The Vespidian

Arc 11 Blood Moon

Chapter 13

Since I had Neutralized Glitter Kitten, the Cyber Swat were able to contain and sedate the rest of the Mad Dogs. The city was alive and teeming with lights and sounds, besides the occasional crack of a weapon discharging the night had returned to an ordinary evening. The howls had died down, and the screams faded. However, there was one utterly silent place, the dead zone, or rather the former Hero League HQ. The crater dented in forming a bowl of darkness with the single high point in the middle, a pillar of silvered light that haunted me even now.

My eyes wandered into the crisp night sky, watching the Spore. On nights like this when the moon was full, the splendor of that alien entity could be seen on full display. The tendrils slowly drifting through the stars. I found it rather beautiful, like an ethereal jellyfish.

The Spore. Everyone always seemed so bent out of shape over that thing. From what I had heard, it didn't pose too much of a threat to us. It was not compatible with our atmosphere and as such stayed out there in space. There were a couple of instances where pieces of it came down, probing, testing I suppose. I wonder what it wants? Is it even intelligent, or does it merely drift through space? Asking Dr. Arbor seems like the best way to find out.

I yawned, banking down to the small plateau in the center of the crater.

Perhaps I was getting sentimental, or I was just plain tired. Likely both. My wings carried me to that upraised ground. Like a moth I was drawn to it. I sat upon the pillar, leaning back so that I lay gazing up at the sea of stars above. A low thud rose from the box set to my side. With a deep breath, I sighed, reaching up to hold that thing that had replaced the moon.

"It is me again, Sunshine. I should have come to visit earlier. I… I miss you." I said to no one in particular, "I got her. Finally, I got Nightmare for you. I know you probably wouldn't have wanted me to, but I am going to make her pay for what she has done."

Silence answered me, but then again, I was not expecting a reply, "I, well, I am pushing forward, dragging myself along. I don't know if I am doing the right thing; everything is not so cut and dry anymore. I don't think I can make the world a better place, not… not like you could."

I was quiet for a long while staring at nothing in particular. The stars were surprisingly bright with the absence of the city lights. My eyes watered a little, and the feelers wiped away the tears. Slowly a smile rose on my face. It won't do to be depressed.

"I got bigger now, you know? Started laying eggs, started a family with Xava. We are going to get married and stuff, but I don't know if there will be a ceremony. My eggs are adorable, they are real hug-able. I can't wait for them to hatch. I wonder if they will be larva or little wasp girls running around? Regardless, I bet they would have loved to play with you.

"I am glad. Glad that you were in my life, even if it was all too brief; even if it hurts and stings. You took up more room in me than I ever imagined and now there is a hole in me that I don't think will ever be filled. I am sure you would just make a rainbow or make it rain kittens, and everything would be alright, but I, I can't do that. I am only good at pushing through the pain. And so I will.

"Am I doing the right thing? The more that I walk this path, the less human I feel. My thoughts are getting more deranged… more inhuman. I miss you, Sunshine, you were my only real friend. You would always brighten up my day and make me remember why I even bothered to deal with all this hero stuff. You never wanted anything from me; there was no ulterior motive… you were just there, smiling, always smiling.

"I am tired, Sunshine. And I know the path before me is dark and bloody… I can feel that it will be vicious and cruel. I know that people are going to die, that I am going to kill people and they are going to try to kill the ones I love and me. But I am not so weak anymore. I won't let them take from me ever again. I will protect those that I love."

My claws clenched as I sat up. Slowly I picked up the box and stood, giving the moon a final gaze. It seemed so surreal. So calm and quiet.

"I should be going now. I will visit again. Next time I think I will bring my children to show you and I will tell them all about you."

My wings spread, and with a flap, the city became small — the cars and people little more than specks. The whistling of the wind drowned out the sound of the world below. Flying was undoubtedly calming, I should do this more often.

Idly I circled about until a yawn made my jaws gape. Distantly the fingertips of dawn crested over the horizon. The fatigue washed over me as the adrenaline and endorphins had fully subsided. I glided along until my nest was in sight. I think that I deserved a good long rest. I would deal with the aftermath of this after I woke up.

***

I awoke in my room, groggily looking about. Xava was here, as always by my side while I was home, Snowball lazily napped in her lap. My many eyes scanned the room, but Glitter Kitten was not here. Perplexed I looked over to Xava.

"Where is Glitter Kitten?" I asked.

