Daily Life of Monster Girls in Alabama

by GoatManofAnime

It's time for a MonMusu fanfiction that takes place in sweet home Alabama, nuff said.

90. Criminal Minds

Chapter 83: Criminal Minds

Nearly two weeks have passed since ICEP launched their investigation into the whereabouts of the amphetamine team. While definitely a matter of great urgency, nearly half of their resources needed to be allocated to maintaining the influx of new host families being established all over Alabama. That, along with maintaining a positive image towards their current hosts, supporting the localization of liminal-owned businesses, overseeing socio-political issues related to the development of newly certified Liminal-American citizens, and supporting the construction of three new ICEP offices in Birmingham, Mobile, and Lincoln along with hiring the staff to run them. They were also in the middle of debate with the Georgia branch for who should be the legal overseers of the phoenix extracted from the Malone's base of operation.

As a result, a task force had to be designated to handle the looming threat the apophis and her associates pose while keeping the information out of the public eye as much as feasible possible. The last thing they wanted was mass panic and groups like the Hunters inciting violence towards any lamia—and any other liminal for that matter. This task force was under the command of Director Greenly and Agent Sterling of the Huntsville branch.

…Inside Sterling's office…

"Ok, now what's our headcount looking like for liminal migrants for this month?", Sterling asks Clawthorne as he was typing on his computer going through recent reports for the week.

"208 total. 20% of whom are entire families including young children seeking employment in various industries or refuge from civil upheaval in their home country. We've received 97 new student applications as well. Though, you should know the majority of them ARE of Large Mouse descent.", Clawthorne informs, looking at a black ICEP tablet swiping through student profiles. Most of which were of rodent-type liminal descent.

"Perfect, just what we need. It's already hard enough finding hosts for two or even three students.", He sighed while still going through reports, "Send out work order requests and schedule Liminal employment training specialists before the end of the week."

"Understood."

"I swear, something has to be done to deal with liminals that have higher than average birth rates. At least, filter through the ones that have qualifying experience or something BEFORE sending them or way.",

"That's what happens when you don't put a cap off on certain liminals registries. It's the same problem as before." Fantina points out, seated in an ergonomic chair reading from an occultist book, "I'm guessing a few clans made some donations to ICEP to help things along, right?", She says with a skeptical eyebrow.

Clawethorne looks to the baphomet curiously. Apparently, he brought her with him today just to get her out of the house as per ICEP student requirements. He's mostly kept her by his side the last few hours. Both to keep a better eye on her and because some agents in this division have their grievances against her and still hold her accountable for her involvement with the Malones. At least this way, she didn't have to be around her scornful colleagues the entire day.

"That and sharing methods and practices to speed up the aging of cheese has been surprisingly lucrative for the cheese and dairy industry.", Sterling casually replies, sensing her sarcasm.

"Oh, goody. I guess having aged gouda and crackers on a charcuterie board on a Sunday picnic is worth the 10 hours of seething through an entire clan for competent workers. You realize their attention spans are shorter than your lunch breaks right?", Fantina counters.

"Listen, it may seem tedious, and it is, but I've developed my own system for dealing with the overflow of applicants. Besides, the introduction of liminal processing techniques combined with Gremlin technology in the food industry has been a lucrative venture on our part. It's helped to mitigate costs from…less experienced new hires. It all comes full circle in the end."

"Very well said, sir!", Clawthorne happily praised as Fantina rolled her eyes, still reading. The goat woman would much rather be home right now away from the office that was bringing back too many bad memories. It was already bad enough she didn't get to check in on her coven at I.A. the last couple weeks. At least Sterling was keeping her mostly informed on their conditions so that was comforting. Still, it didn't sit right not seeing them in person on her terms.

"Thank you but it's honestly about knowing what the new hires are capable of.", Sterling affirms, "Speaking of which, what about the new agents coming in this month?"

"We have nine in total. Five of which are contracts to perform in the field as temporary coordinators. However, we have a new MON team joining our branch made up of three newly certified agents along with one experienced agent leading them.", Clawthorne inform as Fantina turns her attention to the conversation.

"Is that so? Good, we've been needing more well-trained staff lately. Got any details on them?"

"One moment, sir. Let see…Ah here are! I'm projecting from my tablet on your screen using the Blue tooth, if you don't mind."

"It's fine, and you can just say 'Bluetooth'."

Sterling's secondary quickly displays the four profiles and pictures of the MON team members.

"First, we have De'bara Valo a…Dark elf female 89-years-old(27 in elf years) from the Anazùla clan of Dark elves in Northern Yugoslavia. She's an expert in hand-to-hand combat, stealth arts, dark elven mana arts, and tracking. Reports from training say she has a somewhat volatile temperament and prefers to work on teams consisting mostly of men(typical).", Clawethorne explained, rolling her eyes and muttering under her breath.

"Sounds like a tomboy who never grew up.", Fantina says, looking at the picture of the beautiful dark elf woman with long black hair adorned with green beads, dark purple eyes, full lips, and ample breast exposed from half open white button up. She couldn't help but be reminded of another dark elf she knew, "She…doesn't use guns, does she?

"Ummm no, she actually had the second lowest score of her group when it came to marksmanship, at least with guns. Crossbows are her preference. She apparently also wanted to carry a whip or…riding crop but it was denied.", Clawthorne informs in slight distaste.

"That's to be expected of Dark elves at this point. They've always had their proclivities towards whips and chains. Though, from what I understand, they've recently found a loophole in MON rules against unconventional weapons…by using belts and straps. And yes, this state, unfortunately, allows it. God help us.", Sterling spoke despondently, shaking his head.

'Yeah I'm definitely keeping that woman away from him.', both women thought simultaneously, already familiar how dark elf women can be at their worst.

"Who's next?"

"Oh, ahem, next is Sid Hans. A Halfling man, 27-year-old from the Netherlands who was originally a part of a restoration program in his home country for liminals affected or injured by wildfires. That is until a disagreement between himself and IA personnel on how to deal with the perpetrators that started the fires. Long story short, he lost the case, which resulted in him getting transferred to another country where he enlisted to become a field agent. He is skilled in lockpicking, bomb and trap diffusing, knife-combat, an expert mechanic, and is fairly proficient with semi-automatic handguns evident by his high marksmanship score.", Clawethorne said, tapping the photo of the short, skinny, fair-skinned man with green eyes, brown bowl-cut, and large rounded ears. Fantina held back a chuckle and couldn't help thinking he looked like a total goober. The sentiment was shared by Sterling, who hid his opinion much better than she did.

"I think you forgot to mention aerodynamics. He could glide from here to I.A. on ears like those.", Fantina pointed out with a smirk prompting a snort from Sterling.

"Hey! Don't make fun of us big eared folk! How would you feel if I teased you about your goat ears?"

"I'd say at least I don't need to worry about birds perching on mine."

"ONE time!" Clawthorne suddenly yelled.

"Huh? I was just joking. Did that…actually–"

"No!", Clawclorne cuts her off, cheeks blushing in embarrassment and frustration at being reminded of a memory from her childhood.

"Oookay, moving on, who's next?" Sterling said trying to move from this for Clawthorne sake.

"Y-Yes sir of course. Then there's…a High Elf", Clawthorne said with hesitation before taking a deep breath continuing, "Tyberrian Branwen. Age 187(36 in elf years) and a member of the Xu'luna order of High elves.", she said unenthusiastically as the others checked out the profile image of the High elf man with long, neatly styled blonde hair, chiseled jawline with porcelain skin, blue eyes, and very regal demeanor.

"A High Elf? That's rare! We barely even see one of them in the student program often let alone one as an agent.", Sterling stated, intrigued.

"Yeah, when I was an agent, they were normally too full of themselves to even talk to 'commoners' like us. Usually, they'd just send a Wood Elf delegate.", Fantina pointed out as Clawethorne clenched her tablet in displeasure, "Even crazier that one would voluntarily work with a Dark elf. I thought they hated them even more than Wood elves do.", Fantina continued

"I wonder what could've changed?", Sterling ponders.

"Not much I'm sure…", Clawethorn bitterly and lowly spoke which Fantina and Sterling quickly picked up on.

"Is everything alright, Ms. Clawethorne?"

"Yes, sir let's continue."

"So, what does this Branwen guy specialize in?", Fantina asks, moving things along.

Clawthorne readjusts his tablet looking through his profile, "Spell crafting, elf mana manipulation, hand-to-hand combat, healing mana, medic training, high proficiency with firearms and bows along with a personal statement reading 'I am the undisputed best mana user of my tribe'. By the way, I'm paraphrasing, sir. There's MUCH more as you can see.", She informed still speaking as Fantina noticed a broken pen on ground looking like it was snapped in half.

"I can. He's certainly confident.", Sterling replied, skimming through an entire paragraph of the High Elf's 'accomplishments'.

"I think you mean 'arrogant'.", Fantina chimes in, "Do anyone REALLY need to know his record for especially with some of these especially including 'Next head of the tribe.' how is that relevant or important except to feed his clearly starving ego."

"I wouldn't call it starving give how much it has been fed over decades." Clawthorne muttered that Fantina hearing could pick up.

"Lastly, we have the leader of the team, Agent Ryan. A 26-year-old human male that's been active for just about over a year now. A native of Alabama, he served as an ICEP coordinator for nine host families on a six month contract before requesting to complete the MON field agent training regiment in North Carolina. He completed his training in only three months.", Clawthorne finished as her tone return somewhat up beat one.

Sterling and Fantina look at her surprised by what she said. Considering how brutal the training regimen for new agents could be, at least how it was back in the day for them, it was shocking to hear anyone could complete the training in a short time.

"Impressive. He must be rather skilled to perform so well. I remember it took almost a year to finish."

"That's because the lieutenant back then was a hard ass, even for a golem.", Fantina remarks, joining the conversation, "It sounds like they're just slapping a MON badge on just anyone nowadays. What about you Burger Queen, how long did they train you for?"

"I-I…got through the MON training in a month. My ranger training from my clan allowed me to excel faster than normal." Clawthorne stated proudly much to Sterling intrigue and slight discouragement.

