Chapter 5
        The following day, Maximus was riding his motorcycle. With some counseling from Jennifer and Denise, he decided to end things with Sarabi. They offered to come with him for emotional support, but he turned them down. 
He briefly recalled his text conversation with Sarabi.
(i)Sarabi, can we meet up today? (/i) Maximus initially texted. 
(i)Does cubby need something?(/i) Sarabi texted back.
(i)I don’t appreciate the way you’ve been treating me so I don’t want to see you again,(/i) Maximus responded.
(i)...Mommy understands. Mommy has been a bit mean to you, hasn’t she? How about you come to my house? I’ll cook you a good-bye lunch and we’ll never see each other again. (/i)Sarabi offered. Maximus was hesitant to respond. She was taking this… oddly better than he had anticipated. Considering her behavior from yesterday, he expected more of a fight from her.
Not that he was complaining.
(i)Okay. Sounds good. See you in an hour. (/i) Maximus texted.
(i)It’s a date, cubby.(/i) Sarabi responded along with a wink emoji.
Originally, he wanted to go to the restaurant he went to with Margaret and Rita. But a home-cooked meal sounded lovely. Both for him and his wallet.
Maximus arrived at a small two-story house. He noticed how it seemed to match Sarabi’s behavior. Just as she had been cruel, her front yard reflected that. Overgrown grass and general signs of decay from her building.
He felt sorry knowing someone like her lived in a place like that.
“Maybe I can talk with Deborah and Mother Dragon about getting her a job with us,” Maximus proposed to no one in particular. He made his way to her doorstep, knocking a few times on her door.
After the sound of a few locks being undone, Sarabi opened the door. Like always, she greeted him with that loving smile. She leaned in, tousling his hair.
“Momma widdle cubby has come over for a wunch. Come on in, Mommy made her special.” Sarabi gestured for him to come in. Blushing, Maximus slowly stepped inside. He didn’t have long to look over anything.
The moment he was inside, Sarabi covered his muzzle with a damp cloth. She held him close to her chest, resisting his futile efforts to escape. He screamed as loud as possible, driving Sarabi into the door. This happened repeatedly, banging Sarabi’s back into the door until she released him. 
When that happened, he fell to the floor. His vision was shaky and he was finding it hard to stand up. The last thing he saw was Sarabi’s foot above his head.
“Night night, widdle cub.” 
A single stomp to the head rendered the liger unconscious.
xxx
        He wasn’t sure how long he was out. Maybe an hour or two best. Maximus found himself in a crib with his arms, legs, and tail restrained. He grimaced at the sight of the thick locking mittens his paws were in.
They were the ones from Deborah’s store. As long as he had them on, he couldn’t free himself from his restraints. The material was too thick for his claws to pierce through
There was also one more feature added.
His penis was trapped nicely inside that cage Sarabi’s tried to make him wear.
“What the fuck is going on?” Maximus wondered. He tried to free himself, but between his diminished strength and tight restraints, he was certainly stuck. 
“Awe did Mommy’s widdle cub wake up?” Sarabi asked as she entered the nursery. Maximus whimpered pathetically, nudging his head to his cage.
“Why are you doing this to me?” Maximus asked. Again, Sarabi tousled his hair. The caring grin she had was gone, now just a wick scowl.
“You don’t get it yet, do you? Perhaps, Mommy should show you.” 
Suddenly, he felt his penis throbbing. It strained against his cage, Maximus's entire body tensed. An orgasm was building up, but whenever he’d nearly reached it, whatever was causing it stopped.
Meanwhile, a green wave washed over Sarabi. Slowly, it revealed who she truly was.
She had black skin with parts of her arms and legs filled with holes. Insect-like wings, also filled with holes, reveal themselves. Sarabi’s amber eyes are replaced with the imposter’s dark green eyes. A teal-colored mane and tail are unveiled. At the top of her head, behind her twisted horn was a small crown that matched her skin tone.
“It was certainly fun being Sarabi but call me, Chrysalis,” Chrysalis laughed. Maximus gasped, still tense as he was nearing an orgasm. He thrust his hips upward, moaning as he ejaculated. His cage lit a faint pink light, Maximus’s cum coming out in a bright pink aura. 
