Memories flooded in as Matthias began to stir. 

The machinations of his actions as he worked behind the scenes of his supposed 'allies’, the deals and promises he's made in the event of turning against them. The discovery of his would-be betrayal, and the swift retribution that came soon after. All of it was coming back to him in painful detail.

His mind didn't feel as though it were his own, nor did his body: though the latter was the case for much of his life. Weak throughout most of his life, areas of the brain always seemed to favor Matthias more. While he did little to aid in his body’s growth his mental capacity was nearly unmatched, and while this hardly benefited his physique it was always viewed as a worthwhile sacrifice.

This however felt… different. 

As though each and every strand of his muscles had been stretched out before suddenly being condensed. Compressed. Tightly bound together before being undone again. And not to mention his lack of heat. An inescapable cold which forced every strand of hair across his ruined body to stand on end. 

The realization struck Matthias, even through pain and a clouded mind. He turned his head frantically, desperately taking in his surroundings. Seeking to disprove his greatest fears.

He found himself in a room. A drab, barely furnished, barely lit bedroom with a bed far too large for himself. The seats, the sheets, they were all oversized when compared to his own stature. Even his clothing, though more accommodating and apparently appropriately cared for, was a few inches too large for his body. Everything was simply… bigger.

And that alone caused Matthias to grow afraid.

He struggled to stand up, a task made even more difficult without his crutches, and desperately looked for an explanation as to where he was. The Scientist looked at his arms, the skin and hair upon them to note anything strange. The coloration of his hair, as well as the pigmentation of his skin, was the same as it's ever been. Yet he knew something was terribly wrong. He felt it in his bones, as well as the muscles that tightened around those. 

Matthias has been brought low. Ruined. This time in a manner he could never hope to recover from. 

He stumbled backwards, terror setting in as the back of his legs caught onto something. The Scientist fell, and a sudden crash reverberated outward across the room; and likely beyond it as well. Clutching his head in pain, Matthias struggled to see what had struck him, as well as what he tripped on. 

Pulling his hand away from his forehead, the Scientist found himself bleeding heavily, a steady trickle of blood flowing freely from a newly formed gash. 

Examining further, Matthias found it was a miniaturized table he had collided against. It was a miracle alone the damage was not more extensive. A bit further in, or a strike against his temple, and it may have been much worse. 

That said, such a crash was hardly worth worrying about. Even when compared to the wound upon his head, Matthias's troubles were only just being spelled out. 

Looking outward, he saw it. Not even a few feet in front of him, he wondered how he could have possibly missed something so noticeable. Then again, between his new state, as well as his addled mind and panic, clarity of sight was not a luxury afforded to him. 

So it was that the sight of a body, the very thug which had been gifted to Maya not even a few days ago, reared its bruised, bloodied, broken self. 

A single yelp of fear, that was all which managed to escape the Scientist's throat before his whole world shook. The room he was in, the land beyond, it all shook about as light flooded the little abode. 

Its walls split in two and Matthias was met with an all too familiar, now titanic face. 

He looked up at her, wide eyed, caught between a sense of relief and worry. “R-roxanne?” 

Relief to see that the first face he saw was one he's known for years. And worry that, after recent events, this familiar face would spell the end of Matthias's life as he knew it. 

The now godly figure above smiled down at her once trustworthy colleague; all her features now in full, inescapable detail. Her golden hair, her magenta eyes; the flawless, porcelain hue of her skin. Divinity. Devilish. Matthias would come to understand both in time. 

Roxanne was big. Far larger than she had any right to be. 

Or was Matthias smaller than he initially thought. A few inches shorter than the thug he tripped over, perhaps, but was the difference in scale truly this immense that someone like Roxanne, an already tall woman as is, seemed that much larger?

Was this what betas had to contend with on a daily basis?

Where once there was someone Matthias could confide in as intellectual equals, now all that remained was the visage of one he has scorned. 

He knew Roxanne. Known her for years. Her skills and strengths. Her techniques in ensuring her test subjects “lasted”. He knew them all. 

Seen them all.

