And Boom Goes the Dynamite

Sam let out a weary sigh. She had spent the past two hours dealing with logistics for the empire’s troops. They still suffered losses, but she managed to reduce them drastically. She was pleasantly surprised to learn she got some CP for doing that. It became more annoying when she heard reports of a black dragon causing havoc along the front lines. She learned it was Ellen who had taken either hers or Mary’s shape, and had been appearing from nowhere, sometimes in the middle of an encampment, unleashing a breath weapon and then running off.

Sam was tempted to pursue each time but didn’t, as she thought it might be a trap, and despite the annoyance, they were still advancing towards Smug’s lair. Eventually she headed back to the capital when Laura reached out that her group was on their way back. When she made it back to the capital, it was shortly after lunchtime, and she found out Mary and company had arrived only shortly before she had.

Everyone was still munching on lunch in the courtyard. As soon as Allie saw Sam, she skipped over to her and brought her a plate. “We saved some for you.”

Sam smiled as she took the plate. “So it seems like there’s a team meeting going on.”

Sadie nodded. “Yeah… I wanted to talk to all of you about something. So… I… I kind of lied about what my hint was.”

Allie, Isa, and Talia all narrowed their eyes at Sadie. Brooke smiled, glad to see Sadie was coming clean, while Laura and Sam withheld judgment until they knew more.

Sadie awkwardly continued, “I didn’t tell you all the truth because I figured it would cause trouble. My actual hint was that the last place person on each team would eventually be given a chance to sabotage their own team for personal gain.”

Allie and Isa were immediately apprehensive, as with three of them incapacitated, right now would be an extremely opportune time for her betrayal.

Brooke saw Allie and Isa worry. “Don’t worry, you two. I already knew, and Sadie isn’t intending to betray the team.”

Sadie looked a little uncomfortable. “So… that’s actually why I’m telling you all this. I’d… well… I get points if I can successfully delay our attack past tomorrow. I get a lot more points if we wait until challenge day. I also get points for other things like incapacitating any of you, or denying us important resources.”

Sam said, “And you want us to let that happen?”

Sadie cringed. “I mean… maybe some of it. I’m not betraying the team. End of story, but… I technically don’t have to betray all of you to earn the extra points. Smug just told me I needed to buy as much time as I could, and the method was up to me. So, I’m simply asking.”

Laura started laughing, finding the entire situation hilarious.

Mary, who was currently resting her head on Talia’s lap, said, “I’d prefer to have this whole thing over with as soon as possible, but it’s your call.”

Allie said, “Sorry, Sadie, but no. I’m against it. I know you’ve been trying to prioritize the team, and that has cost you, but if you get a bunch of points off this, then that leaves Isa and me at the bottom of the rankings instead. You’re asking us to suffer instead.”

Sam agreed, “Sorry, but I’m with Allie on this. We have a significant level advantage over them, and you should earn a bunch of points when we attack them tomorrow morning.”

There were general nods of agreement all around. Sadie sighed, “I figured, but thought I’d ask.”

Mary sat up. “Well, we should probably wait until tomorrow afternoon, actually.” Everyone looked curiously at Mary. Which turned even more interested as Mary pulled down her top and pulled out a mixing cup. Mary felt uncomfortable with everyone staring as she threw various ingredients into the cup and then squeezed out some breast milk, put on the top, and started shaking vigorously. When she finished, she poured the contents into two glasses and handed one to Allie and one to Isa. “My seventeenth level ability is an incapacitation removal with no limit on how long you can have been incapacitated for. It won’t recharge for 24 hours, but thanks to my recharge stone, I can make two of them right now. I suppose one of those could go to Brooke instead, and then you can go power level together.” Mary pulled the top of her dress back up, though several people were still staring at her breasts.

Sam said, “Allie, I know you probably want you and Isa to take it, but I really think it should be Brooke. There is an already growing horde of infected that we could work on thinning out. Mary already showed that she could get rid of the curse and then the infection using Brooke’s boon.”

