Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x ?

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Story Start

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The herd minus Fluttershy was there to witness the Great Dragon Migration. The past few days had been rough on everypony having to once again begin construction on their town. Some concessions had to be made. Such as a hasty repair on the school buildings because the children couldn't keep missing out on lessons.

The town's farmers also found themselves having to work double their usual shifts to make up for the food with the exception of the Apples who merely brought out the surplus that Naruto had helped harvested in his spare time. Right now it looked like the Mayor was looking for a way to expand the town so they could open up new avenues for money and gain additional lands that could be used for potential farmland.

This once in a century event would not only prove interesting it would at least get Spike out of the library. Ever since the Greed Growth incident he had been in something of a funk. The fact that Hondo and Cookie had taken Sweetie with them to stay with Hondo's sister for a few days also meant the two never spoke after Spike's confession meaning Spike was dreading the possibility of an eventual rejection.

At least this event would take his mind off of it. Currently the group was in a trench that Applejack and Pinkie Pie had dug and applied their camouflage.

"Lil' nippy, ain't it?" shivered Applejack in a whisper. "Ah mean, ah'd rather be cold than deep fried, but still."

"Indeed and we're also a little early, and I'm glad we are," she noted. "This way, we can watch every moment of the migration without bringing any unwanted attention to ourselves!"

The quiet was pierced by a loud call from behind, followed by confetti and a red carpet being rolled out. "Yoo-hoo! Well? What do you think? Am I the toast of the trench or what?"

"You'll be toast alright, when the dragons see you parading around in that getup," Applejack countered.

"You look very nice, Rarity, but could you maybe look nice down here in the trench with us?" Twilight suggested, vanishing her decorations and confetti.

"Nice is an understatement. I look fabulous!" she professed. "Who says camouflage has to be drab?"

"Ponies who don't like being toasted by dragons." Ditzy deadpanned.

"Ahoy, maties! Dragons ho!" Pinkie called to them.

They were a magnificent sight to behold. A whole collection of dragons passing right over them.

The girls were all equally in awe, remarking upon the wondrous sight and making sure they didn't miss a second of it. The sun shined off their t scales, creating an effect more terrifying and spectacular than any Rainbow. One of them even performed a loop the loop directly above them, but luckily didn't see them.

Only Rainbow had something negative to say about it and was singed by a burst of dragon fire for her trouble.

"What do ya think of that 'move', Rainbow Dash? Still think they're lame?" Applejack questioned as a smirk made its way on her face.

"Uh, not so much. The word 'fierce' comes to mind," she said in a hushed voice.

"And 'formidable'," Rarity chimed in.

"And 'super-duper scary'!" Pinkie cowered.

"Yeah. Us dragons are definitely a force to be reckoned with." Seeing Spike in his apron handing out baked goods around didn't really reinforce this statement.

Rainbow was clearly of the same mind, laughing out loud at the sight. "Yeah, right, Spike. That's one of the scariest aprons I've ever seen!"

"What's wrong with wearing an apron? You won't be laughing when you spill blueberries all over your scales. Feathers," he corrected quickly. "That's one tough stain!"

"One tough stain against one lame dragon," she countered.

Spike's cheeks flush with embarrassment. Rarity, however, jumped to Spike's defense.

"You leave him alone, Rainbow Dash! Spike's style is unique. He doesn't have to look like other dragons."

"Or act like them," Twilight added, her expression quite annoyed. Considering what happened too long ago it wasn't the best time to suggest Spike was anything like other dragons.

"Spikey is perfect the way he is," she said like that settled the matter, flicking one of his spines.

Spike however, seemed to take that a different way. "I don't act like other dragons?"

"Oh, not even close!" Pinkie answered.

"Don't take what Rainbow says to heart Spike. There's nothing wrong with your behavior. While its true being Greed beasts are only a portion of dragon temperaments there is nothing wrong with being more peaceful than the typical ones.

"But why would you want to, Spike?" Applejack asked him.

"Yes." Rarity smiled at him fondly. "You've got something those dreadfully fierce dragons can only dream of."

"What's that?" he asked hopefully.

