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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The atmosphere grew tenser as the battle for the fate of the Crystal Empire was about to occur. Firmly the shinobi spoke. "Spike I want you to stay back and observe!" Naruto ordered Spike in a clear and authoritative voice.

"What!?" Spike let out a cry of disbelief. "But you just said..."

"I know, but we can't be reckless. I want you to observe how he fights and step in if I go down." He further clarified as he waited for Sombra to make the first move.

King Sombra dove into the ground and began forming much fiercer and larger crystal rocks that shot upwards from the ground.

Naruto quickly formed hand seals and slammed his hands into the ground causing segments of earth to launch up interrupting Sombra's path and fired down at the path.

Sombra rose from the ground firing a smathering of crystals at Naruto. Replacing himself with a segment of pavement Naruto avoided the crystals.

Mists of darkness towards fired towards Naruto who responded with creating Kagebunshin.

"What matter of trickery is this? An earth pony doing magic?"Sombra had seen much in his life, but earth ponies using abilities like this was a first.

"What can I say," Naruto drew out Critias and aimed his blade. "I have a habit of being surprising."

"Fancy yourself a blade user."Sombra smirked. "Against the likes of me quite cowardly."

"Cowardly?" Naruto spat out as he tightened his grip on his sword.

"Indeed because..." Sombra summons his own blade. "Only a coward goes the route of suicide."

It was time to see if the Evil King's skill matched his talk. Moving as quickly as he could Naruto brought his blade to slice down at Sombra's head. The king swiftly blocked it with the edge of his own, barely moving a muscle while he pushed back Naruto's attack. Recovering, Naruto tried again, this time to push against his sword through his defense. Sombra forced him back again having to exert effort as Naruto slashed at him with twice the strength of the previous strike.

Naruto activated his eye technique and proceeded to observe and pick apart Sombra's style. Drawing careful distance closer Naruto watched as Sombra kept a certain amount of distance from him.

He was going to have to move fast to get an attack in. He delivered a low strike as if to break his stance, but quick feinting into a higher strike. Sombra perceived to block every strike adjusting his footwork as each of his opponents strike slightly pushed him back.

'What in Tartarus is Naruto doing? He's way faster than this. And why isn't he using any of his other attacks?'Spike just couldn't understand it. Naruto wasn't the type to put others in danger, not for a fight so what was going on.

He watched as Sombra went on the offensive as his blade strikes grew dangerously close to slashing Naruto, but the blond proved quick.

"You're a few decades too early to challenge me colt!" Sombra taunted as he took control of the pace of the fight. The whole time to only thing Naruto could do was block his blows.

Then suddenly with a burst of speed Naruto thrust Critias forward nearly hitting Sombra's horn to which the Unicorn summoned a spike of crystal out of the ground separating the two. Not to be deter-ed Naruto leapt over the crystal and began hacking and slashing at the volley of crystals Sombra was throwing at him.

Landing on the ground Naruto charged forward bringing his blade for an upward slash only for Sombra to lock his blade in place.

"Not bad, for an amateur," commented Sombra. Naruto drew back and they continued exchanging slashes with Sombra putting a bit more effort now. "Those movements. The movements of one who has seen combat. A warrior. Powerful but unskilled with an inadequate style. Had you been formally trained you might have actually been a challenge to me."

He continued to advance, occasionally swinging at him. "You've seen combat before, I can tell. Your stance is adequate, yet your form is sloppy. You've fought, but never with a blade. A shame, really. If you had, you might actually be a challenge."

'What was it? What was it that Naruto wanted him to see?'

"Don't count me out yet." Naruto grinned as his hand began to glow. 'Chidori Nagashi.' His whole body electrified as a current traveled from Naruto to his blade through Sombra's blade to the evil King. The evil king let out a his as he jolted back his form turning smoky and misty for a second before reforming.

Despite Naruto's surprise technique Sombra was still smiling. "Ah yes, there is the matter of your little tricks. I looking forward to ripping the secrets from your mine. There is no power this world contains that will be kept from me."

