The Shinobi in Equestria

Preparation for the Grand Galloping Gala

Morning was soon to be upon Equestria and Luna was returning from her patrols. The wind was slow and the weather fair. The morning would be a blessing to the early rising folk. Her tower was left open, as per request which was handled by a maid not five minutes before the night Princess landed on her balcony. The room was quite similar to Star’s own, which would make sense since he was staying in her wing of the castle. The room was a dark blue, almost black. The layout was lavish to say the least. The floor was covered in a black carpet that was easy on the hooves and kept the room warm for the night Alicorn. The walls were covered in art that was long thought lost with such masterpieces as ‘Starswirl’s Night’, a piece that was thought destroyed during a fire that had burned most fierce in the palace vaults centuries ago.

She adored her lost treasures and held them with high regard. Something else that she held with high regard was her telescope. The object which allowed her to use the sky as her canvas as she painted her fabled night skies every night. The Princess had never painted a night for anyone other than her subjects and her sister when she was a filly. The night was her masterpiece and she graced her little ponies every night with it and her pride was clear.

Among the other prized objects was…..her bed.

“Ah, my old friend, I have missed you so. Tonight was dull and possessed a lack of luster that I would hope to see more of. I wish that I could have been with my shadow.” Luna’s heart was bursting with longing. She had last seen him thrashing around with his emotions in Celestia’s bed as she left for bed. He must have been tormented all day. As much as it pained her to say it, she had hoped her sister had taken care of his ‘problem’. Jealousy was the last thing on her mind when it came to his wellbeing. It was the same wellbeing which would be put on the line this upcoming evening when the Gala was scheduled to occur. The Gala was a place that would allow people to make bonds with those that would not usually have the outlet to meet. It also allowed the Princesses to forge alliances and see to diplomatic solutions with other ambassadors of other nations.

Now was not the time for such thought. The time struck 6am. Luna moved onto her balcony and looked across to her sister’s tower in wait.

Celestia opened her eyes slowly and stretched slightly in front of her as she came to life. Her stretch was cut slightly short as she hit something. Something that was soft, warm and moving. She began to run her eyes with confusion and her vision began to clear. What lay in front of her was her shadow, full with black hair and a warm smile. Star was still asleep and snoring very lightly. It was very cute. Celestia looked over his features as she recalled what had happened the day before. Molly had her day on Equestria and met Star. While Celestia was pushed back into her own mind, she could still see everything that was going on from the meeting that Molly and Star had to his embarrassment and his getaway attempt. She may have not been in her body at the time but she most certainly found Molly’s approach amusing. The poor dear would have had no idea if it was not for her other’s slip up. When Star had bolted from the room, Celestia had dearly wished that she could have recorded the event and had some popcorn at hand.

She nuzzled him in his neck and waited for a response, which she soon got.

“That Tickles…stop iiit…”

The nuzzling continued and Star was finally beginning to wake up. He pulled Celestia’s muzzle out of his neck and began to chuckle as she threw a pout about her face. The ninja couldn’t have said no to that face; not with what it was implying. Celestia moved forward and embraced her shadows lips and moaned slightly into his mouth as they shared the moment. The two came apart with a sigh between them. Star looked amusedly at his mare.

“I think that you have to do something, don’t you?”

“And what’s that, my dear?”

“Well…I’ll bet that Luna is waiting on her balcony for you right now.”

Celestia’s eyes shot open. How could she have been so foolish?! Her morning would be late and she had not missed a sunrise since she was a filly! She instantly threw the covers off of the both of them as she ran to her balcony. She opened the doors and moved outside to find Luna giving her a small smirk as she gazed upon her sister’s dishevelled form.

“Having fun sister? I bet our shadow is in there with his tongue lolling out of his mouth. I hope you didn’t break him.”

Celestia was absolutely scarlet at the claim! Albeit it was a half-truth as she did have fun and Molly sure did leave him with his tongue lolling out of his mouth… The thought alone caused her to shudder slightly.