Isa sighed and simply handed her milkshake over to Brooke. Brooke took it, eyed it strangely, glanced at Mary, sighed, then downed it. Allie followed suit soon after.

Isa said, “I guess I just stay here while all of you go power level, then?” (Isa doesn’t like being left all alone…) Isa looked down at her paw covered hands. I still have two more orgasms to give with my mouth.

Mary said, “I’m actually going to hang back. While I’m not max level, I don’t want to eat up too much of the experience and rewards for the others. You’ve all got this. I believe in you.”

There was a thump, thump, thump sound coming from Isa’s tail, which everyone noticed, causing her to cover her face in embarrassment. Sam said, “Well, don’t get too tired before tonight, love.” Sam leaned over to kiss Mary. “Because I’m going to be a bit more insistent than your wife.”

Sam shifted into a dragon, and everyone but Mary and Isa climbed on her back as she flew south to deal with the horde of new infected.

Mary looked to Isa and her still thumping tail. (Oh, please tell Isa you were really staying back for her!)

Mary chuckled and walked over to Isa. She hooked a finger through Isa’s collar and pulled her into a kiss. It lasted a long time and ended when Isa heard a single clink of metal. She tried to pull back to figure out what the sound was, but Mary yanked on the leash she had just attached to Isa’s collar, pulling her back into a kiss.

After another minute, Mary finally let the leash have some slack as she moved to whisper into Isa’s ear. “Who’s my good girl? Hmm?”

Isa’s tail was thumping madly. (ISA! ISA IS YOUR GOOD GIRL!)

Mary reached up and started scritching Isa’s ears as she continued, “Who’s my pretty girl? Hmm?”

Isa’s legs started bouncing as she pushed her head into Mary’s hand. (IT’S ISA! WOOF!)

Mary smiled, “Is it you? Are you my pretty little princess? My good girl? Because puppies don’t wear clothes.”

Every part of Isa went completely still. What? Oh GOD!

Mary asked, “Is my good girl going to finally be honest about what she wants, or am I taking off this leash?”

Isa sat there frozen as her heart raced and she got more and more turned on.

“Hmm…” Mary began musing, “I guess you might not be my good girl, since good girls don’t think; they obey. So I’ll ask one last time. Are you my good girl?” Mary pulled just enough on the leash so it was taut and then slowly ran her other hand up along it towards Isa’s collar, clearly intent on removing it if her hand reached the clasp.

Isa bit her lip and slowly reached up to her shoulders and pushed off the straps of her dress, letting it fall around her waist. Mary stopped moving her hands closer to the clasp, but resumed when Isa hesitated to continue removing her clothes. She nervously reached around her back and unclasped her bra, causing Mary to stop once again. Mary’s staring had already caused Isa’s panties to become a wet mess. Isa pulled away slightly from Mary to raise her hips out of her chair to pull her dress the rest of the way down. Finally, her wet panties came off.

Isa remained frozen, sitting in the chair, but her body was practically screaming with excitement to Mary. (OH GOD! OH GOD! OH GOD! ISA CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!)

Mary smiled. “Good girls don’t climb on the furniture unless invited up first.”

Isa’s body moved nearly on instinct, much to her own embarrassment and enjoyment, as she slid out of her chair and crouched on the ground and Mary’s feet.

Mary reached down and scratched behind Isa’s ears. “Good Girl!”

Isa shuddered, and her tail began thumping. (YEEEESSSSS! MORE!)

Mary pulled slightly on the leash to tilt Isa’s head up. “Stand up. We’re going on a walk.” Isa hesitated for a second, but a slight tug on the leash caused her to comply. Mary tugged on the leash, bringing Isa close to her, and Mary wrapped an arm around Isa. “Before we continue, I want to set a few rules. First and foremost, if you talk like a person, you stop being my puppy, understand?”

“Woof!” (Yes!) Isa covered her face in embarrassment with both paws as she nodded. Why did I just woof? FUCKING HELL!