Naruto began channeling wind and burst backwards as the ground under him went dark and multiple dark crystals shot up in the air. Taking aim with his horn Sombra fired into one crystal as the beam dispersed into multiple which reflected on the other crystals in an array of beams.

Naruto brought Critias to the front of him to dodge the initial beams, but let out a loud grunt of pain as the remaining beams hit his arm and legs.

For a few moments Naruto thought he was going into shock when he didn't feel anything, but then that's when he felt it. The heaviness in his limbs. He nearly collapsed to the ground as his limbs felt like they had been turned into slabs of concrete.

Naruto was unable to compensate before Sombra launched forward and shoulder tackle him sending him flying into a raised crystal. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Spike began to hover.

"No! NOT YET!"

"WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING HIM ALONE!?" He just didn't understand. Was this some sort of plan? Why risk fighting a dangerous enemy like Somra alone? "BEING AN IDIOT? WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE DEFEATING HIM TOGETHER?"

"TRUST IN ME SPIKE! JUST STAY BACK AND WATCH!" Naruto ordered as he turned his focus back to Sombra.

"Whatever your plan is it is doomed to fail! Once I am done with you the dragon is next."

"We'll see about that." Naruto aimed his left hand. 'Almighty Pull'Once more Sombra found himself surprised as his body was jerked forward by an unknown force. Instantly his body dispersed into mists and reformed.

'An Opening' Naruto this time charged forward with blinding speed. Sombra barely turned his head in time as Naruto 's blade skimmed his neck. Keeping with the momentum he built up using the shushin he had a Rasengan in hand. 'Wind Release:Rasengan' He shoved the powerful cutting orb upwards only for a barrier to appear blocking the attack.

Naruto jumped backwards and created a few dozen kagebunshin as they began to rush Sombra. The real Naruto surged forward shoving his blade forward only for Sombra to dissolve and reappear again as he used his tendrils to attack the blond. Narut oand his clones maneuvered around the attacks that were tearing up the pavement and began unleashing a torrent of earth and lightning dragons at the evil king.

It seemed like no matter what the blond threw at Sombra it left no damage. He couldn't hit him. Sombra would just reform himself and began fighting back. He seemed to have an answer where it be on ground or in air.

Spike watched just how Sombra seemed to be fending off the blond. Naruto seemed to intensified the attack using more of his techniques, powerful blasts, and using the environment to his advantage. No matter how many times Naruto disrupted Sombra's form the Unicorn kept coming back.

The latest attack had been a decapitation, but once again it seemed to do nothing. It seemed no matter where Naruto hit it only served to annoy Sombra.

Spike's Anxiousness only grew as he watched the two struggled back and forth upping the ante until he could barely keep Naruto caught and deflected Sombra's blade much to his surprise.

"Checkmate!" Naruto readied Critias to bring it down with all his might to shatter Sombra's horn only for the red horn to glow and four symbols to appear on Naruto's limbs.. A blinding and explosive light slow exploded from Naruto's arms as the blond let out a wail of pain as he stumbled barely keeping himself up right with Critias.

"Noooo!" Why did he listen? Why did he wait?

"Fool! There is not a mortal alive that I can not make kneel!" And in one quick swipe Sombra lobbed off Naruto's right hand.

A heaving roar left Naruto's lips as his wound began to gush blood.

"MONSTER!" Sombra reeled back from the surprise punch launched at him from Spike. His focus now turning to the interlopeer he tried to attack, but was hit with a face full of dragon fire before he could reeling in pain.

Sombra let out a roar of pain and was about to retaliate.

'It takes six seconds for his tendrils to form from the shadow mass and attack. Their ranged is limited, probably in connection to his magic.' Spike thought as he took to the air and began firing streams of lightning down at the tendrils causing them to disperse. For some reason whenever Sombra would use those tendrils Naruto defaulted to thunder jutsu, but unlike before the thunder actually evaporated the darkness. 'Is he getting weaker?' Sombra didn't look like it, but that was the only thing Spike had to go on.

Sombra set his sight on Spike with burning hatred. Using his crystals Sombra made a platform and began launching himself into the air blade ready.

Spike took notice of the way Sombra shifted the sword slightly in his hand. He did that whenever he was about to attack Naruto.

