The days that followed in Equestria were ones of relative peace; Jasper didn’t make much of public appearances after Discord was frozen, but his presence was felt. Many ponies dared not to give him glares anymore out of fear; the fear of banishment beyond the mirror…or worse lingered in their minds. Jasper did however go about making changes. Firstly, he decreed that royal taxes were to be implemented to fund weapon and castle defence construction. Many ponies were greatly opposed to this idea, but obeyed. Secondly, he decreed all banners and remnants of Celestia and Luna’s rule in the castle were to be stripped away and replaced with his own crest. His crest depicted two gold scimitars crossed in an X; upon their point of intersection was the gem of ages. All of the royal guard armor was given slight upgrades. They covered more of their vital spots and reflected the Spartan armor of old, which he personally found amusing on them. Captain Flash Sentry was among a very small hoof full of guards who hated the way things had changed. It especially tore him up inside to see how Twilight and her friends had suffered at his hands, even Sunset Shimmer laid in the dungeon comatose.
Though he would never say it within earshot of Jasper, he utterly despised the human and hoped he would get his in the end. But his training forced him to be loyal to the ruling monarchy and from what he’s seen; insubordination against the human would not be taken likely. So for now, he would suck it up and bear with it. Though, word through the grapevine was that Jasper took some time from his royal duties to enter the library’s restricted section and research ancient magic, hex’s, charms, runes, you name it. Not only that, but that black dragon would never leave. Ignatius was more like a protégé than an assistant; he hung on every word and lesson that was given to him. Never once did he leave Jasper’s side when he roamed the corridors or when he attended to his studies and royal business. Speaking of the young black dragon, he was currently dressing in formal attire for the royal summit. Both he and Jasper waited with eager anticipation.
Ignatius straightened his red tie and knocked on his proverbial big brothers door, “Are you ready yet Jasper? The envoy from the summit will be arriving with our escort soon.”
The door opened silently as the king stepped out, Iggy widened his eyes in shocked awe. Jasper was clothed neck to foot in solid gold armor. The armor a marvel of the crafter’s skill, smooth edges was seen on each and every single plate. Engraved with care on the pieces were arcane looking lines and swirls. The left and right shoulder pads had four small curved adornments reminiscent of spikes upon them. On his left forearm plate were six small blade like protrusions that curved toward the floor, and atop the back of his left hand were two slender curved blades three inches longer than an index finger.
Ignatius took notice of the blades, “What are those for?”
Jasper calmly walked past him as a vermillion cape billowed behind him, “For…personal dealings up close.”
“Cool,” Ignatius glanced at Jaspers posture and mirrored it quickly, “So, are you excited.”
Jasper gave a wiry smile, “Immensely. Remember though Ignatius, a ruler masks his emotions until the appropriate time. Never let them betray you for if you do, then you’ve lost.”
Ignatius nodded absorbing the wisdom like a sponge. Before he continued down the hall, Jasper stopped for a moment and placed a gold circlet upon his head. Upon doing that, a beige unicorn stallion with a blonde mane dressed in azure robes approached with a hesitant bow.
“My lord, your carriage waits.”
Jasper nodded slowly, “Well met envoy.”
The envoy smiled as he followed the two, “My lord.”
Jasper cast a glance at the envoy, “Might I ask why the dragon is attending?”
“Simple,” Jasper placed his right hand upon Ignatius’s head as the Gem of Ages gleamed, “He is my assistant and my protégé, and I trust there won’t be any qualms with this?”
The envoy got sweaty upon noticing the gem, “O-of course not.”
Jasper approached the open door of the carriage and sat down with a quick, “Good.”
Ignatius was beaming at being acknowledged as someone closer to Jasper then his assistant. In a way, Iggy saw Jasper not only as his father but big brother. He would do anything to earn Jasper’s respect.
*
The carriage ride was one of silence and contemplation. Jasper gazed out the window as the foothills below rolled steadily by below them. Jasper’s mind wondered back to that time when he had defeated Discord and blew a fuse. Never before had that happened and no matter where he looked, no book held the answer to what he sought. What bothered him most was that he was suffering nightmares; this had caused him to lose some sleep, though he was holding quite well. Every time he would close his eyes, those shades would torment him. He would also catch a glance of a familiar shape on the horizon gazing at him with glowing white eyes; it was time she and he had a chat.
“Envoy.”
The pony glanced over, “Yes?”
“Wake me when we get there.”
