Chapter 1 Who are you

What will you feel if everything you know is a simple rule.

CRASH

You don't know your origin, where you come from, what you are, who you are and what you will do. All you know are simple rules that were forged into your body, mind and soul. Rules that follow you for all eternity, even after death.

CRASH

Rules that will bend your will and make you regret opposing it or thinking about being free, even if it is a small instant desire. And any thought of freedom can be replaced by the sweet desire to embrace the only way out, death.

CRASH

But even if death comes to claim you, the only thought that can come to your mind is to follow the rules.

CRASH

The simple rule of the Yami Legion corps, the shadow warriors, is....

CRASH

You are your master tools. Their wishes, their desires, their weapons, their shadow. Is your will.

CRASH!

The sound of two swords echoed on the top floor of the only tower that stands on the vacant lot where they were located, but they were not the only ones.

Thousands of weapons collided in the war zone that was happening around the tower. The beings that were fighting were crashing for multiple reasons. Some were fighting for freedom, others were forced, a few were doing for fun and just a couple were fighting for personal reasons. But only one soul was different from all the rest, he fought because it was the only thing he knows to do. Because he was his master tool and as a tool he must complete his command.

CRASH! The sound of swords was heard again as two warriors in full armor set their sights, face to face on their respective opponents. One wished to put an end to this encounter so she could hurry and help her sister defeat the madman who started this foolish crusade. As for the other, he was only fighting because she was interfering in his master wish.

The two warriors push apart from the other to catch their second wind. The one carrying the title "Princess of the night" was breathing heavily. She try her best to recover from the long fight she was carrying with this full clothed warrior that oppose her. She still can't believe that her opponent was related to her domain. As the princess of the night, she have authority to all the shadows that belong to her night. But she didn't have any over the darkness that he came from.

She was equipped with a blue-night color magical armor that only consist with a chest plate to cover her chest and stomach with shoulder plates sleeveless. Her left shoulder had her mark, a half-crescent moon, while the right one have her father mark, a nova sun. The plates on her back armor were modified so that her wings could be free and move without restrictions. Her dark blue lower armor also had plates to cover her tights and she had a scabbard installed so she could have her signature blue moon magic sword at all times. She also had a helmet that looked like a dark blue tiara with a hole so as not to disturb the horn on her head and leave her blue mane free.

But she preferred not to equipped since her magic was strong enough to defend herself from all kind of attacks. As a blue night alicorn, Princess Luna, a being with high physical and magical attributes who almost reached adulthood, was no match for the metal creature she faced.

The Shadow Blade. That is what the world call him.

Clothed in dark black armor that looks so natural that anyone could mistake it for a metal golem. Especially since there were dark red blood streaks in the middle of some of the plates on his armor and helmet and between the joints of his legs and arms. Equipped with only two twin white swords blades. Yet, after all this time fighting, her opponent was not even amused from the long fight he carry with her with such heavy armor.

He was being that came from no where, his physique was not similar to her or any of her ponies. First he have legs like her but didn't have hoofs but unknown feet, so she can't pinpoint its species. Due his full armor covers his entire body, it cannot be checked for skin, fur, or scales. And since did not have any type of wings was clear that did not belong to a winged species of Terra. And but not last was his helmet, his face was also covered with metal plates over his mouth with a V-shaped crest on his forehead. However, she was intrigued because his face was almost flat. A trait that did not belong to her subjects or any other being she remembered, almost whether her head was round or without snout. With no spaces or ventilation, it was difficult to check if he was breathing. The only thing you could tell about him was how intensified his two glowing red eyes were.

The Princess of the night was so intrigue on his origin that she theories that he come from the dark realm.
During all this time that she faced him until the moment before the war when she met him, she had no idea what or who he was. She could only determine that it was a living being, since golems and constructs do not bleed from wounds like the ones he received before. But she was not able to read his mind. Most of the time she fought him, he moved like a puppet without fear to the point of thinking that he didn't even care about his own life. She only knows his only purpose.

And how annoying he was with her. 'I'm fighting to the death with you, yet you're paying more attention to my sister and that lunatic!'

Even if his helmet covered his eyes so well, she could tell that his red eyes were watching the other fight on that floor. The other two beings that, who were also quarrel on the same floor with them, were not fighting with the same motivation. Luna and her opponent were fighting seriously from the beginning of this final battle. But the humor of the other fight could be noticed by anyone who could witness the spectacle. Since one of them was laughing out loud. And behind them was placed a wedding and decoration hall.

"HAHAHAHAHAH, come on darling! I have prepare the best reception, all of our guest are here and the perfect view for a romantic sunset. Why not accept that this is the perfect wedding of all times!", said the being that was cladded in leather armor fur.

This warrior had a body consisting of a mixture of a goat, dragon, lion and other parts of animals that anybody will thought that was talking to a misfit or an abomination of nature. His armor make him look more as a barbarian from the coasts of Terra. He was carrying a dual hammers set on each hand, but, unlike all the other weapons, it were made of rubber that make a squish sound with each hit. It was still capable of blocking even magical attacks.

This was possible for the "Master of Chaos", Discord. But for the one facing him was not other the "Princess of the day", a white alicorn, Princess Celestia.

Like her sister, she was equipped with the same type of armor, but hers has a different set of colors which consisted of white upper armor and red white lower armor. Some other differences were that she had sleeves with armor plates that covered all of her arms. Her personal mark, a bright sun, was located on her right shoulder, while she wore her father's mark on her left shoulder. She also carries a magical red sun sword that matches her sister's, but she likes to carry a medium white shield with her mark on her left hand.

She was already used to all his craziness so she can only respond as best she can, with fatigue and an annoyed attitude. "Discord, I can understand your feelings. BUT THIS IS THE STUPIDEST PRANK YOU COULD MAKE!!!"

