>The day was long and exhausting, your wounds still clinging to your body to cause you grief.
>A brief knock on your door got your attention. Opening it you were surprised to find Fluttershy standing in the hall.
"He-hello my lord. Good evening, I was wondering if you were busy."
>She fidgeted a bit looking uncertain about something. Opening the door further to let her in you realized why.
>She wore a much more revealing dress, something far less conservative than what she normally had. It hugged her body in all the right places, making your little lord awaken.
"It's kind of cold out here, may, may I come in?"
>Opening the door wider you let her slip through. When you started to close it behind her you caught a brief glimpse of Gnarl standing at the end of the hall, wearing a grin .
>So that's where she got such a thing to wear.
>Fluttershy sat herself down on your bed, taking in the scenery. Gargoyle heads with little trickles of fire sat at both corners, illuminating the room with flickers of light. Holding her hands out to the flames, she rubbed them together trying to get warm.
"It's a little cold here. Do you have anything to warm up?"
>Taking your personal robe, you cracked it by the window shaking the dust out of it. Throwing it on the bed, you watched her put it on over her dress.
"I wanted to come by, to thank you. These last few months have been, well strange I guess, but still I have been having fun. I've even gotten the hang of this body. Look!"
>She started snapping her finger, clearly impressed with herself.
"I've seen Discord do it several times, I guess you can only do it when you have whatever these are."
>Fingers. They're called fingers.
"Also, I watched you fight Twilight. Over what I'm not sure but I came to ask you a favor. Could you, um if you're able to, well you see."
>Spit it out.
"Could you stop hurting the ponies? Please?"
>You walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She gave you a smile and held it in her own.
"I'm sure if you invited her over, you could show her that you're not so bad after all. I don't think you are."
>You looked at your assembled rack of weapons and torture instruments hanging on the wall. Yes, clearly she was a good judge of character.
>Pointing to her outfit, Fluttershy opened up the robe giving you a better look at her assets.
"This? Oh master Gnarl gave it to me. Apparently it was in some storage from a previous owner. It fits nicely but it's a bit snug near the top. It's hard to wear anything when these get in the way."
>She pulled at the top of her chest, oblivious to what torment she was causing you.
"Also, Gnarl said that this dress would help, what did he say? Oh. 'Plant the seed.' Though I'm not too sure on how practical this outfit is for gardening."
>She can't be serious.
>Fluttershy sat there silently, mouthing the phrase over and over to herself.
>Turning suddenly flush red, it would seem it clicked in her head what Gnarl meant
"Oh, wow. Um, I didn't mean to, ok. I'll be, I'll just see myself out."
>Getting up, she hurried to the door and opened it. Turning back to you she tried to cover he face.
"It's like I don't want to, it's just, so soon yet..."
>Alarm hit her face.
"Yet! Ok I'll just, I'll be going. Please think about what I asked. If you want. When you have a moment. Bye."
>She was gone in a blur, robe and everything, leaving you by yourself now. Gnarl hobbled in a short while after, looking around eagerly.
"Sire, I hope things went well with your mistress. Did you enjoy the little ensemble?"
>Brushing past him, you headed for the armory. You were overcome with a strong urge to hit something, anything now.
"Pity, I was sure this would do it."
>You were tempted to vent your frustrations on Gnarl right there.
>You met Gnarl in the war room several hours later after taking a personal trip to where the prisoners were kept.
>Horses made interesting sport, they would remain intact long after they've expired no matter how hard you beat them.
"Now that you are done relieving some 'stress' sire, I have some news. Our Greens have located the element of Laughter, but it would seem they lost her somewhere in these rocks."
>He circled an area near the canyon you originally saw back at Twilight's castle.
"I would recommend treading caution. They said she was rather...unpredictable."
>Heading for the Heart Chamber, you passed by Rarity on her way to a store room. Gnarl gave you a slight nudge.
"The master was wondering if you would be needing anything. He's making a trip out to the mountains and is taking requests, a very rare occurrence from the embodiment of evil."
>Rarity eyed Gnarl with suspicion.
