Equestria. Out at sea, above the Sea Temple. Despair Plant Garden. Nightfall.
"Found you...villains." Arriving in a flash with many stars leaving his body was none other than Galaxy Master. On this Despair Plant Garden, he was by far the biggest threat to it all and the biggest helper to Ash's friend. At least, he seemed like a helper, until those words left his mouth when encountering Rarity and Applejack.
"You!" Gasping together were Applejack and Rarity. They ended up finding Galaxy Master before anyone else, still feeling the wind pressure he made after this stunning entrance. And judging by how he immediately mentioned villains after encountering these two, they feared that they weren't exactly around. Sceptile got in front of Applejack and Rarity immediately, having the instinct to protect them both.
"Nebula Beam!" Just then, with a singular point that was seemingly directed towards Rarity, Applejack and Sceptile, a ray of light would fly out of Galaxy Master's finger. However, that was not the case.
Instead, the beam would fly past Sceptile, Applejack and Rarity, completely ignoring them. The look on their faces when they saw the beam pass by them was shared. All three were stunned before swivelling their heads. Right behind them, the beam had struck a Despair Plant that was nearby. Specifically an Arachnorchid.
The Arachnorchid was sniped and struck down by Galaxy Master's immaculate finger blast. The Despair Plant cried out before tumbling down a hill, failing to sneak up on and reach the trio thanks to Galaxy Master's arrival.
"An excellent shot if I do say so myself. How have you all been?" There was nothing to fear at all. Galaxy Master stood tall with his arms crossed, greeting the Earth Pony, Unicorn and Forest Pokemon.
"Oh..." Soon, Applejack's face would transform as she could feel the positive aura coming off of Galaxy Master. She knew there was nothing to fear at all."Pretty great!"
"Hm? Ah!" Rarity would soon realize the lack of hostility from Galaxy Master and Applejack's chipper response. "Yes! Splendid! T-Thank you very much for the save. For a moment there, I thought you were targeting us."
"Hahahaha!" Galaxy Master laughed bombastically. "Sorry about that! My entrance was rather stunning! Now then. This is the first time we're properly meeting each other, isn't it? So allow me to reintroduce myself."
"Uh, we don't need that really..." Applejack shook her head.
"I'll upgrade it then!" Galaxy Master went through with it but switched things up. "A gallant flash in the cosmos! A light appears before the world to heed its sorrow and plea! From the depths of spacetime itself, I appear at the speed of light!" His entrance catchphrase was altered for this one moment as the light around him let off supernova explosions once more. "The Superstar! Galaxy Master!"
"Pikachu!" Posing next to him was his Pikachu as always.
"Aha! Amazing!" But Rarity enjoyed that, clapping her hooves. "Splendid light show!"
"Thank you. So, you're all here, right? Usually, you're with most of your friends, correct?"
"Oh, yes. Our friends are up here. Including some of the People of the Water. Really, we were all together just to come and find you but we didn't expect it to be up here."
"Well, coming across a Despair Plant Garden in the sky is a new one, isn't it? Have no fear. Now that I am here, you will be perfectly safe. I've come here to put an end to this garden before it can grow too troublesome."
"Many thanks. But while you're doing that, perhaps you should meet with-" Before Rarity could speak her next words, Galaxy Master would suddenly dash off the ground in an instant, spotting something that they haven't just yet.
The unicorn gasped as the fictional character grabbed both trainers, moving them out of the way of what appeared to be a speedy stream of webs. Sceptile would narrowly avoid some of these webs that came his way as this was done by none other than the Arachnorchids. More of them showed up, swinging from the trees and crawling across the garden. Their numbers seemed to increase as they were rapidly approaching the group.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu would immediately get on all fours, flaring his red sacs at the approaching swarm of Arachnorchids.
"No time to chat, I'm afraid! These plants are still ever present as you can see! Pikachu! Hold them back with 100,000 Volts!"
"Pika!" Pikachu leapt into the air as Galaxy Master obviously referred to Thunderbolt. By spinning in the air, he would unleash a flare of electricity that flew out of him, meeting with the ground. Much like how Ash had his Pikachu use Thunderbolt on the ground, Galaxy Master did the same with his Pikachu but with a bigger emphasis on attacking his opponents.