She responds to his annoying joke. "This so called declaration of war of yours have cost the peace of all my subjects and the rest of countries stability! And you want this to end it with a wedding! It will take years to regain the trust of the griffins and dragons after you drag them into this war to the point of joining you to defeat us or be destroyed by our divine Alicorn powers! Were we know you were just lying to scare them so they can play along your little prank!", Celestia snarled at her old friend Discord in a way that an older sister would threaten her little brother for pranking her.

Yes. The entire Terra World War was just a declaration of love, this secret was only available to those who were directly involved. But for others it was a fight to dethrone the unjust princesses of Equestria. Thousands of souls were reunited by these godly entities and were motivated that were fighting for a good cause. But in reality was a fool move to bring one of the princess to the altar. And celebrate the biggest wedding of the millennium.

"Well, love make anyone to do crazy things. I am right Lulu.", Discord told Luna when she could finish recovering from her fight with his servant. "By the way, you are doing a good job, I see that you really take good care of your partner. But you are being too soft. If you want to capture Lulu heart, you need to show it dude! The more you annoy your crush, the more attention will give you! Look how Tia is crazy for me!", he said to his servant who send to 'entertain' Luna.

"DISCORD!!!", Celestia scream when she swing her sword upon Discord, only to receive a crazy laugh intercepting her attack.

Even if her attack worked, a simple magic sword was not enough to harm the chaos master, but the princesses did not come unprepared. They brought the only items to stop beings like Discord and not harm him at the same time.

'You're being too soft on him too, Tia. But for him I will not show such mercy!', that's what Luna thought when she focused on her opponent again. And the sight was not to her liking, her supposed opponent was paying attention to her sister's fight. Her fury reached new levels, it was enough for her sister to receive more attention than her from her subjects. Even her enemies were even more focused on her sister.

"You should pay attention to me!!!", she scream as she jump and drop down her sword to his skull.

CRASH Their swords meet again, but only she was serious.

The servant was blocking her with only one sword, he hadn't use his left sword in all the match. She saw him fighting seriously before with the two swords and hoped to defeat him in his full state, for the fame of defeating him. But all he did was monitor his master's opponent and never give Luna his full attention while playing with her.

When Luna try to use any spell on him, he either step aside or slide it with his swords. She was not a master on swordsponyship, thanks to her physics as an alicorn, she was able to send powerful swings with her sword. Even so, if she go to a full assault, the result was the same. She was nothing compared to that dark servant's abilities. He either dodge or redirect her attacks like a master swordspony does to his pupil. Or block it when was serious enough to pay attention to her moves, if she was upon something.

So what was going on the her opponent mind. That he never took her serious, that is due he was able to tell that his master was in danger even without knowing the reason.

This clothed warrior was different from all the beings that were reunited this day. His motivation and his will was not his own, he can not and will not decide his destiny. Because he do not need it to do it. He even didn't care at all what happened to him and any soul with the exception of his current master. For his very soul was attached to the rule, of The Yami Legion corps.

'No matter what I do, no matter what I send him, no matter how I taunt him, he is not focusing on me!', Luna got angrier with each exchange.

Luna continues her assault as each move oscillates left, right, up, down, and diagonally with the intent to kill. Yet, her opponent keep redirecting and blocking her attack with the skill of a specialist while supervising the fight of his master. She already knew she wasn't a professional at swordsponyship, but this was an insult to anypony who didn't take their duel seriously, including her.

She thought that her magic made up for that gap, still it wasn't enough to get his attention. Each spell was cut like a knife with the butter, even sometimes without looking. And reading his mind, with magic or not, was impossible since he did not respond any words from her.

All her attempts to defeat him were useless, even in discovering his identity. Even at this moment he was a mystery for her, but she remember all his actions and abilities. Also why he was so feared.

Her subjects that were able to face him were only able call him 'The Shadow Blade'. From the reports and news, he was able to fight back to back with the greatest paladin of the realm and put him on his knees begging for his life. He was able sneak to the royal palace and steal any items without being discovered, unless he was order to allow it. And have suffer the must painful attacks that could put down a dragon lord and still keep fighting with his full strength.

All of this could make him be considered the biggest threat after Discord, if those achievements were only for a fool.

The paladin he defeated was only to put him in his place when he insulted Discord as the biggest jester at a royal party that was taken before the war. He accepts an insult very well but asks for retaliation, so he sends his servant to defend his honor.

The items that he stole was a set of underwear of her older sister as an order from his master. And they found out that he stay on their rooms until he was discover. If he wanted to, he could eliminate all evidence that he was there to steal it. Even the shock of thinking that he could have hidden in the room with them and never realized. So why did they discover him? It was because of the note that could be found with his master's writing, so that her sister could read it and its contents.

And the last part was a blast that he intercept for his master when her sister attack him from behind. The sheer power was enough to take down anyone, including a being like Discord. They were surprised that he got up quickly and showed no signs of injury, but there was no way he wouldn't suffer any damage. And they obtained confirmation of the weak and heavy breath.

'And yet, even with my skills and strengths, I can't beat you! What's annoying is the fact that he's not fighting me seriously!', Luna thought as she ended her assault to find a blind spot. She was irritated to find no weakness.

Even finding the smallest weak point to put the end of this battle was not possible for her. But she didn't know his race, so she couldn't spoil the weakness of his kind. And since have not spoken a word could not check for any motivation to taunt it or use his desire to bring him on their side. Because if you ask Luna's opinion, it was as if he only existed to serve Discord.

As puppet and servant. 'All I know is that you appear out of nowhere. That airhead call you his personal servant. But I know that you are not just a puppet. If not, why are you so concern to that madpony?', Luna started to remember the first time she meet him.

The same royal gala were her sister were announcing her adulthood before the war, and Discord announce his new inquisition.

The process of adulthood of the alicorn race was based on time and on their magic levels. On the night when her sister reach adulthood, she was able to ascend to her celestial form. The most unique changes was getting taller beside of being stronger in magic. But also their main change was from normal manes to astral manes forms. This is signature that the alicorn had mature in body and magic.