“Good, because I want you to know you have an out if things get too intense. Second, if you climax before those paws come off, we’re done. So restrain yourself. Finally, I want you to know that I did this while everyone else was away intentionally. We might interact with Freya and Slevia, but no one will touch you besides me without your permission. Whether or not you are still my puppy by the time the others get back will be completely up to you, but you’ll have to make a choice by the time my suite doors close tonight. If you’re still my good girl when they close, you’ll remain that way until morning. Do you understand?”

Isa hesitated, tilted her head to the side, and then slowly nodded, but seemed slightly unsure.

Mary could hear her uncertainty. “Isa, I’m serious about that. This is Sam’s and Brooke’s night with me, so if they don’t want you involved and you choose to stay in the room, you will sit like a good girl at the foot of the bed. Do I make myself clear?”

Isa gulped and nodded.

Mary smiled. “Good girl.” Mary patted Isa’s cheek. “Now let’s take you for a walk.”

Mary started to lead Isa through the palace. Mary purposefully walked past the various NPC ASTRIDs as she figured it would cause Isa quite a bit of embarrassment to be seen like this, but it was also a way to minimize it since they were all ASTRIDs. It was only after a bit more than twenty minutes of walking through the palace halls that Mary brought her back to her suite.

Mary led Isa towards the bed, then unclipped the leash. Mary sat down on the bed. When Isa moved to sit next to her, Mary said sternly, “NO! Bad Girl! I told you before you need to be invited up on the furniture. Now sit!”

Isa let out a sad little whimper, but complied.

As soon as she was sitting, Mary said, “That’s a good girl. Now does my good girl want bed privileges?”

Isa nodded vigorously. (Isa wants to join Mary in bed. Isa is a very good girl. Let Isa into bed!)

Mary hiked her skirt and took off her panties. “Then prove to me you’re a very good girl.” Mary spread her legs apart.

Isa didn’t hesitate. She put both her hands on the ground as she learned that if she caused any pleasure with anything physically besides her mouth, her counter to remove the mittens wouldn’t be removed. Isa started licking Mary’s pussy, like it was the most delicious ice cream cone she’d ever had. In fact, it did currently taste like peanut brittle ice cream, one of Isa’s favorites.

Mary remained sitting, but as Isa got more intense, focusing on Mary’s clit, she lay back with her knees over the side of the bed. Mary grabbed the sides of Isa’s head and started kneading her scalp.

Mary had her eyes closed, but she could hear Isa’s tail going thump thump thump. Mary started to let out low whimpers of pleasure as she straightened her legs, doing her best to keep them from thrashing. Eventually she wrapped them around Isa to keep from hitting her with them. Mary, still not used to pleasure like this, was overwhelmed as she came. Her legs went slack and fell to Isa’s sides.

Isa kept licking Mary, but slowed considerably and was particularly gentle while she continued. Isa eventually stopped after a bit longer. After another minute of Mary just lying there in bliss, Isa started pawing at Mary’s leg and let out a needy whimper to get her attention.

Mary tried sitting up, but her body wasn’t cooperating at the moment, so she weakly said, “Isa… Up!” Mary flicked her fingers, motioning for Isa to come up on the bed. Isa happily accepted the invitation and curled up next to Mary, nuzzling her affectionately. Mary managed to move her hand to rest on Isa’s head and started gently petting her. They just lay there together for a while, enjoying the feel of the other’s body pressed up against them.

Isa said, “Thank you, Mary.”

“You’re welcome, but for what?” Mary stopped petting Isa.

“That was a treat. A scary, exhilarating, and embarrassing treat, but a treat.”

“Did I go too far?”

Isa shook her head. “No. I spoke because I needed to be done, not because I was uncomfortable. If we continued… I’m pretty sure I would have cummed just from the puppy play.”

“Interesting…” Mary said mischievously.

“No,” Isa replied sternly. “Not interesting. I need to give one more orgasm with my mouth or take it doggy style before I can take off these mittens. If I climax, then that resets to ten.”

“Interesting… for later, then.” Mary continued to tease Isa. “Isa… Earlier Allie made a good point.”

Isa cocked her head to the side, and Mary found it so very adorable and dog-like.

