For the third time that day Twilight recounted her story. The assembled populace of Ponyville listened with great intent as their princess told of a world of warriors and of finding a human that was capable of Equestrian magic. For many of the assembled ponies this new life form, a human, scared them. They took courage however in that Princess Twilight trusted him. So with a willingness to give him a chance the crowd dispersed to go back to their lives. Satisfied that they could get on with the tour without much more interruption the group went on their way into the town.
From the shops and homes ponies would call out to the group, welcoming their princess home. They would also shoot glances at Naruto, but they were not the glances that he was used to. Back in the Hidden Leaf the other villagers would focus their gaze full of anger and hate at him. Here however? The ponies were filled with varying degrees of fascination. Some of them had heard of humans from Twilight's journeys to Canterlot High but this was the first time any of them had seen an actual human. Many of the ponies who noticed that Naruto caught their gaze waved and said hello to him.
Their kindness touched the youth's heart as he and his group walked through the town. He immediately decided that this place was much better than Konoha. Twilight pointed out spots of interest to her son as they walked; Rarity's shop, the Apple family stand, Sugar Cube Corner, the school house, town hall, and the site where the town was planning on building a new library.
Eventually they made it back to the castle. By that time Celestia's sun had begun its decent over the west horizon. The mares were all sharing a knowing glance with each other as they came closer to the castle. Naruto was feeling a bit worn out; the tour around most of Ponyville had taken most of the day and all this input was a bit taxing on his mind. He was seriously debating to fall asleep where he sat, riding on Twilight's back. The new mother recognized her son's weariness as gave him a little jostle,
"Try not to fall asleep yet Naruto, I suspect that Auntie Pinkie Pie has something for you."
"Are you sure about that Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked, "I mean I didn't see her at Sugar Cube Corner when we were there."
"You know Pinkie, Rainbow Dash," Rarity said, "Won't let the young colt go until she has properly welcomed to Ponyville."
"True dat," Applejack concurred, "But it'll do the little critter some good." By this point Naruto was very confused.
"What are you all talking about?" He asked his new family.
"You'll see in just a moment." Twilight said as they approached the doors to the castle. The doors slowly opened at first but then were flung open,
"SURPRISE!" A cacophonic blast hit the boy's ears and his eyes beheld the most peculiar sight. There were ponies gathered in the main hall of the castle wearing colored hats. Along the sides of the hall there were tables overflowing with food of different kinds and drinks of at least seven different verities. The most prominent dessert however was a three layer cake sitting under two banners that Naruto couldn't read, but his face decorated one banner in a big smiling face and Twilight's was displayed on the other one. Fortunately for the boy Twilight read them both for him,
"They say, 'Welcome to Ponyville Naruto,' and, 'Welcome back Twilight.'" Pinkie was soon up in their faces,
"So do you like it?"
Naruto was having a sensory overload. He knew that ponies here in Equestria were nice but he didn't realize just how far some of them were willing to go for a stranger. He asked for Twilight to help him down, which she was happy to do. The little boy then proceeded to embrace the pink party pony and cry a little,
"Thank you Auntie Pinkie Pie." The rock farmer daughter's expression changed from excited to compassionate and returned the hug,
"You're welcome," The mare replied before readopting her enthusiastic face, "Now enough with the sad faces. It's time to PARTY!" This got a rise out of everyone present and the welcome to/ welcome back party swung into full gear.
Naruto was introduced to a whole verity of different sweets. Cupcakes, lemon bars, brownies, ice cream, but to Pinkie's pure delight he found his favorite in the chocolate cake. To Twilight's delight he was able to personally meet some of the faces from around Ponyville. He was introduced to the Cakes, along with their children Pumpkin and Pound. There was also Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom, all of whom took to Naruto rather quickly. There was even Starlight Glimmer who told Twilight that the furniture company wouldn't be able to deliver till later that week.
Eventually Naruto found Twilight talking to a couple of older mares,
"Ah Naruto, there you are. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes mama. Auntie Pinkie Pie threw us a great party." With a smile and a motion of her wing Twilight drew the human child close to her,
"I am glad you are having a good time."
All of a sudden a chair that a pony was sitting on came to life. To Naruto's amazement the chair started walking away with its occupant. At first the gray Pegasus sitting on it was confused until she decided that the walking chair was fun and started laughing. Naruto could only look on in confusion,
"What is-"
"Twilight!" A new male voice, "I'm so glad to see you safe and sound." The new voice came from above the party and all eyes turned to look. Naruto's eyes widened in surprise at the creature before him; it was a hodgepodge of different animals with horns and wings and a long serpentine body. Said being was just floating in midair, without any effort from his wings.
"Discord, where have you been?" Fluttershy asked with a semi stern now named Discord looked at the usually timid mare and shrugged,
"The same thing that everypony else was doing, looking for Twilight. However, unlike the rest of you I was looking in other worlds. Without knowing which world she may have ended up in I had too search them one by one." Discord disappeared in a flash of white light only to reappear next to Fluttershy, "And that my little pony takes a while to do." He then teleported next to the new family,
"So Twilight just where were you…" Discord trailed off when he got sight of Naruto, "Oh my, so what they are saying is true. A human has finally returned to Equestria." The brief silence that followed was broken when Twilight cleared her throat,
"Uhm, did I hear you correctly Discord? You said, 'returned to Equestria,' correct?"
