Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x ?

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Story Start

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Twilight's kind offer to speak to Celestia to foster Rarity during her stay in Canterlot had been like a dream come true for Rarity. The atmosphere. The matters. The citizens. She felt like this is where she belonged. That was she a Canterlot pony at heart.

The good fortune that befell her when she met one of Canterlot's finest, Fancy Pants and invited to the derby was definitely a sign from fate.

"Rarity, jolly good to see you! So glad you could make it."

After politely greeting him in turn she was

led up to the box, where Fancy was immediately surrounded by a group of his friends, chatting indistinctly to each other.

"Everypony, this is Rarity. She's staying at Canterlot Castle." That got them murmuring even more, all eyes on her. Rarity's nerves had gotten the better of her as she tried, but failed to introduce herself.

"Rare?"

The unicorn turned and to her surprise none other than Naruto had entered. He was dressed in uniform signifying he was on duty. Her nerves had vanished, focusing on her stallion. "Beloved, what are you doing here?"

"Guard duty for the bolts. One of the concessions I had to make in order to make up for what I did during the incident." He vaguely answered, but Rarity picked up on it. "I see you found yourself among members of high society. I suppose they couldn't resist an opportunity to meet the Element of Generosity."

"Captain Uzumaki pleasure to make your acquaintance again. I do believe you were with Princess Luna on the night at the Gala!" he exclaimed, moving forward and shaking his hand. "From Lady Rarity's greeting I take it you two are involved?"

"Engaged actually," he said holding up the now bashful Unicorn's hand to show off her ring.

Within seconds, the fickle ponies who were looking down on the mare changed their attitudes about her.

"Hmm, clearly a pony from the highest upbringing," one of them commented.

"Yes, I thought so from the moment I saw her," agreed her friend.

"Well, Rarity, you and your fiance are very welcome with us."

"Why thank you Fancy."

"Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to the Wonderbolts Derby!" came the voice of the announcer. "The competitors are taking their places at the starting line and the race will begin momentarily!"

"I'll be rooting for Rapid Fire, of course," Fancy Pants announced confidently. "He's sure to take home the grand prize." The others all agreed with him again.

"I don't think he has a chance against Fleetfoot." They all gasped and stared at Rarity, who forced a smile while she sweated.

"I have to agree with my fiancé I am giving this race to Fleetfoot over Rapid Fire."

None of them had the time to comment, as the Wonderbolts took their place on the starting line. On the sound of the horn, they were off. Glancing at the elite, Naruto noticed that, compared to himself and Rarity, they looked rather bored and disinterested in what was happening. They were barely even trying to look invested, Fancy Pants probably being the only exception.

Due to their speed and the shortness of the track, the race was over in seconds, resulting in a victory for Fleetfoot, as they had said. While Naruto and Rarity celebrated, the other elite all stared in disbelief while Fancy smiled in admiration.

"Bravo, Rarity and Naruto. I say, how did both you know Fleetfoot would be victorious?" he asked.

"Our friend Rainbow Dash talks about her all the time," Naruto told him.

"Quite so. She says what Fleetfoot lacks in size, she makes up for in speed," finished Rarity.

"And who is this 'Rainbow Dash'?" one of the mares asked.

"You really don't know?" He blurted out, his voice overtaking Rarity's who was attempting to cut in. "Bearer of Loyalty ring any bells?" He fought back a sigh. Some ponies truly were self-absorbed. "Rainbow Dash is a fan of the Wonderbolts, but what separates her is her skill and potential. The first Pegasus to form a Rainboom not once, but twice since two thousand years ago; once when she was just a filly. Currently undergoing training under Sunfire, ex-captain of the Wonderbolts, and winner of the Young Flyers competition not too long ago."

Rarity was thankful that she hadn't been able to blurt out. She probably would have said something silly like Rainbow was their training or something. Either way the facts he laid out for Rainbow Dash gave credence for why their belief was strong in Rainbow.

Fancy Pants was first to speak. "Staying at Canterlot Castle, An element of Harmony and engaged to another Element who is Captain. I told you all this was an important pony."

They all chattered in agreement.

"Three cheers for Lady Rarity and Captain Uzumaki, my new favorite party guests!" proclaimed Fancy, lifting his wine glass in the air.

While Rarity looked very delighted as the other ponies cheered them on, Naruto certainly didn't share those feelings. He had dealt with his fair share of 'proper people' in his lifetime.

Still he knew this was important to Rarity so for her sake he played along. Naruto did his best to be polite and smile, but he could tell that, while he was talking, it was clear than none of these ponies were actually taking in what he was saying. He was a stepping stone to prestige or power. He was a means to better their standing and nothing more.