Mary said, “About us. I care about you, and want you. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

Isa propped herself up on an elbow and grinned slyly down at Mary.

Mary rolled her eyes and continued. “Yeah, I know this is all out of order, but I’d like to make myself clear here. This isn’t me asking for you to be part of a throuple with Allie and me. That’s already a thing. I mean, I want you independent of Allie as well. You aren’t an extension of her, and you deserve my undivided attention at times, just like she does.”

Isa considered Mary’s words. “This is a conversation that should involve Allie, but yes, obviously.”

Mary pulled Isa down into a hug.

Isa hugged her back, then sat back up. “I want to clarify that for me. Us…” Isa pointed back and forth between herself and Mary. “Comes second after us…” Isa pointed between the two of them and then flicked her finger to an empty third spot, making a triangle. “That fine with you?”

Mary smiled. “Of course. Now, as great as that was, I mostly just needed to blow off some steam from the temple, as I just got really, really worked up there.”

“Still tired?” Isa asked.

“A bit, yeah. I believe Sam was completely serious about wanting more than simple cuddles, and considering Brooke is going to be with us… I’m fairly certain she’ll be rather cross if I’m spent by then.”

Isa lay back down next to Mary and nuzzled her. “So, simple cuddles.” The two repositioned so they could properly lie down on the bed and pillows. As they got comfortable with Isa as the big spoon and Mary’s tail coiled around Isa’s leg, a note appeared on the nightstand.

Mary reached out for the note, and after briefly skimming it, she started chuckling as she read it aloud. “To my darling Isa. As your doting Grandmother, I thought it only proper to get you a nice pair of mittens and slippers. You’ll be able to keep the paws instead of them vanishing; also, as a treat, I knocked off one orgasm for you. Now you can continue to be Mary’s good girl by choice and keep them on. With Love, Grandma Cass.”

Isa had her arms around Mary and didn’t immediately move to remove the paws.

Mary reached up behind her and scritched Isa’s ears. “That’s right, you are my good girl.”

---

Symbietta had been harassing the military for the better part of four hours. She had seen Samantha come to chase her off a few times, and saw when Samantha had flown north towards the capital. She had also seen her return with a bunch of people on her back.

Luckily for her, Merida had sent Mira, Hilde, and Kitty as reinforcements to continue the guerrilla tactics. Kitty’s infection arrows had been updated with the new plague, and she would start outbreaks and then flee. Hilde mostly made sure that the other team didn’t head for the new idol without them knowing about it. Hilde did get nervous a few times as Talia managed to get her in her sights, but Hilde managed to keep far enough away and on the move that the time bubbles Talia was able to put her in weren’t strong enough to lock her down.

Symbietta had been thinking about how they could actually get the bomb to go off, and kept coming back to the problem that without someone standing guard over the bomb, the other team would manage to stop it from going off.

Both sides kept pushing back the other for several hours, with the empire forces slowly advancing and beating back the horde of infected. Symbietta also noticed that Samantha seemed to always know where she was whenever she got too close to her, as she would head straight for her to chase her off. When Hilde and Kitty reported the same thing, Symbietta came up with a plan to use the bomb.

---

Allie scowled as Brooke stabbed her in the back for the umpteenth time to remove the curse and infection from her. While her plague resistance had been boosted with item upgrades, she still wasn’t immune. She was also getting annoyed as, while she was tearing through the horde of infected, she couldn’t mow down nearly as many as Laura or Samantha could.

Hilde had also been a nuisance, and she didn’t like it, but the team had agreed that no one would actually chase the other team members that far, and it was to primarily be Samantha’s Laura's and Talia’s job to do that. Sadie’s mice network proved invaluable, and each team member had two or three with them at all times, as Sadie had unlocked the ability to communicate through her bonded companions, making her a communication hub for the entire army and team.

It was how they had detected Kitty and Symbietta so quickly, as Sadie would just have Sam relocate in the general vicinity and then Sam’s amulet would pick them up. They did learn that Kitty’s boon did make the amulet far less effective while it was active.

Sadie had also pointed out that Mira was around, typically with Kitty, likely for quick escapes.