“Please Luna; can we please just raise the sun? We have missed the day by a few minutes.”

With a chuckle, the two began their bi-daily ritual. They started to hover from the ground and they began to move the celestial bodies that now danced in the sky. The moon began its descent to behind Equestria as the golden orb in the sky took to its throne. The sisters finished their ritual and Luna landed on Celestia’s balcony.

“Is he here?”

Celestia smirked and opened the balcony doors with a hoof to reveal Star lying in bed with his hands behind his head, dopey smile on his face. Luna saw him and began to chuckle heartily.

“I guess that’s a yes Lu-Lu.”

Luna moved into her sister’s chambers and moved over to the ninja who was now looking in their general direction with a smile on his face. He sat up and began to speak.

“So… It would seem that tonight is your Gala, isn’t it? Will Twilight be in attendance?”

Celestia smiled from the balcony and nodded softly, the motherly demeanor never wavering when they were not in an intimate situation.

“Yes dear, she will be here for you to see and talk to but remember that whilst this is a party for most, some of us use it for political ends and that means that attacks are likely as displays of power and blah blah…”

Star was elated! He could see Twi and her friends and he could finally perform his ‘other’ duty tonight. He rose from the bed and moved to equip his Shokozu, feeling the eyes on his body. The Princesses also made themselves more presentable before moving down to breakfast.

The Banquet hall was a decently sized room that appeared it could hold 200 ponies. It sported 2 tables that spanned the length of the room and each was adorned with plates, cutlery, candelabras and napkins. During this time of the day, only the royal family was eating and so only one table was needed and less than a tenth of the table was being used. At the table sat 3 ponies. One was a white unicorn stallion that had a dark blue mane with flicks of lighter blue running through it. He wore a red sort of coat that covered the front half of his body. He was sitting next to and talking to an Alicorn that was laughing at him for something. The Alicorn’s fur was a light shade of pink. Her mane was streaks of white, purple and pink. She wore a crown upon her head which denoted her as a Princess. The last pony on the table was shouting for a servant to take his ‘commoner food’ away. He was the same white as the other stallion and was also a unicorn but sported a blonde mane. He seemed completely elitist to the bone and was still yelling by the time Celestia and Luna reached the table, Star seemingly gone.

“Auntie Celestia and Auntie Luna!” The pink pony had rose from her chair and galloped around the table to meet the two other Alicorns and met in an embrace.

“Hello Cadence. How is your husband over there? You’re not being too much for him to handle are you?” Luna chuckled slightly as Cadence began to blush.

“No auntie Luna, I think that he’s fine…”

Celestia shot a smile at her niece and also spoke up

“And how is your kingdom Cadence? I take it that your subjects are doing well?”

“Yes auntie Celestia. They are all working diligently and living happy, peaceful and loving lives. Speaking of loving lives, where is your new ‘guard’?”

“Our ‘shadow’, Cadence, is proving to us just what he learned in training and staying hidden for now. He’d be here should we ask. It was a little something of a prank that Luna wanted to play.”

“On who auntie?”

Celestia giggled and shook her head.

“All in good time my dear. Now let’s eat.”

The three moved to their respective seats and began to order their meals as servants came to take them. All ordered quietly but one. Blueblood was sat for a good 10 minutes explaining to the poor waiter who took down at least 2 pages of how he wanted his salad prepared. Celestia looked at her nephew and then to Luna who gave her a wink. She raised her spoon and hit her glass once.

*TINK*

The sound resonated quietly. Blueblood was still yapping away when a voice as cold as the grave whispered into his ear.

“What do you think you are doing?”

Blueblood turned even more impossibly white, his fur standing on end as the voice continued.

“The poor mare does not need to be pestered about the quality of your food. If the celestial sisters can eat it with no qualm then so can you…”

Blueblood was now quaking visibly with fear. Everyone was looking at him with confusion albeit the sisters who were staring with a knowing smile.

“Who are you?!”

“I’m Bat-…your worst nightmare!”

