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Pandora wrapped her arm around Vorel's as they toasted to the success of another fancy party. Guests milled about the ornate ballroom, dancing and cavorting with glee. The glimmering viridian liquid in their glasses burned their throats, but the ladies didn't mind- as absinthe was the pinnacle of fancy drinks, they could not be seen sipping anything else.

"My, it's marvelous to be rich, wealthy, and full of magic."

"Mmm, I do agree, Vorel. We'll have to set aside the time to perform for the crowd. My professional opinion is that we need a portal full of peacocks."

"That would definitely floor them, Pandora. Count me in."

Pandora's long black dress hugged her curves tightly, her elegant sleeves trailing down to the ground. The warm lights glimmered off the pearl-encrusted bodice of the gown, sending pinpoints of light flashing around the room. Perched atop her sculpted gray locks sat a large, wide-brimmed hat with a black veil trim. Her dark ensemble matched her companion rather well; the usually-plain Vorel was wrapped in a gorgeous sari, black and gold woven with intricate silver patterns shaped like stylized flower blossoms. A vision of stern beauty aside a warm goddess of attraction, the two of them drew every gaze as their hips swayed to the sound of the orchestra.

"This must be the most successful our parties have ever been! Wouldn't you agree, my dear Pan?"

She nodded to Vorel and took another sip of her absinthe. Her senses seemed to be unusually sharp this night, and she was aware of every little thing happening in and around their ballroom. As the fancy party wore on, the moonlight filtering through the ornate stained-glass windows began to recede, until they were no longer lit from the outside. Clouds began to roll in, thick and dark, hinting at a possible storm.

"Vorel, darling, perhaps we should show the guests to their cars before the downpour... I couldn't handle the shame if Missus Evergrouch added us to her F-List because an act of nature got her heels muddy."

Vorel laughed and drew deeply from her glass, her hip cocked to the side in a rather sexy but entirely unnatural pose.

"Pandora! I'd welcome the scandal! You have to admit, it would make life more interesting. Besides, we can send the Umbrella Boys out with them as they take their leave, should they fuss too much. I cannot lie; I'd give up my half of our rather immense fortune if it meant that those stuffy upper crust-types got their knickers soaked."

With a politely restrained chuckle Pandora toasted her three more times. Both women were painfully aware of the absence of their husbands, two foxes who loved to get into trouble. Their drinking was meant to help them forget, but both wanted to dance- and they did not want the rumors that came with dancing with strangers.

"Vorel... Have you seen Somber and Fox yet today? I'm growing worried. What if they... What if they..."

"Spit it out, Pan."

Pandora shuffled her feet and cast her gaze down.

"What if the Looslip twins seduced them?"

Vorel set her glass down and placed a hand on the slender Catsum's shoulder. Her gold eyes burned with equal doses fury and inebriation.

"Then we kill those girls, Pandora. Knowing them, they're both writing furiously, or eating ridiculous helpings of curry, or doing whatever it is men do alone together."

Both women glanced at each other, their eyebrows arched skeptically.

"We'd better find them. Fast."

Pandora grabbed her wrist.

"You know how they get when we worry. I was just curious, that's all. Let's just wait here- they wouldn't forget about our superbly important party, would they Vorel?"

Vorel's tall ears twitched as her friend finished speaking, and she squeezed her hand.

"The storm is here."

Thunder rolled across the night sky as the rich and famous indulged themselves hedonistically at Pan and Vorel's mansion. A few people started at the sound, but no one left. When fancy parties are concerned, no one wants to be the first to leave- so they stayed, dancing and gorging and drinking and, in a handful of cases, copulating in various parts of the luxurious house.

The noise of the storm grew as rain began to slam against the windows, the pitter-patter of the drops and the rushing wind drowning out the sound of the musicians.

"We have to do something, Pan! Come with me!"

She led the hybrid woman through the whispering crowd, up to the stage where the orchestra had given up the ghost. The lights gleamed off her black fur and lit Pandora's gray with a bright glow.

"Ladies and gentleman, there is nothing to fear. There's obviously a storm rolling past, but we're safe in here. The wind cannot destroy this haven, the rain cannot flood it, and the thunder cannot frighten it. It's natural, and when you decide you're ready to go home our Umbrella Boys are standing by to help you to your carriages."

