The gang tumbled through the portal, falling into a dimly lit room that reeked of must and old leather. Their landing echoed faintly, muffled by thick layers of dust scattered across the floor. Groaning softly, they pushed themselves up, blinking through the gloom as their surroundings slowly sharpened into focus.

All around them stood lifelike creatures—raccoons with glassy eyes staring blankly, foxes frozen mid-pounce, birds caught in flight with wings outstretched. The taxidermy was so meticulously done it almost felt unnatural, as if the animals might spring to life at any moment. But their eerie stillness only deepened the unsettling atmosphere, thick with the heavy scent of fur, chemicals, and decay.

Ollie's voice broke the silence, barely above a whisper. "Uh... is this... a museum or something?"

Molly grimaced, stepping forward, boots crunching on the dusty floor. "No. This isn't a museum... it feels more like a nightmare collection."

Her eyes flicked nervously as she moved, noticing the creatures' eyes seemed to track her, shifting subtly with each step she took. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled.

RJ swallowed hard, unease etched across his face. "Guys, I really don't like this... it's way too quiet."

Serena clutched RJ's arm tightly, frowning. "Yeah, no kidding. This place gives me the creeps."

Suddenly, a low creaking echoed through the room. An elk, its massive antlers casting long shadows, twitched — shifting slightly as if disturbed by an invisible force. The gang froze, wide-eyed.

"Did... did that thing just move?" Callie's voice was tense.

Ollie shook, barely able to whisper, "I... I swear I saw it blink!"

A faint, eerie giggle rippled through the air — distant, almost unreal — and a shadow flickered at the edge of their vision. They spun toward it.

At the far end of the room, a figure emerged. Human in shape, but wrong in every way. The figure's movements jerked awkwardly, like a puppet tangled in its strings. Cloaked in tattered garments with a deep hood masking their face, they slowly lifted a hand. From the shadows came a chilling smile — cruel and playful.

"Welcome... to my collection," the figure rasped.

The gang's blood ran cold as the shadow around the figure seemed to pulse, alive and hungry.

Heart hammering in her chest, Callie sprinted through the narrow, twisting corridors of the taxidermy shop. Her breath came in ragged gasps as the pounding of hooves thundered closer behind her. She dared not glance back, terrified of what she might see bearing down on her.

"You can't outrun me! No one outruns The Equine!" a booming voice thundered after her.

But Callie refused to stop. Her legs burned, lungs screaming for air, but she focused only on the endless twists ahead, hoping for an escape.

Rounding a sharp corner, she skidded to a halt before a looming door. Panic swirled inside her, but she forced herself forward, yanking at the handle. The door creaked open, and she stumbled out into darkness beyond — freedom, she prayed.

Behind her, heavy footsteps halted, the thunder of hooves fading.

"You're lucky this time, little mouse..." The Equine grumbled.

Callie sank against the doorframe, trembling but safe for the moment. Around her, the sounds of the taxidermy shop faded into distance, replaced by the silence of an alleyway.

She exhaled deeply, determination settling over her. The gang needed her. Fear wouldn't claim her—not yet.

With a final glance behind, she set off again, cautious but ready for whatever nightmare awaited.

Meanwhile, Molly and Serena wandered deeper into the shop's eerie expanse. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on them, but tucked away in a shadowed corner was a small collection that felt softer—lined with worn, stuffed animal dolls.

Serena paused, eyes catching two particular figures. Tentatively, she reached out and picked up a plush rabbit, its fur threadbare but comforting.

"Peter..." she murmured, voice barely audible.

Molly stepped closer, warmth softening her expression. She grabbed a small scruffy cat doll and cradled it to her chest. "Is that your childhood bunny?"

Serena's eyes lingered on the rabbit, memories flooding back. "Yeah. Peter was my first friend. He listened when I was upset. I used to imagine he could talk, that he understood me."

She hugged the rabbit tighter, letting the warmth of nostalgia shield her from the surrounding madness.

Molly smiled softly. "I think he's listening now, Serena."

