The New Overlords are... Ponies!?

As the Tower's Heart was restored to its rightful place, Gnarl was pensive. At length, he said to his new Overlords, "You know... you may be even more cut out for this than we first thought."

Sunset quirked an eyebrow. "What makes you say that, Gnarl?"

By this time, the Tower was slowly rebuilding itself. The walls were beginning to reform themselves already

Gnarl began explaining, "Well, we Minions, when we bond to an Overlord, often take on some of their characteristics. To some extent."

Starlight was also listening intently. "Oh?"

"Yes! And even shortly after you arrived, some of the Browns have started to become more inquisitive, almost autonomous. And they typically don't ask questions of any kind, let alone question their orders. Yet ever since you arrived, it's happened not once, not twice but three times so far!"

Sunset asked, "So what of your last Overlord?"

"Well, many of us became somewhat more subtle. He was a particular fan of the Greens. He would use the others, but would always make room for at least some Greens."

"Refresh my memory;" Starlight requested, "What do the Greens do, again?"

Gnarl nodded. "The Greens are our stealth specialists. They can easily hide in the shadows, are nearly silent, have sharper senses than the others, and can absorb clouds of poisonous gas as easily as Blues can swim." he then chuckled. "And if any people in high places don't like you, the Greens are great poison sniffers." He coughed. "But, uh... that's there and not here. Now that the Tower's Heart has been restored, not only will it empower you with its energies, it will also allow you access to all of the Tower's resources. For now, it'll allow you to return to any checkpoints you unseal. Still, you must find more Tower Objects if you can. A crane or something would be particularly handy. We can clear up some of the debris around here and open some rooms. A smelter wpuld also be well placed, but that may come later."

As the two Ponies made to reactivater the Portal, to return to where they''d come. Gnarl wasn't moving, however. "Not coming, Gnarl?"

Gnarl shook his head. "I'm not as young as I once was, Masters. I just can't stand the feel of grass under my feet and biurdsong in my ears for too long. Worry not; with the Tower's Heart restored, I'll also be able to track your progress, and communicate with you over long distances."

So the two reactivated the Portal and stepped back through.

When they arrived, they each summoned some Browns before continuing. Sure enough, the sheep had repopulated the area.

Around here, the sheep practically breed like cockroaches. As I said, no one will miss a few here and there.

"Gnarl?" Sunset queried, looking around.

As I said, with the Tower Heart restored, I am able to vommunicate with you from here.

As they passed by again, they saw Bob instructing the Browns he'd been given on how to work the land. However, there was another important detail that had been forgotten earlier.

Bob was still tied to the pieces of wood. He was able to walk well enough, but his arms were effectively paralyzed.

Aftera simultaneous facehoof, Sunset used her magic to break the sticks apart, being careful not to hurt Bob any more than necessary. When that was one, Bob flexed his arms. "Oh, that's so much better. For that, to show me gratitude, you get 2/3 of my crop instead of half."

Acceoting that with nods, they (and the Briwns they were bringing along) moved along.

They passed by the neaby town, which was apparently called Spree.

There were two guards looking over the big wall. "Hey!" one said, "Halflings approachin'!"

The other took a look. He said, with an incredibly thick accent, "'Ang on, those ain't harflings. Lookit the ones wit' armour."

"Maybe... two halflings holding up a suit of armour? I don't trust those sneaky li'l so and sos." the first countered.

Sunset and Starlight exchanged glances. Quickly, they played a silent game of rock, paper, scissors, using some illusion magic. Sunset, being the winner, stepped forward. "Can halflings do... this?" she picked up a few of the Browns in her magic, juggling them.

The second guard's mouth twisted on one side. "Okay, so fer sure these ain't harflings."

"Maybe you're right." the first conceded. "Whatever you are, the halflings have been raiding our home, stealing our crops and even some of our people. If you can help us out, here, we could let you in. Fair enough?"

The two mares nodded. That did seem fair. Sunset asked, "What about collateral damage?"

"Colour-what, now?"

Sunset rolled her eyes. Starlight clarified, "Is it a problem if some of your stuff gets smashed or burned along the way?"