Since most of their efforts only slowed their progress south, Sadie was content with letting things continue. When one of her mice out in the fields where the infected were coming from saw most of the opposing team teleport in, things changed. Sadie said to everyone through the mice, “Something is happening. I just got Kitty, Hilde, Aubrey, Mira, Merida, Mark, and nearly a dozen orcs teleporting into a clearing behind the infected.”

Sam asked Sadie, “Are you sure? Because I’m not detecting them with my amulet.”

Sadie repeated Sam’s question for everyone else, then replied, “Yes, I think they might have figured out your approximate detection range, as they are just outside it if you were past our frontline. We haven’t been very subtle about sending you to chase them off. Well shit. I just lost the mouse that had eyes on them. Moving a few more towards them now.”

The group fell back behind the frontline to make sure no one was caught out. When they regrouped, Allie asked, “You didn’t mention Ellen; it seems odd that she wasn’t part of that group. Have you seen her?”

Sadie shook her head, and Talia responded, “Ellen might not be with them, or one of them might actually be Ellen; remember she can shapeshift.”

Allie nodded in acknowledgment of Talia’s point.

Sadie said, “Okay, I got a few more mice with eyes on them. They’re buffing right now. It looks like they are planning to attack.”

Laura asked, “Shouldn’t I just use my meteor swarm? With my auto-targeting, I should get them. That would make tomorrow a cakewalk.”

Talia shook her head. “Remember, Merida can create illusions. Could be that only one of them is actually there. That would be a massive waste. Even if it would clear out a lot of the horde. Besides, your spell wouldn’t be as effective as before since you used a charge from your raiment on it last time.”

Sadie said, “They’re on the move.”

Shortly after, Samantha also detected the group. “I think I’ve got them. It's sort of hard to pinpoint them with so many infected around them.”

Laura asked, “Are we going to fight them or not?”

Sadie said, “We are, but don’t overcommit. We have time for this siege, but if you can go one for one without risking capture, take the opportunity, as we have better recovery methods. I’ll stay here to coordinate, as it looks like they are splitting up.”

Allie said, “I think Talia should stay back. I know she is powerful, but she’s also going to be their target. She’s also a major source of recovery for us.”

Talia said, “Absolutely not. I’m going where Laura is going.”

Sam said, “Allie, she and Laura can ride on my back. If I’m flying, they should be safe.”

Allie didn’t think so, but didn’t want to argue with her girlfriend either. Allie and Brooke headed out on Bertha towards where Aubrey and the orcs were headed, while Laura, Talia, and Sam headed for the second group. About thirty seconds after Sam had flown off towards the second group with Talia in tow, the entire second group vanished.

The next second, Sadie saw one of her guards transform into Merida, snapping her fingers and saying, “Sleep.”

Ellen immediately reached out to Symbietta, “You aren’t planning on doing exactly what Mark told us not to do, are you?”

Symbietta said, “Mark actually explicitly said if we had captured her stealthily, he wouldn’t have had the same issues with it, so shush.”

Lucia actually agreed with Symbietta on this and let her continue.

Symbietta said, “Sadie, you feel extremely relaxed and trusting.”

“I… I am relaxed.”

Symbietta transformed into Lucia’s form and spoke, “You trust me, right?” Hearing her speak with Laura’s voice, Sadie nodded. “You need to tell Samantha that you saw Ellen planting a bomb on the far side of the troop encampment.” Sadie nodded and relayed the message. “Sadie, were you given a chance to betray the team?”

“Yes. I already told you as such earlier.” Sadie sounded confused.

“Sadie, you should take the opportunity.” Symbietta said, “It only makes sense because of your low placement.”

“No,” Sadie replied.

“Sadie, do you want to take last place?”

“No.”

“If you don’t take this chance, you’ll wind up in last place. So you should take the chance.”

“No!” Sadie said with a bit more force, even though she remained in a trance.

Ellen said, “You’re fine with getting her to betray her team, but not us?”

