The Classic Stubborn Episode

Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x ?

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Story Start

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In the courtyard of the training grounds of the royal guard, orders were being yelled, drills being executed and combat training taking place. The air was filled with shouts and cries, and the loudest of them all came from the group that was surrounding the fighting circle, watching two Stallions fling themselves at Naruto with reckless abandon.

Try as they might the ponies were met with slams, kicks, and tackles. Blood dripped from cuts and bruises forming from where they had been hit. The Princesses worry about the guards being soft were quite well founded. While they may have been equipped to handle normal criminals, if the guards encountered anything that had at least a third of Nightmare Moon's power they wouldn't be long for this world.

The two stallions opposite of Naruto had a dark gray coat, black tails, tufts of hair on the tips of their ears, bat-like wings, and cat-like slit pupils. Their armor was purple with a webbed crest over the helm. These were Chiropterasai or Bat-Ponies, a breed of Pegasus with bat-like traits whose genetic ancestor or birth was shrouded in much mystery.

"That is enough!" Naruto's voice boomed as his two opponents head kneeled in resignation. "And that will be the result for all of you who attempt to take on a foe with far more skill then you. In some cases even numbers can't make up for the difference. Growing too reliant on your flight speed and neglecting your ground speed can leave you crippled when forced into inside close quarter combat. If you can speed blitz your opponent you can keep them off ground. Don't give them think to react or think of a plan. You can be a hundred times stronger than your opponent or can beat them in multiple forms of combat, but all they need is one well thought out plan to take you down.

However speed can also be an important factor for other reasons. Like for instance, if you find yourself encountering a large opponent too powerful for direct combat. You can outlast them, which can often lead to them becoming frustrated. An angry enemy can make a sloppy mistake and you can capitalize on that. Though, at the end of the day these tips are only in case you find yourself on your own. I was once told by my teacher those who don't follow the rules are trash. While it is true that we guard and fight for the good of Equestria and her ponies those who abandon their comrades are even less than trash.

"Are there any questions?"

All of the assembled Night Guard-members stood to attention and roared as one. "No captain!" with that Naruto dismissed the Night Guard members. After a two hour trek Naruto arrived back to Ponyville. He would take a quick nap, grab some of his scrolls and returned back to Canterlot by night fall or that was the plan until he got a knock on his door.

"Twilight?" the purple unicorn was the last person he expected to arrive to be on the other side of his door. He had just got back from meeting some of the members for his guard and was looking forward to spend much of the day napping.

"Good afternoon, I'm sorry to disturb you Naruto but I need some advice."

"Sure," Naruto waved a hoof. "…come on in." Naruto opened the door wider and invited Twilight inside. Naruto's home was a bit more…orange than the Pegasus was expected. It seemed rather basic, clean, as if someone bleached down the place and simply filled it with the most basic of furniture. Simple oak tables and a couch filled the living room area while the kitchen had the most basic of appliances.

It wasn't until they passed one scroll littered with scrolls all over the table, several books opened and a barrel of ink was Twilight glimpse and inkling of personality. She was also able to get a glimpse of paper with calculations. "Curious aren't you?" she heard Naruto spoke in front of her.

"S-Sorry." The unicorn quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to pry into your personal business I was just curious."

"Its fine. I brought you back here so I suppose I don't have any right to be angry about you seeing any personal materials I left lying about." They came stop to a small and rather empty room with a large mahogany table and two cushion seats. The furniture was situated by the window that gave out an amazing view to the town from quite the distance. While Naruto's cottage wasn't as secluded as Fluttershy's he didn't receive many visitors as one would happen to go out of their way to go to this little section of town. "Could I offer you anything? Water? Tea?"

"No thank you." Twilight politely declined. "I've noticed when it comes to having and dealing with friends you've proven to be really good at it. I was wondering if you could help me with a friendship problem." Twilight took a seat on one of the cushions.

"I don't see why I wouldn't be able to. So what's this about?" he asked, taking the seat opposite of her.

"Do you remember what happened earlier today?"

"You mean the stampede?" he asked as Twilight nodded. The mood that filled the area was rather somber for a lack of better word. From what Naruto could remember Applejack and her dog Winona were able to herd the stampede quite effectively. He also remembered plans for a party and Applejack being given a reward.

"…and because of it Applejack had been overworking herself." Twilight finished explaining the details.

"I see…" Big Mcintosh's injury was news to him. He had just seen the apple family the other day and he seemed to be in good health. What wasn't news to him was Applejack's stubbornness. Stubbornness seemed to be one of the defining traits of orange ponies. "And she's determined to do it all on her own huh?" he finished as Twilight nodded. "All we can do is to be willing to offer her help. Trust me; some ponies are so stubborn they really need things hammered into their head the hard way."

