From all over the pleasure gardens Spike's friends and family gathered to meet him, and he couldn't hold back a wide grin. “You've taken great care of the place while I was gone!” He exclaimed before hugging Ember and Smolder, who'd helped Twilight run his lands in his absence. “Whew, I think I could use a snack after the long journey home!”

Spike had yet to reveal that the alliance was crumbling, not wanting to sour the mood. The dragonesses helped him sit on a boulder, and he tried to focus on the jubilant atmosphere around him, aware he'd have to let the truth free eventually.

Beside him sat Rarity, and she pressed her nude body to his own, while he held her and stroked her mane. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, darling, I'm fine. What I said and did back there...” She looked away, teary-eyed. “Forgive me.”

He shook his head and squeezed her. “Nothing to forgive. You weren't yourself, we all know that.”

“Wasn't I? Indeed, I often took you for granted and only attempted to stake a claim when I realized how handsome and powerful you are. I've been absolutely deplorable, and understand if you wanted nothing more to do with me. Still, I-I do truly care for you.” She meekly met his eyes, mouth drawn in pain, and stroked his firm pectoral muscles with her palms.

“I want you. I've always wanted you.” She flushed at his confession, his claws wrapped around her hips, and he could barely contain the lust he felt, aware this wasn't the time no matter how their bodies screamed for it.

He felt a drip of her wetness splash on his tail and roll down it, and he shivered in delight. His claws slid further, cupped her buttocks and kneaded them, a smile shared between them for what was to come when she shot him a coy wink.

Thankfully it appeared there weren't any remnants or aftereffects of the evil that had possessed her.

His gaze trailed over the exotic flora that lined the massive underground cave. Fluttershy and Tree Hugger returned his smile, their voluptuous shapes plush as he recalled, even after their pregnancy had reached its end. Sweetie Belle lounged in a pond, able to bask in their hard-won peace. It was everything he'd hoped for with the destruction of the Eldritch.

However, his snout fell when he spotted Sunset Shimmer placed within an open glass coffin, a magical creation used to preserve her unattended. She was trapped in stasis by it, lost to a coma by psychic feedback. Twilight Sparkle, who routinely returned to her and sobbed, speculated this was caused by the remnants of the Eldritch, their haunting screams shredding her psyche.

She appeared so peaceful, contented even, a smile on Sunset's face, arms crossed over her bare bosom. “Hang on, Sunset. I'll find a way to fix this,” swore Twilight, who gripped her friend's tender arm. “I won't lose any more friends to the Eldritch!”

He and Rarity strolled over through the grass. “Whatever it takes, we'll get her back.”

“Yes, without her, we wouldn't have made it this far,” said Rarity, who also looked stricken. They all stood in silence around the glass coffin, thinking up possible solutions to break her free from this trance.

With a blink, Flurry Heart appeared with Somnambula and Stygian on the Sphinx's back. “Sorry to butt in,” she said. “But I figured there were still more people who needed our help at Sombra's camp and decided to check! Lucky, huh?”

“Thank you. But you shouldn't act on your own,” chastised Twilight. “You know how dangerous it is!”

“Without her, we would not have made it back,” said Somnambula, who still glowed bright gold. “I believe the spirits must have sensed our need, and called young Flurry Heart to aid us. Sombra has fallen to madness, reverted to his tyrannical ways.”

"Figures," Twilight spat. "Reading into the Necronomicon would have surely brought back memories of cruel power. It was only a matter of time until he turned rogue again."

"That may be so, but remember. The dream shepherd suggests another power at play this time, using his descent as a catalyst. If Sombra fell so easily, I fear what will happen when this entity comes for us."

Twilight said, "Well then, maybe the Necronomicon can help us find a way to free Sunset!"

Rarity shook her head. "Perhaps, but that accursed tome is still in Sombra's lands, is it not?”

Stygian slid from the Sphinx's back and stumbled. “That may not be a problem...” He reached into his tattered cloak and unveiled the dark tome he'd hidden there. “With a little glamour, I disguised another of Sombra's books on hand and switched them. Thankfully, he left a mook to watch over it. But it won't fool him the moment he checks.”

