//------------------------------// // 5: A Game and More Questions... // Story: An Overlord Apart // by OblivionShadow //------------------------------// Hunter sighed as he read through the documents in front of him. His hooves began pacing as the papers hovered around him. His ears flicked as he could hear the ponies rushing through their tasks around the edges of the throne room. His pacing continued as he read through the latest trade routes. “Master.” Hunter looked up as Gnarl walked into the room. Hunter paused his pacing and waited for his advisor to reach him. The Minion Master stopped and bowed to the Overlord before he addressed him further. “What is it, Gnarl?” “We have received the full report of the goings-on in the Empire city.” “Ahh. I was beginning to wonder about that. We put off going to check into it personally due to the… foolishness in Nordberg. So what was happening there?” “It would appear that your subjects have been building an addition to the city.” “What kind of addition?” Hunter’s attention flicked to the Advisor and waited for further information. “The minions were unsure, My Lord. According to them, it is sizeable. Appears to either be a temple or a chamber of some sort.” Gnarl replied. Hunter was quiet. His ears flicked aimlessly as he contemplated his options. The stallion began to slowly pace as his mind raced. A snort escaped him as he moved. His hooves thudded dully on the metal floor. “Well. I suppose the only way to gain the information I want is to see it for myself.” Gnarl paused before nodding in agreement. “Dark Master. Will you be going via dragon?” “No. I think this is a good chance to show my guests the world I rule.” Hunter reasoned. “They will be able to see my ponies and then act accordingly. Might put an end to the issues regarding the contested land.” Gnarl put a claw to his chin as he considered Hunter's words. “That is a strong point, Master.” He nodded in reply. “Though the journey will take over a week to reach them. The Empire is the easiest to get to via the main trade roads. Of course, going by a dragon is swifter, but I agree with your plan.” Hunter was quiet as he stopped pacing and looked down to the gauntlet on his right foreleg. He focused on one of each of the mares guards and recalled them to his side. As he waited for them to arrive he pulled a scroll and quill from his magic and began to write down his thoughts. He was notorious for forgetting things and having to send minions back for the items. He brought his attention up as the six minions galloped into the room, clamoring over each other, calling for their master as they reached him and slid to a stop at his hooves. Hunter paused and looked to the minions. He focused and brought a second scroll to his attention and used it to write out an invite to the mares to meet him later for dinner. He had learned that they did most of their conversing over their meals. While he did not eat with them, he had sat in on a few of their meetings. Though he was never one to sit for too long and often left them to their conversation. He gave a copy to the minions and sent them back to their charge. The Overlord went back to his list and reached out to Sorkeno for his presence. Hunter trotted out to the platforms and waited for the dragon to arrive. The stallion paused and listened for the rustle of wings and the feeling of Sorkeno’s presence reaching out to him in kind. The golden dragon set his claws and reached out to nuzzle the stallion. “You called, little one?” Sorkeno said to him and pulled his head back. “Yes. I need to go to the Empire and check on a few things. How close to the hatching are we?” The dragon paused, deep in thought. “It is not exact, little one. They will choose when they wish to enter the world.” “I know. I can’t miss it.” Hunter began to pace as he tried to think of a reason not to stay as long as in the Empire. “I plan on taking the mares with me to the Empire so they are able to see part of my kingdom and see my ponies. But I refuse to miss the hatching.” Hunter snarled as frustration rolled over him. “I already put off checking in on the Empire once, I dare not to do it again.” Sorkeno reached out with his snout and stopped Hunters angry pacing. The young stallion paused and looked to the dragon, a slight tilt of his head to show his curiosity. “You can take the time to see your kingdom. It is a good idea to take the mares with you.” Sorkeno paused as Hunter turned to face him. “I will remain here and when I sense the hatching I will come for you. I will bring you back and leave the mares and the others to be brought back on their own. You need to be there for the hatching.” Hunter remained quiet as he listened. “How so?” “You are the Lord and Master of the Netherworld. They will become a part of the world that you rule. They will need to see you and learn your scent. Only then will they bow to you as we do.” Hunter nodded. “I forgot