The guards shrugged in unison. "We wouldn't be getting any less than before."

"Fair enough."

So they proceeded. Sure enough, right nearby, there were some halflings standing in some wheat.

Now might be a good time to make use of that Fireball spell. Torch the wheat and toast them!

Starlight obliged, casting the spell. The strategy worked swimmingly, and the Browns were easily able to pummel any halflings trying to escape the flames.

The group proceeded forth. On the way, they discovered what looked to be a pair of altars.

Ah, yes! I was rather hoping these would pop up. These are arcane pits. Specifically of Blood and Mana. Any Minions you order to those will sacrifice themselves to restore your energies. Worry not; They're very loyal.

The Ponies weren't exactly comfortable about that, but accepted it and moved on.

A short distance away, they stopped hort. There was an encampment, with a fistful of halflings milling about. Inside of a cage of sorts there were several people; presumably the missing citizens.

Sunsaet addressed the Briwns as a whole. "Alright, guys. You may feel free to go... safely nuts with this. Crush, smash and kill anything you loke... but try to PROTECT the kidnapped peole, there. Got it?"
All of them saluted, but made no move.

(ahem) They await your orders, my Lord.

Sunset coughed. "(Ahem) Right. On my mark. Three... Two... One... ATTACK!"

The Browns leapt at the opportunity, pummeling the halflings with extreme prejudice. Eventually they released an ogre that was caged nearby. It looked kind of hungry, and not particularly pleased.

Sunset was about to redirect the Browns to mostly concentrate on the ogre, but Starlight stopped her and stepped forward. "Concentrate on the halfligs. I'll hamdle this."

Master? Are you sure this is a good idea?

"I can take this." Starlight declared, boldly.

The ogre, as if sensing the implied challenge, charged at Starlight, roaring. They clashed, the ogre with it's shoulder and Starlight with a quickly constructed shield. The ogre then punched the shield, causing it to crack.

Starlight winced and thought to herself, 'Wow. He be big stronk!' She pushed more energyy into the shield, reinforcing it. Then, she decided to go on the attack. Sh swiped at the ogre with one of her armoured hooves. Reminder: those had sharp-edged tips. They unsheathed at her will to make use of them. She inflicted a small wound on the ogre. Not enough to hurt it overmuch, but enough to daze it slightly.

The ogre roared in frustration. it raised its giant fist and brought it down with surprising speed. That was deflected by Starlight's shield, but she winced under the pressure.

When the ogre tried to hit her again, she waited until it was leaning forward, then used her magical and physical strengthto flip the ogre onto its back with enough force to cause the ground to rumble. She tookthe opportunity and leapt upon the ogre and slashed it multiple times before it could recover.

Her opponent was bleeding heavily now. Cncentrating her magic, Starlight incanted,

From the bottomless stream of time,
Flames from the molten core of the world
Burn this target that is mine
With the power i unfurl!
Fiend's Fire!

With that, the ogre was blasted by a stream of heat, which took a moment, but was able to turn the ogre to char.

Why didn't you lead with that?!

Starlight shrugged. "He needed to be weakened first. That beast was tanky! He might have been able to handle a blast, at his full strength."

By this time, Sunset and the Browns were victorious, sending the halflings packing. With the Browns being directed to turn a wheel by the bars on it, the prisoners were released.

They were immensely thankful, and practically threw themselves at the hooves of the Ponies in gratitude.

Sunset rolled her eyes. "No groveling! Seriously. All the "have mercy" this, and "I'm not worthy" that. Honestly, buck that and pluck that!"

The freed people got to their feet, slightly embarassed.

Starlight noted their condition. "Did they feed you at all?"

One of the men shrugged. "They were planning to eat US! Orat least feed us to that ogre."

Anyway, to further show their gratitude, they gave the group a small crane that was nearby.

Starlight held a hoof to her head. "Wait, wait, wait. You just... happen to have a spare one of these around?"

They all shrugged.

Starlight facehoofed, fortunately having willed the bladed tips to retract. She then directed some of the Browns to carry the crane back to the Portal.

With that, the group returned to the Tower, having had a rather productive venture.