Balanced as Everything Should Be

(Summit of Mt. Canterhorn) (Volthoom Stronghold) Jack’s PoV 36 hours before Canterlot Assault

"Master, the Stronghold is ready for operations." DDL said.

I eventually created the Draugr Death overlord puppet in my personal office. I always preferred to make special puppets in my personal quarters since I felt more focused there. I'm currently at the summit of the mountain overseeing the final construction of the Volthoom Stronghold. I have Draugr and Skeletons all over this place since it's keeping about fifty percent of the League's treasure.

I’ve covered the outside with a large garrison of draugr and skeletons. A basic challenge to overcome, but of course they all have extreme weapons and armor so the ponies will take quite some time to get through just the front door.

On the inside of the surface building is multiple coffins that are programmed to release extra powerful draugr when approached by a hostile force. To compensate anyone or anypony who made it that far without dying I put a few treasure chests full of minor treasures from the dragon hoard. I’m hoping that they’ll ignore the main door to the true stronghold though.

It’s the signature Nordic ruins door that requires a special key to open. The key itself is a golden dragon claw that has three symbols on it. All you have to do is activate the correct symbols on the door and apply the dragon claw key to open it. In the Elder scrolls game almost all of the special Nordic ruins have a dragon claw door.

The catch? The only ones who are possessing keys are the league members, so if the Princesses breach the surface defenses they will hopefully dismiss the door as some kind of random decoration. I tasked a few dragon priests with reinforcing the door with strong defense magic and armor to stop intruders from busting it down.

They may be designed for combat but they are actually brilliant in creation and crafting!

"Very good, what about the progress on the inner hold?" I asked looking on at the patrolling draugr.

"The construction is almost complete. All we have left to do is build the final sanctum and the amphitheater." Explained DDL.

His voice actually sounds like Megatron, if he had a sore throat and was ten times more insane. Snapping back to reality the Draugr Death Overlord and I walk across the gigantic courtyard of the stronghold. As I passed by my undead soldiers they just nodded to me, and I simply nodded back in approval.

Approaching the main building I step through the doorway and just admire the entrance. It looks similar to the ancient Nordic ruins from the actual game, but it's sustained and better decorated. There were also black banners with the mark of Akatosh adorning them, and I for one loved it.

"Very good, I'm proud of your work so far." I commended taking a look into one of the treasure chests.

This is a huge step in the League's development, and I need to make sure every single detail is accounted for. A couple hours ago I warned Twilight and Rainbowdash of the impending attack on Canterlot. And I know, I know, why would I tell them of my plans? I was mad sure, but there was another reason. I began to reread my steps and ideas I've done in my time here.

They were going to lead to my defeat.

Every single villain that's ever shown their ugly face upon Equestria had lost either to the royal sisters or the Elements of Harmony. The reason behind this was because they were far too ambitious... Sombra tried to take over an empire by himself without backup, Discord fought against powers reaching beyond his own, Nightmare Moon didn't plan anything and wasn't prepared, soon Tirek would loose because he was too overconfident, Chrysalis would loose because of inaccurate acting of the Princess of Love, yada, yada, yada.

They all lost because they all just went straight to the point. They didn't consider any kind of planning or preparations on their conquests for power. I was headed down the same road, I became overconfident and blind to the consequences of my actions. Sure, I may have shown myself to be unstoppable, but I could have lot instantly. If Twilight and her friends had the Elements of Harmony I would be in stone right now.

If Celestia or Luna had been training for combat they could have easily beaten me in a duel, hell, Luna could have destroyed me at the dragon's cave when I ran into her. I have powerful magic, but I don't have that much skill in the matter. I can use a puppets abilities, but I can only use one puppets ability at a time. I have extensive knowledge of Arcane magic, but now that I've fully established the Skyrim section of the League it's officially a puppet ability.

After I began to rethink all of this I realized I needed to switch my ideals. Insanity and too much Vision would've gotten me sealed in stone or locked in Tartarus. I mean, I haven't even been put on the top villain blacklist! And believe me, I want to be on that list!

