A Friend Like Me
Jackie smiled softly to himself as he led Apple Bloom through her katas in the upstairs dojo above the antique shop. He'd arrived back from his latest archaeological expedition just the day before, and the three girls had been overjoyed to see him. Of course, there had been a moment when they'd looked at Uncle in confusion and Scootaloo had asked about 'that other thing', only for Uncle to tell her it would be tomorrow...today now. Jackie had shrugged it off, assuming Uncle had plans for a family event today. For now, he would focus on teaching Apple Bloom more of the martial arts, as of the three she was the only truly dedicated student. She'd even cleared the test to get her next belt level, and she was so proud.
He paused in the teaching as the bell near the exit to the dojo began to ring. He quickly moved to the stairs, followed by Apple Bloom. Down below in the antique shop, Uncle was examining the shield Jackie had brought back with him, working on translating the inscriptions. Uncle smiled up at Jackie. "Come," he called warmly, "give Uncle a hug."
Smiling widely, Jackie performed a careful flip off the top of the stairwell to land lightly on his feet in front of Uncle. When he turned to embrace him, however, he received a two finger strike to his temple. "Ow!"
"You no make coffee this morning!" Uncle snapped, sipping from a cup. "Scootaloo had to do it, but is your job. You want dead Uncle, no?" When Jackie helplessly shook his head, Uncle continued, "Then you make the coffee."
Sighing, Jackie nodded.
"One more thing!" Sweetie Belle called out from another desk, where she spent her time on weekends - like now - helping with the shop paperwork and taking phone messages since Uncle still disliked the more modern phones and the 'fax machine'. "The university called, Uncle Jackie. They want you to translate some parchments."
"One more thing!" Scootaloo called out from the library. "I'm having trouble finding any other examples of the writing on the shield. It must be really old. Uncle, I think you need to look at your journals, I still can't read them."
"One more thing!" Uncle called out to everyone present. He then gestured to a young girl of Asian descent standing in front of the counter, somehow having gone unnoticed until then. She had black and blue hair that hung in bangs that framed her heart shaped face, save for one that seemed to determined to fall over her eyes. Her hazel eyes stared piercingly at all around, seeming bored and frustrated. She was dressed in an orange hoodie and blue jeans, looked about 10 years old, and had three bright pink suitcases of various sizes arranged behind her...which also had somehow gone unnoticed until then. "Jackie, this is Jade, your niece. She will live with you for a year."
The three fillies gasped happily as they rushed over to meet Jade. Jackie's reaction, however, suggested to Uncle that he had been overexposed to the 'Amulets of Acceptance', as Sweetie Belle had eventually termed them. "Okay," he stated, as though this were something that happened every day. He then expressed a sudden, stronger reaction as he almost choked on his words. "I have a niece?"
"You cousin Shin's girl from Hong Kong," Uncle explained. "Jade is not behaving well there. Doing poorly in school. Your cousin thinks she will do better in America, with you." As Uncle spoke Jade let her eyes wander, keeping her expression neutral as she refused to look at anyone.
"Wouldn't she do better with you?" Jackie asked quietly. "I mean, you've been raising the girls so far-"
"Uncle has his aging hands full with three!" Uncle insisted. "You want to unleash chaos on San Francisco by making Uncle responsible for four?"
As Uncle and Jackie discussed this, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo had decided to go greet the new family member and make her feel welcome. "Howdy, cousin!" Apple Bloom greeted warmly.
Jade, for her part, simply stared at them, her eyes widening.
"Wait, maybe she doesn't speak English!" Scootaloo offered. "She did just arrive from Hong Kong, after all."
Smiling, Sweetie Belle greeted her. "Nǐ hǎo qīn qi."
Jade stared at Sweetie Belle. "...Qílín..." she whispered at last.
All three fillies stared at her. Sweetie Belle then seized her in her telekinetic aura. "Uncle, we're gonna play with Jade upstairs!" she called out as the three absconded with their new cousin.
"See?" Jackie pointed out to Uncle. "They are connecting already."