A fragile vulnerability broke through Serena's voice. "I miss those days... when life felt safe, before I had to fight just to survive."

Molly placed a reassuring hand on Serena's shoulder. "You're not alone. We've got each other."

Serena gave a shaky smile, a single tear slipping down her cheek as she rested her forehead against the plush. "Thank you, Molly. You remind me of Peter—always there when I need you."

For a moment, they stood in quiet comfort, the chaos outside forgotten.

Elsewhere, Ollie and RJ wandered through a different corner, the cold and lifeless eyes of taxidermy pressing in around them. Ollie clutched her rubber duckie onesie close, trying to lighten the mood.

"This place is seriously messed up," she said with a faint grin. "Feels like a horror movie where everyone's just... stuffed after they die."

RJ chuckled, calm and steady. "We handle creepy places pretty well. Besides, you've got me."

Ollie smirked, nudging him. "You sure? You seem to have a knack for getting us into trouble."

They shared a quiet laugh, then fell into a softer conversation about their labyrinth adventures and the strange bond forming between them.

"I've never really felt safe before," Ollie admitted. "I always try to make things lighter, but sometimes... I just feel lost."

RJ nodded, eyes gentle. "You're not alone. We'll get through this together."

Ollie smiled warmly. "Thanks, RJ. You're not so bad yourself."

They stood together, small lights in the darkness, ready to face whatever came next.

Ollie's quiet moment was shattered by a shadow looming behind her. She whirled around to face a towering figure — The Equine — his golden muscles gleaming in the dim light, wooden club resting casually on his shoulder.

"Well, well... what do we have here? Another little stray," he smirked darkly.

Ollie's heart pounded. "I'm not lost! Just leave me alone!"

The Equine chuckled, a deep rumble that sent chills down her spine. "Oh, I'm not leaving you alone. You look deliciously fragile."

He stepped closer, shadow swallowing her whole.

Summoning courage, Ollie's voice shook but held firm. "You can't take me! I'm not afraid!"

The Equine laughed darkly and raised his club — but before it could strike, a flurry of balloons shot between them, forming a colorful barrier.

"Now now, big guy," sang a cheerful voice. "You're not hurting her. She's a friend of mine!"

The Equine snarled, eyes narrowing at The Balloon hovering among her bright balloons.

"Get out of my way. She's mine," he growled.

"Oh no," The Balloon replied, playful but firm. "She's under my protection."

Frustrated, The Equine stepped back, promising, "This isn't over."

Ollie gasped relief as the Balloon grinned. "Don't worry, Ollie. No one messes with my friends."

Grateful, Ollie smiled. "Thanks. I don't know what I'd have done without you."

The Balloon winked. "That's what I'm here for. Now let's get moving — things are about to get weirder."

Together, they pressed onward, hearts steadied by newfound friendship.

Meanwhile, Serena, Molly, and RJ regrouped in a darker hallway. The air was thick with dread.

"We have to keep moving," Serena urged. "We can't let this place scare us."

Molly nodded, but her face was pale. "I just want out."

RJ grimaced. "I don't think it's that easy."

Suddenly, the ground shook beneath them. Hooves pounded ominously.

"No... it's him," Molly whispered, terror gripping her.

The Equine's shadow filled the corridor. He stepped forward, club resting on his shoulder, eyes gleaming with malice.

"Well, well... a little gathering of prey," he sneered.

RJ clenched his fists. "We're not afraid of you."

Serena backed away. "We need to get out. Now."

The Equine swung his club with brutal force. RJ and Serena crashed into the walls, unconscious before they hit the ground.

"No! Not again!" Molly shouted, but The Equine's massive hand seized her throat, lifting her effortlessly.

"You're so fragile," he growled, excitement flickering in his eyes.

Molly struggled, vision blurring, darkness creeping in as she lost consciousness — her last thought of her helpless friends.

When Serena, Molly, and RJ finally stirred, they found themselves bound to cold, rusted chairs, the shop's decay pressing close. Dust filled their nostrils, and an eerie silence swallowed their surroundings.

Slowly, memories flooded back — The Equine, the terror, the fight to survive.

