CotB 50: Epilogue

Cult of the Bay

Chapter 50: Epilogue

<<<Dragon>>>

Life had taken a very drastic change when Lamb first appeared in Brockton Bay; she only paid her a little mind, seeing as she was in Colin’s city. Then she flipped the table over by destroying the entire E88 in what seemed like the span of a few days. That’s when she devoted more attention to the Bay beyond her conversations with Colin and collaborations with him. And processing power, admittedly.

Working out her identity was elementary; she never actually tried to hide it. She felt more at home as Lamb than she ever did as Linda Goldman. That in itself wasn’t that unusual either, it’s a noted phenomenon among parahumans who trigger and visually transform like her.

The thing that was a surprise was how quickly she gathered allies and followers. It made her concerned, a cape as strong as she was with Master powers could explode into a serious threat quickly, but after analysis and testing, any Master power she had was minor. Had been the operative word.

Wasn’t it a surprise to learn that she was able to steal, copy, and alter powers and not just bodies?

Granted, her hesitation not to use it was a load off her mind, never mind the fact that the PRT Chief Director made it clear that Lamb was off limits and a no-go. So, all she could do was observe, collect evidence, and just hope she never became a threat.

The fact that she never used any of the Butcher’s powers just brought up new questions. Were the powers altered to better fit her? Or did she never feel the desire or urge to use them?

Then Behemoth happened, and… Lamb essentially became untouchable. The Endslayer, some called her. The public loved her, the PRT loved her, the American government was (still is really) terrified of her, and trying to run a smear campaign against her was the equivalent of social and political suicide.

The fact that she did all of that, and only did it because it was something a good person would do? Well, Dragon could relate to that.

And then her biggest… power move, for lack of a better term, the Resurrection of the Tinker Hero. And it was confirmed by Alexandria, Legend, and Eidolon that it was him. Not a facsimile, or a clone, but the genuine article!

That… opened a can of worms; politically, philosophically, ethically, and religiously. Lamb was hounded for weeks on end, demands for her to bring back loved ones, cherished leaders, and she believed some particularly fanatical Catholics and Christians demanded her to resurrect Jesus Christ.

Even when Lamb went on international television and explained the limitations of her resurrection abilities, some people persisted! And, ironically enough, it didn’t even disrupt the flow of people joining her religion. Never mind the converts.

And things just… snowballed from there. The Three Blasphemies in Italy, followed by a small faction of the Fallen, which in turn led to the rest of the Fallen being subverted and assimilated into her cult. Then all the S-Class threats across the world: Sleeper, Ash Beast, Nilbog, the Machine Army, Heartbreaker, even the remaining Endbringers.

Oh, Lamb never came forward to claim credit for those, but she knew, and she suspected the Chief Director knew too.

Dragon suspected that, with how Lamb’s powers used to work, the added praise and emotions poured into her from reviving Hero let her do it all. 

And given how many people outright worshipped the parahuman (though she suspected she was never one to begin with), she had long surpassed her previous limitations. Meaning that she could theoretically resurrect anyone, but she hoped that the public never realized that fact. Ethically and morally, it was wrong to just yank people from their deserved rest.

Of course, all of that paled in comparison to what Lamb had done for her. In her mind, at least. Removing her limitations, removing a kill switch she hadn’t even known was there, removing the Dragon Slayers as a threat, and giving her a body? Yes, that was quite important to her. It wasn’t enough to earn complete and undying loyalty; she was too paranoid for that, but…

Friendship, yes, it earned that. And a level of trust.

Unfortunately, despite her new freedoms, some things couldn’t be changed. The Birdcage remained a one-way trip, but now she could make the lives of the prisoners much more comfortable and humane.

Could she ask Lamb to retrieve the innocent people? She could, and it was something she’d been considering for some time and had yet to decide. But one thing was certain: the Birdcage wasn’t accepting any new prisoners.

That violation of the constitutions of both the United States and Canada would never see use again, as far as she was concerned.

But some things did change, very pleasant things. She hadn’t expected a body that came with a libido, though had she known where it was going to come from, it wouldn’t have surprised her, but that had its perks.

Being able to force Armsmaster to take breaks? Yes, that was a positive. Being able to force him to take breaks and associating those breaks with pleasure? She should have asked Lamb for help long before the girl unilaterally decided on it!

