//------------------------------// // 37: A Borders Protection // Story: An Overlord Apart // by OblivionShadow //------------------------------// Hunter was quiet as he scanned a document in his magic and his ears flicked as the sound of a minion screeching got his attention. He looked up as Twilights minion came running into the throne room. He tilted his head slightly at the timing. “I’ve been gone for three days.” He muttered as the minion reached him and he took the scroll from him. Gnarl chuckled darkly from his place at the side of the throne. “Mares are sentimental Master. Her feelings spurred her to contact you quickly.” Hunter bit back a growl at the advisor and his magic opened the scroll to read its contents. His eyes narrowed as he read through her letter. Rage boiled under his skin as he got to his hooves as his magic incinerated the letter. Gnarl looked from the ashes to the Overlord and Hunter saw him back up out of the corner of his eye. Wrath backed up and pulled the she-wolf with him as Hunters magic went out and his hooves thundered on the stone as he walked down the stairs and into the center of the throne room. “Master?” Gnarl called out, caution in his voice. “That was from Twilight and she had news for me.” He snarled. “She did?” Gnarl asked as he approached the Overlord slowly. “Her fellow Princesses are going to take my land from me despite the kindness I showed them. They will be trying to push back the border and put it into my lands and take away what I was promised.” Gnarls ears flicked as he listened and his eyes went wide at the information. “This cannot be permitted, Great Master!” Gnarl said to him. “Those foolish ponies do not who they are dealing with.” “This cannot go unanswered,” Hunter growled and his red eyes blazed as he looked down at the minion. “I want the border watched. If they so much as place a hoof over that border I want it removed.” He raged and Gnarl wisely nodded. Hunter stormed out to the platforms and he reached out for the golden dragon. A roar resounded through the Netherworld and he waited as the golden dragon came at his call. The dragon dug his claws into the side of the Netherworld and he looked at the angry stallion and waited. “Twilight sent me a warning, alerting me to the plots of the others.” “Oh? What have they done to upset you this much Little One?” Sorkeno asked as he pushed his snout against Hunter's body. “They have chosen to push back the border that I agreed to. They will take back the land I was promised and they seek to push it further back into my current territory.” Hunter informed him as he began to pace. Sorkeno’s eyes went wide as the stallion spoke and a growl sounded from his throat. His lips pulled back in a soundless snarl as Hunter stopped his pacing and regarded the dragon. “I need your aid in stopping them. If I have to kill a few of them then I will.” Hunter informed him and Sorkeno nodded in understanding as he waited for him to go on. “I will send minions to the border to keep it watched and when they arrive I want you at the Gate that I set up for Twilight and her friends.” Sorkeno nodded. “Do you wish for me to alert you to their presence and you can address them?” “That is a good idea actually. When they arrive at the Gate, and they will, I want to know about it.” Hunter growled. “This cannot go unanswered. I will not allow any of my property to be taken from me. If they wish to push me then they will see that dragon fire can melt stone.” Sorkeno watched as he raged and the dragon did nothing to stop his anger. The dragon no doubt could sense his anger and was not going to stop it. “Do you wish for others to be at the borders as well?” “Why?” “They can drive them toward the Gate and to me.” Sorkeno reasoned. Hunter looked thoughtful and then he nodded as Gnarl approached him from behind. “That is a good idea Master,” Gnarl said and Hunter turned to look back at the minion over his shoulder. “Their presence will allow them to chase them to where you wish them to be. The land that they will be on is now yours and they are not permitted.” Hunter growled and nodded in agreement. “Sorkeno?” “I will arrange it for Little One,” Sorkeno assured him. “Cool your anger and wait for my signal,” Sorkeno said to him as he dropped off the side of the Netherworld and took wing. Hunter breathed in a deep breath and held it in an attempt to calm himself. Behind him, Dezhara approached and rubbed her body against his armor and he reached out a hoof and ran his hoof over her soft fur. His red eyes closed and he released the breath he was holding and he could feel his anger cooling as the dragon had advised. Gnarl stayed back from him and Wrath was behind him. Hunter