"Ok, so how'd you score on the written exams?", Fantina asks.

Clawethorne looks at her confused, "The what?"

"You know, like mana studies, human and liminal anatomy and culture studies…"

"I…didn't have to do that. All I sent through was weapons and combat training, physical health examination, and a temporary citizenship test. They said my previous experience as a ranger was enough to clear me through the rest of training.", Clawethorne explained.

"Seriously?! They just let you pass off of that? Gah, what the fuck are these higher ups thinking these days? Are they THAT desperate to fill their ranks?"

"Hey! I still EARNED my MON certification!", Clawethorne stated, offended.

"Nobody's saying you didn't, agent Clawethorne. We're just saying it used to be way, way harder to become an agent back then especially after your partner up. We had to go through another set of training that included so many written exams, hand-to-hand combat training…", Sterling assures.

"Liminal ecology, biology, sociology, followed by a THREE fucking hour long video on liminal breeding and courting habits that basically amounted to a 'Don't fuck the non-human agents' message.", Fantina chimes grimacing at her experience.

"Don't forget firearms training and linguistics classes. Oh! Remember how the sergeant would chew you out over how you hold your gun?", Sterling teases, mimicking the awkward way she held a gun with index finger in front of his fist representing the trigger.

"Oh fuck off and a bigger fuck off to sergeant Asshat. I still don't understand WHY I had to learn any of that crap. I've literally never needed to use guns in my life. Look at these hands! How did they expect me to use one when I couldn't even hold it right!", Fantina emphasized, flexing her fur-covered digits, "These are not made for firearms!"

"Or at least one's that were produced back then. You could probably now–"

"No! Thank you. I will stick with my magic, limited as it may be at the moment, these fists, and my scythe.", She emphasized, making her scythe appear next to her.

"Please do not suggest your student be given a FIREARM either sir. And please put that away Ms. Fantina", Clawethorne stated, even less pleased by the idea.

"I wasn't, I was only joking.", He casually shrugged.

"So, anything else on the 'golden child'?", Fantina sarcastically remarks, making her scythe vanish.

"Only other thing of note is that one of his host family's that he was charged with overseeing had made a request to have him removed as his student coordinator. Joe Sullivan, the head of the household stated, 'I don't believe he has her best interest in mind'.", Clawethorne read aloud as Fantina and Sterling looked at her inquisitively.

"Hmm, looks like the 'golden child' has one or two bronze medals.", Sterling commented, touching his chin, "Does it give any specifics on what happened?"

"Not particularly, though the student in question was a Lamprey Mermaid. By time the request had been received and approved, he had already been transferred here and all his students had new coordinators"

"Well, isn't that convenient timing. Not gonna lie, not feeling confident in this slapdash of a MON team we, and by WE I mean YOU, have to deal with.", Fantina remarks.

"You reminding me of that fact is not helping my confidence in my patience", Clawthorne bitterly muttered, arms folded.

"Come on now, you two. At least give them a chance before you judge them or their performance. I expect you both to welcome them as new members of team regardless of any troubling past experiences.", He says, looking to Clawethorne who shift her gaze away both embarrassed and uncertain, "Besides, we need all the help we can get when dealing with a threat of this magnitude.", He spoke as both girls could sense the weight of his words.

"Any word from the agents sent to monitor their activity, sir?"

"Good news is, thanks to the cooperation of from the Fantina Coven using her divination abilities, we were able to locate their primary distributor, Fitzpatricks hideout. We're getting a warrant for his arrest as we speak."

"And the bad news? There's always bad news.", Fantina inquires.

Sterling looks at her then Clawethorne and sighs, "The spies we had monitoring his hideout…went completely silent three days ago."

Fantina and Clawthorne look at him in surprise as the latter wears a worried expression, silently praying her colleagues were fine. The baphomet, however, simply gives a despondent look as she sits back in her chair.

…Elsewhere…

Somewhere near the Birmingham area, three people—two human men and a woman—could be seen in an alley space littered with trash and discarded furniture between two buildings standing near Fitzpatrick's green Camry letting them sample the product.

They were each notably underweight, the woman being the skinniest, and their skin was almost a sickly color like a person on life support with veins bulging through; some of them having a hideous purple discoloration. Their eyes were sunk into deep hollows tinged with dark gray. Their arms were littered with noticeable needle marks and scars from scratching their skin raw from withdrawal. Even their hair had all life sucked away from it. Every follicle lacked volume, floating like built cobwebs in a home long abandoned. The kind of hair extremely old or young people had but these people, contrary to their decrepit appearance, were just barely pushing thirty.

One of the men takes a long whiff of the small sandwich bags of gluttony fang. He smiles euphorically chuckling.

"Ohoho shit! You're the man, Fitz! I just went through the last of what I had three weeks ago.", he giddily stated with a wide smile handing him a two twenties, rattling the back in hand, feeling very anxious clearly suffering from heavy withdrawal

"Hey, don't hog it all! I been out for a fucking month man! My dealer skipped out on me!", the second guy addict stated in discontent, grabbing for the other guy's bad who yanks it away out of reach.

"Yo! Chill the fuck out, man! I've got plenty more where that came from.", Fitzpatrick says, tantalizingly rattling another bag catching his attention. The man reaches for it but Fitzpatrick yanks it away, "Uh uh, first, how much you got?"

"Come on, you know fuckin' broke right now man. Hook me up a little something. You know I'm good for it "

"Sorry man, you know the drill. don't got green you don't get goods."

"If he can't afford it I'll take his! the woman giving him a seductive smile," pulling out three slightly crumpled twenties from her bra.

"Sold!", Fitzpatrick taking the money then giving the bag of purple crystalline drugs which she excitedly snatched up.

"THE FUCK?! Hannah, you told me you didn't have any cash!"

"I lied.", the woman named Hannah replied before taking a big inhale of the drugs in the bag groaning in euphoric bliss, "OHHH, fuck yeah that's that good shit! It's been way too damn long!"

"Well shit, cut me a little some then!", the man demands teeth grinding his teeth, reaching for her bag causing her to cover it close to her chest.

"Fuck off, Jerry! Get your own!"

Fitzpatrick shakes his head looking with a smile at a briefcase where several remaining bags of gluttony fangs were sitting waiting to be sold.

"Relax man, there's plenty more where that came from. I'll be here when you get the cash. Be sure to spread the word."

"Damn Fitz, how'd you get so much of the good shit?! The streets been dry for weeks thanks to fuckin' ICEP.", the other man inquired.

"I got my connections. That's all I'll say."

"Well, you're a lifesaver man! Glad you're supplying the pure stuff. The other shit just don't hit NEARLY as good!"

"Don't worry about it. It's all…", Fitzpatrick pauses in confusion at what he heard, "What do you mean 'other shit'? Whaddya talkin' about?"

"Oh yeah, yeah I tried that shit too. I don't know who cooked that but it sure doesn't hit like nothin'! Might as well be gettin' fucked up scent boosters or some shit!", Hannah expressed distastefully.

"Wha…ok whoa whoa back the fuck up. What shit are y'all talkin' about?", Fitzpatrick questioned.

"We're talking about that dollar store they're dealing over in Anniston.", Jerry replies, picking out a few pieces of gluttony fang to hit.

Fitzpatrick pauses in shock at what he heard and simply blurts out slamming the car door, "WHAT?!"

…. Meanwhile….

After finishing up the last of the Large Mouse reports, Sterling and the girls could now be seen in a large conference room among the other agents for a special meeting led by Director Greenly. Fantina sat between Sterling and Clawethorne, ignoring cold glares from some of the other workers.

"Thank you all for attending today's meeting. I won't take up too much as there's plenty of work to be done. Ahem, we're here to welcome a new MON team into our branch. If ", Greenly requests as all of the agents raise up at his request

At that moment, four people walk into the room one after another with Director Greenly introducing them.

A tall human man with neatly trimmed brown wavy hair, green eyes, lean muscular build, fair skin, and all around handsome features. He was dressed in a standard black ICEP suit lined with bulletproof and mana resistant material and black shoes. A few female agents gave him an intriguing stare.

"First, we have Agent Ryan. He's been recently certified as Agent in command and performed with some of the highest marks in ICEP's training program."

"Nice to meet all of you.", Agent Ryan casually greeted as several people whispered about his accomplishment in amazement or disbelief.

Behind him was a short, Halfling man with all the features as Sterling and the girls read in the report except now he wore a black suit with modified pants that had several hidden pockets for small weapons. His large ears stood out the most as he grimaced in annoyance hearing the comments from other agents.

"Next is Agent Hans, a former liminal activist working to support the restoration of liminal territory and homes affected or injured by wildfires. He's now a certified MON agent who intends to continue serving the public."

'Yeah yeah, serve and protect and all that.', Hans thought, hands in his pockets with a disinterested expression.

Following the Halfling was a tall, beautiful Dark elf woman just like from the reports. Her black hair was tied up in long ponytail adorned with dark purple crystalline rings to match her eyes. Her ICEP attire was a woman's ICEP suit with the upper portion partially unfasted to show off her ample cleavage. She even wore a silver necklace with purple gems dangling around her neck; fashion statement in Dark elf culture. She wore a sassy smirk and gave a smug wink getting the attention of several male agents. Specifically those who aren't familiar with her species' more aggressive habits.

"Next is, Agent Valo. A…venerated warrior and tracker of the Anazùla clan of Dark elves. Here to assist us however she can.", Greenley spoke, doing his best to stay professional.

"You got that right. Nice to meet all you boys, hopefully we can become VERY well acquainted with each other.", She sweetly says seductively and exciting several human and Liminal male agents while Hans and Ryan sighed in exasperation.

The last to enter was the High Elf, who walked in with an air of overwhelming pride. His presence greatly rivals Ryan's sex appeal causing several women's hearts to skip a beat.

"Lastly, we have Agent–", Greenley spoke before The High Elf swiftly interrupts.

