reached proper land, and looked back at the stuck Wormillium. They each sighed in relief, having so narrowly avoided being its dinner. But just as it all seemed to be over, a swarm of small creatures came flying overhead from within the city. The two couldn't recognise what they were, but they flew at an incredible speed within a big, black cluster of what looked to be close to a hundred of them. The swarm gathered around the Wormillium, forming a tight circle that attempted to squeeze the beast, and fit it back through the gateway where it came.

The entire crowd gave things a moment before officially declaring that everything was fine now, giving a collective chorus of relieved breaths.

"Okay, I think the worst is over now," Sunset said. She stood back up and finally processed her surroundings. It was definitely a much more eventful first impression compared to Sinner City. This realm was huge, and a lot brighter as well. The skyscrapers here may even be taller than the Mayor's Tower.

But as the two's eyes wandered the concrete jungle, they saw this realm's demons staring at them aghast. Their entrance seemed to gather quite the audience. Sunset and Barb glanced at each other, trying to think of a way to pass this off.

"You guys look like you've never seen a giant worm come through a portal before," Barb said, which was replied with the same silence.

Sunset and Barbed Wire just stood there, looking like complete idiots. They couldn't decide whether to walk away now, or to try quell the craziness. Before they could do anything else, however, the sounds of sirens approached the city's edge. The crowd moved out of the way, and revealed a police car stopping by the sidewalk.

Having lived before modern times, Barbed Wire only recognised the fact that cars were properly used in this realm. But for Sunset Shimmer, she knew all too well that police spelled trouble. In addition to police demons stepping out of the car, a smaller swarm of the small creatures flew out and suddenly grabbed the duo by the wrists behind their backs. In a matter of seconds, Sunset and Barb found themselves in handcuffs.

"Hey, what the fuck is this?!" Barbed Wire yelled. They were both held down by the creatures, which they now managed to get a good look at them. They appeared to be small, black imp creatures, with a toothy grin and plump little bodies. They had wings that looked much like Sunset's devil wings, but they flapped at the rate akin to a fly.

They were approached by a demon in blue, looking up towards where the Wormillium caused a ruckus, and back down to the cause. His expression was threatening as he knelt down to their level. "You two cause all this mess?" he asked them.

"They just appeared out of nowhere, bringing that giant monster with them! I saw them!" a demon from the sidelines proclaimed. The rest of the crowd murmured amongst each other, trying to get their own say of the situation. The officer, however, kept his attention onto the strangers.

"Gonna have to take you in for some questioning. Get 'em in the car." The small creatures then pushed Barb and Sunset forward, bringing them into the back seats of the police car.

The duo looked at each other worryingly, scared if they had ruined their chances in this realm immediately.

Sunset and Barb found themselves sitting in a police interrogation room. It was small, with only a set of chairs, a table and a mirror on one side of the wall. They were alone, only being told to wait here for the time being. It had been a brief moment of waiting, but it felt like they were here for hours.

"What are we going to do?!" panicked Sunset. She tried her best to keep her voice low, knowing the possibility that someone was behind the mirror, listening to every word they say.

"It's gonna be okay. Just stay cool, and we'll be out of here soon," Barb said, keeping as straight a sitting position as she could. A bead of sweat could be seen falling down her face.

It would be another few minutes before the door by the one-way mirror finally opened, and in came a demon in smart business attire, wearing a detective badge. His menacing expression sent shivers down the demonesses spines. The officer slowly walked towards them and laid his hands flat on the table.

"You girls really stirred up somethin' fuckin' fierce," he said with an ominous voice. "A giant worm wreckin' up the bridge, an entire block up in a panic with you two right in the centre of the whole scene. What's your game here?"

"The fuck you mean 'game'? You think we wanted to bring the Wormillium here? That thing will not stop until it's got what it wanted; we're the victims here!" Barb argued back. Sunset's heart sank lower at near every word that left her heated friend.