about that.” The Overlord was quiet as he walked up and spun to the side to lean against the dragon’s snout. “That will have to work. I will make certain the mares know that I may have to leave them. If we are still in the city when you come then I will send them through the Gate with the minions.” “Will the Gate allow them access?” Sorkeno asked of him. Hunter paused as he considered the question. “That is a good question. I actually have no idea. I’ve never taken any pony through it before. I’ll have to speak with Giblet.” “I would advise that you should find out, little one.” Hunter chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, taking them through and they come out injured or worse is not going to be a favorable outcome for continued relations with Equestria’s other rulers.” Sorkeno chuckled and gave the Overlord a gentle nuzzle before releasing his grip and flying back toward the Lair. Hunter was quiet as he watched the dragon fly away from him. A feeling of envy rolled over him as he watched, but a short shake of his head banished the feeling and he spun to walk back into the throne room. A flurry of cries caught his attention as the minions clamored up to him, handing the notes to him. His magic took them and he sent the minions back the way they had come. His magic opened the notes and each mare had agreed to meet with him and discuss his intentions. The day passed slowly due to the paperwork that had been given to him by Gnarl after he had spoken with Sorkeno. He stopped and paused his work as he paced. A sigh escaped him and he sat down heavily on his throne. His magic dropped the papers off to the side of the throne on a table close by. “I think my mind is beginning to rot.” He groaned and scrubbed his face with his hooves. His back pushed against the back of the throne and he sighed. The stallion pushed himself to his hooves and began to leave the throne room. He looked back over his shoulder to the papers, his magic engulfed them and he sent them to Gnarl with a note saying he had had enough for the evening. No doubt he would catch hell from Gnarl but he decided it was worth it. He breathed in and began to walk around the balconies that rimmed the throne room. His hooves thudded dully on the pathway. He paused at the sound of laughter and looked around the corner. He watched as Twilight and the other mares had set up a net of some kind and were kicking a ball back and forth. Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy were one side while, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity were on the other side. Their guards were placed at the edges of the small area and were acting as the border to their game. He heard a quiet cheer and found Soft Touch holding a scoreboard, Spike sitting close by her. His red eyes narrowed as he watched them for a few minutes, then began to walk past, deciding not to interrupt. “Overlord!” He paused as the ball sailed toward him and he spun, using his flanks to bump it into the air and then kick it with one hoof back to the mares. He glanced back to ensure that his cloak had landed in the right spot to hide his flanks. “Nice hit!” Rainbow yelled and kicked it over the net to Twilight and her team. The Overlord nodded his head politely and then began to walk away from them. He started as Rainbow dashed forward to land in front of him. “You want to join us?” She asked him as she spun the ball on the tip of one hoof. “I don’t even know what the game you are playing is.” He pointed out to her. “How do you not know volleyball?” She asked him, uncertainty in her eyes. Hunter paused at her question. “I rule an Empire the size of or larger than Equestria. I have no time for games.” He replied honestly to her. Rainbow looked at him. “No time for any games? But you played them as a foal right? He saw Twilight cringe off to the side. “No. I gave up foal games when my father vanished.” He replied to her and began to walk away once more. “But that hit was perfect!” Rainbow said to him. “Well almost. You can only hit the ball once. But, otherwise, it was a perfect hit.” “I appreciate the praise, but I will leave you to your game.” He said over his shoulder and kept going. “Wait a sec,” Twilight said and then teleported to land in front of him. “Not wearing the right armor?” She asked him, quietly. “Pretty much. I have no desire to explain my lack of markings. So, enjoy your game.” He said to her. “But what if you had the other armor on?” She pressed, staying in front of him. “Twilight, please.” He said to her and paused. “I have not even looked at foal games in…” He paused as he counted. “By the Dark. I’m that old? Eighteen years.” “How old are you?” She asked. “If I didn’t know you I would be offended by that question.” He pointed out and she gave a sheepish shrug. “I’m twenty-six.” Twilight paused as she considered what she had heard. “Okay, a little older than I thought, but that’s no reason to not play