"If you've tired of dancing, we've got plenty of other fancy activities we can partake in, such as Indoor Polo in the Superfluous Room, or charades in the parlor, or Guess That Baron in the billiard room for our more... adventurous guests."

Pandora winked as she finished and the crowd chuckled in the way only the entirely-too-ritzy can. The crisis was averted, for now.

"Now, I think all we need to fix this ballroom is a nice, loud-"

As Vorel spoke one of the eastern windows shattered inward, showering the crowd with bits of multicolored glass. Simultaneously the lights vanished, drowning the wealthy crowd in darkness. Thunder crashed outside the house and rain splashed against the marble floor. High winds whipped around the frozen revelers, sending their tailcoats and poofy hats rippling from the force.

"Ah, Vorel and Pandora, two of Litteraturi's most powerful women. I have been looking forward to this day for many, many years..."

A deep voice echoed through the room, seemingly unaffected by the tumult of the storm. Vorel muttered a quick word and her eyes began to glow with a sickly green light. With the aid of her spell she could see the culprit, crouching atop the golden chandelier.

Dressed to the nines in a stiff tuxedo, covered in a flowing cape clasped at his black-furred throat, a top hat upon his head and a decidedly villainous mustache... There was no doubt about it. This man meant business.

"I am Jinx, Baron of Antago Neezim, and I have a proposition for you beautiful ladies! I've noticed your husbands are not among you... That's a pity, really- for you. I, on the other hand, know exactly where they are. They're in my dungeon, preparing for the disemboweling of a lifetime. If you wish them to be returned to you, unharmed, you're going to have to bring me something."

"And just what is it that you want, you evil cur?"

Pandora glared in his general direction, her paws balled into fists, shaking with rage. She wanted to attack, but she knew that there would be far too many of the upper class in her line of fire.

"Glad you asked, little Pan. I want all the gems."

"...All the gems?"

"Yes."

"Ever?"

"Of course."

"And how in the name of all that is fancy do you expect us to be able to procure ALL the gems?"

"You're both smart women, I'm sure you'll think of something. You have one week- every day that passes, your husbands' pain will grow, until they beg for death. Bring the treasure to my castle, and I'll return your vulpine lovers. Until then, ladies. BWAHAHAHAH!"

As the twisted villain cackled lightning flashed, illuminating his tall frame and sending a monstrous shadow towering up the western wall. He threw something towards the ground and the room filled with a noxious smoke. His laugh and his body disappeared in the mayhem. Once the sickening gas cleared Pandora and Vorel exchanged glances. They grasped arms and nodded, their eyes narrowed in anger. Both women tensed their tails- Vorel's long and luxurious, Pan's pink and slender, and they cracked them as though they were whips.

A large portal opened where the tips of their tails reached the height of their snap, and they stepped through with determination. No one threatened their men and got away with it- not even a baron.

As the two well-dressed women emerged from the swirling purple vortex, the scent of sulfur and rot hit their noses.

"Jesus, Vorel, where are we, Detroit?!"

"Sorry, sorry... This was the safest place I could think of to train. It's my old practice room, outside of the city walls, buried beneath the dirt. I figured we could work in peace down here. I suppose I should have given it a good scrub beforehand, but I had no idea we'd need it."

Pandora removed her hat and held out her hands, her blue eyes closing slowly.

"It's... Ugh. It's alright. I've got this."

She took a deep breath and let the magic come, the simplest spell she knew flowing from her palms, bathing the stone oubliette in an opalescent white light. Everything it touched was polished to a fine shine; the dummies repaired themselves, the shackles looked like chrome, the stone lost its mossy coating and the entire space smelled like lilacs. As she finished she drew her hands down, cutting off the spell with a muttered word. Vorel turned to her, clearly impressed by her delicate work.

"Tell me again why we pay to employ a staff to clean the manor when it would take you a single minute?"

"Because that's what rich people do, my dear. Y'know, sometimes I forget you're secretly a slob."

She grinned at her jackal friend, who turned her snout up in mock derision.

"Why I never!"

