Star Knight and the Nine-Tailed Fox

by Rakoon1

A Danger With Four Tails

Author's Note:

Dear readers, before reading this chapter, I would like to address to you. I have noticed that the feedback of this story has been dropping, with the dislikes exceeding the likes. I just like to ask you to comment so that I can know what should I improve or know what you like. Secondly, I'd like to tell you that, despite this being an adaptation of the series Naruto series and the story sharing many parameters with it, I can still surprise you and I would like if you deemed the story when it was more developed. I hope you can enjoy the future chapters and that those who do not like it may change their mind. After all, as Fernando Pessoa once wrote: “first it amazes you, then it gets into your veins”. Thanks...

Three years had passed and it seemed that the Lord of Chaos had given no sign of his actions during that time. Maybe he thought the best thing to do now was to wait for the moment to attack, which was not reassuring for his enemies.

During that time, Star Knight had become a good-looking teenager colt. At the academy, he was one of the most popular students, not only for his academic curriculum, but also for being a great athlete. If there was something he definitely had was fillies watching him with interest, although he barely paid them any attention. His friends had also become popular also, not only through Star, but also through their own merits.

Jonagold had this way of enchanting fillies with his poetic words, being also the leader of the book and debate clubs; Gunter, just like Star, was an athlete at one of the most appreciated sports at the academy: the Flying Derby, where he usually teamed up with Star; Bramble, by his turn, was very quiet, but that way of being had catch the eyes of young does, and had become a high member of the chess club.

Moonlight had enrolled at the academy at the school year following Star’s eleventh anniversary, something that left her quite happy, since she would be close to Star, for who she already had a small crush since she was little. Despite being a little intimidated by the competition that arose around the young alicorn prince, Moonlight kept hope. She also had obtained a good school success, and her favorite subject was Enchanted Music, where she was one of Melody’s best students. It was also known that she now had a little brother, whose aspect shared the same traits as her sister, having a coat with a darker shade, an azure mane and eyes like those of his mother, but with slit pupils. His name was Dark Cloud.

As Star progressed at the academy, new subjects appeared, while others were left behind. At the end of his first year, Star started not having Introduction to Practical Magic and, at the end of the second year, by choice, he stopped having Enchanted Music, but soon he got more, such as Study of Spells and Charms, which was the continuation of Introduction to Practical Magic and was also taught by Professor Knotgrass. Astronomy was another new subject, being held at night, and was taught by a mare with a dark-blue coat with a telescope and stars as Cutie Mark, purple mane and magenta eyes called Glowing Star. There was also Study and Care of Creatures, which was held at the grounds and taught by a doe with a coat with shades of orange and greenish eyes called Holly who taught about the various creatures and how to take care of them, even showing to the students real creatures.

In addition to the academic subjects, there were also extracurricular activities. Purple Smoke was quite visited in his office by students asking for advice on activities that would be perfect for them. Among these activities, there were several sports, Art, Dance and Theatre. Star had entered in some sports, being one of his favorites Combate, which was coordinated by Professor Ebony, and, of course, the Flying Derby, which were supervised by Coach Gideon, a griffon who was an acquaintance of Gunter's parents, who had dark grayish brown fur, brown head with edges of a lighter tone, very dark tangelo wing feathers and dark gray gambogeish beak and claws. Star and Gunter were one the best teams, perhaps because of their teamwork.

However, despite Star’s school success, he still had to coordinate all his school activities with his trainings with Golden Paladin. Fortunately, the training had passed to the weekend and was no longer so regular, but it happens that things were getting more and more complicated. In addition to trying to improve his skills in spells like the duplication spell and the Spiraling Sphere Spell, Star was now trying to control directly Nine-Tails’ energy and that was quite tricky. To control the energy, he had to have a lot of concentration and endure that energy was not as easy as it sounded, as Star was almost barely focusing and trying to not lose control.

During these trainings, Star was learning to control what Golden called the “demon fox cloak" that was the first phase of his transformation as a Jinchuriki, whose power increased for each tail of energy that appeared. Until that moment, Star had learned to control until the second tail, but even just with two tails, Star could barely control all the energy that was being produced.

