When Ashley stepped in front of the Dark Assembly, she expected this to be a proposal like any other. She was simply hoping to supply the shops with better equipment. This was a bill she'd easily passed multiple times in the past. But demons could be both volatile as well as vociferous. Something she was beginning to learn as she was adjusting to her new form in the Netherworld of a nekomata - a cat demon. It was a very unusual form and mindset to be in, but it was also a lot of fun. Plus, she'd been reassured and guided by her adopted mother, who was visiting from abroad anyway.

When the nekomata stepped up to the podium, the chairman let out a little snore, showing the typical diligence and initiative demons were known for. For whatever reason, however... be it obstinacy, irritation, or simply lack of attention, nearly every single demon voted against her.

And when demons voted against you, they do so with force.

Hopping onto the barricades, the demons prepared to challenge Ashley in a decidedly physical way. That was how things were done here.

Ashley's sister Solstice came forward, a little dismayed at the reaction. But Sing smiled confidently. She definitely felt a part of this feeling came from being in this demonic form. But she also knew that she had an ace up her non-existent sleeve.

"Very well, nya~..." she said with a grin. "But I do hope you'll reconsider hurting little ol' me... I mean, my mother is visiting and she'd be ever so upset to see us all fighting~..."

The demons of the Assembly were less than convinced. Hopping the railing they began to approach the podium.

Solstice and Ashley exchanged a glance. "I suppose I have no choice," Ashley said with a shrug. "Just remember, nya~... You guys brought this on yourself!"

The Assembly hesitated slightly when the entryway sparked with light and someone materialized behind Ashley. But then the light faded to reveal a tiny prinny, looking around with the typical blank expression they were known to share. Its coloration was an unusual light blue and it had a silly scarf waving behind it. "Did you need me, dood?"

"This is my mom, nya~" she explained to the Assembly. "She's visiting from another Netherworld. I'm really sorry to have to do this, but if you insist on trying to hurt me, you'll probably need to go through her first."

The guffaws of laughter were said to be among some of the loudest ever heard in the history of the Assembly.

One of the high-level senators came forward. He was a massive dragon, and he earned his spot in the Assembly the way ALL demons did... by being the biggest and toughest. It walked up to the little prinny, who stared blankly up, a little sweatdrop on her forehead. The beast grinned menacingly before launching itself at its tiny foe. Soon the other demons joined in as well in this incredibly lopsided fight. One side utterly helpless and defenseless against the overwhelming wrath of the other.

...This would all be over soon.

---

"AND IF YOU EVER... AND I MEAN *EVER*... THINK ABOUT STARTING A FIGHT LIKE THIS HERE, I WILL PERSONALLY COME BACK AND BEAT THE LIVING *CRAP* OUT OF YOU, DOOD!" the outraged prinny screamed, stamping her peg leg down on the dazed dragon's aching forehead. She looked around at the assembly full of battered, bruised, and unconscious demons she'd left in her wake. "THAT GOES FOR ALL OF YOU! IF I HEAR THAT YOU'RE PICKING ON MY LITTLE ONES AGAIN, I'M NOT GONNA HOLD BACK NEXT TIME, DOOD!!! NOW SAY YOU'RE SORRY!!!"

The remaining conscious demons murmured a weak "I'm sorry..." to the pair.

"'I'M SORRY,' WHAT!?" the light blue prinny insisted.

"I'm sorry, dood..." the demons all reluctantly chorused.

Ashley's mom patted her on the hand before storming out, forcibly stamping the bill as "PASSED" as she did so.

Ashley and Solstice grinned and headed out as well "Thanks for your cooperation, nya~!" Ashley said, beaming.

"We'll let you know if we need anything else~!" Solstice added with a wink, before both of them left, side-by-side.

At the far end of the Assembly, the chairman let out a little snore.

---

So yeah, this was a fun one and I think it turned out nicely, dood. I've had this on the docket for awhile so I hope it ended up being fun. Thanks everyone that joined the art stream when I was sketching this one out. I hope you had fun!

Gonna be working on a couple more commissions before another comic page. Stay tuned, dood!

(Commission for  singstar1017 )