>The little cottage seemed homey and welcoming. Nothing out the ordinary.
>That was your initial impression, until you met the little creature dwelling within.
>She was a strange one, shy but otherwise welcoming when she noticed your minions hanging about. Even going so far as to invite you in for tea.
>And here you are now, unsure what to make of this entire predicament as you watched your minions run about playing with the farm animals while consistently burning your exposed hand trying to figure out this creature's mug.
"The little things are so darling, where did you find them?"
>She constantly pestered you with strange questions. You could have easily just drained her and left but something kept you here.
>Your minions were enjoying themselves, mainly in the sheep pens chasing them around with maniacal enthusiasm.
>Having burned your hand on the mug for the fourth time now, you simply smash it on the ground in a grunt of frustration, causing your host to let out a frightened squeak.
"I'll go get something less hot for you, just, just stay right there."
>Watching her leave, you decided enough time was spent on this nonsense. With a snap of your fingers, the minions started to tear apart everything in sight.
>You heard a crash behind you, followed by a whimper.
"I, I'm sorry I took so long getting you the lemonade. I didn't mean to make you mad."
>The minions slowly stopped causing havoc as they heard the creature crying, unsure what to make of this. They tried to put the broken sheds and enclosures back together, even so far as sticking the torn fur back onto the animals.
>One of your minions tugged at your leg, an apologetic expression written on it's face.
"Master, she nice to us. And the sheepies."
>Looking back at the winged creature bawling now and your minions, you concede.
>"Sire, I don't know what's come over you but we have to be going."
>Grabbing her by the scruff, you carry off the creature taking a few steps before a rock wall appears.
>Turning around, you see a mix of a creature floating before you. Wearing a vexed expression.
"Discord! You're late for tea."
>The flying creature struggled to get out of your grip to reach her friend but you held her tight.
"Sorry my dear, I was held up with some chaos er mischief I was causing. And who's our large, metallic friend?"
>She looks up at you unsure how to answer. Before she does a trio of Browns leap in front of the creature yelling battle cries.
>With a uninterested wave of his claw they were suspended in bubbles, slowly ascending toward the heavens.
"Right, now that the rabble are out of the way where were we?"
>You used the distraction to smash through the wall and run back to your lair, prize in hand.
>"Sire, while not always the best option a snatch and grab mission does have it's uses when facing opposition..."
>Gnarl's words were muffled as a new voice came into your ear.
>"What your witless adviser is trying to say, sometimes it's better to flee to live to fight another day. Bring the element here and we can do away with her!"
>Easier said than done, as you traversed the forest paths back to the lair you could hear the sound of crashing trees behind you as the creature fought to catch up.
>Throwing your prize to another set of minions you headed in a different direction in hopes of throwing the creature off and not having him discover the lair. Only problem was what to do then when cornered.
>Tearing through the trees, you lost yourself in a maze of underbrush and foliage.
>"Sire, now that the first part of your plan of getting lost in the woods is a success do try to figure out what the next part should be."
>"Darling, if you so wish I can have my drones come get you."
>Weighing your options, you decided to do a last ditch effort and recall to the tower. Doing so would sacrifice what minions you had on hand but you wouldn't risk injury.
>Ripping open a portal in the ground, you slowly sunk into it watching with anticipation as the snake like creature found only the fragments of your helmet be swallowed by the earth.
>Vomited from the Heart, you found Gnarl looking at you with a grim expression.
"Well this has been a complete disaster. We lost the element of kindness because you decided it would be nice to have a little tea time instead of just applying a pointy object to her cranium!"
>Chrysalis scooted him out of the way and looked you over.
"Well it seems it's not a total loss. You're still in one piece. We didn't take into account she would be friends with that revolting chaos enthusiast. On the bright side, she should be somewhere in these woods and I can have my drones pick her up now."
>Gnarl hissed under his breath.
"If it were so easy then why waste time and not do it already?"
>Throwing Chrysalis aside, you left the two to bicker as your attention was set to elsewhere.
>The minions has been hard at work and the tower was growing in scope and magnitude.
>Where once a dead tree lay, now a large tower sat overlooking the forest tree tops.
>A trio of bug creatures Chrysalis commanded took flight and headed into the forest.