The electricity would then rapidly flow across the ground, sending all of its current to great distances. The distances were grand enough to easily reach the Arachnorchids, shocking them. The volts raced up the trees, punishing these Despair Plants with 100,000 volts. Even the ones swinging from the trees were not safe as the lightning passed through their webs as well. The Despair Plants found themselves dropping from their positions thanks to Pikachu, but more would continue to approach.
"Sceptile, use Frenzy Plant!"
"Sceptile!" Digging his hands into the ground, Sceptile would interact with the garden with his own plants. From below, massive roots would burst out violently, forming together to create a massive barricade of roots. These barricades of roots would not only act as protection but also as a way to attack the Arachnorchids.
However, it was not that easy to get past a Despair Plant. The webs they created had an alternate method. The explosive web spheres were used yet again, this time on the plants. The explosive webs would combust when coming into contact with the roots, blowing parts of them to bits. With a barrage of them flying in, constant combustions would go off, breaking the roots at a rather quick pace.
"They explode?!" Rarity gasped, witnessing the extent of these Despair Plants and how they were far more destructive than their counterparts in every way, having new tricks and traits that made them powerful predators.
"Great nebulas! Explosive webs! It's best that we head...this way!" Galaxy Master would take off with the ponies, leaving the scene as quickly as possible while the Frenzy Plant was being torn apart. It would buy them all some time, thankfully. Galaxy Master would jet off, leaving behind a trail of stardust from his feet. Sceptile would soon follow, using his vines to travel.
The Arachnorchids would pass through the broken bits of Frenzy Plant, quickly swarming over to the next area while some would swing over the large roots that stood in their way. Already, they were starting to gain on them thanks to their destructive web spheres being exceptionally efficient.
But explosive webs were not their only speciality. Not at all. Once they broke through the roots, the Despair Plants would reveal something else that surprised their targets. More webs were thrown out, but these ones would immediately hit the ground instead of just travelling through the air.
When touching the ground, they would transform into nets, spreading across the garden ground. They would cover up every plant they could, replacing it with these destructive webs as they switched how they would target their prey. And it was a rather effective one too.
"P-Pika?!" Pikachu found himself slowing down all of a sudden. His feet would jitter, failing to move forward like normal. This was due to the web that managed to reach him. "Pikachu?!"
"Oh!" Galaxy Master soon felt this sudden momentum decrease. His feet were caught by the webs as well, slowing him down as they had a sticky substance that would keep them both down. The same went for Rarity and Applejack who were legging it, only to have that cut short. "By the 5th Quadrant! They've managed to alter their webs to cover most of the ground! My movement has been disrupted!"
"Darn it!" Applejack growled before immediately biting on the webs, trying to rip them off.
"Disgusting!" Rarity squealed, wishing to prance on the spot because of this uncomfortable feeling. But that was impossible with how her hooves were stuck. She was even more disturbed by how Applejack instinctively bit into the webs. "Applejack, don't bite into it!"
"Tile? Sceptile!" Sceptile would quickly swing back to the group since he was ahead of them. Attempting to save them, Sceptile would hold out his other arm, sending a second vine out. He would need to wrap each of them around Applejack and the others, using all the strength he can muster to pull them up.
If he could get the chance.
Another Despair Plant showed up, immediately cutting the vines that Sceptile had made. Specifically, the one from the tree and this was done by one of the Triantis. With its powerful and sharp claws, it easily sliced the vines off, making Sceptile lose his balance immediately. "T-Tile!"
Dropping to the ground, Sceptile would also come across the webs. And unfortunately, he got the worst out of everyone here. By dropping into the webs, he landed flat on his face, ending up in the worst position.
"This is a problem..." Galaxy Master uttered as his group would soon be surrounded by Despair Plants. From many Arachnorchids to the single Triantis that showed up.
"Jokes on them...I can still do this!" Even when restrained, Rarity could still do something. This was thanks to her magic and the benefit of being a unicorn. With her magic, she would telekinetically grab one of the Poke Balls from her bag.