"Well, if you are heading out that way, some gemstones would be lovely. I'm working on a little project and dazzling it with some of those pretty stones would do wonders. Normally I would go myself with Spike but SOMEPONY seems to have him locked away. He was quite the wonderful tracker."
>Gnarl turned to you.
"Sire, maybe you should bring the dragon with you. While out doing your, um, 'errand' you could possibly locate some valuables to add to the treasure pile."
>Krum wasn't going to like having his new toy taken away from him but he'll make do.
>The Reds held the dragon tight by the chain as Gnarl went over your current plan of action. Giving him the occasional playful yank, they giggled amongst themselves when small spurts of flame came out.
"Hey, I'm not some kind of dog. Is the chain really necessary? It's not like I can wander off too far."
>Gnarl folded the map and placed it in your hand, shuffling over to the young dragon.
"Fetid mutt or not, we wouldn't want the master's tools to be left unsupervised. You could hurt yourself around here, better yet someone else would."
"I'm not a tool. My name's Spike."
>Gnarl patted him on the head dismissively.
"Oh sire, he thinks he's people. How precious. Well Splort, or whatever it is, you serve a higher power now. Evil power that is, so you'd best get used to it. We run things...differently around here than what you're accustomed to. No more flowers and rainbows, it's dark towers and terrifying monsters!"
>Spike looked around, finding minions napping in corners or hitting each other with building materials as they crawled on scaffolding high on the Tower.
"Eh, I've seen worse."
>Grabbing the chain from the Reds, you yank the dragon toward you and pick him up by the back of his neck.
"Careful sire, wouldn't want to damage the goods just yet. Rarity seemed particularly fond of this little troublemaker, even going so far as to recommend his help."
>Dropping him on the ground, you headed for the gateway as your minions followed suit, pulling Spike with them.
"Wait, what was that about Rarity? Oh come on, don't leave a dragon hanging!"
>Gnarl watched, amused at the spectacle. Perking his ears up, his body gave a brief shiver. Turning, he only saw a simple goat nearby chewing on some dead grass.
>The mountains were as peaceful as a tomb. The occasional whip of a breeze but for the most part uneventful.
>The minions scoured high and low as you dragged the dragon along, content with letting him learn the hard way how to keep pace.
>Stopping, Spike began to knock on some rocks and kick patches of dirt.
"We're nearby, shouldn't be much longer. I can tell, there's a huge haul of gemstones in the area!"
>As far as he was aware, you were on a simple treasure hunt. Not looking for a missing element as well.
>A pair of Browns were hanging by the edge of a cliff when they started to yell excitedly.
"Master, master! Master come see. Shiny horsies below."
>Peering over the edge, sure enough you saw more of the armored horses from before. Small groups of them were moving about like ants scaling a hill.
>"Sire, I was afraid of this. It would seem they're here looking for the element of Laughter too. Normally I'd say go give them a proper greeting but let's not stir up a hornet's nest, there's matters of greater importance."
>Shouts of alarm came from the ponies as a winged serpent broke across the sky. They scattered like roaches when the light turns on as it flew overhead. Even their aerial escorts broke away and went every which way.
"Sire, it would seem we're in the company of a dragon. And with dragons mean golden hoards. Follow the beast back to it's lair and see what you can find."
>Hesitating to leave, you watched for a few moments more as the beast devoured an unlucky pegasi it had snatched from the air.
>Tracking the beast wasn't the difficult part, it was the avoiding being roasted alive.
>Several times you had to tuck your minions into alcoves in the rock wall when the beast soared overhead. Your Reds would fare better but you'd rather not waste Browns frivolously when there are few hands already to carry loot.
>Watching it land on a clifftop, it slid into a cave just shy where you were. Now comes the fun part.
>Leaving Spike with your minions, you scaled the cliff side.
>Reaching the top, you signaled for your Browns and a small group of Reds to follow. Small puffs of smoke billowed out from the cave as you neared.
>"Sire, there is a slight detail about dragons you should know. They are rather temperamental creatures. As dumb as they are greedy, caution should be taken as there is a reason there are more of them still in the world than idiotic knights."