All of which flowed directly in Queen Chrysalis’s open mouth. Upon swallowing it, her body shivered with pleasure.
“AAAAH YESSS! It tastes even better the second time.” Queen Chrysalis approached him, smiling the same way Sarabi did. She laughed at his pathetic growling.
“When I get out of here-”
“Mama’s widdle cub isn’t going anywhere.” Maximus’s effort to escape his bondage suddenly deflated. He whimpered a bit, looking at Queen Chrysalis with a quivered lip. She tousled his hair, planting another kiss on his forehead. 
Suddenly he understood everything. His realization only made Chrysalis sneer.
“From that first interaction, you’ve been under Mommy’s spell widdle cub. My submissive widdle pet. Soon you’ll be mine forever,” Queen Chrysalis teased. Maximus shook his head.
“Why are you doing this?” 
“Simple, I want to reclaim the kingdom I lost and then some. When I heard about this place and the ones living here, I couldn’t resist it.” Chrysalis at her hands with noticeable indifference. “Coming to the boonies of the multiverse might’ve altered my body slightly but the energy I’ve gathered from you only twice dwarfs any meal I’ve ever had.”
She leaned in, licking the side of his face. The changeling’s horn lit up as she opened her mouth. Maximus screamed as he came again. Just like before, his cum flowed into Chrysalis. She moaned, thoroughly pleased with his load.
“Your love is just so delicious. I can’t wait to taste the others. Especially the Dalmatian. For now,” Chrysalis pulled out the liger’s phone, “time to lure in some bigger fish.”
Realizing what awaited his friends, Maximus renewed his effort to escape. Defiantly, he glared at Queen Chrysalis.
“No… I won’t let you! I won’t let you do this to anyone else! Felinic Evolution!” Maximus threatened. Not that it bothered her in the slightest. When he didn’t transform, she laughed at his useless resistance. Covered in a green aura, the same damp rag from earlier floated into her hand.
“How precious, Mommy’s widdle cub thinks he has a choice. But it’s too late, my widdle cubby!” She covered his muzzle area with the rag. Chrysalis laughed as Maximus struggled to resist. “There’s nothing you can do now. So be a good widdle cub for Mommy.” 
Whether it was the rag or her spell over him, Maximus wasn’t sure. However, he knew his strength was fading. Regardless of either, he fell sound asleep.
Chrysalis undid his bonds, lifting him in a green aura.
“Soon you’ll be mine for eternity. You and your precious friends! HAHAHA!” Chrysalis laughed.


























Chapter 6
        Chrysalis moved herself and Maximus from the house to a cave outside of town. Currently, she sat on a stone, pondering her new move.
(i)Capturing the Dalmatian would be ill-advised. Regardless of her emotional state, she’d still overpower me. So instead, I’ll go after someone a little… lower on the food chain here.(/i) Chrysalis thought. She picked up Maximus’s phone, cycling through his contacts until she found her target. Someone stronger than most here but weaker than Deborah.
(i)Denise, you have to hurry! I’m under heavy fire! Everett showed up and is attacking me and Sarabi. I’ll hold him off as long as I can but I’m too weak and pathetic to fight him for long! (/i)
Denise gasped. If Everett’s in their world, then they had a chance to rescue their friend! 
(i)I’m on my way, I just need to alert Deborah and the others! (/i) Denise texted back.
(i)There’s no time! Deborah’s not in the best shape to fight and the others are being held up by Everett’s minions! You’re literally my only hope!(/i) Chrysalis responded. She waited a bit, smiling after receiving Denise’s next text.
(i)Where are you? I’m on my way.
        The cave is just outside of town in the mountains. You should see several green blasts as you get closer!(/i) Chrysalis answered. She stood outside the cave, firing off a few rapid magic blasts from her horn.
(i)Got it!(/i) Denise texted, leaving work to save her friend. Exactly as Chrysalis planned. She flew above the top of the cave’s ceiling. Maximus, suspended in a green cocoon, slumbered helplessly. 
“Oh look my widdle cub, one of your precious friends is coming to save you.” Chrysalis nuzzled her head against her captive’s cocoon. She continued her prattle in a babyish, mocking tone of voice, “Oh but she won’t save you, no she won’t! Soon you'll have a new playmate and Mommy will have a new servant. Yes, we will, yes we will!”