They laughed. It felt good. Joking helped to block their fear from their minds- There was no telling what horrible situation Baron Jinx of Antago Neezim could have them trapped in, waiting for their fair maidens to rush in and rescue them...

"Vorel... We need to save them. Do you really think we can get all of the gems?"

"Of course not, Pan. We have no time machine, and he knows that. It would be impossible for us to get him all of the gems. Besides, he didn't even specify if he wanted the rock that would become the gems in the future- it's entirely too nebulous. Our only chance of rescuing our men is to tear down his castle walls with our bare... well, magic. We'll magic his castle down."

Pandora and Vorel split opposite ways, sashaying to the left and right of the oubliette respectively. Both women tilted their heads toward the ground, drawing upon the magic inside of them. Vorel lashed out at her dummy with a spell in the shape of a withered claw, while Pandora fired six succinct blasts of crackling silver energy from her palms.

Their spells collided with their targets and the changes happened instantly- Pan's jerked and twitched as the arcane energy pierced its leather hide, searing holes completely through it. Vorel's withered and rotted, falling away from its metal skeleton. Explosions tinged with blue and purple exploded from the left, where Pandora flung her spells. Sickly green and inky black wove its way around the right, where Vorel chanted. Back and forth, cast after cast, they practiced for their assault on the Baron who held their precious gentlemen captive. He was in for a world of pain.

Many moons rose and sank as they honed their magical prowess. A week passed before they decided they were good enough to move on. Still dressed in their best, Pandora muttered a spell that cleared the grime and sweat from their fur and made them sparkle with cleanliness. Impressed, but refusing to admit how cool it was, Vorel sat down to plan their attack.

"Vorel, we're missing something important."

"What do you mean? We trained, we're planning, and we're all set to save those silly foxes."

"Where are we going"?

Vorel stopped her frantic scribbling and looked up at her fancy friend. Slowly, she understood. They had no idea where the foul Jinx resided- all they knew was that he was the baron of Antago Neezim, and he lived in a castle- assumedly made of stone.

"Sun and stars, Pandora, you're right! We need to find out where this crazy man lives! I know just the place to find out. Come, Pandora, to the brewpub!"

The two women exited the Oubliette o' Magicing and headed back into the city, Vorel in the lead. As they navigated the winding cobblestone roads eyes focused on them, leering with lust, confusion, and greed.

"Oi, miss, ain't you a little fancy to be in this 'ear part o' town?"

A badger approached, ragged and old, his clothes stained with mud and ale and probably a little urine. Pandora stepped behind Vorel and gave her a little shove, bringing her closer to stinking man.

"Well, sir, we're looking for information on the man known as Baron Jinx of Antago Neezim. My name is Lady Vorel Ashurha; this is my fancy friend Lady Pandora. We need to find the Baron as quickly as possible- perhaps you could help us?"

The badger cocked his head to the side and glanced at the two slender women, dainty in their formalwear, out of place in the ghetto of Litteraturi.

"...Never 'eard of 'im. You two li'l ladies best be getting on; not everyone's as averse to rape an' robbery as I'm. Luck on your search, though."

He turned and waddled away without another word, staggering back to the alley he came from.

"Rape?"

Vorel took Pandora by the arm and patted her gently.

"If they touch us, we rend their bodies apart. Easy."

They were more wary as they walked through the run-down quarter, armed with spells rippling below the surface of their skin. Every hair on their neck was raised, and their ears were straining to pick up every single sound that rang out around them. Still, they made it to the tavern unmolested, for all their caution.

The Gilded Doohickey was not very packed, though what it lacked in quantity it easily made up for in quality. Every single person sitting in the dark bar looked as though they were made out of dirt and punches- ragged, poor, but obviously tough. Every pair of eyes turned to the women as they crossed the threshold, glaring with animosity and covetousness. Vorel flipped her long hair and Pandora tipped her hat as they strutted to the very center of the building.

"Do you want to handle this, Pandora?"

"But of course, my dear Vorel."

Pandora turned to the crowd and bowed deeply, being careful to allow them a swift glimpse of her cleavage before standing upright once more.

