Author's Note

I said I’m back and I meant it. I may have already done two chapters of Seasons of Darkness but that doesn’t mean I’m ignoring my other stories.

Now enjoy.

And before anybody says anything, this story is based off a Kyuubi but not Kurama from Naruto.

It’s a completely original idea from a long time ago which his own story that will unfold.

No anime references of any sort. I’m going with the more mythological approach in combination of spiritual power and not magical power.

Territorial Nature

Leo remained silent during his walk to Sweet Apple Acres with Luna and Rarity sitting high on his back. Rarity however kept herself a more proper position to appear as if she were a goddess amongst the ponies, riding a grand beast she conquered earlier with food while simply enjoyed the view.

It wasn’t often that the town saw Leo in his more beastly state but nopony was against seeing the fox spirit march down the street in what they could describe as an amazing site to behold. Even some of the foals tried to jump on his tails or hang to be playfully dragged across the ground.

Who could resist such fun with a gentle creature?

“Your fragrance is simply divine, nephew.” Rarity complimented, basking in the homemade strawberry shampoo she forcefully used on him earlier, earning a low huff from the boy.

Leo’a mind was screaming to wrap a tail around the fashionista and take her a for ride she would never forget, and probably never forgive him for. However, Luna was with them and he knew better than to do some pranks when she was in the vicinity.

His mother was one thing, but Luna had no problems smacking him across the head should he get out of line.

And he almost did get just that, a stern glare of disapproval from the alicorn as he manipulated a tail to reach for the alabaster unicorn. His mind blanked at the thought of her giving divine punishment.

Luna shook her head slowly and pointed the farm closing in sight, an intimidating grunt that made the boy rethink his actions and bemusedly stare back at said farm that was currently getting a massive hall of apples carted into the barn.

“I wonder how Applejack has been doing since her injury.” Rarity pondered, reminding everyone of the incident that took place thanks to Leo’s last shenanigan at the farm.

He began to sweat at the memory of his heavily carbonated cider bomb during Applejack’s big sale last month and almost tempted himself to simply turn around and avoid what he felt would be an awkward gathering, especially after the beating he received from Faust.

Unfortunately the distance was closed with Big Mac seeing them and giving a gentle wave before calling for Applejack. Said mare walked out of the barn in time of her apple harvest and greeted the young spirit with a smile as he stopped before her brother.

“Hey y’all.” Applejack approached the nervous fox and giggled at the bows she knew had to be Rarity’s work.

She giggled at the bemused prince as he tried once more to remove them, only to have his paw smacked by the fashionista.

Years of practice with the mischievous Kyushu gave Rarity what she believed to be a developed sixth sense as she calmly denied every attempt to remove said bows with a simple sway of her hood without even looking. Not a bat of her eyes or a even a quick turn and she was keeping her hard work safe while Luna descended from her beastly friend, albeit annoyed with having to remove some strands of fox fur from her hair with a wave of magic.

“What’s with the fancy stuff on Leo?” The farm pony chuckled whilst listening to the boy’s growls increase.

“A prince must look his best Applejack.” Rarity replied with pride, swatting his tails this time around while adjusting one of said bows with a little magic.

It was almost frightening to see the unicorn possess such grace and focus.

“Take them out!” Leo commanded, his voice booming across the hills and startling everyone, even himself.

Never before did he reach such a decibel and it showed to all in his expression that it wasn’t meant to happen. His growth spurt was definitely showing and have great embarrassment to where he shrunk in defeat while gently lowering his fashionable aunt with a couple of his tails.

Still in his fox state, Leo nervously yet carefully nuzzled his farming aunt as she adjusted her hat.

It was a surprise that it hadn’t blown off her head.

“Sorry auntie.” He apologized, calming himself to better his control.

“What in tarnation was that?” Applejack questioned with a raised brow.

“Growth spurt.” He answered, only to have that questioning look from her deepen. “Apparently I’m growing again but this time it’s affecting everything.”

“Another one?” Applejack pondered this for a moment. “Didn’t ya just have one?”

“He’s not like us.” Luna answered for the kitsune tenderly, watching the defeat of this problem overcome his usual giddy behavior. “Mother did say it would take a few days but he will have to be careful. That’s why I’m partially here, to monitor and help if I can.”

“I’d say he needs a lot of help.” Big Mac finally spoke up, and pointed to the fields behind the group.

Everyone looked back and saw that across the hills to Ponyville a path of fox prints that cratered and cracked the ground all the way to the farm. Luna was not surprised by this when she experienced her own in the past, but the other mares gawked at the raw strength it would take for the boy to do such a thing.

Now they wondered how damage he unknowingly caused back or town….and in Canterlot.

“Oh jeez….” Leo sighed, smacking a paw on his forehead. “Aunt Rarity, will you please make me clothes when we get back to the castle?”

“Of course nephew.” The unicorn answered, nuzzling his leg before turning back to the Apple siblings. “Applejack, the girls are already there. Would you like to join?”

“I’d love to but I gotta finish my chores around here.” Applejack said with a sigh yet carrying her signature smile. “This farm ain’t gonna take care of itself.”

