A life stolen for a war unclaimed

On the way back to the Crystal Empire Castle Spike laid back on Damocles' back just between the wings watching the clouds in the sky. Sombra held a pensive look as he walked with pride and conviction Following just off to the left and behind his Commanding officer, His prince of Void and Darkness. Damocles for his part was walking like a noble man however anyone that saw his eyes could see he was lost in thought and on autopilot. The Yellow and Red which could normally pierce through a pony like an arrow through Chain mail, appeared dulled and foggy. Until he snorted and came to a stop. Starlight by his side.

"Sombra?"

"Yes, My liege?"

"I think it's time to expand our Faction. We need to go travelling and recruiting from the different lands. This would also be good to make sure and Introduce myself to the rest of the world. And announce your return as a member of my team. It would also do us good to learn the state the rest of the world is in." Damocles said resolutely. "I think we should also spend some time away from... my family."

"Do you have concerns?" Sombra asked.

"I'm just being a neurotic paranoid freak."

"Well stop that." Spike said pushing himself up. "You have nothing to worry about Damos... We're your family and we aren't going anywhere and most of all we have your back." he said giving a thumbs up. Damocles couldn't help but smile at that.

"Spike? Do me a favor... never loose that optimism." Damocles said. "But some things were said during that meeting that, I don't know if i can trust everything. I'm not going to say you wouldn't understand because your not old enough, I'm going to say you wouldn't understand because you haven't Experienced enough of the world to understand."

"So would you be wiling to teach me?" Spike asked. "I mean I kinda have to be quick study so I could always learn if you tried to teach me."

"I think what Damocles is trying to say Spike, is that somethings alone cannot be learned but must be experienced to comprehend." Starlight said getting a look of realization out of Spike. "Like Twilight with friendship or Me."

"Tell you what Spike. I'll give you a riddle, and if you can tell me the True answer to it." Damocles said with a smile.

"Oh Ok I've always been good at those." He said with a smile.

"'In this world as true as the next, there is but one long treacherous riddle, we are all caught in the middle of. Can I trust you? Should you Trust me, too?' If you can figure that out Spike Then feel free to tell me the answer." Damocles said The riddle actually making Starlight pause for a brief moment as Sombra laughed following him.

"My Prince, I shall have no issue with following you, of this I can guarantee is true." Sombra said happily.

"Hey Sombra? As someone else who used to be a Villain, why don't you call Damocles by his name?" Starlight asked. "You just call him by his title." She pointed out. This made Sombra scowl as he turned to face her.

"Why should I desire to insult the one who is saving my life." Sombra stated more than questioned.

"Come now Witcher, You know more than anything I'm damning the two of us." Damocles said as Twilight and company stepped forward out of the Castle. Twilight looking at Damocles and Sombra with a worried frown before smiling at Spike and Starlight. Picking Spike up with her magic before putting him on her back.

"So you're trying to reform Sombra," Twilight began smiling at Damocles. "If you want we have some pointers and maybe some advice for you if you want to help smooth things over. We can even work together!" She said animatedly. This was met with a scowl from Sombra and blank look from Damocles.

"I'm not trying to reform him Princess." Damocles said Evenly.

"So he is making you evil! Lets go you an me right now Buddy!" Rainbow Said flaring her wings as she stared Sombra down. This got a roll of eyes from the dark magic users.

"To think these were the ponies that were instrumental to my defeat so many years ago." Sombra muttered before dragging his hoof down his face, "Calm yourself Sky Touched. I'm not making him Evil. And he isn't trying to make me into something I'm not. He is simply assisting me in becoming something more by showing me a new way to use my gifts." He said Grimacing his fangs showing making Fluttershy Give a sound in fear as she moved behind her friends trembling.

"I do must apologize darling, But somehow I find that hard to believe. Damocles, could you properly explain as to why you chose... this one to be your second in command? I, as well as others, all had assumed that Veil was to your Second." Rarity had pointed out. The 3 Phantom members were watching and listening from a nearby Balcony. "Especially since they were granted to you from your mother's elite guard." Mulling it over in his head Damocles nodded before looking at Rarity with a smile.