Whatever she had planned for him, he knew that there would not be a moment of reprieve. Not unless it was granted. And after what's been done, such a likelihood was… abysmal to say the least. 

“I was wondering when you'd wake up~,” Roxanne said, her grin growing wider as she noticed Matthias' gaze had not turned away from her. Not even for a moment, so as to even tend to his wound. She was his entire world now. Everything he might have been, held in her grasp: hers to control completely. “Was starting to think I should have just stepped on you, like Maya suggested. Leave you as a stain to clean up. Looks like I made the right call not to though. That would have been a waste.”

The world rattled again as the miniature home was tilted from one side to another, stirring within the contents of its rooms; be they person or furniture. There was no care in her movements, no finesse. Roxanne only wished to dislodge her former colleague from his 'safe space’. It'd be much easier to toy with him were he out in the open after all, and she'd hate to have to reach in and grab the little Bastard for herself. 

Roxanne might very well let her emotions get the better of her if she did, that bottled up anger born of betrayal, and there was no telling how tightly her fist might close in response. Poor little Matthias's body, changed though it was, wouldn't survive that. Though in truth, even if it didn't, that was no skin off anyone's back. 

He had it coming after all. 

What wasn't intended, however, was the fixation towards the display of power Roxanne was demonstrating in the simple action of just moving a portable home. A structure so small that it could collapse under the weight of a regular person; now a key reminder of the absolute control in her hands. 

Power which Matthias craved… now forced to contend with. 

Roxanne could do anything to him, every vile act she might imagine, every cruel injustice she sought to deliver, and there was nothing that could be done to stop her. 

She held all the cards. Her control was absolute. Yet… Matthias couldn't help but focus elsewhere. 

Even with his aching body, through the blood that streamed across his head, all he could see was the undeniable power of this god-like woman that quite literally held his future in the palm of hands. 

Matthias didn't even bother fighting his descent. There was no point in it. As the building shook, the bug-sized Scientist allowed gravity to carry him away. Falling against walls, against the floor, and finally through the opening that led to the table in which the miniature house had been kept on. He crashed against it, a vast expanse of hardened wood, audible cracks heard as his already frail body was pushed further to its brink. 

His silent pain did not go unnoticed, as up above Roxanne looked upon him with a mild sense of amusement. “Really? A fall like that is all it takes to break you?” she couldn't help but scoff. “You really are useless, huh?” The Scientist looked to the two halves of the house still in her grasp, as well as the silent soul inside: the thug that had been abused and broken by Maya and her games. With a shrug, Roxanne threw both over her shoulders, not sparing a single thought to the sole inhabitant inside as the twin structures crashed past her sight. Whether they lived or died from the impact was not a concern. They've played their part as a toy well enough.  

“We won't be needing that anymore. Not after today.” Lyza would be mad, of course. She had bought that portable home for Maya and Aiden. And at no small expense too; to both the remainder of money she had as well as pride. But the Designer would listen to reason. She had to. They were all in the endgame now. All because of Matthias. Trinkets like a home for betas were no longer useful at this stage. 

Unable to move, Matthias could hardly imagine this was where things would end for him. Inglorious. Far from the luxuries he wished to have. 

In some situations, it would be appropriate for Matthias's life to flash before his eyes, now that the end was near. Unfortunately for him a rat's life such as his own was hardly something to look back on fondly. 

He was a cheat. A Bastard. And his whole existence was built around those two characteristics. Matthias was smart, yes, but his intellect could only have gotten him so far. He knew that now. It was over for him. 

His life, snuffed, with hardly an iota of recognition from others. 

Ended at the hands of one he… admired. Respected even. 

Perhaps more than that…

And as a shadow overtook his small frame though, Matthias understood Roxanne's hands were not the only pair at work. 

Maya stepped over the shrunken Scientist's body, her own monolithic form the first clear indication as to how small he really was. Now it was no longer seen through a comparison with Roxanne: to the mad Red Head's own twelve inches, how she towered over Matthias like a giant in her own right, a single foot more than capable of covering his entire body… he might very well be smaller than Aiden. 

A meager two inches, potentially less…

Truly insect-like. 

