My Little Pokémon: Grander World

by Amarvax

Ash vs Rosa Maledcita! The Past of the Shadow

Equestria. Ponyville. On the Nation of Magehold. The Lich Queen's Throne Room. Day.

"Ash Ketchum." Rosa Maledicta spoke as lightning cracked in the sky, blasting away parts of the roof. She stood before Ash Ketchum and his Pokemon who broke into her throne room. There, he met up with the Lich Queen and the Pony of Shadows. He didn't have much of a floor to stand on since a majority of it has been obliterated.

The outside was exposed as the cold winds of Ponyville which had only been formed because of the Dread League blew over, making the mane of the Lich Queen flow elegantly along with Ash's jacket.

"You shouldn't have made it this far yet here you are. For someone like Celestia and Luna, I'd expect no less from them." Rosa tried giving Ash a compliment but compared to the Royal Sisters, there wasn't much.

"You'll show some respect to the King of the Sea, Lich Queen." Backing up Ash was King Sombra who emerged from the shadows, blending it perfectly. "He's the one who owns a majority of the world. The world you're trying to destroy with your mindless crusade."

"Sombra? Why are you helping him?" The Pony of Shadows, who had a connection to the Umbrum, noticed Sombra standing next to Ash. so casually. "You're siding with this Human?"

"I'd side with him at any time if it means opposing your plan. Besides, how can my plans advance if you destroy all life? As an Umbrum, I'd rather be disappointed in you, Pony of Shadows. You and the Darkness. To think that the Darkness would stoop this low to support the Black Crusade."

"It promised me great power. I had to become greater than Starswirl and the Pillars. They aren't heroes in my eyes. In fact, Equestria and the whole world has no need for heroes. And the one that stands before me will be the Final Hero." He looked over at Ash.

Ash looked back at him, showing no fear in the face of such a dark foe. He wouldn't be lying if he said he's seen darker and far more intimidating. But to Ash, there was no opponent too intimidating that he wouldn't try and tackle. The Pony of Shadows scowled, trying to find something dark within Ash, but he couldn't get past his strong Aura.

"Hmph. So be it. I will deal with the two sisters and their Pokemon. I will make sure they turn to the shadows." The Pony of Shadows said.

"Speaking of which...You're too late, Ash. Soon, Celestia and Luna will turn to the other side, which will make it easier to steal their lifespans from them." Rosa Maledicta smirked.

"Celestia and Luna will be fine," said Ash, confident in his friends. "All I gotta do is handle you. Pretty much it! Let's finish what we started back in the sky!" He tightened his gloves, ready to battle the Lich Queen a second time.

"Hoh? My, you're confident. Even after everything that has transpired, you're keeping that look on your face as if everything will be alright. But can you be so sure when you know what's coming?" Rosa questioned. "Just the end of Yveltal's life means my goal will be complete. And honestly, anything destructive enough to shake Magehold in its entirety will be enough."

"As if that's gonna happen. Yveltal's gonna be just fine. And even if the worst happens, it'll all turn out right!"

"Seriously? If that's what you think, then fine." Rosa was a bit baffled by Ash's bold optimism. It almost sounded like there was more he knew that Rosa couldn't figure out. "For you, Ash Ketchum...I'll grace you with the full extent of a Lich. And that is by embracing the shadows!"

Suddenly, all of the shadows that filled up the room would gravitate towards Rosa Maledicta as she spread her hooves out, embracing all of them. Ash and the others felt the darkness intensify as a powerful eruption of shadows happened around the Lich Queen.

Within the shadows, Rosa Maledicta was beginning to change. Her hair was darkening, turning jet black and rising up, much like how Ash does when he and Sombra became one during the early stages of the Black Crusade. Her eyes were blacked out, similar to how Daybreaker and even Nightmare Moon appear, as only her pupils retained some colour. And that colour was gold as opposed to the pink eyes she once had. Her horn sharpened as well from this transformation, gaining an angular appearance as she was almost appearing unlike her original form.

She had taken on what was apparently the True Form of a Lich and by embracing the shadows, she reached it, walking out of the shadows. And yet, parts of Rosa Maledicta were still noticeable.

