Justice of the Grave

by The-Black-Knight673

After a local do gooder is killed, chasing after a mugger, he is visited by an unexpected entity. The entity is forced to make a decision with the young soul... Though, he had use of one who has use such a noble soul, to protect a besieged Equestria, not as a Human... But as something much stronger, an Elder Lich. (( For some reason, I can't do Magic the Gathering Attachment. ))

1. Chapter 1

Chapter One

"Come on, give it back!" A little girl demanded, trying to jump and retrieve a pink sleeved deck of cards, from an older teen. "Give me back my deck, you big meanie!" She kept trying to jump for it, but the older teen lifted it just out of her reach.

The group of older teens began to laugh at the girl's attempts, their leader keeping her deck out of reach with each jump. "What's wrong? Little girl mad because she can't reach her cards?" The older teen laughed.

"Give them back, mister!" The girl pleaded, tears forming at the end of her eyes. "It took all my year's allowance to get those cards and sleeves!"

"Awh, baby gonna cry?" The older teen asked, looking at her cards. "Must have not been very much, these cards are pathetic… I'm surprised Magic even made these."

The girl went to trying to get her cards again. "They are cute! And just you watch, I will be the greatest Magic Player in the city!"

Her declaration caused all the older teens to burst into laughter. "With this deck? You wouldn't even get past the practice rounds!" One of the other teens shouted, looking at their leader. "Hey, Eric, why don't we burn those cards? Save the trouble of any real players she tries to face?"

That caused the girl's eyes to widen, looking at 'Eric'. "You know, that sounds like quite the idea." He pulled out a lighter. "We should do our community a favor."

"No!" The girl cried, as they all laughed.

A boot slamming down silenced the group. "Hey! How about you knuckleheads give those cards back, and beat it?" They all looked to the voice's source, seeing a guy in his early twenties. He wore a black, open, trench coat over a matching black t-shirt. The shirt had a wailing skull on it, with crimson bat wings, the words 'Ave Dominus Nox' written under it. Both of his hands were placed in the pockets of a pair of jeans. For foot ware, the man had black tactical boots. "Or else there will be trouble."

"And? What are you going to do?" Eric motioned to his friends. "There are five of us, and only one of you."

"Don't underestimate someone, based on their appearance, kid." The man said, allowing his sunglasses to tip downward and reveal his hazel eyes. "But, instead of being violent about all this, how about we resolve it in a more civil manner?" He moved the trench coat's opening aside, revealing a black deck holster on his belt. "If I win, you return the deck and leave." He pulled out a red sleeved deck, smirking. "If I lose? I will just leave."

Eric grinned, handing the girl's deck off to one of his friends, pulling out a blue sleeved deck. "Alright, I accept those terms. Let's play." A table was placed between them, as the two put their decks down on to the table, drawing seven cards.

-Moments Later-

Blue sleeved cards scattered all over the table and ground, Eric on all fours in disbelief. "I-I actually lost… Impossible." He repeated, over and over, as his friends collected everything and comforted their leader. "I can't believe I actually lost… But, that build, where did all those power cards come from so suddenly?"

"Here you go, darling." The man said, handing over his prize to its rightful owner. "Sorry for taking so long, you can imagine why I had to be cautious in this match."

The girl took her deck back, staring up at the man. 'U-Um… T-Thank you, sir." She flinched, when he patted her head, while passing by. "Uh, excuse me!" He turned around, hands in both pockets again. "I wanted to know, why such a nice person uses a scary looking deck?"

"Scary looking deck, huh?" The man repeated, smiling at her. "Like I said before. Appearance is not evil." He turned back towards the street. "Just because something looks scary, doesn't mean it is evil." With a wave goodbye, walking away, he gave the girl one last piece of wisdom. "Open your mins done good, and held and heart, the eyes often lie."

Once again, the second-best Magic Player in this District had done some good, and helped another in need. Ever since this dark looking player first started, and perfected his deck, that was what he did. Competing in tournaments and local places were just for fun, helping others had been his main goal. The man even played Warhammer, which made his tactical strategies even deadlier, but only one managed to beat him… And that was the one who taught him how to play Magic. But, he did not let such a thing bother him, both having the same goal in mind.