The nightmare was far from over.

The sound of footsteps echoed ominously from the darkness, each step heavy and deliberate. Suddenly, the flicker of dim light revealed a towering figure looming before them. The Equine stood like a grotesque monument, his golden muscles gleaming under the sparse illumination. A cruel, unsettling smile spread slowly across his face as he stepped forward, savoring the fear that radiated from his captives.

"Well, well..." he chuckled darkly, voice low and menacing. "Looks like we're all awake now. I've been looking forward to this. Time to have some fun, don't you think?"

He began to circle them, eyes sharp and calculating as they lingered on Serena, Molly, and RJ—sizing them up like prey. Serena tried to speak, but her throat was raw, her mouth dry from the earlier assault. Her eyes darted between Molly and RJ, both groggy but slowly regaining awareness.

"You... won't get away with this," Molly whispered weakly.

The Equine laughed deeply, a sound full of cruel satisfaction. "Oh, I already have, sweet little thing. The real question is—how much of you will I get to enjoy before you break?"

Stopping directly in front of Serena, his grin widened. His cold eyes bored into her, taking perverse pleasure in her discomfort. Slowly, he reached out and traced a finger along the edge of her cheek. A shiver raced down her spine.

"Aren't you a delicate little thing?" he mocked, voice dripping with malice. "What's it like... knowing there's nothing you can do?"

Serena clenched her fists, her body trembling with a fierce mix of fear and rage. She refused to let him see her shatter.

"You... won't get away with this," she spat through gritted teeth.

The Equine smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, sweet thing, I'm long past escape. It's just a matter of how much pain you're willing to endure before you beg for mercy."

Then, with a sudden, cruel motion, he grabbed the plush rabbit clutched loosely in Serena's lap—Peter, the only comfort that had somehow remained by her side. With a sick flick of his wrist, he tore the head from the soft fabric, the ripping sound echoing grotesquely in the silence.

"How's that for a little fun?" he sneered.

Serena's breath caught sharply. Her eyes widened in disbelief, heart sinking as memories flooded her mind—the childhood comfort of Peter's soft fur, the warmth that had anchored her during dark times, the safety she had clung to when the world felt unbearable. Now, with Peter's head torn off before her, it was as if everything familiar and safe crumbled away.

Her mind spun in a whirlwind of flashbacks—clutching Peter tightly during storms of fear, whispered prayers to a silent friend, moments when that small rabbit had been the only refuge from pain. The flood of memories overwhelmed her.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Tears welled silently in her eyes, but no sound escaped her lips. Her face was blank, a mask of shattered quiet. She was broken, fragmented by the loss and the horror inflicted upon her.

The Equine watched with a growing smirk, feeding on the torment he'd wrought. But Serena did not flinch. Not a blink. Not a tremor.

"Aw, poor little thing," he mocked, voice thick with derision. "Is that your favorite toy? I thought you'd grown out of childish things, but I guess some things never change."

Serena remained motionless, her mind adrift in shadows. Turning away from her, The Equine cracked his knuckles, relishing the twisted game he played. But Serena was somewhere else now—lost deep inside, drowning in pain too heavy to bear.

The silence stretched long and suffocating. Slowly, Serena's hollow gaze drifted back to Peter's mutilated form. Her face was pale and still, devoid of any outward reaction.

The Equine smiled to himself, satisfied. "Well, looks like I broke her already. Guess I'll just keep going until there's nothing left."

The moment hung in chilling stillness, the others helpless and vulnerable. Yet beneath Serena's broken silence, something began to shift—an eerie calm before a storm.

The oppressive air tightened around them as the focus narrowed on Serena's vacant expression—a haunting prelude to the chaos soon to come.

Callie and Ollie soared through the air, the balloons gently bobbing and swaying as they floated high above the chaotic scene below. The quiet hum of the balloons was the only sound for a while—until a blood-curdling scream shattered the silence.

Callie's eyes widened. "Did you hear that?"

Ollie, flying frantically, gasped, "Holy crap, that sounded like Serena!"