"Behold!" She exclaimed as her voice now had a permanent echo effect to it. "I am the Absolute Ruler of Magehold and soon the world and beyond!"

"I'll support you from within, boy." Sombra would suddenly revert to his shadow form, re-entering Ash. "Most of it is up to you."

"Got it." Ash nodded in understanding, holding onto his hat after this powerful echo came through.

"Come, Ash Ketchum! Let this be where it ends!"

"You got it! Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika...Chuuuu!" Starting off strong was Pikachu with Thunderbolt as leapt into the air, knowing that there was barely a floor left. From his body, a fierce 100,000 volts came crashing out, approaching the Lich Queen.

From her horn, she returned the favour by summoning out black lightning. The black lightning and golden lightning met, forming a powerful thunder crack for many to hear. However, the black lightning would add the Thunderbolt to it, darkening the attack and turning it against Pikachu.

"Pi!" Pikachu moved back, narrowly avoiding the Dark Thunderbolt that nearly got him. And it would've been devastating as it obliterated a large chunk of the wall nearby upon making contact.

"Force Palm! Dragon Claw!"

"Luca!" Along came Lucario and Dragonite, ready to get physical. And so was the Lich Queen. She would levitate, flying over the destroyed floor as Lucario hopped on Dragonite's back to stay airborne. She then summoned both her roots and thorns, springing them into action.

Force Palm and Dragon Claw met with the plants along with a close-range blast of Dark Magic from the Lich Queen. Lightning of different colours went off in the blink of an eye before sending bright shockwaves that were filled with each respective energy, going in two different directions. However, the dark shockwave moved forward, blowing Lucario and Dragonite away but in return, they shattered the roots from all of that pressure.

"Fury Cutter! Shadow Ball!"

"Sir!" Sirfetch'd would hop on Gengar's back as the SHadow Pokemon boosted the Wild Duck Pokemon through the air, still minding the large hole that was beneath them all. Shadow Ball was thrown forward which prompted Rosa Maledicta to grab them with her roots. The roots would crush the Shadow Ball when catching it, only for Sirfetch'd to slash through them. He cut the roots in half, swinging his leek continuously to try and reach the Lich Queen.

The thorns would meet with Sirfetch'd's leek, wrapping around it the second it went for another Fury Cutter. Sirfetch'd and his leek were both thrown down to the floor below the throne room that was greatly exposed as the Wild Duck Pokemon screamed on the way down.

"Gen!" Gengar would quickly try and follow him, zipping down as fast as he could while also having roots pursue him.

"Water Gun!"

"Dracovish!" Dracovish intercepted the roots that chased down Gengar, pushing them aside with a powerful stream while giving the Shadow Pokemon enough time to catch his teammate. The roots struck the walls on the other floor before flying over to Ash, continuing their assault.

"Dragon Claw and Iron Tail!"

"Chu...Pika!" Pikachu would lunge forward, approaching these roots with a hardened steel tail as he was joined by Dragonite. The two of them cut through the roots that tried reaching, powering their way through while approaching the Lich Queen.

Rosa Maledicta smiled as she teleported elsewhere, causing Pikachu and Dragonite to miss as the Mouse Pokemon landed on the smallest bit of floor that there was in this decaying throne room. And when teleporting, Ros Maledicta appeared behind Ash, aiming to take him out immediately. Ash gasped, sensing that the Lich Queen was right behind him, preparing a blast of magic.

But assisting him with anything magical was Sombra, who promissed to support him. And he most definitely did. By sending shadows through and outside of Ash's body, he helped the Kid from Kanto turn his body into shadows, causing the magic to go through him. A great save on Sombra's part as Ash would take advantage of the Lich Queen being this close to him.

"Fishious Rend!"

"Vish!" Dracovish, who was right next to Ash, would go in for a powerful apex bite, focusing on the Lich Queens' head. Noticing this, Rosa Maledicta would send some roots to shield her from Dracovish's powerful jaws. The roots came in just in time but were quickly dispatched once Fishious Rend landed. The jaws of the Fossil Pokemon tore apart the roots with pure unbridled brute force, nearly reaching the Lich Queen.

