The Shinobi in Equestria

A Shadow’s Duties

A week flew by in the village of Ponyville. Star had made a rapid recovery, being out of bed by the evening of the following morning since Luna and Celestia bid him farewell. Now another question sprung to mind. What was a shadow? Was it a rank? Was he getting a job? Even Twilight didn’t know what it was and that really stirred her up. She spent almost a whole day looking for anything about it and only found some names in large ancient tomes. This was truly an enigma until he was summoned to Canterlot Palace by the Princesses. He decided to get some money together to take with him and perform a severe schedule of exercise. His body felt like that of a god after whatever the Princesses had done to him. He could lift a full bushel bucket from Applejacks farm without strain and could run the length of the lake at least seven times before tiring.
The thing that concerned him most would be why was he being given this chance? What had he done that had merited such an opportunity? He guessed that it was ridiculously prestigious since twilight only found 1 name with any reference at all to the position.

He was returning from Rarity’s boutique with a new customised Shokozu that had a few more pockets on the insides and had leather woven in the fabric to provide more protection. This was a brilliant piece from what she had to work with. The Shokozu fit perfectly. She had done this after she had finished the dresses for the Gala that she and the girls would wear. Turns out that they always went and apparently it was practically a noble’s affair, nothing more.

He made his way to Twilight’s tree with his new equipment and found her sleeping face first in a musty old book snoring cutely. She was adorable! He gave a light chuckle before heading upstairs without making a sound. He had to prepare for his journey to Canterlot.

Star entered his room and began his preparation. He removed his sword and moved to the drawer that he had forgotten for the longest time and began to lay them out. The poison darts that he had bought here had long since dried up and were now far less potent. He placed them to one side and started on the rest. The Bamboo Darts were always good to go, being basic with nothing on them. The throwing knives that followed were in a belt that was supposed to drape over the shoulder and had 10 in it. They were lain out in front of him, ready for the big day. Smoke bombs were also on the agenda and were full of powders and herbs that would confuse those that were not expecting it, all inside a small capsule made from clay sealed with explosives. All was set, ready for the day that would soon be upon him.

Twilight woke with a sneeze. “A-achoo!” She sat up on her rump as she shook her head to clear the dust from in front of her face. She heard a scraping upstairs and figured it was either Spike or Star. She wondered what would happen to Star. “Will I ever see him again?” She thought back to the night that she had been ‘observing’ him in the shower. She really felt something for him. He was nice, mysterious and….hot! She didn’t know why she found him so attractive. Maybe it was the muscles that he had been developing as of late. Something was really making him nervous if he was training this hard. Twilight was as nervous as him about what he would face. What was a Shadow of the Princesses? She only found another who had ever bore the title. Icarus Silverspear, a hero who bore the title Shadow who had taken a fatal blow for the Princesses millennia ago. The man was only legend apparently and now a humble stranger to their world was being accepted to the rank. Did the Princesses have something for Astartes? Maybe they really liked him and wanted to see more of him. Or maybe they were interested in his combat prowess. He was proven to be absolutely deadly. Nothing could stop her train of thought. At least, nothing quiet that is.

*Thunk!*

Twilight heard a loud bang above her and began to ascend the stairs as she wondered what it could be. She approached Star’s room and knocked. A reply quickly followed.

“Come in!” Star sounded very cheerful. Twilight opened the door with her magic and jumped slightly at the sight. There were so many weapons! She had never seen any of these when Star was first here. Star was busy picking up a heavy whetstone when Twilight began to shout “Star! Where did all these come from?” Twilight was still in shock.

“Uh… I was wearing all of these when I arrived in Equestria, Twilight.”

“What?! I don’t believe you! You couldn’t hide all of that in your attire.” Twilight smirked as she knew that she was right. Star simply pulled back the fold at the front of his Shokozu and showed the collection of pockets that Rarity had sewn in for him. Twilight’s smug grin was soon lost as she was proven wrong but soon found it again after Star began to laugh. It was too nice a time to be glum.

The night was a blessing as it arrived. The ‘family’ was downstairs all reading and chatting peacefully while sipping tea when Star sat up and stretched his arms before releasing a heavy yawn. It was time for bed and it was most certainly getting late. A yawn from the other parties present only caused that fact to ring true a second and third time. Star put down his book, titled: ‘Equestrian Military: A History’ and gave out his hugs. Spike was quick and brotherly whilst Twilight seemed to hang on in an attempt to make the moment last. They all slowly ascended the stairs and took to their respective bedrooms, with Twilight and Spike taking a left into her room and Star taking a right. The weapons were laid out in front of him for tomorrow. “I don’t think that I have ever been this nervous!” He whispered to himself.

