//------------------------------// // 11: Into the Desert... // Story: Overlords and Friendship... // by OblivionShadow //------------------------------// Azure waited as Juno slipped into her new dress as he sat in a chair provided by Rarity. The dressmaker pushed the cloth barrier back and Juno walked out in a deep purple gown. It only had one sleeve that stretched down to her hock. A stripe of vibrant white went along her chest and circled around her neck and flowed off the back of the dress in a short train. A thin belt went around her hips and flowed down in a waterfall effect from her hips and joined into the train. He had to admit it looked nice on her and he nodded to her as he pushed away from the chair. “It’s stunning!” Juno gushed over the dress and spun in place, showing off the flowing fabric. “I simply adore it.” “It fits you perfectly, Juno.” He replied and she jumped to nuzzle him and kissed his cheek. “It’s perfect.” Rarity agreed. “I simply love it against your coat and mane.” Juno looked to him and he nodded to her in approval. While he did not prefer her, he had to admit she had an appeal all her own. Rarity stepped back as the mare admired the gown in the mirror. The white Unicorn came over to him and he lowered his head as she spoke to him. “She is a bit demanding, but that gown is simply gorgeous on her.” She whispered to him. “She can be quite insufferable I agree.” He replied to her and she giggled quietly behind a hoof. “I appreciate your patience with her.” “A bit demanding, but not the worst of my customers.” Rarity confided in him. He chuckled and stood up to his full height. He glanced over his shoulder as Wrath was sitting in place on the Overlords back and was looking at his claws, afflicted by the sheer boredom. Azure said nothing to the minion as he was not the only one that was bored out of his mind. The red stallion was quiet as he waited for the mare to finish admiring herself. Rarity tapped his shoulder once more and he lowered his head to her. “I must admit that I was a bit surprised when she mentioned that ponies of the Empire wear clothes all the time.” She said to him. “Do all of them truly wear dresses and suits?” “Dresses yes, but I have never seen any of them in a full suit. A jacket maybe.” He replied to her. “It’s a matter of preference.” “And you dear?” “I wear my armor. That’s as close as it gets.” He admitted. “Well, if you change your mind I can design a set of clothing for you that would be amazing on your lovely red coat.” She said to him. “I will keep it in mind.” The mare nodded and looked back to Juno. Azure was quiet as he let his mind wander. He was aware that the changelings were still around and were watching him as he moved around. He kept his manner stiff, letting them think that they were memorizing his mannerisms. He kept Juno with him as often as he could tolerate her. He mostly walked her through Canterlot and occasionally within Ponyville. He kept a small group of blue minions with him and watched them see if they could sense the little creatures around them. He had been given an indication from them once, within Canterlots walls. He made sure that they saw Juno and he gave the impression that she was favored at his side since there was no indication of any other mare with him. The red stallion watched as Juno finished her preening and joined him once more. Rarity bid them good day after ensuring that he knew about Celestia’s request for the invoice and he assured the fashionista that he was well aware. They left the boutique and he held the door for the mare as she pranced out into the open. Several ponies stopped to look at her gown and she made sure to show off a bit as they began to walk forward. On his back Wrath stood upright on his shoulder and Azure took notice when the minion did not move from the alert position and he paused as Juno walked several steps ahead of him. He glanced to the blue minions and they were staring in the same direction that now held Wrath’s rapt attention. The others were also staring as he waited for them to calm. Wrath snorted and sat back against the stallion’s armor and the others also calmed. Juno rejoined him with a flourish, allowing the train on her dress to flow behind her. Azure said nothing and began to walk with her once more. He fought back a smug grin as his plan was working as he wished it to. The stallion was quiet as they walked slowly through the small town. Juno pranced slowly at his side. He had to admit she looked well put together in the gown and was suited to being at his side. ‘Will have to get Kelda to her to have a gown made.’ He thought to himself as the mare pranced. He said nothing and allowed her to show off. He had the minions by the Changeling hive on alert and they had alerted him to their having more activity and he had visited it once more and had stayed outside of the hive. He dared not venture inside again after the near disaster of last time. According to what he had overheard their Queen was certain of a way to get close to him. Azure was pretty sure he knew what she meant and he allowed Juno to show exactly what kind of pony she was and allowed them to think that they could replace her and get close to him. He would take the creature to the Netherworld and that would be the end of it for the time being. He might take her to Canterlot to show off if he felt so inclined. But for now, he would allow her to believe that he was unaware of her machinations. Though he had to be careful if she began to spout off. While he was certain that he could allay any concerns and convince Twilight and the others that he was no threat, no matter what the bug Queen spouted. He gave a slight shake of his head and looked up as the castle loomed in front of them. He had been coming every few days under the pretense of learning Equestria’s laws to see if he got the opportunity to corrupt the Princess of Friendship further. So far he had been able to use magic on her three times, but he made sure to make it small, keeping it unnoticed by those closest to her. Every now and then she would say something that was closer to his way of thinking and he would not react to it to ensure that no one suspected anything. It made things remarkably easy if he allowed it to happen close to him. Juno pranced at his side as they neared the Netherworld Gate. He looked up as familiar mare trotted toward him. “Azure!” Twilight yelled to him as he neared them. “Hi, Juno.” She greeted the mare as she stopped ahead of them. “Morning,” Juno replied. “Good morning Twilight.” Azure greeted her. “I found another Gate.” She related to him. “Excellent. Where?” “A town named Appleoosa.” “Interesting. Well, I assume that I need to go there?” “Your right,” Twilight replied. “I think we should bring Applejack as well.” “Why?” “Her cousin lives there and she knows most everypony. Might make things easier.” Azure was quiet as he considered what she had said. Juno leaned against him as he thought it over. Twilight smiled at her but he saw a shift in her eyes for a moment and then it was gone. He fought back a smirk and nodded to the Alicorn. “Very well. If you think she can help then she can come with. Juno?” The mare looked to him. “Go back to the Netherworld and inform the others of what I am doing.” “My Lord, I could come with you…” She began and his glowing red eyes narrowed and she wisely paused. “As you wish.” She wisely corrected herself. He watched her got to the Gate and its magic took her away after a moments delay. He glanced to the Alicorn who smiled at him. “Okay, so we need to go get Applejack.” She said to him. “I didn’t know you were in town or I would have asked her to join me.” “That’s fine,” Azure replied to her. He allowed the mare to lead him out of town and onto a dirt road. “So where is she?” “At her family’s farm. They run Sweet Apple Acres. So she’s probably out in the fields.” “I see,” Azure replied and walked quietly at her side. They neared a fence and she led him through and toward a farmhouse off to the side. She stopped by the red barn and he looked over the structure and waited as she looked around as well. “Okay. I will be right back.” She said to him and took to the air. The stallion watched as she left him behind and he snorted at the idea of staying in the place she had left him and he began to walk around him. He poked his head into the barn and didn’t see anything that struck him as interesting and he left it behind as he neared the house once more and looked over the outside of it. He heard a low yelp and he looked around as a group of foals stared at him from the main fence. The stallion ignored them turned to look through the orchard nearest to him and he could feel Wrath shift on his back, but ignored the minion’s movement. His hooves were quiet, despite the heavy armor he wore, as he walked a few trees into the orchard before a light tug on his mane got his attention. “Hmm?” He looked over his shoulder as Wrath pointed behind him. Azure looked behind him to see the three foals following him, their eyes wide and staring. He said nothing to them as he turned around to face them. They stared up at him and he moved to go around them, choosing to ignore them further. His hooves carried him out of the trees and he moved to look past the barn and he could smell the scent of animals as it hit his nose and he snorted but kept walking. He could feel Wrath moving toward his flank and he then heard the minion growling. He paused and looked back to find the foals on his heels. He flicked his ears as they smiled and watched the annoyed minion on his back. His tail flicked absently and he walked forward once more. He passed by a chicken coop and looked around the pig pen before he started to walk past that toward the farther fields. “Master.” Wrath called out. Azure paused and a sigh escaped