Golden Paladin, though, could see the progress that Star had achieved. His control over his magic had improved thanks to the training and this was visible in the way he could handle the two tails of energy. But the question that remained in his head was the limit of energy that the young prince could handle. The General of Peace never dared to release the seal more than what it had already been released, because in that way you would be just giving to Nine-Tails a unique opportunity to weaken the seal even more. When he presented this question to Twilight and Blue in the throne room of the Light Castle, the former rushed to say:

"It is out of the question. We will not give opportunities to Nine-Tails. Sorry, Golden Paladin, despite respecting your training methods, I have to put the safety of my son above this."

“I understand, your Highness, I also don't agree with this idea of mine" Golden Paladin said. "But the truth is that we can't know what the limits of Prince Star Knight are when it comes to controlling the Nine-Tails’ power. Beyond that, if we continue as we are, the time it will take for the young prince to learn to control that energy will be even greater."

“I understand that, but...” Twilight started.

"Maybe we should give Golden’s idea a chance, Twily" Blue said to his wife.

"What?!" Twilight asked. "Blue, are you crazy? Do you want to submit our son to a suffering even greater than the one he has already been submitted with the training?"

"Although I share your concern, Twily, the truth is that we can't protect him forever" Blue said. "He is already fourteen. He's not a young colt anymore."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean we're going to put him in danger purposefully" Twilight refuted.

"I know that, but don't think you we should have more faith in him?" Blue asked. "Star proved to us what he is capable of over and over again. It's time we let him decide what he wants to do. If he wants to accept Golden’s idea, the least we can do is to allow him to try."

Although she understood what Blue was trying to defend, Twilight did not seem to want to accept it. She refused to put his own son at the mercy of the monster that was inside him. And what if Star lost control and Nine-Tails took him over? No, she couldn't allow something like that to happen.

It was then that Blue’s hoof landed on hers and Twilight looked at her husband’s eyes. His blue eyes transmitted to her his confidence and the words Blue told only increased that same confidence:

"If you want, I will watch the training and make sure our son stay safe. I and Golden Paladin can control the situation, no way we can fail."

After that, Twilight couldn't say no to Blue and consented with the head and a slight smile.

During the summer vacation, before Star’s fifth year at the academy began, at the day of his training with Golden Paladin, he was surprised when he saw that his father would watch the training. Arriving at the Grand Light Canyon, the place where they used to train in the Light Kingdom, Star asked:

"Dad, can I ask why you're here? No offense, but it's quite unexpected."

"Don't worry, Star, Golden will explain everything to you" Blue answered him.

“The truth, young prince, is that we’re going to step up our training much more” Golden Paladin said to Star. “It will be like an experiment… I don’t even know what might happen. Honestly, I preferred not to do this, but I believe it is essential and inevitable. Are you prepared?”

“Well… yeah” Star answered. “Let’s just do it!”

“Very well, what I’ll do is to loosen the Nine-Tails’ seal just a little” Golden Paladin said.

Listening that, Star became a little surprised, as Golden Paladin has not done that for years.

“I know what you thinking” Golden Paladin said. “Why does he want to do that now? What is the goal of that? The truth is that I want to test your limits and, to do that, you have to deal with more energy than the one you are already used to. But don’t think I’m doing this lightly. I know Nine-Tails cannot be controlled by mere ponies and that’s why I’ve taken the time to make sure. You can retain your own psyche up to a two-tails transformation. We need to know how much farther is possible. But I want to make sure you’re up to the task. After all, opening the seal means that the Nine-Tails’ influence will grow stronger. Are you sure he won’t take you over and run amok?”

That question made Star to become more serious and say:

“Well, I…”

That was a question that not even he knew how to answer. It was true that he has been able to withstand Nine-Tails’ power, but the concentration required for such a feat was immense and the least carelessness could mean losing control, and all that with only two tails.

Blue, sensing his son’s indecision, advanced to him and said, putting a hoof on his shoulder:

"Star, you don't have to do it if you don't want to. But, if you agree to do so, I want you to know that you will have my full support."

"Dad..." Star said, surprised by the words of his father.

"Besides, that's why I'm here. I will help Golden Paladin to control the situation if necessary. It may not look like so, but your old man knows a move or two. However, I have faith that you will be able to do it."