“Bu-bu-but Mommy Chrissy, I’m a dumb pathetic liger! I’ll get out and-” Chrysalis, after transforming into Maximus, whined. She scoffed at such words. Then she transformed back to normal.
“And how will you do that, Momma’s widdle cub? No one has been able to escape my cocoons on their own. Besides, you’re already under my spell, cubby. And unlike with,” Queen Chrysalis’s voice dripped with venom as she said (i)their(/i) names, “Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, no one loves you enough to overcome my magic!”
“But that’s not true! I still have my idiot friends!” She countered again as Maximus. Queen Chrysalis paused at this. She recalled how quickly they were prepared to slaughter her as Sarabi for punishing him in that store.
A worry the changeling brushed off. As she learned from her encounters with a certain pony princess and her friends, a united foe was strong. 
Though separate, they are easy to defeat.
This thought remained with her as she landed. Turning behind her, she saw a devastated and furious Denise. Immediately, Denise aimed a paw at Maximus’s cocoon to free him.
Chrysalis wagged her finger, “Tsk tsk, I wouldn’t do that.”
“Why not?” Denise asked with narrowed eyes. Chrysalis flew to his cocoon once more, dragging a paw across it.
“This is a special cocoon. In less than an hour, cubby-boy here will be under my control forever! Freeing him now is an option but it might fasten the process or leave him braindead,” Chrysalis explained. Denise’s eyes widened. It was too late to help her friend.
(i)No, there’s still time. I might be able to save him. Just have to get through the bug first.(/i) A burning red aura covered Denise. Chrysalis landed again, horning glowing.
“If we’re going to fight, let’s go outside.” 
Chrysalis fired a green beam from her horn. Denise jumped back to avoid it. Regardless, the force of the blast pushed Denise further away, the feline flying just outside the cave. Stepping out of the cave, Chrysalis took the skies until she and Denise were eye-level.
“My cub gets so cranky if he doesn’t have his nap.” Chrysalis taunted, horning glowing. Each fired a blast of magical energy at each other, both struggling to overpower the other.
xxx
In his own mind, Maximus bounced on Sarabi’s knee. Unlike his prior dreams, he wasn’t a cub, instead, he was his regular age in a diaper and onesie. In a hypnotic state, he looked up at her. Sarabi had disappeared, Chrysalis taking her place. 
Regardless, he still smiled and waved at his Mommy. Mommy Chrysalis waved back. She lifted him into her arms, showering him with kisses. His Mommy showered him with praise, calling him her ‘special widdle cub’.  Then again, why wouldn’t she though?
Maximus was Mommy’s widdle cub after all. She would love him for all eternity. Maybe even longer.
There was still a lingering piece of him resisting. Crying into the either for him to fight back. To escape and defeat Chrysalis. But he paid it no mind. He was in his Mommy’s caring hands, she’d handle it.
Maximus would be safe and loved until the end of his days. Also, during Mommy’s little tirade, she mentioned his friends and how they’d be joining him too. Oh, how he rejoiced to know that.
Once Mommy Chrissy was done with them, they’d be happy too. Then they’d all be together forever and ever and ever and-
(i)Is that what you really want?(/i)
Maximus and Chrysalis look out into the darkness. She appeared.
Azalea, a blue cat, walked towards them with sympathetic eyes.
“Liggy, are you really going to let her win? Right now, you’re the only one who can stop her,” Azalea said. Between the three of them, a small rift opened. In it, they saw Denise and the real Chrysalis fighting.
(i)Several red arcs are easily blocked by Chrysalis’s shield. Before she could lift it, a swift kick from Denise sent her crashing to the stone floor.
Chrysalis growled, firing another magic blast at Denise. The black cat levitated a boulder in front of her, using it as a shield. Fortunately, it held up to the attack. When Denise no longer felt any resistance, she flung it downward. 
Chrysalis dodged, narrowly avoiding the boulder. However, the shockwave from its landing sent her flying. She landed on her side, groaning from the pain.
Denise, paws above her head, charged up one final ball of energy. It cracked and burned with enough power to eradicate Chrysalis. She tossed it downward, unleashing another blast of energy to increase its acceleration.
