As to why it took so long for this update. Bad case of writer's block. Which is going to suck as I work everyday this week. I have an idea on what to write for a few chapters. Hopefully that means blazing through with updates.

Feel free to throw your ideas at me.

Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x ?

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Story Start

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It was another average day in the town of Ponyville. The herd was enjoying the well-deserved time off of disasters occurring. Naruto had stopped by the library as he and Twilight were finishing off the latest of their chakra-magic research. They were making progress in regards to Naruto's seals.

The blond's attention was drawn to the dragon whose laughter drew him out of his thoughts."So, what has you over here cackling like a villain?" Naruto couldn't help but ask.

"This little beauty is my birthday present to myself!" Spike said as he looked at his reflection in one of the gem's facets. "It's a fire ruby!" He then held out a tuning fork. "I've been aging it for months, and it's almost ripe!"

A tap of the fork against the gem caused both to sound off at exactly the same frequency and he giggled at the result. When he started downstairs, one foot slipped on an open tome and he dropped all the way down, losing both items. Up came the end of his tail to balance the fire ruby upside-down on its point. Once he uncovered his eyes and found disaster averted, he looked happily around the mess.

Twilight looked daggers across the room and snarled threateningly at her self-satisfied assistant Naruto suggested, "We should probably clean this up before Twilight decides to test some not so friendly magic spells on you." He went down the stairs and proceeded with fixing up the books into piles to make it easier for her to re-shelf.

A few seconds later, as he noticed Spike busy himself polish his fire ruby, he then heard a familiar voice. "Helloooo?" It was Rarity, and she opened the front door far enough to fit her head in. "Anypony home? Twilight?" Her eyes then popped and she sucked in a sharp gasp while throwing the door fully open, looking at Spike.

"Is that a fire ruby?" She rushed over and leaned in close enough to be reflected in its surface, and gave a delighted sigh. "That must be at least twenty carats! No inclusions…pristine facets…"

"And totally delicious!" Spike finished.

"And totally pretty." Sweetie Belle added as she made her way into the room.

Meanwhile, Twilight was floating books around. "Uh, if you guys don't mind?" she said in mild annoyance.

"Oh! Uh…of course." Rarity walked across the room. "I just came by to see if you had any books on historical fashion." As she said that, Spike ran a claw over the gem's surface and licked it to gauge the taste. And then she realized what Spike had said and was very puzzled. "Did you say "delicious"?"

"Sure did! Next week's my birthday…" The baby dragon began to walk off. "…and this is my birthday dinner."

Twilight walked over, floating books and sending one to Rarity. "Start with this one."

It was promptly opened. "Thanks, Twilight."

The violet unicorn returned to bringing up other tomes and filing them away.

"I've got a feeling ruffled taffeta capes are going to make a huge comeback this season…" She was now flipping pages and reading the book intently. "…and I want to be ahead of the game." She lost a bit of steam on the end of this, having glanced enviously back to find Spike cradling his prize ruby.

Sweetie Belle called out to her sister who seemed to be in an entrance. After a few calls Sweetie Belle gave up with an annoyed huff. Her older sister was in one of her moods again.

Rarity all the while clamped, hidden behind her hand in an attempt to hold herself in check. This box was filled with padding that had a cutout to hold the ruby, and he nestled it in place.

Naruto moved over to Rarity as he whispered in her ear. "We can always go out of town expediting for one. With Hirashin we can be back home in time for dinner."

That thought had put the mare at ease.

"Wow, its so shiny and vibrantly red. It must be awesome to have something so beautiful." Sweetie Belle like her sister had a particular love for shiny things.

"Gosh. You really like it, huh?" Spike asked.

"Yeah," the filly answered. "I can't believe you're really going to eat it though."

The dragon looked at her as she lowered her eyelids and gave a gentle smile. Looking at Sweetie Belle's wide eyes the decision had already been made. He sighed heavily, eyeing his pride and joy. "Then you should have it." He pulled up one of her hands gently toward himself and set the ruby on it. "This beautiful gem was meant to be with you."

