Chronicles of an Evil Overlord

by Melancholy

Rule 4

Domination of Equestria - T+348 days.

The verdict rang out.
Death.

Rabble Rouser sat in the dock in the middle of the overly large chamber, head held high.
He’d given this new ‘Overlord’ one hell of a hard time, it was unsurprising that such a heavy sentence had been handed down, from his Supremeness himself no less.

From almost day one Rabble Rouser had been organising. First demonstrations, then armed insurrections against the increasing stranglehold of this horrid regime. Ponies disappearing, foals taken from their mothers due to arbitrary rules which were known only to those at the top, never to be seen again. Regular executions in the streets, many of the security forces given Carte Blanche in the early days to beat and kill nearly anyone they fancied.

He couldn’t stand for it. It was in his name, on his flank and in his blood. He had to stand up for his common pony. For what was good and right in the world. For the Equestria which seemed by many to have been abandoned.

He was prepared for this though. He had the speech memorised for when he was there on the gallows. He would reignite the spark inside the downtrodden, bring back the light which was stolen. He knew his friends would be there in the crowd, ready to lead the mob in overrunning the guards. It would be a crowning moment, the escape and the rebirthing of the rebellion.

Or...not. Rabble Rouser looked down, his eyes pinpricks, at the hole in his chest. They hadn’t even left the courtroom yet, the Overlord himself sitting opposite him as Judge, Jury and it seemed, given the smoking gun, Executioner. Slumping to the floor Rabble’s mind raced at a mile a moment, seemingly in tandem with the speed his blood was leaking from his ruined heart. Wasn’t he supposed to be an example against further insubordination? How will that message get out if he died in this dark, hollow court? How was his message supposed to get out if he died here?

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be…..

Overlord Rule No:4 Shooting is not too good for my enemies.

Comments

[Leonzilla]

Never give cruel punishment with the intent to discourage misbehavior, the act itself is likely to backfire and encourage people to brake your rules causing you more trouble than you would save. It's easier just to deal with all future uprisings quickly and efficiently. After all as long as you are ruling even with the favor of the great majority, people are bound to want to bring you down for one reason or another.

There is no escaping that... unless you are willing and able to remove free will.

~Leonzilla

[ArtichokeLust]

Actually, the death sentence is a bad idea: since people are going to be killed if they're captured, then if they care about themselves, they are better off killing you or running away. It gives them incentive to murder you, or regroup with more people that want to kill you, which are both things you don't want.

You'd also be surprised how drastically killing the enemy in cold blood can wreck the morale of your followers. Most people have never watched someone die, but I can tell you it's never a pleasant experience. Even for sociopaths/psychopaths, it can still be as bad as watching a nice car get destroyed.

Holding the dangerous prisoner in a cell seperate from everyone else is always a better idea. After all, they can't lead a mob when there's no mob to lead.

[Doomhunter]

6498360 but there's the chance they could escape. however you should do it quietly as possible though if your goneing that rout.

[ArtichokeLust]

6498507

True. You could kill them without telling or showing anyone.

Still, you also lose some benefit of being able to manipulate their friends/family or brainwashing your new prisoner into joining you. (Not as one of your soldiers or anyone in an important position though.) Also, killing hostages or prisoners of war may be a war crime like it is here on earth, which means it would be very bad if the information of you doing that ever got out.

[Eonflare]

Hmm, I don't think that quite conveys when the rule actually applies.

[Maxes Altho]

Hmm, maybe a better rule could be taken from GoT for this chapter: always do it yourself.

[Mimic Kairatta]

6497911

Isn't that what the internet is for?

[Frost Bear]

I am loving how all the rules go against the stereotypical evil tyrant tropes and replaces them with logic.

[MustacheMerlin]

Since this is Equestria, this is where I would hire changeling mercenaries to impersonate Rabble, replace the other rebel leaders, and have them run an almost effective but ultimately useless rebellion to make the real rebels feel validated and distract them from causing any real damage.

[Bronzer]

6772233
That puts untrustworthy minions in charge of a potentially effective rebellion. Better to just nip it in the bud to begin with.

[keybounce]

Overlord rule # 4e: Having loyal changlings who are willing to replace someone, and syphon the love that they would have had while defusing opposition is the winning play?