Chapters Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter One: How these things usually start
Chapter One:
"hurry up Daniel!" Adrian called to his older brother. "Alright, Alright calm down, I know you're excited for your very first Con and all but if you don't slow down you're going to be worn out before we even get home." Replied his older brother Daniel, a young man of twenty, who had agreed to bring his little brother along with him to the convention after he had been begged for three days straight.
"well maybe if you hadn't stayed up all night with your girlfriend you might be as energetic as I am!" Said Adrian in a teasing voice.
"Shut up you little nerd, at least I have a girlfriend." Daniel retorted with a hint of annoyance in his voice that his brother knew what he and his girlfriend were doing the previous night. Adrian simply stuck out his tongue and pulled down on one of his eyelids with his middle finger.
"well if you're going to take so long, i'm going to go check out the stalls."
"Yeah fine, whatever, have fun." Daniel lazily told his little brother who then proceed to run off.
'Hmm, junk, junk, junk..... Oh hey, what's this?' Thought Adrian as something caught his eye. Sitting on the front of a table at the end of the stalls was a life sized plushy of a character that Adrian knew all too well, it was Jing's black albatross companion Kir, and it looked to be in perfect condition as well.
Walking over to the table, he picked it up and looked it over then turned to the old man who was running the stall.
"Hey mister, how much for this?" He inquired. "hmm that old thing? Umm... $15 should do it." Replied the vendor, to which Adrian was quite surprised, given the excellent condition of the toy and the fact it had to be rare since he had never seen one before.
Putting those thoughts to the back of his mind he quickly brought out his wallet and handed the man a $20.
" Here keep the change, this thing's great so I don't know why you're giving it away so cheaply."
Taking the money the old man smiled at the young boy and chuckled. "Oh I think you'll find out soon enough, have a safe trip now."
Before Adrian could give his puzzled reply, a small portal opened up beneath his feet, dropping him straight down into the void just as he heard Danial calling his name while he looked for him.
Darkness, that's all that greeted Adrian when he regained consciousness. Darkness and the feeling of something pecking him on his head.
Pretty soon something new was thrown into the mix, a voice that he thought he recognized from somewhere but in his state couldn't quite place it. That was until he heard the next few words. "Hey Jing, c'mon buddy wake up already, you don't expect me to drag your scrawny butt do ya?"
'....That couldn't be....' Slowly Adrian raised his head and opened his eyes and sure enough, they were filled with the view of a very annoyed black albatross.
Looking around he spotted a puddle of water from what must have been some recent rain and after getting up and walking over to it to inspect his reflection, Adrian made a very startling discovery.
Looking back at him from that puddle was not his own face, but the face of Jing.
Author's Note
First chapter finished, hope you enjoyed it. As always, let me know what you think and what needs improving.
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Two: The boy who cried pony
Chapter Two:
"Hey Jing buddy, are you ok? Kinda scaring me here ya know." Said Kir while giving who he thought was his long time partner and friend.
"U-umm y-yeah i'm fine, it's just... never mind" Thinking about it, Adrian thought it would be best to just go along with it for now, maybe he would get some answers soon.
Looking around where they were now more thoroughly he could see what looked like an old time village in the distance to his left with a massive tree in the middle. to his front but close by to the village there seemed to be a farm with a vast apple orchard and a dirt road leading between the two and the last destination to his right, a vast and foreboding looking forest with what seemed to be a small cottage at the end of the road.
Thinking on this Adrian thought it would be best to go towards the town so that he could get some directions and hopefully find out just where they were. That was until he heard what sounded to be screams coming from the direction of the forest which quickly changed his mind.
"Kir, did you hear that?" He asked his companion. "Sure did and it don't sound good, think we should go check it out?"
Giving a quick nod, Adrian took off running towards the forest as Kir flew along beside him.
Inside the forest:
"Who's idea was it anyway to try for our cutie marks in cave exploring?" Shouted the small white unicorn named Sweetie Belle.
"Don't look at me!" Replied Apple Bloom, her life of farm work making her the one running at the front of the group thanks to her extra stamina.
"How the hay was I supposed to know it was a timber wolf den?" Shouted Scootaloo. Just behind the group of fillys was a pack of at least ten very hungry and angry timber wolves, looking to make the three little ponys into their next meal.
Suddenly the group came into a clearing, but the way ahead was blocked by a pile of dead trees that the three wouldn't have any chance to clear in time to escape, they were trapped.
"W-what do we do now?" Cried Sweetie Belle, her fear very evident in her voice.
"Ah don't know Sweets...." Replied a shaking Apple Bloom.
"I guess this is it girls" Said Scootaloo solemnly as all three of them huddled together while the wolves slowly closed in around them.
Suddenly, they heard something that once again, gave them some hope.
"TIME TO GO TO WORK NOW KIR, GIMME A KIR ROYALE! "
To the three fillys however, what they saw was their savior, a young bipedal being in a light orange overcoat and black pants and shirt, with long black spiky hair, dark eyes and some sort of bird creature wrapped around his arm.
The three of them didn't say anything, they just stared at him until the bird on his arm changed back into its regular albatross form and stood on his shoulder while looking back at the three girls.
"Hey, didn't anybody tell you it's rude to stare?" Asked the black albatross, to which the three filly's eyes grew even wider as they now focused solely on him.
"...D-did that bird just talk?" Came the voice of Scootaloo, vocalizing the thought that was on all their minds.
"Can we do this another time perhaps Kir?" Asked the boy as he looked at the bird on his shoulder.
"Jeeze fine, did ya get out of the wrong side of the bed today Jing? You're not acting like your usual self." Asked Kir.
"I'm fine, keep an eye on the kids would you, I can handle this from here." Said jing. Then thinking about who he was talking to he added "Oh and don't go trying to pick up ladies on the job alright?"
