By the Time the Construction Discords finished night had fallen and the Elements of Harmony had already returned to their homes. Princess Luna, Damocles, Nurse Tender Heart, and the Centurions walked about checking layout of the area. While the main training grounds where on the ground, Discord was 'kind' enough to make it so the primary area for the Barracks were up in the air floating. Thankfully an elevator was also installed as to make things easier on the more grounded ones. Rooms were selected as par the course of a new building with new residents, however on this full mooned night Princess Luna, Damocles and the Centurions All met in the outside Zen Garden each one careful to land without moving a grain of sand out of respect for Discords Hard Work.

"Attention!" Damocles Called out. "Congratulations, you four and myself Have been selected to begin Initiation into our own Faction, which Upon much better delegation with someone who has had a hand at naming things," Damocles gestured with his hoof towards Luna, "That Calling you all Centurions or Doves and Crows was a bad idea, Centurion is a title after all, even among my home, So should you all pass this Initiation then you will all be able to call yourselves Phantoms. Rankings, from lowest to highest are as follows. Thrall is the term for all new recruits, Before Initiation Night. From that point we will break down into 3 sections. Goblin, Vandal and Acolyte. Since, none of you know what any of these mean allow to me to Explain in detail. But First things first, Ladies and Gentlecolts, You all need to understand what our Role is. The Royal Guard serves as the Military presence and sword of Equestria. The Dawn Guard are the Shields of the Princesses, The Night Guards are the hidden blades. The Zodiacs are the Surgical precision, and the Solar Flare are the shock troops of Guerrilla tactics for our country.

"We as Phantoms are Contradictions, Our Very existence is a contradiction. What is a Phantom Soldiers?" Damocles asked watching all of the guards. Luna was standing behind with Nurse Tender Heart just to the left of her. Each of them were Silent as they listened "Phantoms, are ghosts until they are scene. They don't exist until they are forced to. Those stories you heard as a kid with the monsters that go bump in the night is what we are. Now i want you all to understand, We are not Protectors! Nor, are we Conquerors. We are loyal to no Country and Every country. We are the representation of Armed Intervention of all conflicts that would involve bloodshed. We will spill blood to prevent rivers of Blood from flowing. We are the ones who will do whatever it takes to Preserve Peace, by any means. Does anypony have any questions as of right now?" Damocles watched carefully as each guard looked pensive, their features tight and almost straining.

"I have one Sir!" It was Virulent that broke the silence. "In the event that Equestria was to attack unprovoked, griffons for example, Would we take up arms against them?" Damocles smiled as he stepped aside while Luna walked forward.

"Allow me to answer this question Centurion," She stated more than asked while Damocles nodded, "The answer is yes, you would turn and strike down those loyal to my sister and I. If I should regress into the nightmare and you all catch wind of it first, you would detain me with extreme prejudice. Should any pony instigate or attempt to instigate a war for us against any other civilization without us declaring it for the official reasons you will handle it. Does this answer satisfy your question?" Luna stated coldly, her voice holding neither the sternness she is known for nor the compassion that goes with her normal units. "If not then know this, should I regress into the nightmare again and If I am deemed incapable of being saved, it is by Damocles's hooves I leave this place for eternal dreamless slumber." Luna pointed a hoof over at Damocles to emphasize her point.

"I would do it as well, without a moments hesitation, For we as Phantoms will show no emotion until the mission is done. Only after it is complete in a moment of silence, either by ourselves or the soft company of another do we then show our emotions. But not until then." Damocles stated

"Love you too, son" Luna commented with an eye roll.

"No further questions then sir. I apologize for that." Virulent said.

"No need to apologize, in fact Company. At Rest!" All of them went to a more relaxed position a few faces of worry and fear appearing. "That's better, now I'm not going to make you all do this, but this is something that needs to be done, brings us to the next point. After a few months of learning what I can here i would." Damocles looked over to Luna "I would say, what 2,3 months?" earning a nod from Luna. "WE as a whole unit, will be travelling to each of the countries, to recruit applicants of the different species. Starting with the Crystal ponies, to Griffons, then the Minotaurs, Followed by Dragons, to the Yaks, if Possible Diamond Dogs, Etc Etc, until we have one of every Race Applicable. Before any of that though we have to finish tonight." Damocles's voice was stern, but his eyes held mirth in them. "Now, if any of you have any reservations about this you may walk over to Princess Luna and kneel before her. If you still wish to join this specialist group, then stand to my left." Damocles and Luna both Stood to face each other. To the left and right of everyone else. In that moment the sky seemed to be devoid of all cloud cover and the stars were absent, coating the area they stood in liquid silver. No one moved as silence reigned.