Symbietta replied, “No, because if I succeed here, she isn’t betraying her team. I would think she was a bitch if she just accepted, but my actual intent was to illustrate a point to both of you. Even in a trance, she’s refusing. From the sound of it, she already told her team about the offer too. Like you should do.”

Symbietta said to Sadie, “Sadie, the enemy is behind our lines. Will you let me take you to safety?” Symbietta then shifted into Merida’s form again.

“Yes.”

Having received her consent, Symbietta used Merida’s ability to teleport away and took Sadie along with her. As soon as they were outside of the capital city, Symbietta transformed back into a near-perfect likeness of Laura. “Sadie, I managed to retrieve the most recent idol. Would you be willing to take it to the temple of Cassandra for me?”

“Really? Of course I would.” Sadie sounded extremely excited. Symbietta took out the bomb Chloe and Mira had made and set the timer.

She then put the bomb into Sadie’s haversack. “I put the idol in your pack, and you should deliver it to the temple right away.”

“Deliver the idol to the temple.”

“You know that it is imperative that you do this, and shouldn’t let anything distract you or prevent you from doing this.”

“Idol to the temple. I got it,” She droned.

Symbietta transformed back into Merida and started cloaking herself. “On the count of three, you’ll wake and forget having talked to anyone since you sent Sam after the bomb Ellen was planting.” Sadie nodded. Symbietta counted down, and as she finished her countdown, she teleported away, and Sadie, after a moment regaining her bearings, quickly flew towards the capital.

Back at the troop encampment, everyone was scrambling, looking for Sadie. Sam had quickly figured out that something strange was going on, as she wasn’t detecting Ellen with her amulet where Sadie said she was, but figured that it was possible Ellen could hide from the amulet under certain conditions. Then she thought she detected a new enemy in the direction of Sadie for a moment, but it vanished quickly. Sam tried contacting Sadie and got no response. The flicker of an enemy and its disappearance a moment later on her amulet happened again. Sam immediately rushed towards Sadie’s location, but by the time she had gotten to the tent, Sadie was gone, and the guards present were all entranced.

Sam swore as she stomped the ground. “FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!” Laura and Talia both put a hand on her shoulder to calm her.

Talia then moved around towards the guards and started shaking them awake and asking what they remembered. Talia was a bit surprised to learn that they overheard everything Ellen had said to Sadie, and that Sadie absolutely refused to betray their team. What she was not pleased to hear was that Sadie had been captured again.

Allie and Brooke showed up on the back of Bertha. Allie said, “What the hell is going on? Bertha turned around all of a sudden and sprinted back here.”

Bertha started snorting, and Sam, Laura, and Talia could all understand her. Sam grabbed Brooke by the arm as she transformed into a dragon and practically threw her friend onto her back as she rocketed north towards the capital.

Allie said, “Could someone please explain what is going on?”

Talia said, “Apparently Ellen transformed into Merida and hypnotized Sadie. She then got Sadie’s consent to let her take her to safety and teleported her elsewhere. Bertha here just told us that she’s still connected with Sadie’s senses, and while that is usually so Sadie can see through Bertha’s eyes and ears, the reverse is also true. Bertha heard and saw everything Ellen is having Sadie do. Sadie currently has some sort of bomb and is taking it to the cathedral in the capital city, but also ignoring Bertha. I think the plan is to incapacitate Sadie while also destroying the church, preventing us from cleansing the idol.”

Allie asked, “Why did Sam leave us behind then? And why take Brooke?”

Laura replied, “She needs speed, and Sam’s the fastest of us without question, but Sam also doesn’t want to walk into a trap alone, and Brooke is both a fighter and healer. Sam would be slower carrying everyone, but I might have a faster method of helping.”

Laura reached out to Mary. “Mary? Mary? Can you hear me, Mary?” Laura didn’t feel like she was making a connection, then she remembered what Mary had said about the intended direction of worship and inwardly groaned. “My beautiful, fellow goddess Mary, can you hear me?” Laura felt like she made contact but found Mary sleeping. “MARY, WAKE UP!”

“Laura…? Why are you shouting in my head?”

