The Mad One: Part Two (rough draft)

The City of Neon was not too far from the City of Red Tide, but the two cities had never had any sort of union. The Neon Acolytes were more of the peaceful sort, whereas Red Tide and Red Witch were more, let’s just say, willing to throw punches. It was because of this that Red Witch never saw a need to integrate with the Neon Acolytes. As such, the two cities remained neutral to one another. Which was, for the City States, was a strange and precarious bond.

The Neon City was ruled over by Queen Mazza Hemlock, a powerful thaumaturgist who was able to keep her city in a perpetual shadow so that the neon would always shine brightest. I had always been a strange sight for Mad One to see when she was young. Often traveling with Red Witch, she would see the Neon City upon the hill, both shrouded in darkness yet glowing with the bright neon. It was rumored that Mazza stayed in a perpetual state of meditation in order to keep the city shrouded. Mad One had never delved too far into Neon City to know much about it aside from the Rotting Nectar they make. A highly alcoholic drink that tastes like candy, but can also make the drinker enter a blissful state. During her younger days, Mad One would make many trips to the Neon City to imbibe Rotting Nectar.

This would be Mad One’s first time entering the city as Red Witch’s heir rather than a girl looking for a drink. Word had been sent ahead to make sure Mad One’s arrival would be met, and that a meeting with Queen Mazza would be allowed.

Mad One was given her mother’s favorite car to make her journey, a cherry red chrome machine powered by magic. Depending on how much one was able to produce in a sitting, the car could go into speeds well above what a normal car could. And with Huni Buni’s debris enhancers, the car was going like lightning down the road.

“You’ve been quiet,” Huni Buni remarked to his wife. “Is everything okay?”

Mad One eased back into her seat, arms going slack as she held upon the wheel. Gazing vacantly beyond the windshield, she finally let out a mournful sigh. “It is and it isn’t.”

“You can talk to me,” Huni Buni insists. “You don’t have to be strong around me. You can cry. You can scream. You can tell me anything at all.”

“I know, I’m just...figuring out how I can share it.” Mad One glances briefly from the road to look into her husband’s face. “I’m scared about this.”

“About fighting Sasha?”

Mad One shakes her head. “No. I haven’t been married in a long time, I mean, not to anyone else.”

“You’re worried about your new partners?” Huni Buni laughed. “I’m sorry,” he stopped his giggling. “I know it’s hard, and maybe your level of trust isn’t what it used to be.”

Mad One pulled the car over, slowing it until they were stopped by the side of the road. In the distance she could see the dark shroud of Neon City. Laying her head down upon the wheel, she sighed heavily. “What you said before, when you snapped at me, was that true?”

“I love you so much,” Huni Buni said in a slow, deep tone. “It has never been a question for me. But they had questions. When Sasha beat you, I only wanted to hold you and put you back together. They lost faith, their patience. I was so angry at them, I still am.” His ears twitch side to side before standing again. “Of course they didn’t deserve you. They only wanted your power, what you could offer. They didn’t want you. You deserve partners who want you regardless of if you’re a queen or can fry an egg.”

Mad One smiled at him, her heart heavy yet lifted. She leaned over, kissing the smooth screen of his face. “I love you too, Huni Buni. Thank you for staying with me.”

“You don’t need to thank me, my darling.” Huni Buni touched her face, gently tickling the lobe of her ear. “All I want is to see you happy and thriving again. Your magic is obviously up to snuff. You’re stronger than ever. You just need the right partners to back you up.”

Mad One pressed kisses all over his screen. Huni Buni took his hand, placing it upon the nape of her neck. “The Neon Acolytes are known for being quite large, but gentle beings. They all harbor powerful magic, but it’s all light based. I think you’ll find somewhere there who is more than willing to be your next partner.”

Pressing her forehead to his, Mad One slouched slightly. “Are you getting tired of being the only one to take care of me?” A smile perked the corners of her lips to let him know she was teasing.

Huni Puni taps her lips with the tip of his finger. “On the contrary, I have enjoyed having you to myself all this time. I simply wish to not become spoiled. I also am eager to watch you in the embrace of another. You’re so beautiful when you’re enraptured. I rarely get to see it due to my own state of joy.”

“It’s been a while,” Mad One purred. Her hand pressed to Huni Buni’s thigh, pushing up the baby pink skirt he was wearing. “Should we-”

“We’re in a bit of a hurry, darling,” Huni Buni scolded. “We should keep going.”

