//------------------------------// // 8: A Changeling Around Town... // Story: Overlords and Friendship... // by OblivionShadow //------------------------------// Azure groaned and opened one eye. He sat up and his back crackled as he stretched. He heard a soft groan beside him and he turned to find Kelda snuggled into the blanket and he smiled at her for a moment before he slid out of bed. He arched his back once his hooves hit the floor and he heard several loud pops as he rotated his shoulders. His body was sore, but he didn’t feel anything wrong with it. He had slept deeply with Kelda huddled tightly against him. He glanced back to her and gave a quiet snort at her sleeping form. The red stallion walked toward the other end of the room, toward his armor. Wrath ran over to him and pulled a rope that had a bell on the top of the shaft. The Overlord stared at it for a moment. As far as he knew that was a new device. He glanced up as the sound of claws on stone raced toward him. The minions crowded around him and his armor was put in place on his form and set in place. He hadn’t even noticed that it was not in the usual place after having been tended to by Giblet. His armor slid into place and when they left him he shrugged his shoulders and felt the armor shift in place. He stretched his body and the armor slid into its proper place and he began to leave the room. He paused and looked back to the still sleeping mare. He shook his head and chose not to awaken her. The red stallion trotted down the stairs and into the throne room. Gnarl was standing next to the map table Giblet had created the day before. The Minion Master seemed to be trying to understand the dimensions of the structures built into the table’s surface. “Having any issues, Gnarl?” He asked. The minion startled and looked back to the Overlord as he walked across the room and stopped at the side of the table. “No Master. I was looking at the map you had created for your use and it seems quite detailed. That pony is proving to be quite useful.” “Indeed she is. I was not sure how easily I would be able to use her but so far she is proving to be very eager to give me what I want.” “Well done Master. I am amazed at your skill in using this little pony for your own means.” Azure nodded to the minion, clearly pleased at the praise. “Oh. Speaking of that silly little pony a letter was brought for you. It is on your throne.” Azure nodded and went back to the throne. He spun to sit in it as his magic held up the letter and unrolled the scroll. Azure: I hope everything is going well with you. I spoke to Princess Celestia about the Everfree and she wishes to speak with you about your claim on it. I don’t think she wants to fight you on it, so there is no need to worry about it. Though I will come with you as well if it is alright. I think she wishes to ask what your plans for it are. Feel free to drop by the castle at any time and let me know when you wish to go to Canterlot. Yours, Twilight Azure was quiet as he set the letter down and leaned his head back till it bumped the back of the throne. His eyes closed as he went over what she had written to him. He opened his eyes and looked to the Gate in the throne room and pushed himself to his hooves. “Gnarl. Their Princess wishes to speak with me about the forest that I have claimed as my own.” He said as he walked slowly down the stairs to the metal flooring. “I will speak with them but the land will remain under my control.” The stallion reached the center of the room and waited as the advisor turned to face him. “If there is a need Master call upon your army and we will come to you. These little ponies cannot be permitted to go against you.” The advisor reminded him. “Agreed. They will fall should they decide to stand against me.” The stallion gave out a shrill whistle and Wrath clamored to his side and jumped to land across the Overlords' shoulders. The Gate crashed with lightning as he commanded it to take him to Ponyville. His eyes opened to find himself looking at the dirt streets of the small town. His armored hooves thudded dully down the metal steps of the Gate. The Gauntlet bellowed and twenty minions scrambled from the Minion Gates. Azure slowly made his way up the main road, earning him stares from several ponies. His armor glinted in the morning sun and he carried himself with purpose. He neared the castle and was surprised when the front doors were thrown open. Twilight raced out and slid to a halt at the sight of him. “Azure!! Perfect! I need your help.” She said to him in a rush. The mare reached out and wrapped her foreleg around his and began to drag him back the way he had come. The Overlord found himself nearly on the ground at the mares hurried pace. He had mastered walking on three legs, but not racing on three legs. He staggered and they both ended up in the dust. A loud groan escaped him as he coughed dust and tried to untangle his legs from hers. “What in the Netherworld is going on?” He complained as she managed to pull away and get to her hooves. “I am so sorry.” She hurriedly pulled him to his hooves and once more began to drag him. “Stop. For the love…” The Overlord