*
Jasper glanced around the dark landscape. It was a twisted perversion of Canterlot and he knew full well what lay outside. He glanced out of the stained glass window that was to his right and coiled away. The dark shades outside shrieked inhumanly and churned, waiting. Jasper narrowed his eyes as a familiar feeling of his armor and gauntlet met him. He turned his head and gazed at the door as he ripped a decorative spear off the wall, time for action. Jasper roared as he surged out the door and smashed a shade into wisps. He raged through the infested streets smashing the shades away, the shades that would get past him would rip away at his armor. When they got underneath, their ice cold claws slashed through his skin. Jasper tried to block it out, the horrible wails, the icy sting of their very touch akin to frostbite incarnate. He would then sluggishly slash away the shades and advance further, only to be met with a swirling mob that tore into him. He yelled in anger and pain as he glared around him. Without warning his right hand shot through the icy cold cloud of black and grasped something solid that gasped suddenly. His voice was hoarse, but firm.
“Got you bitch.”
The cloud dissipated to reveal a weak looking Luna.
“I had a feeling this would happen,” Jasper tightened his grip on the alicorns throat, “WHY are you doing this.”
Luna glared daggers at the human, “Though I would enjoy doing this deed, tis not my doing. These creatures are a present force personified, even now they wait to consume you,” she sneered, “they continue even now on the fringes of your senses.”
Jasper clenched tighter as Luna gasped in agony, “I’ll break your neck in two.”
Luna spoke choked, “You cannot. I am not really here, you cannot kill me here.”
Jasper smiled maliciously as Luna perceived his eyes flash red, “You’d be surprised what you can experience mentally, some have died from mere sensory overload from intense nightmares. So yes Luna, I can’t kill you here and now but,” he leaned forward as his eyes flashed red once more, “You’d be surprised what you can live through.”
*
Jasper smiled contently in his sleep.
*
In Canterlot, Luna’s statue gazed vacantly onto the gardens of Canterlot. A lone droplet of blood bloomed from her eye and dripped down her face like a tear.
*
Twilight was thrashing on the ground in agony as an immense high pitched noise tore away at her mind and soul.
...Dayum.
That was cold.
3437094
Now i ask you, what does Twilight`s reaction mean?
Look like this guy needs to die.
God i love my new king!
3437106 was she the one causing Jasper's nightmares?
Or is Nightmare moon going to appear?
3437132
Nope, the nightmares are sort of Jasper's fault. Think of the high pitched whine as the loudest scream and immense pain. Now imagine ALL of that, coursing through your very being.
I love Jasper. I can't wait to see what he does next!
3437108 agreed *pulls out knife*
I LOVE THIS GUY!
Evil Always finds a Way...
Anybrony wanna play Overlord?
Short chapter, but awesome as hell! :D
This guy is amazing. If he ends up losing the crown I will kill you
I kinda wish there was someone who would draw some art for this story, so I could get a better picture of Jasper's new outfit. But from the chapter title alone, I think I might have an idea of it.
Also, this shade problem sounds strange. Is it just affecting Jasper alone or is this a problem that affects other ponies as well?
I hope that problem doesn't become another personified person sprouting inside Jasper's head and trying to take control of his body. I REALLY HATE THAT CLICHE! It's been done more times, than a two dollar hooker. All it does is make me wanna kick a baby when I see a poorly thought out inner demon used as a main villain for a story. Just. . . no.
Also, poor Luna.
Also, Also, random Gif because I can.
i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii516/Klutzybear/tumblr_m540j7Km6G1ru5991o2_1280.gif
3437106 I don't know. What? Thanks for updating so quickly.
This is NOT gonna end well.
I'm betting the Gem of Ages is draining him and somehow resulting in bad dreams. Is it draining his soul to power his magic?
I'm not sure how I want this to end for Jasper. Well aside from the fact that I'll ask Pinkamena Diane Pie to make cupcakes out of you if he goes good ...
Jasper is the best, I mean he finally shows the ponies that life isn't perfect. In fact, he will probably end up being better for the ponies as he teaches them how to live life hard and under the influence of a greater power. Celestia did shit all for teaching them how to survive on their own and that is why the Everfree is so dangerous, few ponies can actually handle violent situations. The ones that could include: Daring Doo, Rainbowdash, Applejack, Big Mac and possibly Pinkie because Pinkie.
just when i tought that a truce could be worked... when's the next one coming out?
3437556 read some of my comments from past chapters, you will be amazed at how awesome he is when you realize what i wrote.
3437439 hmmm... That may be why. I just thought that the gold armor and gauntlet absorbed magic used against him than was used to fuel the gem. But your theory seems more better than mine.
3437216 nuh uh! That not how you do it! *Pulls out Trevor Phillips holding a minigun and a Jerry can*
Man... I end up feeling that once the end comes... it'll be like, the most unexpected twist ever... because that's how much he is different from the other villains.