“I can have my magic drive us.” Mad One tugged up her shirt enough so the underside of her breasts was exposed. “We can fool around until we get to the Neon City.”

“As much as I love seeing your muscle and breasts, I must insist-” his voice began to sound glitchy and buzzy.

Mad One smirked, pulling her shirt back down. “If you’re so sure.” She grabbed the wheel again. “Maybe you’re right. It would be best to wait.”

Huni Buni’s glitchy voice was starting to turn normal again. “I want to, don’t get me wrong. The debris in me is acting up a lot.” He reached down to tug his skirt. “But we have to remain serious.”

“I understand, love.” She took his hand into her’s. “You know how I get when I am nervous.”

“Yes I do. You do everything to turn the subject.” He squeezed her hand in return. “We’ll be in the Neon City soon, and from there, we’ll be able to move forward. Once we talk to Queen Mazza, then we just need to make it across the sea to the Island of One Thousand Corpses.”

Mad One pursed her lips in thought. “Do you really think it’s just an island with corpses? Or is it just a name?”

“I think it’s a name, drummed up by the crazy person who owns it.” Huni Buni scoffed. “Whoever heard of an island full of corpses?”

The Neon City drew nearer, and even before they reached the entrance, they were stopped on the road. Two burly Neon Acolytes were waiting for them, blocking the road with their motorcycles. Mad One and Huni stepped out of their car to meet them. Now Mad One was used to being the tallest and biggest in a room, so it was rare for her to feel petite, except around the Neon Acolytes.

The Neon Acolytes were massive, sometimes grazing eight feet. They had huge, powerful wings, broad backs and chests, then narrow waists going into long legs. Despite their size, they were all fluffy, inside and out. Known for their peaceful and gentle natures, it was rare to ever hear of the Neon Acolyte having issues with anyone. But when they did, it was often gruesome for everyone except them.

One of the two approached, wearing a helmet that covered his entire face. “My mother is expecting you,” he said.

“Been a long time since I was greeted by a prince,” Mad One laughed. “What’s the catch? Why stop me out here?”

The masked prince tilted his head to the side. Opening his wings slightly, Mad One detected hints of soft pink. But due to the shadow, it was hard to make out much color on his wings. “Because your sister came through here a few weeks ago. Destroyed a popular bar, wrecked several vehicles, caused a lot of mess for us.”

Mad One glared and threw her arms up. “Well she killed my mom. If you hate her I certainly do! What do you want me to do about it?”

He stiffened. “Red Witch is dead?”

Mad One struggled to maintain her tough facade without crying. “That’s why I’m here. I’ve been asked to take over, but I won’t until my sister is dealt with. So whatever grievance you have with Sasha, tell me and I’ll add to the fight I’m going to give her.”

The prince nodded. “I was going to pay you back what your sister gave me.”

Mad One smirked. “You fought her?”

The masked prince shook his head. “No, but she fucking ran me over when I tried to break apart some of my siblings from fighting her partners.”

Huni Buni jumped and pointed a finger. “Were you going to run my wife over?”

The masked prince is silent, turning away from Huni Buni. “We’ll lead you inside and to the Grand Hall where my mother is waiting.”

“Fine with me. I’m glad we got this all sorted out before it got ugly,” she teased.

“He was going to run you over,” Huni Buni grumbled inside the car.

“He’s a prince,” Mad One chuckled. “It would have been by the books.”

Huni Buni then twitched. “Perhaps he would be a good match for a new partner. A prince, seems quite handsome.”

“Is he pink?” Mad One smirked.

“Yes,” Huni Buni said smugly. “We would actually make a matching set.”

Mad One put on shades as they drove into the center of Neon City. “Pink is my favorite color.”

The Grand Hall rested in the direct center of the city. It was surrounded by neon purple lights that outlined the entire building as well as creating scenery in front and behind it. The Grand Hall was made to be the centerpiece of the entire city, a visible purple jewel.

The masked prince opened Mad One’s door for her, then offered her his hand. “Is it too bright for you here?”

Mad One touched her shades. “Just a bit. It’s been a few years since I’ve visited.”

“I had a feeling you were familiar,” the prince replied cryptically. “Come inside. Mother is waiting.” He led her inside, followed closely by Huni Buni. The interior of the Grand Hall was all dark purple, the floors, the walls, even the lights burned violet.

“I’m surprised it’s so dark here,” Mad One murmured.

“It’s to help my mother.” The masked prince dipped his head to remove his helmet. Long, fuzzy antenna stood straight up from his head, which was surrounded by a mane of pale fluff. His eyes were large and glossy, with small incisors on either side of his mouth.

