(WARNING: Mature content, language and slight violence.

its also really long XD)

“I don't know what to do, Tropa...”

“... It sounds like a real mess to me.”

“Yeah I know...”

“Hmm... I'm not sure what to do.”

Danielle looked to her, wishing she didn't say that. Tropa always knew what to do when it came to Clock, hearing that made her heart sink even further.

“Well, the only thing I could think of is to go to the statue and hope They'll talk to you.”

Danielle nodded. She rose out of the water, Tropa following her. They both made their way to the large hill and started to climb. The fog seemed to clear more and more as they got closer to the statue. When they got to the top, they found something they wouldn't ever expect.

“What? Did you expect the Twin Gods?”

Tropa froze. Danielle stared at him.

Nero let out a laugh, “Oh please, the only thing you'll get out of them are vague secrets.”

Danielle shook her head, “Why are you here, Nero?”

He smiled, “Oh my dear, you sound like I shouldn't be. When, in all truths, I was meant to be here.”

Tropa whispered to Danielle, “Is that him?”

Danielle nodded.

Tropa looked forward again, “Thought so.” She slowly straightened up again, walking forward gingerly. Nero only stood there, curious to see what she would do. “Nero, is it?” She took a breath, “I want to tell you something.”

“Humor me.”

Tropa shuddered. “Is this really what you want? Do you really want to destroy us?”

Nero chuckled, which turned into a laugh that grew louder. “You fool.” He reared up and struck her down. “Trying to reason with God? To answer your petty question, yes, yes I do. Although, I won't destroy everyone. Just the ones who oppose me. So I would suggest you get your act together. Next time I won't be so gentle.”

Danielle lowered her antlers, “Leave Tropa alone!”

Nero looked at her with false surprise. “So bold, aren't you? Some would admire that.”

“Stop this, Nero, leave us in peace! What did we do to deserve your anger?”

“Anger? I'm not angry, Danielle. I'm only enforcing discipline.”

Danielle looked up at him, somewhat shaken, but still holding her ground.

“I'm punishing all of you for worshipping someone who cannot help you. In other words...” He looked back at the statue. “I'm going to teach you who is really worth worhip.”

“You're no god, Nero. You're a demon.”

“To put in truthfully,” Nero looked down at Tropa, cringing below him, then to Danielle. “I am both.”

Danielle looked up to him, confused. She lowered her defense a little, tilting her head slightly.

“I am both god and demon, Deity and Devil... God and Satan. Yes, I am both. Every god must know Good and Evil. What better way to know... than to be?”

The butterfly doe felt a shiver run down her spine. This was getting weird, Nero was almost starting to make sense. She could never agree with him, but... Something told her to. She saw his eye peer into her. Of course, something about that eye made her own evilness become more prominent. That was the part agreeing with him.

“Go to your friends. Spread the word. The dawn of a new age is approaching, you must all be prepared. You may gather your forces, you may rise up against me. It will all be for naught.” Nero turned and walked away. The fog enshrouded him, and soon, he disappeared.

***

Danielle didn't believe him, there was still a chance. If there wasn't, why would that stranger tell her she could stop him? There were plenty willing to fight, and she knew just the right deer who would be eager to fight that maniac.

She approached the Playground, the large boulders taking shape in the dense fog. There was one particular rock she was looking for, the slanted one. It's where the family of a somewhat known family lived. Clock knew them, he played with their kids when they were younger. Those very kids were full grown now, taking on their own lives.

The doe looked around for anyone there, but she couldn't see much. She trotted up to the slanted rock. “Hello, is anyone here?”

She heard shaky breathing in front of her, and stepped forward. It was a butterfly stag, curled up and trembling. “S-Skokey?”

“He's scared out of his mind.”

Danielle turned around to find a gazelle doe, her crystal blue eyes clear as day in the fog.

“He won't speak to anyone, not even me. I'm not sure what's happened. Why, did you need him?” Fenqua tilted her head.

“Actually... no. I needed you. You know Clock, right?”

Fenqua smirked, “Yeah, he's my racing competition. Why?”

“Well... Long story short, he's been... uh, possessed by an evil being, and now he's out to create a new world order.” Danielle blushed, it was so hard to explain quickly.

Fenqua raised an eyebrow, “Yeah?”

“Anyway, I know you have an army and all... And everyone knows you're very devoted to the Twin Gods. He's planning to overthrow them.”

The gazelle doe stomped her hoof, “Say no more. I'll take the bastard down myself. No need for the whole army.”