"Rarity. Say that you wanted to teach the Crusaders how perform," he paused clearing his throat, "The Art of the Dress." This made Rarity blink before her full attention was on what was being said. "Now normally you would feel that just showing them would get them on the right track initially right? Because it is simple and easy to you, and you understand it as near second nature. But when they present their first original designs, you see nothing but mistakes with small glimpses of potential that shine underneath, yet you have no idea how to help bring it out." his eyes glanced towards the 3 Thestrals on the balcony before locking with Rarity again. Her doing the same thing. "So instead you custom make them the items to help get them in the right direction as they practice on their own. Say for Sweetie you give her the sewing machine so she can properly mix the different fabrics and pieces together. For applebloom the sketch pad to design it and for Scootaloo the ponequin to fit it all and make necessary adjustments. But its still not enough. Then you meet someone who took something that was not their initial talent and dedicated their lives to the Art of The Dress. Something even you find no faults with, and you end up in a position were they can work with you in teaching the kids. Would you not take advantage of that?" Rarity shifted her head left and right biting her lip as she thought.

"Ok I see your point, dear. But do please, try to be more sensitive about the subject and explain it to her? For the most part she thought you were getting rid of her." Rarity was for the most part being civil about the issue.

"We all did." Apple Jack said walking up to him. "And I don't care none about who ya are and what ya did, but ya don't turn your back on family. And You Military types, y'all are family." Her eyes hardened into a glare. "So y'all better apologize to her when you can. Or so Help me, I'll-" She was pushed back by a snarl and hard look from Damocles as he took a step forward making her fall back onto her haunches as she recoiled away.

"Or You'll what!" Damocles challenged. "Please tell me how to do my job! Show me how well YOU can manipulate Darkness to the point where YOU are the one standing on the THIN, DECAYING LINE Between MADNESS, and Reality." He snarled. "Show Me How to Train those that WANTED to follow an IDIOT like ME into a world where nothing is as it seems. To WANT to Potentially destroy themselves," Tears began to well up in Damocles' eyes. "And ruin whatever Friendships and Relationship with family and friends that they ever-" Damocles was cut off as 2 ponies was hugging him tightly. Trying to get him to calm down. A pair of pink manes pulled away to reveal the two that stopped him cold.

"It's ok, I promise that it's ok." Pinkie said softly, "Just breathe... you need rest."

"You, are not a monster." Fluttershy whispered softly. "You need to see that you are NOT a Monster." She repeated as they pulled Pinkie wiping away a tear.

"Damocles... Sorry... we shouldn't have tried to do this so soon after everything. We'll just leave you be." Twilight said as she started to lead the girls and Spike away. Only to stop briefly when Damocles started speaking.

"If you and the other element bearers knew how bad I really was Twilight, you wouldn't hesitate to use the elements of harmony on me. It wouldn't work, but you wouldn't hesitate." Damocles said as he walked away followed by Sombra.

A total of 2 days passed before the Phantoms Left fortheir Home Base. Damocles fixed the Lancelot armor before leaving it to Shining Armor. Princess Luna didn't see her son before the celebration of their Victory. On the train Ride Damocles took the time to explain everything regarding his decision to force Sombra into his position. Including the unwanted immortality. Training with Sombra as well as upgrading and fixing all issues with the armors would begin as soon as they got back. However upon their arrival there was Griffon dressed to the Nines waiting at their door.

"Greetings and Good Afternoon, Prince Damocles Meteora, and Company. My name is of no importance to you all as I am simply a messenger sent by Griffon Ambassador Baron Rio De Janeiro." Pulling out a Envelope from his vest pocket and presenting it to Damocles who proceeded to open it to read. "The Baron and her Ladyship, Belladonna wish to know of your response in regards to attendance as well as any additional persons you may bring up to five in total attendance. Lady Belladonna also requested off the record for me to pass along this message." He said holding himself in a high regard.

"Proceed." Damocles said.

"The message was as follows, and I apologize due to my lady's crassness and vulgarity. 'So the Vamp went and made a small task force without so much as responding my challenge? Come on Punk lets brawl it out for the entire Flock to see. I'll even make a bet, if you win without any fancy schmancy bullshit magicks then I'll even treat you for the rest of the Festival. But if I win you have to be my pet for the festival.' Once again I apologize I took the liberty of removing some of the worst of it before delivering."

"Thank you, How long do I have until the Festival to begin? And can you explain it to me, I must apologize for my ignorance in the matter."

