on a continent ruled by tyrannical Empire with a power-mad Emperor, a young Kirin becomes the Overlord and with his minions and his foalhood friends must take this Empire down and take the continent as their own.
On another Continent away from Equestria a young Kirin is born into a Royal Family as the third child, unwanted and an outcast. The only ones he has are his four fellow outcasts to turn to. When the Empire reaches the kingdom he lives in the Kirin is forced to flee as any caught will be killed without mercy or send to the Arena. When the Kirin and one of his friends escape they run into familiar imp-like creatures who have chosen the Kirin as their new Overlord.
With his friends and the minions by his side, the Kirin must bring down the Empire and take the continent as his own.
Now, how does it go..? Once... upon a... time... on the continent of Newbora, in Castle Bloodsword, lived a Duke and Duchess with two children, who were spoiled so rotten it was unbelievable even by Evil. But troubles emerged for the Royal Family, the Duchess was hit an illness that after some time took her life and left the Duke in morning. In his pain he had a one-night stand with a Winged Thestral Mare, who left the resulting foal with him, a Kirin.
The two silbings hated the young Lad, treating him like dirt, the Duke wanted nothing to do with him and the Kingdom's Ponies also disliked him. That was only one of their troubles, an Empire that lived on Newbora had been growing in power and taking more and more land from the surrounding Kingdoms by force or other means.
This is the Tale of what happened next
Castle Bloodsword
The Kirin hatchling's "room"
The little hatchling's room, if you could call a small walk-in closet a room, held only a worn-out mattress with no sheets or blankets. On the bed was the Kirin hatchling who, if the violent thrashing and terrified crying implied, was caught in a really bad nightmare. The little one's cries echoed through the nearby rooms and halls but no one came to comfort the Kirin, expect one figure in the dark.
The figure was a short bipedal imp-like creature with grey skin, white beard, and yellow eyes. The creature wore a black leather cape with a finger bone necklace and worn red robe under, on it's back was a wooden sick with a glowing yellow crystal hanging above it's head, three small gold rings were on the left it's long ears.
The creature slowly walked up to the thrashing hatcling, it's crystal bathing the small room in a faint yellow light. It reached towards the Kirin with a somewhat bony hand, and began gently scratching the hatchling's ears. Immediately the Kirin relaxed, the thrashing and cries stopping.
The figure, male judging from it's voice, spoke.
"Easy young Master, can't grow into an Evilly powerful Overlord from lack of sleep now."
He waved his other hand, three more imp-like creatures appeared. The first two were brown in color wearing a piece of fur around their shoulders and knee-length pants held up by a studded belt. Both were carrying somewhat worn and tattered blankets. The third was blue in color with short spikes along it's jaw, fins on it's head, and a long, smooth tail. It wore only a loincloth.
The blue came over as the caped creature pulled back and very gently picked the Kirin up as if he was the creature's own child while one of the browns laid it's blanket over the bed. The blue set the hatchling down on the bed again as the second brown placed it's blanket over the Kirin, giving the young hatchling some protection from the room's lower-then-normal temperature. Once that was done the four creatures moved back into the dark, the caped one stayed for a moment.
"You will have many questions young Master, when we next meet those questions will be answered. You wouldn't be alone either on this journey, four others will join you on your raise to Overlordom."
With that the caped creature vanished into the dark with a final word.
"Sleep well young Master, and dream of smiting your enemies. After all, Evil always finds a way."
As the years went by the Kirin grew into a fine male, but things weren't well. The Kingdom's Ponies blamed him for the troubles and saw him as too different, foals would constantly pelt him with snowballs. The Kirin, would went by the name Steel Flame, had sat down in a small cave to be alone. He was busy brushing snow sport off his winter coat when he heard hooves crunching snow at the entrance, Turning he saw a Pegasus Stallion enter the cave and walked a few feet, only to freeze mid-step when he saw the Kirin.
The two stared at each other for several minutes, the Steel pulled his lips back in a snarl which caused the Pegasus' wing to flare open in alarm.
"Whoa whoa, take it easy! I'm not here to attack you!" He said taking a step back.
"Why should I believe you, every single Pony in this pit has thrown snowballs at me, called me nasty names and shoved me into snowbanks just to name a few." Steel said finishing with a low growl. The Pegasus backed up against the wall as Steel moved forward, blocking the entrance.
The Pegasus was panicking, while he'd never encountered Kirins before he had heard the stories, so he was quite scared to be looking one, a young one but still, in the eye as the Kirin slowly approached in a low crouch. In an effect to save himself from the angered Pony/Dragon hybrid the Pegasus began talking.
"I'm an outcast like you! My parents left me when I was only a baby, I've been through the same things. The snowballs, the names, and others just because of that."
The Pegasus had covered his face with his front hooves and wings, terrified out of his mind. He flinched hearing the Kirin rear back, then the sound of flame filled the air briefly, then he felt warmth...
But it wasn't on him.
Slowly he peeled his eyes open and moved his hooves and wings away. A small fire was burning in the center of the cave, the Kirin laying on the other side. He slowly looked from the fire then at the Kirin who looked back at him with a neutral look.
