A life stolen for a war unclaimed

“So Damocles have you decided on the fighting style and the weapons you want to use? Remember if you go to use my gift to you then you will be limited. Also you are not allowed any Resets.” Luna rose her head from the list of women who had confirmed they had gone on a date with her nephew.

“I was wondering about that actually among other things, but let me start with this question,” Damocles’ ear flicked in annoyance of his lack of understanding more than his fair share of things. “Am I allowed to use the Weapons of Others?” His voice wasn’t flat nor had it any kind of hidden or blatant emotion yet something in that one sentence appeared to resonate deeply with Luna. Her brow furrowed in mild contemplation as she tried to place where it came from and of a proper answer for his question.

Her eyes betrayed calm face as a frustration shone through them ‘What is it? It’s not Pride, It’s not anger, nor is it any kind of real definitive emotion. He shows no fear nor is there hesitation,’

“There are no rulings to prevent it. Why do you ask?” Luna’s voice held the mixed sounds of confusion and frustration.

“Because if possible I would want each one of those Mares on that list to pick a weapon and for her name to be placed on it. And left in the stadium at the start of the fight. If this is done I will limit myself to my wings, Something Inspired from my home and the gauntlets. No more no less. I may not even use my wings. Should I emerge Victorious from this fight I would have something I would request from you Luna.” His voice was the same and it baffled her further before her eyes shot open as she processed what he just said.

“An army fallen before another as one protects what defines him and what he values.” She said softly.

“He may break my blade but I will use the ones who have failed before me and bring justice to the barren blades.” Damocles stood then bowed to her before turning to leave.

“What are you Damo-... no Rowan Wicker… You describe your kind so violently so why do you defy what it is that made you, why do you despise it?” Luna asked him. His ear flicked again as they both leaned back.

“I am not human anymore and even when I was I hated it, I am now the sword and shield to be used against that which threatens the peace of this world. Humans… Only some stand with any honor. And as that life is lost to me Luna,” Damocles opened the door. “That name has no meaning to it.” He left closing the door to her office silently. Luna watched the door for a moment longer.

“To quote the story you told to us by that being known as shaker spears, ‘A rose by any other name is just as sweet.’ I see now why discord wants nothing of your minds version of chaos. I must find you someone you can trust… if not for our sake then for yours. You are walking on an dark edge. And I fear which direction you are facing on that edge.”

Later

“ ‘Ey Damocles. What did Luna say?” Virulent asked with interest as he held his hoof up for him to bump. Damocles met with a smirk and gave him the Hoof bump.

“Of course, did you two finish practicing the songs? I wanna make sure that Snob knows exactly what kind of person he lost to.”

“Yeah we got it taken care of dear. How was the lunch Date with Twilight?” Veil asked. “I heard you two got into a little fight?”

“It was nothing more than a disagreement between viewpoints on my position in the princesses Eyes.” Damocles said with a straight face.

“Mhmm I bet, let me guess she was ‘oh the princesses care about you and want everyone to be happy’.” Veil snickered

“Yeah yeah and I can almost guarantee that Damocles was all brooding and dark, ‘ I am a weapon to be pointed My happiness is not their concern, so long as i remain useful to them is all that matters.’ “ Virulent and Veil couldn’t help but laugh at that which drew a growl of annoyance.

“Right Right we are sorry, but not as sorry as the time you walked in on Satin Eclipse and me in the communal bath. Didn’t even realize it as you were washing the blood off.” Veil stated

“Personally I liked how he reacted when he realized he was in the woman’s side.” the voice came from the door as the mentioned mare walked in. “Especially the part when he tried to get out of the tub just to fall back closer to us for us to see everything” Satin gave Damocles a playful bump on his hip as she walked by.

“Yeah yeah I get it.. Whatever. So the playlist is ready, Each mare is selecting a weapon to shape their anger. The only thing left? Is to keep fighting." Damocles's voice was filled with Resolve as he spoke. Each of the guard regiments zodiac Trainees present nodded in response and all began to lead the the 'odd' on of the bunch out to their personal training areas Where both Midnight and Damocles remained.