growled at her continued treatment. Azure leaned his haunches back and dug in his hind legs, forcing the Alicorn to drag his weight across the dirt. His other foreleg dug in and she finally was brought to a halt after over fifteen feet of dragging his weight. She panted and looked back at him. His eyes were narrowed and his mouth set in an angry frown. She paused, blinked several times, and released his foreleg. “Oh…Oh…I am so sorry.” She quickly apologized as he got his hooves under him and stood. “Why are you dragging me around town?” “I got a letter from the Princess, a Changeling has been spotted in Canterlot.” She replied. “A what?” He asked her. “A Changeling. A creature that feeds on love.” “Feeds on…Love? How the hell does that work?” “They drain it from ponies. They are left drained and powerless.” Twilight explained. “Interesting. So what do you need my help for?” Twilight paused and breathed in to calm her nerves. “I need your help to find it. I hope that since you and your minions are not from Equestria, then you can maybe sense them. Or your minions can smell them out.” “They are not bloodhounds.” He replied to her. “I know that. But maybe they can help.” She responded. Azure looked at the mare, her expression hopeful. He sighed and a hoof scratched the back of his neck as he contemplated what purpose he could have for helping her with this task. The mare would owe him a large favor if he helped. Even more, if he was successful in the search. “Very well. I promise nothing, but we…” “Thank you so much!” The mare shouted her joy and wrapped her forelegs around his neck and squeezed. He tried to pull away from her but was not able to break her grip without throwing her to the ground. She released him and turned back to the street. “Can we use the Gate then?” She asked him. Azure nodded and broke into a trot to keep up with her hurried pace, as she began to trot away from him. His minions raced around them, keeping an easy pace with him. Azure was quiet as they reached the Gate and he stepped into the lightning and waited for her to join him. She jumped into the lightning to join him and wrapped her foreleg around his and closed her eyes. He willed the Gate to move and focused on the Gate outside of Canterlot. A crash of thunder sounded as they arrived. He waited for Twilight to get her bearings before he moved and she walked down the stairs at his side. He said nothing as he looked to the Gates and then to the mare with him. “Now what?” He asked her, his voice annoyed as he waited for her to speak. “How many minions can you summon?” She asked him. He gave her a look and she fidgeted for a moment. “Okay, how many can you control at once?” He gave her the same look. “No limit?” “Not really. I can control as many as I need. So the question is. How many do you want?” “Fifty?” She asked. “Foals play.” He replied to her, his voice cocky as he spun to the Gates. His gauntlet roared and the minions surged from the Gates and surrounded him and the mare at his side. Twilight’s eyes were wide at the sight of the horde around her. “Oh wow.” She muttered and looked at them. Her ears pinned at the cacophony they raised. Azure stomped a hoof and the minions went silent at his command. “All right, so what are we searching for?” Her horn lit and a book hovered in front of her and she flipped through it till she found what she wanted. She spun the book to face him and he stared at the bug-like creature on the pages. “Ugly little sod, isn’t it?” He commented, earning him a giggle from the mare. He focused and the image went out the minions at his sides. He commanded them and they began to branch out around him, widening the circle around them. Azure began to walk forward the minions branching out and searching the structures and roads, alleys were torn apart as they hunted. “Wow.” Twilight stayed close to him as he moved. “You wanted them to hunt.” He replied as he commanded his troops. “So these are the minions that went into battle with you as well?” “Of course. The armor they wear is battle tested.” Azure responded. “While I am not certain they will find the creature you are after they might find traces of it to track.” “That’s good enough for me. I want to find it and drive it out if we can. They’re not welcome here.” She replied. “Oh? What crime did they commit?” “They took over Canterlot and tried to drain the love from every stallion, mare, and foal. They also imprisoned Cadance and their queen enslaved my brother. On their wedding day.” Azure paused and looked at the mare. “Truly?” “Yes.” She replied. Azure could not stop the laugh that broke free of him. He stopped laughing and returned to the mare’s side, earning him an annoyed look at his laughter. “The timing I have to admit is quite amusing.” “I’m glad you’re entertained.” She replied, snidely. “Oh come now. Even you must see the humor in it. Even if only after the fact.” He jabbed at her. A smile played at the edges of her mouth and she finally giggled. “It’s funny after. It was horrible at the time.” "I’m sure it was. I’ll ask for the detailed story later.” He replied and issued further commands to the minions. ‘If only to write it down to further amuse me later.’ Twilight glowered at him for a moment but kept moving. Azure was silent as the minions began calling out and surging down a side street. The stallion lost his humorous laughter and followed the calls of the minions. “Azure?” “Silence.” He hissed back to her. He did not see Twilight lower her head at the hiss that came from him. The mare stayed close to him. Blue minions surged ahead of him and he watched as they began to lead the way. They charged into an open area and began to cover ground quickly. Azure broke into a gallop to stay close to them. Twilight yelped and caught up to him quickly. Azure watched the minion’s behavior and was able to locate the cause of their fury. They surrounded a large group of ponies, the other minions backing them up and staying close to protect the more fragile type. Azure looked to the group and his eyes narrowed. “Azure?” Twilight panted at his side, her voice low and quiet. The Overlord stepped forward and focused on a foal at the back of the group. The foal was hidden behind the legs of the adults. Azure’s eyes opened wider as the foals form shimmered in his vision. Its form was not solid and undulated as if in the heat. He raised his head and looked around, checking the area before he acted. He was not in his own realm where his actions could not be argued against. The stallion watched as the ponies close to the creature began to question him and the minions still screaming around them. “Move.” He snarled and approached them. “I never. Now, listen here you.” A well-dressed pink mare began to speak. “MOVE!” Azure roared at her and the minions raced ahead to follow his unspoken command. They pushed the society ponies aside and surrounded the foal. “Azure! Are you sure?” Twilight called to him. Azure’s red aura began to cover the foal, but it shifted forms and slipped past him. The Overlord sent his commands to the blue minions and the others around him. He split them into groups and their purpose was to find the creature and bring it back to him. “You had it!?” Twilight yelled at his side, anger in her voice as she watched as the groups split and thundered away from him. “Where are they going?” “They are doing as I command. They will hunt it down and bring it back here. In the meantime, you and I will hunt it as well.” “You can see through it?” “Yes. Though not at a great distance.” He admitted. “If I can get within ten to twenty feet maybe.” “I’ll make sure you can,” Twilight replied, determination set her voice and he nodded to her. “Keep up.” He said to her and took off at a gallop, following his own course through the streets. He glanced back and Twilight was at his hip, keeping as close to him as she dared. He had to admit she had spunk. He careened down an alley and paused before racing around the corner. In his mind, the minions raced a bit ahead of him and he trailed each group at his own speed. He had found that he was a naturally fast runner after testing it in the arena in the Netherworld. A speed that he used to his advantage now. Time ticked by and soon Twilight panted at his side. “Azure. Slow up a bit.” She called to him. He paused at a junction and waited for her to regain her strength. He waited as she leaned against his hip and panted. “I haven’t seen a pony run so fast for so long. Are you some kind of marathon runner?” She panted to him. “No. I am nothing of the sort. I just keep up this pace and I do not tire quickly. If you want to keep up with the minions at a charge then one must be just as fast as they are.” He replied. “I can’t keep up with you for this long. But, I need to be at your side.” “Why?” “If you scare the hell out of every pony, then they will get in the way, thinking they need to stop you.” She chided him, anger in her voice. He growled and looked back to her. “You have a point. That could prove annoying.” His mind raced as he felt the minions drawing away from him. “Damn it to the Dark.” He cursed and looked back to her. His magic covered her and he dropped her on his back. “Hold on.” He barked to her and took off once more once she felt her hooves grip his mane. “Yikes!” Twilight shrieked as she frantically gripped his mane. Twilight had not been ready for him to use his magic to toss her onto his back and then run at full speed once more. She looked to the side and in front of him and saw a curved road. “Oh no.” She whispered and oriented her body to sit across his back. She clenched her hind legs tightly around him and put one hoof against his neck, to help her balance. Her other hoof held tightly to his mane as he tore around the corner and lunged out of the last corner. She gulped at the sight of a set of stairs. “No! Go around them!” She yelled at him. The stallion snorted and ignored her words. She held even tighter to him as he gathered his muscles and jumped. He cleared the first set of stairs and Twilight held on for the next set. She knew that he was not going to stop for each set. His intent was to jump and clear them in one leap. She gripped his armor and mane in her forehooves and held tight. Azure leaped down each set and landed for the last one. His hooves hit the ground and