>Darkness greeted you as consciousness slowly crawled back to your senses.
>Scurrying and construction work could be heard from all over as you dragged your form out from the rotted tree, light piercing through the rough eye slits carved into your helmet.
>Impish creatures, Minions as they called themselves, were hard at work leveling the local forest for building material. One in particular slid up to you, a crystal hanging by the head.
"Greetings master and welcome to this forest, the staging ground for your next great conquest. I assume the effects of your journey are wearing off? We almost lost you in the portal there. Construction of a new tower are underway as the Tower Heart has been safely embedded in the oldest and most rotten tree, as per your instruction."
>Minions with hard hats ran about with axes, shovels and rakes. A brutish one carried piles of lumber before stopping before you.
"Tower going to take a while. No stone for walls, need more wood for floors and plumbing? Fuhgetabotit!"
>The older imp clawed his face slowly, aggravation clearly written on it.
"The master wanted it done yesterday! Whip the lazy wretches, no more breaks!"
>The brute tromped off, nearly clocking the other imp with the pile of lumber as he turned. He started shouting orders at the other minions who quickly picked up the pace.
"Unions. Why the previous master let the minions have one I'll never understand. Now about that matter of stone. We'll need an ample supply if we're to build the tower high into the skyline to proclaim our, erm your dominance of this nightmarish, cheery landscape. Also, be sure to interact with some of the locals. See if you can round up some slave labor. That should help speed up the process."
>A spiked cudgel was presented to you by a passing minion which you picked up, smashing down on his cranium with force. Watching it crawl away whining in pain, the older minion nodded in approval.
"Evil 101: always do a weapons check before leaving your lair."
>"Hello? Can you hear me? Snark, keep peddling I think I'm losing reception. Right. Ok. Greetings master, Gnarl here. I'm talking to you through the wonders of modern technology and yelling really hard into a portal. Now, our scouts have reported that there are several quarries nearby the forest but thankfully they should be abandoned. Take a party of minions and check them out. I'll have Brug dig some new tunnels to connect to your locations to make our operation less noticeable."
>The voice cut out as quickly as it came. Looking back, your minions were staring blankly at you awaiting orders. Pointing to the horizon, they happily ran off jabbering about smashing and looting.
>A cozy house was the only building amid a field of rocks and piles of dirt. Small equine creatures could be seen in the field, the miners had to be around nearby.
>"Master, smash that house apart and set the minions to work collecting the rock. With any troublemakers cleared out we can harvest at our leisure."
>The minions took a delightful pleasure as they smashed down the doors to the cottage, carrying out more horses and bags of looted goods.
>Something was wrong here as the horses struggled and yelled. Speaking. Talking.
>"Yes I was afraid of this. Magic most foul is at work here, these poor awful creatures are afflicted by a plague giving them sentience. Cure them, quickly. Painfully if you so wish."
>Grabbing one horse by the neck, you couldn't understand the words coming out of it's mouth but there was a sense of intelligence behind it's eyes.
>Setting it down you decided to not waste this opportunity and grabbed a minion, slamming him down on the back of the horse holding it still as it thrashed about trying to buck him off.
>Cheerful cackling surrounded you as more minions joined in this new game of staying on horseback as long as possible.
>Finally breaking their new mounts, they rode the horses back to the forest as other minions rounded up those still in the field.
>Taking a closer look inside the despoiled dwelling, you see more and more horse paraphernalia.
>"It would seem something is amiss here. Take a look at these pictures."
>A portrait hung on the wall, depicting a family but entirely composed of horses in normal clothing.
>"Strange. It would seem we have a conundrum in our claws. These, horse things, would infact be the dominant species of this land."
>Gnarl made a retching noise.
>"Ugh! Disgusting! Get that thing away from me. Sire, why did you bring them back to the lair? And why are the minions riding...My lord that's brilliant! Simply evil, enslave the locals and use them for labor. They look like a strong breed, we can double the production. Bring as many as you can. I'll send another team of minions to start harvesting."
