(Iris' Pov)

My crystal laid there with myself and my beloved inside. Those disgusting mortals had yet again thwarted us. They need to realize that their fate will be by our hands. For right now, our physical bodies weren't going anywhere. We both lay in pieces from the one called Shadow and his chaos blast. Mephiles besides me was not too pleased about this outcome and was growling demonically. No matter, I always have a backup plan. Hopefully, he's a natural at what I'm about to ask of him.

Mephiles... I said telepathically. What if I told you of a way we would get out of here?

Sounding pessimistic as usual, he responded. How exactly are we going to do that, Iris? Our bodies have been dismembered. I can't even shift around.

Well... What if we don't have to move at all? What if we assume new identities?

From the tone in his voice, I could tell he was curious.

What did you have in mind? How am I to accomplish such a thing?

I'll teach you. Just give me a few minutes to lure in the hosts.

Hosts?

I disconnected myself from our telepathic communications to focus in on any mortal energy around. Just my luck. A group of three mortal anthros was coming our way. I prepared my illusion in a timely manner. (End.)

(A small band of anthros made up of a chipmunk, hyena, and wolf walked past. They were part of a survival group and had become the scavenger party for the night. So far, not much luck finding any food. The group had children and they were getting desperate.)

"My energy is already low as it is. Let's call it a night." The chipmunk said as she sat down on the broken concrete, fixing her friendship bracelet.

"No! There has to be something to hunt or gather. It's been three days since our last meal. We need clean water too." The wolf said as he flicked out the same cigar he had been using the past day.

Suddenly, a nice big bird flew past the hyena and distracted him. He pulled out his bow. "You two go search the forest. I'm getting that bird!"

With that, the third unwanted anthro had vanished. The two mortals traveled around the forest's edge. A slender figure caught their eyes.

"Hello?" They yelled after the figure. Apprehensive, they continued after it.

A young woman was found returning to her house. Her husband wrapped her in an tight embrace.

"Look who I found honey. More survivors! I hope they have medicine for us."

Of course, Iris' illusions are very detailed and realistic, right down to the chest rising for breathing. Someone unaware of what to look for would be very convinced these were real people. That's what had happened.

"Oh hello. How did you folks survive out here?" The wolf asked as he watched the vegetables, ripe and delicious, sway on the vines.

"Well, the devastation didn't quite reach this far. Count our blessings. When we did hear of the news, we hid away in our basement."

"You wouldn't happen to have surplus food would you?" The chipmunk asked, not trying to sound too grateful, but her stomach gave her away.

"You poor people. Your starving aren't you? Of course we have extra. I have some downstairs in the pantry. Can you both come help me with it?" The woman asked as she hung up her apron. "Then you can both stay for supper."

Instinct triumphed over rational thought. They nodded, in a trance from the wonderful smells floating in the kitchen. They more they helped her, the more they might get to bring back. They walked down the dusty steps into the stocked up pantry. Canned foods lined against the walls and even bottled water. They had been sent to heaven.

"Your such a god send." The chipmunk said as she started to pack her bag. "Thank you."

The woman chuckled. "I wouldn't call myself that."

They became curious until they were suddenly pinned against a wall.

Such fragile vessels. Are they even worth being hosts? A dark mass, Mephiles' soul, asked as he slunk closer to the wolf.

Remember, they are all quite weak. Their minds even more so. You'll have no problem showing them who the master, and the puppet is. Iris' red soul said as she wrapped her essence around the chipmunks body.

They both became absorbed by the anthros' bodies. Slowly, they used the mortals minds against them and had fully captured their minds. They both stretched out their new arms and wiggled their fingers.

"Ahh.. I missed being able to walk about." Mephiles said as he picked up his tail and examined it.

Iris was infront of the mirror combing her hair. "I hate having no bangs."

Mephiles grabbed her from behind and gave her a big hug. "Did I do good?" He asked sarcastically.

"Yes very good. Umm.." Iris stopped as she pointed to the hyena outside, looking at them in disbelief.

Mephiles saw him as well before he ran away. "Time to hunt?"

"Better believe it."