as he looked back to the minion, who was now pointing to the still following foals. He looked back to them and they looked from the minion to him and walked closer to him. His body stayed still as they moved and were soon on the side of him, looking from him to the growling armored minion. Azure gave a slight buck and the minion slid off his back to the ground. He heard an upset grumble from the minion as he walked away once more. The minion knew enough to know that he was not permitted to harm the ponies unless commanded otherwise. So the Overlord was not concerned about them being hurt by Wrath. He looked back as the minion was being prodded by the foals and questions were asked of it. “They act as if he could answer.” He muttered to himself and kept walking. “Gets them off my tail.” He kept going and found a large field of crops being grown in the back end of the farm. His eyes scanned the area and he could hear a wailing cry behind him. He looked back as Wrath raced toward him. He stood still as the minion neared him and scrambled to his back once more. The foals were behind him and as they neared him the minion was again beyond their reach. He ignored them and began to walk down a narrow path along the crop field and looked over what appeared to be an irrigation system. He had not brought his helm with him on this trip so he was not able to ask Gnarl to look it over and see if he would need to worry about maintaining it after he took the town. He added it to the list of things to ask about in the back of his mind. He turned to head back and foals were in the way of his hooves. “Move.” His voice was authoritative and they spun to run back the way they had come. He said nothing as they got out of his way and he left the field behind him. His interaction with children was limited after leaving Nordberg as a child and to be honest, he had no care to start now. His hooves thudded on the dirt as he began to walk away from them. He glanced back as Wrath once more began to growl as they tailed him. He ignored them and kept walking. “Umm…Excuse me.” He could hear one of them speak and he stopped to look over his shoulder once more. He didn’t say anything as one walked closer to him. He looked a bit closer and he could tell that it was a filly and her coat was a creamy white with pink and purple curled hair. He waited as she looked to him and finally spoke again. “Are you Azure?” She asked him. “I am.” He replied. “My sister mentioned you. I’m Sweetie Belle” “Oh?” “Yeah. Rarity is my sister and she told me about you.” “Did she?” His tone was bored as he waited for her to get to the point. “Yeah, she said that you came from far away and if I saw you I should say hello.” She went on. “And now you have.” He replied and began to walk away once more. “Oh wait.” She yelped and he could hear the others keeping pace with her as he paused once more. “Yes?” “These are my friends. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.” She said and pointed to the other fillies as she spoke. “Charmed.” He replied and began to walk once more. “Wait!” They shouted to him and he paused once more. His eyes looked to them, his expression already bored with them. They looked to him as they came to a stop at his side. “What are you wearing?” The orange one asked him. “Armor.” “Why?” She asked. “Why not?” They stopped at his question and shrugged. “Nopony else wears it.” The yellow one replied. “That’s their choice.” He replied. “But why?” Sweetie Belle asked him. He stared at her as he sighed. “I choose to wear it to avoid ponies touching me.” He replied. “Oh.” They replied and looked at each other at his reply. Azure was quiet as they considered his reply. To be honest, he did not much care if they touched him, but his armor acted as a deterrent and he was fine with that. He didn’t want them to get that close unless he has a reason. “What's his name?” Scootaloo asked and pointed to the growling minion. “Wrath.” He replied and the minion stopped at the mention of his name. “What kind of name is that?” Apple Bloom said. “It’s the one he came with,” Azure replied. “I did not choose it.” “He’s not your pet?” Azure stared for a moment as a bark of laughter broke from him. “By the Dark, no. He is a member of my army. Nothing more than that.” “So what’s his job?” Scootaloo asked him. “To protect me.” He replied. “From what?” Apple Bloom asked. “Anything that seems to be a threat.” He replied. “Like what?” They pressed and he sighed. “Weapons, ponies trying to touch me, etc.” “What would he do if I touched you?” “Touch me and find out.” He replied as the minion snarled and leaned toward them, his claws out. “Maybe not.” Sweetie Belle spoke up at the sight of the minion's claws. “He’s not that scary looking.” Scootaloo pointed out. “He looks kind of wimpy.” “Perhaps to you.” He replied. “So he’s not a good guard if he’s not scary.” Scootaloo went on. Azure sighed and fought the