"LONG LIVE THE NEW QUEEN!" Every changeling shouted in unison. Afterward they looked more closely at their new leader then to each other. "I don't know about the rest of you but that doesn't look like a female at all." One changeling said.

"Our new leader is definitely a male." Another changeling said.

"How can you tell?" Another of the changelings asked.

"Well the warrior always kept a wide stance with his two legs regardless of what he was doing. If us males were fully armored from horn to hoof then I'd bet we would have wide stances too." The former changeling explained. There was a pregnant pause until many of the other changelings finally got it and let out a collective 'ah'.

"That makes sense. I bet having armor there chafes like hell. Still, we don't even know what species his is." One of the male changelings commented. Many of the changelings huddled together discussing the species of their new boss. Some believed that he was a minotaur but it was pointed out the lack of hooves, horns and a tail. Another thought he was a diamond dog but again lacked the tail and was again was disapproved. Meanwhile the said Overlord that sat atop queen and throne, was getting rather irritated. A lone changeling approached as his eye stated to twitch.

"Please forgive them my lord. They are drones for a reason." The changeling spoke with a hint of disappointment. The dark one gazed at the newcomer and noted her features. The changeling was obviously female, if it's voice was anything to go by and was more lithe than others. She definitely was older than some of the other changelings but she was still most definitely in her prime. This changeling politely bowed before the new overlord and introduced herself.

"My name is Emerald wing and I am the Queen's aid. Now I'll serve as yours unless you decree otherwise." The warrior just nodded and readjusted himself atop Chrysalis. The former queen herself had the wind literally knocked out of her and was uncomfortably fidgeting beneath her conqueror's 'presence'.

"Emerald Wing! Bring me some pillows or something, I'm getting crushed into this throne!" Chrysalis barely managed to yell as her breathes were short and labored. She looked to her former aid with hope for mercy but was crushed when Emerald replied with a cruel smile.

"I'm sorry Chrysalis but it seems you have been demoted to the royal cushion. I'm afraid I cannot take orders from a cushion, you'll just have to grin and bear it my lady. Besides our new King wants to tour his new kingdom." Chrysalis was shocked by Emerald's vile words and the Overlord because Emerald understood him. "Don't look so surprised my lord. That expression doesn't suit you. If you would follow me, I'll explain on the way."

The Overlord made his way over to Emerald Wing and every changeling parted way as if he was death himself. Emerald led him down a corridor which broke off into many different rooms that had been dug out and built upon. "Our race is called changelings and like our suggests we can change our form. Additionally we have the ability to detect emotions, so I was able to understand you by reading your body language and emotions."

The two entered a large room with small furniture and bedding. Littered among them were changelings that were hurt or too weak to move. "You see sire the reason why we can sense emotions is because we need it to feed upon love." The dark one stopped and just stared at Emerald as if she told a lie. "I swear it is completely true my king. Changelings can eat other things but to be truly healthy we require love. Love makes us stronger and powers our changeling magic. That's why we change forms because we need to harvest it from other races."

The King followed Emerald deeper into the room and she gestured with her hoof towards each of the changelings as she explained. "There are three common types of changelings that reside within a changeling hive. Regardless of type all changelings share the abilities to transform, fly and use magic."

"The first common type of changeling is a drone. These changelings are built more for strength, endurance and stamina than anything else. Drones are your typical workers or front line soldiers. They are usually average flyers and so-so on magic. Next are the infiltrators, they do exactly as their name suggests. These changelings are geared for speed and are superior flyers but lack strength. Their typical jobs are infiltrating and collecting love for the hive to feed on. Last but not least are the casters. A caster is a changeling who's magical ability is far above the other two changeling types. They are more like the jack of a trades and can do any job using their magic to compensate."

Emerald continued to explain to the Overlord about changelings until eventually Chrysalis herself recovered and caught up with the two. "Emerald left out the most important part my King. Each changeling hive is ruled by a Royal Changeling which has the best traits of each of the common types." Chrysalis said sardonically said while glaring daggers at Emerald Wing.