"Pfft, oh please, this bunch of brats? Not my type if you know what I mean." Kir replied as he flew down and landed near the three fillys.
"HEY!" Shouted Sweetie Belle. "What do you mean by that?" She asked, but was ignored as the four remaining wolves regained their nerve and slowly closed in on the new arrival in front of them, growling and baring their fangs.
"Hey lookout!" Shouted Scootaloo. "You're going to get eaten along with us if we don't get out of here." To which Kir gave a little chuckle, bringing her attention to him. "Just watch and learn kid." Kir said simply.
Just then, one of the timber wolves ran and jumped for Jing, to which the boy simply side stepped and with a flick of his wrist, brought out his wrist blade, which he slashed along the side of the offending wolf, dropping it instantly.
"So who's next?" Said Jing, with a cocky smile on his face as he faced down the last members of the pack.
Deciding that their losses were too great already to continue, the remaining three wolves turned and ran back into the forest.
"Well that was anti-climactic." Said Jing as he flicked the sap off his blade and retracted it back inside his sleeve.
Turning back towards the three children and the bird, Jing smiled at them and kneeled down to be less intimidating.
"So.." He began. "How about we get you three little ones home to your families eh?"
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Three: The pony and the thief
Chapter Three:
"Hey Big Mac, have y'all the crusaders around? Gettin pretty late, and ah ain't seen em in quite a while." The orange farm pony asked her older brother. "Nnope." Was his only reply as he continued to buck the trees for their fruit.
"Ah land snakes, where in equestria could could they have run off to? Y'all don't think they went into the Everfree again do ya?" She said as she looked away worried.
"Don' worry sis, ah'm sure they're fine." Mac said as he walked up to his sister and put his hoof on her shoulder.
"Hey Applejack, Big mac!" Came the familiar call of the youngest of the Apple siblings, as she and the other crusaders ran up to them.
"Where in tarnation have y'all three been all day, ah looked everywhere and ah was startin ta worry." Applejack said as she turned to face the three little fillys. "Sorry sis, we were tryin ta git our cutie marks in cave explorin, but it turned out the cave we were goin ta explore, already had some timber wolves livin in it." Apple Bloom said as she and her friends looked down sullenly.
Sighing Applejack rubbed her hoof over her little sister's hair. "Now y'all should know better than ta be wanderin around that forest by now."
"We're sorry." Was their rehearsed reply. "We were lucky that somepony was there to save us." Said Scootaloo.
"Well y'all be sure to thank Zecora the next time y'all see her." Applejack said as she began to turn away, but stopped when Sweetie Belle replied. "Umm miss Applejack, it wasn't Zecora who saved us..."
"So let me get this straight, you ain't actually Jing?" Asked a certain black bird, as he and a boy in black with an orange overcoat walked along the road towards the town.
"No kir, my real name is Adrian, I don't know how we got here or what i'm doing in Jing's body. The last thing i remember before this was going to a convention with my older brother." The boy replied while he looked at his hands while they walked.
"Eh I thought something seemed off about you lately. Hmm well I guess we're stuck together either way until we get some answers, and it'll just be confusing to call you Adrian while you're in Jing's body, so i think I'll just keep calling you Jing to make things easier." Stated Kir as he landed on Jing's shoulder.
"Alright, I guess that sounds fair." Jing said as they continued along, until a rumbling could be heard behind them, causing the pair to turn around and see a man on a motorcycle approaching them in the distance.
"You must be Postino." Jing said as the man pulled up in front of them. "Right you are kid, got a message for you too." Postino answered.
"Alright, what's the message?" Jing asked. "Welcome to Equestria kid, you're now what is known in the multi-verse as a displaced." The post man said.
"What's a displaced?" Jing asked him "Basically, you've been picked to be sent to another universe. What you do there is up to you, but you also take on the appearance and abilities of whatever character you were dressed as upon your transporting. Pretty much, you're now the real bandit king." Postino stated.
"Huh, well that's new." Jing said. "No, no it's not." Postino said as he looked right at you. "What are you doing?" Kir asked. "Nothing." Replied Postino.
"Anyway, back to the matter at hand, you also have to make a token, an object of your choosing, that you speak a message into then toss into a portal, so that other displaced can summon you to their universe and vice versa." Postino said.
"Hmm a token..." Jing said as he patted around his pockets until he pulled out a familiar looking jewel on a chain from one of them.
"Alright then..." Jing held up the jewel. "I'm the king of bandits, Jing. If you ever need my help, press the jewel to your heart and call for me and I'll be there." The incantation finished, Jing twirled the jewel by its chain, then tossed it forward just as a small portal opened, which caused it to glow and split into several more which disappeared before closing and depositing the original back onto the ground. "Kir jumped off Jing's shoulder and retrieved the jewel and returned it to Jing who returned it to his pocket.
"Well that's about it for now, see you around kid." Postino waved to the pair before turning around and driving back off into the sunset.
"Displaced huh?" Jing said as he waved back and turned around to continue walking to the town. "I suppose that means that this isn't Jing's body, but my own i guess." Jing thought out loud. "Guess so." Kir stated. "Well I guess that makes us partners now." He continued.
"Yeah, I think so." Jing said as he began to smile. "So does that mean you're going to be my boss?" Jing said jokingly as he remembered what Kir was like in the anime and manga. "Your darn right it does, just because you're not the original Jing, doesn't change the deal we made." Kir answered his question, looking up triumphantly.
As the pair finally made it into town, the began to notice that something seemed a little bit off. "Hey jing, do ya notice anything strange about this town?" Kir asked as they both looked around. "Well now that you mention it..... It does seem a little....empty?" And empty was right, there didn't seem to be a single soul around.
"Where do ya think everybody went?" Kir asked his companion. "Not sure." Answered Jing.
