Upon the battlefield they stood,
The Darkness and the Light.
Preparing, once again, to wage.
Their bitter, endless fight.
They, alone, rose from the ash
Of holocaust and pain
Eternal, lone survivors

Of wars fought in their names.
Throughout all time each could claim
His share of victory.
But this, they knew, would be the fight
To claim a galaxy.

" We seem to have a problem."
The Darkness sneered at Light.
" We cannot rule together,
But you've no one left to fight".

Light's warriors were few and weak
But it faced Dark all the same.
" There is another way." It said.
" A test of skill, a game."

It was agreed, the field surveyed
And Darkness roared with glee.
" I have the stronger players,
You cannot win." Said he.

But Light had chosen carefully
The players he would wield.
The smaller Queen, a Bishop old
And a Rook who would not yield.

" Before we start," The Darkness spoke.
" Let's raise the stakes a bit.
We'll each inhabit one gamepiece.
Will you agree to it?"

" And should the piece be captured?"
" Then one of us will lose,
Not just the game, but everything."
Sneered Darkness. " Now, you choose."

Attack began, the Dark Knight moved
To threaten several pawns.
Light countered with his Bishop
The Black King glowered on.

And as the major pieces
Collided in the fray
Light moved one, small, pawn up.
Darkness looked away.

His king was well protected,
His opponent he knew well.
The Black Knight moved in swiftly,
And the ancient Bishop fell.

Light took the loss with sorrow,
And moved the pawn again.
Knowing if he made it through
There was a chance to win.

Evil moved his Knight again,
He didn't waste a look
On Light's pawn, moving steadily
Protected by the Rook.

Oh, Darkness played with cruel skill
Light's Queen fell to his Knight.
" The game is ended!" Darkness cried.
" Evil rules this night!"

" Check!" Light sighed finally.
Dark looked to see the move.
Beside his King,the lone pawn stood,
Dark screamed,' What does this prove?"

"He cannot challenge Darkness!"
And he moved his Knight to strike.
But he couldn't take the smaller piece,
Though he tried with all his might.

This is a trick! I've beaten you!"
Dark shrieked. " This cannot be!"

Light spared the Knight
And took the King.
" The pawn." He smiled. " Was me."