“Brilliant,” said Twilight, who stared at the flesh-bound, mummified grimoire.

“It makes me wonder if the book is aiding me. To take it here may have been a mistake, should it seek to spread its evil in this paradise. Yet neither could I leave it in Sombra's hands.” The scholar frowned. “I've heard the tome compels one to possess it...”

“Whatever the case may be, we'll have to try.” Somnambula chanted and turned back into a pegasus. “Though we shall need ample time to prepare. To return to that labyrinth without a solid team would be fatal.”

“I'm down,” said Flurry with her usual cheer. “I'm sure Beatrix will want to help us, too. Where is she currently?"

"Trixie's wagon is parked near the edges of the pleasure gardens. I'll go fetch her and company," Rarity proclaimed before walking out with a swish of her marshmallow rump.

Spike licked his chops, momentarily distracted. Between his team, he hardly needed to lift a claw, but he knew he couldn't afford to be lazy. Not when the alliance was dealt a devastating blow, and it seemed any numbers of villains waited in the shadows to make their move. “So let's theorize here. Say Zeloph wasn't pulling strings, and Sombra fell back to his old habits on his own. What are the chances of saving him?"

Despite their differences and the crimes he'd committed, he'd almost considered him a friend for a time. And whatever he or anyone else believed he wanted to save him.

Though he accepted the fact that it was probably beyond possibility, and even if it weren't, the damage he would cause in the meantime would be far too significant.

As the Dragon Lord, he had to act decisively!

“...and that's the situation we face right now,” said Rarity, relaying all the events back to Beatrix and company.

"Huh," said the violet unicorn with a scratch of her chin. She was seated at a table in Trixie's wagon. “Then, it settled. I'll do anything that may help save Sombra, especially with those around him in danger! If it means another trip into the Necronomicon, then I'll do it.” She sat back with one leg crossed over the other and took a sip of her steamy, freshly-brewed tea.

Lady Ewe took a sip of her own cup. "Zeloph remains hidden among us, though I don't think he'll want to return to his prison. We should have our best casters informed to ensure your minds remain safe."

"I'll remain here," Fleur de Lis said. "That tyrant will have already figured out the book is missing and will send agents to retrieve it. We'll need people on guard for that."

Beatrix said, "So that leaves..."

Trixie shot up with legs spread and hands thrust to her wide hips. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will come, too! No way will I let my little hellspawn do this alone! Remember, our magic works better in tandem, as we're the invincible mother-daughter team!” She proudly cast back her mane with a smirk, boldly determined to take on whatever awaited them.

“Yeah, why not, I'll come too,” Bellatrix grumbled with pursed lips. “Can't say I care for many people here currently.”

“That's what you want people to think," grinned Beatrix with a wink. "Deep down, we both know you're just a big softie~."

"Bite it, Sister. Demons don't waste time on pity or sentiment."

“Funny considering you're no longer a succubus," the witch noted while looking over her sister's angelic appearance.

“Just because I have a halo over my head, doesn't mean my heart isn't as black as night! I am born from the Necronomicon! Always have been a devil, always will be!"

“Knock it off you two,” cut in Flurry. “We'd better get prepared! Sister, will you help me mix up more potions?”

“Sure. But I'm a little rusty,” admitted Beatrix, who hadn't practiced her alchemy much recently. She reached into the hidden sleeves of her cloak and laid out corked tubes that bubbled and fizzed a multitude of prismatic colors. “That's my batch! Not much I know, but hey, some of the places I traveled too haven't made it easy to grab ingredients!”

Flurry Heart laid out her own across the table. “I cooked these up in my spare time!”

Beatrix studied them. “Well, we can't all be geniuses like you, sis!” From the version she'd met in her homeworld, the alicorn princess who taught her alchemy was potentially the most powerful mage in Equestria. Sadly her potential here had been curtailed after the torture she'd endured under Chrysalis. Despite that, she'd grown quite a bit through practice.