>Using the Reds to light the path, the cave slowly expanded into a system of tunnels and passage ways, much too large for a dragon to have made.
>The air was foul. Ripe with decay and stagnation, you followed it. The worse it got, you figured the more likely finding the source.
>Loose jingling could be heard as you neared a central cavern. Upon a closer look you could see a pink horse bouncing up and down giddily on top of large mounds of gold, jewels and gemstones.
>"Sire, with that much treasure, we might be able to crash the local economy even. Imagine the chaos! Oh I do love a business deal gone sour."
>She appeared distracted by something talking to her as she stopped hopping around.
"Ms. Pie please, we have to get out of here. That beast could come back any moment now and we can't afford to linger any longer."
>A pair of armored pegasi were attempting to appeal to the bouncing lunatic.
"Don't you just love spooky caves though? It's like those attractions on Nightmare Night! Anything could leap out at you!"
>The two pegasi looked at each other with concern as the conversation was going nowhere.
>"Sire, while they're distracted this may be a good time to start pilfering the dragon's pockets, so to speak."
>Sending small groups of Browns at a time, they would grab what handfuls of treasure they could carry and dump it at the mouth of the cave.
>This went on for a short time until one of them tripped while holding gold coins.
>The resulting crash got the attention of the two guard ponies. And something else.
>Stepping out from the shadows, you approached the element of Laughter mace in hand.
>Jumping in front of her, the two pegasi held swords in their mouths attempting to protect her.
>Your minions charged forward from behind you, catching them off guard. Dragging the first horse down quickly, the other took off with the element down a tunnel. Her obnoxious laughter ringing in your ears as she left.
>Letting your minions loot their kill, you sent them racing down the same tunnel to retrieve what you came for while what few remained continued to work on taking what treasure they could.
>Some high pitched shrieks sounded from the tunnel, grabbing your attention. Minions scampered in terror out of the hall towards you as well as the pegasi and the pink horse.
>Tightening your grip on the handle of your mace, you walked toward the entrance to the tunnel.
>Snaking it's way in your direction, you watched as the flying reptile from before crawled at high speeds chasing the little morsels fleeing from it.
>Standing in front of it, you readied your weapon high in the air as it opened it's jaws to devour you whole.
>Smashing with a leftward strike, you contacted with the side of it's jaw. Using it's momentum, the blow sent it careening into the cavern wall, as well as knocking some teeth out.
>Momentarily stunning the beast, you slowly backed up and called your minions to you as already the dragon was starting to get up.
>"Sire, I know you're busy with the dragon and all but you really need to focus on the prize at hand. That putrid pink pony is getting away!"
>The dragon was trying to swallow you, your arms fixated on it's jaw holding the mouth at bay as your minions swarmed over it's ankles as they stabbed wildly between the claws of the feet.
>Twisting your arms, you throw the creature's head to the ground causing it's body to jerk to he side crushing several minions.
>Picking up your mace, you crack the creature above the eye and go in for another swing when it seizes your arm in it's jaws.
>"Sire, stop playing with it already and finish it off!"
>Casting a series of fireballs with your caught gauntlet, the creature lets you go as it's insides charred to your touch.
>With a final swing the creature topples over as your minions continued to poke and prod it with their weapons.
>"Be sure to bring back some dragon teeth while you're at it. I'm sure Krum can find a use for them. Oh, and do get that missing element now that you're all warmed up."
>You're blood was boiling now, having lost your patience with this place. Sending your minions off to gather what was left of the dragon for resources, you went in alone to locate the element of Laughter. Hopefully there wouldn't be much left to look for when you were done with her.
>"Sire, there is something strange about all this, if I may say so. What in the Netherworld is the element of Laughter doing in a place like this?"
>Gnarl had a point. It was very peculiar that a pony would put herself all the way out in the middle of nowhere only to then retreat into an expansive cavern filled with hungry monsters...
>The fact that the dragon largely ignored her this entire time, only attacking you and the pegasi added to this mystery.