"Well then you can tell him about our problem yourself." The older changeling chided. The dark one's gaze turned to Chrysalis and she started to squirm under his stare. Until finally she sighed and started to speak.

"I'll be honest with you. The truth of the matter is, that we're all starving and it's all my fault. Love has always been scarce to acquire for changelings but we've always managed to get by. Until one day I decided to get greedy and try to conquer the capital of Equestria. We came close to actually winning but, in the end my gloating undid us and we got banished to the wastelands." Chrysalis explained and Emerald just shook her head while sighing.

"Your lordship, a royal changeling is supposed to be the strongest and wisest of us all. If the best of us fail then it often means the extinction of the hive. Ever since that wedding we have been low on love and our little altercation with you early hurt us even more. We've almost depleted our supply to heal all the injuries we've received. We normally wouldn't touch our stock when it's so low but some of our wounds would have been fatal without treatment." Emerald Wing interjected. The dark one just listened to their story and stroked the side of his helmet, thinking deeply.

Chrysalis and Emerald both suddenly bowed very low to the floor and shouted in unison. "Please find the hive some love! We're begging you!" This sudden outburst did nothing to help the scrambled thoughts of the Overlord. He already knew that a superior master took care of his minions because they are of no use to him dead.

While the dark one was deep in thought he didn't hear the pitter patter of tiny hooves approach him. A small changeling foal had wandered up to the one in armor, she reared up on her hind legs and rested her front hooves on the Overlord's leg. This got his attention and looked down to see the little foal staring back up at him. With the cutest face and the sweetest voice the little changeling spoke. "Love?"

For a split second Chrysalis could feel a desirable emotion within the dark one but it was quickly buried beneath a cornucopia of negative emotions. Every changeling watched in terror as the Overlord reached down with his massive hand and scooped up the little foal. Instead of crushing her like everyone thought he would the new King just walked towards the group of changelings. He just started pointing at many different changelings that weren't injured or weak. Emerald and Chrysalis quickly caught on and spoke for the dark lord.

"Our King needs able bodied changelings to assist him! He has decided to take care of the hive!" Emerald shouted for all to hear and then there was much celebration. Those that could be of use all clamored to their King and swore their loyalty. This was all well and good but Chrysalis thought that the Overlord could use a little more help.

"My liege before you leave there is something I would like to give you." The dark one proceeded to follow the former Queen and handed the foal to Emerald. Chrysalis led the Overlord to another chamber with only one entrance. The huge chamber itself was empty save for a lone crystal on the ground. The crystal itself was barely smaller than the Overlord's pinkie finger and was clear with a jaded glow. Chrysalis motion towards it with her hoof and magically handed it to her lord.

"This is called a changeling crystal, it is basically what crystalized love looks like. We store excess love in this form so we can save it for later use. It is a closely guarded secret of changelings for it allows us to communicate with each other telepathically. Other races think we are naturally born with a hive mind conscious which in fact we are more individualistic than they give us credit for. With this small crystal you will be able to communicate with us without words. Which is great because you don't speak to us at all. With your emotion you can command the 'hive mind' and use it to your advantage."

The Overlord gave it a once over before placing it in the center of the left gauntlet. The recent orange glow turned to dark green and every changeling felt his presence. Chrysalis nodded and said one last thing. "The drones have been digging out tunnels so you could use one of them to reach the outskirts of Equestria. I wish I could go with you but somepony needs to stay behind and protect the hive. If giving up my crown means the survival of this hive then so be it, I'm just glad it was to you."

There was no expression on the dark one's face as he turned to leave. With a wave of his hand his minions were summoned to his side and they departed down the tunnels. Love was mysterious and elusive for the dark lord but he was sure of one thing. He would get some love regardless whoever he had to smite to get it.

Author's Note

Overlord is gonna plunder some love :D