But the false horns and wings Flurry constructed had their limits. Charge them with too much magic, and they would shatter, limited to how much they channeled at a time. At best, she and Cadance would be able to reach a little under Sunset's level.

“A shame you won't be backing us up with some muscle, Fleur," Bellatrix huffed while folding her arms. "I don't think the big guy is gonna be enough this trip around."

“Yeah, that is pretty unfortunate," Beatrix agreed while looking over her hands. "Most of us kinda suck when it comes to fisticuffs!"

"Pha!" Scoffs Trixie. "Who needs brute force when magic is so much stronger?"

“Somnambula will be there,” reminded Lady Ewe. “But regardless of which is better, a balance would be nice. Are you sure you can't come with them?" She asked, turning to the Fleur, who shook her head.

"I'm really sorry, but I can't afford to go back knowing Sombra is out there planning his next assault. I don't think I'm mentally prepared to return there, as well. You're better off without me."

The goat woman sighed. "I suppose you have a point there. We'll need all the help we can get, both here and in the Necronomicon."

A knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” called Trixie before the door creaked open.

“Forgive the intrusion,” said Stygian, who bowed his head, a scroll carried in his hands. “I've studied the Necronomicon and unearthed several secrets.” He settled into a chair the hostess pulled out for him. “Thank you, Miss Lulamoon.”

She smirked at him, posing in her chair to show off her impressive bust. “Charmed, always happy to allow company interested in me~."

“O-oh, um, no, actually,” He flushed and hastily unrolled the scroll. “I was mostly referring to Miss Primadonna.”

“What?” She perked up with a furrowed brow. “Somehow, I'm not sure I want to know what concerns me.”

“I-I know it'll be a lot to take in, but please bear with me! I researched the various demons the Necronomicon's author wrote into their spellbook. One of them was a race of pleasure demons, the succubi. Pieces of the writer's fiction told how they would summon to mindlessly seek pleasure.”

"Uh-huh, what about them?"

"Well, that's the thing. It's said the species were wiped out thoroughly, and any material to summon one mostly relies on written text to manifest their lust into a physical form."

Bellatrix's face slowly sunk when the implications dawned on her. “Wait...you're telling me that I'm not real?!”

“N-now, hold on!” Beatrix raised her palms. “Let's not jump to conclusions!”

With a saddened look, he continued gently. “I fear she is correct. You were merely a piece of fiction until Sombra interacted with you. Strange as it may seem when he made you his slave, he 'rescued' you from your aimless existence. Your time with Beatrix also helped immensely. Through them, you've achieved a level of self-awareness that shouldn't be possible for an apocryphal creature.”

Bellatrix stared in horror, her face void of any emotion as the truth settled in her mind. "I...I'm not supposed to exist..?" She whispered, trying hold back sobs in her throat.

The rest of the party couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Ewe looked down into her cup while Fleur stroke her chin in thought, a slight curl to her lip. "How fascinating..."

“Sister...” Beatrix gripped her shoulders and calmly leveled with her. “I know this might seem too ironic coming from me, but it doesn't matter how you originated. I thought since the Demiurge was part of me, I'd never be able to make a happy life for myself, but look how far I've come. Blood doesn't matter, not to me. You're family.” She smiled at her.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to be a downer. But I thought you'd like to know,” said Stygian apologetically.

Bellatrix met his gaze. “It's whatever. I don't live on bullshit, even if reality is insufferable. Wish I could meet the sick fiend who wrote this damn book and give him a taste of hell.” She laughed with another sniffle, breaking into a pained cackle. “Just perfect. Life's
already abysmal. If Sombra can't be saved, then-”

Oona stepped in to place her hand on the angel's shoulder, stroking her gently. "Perhaps it's best you don't come with them as well. This shocking revelation will no doubt affect your mentality."

"What, no! We barely have enough people going in as it is! If I can't go, who's gonna..."

