The months after the Grand Galloping Gala were busy for the Overlord. With the state of Equestria's Alliances in question, he started moving around to the other nations, making treaties with several of them. While not allies, they agreed to not being aggressive to one another and allowed free movement in their nations.

That suited the Dark lord just fine; using his freedom to move, he deployed several greens when he was visiting a nation to scout and look for the missing piece of his armor.

The other gauntlet, the one that would allow him to call in his main power base, the Guards of Deeper Hell themselves. Forged in the fiery chasm, it was embedded with the master control gem of the residents of the Abyss. Called the Necro Guardians, they had given the gem to him, swearing their loyalty to him after he fell their former ruler, a real nutcase who wanted to just make friends.

Before promptly eating said friends.

They had aided in the war with Luna and Celestia. He had nearly won thanks to them, only for Celestia and Luna to pull out the Elements he had made. When he lost, the gauntlet was lost as well. Now, he was searching for it in every location. He had found more of his old totems and what not, but no gauntlet.

“Gnarl, how long is he going to be at this?” Gilda asked, leaning on her spear.

“Who knows? It could be a couple of days. He's very stubborn about finding his things.” Gnarl replied, watching his master stare at the Tower Heart's surface.

“I'll say!” Lyra piped up.

There was a low growl and the Overlord turned away, his eyes narrowed as the Tower Heart became cloudy.

“Nothing in Germane either. Though my minions uncovered more totems and spells.”

No sooner was the report given that the said items came down making Gnarl chortle happily.

“Ah, the totems allows you control another twenty five minions master! Oh, it seems that your fireball spell got an upgrade to Fire storm. Along with the upgrade, it seems to be your shield spell also got one, going from the Hell shield to the Abyss shield. A good find sire!”

“Yes, but I really need that second gauntlet. It's crucial to recover it before some idiot pony tries to put it on...I know I have spells that protect it, but it would alert Celestia even if she is on thin ice with her allies. You recall how she gets about objects of power in the hands of her 'little' ponies.”

Gnarl gave a grunt and nodded.

“Yes, I do. Prissy, overprotective mare...”

Gilda looked at the Overlord who slumped down in his throne. She immediately got on the arm of it on the left side, placing a hand on his shoulder. The Overlord returned the gesture, sighing.

“It'll be okay, ya big lug. You'll find it.”

“I know that Gil, but for the love of Evil, the resources the Deeper Hell has are crucial. They were what made me feared by all beings in the lands.”

The Griffon didn't doubt that. She had seen the walls adorn with various depictions of several skeletal like beings charging at the dark king's command. Gnarl had told her that Overlord went into the deeper realms of Hell to try and find powerful artifacts once thought lost.

He got them and so much more; he fought the Forgotten God, a being trapped down there since the start of the Universe. The Overlord set about slaying him and gaining the armies there. His magic prowess had increased ten fold from training there with the tomes and books there. When it came time to attack Equestria, he had made many a pony tremble and soil their trousers with the armies he had with him. Even Celestia and Luna were hard pressed against him in a fight.

Having the resources of the hell again would be phenomenal in their war against Equestria. But that all mattered jack squat if the gauntlet to control them wasn't found.

“Well, what about Herbal? The Zebra you helped?” Gilda suggested. “I bet she has some family she wants to get back to.”

The Overlord pondered on this, weighing each pro and con. On one hand, the Zebras were still friendly to the Equestrians, but on the other, they also tended to care for their kind like a big happy family. If Herbal had gone missing some months ago, he'd gain their trust when he returned her.

“Get Herbal here. I wish to talk with her about bringing her back to her homeland.”

Gnarl nodded and hobbled off to the zebra's quarters.

MLPOV

Herbal was currently in a room given to her. She was sitting cross-legged, a bronze spear in front of her, the tip glowing with arcane energy.

Its length was six feet from the tip to the shaft, a large red handle in the middle for easy gripping. The wood was ash and it gleamed in the torchlight.

Taking a deep breath, she rose, the spear clenched tightly in her hand. Twirling the shaft around her back point down, the pointed end made a loud scraping sound against the stone, sparks flying and making the energy glow.

Visualizing an enemy, a thrust was made. She flowed flawlessly into another stance, the spear in both hands before her hands made the shaft separate from the red leather coming away easily. A flick, a blade came out as the top of the handle became a guard. The shorter end had become a short sword that she held in her off hand.

