//-------------------------------------------------------// Sasuke's Equestrian Adventure -by AaronPony1- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 The woods were pitch black and a lone person was sleeping on a high branch of a tree. He was a young adult, a ninja named Sasuke Uchiha. His dreams were mostly empty, it was just him sitting in the darkness with frowny eyes fixed in the void. Then suddenly a voice started to call him. “Sasuke… little brother… ” the voice chanted. “Itachi?” Sasuke immediately recognized the voice. “is it you? where are you?” His voice echoed through the void. “Sasuke, it saddens me to see you like this...” Itachi told him, witnessing the horrible state he was in. “Mmmph,” Sasuke mumbled annoyedly, “you are here to tell me how I shouldn't destroy the leaf village, aren't you?” “Oh little brother, there is so much you need to learn.” He sadly sighed. “You are speaking, you died because of the Leaf Village!” Sasuke barked angrily. “I understand your anger, and I won't try to persuade you otherwise, but there is a very important lesson you have yet to learn and it's time for you to begin a new journey,” his brother answered looking at him from the darkness. “What do you mean?” He asked him. “You'll see, but first you must undergo some… changes...” Itachi answered. “What are you talking about, what are you!?” Suddenly streams of bright light start forming swirling around him. “Good luck,” Itachi said one last time before disappearing. “Hopefully, you'll come out of this a better person.” Sasuke screamed as the light engulfed him and after a few seconds he hit a crystal floor. Sasuke appeared in front of the ponies as one of them, he had a dark blue fur, a short pitch black mane, and the Uchiha emblem as his cutie mark. “Thanks for your help girls,” Itachi said. “To teleport him I used a modified version of my portal, I couldn’t have done this without your help.” Twilight’s horn glow faded as she looked at Itachi and Luna. “I think… we should move him onto the stretcher...” Fluttershy suggested with her tiny voice. Twilight gave an agreeing nod and proceeded to use her magic to lift Sasuke and place him on the stretcher nearby. “Better if I stay out of it, but I'll still be watching,” Itachi answered, looking at each one of the group, including princess Luna who helped to find Sasuke and to open the portal. “Okay Itachi, can we still ask of you if the situation gets out of hand?” Twilight asked. “Of course,” Itachi answered her smiling. “You can count on my help too,” Princess Luna added. “I shall go now, you may contact me whenever you need.” She walked out of the castle along with Itachi. “Oh I do hope he is alright...” Rarity imagined how difficult such a travel could be for somepony. “He might have some trouble adjusting to his new body, however he is probably fine,” Twilight informed them, looking at him as he started to open his eyes. “W...wha...where?” Sasuke tried to move but for some reason he felt that something changed about his body. “What happened to my body…?” he asked upon witnessing that he had four legs and hooves at the ends of each one. “Well howdy there partner!” Applejack greeted him. “What are you supposed to be!?” Sasuke snapped and jumped down the stretcher. “Well gee partner, I'm a pony. Just the same as you,” Applejack answered him. “A pony?” He looked down to himself seeing that she was indeed right. “W...wha...what?!” In panic he tried to attack Applejack thinking she was responsible for it, but before he could hurt her Twilight blocked him in a magic aura in midair. “Hey, that's not cool! Nopony attacked you did they?” Rainbow Dash angrily asked. “Shut up! What have you done to me?” Sasuke demanded to know. “We didn't do anything to you, your new aspect is a consequence of the passage between dimensions through the portal,” Twilight explained confusing Sasuke even more. “What Twilight means is, when you were zapped here it changed how you looked!” Pinkie Pie explained more simply. “That's… more understandable… wait...” Sasuke started to reflect. “Maybe that's what he meant when he talked about changes…” “So seeing as you're new here partner, hows about a friendly tour of Ponyville?” Applejack suggested. “Yeah! We can show you all the amazingly amazing places there are here, like Sugarcube Corner, Sweet Apple Acres, the town hall, Sugarcube Corner, Twilight's castle- oh wait, you're already here! And did I mention Sugarcube Corner?” Pinkie Pie cheerfully listed out the greatest attractions of Ponyville. “Well… fine.” he groaned. This sounds so girly and sugary that my teeth are already falling out, he thought. “Well you're perfectly welcome to join us for the tour if you like,” Twilight told him. As an answer Sasuke reluctantly followed her, hoping that if he collaborated he could go back to his world sooner. “So what's your name? Where are you from? When's your birthday? What's your favorite cake flavor? Oh this means I get to throw a Welcome to Ponyville party for you! I'll make it my best yet! There'll be games, cake, favors, hats, and you'll make tons of new friends!” Pinkie Pie bounced around him as he walked outside the castle. “Yeah, I'd rather not answer, so you won't make such a thing,” Sasuke answered her sternly. “But I throw EVERYPONY who's new here a welcome party! There's no way I'd leave you out! Now tell me your favorite snacks, cake flavor, and party games. I'll invite EVERYPONY in Ponyville so you can make all kinds of new friends!” Pinkie Pie continued undeterred. “Haven't you figured out I don't like that stuff? Especially sweets,” Sasuke answered her sounding even more serious. “How can anypony not like sweets?! Everything around here likes sweets, even Fluttershy's animal friends!” Pinkie Pie looked very shocked. “She's right,” Fluttershy confirmed. “Hello village idiot i'm not from this world!” Sasuke answered rudely. “You're from a world where nopony likes sweets? That's so sad! I promise I'll fix this, in fact I Pinkie Pie Promise!” Pinkie Pie winked. “Something tells me I won't like it...” Sasuke muttered. “Maybe we should... go ahead with the tour if everypony agrees?” Fluttershy suggested timidly. “Of course, come along. By the way, you haven't told us your name.” Twilight wanted to avoid to let him know about the fact Itachi was involved. “grrrr Sasuke...” He grumbled. “Yay! Now I know what to write on the welcome banner!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “What!?” Sasuke yelled. “Sorry can't talk now, gotta run! BYE!” Pinkie Pie bounced away. “She better not doing what I think… let’s just go ahead with this...” Sasuke groaned. “Wow we haven't had such a grumpy pony since the arrival of cranky...” Twilight told Rainbow Dash. “I know right? He's a bigger stick in the mud than a stick in the mud!” the rainbow-colored pony answered. “I can hear you you know?” Sasuke angrily shot back. “Well you are! You haven't said one hello or anything to anypony so far!