You Win
Augustus slipped Balance Breaker back into his coat, releasing the hilt as soon as he dared. Whether because it didn't like being wielded by anyone but Jackie, or because he hadn't achieved the true balanced state that had allowed Jackie to unwittingly create the blade, wielding it had scorched the inside of his hand near black, sending spasms of pain both physical and magical through his entire arm...but he wasn't about to let that show. Probably the only reason he still had the hand was because that was the hand that had held the Tiger Talisman when he'd unwittingly used it to restore Bi Han from Noob Saibot. Still, he kept the hand clenched shut as he looked over the stunned faces of the gathered audience, staring down at the corpse of their former leader. This was not a good thing. He needed to say something before it became a riot, preferably something that would prevent someone else from taking leadership only to continue the campaign anyway.
"Your Kahn is dead by my hand," he declared firmly, surprised that his voice was magically amplified to be heard throughout the stadium at least, as every head turned towards him as he spoke and silence fell aside from his voice. "I am not happy about this. The only reason I even came here is because it's my job to make sure people like him don't disrupt the Balance of Magic and Mundane in my world that allows our civilization to flourish, and to enforce the Law. I'm not supposed to have to kill to make that happen..." He glanced down at the corpse. "But that doesn't mean I'll hesitate to do so if necessary.
"I'm hoping this man's death means whatever policies he had for how this world is run will be changed...but I'm not holding my breath." He glanced over the stands, seeing how people were holding themselves, whether proud or cringing, and shook his head. "From the looks of things, this world's been run on principles of 'the strong rule and take what they want' for a long time, and I doubt if many here even can conceive of a different way...and that's rather disappointing." Noticing the shocked looks this got, he grinned. "I know the mindset that supports such an outlook. Strength is everything, you can only rely on yourself and yours, to ask for help from others is weakness, and the weak are preyed upon..." He let those who plainly thought of themselves as 'strong' nod to themselves over that for a bit. "But if that's true, then after however long of them being preyed upon like that...how are 'the Weak' still here?"
He smirked as he saw several faces turn stunned at the question, and even more turn thoughtful. "Something to think about. And here's something else to think about: by this world's standards, I'd be considered one of 'the Weak' in my world." As that left everyone stunned, he grinned widely. "That's right. I'm not the strongest of my world..." His mind briefly turned to El Toro and Tohru. "I'm not the best fighter..." He thought of how much easier a time Jackie or Viper might have had coming through this challenge. "I'm not the most powerful..." He suppressed a shudder as he thought of how easily Valmont or Hsi Wu would have brushed aside the fighters that had given him so much trouble. "I'm not the most magically gifted..." Uncle probably could have dismantled the Labyrinth spell rather than track through it, and undone the dimensional weft before it could be established. "And certainly not the most clever, cunning, or dangerous..." He didn't even try to imagine what Jade and the fillies would have done to this place. He wasn't that imaginative. "I'm just a cop doing his job...and I bested those your leader's sorcerer had standing in my path, and then struck them both down with nothing but my training and a few dozen tricks in my pockets." His eyes narrowed. "And I'm one of my world's 'Weak' by your standards. Think about what that says about Shao Kahn's intentions of conquest, and what would have happened to all of you if he'd actually succeeded...and what will happen if anyone tries to do it without him."
Seeing that had the desired effect, he began to turn away only to pause. "Get your shit together, people," he stated flatly. "Figure out how to solve your problems without attacking your neighbors. Maybe, for novelty if nothing else, try asking for what you need and offering something in exchange. You never know, you might actually get what you need while you still remember why you wanted it in the first place..." Noticing an unpleasant scent in the air that he recognized, he wrinkled his nose. "Maybe you might advance enough to develop indoor plumbing...
"But for now, I'm done here," he stated flatly. "I'm exhausted, every joint aches likes an abscessed tooth, my head feels like I've got a knife going in one ear and out the other, and my feet are killing me. I'm going to go home and sleep this off like a bad hangover, and then get back to work." He paused before turning towards the portal. "If I have to come back here because you all have your heads so far up your asses you can't fix things without making your mess my problem, I will be most upset."
With that, he spun back to the portal, his coat billowing dramatically behind him. "And I won't be coming alone if I have to return. The strongest, most skilled, most powerful, most magically gifted, and most cunning I mentioned? Friends of mine, and I won't be happy if I have to get them involved in this...and neither will anyone else." With those words, he stalked calmly through the portal, which closed behind him.
Had it stayed open as much as a moment longer, he might have heard the arena erupt into enthusiastic cheers as many celebrated a change to the workings of Outworld that had been generations in coming.
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Friendship!
