>Gnarl greeted you as you returned to the Tower. It had been less eventful in your absence but still the everyday logistics of running a growing dominion required your attentions.
>Sitting in your newly refurbished Throne Room, you watched as several minions carted in a table and baskets of scrolls. Gnarl plucked the first one from the top.
"Now, in regards to the slaves fresh food and water are going to have to be acquired. Our stores are starting to dwindle somewhat and while the minions can forage for themselves in the forest, your brain dead dromedaries are another matter."
>Gnarl was reading the various reports from the corners of your expanding realm. An ever growing pile of scrolls met you with each passing day. The workload had tripled since your mini 'vacation' to the castle.
"Now sire, your outposts report that there has been no recent activity on the frontlines. We've managed to push the ponies back to the mountain ranges, setting up more tunnels to keep our gains. In time we should be in striking distance of their little castle where the royals dwell but that is another matter entirely."
>He pulled another scroll off the pile.
"There are still the matters of the remaining three elements to take care of. In our, possession, we currently have Kindness, Generosity and somewhere working the fields I believe Honesty is to be found. Still dragging her head in the mud thanks to your spell."
>You drummed your fingers, bored at the endless logistic reports.
"Oh, Krum also has news from the Forge. It would seem your dragon has become docile for some reason. Still able to work the fires but it's almost like the fight has been taken out of him. Shame."
>You got up to investigate this matter. A dragon in the Forge is one thing but a beast of war unable to fight your war is another.
"Sire, where are you going? These reports require your attention!"
>You flicked your wrist and sent a small flame on the pile, consuming the parchments.
>The Forge was filled with the sounds of industry. Hammers clanging, fires roaring, Reds giggling about as they prodded ponies with sharp instruments to keep them on task. Not that any sort of reinforcement was needed, it just gave them something to do.
>Stepping through the piles of spilled coal and scattered tools, you heard a faint sound breaking through the din of chaotic crafting.
>Singing.
>Locating the source, you found Rarity sitting down on the steps leading up to Krum's workstation. She was gently stroking Spike's hide as the beast lay there in bliss, the occasional exhale shooting flames underneath Krum's smelting pot.
>The tune was comforting, motherly even. She softened her voice as you approached, looking up at you with a little smile.
"You brutes had me worried. He's still just a big baby."
>She wore a violet dress which offered her comfort yet stylish enough to be the envy of others. Her hair was in a frizzled mess as the heat slowly worked it's magic on her locks but she didn't seem to mind.
"He always did enjoy my little hums when he watched me work. If there's any part of him left in there, I had hoped he would still be able to hear it."
>Getting herself up, she brushed some soot off your armor that had gathered.
"Oh you boys and your little toys, can't go anywhere without getting dirty."
>Krum finished banging whatever he was working on and hobbled down the steps toward you.
"Master, master! Look, look! More shiny!"
>He held out in his hand another piece of armor, similar to the draconic gauntlet he had given you earlier.
>It was the face of a demon worked onto your new chest plate. Taking it from him, you looked it over noting small puffs of fire coming from the nostrils every so often.
>Rubbing the minion's head, you watched as he happily returned to his station to continue the master's work.
>Rarity noted the design of the armor and scoffed.
"Really now? I had hoped you would have higher taste in armor."
>You showed her the chest plate Krum had finished.
"I understand you're going for this whole 'scary being of evil' look but at least try to make the armor practical. At this rate you're just asking to get caught on something."
>She fingers the blades on your shoulders and helm, giggling to herself.
"Here comes the great evil Overlord, slayer of party balloons!"
>Spike grumbles slightly, drawing her attention.
"Well I thought it was funny. In any case, give me some time and I'll see what I can do. Should certainly be an improvement over...this"
>Tossing the plate back into the smelting pot, she looks at Spike resting his head by the fire, spreading his body out to take advantage of the slowly expanding room.
"I think I have some ideas. Regardless, I'm sure you have more important matters than standing around watching a lady fuss over her dragon. I'll pass along the designs to your little friend up there when they're done."