"Wha..."
"Sorry about that, I let my anger get the better of me. What's your name? I'm Steel Flame."
"Typhoon Blitz."
"Well Ty, I think we have a bit to speak about."
"Ty?... I like that."
Steel and Typhoon soon became very close, hanging out and helping each other face their bullies. I did lessen but it still happened.
Many years later
Castle Bloodsword
The door burst open and a tall figure walked in out of the winter storm outside, shutting the door after entering full. The figure pulled it's fur-lined hood down revealing a male Winged Thestral-born Kirin. His fur coat was a very light grey, almost silver in color, his mane was blue with black streaks, his silted eyes were a bright yellow, long fangs stuck out of his lips about an inch or two passed his chin, his ears were tipped with tuffs of fur with two long horns jutting out behind his ears, his large wings had a small hooked claw on each wing finger, and his long tail was tipped with a sword-like blade. He wore a dark red winter greatcoat with a brown fur-lined hood and pants, dark brown gloves, boots and thick wing covers, silver saddlebags with an icon of a red broadsword with a black touch in the shape of a dragon head over top of it. Wrapped around his long neck was a very long red and gold scarf with five tassels at the ends, each tipped with a small blue pearl and black claw
He sat up on his hooved back legs as he started brushing snow off his greatcoat with his four fingered hands, some snow spots being thicker then others. As he did this a Pegasus Stallion came up and helped. The Pegasus had a dark blue coat, bright yellow eyes, and a three-tone mane and tail of light blue, regular blue, and navy blue. He wore a dark grey winter coat and pants, black gloves and boots, and navy blue saddlebags with an icon of a typhoon with three lightning bolts within.
"Thanks Ty."
"No problem Steel, the foals pelted you with snowballs again?"
"Yes, and they have the gall to call me a bully." The Kirin said with a huff, small flames coming out of his nose. The Pegasus reached over and patted the Kirin's shoulder.
"Don't let it get to ya buddy, I know how you're feeling."
Steel looked over at Ty with a small but genuine smile.
"I'm glad I have you and the others with me, I might have turned out pretty bad if you guys weren't with me.
Ty let out a sigh as he withdrew his hoof.
"No problem bro, I'm just glad you didn't burn me when we first met."
The two shared a laugh, then Ty let out a heavy sigh.
"Your "brother and sister" are in a rather foul mood today."
Steel snorted, "Since when are they not in a foul mood?"
Typhoon's response was cut off when they heard a commotion further down the halls. The two of them ran down the halls till they reached the hall were Steel's "siblings" had their rooms. The door to the sister's room shot open and a Crystal Pony Mare half-ran half-tripped out of the room followed by a serving tray and various bits of food.
The Crystal mare has a sapphire blue coat, ruby red mane and tail with emerald green highlights, and sapphire blue eyes. Her cutie mark was a diamond loosely wrapped in a red ribbon.
The Mare fell to the floor as the items landed on and around her and a larger Earth Pony Mare came out.
"You worthless servant! You can't even get my order right!"
"But I got what you ordered." The Crystal Mare said.
"I changed my mind, and don't talk back to your betters!" The larger Mare shouted throwing a glass, which missed the Crystal mare as she ducked covering her head. Thankfully the glass didn't break when it hit the floor. The larger Mare then went back into her room slamming the door hard enough to knock a few pictures off the wall. The Crystal Mare shut her eyes tightly as she started to cry, she then felt something cover her. She looked up into a pair of bright yellow eyes. Steel had walked over and laid a wing over the Crystal Mare. She looked at the Kirin for a second, then wrapped her forelegs around Steel's neck and buried her head into his shoulder sobbing her eyes out.
Typhoon came over and hugged her from the back.
"It's okay Gem, you're not worthless. In fact, you're worth far more then she is."
"That's very true Gem, let's go to the kitchen."
Gem nodded her head into Steel's shoulder.
"But... but what about my duties?"
"Buck them and those two." Typhoon paused for a second, "Actually, don't buck those two. They're unbuck worthy." He said nuzzling Gem's neck. As the three of them walked away Steel looked back at the doors as the two doors shot open and the two siblings started shouting at each other.
Ohhh... how Steel wanted to burn them alive.
Later that night
Steel was in his "room" fast asleep, cured up in his two somewhat worn and tattered blankets. while not much to look at they kept him warm. After him and Ty had brought Gem to the kitchen Gem's mother had wrapped her in a bear hug while Gem's father made some sweets for them. On the way the three of them had run into their other two friends; an Earth Pony Stallion named Iron Hammer, and a Unicorn Stallion named Dusk Storm.
Iron Hammer had a steel grey coat, black mane and tail, and blue eyes. His cutie mark was two crossed war hammers. Dusk Storm had a light brown coat, red mane and tail with blue streaks, and green eyes. His cutie mark was wand tipped with an orange gem within a dust devil.
The five of them were outcasts with only each other to turn to, only Gem's parents showed them any love and had more or less raised them. They would more often then not pelted with snowballs when out side, called names and other such things. They were also blamed for the Kingdom's problems.