ever again.” She said to him. “Twilight, I am simply avoiding my paperwork at the moment. I’m trying to take a walk before Gnarl hunts me down.” He pointed out to her. “Well…I know.” She exclaimed and then yelled for one of her guards. “Go to Giblet and tell him to bring the Master's full-length body armor. The light version.” She ordered and the minion took off running. “You are indulging the Equestrian mares. Even though you don’t want to…But we argued and you decided it was easier to put up with us, rather than listen to us whine about being neglected.” She said to him. “I’m what?” “You’re indulging your annoying guests who have thrown a fit about you not being around them.” She reasoned to him. “You’re kidding, right? No, you’re not, you sent one of my minions to…” Hunter sat back and scrubbed his face with his hooves. A loud groan escaped him and he heard the other mares laugh as he sat with the Princess of Friendship staring at him, her expression cocky. “Just try it out?” She reasoned to him. Hunter rubbed his forehead just below his horn and looked at her from behind his long forelock. “Fine. But if I hate it, I’m leaving, no arguing.” He said to her. “Perfect!” She yelped and dragged him back to the other mares. He looked up as Fluttershy looked relieved and smiled at him past her mane. “You can take my place. With your help, Twilight might not lose.” She said and fled to the sideline to sit with Soft Touch. Twilight smiled and released his foreleg. “Just a second, girls. The armor he’s wearing is heavy so we need to switch it out.” She explained when they did not start the game. “So don’t wear it.” Applejack said to him. Hunter balked at her and shook his head. “No. Either I play with the right set on or not at all. I am not fighting years of habit for a game.” Applejack grimaced but nodded her understanding. Hunter looked to the side as the sound of minion claws caught his attention and he trotted over to them to try to hide his scars and flanks. His magic gripped the armor he wore and the new set that had been brought to him. He switched them out and made sure that the harness went around the back of his hind legs and held it in place, hiding his flanks and the scars on his shoulder and chest. He nodded and the other armor was removed and taken to the forge for cleaning. He trotted back to them and stood next to Twilight. “Now what?” He asked her. Twilight nodded to him and gently pushed him into place by the net. “Hold up, Rainbow. We need to tell him how to play.” She told the other mare, Rainbow nodded and tossed the Alicorn the ball. “Okay, so the pony by the net is the one that sets it up high for another pony to spike it down, like this.” She tossed it up and used her hooves to bump the ball up and then Applejack jumped up and slapped the ball to the ground, where Rainbow got it and rolled it back to them to keep showing him how to play. “Okay, then the other move you can do is to bump the ball. That means you don’t use your hooves at all. Like what you did to kick it back to us. You bump it off your flank toward the pony at the net to set it. You can only hit it three times on the same side. You have to get it over the net within three hits.” “Okay. This seems needlessly complicated.” He replied but stayed in the position she told him to. “Okay. We’ll play a couple of easy rounds for you to get used to it.” Twilight reasoned and got back to her position to serve the ball over the net. Hunter watched as Twilight kicked the ball over the net and Pinkie bumped it with her flank to Rarity who gave the ball a gentle push into the air for Rainbow to spike the ball to the ground. As she jumped to hit it Hunter reared up, jumped, and got in the way, staying on his side of the net. The ball bounced off his neck and bounced to the floor. Soft Touch and Fluttershy cheered from the bench. “Well done, Pardner.” Applejack praised. “She didn’t even tell ya how to block it.” “I saw it done when I was passing by,” Hunter explained. “That was great!” Pinkie cheered and bounced in place. “That was great.” Twilight gushed to him as he kicked the ball to her. “Okay, here we go again.” The Alicorn served the ball and Rainbow jumped to spike it right away. Hunter got in her way once more and the ball started to go to the ground. Pinkie Pie got under it and bumped it into the air and Rarity set it up for another spike. Rainbow bumped it over the net and Twilight got under it and bumped it to Hunter. The Overlord felt a nervous twinge, but pushed it away and bumped it up with his hooves. Applejack jumped for it and spiked it to the ground. Rainbow got it before it hit the ground and she used a hoof to kick it into the air. Pinkie set it to Rarity who bumped it gingerly over the net. Hunter got under it and bumped it into the air. “You hit it this time.” Applejack shouted to him as she set the ball by the net. Hunter got under the ball and spiked it other ground on