"I can introduce myself, thank you very much! Ahem, I go by Tyberrian Branwen, eldest son of the Xu'luna order of High Elves. Though, so long as I am required to remain in these lands you may call me 'Agent Branwen'. It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of my colleagues. I do hope our efforts will be a fruitful.", Branwen regally spoke with a charming smile as his Dark elf and Halfling compatriots rolled their eyes or made yapping gestures with their hands.

Several females in the room stare in adoration, barely able to contain themselves while Clawethorne and Fantina wore unimpressed expressions. The former even scoffs at the high elf's fake gestures of goodwill, easily seeing through him.

"Well said, partner, but let's not overwhelm them too much. We just got here after all.", Ryan cheekily spoke prompting a few chuckles in the room and getting the High Elf's attention, who shoots a glare at the human but withdraws, "Let's not forget, we're all here for the same reason. To create a future where all races have a place in this world. We look forward to working here.", he fervently spoke as several agents nod in approval.

"Ahem, thank you, Agent Ryan. I speak for everyone here when I say we're proud to have you among our ranks and we expect great from you all.", Director Greenley spoke, proceeding to shake the human man's hand as several agents applauded their new coworkers.

All the while, Fantina looks at them with an unimpressed gaze then to Sterling noticing the intense expression on his face. It was one she was familiar with from being his partner so long. He was trying to get a read on them too.

'Hmph, you really haven't changed, huh? Guess I should expect nothing less from my old partner.', Fantina thought, slightly impressed that his observational skills were still sharp.

'Hmm, I wonder if that Mexican food truck down the road is serving those beef chimichangas I like today.', Sterling thought, trying to decide on where to go for lunch.

Sidenote: His information gathering face and resting hungry face are one in the same.

After Director Greenly dismissed the meeting and the staff to continue their work, many were occupied with trying to get to know their new workers.

"Well, it seems like everyone is becoming acquainted with the new blood in the office.", Sterling casually pointed out as he walked down the hallway towards his office.

"Yeah, about the same way a virus gets acquainted with your immune system. Call me crazy but those guys do not have an ace soldier aura more like a… 'My rich D-Bag parents told me it was either this or Burger King' type aura.", Fantina sarcastically responds.

"Hey! Don't compare those two!", Clawethorne stated, puffing her cheeks in irritation, "At least BK has standards."

"Well, one thing I can say about Greenley, he knows how to make folks look good. It's a valuable skill to have in this profession. Besides, either way you look at it, the more operatives we have the better. I'm not one to judge one's career choices.", Sterling pointed out as the girls looked at him with mixed expressions, "Well, enough about that though, I think it's about time for lunch. I'm getting hungry."

Clawethorne quickly lights up and responds with a smile, "Ah, I suppose it is about that time. What did you bring today, sir?"

"I…kinda forgot to bring something. I'll just grab something from one of the vending machines or the food truck down the block should. Should hold me over till later." Sterling casually replies as Fantina and Clawthorne look at him incredulously.

"Whaaat? That simply won't do, sir! Your body needs a proper meal to function throughout the day."

"For once I agree with the Burger Queen, you can't keep shoveling processed crap in your body like a carb obsessed toddler." Fantina said annoyed as Clawthorne frowned at what she just called her.

"Hey, I function just fine. I've been running on Folgers coffee and a Honey Bun since seven today.", he proudly replies.

"That's NOT an ability to be proud of!", Fantina nags.

Clawthorne grins mischievously, seeing an opportunity, "Well sir, if you like, I don't mind sharing my lunch with you."

"Oh, is that so? Thanks but—"

"Ok I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you 'lunch' is just BK fast food. Right, Burger Queen? That's not gonna cut it either.", Fantina interrupts, raising an eyebrow.

"O-Of course not! Well, it was originally, but NO. And who do you keep calling 'Burger Queen'?!", Clawthorne incredulously spoke about being called that nickname again.

"Obviously, the elf who has more than enough empty space for calories to spare.",Fantina quips, earning a pouting scowl from said elf who hugs the tablet close to her ample chest, "Besides, I got him covered with ACTUAL food." Fantina told them, summoning a red magic seal from her palm. Red light emits from the seal as two black food containers from Sterling's kitchen cabinets emerge.

"Whoa, I didn't know you could still use matter transmutation spells with the collar still on?", Sterling replied curiously.

"It was a 'transfer' spell not 'transmutation'. Also, trial and error with finding the right amount of mana needed that I could use with an object of specific mass reasonable to carry around.", Fantina replies, finding it annoying that something as mid-level tier as transmutation could set off the stupid collar from her experiments. Her arsenal was truly limited at the most basic spells, "Anyway, here's your food. It's potato au Gratin. I made it yesterday."

"Oh, you…made this for me? Thank you fan-fan. ", Sterling responds with a smile, accepting the food.

"D-Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't want MY cooking going to waste. Or real food period. Besides, you eat way too much garbage anyway.", Fantina stated, turning away to hide a blush.

"Heh, you're probably right about. Actually, I did see you cooking yesterday when I got home late. Sorry I couldn't try it then."

"Yeah well…you can make it up by eating every last bite now.", Fantina responds plainly, remembering him stumbling inside his home and going straight to bed while completely ignoring her. He didn't even bother getting undressed as he lay in bed exhausted.

"Hehe, I will. I appreciate it, fan-fan.", he says with a smile.

Fantina turns her head to hide her blush from him as she sees Clawthorne

Clawthorne puffs out her cheeks glaring with slight envy before whipping out a container and blocking Sterling's path, "Sir, I made you lunch as well!", She stated, presenting a neatly wrapped wooden box to him.

"O-Oh! T-Thank you?", Sterling awkwardly responded, "What is it? I can kinda smell it through the box. Is that rosemary?"

"Close sir! It's Hu'tuka. A dish prepared among my people use steamed and seasoned river trout and served with emetallia berries and rice. And yes, I added rosemary for extra flavor", She says, presenting the delicious-looking filets of fish and rice dyed light green by green sweet-smelling berries.

"Wow, it certainly looks and smells delicious."

"If you had made him that, why did you offer to share yours with him?" Fantina questioned the Elf with a sharp glare.

"Well, by 'sharing' my lunch I meant we could share a table to eat together. Though, I wouldn't mind eating from the same tray.", Clawethorne says with a blush as Fantina growls softly in annoyance, "Please, accept it sir."

"Sure, not like I can't enjoy both.", Sterling happily accepts much to Fantina's shock and Clawthorne delight.

"Well, if it isn't the man, the myth, the legend himself.", spoke a familiar voice catching their attention. Clawthorne turns around, shocked to see the High Elf approaching from behind with Agent Ryan at his side addressing them, "So you're the famous Agent Sterling?"

"That's what it says on my I.D. tag and ICEP passport. Don't remember seeing the word 'famous' though. Can I help you both?", Sterling casually responded as Clawethorne straightened up, facing them at Sterling's side with a distrusting gaze.

"I'm sorry it's just…I have heard SO many stories about you in the training program! The missions you and the other First Gen agents went on. You're like a living legend among the other agents. Now see you here in person in all your glory it's well…"

"Well what?", Sterling questions, raising an eyebrow.

"It's…humbling. You helped pathe the way for agents from all down South from Mississippi to Northern Carolina.", Ryan reverently spoke.

"I didn't do it alone you know. I had help from a reliable partner through it all.", Sterling said with smile looking towards Fantina who give a surprised but proud grin.

"Yeah, I'm sure she did.", Ryan says in a tone Fantina didn't quite like, eyeing her animalistic features in distaste, "I heard your partner was a baphomet. Quite a…unique choice to say the least.", he says as Fantina glares at him distrustingly.

"I didn't really choose her. We were just assigned as partners. Not that I was complaining much then nor am I now have her back.", Sterling affirms as Fantina glances at him curiously.

"I can relate to that. It's how me a Ty were assigned together.", Ryan remarks, grin touching the High Elf's shoulder who immediately stop his hand a small green magic seal.

"What have I told you about using that ghastly nicknaming system of yours, you will address me by my birth name or not at all. Furthermore, the last thing I need is for you to remind me of this program's unconscionable pairing system. A man of my stature and salient pedigree is more worthy of skilled comrades but I was placed in charge of guiding this lot.", Tyberrian regally spoke somewhat bitterly but remained dignified and composed. That when he turned to Clawthorne

"But, ICEP rules require that at least one human of 'B rank or above' are to be responsible for a MON team. Through it being set up that way has its benefits, don't you think?", Ryan slyly replies to the High Elf.

"Hmph, I'd be lying If I didn't agree it allow me a better perspective on things at least. It's quite fascinating to see humans and other species intermingle but especially how common folk of my species are adapting. Isn't that right, Ms. Eli-",

"NO! You don't get use that name!" Clawthorne viciously interrupts, surprising both humans and Fantina while Tyberrian merely smirks in satisfaction, "It's Agent Clawthorne while we're at work, understand?"

"Agent Clawthorne?", Sterling ask, not out of surprise but out of concern.

"Hmph, typical. Stay in this country long enough and common elves forget how to show respect to those who deserve it. Truly sad."

"Well, I only know TWO people here who deserve any iota of respect and you're not one of them." Fantina said bluntly, arms folded

"Why would I want respect from an ill bred degenerate like you? The thought of it makes me feel soiled to the point I will have to cleanse myself."

"While you're at it, you can dump a whole bottle of bleach down your throat, that's where all the filth is coming from. And who are you calling 'illbred'? Your kind are more inbred than yeast! I bet you parents are second cousins!", Fantina shot back as the High Elf's scowl grew.

"How dare you?! I'll have you know they are FIRST cousins, you insufferable, cantankerous reprobate!"

"Are you seriously trying to come at me with a dictionary?!" Fantina patience reaching it limit

"Enough! Both of you!", Sterling stated, getting their attention as they notice several agents listening in to the argument from down the hallway, "You just arrived at this branch today. I ask that you try to set a better example."

Tyberrian glares at the human man incredulously, offended that he had the nerve to try and command him before Ryan quickly interjects.

"You're right, sir! I'm so sorry. We promise it…won't happen again. Right, Tyberrian?"

