A life stolen for a war unclaimed

As the Train rushed in the Blizzard and snow. The princesses the Elements of Harmony, Spike, Starlight, Trixie, and the Phantoms where in the first train cart Watching Damocles.

"Damocles are you sure?" Celestia asked narrowing her eyes.

"I'm Telling you I KNOW what I felt. I only felt something like that once before and that was when I met a newly blooded Tremere by Chance when his Domination Failed. Nothing But Darkness but Not like mine... Twisted, Damaging, Corrupted. The kind that hurts you. That and Forced Elements bonded to the DEAD!" Damocles slammed his hoof into the Table he sat across from.

"Calm down... If what you are saying is true then I guess you and your Troops will get you're field data for your Armor systems. You have point on this Operation Prince Damocles. But you will Follow every restriction either Myself, Luna, Or the Crystal rulers Decide to employ, do you Understand me?"

"Yes your Highness."

"Crystal Empire Sighted! They Have a shield up!" A Common Day guard stated. "It looks like its Princess Cadance's but somethings off."

As Damocles looked at the dome they encroached upon Celestia Lit her horn as a magic wave cascaded and coated the Train and everyone inside of it. Presumably to allow everyone in the train and itself into the Dome. Damocles sighed as he opened a window and Jumped out before the Train could make contact with the wall. Rolling in the Snow with his armor. Shaking the snow off he saw the train already behind the barrier and nodded as he walked forward towards it.

"Ain't that a pretty sight..." He spoke softly his voice heavy-hearted. Pressing a bare hoof against the shield a Sizzling could be heard as the shield burned away at the fur and flesh. Making Damocles wince and pull away. "Pure Light Erected to defend against the Dark and snow." He smiled and held his hoof up to it again but not touching, Coating it in a small veil of darkness. "I, Who am named by the Ponies who joined your shield, Damocles, Being of Darkness Request permission of the light therein to assist and defend against your attacker in an effort to keep Peace." The light of the shield Shimmered and pulsed before Ancient Runic Symbols appeared above the Veiled Hoof. "Come see you for a request, huh. Sure I'll see if there is anything I can do for you." The Symbols faded like glitter being blown away as the shield pulsed and physically retracted to form a space small enough for Damocles to move through. Walking through Damocles quickly took flight before his comm link rang, with a flick of the Ear it answered.

"Sir are you ok?" Veil sounded off.

"I am well, Veil. I got off before we hit the barrier. How are the others?"

"Virulent got slammed into the wall, while Satin and I are suffering Continuous Light Burning." she said, her voice obvious with the light pain she was feeling as an annoyance. The last bit made Damocles chuckle. "Whats going on why is this happening?"

"When you all accepted my gift you aligned yourself with True Dark. The barrier was consisting of a standard protection shield imbued with Pure light to defend against the Dark. To stop it simply hold you hoof up but not touching an object being protected and request for it stop hurting you as you wish to defend it." Damocles ignored the stares of look and fear he got as he approached the castle Touching down before main area where the Crystal Hear was softly spinning and glowing and Humming. "Once that's done Set up an AO Near the Crystal Heart Have the princesses meet up with my cousin and her husband. Then get me a report on the situation. I've got to talk to someone else. Centurion Out." Damocles said before flicking his ear again.

"Yeah, Yeah I hear you." The Crystal Guards watched the White Thestral approach the Crystal heart before putting their spears to intercept them.

"That's Close Enough." The Pink one stated.

"Only a select few may approach the Crystal Heart." The other commented.

"Listen you both Obviously don't know how this works so how about you stand aside so I can greet the Source of Pure light." Damocles said impassively. The Guards eyed Each other.

"If you do not Cease and Desist we are authorized by Prince Shining Armor to Use Hostile force." Damocles Could only sigh.

"You mind putting on a light show for them to let me through?" Damocles asked as more Crystal guards approached Damocles from behind. Suddenly the Crystal Heart Began to spin faster and glow brighter before shining something like a spotlight onto Damocles. His shadow began to steam but the Guards ponies immediately backed off in shock the Light continued to shine down onto Damocles until He was face to object with it. "Thank you sweetie." The heart slowed down and seemed to Hum in response as strange symbols began to appear around Damocles. The guards could only watch in wonder, Damocles laughed at some sequence of them. "No no I chose that name as I came here, some of them know its meaning." Another Sequence flashed... "Eh, its nothing new to me, so I'll just fulfill my purpose until I can rest, wouldn't mind if it was here?" a sequence flashed some symbols blinking green others red, making Damocles roll his eyes and smile. "Right, anyways you wanted to request something for me to do?" sequence of Light blue began to appear seemingly encircling Damocles in a pillar of light. "I... See... Do you Recognize I may not be able to? ... Right... I'll see what I can do, but I make no promise... you're awfully kind to someone like me for one like you... No no its... Refreshing? I don't know... Right... oh no I wasn't born here... I grant you permission..." A moment passed before the Lights shone red and yellow and blue violently.

