It doesn't take us long to reach Felfire as we walk up to the large city gates.

"DON'T MOVE!" a rough sounding voice demands from on top of the wall.

I look up to see a harpy flying down with an imp strapped to the harness on her back and a pair of revolvers in his hands which are aimed at us.

Once the harpy lands and gets a good look at me, she gasps and goes into a low bow.

"My lord! What happened to you? You've been missing for months!" the harpy asks me.

"I was pulled into another world, it took me months to find the gate that lead to here. Now, tell me what has happened in my absence," I reply and ask her.

"Some demonlords have banded together to take advantage of your disappearance and are laying siege to Fel Haven. Your wife and children have been evacuated to this city and are in the Mayor's Manor. Though your sons have taken an airship back to Fel Haven to coordinate the defences and push the invaders back," she tells me.

"I see, then prepare an airship to Fel Haven quickly! I'll be at the Mayor's Manor to check on my family, come get me when the ship is ready," I order her and she nodded before flying back over the wall.

"So you are the Overlord! To be honest, I thought you were just saying you were to be more intimidating..." Rainbow says with wide eyes.

I glance at her with a raised brow as the gates open. "I don't need to pronounce that I'm the Overlord to be intimidating. You can ask Celestia what I mean about that," I reply with a smirk while getting confused expressions from the others.

Desire moans and leans against me as she knows what I mean.

Once the gate is open, we walk through while being greeted by the demons in armour and armed with firearms or other weapons.

Twilight is gawking at the massive metal city while Shining is eyeing up the equipment my demons have with wide eyes. Compared to Equestria's guard armour, my demons armour and weapons are much more durable and lethal.

A boarus in thick plate armour with a spear and tower shield walks up to me.

"Welcome back, my Lord," he tells me with a snort. and salute

"It's good to be back, Captain," I reply and continue to the manor with my group trailing behind me.

"Is it me, or is this like watching Celestia walk through Canterlot?" Rainbow Dash asks Twilight.

Twilight is now staring at me with a smile on her face. "It does look like it. He really is loved by his people. Desire told me how lesser demons hated the previous Overlords for their cruelty, but they seem to care for Damien," she replies.

"Ruling with fear and power only makes it harder to rule. I'd have to watch out for assassins, riots, and disloyalty. By having my people trust me, I know that they'll help me in maintaining order and the general happiness of the people. There are no slaves in my territories, no one is above another, demons can even question my decisions or voice their opinions right in my face without fear of being struck down," I say getting their attention.

"A bit hard to believe that with your attitude," Rainbow says making me frown at her.

"I may show mercy and not force my will on innocent people unlike most demonlords, but when those I care for and look over are threatened, I will not hesitate to become a monster to protect them and to rip my enemy asunder," I tell her coldly, getting her to gulp and hide behind Spike.

"Twilight's seen his loving side many times, while the rest of you have mostly seen his protective and no nonsense side during our journey. I think it's only Celestia that's seen his vengeful side after harming me," Desire tells them and hugs my left arm.

I smile as I look at the still up and running pub named the Ifrit's Armpit as we pass it. A much more cleaner and friendlier place now than when I first arrived.

"Hasn't any other Overlord tried being nice to their people?" Twilight asks me.

"A couple did nearly a thousand years ago, but they didn't last long when a large force of demonlords and archdemons attacked the Castle and slew them, before turning on each other for the position. It's how the last Overlord named Val'Hades took over after murdering his own brother, until Damien killed him over two years ago," Desire tells the purple succupony.

"Welcome back, Overlord!" the demons around us continue to greet me as we walk down the street.

"Are those balrogs? I thought they were wiped out two centuries ago."

"Yeah, and what's wrong with those inccuponies and succuponies?"

"Look at the puppies!" a young imp says looking at the lycans.

"Are those ghosts?" another comments at the zebra wraiths.

My group just look around in fascination at everything my demons have achieved. We pass a school where the children are in the playground playing the current craze of pogs; small little cardboard disks with two different sides and a fel iron slammer used to try and flip as many of the stacked pogs over in a single hit.

"What are they doing?" Fluttershy asks as she watches a boarus playing with an inccupony drop his slammer onto the stack of ten or so pogs making five of them flip over, before cheering and collecting the flipped pogs.

"An old game I introduced from my world. It's become very popular with children lately," I reply.

"Looks like fun! Where can I get some?" Pinkie asks me.