>Winding down another set of tunnels, you were soon becoming lost in the maze that was this network.
>"Sire? Are you there? I can't see through your vision anymore and...I'm...connection...get...surface"
>You lost contact with Gnarl, surprising you at the very least. The Tower Heart enabled you a direct connection to him via it's magic and portals. Something powerful must have severed it.
>But your goal was in your sights. Standing all by her lonesome, the element of Laughter simply watched as you slowly made your way toward her. No gimmicks, no tricks, no struggling. The way you liked it.
>Smashing her across the face, you were completely stunned when she suddenly inflated like some cheap toy at the faire and burst in a shower of confetti.
>Picking up the shower of particles, you suddenly found yourself anchored to the ground by your limbs as a grating laughter echoed through the caverns, clearly amused by the entire spectacle.
>The chains slowly pulled you to the ground in a kneeling position. A flash of light and you found your captor hovering in front of you, giggling to himself at your predicament.
"I must admit to myself, I didn't think this would work at all. I mean, falling for the old bait and switch!"
>The serpentine creature you saw at Fluttershy's cottage landed and paced around you, looking you over.
"Now I find myself in a very odd circumstance. Here, I have the source of all this commotion...and chaos. Oh Celestia is in quite a tizzy over the trouble you're causing. I haven't seen her this upset since, well, I was running amuck."
>He stands in front of you and rests an arm around your neck.
"See, the way I look at it I could just simply turn you over to Celestia and all of this is over. You're banished to Tartarus, turned to stone or whatever little 'sweep under the rug' she has in mind for you."
>He starts to stroke his chin, contemplating.
"Or, I get to have a bit of fun. It's been far too dull around here since old Tirek stirred things up. Oh you'd love what he did; mayhem and destruction as far as the eye could see."
>He notices you're staring with unbridled anger at this point.
"Yes well, what I'm saying is I think it's time for a change around here. Now, I made a promise to a very special pony friend of mine that I wouldn't cause anymore trouble."
>He turns to you with a grin on his goatlike face.
"But I never promised that I wouldn't, oh I don't know, offer some help? One claw washes the other, if you catch my drift. Now it's your show, I get it, I wouldn't want to barge in on your spotlight but I wouldn't mind working behind the scenes."
>You digested his terms, deciding if it would be easier to incinerate him before or after he finishes talking.
>With a snap of his claw, your bindings disappeared as well as the entire cavern system leaving you back in the main room with the dragon's body.
"So what do you say, friend?"
>He reached out a paw to you.
>You looked at the creature with uncertainty. From one evil being to another, the possibility of treachery was almost a given. But the advantages gained with another magical being playing along with your goals could make things easier.
>And you could very well just dispose of him when his usefulness runs out.
>Gripping his hand in yours, you signed the pact.
"Wonderful! I'll go get my things and meet you at your little spire. I should be able to come up with some lovely little schemes while you're out doing the legwork. Oh it'll be like an evil slumber party!"
>You protested, this wasn't part of the agreement.
>Discord threw on a cloak and covered his face, amused at your distress.
"I have altered the deal, pray I don't alter it further! Well I'll be off, alot of planning to do."
>In a blink of light he was gone, leaving you standing there regretting the alliance immediately.
>Another blink of light and he was back, filing a claw.
"Oh I almost forgot, while we were having our little chat, Pinkie Pie was whisked away by Celestia's troops. I hope you didn't have anything important planned for her, I just felt we needed to clear the air on things."
>Another flash and he was gone.
>"Sire! Ah there you are. Thought we lost you for a moment, I couldn't contact you through the Tower Heart. It would seem we have an uninvited guest of sorts. I think an explanation is in order..."
>Packing up the minions, you waited by the gate as they slowly unloaded the treasure piles. Spike was asleep by some rocks as his Red guards started to mound dirt on his form, playing some sort of game.
>Plucking a red gemstone from a passing Brown, you threw it at the dragon, startling him out of his beauty sleep.
>The Reds giggled madly as Spike flung the dirt every which way thrashing about.
"Hey, can't a dragon get some shut eye? It's been a busy morning."
