//------------------------------// // Galactic Arrival! The Weakness to Invincibility // Story: My Little Pokémon: Grander World // by Amarvax //------------------------------// Equestria. Magehold. Magehold Chamber. Day. "G-Galaxy Master...Mr Ketchum!" A mournful Twilight exclaimed as a Ray of Hope had entered the scene. Galaxy Master had arrived. And his arrival was done by none other than the Rift itself. Emerald Aura's sacrifice did not go to waste. Not in the slightest. Despite it all, the Rift heard her cries and brought possibly the greatest Counter Measure to the Dread League's Dark Magic possible as seen by how Triphyophyllum took damage. A smile would slowly come back to Twilight's face, knowing that Emerald's wish came true. It was equally surprising that the Rift actually listened and got involved in some way. Granted, the actual Rift wasn't here but it did send an incredibly powerful ally. "N-No way he showed up?!" Opal Vivacity gasped. Fear appeared in her eyes once Galaxy Master, of all people, made his appearance. "In here too?!" "It's been a while, Galaxy Master. I was waiting for you to do something during the Black Crusade," said Rosa Maledicta. "The Lich Queen, Rosa Maledicta. I wish I had stopped your plans as soon as possible. Now's my chance to do that before it worsens. I've already been across different regions and places, stopping your horrible Crusade." "Tch. I wish you weren't in Magehold at all. This creates new problems. But at least you showed up to where I am so that removes the hassle." "So you already have Yveltal under your control, I see." Galaxy Master faced the Destruction Pokemon. "Your foolish plan to snuff out all life in existence knows no limit." "And there's no limit to what I can do. All of this? This is nothing compared to what I'm capable of." Rosa smiled as she had no intention of slowing down. She had come this far and it would be a waste. "You're just looking at baby steps of what the Black Crusade can truly bring." "Is that why the friend of my Son is in such a weak state?" The anger in Galaxy Master's voice could be heard. It was rare to hear him angry. In fact, he's never been angry minus that time his body was possessed and stolen by the Rift. All of this and what the Rift itself had shared with him struck something within the Fictional Character. "G-Galaxy...Everyone's trapped inside the Chamber. T-They-" Twilight stumbled and stuttered on her words, still feeling the shock of it all. "It's alright, princess. You do what you must. Destroy those pillars and save your friends. You'll have my protection near or far." He turned his head as he and Pikachu gave a reassuring thumbs up. "Pikachu!" "You're not going anywhere with her!" Opal stepped up, already prepared to intervene as she had Triphyophyllum behind her as backup. "Destroy him, Triphyophyllum!" "Hm?" Galaxy Master then turned his head before holding his hand out. From his hand, the golden light would appear, transforming into the shape of a Galaxy. "Galaxy Flash!" This Galaxy-Shaped light would meet with the darkness that Triphyophyllum unleashed, catching it in mere seconds. The darkness from Despair Plant Triphyophyllum was immediately blown back by Galaxy Master's powerful flash. Opal, as always, would hiss and further distance herself away from Galaxy Master's light. The Galaxy Flash, after obliterating the darkness, would expand, not stopping for a second. Rosa Maledicta's eyes widened as she would retaliate, sending Dark Magic his way. She immediately countered his Light, resulting in a powerful clash of Light and Dark. The room, which had already been greatly damaged, could shake violently, eradicating all nearby rubble. The two attacks looked otherworldly the way they clashed, captivating Twilight's eyes when seeing these two great powers collide. The light from Galaxy Master travelled far enough to reach the other floors and rooms while the darkness of Rosa Maledicta would do the same, keeping up with his light. The two forces would disperse but immediately after that, Galaxy Master would swipe his arm, forming a wave of light that would cleave the ground in front of Rosa and Opal. All it took was Rosa Maledicta using her thorns to form a thick shield which blocked the light. However, even though the light was stopped, it still ended up damaging the thorns. The Light of Galaxy Master, which was an extension of Arceus' Light, was strong enough to damage the thorns, burning some of them away. This was not a surprise to Rosa Maledicta. She already knew this ever since her Roots were damaged back at Mount Coronet. "I can't stay here forever with him." Rosa kissed her teeth out of annoyance. "I have some lives to take from within. The entirety of the Dread League will deal with you until I'm done." Just as she said that, slithering into the scene from all the destroyed parts of this once