Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo groaned as they slowly awoke in the chamber of the Book of Ages. The room seemed completely unchanged before the blast of light at first glance, but two things quickly showed that this was not so. First off, the Book seemed to be crackling with potential magical energy, as though something hadn't already happened yet. The second was that everything beyond the chamber had an odd duality to it. In addition to seeing the world around them, there was also a blank white void resulting in the world seeming not quite real. Only the chamber itself lacked the void, and thus felt real.
As they managed to get their heads straight, the three fillies realized they were the only ones in the chamber. "What the hay happened?" Apple Bloom demanded in confusion, making her way over to the others. "One second we were tryin' ta stop Valmont from changin' the Book, the next..."
"The next we're all alone here," Scootaloo continued, "with that weird magic surrounding the Book."
"I can't tell what the purpose of the magic is," Sweetie Belle began, "but I can tell something we can do with it."
"Oh?" Scootaloo asked curiously.
"The Book's been changed," Sweetie Belle pointed out. "I...I think we can use the energy around it to find out how...like a scrying spell."
"How do we do that?" Apple Bloom asked worriedly. "I'm worried about Uncle Jackie-"
The light flared, and a window opened up. Through the window of magic, they could see China far below them...only for it to slowly grow closer. They could see towering structures, large lands of shadow...and a thriving populace of humans and others endlessly building and working away at something they couldn't quite understand.
"...anyone else reminded of Samurai Jack?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously. "I'm getting 'Aku Empire vibes...what with the flying cars and all those giant crystals."
"And...that's Shendu's palace," Scootaloo said as the view zoomed in on the structure, raised high to tower over civilization. "I'm almost afraid to see what's inside..."
Inside the palace, Shendu stared at endless sheaves of reports that detailed the progress in every inch of his empire. As he always did, he found himself brooding. He didn't like the present state of affairs, but he didn't exactly have a choice. The minority of three was always outvoted amongst the Brotherhood, and they all knew what would happen if the Will of the Group was defied too strenuously. It had been pointed out plenty of times, there were more than enough Demon Overlords for all available land.
As he brooded over this, he saw the golden light appear before him, and he straightened with a growl. "Not even a message to let me know you are coming...brother?" he spat irritably, his few attendants removing themselves.
The light focused inward until it took the shape of Valmont, his human form garbed in a suit of gold, the horned crown of thorns hovering over his head like a twisted halo. "Because I'd arrive long before any message arrived, you know that," he countered urbanely. "Now where are your manners?"
Shendu snarled aggressively as he stood up. "You dare talk that way to me in my own kingdom-"
Before Shendu could react, all the light vanished from the chamber except Valmont himself, who glowed from within. Something struck him in the back of the knees and sent him to his back. The point of an edgeless blade stopped at his throat. "Show proper respect for the Golden One," an angry voice growled.
Valmont frowned and snapped his fingers. The light slowly returned to the area as a figure at Shendu's feet drew the darkness back into herself, revealing the familiar figure of Viper...demonically enhanced to appear somewhat serpentine. Standing on Shendu's chest was Jackie...but his hair was long, spiky, and golden and he was garbed only in a golden karate gi with the hanzi for Light over his heart and that for Demon upon his back. Balance Breaker was held to Shendu's throat.
Shendu sputtered in surprise and fear. "You...you brought the Serpent and the Monkey?"
"What sort of fool, however powerful, would not go everywhere without his elite bodyguards?" Valmont asked playfully. "Oh, I forgot who I was talking to."
Shendu's teeth bared, but he said nothing.
"Are your people on schedule?" Valmont asked flatly.
"Everything progresses as it should," Shendu growled in frustration as Jackie clambered off his chest. He slowly sat up. "I've just finished going over the reports."
"Good," Valmont observed dryly. "We'll take a look on our way out."
"What's so important about the blasted thing, anyway?" Shendu snarled irritably. "The resources that go to these 'projects' of yours could be better placed in tribute!"
Valmont raised one eyebrow. "...do I need to go over your books, Shendu?" he asked benignly.
Shendu seemed to pale. "There is no need," he offered hastily.
"There had better not be..."
Valmont stared up at the massive structure, to mortal eyes looking like a cross between a Dyson sphere and a spider web. But his eyes could see far beyond mortal and he could read the nature of the structure quite plainly as it extended into the fourth, fifth, and sixth dimensions. Man had made weapons that could kill gods. A mundane had found a way to kill an Elder. The Jade Council thought humanity unrestrained was the only defense against the return of the Old Ones. Valmont had seen that humanity guided could do far better. He stared at one of many structures known only as Ancient Traps. Once completed, they would be the defense the Jade Council wanted against the Old Ones. The moment an incursion began, the Traps would be activated. Inside the traps, space-time would weaken, creating the ideal place for the Old Ones to fully manifest from without rituals or sacrifices. Once they manifested, however, they would be caged in a prison that used their own essence as a power source, turning the greatest threat to Earth into the greatest source of magical power it would ever know.