Without hesitation, they zoomed toward the source of the scream, fear wide in their eyes. They flew over trees and buildings until the sight below made them freeze in disbelief.

In the middle of a clearing stood Serena, wild-eyed and covered in dirt and blood. Clutching The Equine's massive wooden club, she pounded him relentlessly. Each brutal swing sent tremors rippling through the ground.

The Equine—once towering and imposing—was now on his knees, desperately trying to shield himself, but Serena's fury was unyielding. She moved like a storm, her fists striking with brutal precision. The club cracked against his body with terrifying power.

Callie whispered in awe, "Is that... Serena?"

Ollie's mouth hung open. "Holy crap, she's a beast!"

At a distance, Molly and RJ watched, still bound and shaken. Terror and confusion clouded their eyes as they witnessed this new, fierce version of Serena—a stark contrast to the scared, broken girl they once knew.

Molly shook, voice trembling. "I—I don't even know her anymore... What happened to her?"

RJ's eyes were wide. "I've never seen her like this. She's going full savage!"

The Equine stumbled back, trying to shield himself from the onslaught. His smirk was gone, replaced by a pained grimace. Under Serena's fury, he was broken.

"W-wait! You—you can't do this!" he groaned weakly.

But Serena didn't stop. With a final, devastating blow, The Equine collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. He was done—for now.

Callie and Ollie exchanged stunned looks as they descended, floating down beside Molly and RJ. The disbelief on their faces said everything.

Callie's voice cracked as she spoke, "Uhh... guys? What... what just happened?"

Ollie grinned nervously. "I'm scared of her. I don't know if I want to get any closer."

Nearby, Balloon hovered anxiously, her balloons trembling as she watched the destruction Serena had wrought. Muttering to herself, she confessed, "Oh, no. This is... this is a whole new level of scary. I'm not even sure if I should help anymore."

The gang stood frozen, still processing the wild turn of events. Serena, breathing heavily and wild-eyed, stood over The Equine's fallen form. The club, slick with blood, slipped from her grip as she glared down, her expression a complex blend of rage and something primal.

Molly trembled, voice barely a whisper. "Serena... I... I don't even know who you are anymore..."

RJ shook, still unsettled. "I... I think she just saved us, but I feel like I should be running in the other direction."

Serena's gaze softened slightly, her anger still simmering beneath the surface. She said nothing, only catching her breath and slowly scanning the clearing as if awakening from a trance. The danger had passed, but shock lingered.

Callie offered a faint smile, shaking her head. "Yeah... this is definitely a new side of her."

Ollie chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "I think I'm gonna need therapy after this. Serena just put 'wild card' on a whole new level."

Balloon, still jittery, nodded in agreement. "I... I need a drink after that. A big one."

At last, the gang exhaled as one, eyes locked on Serena. She stood silently, staring at the broken Equine, a quiet shift in their world settling in. Serena was no longer the same girl they knew—and soon, they would all have to accept that.

As they began leaving the bloody clearing, Serena walked beside them, her eyes cast downward. The adrenaline of her rage ebbed, replaced by a gnawing emptiness in her chest. Her hand brushed her jacket pocket, fingers closing around the soft, familiar shape of her childhood plush, Peter. For a brief moment, she seemed lost, staring off into the distance.

Then, without warning, she turned sharply to RJ, catching him off guard. Grabbing him by the collar, she pulled him close and kissed him fiercely—not gentle or tender, but raw, frustrated, and edged with something darker.

"March. Mister," she commanded lowly.

RJ, stunned by the intensity, stammered, voice trembling, "Yes, mistress."

Behind them, Molly groaned loudly, eyes covered. "Ugh. I really don't need to see that..."

Serena held RJ a moment longer before pulling away, her anger fading just a little. Her eyes dropped to the ground again, heart aching. She reached into her jacket pocket, pulling out a small, tattered stuffed rabbit.

"Peter... you're gone," she whispered, voice breaking.

Her sorrow deepened as she stared at the lifeless button eyes of the toy. Just when the weight seemed unbearable, a twisted laugh echoed inside her mind, mocking her grief.