Spike launched a few ember balls while going in for a dive. As expected Sombra shieleded himself with his crystal as he used his blade to block Spike's Timaeus. Sombra fired a dark spell to which Spike turned to the side and try to flee. He let out a cry of pain as it collided against his side only to harmlessly wash off.

"Accursed beast!"

For a moment Spike had forgotten about his species high resistance to magic. If it had been before his training a Unicorn of Sombra's calibur might have been able to hurt him, but not after the elders thought him how to externalize his dragon spirit.

Spike fired a stream of lightning at Sombra who shifted his stance and used his blade to block the attack. Each way Sombra was reacting Spike was recognizing it.

'Why is he...' That was when it started to click. What Naruto was trying to show Spike. Why he sent the others away, it was starting to make sense now. Naruto never attended to defeat Sombra, but merely showed Spike how he fought so the dragon would have a fighting chance. His hide gave him protection against Sombra's dark magics and his magic could hurt Sombra.

How or why he did not know, but he knew one thing. Sombra was going down.

Switching to earth Spike fired at the crystals shattering them causing Sombra to began leaping down the segments.

Spike continued to give chase Timaeus poised as he continued to fly downwards. With a loud roar, he swung the blade clashing against Sombra's blade causing a shockwave shattering the platform. The evil king landed on the ground exploding into shadowy mist before reforming.

"At first I was going to allow you the honor of being my mount lizard, but now, you simply die!"

The king swung at his head. Spike ducked and fired a few shards of ice at his chin. Sombra snarled as slashed down to which Spike twisted to he was facing upwards and fired another beam of ice into Sombra's face. Quickly switching to earth he fired a concussive blast momentairly knocking Sombra off his feet before blasting him with a stream of lightning sending him crashing through two buildings.

Spike landed and kept his senses peeled. Sombra was far from done as the entire area was shrouded in his darkness. Spike for a moment panicked as he loss all sense of sight and sound.

'When robbed of your senses, do not panic. Rely on your instincts.'

Spike reacted by forming a dome of fire around himself, but that would only buy him so much time. He had expanded so much magic. He could only use one of his grand attacks and it would expel much of his magic.

And this failed he was done for. Switching to Lightning Spike began to channel all of his magic as he aimed towards the sky.

'Lightning Storm.'Firing up a massive ball of lightning the sphere hovered up in the air and began unleashing a torrent of beams of lightning showering upon the entire area. Spike could handle the brunt of the damage of this attack. His main concern was whether or not he hit Sombra.

He got his answer when the spell of darkness lifted. There seemed to be no sign of Sombra much to Spike's relief. Though that relief didn't last long when he saw the barrier was still up. 'No!' He thought before doubling over and roaring in pain as Sombra's blade pierced his stomach five inches deep.

"A shame! All that power and it is going to go to waste."Sombra twisted the blade deeper causing Spike to jolt back in pain. He tried to fire a breath at Sombra only for it to come out as a small plume.

Sombra yanked back the blade and kicked Spike who slammed into a wall of newly formed crystals hitting it hard,, skidding across it and smacked his head against a jutting crystal.

Sombra's red, burning eyes. And the glint of his blade.

No way. There was no way things were going to end like this.

Once more Sombra was disrupted as Critias of all things surged through him and embedded in the ground.

"Spike the horn!" Naruto shouted as Sombra reformed and launched waves of crystals at the blond causing him to retreat.

He was only going to have one shot at this. Spike grabbed Critias. Both blades glowed for a second as Spike readied himself.

Something had caught Sombra's attention as his head whipped back around. Before he could even mount a defense Spike brought both blades slashing inwards dispersing his body. Like always Sombra began to reform, and like always his horn was the very first thing.

In the form of a very red beacon. He quickly with all his strength he brought them both outwards like an X striking Sombra's horn. Sombra let out a roar of pain as the crack on his horn deepened and split down the middle. The barrier surrounding the castle was gone.

"Naruto! The Crystal Heart!" Spike shouted as Naruto found himself rooting in place as Sombra snarled like a man beast and began pouring magic into the curse attacking the blond's limbs.

