Beemon

“Why does Dotty challenge my position?” asked Beeatrice, Arch Bee. “Our army will decimate her and her little brigade. Come. We put an end to this mockery of power.”

“Please, my Queen. You must consider forfeit.”

“FORFEIT?” Beeatrice’s wings flapped violently towards her right hand bee. She inadvertently quelled the unnatural flames of the cavern and the taunting faces of demons fled for the moment before the fire returned. “All the realms have formed, Beeda. This is it. Our last chance at ruling.”

“The mantids refused the role. So did the ants. You’re better than this realm. Look around, your Honeyness.” Beeda pleaded. They swung around while they hovered, viewing the dim cave, barely lit by the many flames. Demons pranced around and teased the bees, untouchable until leashed to a chosen deity. “You don’t belong here.” Beeda admired her vibrant yellow coat and glittering wings.

“Mantro seeks knowledge of martial arts. Antian wants to proliferate and take over the physical world. Other pursuits could replace my need for this realm, but I’ve garnered insult from the Realm Lords by leaving this as our only option. Once I become one myself, I will exact some revenge for their disrespect.”

“The ladybugs are numerous. We will lose many.”

“So I will birth more. Victory is the prize. Not survival.”

As they spoke, skittering sounds filled the cavern. Wind blew from the entrance to the chamber and Beeatrice spotted Dotty, flying above her army, which scurried in to fill the expansive cave, facing off against the waiting bees.

“I should charge her now.” Beeatrice said.

“Even you couldn’t survive that many. They’d certainly drag you down and kill you.”

“They couldn’t. Dotty would have to deliver the final blow. She’s too soft. That’s why we will win this. Even if they all fight fiercely, it’s down to her to take decisive action.”

Without warning, the ladybugs attacked. Carnage began as limbs were pulled off, wings ripped, heads removed. Both sides were losing soldiers at the same rate. Demons laughed, enjoying the violence taking place in their home. Some got involved, enraging insects of either army and granting them greater speed and strength.

Beeatrice hovered near where she entered the chamber, waiting for a moment to strike. Dotty was staring at the battle, seemingly horrified by the losses.

“You chose this.” Beeatrice sent a telepathic message.

“What else could I do? The Realm Lords require a battle. I tried to refuse the realm. They won’t hear it.” Dotty informed the Arch Bee. “We belong to the wind. And there is none here.”

“Declare a loss. End it now.”

“You know what they need. I’m not to leave this realm again, deity or death.”

Beeatrice lowered to the cave floor to think. Beeda approached her. “My Queen.”

“Dotty was forced here. We have no right to thin her population. We must end this. I will speak to the Realm Lords. Make it so.” she commanded.

Beeda called the bee army back with a loud buzz. Some soldiers, even mid-combat, were killed the moment they all retreated. The ladybugs advanced for a moment, until they reached Beeatrice, who stood between them and the bees.

She made her way over them and to where Dotty stood near the other wall, followed by both armies.

“We’re fighting for them. Not for us.” Beeatrice spoke aloud in the cavern. Even demons stopped and flames slowed to listen. “Realm Lords, hear us.” She called out to those who put them in this predicament.

An oblong portal opened on the cave wall, where the throne-sitting deities could be seen.

“The insects have halted their selection process. Why?” spoke the collective.

“I will take this realm. There is no need for further battle.” Beeatrice claimed.

“What are you doing?” Dotty asked Beeatrice, hope welling in her eyes.

After a long silence where the Lords communicated telepathically amongst themselves, they spoke again. “Slay the Arch Ladybug, the realm is yours.”

“What?” Dotty asked, backing away. Her army came between her and Beeatrice.

“No.” Beeatrice replied to the collective. “Dotty will leave here unscathed.”

“We all battled to become Realm Lords. Take your place. Kill her.”

“No.” Beeatrice repeated. Dotty looked on, astonished by her courage. “We will rule together.”

Another long silence followed. “You will divide the power of Realm Lord. You’re only insects anyways.”

“Thank you!” Dotty shouted to Beeatrice. “You’ve saved my-”

Skittering filled the cavern again as the ladybugs surrounded the bees, not in aggression but to shield themselves. Dotty had been cut off by Mantro, who had severed her head, her face frozen still glowing with gratitude from Beeatrice’s actions.

“Mantro, you refused this realm! You’ve killed her for nothing. You gain no power for this. Why?” Beeatrice flew slowly towards Mantro.

“There is no sharing power. We will have one Lord per Realm.” the collective responded as Mantro warped out of the realm.
Beeatrice was furious, and her body began to transform as her role had been claimed against her will. Her vibrant yellow faded, her fur turned to stone. Her head sprout horns and her body grew significantly.

“Congratulations, my Queen.” Beeda bowed, as did the bees and the ladybugs who had not a moment to mourn their leader. Flame itself took a knee to her as did the many demons who were shadows before. They turned to physical entities as their deity had arrived to command them. Beeatrice was not the one to issue those commands. As her legs and mandibles sharpened and her wings tore, she filled with demonic energy and power. The Arch Bee would then forever be Beemon.