Yes, good thing I had this chapter prewritten. XD. I have work the next three days so not much time for writing.

Anyway I'm working on improving profiles and such. I will start doing chapter by chapter breakdowns in my blogs. As well as Link to character profiles, tropes, and information on my main profile.

Main Page.

http://www.fimfiction.net/user/Kyuubi16

I will also be putting terms on the same page breaking down all the terms in the story as well as delving deep into mythology, my thought process, and all that.

I highly recommend you guys read the bios and breakdown and stuff because there is a bit of information that you will only learn from reading the blogs.

Not all the stuff is there right now as I'm only starting, but I will update the information daily.

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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"Now you be good and listen to everything Ditzy tells you alright." Twilight had to choke back the emotion she was feeling. This would be the first time she would be spending an extended amount of time away from the filly ever since she became her guardian.

Nyx was also not happy, wondering why she couldn't come, but Twilight did not want to take her up north and uproot her from the life they crafted for her.

"Okay..." Nyx sniffled.

"I'll be back soon alright." She told the filly pulling her into a hug. "Be good alright."

"I will." They pulled apart as Ditzy placed a hand on Nyx'x shoulder.

"Don't worry Twilight, Nyx will be alright. You seven go do what you do best."

Goodbyes were continued to be exchanged until Twilight had to enter to head to her train car.

As the hours ticked by the signs of the colder northern climate became more apparent as the rich forests near their regions became far less prominent. The grassy green fields were slowly transitioned into snow covered fields before becoming frozen tundra. And the warm rays of the sun and blue skies were replaced with cold air and falling snow.

Excitement. Anticipation. Tension. A myriad of emotions filled them. They were on their way to a society that vanished many centuries ago. A lost empire composed of crystals and meeting another tribe of ponies. There was also the thrill of adventure and all knew lore and history.

There was something for nearly all of them at the cusp of this exciting new adventures. While the others were sharing their thoughts and excitement Naruto was sitting with Twilight who was still trying to comprehend the enormity of her task.

"I know this is a very daunting task Twilight, but you're not alone. Me, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack are here with you. Not to mention Shining and Cadance as well. You shouldn't focus on 'If I fail' would you should be thinking of all the good that will occur 'when you succeed.'" he told her as he brought his arm around her in a comforting hug.

"I wish I could share your confidence, but I just can't help but worry. What if Equestria is put in danger because we didn't have the Empire's magic helping us against some unknown and unperceived threat?"

"We'll do what we always do of course. We find a way."

He said placing a kiss at the base of her horn.

Twilight let out a soft moan as she trembled slightly. Her body relaxed a little and she took a few deep breaths.

"You know, from now on I should just call you over when I take abreak from an intense study session. You're much more relaxing then tea."

"Oh, Miss Sparkle how scandalous. Upgrading me to booty call status I see." He teased as Twilight's cheeks went bright red at his joke.

"N-Naruto! Don't say things like that!"Her voice rose a few octaves.

"Sounds like a share moment! You know you got to share!" Rainbow Dash called out further ahead of the car.

"Not even worth sharing. Just some teasing."

The journey continued without much incident until the announcement they would be arriving to their destination alerted them. With that everyone began to put on their boots, clothes, heavy snow jackets and such.

Everyone had their own flair or personal touch to their outfits. Twilight being practical had a plain colored scarf seeing little reason to customize.

Their were those like Fluttershy and Rainbow who wore lighter jackets because their pegasi physiology made it where they were able to deal with the old air easier along with Spike as his inner dragon fire made it where the cold didn't bother him much, but he had to constantly expand his magic at a controlled rate to keep his body warm. Naruto and Applejack had modified farmer's winterboots and gloves.

Pinkie wore a big poofy hat and ear muffs with her usual blue and yellow colored scheme in scarf form and Rarity wore a luxurious pink scarf, petite ear muffs, and a brand of snow boots with a heel. The brand which funnily enough was called 'guess' seemed appropriate as it would make many confused and correctly guess the mare was the fashionable type.

As much as Naruto wanted to point out how much that heels in general were just so damn impractical he could not deny that they do a good job of making the ass look better, especially with the right dress.

The only item being carried besides personal bags was the scroll tied to Naruto's back. Sealing everything in one scroll just made the whole issue of traveling so much more convenient.

It had taken them a week since Celestia spoke for Twilight for them to get here. Long enough for these abandon railroad tracks to be monitored and cleared for use as well as putting a locomotive to these rails. Naruto himself had never wondered about this route, but when he was told these railways were maintained when they first started to board by one of the conductors by Equestria he was able to reason that Celestia had an idea that one day the Empire would return and made some form of plan for that day.

A sharp cold and strong winds greeted them when they stepped off the train. Not too long after getting off they were greeted by a familiar face.

"Twilight!"

"Shining Armour?"