“Oh no, not another handsome prince,” Mad One joked.

“You don’t recognize me?” He laughed.

Mad One shrugged. “You’ll have to forgive me. Often when I was here in Neon City I was blissed out on Rotting Nectar.”

The prince just chuckled. “This way.”

Huni Buni came up beside Mad One as they walked down the hall. “You know him?”

“Possibly. He knows me, I think.” Mad One gave Huni Buni a look. “What matters now is being able to access the Neon City’s port. It’s the quickest access to the Island of One Thousand Corpses.” They stepped into a large room which smelled thickly of potent incense. It made Mmad One cough a few times and was already working on creating a headache for her. The room was almost completely dark except for the light of a few candles, and the dull embers of the burning incense.

“Red Witch is dead, is she?” A voice came from every direction in the room. “Such a sad day. She was a powerful woman.”

“You must be Mazza Hemlock,” Mad One closed her eyes, focusing solely on the voice. The headache became a flicker behind her eyelids. A violet flash, then a dull glow. She then could see the face of Mazza inside the glow.

“I’ve been expecting you Madelyn.”

Mad One frowned. “Only my mother could call me that.”

Mazza smoked, blowing out lavender smoke. “You are after your sister, but you are also looking to become worthy of your mother’s mantle. I was told you’d be searching for a partner amongst my court.”

Mad One fanned away the billowing smoke from her face. “I hope you were also told that I am seeking access to your port and one of your vessels, Mazza.”

“You wishing for a partner amongst my own means more to me thanthat water and a ship. Due to my current nature of existing, I have very few children. And I do not want to give up one of my partners to you, without first knowing you, Madelyn.” More smoke blew from her mouth, making Mad One cough and sniffle.

The glow behind Mad One’s eyes becomes brighter as the headache spread. “Mazza, I will not ask for one of your partners,” she insisted. “Besides, meeting and getting to know a prospective partner will take time, and truly, I am in a hurry.”

Mazza fills the back of Mad One’s eyelids with lavender smoke. “You sister will wait on that fetid island for you for as long as it takes. She lusts for your blood twice as much as you lust for hers. The debris doesn’t hide anything.”

Mad One was taken aback. “So she does know?”

Mazza leaned in closer to Mad One, taking her face into her hand and turning it this way and that. The lavender smoke was growing, making the headache turn into a building pressure. “You still love her.”

Mad One froze, turning small under Mazza’s gaze. She stared up, wide eyed and mouth slightly puckered as Mazza bore down on her.

“Your sister, the one known as the Slasher, you lost everything because she was your favorite. Your beloved older sister, you admired her, but you outshone her.” Mad One became smaller and smaller, looking no more than four in Mazza’s grip. “She killed your mother, and still, you adore her.”

“Huni Buni?” Mad One whimpered with such a small voice.

“No, no,” Mazza replied. “You wish to defeat your sister, but you can’t until you let go of that affection.”

Little Mad One began to weep.

“You can’t save her, Madelyn. Your mother tried, you let her kill you and nothing changed. To save her is to grant her final mercy.”

“Mother!”

Mad One opened her eyes, coughing out lavender smoke. Huni Buni held her up as she choked out thick clouds.

“Hades, you interrupted me,” Mazza scolded.

“I’ll marry her,” Hades spoke up boldly. “I’ll marry Mad One. There’s no sense in dragging this out. I might as well.”

“You are my only son, I have to be careful with you,” Mazza’s voice came from everywhere again.

Mad One collapsed in Huni Buni’s arms, still breathing out smoke. He picked her up, glaring through the darkness where Mazza was suspended in the air, her large wings out stretched, revealing a skeletal face in the pattern.

“I know her already,” Hades admitted. “It was a long time ago.”

Huni Buni’s face flashed a scowl. “How long ago?”

Hades tilted his head to the side. “We were both young, she was coming here for bliss, and I thought she was cute.”

“Is she the girl who pegged you?” Mazza asked.

“Mother!” Hades snapped up at her. “You promised to stop smoking my mind!”

“Curious, curious,” Mazza clicked.

Huni Buni frowned again, lifting Mad One up in his arms. “Where can I take her?”

“She needed sleep. She’s not been allowing herself any comfort or rest these days,” Mazza scolded. “Take her to your chambers, Hades, since it seems she’s already acquainted with them.”

“Mom!” Hades snapped as he lead Huni Buni away.