>Running your gauntlet across the portrait, you tore a chunk of it off the wall. Throwing it to a nearby minion you watched as he screeched in terror as the cloth enveloped him.
>Leaving the comedic scene, you saw several shapes approach from the air. Winged horse creatures.
>"Sire, we would best avoid that area for now. We have no means of tackling them or bringing them down to our level. Even the Reds can't throw their fire high enough. I'll consult Krum, our smith to see what he can come up with. Return to the lair, I have something to show you."
>Heading back to the forest, you passed by a group of more Browns wielding digging equipment accompanied by a pair of slave horses. One of the creatures looked up at you, said something in it's native tongue then kept moving after a painful jab by a slaver. Rustling the noggin of the over eager minion you met Gnarl at the base of the rotting tree.
>Gnarl stood by the entrance to the Tower Heart. Motioning you over, he pointed to the ground.
"Look my lord, what do you see?"
>Cold, metallic silence was the only response given.
"Right. Anyway, the ground. It's dead. That's good for us actually. The Tower Heart is drawing sustenance and absorbing the life force of the land itself, which means we don't have to go about slaughtering the locals in hopes for spawning more minions. Not that I don't advise doing so, it simply means we have a steady supply of juice to power our war machine."
>Thick, dead roots spread out from the base of the Tower Heart and slowly dug into the earth, drinking in the nutrients and strangling anything else growing nearby.
"With this, we can slowly grow our influence over this land and corrupt it from within. Just picture it sire, droughts, spoiled crops, famine, it does my little evil heart good to see the coming devastation. Just don't go mucking it up like your predecessor did, that whole Calamity sweeping through the old lands and forcing us to seek new lands to despoil."
>Gnarl took his leave, ranting about battling forgotten empires and the terrible era of socks inside sandals. You decided to check on your new ill-gotten goods and slaves, in an attempt at better getting to know this new foreign land and how best to conquer it.
>You watched as the minions put the horse creatures to work, carrying loads of raw materials to building sites and making a mockery of them through games of 'who could stay on the longest' and 'dodge the kick'.
>The horse creatures shirked away from your gaze as you put your attention on them. Good, they were fast learners.
>Approaching a small group of them, you waved away the guards as you held out your gauntlet, power coursing through it. Snatching up the closest horse, you held it tight by the throat as it squirmed for freedom.
>Bits of life force drained into you as you squeezed it tight, dropping it's withered husk on the ground to be disposed of. The remaining creatures huddled in fear as you went about repeating the process.
>Shaking your hand, you cleaned up bits of fur and spittle as you finished the last one. Cracking your foot onto the ground sent the gathered minions scurrying back to work as they had pooled together to watch the spectacle.
>Seeing another horse creature carrying a load of stone, you walked up to it but were surprised when you understood it's gutter talk and words as it cowered before you. The experiment worked. Now you can understand your future subjects.
"Ah sire, there you are. I see you've found a means of entertaining the locals? Well let's get a move on, we can't be dilly dallying now. So much evil to do, so little time. Our next target is to drive out some of the wild animals nearby who seem to be making snacks of our scouts. I'll point you in the direction, you smash. Just like old times..."
>A small cadre of minions wearing armor and carrying crude weapons formed up at your command. Directing your mob further into the forest, you could hear the ominous sound of creatures moving about just beyond sight.
>You walked for a time when you were greeted with a small tunnel boring itself out of the earth. A Brown poked his head out and waved to you then promptly slid back down.
>"Brug always did enjoy digging around in the dung hills. Who knew he would constantly improve our networks? Anyways, sire there is a very dire matter requiring your attention shortly after you come back from your little hunting party."
>Gnarl always seemed to call anything outside the ordinary "Dire" so this didn't raise any alarms.
>Keeping yourself occupied smashing apart wolves made of wood and reptilian creatures, you watched as your surviving minions gathered up the pieces of this 'timber wolf' and hid them as the creature tried to reform itself for the third time only to discover it lacked a jaw and front legs.
>Smashing the beast to splinters, you rounded up the remainders of your band to head back to the lair when a shape darted past your back, catching you off guard.