"Oh, indeed Twilight! There was a time that quite a few humans, or human look alike, roamed Equestria alongside the pony. Of course that was when I was a very young spirit of chaos, barely old enough to change a cloud into cotton candy."
"Well then what happen'd to all the humans?" Applejack asked. By now the conversation between the newly established family and tone the spirit of chaos had drawn the attention of every pony in attendance. To the farm mare's question Discord shrugged,
"No one really knows what happened to them Applejack. One day they all just disappeared. Before they did however I was gifted something that has come in handy." Without being asked what the gift was Discord took his talon hand and sliced open a rip in time and space. Looking into it one couldn't see past the swirling blue mist inside the portal but everyone got the idea,
"The power to travel dimensions." Discord clarified in his deep, somewhat menacing voice. With a snap of his fingers the rift closed and Discord's mood changed,
"Oh but where are my manners. I haven't introduced myself to the little angel." Discord got down low till he was at Naruto's eye level. The two gazed into each other's eyes for a good minute. Naruto could feel the mismatched eyes of the intimidating but silly being in front of him bore down into his young soul. Finally Discord broke the contest and smiled even larger than before,
"Hello little one, I am Discord!" The being of disharmony reared back and made an enormous neon sign that looked like it came right out of Las Pegasus appeared out of nowhere flashing the name, Discord. The little boy in Naruto started acting up. To the sudden appearance of the sign and the showmanship Naruto's eyes lit up like stars,
"That is so cool!" Discord heard the boy's compliment and teleported beside him, pulling him in for a side hug,
"I'm glad that you think so my boy. I can tell that you're really going to shake things up here in Equestria, and I like change." With another series of flashes he appeared on the other side of Twilight,
"You certainly know how to pick them don't you Twilight. And knowing you, you'll be earning, 'Mother of the Year,' in no time." With a snap of his talons a white flash appeared around Twilight. When it disappeared Twilight was wearing a T-shirt that said, "World's Best Mom," across the front.
A few ponies laughed at Discord's antics but then let out an aww when they saw that Twilight was not the only one to be on the receiving end of Discord's playful shenanigans; for now Naruto was dressed in a white shirt that read, "I love my mama!" Even though he couldn't read what was printed on his shirt the sudden direction of attention made him feel slightly embarrassed at his current state Naruto hid himself against his mother.
The party went on for a while longer until it was time for Naruto to go to bed. Of course since he didn't have his own yet Twilight offered to share with him, or he could use the room that was set aside for Shining Armor. Naruto decided that he wanted to share, at least for that night. So it was that Naruto was found sitting on the bed in his pajamas waiting for his adopted mother to return.
He didn't have long to wait before Twilight came in levitating a book beside her.
"Well Naruto, did you have a good time at Pinkie's party?" The little blond nodded enthusiastically.
"Yep! Best party ever."
"We will be sure to write her a Thank-You note for giving us a party on such short notice. Now," Twilight moved the sheets back and allowed Naruto to climb in before she did the same, "Are you comfy?" She asked her foal. Naruto adjusted himself until he was in the crook of her wing and firmly pressed against her. Twilight delighted in the closeness that her son wanted, he really did fill the hole that Flash Sentry's disappearance had caused, just with a different kind of love; the love of a family.
Twilight pulled the covers over them with her magic and cracked open the book to the first page,
"I thought you might like a little story about one of Equestria's founders, her name was Clover the Clever." Twilight went on to read from the book that was designed to help foals understand some of the history behind the founding of Equestria. Probably not the most exciting read in the world for a child but her library was lacking in enjoyable fiction outside of the Daring Do series, which was just a bit out of the range that she wanted Naruto to start reading at.
After about fifteen minutes Twilight could feel the gentle rhythmic breathing of her child against her. Twilight set the book aside and dimmed the lights before leaning into Naruto. She didn't know what she did to earn such an honor as being a mother, but she was so grateful for the chance.
Unbeknownst to the loving family there was someone watching them. On the cliff behind the castle the man in the metal mask watched the interaction between the two through a small tare in time and space.
"You know that some might find this a violation of privacy." A voice said from behind him. The man quickly dispelled the rift before addressing the one that had spoken,
"If this were your project, wouldn't you be interested in how it is going?" He asked. Turning around the man came face to face with Discord,
"Oh, you're probably right old friend. Still in the game I see." Discord observed.
"It always was and always will be my game to play Dizzy." The man retorted.
"And now you bring Twilight onto the board. I warn you that she is a friend I will not have her manipulated."
"Such fierce loyalty to your friends Discord? You have changed so much since we last ran together. But do not fear, my intention for Equestria and your friend are pure and my methods are to benefit those who I meddle with."
"So Naruto, is he…"
"Yes Discord, he houses one of the nine tailed beasts. It is an unfortunate but necessary fact."
"How is having a beast that has enough power to flatten an entire city a necessary thing?"
"It will be made clear in time, as are all things. For now though," The man made another gesture and opened the rift again to watch the new Sparkle family as they dreamed happily beside each other,
"It is time to enjoy life's greatest treasures."