The young man observed Unityville from the rooftop he'd claimed as his perch. "I guess all of the insanity that's gone down here is considered average by now. Faust knows what's in store for this town's future. But despite all the craziness, everyone's pretty happy here." The young man thought out loud as he watched everyone going about their daily lives.
The young man got up to stretch. His crimson scarf trailing down his back as he rose. At his feet was a sword that looked like it came from Eastern Unity, and he was in garb like that of a ninja. Beside him was a simple backpack containing some of his travel supplies. However, he noticed something unusual as he stood up. Said abnormality being Pinkie Pie walking around and one lock of her puffy pink hair acting like some sort of radar. "That girl seems to be happier than most." He then noted Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down when she appeared to find what she was looking for and zipped off! "Wonder where she ran off to?"
Unbeknownst to the young man, Pinkie had managed to make her way to the very rooftop he was. Pinkie zipped over to him, and immediately made her presence known. "HI!" Pinkie hollered at the top of her lungs! Startling the young man and making him jump into the air before landing on his feet in a crouching position.
The young man clutched his chest! His heart racing and his mind was panicking as he was trying to process how Pinkie Pie had managed to get the drop on him! How did she get up here so fast?! How did I not notice her?! How'd she manage to sneak up on me?! ME?! A literal ninja of all people!
"Nice to meetcha!" Pinkie said cheerfully as she took a few steps back to give the young man some space. "I'm Pinkie Pie! Resident Party Person of Unityville! What's your name?"
The young man blinked in complete surprise, and shaking his head to snap himself back into reality. "My name is Akage Strider." Akage then bowed. "And it's nice to meet you as well Element of Laughter." His brown eyes then met Pinkie's sky blue eyes. "But, how did you find me?"
"My Pinkie Sense silly!" Pinkie giggled. "It tells when something's gonna happen! Like when there's a new person I haven't met in town, or when there's a real doozy going on!" Pinkie Pie beamed with pride at her trademark ability. "Pretty neat, huh?"
Akage managed a small smile. "That's pretty impressive." However, he recoiled a bit when Pinkie began to inspect him and his clothes. "Uh, what're you doing?" He then had to shoo her away from his scarf. "Why are you so interested in my clothes?"
"Hmm." Pinkie Pie scratched her head. "Akage? Are you a ninja? Because you've got the black outfit, but you don't have a headband or wear orange. Can you shoot a huge ball of energy? Can you make shadow clones?"
Akage sighed and face palmed. That anime is not real ninjitsu. Why is that what people usually associate with ninjas? "Yes Pinkie. I am a ninja. But Naruto is not an accurate depiction of what ninjas can actually do. You haven't offended me in any way, but I just want to make sure you're aware of the difference."
"Pfft! Of course I know that show's not what ninjas really do!" Pinkie said as she waved off Akage's explanation. "Though I guess my sneaking up on you puts your ninja vanish to shame!"
Akage chuckled. This is a girl who really knows how to make people smile. "True enough. It's not everyday a master of stealth finds himself being snuck up on. Also, little known fact. When a ninja vanishes, he doesn't announce 'ninja vanish'. It ruins the purpose of disappearing." Akage grabbed his katana, and slung it across his back along with his backpack.
"Oooh!" Pinkie said with realization. "So what brings you to Unityville, Akage? Nothing much happens here. Well, usually. There was Nightmare Moon returning, the Nightmare Forces attacking, Discord turning Unityville into the chaos capitol of the world. Oh! And then there was that time a wasp mutant changeling shot up the town with explosive stingers!"
Akage laughed at how Pinkie Pie just listed off all the climactic events that had happened over the course of a year or so. "I suppose you could say that I was assigned here by my father." Akage said with a shrug. "Well, that's a part of it actually. Upon the defeat of the Nightmare Forces, a strange glow was coming from my upper arm."
"Oh! You must be here to join with the Elements of Heroism!" Pinkie said with a smile. "And here I thought they couldn't get any cooler! Now they're gonna get a ninja on their team! So when did you arrive here? Did you just get here today?"
Akage smiled. "Actually, I've been observing Unityville for a few weeks now. Staying out of sight to make sure my presence didn't disrupt daily life. A cornerstone of good ninjas is being able to see all without being seen themselves."
"Cool!" Pinkie Pie chirped. However, this brought up another question burning in Pinkie's mind. "But where do you sleep? Do you curl up in the shadows and use them as blankets? Do you sleep standing up?"
"Ah ha ha!" Akage laughed at Pinkie's questions. "No. I just sleep in a tree. Just me, a branch, and a blanket." Akage's eyes then went wide when he heard Pinkie gasp and start dragging him by his scarf! "Pinkie Pie?! What are you doing?"