"From a game store, I'll get you some later when everything calms down," I tell her and after a few more minutes we arrive at the manor.

Waiting at the door is my wife Slitherana and the mayor of Felfire Mo'gra.

"Damien! Desssire!" my wife yells when she sees us. She slithers very quickly towards us and without waiting, coils herself around me and kisses me deeply.

I wrap my arms around her and return the kiss. I'm so glad to see her safe.

I pull back and just stare into her eyes. "Where are the kids?" I ask her.

"Yuna and Ssslitherine are at their ssspa here while Olivia isss fuming in her old lab that ssshe had to leave her newer lab back in Fel Haven. Vipirior, Ssscalefang, and Tidusss are back in Fel Haven trying to keep the demonlordsss from ssstorming the cccity to take over the Cassstle sssinccce you disssappeared..." she tells me.

"How are they holding up?" I then ask.

"We've lossst a lot of sssoldiersss but the archdemonsss and airshipsss are repelling the worssst of them," she replies.

"I see, then I better head over there and put a stop to these attacks," I say and hug her tightly. "I'm so glad you're safe, I've been worried sick about you and the kids," I tell her getting her to sigh and nuzzle me.

"What happened?" she asks me quietly.

"Let's head inside and I'll tell you," I reply and she uncoils herself from me.

"How have you been Mo'gra?" I ask the large ogre woman who smiles and adjusts her glasses.

"I'm doing well, my lord. We're currently over populated with the refugees from Fel Haven," she tells me with a sigh.

"If you have to, ask for aid from the surrounding towns. I'm sure they could spare a few supplies to help accommodate the refugees," I reply getting her to write that down on the clipboard she's holding.

I notice Twilight looking at the charcoal pencil Mo'gro is using curiously.

We all then head inside where Desire gives Slitherana a massive hug and a kiss of her own. The others just stare at my naga wife with expressions ranging from surprise to shock.

We sit around the large dining table where the chefs are cooking us a nice meal of blood apple pie and some burgers.

For the next hour I tell Slitherana what happened as we eat the food. Applejack asked what blood apples were, so a butler brought one to her making her go wide eyed at the meaty looking fruit.

"Ssso we might have a new wife in the family?" Slitherana asks while looking at Twilight who blushes from the attention.

"That's if she wants to hang around," Desire replies and kisses Twilight on the cheek, making the purple succupony's face redder.

The harpy from the gate enters the room and bows to us.

"My Lord, the airship is stocked and armed. They're just waiting for you to arrive now," she tells me.

"Good. Keep watch over the gate for anymore hostile demons or refugees," I tell her getting a nod before she leaves. "Well then," I say to the others. "I need to go and sort out this invasion, You can either stay here and look around the city, or come along into a very likely and bloody battle," I tell them and get up from my chair.

"I think I'll stay here..." Fluttershy says, her animal demons sitting by the wall eating some cooked meat made for them.

"I'll also remain here, I'm dying to meet these arachniponies," Rarity says getting a smile from Fluttershy.

"Ah'd like ta know more about these blood apples, ah take it ya'll got an orchard here?" Applejack asks and I reply with a nod.

"I'm going with you!" Twilight says and stands up. "I did say I would help you get rid of Tirek so he can't hurt anypony else," she tells me and walks towards the door.

Spike looks conflicted about staying or going while switching his gaze to Twilight and Rarity.

"Then I'm going with you! I still don't trust him around you!" Rainbow Dash says giving me a glare as she gets up and walks by.

I'm nearly ready to shave her hair and fur off completely if she keeps this attitude up just to pull her down a peg or two.

"If Twily is going then I am too," Shining says and walks over to his sister, getting a hug from her in return.

"Count me in, I want to see the capital of Tartarus!" Gilda says and awkwardly walks over to Shining. Seems she's still not used to walking on just two legs.

"I wanna go too! Gotta make sure my friends stay safe!" Pinkie says and with a snap of her fingers, she's dressed in combat gear that I vaguely remember from the US army.

Instead of desert or forest camouflage on the gear, it's red and black and looks like ash. She somehow has one of my revolver rifles, painted bright pink with all the ammo pouches on her chest filled with bullets.

I frown at her and walk over and take the gun from her and examine it. It looks and feels just like any of our rifles.

"Pinkie... How did you know how to make this or even how it works?" I ask her carefully.