The Kingdom had been going through hard time lately, crops were dying, bandit raids were common, and out-of-control wild rampaged all over the place. The two siblings did nothing to fix these and the Duke was too drunk to do anything. To make matters worse a powerful Empire had risen a few years ago and was taking over the continent, by force or otherwise. several outlaying kingdoms had been taken and it was only a matter of time before the Empire's forces reached this kingdom.
Steel rolled over in his sleep, unaware of what was coming tonight.
In other part of the Castle
Gem's mother and father were packing her and her friend's saddlebags while the four of them watched in confusion. Finally Ty asked, "What's going on?! You woke us up and now you're packing our saddlebags."
"Ya Mon, Dad, what's going on?"
Gem's mother turned to them. "The Empire is here, the Duke is dead, and the two siblings have joined the Empire! If their soldiers find Steel they'll kill him or worse, take him to the Arena, along with you four! The five of you must escape and find somewhere safe."
"What about you?" Dusk asked.
"We can't go with you," Gem's father said putting the now full saddlebags on the young Ponies. "You five have a much better chance to escape. Now get Steel and RUN!"
The five Ponies nodded sadly before running out of the room and down the halls ans stairs to Steel's room, as they ran they heard the Empire's soldiers force their way into the castle.
Their time limit just got a lot shorter.
They ran down the halls and stairs their hooves echoing through out the empty spaces, Dusk shot down the hall that held Steel's room and slipped on a iced spot, sending him sliding into a broom closet.
"OW! OH!" He cried out as several of the items fell on him, Iron and Gem went to help him as Typhoon skidded to a halt, a recent wing injury keeping him from flying, in front of Steel's door and began pounding on it as the other three joined him. Inside the room Steel jolted awake, got off his bed and opened the door.
"This had better be important, can't a Kirin get any-WHOA!!"
The last word was shouted as Steel's four friends shot into his room with Dusk slamming the door shut behind them and using some boards laying next to it to brace the door. Gem grabbed Steel's saddlebags and stuffed his two blankets into it while the others looked for a another way out.
"What's going on guys?!"
"It's the Empire! They've arrived to take the Kingdom!!" Typhoon said. Steel's eyes widened, it was no secrat that the Emperor hated Kirins, and Steel was the only Kirin on the continent as far as anyone knew.
"The Duke is dead and the two siblings have joined the Empire!" Iron said next.
"Feather! I knew there was something I hated about those two." Steel said as he grabbed his winter attire.
"We need to get out of here!" Iron said having finished with the door.
"How? There is no windows!" Gem said placing Steel's saddlebags on said Kirin. Steel turned and moved to the far wall, he bent down and pressed a loose brick. The wall moved over a little but got stuck, Steel swore as he started pulling.
"I found this hidden tunnel years ago, I think the first Duke had build these secret passageways though for what reasons I don't know."
As Ty and Iron moved to help Steel open the wall a sudden banging on the door caused them all to jump. A demanding voice came through.
"Open up in there, we know the Kirin's in there and it will be taken to the Arena along with the rest of you with it!"
Steel, Ty, and Iron got the wall open enough as the sound of pounding started on the door as it shook, after the five friends got into the tunnel and shut the wall two seconds before the door gave way with Empire soldier charging in.
The five ran through the tunnel for a short while when Gem tripped, Dusk helped her up.
"You okay Gem?" He asked.
"Other then leaving my parents behind, yes."
Typhoon opened his mouth, but what he was going to say was cut off when the faint sound of voices were heard from were the five had come, their eyes slowly widening and mouths open as they realized what those voices were.
"They're in the tunnel." Steel said. The five ran again, faster this time. As they ran passed a weak support Steel kicked it causing the tunnel behind them to collapse.
"That'll buy us some time!"
They finally ran into the open air some distance away from the castle, pausing only to catch their breath. After a minute they took off again, running until they reached a small field with a stream. They sat down and looked around, it seemed all clear.
"Did we... did we lose them?" Typhoon asked.
"I thank so... you guys alright?" Steel asked. They confirmed yes, but Gem, Dusk, and Iron were freezing, having been unable to grab their winter coats. Steel walked over to them.
"Here, let me take your saddlebags." The three Ponies nodded and took their bags off, hooking them onto Steel's greatcoat, Ty helping out. They had just finished when the area around sudden went bright.
"AAAHHHH!!"
"OOWWW!!"
"MY EYES!!"
"I CAN'T SEE!!"
"BRIGHT LIGHT! VERY BRIGHT LIGHT!!"
Slowly the five of them got their vision back, only to find themselves surrounded by Empire soldiers. Typhoon put it best.
"Oh... bucker."
An Empire Centurion, identifiable by the gold armor, red cape, and large belly, spoke in a smug tone,
"You couldn't escape outlaws, to the Arena with the Kirin and Pegasus, the others will go to the new Governor as slaves."
As the soldiers approached Steel spotted the two lights that had blind them before, he whispered to Dusk. "Can you hit that light while I take out the other one?"
"I thank so."
"Okay, all of you get ready to grab onto me, on my mark."