"My beautiful friend and I are here on very, very important business- we need to know the location of Baron Jinx's castle, as soon as possible. This is a matter of life and death. Should you tell us where to find him, we will reward you quite handsomely."

She looked back to Vorel, who nodded her head once. At her approval Pandora placed a jet-black heel on the table in front of her and let her dress fall away, revealing a shapely gray leg.

Every eye in the house widened, and whispers raced through the poorly-lit tavern. Pandora was proud of herself- the common people were such sheep, so easily manipulated by sex, and she was currently their puppet master. Oh how they danced for just a little calf. It was flattering.

As she watched the rabble talk amongst themselves, Vorel was picking apart the crowd with her almost Holmesian observatory skills. There were two patrons who were larger than the rest, brawnier and better dressed, obviously bodyguards of someone with enough wealth to warrant the hiring of two such goons. They eyed the two women with pure, unbridled hatred. They knew something, something the girls needed. Straightening her posture the jackal strode toward them, holding her head high.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. You know where we can find the Baron, don't you?"

They exchanged dark looks, their glares deepening as they turned back to the woman.

"That's none of your business, dogwhore. Get out of here before we muss up your fancy dress."

Vorel tilted her head to the side, her gold-trimmed ears lay flat against her shining hair.

"I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. His name is Charon."

She balled her paw into a fuzzy little fist and it began to glow with an inky black light. With a snarl she drove it into the chest of the guard on her right, releasing the energy she had been clutching. It flooded the bulky tiger, surrounding him, withering his flesh as the light faded from his eyes.

"Charon the Corpse, everyone! Tell this fella why he needs to tell us where the Baron is, Charon."

She let her eyes roll back in her head and summoned the voice of death, forcing it to issue from her shapely throat. She was obviously no ventriloquist, but the voice usually did a number on normal people.

Hollow and raspy, as though spoken from a rotting throat, surrounded by a chorus of the damned, she spoke and the tiger's maw moved.

"Tell the woman, my friend. Her and Pandora's husbands have been kidnapped by the foul demon Baron Jinx, and if they do not rescue them this very night then the men will die. If they die, I will find you. I will shove my fist down your gullet and rip out your liver. Do you understand me? Tell them. Tell them. TELL THEM NOW."

The other tiger cowered, shrinking away from the dead, liquid eyes of his former companion. Vorel withdrew her hand and the body flopped over on him. He screamed; it was pleasing.

"JESUS! Uh, he's... He's got a fortress on top of Mount Villainous, about six miles to the north of Litteraturi! Oh god, please don't kill me!"

Satisfied with her results, Vorel withdrew her fist from the mutilated body of the man and let it fall to the floor. With a sly grin she rubbed her gore-streaked paw across the other tiger's cheek.

"You've been an amazing help. Thanks for the information. C'mon, pan, we've got a location!"

Litteraturi's weather had a strange way of mirroring the appropriate atmosphere for a situation. At the base of Mount Villainous black clouds began to fill the sky, looming ominously above the women's carefully styled heads. They shared a glance and grimaced- the mountain was very tall, spiraling up into that dark sky, and their sexy heels were not made for such hiking.

"Vorel, we're going to have to do it. We can't portal up there, there's too much of a lightning risk. We're going to hike this bitch."

Pandora resolutely hitched up her gown and began walking up the winding dirt path. A quarter of the way up rain began to fall, thick and fast, turning the easiest road into a mudslide. Vorel grabbed Pandora as she lost her balance, pulling both women into the cold muck. Their dresses were soaked almost instantly, clinging to their curvy frames like a second (or, in Vorel's case, third) skin. As they struggled to their feet the wind picked up, whipping their wet hair around their heads, sending the strands cracking against the air like damp whips.

"We need to press on! He's trying to keep us out!"

"I think he's enjoying this a little too much. C'mon, Vorel, he wants up to be wet and dirty, let's be wet and dirty!"

Pandora took Vorel's hand and the pair set off once more, hunched against the strong gales and the curtain of icy water smashing against them. It was nearly impossible to see where they were going through the tumultuous storm, and their footing was treacherous. They fell time and time again, becoming more and more mud-stained, trekking up to the salvation offered by the hidden castle. After nearly two hours of struggle they reached the stone bridge leading to Baron Jinx's castle.