"In other words if you were born a mare and had an accent."

"You know Kurama, I think I liked it better when the only time you talked was when you had something important to say."

"Well I'm hoping Applejack will be willing to listen to reason. She's already gotten to the point where she can barely stay awake and I don't think the residents of Ponyville can take anymore Baked Bads." At the end of her statement she saw Naruto's eyes furrowed in confusion. "Applejack was helping Pinkie Pie bake things and misheard her."

Pinkie Pie plus a tired and delirious Applejack was not a combination that would end well for anyone.

Naruto trekked down a dirt path, entering Sweet Apple Acres. In the distance he could see countless trees with apples hanging on them. With the right number of Kagebunshin harvesting the apples would probably only take the better part of the day in terms of tending to the entire orchard. The sound of galloping hooves caught his attention.

Extending his front leg he managed to nab the little yellow torpedo that dove right at him. A squeal escaped the lips of the little pony. "Tarnations! Ah thought ah had you that time."

"You're still a few too years too young to get one over me. How you doing Appleboom?"

"Ah'm doing good."

"So where's your sister? I have something I need to discuss with her."

"Ah haven't seen her all morning. She's been acting kookier than fruit bat in the summer. Getting up during all hours of the morning. She won't even let me help her." The filly finished with a pout.

"I see…what about Granny Apple?"

"She's on the front porch chair nappin."

"I love to stay and chat, but I have things to do. So I'll be by later." He could tell by the way the filly deflated that she must have felt lonely, what with Applejack being busy and Big Mac's injury.

"Ok."

Naruto went around front where the Apple matriarch was peacefully rocking in a chair. He smiled, "Afternoon, Granny Smith."

The aged mare smiled back, "G' afternoon ta you, too, young'un. Y'all hear to talk some sense in ta that niece of mine?"

Naruto couldn't help but grin. "You tried too huh?"

"Child is just like her maw. Stubborn as they come and twice as determined to handle everything on her own."

"I understand where she comes from. Though the length I went to keep my promises went way beyond some mere exhaustion. Though from what I'm hearing if Applejack keeps this up she'll end of driving herself sick or hurting someone."

"Can't tell young'uns nothing nowadays. Though say if she had something to take 'er mind off things. Like a handsome young buck."

Naruto sighed and rolled eyes. "Told you before Granny Smith, Applejack and I are just friends."

The woman let out a cackle. "You can't blame an ol' gal for trying."

What was with older people, ponies, whatever and they're desire to have grand children?

Applejack shook the sweat from her brow and smirked: so far, she had bucked nearly every tree. It had taken her nearly a week, but she was almost finished. As long as she kept a good pace, she'd be finished before the day ended.

"Everyone's worried about you, you know."

"Was wondering when y'all show up." Applejack turned to face the blond.

To his credit Naruto didn't show a hint of emotion. Between her bloodshot eyes, sagging bags, and disheveled hair Applejack looked downright awful. A far cry from her usual safe. Nothing from the cute and nonsense cowgirl.

Wait a minute. Cute? Naruto silently cursed the old woman and her insinuations of good apple genes and talks about good birthing hips. Why did he even have a thought relating Applejack as cute? He shook his head.

"Applejack…" he began only to be cut off.

"Ah'll be done soon so Ah don't need no help. Ah said I'd buck all these trees and ah'm sticking to my word."

"Not at the price of driving yourself sick. I've heard about the incident with Dash, Twilight, and especially the one with Pinkie Pie. For all you know your food could have caused…death. Its lucky no one was seriously hurt." Just one very happy baby dragon who could eat just about anything.

The mare grunted in annoyance and turned, "Ya might as well give up, Naruto. I'm a mare of my word."

"Gah…its like trying to argue with myself."

"If I recalled that happened once."

"Not helping Kurama."

"Applejack, enough is enough. You. Need. Help." The two looked up in surprise to see Twilight had arrived. "I wanted to respect your wishes, I really did, but this isn't healthy. Aren't friends suppose to depend on each other?"

One final buck, and the last batch of apples fell into the baskets draped over Applejack's back. She let out a single laugh of satisfaction, "No, Ah don't. Look! Ah did it! Ah harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without yer help. How do you like them apples?"

Big Mac, who had been watching the scene from close by, decided that as the eldest, it was his sacred duty to burst his sister's bubble, "Um, how do you like them apples?" He jerked his head in another direction revealing more apple trees, still bearing their delicious red fruit. Apparently, Applejack had only reached the halfway point.

The shock caused her mind to short circuit, reducing her to unintelligible mumbles before she fainted clean away.

"...lejack? ...plejack?"