****** Time before the Showdown: 4 hours ******

Damocles eyes were closed as he floated as he drifted. His body was still but loose, his breathing was slow but light. No sound was heard since he began this dream until the sound of a horses shoes echoed sending out purple reverberations beneath where Damocles was laying his ears flicking for a moment as the sounds disturbed the peace. Another set of foot steps one that was considerably lighter yet very noticeable releasing a deep scarlet reverberated from the opposite direction. Damocles opened his eyes as his form shifted so he would be standing his hooves touching the alleged ground sending out several ripples of white as a field of blue roses grew into shape underneath and undisturbed from where he was standing. It seemed as if they were in the air despite being on solid ground. Both sets of footsteps had stopped. On his left was Princess Luna and on his Right was the Reaper Sheila.

"Damocles. Where are we? and who is this?" Luna's voice held a deep tone of confusion as she looked from the darkness to the glow of the blue roses then to the being past us.

"Hmmm Figures it was you who would intrude on this. Well I wasn't going to keep you out forever especially for one 'oh so special as Damocles.' " Sheila taunted the lunar goddess giggling at the end of it. "Anyways Miss Nightingale, we are, in quite literally the calmest part of his mind. Isn't that right Rowan?"she stated as she looked from Luna to Damocles. Who only grumbled in annoyance.

"Sheila, Be nice. Luna, she is right. Now why are the two of you here?" Damocles said watching the roses colors begin to fade from blue to a soft white.

"How does she know of that nickname? Only those inside the castle and even then only a select few know of those nicknames. I know she is not of the subconscious creations so explain please." Luna was growing both frustrated and worried.

"Hey, I'm right here you could just ask me. Anyways, call me Sheila, and I guess you could say I'm the New Reaper in charge of Damocles, I just came to say I got approval for my present to give to you Damocles, so you will receive it during your fight with Blue Blood. Snobs like him are supposed to be nothing but losers anyways so I guess it works out heheh. But remember I will have some things you will have to do for me in the future. I'll leave you alone since nothing interesting is going on now. Bye bye now see you tomorrow~" The girl quickly then jumped back and faded into the very darkness she walked in from. Leaving only Damocles and Luna now.

"Well that solves one of my questions. Now why are you here Luna?" Damocles turned to Face Luna. She blinked for a moment as he did so.

"I Came merely to check on you and let you know that each weapon has been chosen. The field will be littered with it. But you realize that he will be able to use those to his advantage right?" Damocles nodded before sitting creating a large ripple of white to emanate from his position. Luna followed suit with a Purple one playing against the white. "Damocles, are you angry with us?"

"No."

"Do you resent us?"

"No."

"Then what do you feel about us?"Luna got up moving closer the flowers that were under her turned into White poppy's as the ones around Damocles remained their soft white. Damocles followed her allowing her to move as he watched the flowers thinking about his answer.

"I... my normal response would be I don't, but we both know that to be a lie." Luna nodded slowly as if gauging the reactions. "I am not angry, at least not anymore. Resent? I've only ever resented 3 people in my entire life I don't want to resent anymore. When it comes to all of you I don't really know what I feel. I know I am thankful for everything you are doing for me and putting up with my shenanigans. But outside of that I don't feel much else. I know I should but I don't. I guess that's one of the few things keeping me together." The flowers beneath Damocles changed to that of a soft pink sweet brier roses. Luna looked towards the flowers noticing their change.

"Damocles," her voice was soft as she looked back at the stallion. Her eyes were scanning for a trace of anything. "Why do you... How is it...." Her voice fell off as she searched for the correct words to say. "Why is what others feel and pains they have are more important to you than your own?" Her voice held concern and for once ripples were made by here with movement. The flowers changing with each ripple in a wide radius to Elderflowers all for the ones stood directly under Damocles. Those changed into common rue.

"Must we do this?" Damocles's voice was soft and hollow. None of the normal bravado or the heartiness in it from before.

"I am worried about you." what was Elderflower quickly changed to Snowdrops the petals of the heliotrope being flung into the air and burning into nothingness. You shouldn't be suppressing your emotions like you have been." Luna gently draped her wing over Damocles who flinched at the contact.

"Why? So I can hurt those around me more than already? If I let go of my control... I may be the worse possible thing for Equestria. Worse than what discord did. Worse for it than Tirek, hell for all I know I could be that great evil." The Rue flowers slowly burned away into Peonies "More so why do you care?"