desire to allow the minion to slap them into submission and instead chose to scare them a different way. “What would he need to do to be scary?” “He needs to be bigger.” Sweetie Belle replied. “He only has claws. He needs a sword.” Scootaloo replied. “He looks really weak, so he needs muscles.” Apple Bloom added. “Hmm.” He thought about their list and looked to the minion. “Wrath.” The minion turned to him and waited for instructions. “Return to the netherworld. Trade armor, gain a weapon, and return to me.” The minion stood up and saluted as he jumped off the stallions back and raced for the Gate. Azure watched as he vanished and looked to the fillies. “Three minutes.” He said to them and stood in place, his expression bored. The foals looked to him as he waited and they tried to question him further as they waited but he refused to speak. He could sense the minion returning to him and he looked from the fillies to the advancing minion. The minion had switched into the armor that Azure had designed for combat and now carried the spear he had also designed and also had a short-range sword on the minion’s thin hip. The minion approached them and branded the spear at them to force them to back away from the Overlord. They started as the minion was now bigger and weaponized. While he could do nothing about muscle mass the armor fit perfectly and the minion now had more bulk. “Okay, so he looks a bit scarier.” Apple Bloom pointed out and the others nodded. Azure examined a hoof boot for a moment before he shrugged and began to walk away, a whistle leaving his lips. Wrath leaped to him and retook his place on Azures back and shoulder. The fillies caught up to him and the heavily armored minion snarled. “So why was he wearing the other stuff?” Sweetie Belle asked. “That armor is for everyday use. This one is for heavy combat.” He replied. “Well…he’s still not that scary,” Scootaloo said to him. He could hear the tremor in her voice but he paused at her words. “Oh?” “Yeah. He could still get stepped on.” She went on. “Very well.” Azure looked up past the hills to where he knew the Gate stood. His Gauntlet roared as the colors shifted within it. He watched as the fillies shuddered at the sudden sound. They looked at the gauntlet as he raised that hoof and after a moment’s delay, he slammed the hoof to the ground, commanding the legion that sat at his beck and call. The fillies were quiet as the ground began to shake under their hooves. Screams and calls sounded out and they were quiet as he spun to face them. “Step on them.” He said to them and looked to the small hill as the minions swarmed over it. He heard the fillies gasp as they kept coming. He had summoned close to a hundred of them just to prove a point. The foals cried out as the minions came to him and stood around them, staying close to their Master as he stood tall before them. Azure said nothing as the Browns roared in unison and the Reds stood behind them, fire licking from their hands. The Greens hissed and leaped from tree to tree, venom dripping from their claws and the blades they carried. The Blues stood at the back, protected by the ferocity of their fellows. The fillies stared from the minions to the Overlord before them. “Scary enough?” He asked them. They began to whimper as he turned to walk away from them, leaving them whimpering in his wake. The minions fell in behind him, leaving them behind and he walked past the chicken coop with the minions in his wake. He looked up as a flustered Princess stared at him. Her mouth agape at the horde at his back. “What is going on? I was gone for a few minutes.” She asked him. “It’s nothing. Just proving a point.” He replied to her. He looked up as Applejack came out of the house and joined the purple Alicorn, her eyes wide. “Whoa.” She said aloud. “What in tarnation are ya doin’ with all o’ them?” “Nothing. Just giving them a run.” He replied. “Okay, let's head out I guess. Are you going to keep all of them with us?” Twilight asked as they began to leave. “No. I will send the majority back home.” He explained. “Good, since I think all of them would cause a panic.” She replied, a nervous glance to the horde at his command. “I have no desire to cause an issue. I simply wanted to give them a little exercise.” “Well. Ya certainly have enough ta give a town a run fer its’ bits.” Applejack said to him as they walked closer to town. “Again, that is not my aim.” He replied to her. Twilight and the other mare were quiet as they neared the Gate. Azure commanded the majority to return to the Netherworld. Keeping twenty with him as he looked to the two mares and walked up to the lightning-charged Gate. “It only looks bad, Applejack. I promise it’s safe to go through.” Twilight assured the visibly skeptical farm mare. “If ya say so.” She replied and mounted the metal stairs to join the Overlord and the Alicorn above her. “Hold onto her,” Azure said to