"The cutest widdle chubby cheeks!" she cooed, rubbing them.

"Cute?! Dragons aren't supposed to be cute! Right?" he added to Rarity.

Her smile only broadened. "Oh, sweetie, you are turning the most delightful shade of red, it is most becoming."

"Rare not helping!" Naruto hissed at her. Her actions were not helping his self-esteem.

Spike growled in frustration and stormed off out of the trench. Well, as much as a being his size and shape could manage.

"Oh, isn't he adorable when he waddles off in anger?" noted Rarity.

"Waddle?! Rrrrrggggh!"

Well that could have gone better.

---

Naruto, Rarity, and Rainbow were making their way to the Golden Oaks Library. They had decided to see if Twilight and Spike wanted to join them for breakfast. When they entered instantly they saw something had happened.

It looked like every book in the library had been pulled off their shelves and placed in messy piles all around the room. From the bags under her eyes and her unkempt mane, Naruto could tell she and Spike had been spending all night researching something.

When asked if she wanted to join them for breakfast, she immediately brightened and sorted out her mane.

"That sounds great. I'm famished."

"Count me out," Spike said, hopping out of a book pile. "I've gotta get an early start!"

"An early start?" Rarity asked him.

"Yes! I'm going on a quest of self-discovery! I need to learn what it means to be a dragon! And the only way I'm gonna do that is to join the dragon migration!"

Naruto's eyes widened in surprised as the other three gave out a yell of, "What?!" .

Rainbow tried to talk to him while he packed up a bundle. "Spike, that's nonsense talk! I know that you're a dragon, but those dragons mean business! They're big, and tough, and scary..."

"And I'm small, and meek... and I like to wear aprons." He tossed aside the aforementioned clothing at this. "See? This is exactly why I need to spend time with them."

"All I'm saying is that you could get hurt," she added with concern.

Naruto began speaking with Spike, hoping to reason with him. "While I understand your train of thought Spike there is no guarantee they won't react with anything but hostility. There is a reason why dragons are only marginally unified with so many clans scattered throughout their lands. This could be rather dangerous."

"Darling, this time I really do have to agree with Rainbow Dash and Naruto makes a good point," said Rarity. "Nearly every dragon we've encountered have been aggressive and dangerous. You could seriously be hurt if you do this."

"I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind." He started to make his way to the door.

Rarity became distressed. "Oh, uh, quick, do something! Stop him before it's too late!"

Rainbow darted forward, grabbing his bundle and trying to hold him back while he tugged at it.

"Let him go." The words had surprisingly come from Twilight.

There was some worry, concern, but one other thing that overrode them all: acceptance. She teleported between Rainbow and Spike.

"Hold it!" With a flash of her horn, she teleported them apart from each other.

With a rather pained look on her face, she levitated Spike's bundle to him.

"Really?" he asked in disbelief.

"Don't tell me you think he should go?" Rainbow demanded from the floor.

"Yes, Spike," she answered in an understanding voice. "I couldn't answer your questions. My books couldn't either. I understand why you want to look elsewhere. I truly believe you need to go on this quest. And we have no right to stop you," she added. "Right now. It might also be best to get away from Ponyville for a few days."

"I suppose not." Rarity conceded. A grimace on her face as she remembered what happened yesterday. During the night the Library exterior had been littered with trash and offensive graffiti towards Spike and some even towards Twilight.

What followed was a very heated announcement from Naruto at town hall to the people. Attacking those under protection would find themselves being comfortable with a jail cell in Canterlot for a long time. When some of the town member's tried to argue he was abusing his power he was quick to remind them that not only was Twilight Celestia's student, but a national hero. He was captain of the Lunar guard and a hero. The only ones who could hope to stand a chance of fighting him were on his side and Celestia and Luna were both fund of Twilight and Spike and it would be utterly stupid to test just what any of them to do to protect those they care about.

That shut up any dissent right there. So while most of the town weren't outwardly aggressive that wouldn't change the passive contempt towards Spike or in some cases Twilight who they held responsible for bringing him here.