"I am in the distressed dream of one who I have hurt, Why shouldn't I care?"

"Because I am not supposed to have feelings, I am a tool for you Alicorns." suddenly there was a large resounding slap as the snowdrops blew up in the wind replaced by Marigolds. Waves of purple resounded for a less than a moment as the Peonies became white roses that slowly dried up. Damocles finally looked at Luna as he rubbed his cheek. Her eyes held shock, pain, and anger.

"No being is ever destined to be a tool. You live, you Feel, and you hurt just like the rest of us. You are not an instrument to be replaced or forgotten once your purpose is fulfilled. You will become a legend because I KNOW you are here to protect us. To SAVE us. But who is going to save you if you don't let us in." Luna's voice was restrained but quiet. "We ponies are natural empaths and what affects one of us affects the herd. You are one of us now. You can learn so much from us as we can learn from you. But you have to let us in!" Luna pulled Damocles closer as the flowers mixed now the ripples of purple and white spreading. The roses changing to a vibrant red equinox flower. "You walk a line of light and darkness but you try so hard to steal the darkness in others it makes yours shine, as your light dulls. A shadows edge from which one cannot return from. Not by themselves."

"No and all it takes a push for one to fall into the shadows, One bad day. One mistake. And then the you that everyone once loved is gone forever. Sure you can try to go back to your old ways but nothing really is the same isnt it." Damocles began to sink into the floor beneath them Lunas eyes widened as she tried harder to hold him where he was. "I asked for help yes. The issue is no ones given me a good reason to believe they have the intentions of helping without repayment. No gurrantee that once its done I'll be tossed aside. I have been alone before, and it is painful, but then again wouldn't you know?" The dream continued but he was no longer there. Luna tried to will the dream to change her to where he was but the dream did not change.

"I am still here Don't worry Luna. I have not left yet. In honesty I don't want it end. It's been a while since I've been here and I've missed it. So tell me Luna, how can I trust that you or Celestia won't do away with me and I never hear from either of you again?" All of the flowers had slowly began to change to that ominous red. Luna sat her wings hanging along with her head.

"You're right, I do know what its like to be alone. But I am not alone anymore. I have my sister, and I have my friends. Damocles, please if nothing else then trust me, I will not abandon you. There are so many who have been in the same place as you and returned." Luna was pleading looking around at the flowers in each direction. The ripples no longer appeared as she walked.

"Fine. I'll give you my trust." Damocles's voice came from behind her as she stopped and turned and saw Rowan Wicker the Human."But for this to work, I need you to give me this. To rid me of those nightmares and then to help me leave my past behind. I've found myself clinging to it too much even now."

"The nightmares I understand, but the past.. I can only do so much for. However I will try, but you will have to play by my rules for it." She began to walk forward blinking for a moment and in the place of Rowan wicker stood Damocles the pony. "Can I ask you show me something?"

"It would depend on what it is?"

"I want to see your scars... I want to know you all parts of you. If you do this I will show you my unyielding trust." The field of flowers disappeared with each step Luna took. Damocles nodded slowly as he sat again. Luna sat behind him and pulled him close the way a mother would hold their child. Nuzzling him gently, Luna whispered a thank you. This made Damocles start to tear up and cry.

"So this is what its like." he whispered in a strained voice. In that moment Almond flowers, Pear blossoms, Snowdrops and Rainflowers bloomed with Equinox flowers still here and there throughout the field below them.

"This is what what is like?" Damocles looked up at her as she asked this.

"A mothers love." With that the scene changed and a stream of memories began to play.

******Time Remaining: 30 minutes******

Damocles awoke with tears in his eyes but smiling. Stretching his bones popped wickedly and he slowly made his way out. He was met by the group of Zodiac Guards he was instructed to train with waiting outside the corridor to hiw home. In front of the guards was Dusk Blade, Luna, and Midnight.

"Damocles The Centurion. We are here to escort you to the Proving grounds where you will meet and do battle with Prince Blue Blood and his champion. We wish you goodluck." Luna said with gusto and small amounts of pride. This was quickly joined with the salutes of the Zodiac Guards. They all Flew there way there being met with Spitfire and the Wonderbolts for the guard transfer. Luna and the Zodiac all went to the stadium as The Wonderbolts got the scene ready for his entrance.