>He noticed the gem on the ground and picked it up.
"What's this for?"
"Ohhh, master give dragon shiny. Master very generous."
>Spike looked at the gem, uncertain what to make of it.
"You're just, giving this to me? Why?"
>The Reds fussed over the gemstone, excitedly making faces in the reflective surface.
>A Brown brought another handful of stones to Spike, following the master's example.
"Little dragon like shiny stones. Master give shiny to dragon, minions follow master too!"
>Calling back your minions, it was time for you to depart back to the Tower. This entire trip was a waste of time and now a freeloader has taken up residence with you.
>Spike scooped up his reward and followed the taskmasters, enjoying the idea of getting something for practically doing nothing.
>Standing in the Heart Chamber, Gnarl was nowhere to be found. Usually he was there to greet you as you came back from another mission of mayhem. Strange.
>Entering the main hall, you saw Fluttershy carrying a tray of her delights heading towards the war room. Following her, you soon heard the sounds of pleasant conversation. Something not often experienced here.
>Opening the door, you found Gnarl enjoying a cup of tea with the serpentine creature from before. It would seem the two became acquainted with one another...
"Back in the old lands, things were much different. Humans, like the master, roamed the lands far and wide. They were stupid creatures mind you, but they did make great sport for the denizens of darkness."
>Discord nodded and ate a handful of cakes.
"One master we had, he came from a shanty, run down castle ruled by his older siblings. He was young but evil flowed in his veins like a delicious tar. I pushed him in the right direction as he soon found a way of inciting a war between two magical races and at the same time causing such delightful misery to his kin."
>Fluttershy noticed you come in and gave you pleasant smile as she hurried out to fetch you a cup as well.
"As the years passed, regretfully his mortality took it's toll. Humans, such frail creatures, barely able to make it past a century."
>Gnarl looked up at you and put down his cup.
"Ah there you are sire. It would seem our new guest has quite the history with this land."
>Discord shrugs and wipes his mouth.
"I've had my share of nefarious plots and schemes. I don't want to brag but bringing this land to it's knees was quite fun."
>He looks at you with a serious expression, something you didn't expect coming from a creature of annoying antics.
"From one master of chaos to another I have to warn you, the little royal sisters aren't going to leave the matter of your arrival alone for long. I trust you had a good taste of what they had to offer when you fought one of them in the camp?"
>Gnarl perked his ears up in surprise.
"And how would you know such things?"
"Oh I have eyes everywhere. I have an interest in keeping up with what everypony is doing. I wouldn't want to be left out of the loop"
>A flash of light and he was now a buzzing insect.
"Just think of me as a fly on your wall, harmlessly passing through."
>Gnarl looked at you with unease.
"That explains why you've left us alone since our arrival to the cottage."
>Discord transformed back into his 'normal' form and finished his cup.
"Yes quite so. I was curious what you were up to after you took Fluttershy right before tea time."
>As if on cue, she walked in and placed a mug on the table for you, a small plate with some cakes as well.
"Ah speak of the girl now!"
>Discord flew over to Fluttershy and ruffled her hair.
"I must say my dear I love what you've done with yourself. Humanity must be all the rage these days, very fashionable."
>She straightened her hair out.
"Yes well, it's not something I was expecting but I'll make the best of it. Now if you excuse me, I think the little dears are burning something. Again."
>She closed the door behind her but gave you a brief smile before doing so. Seeing this, Discord had a large grin on his face.
"Well, well, well. I must say I wouldn't believe it if you told me it. The big dark lord of evil is quite the lady charmer. Not just any lady mind you, sweet little thing, but the element of Kindness no doubt?"
>He appears behind you and scoops some cakes off your plate. You take note of how many and mentally remind yourself to break that many bones later.
"So how did you do it? Mind control? Bribery? Good old fashion black mail? C'mon do tell. She would be the last one of her little group of friends to be smitten by evil."
>Gnarl looks at you, perplexed by the matter.