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Two pony friends, one with a light blue fur, a blue mane an integrated board cutie mark named Sparky Circuits and another one with a pink fur, light brown mane and a lace heart cutie mark with a ribbon on it, named Ribbon Hearts arrived. “Why don't you try saying hi to those two?” Rainbow Dash suggested. “Hi…” He told them with an almost emotionless expression. “Hem, hello,” Sparky circuits said. “Hello there, what's your name?” Ribbon Hearts asked politely. “Sasuke! There, now get lost!” Sasuke barked at her, angering Sparky. “Hey! Don't you even think about talking like this to my friend!” Sparky pushed him aside. “Yeah! What's your problem? Come on Sparky, let's go.” Ribbon went away with her friend. “You keep up with that attitude and you'll be one lonely pony.” Rainbow Dash witnessed what happened. “Big deal, it's how I like to be anyways!” Sasuke answered. “But everypony needs friends. Friends are what give us a reason to go on in life and not give up,” Twilight interjected, trying to convince Sasuke. “Maybe for you, but not for me, I have other reasons to live up...” Sasuke stood by his opinion. “Really, like what?” Rainbow Dash asked him with an annoyed look. “None of your business.” Sasuke looked away. “It's ok sugarcube, we won't press the issue. But any time you want to open up we'll be here,” Applejack tried to reassure him. “Yeah… don't keep your hopes high, you are not gonna like what I'd say about that subject anyways,” Sasuke answered. Later on the group minus Pinkie Pie arrived at Fluttershy’s house. “And this is where Fluttershy lives,” Twilight indicated the cottage with her hoof. Sasuke looked completely un-phased by that, looking even more bored. Angel Bunny, one of the many pets Fluttershy had, arrived hopping in front of him, looking at him critically. His expression morphed from bored to annoyed and stared back at the bunny using his sharingan. Angel bunny assumed a scared expression and fainted rapidly. “Oh Angel! Are you alright?” Fluttershy flew to the bunny and took him in her hooves. “How could you scare him like that? What kind of pony are you?” “One who doesn't like vermins like that,” Sasuke cruelly answered. “They're not vermin! They're my friends!” Fluttershy shot back. “Whatever… they still are vermins to me,” he reiterated. “Hey how about I give you a piece of my mind!” Rainbow Dash rubbed her hooves together.She could not tolerate somebody treating Fluttershy and her friends like that. “Rainbow don't! He's still a guest here, we want to show him the best of ponykind.” Twilight stopped her. The rainbow-maned pegasus let out a strong groan, while Sasuke seemed completely uninterested. “Can we go ahead?” he asked. “Of course...” Twilight answered him leading the way to Rarity’s boutique. “Here is Carousel Boutique, home of Rarity and Equestria's finest fashions.” “Oh well I wouldn't say that…“ Rarity exclaimed, simulating modesty. “Ok maybe I would” At the sight of the building Sasuke felt like he could have vomited his stomach out. “I'd never go in there not even if you bribe me...” he grumbled. “Oh come in darling, I'll soon have you outfitted with an exquisite suit tailored to perfection! No need to worry about the charge either, this job is all on me,” Rarity answered him. “You try doing that, and I'm going to make your life a torment” Sasuke answered her groaning. “It's quite alright dear, you may pay me when you can afford to if you wish.” She didn’t understand what Sasuke was meaning. “I don’t think you get it. I. Don’t. Want. A. New. DRESS!” He hissed. “Well perhaps you'd like to browse my selection of ties then.” Rarity suggested an alternative. Sasuke looked away with sneer in his eyes. “Okay! I had it!” He attempted to run away. “Hold it!” Rainbow Dash blocked him. “We are gonna finish this tour and you're gonna like it!” “Forget it!!! Leave me alone!” Sasuke used his sharingan on Rainbow Dash. He successfully managed to startle her with it, obtaining an escape route. “Does he have the Stare too?” Rainbow Dash was recovering. Sasuke on the other end ran as fast as he could and entered a random building. “Okay! ...I should be safe in here,” He said relieved, but as soon as the lights came back on, his eyes grew wide in horror. He went right into sugarcube corner which was completely decorated for a party, a big welcome banner with his name written on hanged from the ceiling. “SURPRISE!!!” The numerous ponies inside cheered at Sasuke. “I told you I was gonna throw you a party!” Pinkie Pie put a party hat on Sasuke’s head. In that moment the young new unicorn felt his rage build up inside him and reaching the boiling point. In a few seconds he blew. “I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T WANT A PARTY!!! ARE YOU DEAF OR ARE YOU JUST SO IDIOTIC TO NOT LISTEN!?! AHHHHHHHH!!!” He yelled loudly stepping on the party hat. Upon his ragequit everybody went silent, including even Pinkie incredibly. He stood in the middle of the room breathing heavily. “What… is… wrong with you?” Twilight approached him with narrowed eyes. “Yeah nopony talks to my friends like that!” Rainbow Dash angrily said. “First you scared Angel now you behave like this? You are the meanest pony I have ever seen!” Fluttershy added. “Whatever, I told her I didn't want a party!” Sasuke pointed out. “When somepony does something nice for you, even if you didn't want it, you should still appreciate it,” Twilight told him angrily. Sasuke just muffled and rolled his eyes. “Don't you dare roll your eyes at her, she's the Princess of Friendship!” Rarity informed him. “Who cares?” He kept teasing. “Just because you're not from these parts doesn't mean you can act however you like here! We're all trying to be your friends and–” Applejack was interrupted by him. “Shut… up! I don't care about friendship and I don't care if you try to be my friends! I prefer to be on my own!” Sasuke repeated what he said before, even more angrily. “But... but everypony needs friends! I learned that firsthoof a long time ago. I thought I would be fine on my own too, but I discovered how wonderful and necessary friends are, and it even led to me becoming princess!” Twilight explained remembering the first time she met with her friends. “I'm not aspiring to that...” Sasuke left the shop slamming the door behind him. “Something tells me that this task will be way harder than we thought...” Twilight pondered about the situation. Pinkie Pie sadly blew on a party blowout. “Daww, don't worry Pinkie, everypony else loves your parties,” Twilight cheered her on. “Yeah, but one pony doesn't.” Pinkie Pie looked down sadly. “I'm sure that sooner or later he'll come around… even if it might be later, very later.” Fluttershy tried to reassure her. Meanwhile on the outside. “Why… why did I have to end up here!? All these stupid ponies just try to make friends with me… They are so annoying.” Sasuke was mumbling to himself. “Sasuke?” Twilight asked as the other caught up to him. “What now?” Sasuke groaned. “Well we talked it over and I've decided that you may stay at my castle for the time being,” Twilight said “Fine… better than sleeping on a street, at least it's not as pompous as that dress shop,” he commented, angering Rarity. “Just follow me and I'll help you get settled in.” Twilight offered him an hoof. Sasuke stood and started to walk in the direction of the