"Wait, Rarity!" Galaxy Master immediately stopped her once one of the Poke Balls had been taken out. "If you send a Pokemon out, the webs will still be an issue to overcome, unless you have someone who can fly, levitate or any of the sort."
"R-Right...I don't exactly have someone like that." Rarity soon realized that any of her Pokemon would be trapped in the webs if they were sent out. "Applejack?"
"Don't look at me." But Applejack certainly couldn't fulfil that role either. All of her Pokemon were ground-based. Especially the Golett.
"But there is this. Hmmm...!" Galaxy Master already had a solution. Immediately, he would flare his body with the colours of a galaxy, seemingly unleashing another light show. If so, this was the worst time for a light show, especially with how the Triantis and Arachnorchids would strike while the iron was hot. Webs were sent their way, attempting to restrain the group even more. And with Triantis, those sharp claws could cause some devastating damage with seemingly no one to protect them from it.
"Pika...Pikachu!" To buy them some time, Pikachu would use Thunderbolt, unleashing a discharge of lightning from his body. It would defend against some of the webs, either knocking them off course of destroying them. The Triantis would jump back upon seeing one of these frantic volts fly in its direction.
"Excellent work, my yellow friend! Now it's my turn!" The light around galaxy Master would not only intensify, but it would also heat up. Applejack and the others suddenly felt an increase of heat in the atmosphere unexpectedly. Since it was nighttime, this shouldn't be possible at all, especially when they were this high up.
But it was. With Galaxy Master, almost anything was possible. With his light, he was starting to melt away the webs that restrained him and his allies, having the perfect counter. Rarity could feel herself gaining more control over herself as the webs were tearing apart. She immediately raised her hoof, feeling lighter. Applejack was able to move freely soon as well, having no need to bite into the webs. Not like it was that efficient in the first place.
"The heat of a galaxy did the trick. Now for our retaliation!" Galaxy Master revealed that he utilized the heat of a galaxy to his advantage and it worked out perfectly. Everything about him had to do with space and that already brought all kinds of advantages. "Ladies. If you will."
"Gladly." Rarity smiled, finally having the chance to use her Poke Ball. "Come out, Pheromosa!"
"Pheromosa!" Emerging into the scene without worrying about any webs was Pheromosa. The Lissome Pokemon stuck a stylish landing upon showing up.
"Now...I'm counting on Potion Nova's potions to slow this garden's growth down." Galaxy Master said to himself, bringing up Potion Nova, who did show up with him. However, both were not in the same area.
Far from the Despair Plant Garden and the Sea Temple.
While the events at the Despair Plant Garden continued, approaching here was the Dread League. Under the orders of the Lich Queen Rosa Maledicta, they were tasked with keeping the garden active while stopping those who would dare put an end to its growth.
Moving through the skies were a handful of vampires, sent here by Fractured Note. And among them was none other than Ebony Rhyme, alongside her good friend Fantina. But they weren't exactly flying like the other vampires. Ebony Rhyme couldn't use her wings at all and Fantina certainly wasn't a vampire.
The only way for them to travel was by a Hot Air Balloon. But this balloon had its differences from a standard one. Powering this balloon was a flare of spectral fire as it moved across the skies at an impressive pace. Just as impressive as the vampires, even if it was right behind them.
"This reminds me of my Driflbim! This feels wonderful!" Fantina was already enjoying herself within the hot air balloon as it did share some similarities with Drifblim. Mainly due to the spectral flames that were being used to power it. This was Fantina's first time out of Magehold at last and yet, it was still in Equestria. She had yet to show up at any Pokemon Region, especially not Sinnoh. But in this case, with how the worlds have united, Equestria might as well be a Pokemon Region.
Ebony Rhyme also showed up outside of Magehold for the first time as well, having a box of potions by her side. However, while Fantina was taking in the fresh air, flying through the night sky in this hot air balloon, Ebony Rhyme was way too focused on something. Something that blew her back.
Ebony Rhyme knew something truly crucial and involved Fractured Note himself. The revelation that he was the first Lich King blew her back and still had an effect on her mind even after leaving Magehold. But before she came on this blimp, she her conversation with the former rule did not stop there.