"It begins in 2 weeks Sir. The Falling Feathers Festival is more or less a Tournament in tribute to our fallen ancestors after the Great Griffon war against Equestria. Our command structure was more or less ruined so the youngest survivors of the major nobility houses began to fight one another. Until only one remained standing. Some where along the lines Others began fighting just for honor and glory. while every griffon enjoys themselves with partying and drinking and good brawling sportsmanship."

"Ah i see its like a Garou moot." Damocles said smiling as the Griffon squawked his eyes going wide looking down at the pony. "Something wrong?"

"I'm Sorry its just I didn't know ponies knew of those terms."

"You misunderstand Ponies Don't. I do, If thats the case then i wonder if can earn some rank... with you all... Can I join in the tournament?" Damocles said excitedly.

"The tournament was what was going to the challenge grounds sir."

"Excellent, I'll definitely be there. As for who else... I'll be taking a few more ponies." The griffon nodded.

"If I may be so brash sir, but are you perhaps a Ragabash?"

"Nope.. Closer to the Corrax than Garou. But I had someone I used to call my big brother who was quite the Nuwisha." The Griffon could only smile at that and give a laugh.

"I'll be sure to inform our King of that sir, have a good day and I look forward to singing your tale." He said before he started to fly off.

"What just happened?" Virulent asked confused.

"It appears our leader has more than one ace up his sleeve. Just what kind of being did I choose to follow." Somrba said smirking. "How did you know about Griffon Culture so much? And what were those words?"

"In order, I don't, And just some Stupid stuff from my home. Stories legends etc. Didn't think they would apply here a group of beings that tolerated me and I tolerated back would play this game, that involved with us essentially changing forms into more primal and animal type creatures. Liek going from pony to wolf, and the such. I wasn't very good as a wolf so i tried for the bird as there was more than one type. As a bird... I was the aerial bomber of the world. Only of the Western Fera Breeds that could fly. And magic wasn't as limited in the game as it is here, all sides could use magic but almost always required some kind of Catalyst." Damocles explained.

"So Care to explain what we were just volunteered for sir?" Veil said testily. This made Damocles lose the smile and his brows furrow.

"Veil Cut the shit. You have every right to be angry but i am not about to have you sowing seeds of discontent. But what I'm trying to do right now is get our group more worldly and culturally known. I was just personally invited to an event that the princesses don't often get invitations to, I assume, and I'm damn sure Blue Blood has only ever gone once out of politeness. If this is what I think it is I'm going to go enjoy myself as well as make a name for us and hopefully come home with a new recruit."

"Another one?" Satin questioned.

"Yes, I want one of basically every sapient and Intelligent species if I can. to round out our crew. Now Everyone get some rest and Tonight I go over the fine workings of the Garou Nation and the Triat." Damocles ordered. "Virulent Help Sombra pick his room. Satin tomorrow I want you take Sombra and get him accustomed to life here in Ponyville, as well as get him registered with Mayor Mare. Sombra. I want you on best behavior. If you can power down to base unicorn form no fangs no corrupt horn." Sombra nodded before breathing deep as his size and form diminished slightly. "Veil, Head to the Bookworms home and get me a few books on griffon culture. Sombra Over the next week I want you to personally spar with Satin and Virulent. Figure out their strong and weak points. Temper the strong hammer the weak. Chains and links and all that jazz. Also, get the stick out of your flank, I know you think it an insult but I Chose it. So use the name. Do you understand me?" Sombra fidgeted uncomfortably as he sighed.

"Yes Prince Damocles." he said.

"Good everyone carry about your day and reconvene at the Zen Garden at 2330. Dismissed." Damocles turned around immediately walking into a Shadow gate that led directly into his room in Canterlot Castle. Where he took of the necklace Luna had given him and stuck it into the wooden table. Taking off the cloak as well and hanging it up. He growled before a set of shadow like claws formed over his hooves and he struck at the stone wall Leaving deep grooves in place as he attacked it relentlessly. The sound of stone being cut and metal scrapping was heard along with a powerful roar of anger. A few royal guards immediately ran in the room to see their prince just attacking the wall the sound of the armor catching the attention of Damocles mid strike. His Yellow Eye Glowing Before dimming as his breathing slowed from its ragged form.

