>Following the aftermath of the attack on the camp, the ponies had withdrawn back to the edge of their remaining lands. You used this time to recover and regain your power, as with each passing day you still felt the effects of the magical duel with the pony princess.
>To describe the Tower life peaceful would be anything but the truth. The element of generosity was still riled and untamed as the day she arrived while your two mistresses seemed to be playing a secret battle of their own for your affections.
>You tolerated these antics. For now.
>The minions were in full swing of activity as Gnarl worked them to the bone to get the Tower fully operational, blaming your near demise on their laziness and lack of progress.
>You spent your time in your master chamber, thinking about the images flashing in your mind when you briefly connected with the horse.
>There was something more to her and the vision from your dream was telling you to pursue this hunch.
>Fluttershy poked her head into your chamber, taking you out of your train of thought.
"Oh, hello my lord. I was just coming by to check on you. You haven't eaten anything in several days."
>You stood up, your ascent still painful as your body reminded me of your failed hubris.
"I have a kettle on, why don't you make yourself comfortable and I'll go get it. I even got some of the minions to help me make those little cakes you enjoy."
>Silently watching her leave, you debated what you would have to smash to make up for this questionable behavior later. Still, you did enjoy those little cakes she made...
I wasn't even trying, which i the funny thing.
>Fluttershy busied herself in the kitchen, pouring her prized drink into little mugs, one especially labeled 'I prefer dark'.
>A breeze of motion caught her by surprise as a flash of white escaped out the corner of her eye. Putting the kettle down, she peered around the bend but found nothing.
>A lump of white nudged her by the counter, a small horn protruding over the table. Turning around she found a white horse standing there looking as shocked as she was.
"Par-pardon me. I was just on my way to the master's room."
>Fluttershy started to walk away when she stopped and came back to the stunned pony.
"Was there something you needed? Are you hungry? I'd love to help but I'm in a hurry."
>Rarity snapped out of her trance.
"No it's ok miss. I was just trying to sneak myself a little treat. I smelled something ever so heavenly down here, I couldn't help myself."
>She looked Fluttershy over.
"You look, familiar. I'm not one for making acquaintances with two legged creatures that often but have we met before? I swear I've seen you somewhere."
>Fluttershy piled on a plate of cakes as she started to leave.
"I'm sorry, I have to be going now. He'll be grumpy if the tea is cold. Goodbye Rarity."
>A loud gasp escaped the white horse's mouth as she ran after the girl up the stairs.
"How do you know my name?!"
>Fluttershy hurried up the stairs as Rarity followed closely behind, yelling for her to stop.
>Ignoring the pony no longer she finally slowed her pace letting her catch up.
"You know my name, how? We do know each other don't we!"
>Fluttershy huffed as she reached the master's chamber. Opening the door, Gnarl was found discussing something with the Overlord. Looking up from their conversation, Gnarl stretched his face in what he considered to be a smile.
"Ah, mistress Fluttershy. Do come in. The master was expecting you. Oh you brought those devilish little cakes of yours too. How KIND of you..."
>The extra emphasis could be heard clearly by anyone listening, being directed at the master who was now standing over his minion adviser like a vulture circling a carcass.
>Rarity was stunned in total silence as she slowly absorbed the overload of information.
"Flut...Fluttershy? What? What happened to you? You're, well you're not a pony that's for sure!"
>Gnarl took an empty cup left on a nightstand and rubbed it out with his dressings, emptying part of the master's cup into his.
"It would seem to be a strange side effect of the Tower Heart's magic. The poor girl was quite bristling with evil energy at the time, the Heart must have reacted strongly to it."
>Fluttershy stirred her tea with a cake, saying nothing of the matter. Rarity looked at her with a glare.
"Was she now...? And how do I know that you little fiends had nothing to do with that?"
>Gnarl chuckled as he noisily slurped down his beverage.
"Because it takes a willful act of evil to power the Heart like she did. Oh you should have seen it. Giving those stupid creatures tainted food, knowing full well it was corrupted. All to try to be kind to them. Element of Kindness indeed."
>You sat in silence as you listened to the discussion, enjoying the uncomfortable atmosphere between the ladies.
"Well I'm sure she had a good reason to do so! Even, even if it was wrong..."