All the while, Chrysalis smirked knowingly. 
She generated a small green vortex right as Denise’s attack struck. Instead of dealing any damage, it flowed into Chrysalis’s mouth. To Denise’s shock and horror, Chrysalis shivered with unbridled pleasure.
“So this is what the Feline of Love’s power tastes like? It’s way more scrumptious than the liger’s love.” Chrysalis observed. Denise’s ears clamp on her head, realization coming to her.
“Changelings feed on love…” Denise trailed off. Of course, as she charged up her horn, Chrysalis continued.
“And your magic is powered by love. Making me your worst match-up.” Chrysalis unleashed another green beam, this one much larger than the ones prior. Denise countered with a beam of her own, hers paled in size compared to Chrysalis.
Without any struggle on Chrysalis’s part, her attack overpowered Denise’s attack. The feline is consumed by the attack, desperately trying to hold on.
“Can’t… lose… if I… do then…” Denise muttered in her effort to push back Chrysalis’s attack.
“Oh, save it. You’ve already lost. Now bow before your new queen!” Chrysalis increased the strength of her attack. Denise pushed it back for a brief second. 
Then is utterly devoured by the attack.
Her screams of agony are almost as delightful as Chrysalis’s impending victory over this world. Denise, now unconscious, fell to the ground. Midway through her fall, she’s caught by Chrysalis’s magic.
“The Princess of Love was a great meal. So I know the Feline of Love will make an even better meal.” A flow of red miasma flowed from Denise into Chrysalis. (/i)
Azalea closed the rift, looking at Maximus dejectedly. “If you don’t stop this now, Denise will become one of Chrysalis’s servants. Then the others will follow too. Are you okay with condemning your friends to servitude?”
Mommy Chrissy turned Maximus’s head to face her.
“Don’t listen to her, cubby. She’s just jealous that Mommy loves you and hers didn’t,” Mommy Chrissy said. Maximus slowly nodded in agreement. Mommy was right. She was always right.
Azalea rolled her eyes.
“We’ll be talking in circles at this rate. Let him decide this for himself.” Azalea offered. Mommy Chrissy smiled smugly. She knew her cub would choose her. He was still under her spell after all. Humoring the cat, she set him on the floor between herself and Azalea.
“Come to Mommy Chrissy, widdle cub. After all,” she turned into Sarabi, Deborah, Jennifer, Denise, Mother Dragon, and Azalea, “I can be whoever you want me to be. And you’ll have my love for eternity. Never to be alone again.”
Maximus crawled slowly towards her, stopping only when Azalea spoke.
“But if she really loved you, would she have done (i)any(/i) of this? If she really loved you, she wouldn’t try to hurt your friends. She wouldn’t try to hurt you either. Chrysalis doesn’t know what love means,” Azalea said sternly. Maximus turned from her to Mommy Chrissy. She turned into Sarabi, lifting him into her paws once more.
“Nonsense. Who loves her widdle cub more than me?” Mommy Chrissy asked. Maximus, still in that hypnotic trance, recalled something Deborah once said.
(i)“...I wanted it to be her choice. To come to me and ask me to be her caretaker. It has to be her choice or it's meaningless to me.” (/i)
As well as recalling something Azalea once said to him.
(i)“Deborah can be so… forceful and inconsiderate at times. Sometimes, I feel like she doesn’t care how I feel.”(/i)
Maximus closed his eyes briefly. While masquerading as Sarabi, Chrysalis not once cared about his feelings. She’d guilt trip him or force him to submit to her. Exactly what Azalea and Deborah didn’t want in their relationship.
(i)All I ever wanted was for someone to love me like Deborah does Azalea. To want to take care of me the same way she wants to. And this… this isn’t it. (/i)
Maximus opened his eyes, free of the trance and filled with determination. 
“I reject you!” A pair of scimitar appeared in his paws. He sliced off Mommy Chrissy’s paws, freeing himself from her. He landed gracefully, facing Azalea. The felines looked at each other, Azalea tilting her head as she smiled.
She said nothing as her body vanished into blue and black motes. Maximus tried to reach out but Azalea shook her head. Tears stained his cheeks as she left him once more. 