Tyberrian looks to him then at Fantina and Clawthorne before begrudgingly responding, "Of course. I will not lower myself to such a degree again. Good day.", He says before walking past the group, making sure to subtly slow his pace near Clawethorne.

"Xu, lu cal hun? Uxi hinalo(Cooking for a man? How appropriate)", he softly uttered in Elvin language walking on by much to her shock as she clenches her fists tightly in anger.

"I'll go…have a talk with him sir.", Ryan assured, not even acknowledging Fantina as he left the three.

Fantina notices Clawthorne clenched fists radiating a menacing greenish black aura as she wears a hateful scowl and sharp gaze.

"Let's go.", Sterling said, getting the girl's attention, "Don't wanna waste any more of our break time."

Clawthorne looks at him a moment, her expression softens as her rage subsides and hands unclench causing the mana to dissipate.

"Yeah, I can almost feel my appetite spoiling just standing here.", Fantina says, walking ahead followed by Sterling and Clawethorne who glances back for a second hearing the High Elf's voice in the distance before turning away, choosing to put him out of her mind.

…Meanwhile…

In a two-story condemned house somewhere in downtown Northeast Alabama, there was a large room that used to be a den filled with various lab equipment on top of white collapsible tables. Large glass structures could be seen boiling light purple liquid as steam flower through distillation tubes and collected in two large Pyrex beakers full of dark purple liquid. Bottles of various chemicals from ammonia to sulfuric acid along with bags of raw materials ranging from aluminum filings to magnesium powder sat on another table further away.

Two humanoid figures in black and yellow hazmat suits, black insulated rubber gloves, black steel-toed boots, and plastic shield respirator masks could be seen diligently working in the area.

"Have you finished grinding and separating the aluminum chloride yet? I'm going to add into the mixture.", the taller, more masculine-looking of the two asks in a slightly distorted robotic voice from the mask. A modulator he installed in both masks in case anymore tried to record their voices.

"A-Almost. Is it supposed to smell so, how you say, like rotten eggs?", his more feminine associate inquires, grinding the yellow powdery substance in a mortar and pestel.

"It'd be weird if it didn't. Now hurry up and separate it then add it to the mixture in the exact amount I told."

"~Understood love~", they happily replied, proceeding to dump the mixture in a coffee paper filter then pour clear alcohol onto it leaving a light yellow liquid at the bottom and the clumpy impurities in the paper.

The figure shakes his head ignoring the comment as he continues his work.

Less than a few minutes later, they complete much of the cooking process leaving only the dark purple liquid to drip into three large pans. In a few hours, the substance would harden at room temperature and become brittle enough to break apart. Then a new batch of gluttony fang would be ready to sell.

Though the feminine figure always found the process quite interesting and she enjoyed working with her partner, said partner couldn't be less than pleased at the moment as he stared at the three measly pans.

"It's not enough.", he sighed, removing his mask, revealing himself as William, "Between processing, refining, raw materials and almost lack of distribution. This setup will never be enough to keep up with demand once we really start getting business.", he complained, thinking about the huge professional lab he originally had to work with thanks to the Malones along with their associates acting as distribution of the product and how it all literally went up in smoke.

"It's at least a start, love.", the feminine figure assured, removing her mask revealing herself as the Dark Priest Adelaide, her hair tied up to avoid getting in the way while cooking, "Besides, business isn't going anywhere. These plenty of starving souls out there craving a taste of mistress' product and, thanks to our Fitzpatrick friend, they'll be able to sample some freshly cooked goods. They'll be lining up before we know it."

"All the more reason I say this current setup is too small. It's already bad enough you all made me give a third of our goods to that…junkie. Then he brings us here to this condemned house in a rural area? How do we know if we can rely on him anymore given changes in our situation?"

"Have we ever truly? Whether it was him or the Malones we just needed a mule or three to get it circulating, qui?"

William takes a deep breath, "Yes, but at that point ICEP wasn't nearly on our ass as they are now. Our employers were winning in the drug game for years and somewhere along the line they fumbled so hard they all died. I don't know about you Adelaide but that sounds like a sign. A sign that we CANNOT ignore. If we're going to be cooking and distributing, we're going to need to be a lot more cautious."

Adelaide stares at him deeply in the eyes, taking in his words as he looks at her confused.

"What?"

"Huhu, nothing, I just love it when you speak with such unrestrained passion. It makes my heart warm...and my muffin moist, huhu", She seductively remarks, grinding her hips.

"Oh for God sakes…"

"I think you mean 'Fallen' God love.", Adelaide happily teased as her tails wriggles inside her hazmat suit.

"Hey! You two iron chef's done cooking or what?", came the voice of Sadako as she walks into the room, "I think our 'guests' are ready to talk."

William and Adelaide share a look for a moment, nodding in unison.

Downstairs, inside of what was once a dining room, a grisly sight of three female Ratatoskrs were all strung up like marionettes by what appeared to black thin but very strong hair. Their bodies were littered with deep, festering red cuts as the strands dug into their skin. Their eyes were slightly unfocused from delirium brought upon from mild dehydration and poor circulation. One of the girls could be seen lightly sobbing, slowly reaching her limit.

"E-Erma…p-pull yourself together…", one of them strained out.

"I…I can't take it anymore…"

"B-Buck up…my Acorn Sister. What would our sister Ms. Suzuki say?"

"She'd say 'tell the beautiful woman and her decently attractive colleagues everything they want to know, asshats.'", Sadako mock, stepping back into the room

"N-Never… you s-should surrender… while y-you can… c-cause when they find–"

"IF they find out…", William interjects, stepping up to the squirrel girl, "For over half a decade we've been operating under ICEP's radar and the only reason, count them, the ONE reason our supply lines were uncovered was because our employers had an unlucky run in with some nobody at a hotel. You don't find that a little concerning? Pure CHANCE is the reason you're even here right now. You really think your superiors are coming?"

All three Ratatoskr look at the man in realization as reality quickly dawned on them that the odds were indeed not in their favor. them finding this place after they were taken from original location watching that man home.

"That and your sneaking skills need improving. I can't even count how many of my hairs you've tripped while spying on our little delivery boy.", Sadako plainly spoke as locks of her hair held up their phones (smash to ensure they wouldn't be used to find them), wallets(long since emptied of whatever treasures they had), and ICEP badges, "I can tell from your badges you're relatively new to the program, so why not drop the act already? I'm already losing my patience.", Sadako spoke, tightening the hairs on their bodies making them groan as the strands dug deeper into their flesh and fur.

"Actually if you two don't mind I would like to offer these three a chance for salvation, no? All souls deserve a chance at redemption to see the wisdom of the fallen goddess! Then we make them spill their secrets, oi?", Adelaide asked, hoping they would let them show the three the love of the fallen God, much to her colleagues annoyance and the all three Ratatoskr confusion.

"Adelaide, come on, not now. I'm already getting drained from dealing with the girl scouts over here, I don't need another one of your horny sermons.", Sadako remarks, "Plus this shit hole is lousy with pests and cobwebs. It's like that Motel 6 we stayed at once."

"Oh, I remember that. It was during my beloved and I's first date.", the Dark Priest crooned as William facepalms in exasperation from her antics.

"Ade, you killed like…23 people from the Costello cartel.", Sadako remarks plainly.

"Only because they got in my way of fully claiming William's heart in the name of my Fallen God. Besides, their souls are already whisked away in her eternal embrace."

"What the FUCK…is wrong with you people?!", one of the Ratatoskr females blurted out, "If you're going the kill us then just fucking do! It's better than being tied here by this disgusting fucking hair of your's!"

Sadako's gaze sharpen, glaring in displeasure at her comment before a few black strands of hair shoot from her head. They launch themselves into the squirrel girls mouth, much to her shock and discomfort, then quickly wrap tightly around her tongue. They squeeze tighter and tighter until they tear through her tongue, severing it completely ripping from her as blood gushes from her mouth, to her colleagues' horror.

"YUNAAA!", Erma cried out watching her Acorn Sister's severed tongue on the floor as Yuna loudly gags while blood spews out beneath her. The other Ratatoskr looks on horrified, starting to hyperventilate but trying her best to remain calm.

"Never insult the hair.", Sadako coldly spoke then looked to Erma as she picked up the tongue from the ground dangling it like a trinket, "Well, since that ones speechless, why don't you tell us what we want to know?"

Erma trembles, staring up with trepidation, as she felt completely trapped. She silently curses ever joining this program. It seemed like easy money at the time. She didn't sign up for this! What did she really owe ICEP anyway?

"I…I…"

"ERMA! Don't you fucking dare? Don't tell them a motherfucking thing! Just think for two seconds what'll happen if you tell them! You wanna be a traitor?! I'll kill you myself before I let that happen!", the Ratatoskr woman berated fiercely before Sadako's hair tightens around her neck.

"You should be quiet. I can sever your head with thought."

"FUCK…YOU…BITCH! Do it! Fuck you! Fuck your drugs! And FUCK YOUR—"

*POW*

The Ratatoskr was silenced completely, along with everyone in the room, by William shooting the squirrel woman at point blank with a Colt 45 Revolver. The sound of the shot echoed through the small enclosed room.

William takes a deep breath and exhales, "Finally, some quiet."

Erma looks on speechless and horrified, her ears ringing from the close-range shot as she stares at her colleague's dangling, lifeless body as it then dropped to the ground.

"FUCK, old man! A little warning next time you fire that thing. This is a small room. Sounds reverberate! You're a smart guy, I expect you to know that.", Sadako complained, holding her ears.

"My love, why did you do that? Now I can't show her love for the fallen goddess.", Adelaide bemoaned as William rolls his eyes.

He then turns his attention to the tongueless Ratatoskr still gagging over a pool of her blood on the floor. He takes aim and fires another shot, the sound echoing through the room again.

"OW! Will! What the fuck?!"

"I think I hear the goddess' bells chiming! She's descended upon us!",

"That's the ringing in your ears, you dumb cunt!", Sadako berated.

"We don't have time for games!", William firmly stated, going over to the remaining Ratatoskr who stared at her fallen sisters in pure shock. He bends down to eye level, forcing her to look him in the eyes, "I'm going to make this clear and simple for someone in your state to understand. Tell us what we want to know and can leave with what little life you have waiting. Blink once if you understand. Twice if not."