Xava hesitated for a moment, "She is… in a containment cell at the moment."

One of my antennae dipped, "Why?"

"She appears to have gone feral."

"What? How?! The Blood Moon is over so she should be just fine."

"It is not just her; most of the Mad Dogs have lost their minds."

My mind raced as I stood, "Show me."

She escorted me along to the floor above the one that I inhabited. Here was like almost every other level of the installation. A long corridor with branching multipurpose rooms. We entered one towards the middle to find Den Mother, Thumper, Glitter Kitten, and many others held in small clear cylinders. They were thoroughly restrained, but even like this, each of them was violently bashing about inside.

Xava motioned to the animal women. "They have been like this ever since the sedatives wore off. As to the cause, I am unsure. Though I suspect that this is Nightmare's doing."

I frowned, "I see… and where is Nightmare currently?"

"She is imprisoned nearby."

"Take me to her."

Xava nodded, "As you wish."

We arrived at a door several rooms down. Xava leaned in, looking at the panel. After a moment her eyes flashed, and the door opened. Within was a spacious white room devoid of furniture or anything except the slumped figure of a woman. Nightmare lay on the floor, apparently asleep. My clawed foot shoved her over, rolling her as I stared down at the pitiful creature.

"Wake up."

"Who? Wha- What do you want?!" she seemed slightly startled and slurred her words. She squirmed, struggling meekly against the restraints that held her legs together and her arm behind her back.

"What did you do to the Mad Dogs?"

"Ohhoho, wouldn't you like to know," she mocked back.

"Yes, I would. Now tell me what you did before I start to get angry."

She sneered, "Come to me for help? You are dumber than I thought. You are just going to kill me if I fix it."

"I see," I said, sitting down and leaning in. Why did I even bother trying to reason with this despicable person?

I freed her hand, pinning it to the floor. My fingers held her pointer finger, and I slowly began to pull. It took a moment before a pop rose, after another, a grotesque snap echoed, and her screaming filled the room. I continued pulling until a wet ripping noise made her cries of agony twice as loud. I set her finger before her, showing her what she was in for and moved to the next.

"WAIT! Stop! STOP! I will talk, I will talk, just please not my hand." She wailed shivering as blood spurt from her torn open socket, the bone dyed red.

"Go on," I said, "What did you do to them?"

"I think a command got broken in their minds and it is causing this."

"Then fix it."

She quivered, eyes looking at the floor. "I- I can't. Once a mind gets jumbled, it is easier to break them down and rebuild them."

"I see," I said, my claw stabbing into her finger and slowly working it back and forth until it tore off.

She squealed rolling on the floor as I smiled darkly, she cried, "Why?! I, I answered your question!"

"Xava, make sure she doesn't bleed to death. Molotov wanted her alive. Speaking of which where is Molotov, I have something that I need to discuss with her."

"Molotov is in the gathering hub with her mercenaries," replied Xava, "I will lead you there."

We left Nightmare to mourn the loss of her fingers. I smiled, seeing her pained expression, slowly licking my lips as I imagined eating her arm and legs. She is lucky Molotov wanted her or else I already would have started. I want to think I am rather laid back, but when it comes to that bitch, well the gloves come off. She had long since worn my good will thin.

Xava's installation was very refined and had a clean layout. The gathering hub seemed to be where visitors assembled, and it doubled as an expansive staging area. There were crates and boxes stacked neatly in rows along one of the walls. Opposite those, heavily armored tanks were parked in a line. I was not sure exactly what type they were, but they didn't seem normal. Each of them had what appeared to be a rail gun as the main canon.

Walking among all of these were black-suited figures. It took a short moment to remember who these people were, the familiar emblem of a wolf adorned their chests and shoulders. These were Molotov's super soldiers. As I looked about a couple more images became prevalent, a cobra and a mongoose. So that meant that Molotov had three of her teams here at the moment.

I didn't see an evil little girl anywhere. My eyes scanned the area to no avail until I looked up. There was a smaller observation room overlooking the warehouse. Xava continued, and I followed her. Some of the super soldiers paused to watch me for a moment, before resuming what they had been doing. We entered a stairwell. I had to squeeze a little since it had not been designed for a woman of my magnitude. I wriggled my way up, and the room opened up.

A long dark wood table adorned the middle of the room with leather seats positioned around it. Expansive glass windows overlooked the previous room. A dark reflection in the window made me realize that someone was standing by the chair looking out. A little girl in a black spy suit shifted, her long blonde hair swaying with her head. It was Molotov, who turned to face us.

