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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Author's Note

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After much time and consideration, I decided to make the events preceding chapter 269 its own story so the story is not rushed to get back to the main action. I will hopefully have the first chapter up by Tuesday if not Wednesday by the latest. Until then enjoy the long-awaited continuation of Equestrian Heroes.

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Story Start

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A few days had passed since the group had returned from their long-deserved vacation. Everypony was getting back into the groove of things when the received a surprising letter from Celestia requesting the presence of Naruto, Applejack, and Fluttershy. They were led to Celestia's study where she was waiting at her desk Celestia signaled for her attendants to leave so she could talk to the trio alone.

"Welcome, Naruto, Applejack, and Fluttershy," Princess Celestia called, her voice echoing in the large hall.

The trio exchanged pleasantries and greeting.

"You will forgive my haste but there is little time for the usual fanfare. " She said as she got up from her seat, "Please, follow me," She gestured over to an ornamental wooden table sat in the center, with an old map spread out over it. Naruto peered at it, curious. Princess Celestia spun to face them. "What I have learned the past few weeks while communicating with Queen Demeter will have grave consequences for Equestria's future if we do not threat lightly."

"Is it...is it another invasion Princess?" Fluttershy slowly asked.

"It is, but it's not Equestria that is the target. The cairbou are threatening to invade Queen Demeter's kingdom." The name of those monstrous creatures soured their stomach and sent chills up their spines. "Normally the land of the Cervidaes are protected by powerful nature magic, but when Discord was first freed by the chaos generated by the Nightmare Children caused a powerful magical imbalance in the world. That and two of the three chosen heroes have been killed in the ensuing conflicts."

"So, what do ya mean fer us to do princess? Are we being sent to act as a deterrent?" Applejack questioned.

Princess Celestia shook her head. "No. Your role is different. The magic that protects the continent can only be invoked in a matter like how you bearers invoked the Elements of Harmony. The invokes must be qualified. A pure soul that can commune with the creatures of mother nature. A determined spirit who can speak to and mend the other. An unbendable will power that can see into the souls of is fellow beings and connect with them. Which is why I asked for you three specifically. You match the profile necessary to invoke the magic from the temples to empower the cervidae people."

Fully incredulous Naruto had to ask, "Surely, out of every of their population, they couldn't find any replacements?"

"Every five decades a small caravan of priests travels the lands searching for potential recruits that fit these profiles and train them in the necessary knowledge on the off chance that they will be needed. Before Diann and his followers split off from the herd the last time the nation's magical defenses needed to be invoked was three-hundred years ago. With the stretch of time being vast between each time less and less of the citizens find it less prudent to maintain the elevated level of spirituality to qualify." Celestia paused before adding. "Not only that, but Deemeter has offered to help you evolve your power as earth ponies and a Pegasus that even I'm not capable of. So, I ask you here and now, can we count on you to help our ally nation?"

'Well, I can't turn my back on innocent people. Especially since we know those beasts are part of my problem in the future. AJ? Shhy? You in."

'Not even sure why'd ya ask. Of course, ah'm in.'

"W-We can't stand by and do nothing while others are being hurt. We have to help them."

"Princess Celestia that's an of course from all three of us." Naruto answered as Celestia smiled a gentle, pleased smile. With that she hovered her hand over the map showing much of the southern east continent's landmass. Three areas were encircled and notations were made out. "A copy of this map has been made detailing the paths as well as making note of all the dangers. In each temple, there will be a platform and crystal. You simply should stand on the platform and began focusing on the crystals while calming your mind with meditation. The rest will occur. "

"Will it just be the three of us?" Fluttershy asked.

"I am afraid so. We cannot spare the soldiers and I fear what could occur if I send all seven of you out of the nation. Each of you alone is worth the strength of a moderate size army and because of your growing reputation and status as bearers work as powerful deterrents for those wishes to launch skirmishes to test our defenses."

"We understand Princess, we need the day to pack and let our loved ones know what's occurring and by the evening we will be arranged. I assume arrangements have been arranged?" He asked.

"Yes, they have. A ship has been charted in Baltimare and will take you to your destination. Once there you will be welcomed by the local High Priest who will have your supplies waiting for you. " Princess Celestia's eyes swam with apologies. "I am truly, truly sorry. I wish I could avoid derailing your lives, but the current climate prevents me from doing so."

"We understand, have a good evening." Applejack and Fluttershy followed his example with a bow before leaving.

---

The train back home was rather silent besides the noise of the traveling train, but the emotions could be felt. "Applejack, you know why we have to do this right?" He asked, placing his hand on her knee drawing the mare's attention from looking out the window.

"Ah know, but knowing and bein' okay with it are two different things. Ah know Equestria will benefit from this. Ah know we need to get stronger to protect our loved ones, but its just been one even after another. That sort of thing can wear on ya." She answered as Naruto moved his arm up and pulled the mare into a hug. Placing gentle kisses on her cheek before nuzzling her forehead.

"I...I don't like having to leave so frequently either, but we have to Applejack. I could never forgive myself if because of my fear others were hurt." Fluttershy added as she gingerly massaged her hands.

"We need whatever power could be offered to us," Naruto firmly stated, "And changes like this is are what we need to occur. My other self, he hinted at the events to come, but nothing like this was included. Changes are already occurring meaning they aren't fixed events. I think he warned me just enough to where I won't influence certain events but prepare for them while also inadvertently letting me know of which events did not occur in his timeline by not having any information about them. I can't see the princess not wanting to help an ally so she must have used an alternate situation and I think she's smart enough to realize whatever she had in mind as an alternative didn't pan out from the other timeline. In other words, she really had no choice but to choose us."

"Still, Ah look forward to the day when all this madness is over and we can settle down." She replied as she nuzzled into his chest and closed her eyes.

"I do too," He said as he used his free arm to draw Fluttershy in close. A blush sticker appeared across her face before she snuggled into the blond as well.

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The trio had just finished saying their goodbyes as clones would be left behind to maintain their lives while they went on their trip. Each of them were equipped with a heavy size military backpack with essentials on the off chance something occurred before they reached the southern-eastern continent. The major packs they warned came with smaller bags that had extra storage on them.

Dressed in their combat clothes and armed with their signature weapons they began their trek. They kept the trek going until the evening in which they stopped to set up camp for the night. Using a controlled Rasengan Naruto smoothly chipped away at the axe pieces before adding wind elemental nature to quickly cut the segments into log pieces. Applejack then made trips to and back from the camp carrying the logs while Fluttershy tended to the stew on the campfire.

After finishing up their dinner they turned in early for the night in preparation of getting up early to continue their trek to the next town. From there it would be a simple train ride to Baltimare.

Next Chapter: In the Empire: The Inspector Arrives! Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 34 Minutes