Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x ?

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Story Start

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Peaceful, blissful rest. That was what Naruto was experiencing after all the exhausting work effort as of late. "Narry. Oh Narrry." The familiar voice whispered into his ear.

Naruto sat up, finding himself in a field of flowers. Where the hell was he? He turned to his right, and their sat none other than Pinkie Pie.

That playful smile of hers. Poofy mane and wet lips.

How? When?

"Surprised aren't ya? I thought it would be fun to come and surprise you."

"Pinkie, what are you…"

"Shhhh," She breathed, holding a finger to his lips. "What have they been doing to you Narry? You just let Pinkie Pie make you feel all better okay?"

Naruto fell back, pulling Pinkie with him. He was more than happy to accept any amount of cuddling and comfort the pink mare was about to dole out.

Suddenly the weight on top of him had vanished. He opened his eyes and realized the pink mare was gone.

"Forgive us, we couldn't resist pulling a…prank."

The corner of Naruto's mouth twitched.

"Luna."

The Princess of the Night stood before him in all her regal glory. She was wearing a dress as dark and as shimmering as her mane, with clear slippers that could easily be mistaken for glittering glass. "We have come in need of your wisdom Naruto."

Well he might as well figure out what Luna had gone through all the trouble for. "Sure. What can I help you out with?"

"News has reached our ears of an up and coming holiday. Tell us, what do you know about this Nightmare Night?"

---

Rarity had found herself rather exhausted after such a busy day of finishing furnishings around the town. It had taken a few days, but the damages caused by the Para-sprites were well on the way to being fixed. Thankfully her boutique had remained untouched besides some superficial damages that were easy to repair.

She couldn't imagine how much damage the creatures would have done if she and the girls didn't stop Pinkie and ask her why she was running off with all matter of instruments. On one hand, the matter of an incident in a city had warranted Celestia's attention, so their town's second attempt to welcome their esteemed ruler had gone awry.

On the other hand, considering the little buggers had did a lot of damage and ate so much of their food she couldn't imagine the turmoil purveyors behind the refreshments would have been dealing with trying to explain what happened. And considering how high-strung Twilight was about everything being perfect, it wouldn't be all that much to assume the poor dear would be in hysterics.

A knock on the door drew the Fashionista from her thoughts. She went to the door and sure enough, none other than Spike had been on the other side. For a moment she slipped her mind what she had to do. Putting it off was not an option as Pinkie Pie insisted that they Pinkie promised that the mare would tell Spike the truth before his crush grew anymore.

"Oh look at you! You're wearing the suit I made. You look absolutely adorable!" Rarity cooed, the elated giggles that followed were only something she did when she was delighted by something cute.

"R-Rarity, you said you needed to talk with me?"

Reddening cheeks and shy gaze brought Rarity back down to earth. "R-Right, come in Spike," She ushered him in, allowing him to walk into the boutique, closing the door behind them. Once they were set down at the table she took a moment to compose herself.

She just felt absolutely dreadful. She had done this so many times. Rebuffed advances or romantic notions from others. When one worked like she did for her beauty, it was obviously going to turn heads.

But Spike wasn't just some random stallion looking for a good time. A young colt he may be, but he was also a friend and a wonderful little helper and it pained her that she was going to hurt his feelings.

"There is no easy way for me to say this so I am going to be honest and direct with you Spike. I know about your crush on me." She saw the alarm in his eyes and his attempt to speak but she quickly silenced him with two fingers. "Let me finish before you speak, please." Rarity took a deep breath and took her hand back. "You are sweet and caring Spike, and while I am certain you will make some lady very happy someday, that lady is not me. There are a set number of factors of why we cannot be. The first is the matter of our age."

"I-I'll grow!" Spike stammered. "In a few years I'll be of legal age."

"I am afraid that is not what I was suggesting Spike. While true, you are not a baby in the conventional terms, you are a baby dragon which means you will live for quite some time, long past my own life time. Would it be fair to you to invest in me, knowing that the heartache of that moment will always be at the back of your mind?

Even then is it not selfish to ask me to wait nearly a decade for when it would be seen as more appropriate to court you? I am sure by then you would find someone else who may be suited for you. One you might miss your chance with by carrying a torch for me.

There is also the matter of family. One day I will want to settle down and start a family of my own. There are a matter of factors from anatomical to biological issues that would come up in a relationship between species that already occur from species of a similar size, let alone the inevitably of your growth as a dragon."

All the while Rarity's firm, yet kind look had never left the dragon as she continued to list her reasons.

"There is still plenty of time for you to live your life. There are plenty of mares, dragonesses, gryphons, or any other females from whatever species you wish to court out there. And while I'm sure you think your feelings for me are divine, we have only known each other for a few short months. While I cherish our friendship, we are far from being close enough to be intimate in anyway.

There is also one final factor. A little while ago I had fallen for somepony very dear to my heart and we are in the middle of a courtship and in my heart, I feel he might be my one true special somepony. I'm so sorry Spike." Rarity had to stop herself from tearing up. Seeing the dragon tremble, she pulled him into a hug.