"Really?" The fill looked at it with wonder. "Thanks Spike, you're the best." She threw her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. "I can't wait to show the girls." She said, ending the hug.

Twilight had witnessed the scene and she commented, "Wow, Spike! That's one of the kindest, most generous things you've ever done."

"Indeed Spike, what you did for Sweetie was very exemplary behavior." The look in Rarity's eyes told Naruto he better plan this trip soon.

Despite having to give up his Fire Ruby at least that left him the surprise party and everything that came with it.

"Are those... for me?" Spike asked as the other six and their CMC came in bearing gifts.

"You bet they are, birthday boy," Applejack affirmed , giving him hers.

"Happy birthday, Spike," Fluttershy wished him.

They all added their presents to the steadily growing pile, until Spike couldn't support the weight any longer and dropped them. He looked around at the presents in apparent bewilderment that he was even getting them.

"Don't you know you get presents on your birthday?" asked Rainbow.

"Well, actually, this is my first birthday in Ponyville... I usually just get two presents. One from m-Princess Celestia which were usually gems and the other from Twilight. A book." The last part he deadpanned.

Naruto happened to glance around when Twilight came downstairs, a book wrapped in a golden bow following her. She heard Spike and hid the book promptly, a sheepish smile and a blush coming to her cheeks as she backed away.

Naruto found himself having to fight his laughter.

"Speaking of presents, this is from my new line of taffeta capes." Rarity levitated out a purple cape, almost like one a member of royalty would wear. "I'm going to make one for each of you! I've been inspired by the generosity of Spikey here after the thoughtful gift he gave to Sweetie Belle."

Said filly was talking with her friends and gawking at the treasure that now proudly hung from her neck. Under her arm was a rectangle object covered by a sheet. It was obviously going to be a painting of some kind.

Once the party games and socializing were done, they moved on to opening Spike's presents. Applejack had got him a new quilt that she'd made, Rarity a new suit, Rainbow some weights, Fluttershy some new cookware, Pinkie a claw sharpening file, from Ditzy magically frozen gem muffins to which Spike could heat up and eat at any time and Naruto a flame stone that would increase the potency of his fire.

Then it was the CMCs turn to give Spike their gift. A finely crafted wooden chest he could store his most precious gems courtesy of Applebloom.

A mostly finely knitted scarf from Dinky. There were little patches to show she made a mistake or two, but it was the thought that count.

From Scootalo he was given a skateboard, a new one shaped in his likeness and last but not least an image drawn by Sweetie Belle.

"This is the coolest thing I have ever seen."

The image was of Spike, often how he would view himself. Being a badass in the air, his clawed feet grasping the face of two timerwolves as he was spewing fire.

"I couldn't think of any other monsters off the top of my head but Timberwolves. I hope its okay."

"Okay? Are you kidding me its awesome!" Spike blurted out as in his enthusiasm he hugged Sweetie Belle.

"Y-Your welcome." The filly stammered, not use to affection from anypony outside of her family.

Noticing Sweetie's reaction and quickly putting two to two together Rarity let out a little squeal as she fought to control herself. This was just too adorable. If only Sweetie knew the machinations her sister already had in mind.

"Applejack, I can't thank you enough for this great blanket. I really needed a new one," he said to her with a hug.

"C'mon, Spike, ya already thanked me fifteen times. Ah'm startin' to get a lil' embarrassed," she said, pushing him away.

"I know I keep thanking you guys, but I'm just so grateful."

"Hold on Spike, you haven't even opened the present Twilight and I got you yet." Naruto said as he left downstairs to get something. Moments later he returned with something that was hastily wrapped up.

"Yeah we… hope you like it." Twilight replied sending Naruto a rather grateful look. The entire time she was trying to keep compose on the outside while focusing on coming up with a gift she could get for Spike.

