Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x Rarity x Twilight x Fluttershy x Applejack x Pinkie Pie x Rainbow Dash x Ditzy x Luna x ? x ?

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For Normal Speech

Inner thoughts, Text read, Italics used to represent characters speaking in different language.

Demonic rage, Demonic characters, Kurama Speak

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Story Start

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No matter how many books he read through he could not find the answer to these strange dreams he was having.

War of the Night: The Theastral Revolt!

The Grand Bug Empire: The Changelings.

War Between Queens: Changeling Civil War

The Lord of all Chaos: Discord.

The Banished Tribes: Cairobu

Mightiest Dragon Ancient: The Dark Master

The Mightiest Reptiles: The Dragons

The Grand Technological Empire: The Griffins

Dark Goddess of Shadows: Nightmare Moon.

The War that Threatened a Nation: The Equestrian Civil War

Two Species Deadliest Union: The Sirens

One of the World's Great Calamities: The Smooze

King of the Frozen North: Sombra

The Nigh Unstoppable Magic Eater Lord Tirek.

Eater of Shadows: Arabus

Scion to the Forces of Evil: Mumm-ra

Terror of the Oceans: Squirk

The Dreaded Mistake: The Bugbear

Demon of Fire: Lavan

Bringer of Death: Mad King Grogar.

The True Threat to All Life: The Windigo.

The closest ones to the abilities of this dread monster were the dark master, Discord, and Tirek. Discord had been dealt with by the elements and he himself along with Cynder saw to the end of the dark master.

Spyro had begun to ponder what if the other elders had been wrong? What if the heart of courage wasn't a metaphysical concept? They never did figure out in what way was Spyro the 'Eight'. What if...what if the Prophecy hadn't been talking about him?

'And the Thirteen Virtues will unite with the inhabitants of the world and bring about a great rebirth.'

Finding that had been the straw that brought Spyro down this path of thinking. The mural that talked about the purple dragons long ago had always been incomplete, but without the other pieces there was no way to find out.

There was only one way to find out.

It was another busy day for Princess Celestia. Celestia's quill moving carefully, but swiftly over the official papers she was required to sign. A stack of official papers.

Dull, but necessary. Not everything a member of royalty did was glamorous. Regardless, the only thing that interrupted such monotonousness were when Luna visited or teaching Trixie.

And she wasn't so selfish as to detract from Shining and Cadance's time as a married couple. True they had just came back from their honeymoon, but the period shortly after a married couple's wedding were among the most important times for such couples.

If only something interesting were to happen. She would even welcome a message from other nation leaders and make up some excuse for them to visit.

Suddenly her doors opened and a member of the Solar Guard rushed in. "News from Northern Equestria! Uh, your highness," he added, bowing his head.

"Yes?" she asked.

He pulled off his helmet, bowing a little lower. "I have news from Morning Star. She says you would know what this message means. 'The Empire of the North has returned.'

Celestia's expression and eyes lit up in surprise. Morning Star, one of the nation's most talented astronomers and prominent researchers was station in an encampment up north. Due to the harsh weather conditions there were only few settlements that far north in the glacial region of Equestria and the one major settlement that was in that region disappeared well over a Millennium ago. She was also the descendant of a line of ponies long sense lost. It was only fate that she be the one to spot it.

"Find Princess Cadence and Shining Armour," she ordered the guard on her right.

"Yes, your highness," he bowed, before retreated to get the royals.

Her next order of business was to contact her sister.

Spike flew along the horizon with the setting sun at his back. He was pleased with himself that the journey had only taken a few days. His wings were holding up nicely as he flew down into the valley where Ponyville lay.

As the sun was just dropping behind the horizon, Spike flew over the roofs of Ponyville. He had planned it this way. Most of the population were unaware of his growth after all and the last thing he wanted to do was cause a panic.

As the sun continued to set he watched as the last remnants of shops began to close up and ponies began to go home. He began making his way to a familiar building.

