[Overlord's PoV]

The sun was setting and in the waning light of the day the canyons were splashed in light in just the right way, the light purples and oranges of the sky smashing into the deep browns and blacks of the ground in a way that was just beautiful to see. It had been a few hours since the 'talks' with the ponies had come to a close, as such I was sat in my throne, just watching the rest of the world, trying to entertain myself with the antics of the ponies that were all over.

Daring Do had found a large-ish temple and was exploring it quite thoroughly in an effort to find something to write about. Unfortunately she would be disappointed as the only thing in the temple was some dust and cobwebs, not even any buried remains to mark what the temple was for. I snickered when I saw that her 'arch enemy' was finishing up eating several cans of tuna and getting ready to curl up and take a nap on a plush rug in front of a fireplace.

Big Mac was trying, and failing, to keep control of the crusaders, spike, and Sparky. The crusaders had somehow gotten it into their heads that there was an 'Overlord cutie mark' and had spent most of the night trying to make ponified versions of my armor in an effort to try and take control of Sparky. Spike was trying to help by heating the metal and shaping it to the specifications that Sweetie gave him, and I have to say that so far, not a bad job in the slightest. Very convincing, though a tad too adorable considering who it would go on and such.

Blue Blood was going over several forms and papers, or at least trying to as he was almost constantly being... 'distracted' by one of the maids. Not that she minded, she was the one teasing him after all and from what I had seen, this was a long form thing... they might've even been in a quiet relationship.

Things in Shepton were quiet as it almost always was, aside from the 'secret society' who were trying to plot against me. Idiots gathered in the newly made sewer system with, one, no magical protection (not that it would keep me out anyway), and two, one of the loyal sheep acting as a 'spy' in their group. So far they had no real plans and the spy was trying to defuse the situation, but I was ready to deal with them if they tried anything.

Then there was-

I felt something trying to... look at me? Scan me? Whatever it was I did not like the feeling of it and needed it to stop.

I quickly went back to my body to find that Twilight was sitting in front of me with her horn glowing and her eyes closed. After entering my body I bent down and, before she even realized that I had moved, flicked her still glowing horn.

"Ouch! What was that for?!" She yelled as she rubbed her horn with a side glare at me.

"I will only tell you one time, whatever you were just doing? Never do it to me again. Ever." I told her, making my displeasure known through my tone.

Twilight's eyes shrinked as her ears went flat against her head. "I-It was just a scanning spell. I didn't mean to-" She said with fear in her voice before I cut her off.

"I am aware that you didn't mean to upset me, if you had I would have done a bit more than just flick your horn. Just make sure that you don't do it again and we won't have any problems." I said to her as I stood up. Thankfully I hadn't been sitting for all that long so I didn't pop at all, I could tell that Twilight also appreciated the fact that I didn't sound like a roll of bubble wrap made from the spines of the damned.

I walked around her to the balcony at the far end of the room to enjoy the sunset. I could hear Twilight follow me, most likely wanting to talk... That was fine, I could use someone to talk with. Well, someone who didn't want to one, get in my pants (Which I knew Sarra did) or two, try to get me to attack anything and everything around me (Which was all Gnarl seemed to want to talk about these days). It almost made me miss the old days when the Sheeple mayor and the Diamond Dog alpha would come to me for every little thing, of course I quickly got annoyed with that and basically told them to use their best judgement when it came to any decisions they made.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of a few sets of hoof steps behind me, when I turned to see who it was I was greeted by both Princesses and one slightly excited Rarity. I suppose she either wanted to ask me if she could redesign my tower, or it had somehow given her inspiration for a new outfit or two.

"If you wouldn't mind, we do have a few... more personal questions, and we would very much appreciate some answers if you could provide them." Princess Celestia asked me with a neutral bordering on friendly look.

I nodded and waved them on to ask whatever they wanted to, it would be silly to think they wouldn't want to learn a bit more about me. It would help them in a lot of ways diplomatically and with just dealing with me, I knew I could be... let's call it abrasive.