Twilight, who nodded and gripped her friend’s fur with her hoof. “Close your eyes,” Twilight advised. “It’s not as disorienting that way.” “Great.” Applejack commented and closed her eyes tightly. Azure called on the gate's power and the thunder roared as they were moved from place to place. He looked up as a wall greeted him. “Might need to ask about it being moved.” He muttered to himself. “Can’t see a damned thing.” “Huh?” Twilight said to him as he spoke. “Nothing. Just make a note to myself.” “Wow.” Applejack staggered off the Gates stairs and spread all four legs to keep herself standing. “Ya weren’t kiddin’. That’s not a fun thing.” “It takes getting used to,” Twilight admitted and patted her shoulder in sympathy. “It does take some time.” He admitted since he had nearly retched the first time he used one. “Okay. So once we get around this we can see Appleoosa.” Twilight said and led him around the train station to see the town that it hid. “It’s a nice little town.” She said to him and Applejack nodded in agreement. “Hmm.” He made a non-committal noise in reply and followed the mares forward. He looked around and he could see that she had not been exaggerating about the size of the place. Applejack looked to him as they began to walk down the main street. “Mah cousin should be around here somewhere.” She said of him. “In the meantime, we can talk to the Sheriff about that there Gate a’ yers.” “Glorious.” He replied and followed her. He was quiet as ponies immediately began to stare at him as his hooves thudded across the dirt. The minions grumbled and growled behind him as he walked. The Overlord kept his head high as he moved and watched as the ponies began to whisper and point. Ahead of them a mare saw them and took off at a hard gallop toward the end of the street and disappeared. After a short delay, a light colored pony with a dark brown mane came running down the road and slid to a stop at the sight of the two mares and the armored stallion. He wore a hat similar to Applejacks stood on his head even though it was black with a red stripe around it. He had a thick black mustache that Azure had to admit looked ridiculous on the pony. He also wore a thick blue denim vest. “Applejack?” He sputtered out finally after staring for several seconds. “Sheriff Silvester.” Ashe greeted him with a smile and approached him. “It’s been a bit since last Ah saw ya.” “It’s been a bit yes. Princess Twilight.” He greeted her with a polite nod and tip of his hat. Azure held back his displeasure at the lack of proper greeting and stayed quiet. The stallion looked at him and then to the mares. “This is Overlord Azure Flame. He’s the owner of the structure you wrote to the Princess about.” Twilight supplied. “Ahh. Pleasure ta meet ya.” The sheriff said to him. “Pleasure is mine,” Azure replied and waited as they went on. “Right. That thing came outta nowhere and has been scaring the locals.” The Sheriff said to the stallion. “What can we do to get rid of it?” “I can move it a bit, but it cannot be moved too far from the original location. Due to the possibility of the magic that controls it collapsing it will remain in the area.” Azure replied. “I will summon my digger to handle the gate itself.” “So we are stuck with it?” Silverstar asked. “Yes,” Twilight replied. “The Overlord is right that it can’t be handled by any other than him and those he allows to.” Azure saw the odd look Applejack gave her friend and she seemed to ignore it and she looked to him. “What she said is correct. I will move it a slight bit, but it cannot be removed.” The Sheriff looked unconvinced but nodded in agreement. “Well do what ya can.” He replied. Azure looked back to the Gate and his gauntlet called out a short blast of sound. A scream went out as Grubby tore over the arid dirt and slid to a stop at his side. “Move the gate away from the building and secure it. Add the Minion Gates as well.” He commanded and the minion saluted as it raced back to the Gate. “That will do.” He replied, his voice bland, boredom showing through his actions. “What are those things?” The Sheriff asked as he stared at the minions that were sitting or sleeping behind the armored stallion. “They are a part of my army.” “Army?!” The Sheriff looked concerned as he heard the stallion speak. “What do ya need an army for?” “Where I was located before I had to reclaim my lands and it took an army to accomplish this. They are now tasked with finding the missing Gates and protecting my subjects.” Azure explained. “Your subjects?” “His ponies were brought to the Everfree Forest and he uses the minions to patrol and protect them.” Twilight supplied. “Oh.” The Sheriff looked uncertain. Azure looked around them to the modest houses and businesses around him and he reached out to the Tower Heart to see how the draining of the first area was proceeding. He made a note to look into the next area when he went back to the