Thus began a dance.

One step.

Thrust with the Spear top.

Two steps.

Sweep with the sword.

Herbal repeated this process, chanting in her native tongue, the spear point glowing brightly with odd signs. So engrossed with her work and dance, she did not hear the door open nor did she hear Gnarl's feet scraping on the floor.

A sudden clatter made her spin, throwing the Spear top first.

Her eyes went wide in shock at seeing the Spear Top get stuck in a crack in the wall, bobbing up and down from the sudden stop. It had missed Gnarl's head by a good foot from his head, but that did not protect him from the shaking shaft.

“OUCH! OW! CONFOUND IT ALL!” Gnarl yelped as the shaft smacked his head repeatedly making many passing Minions laugh at the Minion master's misfortune.

“G-gnarl!? I'm so sorry! I was practicing and...and...and why are you here?” Herbal asked, coming out of her trance.

Gnarl, finally getting out from under the Short Spear, rubbed his head.

“The master wants to see you. Nice reflexes by the way.” Gnarl complimented, leaving the room.

All Herbal could do was stare.

MLPOV

Herbal stood nervously in front of the Overlord, who was sitting on his throne. Looking at her with his red eyes always made her feel uneasy, but she would endure the gaze even if it wasn't filled with anger or malice at her. Her jaw dropped as he had asked her if she had wanted to return to her homeland.

The sudden request had taken her by surprise and she stood there, opening and closing her mouth.

This had made many present concern.

“I broke her didn't I?” The Overlord asked sheepishly.

“Looks like.” Gilda replied, sitting in the newly made second throne next to the Overlord.

Herbal took a deep breath, steeling her nerves and bowed to the two.

“I'm sorry, your request took me by surprise. I would love to return to my homeland, Zebrica.”

The Overlord nodded and stood, Gilda following, the Minions all scrambling to bring the two their weapons. Once outfitted, the two walked down to where Herbal was at.

“Then we make our way to Zebrica.”

Herbal's face lit up in joy at that proclamation, the teleporting spell surrounding them.

MLPOV

The nation of Zebrica was split into five parts, each one govern by a Tribe. In recent years, the tribes had unified over the years since their founding, but there was a Fifth that chose to betray the kingdom in a bid to make their own.

Herbal looked around in joy at the sight of the jungles of her homeland. Stepping away, she touched the flora and fauna, taking in the scent of her home country. Both Gilda and the Overlord watched with a smile on their faces; returning one to their home was always a joyful occasion.

“Quite beautiful...now, where exactly is your home?” The Overlord asked, looking around at the lush area.

Herbal, remembering her guests, quickly turned back around blushing slightly.

“This way, the village is not far.” Herbal said, taking the lead through the foliage.

The Overlord and Gilda followed after her, each one wondering what the village would be like.

MLPOV

The trek took two hours, but the group of three soon came to a village wall. Herbal looked at the tops concerned.

“Odd...there are usually guards patrolling. Where are they?”

The Overlord looked at the walls near the door and saw something. Taking a closer look, he saw a poster with a male zebra and a female zebra, both were encircled by Rings and had a heart for the background.

“'The wedding of Prince Asafa Kenyada and Hasnaa Msaliti'.”

Herbal's head turned to the poster, a loud crack making her wince, but not stopping the 'WHAT' escaping her lips. Pushing past the Overlord, she looked over the poster and snarled.

“T-t-t-that MULE! Hasnaa knew I was engaged to Asafa...why-” Herbal began to say only to stop and realization cutting across her face.

“Oh...oh gods...she...she did...her and her mother...”

Gilda, seeing the panic attack coming, gently shook the shocked

“Herbal, focus! We'll stop this wedding, right?” Gilda stated, looking over at the Overlord.

“Damn right. If there is a cell that still has ties to the Caribou, you can be damn sure I want it broken.” The Overlord said, hefting his mace.

With a swing, the blunt instrument struck hard, sending the doors of the wall flying and landing in the dirt. Walking in, the Overlord's eyes burned hot.

“We got a wedding to crash.”

“Oh~! Been a while since you last did that!” Gnarl said over the com stone making the Overlord nod.

MLPOV

The three didn't have a hard time finding the wedding; the noise level was booming. It looked like the entire village had turned up and then some. Herbal was fidgeting greatly, the urge to charge ahead strong, but Gilda held her back.