"No way!" Spike exclaimed in awe as he saw the blade. Looks of concerned formed on not only Twilight's face, but as well as Fluttershy, and Rarity.

Applejack gave the weapon an appraising glance as Rainbow Dash let out an impressed whisper.

"Its name is…Timaeus. The brother blade to my sword Critias. A living blade that responds to the whim of its user and their power. A blade used to protect. I based it off a set of swords once used by a group known as the Seven Swordsman of the Mist. Timaeus was known for his all seeing eye, able to see the hearts of the wicked." He then placed his finger on the blade and channeled his chakra into it causing it to flicker to life. Everypony let out an exclamation of awe. "While Twilight and I are working on seals working on living beings we've been able to recreate the effectiveness of seals on non-living objects quite handily. If you want you can always join the others and I are for training and I'll show you how to handle this bad boy."

"This is the coolest Naruto." He then turned to Twilight nearly bowling her over with his hug. "No offense sis, but this is so much better than some old book."

"Y-Your welcome Spike." She replied as she unsuccessfully fought her embarrassment off her face. One thing for sure she was to kiss the blond senseless as a thank you for this. Having now embraced her role as Spike's sister she had dreaded letting him down, but the blond helped her avoided that.

"This is the greatest! I wish this party could last forever."

Pinkie, who had been bouncing on a balloon until it burst, dashed over at these words, shoving Twilight aside.

"Duh! The party can't last forever 'cause you have to go to Sugarcube Corner, 'cause the Cakes said they have a special surprise for you, 'cause it's your birthday!" she announced.

"No way!" Overcome with excitement, Spike hurried to the door.

"I said the party couldn't last forever, but it doesn't need to end right now!" she called out, even as the door slammed. "Awwww…"

With Spike gone, they all decided that there was little point to continuing the party, even though Pinkie tried very hard to argue in its favor and the herd had other plans throughout the day anyway. They bid their guests farewell.

"I'm so sorry, Cheerilee!" He hastily ran over to help up the pony that he smacked into in his haste."

" That's okay. What's got you so excited?" She couldn't help but wonder.

Pinkie Pie told me I should come see the Cakes, so they could give me a cake 'cause it's my birthday today."

" Well, happy birthday, Spike! I wish I had something to give you!" She began rummaging through her bag. "Uh... Oh! Here you go!" She said pulling out her old wallet. It was still in good condition, but thanks to the new one she had bought she wasn't going to use it anymore. The last few incidents saw to it that a few of their educators moved out of town so Cheerilee found herself promoted to the premier teacher of the older fillies and colts as the school curriculum had to be arranged around to compensate for less teachers meaning she received not only a promotion but raise.

" Wow, really?"

"Sure! Everypony should get fun gifts on their birthday! Have a great birthday, Spike." She said as she went on her way.

"I wish every day was my birthday…" Though this way of thinking would soon devolve into him wondering what else he could get. Unbeknownst to him his eyes began to softly glow yellow.

Even if Ponyville was technically safe it didn't mean Twilight still wouldn't worry about where Spike was. It didn't take them long to find the baby dragon, whom she found in a Stetson hat he hadn't been wearing previously, carrying a ball in his tail and talking to a pony Twilight identified as Junebug, who worked as a florist. What Spike was saying to her as they approached certainly didn't make him feel comfortable.

"Aren't you gonna give me something? You know, like a birthday present?"

"Um, I... I don't have anything," she said to him nervously.

"Well how about those flowers? I'll take those…" He reached out with his claws to take them and he probably would have, were it not for an… intervention.

"Spike!" Twilight caught him on an ear spine with her magic, setting him aside and smiling apologetically to the mare. "Uh, sorry, Junebug, I think Spike might've gotten a little carried away."

"Uh, no problem... H-Happy birthday, Spike!" she wished, heading off elsewhere.

"What are you doing? You're out here demanding gifts now?" she asked of him, when she let him go. "Just because it's your birthday does not mean you have the right to hackle the citizens here."