his hooves slid, due to his hoof boots, and he turned to avoid slamming into the wall face first. He bounced into it with his left side and then gathered himself to keep going. Twilight had managed to get her leg out of the way and then put it back to hold onto him. She looked ahead and incoherent yells escaped her. She tried pulling on his mane, to no avail. The jump ahead of them was wider than the stairs had been. “NO! Azure?!” She screamed at him and ducked down to hide her face in his mane. The Overlord galloped at the jump. He could hear Twilight yelling at him and he cast a glance back to find her hiding in his long mane. He dug in and gathered himself to jump once more. He knew the jump was wider than before but he refused to go around. This was faster. His hind legs gathered and he leaped for the other side of the canal. He could see the clear water under him as he lengthened his body to reach the other side. His fore hooves landed and his hind caught on the lip of the canal. He plunged ahead and was able to avoid landing in the canal water. He looked back and couldn’t help but prance a bit at the jump. He looked back as Twilight opened one eye to look at him. She looked back to the gap and then to him. “You’re insane.” She said to him, her voice flat. “HA HA!” He laughed and took off once more. The mare yelped but held on. Azure focused on one group of minions that seemed to be moving faster than the others. He focused on them and followed them. His stride lengthened as he called on his body for more speed. He flowed across the ground and on his back Twilight yelped as his speed increased. Twilight gasped as the buildings blurred as the Overlord galloped across the cobblestoned roads. She raised her head a bit and looked ahead of them. She had no idea of where exactly they were. He was moving too fast to make it easy for her to gather her bearings. As she sat on his back she could feel the wind raced past her and she felt a smile crossing her muzzle. She leaned over his neck and a laugh broke from her. She looked up and he had cast a glance back to her and she cheered him on from her place. “We have minions to catch!” She shouted to him, her muzzle sporting a wide grin. He snorted to her and she could feel him digging in to move faster. ‘I never knew any pony could run this fast.’ She thought to herself as he slid around another corner and surged down another alleyway. ‘I really hope no pony is in front of us.’ She had time to think before she looked up and saw the main market. “Oh no!” She pulled back on his mane and for once he seemed to agree with her and start to try to slow down. “Shit!” He shouted and leaned his body back, trying to slide to a stop. “Jump off!” He shouted at her. She looked up and a large group of ponies had frozen at the sight of them. She leaned down and wrapped her forelegs around his neck. “Close your eyes!” She yelled at him and focused her magic. She saw his eyes as they closed and they vanished in a flash of her magenta aura. Azure heard her instructions and followed them. He felt her magic wash over him and then the ground rushed up at them and he rolled to lessen the impact to both of them. His body hit the ground and he rolled over the thick grass. “Oof….” Azure felt his body colliding with a few rocks as he finally stopped and laid stunned for a moment before he threw himself to his hooves. His tail flicked as he groaned in pain. He looked up and found Twilight in much the same shape as he was. The mare looked up and then sat down. “You okay?” She asked. “I’ll live.” He replied. He sat down and rubbed his back where he had landed first, thankfully her spell had dropped them off on grass, but he knew he would have bruises to match a few rock outlines later. “You’re not hurt? Beyond bruises?” She asked as she got to her hooves and gingerly walked over to him. “Yeah. Nothing more than a few bruises. You?” “Same.” “Good to know.” “Where are the minions?” She asked as she sat down beside him with a groan. He looked up and focused on the minions he had been chasing. “We are actually a little ahead of them. Which is a nice state, but I could have done without the bruising entrance.” “Well. Least we didn’t run into a bunch of carts. That was the main outside market.” He looked to her for a moment. “Hells.” “Yep. Okay, so let’s start looking around here and catch up to the minions.” She said and got to her hooves again. “Just slowly…owie.” She replied and reached out to him. He allowed her to pull him to his hooves and he fought the groan that caught in his throat. He followed her and began to look around him. “Where in the Hells are we?” “The Royal Canterlot Gardens. I figured landing here would be gentler than stone.” She replied. “Much better than wagons and stone that would have happened before my teleport.” “I was not complaining about the destination just the unknown location.” He replied. “Okay start looking around. Between you and the minions, we should be able to find it first.” She said to him. Azure grunted a reply and moved ahead of her. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary and the minion came rushing into the area and began to mill about him. Their focus suddenly lost. The red stallion began to pace and search as he moved. He paused and stopped as he looked at the actions of the minions around him. They were milling about but the blue minions, who were more magically inclined were watching above them. He chanced a look up and the tree shuddered in his vision. “Twilight, can they change into anything?” He asked her. “I think so. I’m not too sure though. Why?” “Like a tree?” “Tree?” She looked thoughtful at his question. “I really have no idea.” Azure spun and his hind legs kicked out and dented in the tree they were under. Twilight gasped as the tree let out a scream of pain and faded. The changeling rolled into the rear wall and Azure chased it and the minions raced to it and massed on the creature to immobilize it. They held onto it and the Overlord walked gingerly to it and looked down at the gasping creature. He had heard bones break when his hooves hit it. As he listened to it he grimaced. “If you want answers from it I suggest you act quickly.” “Why?” “I may have kicked it a bit harder than intended.” He admitted and backed up to let her approach it. ”I was afraid of that.” She admitted and trotted up to the creature. “Why are you here?” The changeling looked up to her and sneered. “I won’t tell you anything.” It snarled. “You ponies are too soft. You won’t hurt me.” Twilight grumbled about the chances of it talking, a hoof landed on her shoulder and pushed her back. Azure stepped up to the creature and lowered his head to speak to it. “She is. But I…Am not so kind.” The creature looked at him, its eyes began to widen at the blazing red of the Overlords stare. “If you wish to die painlessly then speak. If not. I will kill you so slowly as to go down in infamy.” He threatened. “You can’t do that. You’re precious Princess…” It stopped when the red stallion laughed. “Do I look like one of her ponies?” He asked as the creature finally began to look at him. “I am an Overlord. I answer to no pony but myself. I will take the information from you. Or you can tell her.” He admitted with a toss of his head to the Alicorn mare. “Otherwise I will make…You…Scream for death.” He said and inched toward the now trembling creature. The Changeling looked to Twilight but she made no move to stop the stallion. It began to tremble. “You can’t.” It said again. Azure’s lips parted to show teeth, a smile that chilled the creature to the marrow of his bones. Twilight closed her eyes and Azure looked to the armored Wrath. “Wrath. Go to the Netherworld and get my sword. I thought I was having a meeting today so I did not bring it. Go get it.” He said and the minion raced off. “Why do you need that?” It whimpered. “Beating you with my hooves is very, unsightly and frankly, it’s beneath me. Eviscerating you with a blade is more…satisfying.” He explained. “I will have you squeal like a butchered hog by the end of it.” He promised and laid his head against the trembling creatures head, by its ears. “You will talk little one. Or you will suffer. It matters not to me what order that comes in. The Princesses and your Queen cannot save you now. You…Are…Mine!” He snarled and the creature began to writhe and cry out. It screamed and Azure pulled back to avoid being struck by its flailing hooves. “She is coming. She wants you!” He screamed as the stallion listened. “Who?” Twilight asked as she drew up next to the red stallion. “Him!” It shrieked. “Me? Why in the Netherworld would she want me?” “You are more powerful than her. She wants you to join her.” It cried out. Azure looked to the Princess next to him. “Does she look like him?” “She is Celestia’s height, same legs, bug wings, and a horn.” She supplied. Azure’s mouth twisted at the description. “Sounds vile. She is wasting her time then, and more importantly, she’ll be wasting mine.” Azure's tone was disgusted. He had three mistresses already, all of them appealing. The description of their Queen left him wanting to gag. ' I have standards for my mistresses and bug wings hold no appeal.' “She will still come for you. She wants your power. She said she could sense the hate and rage inside you from our hive. She will have you unless you give her what she wants.” “And what is that?” “Your army.” “Hah!” “And your heart.” “My heart?” Azure laughed. “I banished that myself. She will gain nothing from me. You feed on love, creature. I do not have that to be taken.” “She will tear your heart out and then she will have the power you contain.” “What!?” Twilight yelled and advanced on the creature, her fury on display. “She wants to hurt him?” Azure opened his mouth to speak but paused at the vehemence of the mare. “She will not lay a hoof on him. He is a friend to Equestria. More importantly, he is my friend! She will not get near him. How does she plan on accomplishing this?” The creature began to wheeze and ichor began to drip from its mouth. Twilight sat back on her haunches and looked to him over her shoulder. Azure commanded two of his blue minions to heal the creature partially. Just enough to keep it alive. They advanced on the creature and its worst wounds were healed. Its head spun to the infuriated