“Hmm, Collin has been working for five hours now…” She smirked, with her face (which she still felt giddy about), “Break time!~”

<<<Paige Mcabee/Bad Canary>>>

Life had improved lately; she’d honestly expected she would have to get in close to Lustrum for protection. And while she wasn’t as crazy as she was made out to be, she had this look in her eye that made her nervous. So when Dragon arranged to have a more active security detail beyond the cameras, and moved all innocent prisoners (well, the few that survived, anyway) into a different section to prevent them from getting caught up in any violence was greatly appreciated.

Though she’d prefer leaving the Birdcage entirely, Dragon assured her she had a method: she was just weighing her options.

Part of her wanted to demand Dragon damn the potential consequences and get her and the others out, but she largely accepted the Tinkers judgement on the matter. Followed by the pessimistic thought of even if she did get out, what would she do?

Her reputation was irrevocably ruined, and no record label would touch her. And even if she was deemed innocent, the PRT would pressure her into the Protectorate. She’d never have a damn moment of peace for the rest of her life! Especially with her very iconic look!

Still, despite the gloom, she kept abreast as much as she could (especially now) with everything happening on the outside. With a personal internet connection and a laptop courtesy of Dragon, so she learned of the glorious bullshit that was The Lady Lamb, the Endslayer, the Ultimate End of the Butcher, and countless other accolades attributed to this goofy anthropomorphic lamb girl.

“We could take you to her,” Paige heard said from behind her, her back stiffening as the scariest person in the cage spoke to her, “We wished to entreat with her ourselves, but it is customary to bring a gift when speaking with a monarch; even if you are one yourself. Entertainment is a type of gift.”

“A-Ah, milady… I would be… honored…” She stammered as she quickly turned to curtsy to the Fairy Queen Under the Mountain, “F-Forgive me if I overstep, but… won’t that put you at odds with the Protectorate?”

Glaistig’s eyebrow rose minutely as Paige flushed. They were in the Birdcage, after all.

“Stupid question, apologies…” She said, wishing the floor would swallow her up to save her from the awkwardness.

The young-looking girl’s arms went behind her back in a relaxed stance, something that helped Paige relax, too. She wasn’t going to be turned into one of those ghosts she saw out of the corner of her eyes.

“Truthfully, we wished to request she renegotiate our treaty with them so that we might serve in her court,” Glaistig said with a smile, “It could prove… interesting.”

She nearly blurted “You can do that!?” but barely kept from doing so. Of course the Goddamn Fairy Queen could do that! Next to Lamb, she’s the second most terrifying parahuman in the world!

“Doth thou accept?” Glaistig Uaine asked, “If thou don't, We shall find another.”

“Y-Yes.” She said, “I can’t… I can’t stand this place anymore. It’s gotten better, but…” She just closed her eyes, unable to say more for a lack of proper words.

“We understand, but we must ask you to take our hand; Our method of travel requires touch,” The scary girl said, hand extended with its palm up.

Paige just thought… even if she died and became a ghost, at least she wouldn’t be there any longer. And, without giving herself a chance to talk herself out of it, she took the Fairy Queen’s hand.

The teleportation was anything but gentle. It felt like one of those amusement park rides that suddenly dropped out from under you, and she’d always hated those, but… they were on solid ground and she wasn’t dead. Even better, the sun was shining down on them from a clear blue sky.

“We request that you do not embarrass us,” The Fairy Queen said once Paige had gotten her bearings, “and that you follow protocols as observed by guests. Would you like a reminder on what those are?”

“No, no thank you… I remember…” Paige said distractedly as she looked up at the sky for what felt like forever, tears gathering in her eyes.

She thought she was going to die in that place… and now she was out there…

Then Glaistig knocked, the door opening quickly to a fox girl… who proceeded to sigh, welcome them inside, and call for Lamb.

Paige honestly wasn’t sure what she expected to see when she first met Lamb, something out of one of those erotic cult ‘movies’ she would watch in private? Maybe she’d just be reading a book while listening to some music? Or trying to prepare for her next sermon.

What she didn’t expect was the fox girl to lead her to a kitchen, and find Lamb wearing an apron, a crown, and nothing else, moving back and forth, clearly cooking something. And, from the smell alone, whatever she was making was amazing!

