//------------------------------// // The Delegates // Story: Equestria Ninjas: Friendship School // by Wildcard25 //------------------------------// At the School of Friendship, all the students were dismissed to do their own things or study for any upcoming tests. Twilight and all her friends were walking through the school halls, as Leo asked, “So who's coming to the school again?” “The guardians or representatives of five of our top students.” Twilight answered. “You already know Thorax and Ember.” Spike replied. “Oh, yeah! I missed those guys.” Mikey said all giddy. “And who're the others?” Donnie asked. “You'll have to see them for yourself.” Pinkie answered. “And it'll be nice to get to know more about the other places our foreign students are from.” April added. They exited the school and looked up seeing several figures flying down. They recognized such figures like Ember and Thorax who was with another changeling, but another was a old griffon wearing a fez, and three hippogriffs. Suddenly they felt the ground shake, “Earthquake?” Raph asked in confusion. “No, Yak!” Pinkie announced, as they saw up ahead a big Yak wearing a viking helmet stampeding over. Finally the flying creatures landed, and the yak came to a halt. Twilight spoke to them, “Welcome, representatives, I hope your travel here wasn't too stressful.” “No problem at all, Twilight.” Thorax answered. “Yak wouldn't miss it for anything!” the Yak answered in a loud voice. “Jeez, he's louder than you when you're angry, Raph.” Casey told him. “What?!” Raph snapped. “Guys!” Twilight called, “Come over here and present yourselves.” The ninja group stepped forward and presented themselves, “Every creature, these are some very special friends of mine and my friends. They helped us save Equestria a few times from some very dangerous villains. This is Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, April O'Neil, Casey Jones, Karai, Shinigami, Keno, Sunset Shimmer, Fugitoid, Bebop, and Rocksteady." “Hey, yo!” Mikey greeted, only to get smacked by Raph for sounding disrespectful. “And let me introduce you to some of our allies from beyond Equestria. You already know Thorax and Ember, Queen Novo, and Princess Skystar.” “This is Thorax's brother Pharynx.” Starlight introduced them. “This is Grampa Gruff of Griffinstone.” Rainbow introduced. Gruff looked to the mutants ponies and Fugitoid, “Ponies can stand on their hind legs and be made of metal?” the old griffon coughed, “Now I've seen everything.” “From Yakyakistan, we have Prince Rutherford!” Pinkie introduced them. “Yak happy to meet friends of pink pony friend.” Rutherford greeted. “And this is General Seaspray of Queen Novo's Royal Navy.” Twilight finished. “My dearest ninja friends. It is wonderful to see you. And many thanks for ridding us of the Storm King's rule.” Seaspray thanked them. And so the group started to get closer, as Mikey and Raph greeted Thorax and Ember, “Hey, Thorax, Ember, how's it going?” the party turtle greeted. “Nice to see you, Mikey.” Thorax greeted. “You too, Raph.” Ember greeted. “Hey, guys.” Spike flew in. “Spike, great to see you.” Thorax hugged him. Ember ruffled his spines, “Hey, squirt, nice to see those wings of yours finally came in.” “Yeah, I just wish I knew about it during the molt phase.” “Didn't Smolder tell you anything on that?” Ember asked in confusion. “She basically informed me of the symptoms, and that I would have to strike out on my own. She never mentioned I'd grow wings.” Spike answered. Ember scowled, “I'll have to have word with her about leaving out crucial information about dragon growth.” “Well, she did help me in exposing a dragon pretending to be my father.” Spike added. “She did mention about that. If I ever see this Sludge, I promise you he will be dealt with.” Ember promised. “Thanks, Ember.” “So you're Thorax's brother?” Mikey asked the other changeling. “Yeah, that's right,” Pharynx answered, “And I'm head of patrol in our kingdom. I make sure our subjects don't forget how to defend themselves even though we changed our ways.” “He's right,” Thorax agreed, “We may have become peaceful now, but we still need strong guards in case we're ever invaded or worse. And no changeling is better to teach that than my older brother.” “Thorax, stop you're embarrassing me.” the older brother replied. Bebop and Rocksteady were approached by Rutherford and Pinkie Pie. The yak was looking at Rocksteady who in turn was curious. The yak finally spoke, “Bulky two-legged pony look very strong like yak.” Rocksteady liking the compliment answered, “Da. I do the workout.” he flexed an arm muscle. Rutherford then looked to Bebop, “Scrawny two-legged pony need to exercise more.” “Hey!” Bebop snorted from the insult, "What I lack in physical strength I make up for in style." he did some dance moves while slicking his mane back. Skystar cheered as she flew at Karai and Shini pulling the two into a hug, “Hey, guys! Did you miss me? Because I sure missed you!” “Missed you too, Skystar.” Karai groaned from the death hug. Casey looked at Gruff, “So you someone's grandpa?” “Not exactly, boy. But I am one of the oldest griffin's around so all the youngin's look to me as a grandfather.” he answered. Leo, Sunset, and Twilight were speaking to Novo, “So your kind has made homes both back on Mt. Aries, and in the sea kingdom you fled to?” Leo asked her personally. “That's