Stygian drew his mouth into a line. “I'm no warrior, but I can take your place. I think I have a good shot in finding more secrets within the grimoire. Possessed as I was by the Pony of Shadows, I know the malice it's capable of. The more darkness one holds inside them, the worse it proves.”

"A-are you sure?" Ewe asked gently.

"While I can't guarantee my mind's safety, It's the least I can do to repay for my rescue," he nodded, determination clear on his face.

Much as she hated to admit it, Beatrix knew the evils her teacher was capable of. She'd seen some of them firsthand in other worlds. The depravity he'd sunk too was far worse than all the other would-be conquerors Equestria had faced. Only Chrysalis had come anywhere close when she sided with the Eldritch, something that even Tirek and Cozy Glow had refused.

Once, she'd been drawn to his darkness because she thought only someone warped like her could possibly love her. She'd believed the cute unicorn she appeared as was a hollow shell, that the 'real' her was the monster that lurked below.

Her separation from the Demiurge had given her a new lease on life. And since her teacher helped saved her, she wanted to repay the favor! Nevertheless, to do so, there was a risk she would clash with others who sought a more expedient solution.

"Wait," cried Beatrix who spotted something from the corner of her eye. "That shine?!" She was immediately reminded of the Crystal Empire, knew this was somehow connected.

Hastily the group spilled outside to follow the speck, and tracked it all the way to Stygian's study in a cave, where Somnambula kept vigil over the Necronomicon. The book rested on a desk surrounded by candelabra.

The grimoire opened and the sparkle vanished into it. "You know the Necronomicon best," said Beatrix to Stygian. "So keep watch, okay? No time to quibble!"

"As you wish," he replied with a bow.

Lady Ewe warned, "It could be a trap to lure us inside. Still, I see little alternative."

Within moments a team was selected, and the party descended back inside...

To reclaim the Necronomicon, Sombra knew he'd need to raise an army that could take on the alliance. He'd conscripted more soldiers from his citizens, and those who clearly doubted his cause were taken to a private chamber hidden deep in the pyramid, to be 'persuaded' with his creation, a rather demonic helmet infused with the dark arts.

The moment it was placed on someone they fell under his control. At the moment he could only craft a dozen since it drained him terribly to make one, and he had to imbue a small fraction of his power into each which divided him. But it was worth it to ready another elite guard, and as for their frightful appearance as they stalked the streets, he claimed it was to terrify their enemies who only understood intimidation. “Dragon Lord Spike has become a brutal tyrant,” he'd informed the masses. "He must be stopped!"

To boost morale and help persuade the mob, he ordered Cerise Silhouette to follow him everywhere. At his command, she would put on a slow, sensual striptease, her contortionist-level dance skills putting onlookers into a trance.

Cerise forced a smile, swaying her breasts, hips, and buttocks with a jiggle. It was almost like everything she ever dreamed of...if not for how weird and cruel her father had suddenly turned, seemingly overnight.

“Maybe we babied you too much,” Inky had said. “But now's the time to grow up. Something is wrong with my love. I wanted to believe it was part of some long game he was playing, a plan he couldn't even let those closest in on, but there's no mistaking it. He's gone mad." The queen held her throat, where he once grabbed her, bitter tears streaming down her face.

“Careful mom,” she'd whispered back. “If he hears you questioning his rule, he'll have you executed.”

Inky laughed dryly. "I think I'm more afraid of losing you than I am your father's wrath. An incarnation of Pacific Glow or not, your safety is my priority."

The young mare nodded before nuzzling into her arms. "Dad was never this scary before..."

"No, he wasn't. Beatrix's friend spoke of a creature that fed on insanity. I have every reason to believe it's the source of this growing civil war."

Cerise gulped, recalling hearing a menacing voice during her capture in the labyrinth. It whispered horrible things she shouldn't have known. And it only stopped talking to her when Cerise and her father made love for the first time. She felt like this was all her fault, but she dare not reveal it to Inky Rose.

Within mere days their world had been completely turned upside-down. At best, they could take slivers of comfort in each other when Sombra was away. But they were careful not to confide in anyone else, uncertain if they could even trust the rest of his entourage. He'd taken turns with all of them each night, seemingly unable to be satisfied anymore.