Princess, understanding dawning in its eyes. She wished it to live so she could question it further. Azure pulled the minions back and waited as Twilight went back to her questioning. “How does she plan to come after him?” “She is searching for your base. She can’t seem to find it. But the power it holds can only be used by you, it's ruler. If she cannot have you, then she will take that power from within you.” It rushed out as it tried to gather its strength. Azure looked back as Wrath reached him, carrying the long blade that Azure had taken his name from. He slowly took it and kept his body angled to hide the weapon. Wrath jumped to his back and held tightly to the scuffed and dirty armor. Twilight leaned back and looked at the red pony with her. “How close is she to finding him?” She asked, turning back to their captive “She is close, she believes. She is going to the places where he has been seen. She does not know that he can see us, or that his monsters can see us. She will succeed. His strength will be hers and the changelings will overtake Equestria before…” Shunk! The weapon cut through the creature’s throat and its head fell behind it, dead in a moment. Twilight looked back to Azure and he shook his head at her. “Why did you do that?” She shrieked at him, as he wiped the blade clean. "What if we needed it alive?" “We know what the Queen is after and how she plans to do it. Anything more was poison. Simple words to try to create fear in your heart. Replacing your rage with fear.” He replied to her and slid the weapon into its sheath and then into its place on his armor. Twilight looked back to it and backed up from the headless creature. “Still. I would have preferred to keep it alive. What if the princess had more to say to it?" “You would not have gotten anything more from it. Well, nothing useful anyway.” “How do you know?” He looked back to her and gave her a bored look. “I have questioned my fair share of ponies, Princess. You have seen that for yourself. Do you think he had more to give?” Twilight looked to the body and then back to him. “I suppose not. But I wonder what he was going to say.” “How do you mean?” Though he had a good idea what was going to be said he had prevented it from happening. “She would take Equestria before…Before what?” “If I had to hazard a guess?” She nodded at him. “Perhaps before you could stop her?” “That would make sense actually. She has said things similar.” She admitted and smiled at the red stallion. “Can they carry the body?” “Why?” “We need to take it inside for the Princesses.” “Oh?” He shrugged, managed not to cringe in pain and commanded the minions to pick it up. One picked up the head and followed behind Azure and Twilight. “Yeah, just to confirm.” “Very well. They will follow us. Should I send the others back?” “No. Just in case, let’s keep them close. In case there are more. More minions mean more eyes to keep watch.” She replied. Azure gave a little shrug and the minions surrounded them. His mind worked over what they had learned. ‘She can sense me then? This could prove troublesome. I should get back to Gnarl and go over this with him. Her idea to eat my heart is an interesting one, though most likely useless.’ His mind went over possibilities as he moved with the mare leading him. “Azure?” "Hmm?” He focused on the mare as she spoke to him. “What did you mean when you spoke to it?” “About what?” He replied. “You shall need to be more specific.” “About banishing your heart.” “Oh, that.” He responded to her. She gave him a withering glare over her shoulder and he shrugged. “I was speaking with a creature that drains the love from ponies. What better way to make it speak than to deny that I have love in my life?” He replied to her, his tone light. She chuckled. “Good point. You definitely understand interrogation tactics far better than I do.” “I am simply not as nice as you are.” He replied. “Niceties have no place in an interrogation where you have less time.” "Maybe your right.” “I know I am.” He responded to her and she chuckled as she led him to the throne room once more. “Been a while since the last time we two came here. Many different reasons though.” “Very true. Last time I was not asking my minions to cart around a headless changeling.” He replied. “Heh.” She giggled and nodded back to him. “That’s true.” She led him to the throne room and the doors opened to let them walk in. Azure watched as one guard turned to speak to him and his eyes widened ant the sea of minions following them. His eyes fell on the headless body and he blanched. The sight of the minion following carrying just the head made him back away in disgust. Azure scoffed at the guard’s reaction and walked purposefully into the brightly lit room. Ahead of him Celestia stood up and smiled, greeting her fellow Princess. “Twilight!” She cried out in greeting to the young mare. “Princess Celestia.” She responded and a wide smile crossed her features. “And of course Overlord Azure Flame. Welcome to Canterlot once more.” She bowed her head to him. “It has been a while since I was in the city, Celestia. I thank you for the greeting.” “I have to admit I am surprised