She grins sheepishly and twiddles her thumbs. "I'm not entirely sure... I just wanted one of them and poof... I don't know how they work actually..." she replies like a scolded child.

I sigh and give the rifle back to her before taking my rifle from Desire, then I remove the current six shots in it. "Quick lesson then. Pull back the hammer to cock it, then pull the trigger to fire the bullet currently in the top chamber," I tell her and demonstrate. I pull the hammer back making the bullet chamber spin around to the next chamber with a click. I then pull the trigger making the hammer slam forward where the primer of the bullet would be.

"To reload, press the small button here to the left side just in front of the chamber," I tell her and press said button. The chamber rolls out to the right and I slowly reinsert each bullet back into their chambers. "Once done, push the chamber back in and give it a slight spin to get the chamber in position," I finish and spin the chamber until it clicks into place.

"See? Simple. Now let's get going, I don't want to waste anymore time than we already have," I tell them all and make my way to the door.

"Please be careful!" Fluttershy says to us.

"What about you, Spike?" I ask the dark purple dragon.

He looks worried at Twilight and then towards Rarity. "I-I think I should stay with Rarity... she might need me to protect her..." he replies looking down.

"Aw, that's so sweet of you," Rarity says and hugs his left arm while being mindful of the long bone spike protruding from his elbow.

Though I know the real reason he's staying. Twilight told me how greedy dragons can get, and I don't think Spike want's Rarity feeding off anyone else but him.

"If that's your choice then so be it," I tell him and turn to the others. "Those of you who want to come then let's get moving now," I tell the other demons of our group.

Ironhoof and Scarlet both are instantly on their hooves. "You did offer me the chance of being Captain of my own airship. This will be a good opportunity to see one up close," the balrog says.

His brother Thunderhorn then stands up beside him. The others also get up and make their way over. Though Ebonwing looks like she's plotting something.

"What are you thinking about?" I order the harpy to tell me.

She grimaces as she speaks unwillingly. "I was hoping to use the possible upcoming battle to get myself killed..." she replies.

"I see, then you will stay here and do as Mo'gra tells you to do until we return," I order her making her eyes glow slightly.

"Yes, Master," she replies emotionlessly.

Rainbow Dash winces at the display before walking out the door. Is that why she acts that way to me? She's afraid of that threat I gave her a while ago about taking her free will away?

"Is that really necessary? I know what she tried to do before was horrible, but making her stay here when she doesn't even want to live anymore is a bit cruel don't you think?" Twilight asks me with a sad expression.

I turn to her with a frown making her cringe slightly. "She tried to sell off two of my friends as sex toys. I don't tolerate that kind of behaviour here or anywhere. What would you prefer, Twilight? That I just dump her in a prison cell and let her rot while draining our food supplies to keep her alive, or make her work her debt off where she isn't a waste of space and resources? Yes, I will admit what I'm doing is akin to slavery in a way, but I would never force an innocent to do as I say. She had this coming and she'll finish her sentence," I tell her and look to Ebonwing.

"Once I think she's learnt her lesson, she can go and try to start a new life here, or go out into the wastes and kill herself. As long as she doesn't cause problems she'll be free to even go back to Gryphonia when we figure out how to summon the gate again," I say and turn back to Twilight.

"So tell me, what would you have done?" I ask her.

She frowns sadly and looks to the floor with a sigh. "I don't know..." she replies.

"Well I for one agree with Sir Damien's method," Selene says with a glare at Ebonwing who remains seated and looking at the table.

"Enough. Let's get going already. I want to make sure my boys are alright," Desire says and drags me out of the room.

“I’ll let our girlsss know you’re home again!” Slitherana yells as we exit the door. I also hear Luna asking Rarity to look after Dusk until we come back to get them.

The others coming with us follow behind us to the city's airship dock which is hidden from view from this side of the city.

"So... how do these airships work?" Twilight asks me.

I glance at her before looking ahead again. "They basically look like sailing ships just without the masts or sails. In their place is a large balloon contained within a large metal frame where imps use their flames to fill it with hot air. On the top of the balloon is a hatch that can be opened and closed to release the hot air if needed to adjust the altitude. On the sides of the hull are propellers to move the ship forward quickly as well as small thrusters to help turn the ship in place and slow down," I tell her.

"Wow... Celestia has her own airship but it uses pegasi to pull it and unicorns to fill the balloon," she tells me.