He shook his head, like he was breaking out of a trance.

"I'm sorry Twilight I don't know what came over me." And he wasn't just saying that either. It just felt like he simply needed the presents. It was a feeling he couldn't ignore. "I guess I should start by giving Cheerilee back she gave me."

"Naruto come quick!" Twilight burst into the basement/room that Naruto slept in during his stays at the library. The expression on her face was of one of worry. "Something's wrong with Spike!"

He ran up in a heartbeat. "Wrong as in ho-ly hell!"

The last time he saw Spike he came up to his stomach. Now the dragon was even taller than him with gangly limbs.

Spike looked to be examining is new limbs, while Twilight had several books open to look for a solution.

"Spike what exactly happened to you between now and the evening we saw you last?"

"I went to talk... to..." His eyes glazed over and they wandered around the room, like everything in it was something precious. They finally settled on a globe and he stumbled over to it, spinning it around idly with his claw.

"Spike? Spike? Who did you talk to?" Naruto questioned him.

"Oh, um... I don't remember. Hey, can I have that globe? You're not using it, right?"

Before either of them could answer, he took it with his tail and crawled up the wall. He deposited it on a pile of random items, including one of the horse sculptures from downstairs, a gramophone and a rubber chicken, among many other things.

"What about this book?" he asked, taking a blue-bound volume.

While Twilight teleported up to take the book from him, Naruto walked over to the books she had open and scanned the pages. It was bestiary, open at dragons. "Nothing but an excerpt." He had an idea of what it could possibly be, but better to get a second opinion. "Before we jump to any conclusions lets get a second opinion."

In the forest of Everfree they sought the wisdom of Zecora.

"Ooh, he is starting to mature. Of this fact I am quite sure," she informed them.

"Mature? So he's just... growing up? But that doesn't explain why he keeps grabbing things," Twilight pointed out, taking a vase from his grasp.

The alchemist crossed over to her cauldron, depositing a green powder into the murky water. As she spoke, a simularcra of Spike acted out her words, glowing green on the shimmering surface.

"A dragon's heart is prone to greed, a steady diet to make growth speed. Then, the resulting bigger size only makes their hunger rise. If this trait should go unchecked, if Spike continues to collect more growth will certainly occur – he is going to turn into a monster."

"So it seems like its greed growth after all." Naruto replied with a sigh. "We just need to stop him from collecting things then. Is there a cure?"

'I am afraid my friend that is a mystery to even me.'

"Alright Spike you…" They turned their attention to see not only was Spike gone, but much of Zecora's hut was now barren.

"So which one of you two is going to be paying for all that?"

The two of them tracked Spike back into town to which he was in a fierce contest with the Cutie Mark Crusdaers. He was trying to take Scootaloo's scooter.

"You're not getting my scooter!" the filly cried, pulling with all her might. She was joined by Dinky and Applebloom and they were slowly losing ground.

"Spike want!" he growled in a voice that certainly wasn't his.

"Hey, Spike! Check out this amazing broom!" Thinking quickly Twilight levitated the cleaning instrument like a treasure.

Spike lost interest in the scooter and came charging after them, going through another spurt of growth.

"I'll have to knock him out." Naruto said as he raised his arms.

"Try not to hurt him." Twilight pleaded with him.

Naruto gave a nod as Spike barreled towards them, stomping and hissing.

"Sorry bud." The following blow knocked the air out of Spike as he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

At first they had initially been successful in capturing Spike, but they underestimated his recovery time. His desire for items instilled another growth, allowing him to break the chains and escape the library.

It all went downhill from there as he tore through the town; growing bigger and more monstrous as time passed. The town's warning siren was going off as Naruto created multiple clones to help with the evacuation effort as the town was being flattened under Spike's rampage. Dozens had already been hurt with several members of town already in critical condition.

Tried as they might to talk him down Spike refused to listen to region and it was too dangerous to get close to him without the intent to fight.