“This is how things are going to go down,” Maya explained with a smile, kneeling down so that she might converse on a more even field. Matthias could only hardly look beyond her legs without hurting his neck; past her awe inspiring body, and into the shining blue eyes that hid behind them the fragmented eyes of a maniac. Normally, he'd ignore Maya and all that she had to say. There was hardly anything he'd consider noteworthy that'd come from the mouth of a madwoman. 

Now though, such a luxury was not something he possessed. Maya would speak, and Matthias would listen whether he liked it or not. “You're going to tell us everything you know about Lynette and her connections. Yours too while you're at it. Names, faces, anything you know from anyone you've been in contact with. Easy right?” 

Despite the situation he was in, and in spite of his infinitesimal size compared to the two women who held him captive, Matthias's pride still shined through. Far more dimly than before perhaps, but he still had enough of an ego to scoff at the ludicrous notion of just handing out information. Especially when he had nothing to gain from it. 

“I'm dead as is already,” Matthias argued with a defeated laugh. “Why on earth would I tell you anything when I already know you'll toss me aside the moment you get what you want?” 

The shrunken Scientist has accepted that this is where he was more than likely going to die. There was no saving himself from that. But Matthias would be damned if he was going to be broken down for some Psychopath's amusement. 

“Admit it Maya, you want nothing more than to rip me apart,” the smaller Beta pestered on. “Just like you did with your dear little One and Only.” Though an insect now, he still knew Maya's mind. Her characteristics. She couldn't possibly pass on the chance to tear another poor soul to shreds. Especially when her dear and beloved Aiden was brought into the picture. “Going to kill me like you killed him? Well go ahead and do it. I'm not going to give you the pleasure of making me terrified.”

The far larger psychopath fell silent, her eyes narrowing as the gears within her mind turned. Matthias could only imagine what was going through her head, the torturous acts she might commit if she so wished. 

Her actions were nothing if not predictable. If anything, knowing what she planned to do eased Matthias's nerves, if only a little. A remedy that lasted for less than a minute, however, as instead of following through with anything that might break her prey's body and mind, Maya instead… laughed. 

Softly, coldly: the precursor to acts even she couldn't contend with. 

“I would love nothing more than to kill you,” Maya admitted, not at all denying Matthias's claims. “But then, I'm glad to kill just about anyone I don't like. Just because you're on that list doesn't mean you get special attention. Cheeky. And besides… you already belong to someone else. It'd be rude of me to just steal you away~.”

Confused at first, it wasn't until a great pressure bore down on Matthias’ legs did he remember Roxanne. 

The larger Scientist gripped his lower body in between her index finger and thumb, raising him high into the air as Maya waved him off. 

“Good luck!”

Vertigo took hold, and it was all Matthias could do to focus his vision. His sight blurred, his senses betrayed him as the world turned upside down. He was handled harshly, a sign of his captor's discontent, and it felt as though his leg might just snap off at a moment's notice. 

Mercifully, finally, Roxanne's face came into view. A great expanse that stared into his very soul. 

“You're mine,” the larger Scientist clarified, her booming voice felt in Matthias's bones. “And this has been a looong time coming, Matty.”

Roxanne opened her mouth, separating whatever 'solid land’ Matthias might have had below as a great and cavernous maw awaited him. And because he was being dangled by his leg, all the shrunken scientist could do was look down into the salivating, ravenous abyss. 

Though he had steeled himself before, to see such a sight, such a terror, up close and personal… it wasn't just nerve wracking. It was so much more than just that. 

It was soul shattering. For the first time since waking up and accepting his impending demise, Matthias panicked. He struggled and fought for all his frail body was worth, kicking and screaming as Roxanne dangled him like a wonderful treat: her chuckles and sighs of content apparent as her former colleague fought, and failed, against her indomitable might. 

It was wonderful. Pure ecstasy to embrace something so primal. And though Roxanne held no taste for those of a shrunken stature like Maya and Lyza did, she'd be denying her scientific curiosity if she said  it wasn't currently a tempting thought. 

What was the harm in indulging such temptations anyway, if only for a few minutes?

