Coldness.

That was all Jerry could feel, the utter coldness, the howling winds that push against his armored self with each step he took. Even the icy snow that blew wild gusts of wind at him felt apathetic as they didn’t care who or what he was. It was like the icy wasteland around him, he was insignificant to the grand scheme of things.

Jerry didn’t fully know how long he was traveling, even with the split skies giving him some sight in the harshest bits of storms-- it was hard to tell what was actual land and water frozen in ice. Even less when he visit a town, or a city-- or even the remains of homes that somehow managed to stand in place...or their remains as the ice covered nearly everything over it in its grasps of death, and the snow did it’s best to cover what could’ve been life at one point.

The man did his best to keep his boots moving, to focus on what needs to be done on finding the few survivors there were, be it pony or caribou.

But yet…

Yet he could do nothing but think.

Think and see of the utter damage that he helped make. The multiple deaths that were made by one single action within his past. The choosing of using the virus to spread in the Crystal Empire. The stealing of the artifact that not only kept it’s inhabitants warm-- but kept away the Windigeos. The same creatures that were let loose because of one choice he made.

Despite him trying to push such thoughts away...how could he? How could he try to deny that this place, that Equestria itself? Was once a lush, green, and even somewhat paradise-like place. Granted the Caribous didn’t do great when they invaded it-- but it was somewhat pleasant even under their control.

But now? It was dead.

There were no birds, no animals in sight, not even fishes that could be found in rivers. Trees that were once lush with green for all to see? Now held only cripply branches that were covered in snow and ice covering icicles from their branches.

Even the towns and cities were like that everywhere he went. With each passing hour (he could only assume an hour with how crazy and near panic-inducing with the sun and moon together in the sky), Jerry could only find in each place….was the pure empty and coldness of everything he saw in the winter wasteland. Towns nearly filled with snow and buildings either breaking down from the harsh winds, or being covered in snow as if it was their graves.

No matter where he went, where he goes in his recon, or even how far he travels to find for more?

All he would see around him in both land and new encounters of town or cities...were just as cold and empty as the last one. With no life at all to be seen or found in his search. All he found was death.

Which brings his mind back to that one moment in his life. That one, little act that caused all of this to go so wrong in just a heartbeat.

What was even more laughable in a twisted and sadistic joke? Was the fact Jerry was just a pawn to the Eyes. He was a tool that the Eyes used and manipulated. All the Eyes had to do was use Jerry's fear against him.

Because the man was too much of a coward to try otherwise. He could’ve tried another way, he could have tried to do something more-- to even help more. Even be a tiny bit of a good guy...But no.

No, Jerry had to be a coward and allow himself to stay in the Overlord position. And what he was seeing before him was what he reaped in the chaos he sowed. To see the once beautiful land turn into this was his ‘reward’ of being a villian. Of being a coward like the little shit he was.

On rare occasions that kept his thoughts away, even brought him a small bit of relief? Was when he found a handful of survivors, no more than two or three...or sometimes one. Sometimes it was a mare, other times it was a mother and child or a father even-- he didn’t care if they were pony or caribou. He just brought them a way out.

But despite some aliveations to his mind...There were some...some he couldn’t even manage to get in time before they perished…

A lot of those ‘unfornatue’ were kids.

Some of them were already covered in ice, killed either where they stood with terror etched in their face, hugged by their parents for comfort despite the inevitable before them. Or the later, who just...perished within their sleep, unaware of their deaths as the frosty coldness took them.

Jerry tried, oh he tried to push their faces away from his mind, to not let those faces burn in his mind with their expressions. Tried his best to ignore it all and keep moving...but there was only so much he could ignore as despite his ever continuous steps in the frozen hellhole he made? All he could take in was the utter stillness...the utter quietness of his surroundings as he stood in an abandoned town.

He almost didn’t recognize it was a town, as everything was covered in snow at this point. Only with the few bare exceptions of...a few wooden or stone roofs or walls did it confirm it was a town. Yet as he entered through it, he saw sights he was becoming very familiar with each moment he traveled these forsaken lands.

Frozen statues of ice blocks that were of the deceased.