"Seems to me that you know a lot about this creature. And it's also a crazy thing that there's no record of either of you in our files. So maybe you cut the bullshit now and tell me what the hell d'ya think you're doin' here, ya couple of outsiders?" the cop near enough spat right in their faces.

Before Barb could say anything else, Sunset interjected by raising a hand. "Please, officer, you have to believe us, we really mean no harm to this city. It was just a matter of... unfortunate circumstances. We're really here for a good reason!"

"Well, then this better be one hell of a story, now." The officer took a place in the chair opposite the girls.

While the interrogation continued in the confined room, a new demon had entered the space on the other side of the mirror. A tall demon in the form of an arctic wolf. He wore a long, grey trenchcoat and a matching fedora, of which the demon placed on top of a nearby hanger. Surrounding the wolf's eyes was a concerning amount of grey, with noticeable bags underneath.

He came in expecting just another mundane day of work, meeting with another cop who just sat and watched the interrogation through the glass with a mug of coffee.

"So, what is it this time?" the wolf demon asked.

His associate just shrugged, not taking his eyes away from the action. "Eh, couple a chicks bein' suspected of trying to destroy the bridge with a giant, freaky worm. I think they're from another realm."

The wolf's fluffy ears turned up at the sound of them being from another realm. He looked up and properly focused on the two demonesses. He didn't recognise the one with the leather jacket, but the other one... with her blue eyes, the pink lemonade skin and that scar on her left cheek... Could it be?

The arctic wolf got up and made his way over to the interrogation room's door.

Meanwhile, Sunset was in the middle of explaining things to the police officer, only to be interrupted by knocking at the door.

"What is it?" the officer asked, growing more frustrated. The door opened, and in came the wolf. His sights were set directly onto Barb. "This better be good, detective. I'm in the middle of important work right now."

"I'm sorry, detective lieutenant. I just need a quick second with these girls, if that's okay?" the detective asked.

The lieutenant rubbed his temples and sighed through his nose. As bad a day as he seemed to be having, he still rose from his seat and walked out the door without resistance. "You got until I come back with another coffee. I need a fuckin' break," he mumbled to himself.

With time for just themselves now, the detective took the lieutenant's seat, but while doing so, he caught the scarred demoness trying to break her handcuffs. "Could you wait another minute, please? So we can get things done?"

"What more is there to talk about? And what do you need us for?" Barb asked, halting her attempted escape.

"What's the matter? A couple centuries apart do something to your memory, Barbed Wire?"

Barb sat frozen for a moment. Her eyes began to light up with excitement as she came to realise who this was. "Holy shit! Fetch! It's really you!"

A grin stretched across Detective Fetch's face. "It's good to finally see you again, Barb! Though, I wish it could be during better times."

"Why did you need us to come here so urgently?" Barb asked.

"It's a little too much to explain right now, but it's big. If I can get you guys out of here, I'll be sure to fill you in."

"If?" Sunset asked.

"Just be calm. Let me do all the talking. The lieutenant may seem harsh, but he can be persuaded if the intention's good."

And at that moment, the detective lieutenant burst through the door again with a steaming cup of joe in tow. "Alright, times over, detective. Out," he said, throwing a thumb behind him.

Fetch stood up straight, staring his boss in the eye. "Lieutenant, I want these girls as part of my investigation."

The lieutenant groaned upon hearing the request. "This again? Detective Fetch, you've gotta give this up. It's been ages since you've had a break. There's been no sightings of that loony cult in months."

His words appeared to visibly affect Fetch. The suspects could see the frown that formed on the detective's face, but he sighed through his snout and kept his mind onto business. "I know that everyone doesn't believe in me, but I know I am so close to a breakthrough. All I ask for is help, and that's why I, personally, asked these two to come here now."

That last sentence really bought the lieutenant's attention, his brow turning up at the ends, looking near furious. "You-?! These two?! Do you know the trouble these two caused in the minutes they've been in the city? And you want them as part of this case you've been, oh, so careful with?" he mockingly asked.