Those words have reinvigorated Star’s spirit and he said:

"Yes!"

He then turned to Golden Paladin, showing him he was ready. The General of Peace sighed and said:

"So let's do it."

He raised his hoof towards Star and accessed to his magic. The hoof glowed with the same aura as the horn and then he said:

“Al right then, let’s begin.”

And gold chains appeared around Star’s torso. There was a pause where Golden Paladin concentrated to only open the seal just a bit and then he exclaimed:

“Here we go!”

And he twisted slightly the hood and the chains moved slightly as well. Immediately, the condensed bubbling energy appeared and covered Star’s body. He felt a slight pain and the energy involved his tail, making also appear another tail made of red energy.

“Two tails in an instant…” Blue said, impressed.

It was then than another tail appeared.

“And there’s the third tail!” Blue exclaimed.

“And it seems he still conscious” Golden Paladin observed, while Star adopted the same changes he got when he was surrounded by the red energy. “Now, Prince Star Knight, suppress the energy immediately!”

Star tried with all his strength to do what Golden Paladin said, but he was using all his concentration to prevent the energy from overpower him and that was causing him a lot of pain that prevented him from concentrating even more.

“Surprpess yourself!” Golden exclaimed.

“I know that!” Star replied.

It was then that he felt something else that prevented him from concentrating beyond pain. It was a stinging sensation. Star wondered what it was. It was a bitter and hateful feeling that could stain in black his inside.

“I’ll cooperate with you” a voice said.

Star then found himself once again, in front of Nine-Tails’ cage.

“You are…” Star started.

“Don’t hold back” Nine-Tails said, staying in the shadows of his cage. “You want power, don’t you?”

The Tailed Beast had said that in a way that suggested that Star was weak and depended of his power, something that made Star become very furious and exclaim:

“Cut it out!” Star exclaimed.

It was then that the water that covered the ground rose suddenly and began getting restless. Star, repairing in that, tried to keep up. Nine-Tails continued to look to Star with his arrogant gaze and smile. Then he said:

“You know, it’s pretty pathetic… They want you to control my power so you can defend yourself against the Lord of Chaos. It seems they think you’re too weak to face them without me… What it’s actually true. You’re nothing more than a brat who thinks is special just because he has a great power that he can control alone.”

“Shut up and go back!” Star said, trying to stay above the water.

But the anger he felt for Nine-Tails made him lose concentration for a moment and the waves swallowed him. Star tried to fight, but the waves were too strong and were taking him to the edge of the cage, while listening Nine-tails saying:

“Idiot… If anyone goes back… it’s you!”

And the fox stretched out one of his front legs through the bars and grabbed Star, securing him then against the floor.

In the real world, that caused an intense burst of red energy that forced the two Generals to use a magical barrier to resist against the force that was being released. Placing themselves on a ledge in one of the stone walls of the canyon, they saw the fourth tail appearing.

That release such energy that made the Lord of Chaos realize something was wrong.

"But what is this?" he asked while sitting on his throne.

He made one of his mirrors come to his front and it began to reflect what was happening at the Great Light Canyon. He gave a slight laugh and said:

"This is quite interesting."

The cloak of red energy that involved Star had been much denser, as if he breathed the energy itself. His eyes were completely red and looked like he was suffering a lot of pain. But the worst was yet to come. His own coat began to be removed slowly, bit by bit, leaving in its place a layer of intense red energy that looked like blood, and being then vaporized by the intensity of the energy.

Star was flooded by black smoke that engulfed him like a cocoon. The two Generals watched that for a few moments and then the cocoon of smoke exploded with a force that nearly made Blue and Golden fall from where they were and, when they recovered, they were shocked by what they saw. All Star's body was covered by the layer of blood-red energy, seeming to be a part of him. Fox ears flapped with the wind, while the four tails were shaking. Savage grunts came out of his mouth full of razor-sharp teeth and his white eyes didn’t seem to show any sign of equinity.

“What… is that?” Blue asked, not wanting to believe.