Tower. “Azure?” “Hmm?” He heard his name and looked to find Twilight looking to him. “Are you okay with walk-in around Appaloosa to get a better look at it?” She asked him. “Certainly. Lead the way then.” He replied and the Alicorn gave a nod to the Sheriff and began to lead the stallion away from the main road. “I can introduce you to Chief Thunderhooves as well.” She said to him as Applejack stood on her other side. “Who?” He asked her, his eyes narrowed slightly at the name. “Chief Thunderhooves is the leader of the local buffalo tribe.” She explained. “We first came out here with a new tree for Applejacks cousins’ new orchard and the settlers were having a conflict with the local tribe and they argued about the land that was being used. It was in the middle of one of their traditional stampeding paths. In the end, they agreed to allow the settlers to use the path so long as they shared with Apple goods that come from the trees.” “Interesting.” Azure was more interested in seeing these other beings more than the conflict with them. “Might take a bit ta get to ‘em.” Applejack said to him. “Twilight can ya teleport us?” “Yeah. Just have the minions hold onto you and us.” She said as the minions gripped her fur and wings. “That was easy.” Azure closed his eyes as the magic covered them and he gave a slight groan as the magic faded and he looked up to see a circle of large creatures staring at the group. “You put us in the center of them.” He said to her. The mare looked up and a sheepish look went over her features. “Oops.” He looked at him as he managed not to growl at her and Wrath fell off his back. “Sorry Wrath.” She apologized to the minion as he shook his head and jumped to the Overlords back once more. Applejack chuckled at the minions as they reoriented themselves and huddled around the Overlord. A small buffalo trotted to them with happy noises. “Little Strongheart.” Applejack called out to her and the buffalo smiled in reply. “Hi.” She called out a greeting but slowed at the sight of the armored minions. “Oh. Don’t mind Azure. He’s not so bad.” The farm mare assured her and patted the stallion's shoulder. The buffalo smiled once more and came up to them. Azure looked at her and she had a band around the top of her head just above her ears of various colors with a feather sticking out of it. He looked to the others of her species and he could see that the others were quite large. “It’s good to see you again.” She said to them. “It’s been a while since we were here last,” Twilight replied. “This is Overlord Azure Flame. He came here to look at the Gate that showed up here.” “That odd thing by the train station?” The small buffalo clarified. “Yeah. It belongs to him but he didn’t place it there. He’s here to fix it and make sure it’s as safe as it can be. It’s not totally safe but it is enough to make sure no pony gets killed by it.” “Could there be more of them here?” “Perhaps,” Azure replied. “There are quite a few of them that are still missing.” “There’s a place out in the desert that looks like something is wrong with it. We only saw it during a stampede and we can’t figure it out.” She replied. “How far is it?” Applejack asked her. “Not too far. We can carry you to it.” Strongheart replied. “That would be fine. Azure? Do you mind?” Twilight asked him. “If it is a malfunctioning Gate, then you will need me anyway. So I will come with you.” He agreed. Azure was quiet as they began to make arrangements to take them into the desert. He reached out to the Tower Heart once more and focused on its power. He reached out to the area and a smile tugged at his lips. He knew where they were going and he knew the reason. But he would keep that to himself. If he was right then the area he had been draining to strengthen the Tower Heart was not too far away from him. Looked back as a buffalo came toward him and stopped in front of him. “He will carry you there Azure,” Twilight said to him as she hopped onto one of the other buffalo. Azure had to admit that was an odd idea. His hooves were fine but he had to admit the idea of being carried could grow on him as well. He looked at the buffalo who knelt down to make it easier for him to jump up. Azure looked to eh minions with him and they came forward to make a set of minion stairs for him. He set one hoof on the first set and then up to the final one and sat as regally as possible while balancing on the creatures back. “Have ta admit Ah didn’t think they could hold ya.” Applejack teased. “You clearly underestimate them,” Azure replied as the minions fell into place next to the buffalo as it got to its hooves. He spread his forelegs to balance as the buffalo looked back to him and he gave a slight nod to the creature that now carried him. Strongheart came up to him and looked up to him. “Are you okay?” She asked him. “Yes. This will be fine.” He said to her. She nodded and started to lead them into the desert.