As the words hit Blueblood's ear a shadowy figure flew in from the sky and landed in front of him causing the pompous stallion to rear and fall from his cushion. Laughter erupted from the table and the staff surrounding as Blueblood hit the deck before fainting. The sisters looked up with false concern, full well knowing that it was a certain somepony. The figure that was standing in the middle of the table was bipedal and wearing nothing but black and donned a hooded cowl. The hood was thrown back and revealed the Princesses beloved shadow. The Princesses smiled and motioned for him to accompany them. Shining Armour was first to speak.

“Well, you certainly are fast and stealthy sir.”

The shadow turned to him with a smile.

“I have to be if I’m going to protect these two. As for combat, should the need arise, they showed me how to fight ponies too. Let’s hope that nothing does go askew eh?”

“Care to prove that fighting prowess?” Shining was staring at him with a smug smile.

“I guess I could spare a few minutes to fight. Let’s go.”

The two moved to the far side of the room. The guards began to move away, the nervous expression clear on their faces. The captain gave his legs a stretch. Star simply sat down and waited, staring at the unicorn. Shining laughed and cracked his neck. The guards could be heard whispering and taking bets.

“This is going to be good.”

“Get me 10 bits on the Captain.”

“I think that the Princess’ shadow is going to kick his ass…”

Shining made the first move and charged the human. Star wasn’t phased in the slightest. He stood up and prepped himself for impact.

Shining went for a head-butt and dove towards Star’s shoulder. The shadow took a step back and began a fall. Shining hit nothing and Star followed up with the force of his fall to pull the stallion into a throw. Shining flew through the air as he attempted to correct himself but landed with a sickening thud on his side.

He rose from the floor with the same determination that he had started the fight with. The charge that he started this time was far less fierce and more precise. Star moved his arms in and attempted to grab Shining again but was met with a swipe. The two then proceeded to battle in hand to horn combat, each deflecting each other’s jabs and swings until Shining turned quickly and delivered a kick that knocked Star off of his feet. The unicorn followed up his attack by a collection of punches that landed on Star’s forearms as he tucked into a foetal position to keep himself safe.

Star was getting hammered and he felt it. His arms were aching already, and the beating was not helping. He needed his edge. He let the pain subside as he focused, letting everything fade to a silence.

Shining was laying waste to the shadow and the guards surrounding them were looking as if to intervene. Celestia was also looking gravely concerned, never seeing Star get so beat up before. Luna, however, was smirking. She knew something. She had seen the aftermath of his work in the Everfree and she did never want to see that happen to anything else. Alas, she knew that Star was down, but not out…not by a long shot.

Star tuned back in and brought a hand out from his defensive position. It grabbed and twisted Shining’s leg, causing him to yelp and retreat slightly. He looked on as Star rose from the floor and looked at him with intent.

“Yield.”

Shining looked at him with confusion. Wasn’t he just on the floor in pain? Why was he standing like he had no injuries?

“Sorry fella, but I’m not losing here.” Shining began to cast a spell that would render Star unable to continue. It would have anyway…

Star practically flashed towards Shining and delivered a chop to the tip of his horn, causing the stallion to cry in pain and cancelling the magic spell. The onslaught that Star started bringing in the split seconds after the cancel brought the captain to the floor with a flurry of impossibly fast strikes, all hitting precise points that were slowly disabling Shining’s legs.

The stallion fell with a thunk, unable to continue as his legs failed him. He looked up, bruised and smiling all the while.

“I guess that’s your victory, Shadow. Now help me over to my wife would you?”

Star was panting heavily but laughed at the captain. He was alright in his book.

The two hobbled to Cadence who was smiling weakly. Shining was handed over to her and she kissed him on the cheek as she began to heal him. The bruises and cuts that were sustained from the fight were healing and sewing themselves up.

Star moved to a seat near Celestia and Luna as the two approached.

“Are you ok, dear?” Celestia was looking rather concerned but at the same time, was completely full of pride at the feat. It’s not every day that the captain of the guard is beaten.