Stolen story; please report.

"Ah, there you are little wasp. Da, you has done good. I am most pleased. I believe that you should be rewarded for capturing Nightmare."

I rubbed my head a little, "Oh, really? What sort of reward?

She thought, rubbing her chin, "Hmm what indeed. Did you have any requests?"

"I-" I started and stopped. I put aside my rambling thoughts and focused on what was important, "Glitter Kitten and the Mad Dogs have gone crazy."

Her face scrunched up a little as her deep voice grated, "Da, so I have heard."

"Do you know of any way to fix them?"

Her face turned a little green, "Da, I do. Though I would prefer not to get involved with that person."

I approached her, "Who? You know someone who can help?"

"Da… but there is no guarantee they will even come."

I lowered my head, "Please, at least try to get them to help. They don't deserve what Nightmare did to them."

Molotov had a sour look on her face like she had swallowed a nasty bug, "I will see what I can do. But no guarantees."

"Really? Thank you. Oh, who is it by the way?" I asked, having kept myself from attempting to hug her since undoubtedly I would get smacked for my trouble.

"The Sanguine Puppeteer."

The Sanguine- Oh… "HUH?! The, the Sanguine Puppeteer as in the rank 10? As in the leader of Kraken, most wanted person on the planet and most evil of evils?"

"Da, that be the one."

I glanced at Xava, "Maybe we could try somebody else, right? I mean we don't need to bother somebody like that, I am sure they are busy already."

"Unfortunately, they are the only one within our organization that can undo mind control of this magnitude. There are not too many Mind Divers of the caliber needed. Usually, I kill anyone who is compromised; for this very reason, it is hard to deal with."

"I, I see. When do you think they can come?" I asked.

Molotov thought for a moment, staring back out the window, "I am unsure. Sanguine Puppeteer is very eccentric. Depending on its mood, we might be fortunate enough to be graced by its presence."

"That is the best that we can ask for I suppose."

Molotov nodded, "Indeed. I will notify you if there is an update."

"That is appreciated. So what are you going to do with Nightmare?"

Molotov smiled broadly, and shivers scurried through my body, causing the armor plates to shift slightly, "Da, she and Mr. Incentive will become best of pals. I intend to extract as much information about Chimera's operations as possible."

I nodded, "That is more or less what I thought you would do. Can I have her once you have finished?"

Molotov raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Going to kill her yourself?"

"No, I was going to experiment a bit with her."

"What sort?"

"I was going to fill her with eggs after torturing her. Use her as breeding stock."

She seemed thoughtful on it, "I suppose you deserve it. Very well once I am finished with her, she is all yours."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

The business was more or less sorted, though it felt as though I forgot something. Ah, "Oh right, I caught Sheila as well. She works for you now?"

Molotov chuckled a little, "Da. She does, indeed. Broke her in myself."

I smiled slightly, nervously, "I see. I wasn't sure if she could be trusted, so we locked her up too."

"Understandable, especially with a sneak like her. But she is on our side."

I turned to Xava nodding, "Release her. I will apologize later, I suppose."

"As you wish," she replied.

"Will that be all then?" asked Molotov.

I thought on it, "I think it is."

"Very well. I will contact you if or when the Puppeteer answers."

With nothing more to do, we returned to my room to wait.

***

The wait was oddly short. It only took three hours for Molotov to call me to her office. It seemed that the Puppeteer had heard about what I did. Slowly I opened the door after hesitating for a good minute.

"I have been expecting you, Vesper." Said Molotov facing away from me in a tall standing chair.

"The Puppeteer, where are they?" I said, somewhat confused since I did not smell anyone else in the room with us.

The chair swiveled around slowly, and a masked face stared back at me. The mask had many eyes circling the three large eyes that were predominate above the deranged smile.

It was a strange get up to be sure. But I feel like I had seen it before.

"Why, yes. You should feel grateful that the magnificent me has decided to humor your plea."

"What is with the outfit, Molotov?" I asked.

"... Vesper… slow as ever. This body is but one of many. I am merely borrowing it for convenience sake."

I paused for a long moment, "What happened to Molotov then?"

The Puppeteer rest her head to one side against her hand, lazily looking at me. The cat that Molotov carried around lounged on the desk between us.

"He is here. But enough about my toy. So I hear you have captured a rather annoying fly."

I gulped, "I, I did?."

"Nightmare. I speak of that… fool."