“Leave the big entrances to the Overlord. Trust me, he knows how to make em.” Gilda said with a smirk.

Herbal nodded, watching the Overlord summon some Greens from a nearby pool and sending them into the encampment. After doing so, he headed back over.

“What are the weddings for your people like, Herbal?”

Herbal explained that weddings for Zebrica were like the traditional ones seen in Canterlot and the rest of Equestria. The only difference was that everyone, barring the holy man, was nude making Gilda blush.

If someone protested the wedding, then they were clothed and at the words, 'Should the gods denounce the union of this man and woman, let them chose an avatar to speak!'.

“Herbal, what is your real name? I only guess that your name is a translation.”

“You are correct, Overlord. In Equestria, I am called Herbal Tea, but in Zebrica I am known as Mmea Chai.”

The Overlord nodded, looking at Gilda.

“Here's the idea...”

MLPOV

The ceremony was grand; many of the tribes best and brightest had come to see the marriage of the King's son and the woman who had captured his heart.

She actually came from a small clan of Zebras who specialized in brews; from potions to mere drinks. They're line was only marred by the desertion of one of theirs but it was still a strong line. Many were happy to see the union, none more so then an aged female zebra.

Currently, the Elder was sitting with the soon to be bride, cackling along with her daughter.

“Oh mama, its a dream come true! Finally, we will be at our rightful place in the world; rich, famous, and best of all, a queen! Untouchable to all but other nations!” The mare gushed.

“Indeed, my daughter, indeed. And without Chai here, no one can ruin our plans.” The elder zebra said.

It had been a plan in the making for centuries; the family from which the two had hailed from had been sly back-stabbers, always betting one one side or another in the wars that had plagued their nation centuries ago. They always came out on top.

Until two-hundred and fifty years ago.

It was business as usual and they tried to stage a coupe within the kingdom of Zebrica. Siding with the rebels, they fought for seven long years, the title of the crown just in their grasp.

It all fell apart in the final year; the king and prince turned the tide, springing a trap as the army moved into the capital city using a new form of warfare called explosive potions. The loss of life that day made the rebels loose faith and surrender.

The family, once in the thousands, now in numbers below hundreds having suffered the most from the ambush. They scattered and lived under false names due to the king's family putting out a kill on sight order for them. They slowly, ever so slowly, worked their way back to the capital city, planning the day that they would be part of the royals.

That day was what led to today. Finally after centuries of labor, they were about to soon take what was theirs!

The two mares left the hut they were in, unaware of several greens leaving.

MLPOV

The ceremony went off without a hitch; everyone had taken their seats, without their clothes on and were eagerly eying the Prince who stood tall and proud. Pipes and flutes began to play as a Zebra dressed in white robes crossed with golden stitching entered and stood at a dais.

Many of the congregation all stood and bowed at the Holy One's entrance. He placed the book on the dais, gesturing for the congregation to sit. Once everyone was, the pipes and flutes began to play the tribal song of matrimony.

Everyone turned and watched as Hasnaa entered, her mother at her side. The two walked down the aisle, several fillies and colts marching beside the two. Hasnaa smiled sweetly at Asafa, who nodded back.

Once the two were at the Dais, the holy man started his sermon.

“People of Zebrica, we are gathered on this day to witness...”

MLPOV

Outside of the wedding ceremony, the Overlord was standing ready, listening carefully to the Holy Man's words.

The ceremony started when the sun was just rising in the sky and now it was sitting high overhead. Even the weddings he had gone to in the past were not this long! Suddenly, Gnarl came on over the stone.

“Master! Grungy reports that the Holy man is saying the words!”

That made the Overlord grin, a ball of fire appearing in the palm of his hand.

Showtime.

MLPOV

Many of the guests sat calm and collected despite the hours they had been sitting. The Holy Man had gone on about the union being a sacred pact made from the gods of old. The Holy man then spoke how the gods had brought the two before the congregation.

Turning to the Prince, the Holy man spoke.

“Do you, Prince Asafa Kenyada, take Hasnaa Msaliti to be your bride, to be with her in sickness and in health, till the Death lord parts you both?”

The Prince nodded, looking at the zebra in question.

“I do.”

Nodding, the Holy Man turned to Hasnaa.