turned back to the throne room and he walked back into it and toward his throne. “Will you be sending a letter to the Princess? Master?” “Yeah. I will have to thank her for alerting me to her fellow Princesses subterfuge.” He replied as he sat back down and sent Dezhara to her place close by. Wrath sat down in his normal place by the front of the throne and Gnarl took his place as well. His magic gripped a scroll and quill as he set about writing a reply to the Princess of Friendship. Gnarl looked at him and the stallion caught the look out of the corner of his eye and he glanced at the Minion Master who looked away swiftly. “What is it Gnarl?” Hunter asked him. “I was just thinking that we are pleased to know that the Princess is looking out for you as well.” Gnarl covered. Hunter raised one eyebrow and gave the minion a black look as the minions sputtered. “Uh-huh.” Gnarl said nothing further and Hunter went back to his letter and soon gave it back to her minion and sent it back to her. He leaned back in his throne as his anger finally cooled and he found himself wondering what exactly he should do about the Princesses themselves. They had betrayed not only him but Twilight as well. He tapped a hoof against his chin as his mind went over the options. He knew that he could just as easily storm back into Equestria and question them himself or he could send back one of their guards missing a few patches of fur. Gnarl must have sensed his thoughts as the minion looked at him. “Master. This cannot be allowed to happen again. How do you propose to stop further attempts by them?” Hunter breathed out a sigh and let his hoof drop to the armrest. “I am wondering if I should simply go back and alert them that their scouts were found.” “I disagree Master. If you wish to go back then the might of the Netherworld must be used as a display. Your dragons brought to bear against them would be quite the sight.” Hunter nodded in agreement. “Sorkeno’s flame alone could melt their castle down to the foundations. If they wish to push me they will see exactly what an Overlord can do.” “And the young Princess?” Gnarl asked him cautiously. Hunter paused as the image of the purple Alicorn flashed through his mind. “I will not harm her land if it can be avoided. She has proven to be an ally and I will not go against her if I can avoid it.” Gnarl agreed in silence and the minion master wobbled down the stairs and went to his own task of mobilizing the minions and watching the border. Hunters hoof raised off the armrest and his anger spiked as he thought over the letter he had received and he slammed his armored hoof onto the armrest. Wrath yelped and Dezhara whined as he breathed heavily, his anger just below the surface. Hunter’s eyes opened as Sorkeno’s call went through his mind and he surged to his hooves and down the stairs to the central Gate. Wrath leaped to his back and the minion gripped his armor tightly in his claws. The black stallion commanded the Gate and with a crash of lightning and thunder it activated and he opened his eyes to see a group of ponies staring at the Gate. He looked up as Sorkeno looked down at him and the dragon nodded. The ponies stared at him as he approached them. He could see the Pegasus guards standing several feet back and they were watching as he moved. The Overlord stood before them in full battle armor and he approached and waited for them to speak. The lead pony stared at him with his eyes wide and his expression flit between sheer terror and shock. “Hello?” “I think you might be confused about where you are,” Hunter growled. The pony looked at the orders he had with him and then back to the armored stallion. His eyes went to land behind him as thirty minions swept toward him and he backed up slowly. “We were told…” “To set a border deeper into my territory?” Hunter finished for him. “You are not welcome on my land. If you insist on staying then I will not be responsible for what happens to you, since you are trespassing. I will send you back to Equestria in pieces if you remain.” Hunter snarled. The minions at his sides lunged forward, their battle cries loud as Sorkeno roared, fire flowing from his mouth and into the air. The ponies screamed and backed away from him. The Pegasus guards lunged forward and got in between the ponies and the overlord. Hunter smiled and it was enough to rattle them. “The line is meant to be about one hundred and eighty miles behind you,” Hunter informed them. “I have my own agents out and they alerted me to your position. No doubt you saw the dragons that lined the old border?” They stared at him and only one was able to nod. “I trust you know how to get back to your own lands?” Hunter said