the side of the net. The ball gave a satisfying thud as it bounced high up. “Damn.” Rainbow had dodged the spiked ball. “That would have hurt to block.” She admitted at the look from Pinkie. “Yep!” The pink mare smiled. “It would have been hard to stop.” Applejack walked up to him as he gave a slight shrug at their response to the spiked ball. “You got some strong shoulders, Pardner.” “He does use a bow as a weapon, so that makes sense, physiologically,” Twilight replied. “Not really,” Rainbow replied. “He’s a unicorn. He uses magic to hold it.” “No, I actually don’t.” He replied and waited as Rainbow stared at him. “I was trained to use my hooves first. Then how to use my magic if I had no other choice.” He explained to the silently stunned mare. “They made sure that I was able to move with the bow in my hooves and if I lost my ability to use my hooves then to use my magic.” “Oh. Okay, then yeah. Your shoulders are gonna be stronger then.” Rainbow admitted with a sheepish smile to the Overlord. “Okay again. This time for points.” She said and went to her place. “Your serve, Twi!” Hunter watched as Twilight kicked the ball and Rainbow got under it to bump it to Rarity who set it up and Pinkie jumped to spike it and was able to get it past Hunter. “I got it!” Applejack yelled and bumped it up into the air. “My turn! Twilight hollered and set it for the Overlord to hit once more. Hunter jumped up and spiked it to the ground. Rainbow groaned at the impact to the ground. “Still not sure I want to get under that.” She admitted. “Why the yelling?” Hunter asked the mares. “Oh. That way we know who is coming after it. If you are quiet then you might end up running into your teammate.” Twilight explained as the ball rolled to her. “Ah. That makes sense.” He reasoned and went back to his place. Twilight served it once more and Rainbow bumped it back over the net. Hunter watched it and he knew that he couldn’t set it at the angle it was at. His mind raced and he got an idea. “AJ! Up!” He shouted to her and crouched down. The farm mare understood his intent and jumped up to his flank and he gave a gentle buck, sending her up so she could spike the ball to the other side. Pinkie dove for it, but missed and skidded over the ground, giggling. Applejack landed on the ground and looked at the stallion. “Ah have ta admit, that was a brilliant idea. But are ya okay?” “I’m fine.” He said to her. “3-0! Team Twilight!” Spike shouted. Rainbow gave the stallion a sour look but she scowl faded and she smiled after a moment as well. “Nicely done, I have to admit I never thought that you would be a platform.” She teased. “Well, I could not get it sent back right, so it made sense to set up another to do it.” He reasoned to her. “That’s true.” Twilight smiled to the tall Unicorn. “Okay, keep going, dears?” Rarity said to the group. “Yup. We need to get our lead back.” Rainbow replied and got back to receive the ball. “You want to try to serve it?” Twilight asked him. “I’m fine with what I’m doing. I would probably send it flying to far.” He replied to her and stayed by the net. Twilight nodded in understanding and kicked the ball. Hunter found himself enjoying the game and he stayed with the mares for their game. Sorkeno and Kaiana held onto the side of the Dark Tower and watched as the Overlord played with the mares. The Lord of Dragons looked to the elder Matriarch and saw her smiling, a tear in her eyes. “Kaiana?” He said to her. “I have not seen him laugh and play like this since he was but a foal.” She replied, her voice low and quiet. “It seems the Princess is doing as I had asked her to do.” He said back to her, his voice quiet as well. “Oh?” “Yes, I had asked her to make him smile and not to lie to him. She is doing as I had hoped.” He admitted to her. “Good. She is the one you mentioned earlier? When we were teasing him to go to that party.” “Yes. That is the Princess from Equestria, Twilight Sparkle the Princess of Friendship. He has decided to take the mares to the Empire with him when he visits it in a couple of days. I think it will be informative for the mares as well.” He said to her as they watched the game. “How so?” “He intends to let them see how he rules his ponies and perhaps bring them to understand that he will not lose the land that he is contesting.” He explained to the she-dragon. “I see.” She replied and focused her attention on the game. “So long as he is all right, I will be happy with anything he does. It has been long since he smiled and laughed with other ponies.” “That’s true.” Sorkeno agreed with a quiet laugh. The dragons watched as the game continued. Sorkeno was proud as he watched Hunter jump for the ball and play with the mares. His large eyes looked to the side as Gnarl came into the room. “Oh no,” Sorkeno whispered to the she-dragon. She looked over as well and her eyes narrowed at the sight of the advisor. Sorkeno jumped as the she dragon’s tail went