castle. “Don't worry girls, we'll find a way to get through to him,” she told the others. “I surely hope so. For him, because if he acts all jerky like that another time, I'm not responsible for what I'll do…” Rainbow Dash was the most annoyed by his attitude. “Go get some sleep now, we'll need all our strength for tomorrow,” Twilight told her, heading for the castle with Sasuke. “Welcome back Twilight, and… hello there stranger” Spike greeted them as they arrived in the main hall. “And what's this? Your pet lizard?” Sasuke joked about Spike “What did you call me?” The young dragon asked him. “This happens to be Spike, my designated assistant and loyal friend. I expect you to apologize immediately for what you said to him.” Twilight intimated him. “Yeah don't count on it.” Sasuke answered. “You don't want to see me angry...” Spike answered angrily. “Sasuke that really hurt his feelings. Now say you're sorry,” Twilight told him in a more serious tone. “Fine I'm sorry. Are you happy now?” He narrowed his eyes. “Well, it's a beginning.” Twilight tried to be optimistic. The two entered again in the friendship castle, followed by Spike. “Where should I sleep?” Sasuke asked. “There's a spare room off the hallway.” She led the way. “Here it is.” The room was pretty simple but still nice. It had a desk, a counter, an armchair and a comfortable looking bed. “Good enough...” Sasuke said sitting on the bed. “Sleep well Sasuke” She told him. Sasuke didn’t answer, he just walked up to the bed, got in it and started to sleep. “Goodnight” Twilight sighed. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 Sasuke had a calm night, finally sleeping inside a real bed instead of a broken tree branch. He’d have prefered a japanese style bed still, but it was still good to him. As the sun was up in the sky Twilight Sparkle gently knocked on his door waking him up. “Good morning Sasuke. I hope you're hungry, Spike's cooking breakfast and it's very tasty,” Twilight told him trough the door. The unicorn got down from the bed and walked outside facing her. “It better be...” he told her. The two walked to the kitchen where Spike could be seen working at the stoves. “Hey you're just in time! The pancakes are done!” He presented two towers of stacked pancakes to the two ponies. Sasuke took one, bit it, then spit it out one second afterwards. “Too sweet,” he said annoyedly. “You could've just said ‘No thank you,’” Spike said taking back his meal. “Um Spike, would you mind terribly preparing a breakfast salad for Sasuke?” Twilight asked the little dragon. “But I already worked so hard on these!” Spike protested. “No problem, I can make it without eating anyways,” Sasuke interrupted the two. “Um ok then. Well Sasuke, how did you sleep?” Twilight asked. “Fine I suppose, I'm more used to sleep on the ground.” Sasuke looked at the windows. “Oh, well I'm happy to accommodate you. Hey, I thought after we finish breakfast we could go and better meet my friends,” Twilight said. “Do we really have to?” Sasuke looked at her directly. “I know you aren't really the sociable type, but I have a feeling it will be a while before you get to go home so you might as well. I promise you'll like them once you know them,” Twilight assured him. “It seems I got no alternatives,” He answered. “The pink pony better not throw another party for me!” “I can't really promise that, she doesn't give up easily,” Twilight confessed, earning another groan coming from him. “Then it's better if I stay away from her, or it might end badly for her...” he said in a menacing way. After Twilight finished her breakfast she and Sasuke went out of the castle, leaving Spike to tend to it in the meantime. “Where shall we go today?” Sasuke asked. “First I'm headed to Sweet Apple Acres to see if Applejack needs help with any of her chores,” Twilight answered. “Chores?” Sasuke chuckled. “Don’t count on me”. “Nopony said you have to help, but it would be very nice of you if you did,” Twilight told him. “Yeah right, as you’ve seen I'm not a nice person.” Sasuke responded. Twilight couldn’t do anything but sigh. Some time later they both arrived at Sweet Apple acres, and Applejack could be seen working around the orchard. “Howdy Twilight, hey Sasuke! You here to lend a hoof?” Applejack noticed them. “No,” Sasuke answered rudely. “Well what do you need help with Applejack?” Twilight asked. “Our animals need feeding, and there are some ripe apples ready to be harvested.” She pointed at the barn with the cows and at the rest of the orchard. “Alright, have fun doing that then,” Sasuke taunted them. “Ain't you gonna help us?” Applejack looked unamused by his attitude. “No,” He answered again, angering Applejack already. “Let's just get started AJ,” Twilight suggested, getting some barrels to gather the apples. After Applejack got some too, she and Twilight headed for the orchard and started bucking the trees with the most apples on. Meanwhile, while they were doing that, Sasuke’s stomach started to grumble. “Ow,” Sasuke felt it rumbling. “I should have eaten breakfast.” He turned his head, seeing Twilight and Applejack working hard to get the apples down the trees. “Hey you...” Sasuke called to them. “Yes?” Twilight asked him. “What's up partner?” Applejack asked as well. “I'm hungry, do you know where I can find something to eat, possibly with tomatoes?” Sasuke asked. “Well our farm specializes in apples, but there's a vegetable cart in town. You got any bits?” Applejack asked him. “What's a bit?” he asked, confused. “It's our currency, and if I'm not mistaken, you probably haven't got any,” she pointed out. “I don't...” Sasuke took notice. “I'd be happy to give you some partner, but first… I need some help.” Applejack looked at him confidently. “Grrr… lemme guess, you want me to help you with the apples?” Sasuke frowned. “Actually me and Twi are doin’ fine with the apples. It would be a big help to us if you could feed the chickens and other animals.” She pointed at the hen house and the pig pen. “Fine, where is their food?” Sasuke asked. “It's in the barn in a barrel marked ‘Feed,’” she said. “Fine...” Sasuke entered the barn and bucked out the barrel in direction of the hen house. On his way to it, the cutie mark crusaders noticed him. “Howdy stranger! How are you today?” Applebloom asked him. “Don't bother me,” Sasuke shot back. The three fillies started to walk away sadly, and in that moment Sasuke noticed something different about them. “Hey… why don't you have a mark on your rump?” Sasuke asked them. “Oh, we haven't found our cutie marks yet,” Sweetie Belle answered. “Yeah, that's why we became Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Scootaloo said cheerfully. “Mmmh I get that cutie marks are important… how do you get one?” Sasuke touched his muzzle with his hoof. “Cutie marks appear when you discover something special about yourself, like a special talent,” Applebloom explained. “So… you get one when you know what you are good at?” Sasuke figured it out. “Yeah, usually” Scootaloo confirmed. Sasuke quickly thought up a way he could get the job done without even having to work for the ponies. “Why don't you try to get the cutie mark helping