>Your minions ran around in a panic as something landed before you. A cruel mockery of the horse creatures, it looked more insect than animal.
>A wild swing sent it fluttering away, staying just outside your reach.
>"Smash it sire. I never cared for bugs and one that size has my wrinkled skin crawling with disgust."
>Sending your minions back down the tunnel, you chased after the creature. Soon your path became mired in a sickly green ooze and what looked to be cocoons.
>"Sire you should return with your minions. Might I prefer Reds? They do seem to enjoy setting things aflame and everything looks so lovably burnable."
>Pressing on, you ignored Gnarls words as you hacked at the growths blocking your path. A small burst of magic sent a fireball screaming at the hacked obstruction, clearing it away in acrid smoke and ash.
>"One thing you have more of than your past incarnations isn't brains but stubbornness. Fine, play the lone wolf. See what that gets you. I'll have our Blues prepare the healing spells and make that little cocktail drink you ever so enjoy."
>Ignoring Gnarl, you delved further into the Hive.
>Losing track of the creature, you became turned around in the maze. Everything looked the same, you can't remember which way you came in.
>More creatures started to slither out of the darkness, looking much like the one you followed.
>"I normally don't change horses mid-race but sorry sire, I'm going to have to bet on these creatures. You'll understand right?"
>Smashing the first one with an overhead swing, the others took flight to avoid the same fate.
>"A most satisfying crunch sound, yes. Next, pull their wings off and watch them flop about. Oh the joys of youth."
>One of the creatures dives at you fangs bared, latching onto your armor. Feeling the teeth sink into your flesh, you throw your weight to the ground and pulverize it.
>"That one is down for the count. Oh I'm having so much fun just watching sire, I can only imagine how it is actually there."
>Grabbing the last one, you start to drain it of life force when a bit of feedback hits you.
>Dropping your victim, a presence was felt at the back of your mind like something trying to worm it's way into your subconscious.
>"Well done sire, I was cheering for you the entire time. Erm, please don't hit me."
>Making a mental note to test Gnarl's loyalties later, you let the last creature limp back into the Hive as it tried to flee from you. What better way to navigate somewhere than the 'help' of a guide?
>The creatures fell back as you approached, a clearing in the midst of all the tree and brush.
>A murmur of hissing could be heard as they encircled you but stayed at bay. A chair of sorts could be seen in the middle of the gathering swarm, a larger figure emerging from it with a sickening grace.
"Welcome, welcome dark champion to my humble little nest."
>It was another insect creature but this one carried a disturbing beauty and elegance as she approached.
"I trust my little drones didn't cause you too much trouble? They are quite the over eager little things aren't they? You would know, what with your filthy imps running about."
>"Sire, be careful. This one has an air of royalty about her, much like a queen bee. As much as I'd enjoy watching you pop her like a pimple, it would be far healthier not to rile the nest."
>Gnarl's advice was spot on as you took notice more and more of her underlings coming in from all sides, keeping a respective distance.
"Now it would seem we are at a crossroads of sorts. You can have your delightful little last stand or you can swear allegiance to me, to become my personal little knight. How does that sound?"
>"This wench doesn't have any idea who she's addressing. Teach this vermin the true meaning of the term Overlord!"
>Seizing the creature, the gathered hive erupted in anarchy as the drones rushed to defend their queen.
>With your gauntlet, you create a circle of fire around you, closing off any intervention.
>"That's it sire! Squeeze her, squeeze her until you hear that sweet little pop."
>Slowly gripping her neck harder, you lock eyes with the queen. She did not falter even in the face of something far more powerful. Intriguing.
"Well now, I like it when the boys play rough. It would seem I was wrong about you, there's something more beneath that armor. Take me back to your lair, I'm sure we have matters to discuss."
>Listening to the creature prattle on about her own self importance, you started to regret your decision.
>Gnarl came up to you as you returned to the lair, scowling at the creature that came with you.
"Master I must protest. In my long line of work Mistresses have come and gone of all shapes and sizes but species?"
>The creature simply puckered her lower lip at you.