For her big sister, Celestia, she went more taller and feminine that she was before. Her pink normal mane change to a astral mane with the colors of an aurora on a day with multiple bright colors. Luna on that time still haven't reach it, but was hopping to become taller as her sister. She already imagined her astral mane of a dark midnight blue like the night she would inherit from her mother once she was ready.

Her father Solaris, called the Star King of Equestria, organized the best party in his kingdom to celebrate his daughter's ascension. It was the gala that all VIP guests were invited to and only rich citizens or important guests were allowed to attend. Yet only the higher ranks between nobles and scholars, with a few selected high guards and their captains, were able to go without any issue. Unfortunately, for someone with chaos magic, it wasn't a problem either.

"Hello my good guests on this beautiful night, although the star of this party is the princess, I have my own announcement to deliver to all of you.", Discord appear in the center of the room from the thin air when the party was on its climax.

His entrance call the attention of everypony. "As all you know I am the master of chaos, but do not worry, I didn't come to cause problems for all of you, just Lulu and Tia of course.", and alert some of them.

"I want to let you the notification, if you are not following my newspapers, my new asset that I receive in the previous days of my journey.", said Discord while he took his so called magazine with his crazy ideas and jokes.

Some of them were diaries of their crazy life, but others were articles about juicy gossip from the sisters' lives. Like what kind of underwear they were or will be wearing on certain days. The guests were already getting used to his nonsense so they didn't pay attention to them. Only his main victims were aware of what he was up to.

With the commotion, Luna and Celestia arrived at the first seat of their announcement as they were worried that he would show something that would embarrass their party. Celestia, on her adult form, was the first to worry. She was wearing a sleeves red clear long dress with golden strips on her waist and neck. Luna was on her side with her favorite strapless light violet dress.

"Oh please be something useless he found on his trip, like a shiny rock or something childish like a stick.", Celestia mutter under her breath since she was the main target of must of his gossip. So she was on the border to explode if another of his joke came at that night.

'If only you just admit that you like him for that.', that's what Luna thought next to her but she didn't dare to tell her sister.

Since Discord was an old childhood friend to both of them, they didn't have the heart to cut him out of their lives. Luna also discovers that her sister began to like her jokes, but only if she was not the target. So without responding her sister concern, she continue observing the so call 'asset' he found.

"As you know I went on a journey to look the best present, most exquisite, and elegant gift for the beautiful mare of the realm!", Discord continue while Celestia let out a 'ahh' while Luna was giving her a deadpan look. "But I give up seconds later and just go eyesight the world.", then there was a facepalm slap on the older sister's face and a long look from the younger one after that.

"Even if I couldn't find a gift for her, I was able to get a nice gift for myself, so don't worry for me, my good ponies!", Discord continue with his presentation by opening a magical portal. For those that were on a good spot, including the princesses, were able to spot a figure on the other side. "So let me present you, while not as beautiful as moi, my new friend (servant)!!!"

Luna was out of words when she saw him for the first time.

When the dark figure walked out of the portal and on the center of the gala, everyone pay attention to it and were amused. He was wearing already the full dark red stripes clothed armor he always use. All of them thought that was a golem or puppet due how natural he look. They were convinced thanks to its movements and responses. It looked automatic to the audience from that night to present that day.

But only a few, including her and her family, realized that, even if their responses were limited, there was a consciousness that cannot be duplicated in an inanimate object. It had the same armor and red eyes, but Luna could not forgot the hostility that was coming from him. As if he treated each and every person present as a threat, but that soon dissipated when his so-called master told him that they were in a safe place.

After the initial introduction, Discord started giving out orders and some were just to annoy. Some of those orders were ordered to jump on one leg while holding 4 wine glasses in one hand and juggle apples with the other without dropping anything for 10 min. Some of them were as childish as an obstacle course with a medal as a reward for completing it at the end. It did not help that Discord put some challenges like crossing the course while flipping some mares dresses. But still, he did it.

He complied with all of Discord's demands and orders, including standing still while his master placed a glass of wine on his head while holding several trays of wine glasses in each arm for an entire hour. It was as if it were a new decoration for the gala and some guests had the opportunity to see it better up close.

However, he did not answer any of their questions during that time. He stayed still until Discord remembered that he put him in that state and said that was enough, but in truth, Discord simply forgot about him while playing with the guests.

That is when the paladin, that was a high noble who had enough of him, wanted to humiliates Discord, and the tragedy happen.

The high noble unicorn, Elegant Flash, a light blue-furred stallion with a white mane wearing a fine suit of white jacket and pants, was one of the VIP guests at the party. His reputation and connections allow him to be at all the events related to the royal family. He was an egocentric character, but his sword skills was top quality. That is why everyone was surprised how the show was developing.

Being considered the best swordspony in the kingdom, everyone thought that a poor soul was about to receive the beating of the century. The only problem was that the pity feelings were misplaced.

Elegant approach him, ready with a speech. "Discord, let me tell you that you do not belong here. Even if some consider you as a god, you are only a buffoon and you should go back to that filthy abyss you came from."

Elegant said it to his face out loud so everypony could hear it. "You only brought a puppet to show that you have good resources, but it doesn't make you eligible enough to be close to and even be friends with the Royal Family."

It was no secret that these two were competing for Celestia's heart. Since this gala heralded her rise to adulthood, she can now begin searching for a potential spouse. While an alicorn's longevity might be a problem for a mortal, which Discord had no problem with and was an old friend of the family, the nobles of the kingdom were not going to accept a jester as their new King. That's why Elegant had everything going for him but he needed to prove it in front of King Solaris and be eligible to ask for his daughter's hand.

"You are just a buffoon, a lunatic and somepony that do not belong here but in Tartarus!", Elegant said out loud so that the princesses could also hear it. He thought that this way he could get a better opinion of him, but he only fell before the eyes of the sisters.

As for who he addressed, Discord didn't bother with it. "OH, you notice it, well thank you! Is really hard to keep such imagen and charisma even myself. I am glad that SOMEPONY is able to notice it~", he responded load and clear to everypony. Specially on a certain white mare.

