confrontation

Chrysalis POV

"A Liche... well shit! What do we do?" I questioned, the mere thought of a Liche, making me feel physically sick. My mother had been but a foal when the last of the Liche had been killed, but the fear and terror that the ancient mare showed when one was mentioned was a testimony to their evil. It was because of them that Changeling and Equestrian relations had gone to shit. It happened during the reign of Queen Amorphous the Third, my great grandmother. Her husband, the powerful unicorn Star Light, fell to the dark temptation of necromancy and from there things went downhill. He killed his own wife and would have killed my grandmother had Discord not arrived.

He decimated Star Light with no problem and restored peace but in his short reign Star Light had butchered thousands of changeling's and ponies. Diplomacy went out the window as both sides held deep grudges towards each other. Ponies blamed us for his turning and we blamed them for the deaths of our people. Celestia had quickly gathered everyone for this meeting including my Aunt and Discord. Beside me Glimmer Shield and Cadence spoke quietly with Twilight Sparkle. Discord showed no interest in the debate as usual and obnoxiously stated that he could simply transform the Liche into a fish.

"I don't see what the problem is. Their are fifteen of us and most of us here could take a liche on in single combat. We are more than a match for a Liche no matter what." Molestia spoke up sending me a reassuring smile as I gave a curt nod. Celestia had been silent throughout the debate, silently watching as we discussed the plan for dealing with this creature.

"Well what are we waiting for? Let’s blast its ass with the elements, it’s the middle of the night and I've got work to do in the morning." Rainbow Dash mumbled. Sleep still clung to her eyes as she wearily lifted her head off the table, ignoring the withering glare from her orange friend. Fluttershy, a sweet butter yellow mare that I had come to call a friend over the years gave me a gentle smile as she tried to keep the pink migraine from falling asleep.

"I WILL NOT WAIT ANOTHER SECOND. AS LONG AS THIS ABOMINATION LIVES HE IS A THREAT TO OUR SUBJECTS!" Luna snarled. "I vote that we move against it now before it builds up its army." Luna voiced as Celestia reluctantly returned to her chair. Four ponies, including Twilight and three of her friends raised their hands as did Moon and I. Discord lazily stuck his hand up.

"All those opposed?" Celestia asked looking around as a few hands went up. Among them was Eris, Fluttershy and cadence.

"It is settled." Luna smugly stated, her eyes burning hatefully in the direction of the Everfree forest as Celestia confirmed the choice to venture into the Everfree to destroy the Liche.

"Goddesses help me please. Don't let this be a mistake." I whispered as we all left to prepare.

Molestia POV

I followed my counterpart as she quietly muttered about her sister’s stubbornness, armour adorned her form as I placed a comforting hand on her.

"Celestia, I understand your frustration but she is still young and headstrong. You have been a beacon of patience with most of us despite our circumstances; don't ruin that because of Luna's childishness. She will mature, and be grateful that Nightmare Moon did not inherit that trait." I chuckled as the other mare paused before sighing as she gave me a thankful smile.

"Go meet with the others. I’ll arrange so that the guards are on high alert and that the foals are to be protected at all costs." Celestia finished, putting some of my worry at ease as I left the room.

The rest of the group stood ready in the great hall, everyone showing some kind of anxiety apart from Discord who was teasing his daughter. Twilight was poring over books about dark magic in an attempt to find something on Liches but with all records of the beasts having been destroyed, it was in vain and no pony had the heart to tell her that books can’t answer everything.

I looked up at the night sky and marvelled at the beautiful display that Nightmare Moon had created. The mare, like her counterpart, had an artistic talent for arranging stars.

Liches POV

Atop the highest tower of the abandoned castle I watched the night sky silently. My skull reflected the light of the moon. I had been here for less than a day yet already I had fallen in love with the moon; no, the whole night sky, its unmatched beauty was the polar opposite of me. I wish I could claim to have even a fraction of the grace that the night sky could boast. I had extinguished the fire burning away in the hall shortly after my fit of rage. It was like having, no it was magic. With a brush of my hand, I had devastated fifty meters of forest. With a stomp of my foot, I had collapsed an entire floor. I could command fire, make and break objects and it all came so naturally. Was I a wizard before this? What relevance did it had with the inhabitants here?

Scrolling through books I had found pictures, age old pictures of what looked like horses. Horses that stood on two feet yet held obvious characteristics of humans. I was human, I think I was. I had awoken and there were people so I assume that I died as a human and was reborn as this. In front of me were giant blocks floating aimlessly, lazily bumping into each other as a soft lime aura radiated from them. They were easily the size of cars yet I held twenty with ease. That was the strange thing though, their was no strain, no shortage of breath, nothing! It wasn't even complicated, I thought of something and my body made it happened.