me?” he asked putting on his face a fake warm smile. “Oh, could we?” Sweetie Belle smiled warmly at him. “Well you said it yourself, maybe your talent is helping other ponies to feed the chickens and other animals,” Sasuke convinced them. “You ready for this crusaders?” Applebloom asked raising her hoof. The other two crusaders high hoofed with her. “Work quickly, I'll be in the orchard doing… other work.” He said going to the orchard. “Yes sir!” The three fillies saluted. As Sasuke got out of sight he ran inside a bush. “It worked.” He chuckled. Some time later Applejack and Twilight finished their apple gathering, and decided to go check out on Sasuke. “Let's see how Sasuke is doing,” Twilight suggested. “Alright sugarcube” Applejack approved and together they walked down to the chicken pots. Sasuke took a little time to nap, but as soon as he heard the other two ponies arriving he snapped out of it and ran to the hen house simulating to look exhausted. “Oh… it was exhausting, but in the end I got everything done! See?” He pointed to the chickens “Aww.” Applebloom came out of the chicken house looking sore by all the work. “Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo what are you doing?” Twilight asked upon seeing the other two joining her. “We were hoping that doing those chores would help us get our cutie marks, but I looks like it didn't,” Applebloom explained. “Huh? What chores?” Applejack asked “The ones that the dark blue unicorn stallion told us to do.” Sweetie Belle pointed at him. “Wait, you mean Sasuke?” Twilight saw the stallion run inside a bush. The two mares frowned and galloped to the bush. Twilight then lifted Sasuke out of it using her magic. “Care to explain why my sister and her friends were doing the chores we asked YOU to do?” Applejack demanded. “Hem… I was… trying to help them get the cutie things?” Sasuke answered a bit unsurely. Applejack angrily bucked him inside the shed where they kept their biological fertilizers, causing also a lot of barrels to fall on him opening up. “Hey what's the big idea!? Let me out!!!!” Sasuke started to beat his hooves on the door, not managing to stand the terrible odor looming inside there. After making sure that Sasuke thought about what he did, Applejack and Twilight freed him from the shed, from which he scrambled out breathing heavily for air. Afterwards Sasuke and Twilight headed out of the farm. “Dang… I'll never take this stench out of my fur!” Sasuke complained. Twilight just ignored him. “Well, here we are again at Carousel Boutique. Rarity recently got some new fabrics and gems and she may need help organizing them.” Twilight pointed to the boutique. “Oh no… Anywhere but here!!!” Sasuke tried to run away, but Twilight stopped him with her magic. “Rarity, it's Twilight and Sasuke,” Twilight knocked at the door. “Oh good morning darlings, it's good you came,” – she sniffed – “um… what's that smell?” She assumed a disgusted look, smelling the awful odor coming from Sasuke’s fur. “Manure...” the stallion answered. “Please darlings come in, I'll get a bath ready straight away for you Sasuke,” Rarity ran to the bathroom. “Thanks… I'll wait here.” Sasuke sat in the middle of the room. Some minutes later the bath was ready. “Your bath is ready darling,” Rarity welcomed him inside the bathroom. Sasuke followed her and once inside he got into the bathtub. He cooed as the warm water enveloped him and leaned inside the tub, trying not to show too much of his relaxation. Meanwhile on the outside Rarity and Twilight were talking. “We don't seem to be making much progress with him. Should we tell Itachi?” Rarity suggested. “Let's just be patient for now, maybe we will get through to him.” “I really hope so… also at least I hope he'll appreciate the bath...” Rarity looked at the bathroom’s door. Some time later Sasuke was done cleaning himself up and exited the room, finding Twilight and Rarity working around the shop. “Hem… I'll be done here, thank you… very much for that. I really needed it.” Sasuke thanked them, much to their surprise. The two looked shocked for a moment but quickly overcame it. “Oh… you're very welcome. It was my pleasure,” Rarity said. “Now...” The growling sounds of his stomach could be heard. “Can I have some bits?” “Oh, of course you may darling.” Rarity levitated a small bag of bits towards him. “Um Rarity, I know you're the Element of Generosity and everything, but he didn't earn those,” Twilight pointed out, blocking the bag in midair using her magic. “Twilight my dear, he actually said ’thank you’ to me! Such a leap in courtesy must be rewarded,” Rarity answered. Sasuke grabbed it and made a break for the door, only to be stopped by Twilight’s magic. “Why...? She said I didn't need to earn these!” he complained. “Aren't you forgetting to say something?” Twilight asked him with a serious expression. “Thank you...?” he answered. “That's better.” Twilight smiled at him. “Now can we go...?” Sasuke asked, impatient to fill up his stomach. “Very well.” Twilight let go of him, allowing him to exit the shop and go outside. “So where is the vegetable cart anyways?” Sasuke asked “I’ll show you.” Twilight led the way to the cart. After a couple turns the two ponies reached the cart, a lone earth pony was the seller standing by it. Once they got in front of it Sasuke threw the bag of money to him. “I'll take every tomato you have,” Sasuke said. “Of course, here they are.” He handed to him thirty tomatoes. “Are you sure you are gonna eat all of them?” the seller asked. “Yeah!” Sasuke said, starting to gorge on them. “They are passable...” The earth pony simply frowned at him, not wanting to take it personally. In that moment a young colt arrived by the cart. “Please sir, may I have a tomato?” the colt asked the earth pony. “Oh sorry youngster, I'm all sold out,” he answered. “Sir, may I please have a tomato? I just need one and I can give you bits for it,” the young colt said. “Tough luck, get your own!” Sasuke answered rudely. “Sasuke!” Twilight snapped at him. “What?” Sasuke’s mouth was filled with tomatoes. “You really can’t spare one tomato for that poor colt?! He even offered to pay you for it!” Twilight told him. “He can get some tomorrow, and there are a lot of other vegetables he could get!” Sasuke kept stuffing himself with tomatoes. “I've just about had it with you! I'm going out of my way to help you, and so is everypony else, and you don't give two bucks about it!” Twilight started to get mad and cursed. Sasuke just looked uninterested and rolled his eyes again. “Please Sasuke, I beg you. Just meet us halfway and try to care about others!” She calmed down and tried a more relaxed approach. “Don't count on it… if you knew what happened to me you’d know why I behave like this...” Sasuke answered. “Well, maybe we would understand if you told us!” Twilight told him. “You won't like the answer... ” Sasuke warned her. “Well we won't know until you tell it, will we?” Twilight answered him. Sasuke started to think if he’d need to tell her about this, probably if he did she’d have left him alone. But then again he had no desire of telling her about what happened to his clan, nor did he want to go through that again. “NO WE WON'T! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!!!” He walked away with heavy steps. “FINE!” Twilight answered and flew away back to her castle. She landed in front of the main door and walked inside. “Twilight? Are you alright?” Spike noticed her distress. “Some princess of friendship I am. I've tried everything to get through to Sasuke, but in the end I failed.” She looked pretty beat down and frustrated. “Oh, don't throw the towel so soon. He’s only been here for two days, give him time and I'm sure that the magic of friendship will get to him.” Spike tried to cheer her up the best way he could. “I hope you're right,” Twilight answered, not feeling any better for the moment. “The magic even reformed Discord, after all. I'm sure it will work on him too.” He tried to cheer her up again. “Wonder where he is now...” She looked through a window. Meanwhile, while Twilight was thinking about what to do, Sasuke hadn’t noticed that he got into the everfree forest... “Oh no… that's just great I got lost.” He noticed the unfamiliar place he ended up. “Now how do I get back to that stupid town?” He frustratedly asked to himself. “Why hello, young stallion,” a deep dark voice echoed around him. “What? Who is there?” Sasuke got in pouncing position. “You're a long way from home aren't you?” A green unicorn came out of the shadows. “None of your businesses, what do you want from me?” Sasuke asked. “I am Briar Malice, and I am here to strike you a bargain...” the unicorn told him. “what kind of bargain?” Sasuke asked to him not lowering his guard. “I need your assistance with a plan to conquer Equestria,” Briar explained “Oh yeah? Not interested, I have no will of conquering this place, I just want to get out of it.” Sasuke prepared to attack his interlocutor. “But that's what I can give you in exchange for your help,” Briar said just in time. “Are… are you telling the truth?” Sasuke asked. As an answer Biar materialized a portal for Sasuke, a sphere of light showing the place he was before taken away. Without thinking twice Sasuke rushed towards the portal, but before he could even touch it, it was gone. “Ah ah ah, first I need a yes.” Briar’s voice felt very eloquent. “What do you need from me?” Sasuke asked him. “You possess a power unlike anything ever known in this world; hate. It is what is needed for my Malignants to grow strong enough to take down enemies and do my bidding. I will show you how to channel your hate along with mine to give the Malignants life and have them destroy all they touch,” he explained. “What are these supposed to be? Plants?” Sasuke guessed what they were. “Why yes” Briar answered. “I see, you'll send me home before these plants will consume this place right?” Sasuke understood. “Correct, but I must have your assistance first,” Briar said. “Very well then… I accept,” Sasuke answered in the end, causing his interlocutor to smile. “Good, we will begin tomorrow night. Oh, and if you want to return home, you will keep your mouth shut about our little meeting alright?” he asked in the end. “What little meeting?” Sasuke joked. “Goodnight.” Briar smiled and walked away. “Good, I'll manage to get away from this place sooner…” Sasuke walked away too. “Sasuke!” Twilight could be heard in the distance. “Oh… what are you doing here, Twilight?” He asked her. “I was looking for you, it's not a good idea to wander around in the Everfree Forest alone. Especially at night,” she warned him. “Lemme guess, there are monsters here?” he asked her. “Well in a way, unless you're Fluttershy the creatures around here might do you harm,” she explained. “I see… don't worry however I can defend myself...” Sasuke answered her. “Even so, you must be tired. Let's get back to Ponyville,” she told him. “Alright...” He started following her. Once back at the castle, Sasuke got in the bedroom and laid down in his bed. “Sleep well Sasuke, goodnight,” Twilight told him. He just drifted asleep without saying anything, just like the other night. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3 Late at night the six ponies were in the hall of friendship, sitting around the circular table thinking about what to do with Sasuke. “Okay girls, this was day one… how did it seem?” Twilight asked. “Hmph! I'd be happy to never see that stallion’s face round here again!” Applejack looked very angry. “He seemed a little better when you arrived at the boutique, though not by much,” Rarity calmly recognized. “He was a jerk to me too,” Spike spoke up. “I know how you all feel…” Twilight said. “What do you think we should do?” Fluttershy raised her hoof timidly. “Well… maybe we should consult Itachi on what we should do next. If anypony can help us understand Sasuke, it would be him I think.” “That sounds like a good idea!” Rainbow Dash agreed. “I agree, luckily I have a new communication spell.” Twilight pulled a book out of the library. It was dark blue and with blank pages. The purple unicorn then proceeded to light it using her horn, thinking about the one she wanted to contact. In a few seconds an imagine of Itachi appeared on the book. Itachi was in his bedroom in Canterlot and about to go sleep, but before he could get in the blankets his horn started to glow on and off. “Hmmm?” he hummed, going to the library and taking out an identical dark blue book. As he opened it and lit it up with the glow from his magic, six figures appeared onto one of it’s pages, precisely the ones of the six heroines of Equestria. “Hey girls, what's up?” he asked the pictures, which started to move around the book. “We need your help Itachi…” Twilight said. “Sasuke is–” “Being a pain in the flank,” Rainbow Dash barked an interruption. “I should've known... I'm sorry about him causing you trouble,” he apologized. “We really want to help him but… he is very stubborn...” Twilight told him. “What caused him to be so angry and rejecting anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked. Itachi sighed. “You girls might want to sit down. This will probably take a while.” He closed his eyes and then spoke up. Some time later, Itachi got them caught up about everything that happened to the Uchica clan, and how Sasuke discovered it. “So you really can't blame him for his attitude, but you're still right about him needing to change. That's why I had you bring him here, I hoped that being in this world of harmony and friendship would help him understand that his path is the wrong one,” he finished. “We understand now… we promise to not give up, although this won't be easy also knowing this part of his life...” Twilight realized what they were dealing with. “Could you tell us at least how we can appeal to him?” Rarity questioned him. “We could start from there” “Well, maybe try giving him a little space, he's not really used to others trying to be friends with him. Remember, he's a criminal back where he comes from,” Itachi answered. “Very well, we should probably have used this approach from the beginning,” Twilight started to make considerations. “Also you may want to apologize to him; not for trying to be his friends but for everything he's been through. It might help him realize