As he scanned the street in front of the library he sighed. It had been so long. It had been decades since he had been to the library. A lifetime away could change one's perspective.

His head reverberated with the words that Elder Spyro and Lady Cynder had said to him before he left.

"Goodbye Spike... And remember you always have a home here. When you are ready to continue your training we will be here." Cynder hugged him tightly.

"Make sure you take good care of yourself and your family young dragon. Remember, you are destined for greatness. Keep your heart heroic and you will never fail in anything you set it to." Spyro told him.

While it may have seem like such a long time to the others, it was so much longer to him. The fact that he had to leave shortly after the wedding had not made the brief visit any less painful. He shook away his nerves and made his way into the tree.

"I'm...I'm home..." It all felt so surreal.

"Spike...?" A familiar voice was calling to him. The flash of magic was almost blinding to him. It could only be one pony, and now that pony was enveloping him in as much of a hug as she could muster.

"Oh Spike..." Twilight Sparkle wrapped her arms around him tighter. "Welcome Home..."

"The Crystal Empire has returned."

A dead silence descended throughout Celestia's private quarters. Luna sat there, unmoving and unspeaking for a long wild as a rang eof motions coursed through her face. Surprise, disbelief, confusion...guilt.

"Do we know if... if he has returned with it?" she asked.

Celestia shook her head solemnly. "We cannot be sure yet. The report hasn't be very exact in detail. We only know the Empire has returned, not if its inhabitants have. Or its king."

"What are we to do? You are in no condition to battle and the capital is in no state for warfare. If word gets out of my absence there is no telling what elements may try to attack during my absence."

"Which is why I already intend to send Cadence and Shining to the Empire."

Luna let out a soft hum. "As always sister your keen insight against countering particular enemies has not waver. Their form of magicks are indeed the best bet of protecting the Empire from his influence, but do they have the power to combat him? The source of dark power that fuels Sombra, now that I have something to compare it to, its essence is similar to the Nightmare Forces. Considerably weaker of course, but still monstrous enough to be a threat.."

"And if it were just the two of them I was sending I would share your concerns as well, but I have already formed a plan..I think that this is the test that my student should undertake."

"Twilight?" She looked skeptical. "She has been so much in such a short amount of time sister. Surely she deserves a reprieve for the time being."

"If she is to stand by our side Luna it is better she get the experience sooner rather than later. You know just as well as I do just how capable she is," Celestia replied with complete assurance. "Her time is close now and this will help us to determine if she is ready. Cadence, Shining and her friends can help her, but in the end this is something she has to figure out on her own, without our help. It must be done. You know it must."

Luna could not veil the unease she was feeling. "You do raise a fair point sister. After facing the likes of the Nightmare and Discord there are few that can hope to match that power and menace. "

While Celestia shared Luna's worry she had faith in Twilight. There was no way her student would fail.

"SURPRISE! WELCOME BACK, SPIKE!" shouted everypony, jumping out of their hiding spots as the lights turned on in the library.

Spike was caught off guard that over the course of six hours Pinkie had thrown together a surprise welcome back party. Without a doubt he was honestly touched by this.. "What's all this?"

"It's a welcome back party for you, silly!" said Pinkie Pie as she bounced over to him and pulled him into a quick but bone-crushing hug. He regained his composure as Pinkie put him down.

"A party for me? Why?"

"Because you've been gone for so long darling, we felt that we should celebrate the day you came back."

Spike turned in response to Rarity's voice and was nearly knocked off his feet by a speedy bullets.

"Sweetie Belle! I really missed you!"

"Oh, I missed you, too." Spike savored the moment as he took in the warmth of his fillyfriend. He was back and now they could finally explore their relationship.

"Heh, heh. Sorry 'bout that." The crowd had dispersed in the meantime.

"Welcome back, Spike!" Applejack greeted him with a hug. "Ya took off so quick last thing didn't have much time to catch up."

"Sorry about that, but I'm here to stay."

"I look forward to seeing your progress Spike." Naruto acknowledged. "I can definitely fee; that you weren't slacking off."