Before the Princesses or Twilight could even get a syllable out Rarity had practically leaped at me, leaning against me with her fore hooves and excitedly asking "Who did your interior decorating?! It fits so fabulously, the drapes being dark enough to appear to be drawing in the light while the windows and magical lights manage to minimize the shadows! The sharp angles of the halls, offset by the multiple softly rounded rooms! How rugged and haphazard it is at the bottom, yet slowly becomes more smooth and orderly the closer you get to the top! I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it!"

"The tower itself was built by the minions, however in regards to the interior I was the one who decided on the overall scheme, while it was several small businesses in Shepton which did the work. The minion who was in charge of the interior decorating project was Giblet, so if you wish to know more I'd speak with him down in the forge, as I'm not really design oriented." I told her, partially to feed her enjoyment of my home and partially to get her to go away... she wasn't worst pony, but she was in the running. After giving a little squee and clapping her hooves she ran off to find the forge... I may or may not have felt bad for doing that to Giblet.

Once Rarity was gone Twilight went next, after getting a nod from her mentor. Having seen the small exchange, I turned my attention fully on her which apparently made her a bit uncomfortable... which made sense as I was basically a giant in spiked battle armor with glowing red/yellow eyes, which was starring at her wordlessly while waiting for her to speak. I could probably only be more intimidating if I was holding two pony sized fireballs and softly growling.

"Umm," Twilight started before nervously shaking her head a bit and trying again. "So, you said you were from a different world? How? And... well, if you don't mind, could you tell us about it? Your world, ahem,that is..."

"I must admit, I am curious as well." Celestia said with an accompanying nod from her sister.

I sighed and walked over to one of the six pillars around the tower portal, folding my arms as I leaned against it. It was more comfortable than sitting in my throne anyway, plus it was good to stand up from time to time.

"The events that lead up to my being here were largely out of my hands. The minions needed an Overlord and, as they are want to do, didn't think everything through before casting a spell to send them and whatever fit the criteria of an Overlord to another world. Hence our presence here, as well as my treatment towards all under my rule. Any other Overlord would almost certainly not be as nice as I have been." I said while looking out of the balcony.

I could hear some shuffling and could imagine the three of them giving each other looks, before I heard Luna ask "Would you tell us of your homeland? We would like to learn of it, though if you do not wish to speak of it we understand."

"There's not much to tell... there was no magic in my world, only my own species managed to make it to sapience yet there was no shortage of war, and while we had created many different kinds of technological wonders, at the point we were at we would either make it to the capacity to spread across the stars or we would end up killing each other, there were few other options as far as I was aware."

"It sounds so... dark... Wait, if your world had no magic then how are you so good at it now? How did you even start to learn it?" Twilight said, sounding a little sad at first then curious.

"Your world is almost constantly under attack from monsters who wish to destroy, if not your nation, then your entire reality, and you have no reliable way to stop them other than five necklaces and a tiara who are temperamental at best. As to how I've learned what magic I have, Gnarl may not be a Blue, but he is an... adequate beginning instructor. Also, Sarra has been very helpful and informative which has helped me progress much faster than normal. That and the fact that I rather enjoyed learning about magic." I said in response. "I'm sorry for sounding so... ah... well, for being such a downer about my world, but it's a natural part of the human mind to focus on the bad stuff. Mostly to fix whatever's wrong." I added the last part to bypass a possible next question.

"What were, Are you like? Having already formed such a large and well run country in so short a time, you must be quite unique." Celestia asked, while I assumed trying to butter me up, though I couldn't be sure as pony faces were a bit harder to read in person.

"If I've learned anything in my time, it's that no one is truly 'unique'... But I see no harm in telling you about myself." I cleared my throat and broke eye contact, which was rare as I almost never looked away from someone who was talking, respect and such. "I was a little shit up until I turned, what was it? Fourteen? Fifteen? Sometime around then, when my mother met my dad, well step-father but I consider him my dad. Anyway, he wasn't one to put up with my shit so he disciplined the 'little shit' right out of me. I had a small group of friends after that, seeing as before I was so abrasive and cruel that I could never make or keep friends, though I never really saw them after I graduated school. After that I spent most of my time alone playing games similar to, what do you call it? A joyboy? I've seen a colt in ponyville playing it, only mine was far more advanced."