Friendship?
They really aren't paying him enough...
Why can’t I give this story another thumbs up and a fave?! Good job Veil Captain Black.
Gotta admit, he may not be the most cunning or strong but he gets the job done in different ways, think of it like job classes, he isn't a mage it a knight, he is the jack of all trades, master of none, but better than master of one,
Had anyone of the others he thought of came in his place they would have excelled in their area but may have failed in others, so far i think only jade and the ponies Might have had a chance, but the odds would have been little less than his
Is a good man. Get him a burger. And a raise. And a pony of his own. Get him Babs or something.
Veil Captain Augustus Black. THIS is his "Moment Of Badassery". If he manages to do better than THIS? I'd be surprised.
Hell, I bet he'll be the key that helped this world with their new "Trade Agreements" that might happen in the future.
Still, no matter what happens, I look forward to seeing how this story evolves.
He ruined his badass exit. He forgot the shades!
May I just say that this fic is a work of art?
I'm just waiting for a harem of Outerworld women to drop in on Augustus and offer to serve him for eternity.
10567300
I second this, with Sheeva at the front!
If Jade and the fillies had come along I expect they would have steam rolled over everyone who stood in their way besides Sheeva who would enjoy four little bundles of chaotic harmony visiting her.
*slow claps for Captain Black* Well done good sir, I salute you!
Nice philosophical way to end this segment, VERY epic. I really think you did good by Captian Black's character.
Overall great chapter, and great arc overall!
p.s. I just finished Assassin's creed Vallhallah...very great! I strongly recommend it...
...have you ever considered doing a story with Assassin's creed? Maybe have a 'quantum looping' Pony jumping through the centuries to each title?
10567208
Agreed. We should be able to favorite and thumbs up every chapter!
10567300
Just a harem? After that positive reception to his speech, I'm fairly certain they want him to be the new ruler of Outworld!
As the cheering begins...(Cue the Jackie Chan Adventures outro theme once that's over...
"MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!"
cue the mortal kombat theme roll the credits.
once both are over cue whatever end credit scene comes to mind here.
That is what I expect to see after all that badassery.
If this doesn't give him a promotion and/or raise, I don't know what will.
By Outworld standards, doesn't his victory (or at least the HOW of the victory) give Augustus a claim on the throne? Something to look forward to.
Keep up the great work. Deus tecum.
10567209
"Jack of all trades,
Master of none,
But still better
than a master of one."
Well done, Cap. Way to end your battle arc with a badass speech. Wouldn't have surprised me if a few of the folks in the stands had tried rushing the arena and chasing after him to get him to come back, only to run into a closed portal. Figure it out yourselves, people.
Chapter Two Hundred Thirteen
"Bad Day"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 49
"I'm not his/your Mistress!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 12
(after all the times I've commented this, I'm surprised this number is so low, given how many people wanted this counter)
The captain deserves a drink, though not sure if he'll get recognition for unraveling it or not... if he does, then he needs a good break. He did a huge thing while being quite far out of his element and won, that's a big victory in his book that he probably doesn't want to top.
10567551
He has several figures of high station who will likely point out what he did. It's more a question if he wants the recognition.
10567611
ah, very good point there actually.
And this isn't the most bizarre thing he's done or experienced.
The captain's going to have so many of those favor-coin thingamajigs coming to him...
*Round about by yes starts to play (que) to be continued sign*
Will Jade meet Jade?
10567412
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BMAL6jJAOM
Cutie Mark Crusaders Outerworld Explorers Yay!
Jackie: Girls, that is Outerworld, not a summer camp.
Jade: There is a difference?
I was hoping for an Awesome Moment of Crowning. Oh well.
10567761
Omake of the please
10567489
Well, Yes, but he left before it could be signed.
That only leaves Kitana, Mileena & Kotal in the Running
10568481
I'm not sure Outworld is politically advanced enough (tribal vs. feudal for example) to care that he didn't sign anything. I'd wager Augustus has a claim, but if left unpressed (which is likely) he'll probably lose it, leaving it to, as you said, Kitana, Mileena & Kotal. (Can you tell I'm a fan of the Crusader Kings games?) Though, Sindel could cause some problems.
Great question!!!!!
10568769
One that this is the FIRST I've ever heard being asked
10568622
Depends if thet bother on Rexurrect her
10567494
thx for the awesome quote. I'm borrowing this
10570658
Feel free, but it's an old turn of phrase, nothing I came up with.
The dude needs a huge raise in pay, several more promotions, and a few months of vacation to a tropical island with VIP treatment and all expensives paid.
Well said, Augustus.
10572974
Damn right
Bout time augustus got his time to shine