Jing then heard what sounded like hushed whispers. Listening around, they all seemed to be coming from one building.
A very colorful and delicious looking building. So they began to head towards it.
Author's Note
Chapter three done, and our first guest appearance. Hopefully some of you recognize Postino, the helpful mail man from the king of bandits series. If not then what the hell is wrong with you.
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Four: The not so surprise party
Chapter Four:
Pinkie was so excited, her pinkie sense had told her there was going to be a arrival in Ponyville, so she immediately set to getting one of her famous surprise parties ready earlier that day and of course invited every single pony in the town.
"Shh, you'll give us away silly!" Said the pink mare....To me.....Oops sorry.
"Pinkie, who are you talking to?" Asked Rainbow Dash from her hiding spot. "Nopony Dashie." Replied the party pony.
"They're almost here, get ready everypony!" Pinkie said as she peeked out of the curtains by the window before rushing back to her hiding spot.
Slowly the door opened. "Hello? Anyone home?" Called out a voice.
Suddenly the lights flicked on, revealing a room full of ponies. "SURPRISE!" They all shouted together with their eyes closed, but when they opened them, they all noticed a few small details that seemed a bit off.
"Pinkie? I thought you said we were welcoming a new pony to the town.... So why is there a bird?" Asked a certain purple unicorn.
"Huh? Where'd he go? I saw him coming this way." Pinkie said puzzled.
"Good question, but who are we looking for?" Asked a voice from the back of the group, causing every pony to turn their heads and look in its direction.
Standing there next to the snack table, with a cupcake in its hand as it took a bite from it, was a tall, bipedal being, wearing black clothes with an orange overcoat, just smiling back at them.
"Hi there!" It suddenly said. Pinkie of course was the first to respond as she bounced over to him. "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie, but all my friends just call me Pinkie! Ooh, do you like those cupcakes? I made them myself for this surprise party for you! But you were supposed to come through the front door so we could surprise you! How did you get behind us all? Do you know magic? Can you teleport? *GASP* Are you a unicorn in disguise?" After that final question, Pinkie was wrapped in a purple aura as she floated back to the group. "WEEEE!" She exclaimed as she was levitated backwards.
Jing just stood there with an amused smile on his face as he watched her. "Bit of an energetic one I see." He said as every....Being in the room regained their composure. "Yes, she can be a little much at times." Replied the purple unicorn who had levitated Pinkie away.
"Jing? What are ya doing all the way back there?" The black bird at the door said as it flew over and landed on his shoulder.
"Just sampling some of the fine food Kir, try some, it's really good." Jing answered his companion. "Eh, if you insist." Said the bird.
"Wait, Did that bird just talk?" Asked Rainbow Dash, much like her number one fan had earlier that day.
"No Jing's just a really good ventriloquist." The bird said sarcastically as it swallowed one of the cupcakes whole. "Mmm, you were right kid, these are really good." He then exclaimed.
"Pinkie dear, is that the pony you were hosting this party for?" Asked Rarity. "Yuppers!" Pinkie answered her friend. "Now what are you all standing around for? The guest of honor's here, so let's get this party started!" Cheered the little ball of energy, to which the music started and ponies slowly began mingling together. "Well, if you insist Pinkie darling, but i must say, he does seem like a bit of a rogue." Rarity stated as she studied him. Nevertheless, she too joined in the party as ponies had fun and one by one introduced themselves to the new arrivals.
"Umm.... Excuse me....Sir?...." Came a tiny voice from behind Jing as he spoke to one of the guests.
"Hmm? Yes?" He asked as he turned around and looked down at a yellow Pegasus mare with pink hair.
"Eep!..... Umm.... uh" She exclaimed as she slowly started to back away. Jing saw that she was afraid so he squatted down to bring himself level with her face and gave her the most sincere and comforting smile he could.
"It's alright, I won't hurt you my dear, I promise." He said in a reassuring and comforting voice. "Oh... Well... I was wondering...Where did you get your bird... He's quite extraordinary.....Oh umm....If you don't mind me asking?..." Fluttershy said nervously.
"Oh, Kir? Well that's a bit of a long story, but he's not my bird. We're partners." Jing answered her.
Slowly Fluttershy started to calm down and speak with a little more volume. "Oh?...Well I suppose he is very intelligent... So he wouldn't like being someponies pet." Said the animal loving Pegasus.
Kir then flew over and landed on Jing's shoulder. "Hey Jing, who's the cutie?" He asked. "O-oh... My....." Fluttershy stammered from the compliment. "M-my name's F-Fluttershy..." She said quietly. "I'm sorry my sweet, I didn't quite catch that, would you mind repeating it?" Kir asked her, laying on his 'charm'. "I-it's F-Fluttershy..." she said even quieter as her face started to turn red and she hid it behind her mane.
Sighing, Jing decided to step in. "Give it a rest Kir, she's really timid and i suspect your compliments are making her nervous." He said to his companion.
"Aww c'mon Jing.." The bird started, but a look from Jing made him give up. "Ah fine, oh well, maybe next time." He said, a little downtrodden.
"Now, how about we try again, alright? But don't worry, take your time if you're feeling nervous." Jing said as he put his hand on Fluttershy's shoulder and spoke in a soft tone.
Peeking out from her mane, Fluttershy took a deep breath and composed herself before speaking. "U-umm... My name is.... F-Fluttershy..." She finally said.
"There, that wasn't so hard was it now miss Fluttershy?" Jing said as he gave her a big smile, to which Fluttershy responded with a small one of her own. 'He's so kind...' Fluttershy thought to herself as she looked at him.
Meanwhile on top of a building, overlooking Sugar Cube Corner, a fox with fur as white as snow watches the building with it's blue eyes, paying rapt attention to the party's proceedings.