“That, Prince Blue Sword, is the second phase of a Jinchuriki transformation” Golden Paladin answered. “The energy that is leaking out is seeking stability. It’s trying to assume the complete form of Nine-Tails. This is not the same energy of before. It’s more intense. Far more malevolent. It’s using Prince Star Knight’s body as a medium, what makes him like a miniature Nine-Tails.”

Blue couldn't believe in what his eyes were seeing. He couldn't believe that he had convinced his son to submit to something like that. Sensing what he was thinking, Golden Paladin said:

"Don't blame yourself, Prince Blue Sword. This is not your fault. If there's anyone to blame, then it’s me as it was me who had the idea to release the seal. It was a reckless idea after all. Such a pity. I have to close the seal again, but it will take some time. He never got this far before."

It was then that Blue knew what to do.

"I'm going to entertain him and prevent him from running" he said.

"What?!" Golden Paladin asked. "Don't be stupid! Prince Star Knight right now is very dangerous."

"We cannot allow him to go to the citadel" Blue said. "Don't worry, I can handle this."

Golden Paladin tried to say something against it, but Blue was already downing the ledge where they were and going to Star. So the General of Peace began preparing to close the seal again.

Blue headed to Star saying:

"Star, that's enough! You've got to stop this!"

But he didn’t listen him, staying there roaring and wagging the tails. Star then looked slightly to Blue and wag one of the tails towards Blue. He invoked his barrier to protect himself, but when the tail hit the barrier, it broke it and Blue was pushed a few hooves back.

Realizing that Blue would try to stop him, Star decided to get out of there, but when he was preparing to depart, his father said:

"Don't even think about it!"

And, using his magic of General of Balance, he released a light that, hitting Star, made him stay put. The Jinchuriki roared, feeling himself trapped, and began trying to break free. Blue couldn't believe in the immense force that he had. It wouldn't take long until he couldn’t hold any longer. It was then that Star turned his head to Blue and opened his mouth. When Blue found himself, he was being bombarded with something and shot him hard against the wall of stone.

At that time, Golden Paladin had managed to prepare the spell and chains lifted off the ground and began to trap Star. He tried to get free, but the chains were increasingly tight. The chains began to absorb the energy that was being released and it didn’t take long for the claws disappeared and the intense energy began to retreat, leaving intense burns on Star.

The process seemed to be time consuming and painful for Star, but Golden continued until Star was completely free of the energy and fell to the ground unconscious. After that, Golden hastened to display the chains of the seal and sealed them the way they were before, gasping as soon as it ended, trying to catch his breath. His eyes fell upon the unconscious young prince and then on Blue that, although conscious, was in bad shape after Star’s attack.

The Lord of Chaos, seeing what happened, exclaimed:

"I loved that! Finally some real action! Maybe I should take advantage of this to start the part of my great plan that I have been waiting for. Oogie Boogie!"

And the Spirit of Nightmares appeared before his master, kneeling.

"Yes, your lordship?"

"Have you found the last missing Jinchuriki?" the Lord of Chaos asked.

"Not yet" Oogie Boogie replied. "I've been doing my best, but it seems that this Tailed Beast knows that I’m after it and has been hiding from me."

"It's okay" the Lord of Chaos said. "We still have time. But try not to take to long, because we will start to capture the Tailed Beasts, beginning with One-Tail."

Sometime after what happened in the Grand Light Canyon, Star woke up, realizing he was lying on his bed in his room. When he tried to move, he felt a lot of pain and saw that he was covered in bandages. A good part of his body had already healed, but the majority was still damaged.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Finally, you’re awake!” Twilight’s voice exclaimed, while she approached her son’s bed, relieved.

"Mom?" Star asked, still confused, trying to get up. "What am I doing here?"

Timber, that was there waiting for his owner to wake up, was quite happy to see him and started to lick him.

"Timber, stop!" Star asked, while petting his Timberwolf. "That tickles. I'm also happy to see you.”

"After what happened, Golden Paladin brought you and your father as soon as possible" Twilight said, while Golden Paladin appeared and Timber downed from the bed to then put his head on Star’s lap.

Remembering what had happened earlier with Nine-Tails subduing him, Star asked, very concerned:

"What happened to dad?! Is he okay?!"

"Don't worry, young Prince” Golden Paladin answered. "He's fine. At this point, he is resting in his room."