tidy room were other Despair Plants. The Despair Plant Cobras would slither in and Arachnorchids would crawl on the walls. Cordyceps, Triantis, Scorpio, Pteranthes and more would emerge, closing in on this room. "Really? It's a good thing that no matter where I am..." Galaxy Master held out his hands, summoning multiple rays of light that pierced through the chamber, landing next to him and in front of Twilight Sparkle and her Pokemon. Emerging from these rays of light were none other than Galaxy Master's Pokemon. "My wonderful friends are with me too! Go. Twilight. My Pokemon will do their best to give you enough time." "O-Okay! Thank you so much!" Twilight thanked him from the bottom of her heart, wiping her tears away before jetting off with Espeon, Absol and Cinccino. "You're not getting away!" Opal refused to let Twilight go, immediately leaving the room to try and pursue her. Very soon, a brawl between Galaxy Master's Pokemon and the Despair Plants would break out as Rosa Maledicta would also depart from this room, choosing not to stick around here any longer. Within the Despair Plant. Already, they were working to find a way out of here. And there was only one way of making that happen. Fractured Note had used his magic within the Despair Plant, tapping into his latent Lich Power which he once had when he was King Greyvine. Even though he had been reincarnated, magic from his Old Lich Self still remained. Not much, but enough. His magic would flare across the dark verdant land, connecting to the spirits from beyond. And these spirits could be found even within the Despair Plant itself as a spectral light was flowing from the ground and even from the air itself, letting out ominous whispers. And the one to speak with the spirits would be Delta Riolu. The Embalming Pokemon. Out of any Pokemon here, he had the biggest connection with the Afterlife. It was up to him and with some help from Lucario, to speak with the spirits and solve this problem, much like what Somnambula once did. Right before everyone's eyes, they saw spirits appearing in an astral form. This was similar to the spirits that exist in the meteors found in Meteor Mountain. Spirits of ponies. But they did not resemble vampires. Not in the slightest. "Are those...Vampires who became Skeletons?" Rarity gasped. "I don't see any part that looks like a vampire though." "No. These are all ponies from long ago who have long since passed. The skeletons that exist in Magehold belonged to these spirits. Their spirits and bodies are now separated from each other thanks to the Lich Kings and Queens. Each one went across the world, resurrecting the bodies of ponies and gathering an army of skeletons." Fractured Note gasped. "Why have you called us here, Greyvine?" The spirits spoke, bringing up Fractured Note's original name. "Sorry about this. I know you're all upset. Gravely upset." "Beyond upset." All the spirits collectively said. Their rage was shown by how their light blue appearances suddenly turned red. The area even started shaking in response to their building rage. "Our bodies are still being used by the Dread League to this day. We've all been robbed of a peaceful life. Each generation of pony that wishes to sleep peacefully have not yet gotten that wish." "I understand. I promised that I would try and make it for you all. By returning your skeleton bodies to where they were and allowing your spirits to rest easily." Fractured Note lowered his head. "This might be that time at last now that the Black Crusade is in full swing." "Why did we have to wait for so long until the Black Crusade had begun? It is all the fault of the Lich King who came from Pegalysium. He started this ridiculous resurrection plan and laid the worst foundations for the Black Crusade." "There was a Lich King from Pegalysium?" Ash gasped as he and his friends now learned of another Lich King. One that came from Pegalysium originally. "Centuries we've been used to fuel Magehold against our will but our skeleton bodies act like nothing is wrong. We fuel the magic that allows the vampires to return here. We've even started fuelling the high durability of those accursed Despair Plants that the current Lich Queen holds." Their rage kept building as the verdant area kept shaking. Powerful bursts of magic would fly out of the ground, startling others as the skies above would crack green thunder. "Rio!" Before their rage could build any further, Riolu intervened. Delta Riolu would use his connection to the afterlife, sending a transmission of Aura to them. "Hm?" The spirits noticed Delta Riolu's aura, acknowledging him. Lucario would do the same, joining Delta Riolu and backing him up as they could connect to the spirits deeper than everyone else. It was almost physical. And by feeling it, the Spirits were calming down. The red energy around them would turn light blue