Suddenly, realization hit. The stuffed rabbit in her hand wasn't Peter.

Callie stepped forward gently, pulling out a small torn piece of fabric from her own jacket. "Serena... that wasn't Peter. The real one... it's with you."

Frozen, Serena's breath caught as she reached back into her pocket, pulling out the genuine Peter—a small, worn plush with frayed ears and dull but warm button eyes.

"Peter..." she breathed, hugging the rabbit tight. Her body shook with emotion, the rage and pain melting away as she found a flicker of comfort.

The gang watched quietly, understanding just how much Peter meant to Serena. For a fleeting moment, they were transported back to simpler times—no darkness, no danger—just the warmth of a childhood friend.

"I'm sorry, Peter... I didn't mean to forget you. You were always with me," Serena whispered tenderly.

Molly's eyes softened, Callie offered a small comforting smile, and even RJ—still shaken—felt a quiet empathy for her.

"It's okay, Serena. You're not alone," Callie said softly.

Together, they moved forward, steps synchronized, the sense of peace among them a fragile but precious thing. Serena's grip tightened on Peter—a symbol that, even in darkness, memories and comfort endure. Maybe that was all they needed to face whatever came next.

As they walked, the soft rustle of fabric broke the silence. Serena's hand tightened on Peter once more, and the plush shifted subtly in her grasp. The air grew charged with tension as Peter's button eyes shimmered faintly.

Serena blinked, heart pounding. The rabbit slowly unraveled a glowing thread from its seams, the light intensifying, casting an ethereal glow around them. Peter twitched and grew, its form smoothing and shifting until, with a magical flourish, it opened a swirling portal beneath their feet.

"What... what's happening?" Serena breathed, eyes wide.

The portal spun with vibrant colors unlike anything they'd seen in Arcana. Frozen, the gang hesitated, uncertain if they should trust the strange phenomenon.

Peter looked up at Serena, a faint smile in his fabric form before shrinking back to lifelessness in her hands, leaving the portal hovering.

"Did... did it just... do that?" Molly asked nervously.

Callie's voice trembled, "I think we're supposed to go through it... but why now?"

Before anyone could answer, a loud crash echoed behind them. Balloon came floating in frantically, her balloons rapidly deflating.

"You need to go! Quickly! The Equine is coming! He's furious!" she gasped, panic in her voice.

Balloon's face hardened as she summoned balloons to form a barricade. "I'll hold him off. Get through the portal! Go now!"

She launched upward, balloons lifting her high, blocking their path as thunderous hooves approached.

"Hurry up!" she shouted.

Without hesitation, the gang rushed to the portal. Serena, clutching Peter tightly, whispered, "Thank you... You really are special."

One by one, they stepped through the swirling vortex. Just before Callie entered, she shouted back, "Hurry, Balloon! We're with you!"

Balloon smiled sadly. "I'll be fine. Go!"

With that, Callie disappeared through the portal, the last to leave.

The portal closed behind them, and they found themselves in a strange, silent world—safe for now. But the memory of Balloon holding off The Equine haunted them, a bittersweet reminder of courage and sacrifice.

Their footsteps echoed as they wandered the shadowed corridors of the Labyrinth once more. They'd been through so much, and though a calm settled over them, it was only temporary. The nightmare was never far away.

Their gaze fell on the next painting—an ominous graveyard cloaked in swirling mist, ghostly figures lurking just beyond the headstones. The air thickened, heavy and cold.

"What is it this time?" Molly asked hesitantly.

Serena frowned. "This feels... different."

Suddenly, the ground trembled. The painting's image deepened and twisted, becoming disturbingly vivid. Bony fingers burst from the frame, clawing desperately at the edges.

"Oh no. This isn't good," Ollie whispered, eyes wide with fear.

More skeletal hands emerged, reaching out for them. Cold grips seized their ankles.

"Get ready!" Callie shouted.

But it was too late. The hands dragged them toward the haunted graveyard, mist swallowing them as screams echoed through the Labyrinth.

Darkness closed in.