The liger, snarling, turned to the shocked Mommy Chrissy. Her arms immediately regenerated, her eyes wishing death upon him. Mommy Chrissy roared, becoming pure darkness.
“If you won’t submit willingly, I’ll (b)(i)FORCE YOU INTO SERVITUDE!(/i)(/b)” Mommy Chrissy’s voice boomed. The darkness of her body consumed him, forcing him to his knees. This immense pressure from darkness normally would’ve destroyed him. It would’ve left him as her obedient servant.
Instead, he laughed. 
“(b)(I)What’s so funny?!(/i)(/b)” Her voice screamed. Maximus looked up at her, now nothing but Chrysalis’s green eyes. 
“You can’t control or hurt me ever again.”
Casually, Maximus stood up. Uniting his blades together, they became a blazing sword. Both its heat and light eradicated the darkness around him. Mommy Chrissy howled and screamed, but even she vanished from his mind.
Only Maximus Liger remained. 
“I’m coming Denise.”
xxx
Chrysalis returned to her lair, Denise under her arm. She looked at her latest victory with glee. Once she had Denise fully under her control, the rest would fall to her easily. For now,  Chrysalis saw her ‘cub’ fall from his cocoon.
“Oh what perfect timing. The liger is fully under my control and soon so will this feline. Oh, I couldn’t ask for an easy victory,” Chrysalis laughed.
“Not gonna happen. I’m ending this Chrysalis.” Maximus declared. For the first time in a long while, Chrysalis’s smile fell.
“WHAT?!”
Maximus stood up, glaring intensely at his opponent. 
“Felinic Evolution!”
A brilliant light filled the cave, blinding Chrysalis to Maximus’s transformation. A light that stirred Denise awake. Quickly, she shielded her eyes from the blinding light.
When it died down, Chrysalis snarled at his new form. 
At a glance, any would assume he was wearing armor modeled after his fur. Except that wasn’t the case. His fur had simply become so cold and hard that it gave the appearance of armor. At his sides were scimitars, both of which he plucked from their holsters.
“Give up now and you can leave to never return,” Maximus warned. He wasn’t surprised by Chrysalis bursting into laughter. In all honesty, he expected it. He hoped she would.
“Oh, that’s rich! I was worried for a bit when you transformed. Though seeing your so-called Felinic Evolution in person, isn’t too impressive. Just a little boy-” She stopped when a scimitar flew past her cheek. There was a small cut, blood dripping from it.
Chrysalis wiped her cheek, stunned. That same scimitar boomeranged back into Maximus’s paw. His smirk contrasted with her confused look.
“You were saying, Mommy Chrissy?” Maximus taunted with some chuckles. 
Fuming mad, Chrysalis tossed Denise to the side. Chrysalis threw her hands on her hips, staring at him like an angry mother.
“Did Mommy’s widdle cub just damage her beautiful face? Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness!” Chrysalis ordered. Maximus lowered his swords, lip quivering. Seeing this brought a smile to her face. Even if Maximus somehow avoided being her servant, a simple phrase was enough to keep him in line.
“Sike!”
Or maybe not.
Maximus charged at Chrysalis, throwing one of his swords towards her while raising the other. Chrysalis’s horn glowed, shielding herself in a barrier. His first scimitar cracked it, the other shattering it. Both then boomeranged back into his paws. 
Chrysalis flew backward, dodging a sword slash. She repeatedly dodged his slashes until she was out of the cave. There she flew high enough he couldn’t reach her, baffled by the sudden change in events.
Maximus glanced back at Denise. He returned to the black cat who was struggling to stand. Denise looked at the liger fondly.
“Looks like my rescue attempt ended with me getting saved,” Denise mumbled. Maximus smiled at his friend, shrugging his shoulders.
“Rest up, I’ll handle everything from here,” Maximus promised. Denise nodded as Maximus went off to handle Chrysalis. 
Outside, Chrysalis was still trying to comprehend how everything could’ve gone wrong.
“He should still be under my spell. Shining Armor wasn’t able to escape my spell without that idiot princess’s help! So how was he able to?! I demand answers!” Chrysalis screamed while ripping out strains of her hair. She turned to the cave entrance, glaring at the liger with unbridled rage. Though she quickly regained a calmer composure. “It doesn’t matter. If I can’t have you, I’ll just destroy you.”