nothing further as the guards started to back away from him. He could see the fear that showed plainly on each of their faces as they regarded the stallion and the small army with him. The minions cried out as the ponies backed up. “Be sure to alert your…Princess’s that they cannot fool me so easily. I am wise to their attempts to take what is not theirs. Anything further and I will take what is mine by force.” He snarled. “Be sure to tell them for me.” He tilted his head in an almost friendly way as he spoke and they paused at the sight as he sent the minions forward. Sorkeno brought his head down and roared with fire in the back of his throat. The ponies screamed and ran for their lives as the minions were on their heels. Hunter said nothing as he righted his posture and a cruel smile tugged at his mouth. Sorkeno brought his head back and looked at the stallion as the other dragons came to join him. Hunter looked up as they hovered in the air above him. His red eyes stared ahead as the ponies vanished from sight and the minions stayed with them. “Maranna?” He yelled out and the red female looked down at him. “Can you follow them in the air to make sure they leave the territory?” She nodded to him and her wings beat as she followed them from above. He breathed out a sigh and shook his head in aggravation. He spun on his heel and walked back to the Gate and stopped in front of it. Sorkeno turned to wait for him to leave as he looked over his shoulder. “Was I right not to kill them?” He asked. The dragon nodded his head and the Overlord walked into the Gates magic and was gone an instant later. Gnarl looked up as the Overlord returned from his errand. He could tell that the Master was short on temper and he stayed silent as he sat down and Wrath removed the Master's helmet and set it aside. He watched as Hunter breathed out a deep sigh and ran his hoof over his face and leaned his head back into the back of the throne. “How did it go, Master?” “They fled once faced with the minions and the dragons. I informed them of their error and sent them running with a message for their rulers. They have been warned.” He replied. Gnarl nodded his head at his Master and Hunter brought his head back to face the minion master and his red eyes regarded him. Gnarl knew that the Overlord was not one to ask simple questions and he waited for what was to come. The one they called Master looked back to the front and said nothing for several minutes. “I will ask you the same thing I asked Sorkeno. Was I right not to kill them?” He finally asked. Gnarl startled at the question and he was quiet as he considered what he had been asked. He knew his Master well and he knew that he was not so much asking for an opinion as he was asking for validation. The Overlord was many things but stupid was not one of them. He had surpassed his Lord Father some time ago and was now forging ahead on his own. “You did what you had to Master. Killing them would not have solved the issue you are having with Equestria. It would also have put Princess Twilight in a tight spot.” Hunter looked at him, his eyes searching. “She did alert you to the issue. While we have done what we could to make it seem that we simply noticed them on our own there will still be suspicions. Even from here, we must do what we can to protect her.” “We must?” Hunter chuckled and his eyes closed as he breathed out a sigh. “If she is to be a good mate to you we must keep her safe.” Hunter snorted and put his hoof over his face. “Pardon?” “She is the only mare of a similar station to yourself and therefore is an eligible mare for you. We must watch out for her from where we are.” Gnarl reasoned. He watched as the Overlord leaned forward and put both his hooves over his face. The Minion Master waited for him to respond and they fell into silence. “By the Netherworld, if it’s not Kaiana and Sorkeno it’s you.” Hunter cursed and his red eyes fell on the minion. “I do not have the time for a mate currently.” “I agree with your assessment, Master. These things take time and we must nurture the chance as time passes by.” Gnarl nodded in agreement. “Your Lady Mother was arranged for your father as she was the daughter of a well-respected Noble. We do not have that luxury any longer, for good reason, but Lady Twilight is a wise option.” “Is she?” “Yes. She is a ruler among her own kind and she is, therefore, able to understand and stand with you as an equal. Her ability to walk into combat at your side is a valuable trait in a mare. Her strength in magic will also be a trait to pass along to foals.” Gnarl could see his Master's facial expression fall into one of laughter and exasperation as he chuckled. “You have had time to