"Somebody, help!" A woman yelled, drawing the man's attention.

Quickly, he sprinted out of the store, turning left and towards the cry for help. He soon found a woman laying on the ground, elderly and in a panic. "I'm here to help, what happened, ma'am?" He asked, kneeling next to her.

She pointed further down the street. "I-I've been mugged! That man stole my purse!"

The man looked up, noticing who had mugged her, a local street thug with his pants lowered some. "Stay here, I will get your purse back." He shot off towards the mugger, moving fast as possible, his target's below hip pants making it easier to catch up. "Hey! Stop!" The man yelled, gaining ground.

This caused the mugger to look back, going wide eyed at the fact he's being chased. He kept moving, finding it harder and harder with his pants down. The mugger even tried going down an alleyway, tossing trashcans down to slow his pursuer down, but it did not stop the man. He was left with one option now.

"I said stop, now!" The man shouted, closing in on his target. One could imagine his surprise, when the mugger suddenly stopped, and turned around… Barely catching a flash of silver.

-Not Far Away-

"That. Was. AMAZING!" A gray cloak wearing Galaxia shouted, dancing around out of a theater displaying "SING" on its billboard. She spun around, seeing her black cloak wearing father and Katharine Alvers waking out behind her, laughing at Galaxia's antics. "Ooooh, thank you, mommy! Thank you, daddy! That was the best Christmas gift ever!"

Galaxia ran up, hugging both of their legs, tail swishing happily under her cloak, as they returned the hug. "What can we say? The two of us wanted to make this special for you." Black Knight said, patting her head affectionately. "Sorry it took so long, not easy getting tickets here-!?"

Bang-Bang-Bang-Bang!

Black Knight's eyes flared red, hearing the rapid gunshots, crowds running in panic and Katharine keeping Galaxia close. His redden gaze went to the source, then to the female author, who nodded. "Go get'em." Black Knight gave a nod, shadows hissing around his body.

In seconds, the Black Knight's entire body transformed into a wailing mist of shadows, quickly soaring off.

-In the Alleyway-

The mugger stared at his victim, blood pooling out of the four gunshot wounds in their chest. He slowly holstered the colt back into his pants, smirking. 'Heh, not so tough, now, after being hit by a .40, now are ya, hero boy?" The mugger taunted, turning around, but quickly went wide eyed and jerked back a bit.

The Black Knight stood before him, red eyes locked on to the mugger's own. "Not so tough now, with a sword in your heart, now are you, Gangsta Boy?" Black Knight taunted, before ripping his sword free and kicked the mugger away.

Slowly, Black Knight's gaze found the slain would be hero, cleaning off his blade and sheathed it. He carefully walked over to the man, kneeling next to them. The author's gauntleted hand removed their sunglasses, recoiling at what had been revealed to him… Those glazed, hazel, eyes staring blankly up at the night sky, but it did not end there. His search soon found the deck at their hip, removing it and held it up.

Black Knight went through the deck, slowly going wide eyed. "This is just like…" He looked down at the slain man, before letting out a sigh. "Of course, it is, should have expected that." Black Knight looked down at the man, reaching towards their chest. "Now, let us see into your heart, hm?" With that, his hand pressed down and saw what lead to this, including all the good done by them. "Such a heroic heart, and strong soul, but the body can no longer function for them." An orb suddenly appeared next to Black Knight. "But, how lucky you are… There is a world that needs one such as you, and I have a body for you to use during this."

The deck began to glow, Black Knight pressing it deep into the man's chest. Their body suddenly gaining an ice blue glow, before it turned into another orb… Quickly combining with the first one.

"This will be quite an adventure." Black Knight stood up, both Galaxia and Katharine showing up. "Isn't that right…" He turned towards the pair, walking towards them, a massive shadow engulfing the alley. "Ser'ron."

A massive, skeletal, figure appeared behind Black Knight, adorning both armor and robes flowing in illusionary wind. Their claw-like, skeletal fingers were outstretched, almost as if they were welcoming a guest. Frozen mist escaped from the creature's skeletal body, like an aura of power.

-Everfree Forest, Unknown-

"Ser'ron."

