//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Stripes and suspicions // Story: My Little Shinobi: Friendship no Jutsu // by Alexandermon //------------------------------// Twilight along with Spike had returned to the rendezvous point, obviously they had found no trace of the book and were frustrated. When she noticed that the afternoon was turning red and Celestia was starting to drop the sun, Twilight decided to end the search earlier. With none of the other ponies nearby, she began to inspect the remains of the Timberwolves. He hadn't done it before out of fear that somehow, they would revive again, but this time she didn't think it was dangerous since most of the day those branches were lying there, and they didn't move from their place. She tried to find some clue as to what thing could have done that to a group of predators that might be a problem for them, although she really didn't expect to find anything. That's why she was surprised when she discovered a small object that as soon as she saw it, she knew it was not part of the animal: a four-pointed piece of metal in the shape of a star. The alicorn didn't really know what they were, but she had the impression she had seen them before. She continued the search and found several more nailed to different parts of the previously animated bodies. When she finished picking up the sixth when Rarity appeared, her steps were elegant and really clean, so it seemed that she carried out the search "clean and orderly". Then Applejack appeared, covered in mud and leaves contrary to Rarity. In a few minutes Fluttershy arrived at a slow pace and trembling from head to toe as she looked nervously everywhere, Pinkie Pie, with her leaping step and her happy gaze, and Rainbow came flying and landed on the ground, none showed any signs of success. "Did anypony had luck?" "Nah-ah," Rainbow replied with boredom, "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. Can't we just give up on that book?" "I'm not going to give up on a book! But still ... I found something more mysterious" she said as she showed them with her magic the six clues she found. Each pony looked at them closely and even Rainbow was interested. "What are those things?" - Applejack asked 'I have no idea. I found them stuck in the Timberwolfes, and they can't be part of them because these things are metal " "They are shurikens!" Dash jumped in enthusiastically and grabbing a "I read about them in some comics. They are great!" "And ... what are they for?" Rarity asked without understanding. "For this...!" - screamed the pegasus as he threw it with his hoof against a tree. She was not used to throwing them so the shot went backwards and cut some of Pinkie's hair before digging into a tree opposite the one she was trying to launch. "Mmh... well at least get the idea." "This is not a toy, Rainbow," Twilight reproached, tearing the star off the tree. "This is a weapon! And whoever has faced the Timberwolfes used them to defeat them." "So is there some sort of shurikens-throwing pony around here?" Spike asked as he looked everywhere. "Whatever it is. Something strange is happening. First my book disappears even though we saw it appear through the portal that I opened here somewhere. And now we find someone or something that uses strange weapons to defeat Timberwolfes in the forest?” "I thought it was good that those Timberwolfes were dead," Fluttershy said in her soft voice. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I just find it strange that of all the places where there are Timberwolfes, we find these three here, with these weapons that I don't think any normal pony would use." Pinkie picked up one of the Shurikens and threw it, with such a prodigy that she pierced a falling leaf, cutting it in the middle and nailing it to a tree behind just in the middle of the trunk. "I would use them!" she said cheerfully as everyone looked at her stunned "Anyway, we couldn't find the book" - Applejack intervened somewhat tired- "It's getting dark and I really don't want to stay looking for some prodigious guy with these weird things beyond Pinkie." "Yes ... I guess you're right," Twilight gave up. "I will have to write to the princess about this new spell having certain side effects. Spike ... do you think you can write her a ...? "- She saw how he yawned and settled on her back with a sleepy face-" Oh Spike ... I think we will have to leave that report for tomorrow " The ponies all laughed as they headed out of the woods back home. Meanwhile, in a hut in the middle of the forest Naruto slowly opened his eyes and the first thing he felt was that his head hurt a little, as well as his right arm. He saw the wound and discovered that it was bandaged and that his vest had been removed to leave it on a coat rack near the bed where he was. Then he realized that he was inside what looked like a small house carved out of a huge tree. He was lying on a soft bed and surrounded by what appeared to be potions and ointments. In the center of the house was a bubbling cauldron, and the walls were decorated with the same masks that he remembered seeing outside. "Ah, I see that my strange visitor has woken up, I am glad to see that you are now healed up! - said a deep voice in a corner of the house" When Naruto paid attention he distinguished a creature similar to a mare but with black stripes, rings on the neck and ear along with a firm mane. "AAhhh ... A talking striped horse?" Naruto asked a little confused but not surprised since it was not unusual for him to see animals that speak "I see that you can speak ..." - The wise one replied with a serious look at the comment- "but good manners for you are difficult to reach. I am a zebra, in case you don't know, my name is Zecora and thanks to me you can stand up now on your own " "That is better. Now, who are you and where do you come from, could I ask?" She said with a smile "I am Naruto Uzumaki, and I come from the Village of Konoha" - He answered pointing to the symbol in his bandana. "Konoha, you say? I've never heard that name. And I've never seen any of your kind before, do you come from a land I don't know?" "Have you never seen a human before?" "Brat, I told you that we are not in the Country of Fire. Better ask him where we are before asking where we are going" "Ah, right! - He said to himself in front of the zebra's confused look-" Could you tell me where I am? " "Don't you know where you are? I feel more and more curious about your story behind. But since you ask me, I will tell, that you are in the Everfree Forest, in the land of Equestria, does that ring any bells?" “No...”