to see you. I had the impression Twilight was going to be busy today.” “She was,” Azure responded and Twilight hunkered down a bit at his words. “Oh? Did something change?” The Sun Princess asked. “She dragged me here to help her hunt a creature called a changeling.” He replied. Twilight covered her face with her hooves. The Princess smiled as she sat down on her throne and looked to the red stallion. “And?” “We did find it.” “You did? Well done. I thank you both for what you have done. Where is it?” She asked him. Azure looked back and the minion brought the creature up to her throne and laid it down. Azure looked back and the minion with the head was still behind him. Wrath leaped from Azure’s armor and took the appendage from the other minion and raced it to the throne to join the body. Celestia stared at the head as it was dropped and the armored minion ran back to join his master. “Oh my.” She said. Her voice was subdued and quiet. “We did find out what it wanted though. It was going to start spouting lies and trying to frighten ponies so Azure put it down.” Twilight said to her, trying to look encouraging to her fellow ruler. “Put it down?” She replied. “Yep,” Twilight responded, brightly. “Azure?” “She is correct. I have done more than my share of interrogations and it was going to start trying to buy time for it to recover some of its strength for an escape. It would do that by speaking of his Queen's intention, which we already knew, and by trying to frighten those around it.” He responded. “Alright. So what was the intention?” Celestia asked them. “Queen Chrysalis is actually after him,” Twilight replied. Celestia paused and looked to the Overlord behind Twilight, who shrugged absently. “You do not seem too concerned.” “Should I be?” He replied. “Ponies hating me is not new to me. Others seek to use me for their ends. It happens. It is the curse of those who have power and those who do not. Those who do not seek to use or steal from those who do. It is how it has always been. One more want to use me is not something I will lose sleep over.” He responded to her. Both Princesses turned to look at him as he spoke. Twilight looked apologetic as he went silent. Celestia looked to him and nodded in understanding. “Still. Finding out that an enemy is targeting you would make most ponies a bit more concerned.” She admitted to him and spoke quietly. “Perhaps. But I am not bothered by it. If she can find where I live and then get to it, I will give her what she wants as a reward.” He replied with a laugh of his own. Twilight shook her head and looked back to him. “I don’t think his home is reachable unless she can get a Gate to work for her.” “Is that possible?” Celestia asked, concern in her tone. “Unlikely. But I will be asking around as well.” Azure replied. “I was told that you wished to speak with me about the Everfree?” He said to her, changing the subject. “Already bored with the subject of her wanting to hurt you?” Twilight asked. “It’s not that I am bored by it. It is simply not something that I am highly concerned with.” He said to her. “Very well.” Celestia had the body removed and waited as it was taken out of the room. “So you have laid claim to the Everfree?” “Yes.” He replied. “Are you aware that of its status?” “Which is?” “That it is not able to be controlled by any pony.” “I am well aware of it. It acts in a way that I am used to. Where I am from there is no way to control the animals, weather, etc.” "I see. You are aware that it goes down the center of Equestria and into the desert?” “I am well aware. Twilight provided me with a map of the area. But anywhere that my subjects are is going to be in my control.” “I had heard that. Are your subjects wanting to be under the rule of Equestria or remain…?” Azure had lowered his body slightly and the minions with him had gathered around and their weapons made ready. “They belong to me and they will remain mine. Any action to try to take what is mine will be met with responding power of my own.” He growled to the white Alicorn. “Do not test me.” “I see. I did not mean to come across like I would be acting against you. Please accept my apologies for how that came across. I simply meant that they are welcome to come to Equestria as friends.” Azure kept the minions ready but allowed himself to leave his stance. “We shall see.” He replied. “I’m sure you can understand my hesitance about the location. Again, it runs the length of Equestria and divides it as well.” “I can see your reasoning, but I am not going to allow my ponies to be taken by any other. They are mine to command and protect. Any action against them is going to meet with a response of my own. Whether that response is favorable or not depends on your actions, Celestia. I have no inclination to allow myself to become one of your subjects. And my subjects will remain the way they are. If you wish to enforce your rule then we have nothing more to discuss and I will meet you on the battlefield. Otherwise, it is your move.” The red stallion spun on his heel and made for the doors. They slammed shut and the stallion looked back to Celestia, who was standing. Twilight was looking to