"Wakey-wakey," Treat whispered to Mayberry. "Eggs-and-bakey."

Stirring in her bed, the Sinner gradually roused from her mental fog, sluggishly turned out from under her covers, and slouched on the bed's edge.

"Lord Marchosias commands that you leave his home immediately," Treat said. "Prince Seir has already slowed time to normal, so we have to go."

"Let me change, then." May mumbled glumly, finding her Guardian costume draped across the bed and wearily slipping it on.

She thought of the children still in danger somewhere. Somewhere she could help, but now, she felt incomplete. Crucial knowledge was denied her now, and she felt like a knight going into battle with an unfinished suit of armor and a broken sword.

Then, moments of the fight came and went through her clearing mind. The reason for it, the accusations leveled, the blows given and received. It seemed so distant to her, so meaningless, so wasteful. Too wasteful.

"I want to thank Lord Marchosias before I leave," May decided as she stood up.

Treat looked as confused. "What? Whatever for? He wants you out. Though, he'll probably let you keep the school uniform."

"He gave me a chance. They all did, and no matter what happened, he was true to his word, and I have to be true to mine. But, I want him to know that I appreciated everything they did."

Treat's eyes rolled. "Oh, for hell's sake! Leave that poor soul alone. You disappointed him enough when you passed out!"

Just then, something flashed across May's mind, as puzzling as it was distressing.

"Why did I pass out?" she thought aloud. "If anything, I should've been knocked out. I was banged around, but it wasn't that bad."

May gave Treat an unsurprised look. "You switched my bottle, didn't you?"

"What?" Treat blinked in innocent surprise.

"The water. It was drugged, wasn't it? You and Dark Mark switched my bottle."

"Why are you blaming him?" Treat asked.

"Because he left the gym during most of the fight."

"He might have popped off to the bathroom."

"If he did, then it won't be the only thing that stinks around here. I was fine earlier. I was nervous as hell, but I was okay. He disappears and comes back when I go to my corner, and then right after that, I'm on my ass? He stepped out and gave you a bogus bottle while everyone was watching the fight. You two are working together, obviously."

Treat couldn't suppress the devious edge of her smile. "We're fucking, too, but let's stay on topic. I found this lovely little book on potions and poisons in the library and couldn't wait to try them out. Especially when I heard that you got your little ass busted in Lord Marchosias' bedroom. Strike while the branding iron's hot, I always say."

"Sure. You always wanted me out."

"Of course," Treat drolly confessed. "I don't want you to succeed. I want your life. Well, not literally. You took care of that yourself, but I want control of what's left. I want to keep you in the depths of despair and self-loathing for as long as you exist. I find that good."

May gave a stretch. "Well, congrats, but it won't change anything. I'll still do what I can out there, even without their help. But, at least, I can tell him that you and your furry slipped me a roofie."

Treat intercepted her. "Oh, I think not. You and your little Halloween costume are going to leave. Now!"

"No."

Treat's grin grew as she took a casual stance in front of her double. "I was hoping you'd put up a fight. Thank you. And not to worry, your training hasn't gone to waste, for now, I know all your moves, as well! If words alone won't sway you from the light, then I'll just have to beat the light out of you. You'll never have the strength to stay the good person you were in life! I won't have it!"

May kicked up into Treat's crotch without a word, bringing her down in a teary, whimpering heap.

"H-How...How..."

"I subverted your expectations," said May.

"Wh-What?"

Mayberry leaned over her, explaining calmly, "You expected to win. I subverted that."

She headed for the doorway and said, in parting, "Bet you regret having a body now, huh, bitch?"

"F-Fuck...you," Treat squeaked.

May gave a clear knock on Marchosias' half-opened bedroom door but didn't enter. Standing in the hall, she thought of what to say, worried that her tact wouldn't placate the Goetia.

'Be gracious or explain things first?' she wondered.

"Sir..." May started pensively, only getting the attention of President Amy, who was waddling towards her, and the swift Prince Seir, whose coming was heralded with a gust that blew against her.

"What's up?" asked the prince.

"Oh, uh, Prince Seir! Actually, I was trying to talk to Marchosias."

"We hadn't seen him since your match," Amy recalled after he reached the two. "How do you feel, by the way?"

"I'm fine. Treat and Dark Mark drugged me. I wanted to tell Marchosias that and thank him before I left."

"But, if you were drugged, why leave?" Amy asked. "If Marchosias knows the truth, the match results should be disregarded, and he should let you stay."

"I know, but I did too much damage already, sneaking into his bedroom. I should've asked him more questions. I was wrong."

"Doesn't explain why he flew off the handle like that. He's probably in there poutin'," Seir guessed, stepping past May and coming to the door to knock.

"Hey, Marco, are ya decent? We have bathrooms, y'know? The age of the tongue is over," he jested as a way to announce himself before he stepped in.

The bedroom was empty.

"Where'd he go?" he pondered, hearing Amy and May gather behind him to see for themselves. "Hold on. I'll check the house."

Seir backed out of the doorway and then disappeared with a surge of acceleration, returning twelve seconds later, shaking his head. "I looked all over the place, even outside. Where the heck is he?"

"He might have left the house after you set time right again," Amy suggested.

"No," Mayberry said thoughtfully. Again, the master of the house had become cryptic but may have shone his hand this time. "But, I might have an idea. What do you guys know about this wine closet?"

The two Goetia answered her with perplexed looks.