Fetch kept his face straight. He wasn't going to lose this fight. "I take full responsibility for the damages they've caused. I should have been more mindful of the risks reaching out to another realm. But I promise you, if we can investigate further together, we will get one, if not, more steps closer to finding the Betrayed."

The detective had said his piece. Now, he waited anxiously for his superior's answer. His paws were closed into tight fists, and he felt that his jaw could break if he was clenching any more.

On the other hand, the lieutenant repeatedly looked between his colleague and the outsiders. He had every reason to throw these girls behind bars and fire Fetch for his foolishness, but he was at war in his own head. He had to force himself into a final decision. The lieutenant walked up to Fetch and looked him in the eye.

"You're one of my best detectives, Fetch, but you've gone too long with nothing, all because you won't let this case go," he said. The lieutenant left a pause as he built the courage for his next words. "One month. You find a break in the case within a month, or you abandon it for good. Is that understood?"

Fetch nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Good. I want those two out of my sight, and keep them out of trouble." With his hot drink in his hand, the detective lieutenant turned to leave the room.

The wolf couldn't help but give a sigh of relief. "Thank you, sir. You won't be disappointed!"

"I better not be. It's my ass the commissioner's comin' after as soon as he hears about this." And with that, Fetch, Barb and Sunset were alone once more, each finally at ease as the plan seemed to have worked. Shortly after, the demonesses were free of their cuffs and could leave the station without further bother.

In the streets of the Big Forbidden Apple once again, Fetch moved with a brisk pace, expertly weaving past crowds of demons, leaving Sunset and Barb struggling to keep up.

During a brief moment with less demons in the way, the demonesses ran up to either side of the arctic wolf.

"I think some thanks are in order for getting us out of there," Sunset said, trying to appear as friendly as possible. "I don't know what we would've done if you weren't there."

"You'd have been thrown in jail. It was some luck I got there right on time." Fetch turned his attention towards Barb. "I didn't know what to expect, but finding you being interrogated wasn't one of my first guesses."

"I'd hardly call it our fault. A girl's gotta go what a girl's gotta do," Barb said with a casual shrug.

"I also wasn't expecting a plus one."

Barb's eyes widened in realisation. "Oh, right! Fetch, this is Sunset Shimmer, a friend from Sinner City. If it wasn't for her, we couldn't have gotten here."

Fetch pleasantly hummed. "Getting out of the city and outpacing the Wormillium. You must be pretty smart, Sunset Shimmer."

"Well, I don't know about that. I've only been in Hell a few months," Sunset laughed, rubbing the back of her head. However, while she wasn't paying attention, she found herself barging shoulders with a passerby. Normally, she wouldn't have paid much mind to it, but in that instant, a frightening chill was sent through her spine.

Time seemed to slow down as Sunset turned around. Her eyes fell on a demoness with shaggy, neck length black hair, with red tips and a small bun tied on the crown of her head. Her head twisted round, staring at Sunset with a pale, white face and a sinister green glint in her eyes. She wasn't sure what it was, but Sunset could just feel something strange about this girl, like she had a completely different aura from everyone around her.

"Hey, Sunset. You okay?" Barb asked.

Sunset finally snapped out of her strange trance and turned back towards her friends. "Uh, yeah. Someone was just looking at me funny. So, uh, it's nice to finally meet you, Fetch!"

"Likewise, nice to know someone's been looking out for Barb after I left," the wolf replied.

"Heh, yeah!" Sunset played things as casually as she could, but she couldn't shake that feeling that girl gave her. She wondered what was up with her or who she was, but when Sunset glanced back, the strange demon seemed to disappear within the mass of civilians.

The three went on, touring around the city, with Sunset and Barb acquainting themselves to the new sights all around them, until they finally reached Fetch's apartment building. They climbed up the stairs and Fetch let both girls into his home. It was bigger than Barb's apartment, with the walls plastered with a brown, victorian style wallpaper.

Fetch took them both into the living room, with the far wall covered in papers with red ribbons connecting certain pages. Some papers had faces and identities of other demons, and others had a part of the city's map with a circle drawn around a particular location. It was clear how deep the detective was in his work.