The whispered name had been like a spell, causing the Elder Lich to wake, his pin point red eyes appearing in their eye sockets. Slowly, he reached up and placed a hand over his throbbing skull, disoriented while sitting up in a grove. "W-What happened to me?" His echoed voice shocked the Elder Lich, sliding back. "W-Was that my voice?" Looking down, he noticed the skeletal hands, allowing with the black robe with silver accents, death runes, and even iron colored armor. "W-W-What the hell happened to me!?" The Elder Lich screamed, flailing about and yelling about being dead.

Unknown to him, another was within the grove, a black cloaked figure leaning against one of the nearby trees. After a few moments, they began to laugh at the Elder Lich's antics. "How amusing, to see an Elder Lich suddenly lose their mind." The figure slowly approached him, shadows acting as their feet, said lich stopping and looking at them. "How the mighty have fallen, wouldn't you say, Ser'ron?"

"W-What" The Elder Lich looked around, trying to see if there was another, then back at the robed figure. "Who are you talking to?" Strangely, his jaw did not move with the words.

"I am talking to you, Ser'ron." The figure answered.

The Elder Lich became confused, tilting his skull. "But… That isn't my name, its-?"

The figure held his sleeved hand up, silencing his company. "Do not speak it, a real name to your kind is like a leash. Once one learns it, they control you." He crossed both hands at the small of his back, looking up at the Elder Lich. "Now, you are Ser'ron the Dark. I managed to save your soul, barely able to place it in a new body."

"So, does that mean I am…"

"Dead? Yes." He answered, moving away. "I had to make a few alterations. For example, you now have full control over your deck, like spells. Every mana card acting as its resource for it… But, the manapool takes a while to regenerate, so use it cautiously." The figure began to circle around Ser'ron, as if inspecting him. "You have other abilities, but I will allow Ser'ron the Cold explain that one."

"Ser'ron the Cold?" He asked, confused by the similar name. "There is another?"

"Yes, and no." The figure floated over to Ser'ron tapping his chest. "He is you, but not you. Another soul within a single form. If you ever need council form him?" The figure suddenly pulled out a mirror, allowing Ser'ron to see his reflection, but with blue fire in its eye sockets. "Simply look at your reflection."

Ser'ron could not look away from his reflection, not because of the terrifying image, but those eyes. Its blazing eyes radiated with power, knowledge, and the unknown knowledge hidden behind them; they were mortifying. Its black and silver colored hood draping over his skull head, it helped gave off an aura of one who was mysterious, wielding power that no mortal could ever hope to learn.

"Think about it, Dark." A powerful, and ancient, voice echoed… But not from the figure.

"WAH!" Ser'ron screamed, falling back and just stared at the reflection, his hood falling back. "I-It… It spoke! My reflection spoke!"

"Of course, I spoke, Dark." The reflection confirmed, mouth wide, as Ser'ron's own, mimicking him. "As the Great One said I will council you… All that is needed? Simply look to your reflection. It is also very useful, because it gives you another set of eyes… From anywhere your reflection is. But, since we are both Ser'ron, simply call me 'Cold'."

Ser'ron slowly stood up, still trying to wrap his head around that and nodded. "A-Anything else I should know?" He asked, looking at the figure.

"Two things." The figure had the mirror float over to Ser'ron. "One: your health is displayed by this ruby necklace." He made a quick wave of his hand, a ruby amulet appearing around Ser'ron's neck, displaying '20pt' at its center. "When not fighting, it can regenerate rather quickly, on its own… Or, absorb the souls of any living victim. This is also your phylactery." A black and silver urn appeared in front of Ser'ron, before it sat down on to the ground. "Two?" An aura of unimaginable power appeared, causing Ser'ron to fall to both knees from its weight. "This world is in danger, in need of a guardian… A hero." He slowly gilded up to the kneeling Ser'ron, placing a sleeved hand under his chin. "And I have chosen you for this task… My newest son."

Laughter filled the air, as the figure vanished in a burst of shadows! Ser'ron just stared where he once stood, before falling back. "Well… That just happened." He sighed, rubbing his skull and pulling the hood back up. "I can't believe that just happened."