>She sits back down and resumes babying Spike, causing the beast to go back to sleep.
>As you left, she started to softly sing again to him. Gnarl walked beside you as you exited the Forge.
"It's as they say, music soothes the savage beast. Explains why the sound of burning homes and screaming people nestles nicely in my ears. But in any case sire, there is still the matter of the elements to take care of. Evil won't do itself."
>He guided you to the war room where Discord had already drawn up a new map. Across the top of it the words 'Operation: Rainy Day' were scrawled onto it.
"Greetings oh wretched one, to the command center of your next little operation."
>Gnarl walked past you inspecting the map and the 'title'.
"What is all this? You said you had something to show us worth our while, not just scribblings on a board."
>Discord snapped a claw and the illustration pulled itself off the parchment, hovering over the table.
"Oh Gnarl, lighten up. Have a little fun, relax and watch as I help you hatch a little scheme to take on one of the more dangerous elements. Loyalty."
>Gnarl sat himself down, less than thrilled on letting the serpent menagerie handle this next attack.
>Throwing on some kind of military garb, Discord pulls out a pointing stick.
"Here, the city of Cloudsdale. Nice little place if you're into cushion beneath your feet."
>He swats it gently and small cut outs of pegasi swarm out of it like hornets protecting their nest.
"The more aggressive of the pony tribes, the pegasi relish a good fight and will take any opportunity to flex a little muscle on your dimwitted little troops."
>Another snap and suddenly there's a plot of land under the city, little cut outs of minions and yourself running about underneath it.
"The problem though, is they don't have to do anything. Using their wings, they just harmlessly fly above your soldiers and can go about their daily lives unhindered."
>He snaps again. Now giant tubes dotted the landscape, firing wildly as the pegasi attempted to flee. Each hit pulled them to the ground where minions happily swarmed over them.
"But, set up a blockade around the city and, Gnarl you'll love this part, it's practically fishing! Just hook, line..."
>An immense cannon fires a harpoon into the city, dragging it to the earth below with a great crash on the table.
"Sinker."
>You got the feeling he took immense joy in devising this scheme.
>Gnarl clicked his fingers together slowly, absorbing the plan. You found it intriguing.
"And where will we get the materials to build these cannons? The metal for the ammunition? Chains? How do we go about building them in plain sight, at the mercy of their attacks?"
>Discord looked over the scene as the images played out and reset themselves.
"Easy. Here!"
"What?!"
"Now, just hear me out. Build the cannons here and deploy them with your little teleporter gate things in spots marked for optimal coverage. I'm sure you're up to the task big fella."
>Gnarl looked over the images as they repeated their cycle.
"And the materials?"
>Discord dismissively waved him off.
"Why, using their own weapons and armor of course. What's more fun than hitting a pony when they're down than when they can't hit you back?"
>Gnarl looked at you. He seemed uneasy about this plan.
"Sire, as much as I hate to say it we don't have much choice. We have to bring those feathered freaks down to our level if we're to have any chance of taking the city. And it would be one less element to worry about."
>Discord smirked as you showed no sign of objection.
"Now the only problem, is how to get you up there."
>A door creaked open as a familiar, pink haired mistress came in with her usual tray of delights.
"Oh, that will do just nicely."
>Fluttershy looked as though she walked into a lion's den as Discord scooped her up and brought her over to you.
"Well my dear, you're just in time to help your hunky armored hulk. How would you like to help bring down that little cloud city you used to live in?"
>Fluttershy watched as the animated images played out their little dance, absorbing the details of the plan.
>Looking over to you, you saw her crack a delighted smile on her face.
"Sure. I'd be more than happy to."
>Gnarl spat his drink out, nearly choking on the cake he stuffed into his mouth.
>Fluttershy gave you a stern look.
"But on one condition. You can't harm any ponies. You promised remember?"
>Gnarl finished coughing up a lung, wiping his mouth on a napkin as you had pulled your loin cloth out of reach.
"Out of the question. The master does what he pleases, there is no bargaining with the Overlord!"