At the Stadium the field was covered with weapons from whips to glaives to shovels and swords, spears, hammers, and a sword fish. The stadium was full with ponies from all over Canterlot and every mare that Blue Blood had scorned. The Royals had all gathered at their seating, the elements of harmony were also present as well as the Griffons and even Discord who happily sat next to Fluttershy. While Celestia and Luna had stayed standing to address the crowds.

"Ladies and Gentlecolts, Welcome. It is with great honor and pride to have everyone gathered here today. Today is the shortly announced but quickly heard of Duel between the Pride of the Royals, Prince Blue Blood and the Wrath of the Loyals, Damocles the Centurion. I thank all of you who took time out of schedules to come and see this fight between three very skilled fighters. Now without further notice lets introduce the fighters." Celestia stepped back to have Luna being this part of the announcement.

"You all have known him from our family, The stallion of many ponies dreams but the nightmare to others. A prodigy in combat and military expert. Our Nephew Prince Blue Blood." The pony Walked in and half the stadium erupted into cheers of endearment coming from some of the nobles side and a bunch of mares who knew nothing about the stallion personally a few of them even screaming 'I love you Blue Blood.' or 'Marry me my Prince.' The other half of the stadium erupted into Boos. "His chosen Champion to assist him in this fight is one of our most capable intelligence officers in our Homeland defense networks. Troubled Mind!" The stallion had a Deep water blue coat and his cutiemark was that of a cracked mirror. His eyes were a more violet than then magenta of Celestia, and his mane was a simple black. The same face from the Tasty Treat that Twilight and Damocles had eaten at the day before. This continued cheers from the half that supported Blue blood. The crowd fell silent as Luna held up her hoof.

"And The first White Thestral and one of the newest Ponies to Equestria, who pledged himself to defend us in his own way to the point he was willing to harm himself to make sure he could do the job and current 'White Knight' as he battles for the honor of all the Mares whom Blue Blood has scorned. Damocles, The CENTURION." She cheered as the rest of the crowd began to cheer but Damocles didn't show which began to draw whispers from the crowd until a single Guard hooked up to certain DJ's amp began to play music. (song found here) Thunder began to roar as the Wonder bolts brought the storm. The night guard chanting with the guitar screaming thunder in time as Drums and base picked up. Virulent began singing into a microphone drawing the attention of the crowd.

Thunder, thunder, thunder, thunder
I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track
I looked round
And I knew there was no turning back
My mind raced
And I thought what could I do
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you
Sound of the drums
Beating in my heart
The thunder of guns
Tore me apart
You've been
Thunderstruck"

Damocles silloughette is shown in the clouds as lighting strikes in the cloud.

"Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the town
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas, and we had some fun
We met some girls
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules
Played all the fools
Yeah yeah they, they, they blew our minds
And I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please
Yeah them ladies were too kind
You've been
Thunderstruck"

Damocles is seen flying over the Ponies as if racing the Wonder Bolts. Keeping a steady lead as Spitfire, Soarin and Rainbow Dash all Begin gaining on him.

"I was shaking at the knees
Could I come again please
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
It's alright, we're doin' fine
It's alright, we're doin' fine, fine, fine
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, baby, baby
Thunderstruck, you've been Thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, Thunderstruck
You've been Thunderstruck"

Suddenly with a crash of thunder the other 3 peeled off as Damocles landed Sliding to a halt, lighting struck the path behind him 3 times each hitting a different weapon before hitting him as the song ended and the thunder clouds cleared away. The crowd burst into a roar of cheers Virulent and the other hoof bumping. Luna sat happily as Twilight stood up.

"Now many of you may be beginning to wonder why all the weapons on the field. Well we shall have Damocles explain that." Twilight's horn lit up. "Damocles go ahead." He nodded as he turned to Face Blue Blood.

"Prince Blue Blood, tell me do you recognize any of the mares around the royal seating area?" Blue Blood's brow furrowed as he turned his head.

"Why should I? Not one of them seems recognizable or nobility in any sort of way." He said nonchalantly as he turned back to face Damocles.

