Heroes' Quest
Uncle carefully examined the inscriptions all around the room, translating what he discovered for the listeners as he went. "Hmm...it seems Shendu was only one Demon Sorcerer...and not the only one. He was one of eight siblings, each with dominion over different aspects of the natural world. In addition to Shendu's Fire, there is Wind, Sky, Moon, Earth, Mountain, Water, and Thunder."
"If there were eight of these guys, how come that didn't enter the more prominent records?" Viper asked curiously. "I mean, if they were all as powerful as Shendu and running amok all at once, that would have left a mark on the world."
"Because when they first tried to conquer, they were defeated by the Eight Immortals, great mages of ancient China," Uncle explained. "Once defeated, they were banished to the Demon Netherrealm, and the portals they were banished through sealed away, the keys to those portals locked away."
"What does this have to do with the box?" El Toro asked intently.
"The box..." Uncle gasped in shock as he reached the last of the inscriptions. "Aiyah! Pan'ku Box! It is where the Immortals sealed the spells they used to banish the demons! In evil hands, it can be used to unseal the portals and unleash Demon Sorcerers upon the world once more! But why would Daolong Wong want that?"
"Daolong Wong was working with the guys from the Dark Hand," Viper pointed out. "The question should be why does Valmont want that?"
"I think I know," Jackie grunted morosely. "If we hadn't killed Shendu, Valmont would have gotten everything he wanted out of that deal. He's probably after the same thing from his siblings, now. Wealth, power, control...that's what Valmont wants. And by backing Demon Sorcerers in taking the world...he probably thinks he can get all that."
"Then we must return home, and prepare to do battle with Demons," Uncle stated firmly. "It is good thing we have on our side three Qi Lin who share a talent for Demon hunting!" He smiled down at the fillies. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both blushed happily at the praise. Noticing Scootaloo's sorrow, Uncle stroked her mane. "One more thing, Scootaloo...even monkeys fall from trees."
"Huh?" Scootaloo asked, confused.
"It means everyone messes up sometimes, no matter how good you are," Jade translated. "It's not your fault you underestimated Ratso. If humans have special talents like ponies do, his is making people underestimate him."
"What would a Cutie Mark in that look like?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.
Sweetie Belle tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Not sure why...but I wanna say 'bubbles'."
"We will lend a hand when we can," El Toro offered warmly, "but for now, my apprentice and I must return to Mexico, to continue our training."
"I can always snag a hotel-" Viper began.
"We've got a room to spare!" Jade and Sweetie Belle simultaneously interrupted. They then exchanged glances and giggles as Jackie facepalmed.
"Come!" Uncle proclaimed. "We must do research!"
Valmont sat back as he heard the report from Daolong Wong, the Pan'ku Box sitting on his desk between them. "So...it seems the Chans have become all the more effective obstacles when it comes to this particular endeavor," he mused softly.
Daolong Wong nodded. "My Dark Warriors were able to match them for a time, but even without Talisman power, I believe it is only a matter of time before they become skilled enough to conquer them, or until that old goat finds artifacts or develops spells to neutralize them completely. Not only that, they are aware we have the Pan'ku Box. It is only a matter of time before they learn why, and begin researching ways to banish the Demon Sorcerers as you summon them."
"That chi wizard continues to be a thorn in my-"
"Patience, Shendu," Valmont interrupted his spiritual companion. Part of the agreement they'd come to as far as cooperation was that Shendu would not claim total control of the body outside of an immediate combat situation, and that Valmont would have primary control of the mouth during any negotiations. "There are many ways to deal with such obstacles. At the moment, your preferred method would only needlessly expose us. Of a certainty, they will have increased the defenses of their primary base, and attacking it directly would be walking right into a trap designed specifically to trap us. A different approach is obviously required."
"Oh?" Shendu hissed angrily. "And just what did you have in mind?"
"When dealing with a situation where there are factors you can't control, focus on those you can so you can minimize the impact of those you can't," Valmont explained. "Do either of you know how to work the Pan'ku Box?" Silence greeted his question. "Where the portals are, exactly?" Again, silence. "Then despite us having the Box, if all we do is unleash the Demon Sorcerers, the Chans have the advantage. A different strategy is necessary."
"What sort of strategy?" Daolong Wong asked curiously.
Valmont smiled as he turned to the nearest mirror. "Shendu...can you put me in contact with your siblings?" He found an odd sort of pleasure in the sight of Shendu's ghostly face paling in fear.
As Uncle opened the door to the shop, the group found themselves staring down at a rather warty frog. "...where's Captain Black?" Jackie asked, confused. "We left him in charge of the shop."
Three facehooves and three facepalms greeted the statement. Viper snickered softly.
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And the plot quickens! What could Valmont be up to? My money's on trying to find a way to let all the demons bum-rush through a single portal (perhaps by making his own?).