Lightning forked through the thick storm clouds as Pandora and Vorel stood facing the iron portcullis. The patch leading to it was lined with massive snarling gargoyles, stone monsters that seemed to leer at them with dark intent behind their carved eyes.

"Pandora, be careful. I don't trust the baron to leave his entrance unguarded."

As Vorel spoke she stepped forward, placing one golden-heeled paw on the slick bridge. The moment she did a massive gaggle of lightning crashed to the stone in front of her, arcing to each of the crouching statues. One by one their eyes opened and they rose, stretching their backs to the sound of loud pops and creaks. It didn't take them long to notice the two drenched and dirtied women.

"Let's do this, Vorel."

Pandora shouldered her friend aside and placed her hands together, chanting in the tongue of the arcane. A white ring began to form around her, crackling the light blue energy. As the gargoyles drew near she jerked her palms apart and the ring exploded, forcing the monsters back and eliciting screams of agony from their crumpled forms.

Vorel leaped from behind her and shoved her right hand outward, releasing a flood of entropy energy that withered and rotted the weakened gargoyles. As the last one died she began walking forward, Pandora at her heels.

"It's a good thing we're so amazing, Vorel, or else this might be a challenge."

"He most assuredly doesn't know who he's crossed."

The two women strode up to the gate, and with one arcane-imbued kick Pandora's fancy high heel sliced through the metal. Vorel placed her hand on the wooden door beneath it and whispered a few words. The portal crumbled beneath her necromantic touch.

"Alright, Pan. Let's go get our foxes!"

Inside the castle was decorated in an almost painfully stereotypical manner- lots of shining suits of armor, lots of red carpet, ritzy paintings and marble... it almost put their mansion to shame. Almost.

"We need to stay together at all costs. Move as quietly as you can in those pricey shoes, Pan, we don't want him to know we're here."

"We'd better just take them off, heels were meant to be heard."

Very carefully the two women removed their very expensive and extremely fancy shoes and left them by the door.

A winding red carpet curved off to the left and the two heroines decided to follow it. The path lead them through a hall adorned with wickedly curved weapons that gleamed in the dim candlelight. Vorel and Pandora crept along, hand in hand, their ears alert for the slightest sign of danger. The corridor lead to a set of stone stairs spiraling down into a thick darkness. Vorel held up a hand and Pandora stopped, peering over her companion's robed shoulder.

"Do you think they'd be down there?"

"More than likely- he mentioned hurting them, so I'm assuming he has a torture chamber hidden down below. All we need to do is figure out-"

Pandora's words were cut off by the sound of creaking metal. The women turned their heads toward the noise and their eyes widened.

Standing in the hallway was a massive suit of armor, a good seven feet tall, shaped to fit and equine knight. It was, of course, empty. Vorel narrowed her eyes, but could see no spirit. It was animated by pure magic.

"Pandora, it's a construct! Watch out!"

The opossum-cat curled her claws and hurled a ball of white light at the fearsome golem. It rebounded, blasting a blue vase resting on a stand nearby. The armor swung its giant axe at her and she dropped to all fours. Vorel took her turn next, firing three quick blasts of flame toward the jointed areas of its carapace. Again they were reflected, crashing into the wall and setting the art aflame.

"We can't hurt this thing, Pan! Do you have any ideas?"

Pandora contemplated the situation as Vorel ducked and weaved, firing weaker spells as she kept the armor's attention.

"...Vorel! I've got an idea!"

Pandora tore a small strip from the bottom of her gown and raced forward, her sleeves trailing behind her. She wrapped the cloth around the golem's leg and began to circle it, letting more and more cloth loose as she ran. Its legs became more and more entangled as her dress grew shorter and shorter, until it toppled over. Pan severed the strip and moved back toward the stairs as the monster exploded.

"How'd you know that would work?"

"I didn't really think it'd be that easy, to be honest..."

Vorel looked over at Pandora and raised an eyebrow. Her long, flowing gown had been torn into a wet mini-dress, showing off her shapely legs.

"Oh, they're going to love you," Vorel snickered, patting her friend on the arm. "We'll get you a new one later, hun. Let's keep moving."