No, I need to be smart, have honor, and be sane. If I fall into insanity and true evil the balance I'm fighting for will be worthless. I must be strong, but not diabolically so. In fact, the game Injustice Gods among us and Injustice 2 shows a good representation of this. Superman went almost insane because he killed his lover, Lois Lane, out of manipulation from the Joker and Scarecrows fear gas. He spiraled into a phase of blind good, killing the joker, and murdering almost anyone who he believed to be bad. Even if it meant killing his own friends.

If I go down that path, I'll easily fail, so I've got to keep my sanity.

Finishing up my security check I sigh in exhaustion. I've literally worked my ass off to try and complete everything. The rest of my puppets seem to be somewhat annoyed that they couldn't join the large battle that's going to go down at the capital, but they followed my orders none the less.

Opening the doors I take in the light of the fading sunlight. It's pretty cloudy today and it looks like it's gonna rain sooner or later.

"Sir I have some news." Carter said with his bland voice.

"What is it Carter?" I asked looking down as if I was talking to him directly.

After a few moments he spoke almost like he was thinking if he should really tell me, "The puppets that serve you have been talking, the true puppets and the army troops." Carter said unsurprisingly.

"And?" Carter Said.

"They're wondering what you look like under the mask you wear." Carter said.

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Huh?

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"Wait what? What do you mean?" I asked apprehensively.

Why am I so afraid of what he asked? It's just my face! I could take it off right now!

"Almost everyone has been gossiping about what you look like under that mask. But when you were brought to this world your biology, magic, and life have changed drastically. You're likely still human, but we don't know about your actual face." Carter said.

My face.

It suddenly began to rain as predicted. It was coming down pretty hard actually, of course Cloudsdale has to make this predicament even more depressing and dramatic don't they? The draugr and skeletons didn't seem to mind it considering they were undead and my servants after all.

A puddle of water began to form at my feet, looking down I once again examine my form.

Despite everything its still you.

My gradient red mask covering my face stood out the most. I also had a black cloth like substance comfortably covering my neck to stave off the cold and any awkwardness that would be my exposed skin. My large intimidating form was a sight to behold, it threatened those who fought against me, and kept those who fought for me loyal. Is this how I want to live? Be feared all the time?

I reach my hands up and take the hood of the cloak on the top of my head revealing the clasps that keep my mask braced to my face.

I continue to stare at my reflection.

I press my fingers against the clasps keeping the mask together, and slowly undid them one by one. What would I see?

I continue to stare at my reflection.

The rain soon stops and becomes snow from the cold of the mountain summit. And I just stand there with one finger against the final clasp of my mask, and stay there in thought. The puddle soon froze over and became ice. The draugr and skeletons activate their heat related magic to keep them from freezing over or dying from the harsh snowstorm.

I continue to stare at my reflection.

I sigh.

I slowly reattach the clasps one by one and flip the hood back onto my head. Why cant I do it? What's so wrong with seeing my face that I can't even look at my own reflection. Am I depending on this mask to hide my shame and anger of the past?

Then, the one thing I didn't want to happen, happened. A memory came back to me.

"Jack get away from him!" My father shouted standing bravely in front of me.

A few minutes ago we heard the shattering of glass down stairs. Mom and dad themselves went down to search, but after the sounds of screaming I ran downstairs to see what had happened.

All I saw were my parents at the end of a gun. My father shouted at me to get behind him since the intruder was almost right next to me. I felt horrified and terrified tears running down my face.

"Please, we'll let you leave! Just don't hurt anyone!" My father said desperately holding his hands out..

The intruder seemed to be completely oblivious though, his eyes were focused on me and me alone. He turned his weapon at me and fired.

BANG

I snap myself out of my entranced state. I don't need to remember this, especially that... Especially that.
I raise my boot and crush the ice showing my reflection. But I cannot help but wonder.

What am I so afraid of?