>Grabbing your mace, you decided to follow.
>Calling on some Greens, you decided subterfuge was in order here.
>Sending them ahead to scout, you found that the bug creatures were looking for the element without your orders. It would seem Chrysalis has a plan of her own at work.
>Taking personal control of a Green, you led the others through the trees as you caught up with the bug horses.
>Sure enough, they found the element without much effort as her bawling made it plain as day where she was.
>Something was amiss though, they encircled her like predatory creatures. Did Chrysalis intend to do away with the elements without consulting you first hand? How..spirited of her.
"Master? We stab now?"
"No, we wait. Master thinking."
>The Greens were getting restless and you couldn't afford to wait any longer or the opportunity to intervene would be lost.
>With a mental command the Greens lept into action, diving onto the first horse bug and using their claw weapons to good effect.
>Sent into disarray by the ambush, the Greens dispatched the other two with little effort.
"Horsie friend of sheepies. Come with us."
>Taking her by the mane, you had the Greens lead her back to the lair where you resumed personal control of them and figured it would be fitting to have a proper demonstration of who was the true evil being here with your 'beloved'.
>Meeting with your Greens you found the element of kindness at the edge of the lair.
>The minions stopped working and started to swarm around the confused and startled pony.
>Gnarl forced his way through the gathered mob to find you holding the winged creature on your shoulders.
"Sire, what in the abyss is going on here?"
>Chrysalis watched from a distance as you dumped the creature off and made a bee line straight for her, fear written all over her face.
"Now now, darling, I was just doing what I thought was for the best."
>She continued to back peddle, losing part of her appearance as her concentration on the disguise wore off to reveal herself for the shape shifting creature she was.
"We can't just have the elements hanging around our little nest can we? I know it's easy to just drain and let them wander about zombie like but we have to truly destroy them if we're to be rid of them."
>She stumbles over a root writhing out from the Heart, staring up at you as you held your mace several inches from her face.
>Gnarl watched with great amusement as the scene played out. You tore the little crown of hers off her head and ripped her mane to shreds.
>She prided herself on her beauty and you would use that against her.
>Leaving her behind, you had several Browns escort her away back to her quarters and placed under guard. Gnarl approached you as you entered the Heart chamber.
"A lovers quarrel sire, nothing some wanton destruction won't solve. Come come, I know what will cheer you up. Krum has a new toy for you to try out."
>Gnarl hobbled alongside you as you made your way to a hollowed out pit in the ground.
"This way sire. Krum asked for 'special' conditions to do his work and well it's rather difficult to smith anything when there's no steady heat to work with."
>You noticed the pit turned into a winding staircase fresh laid with mined out stone. Must have been done recently since your trip to the farm.
>As you went down several flights the air began to get more stagnant and phosphorus. Smoke bellowed out from several open chambers as you watched minions by the handful work tirelessly to fashion the crude weapons and armor for the future spawnlings above to wield.
>As you passed them they each bowed, addressing you by various titles.
>Nearing the main hall you saw a largely built Brown smashing together chunks of steel as two colored horses pulled the turnstable feeding more magma into the kiln. You recognized them as the horses from the apple farm before.
>The Brown looked up at you and joyfully cackled as he dropped his latest work carelessly into the magma, running over to you with something he grabbed off the wall.
"Master, gift! Krum work hard yes. No more wing horsies."
>He held out a long bladed harpoon of sorts, dangling from it was a long chain. Triggers were found underneath, pressing which sent the blade rocketing out hundreds of feet upwards slamming into the rock wall.
>Krum clapped his hands happily at the first successful test.
"Yes yes, pull winged ones down for minions to fight. Chain long and strong, snap right back in when shot. Krum do good yes?"
>Patting the Brown on the head, you gazed at your new weapon. A rush of new targets flooded your mind as you were eager to see what damage this could cause.
"Sire if I may, perhaps we should also look into upgrading your armor. Nothing sends a message like adorning yourself with plenty of spikes."
>Gnarl mumbled under his breath something about keeping the harpy's claws off you.
>Exiting the smithy chamber, you noticed the minions were all gathered around something.
>Gnarl pushed his way past and gave a disapproving groan.