The stairs seemed to go on forever, winding deeper and deeper into the fetid bowels of the castle. The two women could feel their strength waning, but they forced themselves to continue.

"For our foxes!" whispered Vorel.

"For our fanciness!" Pandora replied.

Far too much was riding on their success here, and they accepted that. If they failed, not only would they lose the men they loved but their reputation among Litteraturi's upper class would be shattered. They continued the rest of the way in silence, saving what little energy they still had.

Finally the stairwell opened on a well-lit stone hall, lined with bright torches. The air was cool, just enough to chill their damp fur, and it smelled the way only ancient stone can- which, if you asked Vorel, was 'wonderful'. It was a very inviting passage, all in all, so it came as no surprise that Pandora began walking through it. The moment her slender paw touched the rounded stone floor a loud click echoed throughout the small room.

"Pan... don't move. Don't shift your weight in the slightest."

Vorel stepped forward, straining her eyes to find anything that might be linked with the pressure plate. She could find nothing, and neither could her companion.

"Alright- step backward, as slowly as you can manage."

Pandora obeyed. The moment she left the stone three large, gleaming axes swung out from thin holes along the wall, deadly and sharp as sin. The torch light reflected from the blades burned with malice, no longer the kind, inviting fire they remembered.

"I knew it was too easy. I can't believe I didn't think to check for traps!"

"It's alright, Pan. If we can get past this one we've learned our lesson. We'll be fine."

She pushed Pandora aside and stepped into the death-filled hallway. Taking a deep breath Vorel broke into a run, falling into an elegant slide to slip past the first axe. She came up and dashed again, leaping to the side to dodge the second. She felt a slight twinge but ignored it, heading toward the final blade. As it slipped into the wall she leaped, landing elegantly on her paws at the exit. There was a large iron ring hanging from the wall. Vorel pulled it, smiling. Sure enough the trap ceased its swinging, and Pandora could cross without incident.

As she exited the hall she tossed something long, black, and lush at her jackal friend, unable to suppress a smirk.

"Next time try not to lose any limbs, Vorel."

Vorel held her tail in her paws and looked down at it, obviously embarrassed.

"I... oh... whoops."

"If you weren't undead you might be in severe pain right now. It was flashy, though. I'll give it a three-point-five out of five, what do you say?"

Pandora laughed as she spoke and patted Vorel's slender shoulder.

"That's fair to me, Pan. Let's keep moving- and next time, you can do the thrilling heroics."

The next room the pair came to was tiled with red brick, littered with hollow spaces. Vorel wrapped her tail around her neck and slipped off one of her golden heels. Gently, carefully, she tossed it in the direction of the floor. Immediately four white-hot jets of flame sprang up, melting the poor shoe in midair.

"Well, thank the powers I'm here, eh Vorel?"

The jackal arched her eyebrows skeptically.

Pandora took her arm and whispered a word. Around the pair a white-blue shield flared to life, pulsating and shifting colors, almost opalescent. She glanced at Vorel and grinned before breaking into a sprint.

She half-drug Vorel as she pounded against the floor. Everywhere she stepped flames shot into existence, but the shield held. It was uncomfortably warm within the sphere, but Vorel held her tongue until they were safely across. Sweating, panting, Pandora lowered her barrier. Every jet was active, but they were unharmed. She smiled down at her sari-clad friend, proud and pleased with herself.

"Yeah, yeah. You're awesome," Vorel said with a grin.

It wasn't hard to find the chain, and Vorel pulled it once more. The flames died down; it would be safe for them to cross once they had the foxes.

They came to one final hallway, much like the last but lined with marble. The women exchanged bored glances before Vorel knelt down before the entrance. She removed her other shoe and tossed it in- long spears shot from the ground, impaling the footwear.

"Oh good, I've got this Pan."

Vorel placed one paw against a spear and began to chant. A sickly green glow surrounded her and began spreading to the haft of the device. More spears began to rise from their circles. Slowly, one by one, each of the spears joined the cloud of green energy, until the entire trap was burning with her magical aura. She hissed once, a sharp command in the language of the dead, and every single spear crumbled.