"Dragonite!" Continuing with Dragon Claw, Dragonite flew back to Ash's position, ready to swing once more. Rosa Maledicta saw the incoming Dragon Pokemon, trying to use the shadows to catch her. Dragonite accelerated, moving past the shadows and approaching the Lich Queen from above.

In response, Rosa Maledicta formed a Shadow Hoof from below, sing it to strike at the incoming Dragon Claw. The two attacks met from different positions, shaking the remainder of the floor. That part of the floor was about to give out as Ash and Dracovish could see. They certainly couldn't stay in this throne room forever.

Rosa Maledicta's clash with Dragonite ended once she turned the Shadow Hoof into a beam, engulfing the Dragon Pokemon in it and sending him upwards. Dragonite growled and cried out when hit by this powerful beam of shadows, trying to resist the pain she was feeling. All the while, the rest of the floor broke apart, causing Ash and Dracovish to fall. Following them to the other floor that was still stable were the rest of his Pokemon.

"Draco Meteor!" Ash shouted while falling. There to catch him was Gengar while Dracovish expertly landed on its powerful feet. They all got to the next floor safely, except for Dragonite who was building up a Draco Meteor while inside of a dark beam. But she managed to unleash it even when being engulfed by it. Draconic Meteors travelled through the dark beam, breaking it apart the closer it got to the Lich Queen.

Rosa Maledicta was startled by this as she would soon use her roots to cut the Dark Beam midway, destroying it. And in the process, destroying the Draco Meteors too as they would all combust at the same time, lighting up the throne room.

Rosa Maledicta and Dragonite would descend, entering the next floor as their battle would now take place in the hallways of the Magehold Castle. Everything above them started crumbling, falling down as the shadows would follow the Lich Queen, gravitating towards her constantly.

"You should be down and out by now! Get lost!" Rosa Maledicta roared, holding her hoof out as she summoned a massive Shadow Snake from all the shadows around her. This snake would slither as fast as it could, moving through the hallways and contaminating them with the shadows.

"Aura Sphere and Electroweb!"

"Luca!" Attempting to stop this were Lucario and Pikachu. It started with Lucario throwing out an Aura Sphere, focusing on the Shadow Snake's mouth. However, the snake ended up bashing through Lucario's Aura Sphere, getting even closer to Ash's group.

"Chu...Pika!" Pikachu was next, throwing out a web of electricity from his tail to try and contain the Shadow Snake. It did manage to land on it, slowing the snake's movements down while also sending powerful volts through its body. The Shadow Snake hissed violently until Rosa Maledicta changed that. She then turned the snake into a spear, causing it to pierce through Pikachu's Electroweb, continuing on its way.

It would change once again, this time turning into a ray that took up the entire space of the hallway. In response, Sombra assisted Ash once more, using his own shadows to shield him and his Pokemon. They all braced themselves for the ray that was coming their way as the massive shield would take it all.

The darkness was so horrible to look at it felt like Ash's vision had been robbed. But this darkness would soon subside once Sombra expanded the shield to push the giant ray away. And once the shield was gone, Ash would continue his attack.

"Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachuuuu!" Pikachu would throw out yet another Thunderbolt, pushing through the rubble of darkness that could be found across the entire hallway. Attempting to stop its movements were the shadows as they flew out of the walls and floor, trying to grab the electric blast. Thunderbolt managed to push through, getting incredibly close to the Lich Queen, who would already try and deal with this.

Her magic would hold back the Thunderbolt which was one inch away from her face. After that, it would crush the blast of 100,000 volts with so much pressure that it send a shockwave that travelled through the blast, hitting Pikachu before breaking the attack apart.

"P-Pi!" Pikachu groaned as he was pushed back by the shockwave but was soon caught by Dragonite. And with their battle tearing up the hallway and everything around it, the vampires that Ash previously blew past would hear it all transpire. Ash took a deep breath during his battle with the Lich Queen, adjusting his hat afterwards while standing before a cascade of shadows that was waiting to tear him and his Pokemon apart. He had a lot of work on his hands if he wanted this to be over.