"Is everything alright your highness?" The guard on the left asked, his voice showed no signs of fear as neither did his eyes just the look of someone tired, someone who recognized pains and angers of the heart related to family.

"I... No... everything is not fine... but I can't do anything about it anyways so I have to deal with it." He replied The guard nodded his head and walked forward igniting his horn and undoing the damage dealt to the wall slowly.

"If I may be so bold sir, I want to thank you." the unicorn guard said. "Because of the modifications you did initially with the armors my little sister, was able to survive an otherwise deadly situation. About a month ago she had run into a Diamond dog den to find out about some missing ponies. She got the ponies out, and just as some reinforcements arrived one of them through a spear hard enough to pierce the outershell of our armor. For context, she is not a unicorn like me... She's an earth pony. Instead of what was potentially a fatal strike she received a broken bone and bad bruise." He finished fixing the wall to face Damocles. "I don't understand a whole lot when it comes to nobles and other gaurds, After all I'm a simple Day guard who was assigned to watch the halls and a new nobles room in the castle. But I do know when someone is trying to make sure that ponies go back to their families. So thank you, for standing in the dark where nopony else will dare walk and dragging it back with you to get us closer to the light." The unicorn nodded. "I don't want or need you to say anything in response, just thought i would say it so you know you're efforts are acknowledged and welcomed. I can only imagine what happened in the Crystal empire for you to be here but I'll keep my trap shut. Have a good afternoon sir, is there anything you would like a maid to bring you?" he asked as he began to leave the room.

"The Damocles biscuit... Please... and thank you." He said softly.

"One order of it coming up. Rest up,sir."

***** 2330 at the Zen Gardens *****

The Phantoms all sat on individual rocks. Sombra was watching the Sand seemed to ever shift and create new images as a single gem constantly move and the rocks adjust their positions around the standing fire Above the phantoms in the Cherry blossom tree was Damocles resting on his back with his eyes towards the stars Luna had decided to join sitting on a blanket with Spike and Twilight had notes ready as Damocles saw them when eating telling them about the invitation and storytime.

"So I want you all to understand, it will sound like I'm speaking of a religion or something, This is a purely fictional story that as much as there is good there is even more that twisted, there is no correct telling of the story as every tribe has its own variation and No one outside of maybe the Mokele know the truth but as far as anyone can tell they were completely wiped out or on the brink of extinction. And ill get to all the different types in a bit so no questions until i ask for them There is a lot to cover and not a lot of time do it." Damocles commented as soon as he heard the scratching of quill on the paper pause before it started again. "In the beginning there was nothing, no light, no dark, no life. Then something happened, No one truly knows what, but from that 2 beings where born. The first was The Wyld, thats with a Y not a I princess."

"Thank you." Twilight said with a nod.

"From her came the cosmic energies and potential raw power without shape or purpose blasting through the universe. The other Was the Wyrm. Again with Y. The Wyrm would take those energies and destroy them to make room for more so the Wyld could run free and the Wyrm could continue to eat. A balance of two parts. At one point though a 3rd was made from the Wyld and Wyrm, She would take the raw power and energy and give it shape and form which the Wyrm would devour so Wyld could make resources for her to play with. She became known as the Weaver.

"Now somewhere along the line the Weaver, Wyrm and Wyld got bored of simply constructing reshaping and breaking, so then they decided why not give something form and watch it progress under a timel imit and once thats up have it be removed for something else. Wyld and Wyrm loved the idea so they both agreed to the Weavers suggestion, Weaver ofcourse needed a stage for all this so she created the first Daughter, Gaia. The world in which everything would live. Gaia herself would also have a time limit but far longer than that of what would live on or in her. After Gaia, Came Helios the sun, and Luna, or selene depending on which fera you talk to, the Moon.

