//------------------------------// // Ninja - BronyNeumo // Story: AppleDash Group Collab // by DbzOrDie //------------------------------// A half moon smiled down on Sweet Apple Acres from a cloudless sky. Surrounded by innumerable pinpricks of starlight in a sea of inky night, it bathed the rolling hills and countless swaying treetops in soft, blue light The ambience provided the perfect cover for a certain troop of three certain fillies, who had gathered in the cover of darkness, each clothed in a black one-piece garment, leaving nothing exposed save for their tails, faces, and in one’s case, a pair of small, orange wings. “Applebloom, why are we doing this again? These things are itchy.” “Sssh, Scootaloo, yer gonna blow our cover. Do ya want yer ninja cutie mark or what?” The little Pegasus filly sighed. “Fine…” “Alright, girls. Here’s the plan, we need ta infiltrate mah sister’s room, but if we wake anypony up, we won’t get our cutie marks for sure. Got it?” “Got it.” Her two companions answered in unison. “Alright, ready? One… two… three…” “Cutie Mark Crusader Ninjas YAY!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All things considered, they had made it all the way to Applejack’s room without serious mishap, their only scare coming just outside Granny Smith’s room. A particularly loud snore from the elder mare had caused Sweetie Belle to stumble and almost blow their cover. Almost. Gently, Applebloom put a hoof to her big sis’s door and pushed. It swung open easily. As she and her fellow crusaders slunk into the room, it suddenly dawned on her that she hadn’t really thought of what they were going to do once they got into the room. Maybe they should jump up and surprise Applejack? Or maybe they could steal something of hers and see if she noticed in the morning? Maybe they could… Unfortunately, as focused as she was on new ideas, she failed to take stock of her surroundings. Namely, the strange noises emanating from the general direction of Applejack’s bed, and the treacherous squeaky floorboard lying in wait just in front of her. “Gah! Whawazat?” “Applebloom! What in the hay are ya doin’ in mah room?” “Aww, sis.. ya weren’t suppose ta… wait, Rainbow Dash? What are ya’ll doin’ here?” For a moment, neither mare spoke, their worried gazes flicking between each other and the three innocent-eyed fillies before them like two deer caught in the proverbial headlights. Rainbow Dash still had Applejack’s blanket half-draped over her head, her mane in disarray. Se bit her lip, thinking on her hooves was not her strong suit. “I was… uh… giving Applejack a… massage! Yeah, a massage! Her muscles get really sore working outside all day, so she needs one to get to sleep. Yeah.” “Aww! That’s sweet!” Sweetie Belle chimed in. “Yeah, Rainbow Dash. You must give the most awesome massages in Ponyville, cause you’re the most awesome pony in Ponyville!” Scootaloo gazed up at her in wonderment, and Rainbow Dash winked at her. “You bet I do, squirt.” Applebloom pouted. “Well, tha’s no fair! We’ll never get our ninja cutie marks now!” Without so much as a further inquisitive glance, she stormed out of the room, her friends following on her heels a moment later. The two elder mares sat in abject silence for a few moments before Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief. “Well, that was too close.” “Ah’ll say…” “So…. Pick up where we left off?” Applejack chuckled lightly. “Fine, Sugarcube. Just let me lock the door first this time.”