"Uncle still cannot handle four in antique shop!" Uncle countered. "Took years to adapt to three!"
Once upstairs, Jade quickly found herself tied to a chair with a light being shone on her face. "See?" Scootaloo said smugly. "I told you having all this set up ahead of time just in case was a good idea."
"Ah don't know whether ta be impressed or upset that you're right," Apple Bloom grumbled.
"Shouldn't we focus on the issue?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I mean, she saw right through the 'normal' aura. No human should be able to do that!"
"Right!" Scootaloo insisted as she swung the lamp close to Jade's face. "Alright, talk! What are you that the pendants don't effect you? Demon? Spirit? Planeswalker? Reverse aged chi wizard? Witch?" She thrust her face into Jade's. "Are you a spy?"
In response to the rapid-fire questions, Jade...squeed. "I'm being interrogated by three talking, candy-colored miniature ponies...and one of them's an honest to goodness unicorn! America...is so...COOL!" She seemed to be vibrating with contained glee.
Scootaloo blinked in confusion. "This doesn't seem to be working..."
"Probably cuz we're overlookin' something," Apple Bloom offered. "Sweetie Belle, touch her face."
Shrugging, Sweetie Belle pressed her hoof against Jade's cheek. The only thing that happened was Jade getting even more excited. "What does this prove?" Sweetie asked, confused.
"That she's not dark magic," Apple Bloom explained. "And what about that spell ya got ta see someone's magic?"
Nodding, Sweetie Belle pulled her hoof back and closed her eyes, focusing her magic inward. When she opened her eyes, they glowed green. To her vision now, each of the trio glowed with a literal bonfire of chi and magical energy, flowing all around them and endlessly pouring out. When she looked at Jade, however, she yelped in shock. To her altered vision, Jade blazed with chi and magic that dwarfed the trio's, though it flared out randomly, endlessly shifting and ebbing every moment, never still, the sure sign of untrained magic however powerful it was. "...that's a lot..." she muttered, rubbing her eyes as she shifted her gaze back to normal.
"Thought so," Apple Bloom stated firmly, looking somewhere between smug and sorrowful.
"Going to explain it to the rest of us?" Scootaloo grumbled.
"Lots of magical creatures have some natural ability to blend with their surroundings to keep from being noticed," Apple Bloom explained. "An innate version of our pendants. But anyone with enough magical potential can see through 'em." She looked compassionately at Jade. "That's why yer grades started sufferin', didn't they? There's lots and lots o' those critters in the Far East, and ya couldn't focus when ya were seein' 'em everywhere?" Jade sighed, nodding sadly.
Sweetie Belle's eyes lowered. "And when you tried to tell them what you saw, no one believed you, because they couldn't see them, and they thought you were just making things up to get out of trouble?" Jade nodded again.
"And if you're going to get blamed for trouble anyway, why not just make trouble?" Scootaloo asked. Jade lowered her gaze as Sweetie undid the ropes.
"Well, I've got good news for you!" Sweetie reassured Jade. "You're not crazy or anything like that. You've just got really powerful innate magical ability. The creatures you've been seeing are real, just like us! And we're your cousins!"
Jade managed a warm smile as she blinked away a few tears as the group piled into a group hug. After a time, Apple Bloom spoke up. "So...how come ya weren't sayin' anything downstairs?"
Jade shrugged. "I kinda figured I'd face the same sort of thing I did back home, and I thought I could get away with more if I pretended I couldn't understand instructions."
Scootaloo grinned widely. "I can get behind that. Don't worry, we won't tell."
Jade grinned widely as the trio started to lead her back downstairs, only to pause at a window. "Say...it looks like Uncle Jackie's tailing someone."
The three fillies quickly joined her at the window, eager for something interesting for once. "Wonder what's up with that?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.
"Must be important," Sweetie Belle murmured.
"Let's tail him and find out!" Scootaloo offered eagerly.
"But how are we going to keep up?" Jade asked curiously.
All three fillies grinned widely at her. "Cumulo!" Scootaloo called out.