right, Leonardo.” she confirmed. “So where did you choose to live?” Sunset inquired. “Well, honey, I chose a spot in between the mountain and Seaquestria where I can be for both the hippogriffs and seaponies. Of course I do go back to the sea a lot. I just can't get enough of those seaweed wraps and deep tissue massages.” she sighed heavenly. “Well, listen. I know after we stopped the Storm King and all, we still never did properly apologize for what Twilight did.” Leo explained. “Actually, I already did give her a full apology.” Twilight admitted. “And I forgave her.” Novo added. “Really?” Sunset asked. “She told me everything, and that she was so desperate to help her friends and everypony else she was willing to commit a crime. I'll admit sometimes I've been so desperate about something I'd take desperate measures,” the Queen admitted, “But all that's behind us now.” Leo and Sunset smiled knowing all really was well. Coming over was Sandbar and the five creature students who went to their respective guardians and such, “Skystar!” Silverstream cheered. “Silverstream!” Skystar cheered, as the cousins embraced. “I missed you so much!” Silverstream said with excitement. “I missed you too!” Skystar replied equally excited. The Changeling brothers went to Ocellus, “Ocellus, how've classes been?” Thorax asked. “They've been great.” she answered. “And we hear you and your friends are learning a new way to defend yourselves.” Pharynx added. “I sure have. And I can't wait to show you some moves.” the young changeling said with joy. Yona went to the Prince and spoke, “Yona been learning a lot thanks to Sensei Rocksteady.” Rocksteady patted her head, “Little Yona is strong student.” “Come on, every creature,” Twilight began, “I got a special spot for us all set up.” she and the group led the ambassadors to a spot outside the school where a picnic was already set up with treats and such from Ponyville and each of the delegates land so they could enjoy their home treats and try to enjoy other places delicacies. As they enjoyed their picnic, the delegates were listening to what their young ones had been recently learning since the ninjas joined the teaching staff, “And I was all!” Smolder started making grunting sounds while doing ninja moves, “Those bizarre pony henchmen of Shredder and Krang didn't stand a chance.” “Nice.” Ember said with pride. “We've been learning so much about our new senseis since they started.” Ocellus added. “And all the crazy stuff they deal with.” Gallus put in. Pharynx spoke to the ninjas, “They're right, if what they say is true you guys deal with all sorts of messed up stuff.” “And that's not even half of it.” Donnie said. “But we are grateful you're also teaching the young ones to defend themselves, especially with such villains like this Shredder and Krang are out there somewhere.” Seaspray noted. “I don't know, they sound more like cakewalk compared to the Storm King.” Queen Novo replied. “That may be, but there's also the matter of these dark ninja clones of my friends here.” Fugitoid reminded them. “We do suspect Shredder and Krang are behind their creation, but we're not sure how they did it.” Twilight explained. “But we know they'll be back, and when they do. We'll be ready.” Leo promised. “Pony ninjas have such courage.” Rutherford admitted. “Yeah. That's the kind of attitude I admire.” Pharynx agreed. “Well, isn't this a pleasant get together.” came another voice. The whole group looked over and saw coming out from a portal was unicorn wearing a robe and a badge. The group minus the ninjas were surprised, as Twilight spoke up, “Chancellor Neighsay?” The ninjas upon hearing that name remembered what he was, “That's the pony who tried to shut down the school?” Shini asked them. “Just looking at him gives me the creeps.” Keno said. “What're you doing here?” Starlight inquired. “I just came to see how this unofficial and unauthorized by the EEA school is holding up.” the chancellor began. “Well, as you can see it is still standing and doing what it was meant to do.” Applejack explained, while she and the others glared at him. “Oh, yes. Teaching friendship to 'non-ponies'.” the chancellor replied in spite. The delegates and students frowned at his insult, as Leo stepped forward, “And what's wrong with non-ponies? They all have the right to learn about friendship as ponies do.” Chancellor Neighsay eyed Leo and the others before smirking, “Ah, the famous Pony Ninjas.” “Wait, you know us?” Mikey asked curiously. “Yes. The EEA and I are aware of all the good you have done for Equestria along side the Princess and her friends.” “Then you know the threats we've had to face.” Donnie spoke up. “Threats that you seem to think all our other friends here fall into the same category.” Raph put in. “For real, yo,” Casey began, “You've heard of the former Changeling Queen Chrysalis, well Thorax has changed them all for the better.” “And you think the Hippogriffs and Seaponies are like that when they've been forced into hiding by the Storm King?” Karai asked rhetorically. “I stand by what I believe in.” The chancellor answered not swayed by their logic. “What're you really doing here, Chancellor?” Twilight inquired. “I did receive an anonymous tip of a new course added to the curricular involving teaching the students how to fight,” he answered, before motioning to the ninjas, “A class you are all in