“I’m fine Celestia. Do you think that you could patch me up? I’m not really feeling on my ‘A game’ right now.”

Celestia and Luna both looked at him before each placing a kiss on opposite cheeks and channelling magic through their lips. The magic coursed through the injuries that star had sustained and slowly soothed the wounds into submission, like a mother comforting a child. The magic subsided and Star looked at both of them with hazy eyes.

“Well that was different…and surprisingly refreshing!” Star gave a stretch and a yawn before continuing.

“So, what is on the schedule today girls?”

The sisters to each other as though sharing a thought and Luna began the reply.

“We have a good few things that we must do before the Gala. We must obtain our outfits, yours included. They are being created by a royal seamstress and she has never disappointed before.”

“Who is the seamstress?”

“Ponyville’s own Miss Rarity. We are travelling very shortly to receive final fits and collect them.”

Celestia picked up from were Luna had left it.

“We then have to go and check the roster of attendees to see which nations are attending. This lets me prepare topics for discussion depending on the ambassador. After that travesty is taken care of, we have to check the staff and that their duties are assigned properly. “

Star sighed…this was going to be a long day.

Breakfast was concluded with small talk and throes of laughter as Blueblood finally woke up, still shaken at being scared so badly. Celestia and Luna bid farewell to Cadence and Shining as they prepared to depart to Ponyville with Star for their outfits. They stood in the center of the hall and beckoned Star over. Their shadow moved in between them and received a mischievous bump from each sister before a small chorus of laughter broke out. The three began to glow a dark blue as Luna prepared to teleport them to the Carousel Boutique.

With a flash and a pop, the three of them appeared in what seemed like a back room that was stacked high with boxes full of fabrics and gems, all of which seemed to be moved to clear space. In a corner of the room was a white mare that was sipping a cup of tea and observed the new arrivals through glasses that adorned her muzzle.

“Hello Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Also, it’s good to see you again Star, how have you been?”

“I have been great Rarity, though there have been the up and down moments of my time in Canterlot…” Star eyed each princess with a sly grin on his face. They both simply avoided his eyes, trying to look completely innocent.

Rarity laughed and put her cup down. She moved towards some of the boxes and beckoned them to another stack revealing a large wardrobe. She placed her horn inside and flared her magic briefly, a click was heard and the doors opened. Inside was a collection of dresses and tuxedoes that looked like they cost a small town’s worth off fabric and gems. Star also spotted a few other Shokozu. Rarity was practicing clothing for him.

“Here we have the dresses for the Princesses. And we also have a new Shokozu for you Star; I have been attempting to weave magic into this one, granting rejuvenation and increased jump height. It also comes with Mithril mesh into the chest, knees and elbows, courtesy of little Spike. It will be a bit heavier but I assure you that the rewards are worth it. It also comes with a cape for masking your shadow whilst you go about your business, as per request from Princess Luna. Celestia also wove a telepathic link into the fabric that will let you communicate with either herself or Luna while you have it equipped.”

Star was left a little struck and dazed.

“T-That’s an awful lot for me…”

Luna and Celestia pressed their lips onto each of his cheeks, causing the ninja to blush. They all smiled jovially and Rarity continued.

“They care for you and you can’t put a price on that, which I didn’t” The unicorn smiled and chuckled quietly.

“Alright, Princess Luna, can you please stand in the center of the room and we can fit you with your dress.”

Luna complied and the rest of the occupants moved to the side of the room to let Rarity work. Magic flew around the room as a midnight black dress slowly began to move from the wardrobe and placed itself, piece by piece, onto the night Princess.

The front started with a gem woven into the front of the dress which looked like a moon and star made out of Jet. The dress seemed woven out of some kind of dark blue silk that shone dimly in the light of the room. The flair on the back of the dress was covered in silver flecks that looked like small stars being scattered into the wind. The shoes that came with the dress were made of Obsidian and were adorned with small swirling blue crystals in the center of each shoe. Luna looked gorgeous!

She raised a shod hoof and admired it for a brief few seconds before giving a small twirl to show the dress to the others.