Erma stares at him, tears rolling down her eyes, knowing she had no choice but to comply. She blinks.

"Good. Now, does ICEP know about our lead?"

Erma blinks once.

William nods understandingly, "Are there more of you watching his movements?"

Erma blinks once as Adelaide and Sadako exchange looks, deciding to let him work.

They continued on questioning the chipmunk girl until they could paint a vivid enough image of their circumstances. It was a pleasant image, at least not from William viewpoint.

"One last thing, does ICEP have any high level mana users in their ranks? Any Lich? Vampire? Phantom?", William strongly questions as the girls exchange curious looks

Erma recoils at the question the, reluctantly, blinks once giving him the answer he feared. He closes his eyes in thought.

"Alright, good to know. Sadako?"

The Kenjouro looks at him dubiously before rolling her eyes, choosing to comply. Every strand of hair restraining the Ratatoskr loose from her body allowing her to touch the floor for the first time in days. She felt momentary relief that was quickly replaced by fear as feels the floor wet with the blood of her allies.

"Well, you heard the old man, get outta here."

Erma looks to her trembling in fear as her knees refuse to budge; both from fear and from prolonged lack of circulation.

"Allow me. Hold still now, Ma chérie", Adelaide steps up, her devil tail sensually swaying before the tip touches Erma's forehead.

A bright yellow light radiates from around the chipmunk girl. She felt an indescribable comforting warmth spreading throughout her body as all her wounds and infections heal instantly and every bit of physical pain is washed away. Erma inspects her hands and the rest of her body amazed and confused.

"Uh…B-But…why?"

"For being cooperative.", Adelaide happily spoke before kneeling down in front of her and gently lifting her chin. Her eyes and smile radiated a caring energy, "However, this blessing comes with a promise, a vow actually. A vow of silence to not never speak a word about any of us to anyone. Nor to entertain the idea of returning here. Do you agree and honor this request?", Adelaide asks, her warm words and gaze now laced with a subtle but sinister aura.

"Y-Y-Yes!", Erma blurts out loud, unaware of the small glow inverted cross that appears on her chest.

'Fool…', William coldly thought, shaking his head, almost wishing he just put a bullet through her skull.

Adelaide smiles widely then raises up giving her room, "Bonne fille(Good girl), go on now, don't dawdle."

Erma stands to her feet, looking between the three of them cautiously, seeing none were going to get in her way before fleeing the room.

"So how long do you give her? Two hours at most?", Sadako questions the Dark Priest.

"You know I don't like to gamble. Besides, I have faith that she'll honor her vow.", Adelaide replies as William raises a doubtful eyebrow.

Further away, Erma burst through the front door rushing out into the street, looking around she finds herself in a neighborhood. The fairly rundown houses along the road littered with small potholes and loose chunks were evidence of a downtown area. She ran as fast as she could. To where? She didn't know as long as far away from there. The images of her comrades' dead bodies flashing through her mind as she burst into tears, wailing. Suddenly, a car horn honking loudly catches her attention, it swerves just barely missing her, tires screeching as she falls to her knees in shock.

The driver, a skinny dark skinned human male, gets out of the vehicle and so did two of his friends.

"Ayo, what the hell?! You trying to get yourself killed?!", He angrily shouted walking up to her.

"You didn't hit her, did you?", one of the men, a heftier build dark-skinned man asks.

"Nah, I just barely missed her. Hey, you alright?"

Erma hunches over, holding her head in panic, barely able to make out their words as tears flowed from her eyes. Suddenly, realization dawns on her

"Isn't she one of those squirrel girls I seen on Instagram? The ones with the cookies? Ratatouilles, I think they're called."

"About to be called 'road kill'. Hey, lady, you straight?"

"What's wrong with her? Should we call MON or–"

"PLEASE!", Erma shouted, jumping to her feet and clinging to the man's shirt desperately to his surprise, "DON'T. I-I CAN'T. I, N-NO…SHE THEY…KILLED…"

"Whoa get off me! What're you talking about?! Killed who?!"

"MY ACORN SISTERS! THEY KILLED MY–"

Erma stops mid-sentence as she feel her entire grow heavy. Her hands drop to her side with a forlorn, listless gaze and mouth hangs agape adding to the observers confusion. The inverted cross on her chest changed from a vibrant gold to a malignant black. Deep, hideous black roots spread up through her neck covering her entire lower jaw as her head twitches erratically.

"What the fuck?", The dark-skinned man steps back as he and his friends were horrified by what they was happening.

The vacuous black roots spread up to her face, changing the whites of eyes completely black as ink-like substance pours from her eyes like tears. Her mouth now spewed the black, ink-like substance as her entire jaw quickly deteriorated, every muscle and fiber rotting away, before the whole thing falls to the ground. The three men let out a horrified shriek as the Ratatoskr fell backwards choking on the tar colored bile spewing from her now jawless orifice.

Back to the Amphetamine teams hideout, Adelaide could be seen sighing in disappointment.

"There goes another possible acolyte…"

"Damn. How long was that like, five minutes? That's gotta be new record.", Sadako lightly teased, "What were the stipulations this time?"

"If she had lasted ONE hour, after which when she spotted her first man, if she didn't already have one she desired regardless of all other thoughts then him would have vanished completely removing the burden from her. She'd then could become a devout acolyte and be embraced by our fallen goddess as she embraced him. The two of them fall together in her endless love and their own unbridled passion for all their days. Haaa, if only she'd kept her vow a little longer, she wouldn't have faced the goddess' wrath.", Adelaide expressed somberly.

"Better luck next time then.", Sadako shrugged, "So, who's to inform Raynell? And by 'who' I mean definitely not me."

"I'll do it. It's best that she gets the full scope of what we're dealing with. We need to hurry up and cut that loose end before it becomes a noose around our necks", William replies, rubbing his head knowing they need to find someone to replace Fitzpatrick.

Suddenly, his flip phone starts ringing with a factory tone, bringing him from his thoughts, seeing a familiar number.

"Well, speak of the devil…"

"Devil?! Where?!", Adelaide excitedly stated, frantically looking with hunger in her eyes.

"It's a figure of speech, Ade.", Sadako rolls her eyes before Adelaide pouts in disappointment.

"Hey hey! Slow down, repeat that again you're breaking up….what?...What?! Where?!...A-Alright alright ALRIGHT, just bring whoever you can. Yeah…", William hangs up, breathing heavily, visibly fuming with anger as he gripped his phone tightly before kicking the dead Ratatoskr head in frustration, "MOTHERFUCKER!"

"What's wrong, my love?!", Adelaide worriedly inquires, going to his side to comfort him.

"Yeah, we kinda need some context here."

William takes a deep breath, still fuming as he exhales through clenched teeth then looks to them, "We've got an even bigger problem. Adelaide, I need you to take us, somewhere."

The Dark Priest looks at him curiously but smiles back, gripping the black chains on her arm, "You can count on me, love!"

…Back to Sterling…

The trio could be seen eating their lunch in one of the break rooms, conveniently empty as many of the staff chose to eat at local vendors nearby. That and few wanted to be nowhere near the baphomet evident by the few that wandered in to grab their home cooked lunch only to leave while shooting a brief nasty glare at Fantina.

As they ate, mostly in silence as Sterling checked emails on his phone, Clawthorne barely ate her food as she wore a sullen expression. Fantina notices the elf woman demeanor, poking at her food with a fork like a depressed teenager, not enjoying the sight in the slightest.

"Haa, you know if you don't have an appetite then just save it for later. No point playing with it.", Fantina spoke up, getting Sterling's and the elf's attention.

"Don't tell me what to do.", Clawthorne bitterly spoke.

"Who said I was? Just pointing out being wasteful when I see it."

"I don't need a lecture from you! It's bad enough I have to work with that prick! Don't you become another pain in my arse!", Clawthorne shot back.

"Hey! I'M not the one who flipped out over using your name! What is even the big deal?"

Clawthorne stands to her feet, "It's a VERY big deal to me you fuck–"

She's cut off when Sterling slams his palm hard on the table, startling both girls as they notice his irritated expression.

"I'm trying…to enjoy my lunches.", He plainly spoke, placing the phone away with a serious gaze, "Please sit, Ms. Clawethorne."

Clawthorne hesitates a moment, remembering Tyberrian's taunt from earlier but shakes it away doing as requested.

"I know with our…diverse staff every now and then we aren't going to click. Many, including myself, have made peace with that fact. But what happened back there was unnecessary on both parts? I, along with Director Greenly, will deal with the Tyberrian situation soon. So don't worry about, him Ms. Clawethorne.", Sterling replies as the elf woman looks at him curiously, "However, that doesn't excuse your behavior either Ms. Clawthorne. Why exactly did him saying your name upset you?"

"He wasn't simply addressing me…he did with my first name. Wood elves, especially females, hold a strong reverence for our birth names as they connect us to our goddess, our people, and our home. As such, only those truly special are allowed to address us as such; parents, siblings, close comrades, and of course lovers.", Clawthorne explains as Sterling and Fantina look at her inquisitively.

"So, it's only a privilege a select few can be given, huh? Doing without permission would be considered an insult.", Sterling replies, piecing it all together.

"And Jerk Asshat knew that'd get under your skin.", Fantina spoke distastefully, "I can't say I'm surprised a guy like that would target sensitive nerves out of spite. What else do you expet from High Elf pricks?"

"Him and others of his kind always look down on my people. What's worse is their very old-fashioned and rigid system concerning male and female roles in clans. Males naturally have more authority and control over female's daily lives while trying to push their dated system onto my people." Clawthorne said spitefully.

"Honestly, I'm more surprised he knew your first name at all. We tend to keep that information safeguarded for security reasons.", Sterling points out.

"Yeah, one of the few things that hasn't changed. Who knows what he did to get that information. Honestly sounds like what an asshole with way too much time on their hands would do. Talk about petty.", Fantina replies casually, "Personally, I wouldn't let it get to me and neither should you."