...he'd made sure to memorize the blueprints, just in case this timeline was reversed. It would make a good bargaining chip with someone, he was certain.
"My Lord?" Jackie - the Monkey - spoke up diffidently. "You have that look on your face again."
Valmont schooled his expression. "Chan, have I told you how this world came to be?"
Jackie nodded. "The world had taken a path to an untenable future," he recited. "You acted to avert that future, and in the process used great magic that recreated the world in the Light. This is the world we live in now."
Valmont nodded as he turned away. "What I haven't mentioned is that you played a part in creating that untenable future in the old world," he explained softly. "At the time, I blamed you for it, hated you for it. I've had time to think, and I want you to know I forgive you. You did only what you thought was right, same as me."
Jackie bowed respectfully. "I am certain the other me would apologize if he knew his mistake. I do so in his place." Stepping back, he glanced towards Viper, who smiled at him. "This is a bright future."
"Indeed," Valmont allowed with a smile. "Speaking of, how goes the family planning?"
Jackie blushed as Viper chuckled ruefully. "We are Your Lordships Guards," Jackie allowed. "That...does not leave much time."
Valmont sighed ruefully. "Even Mulan managed to get married," he grumbled ruefully, making the pair snicker. "Take some time off, both of you. I have somewhere I wish to be, and I wish to go alone." He turned towards the ocean.
"Sssseeing to your own family planning?" Viper asked teasingly.
Valmont blinked in surprise, then grinned widely. "Precisely," he replied happily before vanishing into light.
Jackie chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Well, what shall we do with our time-" He tensed up as Viper suddenly bit him on the neck, sinking in fangs that left no wounds.
Viper grinned widely. "Catch me if you can, sssstud," she hissed before slithering away almost faster than the eye could track.
Jackie's eyes lit up as he grinned widely. He began beating his chest as he let out a very ape-like hooting howl before bounding off after her, easily matching her speed.
The window closed, leaving the trio of fillies blinking in shock.
I.....I don't......I don't know. Not....so bad? Maybe? Or...should change back? I don't know.....I just don't know.
Well, uh... that... happened? While Time still needs to be corrected, I don't think that need was as great as previously thought...
Well... crap. I have no idea what Valmont is planning and that bothers me a great deal. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
Remind me about this again: all of Jade Council policies to protect humanity and allow them to thrive stream for the fact Old Man Henderson managed to put down an Old One ?
Well... It's not a horrible future per say. But just like Aku's empire, it only looks good on the surface. Valmont could've easily killed Jackie, but he hasn't. And who's to say that the previous timeline would not arrive to this point. But I'm gonna remain undecided until I can see the negatives.
How would he remember the blueprints if the timeline they were drawn up in never existed though
Trying to power humanity off of a trapped Old One just screams BAD IDEA if you ask me.
...I'm guessing that the ponies never came to Uncle in this timeline, after all demon and pony chi do not get along well... I wonder where you will take this next.
8433650
Temporal sheilding protects the user from changes in the timeline.
In the show, just holding a piece of the book was enough to protect your memories against changes in the timeline caused by the book.
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See as someone who has never actually watched an episode of the show, I was unaware of this.
8433660
Don't you mean BAD DAY?
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That too.
Bai Zi didn't want to marry him? Or... Did something happen? Whatever it is, Valmont seems depressed about the fact that Jackie and Viper got close to the point of wanting to start families, and it also seems that he's even gone as far as to make a few contingencies in case the Timeline ever reverts... One of those being the means to break down Barriers between dimensions. We've only seen Shendu... Where are the others?
And speaking of Shendu, HAH! He's become a Pencil Pusher!
8433645
Pretty much. Self-interest meets fear.
8433682
You misinterpret.
He was comparing the Jackie/Viper (Monkey/Serpent) situation to Mulan, since he wants them to be happy together and placed himself in the role of Emperor in the metaphor.
White is missing the e
8433685
I see. Though Valmont seemed rather Mournful.
Also, how come noone notes that Shendu's pretty much a glorified pencil pusher now?
Figures that Shendu would be in the minority of things.
If nothing else, Valmont can easily beat Shendu by the books.
Not sure if Jackie if monkeying around and if Viper bit off more than she could chew. Probably not for either case really.
8433650
The exact same way the Demon Brotherhood still remembered that Time had changed in the original series, they most likely have an immunity.
8433702
He's a pencil pusher now... not worth making fun of...
Shouldn't the 2nd if be is, Sans-sama?
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It's ok there are so many tricky aspects of about messing with time both scientifically and magically it's easy to get lost on what can and can't prevent paradox effects, as a note part of what could allow him to keep the messures he took in the altered timeline deals with why the fillies are trapped with the book, the dual reality with the white void, and the strange magic that is allowing them to see what is going on. How much of that I may have just handed to the author as a way to wrap up those details is unknown
..................... I got nothin'.