behind him and landed softly in front of the advisor, barring him from approaching the game. Sorkeno chuckled and looked to the game once more. Hunter bumped the ball high and then lowered his flank and Twilight jumped to his flank and then to his shoulders. He reared up and she spiked the ball to the ground, for the winning point. “15-9, Team Twilight wins!” Spike yelled. Twilight laughed. “Renamed Team Overlord!” She yelled with a laugh, wrapping her forelegs around the stallion’s neck. Hunter shrugged and waited for her to get off his back. He slowly got to his hooves and he felt her slip on his armor. He spun to catch her and ended up getting his right shoulder under her so she didn’t land on the metal flooring. She yelped and looked down to see him looking up at her from his new place on the floor. She blushed scarlet having realized that she was now sitting on him. She yelped and rolled off of him as he got to his hooves. “Nice catch.” Applejack commented to him. “I agree.” He replied. The farm mare looked disappointed that she wasn’t able to embarrass him, but smiled anyway. Hunter was quiet as he reached out a hoof to pull Twilight to her hooves. She took the offered limb and he pulled her up. “Thank you.” She said to him, trying to hide the fierce blush. “You’re welcome.” He replied to her. “Well done!” A female voice called out to the group. The female voice reached them and Hunter turned to find Kaiana and Sorkeno moving to sit on the balcony. Hunter smiled at the sight of the dragons and trotted toward them. He noticed Gnarl appear from behind the she-dragons tail and he chuckled at the annoyed glance from the Advisor. The Minion Master waddled over to the Overlord and stopped close to him with a bow of his head. “Master. I assume you will be changing before your dinner meeting?” “That is the plan, yes, Gnarl. I will join all of you shortly.” He said and turned to walk to his room. Kaiana reached down and picked him up, setting him down on her snout. She turned and walked to the balcony, sliding over the edge as her wings snapped out and she carried him away from the balcony. “I will meet all of you in the dining room.” Gnarl nodded and began to walk back the way he had come. Rainbow watched and shook her head. “That never stops being cool.” She said to the other mares. Spike came to stand next to Twilight and stared up to the golden Lord of Dragons. Twilight saw his open mouth stare and looked up to Sorkeno. “Sorkeno.” She waited for the dragon to lower his head before she spoke more. “This is Spike, my number one assistant.” She said and gave the baby dragon a gentle nudge toward the larger dragon. The dragon’s eyes looked to the small dragon who stared up at him. “You are the little one that asked for the gems?” Spike nodded to him, too stunned to speak. “Little one came to me asking what the dragons of Equestria ate. He was unaware of the young Draglings needing gems due to the higher nutrients. Though, I admit that is the length of my knowledge of the other dragons that are not of my own.” “Oh…So he got those from your nests?” Spike asked, his voice squeaked as he tried to calm his nerves. “Our nests?” The dragons head gave a slight tilt at the question. “Right, you use them to make your nests?” “Oh. No, of course not. Why would I sleep on something that I intend to eat if we ate them at all?” The dragon asked. Twilight giggled at the response and Spike looked to the ground. “So what do you use for your nests?” “We use the stones and crystals of the Netherworld. Little one ensures that our Lair remains at the right temperature and that the materials we need are readily available. I have never heard of dragons using the gems as nesting material.” Sorkeno admitted to the baby dragon. Spike looked at him as another question came to him. “Shield Rest said that the dragons have hatching coming soon?” “Yes. The eggs are expected to hatch in the next one to three weeks.” “So there will be dragons my size?” Spike asked. Sorkeno barked a laugh. “No. The eggs alone are taller than any of you.” The dragon held a paw off the ground over five feet off the ground. “That’s a hell of an egg,” Rainbow said aloud at the size. “He also mentioned that your eggs take years to grow?” Twilight finally asked. “Somewhat true. It takes years for the Dragling inside to form. The eggs stay at that larger size to accommodate the slowly growing infant inside. Once they reach full growth then the eggs begin to change their coloring and the infant inside begins to call.” “Call?” Rarity asked from behind Spike. “They begin to… what is the word you might use... Chirp?” “So they become more vocal and when they are ready the eggs begin to hatch?” Twilight clarified. “In some way. The sounds are made unconsciously. Its purpose is to let the other dragons know that the infants are well-formed. Any that do not speak to us are probably dead within the shell.” Sorkeno explained. “How many