Huni Buni laid Mad One to rest in Hades’ bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed beside her, watching her pinched brow slowly relax as she succumbed to a gentle slumber. Hades sat down in a chair, sighing deeply as his antenna slouched to the side.

“You know I must ask you to explain yourself.” Huni Buni spoke with a serious tone. “How long ago was this when you knew Mad One?”

“Ages upon ages,” he grumbled. “I was a young man, twenty years old. Then there she was, this hulking beauty arm wrestling for free drinks. She said it was her nineteenth birthday I think, and she wanted to celebrate by kicking ass and getting drunk.” He chuckled at the far off memory. “She had these huge...arms that just made me weak in the knees. I wanted her to throw me around. I never get to feel small or cute.”

“Then how come she doesn’t remember you?” Huni Buni scoffed.

“It’s been a long time, probably twenty years or so. And it was brief.” Hades waved his hand and the light turned red. “Red keeps my mother away.”

“I see,” Huni Buni walked from the bed and stood before Hades. “But you know, I thought I was my wife’s first,” he grumbled.

Hades chuckled. “You mean...when you married, she told you she was-”

“No! I knew my wife was active. I mean I thought I was the first she ever pegged.” He pouted. “We married probably shortly after your little rendezvous.”

Hades chuckled again, his antenna picking back up. “She must have a type. You and I are basically the same color.”

“Pink is her favorite color.” Huni buni stated simply. “You know all of her partners left her before right?”

Hades’ brow pinched. “All of them?”

Huni Buni’s face glowed to reveal a bright flame. “Except me, and I won’t allow her to get married to some clingers and users. If you want to marry Mad One, then you will be married to me too, and I won’t let you rest if you only see her as a means to your goals.”

“I want to help,” Hades confessed. “I’m growing bored here. Mad One was fun.”

“She’s hurt,” Huni Buni growled.

“I said I wanted to help,” Hades murmured. “I don’t know what you’ve been through, I don’t know what she’s looking for in a Partner, but I would like to know.”

“You’re already pink so you have that working for you.” Huni Buni huffed, taking a seat again. “I can’t speak for her. But I will protect her.”

Hades smirked. “You’re doing a good job of it.”

“Ever since she was nearly killed, I have been in a panic I will lose her again. She vanished from me for a long time, and all I could do was watch. But bit by bit I pulled her out, I got her somewhere she felt safe. I protected her when all the others-” Huni Buni stopped. “She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met, but she’s vulnerable too. Losing her partners I think hurt her worse than her sister did.”

“I can’t imagine,” Hades said softly. “I’ve never been married. You met my mother,” he scoffed. “But if you’ll let me prove it, both of you, I’m willing to be a partner that does it all.”

“But why? Because she pegged you once?”

“It’s been a long time, but I have never forgotten the way she made me feel. Maybe that is selfish to chase that feeling. But it’s her,” Hades insisted. “As soon as I saw her again I felt it. I’m nervous, I’m goofy, and she did it to me.”

Huni Buni nodded. “You felt it in your debris, like she had been there all along.”

Hades’ smile began to grow and his incisors stretched open with it. “Yeah. Like our debris came from the same stuff.”

A smile appeared on Huni Buni’s screen as well. “Good, that’s important.” He then stretched out his long legs and posed. “Now, what do you think about La-Pin Units?”

Hades chuckled, throwing his head back as he tried to keep from laughing too loudly. “I’ve enjoyed many a lover, as long as I liked them, it didn’t matter to me who or what they were. I certainly wouldn’t say no to someone as cute as you.”

A big heart flashed on Huni Buni’s screen. “Very good answer, you flirt.”

“I’m a bit of a sweet talker,” he laughed.

“Sweet,” Mad One snored from the bed.

Huni Buni’s shoulders slouched and he kept his gaze fixed upon his wife. “Do you know what your mother was saying to her in the smoke?” He asked.

Haes shook his head. “I can’t say. My mother’s abilities as a thaumaturgist aren’t the same as my own, and she’s been honing hers for decades while she’s been in that suspended state. From experience I know that her smoking abilities can read minds, even show prophetic visions. But it’s her preferred way of talking to people while she keeps Neon City in the shroud.”

Huni Buni goes to Mad One’s side, touching her head and petting her hair away from her face. The bags under Mad One’s eyes look more purple than usual, and there are faint stains of the same color around her mouth from coughing out the smoke.

“How did you meet her?” Hades asked quietly.

Huni Buni’s head tilted up while his screen went blank. “I was a gift for her twentieth birthday. Specially made to her specifications.”