"Now's not the time to be worrying about training Nar. Let him relax and rest for a few days."Ditzy chastise the blond with a playfuly smack to the back of his head with her wing.

Rainbow Dash all the while had been standing awkwardly to the side in her usual attempt to maintain her cool.

"Come on, Rainbow. Hugs are for everypony." Spike becoken her over with open arms to which Rainbow accepted albeit with dramatic showy reluctant before giving a quick hug.

"Good to have you back...looks like I can't call you short stack anymore."

"Hey where's Fluttershy?" Spike. asked As if on cue, the yellow pegasus appeared from the doorway to the kitchen. Upon seeing his face, she rushed over quickly and caught Spike off-guard with a big hug.

"Welcome home Spike. We've all missed you so much."

"It's great to see you too, Fluttershy. So, what's been going on around Ponyville since I was gone? I mean besides all the construction. This place got huge since I left."

Twilight was the one that spoke up. "Well I am not well versed in all the specifics, but the princesses have expressed an interest in turning Ponyville into a city. All the details are being worked out, but there's talk about having a citizen be a liaison between the princesses and Queen Chrysalis and Ponyville is going to be the perfect meeting ground between Canterlot and the new hive structure being constructed at the edge of the Badlands."

"Uh-oh I know that look. We got to stop her now or she'll go on all night." Naruto playfully said as Twilight sent him a look that was a mix of being annoyed and a pout.

The group continued to catch up as stories of interesting developments they went through were the forefront of the topic of discussion. Everypony seem to be having a good time and enjoying themselves.

The party soon ran its course as everypony went home for the night.

The following morning came around and Spike found himself trying to get back into the swing of things. "So, you having fun living with Twilight?" It probably would have been awkward if he was younger. In all honesty it still kind of was, but he had fate in Twilight. If one didn't know Nyx's origin it would be hard to tell she was anything but a normal filly.

"I really like it here. Twilight is really nice." Nyx answered, glancing up at Spike before glancing back down.

"And being part of the Crusaders must be fun."

"Yeah it really is. They're really nice. Especially Scootalo's she's been been trying to teach me what uncle Naruto teaches, but she doesn't always get it right."

"Twilight hasn't been keeping you fed on take-out has she?" He wondered if Twilight continued her inability to cook trend.

"Usually auntie Rarity or Applejack will bring something over. If they don't Twilight will make me an Eggpant and Goat Cheese sandwich."

"That's nice."

The conversation was cut short when a loud cry from Twilight alarmed them.

"Hey Spike! Nyx!" Naruto greeted casually as he scooped up the letter Twilight dropped.

"Letter from Celestia?"

"Letter from both Princesses." Naruto answered.

"What is it, Twilight?" Spike asked "Incoming disaster that requires the Bearers"

"No, worse!" she cried. "Much worse! The Princesses wants me to come to Canterlot as soon as possible to take a...a..." She gulped. "A test!"

Spike frowned. "A test?"

"But not just any test!" She waved the letter in their faces. "According to this, it's a very important test, a very important development in my magical education!"

Twilight had always been bound to see any letter even the smallest announcement from Celestia as this great big thing, but considering this was coming from Luna as well the letter might as well been saying Hayburger was going to be shutting down from Twilight's reaction.

"What in the hay did we walk into?" Rainbow Dash asked as she and Applejack were entering the library to see Twilight in the midst of one of her episodes.

She ran to her desk and shot the quills with such force using her magic, that they pierced holes in the bag that Spike caught them in. Naruto tried to get her attention, but she pushed past him to a shelf and started to levitate down a series of books, her eyes rapidly scanning their covers.

"No, no, no, no, no..." She growled in frustration. "I need the Magical Compendium volumes 1 through 36! Where is it?!"

"You probably reshelved it. Wasn't yesterday reshelving day?" Naruto reminded her.

For the briefest of seconds Spike did a fist pump. Thank the goddesses he had missed reshelving day.

