//------------------------------// // Twilight! You Have Some Explaining to Do // Story: Vessel of Harmony // by Ranoa- Walker of Worlds //------------------------------// Things in Equestria were hectic. It had been six days since Twilight had disappeared in a lab accident and there was no trace of her. The royal guard were conducting patrols around Equestria and every able bodied pony was being asked to contribute in the search for the missing Princess of Friendship. Five ponies in particular were in a bind. Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were working with the Royal Sisters and Starlight Glimmer analyzing the castle to see what they could find. Even though Rainbow Dash thought her time could be better spent with the other Wonder Bolts in the search, but she had been ordered to wait in Ponyville in case she returned. With nothing productive do (she was never much of one for 'egg head' stuff) the cyan Pegasus paced the halls of Twilight's castle. Being extremely loud about her displeasure, "This is so lame! We could be out there helping the search and we're stuck here!" She complained to her farmer friend Applejack. The orange Earth pony let out a sigh of her own frustration, "We know Sugar cube, we know. How do you think Ah feel? Ah have relatives all over Equestria looking for Twi. Heck, even Applebloom is bein' more active in the search than Ah am right now. The only thing that we can do now is wait for somepony to find something." As if on cue a nearby set of doors were thrown open and there stood the pink Earth pony aptly named Pinkie Pie, "I found something!" She loudly declared. The two ponies looked at her expectantly only for Pinkie to produce a trombone seemingly from nowhere, "My old trombone, I thought I left it here." She then proceeded to start playing on said brass instrument. She didn't get five notes in when Rainbow Dash hoofed the instrument away from her pink friend, "Now is not the time Pinkie! Twilight is missing and we have no idea where she might be!" "Weeelllll, let's take another look." Pinkie said as she took off at her iconic ridiculous speed down the hall, "She's not here," Pinkie said opening a set of doors. She then proceeded to the next set of doors down the hall, "Not here." Then to next set of doors, "Not here. Not here," Her voice carried on down the hall as she disappeared from sight. Applejack gave a small sigh, "Don't let Pinkie get to ya Dash. This is just how she's dealing with Twi's disappearance. She's just being Pinkie Pie.' She consoled Rainbow Dash. The Pegasus took a calming breath before responding, "I know Applejack. I just can't stay cooped up here in the castle while other ponies are out looking for our best friend." Meanwhile down the hall with Pinkie Pie, the pink mare was still going through room by room, "Nope, nope, nope, negative, absolutely not," All of a sudden, she had a strange tingling sensation run throughout her body. The impact this had on her muscles was astounding for it made her shake like a baby shaking a rattle. "Ohhooh, this time is different. But where is it… The Map Room!" Like lightning she shot down the halls, following what her instincts told her to do. The other two members of Twilight's circle of close friends, Rarity the fashionista and Fluttershy the animal caretaker, were taking turns watching the Friendship Map in case by some miracle Twilight's location would be revealed. With those two ponies was a very agitated young drake, Spike. He had taken Twilight's disappearance the hardest. The purple dragon paced anxiously around occasionally scratching where his budding wings were sprouting on his back. The tension was thick enough that someone could cut it with a knife. All of a sudden Pinkie burst into the room, "HI EVERYPONY!" Her sudden interruption sent the room's occupants into a panic. Rarity nearly fell out of her chair where Fluttershy quickly hid behind hers. Spike let out a surprised yelp and let out a burst of green fire. "Was that really necessary darling? You gave Fluttershy quiet the scare." Rarity gently scolded. "Oops, sorry Flutters," Pinkie apologized. "It's… It's no problem Pinkie." "Sorry. I had this doozy just now and I felt it would be happening here in the map room." Pinkie explained to her two friends. Without another word Pinkie pranced to her place and sat down. With eyes wide she stared at the map. The other occupants could swear they heard the tick-tock of a clock, even though there was no clock to be seen. After a few seconds of this Pinkie cried out, "How long is this going to take?!" All at once the map of Equestria started to bubble and shimmer until it turned into a sea of energy. All ponies, and dragon, present all let out a shout of surprise but then fell silent at what they saw next. Something began to rise from the map, a very familiar something. "Twilight!" Everypony shouted. Sure enough, on the map table there was a lavender colored alicorn with a very recognizable Cutie Mark. At the moment she had a wing wrapped protectively around something, but at the moment that was secondary to the fact that Twilight was home. Without waiting a moment Pinkie beset her in a tight hug, tears jetting out of her eyes like a drinking fountain, "We were so worried about you!" She sobbed out. "Darling, where in Equestria have you been? We've been worried sick." Rarity asked. "Everypony, please calm down. You're startling our guest." A new voice came from the