"I really appreciate your kind words, but this need a retribution so I ask an apology! If not, my friend (servant) over here will no be happy about it. Oh by the way, Tartarus is good place for vacation, I could take you there if you want.", he was right.

The friend (servant) was staring to him from the moment Elegant open his mouth, and Luna to him. Luna could feel again the same hostility, stronger than before. She wasn't ready to be surprised that such anger would come from the dark servant. Even if his eyes still showed no emotions, she thought she saw a wild beast waiting for the chain and leash to break at any moment.

'To be able to show such emotion. Could it be that it has a soul?! I thought it was a mindless golem.', Luna was now curious about him, since then she never leave her eyes at him all night.

When his master responded to the provocation, he provided the conditions for the duel. He asked to put on a show that wouldn't end so quickly, he wanted a challenge. The only flaw was it were not for Elegant, but to his servant. Discord added conditions for fighting on one leg and holding a wine glass. Once he understood Discord's wishes, the servant went to meet the noble in the center of the gala, where Elegant stood with his puffed out chest and a simple knight's sword.

The servant arrive with the condition his master announce, but what no pony was expecting, he was using a ford as a weapon. Such choice of weapon was clearly to annoy the high noble. As for the audience, they had a mix of responses between frustration, disbelief and enthusiasm as some expected a good show. The latter were guards and captains with swords-pony experiences and were waiting to see Elegant display his talent.

However, only those with higher ranks and veterans like the current Captain of the Royal Guard had more interest in the dark servant. From the challenge of the course, they knew that he was not a simple servant.

The audience, including Luna, had the idea that Discord didn't take this seriously, but it was something that everyone accepted. After all, he was 'The Master of Chaos', a simple sword would do nothing to amuse him and he was just putting on a show with his new servant. And that was what everyone got, a spectacle that no one forgot.

Elegant taking enough of the stupidity of Discord, he went with a simple and strong downward swing of his sword. Everypony thought the servant was going to get hurt. CRASH But all of them get the feeling of surprise when the dark servant just block the sword between the ford teeth.

Elegant saw this so he tried to put more pressure on his sword, but he only managed to make the dark warrior bend on his only leg to be in a good position and not drop the wine he was carrying. After seeing that he couldn't put it down, Elegant retrieves his sword and swings it to perform a horizontal attack. The dark servant simply turns and ducks to dodge while holding the wine. All at the same time returning the attack on the noble jacket with the fork, tearing off a part of it leaving a hole.

The audience gasps at the fact that the dark servant jumps back putting a good distance while recovering from such acrobatics and continues holding the wine glass as if nothing happened. Elegant's patience was reducing, even more from such humiliations when he was checking the hole on his luxury jacket. He had the intention to show his skill in front of the royal family and possible get the princesses attention. Now that he was a laughingstock in front of the sisters, he do what a respectable noble-pony will respond. He curse him and attack him discriminately.

"YOU BUCKING SERVANT!", even if his senses were in chaos, Elegant run and fought him to make him pay.

During the initial attack, Elegant fought so well that he didn't make any rookie mistakes. But to knock him down with the intention of killing him, will require a lot of effort. He swings his sword with the intent to kill and attack with a skill that the dark servant must take seriously. Even so, the Discord's puppet still showed signs of calmness or that we were not in trouble.

Discord's puppet still continues to dodge by making big movements while holding and changing his finger to protect the wine at impossible angles. And continue making small cuts and tears in elegant fabrics with the small ford. Sometimes the dark servant need to block and redirect some attack rather than dodge. But with a kitchen utensil, it was not possible that it would not break over time and become useless later. Still, this did not worry him.

Was not after 5 long minutes that the dark servant started to move with some difficult. When his only leg he was using during the fight started to cramp and need to roll on the floor to continue dodging all Elegant's attack without dropping a single drop of wine. While Luna was amused of the dark servant determination to continue following Discord fools demands, she started to focus to hear his conversation with her sister and observing the duel at the same time.

"Amazing, I am right Tia.", said Discord who teleport to her sister side a moment ago. "Even I find it amusing to see how he is persistent in following my every command, but I have to admit that whoever trained him did his job well.", said Discord to get her sister attention.

"I confess that I am intrigued, and admit that your 'friend' had good set of skills. But who is he? I can see that he is not a simple puppet, and also is well trained and have good reflex. But to follow a crazy pony such as you, is what I can not follow up?", Celestia asked. Wanted to participate Luna ask the question.

"Where did you find him, Discord? And what did you promise him to follow you to the end of the world? Knowing you must threat him or make such big lie promising whatever you show him.", Luna shows interest in the dark servant and taunts the chaos entity into letting the truth out. But her smiling face fades when Discord didn't hold her at all, but instead came with one of his signature horrible jokes.

"Well Lulu, if you are interest in him, I will have to crush your hope to stalk him.
I know you're desperate to find a good stud, but since I don't know what he is, I can't imagine if he'll be good enough for you in bed! HAHAHAH!", Discord responded loudly as Luna gave him a red face with murderous eyes while her sister tried to hide her embarrassment from the guests.

"HAHAAahhaaha...ha, well putting jokes aside, all I know he is from something call the "Yami Legion". That was what the stranger told me when he was introducing him.", after responding honestly, both sister were astound about a unknown legion they didn't knew. To believe such group was capable to train such individual as him. But they still didn't get the answer, who is he.

Luna return her attention back to the duel, just to check that Elegant was able to pin down his opponent from rolling with his magic binds spells on his leg. He was now swinging his sword repeatedly up and down, but everypony could see that he was already tired, sweating heavily, and breathing heavily. As for the servant, even being on the floor on his back, he still hold the cup of wine and show no sign of trouble. Especially since the ford already snap and was trying his best to keep using with it at the end. Even with the danger that his fingers can be cut in the process.