Before Jade's very eyes, a cyan cloud zipped up to the windowsill trailing a rainbow behind it. The three fillies hopped up onto it, and Apple Bloom held out her hoof. "Come on!" she offered eagerly.
Cautiously, Jade allowed herself to be pulled onto the cloud, only to grin widely as it took her weight. "So...cool!" she squealed as the cloud shot off with the group atop it.
(1) Looking back at the show, I noticed Jade took to all the magic and craziness a...little too quickly, if you get what I'm saying. While I overlooked it when I first watched it, I couldn't help but question it as I watched it again. Of course, I recently saw some fanart of "The Life and Times of Juniper Lee", another old show I liked but can't find much of online, and that connected her ready acceptance of magic to the problems she was sent to Jackie to 'fix'.
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I remember that show
also
tough her good
Very cool, and that actually explains a lot about Jade. Also let the chaos begin! *Pulls out a extra large tub of popcorn, a large 10 gallon soda cup, and hundreds of boxes of Reese's Pieces and Buncha Crunch. Then puts on several layers of protective gear* I think I have everything to watch the incoming chaos. Anyone want to join me?
It's funny you should mention Juniper Lee. I was just thinking that if Jade was in her family then Juniper would never have gotten her powers or her bracer.
As to her being hard to find on the Internet? Well my explanation is that it aired about the same time as Jake Long: American Dragon and got overshadowed because it aired first and were both similar in many respects. Even if Juniper Lee was the better show. /hmph
7311274
Agreed there. Real pity.
orig04.deviantart.net/e782/f/2013/259/d/7/headcanon__accepted_by_texasuberalles-d6mjbqd.jpg
7311271
Why you wear armor? pony's not dangerous
The Brick Joke has been added to TVTropes!
Ha! I was right! Jade not only saw right through the AoAs, but her chi levels are over 9000! (Okay... no clue where that one came from...) Let the madness begin!
The Juniper Lee explanation is a good one. Particularly since it's canon that Jade is a defender against the dark arts and paragon of good chi.
I do like how the fillies have integrated themselves into Uncle's lifestyle, helping out actively around the shop and even taking some of his mannerisms.
Jade has appeared! Everyone in the Chaos Shelter! Loved this chapter! I can't wait to see what sort of mischief these 4 will have. Also speaking of Juniper Lee will she be making a magic related cameo in later chapters?
7311271 nah, I'm cool... now if you'll excuse me... I'll watch this from outside the Pony Multiverse... opens up a golden portal and, after minutes of excruciating pain to change from Pony to human, collapses in-between universes
7311271 sits down with chips and slushie while putting on recon goggles. "Let the madness begin!!"
"Dis gonna be gooood...."
Ahh yes, The Life and Times of Juniper Lee is another nostalgic show for us...
Guess we can say that Jade... went with the flow of things and nothing could... ebb the tide of her excitement. At least she won't be... tied up in some of the more problematic situations. But hey, at least the fillies managed to... shine some lift on Jade's situation.
7311271 Mind passing the popcorn?
7311297
It's so I don't get damaged by any stray debris from their antics.
Aww, with that title I was expecting an Aladdin joke somewhere.
7311379
*Uses magic to summon another very large tub of popcorn* Here ya go. There's spare protective gear under my seat if you want it.
7311368 Shine some LIFT?
7311271 can i bring the root beer?
also is it alright if i let discord do the seating arrangement?
7311451 what can he say, the ponies have an...uplifting personality.
7311452
Sure go ahead. I'll want some though when I need a refill. Make sure Discord puts me in a good viewing point to where I can see the chaos and he can do the seating arrangements. But keep him from putting us in the line of fire. *Holds up a box of Reese's Pieces and a box of Buncha Crunch* Want one?
YAY, SOMEONE REMEMBERS JUNIPER LEE! The Sandman was my favorite.
Wait... so this means that Jade... could be a chi wizard?
this especially makes me think of the episode The Chosen One.
like it says,
7311485
Another important episode to consider for Jade's nature and abilities, yes.