door. Everyone in the room looked to the door and saw the Royal Sisters and Starlight Glimmer. The two royals walked calmly into the room where as Starlight hurried to find Applejack and Rainbow Dash. It was at Celestia's comment that made all present in the room to look at the figure that was hidden under Twilight's wing. Twilight smiled and whispered to the one she was holding onto, "It's alright, these are my friends." Very gently Twilight removed her wing to reveal a nervous and slightly bandaged Naruto. The boy looked around at the baffled group of ponies and gave a small wave, "Hi," He was unsure how the ponies would react to him. Would they be nice like Twi- like mother? Or would they be like the villagers and be mean to him? But if his new mother was friends with them could they be all that bad? He suddenly found himself in Twilight's mystic aura as she levitated him down from the table. She followed shortly after making sure he was safe on the ground. "Everyone, I would like to introduce Naruto Uzumaki. He is my new personal protégé and my adopted foal." The collective reaction was immediate, "WHAT?!" It was about an hour later after Twilight's return and everypony, plus the human and the dragon, were gathered in the lounge. Every seat and cushion was occupied as everyone waited for Twilight to explain what happened to her. Twilight occupied a large pillow on the floor and had Naruto tucked under her wing again, encouraging him to rest. Celestia noticed how protective her former student was being of the boy and decided to bring it up to her later. With Naruto tucked under her wing, being lulled into a blissful state by his new mother's presence and her warm wing, Twilight began her story. When she got to the part about the power of the Elements being within Naruto those that had wielded the power before took a surprised gasp while Celestia and Luna shared a sidelong glance to one another. Intermittently Twilight would make a loving gaze to her new son and rub him gently with her muzzle, reassuring him while he slept. Finally Rainbow asked, "Uh Twilight, I know that you're his new mom and everything but why do you keep doing that?" "Oh hush up Dash, I think it is quiet sweet." Rarity countered, "A child to love is just what you need darling after Flash…" She quickly cut herself off, very nearly hitting on a sensitive subject. Twilight visibly flinched and held onto Naruto tighter. "This isn't just for me Rarity. Something happened yesterday in Konoha. I nearly lost him." "What'ch ya talkin' about Sugar cube?" "Well, I had been with the Hokage, the village leader, for most of the day, finalizing my adoption of Naruto. I told him to his home and start packing what he wanted to take with us to Equestria. When I was finished I went to go meet him at his apartment when I saw smoke rising from where his apartment was. Not sparing a moment I hurried to his apartment. The building was engulfed in flames. Naruto said that someone pulled him out of the fire before he was injured too badly, but he did get a few burns. Just knowing that I almost lost him… I can't let go of him." Fluttershy looked like she was on the verge of tears and every other conscious occupant looked shocked, "I've already lost Flash; I don't want to lose anyone else." Twilight's circle of friends quickly abandoned their seats and took their friend in a group hug, being very careful not to disturb the sleeping child. Luna cast a sad look to her sister who returned it. The loss of Flash Century of the Crystal Guard was hard on Twilight. The two of them were enjoying a budding relationship about two years ago. Flash was going to request a transfer to Canterlot so he could be closer in case Twilight formed her own guards. However, on an escort mission to Yakyakistan the ambassador was attacked by a monster by the roadside and the procession was never heard of again. Though Twilight put on a strong face her mentor knew that her heart was secretly aching. Perhaps this child was just what she needed to mend the broken heart. Leaving her seat Celestia approached the group of hugging ponies. She got down low and joined in the group embrace. After a minute the group broke apart and Twilight smile at them, "Thanks Everypony. It really means a lot." "By the way Twilight, how did you get back?" Starlight asked. "Oh, well that whole light show with the mask must have given me the power to move across worlds; at least between Equestria and the Shinobi lands. I don't think it would be a good idea for me to try jumping to other worlds. All I have to do is concentrate on where I want to go and say the word, 'Transverse,' it came to me in a dream if you would believe it. Oh and Princess, the leader of Konohagakure would like to have a meeting to discuss a treaty between nations. Mostly it is for show, to appease some of the nobility of the village." "Well, once you have your new son settled to life here in Equestria we will need to make a journey to this strange new world. The Hokage actually sounds like an interesting person to meet." Celestia chuckled, "By the way Twilight, who is going to tell them?" "Huh?" Celestia shot her former prized student a cheeky smile, "Your parents of course, and Captain Shining Armor and Cadence. Oh and Flurry Heart is going to be so excited to meet a new cousin, one that is about her age too." If it were possible for fur to pale Twilight's coat would have faded a few shades, "I hadn't thought about that!"