Danielle let out a breath, “See, that's the thing, he's really strong. I mean, how do you think he runs so fast? It'll take more than one deer to take him down.”

Fenqua's ears were already flattened, she narrowed her eyes a little. “You think?”

“Yeah! Come on, you've never even seen him! Just trust me on this one, okay?”

Fenqua thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I'll get the army if you really think it's necessary.”

Danielle sighed in slight relief. “Thank you... As soon as possible, please?”

Fenqua thought again, “... Alright... But for now, I must look over Skokey. He's a nervous wreck without me, you know?”

Danielle nodded, “That's fine...” She looked back at the same-pelted stag. She caught a glimpse of his eyes. She knew that look. He'd seen him too.

***

It had been a day or so, Danielle waited anxiously for Fenqua to come with her army. She had been restless, but some odd force put her to dreamless sleep every night. Someone was making sure she had her energy.

The fog hadn't disappeared, but it thinned greatly. It was much easier to see, and deer couldn't sneak up on anyone else so easily. The thinning of the fog had eased most deers' tension. Though they weren't aware of what the tension was for. Everyone could feel it, but only few knew why.

Danielle was walking to the Playground again, anxious to see is Fenqua had done what she said. It wasn't long before she could see the boulders again. This time, the Skokey was sitting upright, his daughter next to him. Although the terror in his eyes had gone, it left a glazed look. He stared into the fog, noticing absolutely nothing.

Danielle approached the stag carefully, “Skokey... Do you know where Fenqua is?”

Skokey took in a breath, then let it out. “Off a little... further...” His voice was quiet and breathy.

Danielle felt sorrow come to her, but shook it away. “Okay...” She trotted past the stag to where his mate was supposedly.

He was right, she was standing there, though she had changed. She wore her divine pelt and her large, natural antlers. Behind her was a large army of stags, all bearing huge antlers and skull masks, with all different pelts.

“Is.. this it? The army?” She asked.

“Yes. Will this be enough, you think?” Fenqua looked behind her, then back.

“Uh... Y-yeah, that's.. plenty.” She was almost speechless. Maybe they could take down Nero, he couldn't stop all of them.

Fenqua nodded firmly. A dove came to her as if on cue. It landed on her antler and chirped something into her ear. She nodded again, whispering a thanks. “We've found him. Black and white pelt, large black antlers, strange protrusions?”

Danielle gasped, “Yes!”

The doe smirked for a second, then turned to her army. “Alright! Let's move!”

Fenqua started to walk quickly, Danielle following by her side. The large army followed behind them, their footsteps loud and strong.

“Mom! Hey Mom wait!”

Fenqua turned her head, not stopping. Her son ran up to her.

“Where are you going?” Fenkovan panted.

“We're going to fight someone. You don't need to be involved.”

“But.. But I can help! Can't I? Come on, Mom, I wanna fight too!”

“Jeesh...” Fenqua rolled her eyes, “Alright fine, but stay near the back, I don't want you getting hurt.”

Fenkovan growled slightly but moved to the back like he was supposed to.

“I can see where he gets his enthusiasm.” Danielle grinned.

“Oh, you've met him before?”

Danielle though back to when they met. Although Clock wasn't too happy with her. But she had her fun, “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

The army approached the hill, still in the Birch Forest. It seemed to be the highest point in the forest. It seemed to be just an ordinary hill until they went further. Two figures took shape in the thin fog. Fenqua furrowed her brow, the dove said nothing about two. He must have come later. Whoever it was... he was big.

“Stop.” Fenqua ordered, stopping herself. The rest followed suit.

Danielle looked upon the two figures, stepping a little closer. They became clearer, she was sure now. The small one was definitely Nero. But who was the other one? She squinted, trying to get a better look. She took in a breath, stepping back again. She had heard of that deer. She hoped she would never meet him. Nero was bad enough.

Nero caught sight of the large group, turning his head to them. “Danielle, what a nice surprise. Who are your friends?”

Fenqua stood straight, “First line, attack!” The first row of stags charged forward towards the two deer.

Nero chuckled, “Naughty naughty.” His eye seemed to shrink and brighten, seeing through their tough exterior. “You're all the same on the inside, that's what makes it so easy.”

One stag stopped dead in his tracks. He looked up to the sky.

“You! What the hell are you doing?!” Fenqua shouted.

The stag kept looking up. Though he never stopped moving his head, he kept moving it back. Sharp snaps were heard as his head kept moving more and more back until he was staring back at them. Danielle and Fenqua caught the look in his eyes. They were completely dull, as if he was in a trance. There was a final snap of the neck, then a loud tear. Blood spewed from the tear in his throat. He finally collapsed.