Cerise winced when she danced, her lower-half still quite sore, especially her hind end. She rubbed her bare buns, coated in a thin sheen of perspiration after another long and wild dance under the blazing afternoon sun.

She spotted her father marching the streets, flanked by his elite troops shrouded by those masked demon helmets with horns, and ducked out of their sight with a deep inhale. Hurrying on, she headed to the marketplace, where merchants called out to would-be buyers and offered a variety of standard and exotic goods. She noted one of the twins, Foal-Bearer, she thought, was there.

Other than a hooded cloak and sandals, she was otherwise dressed in the usual sheer, bare-breasted attire the handmaidens wore. The crystal pony carried a wicker basket that hung from one harm and bent over while she made her selection. “This one please,” she said in a clipped, professional manner, produce and wine bottles placed into the basket. “That should be all.”

She'd been sent to fetch what the king ordered for his celebration and memorized the list. Her lips were drawn tight, worried about leaving her little sister alone, and so wasted no time with her chores to hurry back, her coins dropped with a clink. “A-ah!”

The turban-clad merchant asked, “You okay, miss? You look a little under the weather.”

Foal-Bearer's face burned, and she winced, the glowing tattoo of her uterus and ovaries materializing on her midsection, sending pleasant electrical currents throughout her, particularly concentrated in her heated loins. She dropped the basket, some of the goods rolling onto the streets, and sunk to her knees, trying to muffle a moan as a mini orgasm rocked her to the core. “I-I'm fine.”

Cerise was tempted to run and help but worried she'd make it worse if she intervened.

Foal-Bearer's eyes momentarily widened, and she felt her lower orifices churn like they were being filled. She panted and crawled, thighs quivering, collecting her spilled items and ignoring those who looked her way. “You lured me away from Wet Nurse on purpose,” she hissed in a murmur. “You bastard...umph?!” She felt her throat filled as well and writhed.

“What's going on?” Cerise dashed between the alleys between buildings, trying to stay out of sight, back to where she'd seen her father and his men headed. She sucked in a gasp when she spotted them in a tucked away area, where her father and his men hammered away at Wet Nurse, using her as their plaything. She whined out muffled moans, her belly aglow too.

A rustle sounded behind Cerise, so caught up in watching that she failed to notice until they were upon her. She started to shriek, and a hand closed over her mouth. “Hush. It's me,” hissed Radiant Hope, who also wore a hood and cloak.

“Wh-what do you want? Have you come to report me for neglecting my duties or something?”

“Hardly.” They relaxed, and Radiant faced her. “We all know how dangerous Sombra is now. We have to work together.”

Cerise nodded. “But I don't know you. I'm not sure I can trust you, or the twins.”

“You'll have to take the risk, or we're all dead anyway. Your father will grow bored of us eventually, probably not long after we've had his foals. He's already becoming crueler to sate his sadistic needs.” She tilted her head in Wet Nurse's direction, who was taken by him and his dozen elite guards in a variety of positions, her hands forced to stroke the horsecocks that couldn't currently fill her.

They moved automatically, almost like machines who treated her like a piece of meat, and with a muted gasp, she realized what it reminded her of; stories her parents had told her about Eldritch technology. Had her father used his knowledge of the invaders' tech to craft their helms? A fusion of cybernetics and dark arts to control them?

“I...I'll think about it,” said Cerise, who wanted to cover her ears and blot out reality.

“Think fast. Talk it over with Inky Rose. I'm putting myself at considerable risk, too. I would've done anything for Sombra. I believed in him when everyone else lost faith.” She gritted her teeth and clawed at her upper arms, eyes watering.

Cerise embraced her. “It'll be okay. It has to be. Maybe if we can somehow contact Spike...”

“Spike. Yes. I've heard he was a noble hero in the Crystal Empire.”

Cerise watched them dump Wet Nurse, soaked in their seed, which ran from her, and Sombra waved his men to clean her up and carry her home.