“Sadie is carrying a bomb into the capital towards the cathedral right now. Sam is flying north as fast as she can, but I don’t know if she’ll make it in time. I’m counting on you to stop her. Sadie is not betraying us; she’s been hypnotized by Ellen to think it is the most recent idol.”

Mary shot out of bed, much to Isa’s annoyance. “What? How can Ellen do that?”

“She shifted into Merida; apparently that gives her the ability to do it. Just hurry.”

“I’ll do my best. Stay safe yourself.” Mary cut off the connection as she went in search of Sadie.

Laura turned to those still in the military encampment. “Talia, I think I should use the meteor swarm to push them back here, and then we all head back to the capital.”

Talia nodded. “No. I just realized that the bomb might be a dirty bomb, it’s what I would do if I were on their team. If it goes off, that spell might be the easiest way to neutralize the infected and stop the capital from being overwhelmed.”

Laura did go to the fortifications the troops had set up and put down several large AOEs to help the troops, and aimed for Aubrey, shooting a few powerful shots in her direction, throwing a lot of extra mana into her lust bolts to increase her range. The blasts hit Aubrey and some of the orcs, causing them to retreat, and Laura saw them teleport away with Merigold. With that taken care of, the rest of the heroes mounted Bertha and headed north, hoping that there wouldn’t be an outbreak to deal with when they got there.

---

Mary was soaring over the city and attempting to pick up Sadie’s scent. She had passed word to the guards to locate her and stop her without harming her if possible. Not picking up her scent at the main gate, Mary decided to head straight towards the Cathedral, which was fortunate, as she saw Sadie floating up the steps. Mary flew towards the ground and landed in front of Sadie, hard, cracking the stone steps as she transformed into her human form.

Sadie let out a startled shriek at the sudden appearance of Mary.

Mary shouted, “Where is the idol?”

Sadie patted her pack. “Right here. Laura told me to get it to the temple.”

“Sadie, that wasn’t Laura, but Lucia. She’s tricking you. Give me the idol.”

Sadie clutched her pack. “No. Laura entrusted me with this. I need to get it to the cathedral. Besides, how do I know you aren’t secretly Lucia in disguise, simply trying to snatch the idol away from me?”

“Because if I were Lucia, there would be nothing preventing me from incapacitating you and simply taking it and flying away.”

Sadie’s lips narrowed. “That does make some sense, but are you sure? I’m pretty sure Laura gave me the latest idol.”

Mary growled in frustration and scooped Sadie up in her arms. “Fine.” Mary then flew into the cathedral to the altar as fast as she could and put Sadie down, much to Sadie’s disappointment. “PETRA! ETHEL!” Several Priestess Petras came to them; it looked like Ethel wasn’t here. “Petra, please take the idol from Sadie for cleansing; it’s in her pack. DO IT QUICKLY! It’s actually trapped with a bomb. Sadie, you would trust the Petras, right?”

“I suppose. I brought it here; I guess my work is done. If there’s really a bomb, I won’t stop you.”

One of the Petras hurried over after hearing there was potentially a bomb and searched through Sadie’s bag. She pulled out the bomb, and her eyes went wide as she put it in front of Mary.

Mary swore, “FUCK!” There was a timer on the bomb, and there wasn’t long left. Mary turned to Sadie, gave her a quick kiss on the lips, and grabbed the bomb. “This wasn’t your fault. I’m heading due west for the lake. Send Sam and Brooke for my body.” Mary transformed mid-flight as she hurdled towards the doors of the cathedral and headed due west as fast as she could. Mary could hear it go tick, tick, tick as she flew towards the city walls and crossed them. Mary was headed for the lake to the west of the capital, but checking the bomb as she flew, she realized the only way she would get the bomb in the water was if she took it all the way.

Mary saw it read five seconds as she dove into the water. She let go of the bomb, letting momentum carry it deeper as she tried to distance herself as much as possible. It went off just as she crested the water.

+11 CP Incapacitated Opponent (Ellen)
+5 CP Incapacitated Assist (Chloe)
+1 CP Incapacitation Assist (Merida)