"Aw, don't be panicky Akage!" Pinkie giggled. "I'm taking care of your sleeping problem! You're gonna stay with me and sleep in a nice, warm bed!" She then gasped at a new realization. "Oh my gosh! I can also make your Welcome to Unityville party a slumber party too! THIS IS GONNA BE SO MUCH FUN!"
Akage had been trying to process Pinkie Pie in his mind. He then immediately decided it was a fruitless effort and just went along with her randomness. Mom always said the best things in life are often unexpected. Akage thought to himself as he spared a glance towards Pinkie Pie, and smiled slightly. I don't think you could get more unexpected than this girl.
Sure enough, the pair arrived at Sugar Cube Corner. Akage dusted himself off to look more presentable. However, the Cakes were understandably hesitant at just having the young ninja stay at their own place of dwelling. "Oh! We do hope you're not upset by this deary!" Mrs. Cake said.
"It's understandable." Akage said with a nod. "However, I have a proposition similar to the lines of Pinkie's living arrangments." Akage quickly donned an apron and grasped the handle of his katana. "I'll earn my keep by working in your service. And I assure you, that I have plenty of experience cooking. Baking is especially one of my strong suits."
Mr. Cake smiled nervously. "Well that's very good to hear Akage. But telling us you're good and showing us is an entirely different matter."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Akage said with a smirk. "Tell me. What's the cake you have the most difficulty slicing into?" Pinkie pointed to a particularly thick-layered cake that was on the display case. "Give me some room please." Akage drew his katana, and threw the cake into the air! He then slashed at the cake with lightning-fast speed! Akage then grabbed the display tray for the cake, and caught the falling cake on it! Sliding the blade of his katana underneath the cake, Akage pulled out a perfect slice with ease! "You should see me make shuriken cookies." Akage said with a smile. He then noticed the Cakes awed faces and Pinkie clapping at his demonstration. "So. Do I get the job?"
Not a few minutes later, Akage was hired on as a full-time member of Sugar Cube Corner's staff. I guess I won't have to worry about food or lodging. Akage thought to himself as he took out a batch of shuriken cookies that had just finished baking. The regular customers had grown especially fond of Akage's custom treats, and quite pleased whenever he performed a little show by throwing the cookies to those who had ordered some. No wonder Pinkie likes working here. This job's really fun!
Sure enough, it got to be closing time. Akage was about to close up when he noticed a note left on the door. It was from Pinkie Pie telling him to head to the library. "Huh. I wonder if she's found a manga section there." Akage made his way over to the library, and found it was completely dark. "Strange." Akage grasped the handle of his katana before slowly opening the door. His caution dropped when he was met with Pinkie Pie sounding off a party blower in his face.
"WELCOME TO UNITYVILLE AKAGE!" Pinkie Pie screamed right in Akage's face! "Work was done, so what better time to throw your party? C'mon! I'll introduce you to all of my friends!" Once again, Akage was led by his scarf to meet the Elements of Harmony and the Elements of Heroism. "Oh! Akage! Show them your throwing star cookie trick!"
Akage chuckled. "You always get a kick out of that don't you? Okay then." Akage pulled a small bag of his shuriken cookies, and hurled one at Pinkie. She instantly shot forward and chomped down on it! "Pinkie. How's anyone else supposed to catch a cookie if you keep snagging them mid-launch?" Akage hurled a shuriken cookie at Burst Stream next!
Burst smiled as he grasped the handle of his own sword, and cut the cookie in two while it was flying at him! "Maybe you shouldn't have your ammunition be so edible." Burst then bit into the cookie he'd sliced up. "Mmm! On second thought, I'd tank a hundred hits from these if it meant getting to eat them!"
"Impressive." Akage said with a smile. "Not many would have the skills to strike at my projectiles so quickly." Akage was ready to send another shuriken cookie Burst's way, but it was pinned to the wall by a silver dagger construct! Akage turned his attention to Steel Edge whose hand was covered in the silver aura of his magic. "Though I guess having a projectile doesn't matter if it gets knocked out of your hand. I wonder if the Element of Honor is as skilled with a true blade as he is with ones made of magic?"
Steel smirked. "Buddy. You just made my day." Steel left his spot against the bookcase. "As a little kid, it was my dream to fight against a ninja."
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Burst called out as he got between the two. "As much as we'd all like to see an epic fight between two great swordsmen. . ." Burst headed to his backpack, and pulled out two toy lightsabers. "I think we could make it even more epic." Both Steel and Akage's faces looked like their birthday and Hearthswarming had been rolled into one. "Round 1! Fight!" Within seconds the library was filled with the sounds straight out of a lightsaber duel. Twilight was almost running all over the library to safeguard her precious books.
Both Steel and Akage were quite skilled with blades. Steel executed a spin attack, but Akage jumped over it and brought the plastic blade of his lightsaber down toward Steel's face! Steel back flipped to doge, and the launched himself at Akage with his wings! Thrusting his own lightsaber at him! Akage quickly blocked and fell back to the ground. Steel's ascent into an Avatar had granted him a huge boost in stamina, but Akage was far from being on his last legs. Managing to hold himself up a little longer. "This strike will decide it all. . ." Akage crouched slightly, and kept his lightsaber in a ready position.