die?” Fluttershy asked. Sorkeno looked thoughtful. “Usually out of a clutch of ten perhaps two to three.” He replied. “That many?” Rainbow said. “How many dragons are there?” Applejack asked him. Sorkeno was quiet as he thought it over. “Perhaps twenty that are able to go to Little One's aid at a time. Many are either too young or too old to go into a battle at his command.” “So all of the dragons answer to him? I got the impression that it was just you.” Twilight reasoned to him, looking for him to clarify. “Ahh. While he lives he can command all of the dragons, due to his connection to myself.” Sorkeno explained. “His father was a dear friend of mine and I would answer his requests if I had the ability. Little One is considered to be a higher rank than myself.” “So he is going to go to the hatching of the baby dragons?” Spike asked. “Yes. He must attend. The Draglings will not acknowledge him if they do not learn his scent at their hatching. This way he has their loyalty and their recognition. Otherwise, they would try to fight with him when he came near them.” Sorkeno replied to the questions. “Wow. So, all of the dragons here are his to command?” Rainbow asked, her eyes wide at the implication. “In a way. Some of the older dragons that were here before his birth can tell him no. Though most of the dragons love him as if he were one of their own nestmates. His call has never been ignored by any dragon.” “Has he ever called you in to help him in a fight?” Spike asked, excitement in his gaze. “Yes. The final battle against a pony that had decided he was the ruler of the territories brought his own army to battle. While it would have taken longer to defeat little one would still have one. To avoid unneeded death he called upon me. I, in turn, called upon the other dragons. The usurper looked to eh skies and found every available dragon bearing down on him. Little One called us to his side and we stood with him.” Sorkeno saw the enlarged eyes of the ponies and he chuckled. “The others are not as large as I am. Imagine twenty dragons Kaiana’s size.” Twilight gave a quiet whistle and looked at the Dragon Lord. “That would be enough to send even the toughest of opponents running or call for immediate surrender.” “One would have thought so. But that pony was foolish. He commanded the charge, even when most of his army fled the battle to stand in deference of the Overlords army. Little One gave them the chance to surrender and then called on his dragons to end the rest. Those that charged were reduced to cinders in moments.” Sorkeno said to them. “Wow. That would have been a huge fire.” Rarity replied. “Not all of it is flame,” Sorkeno said to the white mare. “What?” Spike asked him. “Do all dragons have the same flame where you are from?” “I have green, but I have never seen anything but red flame from the others,” Spike replied. “Interesting. Each of us has the original red flame. But at the same point, we can command more than that. For example, Kaiana’s flame is white. I can control various elements. I have a breath of flame but I can also breathe ice.” The gold dragon explained. Spikes jaw dropped and then he shook his head as he regarded the enormous dragon. “Do you think I could learn other flames?” He asked, his voice louder and excitement flowed through him. “I do not know. My dragons are born with their flames. We do not ‘learn’ in the sense that you may be thinking. Our abilities are hatched with us. I am not certain about whether you can learn more or not.” Sorkeno explained. Spikes shoulders slumped and he nodded in understanding. “I would hurry to your meal ponies. Little One does not take as long as you might think to change.” The golden dragon said to them as he turned to leave. “Even with Gnarl in his ear.” “Do you think I could come and visit? And meet the other dragons?” Spike asked as she followed the Lord of Dragon. Sorkeno stopped and looked down to him. “That would be unwise.” “Why?” “There are several reasons. The main is that the hatching is nearly upon us. You are an unknown dragon in our Lair. Another point is that you are not permitted among us. The only way you would be permitted is if my little One brought you, willingly. None of you are permitted among the dragons. Before and after the hatching only he is permitted near. We have changed our Lair so that our attendants can come around us during the months that follow the hatching. But none, save him, are permitted near the hatchlings.” Sorkeno informed him. “I ask that you do not bother my little one with requests to visit us. All that will earn you is his annoyance. Things have become more stressful and taxing on him recently. I trust that you will keep that in mind before you burden him further.” Sorkeno said and slid over the side of the balcony and joined the silver Matriarch in her flight back to the Lair. “Oh no!” Twilight spun around and galloped for the dining hall. “We’re late!”