'Maybe he is proud or have confidence that his armor will protect him. Still, why go to such lengths to please someone like Discord?', Luna show honest consideration for the poor soul inside of that armor while her opinion on Elegant went down. There was no honor to abuse somepony without the chances to defend themselves. But soon his compassion was redirected, when Discord finally gave him new orders.

"Well it seen that this duel have extent enough that is BORING!", Discord shout out the last part to get every one attention, including the two duelist. "So here is your new orders, stop following the previous commands and fight on your normal state, without killing him of course. For my HONOR AND TIA'S HAND!!!"

Only Luna was able to notice that a part of the order was strange, but ignore it due the rest of the content. A mistake she will not repeat after what she saw later.

Most of the guest almost spill their drink or put a frustrated face with his statement. Celestia let out a threating growl to the lunatic on her side while Luna, the only thing she could do, was putting her poker face saying 'I knew this outcome'. But no one never guess the true meaning of the statement.

The only soul that was not his own. Got the message clearly. "GAH!" BANG

Everypony were about to leave when they hear the pathetic painful moan of Elegant. When attention returned to the duel, Elegant was already 5 meters in the air and then crashed to the ground a few meters from where he was before.

Every soul started to know what happen when they saw the dark servant retrieving his free leg after giving a strong kick to Elegant chest. With Elegant mind interrupted, he jump back to his feet once the bind was disable. And to everyone amusement, he still holding the glass of wine, still manage to avoid a single drop on the floor. The servant pause for a moment to observe the cup, thinking what to do but then his master told him to put it on a table nearby.

When he secured the wine glass, Elegant was trying to recover from the strong blow he received. When he stood up and searched for the culprit who put him in such a humiliated state, all formalities were thrown out the window. Elegant began to show his true colors.

"You piece of buck! Do you know who I am?!!", Elegant shout out when the dark servant face him and started to return to the center of the room. "I am Elegant Flash, the best sword user and the strongest paladin as well the heir of one of the highest noble family in Equestria!!! Who you think you are to humiliates me!!!", here was so much anger in his voice, yet he got no answers once his opponent returned to the duel.

'Is he going now face him for real?', Luna though observing how the dark servant stop a few meters before restarting the duel.

Once there, he looked at the ford he used only to discover that the teeth were crushed and cut to the point of being useless. Luna started to realize something that everyone miss during the fight. Due his armor plates on his back, no one notice the scabbard hidden below and between his shoulder blades, so no one anticipated it as started to move out.

'Wait, all this time he was armed!', Luna scream in her mind as the servant took out his weapons.

Once confirm that the his ford was useless, he throw it at side and started to move his arm behind. He unsheathed the twin blades of his back, his unique ninja swords. Every guest get startled for the fact he had weapons all this time. As for his opponent he started to feel something he was not expect from a party or even a suppose 'friendly' duel. No, it was that he didn't expect anything from a jester who plays alongside Discord.

But in reality he was a jester because his master wanted him that way. And just like that, the dark servant finally broke free of his shackles and his true nature came to light.

Everyone could feel the aura of a warrior, even if there were normal citizens. Those on higher ranks could tell how skilled he is by checking his posture and stand. The princess were no exception. For the princess of the day, her thoughts ranged from pity for a poor soul to fear for his anger. She knew that he was just following Discord's orders, but she never knew that a ferocious beast was hiding beneath that mask.

As for the princess of the night, she couldn't take her eyes off him. She honestly thought that might convince him to join their ranks later after the party. She thought he seemed like her ideal knight, so she wants to recruit him, even if she will later be mocked by Discord for her relationship skills. But all change, she knew on her soul that the dark warrior in front would not do such a thing unless is ordered, such a perfect soldier would act.

So what was going on his opponent mind. As a high noble of the realm he had everything. Elegant had wealth to the point to not worry for money and could get any item, including any mare. He have a talent and a destiny to swordsponyship so he became a qualify paladin. He had status to be able to interact will the royal family that, and if he got motivated could get the King and Queen, Solaris and Polaris, the approval to be able to marry one of the princesses once reach adulthood. So what was going in his mind. It was simple. Elegant started to pee himself.

For the first time of his life, Elegant could truly feel the true fear for his life. To everpony in the room, they were not affect for what the dark servant was letting out because from the beginning it didn't have nothing against them. But for his opponent, a rage was building from the moment he speak with ill intention to his master.

Everypony was wrong to assume that this puppet didn't have any feelings or emotions. And after holding and holding and holding his aura because he was ordered to not respond to anything before coming to the party, was free to act. And his killing instincts came out as he open his red glowing eyes to his now 'opponent'.

And so, the carnage started. "What-", Elegant try to say something but was interrupt as a black shadow move to his side.

He was only able to use a few seconds to recognize the shadow before a boot came to his snort. Soon, while his head snap back, he now was bend on his stomach when the shadow make a turn with his body to retrieve his first kick so could send a second kick with his other leg on his stomach.

"Now the true show is starting~", Discord said beside the two sisters. None of them respond since were more focused on witnessing the beating of one of the most renowned paladins in the kingdom.

Elegant try his best to suppress the pain, but a new source of suffering came once receive a knee kick on his face, sending him a few feet away. Luna was expecting more attack, but she saw Discord make a gesture to wait and the dark servant freeze until his master lower his hand. This action allow Elegant to gather his second wind and was able to restore his concentration and stand. But soon lost it when he breath out and a tooth was drop to the floor. Looking and guessing that was his, Elegant went berserk on his opponent.

The unicorn swordponyship allow to use one sword, either simple or magical one, on one hand and use the free one to use spell while fighting. Elegant show no reserve to use his most skilled spell. As soon he reduce the distance with the dark warrior, he use a blind light spell to get an advantage as he make a diagonal left side with his sword.

An advantage that was in vain. 'Let see how you can fight with the-' CRASH, his thoughts stop when the sound of metal meeting was heard.

When the light of the spell ended, he could see that the dark servant did not take his eyes off him at any time. And his attack was not blocked, but redirected out of the way. The shock that Elegant received was so great that he did not notice the handle of the second sword hitting his face. And soon he receives another powerful kick to his stomach that sends him flying across the ground again.