“But… what happened?” Star asked.

“You went on a rampage and, while I tried to stabilize your energy, your father prevented you from advancing to the citadel” Blue answered.

That answer seemed to have bothered Star. He began to feel guilty about what had happened. If he hadn't been so weak, Nine-Tails would not have dominated him and he wouldn't have hurt his own father.

“If only… I could stand him” Star said, referring to Nine-Tails. “He provoked me and I gave in.”

Golden, observing his reaction, said to him:

“It’s not your fault. I made the wrong call.”

He then turned to Twilight and continued:

“And for that, I ask your apologies, Princess Twilight. I underestimated Nine-Tails and, because of that, both your son and husband are now injured.”

“You don’t have to apology, Golden” Twilight said. “I understand your reasons for doing that and now we know how much Star can endure Nine-Tails’ energy.”

“I held onto my consciousness up to the three tails” Star said. “But I felt this immense power… Maybe if I can master it, I can have the power to stop the Lord of Chaos.”

“Star…” Twilight started, wanting to ease her son from the burden he was feeling as a Jinchuriki and the prospective of being targeted by the Lord of Chaos because of Nine-Tails.

However, Golden Paladin nodded his head to her, advising to not say anything and then he said:

“But for now, I think it is for the best you rest now and stop thinking about that, young prince. You have a lot of recovery to do, now. Laid down and take a nap.”

He then headed to the exit and Twilight followed him, leaving Star alone, petting Timber. When they exited and started to move away from his room, Twilight asked:

“Why did you stop me, Golden? I had to say to my son to not worry about the Lord of Chaos. That we would protect him at all cost.”

“Because he wouldn’t listen, princess” Golden Paladin replied. “He inherited your husband’s determination in protecting the ones he cares about. He knows he will face the Lord of Chaos and his villains in a near future, when they come to take the Tailed Beast inside of him. So, he wants to get stronger to not be captured and by this stop the plan the Lord of Chaos has in mind.”

At that moment, Twilight stopped and she said:

“I know you’d say that, but I cannot stand watching my son sacrificing himself to save us. I should be the one doing that.”

There was a pause and then Twilight asked:

“Golden, could you tell me about what you think about Star continuing his training after what happened today and I want you to be completely honest.”

The General of Peace didn’t answered immediately, but then he sighed and answered:

“I honestly don’t see any problem that can prevent Prince Star Knight from continuing his training, but…”

“But, what?”

“But we have to be more careful” Golden Paladin. “If I didn’t contain Prince Star Knight when he went amok, then the number of tails would grow until there was nine and, if that happens, then Nine-Tails will immerge from the young prince.”

“So that’s how it works…” Twilight said.

“His anger acts like a trigger, for what I could see” Golden Paladin continued. “The number of tails grows along with his rage. It is just like when Heartbeat was a Jinchuriki. When the fourth tail appeared, all that was left in your son was a hunger for destruction. Like I told you before we seal Nine-Tails, the seal will only grow weaker. Probably, that’s the cause for what happened.”

“Yes, I know that” Twilight said. “That’s one of the reasons why you’re training Star to control the energy.”

“And there’s more” Golden Paladin said. “When Prince Star Knight is under the cloak of Nine-Tails, it may seems that it protects the young prince, but the truth is his body is continuously being harmed by that same energy. It appears that, when the fourth tails immerges, his body suffers severe injuries and run amok, covered in blood. Once the cloak disappeared, Prince Star Knight’s internal Nine-Tails’ energy started to heal his body and that’s why he is not as harmed as he really was. But if he continues this cicle of great harm and rapid recovery, his body will pay the price and the span of his life will be shorten, even being him an alicorn.”

Twilight was quite unsettled with Golden Paladin’s explanation, but recovered quickly and then said:

"So we have to make sure that doesn't happen again. Golden Paladin, we can't open the seal again."

"Of course, Your Highness, I wouldn't repeat the feat" he replied.

"And another thing" Twilight said. "If the second tail comes to appear, you need to absorb the energy immediately. We can't take any risk."

Golden waved and then walked away, leaving Twilight alone.

"I'm not going to let anything bad happen to my son, not if I can help it" she said.