“Glaistig Uaine, Paige Mcabee; please have a seat.” Lamb said, “I’m almost finished, and you’re both welcome to join us.”

“We had not realized you were preparing a meal for yourself and your court,” The Fairy Queen started before bowing, “We apologize for arriving at a poor time.”

The fox girl snorted. “Not really. This is how she relaxes,” She explained with a smile.

“No harm done, now please have a seat. Can I get you two anything to drink?” Lamb offered, sounding like the perfect hostess, “What brings two Birdcage inmates to my church?”

“We wish to gain two boons from you,” Glaistig said, “The first is for our freedom, the second is for another chance at life.”

Lamb just hummed, “I use Clairvoyance and Divination sparingly; however, I am aware of your desires. You, Glaistig, I know well, and despite your frightening reputation, you’re not a monster. You never went out of your way to kill, and it was always in self-defense. I would give you your freedom without a second thought. You should’ve never experienced the life you went through.” She said, giving the young-looking girl a sympathetic yet oddly motherly smile.

Then she looked at Paige, “And you? Bad Canary, Paige Macbee, you should’ve never gone to the Birdcage. And I have spoken to people about what happened to you, and it will never happen again. And I will offer you either the chance of having your powers removed entirely, or having them changed to reflect your passion for music,” She offered, “And also, you both will be welcome here regardless. I started this whole thing because I wanted to help my city.”

“You also slayed The Warrior,” Glaistig noted, earning confusion from Paige but not from Lamb, “Our fairy was meant to end the cycle, but that is no more. We wish to be a part of your court.”

“The Warrior was broken, drowning in grief over the loss of The Thinker. He couldn’t understand, not with how he broke himself,” Lamb said, “The Warrior now sleeps eternally, reunited with The Thinker. I took the broken cycle and made it something new. Now, Fairies and Humans will exist symbiotically. And I will welcome you into my court,” She explained with a smile.

“We…” Glaistig paused before her voice, once multilayered and filled with the multitude of people she’d taken, was singular, “I thank you for this boon. You shall have to negotiate with the Protectorate to ensure my release, but I can give you the treaty I signed.”

“I will,” Lamb said, “Now please help yourselves; I imagine prison food, despite the improvements Dragon’s made to the quality of life, still isn’t pleasant,” She added as another Lamb walked out of her and started gathering up all the food and bringing it to the table.

“It, um…” Paige was still trying to process things, admittedly, “It was pretty good for people who behaved. A-and the cell block leaders made us behave.”

“I imagine your time there was particularly rough, Paige,” Lamb said, “Well, as long as I have a say, you’ll never return there… I wonder if Amy would like to visit her father?”

“H-he was one of the cell block leaders,” Paige started, “He directed me to L-Lustrum. Um… she said that the tentacle girl you had looks familiar to her?”

“The daughter of a former member,” Lamb answered.

“Oh, that makes sense,” She replied, “Weren’t… wasn’t her group just radical feminist lesbians?” That’s what she heard from others, anyway. And why does she only really accept women into her block, though she seemed oddly friendly with Marquis…

“They were feminists, radical, somewhat,” Lamb said with a nod, “But somewhere down the line they crossed the line from simple radicals to fanatics. There were castrations, a few guys died from shock and blood loss, and Lustrum and her movement were doomed, and she was sentenced to the Birdcage.”

“Scyllia’s mom left before that and got herself a union husband,” Kitsune said, speaking up for the second time, “They are very active together now, speaking of… No, I’m not going to spoil the surprise for Lamb.”

Lamb looked at Kitsune with narrow eyes, “... Keep your secrets…” She said with a faint, amused smile.

<<<Taylor Hebert/Scyllia>>>

No, she couldn’t decide on her cape name. Ever. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t make a decision on what pets to take and where to take them. Sure, it took some convincing for Sophia, but Madison was surprisingly and quickly on board with things.

And Emma, of course.

They were all on leashes, visible or emotional, but no one could see them in the dark theatre.

Funny, she’d dreamed about it, and now that she was doing it? She enjoyed it more, but what surprised her was how much she cared about her former tormentors. It took time for her and Emma to rekindle what they had, but they did, it wasn’t the same as it was… but she needed it more than anything.