Rarity, on the other hoof, was having the time of her life, now doubt entranced by all the sophistication and class that the elite offered. Everypony seemed to like her, though Naruto could tell they were only pretending to listen to her anecdotes or pretending to laugh at her jokes. He was sure if he hadn't blurted out who she really was they wouldn't have cared about her at all. The way they begged her to come along to different social events they were organizing was practically cringe-worthy to watch, even more so when she accepted, though reluctantly.

"Oh, Naruto, today was simply marvelous." She replied with a content sigh.

"Yeah, charming." He dryly remarked. You could only take weather related jokes for so long before it grated on the nerves. "Honestly Rare, you didn't find most of the crowd uptight?"

"That's just because they have good manners, beloved," she reasoned. "Surely you must have noticed how sophisticated they all were."

"Yeah and real stiff. I chose Ponyville over Canterlot anytime. I mean sure the former gets destroyed on a weekly basis, but that's just part of its charm."

"It was a shame you had to turn down the invitations of the elite for all those social gatherings."

"Well, just like you're trying to make a good impression with these nobles I have to play nice with the bolts if I'm ever going to hope to have a good working relationship with them."

In truth, he had no problem turning them that. The only downside was he wouldn't be spending time with Rarity.

"I know, but I shall miss your presence regardless," she admitted. "It was enjoyable spending time with you today." She said as she strode over and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Speaking of spending time together." He wrapped an arm around her as it snaked down her back and toward her haunches.

"No beloved not tonight." She stopped his hand. "I have a full schedule tomorrow and I need my beauty sleep."

"Right for the art gallery." He captured her lips and linger for a few seconds before they separated with a soft smack. "Good night, Rarity."

"Sleep well beloved," she returned. "They'll be quite disappointed you had to turn them down."

"They'll live." He replied humorously. He went to the door and lingered for a moment as they shared one last kiss before he had to leave her. Well it was time to get back to his begrudging body guard job.

The rest of the week zoomed by rather quickly. Rarity seemed more and more absorbed into this new life style of hers. As much as he wanted to talk her out of it, he knew it was just one of those lessons one had to experience and couldn't be talked out of.

The girls had arrived right on schedule and Naruto led them to Rarity's suite, to which he had hoped the mare remember to get Twilight's dress done.

"Is... that my dress?"

He looked to where she was and saw a plain, yellow dress, adorned with a pink ribbon, hardly the extravagant design that Rarity had planned. She hadn't even taken the time to do it properly.

Twilight examined Rarity's work.

"It's so... simple. So practical. So me!" she decided with a grin. "It's the perfect dress for my birthday party! I love it!"

"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that." While Twilight hugged her.

Later that evening, they all made their way to Twilight's party. The mare in question was wearing her new dress.

"When I told the Princess that I was moving the party to Canterlot," Twilight was saying, her side against his, "she was kind enough to offer us the Canterlot castle ballroom!"

The same room used for the Gala was now decorated Pinkie Pie style, with balloons, streamers, a pile of presents and tables of cakes and sweet snacks.

The party pony beamed. "Isn't it fancy pants?"

"Fancypants?! Where?!" Rarity hid behind Rainbow, before realizing her mistake. "Ahh, I mean, where did you find the time to put up all these decorations? Haha…"

"Oh, I never leave home without my party cannon." She pulled out the device in question, firing a table cloth and confetti into the air.

"I thought about having my birthday outside, but they're having another party on the castle grounds today," Twilight pointed out.

Naruto bit his cheek from speaking out. By the way Rarity was acting it was obvious she had been invited to the party.

"Let's party!" At Pinkie's announcement and the playing of some catchy music.

And what fun it was. They all threw Twilight into the air in celebration and ended up having a cake fight that was started by Rainbow Dash. Then a conga line was formed, with what Naruto was sure just an excuse for Rainbow to feel him up.

Though as enjoyable as the party was it was difficult to ignore the fact that throughout the party Rarity kept making excuses to leave, again to attend both the garden party and Twilight's birthday at the same time. She started look more and more harassed and tired as they went on, the excuses becoming more vague and poor, until eventually…

"Uh, what's with the croquet mallet?" Rainbow asked.

"What croquet mallet?" she asked.

"The one you're levitating in your magic."

Said mallet was launched out of a window at mach speed with what followed by a bird's cry and an explosion of weather. She tossed it and followed with a nervous smile as they all crowded around her. "Ooh, that croquet mallet. I- well I, you know, the truth is... the truth is..."

"Were you at that other party in the garden?" Twilight realized.

"I, I..."

"Rarity, I'm surprised at you."

"Twilight let me explain! I-"

"I hadn't realized you were such a savvy businesspony!"

"You must understand! I-"

"All of those ponies look so posh. And with the Grand Galloping Gala coming up, I bet you could totally get some of them to buy your dresses. Very smart!"