Hades smirked. “You were made for her, huh?”

“My appearance was tailored to her, yes. But once magic debris started to power my cells, make me come alive, I was my own person. I still fell for her of course, I was her first marriage.” Huni Buni pulled the blankets over Mad One as she slept.

Hades bowed his head as a serious glint came over his eyes. He was understanding better why Huni Buni wasn’t just protective over Mad One, but that he was also protecting himself. “So I take it you were close with some of her other partners?”

Huni Buni’s ears twitched side to side, rotated in a circle then became still again. “Of course. They were my family too.”

“I’m sorry they hurt you.”

Huni Buni sniffed, taking his seat again. “It won’t happen again, I can promise you that.”

“I know marrying me would be advantageous to Mad One’s goal of hunting down her sister. It would be for me too, help me spread my wings, so to speak. So yes, perhaps I do have selfish reasons for wanting to marry.”

“Tired of being a mama’s boy?”

Hades scowled at Huni Buni who winked at him. “Being the only son is exhausting in a way. I’m not given the responsibilities my sisters receive. I don’t have magic like them. I’m told I matter, but I’m always behind the scenes. I feel with Mad One, I may have some importance, even in a city like Red Tide.”

Huni Buni whirls a finger around in the air. “But?”

“But,” he sighs, “I feel that same stuff with Mad One, it makes me want to be with her regardless.”

His screen goes blank for a moment before going to a blue face. “It’s late, you should get some rest yourself.”

“How do you know it’s late? It’s always dark here.” Hades slouched back in the chair.

Huni Buni smirks. “That’s the great thing about being a LA-Pin Unit, I have a clock. I don’t need the sun.”

Now, while Hades and Huni Buni had their bonding moment, it was not the only thing going on in that room. It wasn’t even the most interesting conversation going on in that room. While they were chatting away, Mad One was also having a long discussion.

Still small from Mazza Hemlock’s influence, little baby Mad One was sitting along, playing with blocks of varying shades of color. Her long hair was messy, falling out of plaits from tassels. Even at a young age she loved to use her strength and skills to rough house with anyone who got in her way. She was a terror in the Grand Hall during her youth, but her charm always won people over.

“There we go.” Little Mad One finished building her dream castle with the blocks, able to stack it high due to her growth spurt. In her mind, this would become what the Grand Hall looked like when she became queen after her mother.

“That’s stupid!” A tower was swiped down, scattering out along the dark ground and the block turned red as they clattered.

Mad One stared before her sister Sasha came into view. Sasha was the eldest sister, but she was much smaller than Mad One. Very thin, very short, hair so straight it looked like a blade. She was born from the union between Red Witch and one of her lower husbands. Meanwhile, Mad One had been the daughter of Red Witch and her favorite husband, Adlai, whose build she matched.

“Sasha, that wasn’t nice!” Mad One pouted.

“It’s stupid,” Sasha balked again. “You can’t change the Grand Hall just because you’re a queen. That’s not how it works!”

Mad One left her play area to pick up the blocks in the darkness. As she reached for one of the red squares her hand squished it. Her finger sunk into it so that it bulged from between her fingers in a gooey, sticky mess. Mad One grimaced, shaking it from her hand until it splat against the floor. While her back was turned Sasha continued to knock down the block building.

“Sasha stop!” Mad One whined.

“Make me!” Sasha swiped down another tower, causing most of her Grand Hall design to topple. Sasha stood there in the center of the mess with a huge scowl upon her face. Mad One had always thought her sister was the most beautiful. She didn’t have the cute babyface like she did, instead she exuded beauty like their mother, even when she had on such an ugly grimace.

“I don’t want to hurt you Sasha,” Mad One insisted.

“You have to!” Sasha screamed. She looked bigger than Mad One now, older. “You are my sister! My little sister! You have to fight me!”

Mad One shook her head, taking a step back. “I don’t want to.”

Sasha towered above Mad One, looking like she did the day she challenged Mad One to the fight that nearly killed her. She had her head shaved, including her brows, and had dark red makeup smeared around her eyes like a mask. Her lips were painted black with pink shimmer.

“Why won’t you fight me when you’ll fight everyone else around you Mad One? Do you really think that little of me? Do you really think I am that pathetic?”

Little Mad One was sobbing. “No Sasha!”

“Slasher!” She screamed, bending over to yell in her face. “I am Slasher! I am neither your sister or a princess! I am a blade! No gender! No connections until I make you bleed!”

