//------------------------------// // XVII: Jack and Scotsman in the Empire // Story: The Samurai Called Jack // by MetalJrock //------------------------------// The Crystal Empire... It was a normal day for the crystal ponies. They were going about a normal day...a day where there was no reason to worry about anything and keep remembering the heroic acts of Spike the dragon(or as they like to call him “Spike the Brave and Glorious”) But just then, a bright white light suddenly enveloped itself onto the middle of the kingdom, and appearing from it was Discord, along with Jack and the Scotsman, whom the citizens have yet to know about. A small crowd began forming around the three unexpected visitors in only just a few seconds, mostly because they wanted to know why Discord was here, and who his two new companions were. The draconequess waved his hands around and spoke with a microphone, “Mares and genticolts, I present to you, the newest, biggest, greatest team in Equestria: Myself, Samurai Jack, and newcomer Scotsman!" Jack waved nervously while Scotsman laughed. "Aye. This be the world you ended up in, huh? A bunch'a talkin' horses. Maybe me wife would like one as a pet once I take my leave." he joked. "They are not pets, my friend. They are people like us." the samurai commented. The older warrior patted Jack on the back, "Ya know I'm just messin' around, laddie." The crowd was too starstruck to really see how Jack and the Scotsman were interacting. "Wh-What's happening?" somepony called out. Jack bowed, "Do forgive us, kind inhabitants. I assume this to be the Crystal Empire?" he asked. Discord nodded and also answered, "Correct, Jackie. This is where the big show is going down soon enough." "What big show?" Turning their heads, the humans noticed a white unicorn with a blue mane and pink alicorn walking by, said alicorn glaring at Discord. “What's going on this time, Discord?" the alicorn asked with suspicion. "Why do you think I'm doing something?" the spirit of chaos put a halo over his head as he tuned a harp in his talons. The unicorn tilted his head, "Considering we're talking to the spirit of chaos himself I'm not so sure what to think..." "Please, he means you no harm, and the same goes for us." Jack said while performing a well-mannered bow again, "I am called Jack and that is the Scotsman. We come from another world. Are you a princess like Twilight Sparkle?" he wondered. "You know my sister?" the unicorn asked. Jack blinked, "I did not know she had a sibling. But yes, I do. She is on her way with her friends as we speak. We have much to explain before they arrive." Scotsman let out a hearty laugh, "Ain't that be the truth?" Discord smiled, "Oh ho. This should be good." The samurai looked around, noticing the evergrowing crowd that was surrounding them. "But first... May we speak about it in private? I do not wish to start a panic now. It is very important the two of you hear the news we bring." "..." Cadance paused, unsure of what to do for the moment and looked around at the crowd. She and Shining Armor could not afford a panic now. Not before Twilight and her friends got here at least. “...Okay. Follow us to the castle. Then you can explain from there." Jack nodded, "Thank you." **** While walking to the castle, the samurai had explained that he and Scotsman are from another world, on different missions. It took a lot of assurance that it was the truth, but Cadance and Shining Armor eventually believed their story, despite how farfetched it sounded at the time. Scotsman's eyes wandered about, "Ha! This place is made of the finest gems. Mah wife would love somethin' from 'ere. I'd be takin' something of me own once we're done here." Groaning, Shining Armor put a hoof over his head, "Please don't... Not until you two explain why you are here and why Discord nearly started a scene in the process." As they walked by a door blocked by two guard ponies, he gave them each a salute in greeting, and he decided to ask them something concerning their absence. “How are Sunburst and Thorax doing with Flurry Heart?" he asked with some concern. “The princess is as energetic as ever, but Sunburst and Thorax are not going down so easily.” an orange pegasus guard responded. In the background, the humans and spirit of chaos could hear the sound of a baby giggling as well as two disgruntled male grunts before a crash followed by more light giggling. “Get back, Flurry Heart! Before you get hurt!" one of them said. Jack raised a brow at this, wondering what was going on. Shining blinked, "...I think we get the picture. Tell them they're almost done, we need to attend to something else." The orange pegasus saluted and replied, "Yes, sir." The group walked by into the throne room, where they finally spoke again after a few moments of awkward silence. “Ah Flurry Heart. The newest alicorn