Jerry tried to turn away again to ignore them...but for some reason...he couldn’t. The more he looked at them, the more his body stood in place, as if refusing to turn or move a single foot away from the sights. He couldn’t even look away, as he saw the dead in their frozen positions. Saw their faces of terror, of fear, of even utter despair or screams as they just….stare at him.

Male. Female. Pony. Caribou. Old...and young. They all stare at him. Their faces were forever frozen in the shapes that were given in their last moments before the cold death of winter swiftly encasing them. Placing them inside an eternal coffin of ice, that just sucked away all of their warmth and the very thing called life.

All Jerry could see, was what those faces held….No, it wasn’t their faces he was looking at...but their eyes. It was what they lacked that caused him to be still among them as all they held was...nothing. There were no hopes, no despair, no dreams, no fears. Not even a want of escaping out of their icy coffin or a feeling of succumbing into the cold. No. All they held was just an utter cold, dead and empty look to him.

And everywhere he turned his head, all he could see was nothing but an eternal deathly cold around him.

With silence being it’s only symphony…

And it was all his fault.

Jerry slowly felt his legs losing strength, slowly coming down to his knees as he dropped down. Feeling a uncanny fatigue from his body as if his body couldn’t support himself anymore. Even his arms just felt so….tired to even move his axe up for support. His mouth tried to make a sound, a call to Mortis or Spree to send word of a Gate to get him out of here….but nothing came out of his lips, as he thought, just for a brief moment….

Would it be alright for me to leave? To not pay for what I did and escape like the coward I am?

It was for a brief moment with that thought, trying to dispel such a thought with him shaking his head. But...it lingered. It not only linger, but it stuck into his mind like a parasite. It made him start feeling a bit sluggish, unable to even lift a single finger from his hand as he crouched down more into the snow. He didn’t notice the frozen statues were starting to become closer to his position. As if they already passed judgement onto his being of his crimes.

That thought became louder in his mind, going even further as the statues of death surrounded him, the cold becoming much more lower in it’s icy chills as the seconds passed on.

Face it. You’re not only a monster, but a coward. Instead of doing good, you did evil. Instead of trying to be better? You just did what was expected as a coward. You deserve to stay here. To be frozen over, to be paying for the crimes you did. To just die. You may not be a ‘full villian’ like you thought-- but you love being evil when it suits you. You love the thrill, the power, the dominating authority. You deserve to rot.

The ice started to form on his feet first, then his legs, as it began to grow more onto him as Jerry attempted to raise his head with what strength he had...only to look and see. See the face of that filly. That single filly that slept in that box by that bridge as she held that blanket around her form. Standing in silence as her expression held nothing at all. No smile, no anger. Not even disgust.

What was worse was her eyes. Dead eyes that held no sympathy, anger, pain...or even fear. No, she held no emotions within those eyes. All she held was a cold stare of apathy and nothing towards him.

All Jerry could do was look. Look at her eyes that reflected him. His fears of not trying to do more than he should have, his anger on how worthless and despecitable he is. Or his regret.

His regret of not trying to do more. Of not saving enough lives...of not trying to save everyone before the Wendigos actually came. His regret was that despite being an Overlord, despite the countless murders, the destruction of everything he did-- or even causing the witnery wasteland itself by chance…

He regretted that he didn’t even try at all and let his fears take over.

It was only then now the ice nearly covered his upper half of his body, his head remaining as he couldn’t move, even if he wanted to, the ice was strong and thick. The filly placed her hands on either side of his head, holding it for a brief moment…

And let out a breath of ice to ensure his head was frozen as well.

To make sure that the Overlord was among the dead, among the frozen…

Among the silence.

---

With a deep breath in his mouth and a sudden shift of his upper body, Jerry rose slightly with wide eyes. Heaving deep breaths through his mouth, it took Jerry a few moments for his mind to settle. Eyes scanning around for a brief moment, he took in the sights he was home. Within his bed among the still sleeping mares. With a shudder of his body, Jerry glanced to himself, seeing slight signs of sweat on him...and feeling cold. Rather really, really cold.

A glance to the fireplace showed that it was still lit, and the blankets were on all of them...he was glad the three mares were in deep slumber, especially the two pregnant mares that were resting soundly. Looking back at himself, Jerry took a low breath in, trying to calm himself as he raised his hands to hold his forehead a bit.

Only for him to briefly pause, seeing them...shake.