"One final clash of dueling stances." Steel said with a smirk as he got into his own stance. "Bring it." And with one charge, and a single draw, it ended. Akage on his knees and panting in exhaustion. "Don't need to knock you down if I can just outlast you." Steel said with a smile as he helped Akage up.
Akage bowed in respect. "Had you thrown magic into the mix, there wouldn't have been much of a doubt about which of us would have won. But you fight with honor by relatively matching your base skill with that of mine."
"Thanks." Steel said with a chuckle. "And you maintained some pretty sweet air time despite being an Earthbound. Not to mention your speed kept me on the defensive for a good while." Steel then noticed Akage's katana hanging near his backpack. "Next time we'll see how your real blade holds up against mine."
Burst patted Akage on the back. "Count me in too! I always wanted to fight against an opponent who specializes in speed." Burst then noticed Rainbow Dash raising a hand to interject. "That can stay at ground level for more than five seconds." Everyone shared a laugh as Rainbow pouted. Steel going over to comfort his girlfriend. "Welcome to the fold Akage."
Akage smiled. "Happy to join." And with that, he downed his soda in a single gulp before rejoining the party. Things went back to their regular routine the next day with Akage helping out Pinkie in the kitchen. However, the normal buzz of Unityville was soon interrupted when Stinger, the scorpion mutant changeling, burst up from the ground! "Hold this." Akage zipped off to the room he and Pinkie shared, and slung his katana onto his back. "I have some pest control to perform."
"HAH!" Stinger scoffed as the Elements of Heroism surrounded him. "You might've sent Needle packing, but my sting packs more of a punch than his!" Stinger feigned striking with his tail as an intimidating gesture. He then glared at Steel. "Hey, you're the one who interrupted us when we came to waste the others. Well now, TIME TO REMOVE YOU!" Stinger's tail shot straight for Steel! However, the tip of the scorpion changeling's poisonous tail was parried! "What?!"
Akage was holding his ground as he used the blade of his katana to block Stinger's tail! He then turned to Steel, and smiled. "Please. Allow me to care of pest control." Akage managed to push back Stinger! "Shouldn't you be fighting Spider-Man?"
"Shut it!" Stinger growled. "I'm only here to take out these wimps! Then when I do Queen Chrysalis will probably make me her head general when our plan come to-" Stinger then realized the error he'd made he mentioned Chrysalis. "Uh-oh. I wasn't supposed to say her name!"
Akage chuckled. "So you're trying to advance your rank by landing you some points?" He then crouched into a dueling stance. "I guess that makes you a score-pion."
"STOP JOKING AROUND!" Stinger roared as he lashed out at Akage with his tail! "QUIT JOKING AND TAKE THIS FIGHT SERIOUSLY!" Stinger continued to wildly thrash his tail about! Hoping in vain that he'd strike Akage! But Akage was too fast! The ninja being a crimson blur as he evaded each of Stinger's tail strikes! Stinger was so preoccupied with his front that he hadn't noticed Akage sneak behind him to literally kick his tail! "GAGH!" Stinger felt around his back, and soon saw that his tail had gone limp! "My tail! I-I can't move it!"
Akage smirked. "Looks like you'll literally be going home with your tail between your legs. And all because I hit a sensitive spot by literally kicking your ass." Akage soon saw Stinger ready to charge at him, but then saw the mutant changeling trip! A pink blur soon appearing in front of Akage!
"Hi!" Pinkie said before slinging her yoyo back to her. "One lump or a thousand?" Before Stinger could even answer, he was met with a flurry of strikes to his face courtesy of Pinkie's Harmony Keeper. The mutant changeling having enough of the insanity and letting the emergency teleport return him to the hive. "Huh. I guess that fight was a walk in the park!" Pinkie said with a smile as she performed the walk-the-dog trick with her yoyo.
Burst patted Akage on the back. "That was awesome Akage! But, that mutant changeling had a point. I like a good bit of banter in a fight, but why'd you joke so much back there?"
"Well when you train to work in the shadows, you learn how to keep a situation light." Akage said with a chuckle. "A hero's gotta keep up a smile to show everyone that no matter how serious things get, it's going to be all right." And with that, Akage's upper arm glowed with a brilliant light. A mark resembling a red ninja armor mask present once the light died down. "Just the tiniest bit of levity can pull you up when you feel down."
Burst smiled. "I think that's something we all could use." He then shook Akage's hand. Welcoming him to the Elements of Heroism. "By the way, you a Dragon Ball fan?"
Akage zipped away and soon returned wearing a t-shirt designed after Goku's gi. "Who's your favorite character?" The group burst into laughter.