"My dear, even a good deed can have dire consequences. It's all about perspective."
>Rarity put down her cup, furious at the imp.
"I've heard enough. To think I tried to be civil with you barbarians!"
>Gnarl put down his cup as well, knocking over your mug with a wild wave of his arms.
"I was just wondering, how did you get out of your room in the first place?! Unicorns, skulking about like they own the place."
>A pair of Browns poked their heads into the room and took Rarity back to her room.
>Fluttershy packed up the tray and silently left the room, giving you a weak smile as she closed the door behind her. Gnarl wiped his mouth on your loincloth as you sagged your shoulders finally relaxing from the tense scene.
"Well that was fun sire. Let's be sure to invite the bug wench next time. I'm sure she'll make things even more hellish."
>You picked up your personal mug off the floor, seeing it was shattered to pieces.
"Sire, I would think it best to spend some time with that unicorn. As much as I hate to admit it, perhaps swaying her over to our side might help increase your powers. And make the Tower less noisy."
>Somehow you doubted that last part.
>You walked the halls of the guest quarters, stopping at the room where the temperamental unicorn resided.
>Opening the door slowly, you braced for another barrage of bed objects but you found her hunched over a table, paper laid out as she was hard at work on something.
>Seeing you come in, she quickly fumbled with the paper and rolled it up, tucking it under the table.
"Oh, it's you. Come to see if I've escaped again? If you would let me out every once in a while, maybe I wouldn't have to play the damsel in distress sneaking away."
>You stood before, silent as a sentinel.
"Right. Tall, dark and brooding. I guess there's something to be desired about the strong, silent types. Even if they are embodiments of pure evil."
>You reached down below, picking up the folded up paper despite her protests. Unfolding it, you saw designs for a dress of sorts. Rarity gave a nervous chuckle.
"It's something I've been working on. A little hobby really. With everything I had burning down in Ponyville, no thanks to a certain somepony..., I've been keeping myself entertained thinking of what to do next when life goes back to normal. For whatever passes for normal nowadays."
>The dress looked formal but seemed elegant as well, even if it wasn't designed for a human frame.
"Oh, you like it? I guess you would, having an interesting eye for fashion. Black is back in season and your armor just screams intricate detailing."
>Getting up, she starts to circle you. Several murmurs and nods later, she starts to sketch something on a new piece of paper.
"Your body frame is far different from what I'm used to working with but I think I can make something work."
>She stopped herself mid sketch as she started to nervously laugh at herself.
"Look at me, designing clothing for an evil Overlord. I'm sorry, I was just caught up in the moment. It's not everyday I get to expand into uncharted territory. If you would please, I'd like to be alone now. I have some...things to work on."
>Leaving Rarity be, you found Chrysalis standing outside her room a wry smile.
"Oh aren't you sweet. Tending to the disheveled masses. You really need to act the part if you're going to be the evil power of this land. Tea time and dress making is fine and all but I need a man that can put some power in that swing of his. Not that you were lacking the other night."
>She ran her hand down your chest, resting it on your dragon gauntlet.
"Oh, what's this new toy? Hmm I wonder what it does. Maybe later come by and show me?"
>She pecks you on the cheek and whispers in your ear.
"Don't forget. I'm putting up with these little girls but at the end of the day you're wrapped in MY web. A girl has to protect what's hers after all."
>Closing the door behind her, you trudged to meet Gnarl in the war room. Maybe plotting some acts of carnage would set your mind at ease.
>Gnarl was musing over a map of Ponyville when you came in. His eagerly examined the paper as you approached.
"Trouble in paradise sire? Well don't worry, you're not the first Overlord to have mistress problems. They tend to work themselves out. Though the mess is never pleasant."
>You examined the map Gnarl was looking at, several marks indicating places to search.
"I took was miss Rarity had said about our destruction of Ponyville and decided perhaps you can win her over with some...generosity. Search the ruins of that blasted little town and find what you can. Maybe even raid that little crystal tree for some artifacts. Have some fun for evil sake."
>Pushing you out of the room, Gnarl gave you a look of excitement as he shut the door.
"Be sure to check the bakery too for anything useful. Mistress Fluttershy might need more supplies."
>Glorified shopping trip. Nothing more.