"If Twilight feel its for the best that you do this I will not object." Naruto replied. 'We may not be able to give you the answers, but there is someone I know who can. I just hope he's there.'

Rainbow nodded in agreement. "I still say you're nutty, but hey, I've done lots of nutty things."

"We know," they all chorused.

"Well then, I guess this is goodbye, Spike." She hugged him gently. "We can't wait to hear about it when you return."

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do. On second thought, just don't do anything stupid." Naruto wished him as they fist bumped.

"Yeah, we hope your trip-"

"Quest," Twilight corrected Rainbow.

"... your quest answers some of your pesky "Who am I?" questions."

"Thanks, everypony. I know it will." With that, Spike strode out into the world while they waved him from the door.

"Goodbye, Spike!" Rarity called out after him.

"Go get 'em, big guy!" Rainbow shouted in encouragement.

"We have faith in you!" Twilight called out after him.

"I hope you find what you're looking for." Naruto put in.

"We're following him, right?" Rainbow asked through her grin.

"Of course," Twilight answered, still waving him off.

Naruto snorted, "I thought you were far too accepting." He said as he began to leave.

"Wait…where are you going?" Twilight called to him.

"There's someone I have to go see."

"Beloved. You're not going to help us?" Rarity questioned as Naruto shook his head.

"I know you three are concerned, but this is something Spike has to do and see for himself. Besides if we can't help him the solution is to go to one who can." He said as he disappeared

The instant he was out of sight, they rushed for the Carousel Boutique, Twilight explaining what she had in mind on the way over.

---

It had taken him four hours at top speed, but he had finally made it. To the cavern system that would allow him to get where he needed to go. The system radiated a massive surge of magical energy. Before him was large vein of some sort of Black and White Crystal. Naruto placed his hand on the crystal as the surge extended outwards and he blacked out.

Not too long after he awoke to the feel of cold stone and a faint, golden light on the inside of his eyelids. A large jolt of electricity then surged through his body snapping me awake and into a fighting stance.

"Wakey Wakey!" Yelled the source of the light, "figured you needed some energy so I decided I, as a good friend, decided to give you the 'jolt' you needed to get you goin'."

"Uugh, never going to get used to it." He groaned as he recovered from Volteer's blast. Volteer was the Guardian Dragon of Thunder.

"So what brings you to the village Naruto?"

"I need to speak with the elders. Spike, the Baby dragon that lives within my town is undergoing maturity and he doesn't have the knowledge on how to deal with this. What he needs is another dragon to teach him. A purple dragon." He explained as they exited the cavern and there as far as the eyes could see were massive lush meadows surrounding a massive lake. The makings of a civilization could be made out if one focused hard enough.

"Well then time to get a leg moving boy." The yellow dragon took to the air with a flap of his wings as he began to gain altitude. "Well then let us make haste to the village."

Naruto raced with Volteer across the lands until they arrived to their destination. The village of the Elemental dragons was massive. The structures towered over the blond as he made his way to the marble temple that stood center and top at the city. Adorned with gems and statues of dragon legends in the past.

"Aah Naruto, it has been some time sense you graced our village." Terrador the Green Earth Elder Guardian greeted him. "Have you come for the battle demonstration that is being held next week?"

"No Elder Terrador. I need to speak with the elders on the matter of the Purple Dragon that lives in my town." He said as he entered the temple.

Inside were a light blue and flame orange colored dragons. Cyril and Ignitus. Dragon elders of Ice and Fire respectively. Naruto greeted the two dragons and once more repeated his reason for being here. While the elders knowledge would be invaluable for Spike there was only one, or should he say two dragons that could help him reach his full potential.

---

Following after Spike the mares found themselves on quite the journey. They trekked on for many miles, passing over mountains and rivers, through woods and forests, all the while making sure they kept the column of dragons in their sight. They only stopped to rest for brief periods, moving quickly enough so they could keep up but not so they would use up unnecessary energy. After almost a full day of travelling, they caught sight of Spike just as he was entering the territory of the dragons.

The lands themselves were actually a series of volcanoes, over which they could see the silhouettes of dragons soaring over them. It would make sense that the dragons would be somewhere hot. Even the sky above was a burnt orange, with nothing growing past its borders. They hadn't destroyed the surrounding forest though. Even dragons seemed to respect the importance of nature.