“You’re welcome to try, (i)Mommy Chrissy(/i),” Maximus responded in a mocking tone. He brought his scimitars together, chanting out a different phrase. “Felinic Evolution, Champion Stage.”
There was another burst of light, Maximus transforming once more. Now in place of his hardened fur was bronze armor. His two blades combined into a singular blazing sword with white flames. There was also a change in demeanor. Before he seemed calm and composed, now seething with hatred for the changeling.
Chrysalis regarded this new transformation with a laugh. “You transformed (i)again(/i)? It doesn’t matter how many times you transform if you can’t hit me.” Her horn started glowing with energy. “But I can still hit you.” A green beam, just as large as the one that defeated Denise, was fired. 
Maximus countered by holding out his sword.
“Tiger Flame!” Fire erupted from his sword, taking the form of a tiger. It ran upward, colliding with Chrysalis’s attack. To call their collision evenly matched would be a lie. Maximus’s tiger devoured Chrysalis’s attack. 
Gasping, she flew to avoid it. However, it followed her movement. She fired a few magic blasts to destroy it, each one getting absorbed into the tiger. Eventually, she wasn’t able to avoid it. To protect herself, she covered herself in a barrier.
The tiger ate the barrier, dragging itself and Chrysalis to the ground. Her protective shield melted away, the flames from the tiger burning away at her skin. All anyone could see was her burning silhouette. Maximus’s flames burned away at Chrysalis’s already damaged wings. 
Chrysalis, howling in pain, fell to the ground. Numerous energy blasts are fired from her horn in an attempt to extinguish his flames. Yet, the living fire tiger sat patiently as Maximus approached. Her blasts, ineffective against the tiger, are aimed at Maximus. 
Each attack is backhanded away until he’s too close to safely attack. His burning tiger disappeared into Maximus’s blade, leaving behind a mostly charred Chrysalis remaining. Yet, despite the immense pain she endured, she was still alive.
Ever defiant, even as Maximus placed his foot on her chest. He held his sword up high, almost pitying her.
Not that Chrysalis deserved mercy or pity. Maximus tightened his grip, his blade burning even hotter and brighter. Chrysalis, naturally fearing death, held up her hands defensively.
“Spare me, please! I’ll do anything. I’ll change, I swear. You must’ve enjoyed your time with me, we can keep the good times going. I’ll be a more caring mother for my widdle cub!” Chrysalis begged. Normally, Maximus would’ve accepted her offer. Everyone deserved a second chance, no matter how horrible in his eyes.
Not today, however.
Maximus’s expression softened. He laughed. Chrysalis laughed too, not truly understanding what was about to happen.
Then suddenly devoid of emotion, Maximus stared at her.
“Burn in hell.” Were the last words she heard. Maximus swung his sword, slicing off her head. It rolled around, blood from it and her body pouring it out.
Maximus took several steps back, reverting to normal. He fell to his back, crying.
His happy dream and twisted nightmare was finally over.


















































Epilogue
A week had passed since Chrysalis was defeated. Maximus returned to work, though visibly mopey. During his lunch break, while mindlessly eating a sandwich, Mother Dragon sat next to him.
“Denise told us what happened. Do you wanna… talk about it?” Mother Dragon asked.
Maximus didn’t say anything. He gave her a look that showed how little he was keeping it together. Not that she blamed him. She pulled him into a hug, wrapping her wings around him. 
Harsh memories of Chrysalis masquerading as Sarabi came rushing back to him. How she violated him during their first ‘mommy and baby’ session. When she spanked him harshly over something minor and trivial. Capturing him to use as bait to brainwash his friends. Lastly, begging for mercy despite all this.
It was a miracle he showed up for work today.
“Azalea and Deborah… they’re ideal in a way. Kitten didn’t act like it, but she loved Deborah. Deborah understood her in a way none of us can and vice versa. I just want that kind of relationship.”
“Ask and you shall receive,” a familiar voice shouted. Rita approached them with a smug grin. 