Barb gave an impressed whistle. "Looks like you've made quite a dent in this," she complimented.

"Yeah? Well, it's hardly enough," Fetch replied. He took off his hat and coat, placing them on a coat stand in the corner of the room. "Drinks, anyone?" he asked.

"Just some water would be good, thanks. How about you, Sunny?" Barb then found Sunset looking closely at one particular photo on the evidence board. Barb looked herself, not recognising who Sunset seemed so interested in. "Do you know her?"

"She looks a bit like the girl I bumped into earlier," Sunset said. The photo itself wasn't too great quality, but she could still see the short charcoal hair with the green eyes. But the strangest thing about the picture was that it looked like she had horns...

"Hey, Fetch. Do you know who this is?" Barb asked, pointing towards the photograph.

The detective returned with a pair of glasses of water, handing them to his guests. He looked at the picture in question, then over to Sunset with a worried expression. "You said you saw her?" he asked.

"Yeah, and she gave me this strange look, like she could see straight through me or something."

"Hmm, I think it's about time I filled you in on everything. Have a seat." Fetch gestured Sunset and Barb over to a small table sitting alongside the apartment window. The demonesses took their seats, while the detective collected some forms and placed them in front of the two. He began to explain everything, "So, over the last few months, there has been a series of missing demon reports from all over the city. We haven't been able to track exactly who or where they are, but eye witnesses say it's the work of a mysterious cult known as the Betrayed.

"The Betrayed is a legion of demons who swear revenge on the living world for turning their backs on them, all lead by one madman they call 'Father Betrayed'. Hardly anyone's ever seen them, and most believe they don't even exist, but they've been on the force's radar for years now. They've never really acted before the recent events, but we've reason to believe that they're planning something bad.

"Our greatest evidence involves this girl right here." Fetch tapped his claw on the photograph Sunset was looking at. "Her name is Lucy Deathwish. This picture is from CCTV footage of her attacking a civilian. She pounced on him and held him down like a lion. By the time the police got there, it was too late, and Deathwish had made her escape."

The wolf then slid another photo into view. "This is what we found on the body." It was a picture of the victim's neck with a bite mark. On four different points, it was clear that some teeth pierced further inside. "There wasn't much more damage aside from bruises where she held him down. It was figured that the victim died of severe blood loss."

Barbed Wire held a finger on her chin. "So, if this Lucy did this, could she have done the same with the other missing demons?"

"That's what we're afraid of. And if that is the case, those demons are likely long gone."

"They have to be hunting demons for a reason. Is there some kind of connection between the missing demons?" Sunset chimed in.

"There is one, but it's not definite." The detective then fetched a set of different demon profiles. The two looked between each of them while Fetch continued talking, "Some of the reported demons were previously diagnosed with a very rare condition called Devilitis. It's a condition where some demons have hints of devil's blood flowing in their system. Those demons tend to have unique quirks that resemble a devil."

Sunset and Barb's eyes widened upon hearing this news, and unfortunately, Fetch took notice of this. "Is something the matter?" he asked.

"We may already know a thing or two when it comes to Devilitis..." Barb slowly mentioned.

"What do you mean?"

Without another word, Sunset rose from her seat and took a step back. She gave a deep breath, preparing herself to do this at will for the first time. Focusing as much energy as she could, Sunset tensed up every muscle, pushing herself to her absolute limit! Barb watched in awe, while Fetch could only in confusion.

Sunset's skin hardened like stone, her eyes changed to pitch black and her horns poked only a few inches out of her forehead. But before she could go all the way, Sunset gave in and fell to her knees on the verge of fainting. She gasped for air for a moment before showing off part of her devil form.

"You?! You have Devilitis?!" Fetch barked.

Sunset nodded. "I'm not quite there at controlling my full form just yet, but yes. And by the looks of things, I think Lucy Deathwish is a Devilitis demon too."

Fetch thought over the theory. He looked between the photo and the devil that stood before him, and the resemblance was night and day. Lucy had to be one too. "Yes... I see."