that you want to better understand him,” Itachi suggested. “But then won't he understand you told us?” Rarity objected. “We could say that our princess knows about his story, and she told us,” Twilight answered. “That's a good idea. I have faith in the six of you, your friendship has gotten you through many tough situations, and I think it's the key to helping Sasuke make the right choice.” Itachi had an encouraging smile on his face. “You can count on us,” Twilight told him as their figures disappeared from the book. The following day as the sun was being raised by Celestia, the girls were standing out by Sasuke’s room. “Ok girls remember, we are apologizing and giving him space,” Twilight told them one last time as she heard Sasuke waking up. As an answer the girls nodded with decision. Shortly Sasuke came out of the room and found them waiting for him. “Grrr, what do you want now?” He asked annoyedly. “Sasuke… we wish to apologize for trying so hard to be friends with you. Also… we understand now why you are so resistant to us.” Twilight stepped in front of him. “Well… thank you, what do you mean?” Sasuke was amazed by their sudden change. “We know about your clan, and why they...” Twilight was interrupted by him before she could go ahead. “You what?! Who told you!?” Sasuke asked shocked. “Nevermind how we know, what matters is that we do know and we understand what you went through,” Rarity answered for Twilight. “Trust me… even if you know, you'll never understand how it hurts.” Sasuke looked down. “You're right, we will never understand it,” Twilight confessed. “But we still want to help you and be there for you!” Pinkie Pie joined the conversation. “Well, thanks… if you want you can start now by giving me space.” He turned around. “Very well,” Twilight said before he walked away. “Well it went better than I thought” Rainbow Dash pointed out. “You sure this will help? We pretty much gave him permission to avoid us all he wants,” Fluttershy said. “I'm sure it did, the best way to get through to somepony is to try and accommodate them. Like you did with Discord.” Twilight remembered when she managed to change Discord’s way of thinking. “That's true...” Fluttershy admitted. “And how I did with Cranky, now that I remember– Oh. wait! I want to make Sasuke a present he is going to looove!” Pinkie started to bounce excited as she thought about a way to get through to Sasuke. “Ok Pinkie, just remain calm around him ok?” Twilight assured herself. “Don't worry, I’ll be as calm as I can be.” Pinkie Pie ran out of the castle and went to the train station. “I wonder where she is going” Rarity asked. “Ok everypony, I think we're finally getting somewhere with him,” Twilight said. “I have a good feeling too.” Fluttershy smiled. Sasuke passed most of the morning wandering around ponyville, eating some of the tomatoes he had left, and thought about what was gonna happen that night. However, his train of thoughts was interrupted around lunch time as a certain pony returned from her trip. “Oh Sasuke!” Pinkie Pie cheerfully called him. “Oh, it's you again” Sasuke facehoofed. ”What do you want?” “Well, Twilight told us how much you like tomatoes, so here you go!” She hands to him a big chest of fresh tomatoes of different kinds from different parts of Equestria. “Wow… there are so many, there are even more than the ones I had yesterday, thank you.” Sasuke was caught by surprise by this, as he expected her to throw him another party or something similar. “Aw you're welcome! I'll see you around,” she said, bouncing away. “Mmmmh nice.” He took a bite out of a tomato. “Maybe they aren't that bad after all, even if they should have started like this form the beginning.” Sasuke walked away eating his tomatoes, tasting each of them, enjoying the different flavors that caressed his tongue. As the heroines of Equestria were thinking about alternative ways to show Sasuke a new path, the day was pretty uneventful. Sasuke walked around Ponyville, saw the city hall and the park, and finished eating Pinkie’s gift. At the evening, as Celestia started to lower the sun, the moon was being raised by Luna and thousands of stars in the sky became visible. While most of the other ponies headed back to their homes for a night of sleep, Sasuke was instead going to the Everfree forest to meet with Briar. He walked up the place they met the day before and there he waited for him. “You've returned, good.” Briar reappeared from the shadows. “What do I have to do?” Sasuke asked him. “Follow me.” Briar opened a portal to what looked like a dark greenhouse. The treatment to siphon Sasuke’s hatred and turn it into magical power was exhausting to say the least. The dark blue unicorn barely managed to return to the castle on his own feet. After making sure that Twilight didn’t hear him, he arrived to his bed and crawled inside it falling asleep immediately. He woke up some hours later and walked down to the kitchen, having partially recovered his strength. “Good morning,” Twilight cheerfully wished him a good day. “Hi there… what's for breakfast?” The unicorn asked with a bit of tiredness in his voice. “Well, Spike has the day off so I made some oatmeal,” Twilight answered him. “Is it ready yet?” Sasuke asked her. “Yes, would you like strawberries on it, or cinnamon?” she asked. “Cinnamon,” he answered. “Alright, here.” She served him the oatmeal, after pouring some cinnamon powder in it. Sasuke started to eat it a little voraciously. “Good...” he mumbled between one mouthful and another. “Oh, thank you.” Twilight smiled hearing the compliment. While eating however Sasuke noticed something. She was acting a lot differently than she was before, less compelled in trying to become friends with him. He knew she didn’t give up however, she was probably living up to the decision she and her friends made before about giving him more space. He then stopped eating abruptly. “Sasuke? Is something wrong?” She asked upon seeing this. “So you really believe it? don't you.” Sasuke raised his head. “Believe what?” Twilight asked. “That I can change… I have seen how your friends have been acting around me lately, how you try to appeal to me and respect my personal space,” Sasuke answered to her. “Well of course, that's what friends do,” Twilight answered. “Just… what's making you believe that? My old… ‘friends’ couldn't do it in the first place.” Sasuke remembered about Naruto and the others. “You wouldn't believe what I've seen the magic of friendship accomplish.” Twilight blinked at him. “Like what?” Sasuke asked. “Maybe I should start from the beginning...” Twilight took a seat in front of him. “I’m listening,” Sasuke answered her looking at him. She then proceeded to tell him about everything she and her friends did. Especially the events centering Nightmare Moon, Discord and Tirek. At the end of the story Sasuke was almost speechless. “You beat… a monster who stole all that power?” he mumbled. “You bet we did, anypony will tell you the same story,” Twilight answered him. “I… need to get some fresh air.” He stood up and left. “Alright, Sasuke.” She smiled as he left the castle. Sasuke walked around the town thinking about what Twilight