"This really sucks," Spike's voice was muffled by her blouse. Considering the situation, Rarity suppose she could let the comment slide.

"I know Spike," She whispered. "If you need a friend, I will be here for you."

He slowly pulled away from the hug, not trusting himself to look at her. "I-I should go."

Rarity gave him a concerned look. "Will you be okay?"

Spike nodded, still not looking at her. "I think I will... but... it might be a while before I can visit again."

"You will though, won't you?" She asked with a sad smile.

"Y-Yeah. It really bites, but you're still my friend right?"

"Always."

Spike had made his slow travel along the cobbled streets of Ponyville. "SPIKE!"

He was startled out of his daze. To his surprise, the voice belonged to an irate Sweetie Belle.

"It's rude to ignore somepony when they are talking to you, you know." She said as she folded her arms.

"S-Sorry. I don't feel like talking right now Sweetie Belle." He said as the filly suddenly got in his path. "Sweetie Belle," What was with that concentrated look she was giving him.

Her look turned into one of understanding. "I'm sorry Spike, she told you huh?"

"How'd you know?" He found himself blurting out before he could stop himself.

Sweetie Belle raised one eye in amusement. "I was standing right there half the time you went into a lovey duby fantasy, or did you simply not notice?"

Spike opened his mouth and promptly closed it. He was about to answer of course he would have noticed, but he wasn't too sure.

"Figures." She grumbled with a roll of her eyes. She then grabbed his wrist and began dragging him.

"Hey, what are you doing, lemme go." Spike said as the filly was practically trying to yank his arm off.

"No can do mister, big bro Naruto assigned me his spot as Jr. smile helper. It's my job to turn your frown upside down."

Well Spike supposed whatever little game Sweetie Belle wanted to play it would take his mind off Rarity.

---

A sensation caused the Lunar Princess to stir from the conference she was having with Naruto. For a moment she contemplated going back to sleep when she felt something was amiss. A gnawing sensation in her gut soon began to manifest itself as the air began to grow cold. The atmosphere of her room was thinning and the means was by anything but normal. Luna slowly stirred, her wings flexing slightly as a faint glow radiated from her far.

"Who goes there?" Luna demanded as she focused her sight on the image of a faint shape. She couldn't see it clearly as a thin fog began to set in her room. Slowly her eyes began to make out the figure and terror coursed through the Princess. It was impossible; it just couldn't be, not until that laughter was Luna willing to accept what her eyes was showing her.

"Oh, Luna..." It mused, amusement and a hint of sadism in its voice. It peered at her through the fog, and although she could barely make it out, she knew, without a doubt, that she saw her clearly. "...As I told you, I will never be just a memory. For I exist in the depths of your mind and your heart. For as long as you exist, I can always come back, and I will not stop until Eternal Night is brought to this world."

"No! WE WILL NOT LET THEE!" Luna violently bellowed as her horn glowed. The sudden outburst of magic had incinerating sheets and blasted through the ethereal figure that became nothing more than dust. Thankfully the powerful enchantments cast on the room were more than enough to withstand the blast of magic.

The bellow of their princess had frightening several guards standing outside her door. "Your Majesty, are you alright!?" Several Unicorn guards piled in.

Luna seemed stumped by this question. The problem here was, she didn't know what the problem was. This fact infuriated her, and urgency was taking over diplomacy. "Did thee not see her?"

"Princess Luna, are you alright?" Slightly winded, Naruto had made a mad dash when the conversation he had with Luna had suddenly ended. He immediately made haste for her room.

Luna quickly dismissed the other guards, ordering them back to their post.

"Are you alright Princess?" He asked again, hoping to get a reply.

"We have told you Naruto, when we are alone; you are to call me Luna." There was a still an edge to the Princess's voice but seemed to have calmed down. She folded her wings and using her magic, ignited her lamps.

Seeing his expression she finally answered. "We are fine." She answered a bit more curtly then she attended.

"No, are you ok?" He asked her again, putting emphasis on you.

Luna opened her bedroom window and let the cool night air brush across her skin and flow through her mane. They remained silent like that as the majestic moon came into sight. "The festivities of this Nightmare Night have brought the incident to the forefront of our mind. Adjusting has proven to be a bit more difficult then we imagined."

Naruto joined the princess and took in a fresh breath of night air. "Princess, why not join me for Ponyville's Nightmare Night celebration?" He asked her as the Princess paused and contemplated. "I'm sure you would enjoy it, and I'm sure the Elements would be more than happy to help you adjust."

'The Element Bearers.' It had been a while since Luna had spoken to them. She owed them a debt she felt she'd never be able to repay.

"I made plans to spend some time with the girls that night. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you tag along."

"Your offer is much appreciated. We bid thee night Naruto as there is much to consider."

Naruto gave a bow before leaving the dark Alicorn to her thoughts. He only hoped she would take up his offer.

Next Chapter: Nightmare Night! Luna comes to Ponyville! Estimated time remaining: 47 Hours, 17 Minutes