The soldiers got halfway when Steel shouted, "Now!" He fired a burst of flame and Dusk fired a magic bolt into the lights, destroying them and casing the area into darkness. The Empire forces around the five cried out in surprise while Steel's friends grabbed onto him. Steel leaped passed the soldiers, his sword tail blade slashing the throat of the Centurion who fell choking on his own blood. The five friends ran but became separated at some point during the chase.
Steel stopped running at a small clearing panting for breath and cursing the fact he never learned how to fly. A twig snapped from the brush causing the Kirin to spin around in a combat pose, fire coming out of mouth.
"Wow wow! Don't shoot! It's me Typhoon Blitz!!"
Said Pegasus jumped out of the brush, a panicked look on his face. Steel canceled his fire and stood up in a normal pose.
"Sorry Ty, but don't sneak up on me like that." He looked around, "Wait... were's Gem, Dusk and Iron?"
"I don't know, we got separated during that chase."
Steel's response was cut off when they heard more voices coming towards them.
"They went this way, over here!"
Both friends looked at each other then back at the path in shock.
"What?! How did they catch up with us?"
"I don't know but we need to move." Steel said then grabbed Typhoon by the scruff of the neck and ran carrying the surprised Pony.
"I can walk just fine you know! It's my wing not my hooves that's hurt!" He yelled at the kirin.
Steel ignored his protests.
After gaining some distance he let Ty use his own hooves and the two continued running through the forest. The two stopped when they came upon a high cliff, two sides were a sheer drop, one held a mountain and the last one was the forest they just came from.
"Oh great now what?" Ty asked
"We might be able to climb down, but that's a long way down." Steel said leaning over the edge.
"If only we could fly, we both could escape with ease."
"What about the others?"
"I wouldn't worry about them." A third voice said. Steel and Typhoon turned around, seeing another Centurion with a force of soldiers. Typhoon groaned, facehooving.
"You guys just don't give up."
"No we don't, we know you two can't fly or you would have done so long ago. Your three fellow outlaws were captured by the way, they can watch you two die in the Arena." The Centurion said in a smug tone.
Steel and Typhoon shared a sideways glance, not happy at the news.
"If you think we're coming quietly you have another thing coming!" The latter said arching his back while the former did the same with a growl. The Centurion laughed.
"I expected as much."
Before the two sides could fight, they all heard a deep, low rumble.
"Ty... please tell me that was your stomach."
"That wasn't me."
They looked around, then up the mountain, only to see a large wave of snow.
Steel grabbed Typhoon and set the Pegasus on his back as the Kirin jumped up as the wall of snow hit, the Empire soldiers weren't as lucky and were swept away by the snow. Steel landed on his underbelly and traveled down with the snow.
"Okay I know bob sleighing, but Kirin sleighing!? I think we just created a new spot." Ty said as he held onto Steel's horns for dear life.
"Not the time Ty!"
The two traveled down with the snow, right into a frozen lake. Steel flipped over sending Typhoon up and back down onto the Kirin's stomach, his wings and body wrapping around the Pegasus in an effort to protect him. Then the two hit the water and sank into it.
Unknown Location
In the center of a large, round chamber sat a large cube of ice. Within was the frozen body of the Kirin with his body wrapped around his Pegasus buddy. Several short bipedal imp-like creatures with brown skin and yellow eye each wearing a piece of fur around their shoulders and knee-length pants held up by a studded belt moved around the block, tapping, poking, and knocking on it among other things. An imp-like creature with grey skin, white beard, and yellow eyes and wearing a black leather cape with a finger bone necklace and worn red robe under, on it's back was a wooden sick with a glowing yellow crystal hanging above it's head and three small gold rings were on the left it's long ears approached.
"Stop that, our Overlord and his friend have had quite the night. Now let's get them out of that ice prison, Giblet, fire up the dragon! That'll melt them out of there."
Flames bathed the ice, melting in quickly. After it melted enough the two within fell to the floor, or they would have if some of the creatures hadn't caught them.
"Still warm! Still breathing Still alive!"
"Get them to their new quarters, let them sleep off the cold in the heat of some Reds. Once they awake I'll talk to them and they can began their reign of Evil. Make sure they get some food, they will need to be strong after all. Thestral-born Kirins love mangoes so make sure there are some along with some meat."
Typhoon groaned as he started waking up, he slowly peeled his eyes open only to shut them again with a groan as he was nearly blinded. Covering his eyes with his hooves he tired to recall what had happened, the attack, the ambush, the avalanche, and the freezing water. Moving his hooves away from his eyes a little bit to allow them to adjust, he noticed the warmth over and around him. Once his eyes had recovered enough he looked to his side, Steel was asleep next to him, the Kirin's wing over the Pegasus. Ty smiled and rubbed the wing, then looked about were they were.
The two of them were laying on a simple, but very large, bed in a somewhat large room. The wall to the left of the bed held two very large window that were covered by curtains, on the wall opposite of the bed was a pile of debris, and to the right was a large stair case. The bed was covered in worn and tattered, but comfortable, blankets and small fires in bowls and softly glowing red-orange crystals scattered around bathing the room in light and warmth.