said for hours, trying to figure out if Twilight told him the truth or if she was only trying to make him believe her magic was so powerful. “She made it up, she must have,” he mumbled to himself. “But I should have felt it somehow. She might have used magic to make me not feel her lying… no I should have felt that too.” “Hey, Sasuke!” Rainbow Dash came down from the sky. “So, I hear that where you're from, you're one of the best right?”Itachi had told her about Sasuke’s abilities, and about the fact he was a great ninja. “Exactly, I'm the best ninja around my place.” Sasuke smiled confidently and stood tall in front of her. “Well how about you prove it? I wanna race you, your running speed against my flying speed,” she challenged him. “Hmmm you sure you wanna lose?” Sasuke teased her. “Who says I'll lose, unless you're chicken,” Rainbow Dash shot back. “Don't you dare address me that way! Fine! I accept your challenge!!!” Sasuke answered. “You and me race two laps around Ponyville, the finish line is Sweet Apple Acres!” Rainbow Dash explained how the race would have gone. “Alright! Go!!” Sasuke immediately dusted off, followed by Rainbow Dash. Thinking to have already gained a good enough vantage, Sasuke thought about taking it easy. So he started to walk at moderate speed rather than at his top one. “Hehe, this will be easy.” Rainbow Dash smiled as she started to close in on him. Sasuke noticed this and started immediately to increase his pace. “Must keep up,” Sasuke groaned, as the pegasus reached him. After reaching both their top speeds, they started to run in parallel. It seemed like neither of them could top the other so far. As they finished the first lap, the two of them were tied. Despite trying to top each other constantly, neither of them seemed to get an advantage. “If I fly any faster I'll do a Rainboom, and I can't do that here!” Rainbow Dash told herself as she was considering increasing her speed at these levels. “Right! that's what I gotta do!” Sasuke figured out how he could have taken a little advantage. He suddenly jumped off the street and got on a roof, then jumped to another one in direction of the finish line. Upon seeing this Rainbow Dash decided she had to risk, but not before making sure that nopony would be caught in the blast. So she soared up in the sky and then stooped down towards the finish line. Sasuke was about to get to it, only one more jump and he’d have been the winner. “Almost got i–” He was interrupted however by a loud bang and an eruption of rainbow lights. “Almost… there…” Rainbow Dash felt the air breaking at her passage. Rainbow Dash arrived like a projectile and reached the finish line just at the same time Sasuke did. Afterwards, Rainbow Dash landed safely, while Sasuke was panting heavily. “Yes! I did it! Didn't I, Applejack?” she asked the earth pony, who witnessed their arrival. “Well, actually sugar cube, the two of ya tied!” she answered much to Rainbow’s dismay. “What. Did. You. Do!?” Sasuke asked, bewildered. “That was a Sonic Rainboom, only able to be performed by yours truly,” she explained to him. “It was… incredible… not even the most spectacular ninja move I could perform would top that,” he exclaimed almost exited. “Oh, thanks.” Rainbow smiled. “I can't wait to race against you again some time,” she answered him. “I admit that I'd like that,” Sasuke answered smiling. Rainbow Dash waved her hoof at him and flew off. “To when we fight again!” He waved his hoof, but suddenly remembered that there might not have been another fight. “If… there will be a next time,” he whispered. Applejack however picked that up and frowned. “Hmm?” “Ahem, nothing, everything is okay… just I'm very thirsty, where can I find something to drink?” He tried to brush it off. “Well come along sugar cube, I'll treat you to some cider,” Applejack answered. “Hmmm, isn't there some tomato juice?” Sasuke would have prefered something that was more him. “Sure sugar cube, it's on me,” Applejack answered him. “Thank you then, you can lead the way.” He smiled. Sasuke really enjoyed that tomato juice, it was refreshing and salty, the perfect way to sooth a pony after an high speed race. He then walked around the town again, thinking about what Twilight told him about the magic of friendship and about the beautiful move Rainbow Dash managed to pull off in the sky. Then after some hours the evening started to settle, and time came for Sasuke to meet with Briar again. He walked to the everfree forest again until he came up to the same place he met with Briar before. After a few moments Briar appeared from the shadows once again. “Are you positive nopony followed you?” he cautiously asked. “I'm a ninja, nobody follows me,” he answered. “Alright, come now. Let's continue what we started yesterday.” Briar caused the dark portal to his laboratory to reappear letting long dark vines trough. “Ok... I'm ready,” Sasuke said, even if he had some hesitation in his voice. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4 The treatment left Sasuke drained again but still he had enough strength to go back at the friendship castle and get in his bed. Once again the night refreshed him, and as he woke up he was ready to face another day in Equestria. “Good morning, Sasuke, here's a nice cherry tomato salad for you,” Twilight greeted him as he walked in the kitchen. “Thanks, Twilight,” he said, sitting at the table finding it in place. It had some green iceberg salad with a lot of small tomatoes around it, dressed with oil and salt. Sasuke sat down and started to eat it, enjoying the taste and consistency of the small tomatoes. “So Sasuke, what is in store for you today?” Twilight smiled at him. “I don't know… however I think I might start to get some bits, do any of your friends except Applejack who need help?” Sasuke asked her. “Well I think Fluttershy might, she has many animals that need care,” Twilight said. “You mean the cream Pegasus with that nasty bunny?” Sasuke remembered about Angel. “Just show that you mean her animals no harm and you'll be alright,” Twilight answered him. “Alright, I know where she lives. I’ll go after I’m done with breakfast.” Sasuke kept eating his salad until it was done. Afterwards he stood up from the table, exited the kitchen and then left the palace, headed towards Fluttershy’s house. As he arrived there he could see her taking care of the pets, looking very busy. “Oh, hello Sasuke.” She spotted him and flew towards him. “Hello Fluttershy, need any help?” Sasuke asked. “Actually I could use some help…” she whispered. “I mean if you want to” “Of course I want to, I need some bits urgently,” Sasuke answered her. “I see, well then I'll show you what to do.” She smiled and lead him to where she kept the food. It was a small wooden locker she had in the back of her house, all filled with whatever her animals needed for sustenance. She opened it and took out a bushel of carrots “Well you can begin by giving these carrots to the rabbits.” She hoofed it to him. “The rabbits?” Sasuke’s mouth dropped. “It would be a big help to me. You can start with Angel here.” She pointed at him, and he looked back at Sasuke with an angry expression. “I