change of teaching.” “Yeah. That's right.” Raph confirmed. “You realize the risk you are taking teaching these creatures how to fight so they can overthrow us?” The chancellor asked in warning. Leo answered, “It's not about teaching them to fight others. We're only teaching them how to defend themselves from real threats.” “Self defense can still be considered combat.” the chancellor retorted. “It's not even just about fighting,” April spoke up, “We teach them about being at peace with themselves, and to strengthen both the body and mind.” “And if you were open-minded in the slightest you would be amazed to see how much the students have learned.” Fugitoid added. Neighsay looked to the ninjas with disappointment, “I would've expected heroes like you to have better judgment than the Princess, but you failed to meet my expectations when choosing to teach other creatures how to fight.” “Why you!” Raph was ready to strike, until Leo held him back. Twilight spoke up with authority, “Chancellor, I think you've overstayed your uninvited welcome.” Neighsay looked all around seeing every creature frowning at him signaling they didn't share his belief, “Very well. I shall leave you to do what you want, but don't say I didn't warn you when one or all of these creatures decides to overthrow us all.” he opened a portal and left through it. “That guy has a one track mind.” Karai told her friends. “I really don't like him.” Raph growled. “Me neither.” Keno agreed. “I'm so glad I've never seen another him in the human world.” Sunset said in relief. “Seriously, yo. What's he got against non-ponies?” Bebop asked. “There's always somepony out there distrustful of other creatures,” Twilight explained, “I'm just sorry we had to end up making an enemy out of somepony like that.” “But you did the right thing going against his rules.” Leo assured her. “Da, is your school. Not his.” Rocksteady added. Twilight smiled, “Thanks, guys.” To ease the tension of what just happened, Thorax spoke up, “I would like to see a demonstration by the students, if that's ok.” “Me too.” Pharynx agreed. “Yeah. I'd like to see just how much the kids have learned under your guidance.” Ember said. “If it's a demonstration you want, we'll give it.” Mikey said, as the students got themselves ready. And so the group watched, as their students were sparing with each other or their senseis. As they fought the delegates watch with interest and pride. Smolder was flying circles around April who in turn was dodging Smolder's strikes, while dishing out some of her own. “Yeah, Smolder, that's the way!” Ember cheered. “Come on, April!” Casey called. Yona was pitting her strength against Rocksteady who in turn was making sure she put all her strength into fighting. Rutherford watched and spoke to Pinkie, “Yona right. Bulky pony is impressive sensei.” “I know.” Pinkie smiled in agreement. Ocellus was shifting forms into multiple creatures and her regular form back and forth while fighting Bebop who in turn was using his own moves to counter her, “Yeah, that's right Ocellus, keep that pace up.” he released an energy mohawk that nailed her, “And always watch your back.” Thorax wanted to go and help her, but Pharynx stopped him, “Let her do it on her own.” he told the leader. Thorax watched, as Ocellus got up and was still willing to go a few rounds. Thorax smiled seeing how tough the timid changeling really was. Gallus was flying around attacking Donnie who was defending himself. Grampa Gruff cheered between coughs, “That's the way, sonny!” Silverstream was going up against Mikey with both fighters fighting silly, much to the amusement of every creature, “Wow. Watching this makes me want to learn to be a ninja,” Skystar clapped her talons together, “Can I, mom? Can I-Can I?” “We'll see.” Novo replied. Later on, it was getting late and the students were saying goodbye to their guardians or escorts, “It was nice to have seen you all again.” Twilight told the delegates. “Always a pleasure, Princess.” Novo replied. “Hey, has anyone seen my brother or Prince Rutherford?” Thorax looked around. “They're over there making new friends.” Spike motioned to the distance. They looked and saw Rocksteady and Rutherford butting heads against each other trying to overpower the other, “Yak pretty strong, but Rocksteady is strongest!” Rocksteady said, as he started pushing Rutherford back. “Yak not be overpowered by bulky pony!” Rutherford started pushing Rocksteady back. Close to them was Raph and Pharynx who were also fighting while also looking like they were rage venting, “What did you call me?!” Raph shouted, as he fought the changeling. “You heard me, a violent hothead who can't stand to lose. Michelangelo was right. You anger so easily!” he mocked. “I'll show you angry!” Raph shouted, as the two fought. “Shouldn’t we be concerned?” Thorax asked. “No, just let them do this.” April answered. “Yeah. They'll tire themselves out eventually.” Leo agreed. “You know there's something I'm wondering.” Sunset spoke up. “What is it, Sunset?” Fugitoid asked. “How did Chancellor Neighsay find out about the new Ninja Training course here?” “He said it was an anonymous tip.” Rarity reminded her. “Makes me wonder who is anonymous.” Twilight wondered herself. The rest of her friends were also concerned about who it was that tipped the Chancellor off. It would be something they'd ponder on for awhile.