"It's easy for you to say. You've never had to deal with males like him.", Clawthorne lowly replied.

"Are you serious? Do you KNOW the kind of fools I've been around? The sheer number of Assholes and Asshat behavior I've dealt with even before I left here? Hell, even now just about everyone in this building fucking hates me.", Fantina bitterly spoke.

"Fan…", Sterling utters, wanting to deny her claim but knowing it'd be a lie. He's heard them whisper about her when they believe he isn't listening which frustrated him more knowing how much worse it'd get for both of them if he called them out.

"So don't you dare say 'I don't get it'. I do. Besides, you've shown me a little that you're not ashamed to be yourself, Burger Queen. So don't be. Consider that a greasy middle finger to his little patriarchal prison."

Clawthorne looks at the Baphomet in surprise by her unexpected encouragement. She smiles warmly in appreciation, "Thank you…Ms. Fantina."

"Ehhh? What's this fan-fan? You're being unusually supportive right now?", Sterling teased her.

"Shut it. I'm just speaking the truth. Like how I told that long-eared fuckboys, how full of shit he was."

"I really like what you said about his kin practicing incest. It's so accurate, I can't help but chuckle.", Clawthorne expressed in amusement.

"Have you seen his jawline? Dude is built like an 17th century English royal noble.", Fantina responds, as Sterling chuckles at the comment followed by Clawthorne.

"You know, I think I'm starting to like that name. it does fit me the Queen of Burger's from the greatest kingdom that represents freedom and choice to have it out way."

"Wait, now that I think about it, didn't you offer to have me call you by your first name when we first met?", Sterling asks, getting the elf woman's attention, making her blush nervously.

"O-Oh, Y-Yes that's right. That's because…well, I considered you deserving to use it. You're part of the reason I left home to pursue my own life on my own terms after all.", Clawthorne informs, shifting in her seat in embarrassment.

"Really? That is very interesting." Fantina said, touching her chin in thought, "I guess that means you consider him a 'close comrade' then"

"He's more than that! He's my reason for wanting to be my best. I deeply, deeply admire him.", Clawthorne remarks with tiny hearts in her green eyes staring at Sterling.

"Ms. Clawthorne, please stop staring at me like that while I'm eating.", Sterling casually replies.

"Speaking of, you never told me how you like my food! I see you've eaten most of it though.", Clawthorne inquires as Fantina turns her attention to Sterling.

"Oh yeah, it's really rich and delicious. It's the best trout I ever had."

"Thank you so much sir! I'm glad you're enjoying it.", she happily responded, blushing while cupping her cheeks.

"W-What about my potatoes Aug grauten?", Fantina asks, or rather demands, his opinion, noticing he'd only eaten half the meal.

"Oh, it's really good, fan-fan. I like how fluffy and creamy they are. Really pairs well with the trout honestly.", He replies, catching both girls by surprise.

"W-Well, which one do you like the best right? It's definitely my potatoes right?"

"Don't be ridiculous! It's obvious my dish has more substance and variety than your boring old potatoes.", Clawethorne stated much to Fantina's annoyance.

"I'd quit yapping if I were you, Burger Queen. At least my meal's filled with everything a body needs and will keep him full longer.", Fantina shot back a challenging glare at the elf woman.

"Hey, come on now. Can't we meet halfway and say I like them both? They each compliment each other well and both have things I enjoy about. I say they're both winners in my book.", Sterling casually responded much to their surprise and confusion, "Go ahead, try each other's food if you don't believe me."

"Wha– try her…", Fantina looks at him incredulously then the elf woman who appeared equally as shocked but shoots a challenging glare.

"W-Well I have no problem with it. Do as the humans say and 'put your money in your mouth' little woman.", Clawthorne remarks, pushing her tray with her food towards Fantina.

"It's 'put your money where your mouth is', tits for brains, and right back at you.", Fantina stated, pushing her own food over to the elf woman, not backing down.

Both women tried a fork full of the other's cooking and were immediately taken aback by the delicious flavors exploding on their tongues.

Clawthorne enjoyed the creamy, fluffy, and delightfully seasoned potatoes while Fantina couldn't help but be enthralled by the sweet yet tartness of the berry-rice and tender fish, one of the very few meats she could digest. Whatsmore the previous flavor of their own meals lingering, when combined with the new one, created a brand new flavor combination that–by all accounts–shouldn't work…but it did. Neither could be put into words this unique flavor.

"Well? Good right?", Sterling slyly inquired with a smirk, seeing their blissful expressions and decided to mess with them.

"Ah, it's…really delicious, I admit."

"Yeah. That elven cooking of yours isn't half bad, pretty good in fact.", Fantina admitted as well, accepting her loss for now but refusing to give up, "But don't let it go to your head! The next meal I make will be TEN times better than yours!"

"Oh please! You think that was good?! I have a MUCH more diverse palette than you're prepared for!"

"Oh yeah? Does it include burgers? Burger Queen!"

"Stop calling me that, you…Potato Goat!"

"Lame! Is that the best you got? Then I'm definitely not worried about that 'palette' of yours."

As the two argued, Sterling stayed quiet eating the rest of his food, choosing not to get involved until they tire themselves out.

'Haaa, and they're right back to square one…', he thought with an exasperated sigh.

Unbeknownst to them, the female dark from Ryan's team could be seen with her back against the wall near the doorway listening to their conversation. Her body shrouded in faint magenta mana to erase her presence as she leaves with a satisfied smirk.

…Some time later…

In Director Greenly's office, the Wood elf man could be seen at his desk on his computer with a framed photo of himself and his former human partner in view. He was currently having a Microsoft Teams meeting with an ICEP Director in Georgia and the MON team leader, Agent Lovelace, who was involved in the 'Nightmare Abduction' incident.

"As for public safety, we've been mostly been able to quell much of the outcry of liminal and human civilian after the incident thanks largely to Agent Lovelace.", the Georgia director informs.

"Nothing to it, ma'am! It's only a miracle we could regain some control. Between widespread amnesia in a small town, the Malone's operations being dismantled, and numerous liminal-related crime reports, we've had our hands full.", Lovelace informs, "By the way, how are Ms. Marequine and the others?"

"From what I heard, they're safe and well. The host, Mr. Bizzell, has been sent off temporarily to I.A. for six weeks of community service.", Greenley informs much to Lovelace's surprise.

"Whaaaat?! Why? You can't be serious!", came the voice of Marnie in the background surprising Greenley and Georgia's director.

"Uh, Agent Lovelace, this is meant to be a private meeting. Why is your subordinate here?", the Georgia Director inquires, slightly displeased.

"S-She isn't, director Reneé that was…over my cell phone. I had it on speaker, sorry.", Lovelace tries to play off as the undine's head slightly peeks from below him, discreetly wiping her mouth.

"Ms. Marnie, we can see you!", Georgia Director remarks, eyebrows raised.

"H-Hello, Director Reneé…", Marnie awkwardly waves as Lovelace rubs his head in embarrassment at being caught. Director Greenley gives a plaintive stare at their less than professional antics.

"S-Sorry, Director, it's been…so crazy lately she and the others don't want to leave my side. The power vacuum the Malones left behind has all sorts of criminals, human and liminal,making their moves lately trying to fill their position.", Lovelace informs as Marnie sits further out of view.

"We imagined that would be the case. It's one reason my department was tasked with tracking the Apophis along with the other members of the Amphetamine team.", Greenley pointed out, "So far our operatives we had tracking the remaining leads to them have gone silent."

Director Reneé and Lovelace look to him with ponderous expressions, already piecing together the outcome.

"Understood. Keep us posted on your efforts. We'll be sure to inform the other Directors in the bordering Southern states as well. They can't hide forever with so many eyes looking for them."

"Yeah, but with so much going on it's easy for those eyes to be distracted. We're already dealing with a string of female human college students going missing lately and I just learned of that two days because I was busy with other matters. We seriously need more agents.", Lovelace says, wearily rubbing his eyes.

"I am aware, Agent Lovelace, and we're working on it. We've all had our hands full since the incident with the Malones, Komanda Monstra and the Nightmare's host family.", Director Reneé assured as Greenley nodded, agreeing with her statement.

"While we're on the topic of Komanda Monstra, I want to let you know that we received a report from I.A. on the condition of the young mantis woman we brought in.", Lovelace pointed out as Greenley looks at him intrigue.

"Ah yes, the one who reports say is the last surviving member of the infamous Komanda Monstra. What is her current condition?"

"So far, still comatose after the 'Purple Flash'. Her vitals are good and she appears to be responding with the medical treatment at least her body is. However, I.A. representatives are working on putting her on trial for the murders and other crimes her group is associated with! They're working on moving her to a holding cell despite her condition! It's too risky."

"It sounds like they intend to use her as an outlet for the families and other victims harmed or killed on that day. No doubt the citizens of the state would tear her to shreds if her involvement goes public.", Greenley pointed out.

"It's inevitable that people want someone or something to vent their grief upon. Whatsmore, I was informed our operatives searched the wreckage of Komanda Monstra hideout and found, not only thousands of dollars in liminal resources, but a journal from their leader, Satella. I'll spare us all some time but our translators did find several entries involving the mantis, aka 'Hush as they called her' and they are graphic. With so much damning evidence, in all likelihood, I doubt they'll wait until she's out of a coma to hold her responsible. I wouldn't be surprised if seeing her as perfect opportunity for her be first lilima to be put on trial and be convicted.", Director Renee informs grimly

"That's insane!", Marnie blurted startling Lovelace and the others as she gets up close to the camera, "I don't care what kind of history she has, that's still just a girl. Doctors estimate she's just barely even 20 for God sake!"

"Agent Marnie, please control yourself.", Director Renee replied, trying to keep her patience.

"Honey, come on now…yeah, I know.", Lovelace gently calms down the undine as she sits on a sofa behind him still displeased, "I apologize for that outburst, Director but I have to agree. Throwing that girl to the wolves in her state is morally unethical and directly opposes what our organization stands for. Plus, there's still the issue of the enslavement collar on her neck. None of our mana specialists, even ones from overseas, have had any luck removing it!", he emphasized his point by sharing the screen to show close-up images of the black collar on the unconscious mantis.