in the bunch. I hear that she’s quite the chaotic one." Discord laughed to himself at that. "Was that your... daughter, we heard?" Jack wondered. Cadance nodded, "Yes. And don't get any chaotic ideas from her, Discord, for any of your future tricks." she scolded. As a result of Cadence scolding him, it caused the draconequess to create another halo over his head. "Why are you even still here?" Shining asked. Jack spoke up, "He could prove an ally for what is coming next...Darkness is coming to this kingdom. And we do not know how much longer we have until it arrives." Those words caught the attention of the prince and princess, "Darkness? What kind of darkness?" wondered Cadance. The samurai replied, "We are not sure. I do believe his name is Sombra from what Discord told us. Perhaps we are inexperienced in this world to know of Sombra. But why would he wish to destroy this empire if we may ask?" "Why would a bunch'a cutesy ponies have enemies anyway?" Scotsman wondered. Discord snapped his fingers and handed the couple an orb containing nothing but a dark cloud, "I sensed his presence nearby the shield protecting this empire. For once, I am being entirely honest. After all, I cannot disappoint Fluttershy." While they spoke, Jack's gaze wandered behind the ponies and he silently glared, feeling something off at the time while they spoke of the oncoming danger, catching Scotsman's attention as well. The samurai raised a hand, warning his partner to be silent for the moment, which he acknowledged with a small nod. The unicorn and alicorn looked back at the orb, then to one another for a moment, "Sombra's back? But how can we trust the two of you, and Discord? For all we know, you could be working for Sombra and just making a ruse to get into the empire." Wanting to respond, the samurai and warrior spotted a couple of moving blobs of darkness shifting about on the clear crystal floor before they each took on a creepy equine form. He noticed the blobs remaining still, and then finally leaping forward. "Look out!" shouted Jack. The Samurai and Scotsman stepping forward, they unsheathed their swords for battle at last. The two humans jumped up and slashed downwards, destroying two of the dark entities that wished to blindside them. The ponies stepped back, where Discord crested a small shield to surround them as the warriors from another world battled the darkness-filled creatures. Jack and Scotsman looked to each other with a proud smile, seeing more of the dark beings come forward. Scotsman was the first to attack again, slashing his blade upward, tearing apart the torso of the fake Equestrian with a hearty grin. He then noticed a small crystal on the floor and threw it directly to the head of another dark minion, but its body morphed so it missed. Scotsman growled and held up his metal leg, shooting an array of bullets at it, hoping to catch it off guard instead. He noticed its body breaking apart slowly. Then, while it was caught off guard, the Scotsman leaped in for the final slash. One of the dark beings shot a black beam from its fake horn, intending to shoot the samurai. But Jack's sword blocked the magic and he stabbed his blade directly into the creature's chest, causing it to fade from existence upon contact. He spun his body around and slashed another fake horn, where it faded into nothingness. Jack then drove his sword upwards, removing the head of the creature, his magic destroying its body instantly. As the two humans continued to battle, Cadence and Shining Armor couldn’t help but watch with amazement at the fact that the two warriors were able to kill those umbrum ponies when it is normally very impossible. Scotsman laughed, "It be just like ole' times, eh?" he asked his brother in arms, the two of them standing back to back. Jack nodded in agreement. With their swords held out in front of them, they were ready for whatever attack was next. There were two more dark Equestrians coming, and the two screamed, finishing the job with just a few more easy swipes from their blades. Once they were done, Samurai Jack and the Scotsman sheathed their blades with proud grins on their faces. Then Scotsman patted Jack on the back. “Aye. Ya haven't lost yer touch since we last met, laddie. Good." he quipped. "I could say the same for you, old friend." Jack replied. Discord released the Equestrians from the forcefield, when Shining Armor muttered, "What the heck just happened...? What did you two do? How did...” "You pansy ponies just witnessed us savin' yer lives." Scotsman answered, "Now can ye trust us? We kinda be runnin' on a time limit here, lassie." Cadance hummed, "What do you mean?" Jack closed his eyes, "This Sombra... I am not sure what he seeks here, but..." he looked out the window, noticing that all was well outside, "I fear he is already making his presence known."