him, her expression uncertain as the stallion turned to look at the Sun Princess. “I have no desire to bring a war to Equestria, Overlord. My concern is for the safety of my subjects. As is yours. Your ponies are in no danger from myself or my sister. Please. Come back and we can continue to discuss this matter.” “Very well.” Azure turned and walked slowly back to the mares. “Is it possible to create a road that will allow supplies and other goods to cross through the Everfree? Since we will be losing some of the routes that we would be used normally.” Celestia sat down and brought up a point to the stallion. “I think that can be arranged. I will speak with my builders and we will see what would make the most logistical sense.” He replied to her. “I am glad that we can discuss this calmly. Thank you again.” Celestia said to him, a smile on her muzzle. “I am glad to see that you understand my point as well,” Azure responded to her and took the weight off one hind leg. “I am glad. I will create a list of concerns and then I will send them to Twilight or would you prefer that I ask the minions you stationed outside of the Gate to respond to you?” “Either is fine. It depends on your preference. Either way will get the message to me.” “Perhaps I will send it to Twilight. That way you and she can look through it. I trust that after tracking down that Changeling you are both a bit on the tired side. I do greatly appreciate your aid, Overlord. How did you find it?” “His minions can sense them and if he gets close enough he can see through their appearance.” Twilight supplied and Azure nodded at the accuracy of her statements. “That is a skill to be proud of indeed. We are lucky to have your help. Thank you once again.” Celestia said to him as he turned to leave, Twilight on his heels. Azure pushed open the doors with his red aura and walked easily out of the palace and down the path toward the Gate. “Are you okay?” Twilight asked him. “I’m fine. Why do you ask?” “Well, you seemed upset in there. I’m sure the Princess didn’t mean it to sound like your ponies should come here instead.” Twilight replied to him. “I’m sure. But the implication was there. An implication that I will not tolerate.” He told her, his voice hard and confident. “I know. But I know it was an accident.” “I’m sure.” He said back to her, lapsing into silence as they approached the Gate. “Are you coming back with me or remaining here?” “I‘m coming with you this time. I was only here to find the changeling.” Azure nodded and stepped on the Gates stairs and into the lightning. She stood beside him and he willed the Gate to move them. A crash of lightning signaled their return to Ponyville. Azure waited as Twilight stepped off the stairs and onto the dirt roads. “Thank you for all your help, Azure. I really appreciate it.” Twilight said back to him. “It was no trouble. Though I do ask that the next time you ask for my aid it’s less…Bruising.” He said to her, as he stretched his back. She laughed and nodded. “I will try to make sure it’s less of an adventure. But to be honest it was kind of fun.” “In a way.” “I have never seen anypony run that fast. You might even be faster than Rainbow on the ground.” She laughed as she spoke to him. “Anyway. Get some rest, Azure.” He turned to leave and began to command the Gate when a sound caught his attention. Twilight had held out a hoof to him and looked as though she had more to say. “Yes?” “I just want you to know that…If Chrysalis did come after you, then I’d help you. I wouldn’t let her hurt you.” She said to him, her cheeks slightly flushed. “I’m not that worried about it.” He responded, “I know. It’s not like you to be concerned about something like that. But I just wanted you to know that I have your back. I promise.” She said to him, a smile on her muzzle. He nodded at her. “I understand. If it comes to that I will let you know.” She nodded and waved as he vanished into the Gates magic. Azure left the center of the throne room that held the Gate and groaned at the bruises along his body. “Gods below.” He cursed as he moved toward his room. “Gnarl!” He shouted. “Master?” The minion came up to him from the throne. “Are you well?” “I’ll live. Tell the minions to make sure my bath water is as hot as they will allow it. I have a few bruises I need to soak in hot water. I’ll explain everything when I’m done. Is it possible for anyone to use the gate that is not me?” “No, Sire. Of course not. That would be counterproductive.” “Even if somepony looked like me? Transformed to look like me?” “No. The Gates are attuned to your magic only. It is not possible.” “Just in case have Grubby and the others shore up the Gates we have control of and make it possible for me to use them only. I will explain everything in due time.” “As you wish, Master. It will be done and I will send the minions up ahead of you.” Azure grumbled up the stairs his bruises reminding him where they were and how deep some were. “Damnit.” He cursed and walked gingerly up the stairs. “Have to admit is better than running into wagons but Gods, it’s just as punishing.” He complained as he mounted the stairs and walked up to them, slowly.