7311394 So your reaction is somewhere between
66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9hbk3vEJ41r3k1m8o1_500.png
derpicdn.net/img/view/2012/12/12/180679__safe_animated_big+macintosh_game+of+thrones_winter+is+coming_shitstorm_brace+yourselves_brace.gif
and
mlpforums.com/uploads/post_images/img-982611-1-it-begins-pony.jpg ?
It came out much later in the show that Jade was actually the reincarnation of an old White Chi Master. I forget his name now.
However, the real reason why I think she accepted the craziness so easily was not just part of her own magical potential. It was her plucky, spunky attitude. I see her like an oriental version of Penny Gadget actually.
Not saying that the magic didn't help; just saying that there was more than just that going on.
I shudder though. Is there going to be anything left of San Fran now that the CMC has met Jade?
I sure hope so...
7311474 I think I'll keep my Kettle BBQ Chips thanks, though I brought extra Cola if anyone wants some.
One More Thing. I'm not sure how well they'll hold out but I've got the Repulsor Fields set up and an Null-Space Emergency Portal ready in case things get a little too crazy. My Power Armor's out for repairs though so I'll take some of that protective equipment until I can get if fixed.
Well I'll be buggered!
In the Life and Times of Juniper Lee, one of the characters is voiced by Tara Strong.
I never noticed that until now. That makes four shows that I know that's she's done.
Chapter Twenty:
"Aiyah!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 19
"One More Thing!"
\
\\
\\\
Chapter Count: 3
Total Count: 38
I think you meant Nǐ hǎo qīnqī.
Of course! Juniper Lee! I saw another comment saying Jade is a defender against dark arts and a pargon of good chi.
I didn't know that since I never saw the show in its entirety.
Juniper Lee, i just watched a few episodes online. Jade with strong enough chi to see mystical beings is acceptable. The adventure truly begins now...
Also did i ever mention uncharted series before?
No wonder Jade was so confident she could REDACTED when they were in Britain being chased by SECRETSOCIETY! Shame about THAT PLACE.
7311274 ...now I want to see Juniper Lee.
7311503
Basically yes. Want to join?
7311394 Thanks. No need for armour thanks.
7311597
Your funeral if you get hit by debris, or tree sap.
7311605 It's called magic guv'
7311581 you aren't the only one.
Snrk. When they're convincing Uncle to let Jade in on their magic lessons (she needs control) they should make a crack about feeding her, cleaning her litter box, and taking her on walkies.
Also, watched the episode: "The Amazing T-girl" recently. Scoots, probably, should be trying to convince her to pick a different name because reasons she won't explain, only for Uncle to hear about it and question aloud what Scootaloo knows about that name and how, hmmmmmmm?
And things are getting more interesting.
7311560
Actually, I used google translate and selected that one as, while it meant cousin, it meant it in the usage that referred to all family members (the same way Stitch refers to the other experiments as 'cousin'). In essence, "family but let's not define exactly how".
7311612
The only thing I know about Juniper Lee is that she gets turned into a lemur in one episode. That's it.
7311610
Well unicorns like us can get distracted. Why do you think I put on the protective gear? This way I can enjoy the chaos and not be cover in tree sap or get injured by debris while laughing.
It's been a few years since I watched an episode of Juniper Lee. It certainly had a lot of potential, but it ultimately ended up being cancelled before its time. A shame really as one of my personal favourite voice actresses--Lara Jill Miller--provided the voice of Juniper. Also, who knew the CMC were so good at interrogation.
I like Jade being naturally gifted magically. It makes sense for how calm she was with all the stuff starting with the Talismans. I can so see Jade and the Crusaders wandering into a hidden alleyway and finding the magical creature part of San Francisco.
A great chapter. Well done.
7311759
Nope. He has practically zilch.
7311657 Who said anything about unicorn?
One problem. You said it was about 10 years before the show. This means that the CMCs are currently in their late teens. You can adjust the timing.
One more thing! Shouldn't the CMCS have human analogs like in the movies?
7311824
Actually, the CMC arrived ten years before the show as infants. Meaning they just now reached Jade's age. These details have been covered literally a dozen times between the story and the comments now.