Again Luna saw the gesture from Discord to stop his servant. Was only when Elegant stood up again that every guest could hear his new order. "Would you kindly beat down this buckhead for me, please~", is was all Discord let out from his mouth.

And with that, when Elegant turned to listen to what Discord said, only to look back at his opponent, the dark warrior was upon him like a beast. His chains had come loose and he jumped on his so-called 'prey'.

Using his twin swords makes Elegant look like the ultimate paladin as a kid using a stick by deflecting and controlling all of Elegant's elegant moves and blocks. The fight came across as an instructor playing with a newbie showing him the basics. But 'gentle' never crossed the audience's mind.

He moved away from all the spells that were thrown at him or simply slashed with their sword when it was only to immobilize or bind him. Even if Elegant could use his strongest spells, which can destroy the entire room, he couldn't concentrate enough to cast them as the dark warrior wouldn't let him breathe.

The dark servant speed outsmart his. Every time he was sent to the other side, Elegant could see he was already there, ready to punch him on his face again and again and again. There was a point Elegant sword was swipe from his hand, that were sore from the dark warrior heavy swords attack, when he could not continue blocking. But no pony notice it happens, the brutal punishment was too big to ignore.

For five minutes the role were inverted. For five minutes the weak became a punching bag. For five minutes the strong show no mercy. The spectacle only ended when Elegant, with his face swollen with bruises and his noble cloth cut like mere rags, screamed in pain as he 'tried' to punch him only to be caught in his left arm. Then Elegant fell to his knees as the dark warrior, still not letting go of his grip or his sword, turned around so he could face his opponent's arm. And he brought his free arm down with a strong downward elbow to break Elegante's arm.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! STOP!!! STOP!!! I SURRENDER!!!!", Elegant shouted as he crawled away as soon as he was released onto the gala floor.

What was a honor and friendly duel, become a bloody beatdown of humiliation of the weak. The audience were hopping the worse when the dark servant started to walk to his beaten 'opponent'. Elegant started to pray for his life and, only a few who later realized it, feel that he did pee himself for real on the floor when a voice was heard. Luckily it wasn't the order to end him.

"Is... enough, you can stop.", Discord's voice was heard among all the guests introduced. The dark warrior freezes after hearing his new order, even those with good eyesight can tell that his altitude changes from a bloody thug to a peaceful soul.

"Discord, what kind of prank is this? Because is not funny.", Celestia was the only soul able to react and talk to the owner of this servant. Even so she cannot deny that she was not affected by such a display of violence.

"Hey, even I didn't know how good he was.", he responded while he observe his servant. "Well, I did get warned after all.", he mutter those word remembering the feature of the product he receive from the suppose 'provider'.

While Discord was lost on his thoughts and Celestia try her best to calm their guest and treat the broken noble on the floor. Luna continued to observe the dark warrior, or servant, she didn't know what to think of him as he was still waiting for his next order.

When the guests retired to their homes and her sister scolded the master of chaos and his 'servant', Luna went to pick up the glass of wine she was holding during the duel. She couldn't believe what she found, not only the content was not spill out, the glass did not receive any damage. But it did have small cracks were his fingers were holding the glass. Soon she got a revelation, he didn't check the cup to see what to do, but rather he wanted to check if he had broken it.

He show another emotion. He was worried for his results. She move her eyes to find out her discovery to the suppose puppet, but she only saw an empty husk in his place.

'You are not perfect after all. Did you feel that you were going to failed?', She thought showing true concern. She started to view him as living creature under that metal cocoon. Such as herself.

When Celestia finished dispatching the guests, she went to scold the boys. "So explain me now.. WHO. IS. HE?!", she asked to the to the only one with that knowledge. "You have to be grateful that my father is not here to scold you."

"I am sorry, really, I am.", Discord respond showing true honesty apology while he bend down and make his 'servant' to give both an apology bow with him.

"So...?", Celestia cross her arm under her chest. Something Discord try hard not to look.

"If you ask who is he, well, is my 'Yami tool'.", he answer looking at him. Even he question if that was what he really is.

"'Yami' as the dark realm?", she learned this concept from her parents but she didn't know where it came from. She was sure about something, and it seemed strange to her. How Discord knows it, and the second part. "But why calling a tool?'

"I don't know myself. I thought I was being scam when this dark and mysterious fellow approach me while I was taking a nap in a cave on the borders of the Wastelands.", Discord started to recall of his memories of his trip. "The only thing I did not comprehend is, why he ask me that challenge."

"Why is something like that bother you?", Luna ask deciding to participate on the talk. "As somepony as you, you should be thrilled to play with ponies weaker and foolish than you."

"That is the thing, he ask me to challenge him to prove who was superior.", after Discord answer, both sister show concerns for why someone, who must know that Discord is the entity of chaos, ask a god to challenge them. "He only promise that I can get his servant as my own if I win."

"And you accepted? Did you not know that could be a trap?", Celestia asked with the concern that there was something else. But got no answer from him.

"Of course I accept, including that I intended to cheat. I was hopping a big duel were our mind will be force to create the best strategic, as our bodies goes to their limit and let out all our magic runs berserk that will shake the earth!!! Just to end up in a paper, scissor and rock game. What disappointment my friend, what disappointment.", he said shaking his head with a unmotivated voice.

"That fellow didn't even try, I even summon several mirrors around us when the game started. I did so could be interesting and all he do was smile back to me, to my eyes. He did not even try to hide his hand. I was hopping he use the mirrors since I put then in angles that keep showing another angle of our back, to spice the challenge.", he said it as his arms were twisting between, and with more arms. "At the end I win with rock over scissor."

Both sisters turned to each other on what they think of their story. Celestia still thought that there was something more hidden in that challenge. While Luna couldn't believe that someone would make such a challenge to the master of tricks.

"What happen next?", Luna asked when both return to him.