“Do you, Hasnaa Msaliti, take Prince Asafa Kenyada as your husband, to be with him in sickness and in health, till the Death lord parts you both?”

“I do.” Hasnaa said with a smile.

“Should the gods denounce the union of this man and woman, let them chose an avatar to speak!” The Holy man shouted to the clear skies above.

Unseen, Hasnna and her mother smirked; there was only one who could denounce the union and she was a Caribou slut by now.

The Holy man brought his face down from staring at the skies, only to widen his eyes as a massive fireball came surging from a tall, dark, metal being. With a shout of warning, the Prince, Princess consort and the Holy man yelled in shock and dove away, the fire ball smashing into the Holy Man's dais.

Scrambling to his feet, the Prince barked for his guards. Several women with spears and dressed in red and gold armor came surging out, surrounding the dark being spears lowered. Hasnaa snarled, getting up from the ground.

“Who are you to interrupt MY wedding!?” She demanded watching the figure cross his arms.

“I do believe that I'm the one the Gods chose for their avatar. I am called the Overlord.”

The now identified Overlord turned to the Holy man who got up, brushing off his robes with the help of some aides.

“You denounce this union? On what grounds and who are you denouncing them for?” The Holy man asked, his tone calm and even despite having his life in peril just mere seconds ago.

“I denounce the union for another, who cries out for the injustice done to her. I present to you, Mmea Chai, the first fiancee of the Prince of Zebrica.”

Everyone in the congregation gasped, muttering and whispering running wild. They're whispering and muttering turned to shouts of amazement and joy when the Zebra Mare strolled in, Gilda at her side. Hasnaa looked like she had been fed a VERY sour lemon, trembling in shock and rage. Afasa looked like he was seeing a ghost of a love past and walked up to Mmea.

“M-m-m-Mmea? Is it you, my chai flower?” He asked, his voice tense from the strain.

“It is I, Courageous Lion.” Mmea replied, tears flowing down her face.

The two embrace one another, the Holy Man staring in shock.

“How can this be? She ran away seven months ago...on her day no less.”

The Overlord's booming tone made everyone jump remembering that he was there.

“She was kidnapped and sold into slavery...to the Caribou.”

The name of the race made many scream and dive for cover, save for the Prince and the Holy man, both who had gone pale. Quickly, Hasnaa jumped on the chance.

“Then if she was a Caribou sow, she cannot be wed to MY Afasa. She is no longer pure.” The mare said in a haughty tone.

The Overlord's laughter made everyone stare at him.

“True, but we do have a Holy Man here do we not? Please check her over.”

Nodding, the priest began to chant, moving around Mmea. Everyone watched with baited breath as wisps of light flowed off the Priest and over Mmea. Slowly, an aura began to form on Mmea, light and gray.

Everyone watched with tension rising as the light gray slowly, ever slowly began to change color. Leaning over to the still shell shocked Prince and his family, he whispered.

“What is the color to indicate that a mare is still 'pure'? I have never been to your nation, lovely though it is.” The Overlord asked, lying about being here.

It was the king who replied.

“It will be yellow and green, if she is. Black if she is not.”

The aura around Mmea became yellow and green, making many cheer and Hasnaa to gap.

“Those...those stupid caribou! We gave them a simple task and they messed up!”

Despite the cheering, the King and Prince overheard.

“What do you mean, Hasnaa?” The King asked, his tone dangerously low.

Realizing that what she had said had been heard, she roared, whipping out a ceremonial knife from her hair and rushing at Mmea. The result was her jumping back to avoid the mad swing of the bride. Getting some distance, Mmea brought out her short spear, the blade springing out. Parrying the blade the mad Hasnaa had, she looked into the eyes.

“Why, Hasnaa? We were friends, nearly sisters!” Mmea cried, tears threatening to fall.

Shoving Mmea away, Hasnaa snarled.

“Friends? Sisters? HA~! You were just a stepping stone for me and my family to rightfully claim what was ours! We should have been the Royal house in the war of 993!”

Hearing the mad proclamation made many gasp, remembering only one family who had sided with the rebels of old. The King and Prince both became outraged and concerned; how long had the family been living among them? Mmea, hearing her former friend proclaim she was a descendant from the traitors, lowered her arm carrying her short spear.

With her other hand, she began to undo the straps on her shoulders, letting her top bounce free making Afada blush. The Overlord smiled behind his helm.