Rosa Maledicta felt the same way as she never expected Ash to push her this much. He was also a ton of work to deal with it. But she knew once he was out fo the way, her victory was practically secured as the two sides prepared to continue their battle once more.

---

Meanwhile, outside of Magehold, returning to Ponyville was Twilight's group. And it has certainly grown, gaining quite the cast of ponies that were once lost in limbo but were now free. The Pillars. And they were freed in the most wildest of times. Not just because of the Black Crusade that was going on but the entire world and how it has changed.

There was a lot to catch up to but they didn't have the time to do so. However, they would still witness the phenomenal forces that now resided in Equestria and beyond. Starswirl and the Pillars all saw the most Strange and Wonderful Creatures known as Pokemon. Espeon was the very first one they saw and her appearance already confused them since there is no creature in the world that looked like her.

But it only got stranger, especially when entering Ponyville. The destroyed town wasn't the biggest concern they had. The fact that creatures such as the Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Hydra and many others from Everfree were here took them by surprise. But even more so were other Pokemon.

In the air, they witnessed the Golurk flying around, attacking an army of Shadow Pokemon along with lights they've never seen before. Pokemon Moves were equally as strange as they witnessed these creatures pull off bizarre acts from their bodies or what came out of their bodies.

These Creatures generated Fire, Lightning, Grass, Water and many other elements so casually yet with so much power behind them. Even some of the smaller ones packed a ton of power in them. While some of them were amazed, Starswirl was a bit worried by the implications of this.

And it didn't help that there was apparently a Pokemon that could end all life in an instant.

"The Pony of Shadows is right there. In the Lich Queen's Castle." Twilight said, aiming her hoof at the castle and the very top of it. "I don't know what's happening up there but everyone's doing their best to try and stop her before she takes Yveltal's life and eventually everyone else's."

"Princess Celestia was the one who told us to come to you," Sunburst added. "Well, she didn't recommend the freeing part. Only the part where we banish the Pony of Shadows."

"Celestia? Oh. How has she been?" Being that he once taught Celestia and Luna, Starswirl remembered her name, even after all these years. "N-Nevermind that. If you wish to banish him, you'll need a new method. He destroyed the stones back at Ponehenge so what we executed long ago will not work anymore."

"What do we do now then?" Radiant Hope asked.

"Twilight! Twilight!" Before Radiant Hope's question could be answered, rushing to their friend was all of Twilight's friends. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. They had just left the chamber after quite an intensive confrontation there. A lot happened. From Opal's Fury to the arrival of Delta Lucario. Speaking of Delta Lucario, he was running alongside Applejack, staying out since his Dark Matter was very useful for freeing all the souls.

Twilight was relieved to see her friends once more as they were still in one piece. But her friends were completely taken aback when they saw the ponies standing next to Twilight. They all came to a screeching halt with some of them nearly falling over. They couldn't believe their eyes as Twilight had casually shown up with the most Legendary Ponies of all time.

"I-Is that...?!" Rainbow Dash stammered, eyeing down Flash Magnus and the other pillars.

"Oooh..." Fluttershy rubbed her eyes, hoping it wasn't the Dark Magic playing tricks on her with some kind of illusion. But with the usage of her Fairy Eyes, she was not deceived by any illusions. Mage Meadowbrook and the other Pillars.

"You're not seeing things. These are the Pillars of Equestria." Twilight introduced them, moving aside to show all of the Pillars. Her friends were thrown off by seeing these ancient figures. Some of them were even their childhood heroes. "Long story short. I freed them just to help banish the Pony of Shadows but it came with a catch. Now the entirety of the Pony of Shadows been unleashed."

"Good choice!" Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity said collectively, more interested in the return of their Childhood Idols. They greatly approved of Twilight's choice, completely moving past the fact that the Pony of Shadows had his full body restored, meaning he was at his absolute best.

"That castle..." Starswirl then turned his attention to another castle. And that would be Twilight's Castle which was still standing strong even amidst the destruction. "I can tell that it came straight from the seeds we planted so long ago."