"But that wasn't enough she wanted to see how far the things she created could last and go. so she created them guides, spirits, Some of the most notable ones for me are, Coyote, the Trickster god of Creation and destruction." A howl of a coyote was quickly heard as discord popped in to existence having been watching what was going on from a cotton candy cloud. "Raven the patron god of the Corrax, who was a lesser trickster than coyote but saught to gather all the info of the world. There were plenty others, like Grand Father Thunder and Falcon, and such but they arent the important things here, well they are but not as important. Soon life began to flourish and Gaia took to making new things as well with little gifts from Wyld and Weaver and Wyrm. From the gifts of wyld and the spirits Gaia made the Fera. Creatures that could change forms from one type of animal to Humans, Advanced prime apes without tails and larger more active cognitive brains. From the Wyrm Came Creatures of death and destruction to help feed him along. with weaver they gave these creatures the power to create and build and grow. Everyone was satisfied with everything again until something happened. The weaver who would spend such meticulous time building everything just right would have her work often ruined by Wyld, So she tried to catch her older sister and hold her in place. That did not work, So she turned to her brother.

"Wyrm who would destroy and Devour all that she made infuriated her. So she decided to put a stop to that and Captured or tricked or something to the Wyrm. Preventing it from being able to destroy everything as quickly as possible. So life grew undisputed. The Wyrms Sole purpose was to destroy so there was room for all to grow, But it was unable to do that. so it fought and struggled against its bonds slowly going mad." Damocles eyes flicked towards discord who simply shook his head.

"Some where along the line the mind broke. And instead of trying to destroy that which Weaver created decided to use the very bindings it had against it. The first of which was the primary feras. It would whisper into their heads twist their desires and darken their hearts and have them continue thier purprose to the worst possible extremes. it would Defile them. and so began the World of Darkness.

"Of the fera the primary or last living known groups there are as follows. the Garou, or Werewolves, Bastet: the Werecat, Corrax:Were Raven, Nagah: were snake, Mokele: werelizards, Rokea: wereshark, Ratkin: were Rat, Nuwisha: Were coyote, Ananasi The werespiders, Kitsune: The fox, Ajaba: Hyena, Gurahl: The bear. Each had there purpose for gaia. Each had variation with each tribe within the species. now all but 3 of those were given gifts by Luna. The Nuwisha were blessed with Coyote's gifts. As the Mokele and Corrax were granted the love of Helios.

"There used be untold amounts before of all species but due to the pride the Garou, something known as the War of Rage Began. Where the Garou had begun to cull the other Fera to prove they are the best. The Mokele, Bastet, and nuwisha were one of their prime targets, but due to the efforts of the Corrax some were able to be saved.

"now there are also 3 different breeds within most of the Fera, not the corrax though. There are those who are born human and then change into the were form who atleast one parent was fully human, known as homid, there are those born animal and change human known as Lupus primarily because the dogs where one parent was fully animal, and then there are those born to both parents being fera. They are the Metis, the hated. For some reason or another they always have SOME Deformity... Except for 2.

"The first Ronin... the first defiled by Wyrms whisper... cast out by the silver fang clan of the Garou as a mere pup he was touched by the voice of the Defiler. He became the first friend of this Garou... and the most loyal being to it. This was the first Black Spiral Dancer... A black spiral dancer is a fera who has become overly tainted by the Wyrm and decided to try to follow in its path. Some thing it made in its thrashing in the spirit world is something known as the Black Spiral Labyrinth. A BSD, is the worst scum of the world. One who would defile twist and destroy for a laugh as they rape and break the one the 'love'." Damocles air quoted with his hooves. "The 2nd one is to be known as the Perfect metis the first BSD who could complete all 10 levels of the labyrinth and spiral. When that is done it marks the end of Gaia. And the end of the world. But once again its just a game. Now Twilight, I'll gladly tell you about what I know about the other tribes and if you want I can give the full information of the games i have at a later time. Spike... This was a game done to pass time in my home do you see why I say I'm a monster? Luna... What you tried to do compared to this stuff... well you know. So any important questions?" Luna's hoof raised high.

"I have a question, as I'm sure you have questions for me. Can we speak in private?" Her voice was timid and she refused to meet his eyes with her own. Rolling them Damocles nodded before gliding down and walking towards his lab Luna followed wordlessly. Sombra on the other hand had lowered his hoof which was unseen by the rest.

"I wanted to ask if Dio would return And who made the stone mask?" Sombra asked.

"You read to the point where Jojo died on the boat right?" Spike asked getting a nod. "Then dude, its time to start Battle Tendency, 50 years later." Spike gave a large smile as everyone else left. "Stop by the library later and ill get you hooked up."

"Dont bother we get the first editions right here we have until the 3rd arch. with more on the way." Virulent called out. "Also Dio sucks!"