“Ya can go on to the sleepover.” Big Mac said out of the blue, getting eyes all eyes on him as he emptied the cart. “There ain’t much left anyway and it’ll give me a night to go do my own thing. Go have a fun.”

“But Mac-“

But nothing.” Big Mac interrupted, his face blank yet underneath a stern brother making the mare be silent. “I’m gonna haul these apples in and finish with feeding the pigs. Go have fun. I’ll let granny know.”

A smile crept the earth pony, and she hugged his neck before pushing her bucket to him and wiping a few beads of sweat off.

“Well I could use a hot bath and I haven’t used the castle baths in a long time.”

“Wonderful!” Rarity chirped, then turned to her foxy nephew with anticipation.

Leo tilted his head at the mare in wonder of the unicorn before the mental light bulb sparked and he realized what she desired of him. It should’ve been quite obvious when the trip back home was going to be rather long should he not accommodate a more luxurious method of transportation.

“We’re waiting darling.” Rarity cooed, poking the boy at his leg.

Perhaps it was the cute way his auntie had in making so many biddings, but he wasn’t opposed to giving his loved ones a lift back to the castle, especially when it was most amusing to see her act so high and mighty .

Still, he had great respect and love for the unicorn. Not to mention he was taking no chance of getting out of line and facing the punishment of no new clothes or his mother.

He knew better than to disrespect a lady, especially a proper lady.

“Okay.” He chuckled with a toothy grin, surprising the mares with his canines whilst returning to his large fox state once more to accommodate their travel.

Maybe it was silly to lift all three mares to his back with the use of his tails, but it brought joy and a sense of worth to have others ride him since he did so for many years as a pup.

“Excellent, let us be off!” Rarity chimed, pointing to the castle in distance.

And so with a neutral expression yet an understanding of his situation, Leo proceeded the return to Canterlot with a little more trepidation in his walk. Unfortunately the amount of care he put into controlling his size and strength rewarded him with more cratering of his paws and a deeper dislike to this growth spurt of his.

Likely the best choice for him would be to take on his bipedal form, but he couldn’t find it in his heart to tell the mares, and so he continued to comply to the contentment of them talking whatever it is mares talk about and enjoy the cool breeze flowing through their manes.

Safe to say that Applejack was enjoying herself the most, lying on the midsection and just listening to Rarity gossip about clothes.

Suddenly the prince’s ears stiffened to a familiar sound, and he stopped to look up at the source of said sound while hearing the girls ask why he wasn’t moving. It was only by Luna understanding him a little better that she drew Rarity and Applejack’s attention to the sky that held a dragon flying over.

Said dragon didn’t leave them unnoticed however. It stopped and remained in the air to glare at the group with puffs of fire in its breaths.

It was no mystery to the residents of Equestria that even after Ember took the throne that many dragons would separate and find their own land to reside. And those who did expected some resistance or an offer of hospitality from the queen.

What they didn’t expect though was a very young and very territorial prince that took their kind as a threat after hearing the gruesome history they created in many stories from the draconequss he calls his father.

Sparing no time for talk, Leo’s hair stiffened and his hackles rose with the return of his own fire flaring with each breath he took as the mares realized the severity of their situation. Luna was the most sensible with the idea that the dragon was simply passing by, but that didn’t mean a thing to Leo.

“Leo-“ She tried rubbing the top of his head tenderly to draw his attention. “It’s alright. Maybe it’s just flying over.”

Leo heard the alicorn, but he dared not take his attention of the dragon for a second and added the claim of these lands with dragging his protruded claws across the ground. He didn’t care the trouble he might have been causing with his claim but he wasn’t going to let a dragon cross his land without knowing of his presence.

This was his mother’s kingdom, but it was his territory as well and he did care about the residents.

Seconds went by with the two glaring at one another until it was decided by said dragon to continue it’a flight to the outer lands north of the territory line. Slowly it shrank in the distance before disappearing behind clouds and leaving the prince to calm himself and huff with irritation.

Luna felt it necessary to continue stroking the kitsune’ head even when he finally calmed and resumed the return to Canterlot. Unfortunate for her though we’re two mares staring worriedly at the quiet boy.

“What the hay was that?” Applejack asked loudly, receiving no response from the boy.

“It’s normal with Leo.” Luna answered, her strokes turning lovingly with gentle massage at the top of his nape. “He is still a male and much like many creatures, they have a sense of ownership to land they reside on.”

“He’s very territorial.” Rarity added being the second best of the three with knowledge of the prince. “It’s not his kingdom, but it is his home. Right princess?”

“Correct.” Luna nodded, running her hood to Leo’s back now. “And by nature a beast will guard it.”

Applejack had nothing to say or question about the boy taking her through Ponyville now with the townsfolk watching. Their presence however was kept undisturbed with the glare everyone saw on Leo and remained distant as he passed through carefully.

The farm mare realized she had not been around like the rest of her friends and missed some details about the boy she calls her nephew, although over the years it felt like he was her son with the time they did spend together being memorable.

Concern brushed her mind as she looked back to the confused townsfolk watching them leave, her thoughts deepening at the dragon having drawn such a dark nature out of Leo.

Hope we don’t run into that ever again.