Steel groaned as he woke up, after his eyes had recovered enough he looked around.
"Where are we Ty?"
"I don't know Steel, we're not dead so that's a plus. Or in the Arena."
"And our stuff is here with us, could you pass me my scarf please."
Looking over Ty saw that all their items were next to the bed in somewhat neat piles. He picked up Steel's scarf with his wing and passed it over to the Kirin who put it on. They didn't get off the bed as they were still tired, having possibly got a mild case of hypothermia. Steel wrapping around Ty and their combined body heat (and the Kirin's internal flame) likely protected them from the worst of it.
Said Pegasus scooted closer to Steel who tightened his wing around Ty, taking comfort in each other's presence after losing their three friends.
"So... what now Steel?"
"Well, just wait I guess. Either of us are in any condition to move very far, or fight, and this isn't a prison cell like I ever saw. If anything it looks like a King or Queen's bedroom."
"I noticed that too. So we just wait for someone to come check on us?"
"Not like we can do anything else at the moment."
A double low rumble filled the air of the room and caused the two to jump slightly.
"Some food would be nice about now, we haven't eaten anything since supper last light." Ty said rubbing his stomach.
"Some mangoes would be good too." Steel said scratching an ear with his wing hand.
"Well I did bring some sires." A third voice said from the stairs. The two startled and turned to see the caped Imp-like creature enter with eight brown ones carrying a large plate of food and a large bowl of...
"MANGOES!!"
Steel, forgetting his tiredness, sat up with a huge, wide-open mouth smile, eyes shining, tongue hanging out, fangs dripping, and the rear half of his tail wagging. Typhoon had to hold back a laugh at the Kirin's excitement. The four creatures carrying the bowl set it down and Steel grabbed a mango, munching away at it with a happy and quiet "Nom nom nom". Ty Almost lost it, after he calmed down turned to the caped one.
"And who, and what, are you?" The caped one bowed.
"I am Gnarl, Lord Flame's advisor and devoted servant of darkness, and I'm what's know as a Minion. Same as our brown fellows here."
Ty's eyes widened as some old memories came up. "I think I've heard of you. If my memory is right Minions willingly serve an Overlord who leads them spreading their control across territories."
"Really?" Steel asked, "and how due they rule those territories?"
"It depends on the Overlord; some rule with an iron hoof, other take a more firm but fair approach."
Gnarl smiled at the Pegasus' knowledge.
"Seems you know a bit about us. Tell me, was one of your family a past Overlord?"
"I'm afraid I couldn't tell you, my parents left me when I was a baby." Typhoon looked at the bed as Steel laid a wing over him. "As for how I known, most of it comes from stories and rumor's I've heard over the years."
Steel looked at Gnarl.
"Now we have questions."
"I knew you would, ask away Sire."
"First, where the heck are we?"
"You're in the bedroom of the Private Quarters, inside the Netherworld Tower."
"Which is in a place called the Netherworld." Ty said, more of a statement then a question.
"Yes, which will now serve as your new home." Steel spoke next.
"So just to make sure I have this right; you and the Minions have chosen me as your new Overlord,"
"That's right Sire."
"So what happens to Typhoon here?" Steel asked gesturing to the Pony next to him.
"Well, if he chooses, he can be a Minion Commander."
"Minion Commander?" Both asked.
"Yes Sires, a Minion Commander is like an Overlord but has a different set of magic skills that focuses on increasing their offence, defense, and support in battle. The cost is the Minion Commander has no other magic at his call other then what he already has, like your Pegasus magic for example."
Typhoon's eyebrows raised up in interest, "Hmm..."
Steel then asked, "What about the rest of our friends when we find them?"
"Well that Gem Mare would most likely be your Mistress, as for the two; let's find them first. They would still live in the Tower."
Steel thought for a minute, "That sounds alright, funny enough the two of us actually discussed the idea of forming a herd around Gem when we were old enough. She seemed to like the idea as well"
"Then that would work find Sires, now for your next question?"
So the three of them talked back-and-forth with Steel and Ty asking questions about the Minions, the Netherworld, and other events. As they talked two groups of several Browns entered, the first was wearing red coats, black pants, white leg wrappings and scarfs, with white wigs on their heads. They were carrying items clearly meant for grooming. The second group wore what Steel and Ty guessed were black robes with torso armor underneath, the piece of fur all Browns wore, black bands on their wrists and ankles, a steel helmet with a black plume on top and a large jaw. They were armed with halberds.
Both Ty and Steel noticed that the Browns in the second group were larger then the others.
The first group hopped onto the bed around the Pony and Kirin and, to their surprise, began to very gently brush and clean their manes, tails and coats. Neither really knew how to react to this, especially when Typhoon had his wings spread with great care so the feathers could be tended to, the Browns being very careful with the injured one. The second group stayed at the entryway (there were no doors, just stairs and a pair of thick, heavy curtains) and took up positions on both sides.