"Neither can I." Ser'ron the Cold announced, drawing Ser'ron's attention to the floating mirror next to him. "Now, shall we get started? I sense a dark presence within this land, parts of it close by us."

Ser'ron just stared at the mirror, his reflection staring back. "Wait… Uh, Cold, right?" His reflection nodded. "What about teaching me those spells, like that figure said?"

"You wish to learn magic, right now, Dark?" Cold asked, Ser'ron nodding in response. "Then pay close attention, because we do not have much time… They are closing in on three young souls." Once again, Ser'ron gave a nod.

-Not Far Away, Moments Later-

The Cutie Mark Crusaders sprinted through the Everfree Forest, trying to get away from those pursuing them. Ponyville had been attacked by gray cloaked individuals and undead Equestrians that had been buried in their graveyard or rose those slain at their hand. Now, two of the cloaked ones and seven undead guards right behind them, wanting to take the fillies. They were told to run away, to get far away and safe for them, all three deciding on trying to find Zercora.

"A-Are we going the right way?" Sweetie Belle asked, as the three-kept running.

"A-Are we going the right way?" Sweetie Belle asked, as the three-kept running.

Applebloom looked around, trying to find the tree hut. "A-Ah don't know." She started hearing their pursuers catching up. "Those weirdos kept cutting us off, ah have no idea where ta go-!"

An undead guard, four arrows stuck in his chest still, cut them off. His moaning appearance caused the three fillies to scream, attempting to go a different way, but were cut off by another undead guard. Each attempt was met by an undead guard quickly appearing from the forest and cutting them off, until they were surrounded. "It was a trap!" Scootaloo shouted, as she and Applebloom kept Sweetie Belle between them. "They lead us right into a trap!"

"How very observant of you, little filly." One of the gray cloaked stallions spoke up, three undead guards moving out of their way. "Our master said no survivors, and we won't allow one of you to escape." They slowly approached the fillies, all three trembling and looking for a way out. "Oh, no pony is going to save you three." The two drew their ritual blades out. "You are all helpless and alone."

"Sure about that?" An echoed voice announced, before a shadow was cast over the fillies and two stallions, causing them all to look towards its source… And saw the black robe wearing being, baring silver armor and runes, his hood draped over to hide any features. Those single red eyes staring down at the five living Equestrians, eyes held out in a presenting manner… Robe flowing in a mist of ice. There was even a mirror floating next to him, showing a blue flame eyed version watching them. "These three are under my protection." He squatted down, placing a hand on to Scootaloo's shoulder, one on to Applebloom's shoulder, and kept Sweetie Belle at his center. "Under the protection of Ser'ron the Dark."

When Ser'ron's red eyes looked up at the stallions again, they felt a freezing chill of fear crawl up their spine. "The heck is that thing?" One asked, his partner shrugging in confusion. "What is that thing!?"

"How rude of you, to say such things." Ser'ron gently the top of all three fillies heads, before he stood up and looked at the stallions. "You dare insult an Elder Lich? A Master of Arcane? One who walks in the mortal and spirit realms?" He held out both arms, releasing streams of icy mist towards the surrounding undead guards… Their blank eyes going red, then looking at the stallions. He slowly reached up, and removed his hood, revealing the skull that had been hidden under it. "And a Lord of the Dead?" Ser'ron lifted his right hand up, pointing a skeletal finger at the two. "Get them."

The grove echoed with deathly wails and agonizing screams.

-Ponyville-

"AHH!" A Royal Guard screamed, as one of his returned comrades rammed a sword deep into his chest. When the Royal Guard fell, a stream of sickening, wailing, green energy wrapped around his body. Before long, their eyes glazed over and he stood back up, wailing loudly… Joining the undead warriors besieging Ponyville.

A beam of magenta energy obliterated this wave of undead Equestrians, Twilight landing amongst her friends and defending Royal Guards. However, they were greatly outnumbered by the undead, and each one of their fallen comrades were risen by a group of gray cloaked figures. "Captain! Have all the town's residence been evacuated yet?" Twilight asked, using another spell to destroy an undead.