In a shocking display of either intrigue alone or sheer unadulterated disregard, it was Tender heart that moved first, heading towards Damocles's left side. Getting stares from everyone, Luna's jaw dropping slightly as Damocles began to get a grin.

"What? He has something new to offer, and while unorthodox, he is my patient. As I said before, wherever he goes, I go." She says calmly before taking a drink of her coffee. "Not only that but he has been holding a lot of things back mentally. Which I look forward to dragging out of him." Tender Heart gives a mischievous glare towards Damocles.

"Awe, that's adorable the nurse thinks she can see what goes bump in the dark." Damocles teases before he turns his head back to his recruits. "So, Anyone else want to step into the shadows?" his voice was devoid of any emotion, or tension. No other movements were made.

"My son, perhaps a demonstration must be in order for them to understand what it is you are asking them take up." Luna stated warmly.

"Do I have your permission to wake It up?" He rose an eyebrow while looking at the princess of the night. She thought about it tapping her chin with her hoof before sighing and reluctantly nodding. This caused Damocles to smile with his fangs on full display. Damocles walked into the center of all parties the Night guards looking from one another confused. Taking a deep breath and steeling himself. After a moment of silence he spoke.

"Ouroboros futh agh serve latob goth. madurz izish from the gaium ob draut za gaium izub burzum!" Damocles' Voice roared into the darkness of the night in a manner similar to the Royal Canterlot Voice making everypony except for the Speaker and Princess Luna cover their ears. The very ground seemed to shake and tremble as the winds whipped up in a flurry of anger. Even the once clear night sky became clouded by Thundering Clouds as his voice reached across the land. Then nothing. No light from the sky was seen. No sound heard. No voice made.

A resonating Roar filled the heavens as the ground Trembled the Sky began to part as a new voice was heard directly into the minds of everypony in the vicinity.

I am the great devourer, bound by Fang and Blood. I am the Serpent that Coils the world, restricted by Thirst and Hunger. I am the Leviathan of the Black Sea who Obeys only the Phantom. You ask me to break the bindings of light I obey. You call upon me and I serve, my master. 7 glowing yellow Serpentine eyes are seen 6 on the left and right of equal size and 1 massive in the center, above and behind Damocles all locked onto him. The clouds part to reveal A massive Black snake with its Fangs Bared wrapped around the Barracks 4 times and then once more around the training grounds. Allow me to drink thou Blood my master to undo your binds and free you. Damocles turned around to face it.

"Then do so as the Sword." The serpent reared its head and moved to attack Damocles before shrinking and shifting in releasing pulses of shadows and Darkness as it turned back into the sword that was given during the match against Blue Blood embedded into the ground Blade first. Damocles taking his left forelimb pressed it against the blades edge and moved it slowly pressing into it to spill his blood. The eyes of the Sword began to shift and move taking in their surroundings before Darkness Seeped from from blade as it engulfed Damocles. Moving into the cut before being expelled as Shining Light. Damocles stood still as it all came to an end. Shuddering with an expression of ecstasy.

"Oh~ Daddy's back in business... Ouroboros remain in blade form until I state otherwise." 6 of the eyes slowly closed as the center one locked into place staying open. As Damocles turned around. Gaining the stares of 5 deeply horrified Thestrals, one jaw dropped nurse, and one deeply concerned Alicorn, who quickly rushed forward towards the pony in question.

"Oh my dear son are you alright? Let mama see the wound." Taking Damocles's Forelimb and turning it looking for a cut. while the stain of the blood against his coat was easily, the wound was non-existent. "I don't understand... what happened to the cut?"

"Simple mother, while the serpent may take my blood it will never kill me. Because if I die permanently, so does it." Damocles said with a saddened smile. "Ouroboros, I thank you." He said turning his head towards his wards and recruits. "Now Mother, Princess Luna, Lady of the night and all that dwells in it, Guardian of the dreams. I ask of you. Put a shield around the recruits. And make the area impossible to teleport in." His voice was like honey as the cadets looked around in confusion. Luna did as asked by her son as look of realization was starting to stretch across her features.

"Are you sure you will not succumb to it? Its powers may be influenced here in way you don't understand." Luna warned.

"Thats why I had made such a show out of Ouroboros." He said calmly as 7 ponies and a dragon came running into sight all of them frazzled but most of them looking for a fight.