"Calm down... you will lose what little energy you have... Just rest and focus on keeping your people Safe... Yeah, I'll take care of the rest... Windigo? Oh that's what that was... Yeah those 3 are mine... Its a step in the right way I think... Maybe, but probably not... you could see from that that I was not lucky in that department... well why bother trying to make something when its going be taken away... Sorry I'm so morbid... A trial? Oh... Yeah... I'll see to that... Flurry Heart is the youngest one... I would offer my own but... heh yeah... I'll get going to make sure everything is accurate then. From the East right?... I'll have them add their strength to yours to make sure its safe... I won't go all out don't worry... Thanks, that... It means A lot... Do they all agree? Eh Collectives are collectives... I know it will be along while before my Niece joins the fray with you all... We shall see what we decide at the trial and what evidence we can gather. Yeah... I'll be going now." Damocles turned to walk away.

"They Dishonor and Insult you." A soft voice said from behind Damocles heard by the guards making all of them jump and look around for the source. Damocles kept his head forward away before chuckling.

"Who hasn't." He replied as he walked away. One of the guards following beside who was stoic but confusion apparent in his eyes.

Heading into the Castle He met in the throne room of Crystal empire. The elements of Harmony, Princesses and Veil where all there Veil with a Large Metallic Crate. His Presence Became Known the Moment he Opened the doors by crystal

"Prince Damocles!" Shining Armor Called out in Full armor. "So glad you could finally Join us. Now Care to explain how you knew what was going on moments before we figured it out?"

"Calm down soldier boy, And get out of that weak outdated armor, your's is in the box especially made just for you." Damocles said with a wry smile. The guard that was escorting him Stepped Forward.

"S-sir I am afraid I need to make you aware of something, Regarding the Crystal Heart and this... Stallion." he spoke up Hesitancy in his voice, Damocles could only smile wickedly as all eyes focused on them.

"Well Soldier, you have their undivided attention best to spit it out." Damocles said coyly. The guard flinched visibly.

"The Crystal heart Responded to him when he approached," Twilight's and Shining Armor's Eyes both widened as Luna and Celestia glanced at each other. "He had asked myself and my partner to stand aside so he may... so he may get to the source of Pure Light?" He paused swallowing air as he noticed how dry his mouth was before continuing.

"Assuming you followed orders you didn't let him through to the heart did you?" Shining Inquired.

"T-that's correct sir but its what happened next that things became.. buck it, Things got really bucking weird sir."

"Soldier! You do not-" Shining began to berate it before he got cut off from Damocles's Laughter.

"Tell him what happened you have a strong stride, Shatter." Damocles said as the Guard's Eyes widened at the mention of his name.

"The Crystal Heart Responded to a verbal request from Him, He asked to put on a small light show to show he was to be allowed, and it began to spin much faster than it already was and some light welled up inside and shone directly onto him. His shadow darkened but then seemed to become wispy as if it being evaporated slowly like steam. Never seeing anything like this we let him pass the light show dimmed and the heart slowed its spinning and he talked to the heart, but the strange part is that the Heart made a series of glyphs and symbols and letters in old Crystellian and archaic language, As if talking back to him in real time. Now I only know a few words but He," He stopped to point a hoof at Damocles. "He acted like he was hearing it from its voice. They said something about a Request, a trial, And a promise that he would not make by try to deliver upon. I... I don't the details but towards the end he became enveloped in a pillar of light and the glyphs changed from blue to yellow and red, moving at high speeds, It was acting like it was angry about something. He told it calm down, and it did, then as he walked away loud as bell and Clear as a whistle...." He paused This made Damocles scowl as the dumb founded looks of intrigue came about the room.

"Finish it." Damocles ordered. Veil stepped forward.

"'They Dishonor and Insult you.' That's what she said." Veil spoke confused. "That voice I heard, and the others... That was the Crystal Heart?" Damocles sighed before nodding. "I.... How?"