Mad One was sobbing uncontrollably. “I don’t want to fight you!”

Slasher raised their hand to strike, rage filling their eyes and turning to thick clouds of debris. “You have to!”

Mad One closed her eyes, waiting for the blow, but when nothing happened, she slowly opened her eyes. She whimpered, sniveling pitifully as she clutched a pink rabbit toy in her arms.

“I see now,” a low, soft voice rippled through the room. “I always knew the tension between you and your sister was always near snapping. I just never realized Slasher’s side of it.”

“Mama?” Mad One whimpered.

Red Witch stepped out, surrounding by flowing red light that clung to her body like a robe. She stood before Mad One, looking down at her. “What is this? My Mad One is not such a little thing.”

Mad One blubbered more.

“You grew out of being a crybaby when you were five. What happened?” Red Witch knelt down in front of her. “Come now, you grew up long ago.”

“I don’t want to hurt Sasha,” Mad One pouted.

“Sasha is long gone, my child,” Red Witch murmured sympathetically. “Slasher is what exists in her place.”

“But Slasher is still-” Mad One is stopped by Red Witch’s glare. “Mama, what do I do?”

Red Witch stood up, crossing her arms in defiance. “You need to grow up before you wake up again. Do you think it is easy for me to materialize like this? Even in a dream?”

“I’m dreaming?”

Red Witch scowled. “Oh come now, you’re almost forty.” She snapped her fingers and the pink bunny was thrown from Mad One’s arms. “You don’t need toys. You need partners, allies. You need to wake up beyond this dream and realize sometimes you cannot save people. Your sister is no more. She released those bonds and became Slasher. And while Slasher would have happened anyways, which you must respect, they have severed all ties to us. Blood does not connect family. We give blood to make family, but it does not keep us that way. You have to sever your ties to Slasher if you ever wish to save the family that survives. They won’t stop until your life is destroyed.”

“But, Mama-” Mad One’s voiced choked off as she cried.

“It hurts me too, I loved Slasher and Sasha with all my heart. I know they did horrible things, but love is hard to shatter.” Red Witch placed their hand upon Mad One’s head. “But sometimes, the greatest act of love is to let go.”

Mad One sniffled and looked at her, on level with her eyes again.

Red Witch’s smile became soft and lovely. “Even when you were a terror you were always my sweet little girl.”

“Sweet?” Mad One hiccuped.

Everything went red, the air, the light, it surrounded Mad One but not touch her. She looked up through this shade, seeing dark clouds hovering above her head. Thunder rumbled, and then the rain fell. It hit against her face, cooling her skin, flattening her hair against her face. She breathed in deep, turning her face up towards the sky.

She woke then and Huni Buni pulled back the cool damp rag from her face. “Good morning,” he said softly.

“Huni Buni?” Mad One voice croaked. “What happened?”

“You had a conversation with Queen Mazza Hemlock and fainted.” Huni Buni replied. “Hades brought you here to rest.”

Mad One sat up, hand clutched around her throat. “I need something to drink. Is there any water?”

Huni Buni already had a glass in his hand, which Mad One guzzled down until the cup was dry. She sighed heavily, breathing out slowly as her body still felt strange from her dream. “Thank you.”

“Of course, are you alright?” Huni Buni sat down beside her, cupping her cheek into his hand.

“I haven’t woken up enough to know,” she murmured.

Huni Buni pressed his screen to her forehead. “It’s okay now.”

Mad One wrapped her arms around him, rubbing her hands against his glossy body for comfort. Then, it clicked. “Did you say Hades?”

“Yes. He’s the prince here. Do you remember him?”

Mad One sat back. “Yeah, it was ages ago,” she whispered. “Was he the guy from last night? The one who wanted to run me over?”

Huni Buni tilted his head to the side. “Did you really not recognize him?”

“I couldn’t see him due to all the stinking purple!” Mad One rubbed her face. “Did he say he wanted to marry me?”

“He’s talking with Queen Mazza about it now.” Huni Buni rubbed her back in circles. “He would be a good match, and it would allow us access to their port. Not to mention support from the Neon City when we go to face your sister.”

Mad One grumbled. “No. Slasher isn’t my sister.”

Huni Buni’s ears rotated.

“I kept clinging to Sasha, but she doesn’t exist anymore. I have to respect that.” Mad One stood up from the bed, combing her fingers through her hair. “But Slasher is still family to me.”

A big red stop sign flashed on Huni Buni’s screen. “They killed your mother and almost you. They took all your husbands!”