A lavender armored guard rushed up, using his halberd to bring down an undead that tried to blindside the princess. "Yes, Princess Twilight. I had a squad rally them at the train station." The Captain charged a spell through his halberd, to shoot one of the cloaked figures, only for an undead to take the attack instead. "They just returned, and reported that the last train has left."

"Good, we need to get rid of these attackers and-!" One of the cloaked figures suddenly appeared right in front of her, ready to strike… But, before they could strike, a cyan beam of magic sent them soaring away. This caused Twilight to look towards its source, smiling. "Sunset! You made it!"

Standing not far off form Twilight, stood a brilliant amber unicorn mare, her right-hand glowing with cyan magic… Crimson and yellow stripped hair flowing, cyan eyes glaring. Sunset Shimmer wore almost the same clothes as her human form, the magenta tie around shirt covered by a black leather jacket, an orange skirt with black boots over her legs. "Sorry, it took so long, Princess… Had to take a train here." Sunset Shimmer announced, rushing up to Twilight. "So, what's the situation?"

"Bad." Twilight simply answered, looking at the approaching undead. "We're getting pushed back, our fallen being returned to fight against us…" The two stood together, Elements and remaining Royal Guard around them. "We are in a lot of trouble, if help doesn't arrive soon."

"Applejack!"

"Rarity!"

"Rainbow Dash!"
The Elements and Sunset Shimmer looked towards the three voices, shocked to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders running towards them! Each of the three mares called went up to the fillies who wanted them, in a panic about them still being here. "Girls, ah thought we told ya three ta get ta safety?" Applejack asked, both hands on her shoulders. "Why aren't ya on the train?"

"W-We thought ya meant ta go ta Zecora's…" Applebloom answered nervously. "Though, it wasn't safe, those creeps followed us."

"Followed you!?" Rarity gasped, looking at Sweetie Belle. "Darling, how ever did you get away?"

"You wouldn't believe it, Rainbow Dash! He was so cool, showing up and-!"

"Princess Twilight! They're breaking through!" The Guard Captain yelled, their defensive lines starting to be pushed back by the undead. "I don't know how much longer we can hold formation!"

"Don't worry, we will be there in a moment!" Twilight called out, looking at Sunset right after. "Sunset, I need your help… Starlight is still in the Crystal Empire, with Trixie and Sunburst, so we need every powerful unicorn that Equestria can muster for our defenses."

Sunset Shimmer smirked, nodding. "What do you need me to do, Twilight?"
The response caused Twilight to smile, preparing to speak, but Sweetie Belle cut her off. "Don't worry, Princess Twilight! He said that he will protect us!" Her words, and happy smile, caused the mares to look at the filly, each asking 'He?', Sweetie Belle looking at the other crusaders. "Come on, girls! He's counting on us!"

"Right!" Before the mares could protest, all three crusaders rushed passed them and towards the Royal Guard defensive line. "Girls! What are you doing, come back here! Don't go that way!" Twilight yelled, the mares chasing after them… Until they saw Sweetie Belle pull out a black and silver urn form her bag.

Once the three made it right behind the Royal Guards, they positioned themselves around the urn. Each smiling at each other, holding said urn up into the air, a gust of wind swirling around the three. "We summon he, who is eternal, he who is bound to this phylactery!" They called out, together, as the gust turned into a vortex of magical energy. "He who can never die, he who protects the Spiritual Balance!" The urn started to float up, a pair of ice blue circles of energy crossing around it, forming an X on two side. "He that will always exist, he who protects!" The urn glowed brightly, as its circling energy swirled faster. "Lord Ser'ron, the Dark!"

The urn released a cloud of freezing mist, allowing it to shroud the Cutie Mark Crusaders from all sight. An echoing, eerie, laugh sent a chill down every living soul's spine. Soon, a flowing robe rose out of the mist, before its body stretching to a towering height, Ser'ron holding both skeletal hands out, red eyes glowing brightly in their eye sockets. "Ahahaha! Well done, dear children! You did exactly as I asked!" Ser'ron looked down at the crusaders, crossing both hands at the small of his back. "Now, it is time I do, as promised." He looked at the undead and their masters, eyes glowing brightly. "And clear these pests."