- And he felt the denial of his partner inside him- We don't know where we are or where we should go. "We" you say. Are you coming with someone else? "It is ... difficult to explain." He hastened to say, trying to change the subject. He did not consider it prudent to talk about Kurama with everyone- “Anyway. Thank you for helping me to heal my wounds.” The zebra was smart, and was curious to learn more about its strange visitor. But she understood that it would be unwise to ask too much, so she changed the subject by approaching the bed. "You were lucky, deadly is the hydra poison, but you are also a strong creature, and I was able to suppress it with my own ointment" "Do you always have to speak in rhyme, stripes?" The boy asked with obvious irritation. “It is in my nature; it is something that I am. But speaking normally like you. If I want to, I can. But what is this?” -She exclaimed when he removed the bandages- “The wound is gone. Just a few hours of rest and you healed on your own?” "Yes... well...” - He said with a humble smile and scratching the back of his head - I usually heal myself pretty quickly. Do you think there is someone who can help me go home?" "I know someone who can help you. Although she is quite far away. Princess Celestia is the governor of Equestria, she could help you get on your way." "And where do I find her?" “Far away, in the city of Canterlot she is. Her student, Twilight Sparkle, nearby she lives. And I could help you meet her, if you want” “Hey, that doesn't rhyme!” “As I said, normally, I can speak. The town of Ponyville outside the forest is where you and Celestia's student meet” “Ok!” - He exclaimed jumping out of bed and taking his vest- “Come on!” The zebra looked him up and down and then looked out, it was already night. He looked back at her and shook his head. “Cautious I don't think it is. The forest is dangerous at night, and you will make a bad impression if you suddenly appear. Wait until morning, get a rest, and you will tell Twilight everything, to solve this mess” “But I'm not tired!” The boy protested "Naruto ..." - His inner companion told him- "You are not tired but I am. The venom of that snake quickly weakened you and I had to give you my chakra to stay alive. Maybe you recovered your strength, but I spent a lot of energy keeping your heart beating. Also, would you prefer to arrive at night to a town full of horses as if you were a ghost and knock door to door asking for a particular mare? More discreet would be to arrive in Kiuby mode to greet them myself " "I see ..." Naruto wailed while opening his eyes, he had closed them momentarily to speak to his Bijuu- I guess there is no other choice but to stay for tonight. "Were you talking to yourself again? It's disturbing. Is there something strange that your mind makes messy?" "No. This is how he is." - Kurama said to the zebra with his telepathy, her eyes turned wide. “For Equestria! Who spoke to me right now? Is it you who confides my mind?” “It's not a joke, Zebra. And it is not your imagination. My name is Kurama, and maybe we can talk since you saved both my life and my human pet” “Hey!” The following hours were spent chatting between the three of them, they told their story to the zebra, and the zebra in turn heard more than she spoke. At one point Naruto began to feel hungry, so Zecora gave him a couple of apples and roots that he had stored, Naruto gladly ate the first ones, but with the second he had to try a little to swallow them. When it was late at night, Naruto decided to sleep on the floor by the fire while Zecora recovered her bed, which she thanked them both very much. At Canterlot Castle Luna, princess of the night, watched her work with pride as she watched her subjects go to sleep and was saddened to see so few who admired her night. As was her custom, she spread her wings and drifted into the night breeze as her horn shone with her active magic and her eyes sparkled as she watched the dreams of her different friends. She did not enter directly into her dreams, but she ensured that it was not nightmares that clouded her rest. However, tonight there was something that disturbed her. As she got closer to Ponyville, a strange presence became more apparent to her. But instead of sleeping, during the night his strength increased and his spirits rose. She couldn't know what it was, but it was there. An unknown force that did not speak to her with a dream of his own, but felt it as an echo among the voices of his subjects. She approached to investigate, but every time she tried to find it the echo disappeared, as if it somehow sensed her presence and hid it from her view. Frustrated by such a failure, she returned to Canterlot where her bedroom awaited her, where she could relax a bit before returning to her daily duty. Great was her surprise when she found her sister waiting for her with a serious and worried look instead of that benevolent smile with