"Because A part of me is inside you... Your power is not your own. Not yet, It's only borrowed from me Until you find yourself falling down into the pit of the Kings And instead of climbing higher you dig deeper into the depths of Despair will you awaken yours... I pray you never have to. With that being Said, As of this moment I am taking full control over all operations Henceforth. This is a Specialist scenario For those of you wanted to know how I knew Sombra was back before his attack be thankful he made it obvious and didn't know there was another user of the Dark here. Otherwise you all would've been Frozen Solid by his Army of Windigos." Damocles said.

"Windigos?" Shining Armor's eyes Widened.

"That's Impossible!" Celestia Said stomping her hoof.

"Those can't exist!" Twilight Declared.

"Are you certain?" Luna questioned.

"OK! in order, yes Windigos, no its not impossible He used Dark magic and bound the souls of those who died under his control to the elements of snow fueling his magic with anger and hatred and blood lust. Yes they do exist, Twilight Don't be nonsensical, Luna take a look outside with your magic eyes towards the East and you tell me."

"Can you save my Ponies?" Cadance's voice asked softly as she stood up and walked towards Damocles. "Answer me Honestly Cousin. Can you Save my ponies."

"Easily, its the .... request by a certain someone who, In all meanings and purposes, is more valuable to me than the lot of you that makes it harder. I could easily go out and drain him of every ounce of life energy he has, Or lobotomize him. Or a hundred other things. But this pony made a special request of me and I am inclined to agree to it. She is offering me Sanctuary after all. Shining Armor, pull your forces back comfort the people and get me a list of everyone who has been wronged and killed by Sombra, I WANT EVERYTHING. Twilight, Get your purple feathers unruffled and help Spike, Veil, Starlight and Sunburst set up my A.O. Near the Crystal Heart, Mother, Cousin, Aunt Tia. Go to the heart and funnel energy into it. That which makes you happiest, which gives you strength Positive energy, the desire to protect BUT NOT AT ANY COST. Shining Armor, If things go according to plan then you're going to want to read up on your new armor."

"What are you going to do, Prince Damocles." Cadance asked.

"I'm going to let Sombra know he has a Visitor of similar standing... An unspoken rule, Among people like me and ponies like him. We always respond to the Olive branch. Carried by Doves with 3 arrows." Holding his hoof out Dark energy coalesced as a dark bird appeared Flying around the room taking arrows from 3 different Quivers and Guards, before leaving through a Window.

Time passed and everything began to set up properly. 1 day passed before the Dove Returned with all arrows and the branch, The arrows snapped in half and a single Arrow head lodged within center of the branch. The time was set, 3 days from that moment at noon on the east side is where They meet. Damocles and the Phantoms began their duty as he met with some Crystal Ponies those who had been wronged, those whose family had died in the wars, those who were betrayed. All that time he told the Heart who did not respond of the world and things that have happened. As if telling a bed time story to a child. Each time at the Twilight towards night and the first moments of Daybreak he would be seen there. When not there he was with Shining Armor going over the New armor. When not there Spike, Starlight and himself sat and talked about what they were going to do with Shining armor attending.As the Alicorns rested from powering the shields. On the Dawn of the 3rd day the Blizzard of Windigos was able to be heard the chilling cries of the elemental spirits. Luna and Celestia Decided to make lunch for the Diplomatic meeting as the boom runes and Camerunes and Projectors and speakers were all set up to play around the Castle. Alone Damocles strode out as he talked with his team about what they would do and when. When Approaching Sombra he stopped and Smiled Heartily at Sombra.

"A Thestral? And an Albino one at that? Tell me where you the one that sent the old rite?" Sombra Asked as he eyed the floating camerunes and AudioRunes.

"Indeed King Sombra, Wielder of the Corrupted Dark. I am Prince Damocles, Prince of the Void, Envoy of the Departed, and the wielder of Pure Dark but please let us not Stand I have refreshments, and would like to talk to you." Damocles gestured with his hoof as Open park pagoda formed with a table and seats for 2.

"So you are the one, Very well Let us Speak, My prince. But what are these... Interesting tinkers?" Sombra said grinning madly as he took a seat. The Windigos were silenced by Sombra's will.

"Something that will Broadcast our entire conversation to the whole of the Crystal Kingdom." Damocles replied as he poured coffee and placed the cakes. It was then the conversation would begin.