think about this I see.” “Of course Master. As your advisor, I must see look to your future and that of your line.” His Master sighed once more and rubbed his face with his hooves. “Enough of this, we will discuss it another time.” He said with a wave of his hoof. Gnarl nodded and waited for the Master to go on. When silence pervaded the advisor spoke instead. “I commend you on your swift action Master. I will station minions close by the new borders and have Grubby create several minion gates for them to use. The ponies of Equestria will not be allowed to infringe on your lands further.” Hunter tapped his chin with his hoof and Gnarl stood by waiting for him to speak. “If they push me I will rescind my agreement with them and take all of it back by force. I will not be trifled with.” “Understood Master. They must realize that they are not to betray you and try to take what is not theirs. Should it happen I advise a swift and ruthless reply.” “Agreed. They will be faced with not only me but my dragons and some of the army as well. They will regret trying to steal from me.” He snarled. Gnarl bowed his head and went back to looking ahead of him and his Master. His thoughts fell on the future of the Netherworld and he was ready to follow the Overlord into battle should the need arise. Hunter said nothing as the baby dragons clamored around and over him. His armor creaked in place as they pressed against him. Red pushed the white off Hunter’s back and the baby went after the older dragon. Green distracted as many as she was able to and Hunter watched as they finally stopped trying to knock him over and focused on the others. Kaiana laid off to the side and Hunter could see amusement reflected in her eyes as she watched them. It had been two weeks since he had chased Equestria’s ponies off his territory and the borders were now under constant guard by the minions. Maranna had taken it upon herself to fly over them daily at random times. Hunter had not asked her to do anything but the red female had chosen it of her own accord. He was not about to argue with her about it. His head came up as Sorkeno reached out for him. He made his way to the blocked Nest and teleported to the ground outside of it. “You called?” Hunter teased and the golden dragon pointed his head to a waiting minion. Hunter’s horn lit as his magic took the offered scroll. Inside was a letter and his magic opened it carefully and he began to read it. It was from Sunder and they were informing him about the Chimera he had asked for. His eyes scanned the contents and they detailed the location of the beast and how he could be in contact with the dealer once the fee was paid. His eyes widened at the amount of the fee and he rolled the letter into the scroll and he sighed as he slid it into space in his armor to keep it close. “Will have to ask Twilight how to pay her for using her own money for this.” He grumbled. “Little One?” “It’s from those animal traders. They were informing me that once I pay the asked for the fee they will put me in contact with the one that supplied the Chimera those years ago in the Arena.” He informed the dragon who nodded in reply. “What is the fee?” “It’s for their effort in contacting him I assume. I will need to speak to Twilight about it since I do not have any idea how much a bit is worth in my currency.” “She is supplying the bits?” “Yes. But that does not mean I wish to owe her for eternity.” Hunter groused. “It’s over a thousand bits.” “Is that a great deal?” “It is in normal terms. I’m not sure if many ponies even keep that much available.” He replied. “Will have to ask her about it. She offered her savings if needed but if needed I would prefer to avoid bankrupting her.” “You must speak with her when she is available,” Sorkeno said to him and the stallion nodded. Hunter sighed and he looked up as Kaiana looked out from the Nest and her eyes landed him and she smiled as he went back to her. His horn lit as he teleported back into the Nest and she lowered her head to nuzzle him gently. She held him close for several seconds before she released him. “What are you up to, My Child?” “I received a letter from those in Equestria who gave the Chimera to the Governess. They are willing to give me the name of the dealer if I pay them their fee. I will get in touch with Twilight about it.” “Be sure to talk to her and keep her informed. She will still help so long as you speak plainly to her.” She advised. “I plan to. I have not kept her in the dark so far and I do not intend to leave her out of it going forward.” Kaiana nodded and she gripped him gently around his barrel and she set him down outside the Nest and she gave him one last nuzzle before she