The familiar stallion struggled towards them. He levitated off his black winter wear and smiled as Twilight hurried forward and hugged her brother.

"Twily! You made it!" He pulled out of the hug, looking urgent. "We'd better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark."

Fluttershy gulped. "What kind of things?"

"Let's just say the Empire... isn't the only thing that's returned," he answered.

'I guess it was hoping too much for things to be simple.'

"Would Celestia have sent the likes of all of you if it was that simple?"

'There's never any telling with her.'

"Though if this Sombra creature was that much of a threat it was wise to be this cautious. Though from what little Luna shared with you and from what's occurring now, neither then nor now have they felt the Elements were needed. Still. It will be wise for you to remain on your guard."

"Right." They cut their conversation.

"Something keeps trying to get in!" Shining yelled over the wailing wind. "We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place!"

"But the Princess es said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire!" r Twilight replied. "If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected!"

Before the captain could answer, a low, echoing howl met their ears.

"Th-That's one of the things, isn't it?" Fluttershy asked fearfully.

"We have to get to the Crystal Empire! Now!" he commanded.

No sooner had the words left his mouth, a pillar of shadow rose up behind them, the howling now right in their ears. Two glaring eyes opened at the very top, glowing green and vibrant with dark magic. In addition to the howling, a guttural growling mingled with it.

Instantly Naruto drew Critias and slashed at the mass only for it to twist around the blade and for something unseen to slash at Naruto's neck tearing down from below his nearlobe to across his shoulder.

A wail of pain escape Naruto's mouth as blood began to seep into his fur and he stumbled back.

"Naruto!" The herd cried out. In retaliation Rarity and Twilight fired at the mass only for it to twist out of the way.

Spike was closest to it expelling his fire to which forced the creature back.

"Run!" Twilight shouted, as they all began running in direction of the Empire. In the distance through the cold and the snow they could see the dome of magic. .

"Almost there!" Shining encouraged.

The difference between the outside and inside was instant as they shot through the barrier.

The snow was replaced with soft grass and the cold was gone, a comforting warmth taking its place.

For now.

"Everypony okay?" Twilight asked, gasping for breath.

The others all panted in general agreement while trying to get their breath back. Naruto let out a grunt as he sat back. Instantly Fluttershy brought forward her bag and pulled out a medical kit. Rummaging through the supplies she began tending to Naruto's wound.

"Naruto." Twilight sent him a concerned look.

"I'll be fine. Shy will have me fixed up in no time." He said as he focus on suppressing the pain. Whatever the hell that magic was it was fighting his abilityt o heal.

There was another shimmer and Shining landed next to them, looking like he'd been through an ordeal.

Twilight hurried to him. "Oh, no! Shining Armour, your horn!"

Several growths of black crystal had formed at the end. When he tried to use magic, his own aura was suppressed by a crackle of dark lightning. Seeming to decide silently that there wasn't much they could do about it, they turned around to behold.

To see the city for their own eyes left one breathless. When they were actually within it, walking down the streets they took in its beauty. Everything, everywhere shimmered with the wonderful sight of crystal sheen. The streets, the lampposts, the houses, everything was covered with the majestic glow all way down to what could only be the Crystal Palace. A spire reaching to the sky, shining brightly from the magic that radiated from it.

"It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!" Rarity mumbled. "There are no words!"

"Focus, Rarity. We're here to help Twilight not admire the scenery," Applejack reminded her.

"Eh, I don't see what the big deal is," Rainbow voiced her thoughts with a shrug. "Just looks like another old castle to me."

Rarity seemed flabbergasted at Rainbow's dismissal. "Another old...! Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni-" She stopped when Rainbow and Applejack started laughing. "Very funny."

Shining led them through the hallways, polished so perfectly they could see their reflections in their surface.

They arrived at the throne room, where sat upon it was none other than Cadance. Her head was hung and her horn was glowing while she cast a spell, but she brightened when she saw who entered the room.

"Cadence!" Twilight went to meet her foalsitter, now sister-in-law.

Sunshine, sunshine,

Ladybugs awake!

Clap your hooves

And do a little shake!

They both fell into gales of laughter until Cadence grimaced and her horn flickered. The shield outside also flickered like a candle in a breeze before she regained control of the spell.

From just her movements Naruto noticed she was tired. Even more tired then her physical state portrayed.

"One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance," she sighed.

Twilight's concerned shined through. "Are you okay?"

Shining placed a hoof on his wife's shoulder. "Cadence has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn't slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra."

She breathed deeply. "It's alright Shining Armour, I'm fine."

"She's not fine," he insisted. "She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade... Well, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen."

"That's why we're here," Twilight. announced.

"Why we're all here," Applejack, put in the others all agreeing with her.

Shining nodded. "Well, with Cadence putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies."