"Twilight this can't keep going on. I have to do something." Naruto said as Twilight tried and was failing to hold him back.

"No! Please just give me more time!" She shouted over the destruction Spike was causing. Tears began falling from her eyes. She had a pretty good idea what Naruto had in mind. To damage Spike enough to where he fell unconscious and seal him away until something could be done, but there was no known cure to dragon greed. It could take who knew how long to find a means to restore Spike's mind to what it once was.

Even his visual technique couldn't pierce the veil of Spike's magic. Something about it was different. Different enough that it left him with few options. "Please!" Twilight begged, falling to her legs as Naruto tore himself from her grasp. She was immediately comforted by Pinkie Pie and Rarity, crying into the latter's chest.

Applejack hobbled past Rainbow and Fluttershy, the former currently getting medical attention for her damaged wing and burned leg. "Is there no other choice?"

"If this keeps on there really will be no Ponyville to rebuild. We've nearly stretched the town's treasury to its limits." The town of Ponyville was nearing bankruptcy. Celestia and Luna had been kind enough to cover the damages from the incident with Discord, but every other incident took a dip in the town's treasury. When you combined that with the raids in the past the town's economy had been struggling for a while and this latest incident would do them no favors.

"Rarity!" The cries drew their attention. Hondo and Pearl looking worse for wear showed up.

"Mother? Father! What happened? Where's Sweetie Belle?" Each statement followed a surge of panic.

"We got separate in the crowd hun'. We've been looking all over the place for 'er. We just…I just…" Her mother was in hysterics as she clung to her husband.

"You have to help us! Help us find our sweetie!" Hondo pleaded with Naruto.

That was when a sharp high pitched scream drew their attention.

"Sweetie Belle!" Their scooped up in the dragon's tail was Sweetie Belle.

"Look! The Wonderbolts!" One of the town's citizens had cried as the squadron of fliers came to the rescue.

They flew towards Spike and then just flew around him. Waiting for an opportunity to attack.

"They'll kill him. You have to do something." Twilight pleaded with the blond.

Spike turned around and spotted a nearby mountain. He immediately began climbing it, holding the water tower full of stuff in his mouth and Sweetie Belle in his tail as she screamed. The wonderbolts flew towards him and assaulted him by sniping off a piece of his scales.

Naruto disappeared in an explosion of blue chakra.

Spike spotted a hole in the mountain and placed his stolen items in there, emptying the water tower. Observing the flying of the wonderbolts, Spike narrowed his eyes. Just as the wonderbolts were about to fly straight towards him, Spike tossed up the end of the tower and slashed towards it causing it to splinter into the pieces.

The surprise maneuver had caught most of them off guard. The stream of fire that followed burned more members of the squadron.

Naruto arrived as most of the Wonderbolts were going down. Using Doton jutsu he created an earth platform. "Spike! You have to fight it! I don't want to have to do this!" Naruto shouted as Sweetie Belle's head snapped up, looking from Naruto back to Spike.

"Spike? Spike is that you!?"

For the second the dragon's gaze left his attackers before it went to Sweetie Belle.

'Is he…is he recognizing…?' The remaining Wonderbolts were soaring past him. Wings ready to slash at his neck. "NO DON'T!" He shouted reacted quickly in the only way that could throw them off track. Using the Great Breakthrough the blast of wind knocking the Wonderbolts out of formation and out of the fight. Well he certainly didn't earn himself any good fate from the bolts for that, but right now he needed to save the life of a friend.

Once more Spike was on the rampage with a roar that Sweetie Belle had to cover her ears to minimize the damage to her ears.

"Sweetie listen to me. You have to talk Spike down!" Naruto shouted as Spike demolished the platform.

"M-Me? But how?" She asked as the blond leaped from the falling slab.