once more, bringing them some solace. "This feeling...What is this?" "That's Aura." Ash stepped up. "Riolu and Lucario are already doing great calming you down." "Hold on. You're the reason why they're so tough? And that explosion thing is your doing?" Rainbow Dash questioned as the Spirits revealed some shocking information. It seemed that they were behind most of Magehold's greatest strengths. "It is. Unfortunately. Ever since we were brought back as skeletons, we were ordered to build the most powerful force to ever exist. The Lich King and Queens used us to strengthen their weapons, granting them high amounts of durability through each generation. They used the souls from our bodies to do so. The Despair Plants are the most recent example of it reaching nigh-perfection." "So the Despair Plants and those thorns and roots are all powered by souls? That's why they're so strong?" said Starlight. "It is. In their earlier stages, they were slightly stronger than average roots and vines. But as time went on, they grew stronger, and with each soul, their durability increased greatly. At this moment, they are so durable that they are almost indestructible. And any more will grant them True Invincibility." "So is that why she's going through with the Black Crusade? To build an indestructible force?" Radiant Hope spoke. "That is one of the reasons for the Black Crusade. Having an invincible force is greatly beneficial to anyone. And if she collects more souls after the Crusade is successful, she might reach that level of invincibility. However, recently, we've noticed that some of those souls have returned at last. Something got past their amazing durability." "You've got my friends to thank for that." Ash grinned, knowing why that was the case. His good friends were the cause for some of the Despair Plants being defeated, losing to the Light. "Pika-Pika!" "It was your group that is responsible for the souls returning? This strange group." The spirits closed in on Ash and his many friends, finding it hard to believe that this colourful cast of characters are responsible. "Yes. Believe it or not." Fractured Note confirmed. "So wait! If we free more souls, will the Despair Plants get weaker?" "That is correct. Once many souls are returned to where they rightfully were, the Despair Plants will grow weaker. They will lose their nigh-indestructible durability. As for the roots and thorns...you will have to face the Lich Queen herself for that." "So that's all we have to do. Take out the Despair Plants?" Rainbow Dash added. "And if we do it enough times, they won't be so tough to take out." "That is simple enough to understand." The Spirits confirmed. "Without the souls that inhabit them, they will be weakened. Greatly weakened." "We have to...?" Daisy didn't like the sound of that. This whole time, she's been calming down the Despair Plants, befriending them. "But..." "Sounds rough, I know, Daisy." Ash kneeled to face Daisy who was still slowly returning as a flower. "I know you don't wanna see them destroyed, but we also have to return those souls back. There's gotta be one way around this..." "You do not have to destroy them. You can simply take them out of the Despair Plants themselves." Thankfully, the Spirits already offered up an alternative, bringing a smile to Daisy's face after hearing that. "Of course, that involves entering them somehow. You are currently in a Despair Plant but you do not see a soul at all." "Yeah. Where is its soul? And how are we gonna take it out of a Despair Plant in the first place?" Ash pondered. "Maybe Dusknoir can do it? A lot of Ghost-Types know how to take souls. "Maybe Somnambula also found a way around this? We could try that Ghost thing actually." Pinkie Pie wondered. The whole thought of Ghost-Types being the answer wasn't bad at all. Many found it very likely that it could work now that they had this knowledge. "She somewhat did." The Spirits then unleashed some of their energy, using it to form something. In front of everyone's eyes, they would be graced with the image of the pony who was once in a similar situation as them. Somnambula. "So that's who the town is named after..." Fluttershy said as they all saw Somnambula for the first time. They've only heard of her during the Crystalling and know of a place that was named after her name. Now, they were seeing her appearance, even if it was done by spirits. "It was Somnambula who calmed us down in the beginning. And on top of that, she promised to free us all. She was the one who promised that she and her fellow ponies would help free our souls from this torture and we took her word on it and freed her from this captive space. Of course, that promise was never fulfilled. She betrayed us." "Betrayed you?" Ash repeated. "Yes. Somnambula helped Starswirl the Bearded figure this out. And it was Starswirl who returned the