"...ome on...wake...p!"

She could hear muffled voices. Two of them. They sounded so familiar.

Opening her eyes, her blurred slowly cleared to reveal the concerned faces of Twilight and Naruto. She tried to say something to let them know she was alright, but her voice failed her: she was just so tired.

Twilight sighed with relief, "Oh, good. You're okay."

A sigh escaped his lips. "You pushed yourself too hard AJ. You really worried us you know."

Applejack closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again, "Ah'm sorry."

Twilight spoke up, "Now Applejack; I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help any pony in need. So maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you."

During the Unicorn's little speech, Applejack gazed off into the seemingly endless throng of apple trees. After what she had put herself through over the past week, she wasn't willing to try it a second time, "Okay, Twilight."

Having been expecting another refusal, Twilight continued, "I am not taking no for an answer." Then what had been said clicked immediately, "What?"

Lying there on the ground pitifully, Applejack begged, "Yes, Twilight." She brought her front hooves together as if in prayer, "Yes, please: Ah could really use your help."

Naruto chuckled softly to himself. "Well you heard her. I think the others won't mind helping either, if only to help prevent another appearance of delirious AJ."

In no time at all, the other Element bearers arrived at the farm.

Twilight and Naruto were making amazingly short work of large sections of trees. Twilight, using her incredible Unicorn abilities, levitated hundreds of apples at a time, while Naruto summoned dozens of Kagebunshin whom plucked the apples from the trees with ease.

Well into their harvesting, Applejack eventually came out with some refreshing apple juice. The group decided to take a break and partake in the no-doubt delicious drink.

As they gathered, Applejack spoke up, "Everypony, I can't thank you enough for this help. Ah was acting... a bit stubborn."

"A bit?" Twilight quipped.

"Okay," Applejack conceded, "A might stubborn. And Ah'm awful sorry. Now, Ah know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you all as my friends." And with that another day ended.

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Chapter End

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I kind of lost track of what I wanted to do with this chapter. Should I introduce this character? Should I go this route. Meh, I gave up and went with the next episode.

Episodes 6, 7, 9, and 22 if these are the ones I'm thinking about will be featured most prominently out of the episodes. My idea is to blend in some of the comic continuity in due time though.

Anyway I've only came up with the idea and concepts of some original characters and will be introducing them soon along with some other subplots. Until then I hope you guys enjoy.

Also if I get enough reviews asking for it, I'll continue with my idea of a series of Naruto x Twilight. I'm thinking of naming it. Twizuki: Adorkable moments. All and all I'm also trying to think of further backstory moments to showcase Naruto's friendship with the rest of the Mane Six more. With that said I'll see you guys next chapter.

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Preview – This is a preview to the sequel of my story Celestia's Fury.

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Within Canterlot castle something wondrous was happening. In a bedroom of the castle a display of magic was being performed. Despite it being a small by the scope of magic the youth of its user was what made it amazing. A little filly, with a coat as pink as Sakura petals and blonde highlights was levitating a little sun. The child's horn glowed as it levitated the little make shift sun.

"Oh my, raising the Sun are we?" the child turned to face the voice of her mother, Princess Celestia.

"Mama." The Sun was forgotten, dropping to the ground as the child rushed over and greeted her mother. "Are you done with your meetings?"

Celestia laughed lightly. "Indeed I am. That means I get to spend the rest of the day with you my little Sunstorm." She said, watching the smile grow wide on Sunstorm's face.

"Can we go flying to Ponyville and visit Auntie Twilight and the others? Can we? Please mama."

Celestia mulled over the answer. Sunstorm was still so young and she feared the possibility of an incident. There was a reason why Celestia always had guards stationed nearby at all times. She wanted her to be safe more than anything. As she looked down at her daughter's hopeful eyes she gave in. If anything going where Twilight and the others were would only add an extra line of protection.

After all if an enemy who could fight on par with her decided to attack the town they wouldn't last long against the elements. "Very well my little Sunshine."

Meanwhile far within the depths of the planet at the gates of Tartarus stood a massive canine with black fur and three spiked collars fitted around the three heads of the demonic guard of the void itself. This creature was known as Cerberus. One after another the creature's heads began to speak.

"Little foal the deal is set…"

"...defeat and retrieve our siblings…"

"…and your life is yours."

"Fail…"

"…and your soul will be…"

"…sent to the underworld."

"I never thought I have to fight death itself to keep a promise, but then again I suppose this is just another day in my life." The speaker was none other than an intangible Naruto. He wasn't fully dead yet he wasn't fully alive either. 'Wait for me Celestia. I'll be home soon.' Naruto thought as he was developed in a red mist and transported where he would find the first of Cerberus's siblings.'