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Using eldritch horrors as a power source...we all know this song and dance and how it goes.
img07.deviantart.net/4414/i/2010/005/a/3/lavos_by_illerulf.jpg
img1.etsystatic.com/164/2/10703729/il_340x270.1245904927_fuv7.jpg
Sidenote,has anyone written THIS yet?
derpicdn.net/img/view/2016/8/26/1234098__safe_edit_this+will+end+in+tears+and-fwslash-or+death_reflection_stargazing_artist-colon-tarantad0_chrono+trigger_lavos.jpeg
8433751
there's this https://www.fimfiction.net/story/221274/celestia-trigger
Oddly enough Jackie is like monkey omg imaging jade and her bf now
*hears three small explosions*
I understand where you're coming from girls. My mind was blown too when I saw this. On a side note, Tats does this mean Jade is Queen of the Shadowkhan but is in control in this alternate reality? Also I see the Kung Fu Panda reference there.
So Jackie is a super sayian now? He shouldn't like he's in the common garb of Goku (and the other Turtle School trained fighters) and the spiked hair and all...
So, Jackie has become SSJ4 Goku with golden fur?
...Neat.
Definitely better than the original rewritten future
I was listening This and somehow I think luck was in my side because it was perfect with the reading.
It make me think how is going with the others but... Are we going to need 8 chapters of 1000 words to see that?
8433920
I agree
8433920
Indeed. So is Valmont actually planning for things to go back to how they were?
Super Saiyin Jackie? Ehh, sure.
Dang, Valmont certainly doesn't think small.
…That sounds like the technology from Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
I'm betting it's the one thing all would be conquerors forget about when trying to take over the world.
HA! YES! IT KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A MOUNTAIN OF PAPERWORK!!! :P
Shendu must hate the fact his former lackey is now his boss.
I don't know which is more surprising. Viper going through the same beauty treatment as Lord Voldmort. or Super Saiyan Jackie. In either case, I am liking both of these changes.
Shendu, you should know better than to try to cheat a former criminal mastermind. They're usually expert accountants. :P
…
He knows. He knows exactly where the CMC are and what they are in a position to do. And he is leaving them a choice.
I wonder how many eons it took for Valmont to come to that conclusion.
And I think I know exactly where Valmont is going. I hope Bai Tza has a suite ready for her suitor.
I bet this is exactly how the Power Puff Girls felt when they ultimately saw what Mojo Jojo was planning to do after he took over the world.
I am so looking forward to what the CMC are going to discover as they check in on the rest of their family. I have a gut feeling at the end of this arc Valmont will pay the CMC a visit to let them choose.
Haha, cool future. Even in victory Valmont doesn't appear to be a tyrant, if he didn't disintegrate Jackie and company. He actually seems like a cool boss. Then again it's still early. Nice chapter.
i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/007/445/pancake_bunny.jpg
...did Jackie go Super Saiyan?
8433955
Looks like even if he's not planning for them to go back he's keeping options open to improve if they do go back
8434011
I thought the same thing..
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I think that was the point of this chapter. At least compared to canon.
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Because pencil pusher is a step up from figurative punching bag. He went from the dirt to the worm that crawls in the dirt.
With how resourceful the girls are I think this is where the “magic is normal” timeline gets its “ponies are a good thing and anything they say is listened to very well”
I now have to see what the bad points to this time line is because right now, I am failing to see the down side to Valmont being pretty much in charge
8433963
Or subtle remember what happens to them under a full moon?
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Consider that the Jade Council themselves DO NOT UNDERSTAND how the fuck Henderson killed that which is, as far as they know, utterly impossible to kill. One human effectively decided to pull a Team Gurren and do the impossible. They're allowing humans to flourish because they're a little scared what Humanity might do to them if pushed too far.
I... uh... I got nothin'. Woah.
Chapter One Hundred Forty-Seven
"Bad Day"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 40
"He's Not My Boyfriend!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 44
So far this isn't NEARLY as terrible as I thought it would be, ESPECIALLY for the Chans
Well my question at this point is, where's Jade in all of this?
Um, I have to ask. Why was Shendu so frightened of Jackie and Viper? I mean, if this is full power Shendu with all 12 talismans, well there's a reason he was feared. He could have just telekinetically thrown them off of him.
*blinks owlishly, curveball-shaped indent still embedded in face* ...Well played Tats, well played... No wonder Hsi Wu wasn't worried.
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Well, Shendu was full powered with all 12 talismans when he lost to regular Jackie who had a sword and some magic back up. Now Jackie and Viper, both powerful warriors in their own right, are magically enhanced by demon Valmont and were in the room working with said Demon. All in all, Shendu was severely outclassed and he knew it.
8434125
Why do I get the feeling this scene happened in this new timeline.