"It would seem she thinks there is a heart somewhere tucked away in that armor of his. Utter nonsense really, what with the chaos and destruction he's caused, the lives he's ruined and the matter of burning the hometown of everyone she's cared about. Oh yes, quite a black little heart indeed."
>He finishes his cup and puts it down, letting Discord absorb the new information given to him.
"To make matters funnier, she actually decided to stay here after she was kidnapped. Something about wanting to help out around the place. I mean, she did feed the entire remaining town population food tainted by the master's magic here, willingly mind you."
>Discord's face turned to shock.
"No, you don't say. Little Fluttershy doing something like that. And the human appearance?"
"It would seem these elements of Harmony are effecting our operations, influencing a powerful relic we brought with us. The master infused part of his magic with that found in her, the result being combination of our worlds."
>Gnarl started to stroke his chin, baffled at the matter as well.
"For whatever reason, it seemed it would only work when the subject had performed a feat of great evil on their part. In this case, it was relative to her element, being the thoughtful and kind thing she is. As for the body change, well the Tower Heart knows the Overlord needs successors. And for that he needs mistresses."
>Discord laughed.
"Oh this is a riot! Like the poor girl would just simply roll over and become a brood mare!"
>Gnarl groaned.
"Yes, there have been some 'problems' to work out. I've been doing my part in pushing her in the right direction."
>A Red burst into the room with a frantic expression, jabbering nonsense to Gnarl.
>Gnarl was taken completely by surprise.
"Sire, there is an urgent matter you must attend to at the Forge. It would seem Krum is in a spot of trouble, of the fire breathing variety."
>Discord simply helped himself to your leftovers as you stormed out of the room and made for the Forge. Despite his insanity for a minion, he was a valuable asset. One you could ill afford to throw away.
>As you neared the Forge, more Reds could be seen trying to squelch the vast sea of green fire.
"Master, little dragon grew! Kept taking shiny things, then tools. Finally other horsies!"
>You couldn't decipher what the minion meant but you had to act quickly to save what remained of this section of the Tower.
>Finally extinguishing the flames, you raced down the stairs to the Forge.
>The place looked something out of an old horror story. The corpses of burnt slave ponies lay everywhere as the green flames danced from their bodies and the piles of raw materials they were to work.
>Making your way past the gruesome scene, you discovered what the minion had meant.
>A large reptile sat in the main room where Krum worked, a chain laying uselessly on the ground as though snapped by excessive force.
>What few slave ponies remained were caged in a series of containers fashioned from left over weapons and metal.
>Stepping into the room, a sound of metal sliding across metal filled your ears. On the floor, all sorts of things littered the ground as the beast lazily tossed about in a fit of sleep scattering it's own assembled treasure horde around.
>The treasure you had robbed from the previous dragon.
>Rarity worked on a seam to a long piece of cloth. Repeatedly putting needles through it to hold it together.
>Singing a little tune to herself to keep pace with her fluid motions of her craft, she held up the piece she had been working on for a time.
"Hmm. I'm not sure if purple is back in style, though since it doesn't clash with the silver metallic I think we can make an exception here."
>She puts it down and runs a hoof along it's surface. The texture was soft but held together with strong fibers, woven with multiple layers to stay warm.
"Rarity you silly thing, look at you. Beaming with pride over a gift to some destructive creature."
>She slams her head on the table and pouts, looking outward towards the window.
"But it's not like he's all THAT bad. I mean, if Fluttershy can see something in him that's redeemable it's got to be there. Even if he's adorned in spikes."
>Her eyes go wide in sudden realization.
"Spike. Oh Rarity, you're such a fool. Letting the little darling run off with that thing on some treasure hunt. Sure, it was generous to offer his assistance, he would always be happy to help you in any case, but, but he's so small and if anything happened to him..."
>She fumbled with some stencils, pushing them around.
"He's MY little Spikey Wikey."
>The Tower shook slightly as a soft scream could be heard coming from several floors below.
>Rarity picked up her head and peered out the door into the hall, watching several dozen minions start sprinting towards the stairs.
>She followed them, slowly coming to the entrance where the master's Forge dwell where inside she he heard the clash of steel on scale.