"Well, our ships get their power from the thunder crystals from Thunderfury Mountain. The same crystal that Rainbow took from said mountain," I say as some demons bow in respect to me.

I nod back in reply and smile as I see a familiar face ahead.

"Damien! Where in the seven pits of despair have you been!" Queen Arachne yells at me with her husband Yogtiron next to her.

"I suppose you could say I was kidnapped and had to fight my way back. As you can see though, I've made a few new friends," I reply and gesture to our group.

"I see... and what happened to those inncu and succuponies?" she asks looking at the orobas and thestrals. But she then gasps at Desires new appearance. "Desire! What happened to your horns!?" she asks and walks over to her, also taking note how she’s a bit taller as well.

Desire giggles and taps her horn. "I'm a demonlord now thanks to Damien. I guess I'm a demonic version of an alicorn," she replies making the arachnipony queen go wide eyed who then notices Selene and Luna who are keeping quiet.

"I'd love to stay and talk, but I need to get to Fel Haven immediately," I tell Arachne who just dumbly nods. "Oh, by the way. There's a mare back at the manor named Rarity who's a seamstress from Equestria, she's here to study your arachnipony silk and discuss fashion with your people. Would you be willing to talk to her or send another to do so?" I ask her.

"Very well, I just checked on my latest clutch of eggs, so I suppose I can go meet this mare," she replies and looks to Yogtiron. "Come along, dear," she says and the large beetle archdemon smiles at her before bowing at me.

"It is good to see you are unharmed, Damien. Poker night just hasn't been the same without you or miss Desire," he tells me and follows his wife.

Once gone Rainbow speaks up. "Not gonna lie, they were creepy," she comments with a shiver.

I frown at her comment but start walking again, making the others follow me.

"This place is fascinating!" Twilight says excitedly and summons a quill and notebook. "Despite all you told me, it's much more detailed in person."

"This city used to be a small, rusted, and run down town of around three hundred starving demons when I first took it over. Now, it's a prospering city and the main hub of the wastes," I tell her as I look around with a smile. Memories of the city growing and expanding as new demons flocked to my territory for a better life briefly flash through my mind.

The others look at the guards and soldiers around the place. I notice Shining is frowning again like when he first saw them at how well equipped they are, most have frag grenades and thunder crystal shock grenades on their belts along with ammo pouches for either rifles or pistols. Some wear plate armour or the new tactical vests with more ammo and gadgets designed by my daughter and her team as well as leather armour for better mobility.

"They seem to be over equipped," the inncupony says.

"Not really, each wield as much as they can comfortably carry. You forget that we demons, even the lesser races, are physically stronger than you equestrians. Tell me, you feel stronger just being here correct?" I ask him.

"Now that you mention it, I do feel stronger..." he replies and flexes his right hand.

"That's the energy around us strengthening our bodies. Even I feel a little stronger just being back here," I tell him.

He looks at me with wide eyes. "You mean you were weakened back in Equestria?" he asks me with shock.

"A little, but not by much. Lesser demons and deamons tend to benefit more from the energy in the air than archdemons or demonlords due to our large reserve of energy within us," I simply reply as we finally make our way around the large skyscraper like buildings.

The group gawk at the large airship that is being swarmed with activity as imps and goblins check over the whole vessel. The ship itself is a galleon class with a single large balloon above it and four propellers on the sides.

"Whoa, it's huge!" Rainbow says in awe.

"Yeah it's big, but not our biggest," I reply and head over to the ramp up.

"WHAT!?" she then yells and flies in front of me. "You mean to say you got bigger ships!?" she then asks me.

"We also have four frigate class airships and our flag ship which my people called a man o war. A ship with over one hundred cannons, a bomb bay, and sniper nests on the sides of the balloon, though it’s flaw is that it’s rather slow," I reply and walk past her and up to the dock.

"My Lord!" a dark yellow inccupony with light green hair and dark blue eyes, says and bows before me. "The ship is ready to depart on your order, Sir!" he informs me.

"Very good, once we board set out for Fel Haven immediately!" I order him.

He stands straight and salutes. "At once, my Lord! You heard him! Prepare to depart!" he yells at the others on the ship.

I get a grim expression as I look out of the horizon towards where Fel Haven is. 'Let's see which of the remaining demonlords are responsible for these attacks,' I think to myself.

Next Chapter: Chapter 42: Return of the Overlord Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 25 Minutes