Gnarl explained that the group tending to them were Browns specially trained as Menservants, with him mentioning it wasn't easy, while the second group were guards assigned to protect them as they recovered from their cold swim and sleep. Typhoon, having learned that only they and the Minions could access the Netherworld, asked if the guards were necessary. Both Gnarl and Steel said it was better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them, and because it wasn't fully known if they were the only ones who could access the Netherworld.
After they finished with the questions Gnarl bowed and left the two to their food.
"Bit of an unexpected situation we found ourselves in, huh Steel?"
"Yea, definitely better the Arena."
"That I agree, but... it seems we don't have a choice about you being the Overlord of these Minions."
"And you being a Minion Commander."
Yea, I'm not complaining or anything like that, just this is all very sudden."
"True, but now we have a chance to bring down the Empire and find our friends." Steel looked down sadly at the mango in his claws, "I just hope they'll be okay as it's going to take at least a few years, maybe more, before we are able to."
Ty reached over and paced his hoof on the Kirin's shoulder. "We'll find them Steel, and those pearls on your scarf will help when the time comes and let us have some idea on how their doing."
Steel looked at him in surprise with raised eyebrows, "How Typhoon?"
"Remember that thing we all did soon after we meet? That magic formed those pearls in the first place?. As long as they remain full of color and warm to the touch, they are alive and healthy."
Steel picked up one end of his scarf to look at the pearls, all of them were still full of color and warm. He let out a sigh and look back at his friend.
"You're right Ty, we will find them and free them." They looked at each other with determined looks and did a set of familiar motions.
"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." They said at the same time.
"Forever!"
Everyone in the room jumped at the unknown voice, the guards looking around for any threats. Ty and Steel looked back at each other then shrugged before returning to there food. The Browns on the bed continuing their work. After Steel and Ty finished they laid back to to sleep, two of the Minions laying some pillows under their heads and after the rest finished their work they left the room, closing the curtains over the doorway.
Gnarl had got half-way down to the throne room when he stopped with a very confused look.
"Strange... why to I have a craving for cupcakes all of a sudden? I don't even like those fluffy-" He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the cupcake in his hand.
"Ohh... Beetle juice flavor with maggot icing topped with a salamander eyeball, my favorite."
He continued on his way, not noticing the tail of a certain pink Pony disappear behind a pillar and just vanish into thin air.
"Hmmm... Earthworm filling as well."
Netherworld Tower
Some days later
Steel and Ty spend the next few days recovering from their hypothermia laying on their bed reading various books on what they needed to know, getting up every so often to strengthen their limbs with their Minion servants ready to add them if needed. Both had found it a bit jarring to have servants of their own after growing into their late teens more or less being servants themselves, expect Steel but they still treated him as one.
Not that they were complaining, it was a welcomed change after serving Steel's "siblings" for all that time.
Once the two had recovered enough to leave their bed Gnarl gave them a tour of the Netherworld Tower. The tower had either been built like or out of a massive stalactite, probably the latter as the tower was a mess of rock caverns. Outside of their bedroom was the Private Quarters; a large, spacious room with a decent sized but very shallow pool which was empty at the moment, a stairway leading to the lower floors, an outer hallway leading to a small interior balcony, the Magic Room (which was undergoing repairs so it was unusable at the moment), a larger outside balcony which was outside where the two bedroom windows were, into a small room that would be their personal archive which was a total mess at the moment.
From there was a small fight of stairs that lead to another interior balcony which had an entry way back into the main area, and another small flight of stairs that lead onto a small bridge to a room built into a medium-sized stalactite. This room was empty right now, but would be given a use sometime in the future. On the side of the main area opposite of the stairs to the lower levels was the stairway which consisted of two sets of stairs with a flat section in the middle to the Bedroom which was okay but still a bit of a mess right now. The stairs to the lower levels was long and winding, with entry ways to ten levels. The levels were being cleared out so they were unusable for the time being, though Typhoon and Steel put forth several ideas for them, such as a Library/Archives, War Room, Quarters for both Pony servants and guards, and a Trophy Room to name a few.
Gnarl had asked about the Quarters for Pony servants and guards, more the latter. Steel had explained that since the Empire was hunting down rouge Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi either for slaves or in the latter case to throw into the Arena, that there would no doubt be resistance movements so by giving them a safe place for their leaders, followers and families in exchange for their loyalty, they would have greater power as while the Minions were great and all, He and Typhoon couldn't be everywhere at once. With the resistance movements on their side they could form an empire of their own to topple the current one and better hold onto the continent when they took it over. It would also allow them to hit multiple places at once and spread the Empire's force thinner, allow them to hit certain targets easier as well as have a greater variety of troops as again while the Minion were great some heavy hitters among others would also be good.
Gnarl thought about this for a few minutes, and agreed. Plus, this wasn't the first time an Overlord had employed other forces besides the Minions.
At the bottom of the stairs was the largest and most important room; The Throne Room.
