The night hung heavy over the city, moonlight veiled by thick clouds. The streets of **Darkmoor City** were silent, most of its inhabitants lost in dreams.
In a narrow alley, **Dunce** stopped abruptly. He handed the **Catwoman** to **Rock**, patting the **Elf Maiden**'s trembling shoulder. "Stop crying. You're safe now," he said gently. "We were sent by the **Elf Queen**. You'll be home soon." From the **Amulet of the Blood Dragon**, he pulled out a cloak, draping it over the elf's slender frame. Using his **Vital Rockforce**, he slit two openings for her wings.
"Th-thank you," she stammered, her voice fragile. "Please… let's leave quickly."
"Leaving won't be that easy," a cold voice cut through the darkness. **Dunce** and the brothers spun around. A pale-faced man in opulent robes stepped into view—**Viscount Master Horton**, nephew of Darkmoor's overlord. Behind him stood rows of black-clad assassins, their presence suffocating the alley like a shroud.
"Horton, at your service," the man smiled, though his eyes remained icy. "By title, a viscount. By trade… the true owner of the **Opulent Mystic Nightclub**."
**Dunce** tensed. Though Horton's energy felt weak, danger radiated from him. The elf girl shrank behind **Dunce**, trembling.
"No need for hostility," Horton purred. "I merely wish to speak with the distinguished **Dragon Summoner**. Join me as President Mage of Darkmoor. Wealth? Power? Even this elf—she's yours. I'll refund every coin you spent. More elves, if you desire."
**Dunce** snarled, "Scum like you don't deserve to breathe!"
Horton's smile didn't waver. "Scum? Morality is a luxury for the weak. I've lived a century indulging every pleasure. Will you regret *not* seizing life when you're old and feeble?"
**Dunce** stepped forward, clarity sharpening his mind. "Your 'pleasure' is built on others' agony. You chase gold and status—we seek purpose. Your soul is hollow. How many ghosts haunt your dreams?"
Horton's composure cracked. "Clever words, mage. But useless." He snapped his fingers. "You're already poisoned."
**Dunce**'s blood turned to ice—literally. A chilling toxin flooded his veins as Horton explained, "You avoided the utensils… but not the desserts at the club."
Before **Dunce** could react, five razor-sharp claws tore into his back. He flew through the air, blood spraying. **Rock** and **Dunce** roared, charging, but the **Catwoman**—**Mimi**—moved like smoke. With two contemptuous strikes, the brothers collapsed, coughing blood.
Mimi examined her crimson-tipped claws. "Sturdy hides," she mused. "But now the poison will work faster."
**Dunce** stared, betrayal searing his heart. "Why…?"
Mimi giggled, her feline fangs glinting. "Oh, you sweet fool. Viscount Master Horton sent **Eagle** to track you months ago. That sad merchant **'Watana'**? Our spy. And this damsel-in-distress act?" She waved a dismissive paw. "Scripted. We *do* love clever games."
Horton sneered, "Join us or die. Ten seconds to choose—"
**Dunce**'s mind raced. With a choked whisper, he invoked the summoning spell:
> "*By the Blood Dragon, tear open the gates of space!*"
Horton scoffed. "Delusional—"
Blue light exploded as **Holy Evil**, the obsidian-scaled dragon, materialized. Its tail shattered the alley walls as it roared, gray acid spraying from its maw. Killer Ninja screamed, dissolving into sludge.
Mimi lunged, but the dragon swatted her aside like a fly. "Mobilize everyone!" she shrieked at Horton.
As assassins swarmed the dragon, **Dunce** reached into the amulet again. "I need you too—**Little Bonedrake**!"
A skeletal monstrosity twice **Holy Evil**'s size rose, crushing attackers with bone claws. It absorbed their shrieking souls, green fire burning in its eye sockets.
Chaos reigned. Mimi snarled, dropping to all fours. Fur rippled across her skin as she grew feral—her claws elongating, eyes turning black. She lunged at **Holy Evil** and tore through his chest scales! The dragon howled, blood drenching the stones.
With **Holy Evil** wounded and the **Little Bonedrake** guarding his friends, **Dunce**'s eyes hardened.
*Time to fight fire with hellfire.*