“What?” Maximus asked, just as confused as Mother Dragon. The Golden Retriever’s smile turned a frown. She let out a depressed sigh.
“I heard about Chrysalis. Tough break there. Hopefully, this might make you feel better,” Rita hoped then whistled. Maximus and Mother Dragon glanced at each other. What did Rita have in store for him?
Neither would be kept guessing long. A lioness with tannish fur and amber eyes walked into view. Though the original version wasn’t bipedal like this one is, it was impossible to mistake her for anyone else. Especially everything that’s happened.
Sarabi, former Queen of The Pridelands, showed her smiling self. 
Before she had a chance to speak, Maximus lunged at her. Rita immediately stepped between them. Turning her body transparent, she summoned a gust of wind capable of keeping the liger, who was in his champion state, in place.
“Calm down, this isn’t Chrysalis or some variant of her. This is Sarabi, you have my word.” Rita and Maximus narrowed their eyes. Maximus powered down, then Rita did as well. Sarabi, meanwhile, had fallen over and blinked at what she saw.
“Rita… you neglected to mention-”
“It’s fine, your highness. Liggy here is your biggest fan, just give me a moment with him.” Rita grabbed Maximus, whispering into his ear. “I don’t give a flying fuck what a succubus bug did to you! I spent the last week going through the multiverse to find your gifts. So be grateful!”
Maximus opened his mouth to chew her off. She had no right to undermine his tragic experience. Though something she said made him tilt his head.
“Gifts?”
“Yup. Not one or two, but three people with an interest in being your caretaker.” Rita explained. She whistled loudly, two more women coming into view
The first one, slightly taller Maximus, was a white goat woman in purple robes. On her robe was an unfamiliar symbol but she herself was very familiar to him. 
“Toriel Dreemurr,” Rita introduced. Without warning or hesitation, Toriel ambushed Maximus. She picked him up, hugging him tightly. Toriel swayed him back and forth, showering him with kisses.
“Maxie, I heard what happened to you! You poor sweet kitten, are you okay?” Toriel asked, still showering with kisses. Maximus grumbled a bit, pushing himself away from her. He blushed a bit, clearly flustered.
“I’m… recovering. Thanks for asking Miss Toriel,” Maximus mumbled. Sarabi and Toriel frowned, both hugging him. Mother Dragon and Rita smiled at each other. Before Rita could introduce his final gift, a small white cat in a medieval-style dress ran and hugged his legs.
“Don’t worry Maxie, we’ll take good care of you.” The white cat retrieved the book from underneath her left armpit. She flipped it open to a random page, reading a random quote, “When a friend is feeling blue, lend an ear is what you do.”
“What?” Maximus blinked.
“Meet Dulcinea. That book is her thing,” Rita introduced. Dulcinea nodded. She held up her precious book for Maximus to see. Even Sarabi and Toriel took a moment to blink at this strange cat.
“The Wee Compendium of Factes and Funne. It’s my favorite book written by the greatest author ever! I’ll read it to you every night for bedtime!” Dulcinea exclaimed. Flustered, Maximus looked to Rita. The golden retriever shrugged, waving farewell to his friend and his new ‘Mommies’.
“Rita! Get back here!” Maximus called.
“He’s all yours, girls. Take good care of our widdle cub,” Rita shouted back. Mother Dragon nodded as well. Heading back off to work, she gives the new family a passing glance.
“You four report to work tomorrow.”
“Yes ma’am,” all but Maximus responded. Sarabi and Toriel grabbed him by his arms, leading him home while discussing all the activities they had planned for him. Dulcinea followed behind, bookmarking her favorite quotes to read to him.
All the while, Mother Dragon and Rita watched this happen. Mother Dragon patted Rita’s back, grinning.
“That was a nice thing you and Margaret did for him,” Mother Dragon praised. The brief signs of joy Rita showed disappeared. A colder expression slowly grew on Rita’s face.
“Chrysalis being Sarabi or not, Azalea hurt him too. Why not alleviate some of his suffering?” Rita shrugged. This time she took her leave, waving back to Mother Dragon. The dragon continued to smile. 
Chrysalis’s actions and Azalea’s disappearance might have created a wonderful opportunity for the liger. Now that he was stuck with his doting new mommies. Both at home and work.