“Despite what the bitch has said, Herbal is fighting her on the same terms as she. No armor to protect either of them.”

“An asinine move if you ask me. She's a traitor from a family of traitors, Herbal should take any advantage she's got!” Gnarl snapped.

“True, but this is their way of life, their code of conduct.” The Overlord explained turning his loud voice into a whisper. “But just because she has to follow her way of life, doesn't mean I will. I have several greens all around us, keeping watch in case someone tries something.”

Gnarl cackled at hearing his master's underhanded tricks. The two returned to watching the fight as Mmea finally shed the last of her armor. Discarding the extra part of her spear, she pointed the bladed part at Hasnaa.

“Let us sever the bonds of friendship and sisterhood then.”

Hasnaa roared, charging forward at her former friend, swinging the knife at her stomach. Mmea parried the blow, sending a kick out to the stomach of her former friend.

Skidding back from the strike, Hasnaa howled in fury, rushing like a mad bull.

MLPOV

Hasnaa's mother, Fedha Mama Wa Miaka, or Silver-Tongued Old Mother in Equestrian, watched her daughter fly into a rage, attacking Mmea with abandon. Each time she attacked, the foolish daughter recived a kick to a body part followed up by a shallow slash.

Fedha was mad as well; mad at this Overlord interfering, mad at her daughter for telling everyone in the kingdom who exactly she was descended from, and mad at herself for not just killing Mmea when she had the chance. Slipping a blowpipe out from one of her sleeves, she brought it up to her eyes.

With everyone focused on the fight, she went unseen...except by yellow colored eyes.

Taking an innocent looking pin from her hair, Fedha loaded it into the blowpipe. The pin was laced with a toxin that would put someone in a death like sleep, fooling even the Holy Man's magic. A little number she had made after they had gotten rid of Mmea and was planning on using it on that stuck up queen, but this would work too.

She licked her lips, ready to blow the dart out once she had a clear shot. Seeing her daughter who was covered in bruises and cuts go skidding again, she took aim at Mmea who was catching her breath the brief second she had. Opening her mouth, she prepared to exhale-

A sudden force struck her throat and she gagged, wrapping one hand around her throat. A tower of three green figures that smelled of rotting meat stared back at her, one of them holding the other end of the blowpipe.

Fedha realized what had happened; in the second she opened her mouth to inhale then exhale, the odd creatures struck, climbing on top of one another and blowing the dart into her opened mouth! The heaviness of sleep soon overcame Fedha and she collapsed to the group in a heap, the three beings vanishing before her rapidly closing eyes.

MLPOV

Dodging another strike, Mmea slashed at the exposed back of Hasnaa. The strike opened up a massive cut, blood flowing out as the girl feel to the ground, exhasuted from the loss of blood. Seeing the girl down, the guards left the Overlord and swarmed around her, their spears pointed.

“Hasnaa Msaliti, if even is your name, are under arrest for the kidnapping and slave selling of one Heiress Mmea Chai of the house of Shujaa. You will be tried by his Majesty, King Tu'Challa at a later date and time.” A woman wearing a sash made of an unknown hide said, placing cuffs on the mare.

As one, they all marched away, carrying the now screaming and protesting Hasnaa away. The Overlord looked at Mmea and nodded.

“I have brought you home, milady. Spend some time with your betrothed, that is if the planning is still on?”

King Tu'Challa nodded as the did the prince, though his was more eager.

“We will set a later time for that after we deal with this family.” King Tu'Challa said, bowing from the waist to the Overlord. “Thank you for bringing Mmea Chai home.”

The Overlord nodded, hearing a ruckus and seeing the mother of Hasnaa being rushed to a hospital. Unseen, he smirked.

“I fear I must take my leave, your majesty. I have many meetings with others. By your leave.”

The king nodded, watching the Overlord leave. He turned to the Prince and laughed.

“I will say this, he knows how to shake things up!”

MLPOV

Returning to the tower, the Overlord sat on his throne, content that he had no doubt earned another ally, though they did not know of it. Briefly, he wondered what his son, Spike, was up to now.

Author's Note

Hey all. Sorry for the long wait. A bit of Filler chapter to keep you all aware that I'm alive. I am working on a Spike-Celesta only chapter even now so expect that in a month or two, depending on what my schdule at work is like. Summer help is leaving us for school and that means trouble for my time.

Enjoy!