"So.. That boy has finally arrived." It said to itself in a smooth female voice. "No matter, soon you and your little bird shall fall before my new master.... I'll be seeing you soon... Bandit King." She said before jumping off the roof and out of sight.
Author's Note
Chapter four everyone, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed.
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Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Five: When a bandit spends the night
Chapter Five:
"Listen girls, it ain't that ah don't believe y'all. It's just that yer story sounds a tad far fetched." Applejack said to the crusaders as they made their way towards Sugarcube Corner for the welcome party that Pinkie was throwing for a new arrival to the town.
"But we didn't imagine it sis, honest!" Apple Bloom protested. Well ah can't really know that fer sure until ah see it with mah own eyes."
Applejack looked back and told her sister as she opened the door to the sweets shop and bakery.
Stepping inside, the four of them were met by Pinkie Pie. "Ooh, ooh, you finally made it slow pokes. Come on in!" Pinkie said excitedly to her friend and the crusaders. "Yeah, sorry we're late, we had a lil' bit of extra work to get done before the party." Applejack explained.
"Oh hey, it's you three little ladies." Said a particular black bird as it hovered near the new arrivals.
"KIR!" Exclaimed the three crusaders excitedly. "If you're here, then that must mean Jing is too!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Somebody call for me?" Asked Jing as he approached the group. "Well ah'll be, ah guess ah owe y'all an apology fer doubhtin ya." Applejack said to her little sister and her friends, to which all three smiled proudly.
"Well then, you must be Apple Bloom's older sister." Jing asked as he extended his hand. "Yessiree, thank ya kindly fer gettin mah sister outta that mess she and her friends got into." Applejack said as she nearly dislocated Jing's arm.
"No problem." He replied, as he massaged the soreness from said arm.
Later that evening as the party was winding down, and guests began to leave, Jing was sitting by the window, looking out at the stars.
'Sure is a nice night, I wonder how Daniel and my parents are handling my disappearance? Probably worried sick. Well there's probably no real chance that I'll see them again, so I guess all that's left to do is to just keep moving forward.' Jing was then interrupted from his thoughts by Applejack. "Hey Jing?" Turning away from the window he looked to the orange mare. "Yes?" He asked.
"Ah was wonderin where y'all were plannin on stayin fer the night." She asked him. "Not sure." He answered her.
"Well if y'all would like, ahm sure ya could stay with me an mah family at the farm." Applejack offered.
"Well I can't see why not, I'm sure it beats sleeping out in the cold. Sure I'd like that." He answered her. "Great, let's get goin, c'mon Bloom."
Applejack called her sister. "*Yawn* Comin sis." Apple Bloom answered her as she said goodbye to her friends.
"We're home!" Applejack announced as the group entered the Apple family home. "Evenin." Big Mac greeted his siblings, then turned to look at the two house guests. "Mac, this here's Jing. He's the one who rescued the crusaders today." Applejack said as she introduced the human.
"Hey, don't forget about me here." Kir said, slightly annoyed that he had been left out. "Oops, mighty sorry 'bout that Kir, y'all were a big help too." Applejack apologized to the albatross. "Eh it's fine." He said.
"Thank ya both kindly, ah don' know what ah'd do if ah lost either one of mah sisters." Big mac said as they shook hands..hoofs...appendages.
As he shook appendages with the two of them. "Well now that introductions are out'a the way, ah offered them a room fer the night, as thanks fer their help." Applejack told her brother. Big Mac nodded his understanding to her then led them up the stairs. "Right this way."
Canterlot:
"He has earned the title of Bandit king because he is simply that, the greatest thief who has ever existed." Stated the white fox.
"Pah! Such nonsense, he's most likely nothing more than an overconfident little commoner with delusions of grandeur." Blueblood dismissed.
"I assure you that my previous master thought the exact same thing when they crossed paths. He is not one to be taken lightly." She warned.
"Oh fine, if you insist that he is such a threat, then I shall have somepony sent to deal with him my dear Sherry." Blueblood finally agreed.
Ponyville:
"Yeah, there's even some nice ladies to match the scenery too!" Kir said, as he imagined himself wooing countless beautiful mares.
Author's Note
Chapter Five folks. Looks like Sherry has returned and is up to no good, but what does she and Blueblood have planned? Stay tuned and find out!
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Six: Talented thief
Chapter Six:
"Good mornin Jing." Applejack greeted the young boy as he entered the dining room. "Good morning miss Applejack." Jing greeted.
"Oh please, just call me AJ, everypony else does." Applejack said cheerfully. "Well alright, if you insist." Jing said as he sat down at the table.
"Who's yer friend AJ dear? Did y'all git a coltfriend while ah weren't lookin?" Granny Smith said as she entered from the kitchen with a plate of pancakes and some plates for serving. "G-Granny! It's nuthin of the sort!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Ah well, that's a right shame, he might be a little weird lookin, but he's kinda cute." Granny said as she studied his face.
"Eh heh, Thank you ma'am." Jing said, a little taken aback. "Oh hush, y'all call me Granny just like everypony else hon. Ain't nopony called me ma'am since Gran'pappy Apple." She chided. "Yes Granny." Jing answered. "Alright everypony, help yerselves." Granny finally said.
"Do you understand your orders?" Blueblood asked a hooded figure. "Yes prince." She replied. "Very good, then away with you, and do not return unless you have succeeded." He ordered. After the figure had left, Sherry approached Blueblood from the shadows.
"Are you certain that one is up to the task?" She inquired. "She had better be. After all, she is well aware of what shall become of her if she fails." He dismissed. "Let us hope that you are right." Sherry said as her eyes narrowed.
"Hey Applejack, are you heading into town?" Jing asked. "Yep, gotta make some money fer the farm by sellin some of our apples." She answered. "Well would you mind if Kir and I came with you?" He asked her as they walked side by side, Kir resting on Jing's shoulder like usual.