"Oh, I see. So it was you that wanted her then?"

The head shook, "No, I care little for the affairs of mortals. However, it is best to reward those who do good work. I will grant you a favor."

I paused, "A favor?"

"Yes, just about anything you could want. Go on, then, tell me what you desire."

Where to even start? It was a bit out of the blue, but things such as metric shit tons of money or all the food I could ever eat for the rest of my life.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself. Those sounded nice, but not what I needed. It was a distraction from why I even bothered to get this person's attention.

"My friends were mind controlled. I want you to undo what has happened to them."

"How selfless of you, using this once in a lifetime opportunity for others. I would be proud if we weren't villains. Are you sure you don't want to satiate your worldly desires? I could make all your dreams come true."

Damn, that was tempting… "I- I am. Save my friends."

The Puppeteer made a tch sound as though disappointed, "Very well then. Ah, little Nightmare's work. Her efforts are mere child's play to me. However, the mind does not work how you seem to think it does. It is not a matter of undoing something, but rather overwriting it. Reformatting if you will."

"So you can fix them?"

"That depends on your definition of fix. I will have to destroy in order to create. It will change them, bending them to my will."

"What will you destroy?"

"That would depend on the extent of Nightmare's influence."

I let out a sigh, "Thank you."

"At least you have manners. That being said, I do not work for free."

"Oh, eh… I thought this was a favor?"

"Hmm, you want me to fix a few hundred people. That is a lot of work considering you don't want the easy way."

"Easy way?"

"Yes, obliterating the old personality and replacing it as I see fit. Instead, you want me to salvage damaged goods."

"Yes."

She tapped at the mask, thinking, "Hmm it will cost you a bit. For starters, how about you get on your knees and show me how much you want this?"

What choice did I really have?

I got on my knees, and she sat on the desk, slowly taking off her shoes and the black laces stocking — the pale, soft little foot presented before me.

"Lick."

I hesitated more out of surprise than anything else. I had not been expecting this. I mean licking a foot wasn't even close to the weirder things I had ever done.

"I said lick." Reiterated the Puppeteer.

I gave it a little kiss, well, maybe not so little. It more or less vanished into my mouth since it was so small.

"Overly eager, I see. Good. Keep at it until I tell you to stop."

My lips sealed around the whole foot, and the tongue slathered the top circling it. The toes wiggled as they spread, pressing, stepping on the top of my thick taster. Surprisingly the foot tasted as it smelled, like coconut.

"Ufufu that is it. You mm yes, like this, don't you. Yes, get in between the toes."

I did as she said, wiggling the tip between her toes. She tensed and started to giggle. My tongue slithered. The faster that it moved, the more she squirmed until she began to laugh hysterically.

Apparently, Molotov has susceptible feet.

"Ahehe ok, ok that is enough. You may stop." She said.

I relinquished the foot and stared at her. She reached forward grasping one of my antennae, the hand stroked my sensitive feeler, causing me to shiver.

"I might make you my personal foot worshiper. It has been a while since I have gotten such an enjoyable service."

"Is eh that all you wanted?"

"No. From now on this will be your greeting to me. To show your devotion and loyalty. You will drop to your knees and worship my feet. Is that understood?"

I stared at her, "Is this like a power play thing or do you just have a massive hard-on for foot stuff?"

The Puppeteer seemed rather amused, "A bit of both. Though I find degrading someone and breaking them down more arousing. Making people my pets is one of my favorite hobbies, right there next to starting cults."

I nodded slightly. I understood that thought process. The feeling of dominating someone into submission was rather enjoyable. Not so much the cult thing though.

"I suppose we are a little similar on that."

"Yes, we are. The stronger the will, the more delectable it is to break. Ah, but we are getting sidetracked. As troublesome as fixing your little problem is I will do it, though only if you give me something that I desire."

"Licking your foot wasn't enough?"

"Of course not. That was merely payment to be in my presence. You should feel honored. It is a privilege to be my slave."

"Oh… then what the hell do you want?"

"Your child." She said flatly.

"I won't let you have my baby… well maybe if you get a different body, I would fuck you."

"That is not my intention, but I will humor you, what is wrong with this body?"

"What do you mean? Isn't it obvious? You are a little girl. I mean as adorable and cute as it might be my door don't swing that way. And it swings all over the damned place."

She thought it over for a bit, "Ah, I see, so it is a matter of preference."

"It more of a matter of morality. I might be fucked up, but not that fucked up."