>Fluttershy looks at you with pleading eyes as Discord snickers at the scene. You could hear faint sounds of a cracking whip behind you.
"I'm sure if need be, he'll take a little extra precaution. But he promises nothing."
>You look at Gnarl as he bargained on your behalf. He gives you a shrug as it was the best he could do.
"That's fine, I guess."
>Gnarl drummed his fingers on the table as Fluttershy stood there. Saying nothing.
"Well? What are you going to help with?"
>She snaps out of her daze.
"Oh, right. Um, well Cloudsdale is made of clouds."
"Yes and?"
"Non pegasi normally fall through since they can't fly."
>Gnarl stifles a frustrated groan.
"And how do we solve this dilemma? If you would be so KIND to tell us?"
>Fluttershy thinks for a little bit.
"You maybe use other pegasi? Since they wouldn't fall through."
>Discord falls over laughing at the simplistic answer.
>Recovering his composure, Discord wipes the tears out of his eyes.
"For her credit, that isn't such a bad idea."
>Gnarl sneers at him.
"And just where are we going to get pegasi who will just let us ride them?"
>Discord scratches his chin, unsure as well.
"Don't look at me, I came up with the cannons. I think I've contributed enough to this little shindig."
"It was your plan to begin with!"
>A door slamming got the attention of everyone in the room.
"Sorry to disturb your little party boys, but I think I can find a solution to your little problem."
>Chrysalis waltzed into the room, pulling a seat up next to you.
"You need pegasi? Well I'm afraid we're fresh out of them. But we do have something better. My little changelings can pose as pegasi to get past any suspicious onlookers."
>Gnarl nodded.
"It would seem having you around finally pays off. Here I was thinking we'd have to get an exterminator to remove our pest problem."
"Oh Gnarl, you're so sweet. Remind me to kick you down the steps extra hard next time I see you."
>Discord enjoys the little show as Gnarl and Chrysalis start to bicker, as usual. Fluttershy attempted to play referee trying to break them up.
"Well my work here is done. Good luck conquering the skies, oh master of mayhem. If you see Rainbow Dash, tell her I said hi!"
>He disappeared in a flash of light, leaving you to deal with the chaos of a mistress and adviser bickering.
>The Heart Chamber hummed with power as you sat in a focused trance in front of it. Several groups of minions hovered over you protectively as in this state you were helpless.
>Looking through the eyes of a minion was never an overly pleasant experience. Their short stature and miniscule body made for some getting use to every time you had to commandeer their mind for direct control.
>The plan was overly simple: load up some crates with food and supplies, storing minions inside them as the changelings took on the guise of pegasi to carry you to Cloudsdale.
>Once inside and the coast was clear, you would dump the crates of the goods and load up on whatever bits of metal you could loot before any of the ponies grew wise to your doings.
>Chrysalis stood by your form in the Heart Chamber, watching through your eyes of the minion how things were going.
>For the most part, the trip was uneventful. Coming up to the checkpoint into the city, the guards questioned where the contents came from. You had used old crates found in Ponyville so this arouse suspicion but the changelings stuck to the story of scavengers with relative ease.
"I assume things are going well?"
>Gnarl came down the steps into the chamber. Chrysalis gritted her teeth as she now had to endure the pestering of the imp.
"So far so good. I assume you're here to gloat in case this is a bust?"
"Something like that. Also, as per an unusual request, to not leave you alone with the master unsupervised."
>Chrysalis turned, her face hot with anger.
"And who would dare order such a ridiculous request?"
>Gnarl cleared his throat and smiled.
"I'm not at the liberty to say."
>Growling, she turned back to look at the Tower Heart. The minions were now emptying themselves in an unoccupied room, hopping onto the changelings and ransacking the place for whatever wasn't nailed down.
>Gnarl chuckled.
"Remind me to suggest to Discord an easier method. Surely there must be a cloud walking spell or something helpful."
>Through the eyes of your chosen minion, you watched as they went about tearing anything and everything off the walls and stuffing them into the crates.