They followed Spike up the nearest peak.

Rainbow was still having doubts about it by the time they reached the top. "I'm telling you, we'll never pass for a real dragon!"

"Oh, pish-posh!" dismissed Rarity. "This costume is fabulous: one of my finer creations."

Twilight hushed them sharply. "It will never pass if they hear three voices coming out of one dragon."

Spike had made his way to a group of dragons, who appeared to be laughing at him, though they couldn't hear what was being said.

"Oh no, Spike!" Twilight's voice was full of worry. "Let's go, guys!"

"Well if you weren't just hatched," Garble was saying, "how come we haven't seen you around before?"

"Oh, well, y'see, I live in Ponyville and-"

"Ponyville?" he snorted. "That explains it! I knew there was something vaguely pony-ish about you! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were part pony!"

Spike backed away from him nervously. "Who, me? I'm not part pony! I'm all dragon, see?" He roared feebly.

"Or maybe you're a pony in a dragon costume," mocked Garble, eliciting laughter from his gang.

Fortunately, the dragons didn't even notice that two of what he'd just said were in their midst. Apparently, dragons weren't the brightest.

"I am a real dragon!" Spike insisted.

"Oh yeah?" Garble responded with an ugly sneer. "Prove it."

"Well... how?" he asked nervously.

"By acting like one! Who's up for a little belching contest?"

The others all enthusiastically agreed, proceeding to belch tongues of flame. No doubt the object was to see who could belch either the furthest or the greatest. A belt of fire from the belly of a particularly fat dragon would be a hard one to beat.

"You think you can beat that, Peewee?" Garble challenged.

Spike stepped nervously forward sucked in all of his breath, puffed up his cheeks and belched out a small sputter of green flame… along with a rolled-up piece of parchment.

Garble picked it up and unfolded it.

"From the desk of Princess Celestia. Dear Spike, If you are rea-" He stopped and laughed. "Ha! Get this, guys! Spike's pen-pals with a namby-pamby pony princess!"

Spike cringed from the mocking laughter, as Garble crumpled up the letter and threw it into a lava pool. He knew somepony who wasn't going to like that.

"How can he just throw that away?! That letter could be something important!" Twilight whispered angrily.

"Priorities, Twilight," Rainbow muttered. "We need have to help Spike no time to worry about anything else right now."

"I know, I know! There's no reason to disrespect Princess Celestia that way!" she muttered darkly.

Meanwhile, the dragons were challenging Spike once more. "Maybe tail wrestling is more your speed."

As Twilight suspected, tail wrestling was precisely as the name entailed. The two opponents' grappled tails and the winner was whoever pinned the other first.

Rarity realized this too. "We can't let little Spike wrestle one of them! He'll get clobbered!"

"Let's go!" Twilight affected her deeper voice. "I challenge Spike to a tail wrestle!"

Fortunately for them there happened to be another dragon that looked almost exactly like Rarity's costume. The others assumed they were that dragon's cousin and didn't question any further. After making an effort to make it look convincing, the girls submitted defeat to Spike, flopping to the ground.

The other dragons all cheered as Spike was declared the winner.

"Nice going, little Spike! Maybe you are a dragon after all!" remarked Garble.

Spike's face brightened. "Yeah! Maybe I am!"

Unfortunately, Spike got a little too cocky and ended up going against a dragon with a much bigger tail than him.

Now it was time for the next event.

This turned out to be something called king of the hoard. Garble stood atop a large pile of gems and precious stones, the objective being to make it to the top and throw him off to claim victory. Garble proved to be quite a veteran at this sport, tossing aside almost every challenger who made it up. This looked like another bleak prospect for Spike.

This would be another moment they had to act. The girls pushed off one dragon who was climbing up behind Spike before he could take him by surprise.

"You think you have a chance?" he said in his best sneer. "Let's see what you got!"

Spike shivered nervously, but determination set in his eyes. He charged forward finding the strength to knock off the others.

Now, he was the only one left standing.