>You approached the creature slowly, taking care not to disturb the golden trap beneath your feet.
>The caged ponies looked at you with blank eyes, still testament to your spell on them. It would seem as though they didn't even resist being placed there, nor made any attempt to escape.
>Such obedience.
>"Sire, ah I see you've found the problem. It would seem the little dragon has grown up quite suddenly. And out."
>You noticed piles of gemstones, some that looked to be almost half eaten as teeth marks dotted several.
>"For the most part, your minions escaped when Spit started to change size and grow violent. Krum here was telling me how the minions just kept giving him little bits of treasure, following your example of course. In a short amount of time, he snapped off his chains and consumed the Reds. Quite a nasty scene I'm sure but luckily not too much damage done to the Forge. About the slaves though..."
>You turned to the charred masses behind you.
>"I was afraid so. Dumb creatures, can't even bother to save themselves. No matter, plenty more to replace them. Now sire, I would advise taking care with the problem. He may be a hulking beast now but remember, we need him to work the fires. Find a way to restrain him again while we figure out what to do next."
>Spike rolled over and you got a full view of him as he clawed at the ground slowly waking from a nap.
>Passing by your wall of arms, you grabbed the harpoon weapon Krum had made for you to battle the flying ponies, leaving your mace on the ground.
>Spike opened his eyes as you approached, the lids sliding like a sheet of flesh revealing the delicate jewel beneath them. Taking your right hand, you punched with a bit of force squarely in the jet black pupil. You pulled it back, shaking off the slick liquid coating it.
>He raised his head, shrieking in pain as you stood there at his feet, your weapon held firmly.
>That got his attention.
>Rearing back, the creature took a wild swipe at you as it clawed at it's eye. Ducking low, you dodged as it smashed into the wall and shook some armaments off the racks.
>Your minions started pouring through the doorway, already charging headlong into battle with the beast. A stream of fire greeted them, sending several clumps aflame incinerating them instantly.
>Calling the survivors to you, you broke them into groups to distract the dragon as some Greens climbed on top of it to start stabbing madly.
>Like ants bringing down a lion, the Greens attacked the joints and exposed areas to stagger and weaken him. You watched as he thrashed about and clawed them off, squashing them just as easily.
>Turning his attention towards you, he dived at you with a lunge hoping to snap you in two.
>Firing your harpoon weapon, you sunk the barb deep into the rock wall behind him, neatly dodging out of the wild bite as Spike fell to the ground using too much momentum. While he was on the ground, you climbed over him and pulled the chain to the barb tight around his neck, slowly choking him as more Greens climbed on as well stabbing at the nape of the neck.
>Spike thrashed around in a panic as his animal instincts took over, spraying fire in every which direction and clawing at you as your grip on the chain tightened around his neck.
>Finally starting to tire, the light left his eyes as he slipped into exhaustion and collapsed on the floor sending treasure and minions scattering everywhere.
>Slacking the chain, you inspected him for any lasting injury hoping this little incident wouldn't hurt your war industry.
>A clacking of hooves into the room broke your chain of thought as the white unicorn from before came in, tears streaming down her face.
"What happened?! What did you do to my Spikey Wikey?!"
>She fell onto the unconscious dragon, crying hysterically as Gnarl came in with some minion guards.
"Ah I see the problem was resolved. Good work sire."
>Running a withered hand across the scales, Gnarl gleamed with excitement.
"Oh he's a big one. Going to have get some bigger chains to hold him tight, don't want him getting free again and eating the work force."
>Rarity slapped his hand away forcefully with her hoof.
"Don't you touch him!"
>She starts sobbing again as she plants her face against his frame.
"It's my fault. It's my fault he's like this. He was always my little gentlecolt, the small, brave knight at my side. And I gave him away, to you monsters all so you could find some gemstones for me!"
>She was growing hysterical now, you noticed her horn glowing a familiar shade of white.
>Gnarl looked at you, delighted at this turn of events.
"Sire, I will make the arrangements with Krum to have the forge outfitted to accommodate our new addition. In the mean time, I'll leave you and miss Rarity alone. She seems upset and I know you have a delightful way of fixing these things."