"Really? What types of games did you enjoy?" asked Luna with a bit more of attention that I anticipated.

Whether she noticed my surprise or not, Celestia put in her two 'bit's' and commented "My sister has been very fascinated by the concept of these games since her return."

Luna nodded before explaining "As the foals of this age become more entranced by them it enters their dreams more often, and as a result I see more of them. You could say I wish to understand the appeal of them."

"Well, if things go the same way here as they did in my world, then your looking at the start of a multi-million... uh, 'bit' industry." I said, trying to use their word for money simply to help get the point across. It must've worked, as their eyes went wide for a moment at how big it got back home. "But to answer your question, I mostly enjoyed strategy games where you had to, somewhat ironically, build and maintain a country. Though I would play just about anything."

"Really? And just how-" Celestia began before being interrupted by Gnarl who came scurrying up to me before motioning for me to bend down.

Once I did he whispered to me, "M'lord, we're not quite sure how but two of the ponies have somehow made it past the guards and into the Arena, how do you wish to deal with this?"

"Which one's?" I whispered to him.

"The blue and pink ones sire." He whispered back.

"It would be them, wouldn't it?" I thought, "After all it is Pinkie, Rainbow probably wanted to know what was behind the restricted area and she helped her get there. Well, nothing to do now but see what happens."

When I straightened up Celestia asked me if anything was wrong with a concerned look. I simply told her "It appears that two of your ponies have decided to ignore the guards where I have designated restricted areas and have somehow gotten into the arena." as I began to walk down to said arena.

The Princesses, Twilight, and Gnarl all followed me down, Gnarl being respectfully quiet while the ponies were just uncomfortably giving each other glances when they thought I wasn't able to see them. That was, at least, until we could hear the cheering from the spectators in the Arena, at which point they began to whisper with each other.

It was something about 'It might just be part of their culture' and 'seems so barbaric', but for the most part I just ignored it. After all, we had already signed the friendship agreement, and I was the least likely one to break it. Whenever I was playing a strategy game it almost always went the same way, once I made an ally I would help build them up rather than take them over until they thought they could take me over. Then I would be justified in taking everything... this might've been different in scale, but I would probably do the same thing anyway, as betraying someone for no reason just wasn't in me.

I had made the minions alter the arena somewhat, as before only minions could get to the seats to watch the fighting. It was altered so that even a dragon, though only at a reasonable size, could sit comfortably to watch a fight. Who knew what I could end up having over for whatever reasons, and it was always better to be ready. Other than that there were six nice statues spaced out evenly around the pit of the arena, basically less fancy copies of the ones in the throne room.

I immediately saw Pinkie and Rainbow sitting in some of the nosebleed seats, clapping and cheering on the group of ten Browns who had just fought off a group of fifteen Battler Beetles. Surprisingly Sarra was also watching the fight, though it was from the 'royal' box. It was odd to see her down here as she normally avoided the arena, saying it gave her indigestion. Once my presence was noticed by the minions currently watching the fight a fresh bout of cheering was released as the minions who had just won all bowed to me.

"The Overlord has graced us with his presence down here in the arena! Shall we give him and his guests a show!?" Quaver yelled, further riling up the crowed.

I knew that at this point the minions would either throw their lives away trying to kill something that they obviously could not defeat, or I would have to get involved and spend a few rounds in the arena myself. It was a special treat for them, as I didn't really get much enjoyment from killing creatures made from the magic of the tower, so I didn't really go down here that often aside from combat training to keep from getting rusty.

"As much as I would like it to be otherwise, unless you wish to see quite a few dead minions I'm going to need to step into the arena for a few rounds. If you don't wish to see any violence then I suggest you take your friends and head up to the library or dining room or somewhere, though I wouldn't mind you staying to watch either." I told the princesses and twilight.

After a few look's and silent nods, they began the climb up to the arena seats. I cracked my neck and readjusted my grip on my mace.

"Better get to it, man if I wasn't so lazy I would love these fights."

Author's Note

WHAT IS WITH ME AND SUDDENLY WRITING THESE LONG ASS CHAPTERS?!?

Please love them.