"He thanks me for whatever I did.", he said. Celestia wanted to know more so ask him to continue. "After that, he went and hug this fellow thanking him for all the help and that he is no longer his master. Then I get the surprise of my life. This fellow come to me, took his swords and make a bow of loyalty recognize me as his new master."

Discord explains to them that the stranger was hiding his entire identity so he could not see his face well, discovering his intentions or where they came from was useless for Discord in discovering it. He only get the fact that as his new servant existed to follow him no matter what he goes through. And will obey his orders and demands without questioning.

Discord asked him how is that possible, but the stranger only answer, with his ancient and heavy voice, was: "As a tool forged on the darkness where I lived, he was forge with the commandments of the 'Yami Legion'. All you need to know is that he is a tool or weapon for whatever you want. He will do everything possible to fulfill your will and protect you until the end, because he is your shadow. And now that's yours, just be careful what you wish for, he won't rest until he's done it."

'So there most be a transfer of ownership method available, but what are the conditions?', Luna was intrigued, for the outcome of Discord's story. Now was more interest on the dark servant, however, those thoughts stop when her sister ask the next question.

"How do you know he is loyal to you? It may be fake only to get near you.", Celestia said with concern for his friend wellbeing. Being touch for her feelings, he decided to demonstrate that fact.

"Well why don't we ask him. Ah...", Discord stop for a second muttering that he did not learn his name, but it did not have one from the beginning with. "Show your loyalty, now."

To the surprise of the sister, the dark servant unsheathe his sword thinking that were going to be assassinate on the spot. But it did something even more to amaze them.

The dark servant stabbed his swords into the ground, side by side in front of him, and then crouched down on his right knee while making a cross with his arm in front of his chest and lowering his head like a servant would do to his almighty master. What happen next was something that Luna make sure to keep it in her memories. He talked.

"I am your tool, your weapon, your arms and legs. My will is to serve my owner wishes, commands, and desires. His will is my reason of existence as I am his shadow."

Luna could not believe that his voice was not heavy artificial, but it sound so simple and soulless. His voice didn't sound childish like Discord or egocentric like Elegant. He sounds like a colt coming into adulthood without any emotion. That's what she thought until he raised his head. And he saw his red eyes.

"As your blade and tool, I will continue serving, my master, until my body become dust and my existence reach its true end."

Luna was left speechless, she thought of him as more than an ideal servant and more than the perfect warrior. But now she saw a soul chained to an eternal prison, who did not want to escape. She could feel true feelings of loyalty in him, there were no other emotions. Not even fear, sadness or even happiness for saying that phrase. Only devotion that cannot be given by a puppet but by a true blind servant.

'How is that you are just a simple tool? Who are you?'

From that night on, Luna set out to find the answer to this question. She chose to check all the places, even where she planned to enter her dreams. He got nothing, or rather, there was nothing to find about him. And from that moment she will try to discover his identity and his true reason for existing.

'But I got nothing, and all I know is he complete every demand of that lunatic from that duel to now.', Luna let aside her memories and focus on the present. Her fight with The Shadow Blade.

'How he can do it? Without any resistance and ever wish to be free? That is why I am still unable to process how is he just a simple servant, if you include his sword skill. I have not seen such pony have that kind of combat mastery, and a sense to only think to serve. To think that is their true reason of existence. Where does he come from and what is he? And...how I can save him...', Luna keep thinking in her memories to figure out, until she spot a bright light on the other side of the room. 'Is about time, Tia.' Luna smirked since was the signal to end this war.

In order to stop the master mind of this war, without harming him due request of her sister, they were about to use magical legendary items that were under their possession. The Elements of Harmony have the power to stop any negative energy and it include the chaos magic that their opponent was made of.

"WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!! COME ON CELESTIA YOU KNOW THAT MAGIC IS A REPELLENT TO ME! WHY GO TO SUCH METHOD TO THE COLT THAT LOVE YOU SUCH MUCH?!!", the fool voice call the attention of both of them.

Luna was happy to hear the distress and uneasiness of that fool for the first time on this day. 'Finally we are ending this nonsense, now a can rest after a long time once you turn to a stone! What about you?', Luna couldn't stop smiling and almost laughed when the supposed servant moved his head to look at his master upon hearing his fear. She follows suit by seeing her sister and the fool.

"You leave no choice. In order to restore the other countries trust, we must show that we took care of the origin of this mess. You should have seen this coming, you brought this to yourself.", Celestia said calmly against the frightened Discord on the ground.

Luna took her time looking at her sister having the Element of Magic on her hand and the rest of the elements were floating around her. Discord crawl back showing his concern and fear of what he will be after their magic trap him. Discord 'try' to stop her sister by reasoning with her good will and that he will be better, but the princess of the day was not going to allow it.

'I am glad his happy face is finally broken.', Luna had enough of seeing that coward, but she was not filled with satisfaction, not until she can see the desperation of her 'opponent'. Who already accepted seeing his master on the ground.

With pride she taunt him one more time. "It seen that your owner is in trouble. Tell me, what would you do to save your precious master oh so Yami Tool? Hehehe...eh?", Luna said to the so call servant expecting everything go to her way.

But she was wrong. Everyone was wrong to thought how he was going to respond.

Unknown to her, the Yami Legion had rules. Rules that started to guide him to a path were he can complete his master wishes and protect him at the same time. The Princess of the night didn't know this, Discord order him to not harm them in any way and that he can not interfere in his dance (battle) with Celestia so he should only focus on Luna.

Yet Discord make a mistake. He as everyone didn't know the real rules. And his real proposes.

When he return to her, Luna though she could see fears on his eyes. But were fears for his own and for his master, and for the same Luna. Unknown to her, even he was order to take care the Princess Luna, even he did not have anything against her and he was pleased to dance (battle) with her. He had to act, for the commandments on his soul demand it. So he did what any loyal servant and tool of the Yami Legion will do.

He acted as his master wishes and what the rules state. Become the tool he is.