>The winged horse creature you had taken from the cottage was singing a tune of sorts to the minions. Striking your foot on the ground you got their attention, making them scramble back to work as well as snapping the pony out of her song.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to distract your little workers. It's just, they looked to be working awfully hard and I thought maybe a little song would help ease things along."
"So, you didn't try to run away? Clearly no one was going to stop you."
"No. I figured that would be rude. Plus you saved me from those changlings earlier. You don't seem so bad."
>Gnarl's ears shot up and turned to you a look of shock on his face.
"You SAVED her? Sire, what part of disposing of the elements aren't you understanding?"
>Fluttershy walked past the two of you oblivious to the situation as she went to find more minions.
"Sire, I am not quite sure what to make of this one. Hmm, if you could somehow corrupt her it would serve just as well as dominating her. Better to have an able minded mistress than a blank puppet. Shame you didn't decide to do so with that orange one, she did have quite the kick..."
>Watching Fluttershy entice more minions with song, you noticed Chrysalis peering out from her dwelling.
"It would seem someone is worried about their place as first mistress. Sire, if you so choose to bring more of these creatures back to the lair make sure to warn me next time. We need to start building a stable to house them."
>With two elements taken care of, more less, it was time to start devising a plan on attacking your next target: Ponyville.
>Your quarters were adorned with various trophies from the land you left behind. Swords of forgotten heroes, hides of unnamed beasts and coins stolen from kingdoms long turned to dust.
>Your bed was spartan in design, strictly a torn mattress with some cloth to fetch yourself under. The minions took what they could before the Calamity swallowed the land, you prioritized the Hives and the Tower Heart above all other things of comfort.
>A restless fit took hold of you as you dreamed of dark deeds and terrible toils.
>Emerging from the Heart chamber, you found the lair ablaze in hellfire. Minions running scared from unseen threats as shadows swallowed them.
>A winged creature wreathed in shadow hovered above the spectacle, enjoying the wrought carnage inflicted on your growing dominion.
"Champion of Destruction and Domination, I know you wield the power that can free me. Seek out the princess of the Night, she holds the key to my imprisonment."
>As quickly as she appeared, she faded away in wisps of smoke and shadow.
"Do not fear the kiss of sunlight, for in it the shadows gain strength."
>Shooting upright your vision cleared as several pairs of curious Brown eyes watched you compose yourself, unsure of how to help their master.
>Gnarl sat at your bedside, clearing his throat to get your attention.
"It would seem, there is more to this land than we originally bargained for. Sire these dreams of yours are either an omen of dark days ahead to your rule OR a sign of powerful allies on the horizon. Lead, and your minions will follow."
>Holding the insignia of Overlord in your hand, you storm out of your quarters brandishing a crude dagger. Minions dragged themselves out of their hovels as they blankly watched their Overlord.
>Marching up to the map of the known land, you pierce the wood where the small town of Ponyville lay. A chorus of cheers and gibbering excitement resonated throughout the lair as the Minions prepped for battle.
>Their Overlord calls for war.
>The camp was abuzz with excitement as the minions readied for march. Those left behind would continue with construction of the Tower and protecting the Heart.
>Fluttershy watched as the imp creatures scurried about carrying armfuls of armor and weapons, unsure of what was happening.
>She caught Gnarl as he was overseeing the muster.
"Excuse me, Mr. Gnarl?"
>Turning around, the adviser curiously inspected the pegasi.
"Yes what is it mistress?"
"Um I don't mean to be a bother, I was just wondering what is all the commotion? If you don't mind."
"The master is preparing to march on his next target. Soon he will spread a new wave of Evil across this land! It's going to get very exciting soon."
>Fluttershy nodded unaware of what these words meant.
"And where exactly is he going first?"
"Some desolate little town. Ponyville I think some of the slaves called it."
>The realization struck Fluttershy as she heard the name.
"But my friends live there!"
"Oh not for much longer I suppose. He's making good time."
>Gnarl chuckled to himself as he left the new mistress to fret over the fate of her friends only to see her flying overhead in the direction the Master went.
"I knew we should have broken her wings..."
>The march had easy enough. Sticking to the main roads you were fortunate enough to avoid any over flying horse creatures and razed any traveling parties passing through.