"Crystal Ponies?! " Rarity couldn't help but let her excitement shine through a bit. She was looking forward to meeting them.

"But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadence's magic."

"A research paper!" Twilight said suddenly.

"Huh?" Her brother looked confused.

"That must be part of my test – to gather information from the Crystal Ponies and deliver it to you!" she explained with evident enthusiasm. "This is gonna be great! I love research papers!"

"Yeah, who doesn't?" remarked Rainbow sarcastically.

"Don't worry, big brother. I am really good at this sort of thing," Twilight assured with a confident smile and a wink. "Right, everypony, we'll split up once we get into the streets and each take a different part of town. Remember to ask the ponies about a way to defend the Empire and if they know anything about why they would return now, a thousand years after the curse was placed on them. We'll meet back at the Castle in an hour."

The the Crystal Ponies were not living up to their names. Maybe one upon a time they were radiant looking ponies, but as they were now they looked worn down. For instance their coats looked rather dull and lackluster, their manes hanging limply while they dragged their hooves.

They were in a near zombified state as they trudged around lifelessly. There was no sense of joy or purpose in anything they were doing.

No life in their eyes. Dullness was the tone in their voices. And questioning them proved useless. They just couldn't remember anything before Sombra's rule. They also couldn't give information on why the Empire had returned.

Pity washed through the blond as the fifteen ponies he interrogated gave him the same answer. A thousand years of progress and now they would have to adjust.

Returning to the palace, it looked like most of the others had been met with similar results. The Crystal Ponies all seemed to have some sort of collective amnesia, as Applejack termed it.

"The only thing ah was able ta get from 'em was somethin' about a library," she concluded.

"A library?" Twilight gasped at the mention of the word. "Well, why didn't you say so?!"

"Uh, ah thought ah did."

The library was an easy enough place to find. According the ponies they asked, who were actually able to help this time, it was made of blue crystal and had two carvings of griffins outside the entrance.

Books. Rows and rows of them, a wealth of information on the history, culture, society, everything to do with the Empire.

"I just... I don't even know what to... There are no words," Twilight gasped. It was like her graduation, birthday, and Hearhtswarming Eve was all occurring at the same time. "We could find anything in here. Historical accounts, personal letters, plays, poetry..."

"Twilight."

"The hours and hours spent searching through them, documenting and cataloging everything..."

"Twi."

"Books and records that may not be found anywhere else because they were lost along with the Empire..."

"I think we lost her.

"And now they're here, for us to study as we please!" she finished, with another excited squeal.

"Ahem." A mare wearing round glasses with her mane in a bun caught their attention. "May I help you?"

"Yes. We're looking for a book,"

"We have plenty of those," she said, gesturing around.

"You do. You really do..." Twilight sighed, lost in awe at her surroundings.

"Miss we're looking for information on the defenses the empire used to protect itself from dangers in the past. If you could tell us that would be helpful." Naruto could only hope they would be able to get assistance and not another shrug or indifferent unhelpful response.

"Yes. Of course. History, history..." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Ah, yes."

They all beamed expectantly. However, the librarian didn't elaborate.

"Which is where, exactly?" Twilight asked expectantly.

"I... I can't seem to remember," she confessed. "I'm not sure I actually work here."

Rainbow slammed her hand against her face and groaned in exasperation.

"We'll just take a look around," Twilight offered. "I'm sure we can find it on our own."

"Let me know if you find anything," the librarian said, walking away.

They all used individual methods for searching, Applejack kicking Rainbow Dash along a ladder while she knocked down books, Naruto creating a series of clones and tackling multiple sections at once, Pinkie Pie simply leaping up in odd spots and grabbing the first book within reach.

Hours had passed and no luck or progress in regards to their search.

"Uh, anyone else startin' to think this is a lost cause?" Applejack asked as she put down another book and began to massage her tired eyes.

"At this rate it could take days or even weeks of going through the books of a library of his size."

"Yes!" Twilight of course let loose an ecstatic cry at that prospect.

"Oh I think I found something!" Pinkie Pie dropped up from above and landed daintly.

They joined her as she set the book down. ""History of the Crystal Empire"

With all of them scanning the pages of a single book, it didn't take them long to find reference to something that was their best chance for protection. A Crystal Fair, an event established by their first queen and held every year to renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm.

"This is exactly what we're looking for!" Twilight announced. "I can show this to my brother and Cadence and then we could put it all together so we can protect the Empire."

"Alright, we're getting somewhere!" Rainbow punched the air. "Come on, let's get this thing up and running!"

"Aren't you going to dispel your clones Narry?" Pinkie asked them as everypony began putting the books back.

"I'm keeping my clones here for more research. If we do end up fighting whatever that thing was I don't want us going up against it unprepared."His reasoning was reasonable enough. Either way it was time to head back to the castle and began the next phase of their plan.