"Then it did work!" Rockhoof exclaimed.

"What worked?" Sunburst asked.

"Each of us infused a crystal seed with our magic in hopes that it would grow into a force for good." Answering that would be Somnambula.

"We wanted to leave something to protect the realm in our absence, but we never dreamed our gift would become so powerful." And following up on that was Mistmane.

"Ya'll mean the Elements came from you?" And at that moment, Applejack and the others soon learned where the Elements of Harmony originated from. The ones responsible for it were standing right before them.

"All of them?!" Pinkie Pie and her friends shouted.

"They are reflections of our own elements of hope, strength, beauty, bravery, healing, and sorcery." Somnambula nodded.

"And the castle's a result of it...Does that mean the Tree of Harmony is involved The castle came from it after all." Twilight questioned.

"It is." Starswirl would confirm it. "And it seems that it all worked after all. By the time we planted those seeds, Celestia was still getting used to being a ruler. "And you have made it your own."

"Yeah, well, there's not gonna be a castle or a Tree of Harmony if we don't stop this." Spike pointed out as this would all have been for nothing if the Black Crusade succeeds. "How do we banish the Pony of Shadows this time?"

"The best way possible is by using the Elements of Harmony. We no longer need Ponhenge to send our foe back to limbo. We can use the stored magic in this Tree of Harmony." Starswirl finally answered Radiant Hope and Spike's question as it all came back to those mystical elements.

"The Elements of Harmony? Really?" Twilight exclaimed. "But a banishing spell takes up a lot of power. Even for the Elements. And all that power could end up destroying them."

"It could." Starswirl didn't sugarcoat it. "But with Ponehenge being in ruins, the Elements are the only way."

"Star Swirl, I don't think the Tree can survive without the Elements. If it dies, Equestria will suffer." Twilight wasn't so sure about that decision. There was a ton of risk behind it and this whole situation was already full of overwhelming risks.

"If the Pony of Shadows has his way, your land will not exist. The Black Crusade you speak of will only assist him in that and there doesn't seem to be that much time left. Our foe will seek dark places from which to draw power. I will prepare my spell so that we may strike as soon as you find him."

Right as he said that, a powerful blast of lightning shot out of the castle and into the air, sending a thunderous sound for many to hear. Multiple blasts of lightning were then shot up, followed by a ray of Dark Magic. The Pillars and the Main 6 turned their attention to that destructive spot.

The Lightning and Darkness would then combust around each other, splitting the skies as they went wild, tearing apart more of the castle in a crazy frenzy. At the same time, a powerful Hurricane had erupted from the castle, followed up by an azure explosion which most likely came from the power of Aura.

"W-What is happening up there?!" Somnambula stuttered after her heart was startled by those fearsome lightning bolts, a Hurricane and an unknown energy that she and the other Pillars have never seen before.

"It's Ash!" Twilight already knew who was behind that. Those Thunderbolts packed a ton of power and the only one she knew who could do that was Ash's Pikachu.

"Luca!" Delta Lucario tried sensing for any Auras inside and immediately, he sensed Ash and his Pokemon plus the Lich Queen's Aura. He could even sense the hidden Aura of the Pony of Shadows, Celestia, Luna and their Pokemon despite the fact that they were swallowed by the shadows.

"He's up there, alright. With the Lich Queen." Applejack nodded in confirmation. "If Ash stops the Lich Queen, then at least the Black Crusade will be all over. That'll just leave the Pony of Shadows."

"Yeah. If we can find a solution for him as soon as possible. He's invincible almost unless we banish him. Or maybe there's another way to stop him." Starlight wondered.

"What other way?" Starswirl questioned.

"There's no way he would fully go through with this Black Crusade plan. I mean, it has to affect him too, right?" Starlight thought about it for a while. "There's a good chance that Yveltal's destruction will take the Pony of Shadows' life as well."

"That could happen." Radiant Hope agreed. "After all, the Black Crusade intends to keep only vampires and skeletons around. There won't be any use for other species across the world. And recently, I heard that involved space as well."