Roxanne separated her index finger and thumb, releasing her hold on her would-be treat. Matthias didn't even scream as he fell. It was too sudden for his senses to catch up, and as gravity guided him downward all he saw was the world pass on by and vanish. 

The shrunken scientist collided directly on top of Roxanne's waiting, dripping tongue; moans of ecstasy erupting from her throat the moment she could taste him. While there was nothing to write off as something that stood out in regards to taste, and if anything Matthias tasted rather… dull… that did little to take away from the joy felt in this moment. The simple knowledge that a sudden swallow could spell his doom was exhilarating enough. 

Light was purged from the squelching cavern as Roxanne's teeth closed shut, her eagerness to see for herself what Lyza and Maya found so enthralling of live consumption all too apparent. Her face flushed red as she allowed herself this rare chance to toy with another in such a… unique fashion. What a sight it must be for Maya, the doll-sized serial killer no doubt enjoying the show. 

To have acted upon such vile cravings countless times before, now a meager spectator forced to watch it all go down. 

Matthias on the other hand was far from enjoying his new lot in life. Quick to panic, this new found fear completely washed away whatever feelings of acceptance had remained. As to be expected, the human mind can only endure so much before caving into madness. Especially when placed in such a daunting situation. It was a fragile thing in truth, far from the bulwark people thought it to be. Be it a strong or weak mind, every wall would come crashing down with the right stimuli. 

Roxanne could only imagine what her old colleague was enduring as she thrashed his poor little body around. What thoughts ran through his head as her tongue worked to wrap itself around his body. Her teeth tearing away his clothes, threatening to snap his weak and fragile limbs into paste. Premonitions of death must have been in an abundance as any single one of those pearly white monoliths might prove enough to just obliterate him. 

She could kill Matthias if she wanted to… easily no less. All it would take would be placing his weak body in between her molars, biting down slowly so that he'd be forced to endure the mounting pressure. Time would slow down, the clock coming to a halt as the Rat's life flashed before his eyes. Every mistake made, every step taken, every regret that plagued Matthias in his most private moments, all haunting him in his last minutes of life. 

A wonderful fantasy nearly acted upon. 

But the taste of iron as Matthias's blood ran down Roxanne's gums, the gore that'd get caught between her teeth; both prospects were unfortunately off-putting. Even more than the idea of swallowing someone alive. It was only because of that did she decide not to fully indulge in this macabre fantasy. 

Even someone like Matthias had his uses, smaller though he was. That intellect of his, though far from being comparable to Roxanne's, was still something that could benefit the team. 

Still, that didn't mean there was a chance she couldn't have more fun with this than she should. That much had been earned. She's been a good friend. Played the loyal aid. Now all she wanted was to cut loose, treat herself to more base desires. 

Just as Maya had her treats, Roxanne wished to have her own prize. A gift she'd earned when all this was said and done. She already had the perfect one in mind. 

Reaching her fingers into her mouth, the larger Scientist retrieved her far smaller, and quite likely traumatized, colleague. His whole body shivered, though whether that was from the sudden chill of a breeze brushing against his saliva ridden body or from simple fear was unclear.

Roxanne had made her point. Her little taste was just the introduction into what she could do to Matthias. A rather basic torture as far as things went, but rest assured her creativity held little in the way of limits. It was already common knowledge that she could do far worse in a terrifyingly short amount of time. 

“So~,” Roxanne cooed, pleased with the fear across her former friend's face. She set the trembling beta back down on the table, Maya waiting in anticipation of witnessing for herself her larger companion's handiwork. “Do you have anything you want to tell us? Or should we try something else?”

A moment of silence, that was Roxanne's sole response as Matthias left her question hanging in the air. Too terrified to speak, the seconds ticked on as the god-like woman waited as patiently as she could for a response of any kind. When it became clear she wasn't going to get one though, she snapped her fingers. 

Gesturing towards Maya, she gave the small sadist the ‘go to’ in doing what they wanted. So long as they didn't kill Matthias, there was no harm in it. 

Eager to please, Maya wasted no time in getting to work. Raising her foot above Matthias shaking form, she slowly and gingerly placed her giant sole upon his back; steadily applying pressure until the smaller Beta began to wheeze. 