"Ah can't see why not, would be nice to have some company." Applejack told him as they continued down the road.
"So applejack, I have to ask, what is it with the marks everyone has on their sides?" Jing inquired. "Yeah I've been kinda wondering about that myself." Kir added. "Well, those are our cutie marks." Applejack answered simply. "Really? You don't need a mark to tell me you're a cutie Applejack!" Kir said as he flew next to AJ's head. "Excuse me?" Applejack said as she gave him an annoyed look, making Kir back off.
"Sorry about that, my companion tends to have a one track mind." Jing apologized as they entered the town.
"Hey, this isn't a half bad place when it doesn't look like a ghost town." Kir said as he flew through the air.
"So Applejack, you never finished telling me what a cutie mark is." Jing asked as he helped AJ set up her stall. "Oh right, a cutie mark is the manifestation on a ponies body which depicts what their special talent is. For me it's for mah skill as an apple farmer." She said proudly.
"Wow, that sounds pretty neat." Jing said thoughtfully. "Don't y'all have anythin like that?" AJ asked. "Well no, not really." Jing informed her.
"Well then what would yer special talent be?" She asked him, causing him to freeze. "Uhh..." Was all he said.
"Jing? Y'all alright?" AJ asked as she looked at him. "Umm yeah, I'm fine, don't worry about it." Jing said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Why don't you look where you're going dork eyes." Jing heard someone shout behind him, causing him to turn around and look for the source. "B-but you tripped me.." He heard a mare say, who was laying on the ground a little bit away from them. A bag that was strapped to her side spilled open with what appeared to be letters laying on the ground. "Don't you back talk me you little whorse." A dark brown stallion said as he slapped her. "NO STOP IT, DON'T HURT MY MOMMY!" Called out a small unicorn filly as she held onto her mother.
"Beat it ya little twerp!" He said as he once again raised his hoof, intending to strike the child.
He never got the chance. As he was bringing it down for the strike, his leg was stopped by something grabbing onto it from behind.
"I think that's quite enough sir." Said Jing as he held onto the earth stallion's foreleg. "What the buck? Mind your own business ya freak."
"Alright, if you wanna play, let's go then!" The stallion exclaimed as he yanked himself free from Jing's grasp and took a swing at him.
As if in slow motion, Jing side stepped around the thug, turning as he did so, and backhanded him to the side of the head as he stood between the mare and her child, and their attacker.
"Oh you're dead you little punk." The brown pony said as he appeared to be reaching for something in his mane, but after a little bit, it seemed he couldn't find it. "Hey what the? Where is it?" He pondered. "Missing something?" Jing asked as he spun the crook's knife by it's handle on his finger tip. "What the.... But.... When did you...." He tried to say. 'That was amazin. Ah didn't even see him take it.' AJ thought as she looked on. 'Wait... When ah asked him about his talent......Could this be it? Is that why he didn't answer?' She realized.
"ALRIGHT, I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU! I'M GOING TO FLATTEN YOU!" The angered stallion shouted as he charged.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Kir said as he flew next to Jing. "Lets do it partner." He said to his companion. Both nodding to each other, Kir transformed into his weapon form, wrapping himself around Jing's right arm as they took a stance and pointed at the offending stallion, causing him to pause in confusion.
"Twilight was heading for the market with her assistant Spike. They had recently run low on some food items at their home and were out shopping. "It's a rather nice day today." Twilight said to herself, until her thoughts drifted to the town's new arrivals.
'I wonder what Jing and Kir are up to?' she pondered just as they entered the market district and saw a what looked like a golden green glow coming from the middle of a crowd.
"GIMME A KIR ROYALE!" She suddenly heard Jing's voice shout, which was followed by what appeared to be a small explosion and a large brown earth stallion being sent flying into some garbage cans.
"Wh....What?" She asked as she pushed through the crowd. Setting her eyes on Jing, and what appeared to be Kir wrapped around his arm.
Author's Note
Chapter six done, along with our first real fight scene. Let me know if you guys enjoyed it.
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Seven: Thieves and assassins
Chapter Seven:
While Applejack explained to Twilight just what had happened, Jing and Kir helped the poor mare and her child to their feet, and helped her to collect the letters that had fallen from her bag. "There you go miss, that should be the last one." Jing said as he handed her the letter.
"Thank you very much for your help, I don't know what I would have done if my poor little muffin got hurt." She said as she nuzzled the little filly. "Thank you mister for saving me and my mommy." The small child said as she gave them a smile that could melt a heart of iron.
"Are ya sure you're alright miss, your eyes do seem a little crooked." Kir asked as he examined her. "They've been like that since birth."
"Ditzy, are you and Dinky alright?" Twilight asked as she approached them. "Yes Twilight, we're fine thank you." Ditzy told her.
"Alright, well I've sent word to Princess Celestia to have some guards come and collect this one." Twilight said as she motioned towards the stallion who was now tied up firmly thanks to Applejack. "I'm sure that they will want to come get your statement later if that is alright with you." Twilight said with a smile, to which the grey pegasus agreed before continuing her deliveries with her daughter.
"Thanks for helping them you two, not many would have stood up to him like that." The purple unicorn said as she faced Jing and Kir.
"It's quite alright Twilight, I can't stand guys like him." Jing dismissed. "Well I'm sure that the princesses will want to see to it that you're rewarded for your actions." Twilight said with a smile. "Ohh a reward? Hear that Jing? We're going to be rewarded for our bravery by the beautiful princesses." Kir said as he lost himself in his daydream. "I heard Kir, I'm sure it would be a great honor." Jing told them.
"Hey Jing, can ah talk to ya for a minute?" Applejack asked as the thug was eventually collected and taken away by the guards.