“Love is hard to shatter,” Mad One sighed. “I know it’s ridiculous. I can’t explain it.” She then grimaced as her stomach growled loudly.

Huni Buni held his hand up. “Let’s go find you something to eat. We don’t have to discuss this now.”

Hades was coming up the hall as they left. He approached, looking over Mad One as he tried to organize the thoughts in his head. Mad One’s stomach growled again and she placed her hand over her stomach.

“Oh uh-” It was an out for Hades, an easy way to strike a conversation. “If you’re hungry, it’s best to go out into the city. We don’t have much food here except nectar.”

“I’ll take anything,” Mad One smiled at him. “Sorry I didn’t recognize you.”

Hades shook his head. “It’s been awhile. I wouldn’t have recognized you if I didn’t know you were coming.”

Mad One took his hand as he lead them from the Grand Hall. Outside, Huni Buni unlocked their car and took the backseat while Mad One drove. Hades looked out the window, and finally, outside the neon lights, Mad One could make out the soft pinks and pale yellows of his form. He had the same markings as his mother, including the skeletal face in his wings, and the little skull mark on the back of his head. But he was obviously the same colors as his father.

“Been a long time,” she murmured.

“Yes, yes, we know this,” Huni Buni scoffed from the backseat. “You do know I know I wasn’t your first now right?”

“I’m sorry!” Mad One huffed. “I didn’t think it would ever come up.” She glanced to Hades with a small smile on her face. “You should be grateful I got the practice on Hades.”

“Yes, well, there is time for that later. What did your  mother say?” He directed at hades. “You talked for a long time.”

“We did,” Hades huffed. “She said she would be willing to accept a marriage, but first, Mad One would have to offer a proper dowry.”

“You’re kidding,” Mad One scoffed.

Hades shook his head. “I wish she was. She said because I am her only son, that special measures must be taken to assure I will be well taken care of.”

Huni Buni leaned into the front seat. “What does she consider to be a proper dowry?”

Hades sighed, turning to look as Mad One, whose brow was pinched with concern. She knew already that it wasn’t going to be something easy to obtain, it was going to be something big. “She wants a vial of Red Witch’s debris,” he finally answered.

Mad One slammed her foot down on the breaks. She gripped hard onto the steering wheel, her eyes focused upon the road and beyond it. “That’s impossible! I didn’t keep any when it left her, it’s all gone!”

Huni Buni made a sound from behind her, a slight high pitched whirring noise.

“My mother is gone. Her debris has gone out into the world to repay our ancestors. I didn’t know that this would-” She jerked her arms back and forth from frustration as she gripped the wheel tight in her hands.

“I’m sorry,” Hades murmured. “But that’s what she wants.”

Mad One took a deep breath and leaned back into the seat, straightening her arms out and flexing them. “Even if I did have it, I don’t think I could give it to her.”

Huni Buni made that sound again.

“If you have something to say, say it,” Mad One scoffed.

Hanging his head, he fidgeted with his hands. “You said it didn’t matter, if you had it or not. But-” Huni Buni undid the buttons on his top. Once his chest was exposed, her opened up a cavity to show one of his power cells was glowing bright red. “Before we left I was able to gather some of your mother’s magic debris.”

“It’s in your power cell though,” Mad One murmured. “If we took it that cell could be damaged and you could-” She shut her mouth, afraid to speak the rest.

“What if we could replace it, over power the cells so he could expunge your mothers?” Hades turned around in his seat, leaning back towards Huni Buni. “I could force out some debris. It comes off us as dust naturally, but I can work myself up to produce more.”

Mad One tried to push him back into his seat. “You’d grow exhausted before you could get it to that. You could pass out.”

“You know from experience the stamina I have,” Hades replied with a wink.

Mad One scowled. “Don’t make jokes! This is serious. Even if that did work, it’s still a risk to both of you, and I am not one to play those kinds of games with either of you!”

“You would really be willing to do that?” Huni Buni murmured.

Hades smiled at him. “Yeah.”

Huni Buni huffed. “Alright, but if we’re going to do this, we’re going to need space.”

Mad One’s stomached snarled viciously in hunger.

“And she needs breakfast.”

After finding food, they found a place that was private. Mad One finished off her meal, while Huni Buni stripped down so his vents would all be exposed to receive Hades’ debris. Hades stripped as well, to assure as much dust floated off his fluff as possible. Huni Buni opened his vents along his ears, and he breathed in as Hades shook his wings.