"Flash cards! I should make some flash cards!" Twilight decided, taking out whole stacks of them. "Spike, I'm gonna need you to quiz me. On everything. Everything I've ever learned. Ever." She thought for a moment. "That isn't going to be enough cards. "

"Twilight, calm down. First of all in case you forgotten I haven't been here for a while so reasonably I can't quiz you on everything that you've learned considering that would take too long. Second of all..." Spike for a brief moment pause. The words it was just a test on the edge of his lips. No. He had known Twilight too long to say something dumb like that. "You'll do fine."

Naruto walked over and placed his hands on Twilight's shoulder. "Twi...you have to calm down okay."

"But..."

"Take a deep breath and Relax Twi. You have to keep yourself in control okay. Calm down. You know Princess Celestia cherishes you. We've said the nation several times. She's confided to me how proud she's been of your progress " He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. "Keep in control and relax."

"Keep in control and relax." Twilight repeated with a soft exhale. With that her twitches were gone and she was in control of herself.

She smiled warmly at him. "Thank you Naruto I really needed that." she said as she pulled the blond into a hug.

"Anyway I highly doubt you need all this stuff. Look, we'll use the Hirashin technique to get there in an instant.'

Twilight looked to Spike. "Spike, you wouldn't mind looking after Nyx for me would you?"

"No problem Twilight." All things considering it wasn't like he had made a plan on what to do once he got back.

Naruto had brought Twilight to the palace where the princesses were waiting for him. The guards stood at attention and let them pass. Together, they walked through the hallways and arrived to see the royal sisters gazing at the window erected in remembrance of the Invasion of Canterlot. They appeared to be deep in discussion to which they ceased upon seeing the two.

"Twilight! Naruto! Lovely to see you!"

"Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!"

"There is something of importance that needs to be discussed. " Celestia began as she beckon Twilight to follow them. "Forgive us Naruto, but this matter..."

"Hey I get it." he said with raised hands. Private matter. "When you're ready to head back Twilight I'll be in office." he said as he exited the throne room.

"This matter is not just a simple test. The Crystal Empire has returned.."

" The Crystal Empire? I'm sorry, I-I thought I'd studied. Ooh. I don't think there's anything in any of my books th,,,."

"There wouldn't be. Few remember it ever existed at all. The knowledge we contain is limited." Luna began. "The Empire's power is incredible to the point it can threaten the peace we are trying so hard to maintain. Over a Millennium ago, King, Sombra, a unicorn consumed by darkness and turned the once peaceful Empire into a dreaded war capital. Having disposed of its rightful ruler Princess Amore he enslaved his subjects and forced them to mine magical crystals so that he might further increase his power and set his sights on the rest of Equestria."

"A mare by the name of Radiant Heart warned us of Sombra's plan and Luna and I set off to stop him. Before we could do battle he cast a powerful upon the Empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air. If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold... Which is why we need your help finding a way to protect it."

The story of the Kingdom of North composed entirely of crystal was pretty fantastical. Even the ponies that inhabited it had coats and manes of shimmering crystal because of a powerful magic that flowed through its very essence.

"You want me to help protect an entire empire?" The feeling of being overwhelmed didn't even describe what Twilight was feeling right now.

"It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I'm certain you will pass." Celestia told her.

Twilight took a moment to try and process before finally answering. "How do I begin?"

"By joining Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire.." Luna informed her.

"My brother is there?" Twilight's eyes widened in surprised.

"He is. And The other bearers may join you there as well. I have every confidence you will succeed. And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies."Celestia could see that doubt began to set in Twilight.

"But what if I fail?"

"You will not my cherished student trust me, but one thing you must remember Twilight. In he end, it must be you and you alone who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire. Do you understand?"

"Mm-hmm!" Twilight answered after a moment of hesitation.

"Then go. There is no time to lose." Celestia ushered her.

We have a few interesting things this chapter. We have hints to future threats. We have start of the Crystal Empire arc. We have Spike returning to Ponyville and talks of what is going on with Ponyville. There is so much more to reveal as time so enjoy.