"Umm, sure Applejack, what is it?" Jing asked her, though he had his suspicions what it was about. No doubt she had seen him take his knife.
"Well before when ah asked you about yer talent.... Ah noticed that ya seemed to be hesitatin, and then during the fight...." AJ began to say.
"*Sigh* I guess it would have been found out eventually." Jing said, not really wanting to have this conversation, but knowing it was unavoidable. "Ah see... Y'all haven't..." She began to say until Jing interrupted her. "No, I would never steal from you or your family Applejack, or any of your friends for that matter." Jing told her flatly. "Alright, ah just felt ah needed to ask." AJ told him.
"I understand." He replied.
"Aren't you going to turn us in now that you know?" Asked Kir. "Well normally yes, but y'all don't seem the type to just take from anybody or do something without a reason." Applejack voiced her observations.
From behind one of the nearby buildings, a hooded figure watched the three of them talk. Observing, waiting, silently stalking her prey. 'This one is going to be tough to deal with' She thought to herself as she kept to the shadows.
She would wait for nightfall before striking. Failure was not an option.
For the rest of the day, Jing occasionally felt as though he was being watched, though he would never see anything when he looked.
"You ok buddy?" Kir asked. "Hm? Oh yeah, just a little bit distracted." Jing answered as they walked towards the library.
"Alright, so then what are we doing here?" Kir once again asked his companion. "Well, I thought it would be a good idea to do a little research."
"Oh hello, you must be Jing and Kir. What can I do for you?" Spike asked the pair. "We were wondering if we could borrow a few books to look at." Jing asked. "Oh, well alright, come on in. Twilight's just up stairs if you need her. Are you looking for anything in particular?" The baby dragon asked. "Do you have anything on artifacts?" Jing questioned. "Sure, anything specific?" He asked as he looked over the library shelves.
"What do you have on items that have known to exist or are of great worth?" Jing said as he examined the contents of one book.
Going over the shelves, Spike produces quite a few of the tomes that the pair would find relevant.
It was getting late in the day as Jing and Kir left the tree library. "Thanks Spike, I'll see you around." Jing said as he waved goodbye, turning around and making his way back to Sweet Apple Acres. "Who would have guessed that this place had so many treasures just laying around."
A knife being thrown in their direction answered the question.
Author's Note
Chapter Seven folks.
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Eight:
Jing dodged the knife with a quick jump to the side as it buried itself in the soil. "Finally come out to play?" He said as the hooded figure appeared from the shadows. "You should have just stood still and made this easier on the both of us." She said as she took a pair of trench knife style daggers from her sides and held them using her talons. "So then, do I get the common courtesy of knowing who sent you?" Jing asked as he drew his wrist blade. "Tell you what dweeb, if you get lucky and beat me I'll let you know." The female griffin said as she shot forward and their blades connected.
"Hey Mac, y'all seen Jing around? He should have been back by now." Applejack asked her brother. "Nnope." Came his single word answer.
Applejack stood on their front porch looking down the small road leading away from their home and towards the town.
"Y'all don't think he left do ya?" She asked, quite obviously worried. "Ah'm sure he'll be back soon, but if yer that worried, why don't ya go look for him? Ah'm sure he can't be far away." Big Mac told his sister. "Yeah, ah think ah will. Ah'l be back soon." She said as she trotted off down the road to look for their house guest.
Back at the fight, Jing was able to deflect or dodge every one of the assassins attacks so far, but he hadn't tried to make an offensive move of his own the entire time. "What's the matter kid? Can't handle a real fighter?" She said as he managed to parry yet another of her strikes.
'How is this kid that fast? I've been hitting him from every angle and he hasn't even gotten a scratch on him.' She thought, a little more worried in her mind than she put on. "Hey Jing, quit fooling around will ya, we're going to be late for dinner." Kir called from his perch atop a street lamp. "Well hey, why don't you go on ahead buddy, I can always catch up when I'm done." Jing responded with a smile on his face.
"Why you little..." The griffin scowled as she became more aggressive in her attacks, but nothing seemed to get through his defense.
"WHAT IN TARNATION?" Shouted the familiar voice of Applejack as she arrived. "Oh, hello miss Applejack, sorry we're not back yet, kind of got a little busy." Kir explained as he flew down and landed on her back. "What are y'all two doin? Who is that?" Applejack asked.
"Oh nothing to worry about, Jing here just picked up an admirer." Kir joked. "How can y'all joke at a time like this, Jing's in danger." AJ pointed out. "Easy, because danger is what usually finds us in our line of work." He simply stated. "Line of work?..." AJ trailed off as she watched.
"Well this has been fun my fair lady, but the hour grows late, and we must end this fine dance." Jing teased. "Dance? You have to be joking."
After Applejack had found some rope and they had tied her up, the three of them decided to bring her to Twilight, so she could have the princesses send the guard once again. Upon arrival, they discovered something about the rouge that none of them had expected.
"G-Gilda?" Twilight exclaimed as she removed the hood. "Yeah it's me ya little purple pain in the rear." Gilda grumbled.
"You ladies know her?" Kir asked. "Yeah, she and Dash used to be pals, then she went and caused a heap of trouble fer us." AJ explained.
"Well since I'm going to die anyway for failing, I may as well enlighten you losers." Gilda said. "The guy who sent me was none other than the good prince Blueblood." She explained. "Blueblood? But why? That makes no sense." Twilight stated. "Hey, I didn't ask questions, I didn't even want the job but he didn't leave me much of an alternative." Gilda said as a grim expression fell on her face.
"What do you mean?" Jing said as he leaned forwards. Gilda looked him right in the eyes. "He has my sister, Minerva."
Author's Note
Chapter eight is finally done, plot twist, Gilda has a sister! Why is coming up with names for ponies so easy but so hard for the other races? Anyway, hope you all enjoyed it, stay tuned for chapter nine.