"Princess Luna?! Prince Damocles?! Are you all alright?" Twilight had asked in fear and worry. "There was an intense pressure of dark magic when the all the stars disappeared and then there was something speaking like it was talking directly into our heads!?"

"The towns' about as panicked as can be sayin' they all saw a giant snake-thing wrapped around the tower!" Applejack said with concern.

"I-i-it called itself the, Serpent that coils the w-world." Fluttershy said in a fearful voice as she trembled.

"Fear not Young Fluttershy, The serpent is at the beck and call of my son, But your presence here may be needed yet still."

"Princess Luna what's going on? Why does it seem the dark magic is radiating from Damocles?" Starlight Glimmer asked in hesitation.

"That's because, Starlight, it is..." Damocles said with a calmness that made everyone silent. "You see girls, my old family had a saying and little process they did. You are all aware of clovers right? how a 4 leaf Clover means nothing but good luck?" He watched them all nod before continuing. "Well on the day of birth for anyone in our family they bring out 3 clovers, a normal 3 leaf, a 4 leaf and one with 5 leafs. If they should pick up the 3 leaf, they will live a normal life."

"let me guess if they picked up the 4 leaf they will live a life of good luck and fortune?"Rainbow Dash said with a bored expression. Receiving a nod from Damocles. as Luna picked it up. While Damocles began to channel his energy.

"Those who picked up the 5 leaf Clover. Are said to be the monsters of the family. The ones who will stop at nothing to achieve what they desire, be it by right or wrong however they will protect anyone they deem worthy with twice the power they normally have. For the 5th leaf is one marked and made by despair and madness. Damocles draws his strength from feeding of and stealing the despair of others. In other simpler words...." Luna trailed off as a puddle of shadows formed around Damocles as he breathed evenly.

"I use only Dark magic in a world meant for the light to defend it from the dark, If Sombra and I ever go into a Fight I'm sure i would win." Damocles finished as he sunk into the puddle Appearing behind the mares and picking Spike up and putting him on his back. "There are 7 sins that power dark magics. everything else afterwards is subcategory. Tell me girls do you remember them all? I've said them before."

"There is greed." Rarity said looking Insulted that she has to say it.

"Pride." Came from Applejack

"Envy." Spoken by Starlight her voice showed shame

"Gluttony." Explained Pinkie Pie, her face in a soft smile.

"L-Lust." Muttered Fluttershy

"Sloth." Spat Rainbow Dash.

"And Wrath." Declared Twilight, "I understand that Each of our enemies, Discord aside, represented these after you mentioned these cardinal Sins and that we represent a sort of antithesis to them."

"Very good Twilight," Damocles said clapping his hooves as he disappeared with spike. Appearing on the Tree over the Zen Garden. Spike still on Damocles's back. "Sombra represented Greed, Tirek represented Gluttony, Mothers alter ego represented Envy, and Chrysalis Represented Lust. you have 4 out of the 7, One could argue that Discord Represented Pride but discord is sort of all of them so lets not count him." Damocles disappeared from the tree leaving Spike there and appeared Next to Veil and Virulent inside Luna's Shield. "I would represent either Pride or wrath. That's for you to decide Should I become your next Big Bad Boss." Damocles held his hoof out as Darkness Coated it and then compressed into a ball in front of it. "I wanted you all here just incase you needed you need to turn me into stone in case the Dark Magic drives me... Batty." Damocles said as he inspected the black orb that seemed to shine in the moonlight with tints of blood and purple before taking aim at the top of the shield while chuckling to himself as he fire a beam of darkness that webbed the shield Luna had made upon impact. The others all heard Luna grit her teeth with a grunt as she apparently struggled to maintain the shield. Damocles Nodding turned his head to his mother. Luna understanding dropped the shield and breathed in. "How much was that?"

"Roughly 12% of power poured into the shield. And it seems your magic bypasses normal laws..." Luna said as she watched his eyes. "How much did you use."

"Well running on empty already I kinda scrapped together about 10% power. Hmm I wonder if at full power I'll be able to bring out my nightmares?" Damocles said a with a wistful smile." Twilight levitated Spike back to the ground Rainbow dash walked forward.

"Wait you mean you're almost as strong as Princess Luna in regards to magic? But your a Thestral Ontop of being more related to Pegasus you dont have a horn." Rainbow Declared. Applejack walked up next to her.