1 Hour Ago. Magehold.
"You're the first Lich King?! Seriously?!" Ebony Rhyme was at her loudest. And for a good reason. To any vampire, this would be shocking. Sitting in front of her was the one who started this line of Liches.
"Seriously. And the current Lich Queen doesn't know that. No one does. Only you, Ebony. And with my former status, I kept some of my old magic with me, as seen by my concealment shadows. Similar to that potion you made. And much like that potion, it doesn't last as long as it used to when I was in my original body."
"Did you reincarnate on purpose or...?"
"I did. This isn't something fate or the universe decided. I chose to reincarnate myself. My last trick before my passing." Fractured Note uttered. "Reincarnating myself as someone else was rather odd, especially since my sisters are Opal Vivacity and Merry Dread. One is more pleasant than the other, I'm sure you can tell. And now that you know, what do you make of this? Especially with everything I've told you."
"You...If you started it all, then you're here to take back your throne right? Is that why you're being like this?" Ebony Rhyme theorized on why the Lich Queen's loyal servant was being rather supportive of Fantina and Ebony as of recently.
"My time is up. I'd rather not take my throne again. Truth be told, there shouldn't be a Lich Queen. And there should've never been any previous Lich Kings or Queens. I'm simply focusing on ending the line of the Lich."
"But weren't you the first one? Why would you want to end it all of a sudden?"
"I was the first Lich King yes. But I never expected this legacy of Liches to turn out like this. When I passed on, I left behind a shred of my magic which would permeate the land of Magehold. A last-ditch effort to spread my influence. You're aware of the Lich Cycle, aren't you?"
"Yes. When one Lich finishes ruling, another will take their place with the influence of the magic within Magehold. That's how it's always been."
"That's right. I started that influence but something happened. Something got to my magic and twisted it, changing its original purpose. I'm not sure what caused this, but it started forming dark thoughts within those who had either been shunned, rejected or denied by many others. And I knew this. I made that magic to gave them confidence. Magehold was never meant to be just exclusive to vampires and skeletons. Truthfully, any species would've been free to enter."
"Oh..." Ebony Rhyme sat down as now she was fully invested. This former king that had been reincarnated had a lot to share.
"Much like the rest of Equestria, it was supposed to be fully known to everyone and loved. That was my goal as king. In fact, it's how I became a Lich Pony."
"A Lich Pony? Hold on. I thought a Lich was a title. It's a species?"
"And a rare one at that. Liches are powerful ponies skilled in necromancy and are in pursuit of true immortality. Unlike zombies which are often depicted as mindless, liches are very much sentient revenants retaining their previous intelligence and magical abilities. Liches are often depicted as holding power over lesser mindless undead soldiers and servants. I'm not the first ever Lich but I was the first Lich King, even if I didn't rule over any other liches. A Lich only comes into existence by will itself. And with my dream, I wanted to make sure I could live it out and I didn't have much time left in this world. So, I searched for immortality and became a Lich."
"If there are others out there like you...where are they?"
"Don't worry about that. What you should worry about is the Lich Queen. She may not look undead, but she is. When becoming a lich, your soul is essentially tied to Magehold. She is no longer a regular pony. One might even argue she's not even among the living anymore. It's a horrific cycle that completely changes the life of the pony who comes across this flow of magic. It was meant to encourage those who were down and show them that they still have a future, but that never came to fruition. Rosa Maledicta is another example of that."
"So all of their souls are in Magehold?" Ebony Rhyme looked down as the souls of the previous Liches were present. This was already known to many due to how the Lich Cycle works.
"But it looks like the cycle has taken a liking to Rosa. More than any of the previous rulers. Because of her involvement with Dark Magic, when she showed up here, the magic favoured Rosa greatly, unlocking her true potential. I can safely say she is the best Lich thus far. But it also confirmed to me that whatever messed with my magic is also responsible for the Lich Queen and other previous Liches wishing to destroy all life. It's the complete opposite of what it was meant to be. But that's when Fantina showed up."
