MLP OC Thunder Sword

[Ragdoll 16]

I adopted this handsome fellow from some time ago and I finally got around to drawing him c:
His ref is pretty simple for now, I'm probably going to update it later on
 
I'll draw him in his gladiator armor soon
 
Basic info

Name: Thunder Sword

Occupation: Gladiator
Breed: Percheron

Species: Pegasus
Personality:  Thunder Sword is a powerful and dangerous pegasus.  He is not only physically strong, but he's huge.  He stands taller than the prince of the nearby Crystal Empire, Shining Armor.

As if his size alone wasn't intimidating enough, Thunder Sword is also straight-forward, harsh, and to some, cruel.
He keeps a tough facade, and his emotional walls are built up so high that few ponies are allowed see his well-hidden 'softer' side.

He lives by a strict warrior code: Shed not a tear when oneself is harmed. Save them for your brothers that fall to the blade or the arrow. Save them for your love, for your mate, and for your comrades.
In the arena, Thunder Sword is a calculated and ruthless fighter.   He's never lost, and has slain more opponents in the arena than apples bucked from a tree.  His weapons of choice are his iron sword and his unusual ability to channel and manipulate lighting.
 
His second-in-command and mate, Gloaming Grace, has been his best friend since they were foals.  
 
His pet peeves include bratty children and disregard for the rules.  He has personally (and repeatedly) told parents to control their misbehaving foals or get kicked out of the stadium.  They frequently get kicked out, and several times Thunder Sword has forced the misbehaving foal to participate in his harsh and exhausting training program before being sent home when he feels they've learned their lesson.
 
 
Backstory:
Thunder Sword was born in Northern Equestria, to a pair of poor farmers living in the Crystal Mountains near Roam.  The night he was born was violent and stormy, and his superstitious father took it as an omen that his son was meant for glory.
And indeed he was. Thunder Sword witnessed his first battle at the age of 8, when his parents took him to the Roam's annual jousting tournament.  Bored by the repetitive events, Thunder Sword wandered around the fair until he happened upon the Diamond Colosseum.  He flew overhead and watched as a pair of gladiators fought for glory, and instantly Thunder Sword knew that's what he wanted to be.
Thunder Sword trained endlessly, teaching himself how to sword fight both in the air and on the ground.  At 18, he managed to sneak into gladiator event and fight.  He realized too late that he'd never fought against a living opponent before and was almost beaten.
However as he was about to surrender and be slain, a dark storm cloud blocked out the sun. A lightning bolt struck Thunder Sword, and the battered pegasus stood, electric arcs sparking around him and radiating from his body.  He leaped into the air and slammed his hooves into the earth, sending a wall of lightning at his opponent.
Thunder Sword was declared one of the greatest Gladiators Roam had ever seen.
As each coming year passed, Thunder Sword trained and fought harder.  He learned more about manipulating lightning and quickly became a 'Channeler,' a non-unicorn pony with the ability to manipulate a certain element around them.
Thunder Sword came clean with his adventure to his parents, but they knew that he has no place on their meager farm and was meant for much more.
Thunder Sword now helps train aspiring Gladiators and warriors in his specially designed training program. He chooses randomly, and not once has he failed to make a true warrior of his students.

 
Thunder Sword and art © Me
Design by Seffiron

Edited December 2, 2013 by Ragdoll