"Spike! Its up to you."Naruto ran his arm across the tattoo and hurled the Crystal Heart at Spike. Snatching it in his claw Spike began to take flight.

Sombra overwhelmed by madness and unstable began to give chase snarling, "Crystal!"

Spike began flying to the castle as Sombra was in hot pursuit. He dodged the hailfire of crystal as he drew closer, the other bearers were in sight.

"SPIKE! LOOK OUT!" Twilight Screamed.

Spike whipped his head up. Sombra's shadow had scaled up the wall and was soaring down at him ready to strike.

"Twilight quick! We need to cover Spike!" Cadance shouted to her to which Twilight instantly readied herself. She, Shining Armor, and with what little magic she had left Cadance summoned up their magic power and fired a beam at the shadow of Sombra.

So single minded focus on the pursuit of the Crystal Heart Sombra did not put up a defense as his physical form was once more disrupted by the powerful combined magical attack.

Spike landed at the altar and with that placed the crystal heart in its rightful place. "Long Live the King!"

The magic of the crystal heart erupted as it began to swirl in a vortex. Its mighty magical energy then sought out one who was worthy. It sought out a rightful ruler. The waves of energy washed over Cadance and revitalize her.

"My magic..."Never before had Cadance felt so powerful. It felt so right.

"CRYSTAL!" The shadow of Sombra began hurtling towards her.

"NO I WON'T LET YOU!" Spike surged up to the sky and ready to fight to his last breath. A second wave shot out from the crystal heart and washed over Spike. His scales began to radiant with the same sparkle and energy that was occurring with Cadance's fur.

A wave of pure energy erupted from Spike's mouth as Sombra was enveloped by the burning radiant energy robbing him of most of his power and causing him to drop to the ground.

Cadance now fully restored began to project herself using the royal canterlot voice as she spoke to the citizens of the empire. "The Crystal Heart has returned. Use the light and love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not."

Sensing the thoughts and feelings of Cadance. Her Hopes. Her confidence. The Crystal ponies began to believe. They began to hope as the Crystal Heart began to connect to the heart of everypony in the empire growing stronger and stronger.

The power of the Crystal Heart soon washed over the entire city. And with one final roar of defiance King Sombra was evaporated as the Crystal light destroyed him.

Not only that, but the Crystal Heart was removing all of Sombra's taint. The corrupted crystals were dissolving.

Every injury that had occurred was being mended and healed. Strong, bright, nylon colors emerged from the top of the castle, exploding and sending each of its colors throughout the entire sky.

The entire group all regathered.

"Twilight!"

"Naruto!"

Relieved the two of them embraced each other before nearly being knocked off their hooves as the others joined in.

Every single one of them had shining coats and manes. Everypony seemed to be effected, their coats crystallized.

The group of heroes went to greet the now revitalized citizens of the empire who were cheering for their new ruler. "Good job, Spike." Twilight told him.

"Looks like every one of you did it." Shining Armor announced to all of them. "The Crystal Empire is safe now. The Crystal Heart is in its rightful place. All the crystal ponies are back to normal. You all did a great job today in defending this home."

"To be fair at this point its kind of our job." Rainbow Dash replied with a shrug. "Even though some of us didn't get to do all that much."

"Rainbow don't tell me ya sore about having to miss out on a fight." Applejack admonished the mare.

"What? Hey if we were going to travel all this way at least let us get in on the action you know." She tried to defend her point.

"We'll keep in mind the next time we tackle the next evil maniac Rain." Naruto assured her. All and all the most important thing was that the empire and its inhabitants were safe and it couldn't ask for a better ruling couple than Cadance and Shining.

With the hope of the citizens restored they began salvaging what they could of the Faire. "How did you know?" Spike asked, approaching Naruto who had finishing putting the last of the baby ewes back in the pin.

"Our first encounter." He said as he gently pat the head of the ewe. "Sombra's reaction to your fire and his nonreaction to my chakra coated blade. That's when I knew."