The stairs lead to a raised walkway behind the throne which had a stairway that split in two, the back split lead to a hall/walkway with a few balconies that went around the room to the entry hall while the front split lead to the Throne Room floor. The room itself was round with a high raised dais that held the throne on another dais with what seemed to be a pillar of rock with flowing lava that when pass the sides of the throne, down the dais, and into the floor where it formed several "rivers". In the center of the room were two disks with two thin brown ones engraved with runes on the edges of the largest one, on the largest on were decorative art of Dragons and Minions while the smaller one had it's own art in the form of a pattern. The very center held a set of layered plates with some sort of symbol on each. Above the room were numerous tattered banners hang from chains attached to the ceiling and a very large clawed object pulsing with blue/white energy that Gnarl said was a device for teleporting to the Netherworld Gates on the surface. On the edge of the room on the sides were lowered sections were the Minions seem to be making their homes. Opposite of the throne was a short hall were six Guard Minions stood that lead onto a large balcony that formed a half-circle around the front of that level of the tower with a straight extension out the front with three small raised platforms. At the ends of the half-circle were stair leading onto the Throne Room balconies.
The extension at the front held three floating platforms that would take them to three areas; The Minion Burrows, The Foundations, and the Battle Rock Arena. The Netherworld itself was a massive cave with walls that had lava flowing down all over the place down to a center point underneath the tower. Looking up the two noticed multiple small stalactites around the top of the tower that on closer inspection were actually small buildings, like Minion homes, and around the bottom of the tower was a ring of floating rocks. Steel and Ty noted that there was plenty of room to fly.
Gnarl, Steel and Typhoon stepped onto the center platform which took them to the Minion Burrows.
The Minion Burrows was a series of rocky pathways with Minion housing, pillars, and bridges that was divided into four areas, one for each Minion type, though only the Browns had set up. The few Greens, Blues, and Reds only and a few buildings compared to the Browns many. As the three stepped off the platform Gnarl spoke.
"The Minion Burrows are believed to be the birth place of the first Minion: He who dug his way to the surface to serve the very first Overlord. After the Empire rose and killed our last Overlord and destroyed the old lands with their, thankfully only, (we made sure of that) Megaspell. We retreated here in the exodus. Since then we remained here, searching for our next Overlord."
The three walked down a path to where a series of rivers flowed and small lakes sat. they arrived at what looked like a temple were an aged Blue Minion wearing a faded brown robe and was holding a scythe in his hands. Gnarl walked up to him and introduced the Blue.
"This is Minion Mortis, he's in charge of the burrows. That is to be said he facilitates your orders Sires."
The Blue gave a nod to them.
"He spawns new Minions, tends to the souls of the dead, makes sure they don't come back with the wrong head, that sort of thing."
"Wait... tends to the souls of the dead?" Steel asked.
"Makes sure they don't come back with the wrong head? He can bring dead Minions back?!" Typhoon asked with a shocked look.
"Yes, but that's for a bit later."
Mortis then spoke, his voice like water in an odd sense.
"Minions, we live, we serve, we die. it is what we are, and what we will always be." He gestured to the surrounding area. "Barracks, the spawning place. You bring me lifeforce, I bring you Minions."
Gnarl continued.
"The Barracks are where the Minions live when they're not out causing chaos with you Sires. It's also where we keep the Minion Hives, which allow Minion summoning."
Gnarl let out a sigh while shaking his head.
"Unfortunately, during the exodus three of the four hives were lost. We only manged to retain the Browns and only a few of the other types. I'm sure they'd love a visit."
Gnarl the gestured to the temple.
"This is graveyard, you can view your recently deceased Minions in the temple and resurrect your favorites, with Mortis bring them back."
Ty rubbed his chin with a hoof, "And because Mortis is a Blue, I'm guessing that's an ability Blue Minions have: the ability to bring fallen Minions back."
"Most Blues are only able to do it within a few minutes, after that they can't. Mortis here is an ancient Blue who had far greater power then most other Blues as he being around a very long time. Almost as long as I have."
Typhoon nodded in understanding, Steel then spoke.
"But I'm guessing that unlike the regular Blues ability, Mortis' own has a cost to bring them back."
Said Blue nodded and spoke, "Life has a price; life for death, death for life." Gnarl Continued,
"Indeed Mortis, if you wish to resurrect a fallen Minion you need to sacrifice another one of the same color. The newest one are sacrificed."
"A bit cruel, but then again, life is a cold hearted mistress." Steel said, Ty nodding his agreement.
After that they bid Mortis farewell and then traveled to where the platform was waiting, Gnarl gave them information on the Minion types, with Mortis somehow added his own quotes from the grave yard.
"Browns are strong and loyal, they live to fight."
"That's right Mortis, Browns are your main melee fighters due to their attitude of hit first... jump up and down on the carcass later! They are the toughest of all Minions and never shy away from a fight, in fact it's quite difficult to get them to stop. Such is their dedication to the fight that Browns can also use many different objects as weapons.
Reds are your ranged fighters, throwing fireballs at enemies. Reds aren't particularly hardy, so you mustn't let enemies get too close to them Sires. But use them in a horde and that's a different story, a story full of flames, burning and screaming!
Greens are your sneaky infiltrators, what they lack in hygiene, they make up for in sneakiness. Greens can do a great deal of damage if you attach them to an enemy's back. They aren't terribly hygienic I'm afraid, but good at sneaking up on things. Use them to guard an area and they're practically invisible. As long as the enemy doesn't notice the smell.