"Maybe...we can convince the Pony of Shadows?"

"Bah! There's no convincing him." But Starswirl vehemently disagreed with that. "The Pony of Shadows was not interested in reconciliation. Once a villain, always a villain."

"I don't know about that..." Twilight replied. "Ash bonded with Sombra, an Umbrum, so it's not like it's impossible. The best we can possibly do is convince him not to help make the Black Crusade a reality.

"Someone bonded with an Umbrum? Impossible..." To Starswirl that was a wild thing to hear. Anyway! I need to find a solution. To any of you unicorns plus alicorn, assist me in the castle." Starswirl would make his way to the castle, wanting all the magical help he could get. Twilight would join him along with Sunburst and Radiant Hope, but not Starlight, who stayed behind.

"It's not impossible, honestly." Fluttershy pondered. "I'm sure anyone would want to move away from the Black Crusade, especially when it comes for them."

"You all knew the Pony of Shadows before he became what he is now. You must've been friends. So what happened?" Starlight asked, hoping one of the Pillars could answer this.

"The tale of our rift is a sad one." The one to answer it would be Rockhoof, who chose to share the story of the Pony of Shadows and how he was once friends with the Pillars many years ago. Even after being trapped in limbo, the memories of the past did not escape him or his friends.

---

Thousands of years ago.

And it all happened in one town. And at that town, some familiar faces were flying around it who still exist in the modern day. But they were completely different from what they used to be.

It was none other than the Sirens. Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk. By this time, they were no longer children and were capable of working without any adults nearby. Then again, all the adults they knew of including their own mother were sent away to another world.

The sisters flew over a rather simple town. And when looking down on it, together, the three sisters would do what they do best. Sing. In unison, they would unleash an operatic singing, sending red soundwaves that flocked towards the citizens of this town. And doing what they do best, the Sirens would spread negativity, starting with one unicorn who heard the beautiful yet ominous sound. Her eyes turned green from hearing it as other ponies in this old town would be graced with this melodic sound.

But it was anything but peaceful. Once they heard it and all of their eyes turned green, they would turn hostile. The unicorn would be attacked by a fellow citizen of this town out of nowhere and she would attack him back as well. This town would soon fall to negativity and high hostility as the citizens started destroying what they had built. Windmills were torn down as building structures were being vandalized.

Ponies were attacking each other left and right for no good reason. It was just mindless anger and hatred. Completely fake yet completely beneficial to the Sirens. All of this negativity was flying over to the Sirens, filling their gems and power. And walking nearby this town was a pony named Stygian.

Stygian was a pony like the rest of us, though more scholar than hero. He recognized our emerging world would need champions to defend it. Rockhoof narrated. Stygian stood there, perplexed by the damage being done to this small town thanks to the Sirens. Something like this needed an immediate solution. And thankfully, he had that solution.

The Pillars.

He gathered them all, bringing them to the town that the Sirens were drawing more negativity from. After all, it was him that made the Pillars see each other back to back. Flash Magnus flew over to try and distract the sirens and to say it worked was an understatement.

After all, these were the same Pillars that sent away a majority of the Sirens and now there were only three years left. Though they were older now, it hadn't been that long since they last saw the Sirens so the faces of Starswirl and the others did not escape them. When seeing Flash Magnus, Aria angrily hissed at the pegasus before unleashing a red beam from her mouth. Luckily for him, his shield is what protected him from Aria's beam.

Rochkoof, with his great strength plus his shovel, would launch large rocks up to the sirens, attempting to knock them down, only for Aria to destroy that as well. Seeing that Pillars had come to finish what they started with the previous sirens, prompted the three sisters to engage with them.

When approaching, their attention was caught by Somnambula who would fly circles around them to get their attention, giving her friends enough to think of something. And already, Starswirl was on it. There was only one solution to this. To send them away, just like he did with the rest of the sirens.

Much like their mother Vivace, Starswirl opened up a large portal in the air that led to a mysterious world that was actually the Human World. And with Somnambula forcing them to chase her down, she would get close to the portal, juking them out at the very end.