"Well they all remember you vividly, and at my request Selected a Single weapon represent them for this fight. So when I win, and I swear on the soul of my dearly departed Beloved, whom you insulted, it will be because of them as they each fight and fought along side of me in this battle. This is for the honor of all those who you insulted." Damocles stated his words were laced with palpable venom. Twilight's spell ended as she began to speak.

"Now if you wish to make a bet on who will win this fight please address one of the Wonderbolts and make sure to have payment ready Betting will end after the first 3 minutes. Now fighters are you ready?" All 3 nodded their head. All three getting into a fighters stance. Twilight let the pause go on as silence fell before nodding to Discord who snapped his fingers and made a giant Gong appear in the sky and blast of magic fired from luna and celestia made it ring signaling the match had begun.

Damocles Launched himself into the sky with his wings as it carefully changed to a pair of Gauntlets. Blue Blood teleported from the initial position to behind the Thestral and Troubled Mind began running along the wall, blasting a Gatling of energy blasts. Damocles activating the hidden boosters on the gauntlets propelled himself to the ground quickly creating a shock wave making the weapons on the ground fly up near where Troubled mind was. The wings shifted back blocking most of the attacks as Damocles grabbed two swords and began to swing them, Much to most peoples surprise he was moving like a dancing whirlwind using blade and wings to defend against the advance before Troubled Mind teleported away, Damocles throwing both blades up flipped upwards and kicked the two swords away. One towards the direction blue blood was forcing him to fire the charged blast at the sword instead of his attack lest he got struck. Troubled Mind however however was forced on the defensive. As he threw up a shield the sword breaking through it stopping just barely cutting the cheek as it stopped. Damocles used this chance to close his distance on Blue Blood blitzing at him. Grabbing a twin headed spear along the way, spinning it before impaling it on the wall behind Blue Blood to the side of him. Blue Blood took the chance to turn and buck Damocles landing a clean hit on Damocles's midsection effectively winding him. Damocles stood up as he knew from experience how to move with lack of air before breathing deep. Troubled Mind took advantage of this to start a spell.

Blue Blood seeing this smiled and tried to use his magic to grab and hold still Damocles.
"It's over Peasant. If you surrender now the next few moments will be that less painful for you." He grinned as he saw Troubled Minds power of the spell increase that much further.

"Right, let me tell you something, Blue Balls." The white coated stallion looked at the floating Thestral aghast at the crude nickname. "Its not over till the fat lady sings." With that Damocles spread his wings which shifted ever so slightly and applied a great deal of pressure of flying force, forcing the unicorn to focus harder on the restraint than before. "Whats wrong Blue Balls, Never been Feather fucked while holding somepony down or have you always been a bottom bitch!" Damocles laughed as broke out of the aura causing a small amount of magical back lash onto Blue Blood to scream in pain as his horn throbbed in pain and a searing migraine took hold in his head. Grabbing a whip Damocles tied a dagger to it and began flinging it at Blue blood who used his magic to grab a few of the swords to cut the whip and ensue a Deadly Waltz of Blades Damocles deftly and barely dodging each attack with no real intent or plan as if instinctual he danced along closing the distance slowly to strike Blue Blood in the head with his wings making him loosing control of the swords and spears as he rolled knocking over a few of the other weapons. On the one he saw on his chest the name Luna and looked up at the princess of the night growling in frustration. Before launching an onslaught of magical blasts.

Damocles used his wings to make something cylindrical as it charged up energy building inside of it and fired something at a high velocity. Which overpowered most of the blasts sent by Blue blood if not making them bounce to hit a weapon making it shatter the shards striking the Damocles's 'Tank gatling mode' before he got up on his hind two legs to create a heavy style looking weapon with the barrel slowly began to rotate firing red bullets that began to splatter against the walls. Blue Blood realized at this moment he was using his own blood as a weapon. Smiling Blue Blood began to teleport at random forcing Damocles to stop the firing.