pulled back into the Nest. Hunter walked through the Lair and back toward the waiting platform. His armored hooves thudded dully on the stone as he jumped to land on the platform. He commanded it back to the throne room and it moved easily through the air at his command. IT docked easily and he walked off of it and into the throne room. The minions on the sides of the walkway saluted as he passed by and he walked up and gave the letter to Gnarl to read over. The Minion Master read it over and Hunter could see the malicious smile that crossed his advisor's face. “They are walking into your trap Master. Now all that we need is the money they have requested.” “I will speak with Twilight about it. She has offered her own bits to allow us to find out more.” Gnarl nodded and then set the letter aside. “We will need to arrange to pay her back somehow and make sure she approves.” “Agreed,” Hunter said as he leaned back in his throne. He put a hoof to his mouth and tapped his hoof boot to his mouth for several seconds before a thought occurred to him. He knew several things about her and chief among them was her love of books and information. He glanced at the minion at his side as Wrath shoved Dezhara back toward her bed having finished playing with her at his Master's command. “I have an idea.” He said aloud. “Yes, Master?” “Is there a way to gift her some of the books in our library? She has a deep love of books and information. That might perhaps lessen the blow of losing so many bits.” He said to the minion. Gnarls eyes widened at the suggestion and he nodded in agreement. “Well done Master. That will be more than suitable. Does she have a favorite subject?” “Not that I am aware of. I think she enjoys books on magic and other things that she does not know all that much about. If we can find things that are exclusive to the Netherworld then I think that would be suitable for her.” “Understood. Allow me to arrange this and I will have books ready by tomorrow morning.” Gnarl said as he moved off the stairs and made his way out of the throne room. Hunter gave a slight nod to the minion as he leaned forward in his throne and his magic gripped several documents that he still needed to go over before he ended working for the night. Gnarl looked through the many books that the minions had gathered and he set several off to the side as they were older and less likely to hold information the Alicorn would wish to know. His glowing eyes fell on a stack of books that detailed the history between the Netherworld Empire and Equestria over the centuries. He recalled how his Master had mentioned that the mare had lamented how she knew so little about the Empire. The minion went to the stack of books and he recognized that these were duplicates of the older ones and had recently been rewritten. He picked up the oldest and set it in the pile and moved back to the pile and began to go through it once more. Hunter walked slowly down the stairs from his room, with Dezhara on his heels, and then walked toward the throne room. A minion intercepted him and he followed behind the minion toward the Library. He walked inside to find Gnarl bent over several piles of books. “Ahh Master. I trust you slept well?” Gnarl greeted as he looked up and bowed his head. “I slept fine Gnarl. What are you up to?” Hunter replied. “I am finding books that would be suitable for Lady Twilight. I believe I have found a group of four that will be adequate for her. She wished to learn more of your Empire and this will allow her to do so. These are books on the history of the Empire that are duplicates of what we have here.” Hunter looked at the small pile and his red eyes scanned the titles and he found they were a group of history books volumes one through four. He nodded at the minion and the advisor had a minion hold them as he fell in at Hunter's side. “Will you go to her Master?” “Yes. I will send her a letter this morning and ask her if she has time. Otherwise, I will wait and ask her later.” Hunter explained. “I refuse to ask her to fund this venture in a letter. I will ask her in person.” “Agreed Master. Such things are best spoken of muzzle to muzzle.” Gnarl agreed. “I will have these wrapped properly and they will await your meeting with her,” Gnarl said as he pulled off to the side and the minion followed close behind him. Hunter kept going and reached his throne and the papers that awaited his attention. His magic summoned a scroll and quill and he wrote out his request to the Alicorn. He gave it to Wrath, who ran for the gates to give it directly to her and then return to Hunters' side. He watched as the minion left him behind and he ruffled Dezhara’s fur as she nuzzled his chest.