The Sirens passed through the portal to the Human World, joining their mother and the rest of the Sirens on the other side at last. And with their disappearance, the negativity they spread would diminish immediately. On that day, that was when all the Sirens left Equestria and this entire world, entering another.

Naturally, this garnered massive praise from the small town of ponies who were thankful for the Pillars. Something like this wasn't a surprise. They were used to this praise by now. But there was one pony who wasn't used to it since he's never received it. Not once. And that was Stygian, who stood in the back while Starswirl and everyone else were being praised for saving the town.

He may have gathered us together, but he himself was just an ordinary unicorn who soon grew jealous of our abilities." Flash Magnus soon narrated the story as well.

And with this feeling, Styigna wished to stand out from the Pillars and gain an equal amount of recognition. There wasn't much he could think of to do such a thing. Only one thing. And that one thing would lead to a rather unsavoury outcome.

"He stole objects from each of us. Artefacts to use in a spell." Mistmane said. Theft was his answer. He did it in secrecy, stealing specific items that all belonged to the Pillars. The same items that were used to seal the Pony of Shadows over at Ponehenge as he was the one who gathered them all there.

And it didn't take long for the Pillars to know he was behind it, arriving at Ponehenge to see Stygian's actions. He stole from them under their noses and didn't get away at all.

"And we cast him out for it." In Mage Meadowbrook's own words, this led to Stygian being cast out by his own friends.

We always thought he'd return and seek forgiveness. But when we saw him again, his heart was bent on revenge. He dashed even my hope of saving him." said Somnambula. When Stygian did show up once more to meet with the Pillars, the look on his face said it all.

After being cast out, revenge was burning bright within him. Except there was nothing bright in him at all. Only darkness. And that was shown by the shadows that poured out of his eyes. These shadows would then wrap around his face and soon his entire body, transforming him into someone else. Someone far more out there and larger than he ever was.

The Pony of Shadows.

Once just a normal unicorn, now he was the embodiment of shadows. The anger he felt from being cast out spoke volumes to how he reacted to it as he embraced the darkness to truly seek greater power than the Pillars. And he certainly succeeded in gaining that power.

---

Present Day.

"Oooh..." Rarity cooed before looking down, realizing one major thing in this whole story. The Dazzlings were involved and they were also at Magehold, fighting against the Black Crusade. If they were to see the Pillars, then that would create a new batch of problems. For now, Rarity kept quiet about it.

"But why did he steal artefacts?" Starlight asked.

No doubt it was an enchantment to take our powers for himself." Meadowbrook answered, believing that to be the reason. It was a fairly good answer but Starlight wondered if there was more to it.

"Huh. To think it happened right after the Sirens. It all comes back around, doesn't it?" said Pinkie Pie.

"What do you mean by that?" Now their attention had been diverted elsewhere and it greatly involved the Sirens.

"The Sirens are here." Applejack was the one to confirm it, not holding anything back and letting them all know about the existence of Adagio, Aria and Sonata.

"T-They're here?! All of them?!" Flash Magnus gasped.

"Well not all of them. At best, they managed to find their mom and-" Pinkie Pie paused for a moment, realizing the implications of them. Soon all of her friends realized what would happen if the Dazzlings and their mother saw the Pillars. "Ooh...Oh, that would be bad."

"Uh, let's forget about that for a moment!" Rarity squeed. "How about we all head in there and help Ash?!"

"Good call!" Applejack and everyone were in agreement as they quickly made their way towards the Lich Queen's castle. That would mean they'd have to go through the fierce battle happening near the castle but they were willing to take that chance.

It also surprised the Pillars that there were Humans here. Their eyes were on the Gym Leaders as the only Humans they were aware of were from the other world where Starswirl sent the Sirens. And speaking of the Sirens, they were hoping to not run into them. There was no telling what they would do if they saw the Pillars. In this hazardous area, they did not need a third force to start attacking them all.

All the while, over at the gateway that leads to Ponyville, a head was peering through. And that head was none other than Roseluck's head. She would take a look outside, witnessing the battle happening just near the outskirts of Ponyville. It was impossible to miss because of how hectic it was. Soon, all the other Ponyville residents, who have gotten wonderful sleep and rest would show up.