>With most of the cargo stored, they returned to their hiding place, as the changelings took up their load again and painstakingly dragged themselves back into the city squares.
>Nearing the border of the city, two pegasi stopped the changelings. Having noticed the crates from before, it turns out to have been old Sweet Apple Acre brand boxes.
>Gnarl began to drum his fingers, anxiety setting in as the questions took a turn for the accusing.
"Look, I just want to know where you got the crates from. That old farm burned down several months ago and we're wondering if where you found those crates there might be more hidden as well?"
>The group of changelings looked at each other, tense as the barrage of questions became more complicated with their scavenger story.
"I mean sure the fruit must have gone bad by now but the seeds could be alive still. Celestia's having a hard time feeding all the refugees pouring into Canterlot, I'm no Earth pony but any help in the matter would ease the strain on her farmers."
>The other pegasi looked at the crates the changelings were holding.
"I thought you already dropped your cargo off and were paid for it. What's this stuff?"
>Soft hisses were starting to emanate from the boxes, the minions barely under control and ready to leap out.
"Hey, you better call this in. I think one of these boxes just growled at me."
>The changeling tried to explain that it was nothing when the Brown inside leaped out, clawing furiously at the pony.
"Intruders! Sound the alarm!"
>Leaping out of your crate as well, you took to the Green method of fighting quickly as you dove onto the other pony, sinking your claw blade neatly into the neck muscle. Silencing any attempt at calling for help.
>The other minions poked their heads out to see the commotion, prompting a shriek from a passing pegasi.
>"Sire, I believe this is a call for a retreat. Grab what you can and get out of there."
>Gnarl notices the bodies of the two pegasi laying on the cloudlike ground, one unconscious from the Brown attack the other killed by your assault.
"Stuff them in there too, dump out the loot if need be. I have a plan."
>Doing so, you watched as the minions dragged the bodies into the crates and stuffed them in there with little care.
>The city was a buzz of activity, mainly soldier ponies searching frantically for your minions but not several pegasi carrying cargo.
>The return trip had met with success as the minions unloaded the looted metals from the crates after arriving from the gate nearby.
>Returning to your body, you found Chrysalis and Gnarl looking at you with a mix of satisfaction and concern.
"Sire, it would seem we have to think of a new strategy. These ponies aren't as dumb as we had hoped."
"It wasn't like I expected the idiot guards to keep poking questions well after we thought we were in the clear."
>Gnarl sneered at Chrysalis, her excuses wearing on his patience.
"Regardless of the circumstance, we need to look for a new route to build the cannons. We cannot risk another expedition at the moment with the city ablaze in activity."
>Chrysalis tucked herself into your arm, walking with you as you left.
"Oh, pity. In the mean time, why don't we discuss tactics for the next stage of your plan. Privately."
>Her eyes flickered a dangerous green color as she stroked your helmet, hungry for the meat inside.
>Gnarl noticed the little spell cast, his ears perking up at the sudden surge of magic in the air. His master long out of reach now, Gnarl shuffled himself over to his benefactor who had instructed him before, finding them in the kitchen. Pouring a kettle of fresh brewed tea.
>Stepping through the hallway heading towards Chrysalis' room, you saw Rarity poke her head out of the door.
"Ah there you are! Just in time, I need your help with something."
>Chrysalis hissed under her breath. Rarity took notice of your companion, stepping of the room entirely.
"The little shriveled imp already filled me in on why you're here, you cockroach. I'm sure whatever you were planning, it can wait. Fashion is a matter of the moment and this moment I need his help with something."
>You pulled yourself out of Chrysalis' grip, entering Rarity's room. A slight growl was heard behind you as the door closed.
>Rarity's room looked more regal now, clearly she had taken care to fuss over it to make the most of her tastes.
"Now that the pest has been taken care of, I need you to hold still for a moment. Take a seat."
>She opens up a dresser, rummaging through the drawers.
>Pulling out the cloak she had worked on before, she tucked it into her chest as she walked over to you, pride beaming on her face.
"This is my first attempt at such a thing. I normally don't design for large bipedal creatures so I consider you my first customer."