"Fantina? What did she do? Did she get hit by the magic as well?!" Ebony Rhyme gasped, fearing that her good friend was affected.
"Well..." Fractured Note smiled before giving these rather reassuring words. "I can say that she put a wrench in it. When Fantina showed up to Magehold, a part of my original magic's true purpose awoken. The arrival of a human shook things up without a doubt. I was also pleasantly surprised by this when I learned about her arrival. That's the only positive thing Rosa Maledicta has done for this place, honestly. The remainder of my magic's true part was crying out when Fantina arrived, knowing there was another chance. Fantina is our one hope. Our hope to restore Magehold for what it truly was meant to be."
"Seriously? Fantina can do all of that?"
"Well, not by herself but she's certainly a key player in all of this. Fantina shouldn't be here...Her mind has been affected by the Lich Queen and so are most of her memories. And yet, she chooses to stay here despite what she's faced with. She smiles through it all and brings joy. Even if it was for the children for the longest, the fashion show only elevated it."
"Hm. She did." Ebony Rhyme greatly agreed with that notion. Fantina did leave quite an impact on this place. Especially on Ebony Rhyme herself.
"I know she had an impact on you. The Cherry Blossom Tree of that Heavenly Maiden and the presence of her Pokemon only help that. I would've expected the Pokemon that Opal Vivacity brought over to awaken that part of my magic but it wasn't enough. Fantina was the one to give it that push, truly. Listen, Ebony. I need you to work with me. In absolute secrecy at all times, away from the Lich Queen."
"I-I understand, your majesty."
"Just call me Fractured." He preferred his current name. He was no longer the King after all. "You must free Fantina from the Lich Queen's control one day. My ultimate plan is to put an end to Rosa Maledicta's reign...and the Lich Cycle in its entirety. I've been working on this for centuries ever since my reincarnation and this current millennium seems like the breaking point. With everyone going on in the world, there's a huge chance we can succeed."
"But you're still powerful, right? You used to be the previous ruler." Ebony leaned forward, believing Fractured Note to have magic that was close to Rosa Maledicta's level.
"I am. But not anywhere near what Rosa Maledicta can do. The previous Liches were also terrifyingly powerful for me to do anything yet. So all I had to do was wait and be their loyal servant. And to keep that loyalty...that is why you must go to the Despair Plant Garden. Cause as much trouble as you can...but perhaps not for Fantina. The enemies there aren't exactly the kind she would want to go up against."
"Then...what should I do?"
"I have another solution for that. There's one vampire pony I can count on. I'll have you take her with only you knowing about it. She will act as a threat to those in the garden and to an extent the other vampires. Use your potions as well. I know they can do wonders."
"Got it. I'll do my best, your maje- Fractured." She corrected herself. Fractured Note would then give an approving nod, feeling like he chose the right pony for this.
"Excellent. I knew I could trust you. You're different from the others and that's what makes you special. Honestly, you're the type of pony that my magic was meant for in the beginning. Now, hurry. The Lich Queen will wake up so you must be quick." Fractured Note would then disappear into the shadows once more, saying his last words and exiting Ebony Rhyme's home.
"Wait! There's still so much I want to ask!" But that was all she got to hear for the night. And it was a lot to take in.
Current day.
Remembering it all, Ebony Rhyme had a lot to accomplish. Taking it all in, the potion maker was now a part of a massive plan to put an end to the Lich Cycle and by extension, help those who went against the Lich Queen. But really, it was for Fantina, who Ebony Rhyme was close with.
Up ahead, the Despair Plant Garden was seen. At least, they were nearby as the vampires started cackling with bright grins on their faces, excited to start causing some chaos once they get there. "Hurry up before they ruin it!" A vampire yelled, accelerating through the skies to try and get there faster.
"You're not the ones that'll stand in their way though..." Ebony Rhyme quietly said to herself before looking back at her box of potions. "It'll be her. Not you." The one Fractured Note spoke about was being referred to. And yet, she was nowhere to be found seemingly.
Not a sight of this mysterious pony at all. But Ebony Rhyme would still carry out this secret mission for the former Lich King and more importantly, for her former friend.
As the journey continues.
Chapter 72 End.