...Why must the chapters be so short?
3437387
Morgan DanfreyJasper would be willing to exploit that. No one will get that reference. Hint: Morg. Hint: kingmaker, kingbreaker. fisherman's children. blight of mages. last one mostly.3436900
YES, PLEASE, WOULD BE AMAY-ZING
3438171
I wouldn't mind. Though i would like to know what it employs
3437959
Why the chapters short? SO i can take it slow, and to just mess with ya
Am I the only one who feels that his assistant is going to turn on him, for one reason or another?
I think you meant this to be the other way around.
I honestly don't want to hear about how evil he is anymore. I get it, get on with the plot already. Unless that is the plot...
I'll wait for a few chapters to see where this goes. Then I'll decide whether or not I want to leave.
3438423 I can totally imagine Ignatius taking everything Jasper taught him, in order to take over... Arthas Style: "What are you doing!?" "Succeeding you, Father." *stab*
3435814 they are all facing to the right...
3437106
Hmm...
Well, at an assumption, it could be Luna screaming out to her in blinding agony.
Twilight could have a connection with the princesses since becoming one and it's a form of reaction from one of the princesses being in peril.
Maybe it's Jasper's doing, sending her a message.
I can't know. I'll leave the genius writing to you.
3438703
Here's the thing dear readers, she's not dead. But she is wishing she was after what he did, use your imagination. Remember, Matrix Logic.
3438703
Like it said, Luna couldn't be killed.
But that didn't mean she could be tortured.
This is so buetiful *sniff sniff* I just want to cry. (:
Hail to the King, baby.
YEEEEES YEEEEEEES FEEL PAIN PONIES
3438535in a play you wouldn't raise the curtains without the background being in place now would you? you wouldn't play chess without all your pieces in position. we must wait for the set up to finish before we continue.
I, for one
Welcome our new evil overlord.
Then again, who doesn't in a world where if you disobey, he turns you into a garden gnome.
3439749
??????
You're examples have nothing to do with my comment.
I stated "I will wait a few more chapters to see where this goes." which implies I will stay and wait for the whole thing to be set up. But I'm both hopeful and hesitant. So I was just stating my thoughts at the moment.
What made you want to tell me about the plot still being set up?
Other than the miss-communication of course.
3439801 Big Mac
My like count is now 666
3440623 well i was kindda assuming it might take more than a few chapters to set up. the chapters can be pretty short is why.
any one think of a dragon ball z abriged moment when this happened
skip to 1:18 for the exact moment but if you enjoy the comedy watch it all
all hail jasper
We could say that I was partially right and partially wrong, the Gem of Ages isn't draining anything to Jasper per se but it is giving something to him.
I wonder what thoes shadows in his dream resemble and are? Could they be the hatred and anger of Jasper's subjects? Could they be his subconscious trying to tell him what is he doing wrong?
And what about Iggy? Would he always be Jasper's loyal lapdog? Or will he rebel against his "brother" to seize power? We can't ignore the obvious fact that Iggy is a dragon and like all dragons they are creatures of greed.
If Iggy grows cunning and greedy enough he might have enough "excuses" to rebel against his "brother" and try to seize power by using the hatred of Jasper's so called "subjects" (Flash Sentry anyone?)
At some degree how this story might be predictable (using my type of logic at least) but then again I really don't care in which direction this story will go, the reason is that I know it will always be worth the wait.
PS: Villainous Fan Group is the only group I am part of starting from this day. The reason.............................................. is for me to know and for the rest to find out
3441032
Yea shortness of chapters is not to be admired. Actually the fact that most of it is either traveling stuff or...some dialog...well yea that's just a turn off. As for drama I'm not actually really happy. These things could easily take several chapters, and character development needs to be considered too.
I mean the transition to "Ok maybe I'll be ok with being your friend." to "I'm taking over." was sudden and unexpected. Not the good unexpected either. The transition was completely unexplained, like a new character just took the place of the one we were just introduced too change.
Yea that's why I'm really iffy about this story to tell you the truth.
I did however stay to continue reading in hopes that this will not happen again, or I'd probably just unfave and leave if it does.
I honestly don't want to leave though. I haven't seen many HiE's where the human is a villain...
Mine counts in a way... Although he had a good guy bad guy complex with each of his actions...
Don't read it, it's shitty and I wrote that before I had an editor.
3438373
Well, look up turnabout storm on youtubes youll see what i mean, only not that exactly. The animations would be weird in that format. What im saying is, someones made a animation of a large scale fanfic before, and it can be done again
3443833
That would be cool
3437108 Looks like some people have sick senses of humor...