He smirked in self-satisfaction, and Cerise ducked back into the alley when his gaze trailed their way, heart hammering. All she'd ever wanted to be was the dutiful daughter, and now had little choice but to betray him.

“Let me love you,” drawled out Rarity, who straddled her lover. “Like you deserve.” She'd taken his twin dicks into her, the pink extensions covered in fleshy nubs that pleasantly scraped her moist walls, tickled her spongy g-spot, buried deep in her ass and pussy. Gradually she rocked atop him, traced over his pecs, her supple body thick with perfume and a sheen of oil.

The scents of incense mixed with their musk. “You didn't have to go out of your way for me,” said Spike.

“Nonsense. I want to make up for all my poor behavior. Whatever you've always wanted to do with me, it's yours for the taking.” She smiled at him, nestled up in a private little cove, able to lose themselves.

He'd earned this, hadn't he? A moment entirely for himself. But he couldn't evade his responsibilities forever, wouldn't abandon his lands and family to the care of his retainers. While he'd shattered the Bloodstone Scepter, most people still called him the Dragon Lord, and as such, he needed to appear strong and confident at all times. Now he knew how Celestia had felt.

He groaned in bliss, reached up to her jiggly globes, cupped their marshmallow sweetness in his palms, and squished the soft tit-flesh. He flicked his claws over her erect pink nipples, and she moaned, squeezing around his dragonhoods.

“If only I could be more useful to the alliance,” she lamented.

“You and Sweetie crafted the runes that powered our weapons and armor with magic,” he reminded and dragged his spade-tipped tail over her buttocks, landed playful swats on her wobbly cheeks. “You saved us.”

“Perhaps.” She batted thick lashes at him, content to be wanted by him.

Soft footsteps echoed when someone approached. “Forgive my impudence,” said Somnambula, who entered the cave. “Pretend I am otherwise not here and continue. Nonetheless, I believe it imperative you knew the limitations of your rebirth.”

Spike intertwined his fingers with Rarity's while she continued to make love to him, reminded that they'd seen it all anyhow. “Guess I was long overdue for bad news, huh?” He'd worried that his new lease on life would be short-lived but hoped otherwise.

“In a sense. It is your dragon instincts that are keeping death at bay. Otherwise, you would quickly burn out. You must give into them to survive, though we all know the risks that carries. Greed and anger could turn you back into a wild animal that lashes out blindly, like when you first returned. So far, slaking your lust as you currently are will help slow down the process. Unfortunately one partner will not be sufficient...”

“Like most males, you crave constant novelty.” Rarity frowned. “Dragons have always been possessive.”

Spike swallowed hard. Greed? Of course, being a male, the feelings of taking and claiming so many females always excited him. And there was plenty of room to leave his legacy in any worthy takers.

One of those that caught his interest was the goat woman they met back in the labyrinth. "Hmmm, perhaps Lady Ewe could help out? She seems very strong...as well as exotic."

Somnambula nodded. “It wouldn't hurt to ask her. All that power from your full potential has been collapsed into this comparatively small body, which teeters on constant burnout.” She turned with a sigh to hide her tears. “Again, I fear we have only delayed the inevitable. Who knows how long until your time inevitably runs out."

“Yeah.... And being Dragon Lord means this rebirth is a one time deal,” Spike sighed, knowing this was a miracle and to expect anything else was just fantasy.

“Please forgive me," the priestess asked sorrowfully, plume drawn close. "I've condemned you to this terrible fate."

“Nah. As I said, I couldn't choose otherwise.” He pulled Rarity to his chest, grunted when he loosed into her, and her stomach swelled out, the impact making her whimper and gush on him, the pair shaking while they completed their union.

He rocked her in his strong arms, still buried in her warmth. Twenty years? It was more than enough, so far as he was concerned.

He could see his family and friends, many of the children he'd fathered fully grown...and perhaps even find that sliver of a chance to rescue Sombra from his curse.

And if not, he swore to finish the tyrant himself. He owed him that honor, at least.