"On top o' that Nopony should be using any kind of Dark Magics. It messes with the mind way more than you could ever believe. I mean look at what it did to Sombra! fell'r was barely able to say a word that weren't 'Crystals'!" Applejack Argued "Who knows what it will do to you?"

"I believe I'll be fine but for Safety and Sanity's sake that's why I'll be limiting how much I use and only with the Express permissions of at least 3 princesses will I go deep into what I know. One of them has to be Luna to add on to it, besides I need to build up my prison guards resistance to it so they can detain me long enough, if i do go nuts, for you girls to come and Zap into stone or the moon or Tartarus. Is that fair?" Damocles asked as he turned around.

"And what happens if we cant stop you?" Starlight asked as she stepped forward.

"Then have Discord detain me and Kill me. Its possible to put me down for good. He's a literal god of Chaos. And if that doesn't work seal in a tomb that is inescapable because its me In the darkest depths of Tartarus, that not even Cerberus would go near. Make it so it takes one who knows me, not as a myth or monster but as a person to free me. Make it so the Alicorns have to be present for it." Damocles stopped for a moment as he thought before smiling. "Bury me in a coffin beneath the Roots of the Tree of Harmony, I'll be like that mythical beast Nidhogg."

"Nidhogg?" Spike Questioned. "whats that?"

"Nidhogg was an ancient Dragon or serpent that sought to devour the world, like Ouroboros. The difference is, that when the gods of the old world found this out, they trapped him in the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree. The thing that seperated the realms of my world. Its also the resting place and heart of the worlds if that thing dies so does the rest of the world." Damocles explained as he walked up to his sword before sitting back down where he was opposed to his mother. "This brings back full circle." He turned to face the recruits.

"So you all know what you are dealing with. What will you choose?" Luna asked them. Watching them shuffle in place Virulent and Veil both moved to stand behind Damocles. Satin and Eclipse both moved however both sisters stopped in place as they saw the direction the other was going.

"Your not seriously thinking you can handle that, are you Satin?"

"Eclipse..."

"Because trust me I know I can't, I don't even wanna be near him. The guy is steps away from being a monster!" She Yelled. This made Luna Flinch and scowl. Damocles merely stood still and watched nothing infront of him as his eyes became distant. "No little sis, we are going back to Luna. I am not going to see you get hurt." Eclipse moved and grabbed Satin's Hoof and began to try and pull her before Satin jerked her hand away.

"Eclipse... No... What you want to do... It's what he expects... and wants." Her voice was soft as she kept her eyes from focusing on anypony turned away.

"What he wants? That THING only wants a good fight before he disappears to be with Death. Not Join the dead, He isn't even Equine with how he talks, We all know he's not Mortal, He's not like us!" Eclipse moved getting closer to her sister.

"I'm sorry Eclipse but I wont go with you... He needs ponies... and the princesses think they need him, so we need him. I'm not going to leave him behind." She said as she stepped back from her sister.

"So what you're just going to turn your back on me?!" Eclipse Cried.

"No... But I'm Making a decision for myself Eclipse... I'm Sorry." Satin turned fully and walked away standing in front of Damocles. "Sir, Thrall Satin Reporting for Duty." She said Putting a hoof Over her heart. Damocles Looked at her in her eyes before breathing Deep and saluting her back.

"Thank you Thrall Satin... If you would like to speak privately after Initiation night is done Please do so. Now fall in." She nodded. Eclipse Stood watching her sister before she flew infront of Damocles and Bucked him in the face Making him give a grunt of pain as he stumbled back.

"If Anything happens to my Little Sister... I will Bucking kill you myself Prince or not, Savior or not. In my eyes you will only be another monster in the dark that needs to be Put Down." She said before flying back to canterlot. Not even stopping infront of Luna. Damocles Rubbed where he was hit before standing up and walking over the elements of Harmony and Smiling despite the bruise forming on his face.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle... I have a favor to ask of you."

Author's Note

So.... it took me a while... (sorry) I uh... Yeah i think im back in my mojo because im writing separate chapters for later on left and right and find ways to connect the dots at long last... (if you remember from before I said I was having issues with that.) Also This is an AD i guess, I kind of need someone to help out and proof read what I write and make sure it flows. Inbox me if interested. Comment below for questions and what not and opinions. And yes That sword is the Same one from the grave site that was Vaulted... Celestia now no has a rather Large hole in the vault. Along with reports of the Serpent having broken roads on its way to Damocles.... (Look up a black speech translator for what is said) : ^)