His mind already frayed, Matthias kicked and screamed against the foot, his voice cracking along with a few bones. Maya didn't care. Roxanne didn't care. The former continued to play while the latter watched on, her interest residing only in her former friend's suffering. 

It wasn't until a loud snap was heard, loud enough that it startled even Roxanne, did Matthias finally cave. A good thing too, as his chest was only moments away from giving in entirely. “I'll talk!” He shouted, wishing only for this torment to end. “I'll talk dammit!”

Maya looked back, waiting only for Roxanne's allowance in any form of mercy. She thought on it, debated on what she stood to gain; as well as lose. While Matthias had nothing but his screams to offer, the larger Scientist would be lying if she said whatever pleas her once colleague had weren't at least intriguing. 

Sometimes, Roxanne truly did regret that curiosity of hers. She wanted to hear what Matthias had to say. 

With a wave, she bade Maya give him some reprieve. Not a complete release, just enough space that he wouldn't die, or pass out mid confession. That would be embarrassing on his part, as well as life threatening. 

“Go ahead,” Roxanne urged on. “Say what you have to say. Get it off your chest. And please, do make it good.”

She was taunting Matthias. Toying with him. Like a cat toying with a mouse, Roxanne was curious as to how her prey might act now that they were given a moment to just catch their breath. 

Unlike a mouse though, Matthias was still aware of how little had changed in his situation. Maya still stood over him, her encompassing shadow a clear reminder of just how quickly he could be killed. And if not by her hand, than underneath Roxanne's dominating fist. 

He had to be smart. Play to traits he knew his towering tormentor held. 

Roxanne was a woman of science. Analytical, just like himself. Were Matthias’s logic to be explained, his reasons, then perhaps, by some glimmer of hope, she might be able to be swayed. Preferably to his side. 

A long shot sure, but it was better than nothing in the end. 

“What I did, I did out of necessity,” Matthias explained, his head to the ground yet his tone raised so that he might be heard without error. Roxanne and Maya watched on, silent and patient, but eager to hear what their prey might say to save face. 

When he saw and understood that the two women weren't going to interrupt him, the shrunken scientist continued. “I made no attempt to hide my… discontent for Lyza. The role you said she'd be right for. I'm not going to apologize for that, even now. Those beliefs still hold true. And… Can you even blame me for holding them?”

Looking up, Matthias looked for any signs of acknowledgement from Roxanne. Any chance that she was hearing him. Taking what he said to heart. Thus far, either she cared little for what he had to say, or she was expertly hiding away her true feelings. It didn't matter, Matthias carried on regardless, eager to say everything that was on his mind. 

“Lyza has shown none of the factors needed to rule in Josephine Minerva's stead. Not her or her sister, though I'd argue the latter is closer to preferable results. And what's more, what is more, is the company she chose to surround herself with.” 

Matthias gestured to Maya, not at all caring for placing any coming ire directly upon him. “She… makes love to a psychopath, enjoys the company of a beta, a lesser human and a product you and I made, over anyone that might even be considered an equal. None of that inspires the hope you claim to believe in. Nothing… of the sort exists when regarding that fucking Designer!”

“Roxanne please, listen to reason…” despite the danger Maya posed, she too was powerless before Roxanne. If Matthias wanted a chance at escape, he needed her to deal with the diminutive serial killer. To that end, he needed to share an understanding with her. “Look at the people you've blindly placed your trust in and ask yourself, is this the right course of action? You can still make this better. You can still fix… everything. For yourself. For us!”

For the first time since he's begun talking, Roxanne stirred. He saw her body shift, the brow of her left eye rising upward. She was… intrigued. 

“There's an event happening in a few days,” Matthias explained, seeing now that he had not just Roxanne's attention, but apparent intrigue as well. “A gala that the majority of Minerva's allies are planning to attend, hosted by Lynette. You can join me there. All you need is Six. Maybe Maya too. With the two of them, Lyza'll have no choice but to do what you say, and with all three of them at your heels they'd be your ticket to the good life. The right life.”