>You watched as Gnarl and his escorts left you be. The Tower Heart churned with magic, it felt like a cork about to burst as it flowed into your gauntlet. Breaking from her sobs, Rarity tried to compose herself.
"Please, I'll do anything. You have to fix this, I can't bear the thought of him chained like some kind of animal."
>She threw herself at your feet, tears starting to well up again in her eyes.
"I'll do whatever you ask, make whatever you want, just please don't hurt him anymore. I've done something horrible to him and I'll pay whatever price."
>Her horn was brightly lit white now. You reached out to her and pressed your gauntlet around her head.
>Any price you say...
>You left the Forge, behind you the same scene as before played out where what was once a pony, a human now sat in it's place. She was still Rarity but now in a form befitting a mistress of the Overlord.
>Rarity sat silently, letting the choice of her words sink in. She had essentially sold herself to the Overlord in return for Spike's well keeping.
>Clinging to the minor accommodations of clothing she found herself in, she stifled back more tears. She had cried enough already.
>You found Gnarl waiting at the foot of the stairs, a sickening smile breaching his face.
"I take it the transformation was a success?"
>You passed by him, ignoring his statement.
"I'll be sure to make 'mistress' Rarity's room more suited to her new features sire."
>You made for the war room, ignoring your adviser's statements. The day was still fresh and there was much preparation to do. Three elements remained and there was still the matter of dealing with the winged unicorn sisters who ruled the castle in the mountains.
>Spending some time in your study, you looked up to see Fluttershy slowly open the door and approach, a sullen look on her face. You had a feeling of what would come next.
"Why? Why Rarity too?"
>Even if you could answer her, you wouldn't have. As Overlord you were above having to explain your actions. Even to your mistress.
>Fluttershy's cheeks puffed outward in frustration as you went back to your maps of the landscape. She brushed them to the ground in a clatter.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you! She's one of my dearest friends, why her too?!"
>She pointed her finger at you accusingly, as if you were a child being scolded.
>You stood up calmly and seized her hand, gently of course.
>Locking eyes with her, she quickly looked away as your eye slits burned with your gaze. Letting her go, she left the room without a peep. You made your message clear; do not question your Overlord.
"Honeymoon's over already?"
>Chrysalis slipped out of the shadows, smiling.
>Waltzing over your table, she leaned over to look at you. Clearly she enjoyed the little show just now.
"That's too bad. Here I was getting used to the idea of having a pet around the Tower. Something to torment when I grew bored...or restless."
>She started to push herself toward you, a sweet smell coming from her.
"It's been so long since we shared a bed together, I was starting to forget what it was like being held by your embrace."
>She sweetly ran a finger down your helmet, resting it on your chest.
"I'm sure there's nothing pressing for you right now, come with me to my chambers. I'll certainly find you something to keep busy with."
>Gnarl opened the door, slamming it loudly behind him to interrupt the little scene playing out.
>Chrysalis looked up, aggravated at the old minion.
"Ah, mistress Chrysalis. What brings you to the war room? I suspect you have something worth adding to our little operation?"
>He notes how closely she's pressed her 'assets' to your face.
"Or were you just here to bewitch the master in another little game of yours?"
>Chrysalis huffed and held out a letter.
"So much for some fun. Yes, I have something to add to your fool's errand of a campaign."
>Dropping it in your lap, she throws you a quick kiss in the air as she takes her leave.
"Door's always open."
>Gnarl closes it behind her, scowling as she leaves.
"And so are your legs."
>Handing him the letter, Gnarl skims through the report from her spies. His ears perk up in alarm.
"Sire, it would seem there are some matters to attend to outside the borders of this land. Chrysalis has found a way of increasing your dark magic through an ancient relic left behind by another lord of evil that tormented this land."
>He peered over the letter again.
"It lies in the lands of the sister kingdom, one called 'The Crystal Empire'..."
>Another land to put to the torch, another kingdom to plunder of it's riches. This day may yet prove worthwhile after all.