He removed all his clothes, save his undergarments and began to lay down when the door creaked open. A purple hoof crept round the door and a soft voice rang out. “Star, do you have a minute?” It was Twilight and she sounded absolutely exhausted. Star sat down with a blanket over his lap, covering his nether regions, and turned to the door to reply.
“Yes Twilight, I’m not asleep yet.” The door creaked opened further to show Twilight as she walked up to Star with a sleepy expression adorning her cute features. “I want to talk about when you go to Canterlot.” She sat down next to him and faced him with a smile. “What about my trip to Canterlot?”

Twilight seemed to sniff as she found her reply. “Will you come back?” She ushered in the quietest voice she could muster. Star found nothing but a smile and a light chuckle. “Of course I’m coming back Twilight. You guys are pretty much family to me here. Maybe even a bit more. And if it is loneliness that you have in mind, then you will be attending the Gala in about one week. So I won’t be gone all that long.” Twilight was blushing and shedding tears of joy. She was so happy! He was going to come ba-… home. She charged the short distance to Star’s torso and nuzzled into him, getting tears all over his bare chest. He could only return the hug with joy as he comforted the mare. She was truly his best friend. She always cared so much for him. And she panicked like she was his mother. He broke the hug as he looked into her eyes and moved forward, closing the gap of chaotic emotions between them and planted a firm kiss on her lips. Twilight’s eyes shot open at the sudden feeling before beginning to melt in his embrace. She had wanted to do this for so long! To feel his body so close to hers. She was in heaven. All good things however, must come to an end and the kiss broke between the two of them. Star was first to recover, with a dopey smile on his face.

“Think of it as something to remember me by. Good night Twilight.” Star helped the star struck mare to her feet and led her from the bed to her room and into her bed. He pulled her covers down and helped her lay down before tucking her in. He walked to Twilight’s door and turned to face the mare.

“Till the Gala Twi.” Star turned and returned to his room, almost skipping between steps.

The morning came with a vengeance, sunlight striking the ninja in the face with a fury, as if….directed at his face to wake him up. “Mornin’ to you too, Celestia…” Star wiped his eyes of any sleep as he rose. Today was the day. Not even up for a minute and he was already sweating. What would unfold today? He had better get ready for soon, a Carriage would arrive to escort him to the palace. He almost fell out of bed but managed to rise to his equipment without a creak or any noise for that matter. First, a quiet wash was required. He moved through his door and landed downstairs and slid into the bathroom. He looked at his options and saw only one way to go. Sink wash. Anything else would be far too loud and would awaken Twi and Spike. He moved over to the sink and turned on the taps. They began to cause a pool of hot water to form in the sink. Star began to use a flannel to scrub over his body with the aid of a soap bar that was on the cabinet next to the sink, just above the toilet. The wash was sufficient for now. He cleaned up what mess he had made and slipped back upstairs to prepare.

He moved over to give a final inspection to the gear that he was taking with him. He still wasn't sure what he was going to be doing but it was better to be safe than sorry. He equipped his Shokozu and began to fill the hidden pockets with his assorted darts and smoke bombs. He then placed his belt over one shoulder and tied it at the lower back. This was the most difficult of the attire to equip. He moved to his mirror in the room to observe his final look. The only thing that he was missing was his cowl, which he carried tucked within his belt. He was sure that it would not be needed, not that It would help when you are the only biped that was going to be anywhere near Canterlot. As he turned to the door to his room, he heard the sound of metal on wood. The carriage that was supposed to take him to Canterlot had arrived.

He looked outside to see a silver wagon that was being pulled by two of Celestia’s sun guards, who must have just came on duty seeing as it’s the crack of dawn. The time was upon him to meet the two who had summoned him to the capital in the first place. He moved out of his room and down to Twilight’s writing desk. He grabbed a quill and parchment. Dipping the quill in the inkwell, he began to write a simple note out:

‘See you all at the Gala.
~Astartes’

He left the note on the table by the front door and opened it before stepping out into the warm morning sun.
The guards that were pulling the carriage were looking at him with intrigue. They had never seen such an outfit…or creature for that matter. It spoke up. “Are you two to take me to Canterlot?” The two guards looked at Star with a smile before replying in unison: “Yes sir.”
Star opened the door to the wagon before stepping inside and closing it, sitting down on the left side of the back seat. He poked his head out of the window and signaled the guards that were in front. “All good to go ladies.” The Pegasus gave a slight giggle before flapping their wings and taking off into the sky. Star rest his head on the window ledge and began to drift to sleep, awaiting arrival which would probably be 2 hours at least.

The carriage landed with a clatter, waking the snoring ninja. He was startled at first but soon collected himself as the environment became clear. The castle looked so much bigger from the front gates than Ponyville. A black dot could be seen at the end of the path leading up to the front gates of the palace. The dot quickly became larger as it was revealed to be a pony that was dressed in the most formal attire that he had ever witnessed on a stallion before. It seemed that he was a butler of sorts. The stallion arrived at the carriage and poked his head through the window slightly.