"Oh, don't be a spoil sport. I've come to like the strong silent type and muscle boy here seems to fit the bill quite nicely."
>Several minions started to gather around the creature, murmurs of 'horsey' and some trying to climb her were met with quick kicks to the face earning the laughter of the others.
"Sire we know nothing about her. You can't just bring random women to the lair, that's how this entire mess started back with the third lord."
>The creature slowly strolled toward the dead tree, inspecting the inner sanctum as Gnarl started grow very upset.
"I must object, I refuse to serve this, this thing as my lord's chosen Mistress. It's more animal anyway. What you possibly see in her is beyond me?"
>The creature came back to you, wreathed in fine green silks and looking more fairy like. Green wings fluttering behind her but now taking a human shape while still retaining her prominent features.
>Gnarl stopped mid rant, simply gawking as the creature strolled past, a playful giggle coming from her as she pushed his fallen jaw back up.
>Wrapping her hands around your shoulders, she clung to you affectionately eyes flickering a strange green glow.
"Hmm. Does this form please you? I wouldn't want my darling to be offended. After all, I like what I see and I see myself being here for a long while."
>You run your exposed hand up to her face and down her smooth, rich blue hair. Sliding your fingers down to her chest she slaps it way with a playful laugh.
"Before we have some fun, I need you to do a little job for me. See I used to be high and mighty, now reduced to living in squalor and scraping to make a living. I was called Queen Chrysalis once, now not so much a queen of anything anymore. There are some pests that I need you to take care of, pests responsible for my lowly state."
>Gnarl snaps out of his love drunk trance.
"Don't you dare take orders from her. Give an inch and she'll take the entire tower. I've seen it before Sire!"
>Chrysalis glides her finger down your armored frame stopping just at the belt.
"It's just a little favor, nothing major. A warmup before the main event when you get back. I'd do it myself but, I just don't have the strength left in me. You understand, don't you?"
>You look at Gnarl for advice. Smashing and destroying was one thing but women were another beast entirely.
"Sire, as loathe as I am to admit, if you intend to keep her here you have to make her happy. A happy mistress means a less noisy Tower."
>A squeal of joy pierced your ears as Chrysalis clung to your armor in an embrace.
"Oh darling, I'll have my drones fetch my things and set up my own arrangements. Fetch me a map, we have delicious revenge to plot."
>Gnarl nodded, a scowl still etched on his face.
"At least we can agree on something."
>As Chrysalis summoned some of her drones and handed out orders, Gnarl led you away to a more private location.
"Sire, I'm all for expanding our rule through future successors but this creature may have ulterior motives. Oh yes I'm sure she's all flashy with those bells and whistles of hers but do use that head on your shoulders and not just beneath your belt."
>Gnarl entered the rotten tree, beckoning you to follow.
"I noticed a disturbing anomaly with the Tower Heart, that is why I wanted you to return right away. Can't risk a complication should you need to be revived."
>The Heart rested in the hollowed out stump inside the tree. A sickening red glow writhed around it, snaking through the orb into the ground.
"It's been like this since you left. I've never seen anything like this before but there may be some kind of magic at work in this land. Something so overflowing with love, joy and happiness that the Heart is literally getting sick. One could only guess, I mean I'd feel the same way."
"It's probably because Twilight and her little friends. They are elements of harmony after all, the strongest force of good in the land."
>Chrysalis walked into the chamber, coming within several feet of the Heart.
"So this is the source of your power huh? I must say it's rather beautiful, in an overly gaudy kind of way."
>Gnarl shooed her out and away from the heart.
"This was a private matter between Overlords and advisers. I don't remember putting bug wench on the invitation."
>Chrysalis pouts and runs a finger down the side of your helmet.
"If my beloved wants me gone, then I'll leave. You don't want to keep me out of important conversations, do you?"
>Her eyes flashed a shade of green again. You were lost in them as you stood there within a trance.
"Thank you sweetie. Now back to matters at hand. I think our little problems are one in the same. I want revenge on the elements of harmony, you need to fix your magic source."