I wandered the halls for hours on end, bringing me to strange and wonderful places: hidden rooms, wine cellars and even a concert hall. I approached a giant organ, something crying out in familiarity as my hand gently stroked the many keys of the ancient instrument. I curiously tried a few of the notes, the organ booming out in response as I shivered in delight. Sitting, I experimentally tried the pedals below me while my fingers gently tapped the keys. I had played piano before this, though not for years. I wondered why as I looked at the pipes that ran up the length of the massive hall.

A song moonlight sonata I believed it was called coming to mind. I testily tried a few keys hoping I could remember how to play it. The notes seemed to meld together as I began. I could not help but chuckle as the mood and atmosphere of the song suited my situation and the place I was at the moment.

Nightmare Moon's POV

As we approached the old castle I could not help but shiver. Memories flooding back to me as it was here that I had first met Lachlan. The entrance doors were missing, a cold chill hitting me as I shivered. Something felt wrong about this place which was ironic given that it was my fault that the castle was in the state it currently resided in. I was broken from my musing by a faint noise. Celestia paused as I froze, my breathing hitched as a faint melody played.

"Is that music?" Luna questioned cautiously, unsure of what to take from it as we pressed on. The music echoed around the abandoned castle making the whole group nervous.

"It’s getting louder." Twilight whispered as the grand concert hall came into view. When we reached for the door we all paused, unsure of who should open the door. Luna gave a small snort as she pushed the door, the music blaring as I winced slightly. There atop the podium sat a cloaked figure moving back and forth as its arms moved up and down the organ. We stood there mesmerized by the music which was unlike anything we had ever heard. Even Discord was stunned The group of over a dozen stood stupefied. The music was beautiful and as we listened not one of us thought to approach the figure.

We stood there in a stunned silence as the figure sat rigid. Twilight cautiously approached, her ears splayed back as she nervously made her way to the organ and its player. Rising from its seat in a fluid twirl we came face to face with the figure. Its cloak billowed as a mighty crack of thunder sounded. A flash of lighting from the hole in the roof illuminated the mysterious being. With a shriek Twilight propelled herself backwards as she came face to face with a skull. We had found the Liche. The frightened alicorn stumbled backwards to Celestia's side as Luna took up a defensive stance. The Liche made no move towards us apparently more curious than threatened as it silently observed us.

"Had I known... that I was housing guests, I would have tidied the place up." He rasped, chuckling as Pinkie Pie snorted.

"BE SILENT MONSTER!" Luna roared, firing a bolt of magic at the Liche as he recoiled slightly before it struck. Debris and dust covered the spot where the figure had been moments ago as Celestia gave her sister a withering stare. Discord gave a childish smirk as he gave me a patronising smile.

"Big scary Liche alright, looks like we wasted our time for nothing." He smirked as I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment as they looked at me.

"What a waste of time that was." Luna growled the mare having been desperate of a proper fight as I gave a meek smile.

"Monster…" A voice croaked as Luna froze, her eyes leaving mine as the group redirected its eyes towards where the Liche had been. The doors slammed shut behind us.

"I WILL SHOW YOU A MONSTER!" The creature snarled, a black aura cloaked his form as he stood before us, magic crackling from his hands. As one we surged forward. Discord and Celestia reached him first, firing powerful bolts of raw magic. The bolts never struck as they stopped short by a few feet before simply evaporating. The Liche retaliated by firing pillars of flames from his hands to tear through the two faster than my eyes could follow.

"Girls, the Elements!" Celestia roared using her wings to propel herself into the air. Discord groaned about his age, clambering to his mismatched feet as he followed the mare. With a gasp I looked up in horror as the Liche slammed Luna against a wall the mare crying out in pain as she fired bolts directly at the beast the beams bouncing off of him harmlessly as he snarled. With a savage kick he sent Luna hurtling towards Molestia the two yelping as they landed on the floor.

Razor Fang and Chrysalis were currently helping Cadence to power Glimmer shield preventing the beast from killing the elements. With a small gasp I stumbled backwards having narrowly avoided a sword from decapitating me.

The element bearers moved into position, their eyes glowing a pristine white as a rainbow encircled the six. I winced at the sight, watching as the rainbow spiraled around Twilight’s horn. Memories of the agonizing pain as I was ripped from Luna resurfaced and for a split second I was tempted to flee, fearing the risk of being caught by the elements as well.

"See you in tartarus monster." Chrysalis roared as we watched the elements fire. With a powerful boom, the rainbow surged forward to strike the Liche as he gave a strangled scream. The rainbow hue encased his body as he screamed from within.

To our combined horror, as the light faded, we could make out the hazy outline of the beast as he rose from his knees unscathed before staring directly at me. Lunging, he threw his arm forward with intent to impale me as I froze in fear. Before his hand struck me, I heard a voice scream behind me.

"NIGHTMARE!"

Author's Note

Please trust me I have a proof reader it just I get existed when I finish a chapter and post it this will be re uploaded in a few days with spelling and grammar checks