While this was happening, the others still continued. Nero smirked, “I see, so that's how you're trained. I'll give you a few more lessons.”

Another stag stopped, straightening all four legs. With all his strength, he snapped his joints in two, causing him to fall to the ground. He wouldn't live much longer. A third stag stopped, starting to bite at his sides. He bit so hard he tore his flesh apart, not stopping until the loss of tissue and blood was fatal. It was clear that Nero had the upper hand.

Fenqua could see that. “First line, retreat!”

The surviving stags stopped and turned, running back to the group. They trotted back to their places, listening to the new whisperings coming from the other stags.

Fenqua growled, “What the hell just happened...”

Danielle started to shake, “He.. I don't know, he... has some sort of power...” She stared at the three mutilated deer far in front of her.

Fenqua blinked, thinking again. “Maybe if we rush him, he would be overwhelmed.”

“Do you really want to try that? What if it doesn't work?”

“I... don't know... I've never dealt with this before.” She looked up at the stag, patiently waiting for her next move. She couldn't see the other, he was too far into the fog. “He's an expert in mind games, that much I know.”

Nero chuckled, “She's going to rush us, isn't that cute? It's clear they won't listen to me. Why don't you try to teach them this time?”

The giant stag's skull cracked into a murderous smile, “My pleasure.”

Fenqua let out a sigh, “Alright, we'll rush him. I think he can only kill one at a time...”

Danielle shook her head, but she couldn't speak. Her mind was screaming at her, but her voice said nothing. She was the only one who was overwhelmed. This was all too much for her.

“Alright! We're all going in!” She stomped her hoof, “Charge!”

The ground thundered with strong hoof steps, every stag pushing themselves forward toward the enemy. Fenqua put herself in front of Fenkovan. “Not you, Fenko.”

Fenkovan shook in frustration, but obeyed her. The three deer stayed back to see what would happen. It didn't seem like Nero was doing anything, but Danielle knew better. She was the only one who saw Never.

The giant stag broke through the fog, diving into the Skull Army. Fenqua stepped back in surprise, Danielle trembling in fear. Never swung his massive antlers, knocking over a couple stags at a time, but they just kept getting back up and charging again. They were trained to never give up until they were dead or immobile.

Never knocked over stags with his antlers, tore through them with his bloody jaws, crushed them under his chipped hooves, and snapped them down with his oozing tongue. Though while Never dealt severe damage, he wasn't unaffected. The stags that weren't being attacked at the moment tore at him with their teeth and rammed into him with their large antlers. They were both being injured, but there didn't seem to be much chance.

“That tongue of his is very powerful.” Fenqua noted. “It's the most lethal thing he has...”

Her strongest army seemed to drop like flies. More and more deer were thrown to the ground, none of them climbing back up again. There were either dead or severly injured. The last stag left standing actually tried to limp away, not willing to die like his friends. Reason finally overcame orders. But Never was told to teach them a lesson. His black, slimey tongue snaked over to the injured stag, wrapping around his stomach and constricting. There was a crumbling, then a snap, then a thud to the ground.

Never stood amidst the many corpses, bleeding and breathing heavily. He let out a sharp screech, still excited from the battle. He charged to the three that stayed behind, unravelling his tongue.

“THAT'S ENOUGH!” Nero shouted angrily.

Never obediently skidded to a stop, rocks flying before his hooves. He stared at the other three with his hollow eyes, the tips of his giant antlers pushing into them.

“Come back here.” Nero commanded. Never stayed in his spot, still breathing heavily, a hiss escaping his throat. “NEVER!”

The large stag finally turned and walked back to the other. He picked his way over the dead bodies, then trotted up the hill. He stood behind the smaller stag, trembling eagerly.

“Now I think I've made my point.” Nero said calmly. “Danielle, didn't I tell you it wouldn't work? Silly girl, out of everyone, I thought you would be the one who would actually listen to me.”

Danielle was frozen behind Fenqua and Fenkovan. Fenkovan stepped over to her and nuzzled her, comforting her. Fenqua still stood strong, glaring up at Nero.

“You can do nothing to stop me. Fenqua, you're a good leader. You tell everyone of the impending recreation of the Forest. If you let go of your silly Twin Gods, maybe you'll have a place in the new Forest.” He smirked, turning away.

He stared up at Never, “When I give you an order, I expect you to follow it.” He narrowed his eye, “Understand?”

Never nodded. Nero walked down the other side of the hill, the other following behind him. They disappeared into the fog.