"He still recognizes you. In fact his memories are deep down within the creature you see before you. You have to wake him up. I know you can do it!" He encouraged her, banking on Spike's feelings for Sweetie Belle. With Rarity it was a crush. He saw her as perfection, an unobtainable diamond to be worshipped as a goddess, but with Sweetie he took the time to get to know her. He was fond of her. He enjoyed getting to know her instead of studying up on her in a means to impress her. There was genuine hope when it came to Sweetie Belle.

"Spike. Spike! SPIKE!" Sweetie Belle screamed as she tried to get his attention. When he seemed to pause and focused on her she nearly froze in panic. She couldn't be afraid, not now, not when everypony was counting on her. "Why are you doing this Spike? T-This isn't like you? T-The Spike I know wouldn't steal everypony's things, and terrorize the town. The Spike I know is one of my friends. He helped me…helped us get our Cutie Marks. You remember don't you? I was so happy that night and I have you to think for that." Spike brought her closer to his eyes to observe something on her… Strangely… his expression changed… It wasn't aggressive anymore…"You remember right? When you gave this to me? It was one of the nicest things anypony had ever done for me. Your sweet, nice, cool, and really generous. You're unlike any dragon I heard of and…and…" tears began to mat her eyes. "…right now you're scaring me. You're nothing like the Spike I knew. If you keep doing this they'll take you away and we'll never see you again. Please Spike don't become a monster."

Spike grunted and opened his eyes. They turned into ones filled with compassion. An aura of magic washed over him as in an instant he reverted back to his true self.

Just in time for the two of them to begin plummeting towards the ground.

"Sweetie Belle…" Spike began. "I need to tell you something! Just in case we don't make it! I have a crush on you!" Sweetie Belle's eyes widened to near comical proportions. "Yeah I know, really crappy timing on my part, but ever since you started cheering me up when Rarity had to let me down I couldn't get you out of my mind. " He let out a sigh of exhale. "That's a burden off my chest."

Sweetie Belle was still in a state of shock, unable to form the words to express some form of follow up. This entire time? And she hadn't noticed. They were suddenly finding themselves slowing down and looked below to saw a wind funnel was created below them as Ditzy led the rescue effort.

They were then captured in a magical aura Spike recognized as Twilight's as the funnel petered out and they were set on the ground.

"Sweetie Belle!"

"Spike!"

The two were soon embraced by hugs and kisses from their family members.

"Oh darlin' I am so sorry I let go of your hand." Her mother said in between her tears.

"It was no one's fault dear besides those vagabonds that nearly ran us over." Hondo soothed his wife.

"You're back! You're really back and I thought I lost you!" Twilight held on to Spike for dear life. "You're okay right?"

Spike said nothing. The guilt was very clear on his face. "I…I attacked the town. I stole from everypony. How…how can you even look at me?"

"This is not your fault Spike. You were overwhelmed by your instinct. You cannot blame yourself with the traits you are born with. I for one thing am proud of you Spike."

"Proud of me?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes. There was a part of you that was fighting what you had become. I know you weren't completely successful, but if you wanted to kill somepony you could have easily done so. In the end you took back control of yourself."

"R-really?" he shifted shyly on his feet. "Well, I kinda had help…" resisting the urge to glance at Sweetie Belle. He had confessed to her. Things were going to be really awkward from now on.

"Twilight is right, don't sell yourself short." Naruto said as he approached them. "She believed in you and she was right to do so." He said as the others came walking up.

"Ya had us worryin' there for a moment." Applejack greeted Spike with a sigh of relief.

"I'm so happy! I'm still mad about Sugarcube Corner, but I'm also so happy!" Pinkie was now alternating between an angry glare and a soppy look.

The other members of the herd expressed similar sentiments. Though unlike before this was an outburst that came at a cost. The angry and fearful looks that now filled the eyes of a good deal of the town gave an indication of their thoughts on Spike. Some were even downright hateful.

If Spike being a dragon made it awkward for him to live there before then this incident had now sparked what was going to be an uphill battle for the dragon.