"King of the ho- whoa!" He lost his footing and slid back down, marking another failure.

Up next was an event that... Lava cannonball. Whoever made the biggest splash was the 'ultimate dragon.'

Twilight didn't have a spell for this occasion, so they backed out before any of the dragons noticed their absence. Spike would be on his own for this one.

The baby dragon seemed to have the same thoughts, backing hurriedly away from the edge and cowering at the back.

"What's wrong, Spike? You afraid the lava will hurt your soft pony hide?" Garble taunted him.

Spurred on either by his taunting or willingness to prove himself, Spike approached the cliff edge. He closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, jumped… and hit the lava with an audible smack.

"Ugh... Was I... that bad?" he asked when he resurfaced.

"No, dude... that was awesome! No pony could live through a belly flop like that!" Garble chuckled as he lifted him up by a spine. "You're one tough little dragon."

Spike had finally managed to prove himself to the dragons and find out more about where he came from. They gave him an initiation ceremony and celebrated with a party. This turned out to just be gorging greedily down on gems, belching and fighting with each other.

The girls just stood back and watched it happen, awaiting the moment when Spike would start to make the journey home. However, while listening to the exchange between him and Garble, they learned that wasn't going to happen.

"Man, was that a great party," Spike sighed contentedly.

"Great? Huh, maybe by Ponyville standards," Garble dismissed. "Stick with us, Spike. We still got plenty to teach you about being a dragon."

"I'm not going anywhere. The way I feel right now, I could hang out with you guys forever."

"Forever?!" They all hid behind a rock to convene. "Spike is going to stay with these awful dragons? Forever?" Rarity couldn't help but feel sadden. During the time she had spent with Spike she had grown fond of him. She had even began to think of him in the way of a little brother now that the whole messy issue of the crush had been resolved.

"Oh no, this is terrible!" Twilight despaired. She was on the verge of tears and considering her condition the last thing she needed was despair.

"I should've stopped him back at the library when I had the chance!" Rainbow realized.

"No, Rainbow Dash, this is all my fault! I encouraged him to go!" she insisted.

Some of Garble's gang and Spike were getting to their feet and stretching.

"Y'know, Spike," said Garble, punching his arm, "I think you just might be ready for a real dragon raid." The others all cheered raucously. "There's a nest full of phoenix eggs nearby, and we're gonna swipe 'em!"

"Aren't you totally psyched to go on this raid?" a dragon with emerald scales and grey horns and claws asked, slapping him on the back.

"Oh yeah, I'm excited. I mean, I'm psyched," he replied nervously.

He certainly didn't sound like he was psyched about this raid. If anything, he had appeared shocked at the idea. He even tried to back out by saying he couldn't fly with them before being picked up by another and carried off anyway.

"Oh no, they took Spike! We've gotta go after them!" Determined to do this, Rainbow tried to fly after them, much to the protest of the others who were dragged along.

"Rainbow Dash, stop! We can't fly!" Twilight reminded her.

"And you're ruining my fabulous costume!" Rarity added firmly.

She stopped just before they fell into a lava pool. "I'm sorry, but we gotta help Spike!"

"Well, we're just gonna have to hoof it!" Twilight replied, watching while the dragons carried off Spike.

---

Spike found himself running from a pair of enraged phoenixes. He dived, pushing him out of the way and into a bush. They poked their heads out to see the phoenixes turn tail and fly off the other way, burning brighter than the sun.

After fulfilling his role as distraction he returned to the nest.

Spike looked at the wreck of the phoenix nest and saw a yellow and orange shape in the debris of all the twigs. Spike began to reach for it when the other three returned, looking very frustrated.

"What happened?" Spike asked.

"They got away!" Garble noticed what he was holding. "Hey! You stole an egg?" Spike remained in unsure silence. "I guess the raid wasn't a total waste after all. Nice going, Spike."

His face brightened, until the next words by another.

"Well, what are you waiting for, Spike? Smash it!"

"Smash the egg?" he asked fearfully.

"Yeah!"

"Yeah, throw it on the ground as hard as you can!"