In fact he could feel his entire body shaking. A slight shiver escaped from the man, as Jerry knew it wasn’t the cold, or the lack of warmth around him that caused his shakiness. No...it was that dream. Or rather a very, very detailed nightmare. Jerry had to let his shaky hands rest down, feeling more sweat coming down his body as Jerry felt like he needed to get out of the bed.

Although that was somewhat hard to do, as Shadow legs were wrapped around his own right. Not to mention Seasalt had her own pair around his left. Giving a glance back to the mares, he was still partially glad they were still asleep, not aware of his awakened state...or more likely his shaken form and failed attempt to calm himself.

You’re fine… Jerry thought in an attempt to calm himself...only to amended with a bitter look. No….you’re not fine. If anything I’m an utter mess. A damn utter mess...a coward. thought Jerry as he could still visibly recall that nightmare as his eyes shut tightly. Face it Jerry. Not only you’re a villain, a monster, a tool….but also a coward. It also didn’t help that he started to feel something forming in his eyes, for once in a possibly long time?

Jerry could feel tears swelling up.

Placing a shaky hand onto his eyes, he tried his hardest to stop. To calm down, to relax…

But he couldn’t. He just couldn’t.

Jerry just couldn’t stop shaking. He couldn’t stop shivering in cold from that nightmare...and he couldn’t stop the tears from falling down his face despite his shaking hand attempting to stop them.

It was like everything he was trying to hold back just...just couldn’t be pushed away anymore. His fears, his regrets...his thoughts of dying like an Overlord would. In a sense...he just couldn’t hold it all back anymore.

“Bad dream?” For a moment, Jerry felt himself go ridged at the voice. When his hand fell away and his eyes turned up, Jerry felt his chest tighten at the inversion all over the room. The Eyes of Fate standing all too comfortably at a fireplace.

The grin the man sent his way, was not comforting in the least. “You look a little pale. Maybe you should get a glass of water. Or better yet, dump your head under some cold water. Maybe snap you out of it.” It seemed like forever last they saw the other. It made Jerry wonder… “Why am I here?” and once more creep the overlord out at the Eye’s reading-- no…. Not reading. The princess had told him… Fate could see the future and past…

In an attempt to calm himself and remove what tears he could, even if that was failed to begin with-- Jerry soon asked with a shaky voice. “I’m not even surprised...but why now? Do you just...like to show up whenever I have a near breakdown in my mind?”

“Oh don’t blame me.” Told the Eyes in an almost amused manner. “You did this to yourself, we both know that.” Going on while stepping up to take the iron poker from the side to play with the fire frozen in time. “Then again, you didn’t think you had a choice, did you?” A slight grin seen playing on his lips.

“But, I’m here on business.” Told Fate, turning around to go on, “I’m sure little Celestia and Luna told you all about my business deals. I’m a very busy man after all.” Going on to say, “you should ask them about their own deals. But I’m sure they’d rather tell you about all the other people that made deals with me.” Prattling along as he did.

“They made a deal with you?” Jerry ask, trying to both keep his wits together, and being admitally surprised that the Celestial sisters made a deal with the Eyes of Fate...although Jerry could only guess that neither of the two knew much of the Eyes back then.

Which explains why they warned Jerry not to make a deal either if they had personal experience…

With a hand wiping what tears he could and focusing on something other than the nightmare and his own feelings, did he ask. “If you’re busy, why bother coming here to prod at me?”

Placing the poker back to its place, the Eyes of Fate told, “you’re just part of the deal. I need to make sure you get to where you’re going.” Turning all focus to the man and smiling on, “and don’t be so surprised. Of course they made a deal with me. I have the stocks, you all have the payment. It’s just simple business.”

Turning and sauntering up, Fate went on, “not that they would ever say it aloud. Secrets like that are kept pretty quiet. Only because they didn’t get the results they thought they would get.” With a light shrug, the Eyes went on. “There’s always a price though. Intentional or not.”

“But, you want to know about that little business problem, don’t you?” He chuckled out. “Don’t answer, I already know. That and more.” Grinning much like a knowing cat would. “You’re looking for the magic that Celestia and Luna misplaced? Well, you better hurry. It’s about to be accidentally found by some very attentive troops on the west coast of Equestria in three hours, forty-two minutes and ten seconds.”