The Sanguine Puppeteer chuckled lowly, "Morality, you will find such a fleeting thing in short supply in my presence. I have done things that even your depraved mind couldn't imagine."

I swallowed rather loudly. I was starting to see why Molotov was scared of this person, let alone that her body was currently being used, likely without consent. Something tells me she is likely reading my mind at the moment.

"So eh, you want my child? What are you going to do with it?"

She replied candidly, "I will use it as a vessel."

"That sounds a bit scary. Can I give you something else?"

"No. I will have your child one way or another."

I covered my chest defensively, "You, you are going to rape me?"

"Rape you? So uncivilized. What do you take me for, a barbarian? If I desired it you would throw yourself at me begging to be taken, do not think so highly of yourself. I could bend you to my will as easily as snapping my fingers."

"Then what do you mean?"

"Simple. I am going to make an anchor point in your child."

I gulped, "eh… what the hell is that?"

Slowly she touched her fingers together as she elaborated, "I am something of a body snatcher. A hermit crab if you will. From time to time, I shuffle and switch shells. It helps stave off my boredom, something you will learn if you live long enough."

"You are not going to hurt the child, are you?"

"No. It is troublesome if the body isn't able to take care of itself in my absence. I do not intend to hollow it out, merely borrow it from time to time as I do with this body and many others."

"I… we are talking about my child here."

She tilted her head, "Yes, a single child. You already have hundreds gestating, and I know what you have planned for those subhumans that I am going to be meddling with, I know you will produce many, many more perhaps thousands upon thousands more if you are left to your own devices. Besides, it is not as though I am killing it. You likely won't even notice my presence."

"I need time to think on this," I said wearily.

She shook her head, "No, here and now, or I will not help you. Now make your choice."

I gulped… fuck. A realization dawned on me; there was no choice. The Puppeteer already had their sights on my babies. If I refused, then it would be taken forcefully. If somebody like Molotov was easily dominated mentally, then I didn't stand a chance.

"Why my child?" I asked.

She tapped the mask, thinking, "Because it seems interesting, besides, it is good to expand one's horizons. I look forward to experiencing the body of one of your kind. I wonder what sorts of new sensations I will experience? When you are immortal, you have to do something with your time."

"Why do you body snatch?" I asked.

"Why not? With my power, this type of thing is rather benign. It is one of the more toned down things that I partake in."

She didn't seem to be lying about that. I shuddered a little even contemplating how powerful the Puppeteer was. Wait, but something wasn't adding up. "If you are so powerful, how come you don't just get rid of Chimera?"

A chuckling rose from under the mask, "Oh, you and Molotov are rather similar asking for that very thing. Now, why would I destroy the stage that I so painstakingly set up?"

It took a long moment for that to sink in, "You made Chimera."

A very pleased humming rose as she tapped her fingers together in a triangle, "Why yes, I did. Each so diligently molded and set to their purpose. The Puppets dance on their strings for my entertainment. Things will be getting very exciting soon enough."

"Why?"

She looked at her gloved hand as though to inspect her fingernail, "I get very, very bored. I miss the old days, back when things were actually a challenge. Ah… that was an enjoyable tangent. Now then little wasp, do you agree to our deal?"

I hung my head, "I… I accept."

"Excellent. Well, then," The Sanguine Puppeteer said, raising her hand and snapped, "it is done."

I gawked at her, "What is done?"

"I have fixed your friends, though they will not remember the past week. That being said, they know that you saved them from Nightmare. Also, I left a little service for you in them."

"That quickly?"

"Certainly, you act as though I have never mass mind controlled people before. I make cults for fun child."

"If it was that easy, why were you charging me instead of doing it as a favor?"

"A wise man once said; If you are good at something, never do it for free."

"Who said that?" I asked.

"I did, just now."

"Did, did I just get bamboozled?"

"Well, it was fun, but I have other things to do, so this is where we part. Until we meet again, Vesper. Do make sure to raise my new body with love and care; I will be watching," She said, taking off the mask and setting it on the table.

Molotov sat there in a daze until she blinked a few times. She looked down, "Iugh my feet are sticky? Did you… never mind, I don't want to know."

"Thanks for what you did," I said, giving her a head pat.

The hand shattering that I was expecting never came. Instead, she just scowled, "You owe me."

"Why don't you go take it out on Nightmare?" I gave her a mischievous wink.

Molotov nodded, "Mmm I think I will."