"So, if she's hunting down anyone she can with the condition while having it herself, they could building an army. Maybe this one guy got away and they had to silence him," Barb added.

The detective shook his head. "I don't think so. From what we've learned, the Betrayed don't just let anyone inside. This kill, it may not have been the first, or even the last. Whatever they are doing, we've got to put an end to it as soon as possible!" He pounded the table with a fist.

The girls nodded agreement. "We'll be right there along with you, Fetch!" Sunset said.

"There's a little issue with that, Sunset Shimmer," Fetch said quietly. He stood straight and looked directly at her with a cold expression; Sunset was suddenly frightened. "You being a Devilitis demon, you're a target of her's now. What happens when she suddenly comes after us?"

The devil was taken aback by the question. Her heart beat faster at the thought. Still, she had to be strong. "I would never let her hurt either of you! I may not have full control, but I'm strong enough to protect you!"

"But how can we be sure Lucy knows she's a devil?" Barb asked, standing in the way of the two.

Fetch's head snapped to Barb, placing his paw on the papers. "Some of these demons were never diagnosed. If it's only Devilitis demons they want, then it's clear they have a way to find them somehow, which means it's only a matter of time until she is next."

The room suddenly fell silent. There was nothing more either demoness could say that could make things better. It was apparent that Sunset's Devilitis may just be the thing that places herself and those around her in danger. But she knew she couldn't let that happen, and she wasn't going to.

"Even if Lucy does know, I'm not going to wait around until she finds me. We have to use the time while we have it, and work together to bring the Betrayed down!" Sunset stood strong in front of Fetch, who was not all too phased. "If she finds me, I will do everything in my power to make sure no one is hurt."

While surprised by her display, Fetch did not appear intimidated by Sunset's power. "Do you promise?" he asked.

Sunset returned with a nod. "I promise."

The detective and the devil stared eachother down for another moment before a grin crept across Fetch's muzzle. He held a hand out towards Sunset. "Then let's get to work."

A smile formed on Sunset's face as she confidently shook the hand before her. Then suddenly, a pair of arms pulled the two in close as their faces nuzzled into Barbed Wire's cheeks. "Look at my two favourite demons getting along!" She shook them both, which proved to be a bit of strain on her bandaged stomach. She immediately stopped as pain shot through her, of which she was aided by both Sunset and Fetch.

The team was formed, and answers could be hiding anywhere in the Big Forbidden Apple! It was a new world entirely for Sunset and Barb, but no matter what, they were going to give everything to help the old friend put a stop to the Betrayed's plans! And it all began with finding Lucy Deathwish, before she found them.

Deep below the surface, a pair of heels clattered as the sound echoed through the dungeon-like hall. The source of the footsteps would soon enter the main cathedral, walking past the patient, white robed associates. The lone demon would stop as she stood before the throne of their powerful leader. Lucy Deathwish knelt down for her saviour.

"My daughter, you have returned, and I sense that your blood boils harsher than before," the father commented.

"Yes, Father Betrayed. That false devil stood no chance against my power. Though, I still crave more," Lucy Deathwish said.

The father hummed. "It may be a risk to send you back out there without the knowledge of another source. It may be best that you remain here until we can learn more."

Lucy turned her head up towards her leader with a conniving smile. "That's the thing, father. I have found another, and her blood is the richest I've ever smelled! I can tell, it runs through her system hotter than any of Hell's magma. If I get my hands on that, we could be unstoppable!"

"I ask that you be wary, dear daughter. If you sense that this girl is so powerful, it is in our best interest that we are patient until you grow stronger. I will not put you at the risk of the devils blood's wrath. Am I understood?"

Lucy's heart fell with his command. She was silent for a moment before giving a quiet, yet shaky sigh. She looked back up to her father and gave a slight nod. "I do, father." Her time may not be now, but she had plans for this newcomer. Soon enough, this devil wannabe would fall at the hand of Lucy Deathwish! She would do her father proud, paving her family's path to freedom at last!

Father Betrayed... That name is familiar...