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Nine: Time to go to work
Chapter Nine:
"He's got my sister Minerva." Gilda said. "WHAT!" Shouted both Twilight and Applejack. "Ah didn't know ya had a sister." AJ said as they calmed down. "Don't exactly go around advertising it to everyone bumpkin." Gilda snidely remarked. "Ah'm sorry, care to repeat that turkey?" AJ said as they both glared at each other. "ENOUGH!" Shouted Jing, startling the girls. "Alright Gilda, do you know where he's keeping her?" He asked calmly. "If I knew, I'd have busted her out a long time ago." She said. Turning to Twilight he decided to see if she would know anything.
"Hey Twi, would you know anywhere he could possibly keep her?" Jing questioned. "Hmm... Well, Blueblood could be keeping her in his mansion in Canterlot." She offered. "Hmm maybe, but that seems too easy, does he have like a holiday home or something?" He asked.
"Well now that you mention it, he does own a Villa out near Las Pegasus." Twilight said. "Perfect, lets go Kir." Jing said as he began heading for the door.
"Wait, where do you think you're going?" Asked Twilight as she ran up to him. "I'll give you three guesses." Jing stated.
"Now wait just a gosh darn minute, y'all ain't doin this by yourself!" Applejack exclaimed. "Who said I'm going to be alone, Gilda's going with us." Jing answered. "HUH?" The three of them said simultaneously. "Well it is her sister, don't you think she should be there for her?"
On the train to Las Pegasus, Gilda sat in a cabin with both Jing and Kir. Kir having made a bed and gone to sleep on the overhead storage, while Jing stared out the window. Gilda on the other hand, was laying on her back, with her talons interlocked behind her head.
Looking over to Jing, she decided to try starting a conversation. "Hey Jing?" She said to get his attention. "Yeah Gilda?" He answered as he faced her. "Well, I was wondering, why did you decide to help me?" She asked. "Oh is that all? Simple, it's because you needed my help."
"Not really, last I checked, you don't have anything I want or need. If you're worried about repaying me, don't be. I'm sure there's plenty of valuables at Blood's villa." Jing said as he relaxed back into the chair.
"No way, you're going to rob the prince while you're doing this? Are you nuts? Even under the circumstances, robbing from royalty is a major offence!" Gilda exclaimed. "Says the failed assassin,and besides a thief has to start his career somewhere." Jing said jokingly.
Gilda Just stared at him for a long time before asking her next question. "Just who are you Jing?" He opened his eyes and stared directly into Gilda's. "I'm the bandit king."
"That useless bird, where is she? She should have taken care of the little brat by now. How hard could it possibly be to kill a child?"
Suddenly there was a knock on the door to his study. "My prince? I apologize for disturbing you sir." Came the voice of one of the mansion staff through the door. "What is it? I'm incredibly busy." He answered. "The royal guard sir, they have requested that you are to be escorted by them to the castle for an audience with the princesses." The servant explained to him.
"Oh very well, tell them I shall be out shortly." He ordered. "As you wish sir." They replied as they left. "Oh what could those old hags possibly want at this hour?" Blueblood asked as he left. Sherry kept close by, but hidden in the shadows as they headed for the meeting.
Author's Note
Chapter Nine folks, and so the rescue begins. What wile lay in store for Jing, Kir and Gilda? Be back next time and find out!
Jing's journey: The king of bandits in Equestria
Chapter Ten: Breaking and entering
Chapter Ten:
"Well well, a tad much security for just a holiday villa don't you think?" Kir said as he perched on a tree branch, overlooking the front of the villa. "Well, it wouldn't be any fun if it wasn't a challenge." Jing replied. "You two are nuts." Gilda grumbled. "Not to worry Gilds, this shouldn't be too hard." He said with a smile. "There's an old wall on the south side by the looks of it Jing, could be a good way to climb into the villa grounds." Kir informed him. "Alright, we'll go that way, you stay overhead and let us know if anyone's coming." Jing told Kir.
"Right, see you on the other side." He replied as he flew off, circling the villa as Jing and Gilda headed for the old wall.
Checking over the top of the stone wall to make sure it was all clear, Jing pulls himself over before landing behind the low hedges behind the wall. Gilda swooping over soon after him and crouching low so as not to be seen by a passing guard. Slowly and methodically, the pair sneaks their way over to a glass door. "Now what?" Gilda asked. Jing replied by pulling a lock pick set out of his coat and quickly gaining them entry, signaling Kir to join them before closing and re-locking the door. "Okay, so if I were a prince who prioritizes kidnapping over aiding to run a country, where would I keep a griffin?" Jing asked quietly. "Most likely the basement so as to make escape harder and keep anyone who enters from simply stumbling across them." Gilda answered. "Basement it is, lets go." Jing said as he led the way.
"Ah auntie, so good to see you." Blueblood said to Celestia as he entered the throne room. "Yes, I only wish it were under better circumstances my nephew." Celestia addressed him. "Why whatever could be the matter?" He asked, though in truth he cared very little.
"I have received a most disturbing letter from my dear pupil regarding you Blueblood." Celestia said as she lifted said letter in her magical grasp. Blueblood eyed it suspiciously, already having some idea what it might contain, but playing ignorant.
"Why auntie, I don't know what you could ever mean. I haven't seen lady Sparkle since she and her.... Friends attended that fiasco of a Summer Sun Celebration." He told her.
"That may be, but tell me, what do you know of a griffin by the name of Gilda?" She asked him, watching him closely.
"He must have some really expensive wine in that cellar to have a pair of guys like that at the door." Kir said as he looked around the corner.
"Doesn't look like there's any other way inside, so I guess we do this the old fashioned way." Gilda said as she reached for her daggers.
"No, I don't want to do this by killing anyone." Jing told her as he places his hand over one of her blades. "Well do you have a better idea?"