>Taking the gate to the town square, you began your search in the ruins of a dress store.
>The Browns you brought with you were anything but delicate as they smashed with abandon anything blocking the way or everything within reach.
>The upper floor seemed to remain largely intact despite some structural damage. Pouring through shelves, you soon found your minions decorating themselves in all sorts of torn clothing and head wear cackling like mad at the ridiculous outfits.
>The servants of evil, easily amused by playing dress-up.
>One particular drawer contained some tools that looked promising. Stitching needles, measuring tape, pins.
>Calling a Brown over, you punctured his hide with all sorts of the pins to keep them from getting lost. His fellows laughed at his pain until you made them carry all the other objects you could find.
>"That should do it sire. I'm sure this generous gift will please miss Rarity. Deposit the goods and then head to that tree. Oh and don't forget the bakery."
>With the last of the materials dropped off, you turned your attentions to the disheveled tree castle sprouting from the middle of nowhere.
>Smashing the door down, your Browns scurried in checking every corner for danger to their master. Stepping in, you found it to be quaint yet sickening.
>Crystal decor everywhere you looked, the tree was something of pure magic itself manifested.
>"The wonders of this land never cease to nauseate me sire. It would seem they can grow castles. All the better to knock them down!"
>Tapestries depicting great moments hung by the windows, stained glass showing each of the elements caught your attention.
>"Hold on sire, this could be important. For once, I think smashing should be the secondary option. We have much to learn here."
>Following the circular room design of the main throne room, you paced the edges gazing up at each stained glass taking in what it had to teach you.
>Honesty. Loyalty. Generosity. Laughter. Kindness. Magic.
>Each a respective element of so called harmony and each giving you a clear indication what the pony looked like.
>"How careless of them sire, giving away their secrets so willingly. I've had enough of staring at this nonsense, smash what you want and let's get out of here. I think all this cheerful magic is giving me a headache."
>Smashing through the glass of honesty, a sound of shifting stone caught your attention behind you as the table started to open up, revealing a map.
>Approaching, you watched as an image of the known land appeared before you cutting off as your known domain edge started to bleed over and swallow sections of the map.
>"Well now, what is this interesting little trinket you've found?"
>Running a hand over the table, you examined the image given to you. Distorting to your touch, the magic kept the image largely in place.
>"This would seem to be another map of sorts. To what though, that seems to be the question."
>Three little dots started blinking in various locations, causing the Browns to pop their heads up in curiosity.
>One in a city floating in the sky.
>Another in a rocky valley.
>The last dwell in a castle jutting out of the side of a mountain.
>Three other dots started blinking where your Tower was located.
>"Sire, I believe we have in our possession a way to locate the lost elements! Quickly, bring it back to the Tower. I know the perfect place for it!"
>Struggling to lift it off the ground, the table wouldn't budge as it was rooted directly into the floor.
>"Hmm. This is going to be bothersome. Sire, finish your search for now. I'll see if I can get Brug to open a gate somewhere inside this castle, hopefully that will make traveling to and from a little easier."
>Abandoning the map, you called your minions to you as you went on to look for anything else valuable as it shifted again back into a round table.
>Entering a long hallway, you found a vast library at the end. Walls upon walls of books as far as the eye could see, the entire knowledge of the land must have been stored here.
>Your Browns started climbing up ladders and jumping across shelves, scattering books all over the floor and sending pages flying in the air.
"NO! I just organized those! Even in this sanctuary you have no decency!"
>Turning around, you found the purple horse from Ponyville standing behind you. Last you recalled, she should have been in that castle though.
>She suddenly appeared on the top shelves, pulling a book out of a minion's hand as he held onto it for dear life refusing to let go.
>Teleportation.
>Using her wings to descend, she placed the book into an empty pocket and looked up at you with raw anger.
"I come here to get away from the commotion of Canterlot, I figured you would be too busy burning the countryside to bother a simple library. But no, even in the remote pockets of a bastion of education here you are tearing everything apart with complete abandon!"
>She walked up and shoved a hoof at you accusingly.
"I'm going to ask nicely. Get your little rats and leave. I have enough work on my hands now fixing the damage you've caused to my castle, I don't need the incarnation of evil hanging around my library too."