And finally Blues are are your magic casters, and the only Minions who can swim as the others are only good at drowning. The Blues' minds appear to be on a different plane of existence half the time (I still haven't been able to find out if that is the case or not). When they do decide to join us on this one, their healing and magic damage skills can be most useful. they can resurrect fallen Minion during battle, but Blues are quite fragile, so position them carefully."
Once Gnarl finished the three of them stepped onto the floating platform which traveled back to the tower, where they stepped onto the on the right side from the door to the Throne Room which flew them to the Foundations; a cavern that was hotter then the others but not too much. It was much smaller with only three ares; one with a large, lava-fueled forge, one with some sort of weapons and armor storage, and one with a large crane. As the three stepped off they were greeted by a Brown wearing armor with a helmet that fully covered his head expect his ears and wielding a hammer.
"Greetings, Sires! Welcome to Foundations. Masters can order biiiigggg Netherworld Buildings here!"
"Giblet is a particularly robust Minion, Sires. Been around almost as long as I have." Gnarl said, then Giblet continued as they reached the first area, which held the forge.
"This Forge! Build weapons and armor here! But need more Reds to fully power it."
The next area held two mannequins along with two weapon racks.
"This here is your personal armory Sires, this is were wear your extra weapons and armors are stored. As the two of you still have some growing to do your armors haven't been made yet." Gnarl said showing the place off. After they finished they went back to the platform then back to the tower. When they arrived and entered the Throne Room Steel and Typhoon meet the jester, Quaver.
Quaver was a Brown, though his skin was closer to cooper with white markings, with a rather jovial demeanor. He enjoyed his job and was apparently the chief as well, one feature he had was his right eye was glass. Gnarl had said Quaver had foolishly stuck his face up against an ice wall and his eye froze to it like one's tongue would on a cold metal pole, only Quaver pulled back to hard which tore the eye out, eventually replacing it with the glass one. Quaver was also not well liked by most of his fellow Browns, who showed clear disdain for him, likely because of his rather... obnoxious poem-waxing, which were apparently made to honor the future Overlord and Minion Commander and their journeys.
Once the tour was complete Steel and Ty retired to their room to rest and prepare for their training, laying down on the very large bed the two had their supper and went over what was to come.
"Well Steel, it seems fate chose us for all of this." Ty said as he got conformable.
"Looks that way Ty, but now we have a chance, to find and free our friends, and bring the Empire down. I just hope we'll be up to the task." Ty reached over and placed his hoof on Steel's wing.
"We've been through many thing together Steel, and I'm with you all the way bro. Let's do this not just for our friends, but for others as well." Steel smiled and the two locked hoof and hand with determined smiles, ready to take on the coming challenges with all they had.
Six years later
Cliff on the outskirts of Eversnow.
Steel Flame and Typhoon Blitz stood on a high cliff overlooking the town below, not much had changed there since they had left. Same Ponies, same buildings, and same snow. The only difference was the Empire soldiers that moved about. Steel and Typhoon had also changed; while their personalities were still the same, their bodies had changed over the six years. Both were much taller with Steel standing a head tall then most Kirin (who stood slightly taller the Princess Celestia, horn included), while Typhoon had grown to be as tall as Princess Luna, both with heavily built bodies to match. They both wore heavy and thick plate armor that most likely would had crushed a regular Pony, with Steel's greatcoat dded into his armor. His scarf wrapped around his thick, armored neck. Across their backs were capes made from the pelt of an Ursa Major that they had slayed in Steel's Rite of Passage in the Kirin Mountains.
Steel had none of his body exposed while Ty only had his long tail exposed to the light wind swaying like Steel's scarf.
"Six years, six, long years since we were last here." Ty said readjusting his helmet and the mace at his side.
"Indeed Ty, and nothing has changed." Steel said staring towards the town with a glare under his scared helmet, during his Rite of Passage and the fight with the Ursa the massive star-furred bear landed a hit on Steel's face, leaving four deep scars on the left side of his face that ran from the base of his horn down to the end of his snout. Somehow, his eye survived just fine. Steel had Giblet incorporate these scars into his helmet, both as reminder of that day and for added intimidation.
"Only difference is the Empire soldiers."
"Yea, I do hope Gem, Iron and Dusk are still there."
"We can only hope, at least the pearls are still like they were six years ago."
"True, so we known they're alive and well." Steel readjusted his halberd, "Let's go, we spent enough time here and we need to start our plans."
Ty nodded and the two walked away, after reaching the Netherworld Gate they contacted Gnarl.
-Gnarl, are the Browns ready?- Steel asked through the helmet.
-Yes Sire, they ready to get smashing things on your orders.-
-Good, Ty and I well bring them here and we'll start looking for our Red Hive.-
After Gnarl comfirmed and the two of them summoned Browns, Ty looked back towards Eversnow.
"Watch out Eversnow, we're coming back, back and ready to take back what is ours."
Steel smiled, "Now, now we unleash the Minions of war."