CRASH

The sound of clashing swords was heard again, but there was a difference that no pony in the room could ignore.

CRASH

Luna didn't know what happened at first but she was able to react the second time when it came.

CRASH

She was able to block the third attack of the two twin swords by changing her stance to hold her moon sword with both hands. Because she was scared of what she was facing. He was now face to face with The Shadow Blade of Discord.

Without letting her recover, the dark servant pushes her with his swords to create space between them again. As Luna prepared herself again to continue blocking, she began to feel a new feeling. Fear for his life.

CRASH!!!

The dark servant lunged at her again but now he was using both swords and with more weight with each blow. Until now, he did not attack or retaliate before. This scared Luna, even in the duel with Elegant, this didn't happen with him before.

'Could it be that he no longer needs to hold back if his master is in danger?!!', Luna's mind panic fast but could not keep thinking the reason of his assault.

She feared that if she did not recover her defenses in time, she might receive a strong blow from those two swords. All she could do was retrieve her sword every time was hit it to the side with her hands with each attack. She feels that if she is not fast enough, she might lose her mind.

CRASH swipe to the left. CRASH swipe to the right. CRASH swipe to the left. CRASH swipe to the right.

'IS HE TRYING TO KILL ME?!!', Luna's mind went frenzy. She could not think of something to stop him or why he started to fight like this.

The sound of their swords was so loud that some soldiers on the ground could hear it. But the sound comes to an end as Luna moves her sore hands with her broken sword to try to block another attack.

Still trying to put a fight, Luna face the dark servant again, just to see him preparing to jump over her. When he reduce the distance, he brought his twin swords to make a grand X pattern swing were they meet on Luna sword, on the same spot he was attacking all this time. And with that, he cleaver the lunar sword of her.

BOOM "GAAHHHH!!!", Luna scream as she was push back and fall on her butt due the explosion of her sword magic.

When she started to open her eyes, she almost lost her breath when she said her broken sword. And the dark servant so calmly approaching her. With both swords glowing in the darkness of the room with her red eyes, Luna saw that death was coming for her. The dark servant was letting out a killer instinct that didn't allow her to move or use her magic to escape.

As her senses were clearing, she realized that she would die when she saw the dark servant raising his sword to prepare to strike her down, and a light coming from behind him.

"YOU WILL NOT HARM HER!!!!", Celestia could not ignore the intensity of her sister's battle. She saw how the dark servant was attacking her sister to the point that her only source of protection was to destroy in front of her.

Discord also saw this and tried to stop him, but he hesitated, he was hesitant to let him continue and take the opportunity to escape or not. No one, not even his teacher, knew why he went crazy with Luna, but his killer instinct wasn't fake, so no one could ignore it. This outcome only give Celestia one option.

Protect her sister and ignore Discord. And focus on him.

Luna could hear her sister scream, and thanks to that her mind witnessed something again. Celestia send the magic of The Elements of Harmony to the dark servant that was about end him. Only to see him lower his swords and turn around to see the attack coming. But Luna knew that he was not facing it, but something else, threads in the shape of red sparks.

When he returned to her, Luna's eyes and ears were lying to her as she did not believe what she had just witnessed. At some point, she could feel that all the murderous instincts disappeared without a trace, and a new feeling of sadness replaced them. As he found it in her red eyes.

And in his words. "Sorry."

It was all she could witness of him, as the light reached him and consumed him. For a brief moment, all the soldiers on the ground stop fighting and see the top floor of the tower lighting up. Luna did not close her eyes and did not take them away from the place where the dark servant was before. Where now in its place was a statue in its shape.

"LUNA!!!", Celestia scream as she teleport to her side and check for any injury on her. "Thanks to Faust your okay!", she throw herself to her sister and hug her, but Luna did not registered any of that.

Her eyes were fixed on the now dead eyes of the statue, what was left of him. His posture changed to where he lowered his arm hanging as if the thread had been cut, he still has his twin swords and, although his red eyes stopped glowing, it feels like they are staring down at her.

The aura change from a killing machine to a pacific but broken warrior in an instant. That leave Luna wondering, for what purposes he did it. It wasn't after a few seconds that she remembered where he looked back. When she did it and saw what he saw, she understood immediately. Discord escaped to whatever he planned to go to.

If she considered his nature as a servant, with the possible orders he receive from his master, she came with the answer. He became a threat too big to ignore and make, no, force Celestia to forget Discord so he could escape.

He become a sacrifice, on his on will or not, and show no regret at the end. But he was sorry for those that were victims of his actions. When that idea pass her mind she return back to the now frozen warrior that she face a moment ago. A warrior that she hate no more.

'All this time you could...you could end me...', Luna turns her broken sword that was lying next to her. She didn't need to check it closely since her sword was only cracked and broken in one place. The same place where he swung his swords all this time, without fail.

'But you just wanted to leave me without a way to defend myself, and with that...why...why did you sac-', Luna did not end that thought. She didn't wanted to.

Luna just wanted to apologize for the way she thought of him and how to help him from the prison of her soul. But now, she couldn't do anything for him as he was now. Luna could only remember him in the back of her mind, in her memories and in her soul.

As the servant of darkness that have fulfill his purposes. To become...his master tool.

Author's Note

Hello everyone. I'm new to this but not to everything. I want to say that I liked this series although I didn't think I would like it to such a degree that I wanted to write stories, my stories. Let's say I had the ideas but I didn't set out to post them. But now that I have some good free time, I decides to do it. I start with this story since it focuses on the two first chapter of the series, that's right, I got fooled just by looking at how the main 6 stopped Nightmare moon, since I get enrolled with MLP. From there I liked the series but I didn't keep watching it so much after the 4th season.

So this story only goes up to that episode. If I propose I will put the second part of the story, if I still have free. But if you like it, and if I have free time, I'll put the other chapters. At least for this story. For now, enjoy the first arc, castle storming (1-5).

And if you see an error or something I'm missing, leave it in the comments.

(Chapter complete)