As much as Jerry wanted to groan at the near suddenness, he had to gently move the two mares legs off his own pair. Trying to get off the bed as he asked in a near sarcastic manner. “Am I just going to fumble around up and down the coast to find the location? Would be entertaining to watch, wouldn’t it?”

“I can’t let the viewers know what’s really going on.” Told the Eyes while placing a finger near his lips. “Spoilers.”

Groaning a bit, he asked as he tied his robes up, mind thinking of going in winter or an Arcanium set of armor. “Can you at least give me a hint of a location in the west coast that's close to where these troops are at?” then added in slight annoyance. “Or is that asking too much?”

“I’ve told you what you need to know.” Shrugged the Eyes of Fate. “you can figure out the rest if you really ponder it.” Then half leaned forwards. “Unless you want to forgo all the silly easter-egg hunting and make a deal.”

“...even if I did, for some reason I feel like you’re going to ask something that will either nearly kill me, or screw me over in the future somehow.” said Jerry, knowing that while he wanted the upper hand for once...he still recall both the warnings the Celestial sisters gave to him...and the fact he didn’t trust the Eyes in the first place.

“Kill you?” Asked Fate in amusement, “you think all my deals end with people dying?” Then went on, “it was the gnoll’s, wasn’t it?” Then waved off, “I was doing them a favor. They would have died from a plague anyways.” And waved a hand, “ten-thousand strong warriors, able to kill armies twice their size-- vs…” Pausing for a moment, “A single pest-infested rodent. It’s a tough call for a fight.”

Then folded both hands behind his back going on. “Celestia and Luna made a deal with me. They’re still alive. I’ve made deals with hundreds, and they’re still very much alive.” He then waved off, “and really, one of my most recent customers got to have her wish and is still breathing and living life. Free to make her choices from here on out.” Pacing off to the side, Eyes told, “those two might make me seem like an evil, dark and some twisted thing… but the reality is, I’m not such a bad guy at all. Just have to follow a few rules, as some would say.”

“Said the higher being that visit and prods at me and is amused with my ‘third perspective’ view of things.” remarked Jerry, as while time was of the essence...he knew that time wasn’t going to move until the Eyes left. Plus...he had to admit, he may not like the Eyes at all for his…’trouble’ in the past as one would lightly put it, from what Jerry could gather, the Eyes was a businessman.

Granted one who enjoys being somewhat sadistic in toying with others...but a businessman nevertheless.

“You want to make a deal so badly.” Told Fate in a very knowing tone. “If I wanted to, I could tell you of every foreseeable way it could go out.” then rolled his eyes. “But, that might break your limited mind. A sad truth.” Pacing around the bed some in thought. “And a just as annoyed producer probably. But he’s just a limited contractor. Can’t wait to get back to my normal day job.”

Cutting off his own line of thought, the Eyes said, “the price will always depend on what you want, Jerry. The more you want, the greater the price. That’s just simple business. And when there are multiple deals going on, I as a responsible businessman, have to make sure each one is done accordingly and to their desires.”

Smiling, the Eyes of Fate went on, “if it’s any constellation… whatever deal you make with me now, won’t have you killed, mangled or otherwise turn mad or braindead. It would get in the way of some other deals I have made. And I can’t have you dead just yet.”

“...what about those around me?” asked Jerry in caution, giving a sideway glance to his small herd, and knowing that despite some assurance of him being fine...who to say the mares won’t be affected-- or those in the Dark Castle either?

“You just want the magic that’s missing back.” Pointed out Fate without even batting an eye. “It involves you, getting the magic back to the two sisters. That’s the deal, in its simplicity, isn’t it?” Then made a face of half-confusion. “I don’t see why the castle, it’ people or your little love life has to do anything with that.”

Looking back to the Eyes, Jerry told. “No offense...okay some offense-- but I still don’t trust you. And I’m still waiting for either you, or someone else to come up behind me and screw me over somehow.” then almost consider something as he remarked. “Huh...wonder if that's either paranoia speaking, PTSD...or the fact of me being fine with being a somewhat villain now?”

The man shook his head and looked back to the Eyes as he added. “To be frank, despite the simplicity of what I want-- it's whatever you want in return that concerns me.”