REAL subtle there kids. Cute attempt though.
I'm guessing Valmont is going to ask Shendu's siblings the location of their portals.
I don't know what to say about this.
Yay, Viper gets to stick around! Was she ever underutilized in the show...
What's wrong Augustus? Got a frog in your throat.
Seems that Augustus was Warted again.
A pity Jackie couldn't jump to the conclusion as easy as the others did.
I very much want to see more of Viper, even if it's only her in the background helping out. If she gets to be the mother figure the girls all need some time with, then yay! I can totally see her going Mama Bear on something menacing them... and with the monkey talisman it could be literally.
7983131 considering the size of Po Kong, she'd have to come through last or the portal would have to grow for her. Any portal big enough for her would be a pretty big give away where the bad guys were.
so... exposure to ponies makes the villains more competent.
ICR who said something to the effect "You have to kiss 1,000 toads to find even one Enchanted Prince" Hey, it can always be worse. At least you get to kiss his FACE.
Still, where are they going to get a Princess? Could be in the Yellow Pages under Supernatural. A company specializing in curse removal could keep a princess on call. (Also an exorcist & other specialists)
The demons are named for the trigrams used in the I Ching. I remember that was part of the key to opening the box & IIRC it was Jade that made the connection
This is another great chapter with quite a bit to think about and more than a little pertinent information, but all I can think of is:
I'm not sorry.
Cliffhanger... Crap.
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One thing I have to say about this story is that it is amazing how competent you've made the villains rather than leave them as the bumbling morons that they were in the show. It produces tension that wasn't really present in the show (in my opinion, at least). Keep it up, man!
Also, Ratso is awesome. Favorite character in this, hands down.
7983462 Tat mentioned that he brought more of Valmont from the later seasons into the first... but I believe he did more to Valmont. The more competent minions, business feel, and bringing in a magic world for Valmont to further his gain made things muuuch better!
Derpy, "Doctor, they're picking on me again WAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH"
static.fjcdn.com/gifs/Dr+whooves+and+derpy+hooves+found+it+on+google_894db2_3585308.gif
7983312 Orrrrr!
http://rent-a-character.com/princess-parties/
7983462 Indeed. Not only their competency, but also how well they work together. So many times did the one villain toss aside the other as soon as they lost any usefulness. Makes me wonder how the Tarakudo arc is going to play out.
I just don't think I can praise Valmont and your ability to make competent villains enough. Daolong Wong's only strong point in the show was large reserves of magic and ambition. Here, he is much more competent, though not on the level of Valmont. I can't wait to see if Shendu will learn anything from Valmont.
7983131 I can easily see that easily.
A competent villain is so fun to watch, more so when it seems that Valmont read a few entries from the Evil Overlord's List. Maybe he bought a copy and keeps the list under his pillow to read at night and help him stay savvy?
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Chapter Ninety Two
"Aiyah!"
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Chapter Count: 1
Total Count: 45
"One More Thing!"
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Chapter Count: 1
Total Count: 76
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7984164
...So y'know how Bon-Bon was actually a monster hunter in hiding? Well what if there's another organization that takes care of more...equine threats that 'Derpy' belongs to?
7984304 Don't you know? She's the head of the PBI (Pony Bureau of Investigations) and nobody suspects a thing. The deliverypony job is a ruse designed to let her go through the mail and check for anything dangerous.
... Dangit, now I want to see that.
Ratso and Derpy would be BFFs if they met...
I wonder what Valmont has in store for his enemies.
You know, one thing from the show that I never understood was how Shendu was free to rule China? Each of the demon sorcerers were defeated by the eight immortals and where banished to the demon realm, but Shendu was still terrorizing China until he was turned into the statue. Why wasn't he banished to the demon realm with the rest of his siblings? He mentioned that he was defeated by an immortal(whose weapon was a sword) and he knew where his portal was without using the Panku Box which only means that he was banished before. And if that's the case how did he escape?
7984164 I dunno why, but I want this to be canon.
I feel as though the good Doctor shall come through with a bubbly, wonky eyed, lovable pegasus.
7983168 I DOi1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/603/683/d3e.gif
The Pan'ku box always reminded me of the Lament Configuration.
~~~
First Snails, now Derpy?
Will Ratso be the next to join?
nicely done; also:
meanwhile, back in Equestria:
I hope Applebloom's okay...
Sweetie Belle, come back: I didn't mean it when I said I wanted you gone!
I'm sure they're okay: they've got Scootaloo with them: she's learned a few things from me
That's kind of what I'm worried about...but don't worry: I'm just about done with the retrieval spell; I just need to...
*walking past them on her daily rounds* (sneezes)
You okay?
I'm alright, but I've got the strangest feeling somepony was just talking about me...
8201692
just thought of a different joke (same section/quote, though):
Hehe derp