“So, what do you think?”

Celestia looked at her little sister and smiled.

“You look beautiful dear. Look at what you have done to poor Astartes.” They both looked at their shadow and giggled as he stood there with mouth agape. Rarity chimed in shortly after with a cheerful voice.

“If that’s what happens when one of you are in your dress then wait until you don your outfit Princess.”

Celestia nodded and proceeded to take her sister’s place. Rarity began assembling the dress in a similar manner that Luna’s was.

The dress’ front had a sun crafted out of what looked like gold and platinum. The outfit itself looked like it was woven from a white thread that matched the colour of her fur. The tail of the dress was showered in a sparkling dust that was a myriad of colours, similar to that of Celestia’s tail. The shoes that came with this dress were white gold and had diamond studs in the center.

Celestia looked at the dress’ front and tail and smiled most sincerely.

“Thank you Rarity, for these wondrous dresses. One of these days you will have to accept payment for such a thing you know.”

“Princess, it really is no bother for me, especially when I can design such complex outfits. They really let me sink my teeth into my work.”

The three of them thanked the unicorn and teleported back to the castle with outfits in tow. Star was the only one that arrived in his outfit as the ladies had theirs wrapped and ready for the evening. They arrived in the throne room and Star was the first to speak.

“So, what’s next?”

“We are to quickly check the roster before we look at the staff duties. Then the Gala can commence!”

The three shared a knowing smile before moving to the temporary planning department of the palace. The room was full of paper invites and ponies writing on desks. It was hectic to say the least!

Celestia headed to a desk and retrieved a slip of paper from one of the frantic stallions that was working there and walked back.

“Just like that? I thought that we’d be here for at least an hour.”

“I thought that it would be a bother so I asked for a simplified version of the list. Never say that I’m not thoughtful.”

“I won’t dear. So which kingdoms are in attendance?”

Celestia looked down the list and read out each of the races.

“We have ambassadors from the Gryphon, Cat, and lizard kingdoms. The lizards are representing Dragon kind too.”

“Anything that I will need to be aware of, maybe the chance that something shall start?”

Luna and Celestia looked at their shadow lovingly, him mentioning their protection so direly. Luna answered his question.

“We do not expect any kingdom to step out of line. It is merely a precaution as it has happened before and is like to happen again.”

Star looked pleased at the news. It would seem he could spend more time with the girls and still guard his princesses.

“Ok. It puts my mind at ease knowing that.”

The final duty was to check the guard schedules and guards that would be on duty. That meant a trip to the barracks.

The group entered the barracks with gusto, causing many off duty guards to scramble to the front of their beds and desk to salute the princesses as they passed.

Shining was sitting at a desk at the far edge of the room, writing frantically.

Celestia approached the captain with Luna and Star not far behind.

“Shining?”

The captain looked up to see the fellowship looking at him, smiling. He rose to his hooves and saluted them which brought a chuckle from Star and a smile from Shining.

“What can I do for you princesses?”

“We need a duty sheet of all the guards in the throne room and the gardens.”

The captain smiled and looked at his desk for a good minute for a small, folded piece of paper and handed it to Celestia.

“That has the names of every guard in each location, throne room and garden included. On the back is the map of their positioning and it also has the shift changes on the bottom of the map.”

“Thank you Shining. Now, go and find your wife and prepare for the Gala. You are not on duty tonight.”

“No, thank you your highness. It has been too long since me and Cadence had some time together.”

The fellowship walked out of the barracks and strolled back to the throne room, beaming all the while. Star was the first to speak upon entering the colossal room.

“So…what now?”

Luna looked at him with a smirk.

“Now…now we play the waiting game.”

Author's Note

Ok, first things first.....

I'M SORRY FOR THE WAIT!

I was hoping for a very large chapter and that was as far as I got without continuously blowing it off so I decided to split it and post this. Hopefully this will save you until the next chapter is out.

Till then, friends.

PS. Thank you for supporting me. The positive encouragement brings me nothing but happiness! :D