"Do you know why I'm risking my life now, Its because an important pony once told me I should let go of the past." Damocles rushed forward as Blue Blood released a flamethrower like spell completely engulfing the metal winged pony. Blue Blood began to laugh victoriously as he turned up the heat further making the flames turn a vibrant blue. "The reason why I'm getting closer to you, is to prove that not only is one pony the fastest flier but one of the best flying instructors." Damocles declared through the torrent of flames as a metal coated hoof came out of the fires spinning from the left and struck him hard enough to knock out a tooth. The Night Guards and Zodiacs where cheering as Luna looked at Celestia triumphantly. Grabbing a whip Damocles hooked Blue bloods legs and he began to pull him closer flipping him in the air with it sharpening his wings he flew towards Blue Blood who teleported just before the blade made full contact scratching his Cutie mark. Blue Blood teleported onto Damocles and Troubled Mind who was charging his spell released it engulfing them and all movement ceased nothing moved nothing happened. Luna got up and began to scan and the started to play one 4 visuals what was happening.

"Damocles Blue Blood and Troubled mind are in Damocles's mindscape The battle is continuing there." Luna announced.

Hoards of Changelings, Timber wolves, and Diamond Dogs began to form before moving to flood Damocles, surrounding and thrashing him about striking where they could with no regard for their comrades. Damocles growled as suddenly everything stopped. Blue Blood and Troubled mind looked confused as Damocles was suddenly wrapped with chains that pulled him upon a cross that had a fifth segment at an angle on the left side between the top and left arm. Tightened with 7 locks and as a woman draped in black cloth whose fingers turned to black claws and teeth were sharper than a manticore, appeared between them facing Damocles.

"Damocles of Equestria. You live because I will it, You exist for me and bear the mark of my people I am 'Nemesis the goddess of Vengeance and Death. You will be my envoy, as of now and I shall give you this gift. Finish this fight and carry out my will!" With that she produced a Black bladed dagger and struck him in the heart before fading, the chains the cross and dagger itself burned away into smoke along with her image as Damocles opened his eyes.

"Lets have fun since you dragged us to my fucked up mind. Lets see whose mind is worse Troubled." Damocles began laughing the mindscape changed to where both Trouble Mind and Blue Bloood where on a rack as Daggers are thrown into them. To change to show them on a dinner table as Queen Chrysalis began to devour them physically. Tearing apart their muscles and tendons. Damocles's wings returned to their normal leather white as the metal that replaced it took on a new form and shape. Troubled Mind increased his magic as he changed the spell returning to the arena. The new shape the metal took was a sword, a really huge sword. In the physical world as well this sword appeared in the hoofs of Damocles. "Time to devour, Ouroboros" The blade shifted suddenly to a monsters mouth that had four yellow lines for eyes as it growled and launched forward from the blade eating everything it could reaching snapping its jaw shut just before reaching Blue Blood then retracting. Damocles took the sky the sword switching from the monstrous mouth to a gun raining a flurry of explosive bullets down upon the warring battlefield as Blue Blood created a barrier to protect him and Troubled Mind.

"Trouble how much longer till that spell is done I fear we may not have much time till he escapes." Suddenly Silence as Damocles willed the Mindscape to open the doors of the arena as Soilders walked in with powersuits equiped as well as rocket launchers and machine guns. Bullets flew and missles fired raining devastation. Blue Bloods barrier was holding off the destruction however the shields slowly began to crack. He was forced to teleport them to a different location in hopes of hiding.

"Not much longer I've found the memory I can twist." Suddenly Troubled was blasted back as Damocles charged him with the sword. Flying faster and faster he slashed at ponies horn, and like that the dream ended as all parties were brought to reality. Troubled minds horn however shot of a magic blast that hit Damocles but did nothing just before his horn shattered from the intense damage as he screamed in pain fainting. The fight came down to 1 on 1. A mirror however appeared on the field behind Damocles watery and blurred as if an image was trying to form. The spell was completing itself now.

"Blue Balls you need to understand something about these weapons." He breathed deep as he closed hi eyes. His metal wings stretching. The sword itself manifested itself from the will of its user. Slowly he opened his eyes and they shown with the sword and shield all the while Damocles cutie mark began shimmering a bit. Planting the monstrous swords blade into the ground in front of him as a Single yellow cats eye opened and looked directly at Blue Blood drawing a Gasp from Luna while Rarity and Rainbow where cheering. Blue Blood was staring at Damocles with eyes filled with more than just rage. It had become hatred, disgust, and most of all Fear. "Because of them. I. am. Legion!"