The two guards were standing idly by the doorway to the cellar, staring down the hall in front of them and occasionally to the ones at the sides. That was until they noticed a small box that seemed to be moving along from one side of the hall on their side, to the other side.
"What the buck.... You seeing this?" Asked the one on the right to his partner. "Uh huh..." He responded as they began following the little box.
One of them got close to it and poked it with his hoof, which caused it to go completely still as they both stared at it.
"Evening colts." A gruff female voice said from behind them. They couldn't even get out a surprised huh as both Jing and Gilda knocked them both out with a pair of golf clubs. "Told you it would work." Jing said to her as they dragged the two unconscious stallions into an empty room.
"That was the dumbest thing I've ever seen." She replied to him as Kir tossed the box he was under onto one of the guards heads then took their keys.
Outside the cellar, Minerva thought she heard a commotion, but it was probably just her mind playing tricks on her. She had been locked in this dark place for weeks, and she thought she heard her sister's voice of all things. "I want to go home...." She said to herself sadly, her once proud and clean coat and feathers, filthy from not seeing soap the entire time she had been locked away.
Then she heard it, the unmistakable sound of the cellar door being unlocked, and heavy steps coming down the stairs. "oh no, please no, GILDA, GILDA HELP, PLEASE, ANYONE!"
"That stupid little unicorn, I knew I should have had somepony take care of her long ago." Blueblood grumbled as he re-entered his mansion home after a couple of hours worth of denying any knowledge of everything contained in Twilight's letter.
"Well, since that no good little bird brain couldn't keep her beak shut, I suppose that her dear little brat of a sister shall have to pay the price." He said as he headed to his study to write a letter to the stallions guarding his villa, to have them dispose of the girl before anything could be done to further investigate the kidnapping claim. "SIR!" Cried out one of his servants as the young stallion ran to meet the prince.
"What is it? I'm very busy right now."
A number of valuables were taken, but that's not all. It appears that the prisoner was broken out as well." He informed his master.
"WHAT?!?" Prince Blueblood shouted furiously. "Damn it! Pack my things immediately, I must get out of the city!" Blueblood ordered as he ran for his study.
"SHERRY! SHERRY! WHERE ARE YOU?" Blueblood called as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
"Well well, it would appear that you've landed in quite the predicament Blood." Sherry responded as she appeared from the shadows.
"I've no time for jokes, it's all coming apart, we must get out of the city as quickly as possible." He said as he rushed to put incriminating papers into a small briefcase so as not to leave evidence behind. "No dear Blueblood, you have to. I on the other hand have other business that my master wishes me to attend to." She informed him in a bored tone. "What? But I'm your master!" He said to her.
"Oh you foolish little foal, did you really think that I would let myself take orders from someone as dim witted as you?" She said chuckling.
Shouting could be heard coming from outside the room followed by loud banging on the door. "BY ORDER OF HER MAJESTY PRINCESS CELESTIA, OPEN THIS DOOR!" Shouted a royal guard from the other side. "Oh my, it's time for me to be off, farewell Blueblood." Sherry said as she leapt from the open window, moments later the door was blasted open and Blueblood was subdued by a squad of guards.
"Unhand me you fools! Do you have any idea who I am? When my aunt hears about this you'll all be living on the streets!" Blueblood threatened as he struggled. "Oh I think not Blueblood." Celesta said as she entered the room. "Auntie? What is going on? Why am I being treated like some petty criminal?" He asked the regal alicorn. This only brought a scowl to her usually comforting face.
"Don't you dare lie to me anymore Blueblood." She said as Gilda and her sister Minerva entered the room. "YOU!" Blueblood shouted as he looked angrily to the pair. "Oh, so now you recognize miss Gilda and Minerva do you?" Celestia asked rhetorically. "Umm..I.." He tried to say.
"Hey check it out Jing, don't I make a handsome prince?" Kir asked as he wore Blueblood's crown. "Hmm, normally I would think that crown would be a few sizes too large, but I think it suits your big head Kir." Jing joked. "Oh hardy har, you're a riot." The bird responded.
"There y'all are!" Applejack called as she and the rest of the girls ran to meet the two of them as they walked from the train station.
"Good morning ladies!" Jing greeted them. "We were just on our way to see you Applejack, here this is for you." Jing said as he handed her a small bag. "Huh? what's this?" She asked as she opened it. "It's a little something to pay you back for letting us stay at your farm for a few days." He told AJ. Applejack just stared into it as the others came over and looked. Inside was thousands of bits worth of gold and jewelry.
"W-what the hay?" She exclaimed as they all looked back to Jing and Kir. Both of whom just smiled. "There's no way ah can accept this!"
This statement shocking Rainbow Dash because she didn't know Gilda had a sister and making Rarity chuckle at hearing of Blueblood's misfortune.
"Well, we better go, it's been really great here with you girls, but unfortunately duty calls." Jing said as he both him and Kir headed back to the station. "Wait, you're leaving?" Twilight asked. "Yeah, but don't worry, we'll write and we'll definitely be sure to come back from time to time, I promise." Jing told her. Pinkie then bounced over to him. "Do you Pinkie promise?" She asked. "Umm..." He said as he held out his pinkie finger. After a quick demonstration and both Jing and Kir replicating the process, Pinkie along with the rest of the girls hugged them both.
"You be sure to come back and tell me about all your awesome adventures." Dash ordered. "We can have a party when you get back!"
"Don't worry girls, we'll be fine, and we'll bring back something next time we come back." JIng said as he stepped on the train as it slowly began to move away. Both he and Kir waved to the girls while they waved and shouted to them. Off they went, adventure just over the horizon.
Author's Note
Chapter ten and the first story arc complete! But stay tuned, Jing and Kir will be back for another adventure!