>The target was a large crystal tree jutting from the middle of the town. It looked to be the most important location, so destroying it would prove the wisest course of action.
>Little less than a mile from the town you could see movement pick up as the denizens saw you approaching. Good, let the fear cook in.
>The Browns dragged the artillery into position as the Reds ignited the payloads. Waiting for the right moment, you commanded the first volley.
>Watching with keen interest as the first fireballs smashed harmlessly into a purple shield raised around the town, you made notice to send several more volumes of fire into the shield to test the magic user's willpower.
>Several more fruitless bombardments later you grew vexed as your amassed horde grew confused as to why the pony town didn't burn. Taking matters into your own hand, you made for the entrance, where a purple unicorn sat waiting.
>Standing at the edge of the barrier, you reached out to touch it only to be met with a shock sending you back a step. The creature's breathing was slightly labored but her horn continued to keep up the barrier.
"I don't know who you are but this peaceful town has done nothing wrong. Leave at once or else."
>Her empty threats annoyed you as you reached out to the barrier again, this time the impact less painful.
"You seem to be the type that doesn't learn after the first few failures."
>Clenching your gauntlet you forced your hand through the barrier, sending ripples of powerful dark magic across the shield shattering it.
>Surprised at the sight of her magic failing her, the horse creature fell back towards the town square as another volley of fireballs descended on the town and the horde unleashed it's unbridled fury.
>Seeing the purple horse creature retreat, you surged your minions forward in a wave of cackling blades and gibbering axes.
>Anything not nailed down was looted while the houses were set to the torch.
>The horse creatures that didn't flee resisted as best they could but were soon overwhelmed in a sea of grasping hands, pulling them down and hauling them away with the rest of the goods.
>Your overall goal was to destroy the town but the populace was to remain intact. You needed slaves and workers, minion labor alone wouldn't build your tower fast enough. Strong beasts of burden were required to haul raw materials. These ponies fit the bill nicely.
>As the remnants of the population were rounded up, one small pocket remained.
>Again a shield barred your path but where one purple unicorn failed, several adding their magic to her would prove pivotal. You lacked the strength to rupture it again, having drained most of your own magic the first time around.
>The ponies stared at you with fleeting defiance as you were kept at bay but could only watch helplessly as their homes were burned to the ground by savage imps.
>A chorus of shouts directed your attention as you noticed the yellow pegasi from before approaching.
>"Sire, order your minions to return to the tower and sort this mess out. I'm sure you've more than made your mark on these disgusting creatures."
>As you watched her land, you noticed the stern expression on her face as she marched right up to you.
"How dare you! How dare you hurt my friends! You, you big brute!"
>She seemed to be upset about something.
>Taking several steps back as she jabbed her hoof on your breastplate, she gave you an accusing glare with her eyes.
>Brushing her aside you started to leave the town, content with the destruction you wrought only to find her getting in your way constantly.
"Apologize! You have to fix this."
"Fluttershy, you know this thing?"
"Oh hey Twilight. Yes, I guess you could say that. Well first he tried to kidnap me, then Discord chased him away. But then Changlings attacked me and these darling little creatures rescued me which then turned out to be working for him. So I guess he's not all bad."
"He burned half of Ponyville to the ground!"
"Yes, well, I'm sure he's really sorry. Aren't you?"
>You stared blankly at her sheepish grin, unsure whether to just hit her and be done with it or simply walk away.
>Rolling the weight off your shoulders, you left the horse creatures to simply watch as their once lovely home was reduced to nothing more than ash and dust.
>"Fine work sire. Finally, the forces of Evil can be proud of a job well done. Return to the Tower Heart, there seems to be quite an interesting development."
>Not long after you returned, the minions were already deep into their celebration of another wonderful day of misery.
>Stepping over the black out drunk forms of your servants, you met Gnarl in the Heart chamber.
"I noticed a strange condition developing in the Tower Heart not long after your new mistress showed up. It would seem to be almost empowered by her mere presence. Sire just think of the possibilities. Should we capture and turn these elements over to our side, your power would increase dramatically. For now, let us bask in our triumph. So much evil to do, so little time."
>Several days had passed since your siege of ponyville.
>With the new influx of slaves, the Tower's construction sped along rapidly. Now a great spire could be seen overlooking the land.