“Come on Roxy… you know I'm right.” Matthias stood up, now seeing Roxanne's expression shift from one of intrigue to that of… genuine consideration. She was weighing the pros and cons of the offer, thinking of everything on the board. How could she not? This was her ticket back to having everything she could ever want. Power yes, but that was poultry compared to the access she'd have to advancing technologies. All the latest innovations, and she'd had first pick over them all. It'd be foolish to pass up such an offer. “You can finally have what you deserve.”

Maya on the other hand wasn't so keen as to what she was hearing. Not only was it clear that Matthias wished to use Aiden and Lyza as scapegoats, he had the GALL to say all that in her presence. “You venomous, deceitful little snake!” She raised her foot back up, this time intent on finishing off the little man. Instead, all Maya found was the much smaller beta smiling up at her, content on the outcome of this situation. 

“Go ahead!” He shouted. “Do your worst! If you think this changes anything, then think again. I'm right! You know I'm right! Roxanne knows I'm right. She has everything to ga-”  

Matthias didn't get to finish. Before he realized what was happening, Roxanne's index finger crashed down onto his torso hard. The wind was knocked right out of the shrunken scientist as he was once again pinned down against the table, this time as a captive beneath the weight of just a single finger. 

“Shame on you, Maya.” Roxanne taunted, her expression cold. Though her attention remained on Matthias, Maya could tell… there was a new form of malice behind her eyes. Something which frightened even her. A silent fury born from having to hear Matthias' proposition. “I thought you said Matty was mine… don't even think about taking this away from me.”

For perhaps the first time since shrinking, Maya felt as small as she actually, truly was. Perhaps even smaller. 

Roxanne's fury had returned. Now even greater than before, and all because Matthias thought himself clever. To think, believe, that his old colleague would follow in his footsteps. Backstab those who actually managed to give her a second chance at life before anyone else could. Yes, this new leash had its ups and downs, as well as… threats. But it was a damn better alternative to working with those who thought to ruin her. At least Roxanne knew those she allied with now were loyal. 

“Yeah… it's a no from me,” The larger Scientist affirmed with a shrug, not even eager to give Matthias the time of day anymore. Her fun had been spoiled, ruined by that last, pathetic plea. “Seriously, to think you'd actually believe I'd go through with such an offer. After working so hard to get back at those who wronged me.”

“It's just… a shame you had to end up on that list.”

Matthias was a friend… once. Someone whom Roxanne wholeheartedly believed she could trust. It was the main reason why she sought him out after being restored to her normal height. It's why she confided in him over her plans for the future. 

…what a fool she was to not have seen his true colors. 

“Wa-wait…” Matthias scampered backwards, crawling away in the mocking hoping that he could escape. Maya was quick to snuff out that fever dream, once more placing her foot on top of his body: this time with the full intention of killing him. 

“Hold it.” Roxanne intervened, grabbing the killer by her waist and lifting her up. 

A mercy, Matthias thought. Not a chance at survival, but at least he won't have to die at the hands of someone as sadistic as Maya. 

“He's still too valuable of an asset to just kill,” Roxanne explained. “It'd be wasteful to do away with all that knowledge of his…”

Maya wanted to yell. So close… She was so close to killing that snake. But here she was, blue balled at the last second. “Dammit! What are you going to do to him then?!”

Roxanne cocked her head, wondering the exact same question for herself. “What indeed…”

She kicked her feet up onto the table, deep in thought over what sort of permanent punishment might be fitting for a traitor like Matthias; the beta still trying to crawl away. Even with the massive foot that crashed beside him serving as a substantial warning, desperation proved an excellent motivator. He fled as though he might be able to escape.

Looking at the diminutive speck though, an idea quickly formed. Roxanne locked back from her foot, her bare ankle specifically, and back to Matthias' shivering body. Tilting the extremity to the side, she wondered… How might a traitor appear as a ‘fashion statement’?

“Huh…” Roxanne never was one for wearing jewelry. Or accessories of any sort really. She never had time to care. Now however… She felt as if this were a special opportunity. One that couldn't possibly be ignored. 

“Well… I'm sure Lyza will appreciate it.”