“Is that all?” Laughed the inverted man with a great deal of amusement. “Well, if that’s what you're worried about, I’ll make it simple. For the deal to go through, so you get what you want? I just need you to do one, little thing for me.” Stretching out the word ‘little’ as he did. “Go to Storm King’s lands. I know you’re going to go there. Find a tower on the west side, in the second city near it’s second tallest mountain. There, you will find ten barrels held by rope near a street called ‘Julian Lane’. Cut the rope holding them up, and cause them to fall.”

Raising both hands, the Eye’s told, “do that for me? And I’ll be sure that you get the sister’s magic back to them.”

Huh...cut down some barrels in the Storm King Land and in Julian Lane….sound simple enough. thought Jerry as this seems...rather legit. Granted it could screw him later on...but it didn’t affect his home, his herd, or anything here.

“Alright...sound simple...you got a deal.” said Jerry as he added. “Although I should probably make a memo just in case. Might need to visit that place if I’m raiding later on.”

Hand out, the Eyes told, “shake on it, and I’ll make it so you don’t forget.” Seeming ever so sure about it. “I like adding a little magic to seal the deal, make sure people don’t forget the price of a deal. Can’t have them forgetting.” Then half said to the side, “unless they get so caught up in their deal they push it out of their heads.” Thinking of one person that did just that recently.

“It’s not going to show as a marking or a tattoo right?” asked Jerry in uncertainty as he raised his hand. “Gonna be hard to explain to the girls on how a mark just...appeared on me with no reason at all.”

“It’s magic, Jerry.” Told the inverted being, round glasses flashing pure black. “It might show for you if you want to see the deal, but nobody else can see it.” Hand grasping Jerry’s own. “You don’t gotta worry about a thing…” Then warned, “careful not to bite your tongue.” It was only then, did Jerry feel the pain.

Ahhhhhhh, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit~! thought Jerry, eyes squeezing as he grit his teeth. Being somewhat thankful for the warning, not biting his tongue as he felt a painful sharp shock in his arm. Coursing through his veins and muscles, seeming as if to latch onto his arm and biting down like fangs into his flesh. He was only thankful that it didn’t take long-- or he thought it did, it was admitally hard to tell how long it was with the pain that was coursing through his body.

Once it died down, he gave low pants of breath. Looking to his arm as he saw...an unusual marking. Etched into his hand and swirling around his arm like a snake. Thankfully it disappeared as the marked snake settled deep into his skin, almost acting as if it didn’t exist. Jerry took a deep breath in, looking to the Eyes as he remarked. “That...is one way to make a business deal...you must be a terror in bureaucracy.”

“The only other person that makes killer deals has to be Grey himself.” Joked the man, though it went over Jerry’s head. “But… as for my part of the bargain now.” Letting go to tell while looking at his nails. “You will find a pegasus mare on the western coast. She will be heading for the warmest parts of Equestria wanting to escape the Windigos and the terrors.”

While he wandered off to the side, Fate went on. “You will have a three hour trip, because no gates are any closer. When you step out of the 23rd gate near the ocean, go south and keep to a straight line, if you get distracted, look down. If you see a line, walk parallel to it and you will be back on track. A half hour before reaching your destination call on five blue’s, fifteen browns, five greens and the rest reds. After that, you will find the pegasus with a heavy winter coat and unaware of a ship hidden in a stormcloud over her. When the ship comes down, get ready for a fight.”

Turning and grinning, Fate told, “you’ll have her. She has the magic. Take her dagger, break the bone-blade off it’s hlt and the magic is free and will return to the sisters. You escape and things go back on track. Have fun.” And like that, he was just gone and everything back to normal.

While Jerry took that in, he almost wanted to ask how a ship would hide in a stormcloud. But with a quick glance to the sleeping mares, he quickly turned to leave, storming off past his steel doors, causing his Minion guards to become alert as he ordered. “Get Giblet my Winter armor ready, tell Grubby to activate a Waypoint Gate near the ocean on the west side of Equestria.” then added.

“And get Mortis on the Tower heart immediately. Now!” giving the last bit of an ordering command as the Guards split in two, following their Master orders as Jerry himself had to double time it, mostly since this was the closest he had of a head start since..well...since he first arrived here a year back.

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