“Mr. Astartes? I have been sent to collect you for an audience with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” Star began to shuffle toward the door, stepped out and then closed it. He stretched his legs and looked at the path ahead before turning to the butler. “Lead on, please.” The butler gave one simple nod before beginning on the road to the building. The guards at the front gate never flinched nor moved as he passed. They were really dedicated to their jobs…yeesh. The path finally began to shorten and they reached the front doors. The butler turned before the doors and faced the human.

“The Throne Room is just beyond this point. Good luck sir.” The pony then walked off to the side into a much smaller door and was soon out of sight and mind. Star faced the large door and sighed. “Here we go…” Star pushed the door open and strode in with his head held high. He was in the throne room that he remembered so well. He strode to the front of the steps in the throne room and looked up to see the two Alicorns that he fondly remembered staring back at him with almost…sultry smiles on their faces, albeit Luna looking awfully tired.
He began to chuckle as he began to speak.

“Hello Princess Celestia. Hello Princess Luna. How are you two this fine morning?” They looked at him with beaming happiness before Luna spoke. “Tired, so tired...” Celestia and Star chuckled at the Princess of the night’s predicament. Celestia turned back to give her answer. “I’m doing swimmingly dear.” Star was now awaiting whatever Celestia and Luna had called him here for.

“I expect by now that you are questioning why we brought you here Star. To make it simple, you are going to become our Shadow.” Star heard it again. “Princess, what is a Shadow exactly?” Both princesses began to blush slightly. Luna was the one to respond this time. “A Royal Shadow has not been called for in millennia. The last and only other to hold the title was Icarus Silverspear. He is the most elite of our entire guard. He puts his life on the line for the protection of us although it is so much more than that. Shadows are also the closest that one can get to us. You would become….a consort if you will.” Star’s eyes were now almost out of his eyes. A consort?! He liked both of the princesses very much. Very much! They were both brilliant in their own ways. Celestia was always caring and kind, never criticizing him, only encouraging. Luna was quiet yet mysterious and brought his humble night that he loved so much.
“I would practically become both your husband, that’s right?” Celestia and Luna both glowed a deeper shade of red as Star came to him conclusion. He was right. It was practically an unofficial marriage. He was about to become so close to the both of them... and it was just as they wanted.

“We are both quite taken with you Star. You are a wonderful, kind man who has a forgiving heart, unearthly strength, bountiful courage, sharp cunning and endless love.” Smiles never left any of the three of them. “Thank you princess. I would never have thought that I could mean so much to anyone. Especially goddesses among ponies.”
Star thought of his future with this path, of Twilight. How would she take the news that he was practically marrying the princesses and becoming their closest bodyguard? What would she say? The question had to be asked. “Celestia? Would this relationship be closed? Or would it be open to addition?”

Celestia shot the man a knowing smirk and began to open her mouth in response. “My my, are we not enough for you, Star? I think I feel a little insulted!” A small ‘harrumph’ left Celly’s lips as she and her sister began to giggle. “It isn't that princess…it’s that I kind of feel something for another pony other than you two.”

“Oh? It wouldn't happen to be my faithful student Twilight Sparkle, would it?” Celestia moved slightly forward in her seat smirk never faltering. “You knew?!” Luna began to chuckle as she turned to her sister “Dear sister Trollestia, allow me to handle this one.” Celestia was now giggling in fits as Luna faced Star. “Star, with the way that she was acting towards you since the day that she met you; we could tell that she was attracted to you. She was never this energetic about anything! You really mean something to that little mare and we would find it criminal to bar her from you. You will be allowed to love any other mares you see fit, as long as you come back to us, we will be happy.” Star could not believe what he was hearing. He was allowed to love anyone that he wanted and not break any hearts. This was brilliant! But it couldn’t be the only reason that he was summoned here.
“Is there anything else that is required of me whilst I’m here?” The sisters nodded in unison. Celestia spoke up. “Yes sweetheart, you will be staying at the castle this week. You are to protect myself and Luna during the Grand Galloping Gala. With the Gryphon Ambassadors attending. Things will surely heat up and it would be nice to have you there to help with it. Thought that is not all that you will be dealing with. There could be a myriad of other ways that people could attempt on our lives. So this week up until the event, we will be giving you personalised training on protection of us, proper attire and etiquette and the layout of the castle should you need to know your way around.”

Star’s brain was boggling. He had only one week to learn all of this information! He gulped as he asked the most important question at that moment.

“When do we begin?” A laugh could be heard from both sisters as they began to speak, once again, in unison.

“Tonight.”

Author's Note

I managed to find time to write out this chapter without getting bombed by college work! BOOM! Score one for the student!