first few souls back to us long ago. He attempted to return all the souls that had been stolen but he stopped doing so all of a sudden." The spirits explained as their rage was building. We trusted them too. Very few of the souls were actually freed and nothing else happened afterwards. And since it has been centuries, Starswirl, Somnambula and all those ponies with them are long gone by now. They never returned for our souls and they never will." With their anger returning, explosions were starting to fly out of the earth itself, Remembering how Somnambula gave out that promise but never fulfilled it enraged the spirits who just wanted to rest peacefully without any interruptions. For centuries they've been like this so they were reasonably furious. "R-Rio!" Delta Riolu felt their rage as he got on one knee, trying to maintain his Aura. Lucario would experience this as well, feeling the raging Aura that came from the spirits. It was similar to what he felt back at Lapras Lake but even larger since these spirits were suffering for so long. "You may have freed some souls as well, but it's not enough. How do you intend to keep that promise when Somnambula and her friends failed to do the same?" The Spirits roared at Ash and his friends with their rage building up some more. "Hmph. Fools." Sombra smirked, grabbing the attention of the Spirits. "Do you honestly think they just forgot about you?" "Hey. S-Sombra." Radiant Hope stuttered, hoping that Sombra wouldn't anger these spirits any further. They were already destructive and enraged about the past. "They're gone because they were dealing with something else. I know what it is because I am an Umbrum. The Pony of Shadows is the answer to why they never finished what you wished for them to do. Plus, the fact that they just disappeared all of a sudden is proof that they were caught up in something." "Is that so? The Pony of Shadows?" The Spirits replied. "And believe me, this boy and his friends are persistent. They've accomplished more than what Starswirl and Somnambula have accomplished and then some. With their numbers, they all have the means to free your souls faster than Starswirl ever could." Sombra backed Ash and his friends up, refusing to let the Spirits underestimate them. If you wish to have your souls brought back, put your faith in them just as I did. And do not count out the ponies who never returned for you. They're out there somewhere...but not in their usual states." "We'll get your souls back. And it's gonna happen during the Black Crusade." Ash added. "We'll take out those souls. And we won't destroy the Despair Plants, Daisy. Paradise. Since that's what you want." "L-Love to hear it..."Paradise chuckled lightly as her eye was already a flower. "Very well. If you wish to remove the souls, you might have to search for some of his lost spells. The power to remove Souls was something he never wished to complete or look into any further. "Yeah. If we can find Starswirl." Rainbow Dash sighed. "Nopony knows where he is since he just up and vanished. I say we go for the Ghost-Type approach instead of wasting time with that. "We will free you from the Despair Plant. We are counting on you to fulfil that promise that was never finished. Bring us peace at last." "What's this I hear about freeing them?" Suddenly, the voice of the most terrifying pony they've met yet entered the area, reaching everyone's ears. They knew that voice very well. It belonged to the Lich Queen. And upon hearing it, Fractured Note saw this as his time to leave. "That's my cue..." He quietly said before backing up slowly, exiting this area as his body dissolved into black particles. He was gone before the Lich Queen could ever see him. "The Lich Queen!" The Spirits all gasped, showing genuine fear. Their rage was no longer there since the Lich Queen only instilled fear into them. "You're not freeing them. Not until I take their lives and their souls." Rosa approached menacingly as everyone here was immediately at the ready, prepared to face the Lich Queen, who was currently with Yveltal. "Just like how the previous Liches took yours. Eventually, every soul in existence will be mine and I will have the most unstoppable force in existence. No world. No reality. And no universe will stop my Black Crusade. This is merely the first crusade." "T-That's not true!" Flurry Heart suddenly spoke up. "In one universe, Auntie Daybreaker beat you! You can be stopped!" "That universe lacked the same oomph this one has. Every possible advantage is at my disposal." Rosa shrugged off Older Flurry Heart's words, boosting her own confidence. "Rrr?" Just then, while growling at the Lich Queen, both Lucario and Delta Riolu heard something. An Aura came through. One that was Dark. They felt the darkness from this Aura, assuming it was coming from Rosa Maledicta. But instead, this Dark Aura, wasn't