She stepped back, obviously drained, and Pandora rushed to her side.

"Pan, I'm flattered, but I'm fine."

Indeed she was- for a moment she had looked tired, had swayed as though she might collapse, but already it was gone. She was strong once more, all grace and cold beauty, without even the slightest hint of exhaustion. Pandora often wondered if spending her Aora reserves for necromancy drained the energy animating her, but she felt it would be most rude to ask.

Since Vorel had made a swift recovery they decided to continue. The end was near, they could both feel it.

A large wooden door loomed in front of them. Pandora knelt in front of it and glanced into the keyhole, using the tiniest bit of magefire to see inside.

"Locked, but not trapped. I guess he thought everything else would kill us."

"Can you open it, Pan?"

"I can indeed. I don't even need magic for this. Prepare to have your mind blown."

Pandora turned her back to the door and snaked her pink tail up to the lock. She closed her eyes, focusing, as her slender tail entered the keyhole. It slipped back and forth, and Vorel could hear it pressing the tumblers inside. Finally there was a loud click and Pandora withdrew her tail -

-only to be greeting by a noxious purple gas rolling outward from the lock. Vorel and Pandora swooned as the gas got inside of them. They hit the ground unceremoniously, unable to stay conscious. A booming laugh echoed around them as two robed figures picked up their vacant bodies.

When they came to they were tied to a thick wooden stake. Across from them, strapped to two stone slabs, were Fox and Somber. They were in a round pit, a dungeon, and a tall figure loomed far above them. They could see his eyes, burning red in the darkness that seemed to cloak the viewing level. Upon seeing them move lights flared to life above them. Jinx sat perched on an iron chair, resting her hands on a rather ritzy cane, twirling his thin moustache as he smiled down upon them.

"So nice of you to finally join us, ladies. We've got quite a night planned for you and your foxes."

He pulled a lever resting beside him and two large axes dropped from the ceiling. They began to swing, slowly, dropping an inch lower at a time.

"It's a pity it has to end this way. I was greatly looking forward to extorting all of your assets away from you. No matter, though- with you four out of the way I'll be free to claim your mansion for myself and terrorize two nations. It will be glorious, truly."

"You will never take our lives! We are the finest, fanciest females in all of Litteraturi, and we will get out of here! We will destroy you, Baron Jinx!"

Vorel nodded in agreement as she struggled against her chains.

The baron laughed as he began twirling both his moustache and his cane, cackling madly.

Pandora was waiting, waiting for him to slip up, waiting for him to close his eyes, waiting for anything at all. As his red eyes stared at them eagerly, hungrily, she channeled her power. She summoned it with all her might, catching it and holding it inside of her until the time was right.

Her salvation came in the form of a robed man entering the upper level and speaking in a hushed whisper to the demonic baron. Jinx stood and cast a dark glance down into the pit. The men were out cold beneath the pendulum, and the women were glaring at him venomously. He turned his back on them to speak to his underling, and Pandora seized her chance.

Her scream filled the chamber, echoing off the cold stone, until it almost seemed like a shield. As it reached its peak there was an explosion of crystal-colored energy. The pole they were bound to exploded and splintered, sending needle-fine scraps of wood barreling into the walls. Vorel and Pandora hit the ground and the jackal raced to the pendulum. She removed her shawl and swung it, wrapping it around the wooden shafts of the pendulum. With a great yank she snapped them and the blades began to fall. Pan was quick, throwing a disc of energy to knock them away from the sleeping men.

Vorel brushed the leather straps binding them in place and they rotted away. She grabbed Fox and her partner grabbed Somber, and the pair bolted. With a fast spell Vorel tore open a gateway to their mansion and they vanished within it.

Jinx screamed and hurled his seat into the pit, causing the metal to twist and snap.

"Damn those women and their powerful magic and clever minds! Curse their meddling ovaries!"

Back at home, Vorel and Pan tucked their husbands in and sent for the best doctor their vast riches could buy. They were filthy, exhausted, ragged and sore, but they didn't care. They shared a rather intense high five and smiled.

"It's a good thing we're so fantastic, Pan."

"Indeed, my friend. Bitches can't step."