Mayor Mare stepped out of the gateway, followed by Stoutland, then Big Mac, then Scootaloo and so on and so forth. They returned to their town which had seen better days. And yet it was still hanging there, protected by the most unlikely of allies while also being threatened by possibly the most destructive force ever. And for Ponyville's residents to show up, they were here for only one reason. To help.

But for Roseluck, there was another reason why she was here.

As the journey continues.

Chapter 192 End.

Comments

[ArcticAce01]

I’m worried, the pillars know that the Sirens are here. And that, could be even more bad news and cause lots of more problems.

However, I feel like what GamePlayer said a LONG while back about Starswirl feeling about the Pokémon could come true and would want to separate them after seeing what Yveltal can do, and not to mention what all the other Pokémon are capable of

I’m just hoping that both scenarios don’t end up for the worst.

The Dazzling came to far and have even changed for the better and if they see the Pillars.. it will get ugly

And really hope that Starswirl and the pillars don’t think that the Pokémon will be dangerous after all of this is over

[cutting clouds]

Iam the only one who are thinking the shadow pony Will be defeated faster than in friendship is Magic?

[GamePlayer64]

Hollow: "WHAT A LOAD OF BUNK!!!" Everyone turned to see Hollow and Jewel each holding a baby in their arms as Scrafty, Typlosion, Swampert, and Jigglypuff were with them as Gothitelle and Metagross had some Vampires imprison in Light Screen barriers. "I don't know what's harder to swallow? The fact that you claim to be heroes or how blind you all are for mistreating that poor pony to become the villain you create!" He yelled as Rockhoof glared at him but Hollow's Scrafty glared at him back and faked him out with a bluff headbutt.
Jewel: "How could you accuse Stygian without letting him explain his actions? Perhaps he wanted to be an equal to you but fame and pride has blind you all to treating that pony as a servant instead of a friend. I fail to see why anyone would see you 6 has heroes?" She said as Starswirl didn't like what these... creatures said.
Starswirl: "Now just a second! I know that you are the... humans that live in the other world along with your... Pokemon but this is none of your concern! This is Equestria matter and you all must-" Jigglypuff looked annoyed at him and unleashed Flamethrower on him.
"PUFF!"
"GAAAHHHH!!!" Hollow and Jewel's Pokémon snickered at Starswirl's sudden scorch.
Hollow: "Also I believe that you are the monsters that Adagio told us about who got rid of her family who you failed to accept a species who are different from you ponies. If you can't accept a species for who they are, then leave them alone. No one decides another's fate or control their lives.
11636531
Also thank you for remembering my comment from the previous story. I'm surprised that you remember that. But what I said is true to think about. The Pillars might try to separate their worlds to prevent more destruction from non-native threats. I mean they kind of learn that Yveltal is the Pokémon of Destruction but fail to learn that not all Pokémon are monsters.

[cutting clouds]

11636860
Maybe when they realize they are blind by then pride.

They can understand it

[ArcticAce01]

11636860

Yeah, that is something i WOULD NOT forget.

And, like I mentioned I’m not only worried about the Pokémon but also The Dazzling and their Mother to.

They have many people that care about them now and who knows what possibly reactions and what the pillars might do if they see them

[GamePlayer64]

11636920
I'm sorry for not replying but had something but lost it a long time ago but I just realized it right now. Its about what you said about the Sirens and the Pillars. I mean I know the Pillars were trying to protect Equestria from evil right? But... I'm just saying as a theory, what if the Pillars were trying to make their world in their own image. I mean they banished the Sirens because they spread negativity to consume to live and Starswirl demanded them to change their ways through force. I mean if you think about it, their purpose to protect Equestria, was only meant for ponies because I don't recall any history of them helping other races that aren't ponies.
11636863
Agree on that but it took Stygian to spoke his confession as Starlight went inside the Pony of Shadows to save him but how will the Pillars do that since they have The Lich Queen and Magehold to deal with?

[cutting clouds]

Stygian may not be banned

But rosa sure will