>Your scouts would routinely check on the remaining ponies left over from your raid.
>They were starving and suffering from the elements. With most of the dwellings burned down, there was little shelter and soon fighting broke out over what remained as what once unified the ponies through friendship nature took over as surviving at any cost meant for drastic measures.
>Gnarl enjoyed each new report as the creatures were becoming more and more desperate, unable to make the travel for aid since their princess left to get help.
>Overlooking the caretakers of the prisoners, you watched as the minions branded the horse creatures with your insignia, relishing as each marked creature became your property.
>Leaving them to do their work, you noticed several minions looking panicked as you approached.
>Gnarl was causing a scene as always, yelling at them about something.
"What do you mean the food is missing? You grubby little gluttons, imagine what the master would think if he found out you stole from him!"
"Not us!"
"We swears, on the master we swear."
>Gnarl looked up to see you standing over.
"Sire, apparently our stores of tainted fruit have been burgled. By who, I don't know. But I'm about to pry it out of these little thieves if it kills them. Maybe a few hours working the smithy as Krum's anvil will help refresh your memory?"
>The Browns clung to each other whimpering at the threat.
"We only trying to help mistress."
"Yes, mistress. She wanted to feed sick horsies, we help."
>Gnarl's ears shot up in surprise.
"Mistress? I knew it, again that wretched harpy is up to something."
>One of the Browns shook his head violently.
"No, yellow mistress. Kind one who sings to us and tells us stories."
>Fluttershy...
>Gnarl clicked his fingers together rhythmically as he thought about the situation.
"Sire, if what those two imbeciles told you is true, this could work very well in our favor. Just think, the last majority of the town swayed under your control unwittingly by one of their own. How deliciously evil! Who else would they trust other than the kindest, sweetest little pony bringing about their salvation."
>Kindness. Yes, what a kind thing for her to do indeed...
>Approaching the town you found the scene you had been expecting. What ponies were left had been reduced to husks of their former selves, carelessly milling about the town lost in a never ending fog.
>Sending out several teams of minions, you rounded them up and brought them to the lair.
>Gnarl met you at the entrance, a grin not often seen shown on his face.
"Sire, you have a guest waiting for you. She's by the Heart chamber. I trust you know what to do?"
>Entering the chamber, you saw a figure sitting back turned to you looking up at the swirling mass that was the Tower Heart. Flashes of red struck like lightning across it's surface illuminating her features briefly.
"I, I just wanted to help them. Twilight took so long getting back everypony started to lose hope and got desperate. They all were so hungry, I didn't know what to do."
>She turned to you, not upset but actually glad.
"That was when I remembered seeing all those apples you had stored. I kindly asked your little friends if they could help me deliver some, I meant to pick more and return them. Honest."
>She turned back to the Tower Heart as the surface started to beat with intensity.
"I knew there was something wrong with them. The little darlings warned me not to eat them. But I couldn't help myself, I wanted to help everypony so much. They were suffering. So I gave them the apples."
>Your gauntlet started to resonate with the Tower Heart.
"All I could do was watch as the magic in the apples took hold. I just wanted to do something kind."
>Reaching out, you gently stroked the mane of the little thing leaning against you as she told you her tale.
>A blinding light shot out of the Tower Heart enveloping the entire chamber.
>Regaining your sight, a silhouette caught your attention as the light slowly receded.
"Sire, is everything ok? Mistress, are you well?"
>Stumbling out of the chamber you looked back to see what all the commotion was as another seemed to exit the Heart chamber.
"Yes master Gnarl, I'm quite alright. Is everything ok my lord?"
>A woman with pink hair and peach skin greeted you at the doorway. She was adorned in a pink dress similar to the garb of the mistresses of old.
>Gnarl excitedly looked at you as the minions gathered around this stranger, wondering what to make of this whole situation.
"Minions, I give you our new mistress! Mistress Fluttershy!"
>An echo of cheers and applause filled the lair as the minions welcomed their master's newest mistress with much enthusiasm.
>Gnarl calmed the horde and turned to you, beaming with excitement.
"Sire, this is just the beginning. Soon your evil will wash over this entire land like a sickening tidal wave. There is nothing that can stop you now!"