"Strange. It doesn't look like anything we've encountered before.", Director Greenley remarks, noting its unique design.

"You're telling me. Mana specialists say that it's composed of extremely dense angelic mana and they say some other kind that they can't identify at the moment which could be attributing to her comatose state. Folks in the labs are running tests on it as we speak. Even more reason to hold off pointing fingers."

"Hmm, I'll admit that certainly complicates matters. Don't worry I'll get in touch with I.A. and try to get them to hold off on their judgment for now at least until she is in a state where she at least conscience."

"Thank you, Director.", Lovelace replies as Marnie sighs in slight relief in the background.

"Yes, well be sure to keep me informed on both of your progress. I'll be in touch at a later time. Director Greenley, give my regards to Agent Sterling.", Director Renee stated.

"Heh, I will."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance my brother from an elven mother!", Lovelace happily stated fist bumping the screen as Marnie giggled at her silly commander.

"Umm, pleasure to meet you too?", Director Greenley awkwardly, replies straining a grin before signing off from the meeting and sighing heavily leaning back in his chair. Between the events of the past couple months and the arrival of a High Elf at his office, he was feeling overwhelmed by this job. He then looks at the photo of his now deceased partner, Hammond, with a forlorn, longing gaze, "I wish you were here, Marie."

Suddenly, the phone on his desk starts ringing, bringing him from his thoughts, prompting him to press a button on it as the receptionist spoke.

'Director, you have an urgent call from an Agent Hannibal, shall I put her through?'

"Yes, you may.", Greenley says, before picking up the phone to his long ear answering in a more chipper tone, " Good Afternoon, Agent Hannibal."

He nods along as his face morphs from a small grin to a grim frown.

"Are you sure?...Where are you?...Ok, just come here at once.", He requests before hanging up the phone sighing in exasperation.

…Even later…

It was now later in the afternoon, a couple hours before the office closes, and Fantinana could be seen getting some water from a vending machine.

Unfortunately, all they had was Dasani.

She drinks from the bottle and immediately winces at the undesirable taste, "Ugh, Chaos. It's like somebody bottled stagnant water from a swimming pool."

"Well, if ain't the black sheep of ICEP.", came the jeering voice of one of the office agents. It was a tall Caucasian male human and with him was a fair-skinned human female and a male Triclops with his third eye covered by a headband to not stand out as much, "Who let you off your leash?", he asks in disdain.

Fantina looks at the trio unamused and unimpressed before replying, "First off, I'm a goat. Second, I can ask you the same. Don't you have some report or some other busywork to do or something?"

"Heh, hehe, the goat's got jokes.", the guy mocks

"She's the joke if you ask me.", the female human sneered, "A little freak her was seriously a top agent once? Give me break. ICEP must've been seriously desperate to work with a species that glorifies incest pedophilia. Yeah, that's right, we study up on species like you."

Fantina scowls at her and replies, "Don't believe everything you read. You'll just make an ass of yourself. And it's not incest, you moron."

The woman glares at her in annoyance, "Tch, undesirable freaks like you have no business being in this country ruining it for everyone else!"

"Wowww. In one sentence, you've proven you shouldn't have this job.", Fantina scoffs, "Make me wonder how desperate this organization is to hire people like you. Now if you're done wasting my time."

Fantina walks past the human woman only for her path to be blocked by the Triclops, "Move. Now."

"No. I'm not supposed to. B-Besides…you're a criminal.", he replied, giving into peer pressure as the human man nods in approval.

Fantina, losing patience, conjures a small red seal in her palm, "I said MO–"

Before she could finish, the human man kicks her from behind knocking her down to the floor.

"You guys saw that right?! She tried to attack an ICEP agent. Clearly that collar isn't enough", her coldly says as his coworker voice their agreement.

"Grr, why you fucking–"

Fantina stops upon feeling a cold metal nozzle of his pistol pointed at her forehead.

"I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you. I could off you right fucking now if I want and call it self-defense. I hate that they let you walk freely after associating with the Malones. You have any idea how many lives you helped destroy? Lives like my brother? He got addicted to that gluttony fang shit your cronies peddled on the streets. My family and I buried him last month. Couldn't handle the withdrawal so he blew his brains out. How about I return the favor?", he viciously spoke, pressing the gun harder against her skull much to her agitation as the Triclops looked to him in panic.

"I wouldn't call that self-defense", came another voice, getting the others attention as they see, to their surprise, the Halfling from Ryan's team, Hans casually strolling in, "From what I saw you antagonized, assaulted, and threatened to murder the lead agent's homestay Which depending on how look at it could even be seen as premeditation since this doesn't seem be spur the moment decision.", he remarks, strutting to the baphomets side.

"She was gonna attack him with her magic!", the woman interjected.

"Really? A spell that weak? Guess she was right about you all being morons. Seems you forgot about that." Hans said pointing to her ankle collar to Fantina's annoyance.

"What does it matter?! A monster like her–", the male worker expressed only to find his pistol no longer in his hand. He was shocked to see Halfling man examining the now disassembled pieces of his weapon.

"Another thing you forgot about is basic weapon maintenance. When's the last time you cleaned this barrel? And this spring needs to be replaced badly. I give it 60% chance of jamming if you had fired.", Hans casually explained before quickly reassembling the handgun in the blink of an eye pointing at the human man, "But still can't neglect that other 40%.", he said, staring unflinchingly.

The human man looks at him nervously, sweat building up as the baphomet stands to her feet glaring before, to his surprise, the Halfling simply hands him his weapon back. He gingerly takes it before putting it away.

"This isn't over bitch!", the male worker stated before storming off with the female and Triclops following.

Hans notices the baphomet brushing off her clothes.

"I didn't need your help, you know."

"Maybe, maybe not, still wanted to help a fellow vertically challenged person out. Besides, the last thing I need is to be stuck here on the first day trying to solve a murder.", the Halfling remarks with a shrug going to the vending machine.

"Good to know my death would be more of an inconvenience."

"That's how it seems. At least that's what I've heard so far about you. Everyone here hates you for one reason or another.", He says, selecting a diet Coke, "But, hey, what else is new? Right? It's usually how it goes."

"What are you rambling about?", Fantina skeptically asks.

"About how things work for people like us. Depending on what you are or what you can give them, humans will either love to death or hate you to death with no in between. When you serve no purpose, at best you get deported to wherever you wandered from. At worst, well, you could get put down like a lame horse.", He emphasized, making a gun gesture towards his head popping open the Coke with the other, "It all depends how far you're willing to go for them."

"Tch, so I guess you're one of the fiercely loyal types. You must make that Ryan guy proud."

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm his teammate and nothing more. We're not friends nor do I want to be his or yours. I do my job efficiently and correctly or not at all. It's not my fault if others are too stupid to understand that.", Hans says before drinking his soda, "Anyway, I'm going to enjoy the quiet while Ryan and lord Fuckwad are off checking up on some host family with a Barometz. By the way, you have terrible taste in beverages.", He remarks, gesturing to the now spilled bottle of Dasani on the floor as he left.

Fantina clenches her fists in anger what transpire in the last fifteen minutes. She hated being blamed for the crimes the Malones committed. She hated knowing they were right about her powers being used to help the criminals causing suffering to others. She hated herself knowing she could stop anytime…but didn't because it seemed easier for her coven at the time. Or was that just her way of coping? Maybe she should've just taken the bullet. She was already a coward.

'Dammit…Chaos dammit…', Fantina clenches her fists, tight enough her claws dung into her palm drawing blood.

"Fantina?", Clawthorne's voice caught her attention as she quickly wiped her eyes.

"What?"

"Um, Director Greenley wants to see you in his office. Is…everything alright?", She asks, noticing her standing alone and a bottle of spilled water on the floor.

"I'm fine. I'm going to see what your boss wants now.", Fantina plainly and dismissively replies, walking past the elf woman.

"Wait, I heard shouting earlier. Did something happ–"

"I said I'm fine!", Fantina stated as she leaves.

Clawthorne watches her leave, not believing her, then forms a green magic seal at her fingertip. All of the water collects in a ball which she throws into a nearby potted plant before tossing the bottle in the recycling bin then follows baphomet.

Fantina eventually arrived in Director Greenley's office where Sterling was waiting alongside a tall human female agent with black hair, suit, lipstick, and sunglasses indoors.

"Nice of you to join us, Ms. Fantina. I'd like you to meet Agent Hannibal.", Greenley politely spoke.

"Hey, what's up? So you're the baphomet agent slash former gangster slash new houseguest to former partner of this jackass I've heard so much about.", Agent Hannibal casually remarks, extending her welcoming hand as Sterling shoots her a look.

"Yep, that about sums it up.", Fantina remarked, shaking her hand before looking at the male elf, "So, what did you call me for?"

Greenley looks to Clawthorne and nods before which she understands and closes the door putting up a barrier of elven magic so no one could hear them. Fantina instantly senses the tension in the room.

"We received some rather troubling news from Agent Hannibal this afternoon and…well, I suppose it's best we show you."

Hannibal reaches into her suit and pulls out a small plastic freezer bag full of light purple crystalline materials plopping it onto the Director's desk to Fantina's surprise.

"Is that…?"

"Gluttony fang? It would appear so. The Amphetamine team's making their move.", Sterling finished, arms folded in displeasure, "Agent Hannibal caught a couple of dealers earlier today near some of the liminal complexes downtown."

"The bastards were trying to bring that shit into their neighborhood. Little kids live there with their families, especially...God I was ready to cave their fucking skulls in.", Hannibal bitterly spoke that such scumbags could be anywhere near Yumi and Ms. Yukimura.

"Good thing MON were able to detain them before you went feral…again. We don't need another deli incident.", Sterling remarks, while looking through a manilla folder, while Fantina inspected the bag.

"Hey! Those pricks had it coming! Let the Tengu make their delicious sandwiches in peace dammit!"

"Still, to think a couple Large Mouse would be the dealers.", Sterling spoke, looking at the photos of a male and female Large Mouse in MON report.