>"Sire, you aren't seriously going to take orders from a princess are you? A pony princess at that!"
>You stood in your spot, not moving an inch. Twilight quickly lost her patience and started to nudge you, trying to give you the hint to leave.
>Growing tired of her antics, you flexed your hand and held five little embers at the fingertips of your gauntlet.
"Wait, what are you doing!?"
>Flicking them carelessly, you watched as they started to quickly erupt to life and consume the books in a wild blaze, spreading across the room.
>Leaving the room behind you, you ignored the panicked cries of alarm as Twilight watched another library of hers turn to ash.
>The acrid smell of smoke delighted you as you watched with grim satisfaction a monument to the old ways be devoured in the flames of your corruption.
>The fire would eventually burn itself out, leaving the remaining castle largely unmolested.
>"Sire, I must admit I'm impressed. With each passing day, your evilness grows like a rotten little seed."
>A surge of energy got your attention as a wild beam crashed into your legs from the doorway, pain shooting all over as a reminder you were still recovering.
>The princess stood there, nearly collapsed and her breathing labored, readying herself for another spell.
"I won't forgive you. Everything you've done, everything you are. There is no reform for something like you. You only understand one thing."
>Rising, you slowly turned to her and held out your gauntlet, deflecting away panicked spells as you approached.
>She wasn't as powerful as the other one but she held potential. Potential you had to snuff out now.
>Taking the brunt of her assault, you gripped her by the horn and forced her down prostrated before you.
>"Yes, that's it sire. Make an example of her, one the rest of her kind would be sure to not forget."
>A small commotion was coming from Gnarl's end but you ignored it, focusing on the task at hand.
>You unslung your mace, letting it's head fall to crack the ground. Holding her fast, your minions cheered wildly as they watched their master make a spectacle of the pony.
>You raised your instrument high, ready to sound the notes of glorious music.
>"Please, stop!"
>Another voice, not Gnarl's.
>"My lord, please spare her. She's my friend, one I treasure greatly."
>Fluttershy.
>"Out of the way. That's it sire, pop her. Like a squishy, purple zit!"
>Your weapon hung heavily in the air, arms growing tired from the strain. Letting it fall next to her head, you shoved the pony over and left her where she lay her face a mix of confusion and fear.
>"Sire, what are you doing? Finish the job yourself! Evil 101!"
>Letting her go, you left the little castle without looking back.
>Under normal circumstances you would have crushed the potential threat without hesitation and been done with it. But these weren't normal circumstances.
>Keeping friends of the enemy close to you has it's disadvantages.
>Your minions unloaded what treasures they could get their grubby hands on at the gate. You were done here, even more so sick of looking at this disgusting town.
>Stepping through the gate in the square, you were met by Gnarl in the Heart Chamber. His look of discontent already had you guessing what he was going to say.
"Sire. I believe I speak for both of us when I say that perhaps contact with these, elements, are having quite the adverse effect on you."
>Gnarl stroked his chin.
"Then again, you did set fire to her library without hesitation. Destroying a beloved treasure of hers, now that was quite devious."
>You passed Gnarl as you watched your minions grab the assembled loot and cart it off to designated areas.
>Taking a small handful, you personally directed them to Rarity's room.
>You found the unicorn resting on a series of cushions set up by the window, gazing outward.
>A slam of the door got her attention as the minions started to dump articles of clothing and other accessories on the floor, causing her to get up and inspect what you've brought.
"This is my tape. And stencils. My stitches! How did you ever find these things?!"
>A Brown waddled in, much of it's back a literal pincushion. It collapsed on the carpet as it's fellows started to giggle and pull out the needles.
"The Master bring white pony gifts. Master searched high and low in burned town for shiny things to bring to pony."
"Well, your master has my gratitude but that doesn't change what he's done!"
>She held up an undamaged dress, holding it gingerly to her.
"But, thank you. I guess I should be grateful I get to stay here. Where it's warm. With my own bed..."
>Rarity looked around at her room, taking note of how bland it looked.
"Not to overstep my bounds, but next chance you get could you possibly get me a few things to spruce up this place? Dreary Towers are one thing but we are still civilized beings after all."
>Leaving your guest to sort out her new belongings, you headed to your personal chamber.