>She fumbled with the connection points on the cape, attaching it to your back and neck area.
"Stand up. I need to get a look at you."
>Doing so, you pull at the cloak to see how it looked. It still had the purple/black look of it but the purple was a more passive color, not striking looking but lighter.
>Rarity's face inspected your every detail, musing over future designs in her head.
"Now, I like what the color does to your physique, adding a rather neutral coloring to all that shiny metal. But still the armor design is bothering me."
>She goes to her desk and starts unfurling several stacks of papers. On them, you saw several sketches of future armor designs.
"These are just the first editions I had intended to work with. You'll notice I went with a certain theme in mind."
>Dragons.
"Now this one is my personal favorite."
>She took a design out and showed it to you.
"Now I know your love for spikes and all but this seems to be a little more practical. It gives you that intimidation you oh so crave but it offers more protection to your arms and legs. Here, the chest plate is more curved, allowing for glancing blows to cushion the hit."
>You stared at her, confused as to how she knew about the art of armor crafting.
"Oh don't look at me like that. A designer
has to know the trade in all it's aspects."
>She turns around, muttering something about also having briefly dated a guard pony.
>The design looked interesting. It was dragon in origin but looked like a drake's head had been fused to the chest plate, similar to the demon design Krum had given you before.
>The helmet clasped over your face entirely, the eye slits where the nostrils of the dragon resided.
>Handing it back to her, you nodded in approval.
"Excellent! Now to figure out the materials necessary, I'll have to talk to your little gremlin. I'm sure he'll have some direct input as well."
>Brushing off your cloak, she noticed your new gauntlet.
"Well what is this darling little thing? It seems he already had a plan in mind. Can't say I dislike it."
>She motions for you to take it off for her to inspect further.
"I'll bring it back to you later. I need to make some alterations before finalizing it. Don't want you to look like a walking disaster with mismatched armor."
>She started to study it there, making some notes on a piece of paper. Several minutes went by before she looked up again.
"Oh. You can go now. I'm done."
>Slamming the door behind you, there was the faint sound of her screeching something about thanking her.
>You bumped into Gnarl on the stairs, he looked worried about something.
"Oh sire, there you are. Come, we have something to discuss. Something your mistress finds very important."
>Gnarl led you to the Heart Chamber, where a familiar pink haired mistress waited for you.
>She was lost in staring at the Tower Heart, it's spherical shape pulsing with faint traces of red along it's mainly blue surface. For the most part, it seemed to be in better condition as of late since capturing the power that dwelt in the three elements in your possession.
>Gnarl cleared his throat, catching her off guard and prompting her to stumble on herself as she properly addressed your arrival. She held a small book in her hands, the one you found in the old castle.
"Hello master Gnarl, hello sire."
>Gnarl motioned you along, eager to discuss the matter at hand.
"Now, Fluttershy, what was it that you wished to discuss with the master? You made it sound very important."
>She starts to fidget, a sign of something troublesome.
"Well, back when we were at the Castle of the Two Sisters..."
>She started to get flush in the cheeks, turning a shade of red.
>Gnarl chuckled, signaling her to continue.
"Well, aside that, when you found that journal? I did some more reading in the matter and I think I know about this crown."
>Now she had your interest.
"A while back, we had to rescue the Crystal Empire from a dreadful unicorn named King Sombre. He was the absolute definition of a nasty, unwholesome tyrant."
"Sounds like quite the wonderful fellow. We should get to know him."
>Fluttershy gives Gnarl a look, clearly not amused at his little joke.
"Anyways, he was destroyed by the Crystal Heart, it's radiance of pure love and goodness banishing his shadowy grip from the ponies."
"And this is important..how?"
>She holds up the book, turning to the page with the Fallen King's Crown.
"The crown in the book was different from the crown he wore on his head. I'm sure of it."
>Gnarl groaned.
"You're sure of this? It could be just a fairy tale."
"It's not a fairy tale! His crown is still out there, I'm sure of it."
>If it was, it would certainly need a new brow to rest upon.