Spike brought Critias forward to which Naruto held out his hand in a stop motion and shook his head. "No Spike. You keep it. I'm better with my hands and jutsu than I am with a sword, besides, the bonding agent of those blades are made out of fangs from elder dragons. It only makes sense that a dragon can bring out their full potential. Now come on, lets go join the others." He suggested as he went back to the ever growing crowd of citizens coming to the faire.

---

The group passed by all the Crystal Ponies who waved farewell. Shining Armor and Cadence walked them back towards the train station. However, all of their coats and manes had returned to normal, possibly after leaving the Crystal Empire. It had been a fun and interesting past few days, but they needed to get home and back to their lives.

Rarity looked at her body and released a disappointed sigh. "I do so wish it was permanent. Did you see how my mane just absolutely sparkled?" She commented to Applejack.

"But... good things are better when they're a rarity." Applejack winked at her last word, emphasizing a pun towards Rarity.

"Aww." Rarity laughed and released a warm smile.

"Everything's gonna be okay." Shining Armor advised Twilight, who continued to walk in a gloomy motion. "You've gotta stop saving my rump like this, it's starting to get embarrassing."

"Wasn't me who saved you in the end...It was Spike." Twilight responded.

"It's just a test. Maybe she'll let you retake it." Shining Armor added as we stopped in front of the train. "Cause seriously at this rate we're due for another nation ending threat six months from now."

Nonetheless, Twilight continued walking towards the train, seeming to feel as if she just wanted to get it over with. "I don't think she's gonna give me a new test..."

"It'll be okay in the end. After all we been through Princess Celestia would not dismiss Twilight over some test. Not when the outcome would have affected so many lives."

"I wish Twilight could see that, but if she was different she wouldn't be our Twilight. Take care of her Naruto."

"Of course." Naruto turned to Shining armor.

"Be good to my little sister Captain."

"Wouldn't have it any other way Captain."

With a mutual nod of respect exchanged Naruto entered the train where the others were waiting. It was time to go home.

---

In Canterlot the next day the other bearers were waiting outside with Twilight who was trying to find the courage to go report in to Celestia.

"Princess Celestia...I'm back." Twilight announced.

She formed a warm smile. "It seems like t you completed the task well. It's beautiful."

Twilight lowered her head sadly, almost in guilt. "I wish it had been I who ultimately made it so. But it wasn't. Spike took the Heart and saved the Crystal Empire."

Princess Celestia thought about Twilight's words and then closed her eyes and smiled. "Hm. Don't speak such nonsense." She answered, surprising Twilight. "Twilight, as I understand it," She began walking towards her, glancing over to a glass window that actually depicted Spike and Cadance being empowered by the Heart. "You charged Spike with bringing the Crystal Heart to Cadance because you were not sure how long it would take you to escape the tower. You weren't willing to risk the future of the citizens of the Crystal Empire in an effort to guarantee your own. Far better that I have a student who understands the meaning of self-sacrifice than one who only looks out for her own best interests.. You were even willing to go against 'my' explicit instructions to protect the lives of others and to do what was right. That is a trait becoming rarer as the time goes on. What you did my student was anything, but fail."

Twilight formed a hopeful grin. "Does this mean...?"

"Yes, you passed."

Twilight gasped loudly and suddenly shouted, screaming in joy. "Thank you, Princess Celestia! Thank you! I'm so glad!"

"You better go tell your friends. I'm sure they're still out there worrying."

"Oh, right!" Twilight ceased her jumping and hopping around and bowed. "Thank you again, Princess Celestia!"

Princess Celestia could only return a smirk and lightly chuckle as she saw Twilight run out the room. Not too long after Luna stepped out from where she was observing the exchange.

"Sister your unwavering faith has paid off. She truly is almost ready."

"For now, we shall let her enjoy peace and quiet. She has earned it."

---

Twilight wasn't hesitant to slam open the doors to the outside surprising the other ponies as they were looking inside. Twilight jumped out and exclaimed. "I passed!"

This immediately caused the others to grin, release breaths of relief, and cheer. As Twilight continued to hop excited, Spike ran over to her to hug her. Everything was as it should be. Now there was only one last thing to do. Head back to Ponyville and celebrate.

Next Chapter: Family Ties! Estimated time remaining: 15 Hours, 4 Minutes