so dark at all. Instead, there was something else within it. The two Pokemon of similar species then shifted their attention to Yveltal. The Aura was coming from Yveltal. It was sending a pulse towards the two Pokemon who were closely connected to Aura, giving them a message. But it wasn't a message at all. It was actually a cry. A painful and saddened cry that was on par with what the Spirits were feeling. And since Lucario and Delta Riolu heard it, Ash and Applejack soon received it via Aura Transfer. They each heard the words that Yveltal said. "Please...Help...Me..." Yveltal was pleading for help. "Yveltal..." Ash uttered. He already knew Yveltal was doing this against his own will, but his cry for help only solidified that. Yveltal did not wish to do this. He already took the lives of innocents and now his power was about to be used in the worst way possible. "Line up all of you. It's time for your execution." The Lich Queen ordered, intimidating some of the Pokemon here with her mere presence and words alone. "We will free you from this place. And we will try and keep the Lich Queen occupied." Suddenly, the Spirits all moved forward, getting in front of Ash and his friends as they chose to defend them. "Don't you dare. You know for a fact if you do such a thing...I'll just destroy your souls. That way, your spirits will never rest." Rosa threatened them. "You have no choice but to listen to me, otherwise you will be forever bound to eternal suffering with no chance of relief or peace." "We have put our faith in this group to rectify that. For too long you and the previous Lich Rulers have kept us as weapons. Not anymore. You will the be final Lich Ruler." The Spirits stood up for themselves, refusing to let the Lich Queen ruin their lives any longer. Their lives were already long gone and all they needed was peace. Together, the Spirits unified their power, sending out a grandiose spectral flash that would rapidly move across the entire area. Rosa Maledicta put her hooves up, squinting at this sight that was almost blinding. All the green here was completely overlayed by the light blue spectral lights as they would greatly affect Ash's group more than anything. They felt something happening to them. It was similar to what the Despair Plant did to them but there was an opposite effect. It felt wonderful to them. Ash smiled, knowing his friends were about to return to the outside world. But they would still be inside the Chamber. Back at the chamber, Twilight was heading for the Necropillars first. And backing her up were Galaxy Master's Pokemon, Right beside here were multiple Tauros that were charging forward at full force, using Light Energy as their main weapon which surrounded their horns. And this was very beneficial as they could greatly damage the Despair Plants. And it worked well on vampires too. Twilight was mainly staying away from conflict, only focusing on the Necropillars while the Pokemon of Galaxy Master paved the way for her. "Snorlax!" A Snorlax would charge through the Vampires and Despair Plants, followed by a Donphan doing the same but by spinning as fast as it could. "Don-Don-Donphan!" "Noivern!" From above, Noivern would use Boomburst, knocking down some of the Despair Plants that made themselves airborne while also damaging the ears of some vampires. "There it is! Those must be the Necropillars!" At last, she saw them. The Necropillars. They were still in one piece, untouched by this battle. But expecting Twilight here were the vampires. Especially Opal Vivacity, who already appeared there. "That's as far as you go, Twilight Sparkle!" Opal shouted, standing in front of the Necropillars with multiple Despair Plants and vampires at the ready. But Twilight had numbers on her side as well thanks to the Taurous and her own Pokemon. "You're in my way! Move! And take my teacher's cape off you at once!" Twilight yelled, letting out her anger. But with no Horizon Storm, that part of her did not emerge. She would then use the Rift Magic within her, unleashing it as a massive beam. In response, Opal Vivacity would unleash a Dark Beam that matched Twilight's in size, engaging in a clash. Twilight attempted charging ahead while shooting her magic, attempting to overpower Opal Vivacity. However, Opal stood strong, not moving from her spot. She had a larger magic output than Twilight at the moment thanks to Twilight being weakened. "You're not reaching these pillars! Not for a moment!" Opal Vivacity roared as she was actually starting to move. But it was forward instead of backwards as she was starting to overpower Twilight. "I-I'm not strong enough right now...Tauros!" Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs. "Tauros!" Twilight was counting on the Tauros and they heard her loud and clear. They would speed up, targeting the room where the Necropillas could be found. A stampede of Taurous came barging in, shaking the rooms nearby, especially the room where the Necropillars were plastered. The vampires attempted to defend the room, placing Dark Magic around it. A veil of Dark Magic would envelop the room, creating multiple layers. Twilight's magic was almost cut off because of the arrival of more Dark Magic, causing her to struggle even more. The Princess of Friendship couldn't properly manage in her current state, but that's why she had so many friends on her side. Even when so many of them were gone, more would stick around. "Ab...Sol!" Such as Absol, Cinccino and Espeon. The Disaster Pokemon would use Giga Impact, throwing himself at the Dark Barrier while Espeon used Dazzling Gleam, sending multiple rainbow rays out. Cinccino used her most powerful attack. Thunder. A powerful blast of lightning flew next to Absol and the rainbow rays, hitting the barrier. But that wasn't the end of it. The Tauros were about to get in on the action, ready to smash their heads against the Dark Veil. If all these Tauros charge in, noticeable damage will be done. "It's pointless! So as long as I have my Fate-Changing abilities, you can't win!" Opal laughed, taunting Twilight. "Give it up, princess!" "Emerald was the one who said this...That power comes from the Rift itself...And it can nullify it!" Twilight bellowed, trying to add more power to her Rift Magic. "Yeah! If you can reach me that is!" Opal continued to taunt her, proving to be stronger in this instance as she was about to take a chunk of her mane out. "It's over!" "Gen...!" Except it wasn't. Phasing through the walls and even the Dark Magic, ignoring it completely with intangibility was none other than Galaxy Master's Gengar. It flew through the walls, entering the room with the Necropillars with ease. Opal gasped as her eyes spotted the Shadow Pokemon making the best possible entrance. "Gar!" And with all of his might, Gengar used Dazzling Gleam, unleashing a powerful flash from his body that immediately stun and blind the vampires. On top of that, he would also attack the Necropillars, hitting them with some rainbow rays in the process. Opal's concentration was thrown off focus thanks to Gengar's interruption, allowing Twilight to take back control. Seeing the opening Gengar made for her, Twilight would make her beam blaze through Opal's, defeating it. But the beam didn't stop there. It went further, targeting the Necropillars. And with all the vampires stunned, trying to recover from Gengar's light, they were too late to stop it. The Tauros would successfully break through the walls, destroying the Dark Magic with their combined might and blowing chunks of the walls away. Now that they were in, it was straight for the pillars with no detours or any time to slow down. "Noooooo!" Opal screamed as the Tauros, the three Pokemon moves and Twilight's Magic all struck the Necropillars. They were shattered, obliterated, broken apart and toppled over by them, taking heavy hits. Even though Twilight's was the weakest, she still managed to leave an impact thanks to the Rift Magic. And using that to take down the Necropillars felt like Emerald Aura helped out as well. The Necropillars have been destroyed. All of them. Their final moments were letting out huge heaps of magic that they had taken, letting them fly out in a powerful explosion. No longer were they connected. And no longer did they shut down the magic of all Equestrians. Twilight grinned while Opal grimaced. The Power Balance was returning. No longer was one side superior. Now, both sides had their best at their disposal. "W-We...Did it.!" Twilight said with happiness, feeling her Equestrian Magic return to her. But that didn't mean she didn't fall over, sliding on the ground after galloping as fast as she could. But the deed had been done either way. The Necropillars were destroyed at last. But that was only the only ray of hope that would show up. From the walls of the chamber, those that were once trapped found a way out. And it was thanks to the spirits. Light was beginning to pour off the walls and ground of the chamber as extra help for Twilight Sparkle was on the way. Ash and everyone were about to reappear as Ash's arm could be seen emerging from the walls. Opal Vivacity was in disbelief. It seemed like everything was starting to fall apart very quickly. The moment Galaxy Master showed up, everything started to change. The tides of this fierce struggle were changing once more as the main method of weakening Equestria had been cancelled out. But this was not yet over. Not when the Lich Queen remained and Yveltal's suffering continues. However, all of that would be tackled by those who had a new goal in mind. Freeing the souls which would weaken many of their strengths and finishing the Black Crusade once and for all. As the journey continues. Chapter 179 End.