"Why yes, I-I didn't want you to think I was being rude, so that's exactly the reason I didn't tell you. The one and only reason," she laughed, unable to believe her luck.

And lucky she was. He was sure not so many others would have been so understanding.

"Oh, well you didn't have to do that. You should totally go over there and mingle!" she invited.

"Twilight, you really are the best friend a pony could ever ask for." She hugged her gratefully. "I don't know why I ever thought you wouldn't understand."

"Understand what?"

"Nothing. See you girls and Naruto later!"

As much as he hated raining on anypony's parade Rare wouldn't learn her lesson without some intervention.

"Just a moment honey." He called out to her causing her to pause.

'Honey?' Rarity was sure she wasn't liking where this was going. "I mean we are all part of the same herd. It would make since if we came along and support you. It might even lighten things up."

The look in Rarity's eyes said it all. Betrayal.

"That's exactly what I was thinking!" Rainbow declared. "Come on guys. Let's show them how to party Ponyville style!"

He caught Rarity's horrified look as they trouped outside in another conga line. Rarity had not only a duty to them, but to him as well. She was the Alpha and if there were issues she had she couldn't keep it to herself. She needed to hash it out with them.

In contrast to the refined sophistication of the elite, he and the girls acted in a manner more befitting one of their own parties. Pinkie literally stuffed her face with cake, Fluttershy fed some birds, Rainbow tried her hand at croquet, adding her own twist to it and Applejack seemed a little confused about the term 'garden party'.

"How come y'all aren't doin' any gardening?" she asked the guests while they backed away like she had a contagious disease. "This is a garden party, isn't it?"

During these events, Naruto saw Twilight dancing to the music in atypical adorkable fashion. He had convinced her that it was her birthday and she had the right to cut loose.

He winched when he heard the ice centerpiece knocked over and crash. "Sorry!" Ditzy called out as the blond turned to his clumsy mare.

"My word you are the most enchanting creature at this party. Will you honor me with a dance?"

"Why thank you good sir I think I shall." Ditzy replied.

At that moment Fancy Pants happened to be talking to Twilight. "Pardon my intrusion miss Sparkle, might I ask where you got your ensemble?

"Why yes, yes you may. A very, very close friend of mine from Ponyville made it for me," she told him proudly.

Rarity performed a spit-take and hurry over.

Fancy frowned. "Ponyville? You don't say?"

"I do say. Her name is-"

"Fancypants!" Rarity interrupted . "Come with me! I'd like to show you this, er, thing, that's over there. On the other side of the room."

"In a moment, my dear. This lovely filly from Ponyville was just about to tell me who made her charming dress," he complimented. " .

"That dress? Oh come now, who cares, it's just a plain old-"

"Oh don't be so modest, this dress you made is beautiful!" she announced.

There was a collective gasp from the guests, who all began to stare in complete disbelief at Rarity. The unicorn cringed under their collective gaze.

"We all think so!" The others all gathered around, smiling proudly.

"You know these ponies?" Fancy asked the captain..

"I do," he nodded. "These mares are among the greatest bunch of ponies I know. I wouldn't be where I am now without that."

"And you, Rarity?"

Her gaze darted around as the other ponies started to mutter and whisper, with dismissive looks and smirks. Twilight and the others looked confused at Rarity's indecisiveness. Choosing between her life in Ponyville and the life she'd made here.

Would she make the right choice?

"Yes. Yes, I do know them," she admitted, confirming his hopes. "They may not be as sophisticated as some of you Canterlot ponies, but they are my best friends. No they are more than that. They are my family…my herd. They are the most empathic, loyal, honest, joyful, kind, loving, and magical ponies I ever have the pleasure to know. They are without a doubt the most important ponies I know and I am proud to have met and form bonds with every one of them."

"Important ponies? These ruffians?" snorted one of the guests.

"Don't make me laugh!" They both did, snooty, superior snorts.

Fancy, however, was more accepting. "Jetset and Uppercrust I am surprised at you." He admonished. "How could you insult the Elements and their companion in such a way? One would think you would have at least recognized Princess Celestia's pupil Miss Sparkle." The crowd gasped again. "And I think the dress you made for your friend is lovely. Mmhm, I dare say every mare in Canterlot will be wanting one."

"Oh, I'd like to place my order right now," requested the same pony who had laughed at her.

"I think you should get two," agreed the stallion.

Naruto rolled his eyes. A herd of sheep had more independent thought than them.

Fancy seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Er, yes, now then. How about you formally introduce me to your friends?"

"With pleasure!"

At the very least Rare had straightened out her priorities. Still, there seemed to be an issue that hadn't been discussed and that needed to be done when they got the chance.

Next Chapter: The Black Wing Armor! Estimated time remaining: 34 Hours, 51 Minutes