Mad One sat close, concentrating so that she could gather Red Witch’s debris. Huni Buni began to whir and beep as he focused, his lights flashed all over his body. Hades shivered his wings, shaking them so his body fluffed up and pushed the dusty debris from himself. He grunted with effort, and the soft pink dust floated around him before being inhaled by Huni Buni. Mad One’s eyes glowed red as debris began to fill the vial.

“It’s working,” she breathed.

“I’m getting hot,” Huni Buni panted. “Hurry.”

“Trying, hold out.” Hades took hold of Huni Buni’s hand.

Mad One felt the heat coming off of Huni Buni and she pulled the vial back. “That’s enough!” She pushed Huni Buni down and his screen blinked off. Hades rose but quickly fell to his knees, exhausted.

“He needs to cool down,” Mad One sighed after inspecting Huni Buni. “He’ll be sleeping for a bit.” She knelt down, helping Hades to sit up. “Are you okay?”

“Dizzy but-” He shook his head. “I need a minute.”

Mad One kissed him, pressing a bit of her magic into him. “Thank you. You could have really hurt yourself doing that.”

Hades returned the kiss, pressing it to her cheek and neck. “I wanted you both to know I’d be there for you. I know what you lost must have hurt.”

“Your incisors tickle,” Mad One giggled. She gazed at him with a smile. “Lay back, I’ll give you a nice thank you if you like.”

Hades laid upon the ground, looking up at Mad One as she removed her top. “You’re still as beautiful as I remember.” His hand stroked down her muscular arm and onto her stomach. “You look like you could really toss me around.”

“Not today.” She knelt down between his legs, rubbing her hand through his fluff until she came to his hips. His cock was already becoming hard, baby pink with small yellow bumps all over it. Mad One kisses him there, her lips greeted by his pulse. Ficking her eyes towards him, she watched his chest rise with excited breathing, his hands clamping over his face. Delighted moans reached her ears and she took his tumescent cock between her lips, stroking the rest in her strong hand.

“Fuck,” Hades moaned deeply above her. “Oh fuck.”

Mad One moaned against him, pressing her tongue against the base while she rubbed the hood to her cheek. Her drool dribbled down, wetting her fingers and splashing against his sack.

Hades’ hand clasped the back of her head. “That’s amazing.” His fingers ran through her short hair, grasping at the roof and making Mad One moan in pleasure. “Good girl. You’re so fucking beautiful. You take my breath away, your gorgeous creature.”

Mad One Lifted her head with a smile. “Always with the compliments.” She sucked her fingers, leaving them wet. “You’re only asking for it.” She prodded her fingers between his cheeks, finding his pucker eager. She slipped her fingers inside easily and she grinned. “Is this what you wanted?”

Hades rolled his head back. “Yes!”

“You and Huni Buni would get along so well.” She cooed sweetly as she moved her fingers. “Both of you are such slutty little boys.”

Hades cried out, writhing until his back came off the floor.

“I must admit, I have a very specific type.” She leaned back down again, kissing his shaft and lapping at the tip.

“Oh fuck! You’re so good. You’re amazing. So beautiful!” Hades panted.

Mad One kissed his shaft from tip to base. “Are you gonna come for me?” She giggled while adding another finger to his ass. “Are you gonna be a good boy for me?”

“Yes! Yes!” Hades cried out.

Mad One took him back into her mouth, thrusting her fingers at the same time so she caught his release. Hades stretched out his wings and roared, his whole body tensing so that her fingers became trapped inside him. He snarled, he writhed, overcome in so much pleasure he completely forgot his exhaustion. His release overflowed Mad One’s mouth, dribbling down the sides and onto her chest.

Mad One sat up, cheeks full until she swallowed. Taking a deep breath she let out a haughty laugh. “Oh yes, I remember you vividly.” She stroked her palm down his chest as he breathed raggedly. “And with any luck, I won’t have a chance to forget you.” She picked up the vial containing Red Witch’s debris. She sat there, looking at it while both boys recovered. It would be hard for her to give up, but she knew she had to in order to stop Slasher.

Once Huni Buni revived and Hades could walk, Mad One delivered the vial to Mazza Hemlock, who gave her blessing to the union. But it would be a short lived celebration. There was not much more time to waste as the journey to the Island of One Thousand Corpses took precedence. They were given a ship to cross the sea between the mainland and to the island, filled with supplies as well as a small crew, and reinforcements for the fight against Slasher.

“Are you afraid?” Hades asked her as the ship left port.

Mad One looked out into the distance and took in a deep breath. “I am.”