"Yeah! Smash it! Smash it! Smash it! Smash it! Smash it!" Garble's followers enchanted.

Spike's face hardened and he raised the egg up high.

"No!" He held it close, some tears trickling away. "It's just a defenseless egg, like I was! And I'm not gonna let you hurt it!"

"What did you say?" Garble snarled at him.

"I said no." Spike defiantly says once more.

"No one says no to me," he growled, stepping menacingly towards him.

And with that the costume was ripped apart as three figures emerged.

"Nopony's gonna lay a claw on him!" Rainbow Dash declared.

"That's right!" Twilight agreed.

"I'll rip you to pieces if you touch one scale on his head!" Rarity threatened.

"Ooh, scary, hehe! Spike, are these namby-pamby ponies your friends?" Garble asked mockingly.

Just as the girls were about to fight a roar louder than any other erupted. The land itself began to erupt as a series of thunderbolts began to rain down on the dragons causing them to dive for cover. Landing on the ground was a massive dragon with brilliant purple colored scales as well as yellow-gold horns and claws and eyes as black as Midnight.

"Leave this Hatchling be or face my wrath!" The dragon roared as a stream of ice had Garble and his minions fleeing.

"We made it." Landing on the ground not too far from them had been none other than Naruto. "Just in time too."

Naruto found himself nearly barreled by enthusiastic hugs. "You…just…what?" Twilight couldn't articulate her thoughts. Struggling between greeting the blond, demanding to know where he was, and who on earth was that. The others shared similar sentiments.

"I take it you girls didn't get Celestia's message?" He asked as they shook his head and explained what happened. "Well the reason why I didn't go along with you three is because I knew of a group of dragons who could help Spike. The dragon elders of the Elemental Dragon clan. Watching that migration didn't you girls notice something?"

Seconds had passed and none of them could figure it out.

"Notice what?" Rainbow demanded.

"Come now darling it is cruel to keep us in suspense." Rarity pleaded.

"No purple dragons." He answered. They had encountered dragons with green and red scales. They had seen brown, yellow, orange, and even blue. But no purple dragons. "Purple dragons are a rare breed, each of them born for greatness. Whether it be good or terrible depends on the dragon hence why I went to the one purple dragon who could help Spike learn what it means to be a dragon. Elder Spyro."

"Spike, the Purple Dragon." The elder dragon spoke to Spike who straightened stiff and let out a nervous 'yes sir'. "I was informed that you are in the midst of growing. We have heard about your greed incident. Such a power left uncheck could make you a danger to everyone around you. Be it pony, dragon, or the other species. I make you an offer. The elders and I can teach you of your heritage and how to control your power."

"Really? Woo-hoo!" Spike let out an enthusiastic cheer. Glee filled the mares face as they were happy with Spike. This was much more preferable then Spike hanging out with those gluttonous brutes.

"But this will be no easy or simple task. The time it will take depends on you. That will mean leaving Ponyville and its inhabitants behind to come to our village to train."

Spike turned to face the others. Rainbow, Twilight, and Rarity were wearing expressions of surprise. At first he was so certain he needed to leave, but now, having realized how much those in Ponyville meant to him it wasn't so easy. "I…can I have some time to think about this? This is a big decision."

Spyro fell silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Very well. I will come to your town in one week. Have an answer by then." Spike turned and nodded to the group. "Ladies. Nice meeting you. Your mate description didn't do you justice."

Blushes appeared on the mare's faces.

"Alright Elder, get on out of here before I let it slip to Cynder you were flirting again." Naruto remarked as the Elder took flight and disappeared beyond the horizon.

"Phew, that was a close one." Spike smiled around at them. "Thanks, you guys."

"Of course," Twilight smiled gently. "What are friends for?

"You're more than friends." His eyes brimmed with tears again while he smiled. "You're my family." He said as everyone embraced for a group hug.

For the time being Spike would be returning home. Still he had two decisions to make. Would he go with Spyro and leave Ponyville for who knows how long? And also, what in the world was he going to do with the Phoenix egg?

Next Chapter: Unleash the Dragon! Estimated time remaining: 34 Hours, 20 Minutes