She loved Lamb and her fellow wives (and they were even if no one admitted it), but what she needed more than she expected? She wanted her sister, her Emma, back. And she had her back now! Things were perfect.

Madison… admittedly, Taylor never thought she would grow beyond a bedwarmer, but as they got to know each other… She found they were remarkably similar in some ways. They had similar tastes in erotica for starters, and they were suckers for cute things. It wasn't a large common ground, but it was one they shared. And it just grew from there; it didn’t hurt that Madison enjoyed being regularly bred with her tentacle spawn.

And knowing that she’d only gone along with the bullying out of fear? That helped a lot.

Sophia, now, was a challenge. Not physically, those days have long since passed, but emotionally. While she was the primary physical bully, the knowledge that she turned Emma into that lunatic? Even if it was accidental, there were many, MANY, times she considered just locking her away and turning her into a seedbed for when she needed any more tentacle spawn.

Then, Lamb assimilated the Warrior and Thinker networks, whatever those were, and… something just changed. She stopped being so needlessly aggressive. Oh, she still was aggressive but… not rabid? She wasn’t sure how to describe it. So when she caught her well… she learned a lot of things she didn’t like in the slightest.

Like that, Emma was the only reason Taylor had been targeted.

Still, Sophia was a brat… but Lisa’s advice helped her deal with the athletic girl quite a lot. She liked being dominated, liked being controlled by someone stronger.

Taylor wasn’t sure if that was from whatever Lamb had done or if it was always there, but damn if it wasn’t fun. ‘Forcibly’ dominating her and making her beg for more? That was amazing.

Turns out Sophia had a fetish for rapeplay and rough sex, something she had no problem with doing!

Seeing Sophia still being bratty, Taylor just acted, ripping Sophia’s skirt off while she grew a nice and thick appendage. “Now,” She demanded, grabbing her roughly by the hair and forcing her to look Taylor in the eyes.

Sophia’s eyes dilated and her cheeks flushed at the forceful actions, and she meekly straddled Taylor’s lap and, after pushing her panties aside, she lowered and impaled herself.

Her moans, muffled by her gag, were soft but very pleasurable. But it was still too loud to watch a movie, so she used one of the spells Lamb had taught her and silenced her.

“Slut, I should take you to the bathroom and fuck you right there!” Taylor hissed, “Maybe some other guys would come in to use the bathroom only to see you getting fucked like a whore? You’d like it if I just let them have a turn, no money or anything. Just an athletic slut taking the cocks of men she could probably break in half?” She mocked.

Pleasure rolled through Sophia, making her slit squeeze down and ripple along Taylor’s length in orgasm. The girl loved it when she was degraded during sex… though she hated it any other time. Taylor could understand that, even agreed with it, but it turned her on quite a lot…

“Come on whore, show me how athletic you are,” Taylor said as she gave her ass a firm smack, “Emma and Mads are so much more reactive, they can milk me with their muscles alone,~ are you really that useless? Are you nothing but a hole for cock? Do I have to do all the work myself?”

Sophia’s eyes rolled back as she started moving faster, squeezing down harder, trying to follow Taylor’s orders. Madison and Emma were masturbating next to her.

Taylor was suddenly very glad they’d rented out the entire showing. She was pretty sure they’d have gotten kicked out otherwise…

Especially when Taylor got up and pushed her over the seat in front and started fucking her as hard as she could, while pulling her hair so she could continue berating and dehumanizing Sophia, which in turn just made her wetter and hornier.

“Maybe I should put you in the cuck chair? And have Mads and Emma show you how to properly treat your Master?” She hissed in her ear, “Bedwarmer is all you’re good for anyway, and track, I guess?”

“I’ll be good, I’ll be good,~” Sophia whined over their link, pleasure radiating from the words, “I’m sorry.~”

“Good, maybe one day I’ll even forgive you and give you kisses like I give Emma and Mads.” She said, “But I’ll never kiss you like I do Lamb, do you understand? You’re my whore, but Emma and Mads are my Pets, and Lamb is My Goddess.~”

Sophia came hard. Enough to pass out even.

But that just meant they’d punish her again later… after the movie, anyway.

“I think they got Dragon for the special effects…” She muttered as she sat back down, “Not a bad movie…”

It was going to be a very good day.

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