"What's more alarming is their boldness. They openly sell the drug in broad daylight despite ICEP units patrolling."

"I'd hardly call that 'bold'. More foolish than anything, Director.", Agent Hannibal points out.

"Still, there's something that just isn't right here.", Greenley ponders.

"Yeah, not kidding. First off, this isn't Gluttony Fang.", Fantina pointed out, getting everyone's attention.

"What? How can you tell?", Sterling curiously inquires.

"Look, I worked around Mama Rosé men for a while, I've seen so much of their products I got sick of it. This right here? This is not Raynell's product. The color is diluted, the texture is way too opaque and I'm pretty sure I see black marks where they likely burned it. I don't know who made this but it's amateur at best."

"So what you're saying is…there's someone trying to take over the Malone's enterprise with a knockoff version of their drug.", Clawthorne spoke.

"Figures. A power vacuum that big was bound to attract their competitors or former business partners sooner or later.", Greenley bitterly added.

"The real question is who would be daring and foolish enough to try to take over the Malones business?", Sterling inquires.

…Elsewhere…

Back at the Amphetamine Team's safe house, in the dimly lit basement, the large dark purple lamia woman could be seen curled up in a corner on a large queen bed quietly snoozing.

Despite her species technically being corpuscular, she tends to suffer from bouts of narcolepsy when too much venom builds up in her system. Hopefully, she will expend her excess in William's latest batch soon.

Suddenly, the door upstairs audibly clicks open prompting her cobra-like hood to unfurl slightly, glowing purple eyes cutting through the dark as she senses, through their vibrations, two figures entering her space.

It was William and Adelaide. Both having just returned from their investigation.

"Sorry to wake you Raynell.", William spoke.

"Ah, William, no troubles. Is it nighttime already?", She calmly asked with a warm grin.

"No, Mistress, I'm afraid we have a big problem we need to deal with. Sooner rather than later.", William responds as Adelaide conjures a yellow seal in front of him, plopping a bag of fake Gluttony Fang they confiscated from a dealer in his hand. He clutches it in his hand spitefully, "Someone is out there copying my formula! Badly I might add!"

She raises a curious eyebrow, then slightly raises her upper body, unfurling her hood as the patterns glow like a purple demonic face, "Is that so?"

"Qui(Yes), but fortunately for us, our Fitzpatrick ally was helpful enough to find us a lead", Adelaide chimes in before snapping her finger, summoning a larger yellow magic seal on the floor between them and Raynell.

Rising out from the seal, in fetal position, was a male Large Mouse in a small green hoodie. He jerks up, feeling his senses returning.

"Ah! What the? Where am I?!", he questions, frantically looking around before noticing William and Adelaide, the latter innocently waving with a smile, "You assholes?! Where am–"

"Oh my, so, you're the informant? Or should I say 'rat', huhuhu?"

The male Large Mouse visibly tenses up then looks behind him to see a giant snake woman towering over him, staring down with menacing purple eyes and a hungry smirk. He feels every nerve in his body cease to function, unable to overcome her piercing gaze.

William and Adelaide turn and leave the room, leaving their mistress to her meal while knowing they'd have all the information they need soon.

"Why don't you make this easy and tell me who you work for, hmm? I promise, if you cooperate, I'll treat you to some…exquisite.", Raynell whimsically spoke, her sweet words enchanting and hypnotic to the mouse man who quickly became oblivious to her large tail coiling around him, blocking any chance of escape. She opens her arm out, drawing him closer to the serpent's maw as he begins to tell her everything he knew.

…Elsewhere…

In a large warehouse at the border between Alabama and Georgia, several figures in black ceremonial cloaks could be seen gathered around a makeshift altar.

"Bring in the next batch of followers!", an obscured yet imposing figure commanded, their voice almost like a roar.

At that moment, several more cloaked figures approach each with a young human woman desperately struggling in their captor's iron-clad grasp.

"Let us go!"

"What is this place?!"

"I'm not into this freaky shit!"

"Who are you people?!"

"WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO TO USSSSS?!"

"SILENCE!", The imposing figure roared, their voice sending shockwaves through the area and shaking each human woman to the core as fear overtook their hearts. The figure smiles as their pearly white sharp teeth and demonic red eyes cut through the shadow. "You're in my house."

At that moment, every other cloaked figure in the room grabs said and tears it away from their bodies revealing themselves as female reptilian liminals.

Their arms and legs with composed of hard black and violet scales and ended in wicked sharp, curved reptilian claws with one bigger hook claw similar to a velociraptor. Each had a long reptilian tail protruding from their back, black scaly ears protruding from dark purple hair along with jagged black horns. They each had athletic yet very curvaceous figures with fair, beautiful human skin, firm breasts ranging B to D cup, sharp teeth accompanied by a forked tongue, and violet eyes. All wear scantily clad in tight fitting black thongs that hugged their plump thighs and butt and dark purple metal bikini-like tops barely covering their breasts. Overall, flaunting their sexy figures with unwavering pride. Dragonewts.

All wore deranged, lustful smiles of unfettered excitement snickering as they focused on the new humans.

Every human female is left shocked speechless and horrified as their eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing nightmarish creatures. Suddenly, even the ones restraining them removed their hood revealing themselves as fellow Dragonewts; a few playfully scaring the humans, licking and gnashing teeth near them to invoke a response as they shrieked in terror.

Suddenly, the imposing figure steps closer into the light, their black and violet scaly, reptilian clawed feet with flexible red scales protruding at the joints like feathers clacking against the floor and matching arms with clawed digits swinging all carefree. Their long, powerful black tails swayed with each step as their large, menacing black draconian wings partially unfurl like the cape of a monarch. Large, curved black horns protruded from her long snow-white hair along with her black reptilian ears. She had more petite and short stature, barely over four feet, compare to the dragonewts that served her but carried with an abundance of self-importance and high-esteem. Her attire, like the others, left little to the imagination with a black thong and satin silk loincloth, black crop top, and strange black symbols on her plump thighs and slender tummy. On her neck, unnoticeable by most, was a dark purple bite mark scar she often tried to hide. She smiles wickedly at the human females walking towards them while the dragonewts kneeled as she passed. A Malef Dragon.

At the same moment, the other dragonewts forced the human females to their knees.

"W-W-W-Who are you? W-W-What do you want?", one human female stutters as the small dragon woman eyes bore deep into her soul, malicious auto seeping around her.

"What do I want?", The Malef Dragon mockingly asks with a smile, her tone regal yet playful, reaching her black claw towards the human woman who recoils fearfully trying to pull away. She trembles from dragon's cool, hard scaly fingers against her skin, "I want loyal followers for my empire. As for who I am…", She emphasized as the claws radiates a menacing violet energy. The sharp end rests against the woman's throat as she look up in horror at the dragon woman grinning wickedly, "You can call me 'Malo', your new empress."

At that moment, her claws swipe across the human woman's neck, as the human stares in shock before neck slit open spewing crimson liquid onto the floor as the other human female cried out in terror. The dragonewts let's the lifeless human drop to the floor in a pool of her blood before it begins to radiate with violet energy and get sucked into her body. The human woman's body violently convulses and spasms on the floor as the others looks utterly terrified and confused.

"Rhaaaaaa! Ugh hgghhh!", the woman cries out in agony as her body violently contorts like something out of Exorcist. Her bones and muscles rapid expands and contract to unnatural positions growing in size and shape tear through her clothes. Her body radiates violet aura human arms and legs transform into black and violet reptilian claws, her teeth become longer and sharper as her skull and jaw bones reshape themselves. A black reptilian tail gradually expands and pushed through her lower back as Malo and her Kin watch in satisfaction. The woman brown hair changes dark purple as her horns sprout from her skull and her ears change to match the dragonewts.

All the while, the other human female were crying, praying, or too stunned to even respond anymore as the woman's transformation was soon completed.

She looked around dazed, her mind not fully processing what was happening, but felt an indescribable sense of freedom and power. So much so, she didn't even fight back when Malo grabbed her hand and raised to her reptilian feet.

"Welcome to the family.", Malo remarks with a pleased smile as the newly transformed dragonewts smiles back. One of the other dragonewts goes to her side, "I will leave the rest to you, teach her well."

"Yes, empress."

"Now…", Malo looks to the other human females to add to her hoard, "Who else wants to be reborn? Haha, trick question. You all are."

One by one, each of the human females is transformed in dragonewts subordinate. Their screams of agony echoing through the walls of the building as their last thralls of humanity are silenced forever. By the end, the Malef Dragon walk through her now increased horde of loyal followers towards a door to another room.

She flings the door open startling the several half-naked Large Mice inside. The entire room was repurposed into a makeshift meth lab with old lab equipment scavenged from a dumpster and several bottles of ingredients from Ammonia to various over-the-counter medicines. Many of the Large Mice were chained to large cinder blocks, restricting much of their movements.

"How's production?", She demanded, as they visibly trembled.

"G-Going well, Empress! We just finished the latest! You can infuse your mana whenever you're ready!", A female Large Mouse nervously stated, gesturing to a pile of clear, slightly charred crystalline materials.

"Perfect.", the short black dragoness smirks in satisfaction, grabbing a fist full of the drugs. Violet colored energy radiates from her claw, changing the color of the crystalline drugs, "Upon these rocks, I shall build my empire. Then once I've accumulated enough power, I'm coming for you. Raynell.", She bitterly growled, baring her teeth as she clutched the dark purple bite scar near the crook of her neck.

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…WN…

Sup fam! How's everyone been? Me? Eh…a whole lotta bullshit on my end I've been struggling to deal with but holding on still. This chapter, and another, took longer to complete. In fact, I'm still only halfway done with the other so I should really get back to that.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'm really happy I was able to include the Malef Dragon in the story. I don't know, I think a personality like hers fits in this universe.

Big thanks to my beta readers and Co-writer Sandshrewmaster and be sure to let me know what you liked in this chapter. What works, what doesn't, constructive opinions are valued. That's all for now. Be sure to hug you parents, drink water, get some sleep, let the Tengu's cook, and I'll see y'all later. Peace Fam!