which she generally associated her. "Sister, what are you doing awake at this time?" "The same as you, Luna. I think about strange events" "What? So ... did you feel it too?" "I only got to sleep for a moment when I was awakened by a strange vision. In it, I saw a creature of unmatched strength demonstrating its enormous power. I could not see its shape, but its energy was very powerful, it did not seem like magic. Although I did not see evil in him, I felt great fury and anger that emanated when I tried to get closer " "I don't know what to think" - Luna answered while looking at the night sky- "I felt a strange sensation of euphoria, of joy, of freedom as I approached Ponyville. Although I thought it was a dream of one of my subjects, later I I realized that whatever it was, he was happy about my nights, he was not asleep at all, but he kept awake and grew as the night progressed " "Good heavens! This is something that we must solve" -concluded the princess of the sun as she returned inside and headed towards the doors- "I don't know what it is that arrived in Equestria or because. But if we don't find this creature soon, and we find out what that wants, it could pose a great threat. Tomorrow I will go to visit Twilight Sparkle and see if she noticed anything too. If this force is as great as in my vision. The Elements of Harmony may need to be used again" "I'll go with you" "No!" -She said firmly- "I need you watching from here, if you see something that escapes our view. You will be the only one who can warn me while I'm away" "As you wish, sister" - Luna answered with evident annoyance. Seeing this, Celestia reached out and put a hoof on her shoulder "Do not feel bad, sister. If something, whatever it is, appears. I will notify you and will make you come immediately if we need you" "Very ... well ..." - Luna said as she returned to her night sky and took flight again. This time Luna didn't hear anything like the echo, but there was something about him that seemed to please her. In many years he had not felt something similar, it made her feel as if her night was special. There really was something that enjoyed its darkness. Deep in the Everfree Forest, Naruto and Zecora fell asleep while inside Naruto, Kurama smiled at their finding. "I see ..." - He thought with a certain emotion and a slightly mischievous smile- "There are beings in this world capable of feeling me despite being inside a Jinchuriki. It seems that they were alerted when they noticed that I recover at night, and be whoever they are are powerful, and ... nice ... This strange land may be quite interesting" At the same time that all these events were taking place in Equestria, dark forces were also moving along the borders. Far to the south, in a kingdom already destroyed and forgotten, a creature of great wickedness and voracious appetite met the formerly a great dictator. "So ..." - The queen said as her subjects looked at her guest with some respect, even fear- "Knowing that the princesses do not know about you or your ... return. Are you proposing to me, an alliance?" "Before it could be said that we were kings among mortals. Now look at us: Miserable and barely remembered as a bad dream. We must show these ponies who we are, and make them fear fear of darkness once again" "And what would you give me in exchange for our help?" "What price would be fair?" "Twilight Sparkle, along with her friends, between our fangs. Along with Canterlot and most of Equestria. My subjects need to feed." "Done. In return ... you will help me once again conquer what my Empire was, and you will leave that little pet princess rat for me" "You have my word" "So, that's how a pact is formed. A King with a Queen" From inside the infested castle the laughter of the two new allies began to sound. Eager to carry out their plan, knowing that this time they will succeed. The next morning. Two hours after sunrise "Good Morning!" Naruto shouted, startling the Zebra and making her fall from the bed. "Time to go for that princess, Dattebayo!" “I admire your decision” - Zecora answered as she got up annoyed and headed towards a lot of layers, “But I'm afraid that if you enter the town like this you will cause a commotion. You will wear an outfit similar to mine, so even if you attract attention you can keep a low profile " He threw at him a brown cape that was in good condition and incredibly fit despite the boy's size. “Uhmm ... Ok” -he said while putting on his clothes. The cloak included a hood, but the boy did not put it on They left the hut and walked through the forest without saying a word to each other until they spotted the town. Naruto felt like he was in some kind of dream country. He was used to seeing strange towns dedicated to the perfection of his military might, or gambling cities where there was hustle and bustle. However, he found a small village of humble houses, where different ponies of different colors were in charge of living their lives peacefully. He swallowed when he saw such a large number of equines come and go, and was more surprised to see as many strange beings as unicorns and pegasi in the same place. Everyone talking and living their life quietly, this was not something he could see every day. "Not as you imagined, I see, but once you meet them, they are a great company. I will take you to Princess Twilight Sparkle's house, you will be able to tell your situation, and she will be able to ask Celestia about a solution" "Okay," he said, putting on his hood, which would hide most of his face, and would only be possible if he looked closely, "Let's find that princess then" Several kilometers away, Princess Celestia flew at high speed as she continued to think about her strange vision and what her sister had told the night before.