know that one.” He growled at him. “Sasuke?” Fluttershy asked. “Don’t worry, I’ll feed them. You can be sure of it,” he said, walking up to where the other rabbits were roaming. Angel kept looking at him critically. “I’m feeding you last,” he angrily told him before stomping a hoof. “OKAY! NOW ALL OF YOU! IN LINE!” he yelled furiously. The rabbits scared by his scream got in line trembling. “That’s better.” Sasuke took a carrot in his hoof. “Yours.” He shoved it in the mouth of the first rabbit. “Yours.” He shoved it in the mouth of the second rabbit. “Yours.” He shoved it in the mouth of the third rabbit and going on until he finally got to Angel. “Grrr, here is your stupid carrot.” He shoved it in his mouth. The white bunny just proceeded to spit out the carrot right in Sasuke’s eye. “YOU LITTLE!!!” He grabbed the bunny and prepared to use his sharingan on him, scaring him visibly. “SASUKE! How dare you do that to poor little Angel!?” Fluttershy stopped him upon hearing Angel’s squeaks of help. “He spat his carrot in my eye!” He pointed at Angel who was smirking at him. “That is no excuse! Come here my poor baby.” She took Angel in her hooves. “Can I do something else away from that?” he groaned. “Only if you promise to behave yourself,” Fluttershy intimated him “Yeah yeah, I will, as long as i'm not anywhere near that.” He pointed at Angel, causing Fluttershy to sigh. “Why don't you give the other animals their baths?” Fluttershy suggested. “Fine… which animals first?” Sasuke asked without changing his rather bored and annoyed expression. “How about Harry?” Fluttershy suggested. “And no using force.” “Yeah yeah, don't be too violent and all that.” He answered taking a big brush. “Sasuke...” Fluttershy looked at him in the eyes. “So I should clean that bear?” He saw the lone bear sitting in the middle of a lawn. “No problem.” He went up to the bear who started growling. Sasuke got in pouncing position and prepared to jump on him. “Sasuke, remember what I said,” Fluttershy reminded him. He ignored her however and jumped at the bear, who thinking that Sasuke was trying to attack him swiped at him hurling him away. “Okay then! You asked for it!” Sasuke yelled getting on his hooves again and charging at the bear. The bear on the other hand got on all fours and prepared to claw him, but Fluttershy seeing what was happening threw herself between the bear and Sasuke, and then proceeded to stare the bear down. “How… did you do that?” Sasuke asked amazed. Yesterday he witnessed a sonic Rainboom and now a pony mastering what seemed a kind of Sharingan to him. “Oh, that was The Stare,” Fluttershy explained.” I only use it in special circumstances, and your life was in danger. And I think I know why.” “Hem… I had everything under control there.” Sasuke tried to look somewhere else. “No, you clearly didn't, and it's because you used force even though  I told you not to,” Fluttershy told him. “It was the only way to deal with that bear, except for your form of sharingan it seems,” he objected. “You would have had more success if you had been kind,” Fluttershy scolded him. “Yeah… I'm not really used to that,” he answered bluntly. “I could show you how, if you want.” She offered to help him understand what she meant. “Well let's say I want to… maybe it will be useful,” he accepted. “Alright, just observe me.” She approached the bear. She gently rubbed her hoof on his muzzle soothing him, then he laid down on his belly and then rolled on his back, purring almost. “See?” Fluttershy looked at Sasuke who was amazed about how well she incapacitated the bear. “I… do… I guess I really underrated this. How do you manage to communicate with them so easily?” Sasuke asked. “It's just the power of kindness, but I always have had sort of a connection with them I guess,” she answered him. “I wish I had learned something similar when I was younger...” He thought about all the trouble that an ability like that might have saved him. Fluttershy arrived nearby Sasuke and put a hoof over his shoulder. “What is it for?” Sasuke asked confused. “It sounds like you had a tough time a long time ago, and I'm sorry,” she told him in a reassuring way. “Trust me you have no idea...” However Fluttershy didn’t back down. “I know, but special people can still be there for you,” she told him. “And I and my friends will help you to see that” Sasuke looked down but then he started to smile a little, he somehow felt relieved by the cream yellow pegasus’s kind words. “Well I guess I should try and exercise in this?” Sasuke asked Fluttershy. “You could say that, I’ll be happy to assist you,” she answered him, smiling encouragingly. In the following hours Fluttershy helped Sasuke to understand how sometimes a kinder approach was a better one. Mostly by attending to different animals including bigger and more challenging ones, taming them by being appealing to them and understanding. Once they were both done Sasuke managed to earn some bits by ultimately helping Fluttershy with some of the pets, putting in practice what he learned. “Bye, Sasuke,” Fluttershy waved him bye bye as he left the cottage. “Bye, Fluttershy!” He waved back walking towards the town. Once back in it he headed for the restaurant to buy some lunch. He bought a nice dish of tomato soup, it was tasty and a bit salty. Then he walked around town again. He was unsure why but the town was kinda starting to grow on him, it seemed peaceful, and at least they had good food there. Maybe being stuck there wasn’t too bad after all. Probably, but he wanted to go back home as soon as he could to continue with his projects to destroy the leaf village. This place might feel nicer but I can’t stay here forever, I have to come back to my world and avenge my clan, he thought. On the way back home he saw the three fillies that he used back when he was working at the farm. He tried to ignore them at first, but then something built up inside of him. A little sense of guilt for using them so shamelessly, and also seeing by their fur covered in paint; probably from a failed attempt to get one of those cutie marks they talked about. “Hi kids,” Sasuke greeted them. The three however frowned and ignored him, walking down their path. Sasuke just shrugged and carried on, but not before he heard something coming from a nearby street. “Look! it's the blaaank flanks!” an irritating voice called out. “Hey Cutie Mark Losers, still having rotten luck I see,” Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came into sight. Sasuke turned around to see them approaching the three fillies from before. “What, you don't have anything better to do than annoy other ponies?” Scootaloo angrily snorted. “What could be better than showing blank flanks their place?” Diamond Tiara taunted her, getting Sasuke’s attention. “Excuse me? Why are you bothering these fillies?” he asked the two. “They’re blank flanks, they deserve it!” she answered haughtily. Sasuke frowned and started to glare at her, activating his sharingan in the process. He loathed bullies, of any kind or species. “What, you want a staring contest–” Diamond Tiara got her vocal cords paralyzed as fear started to cloud her mind. “You like it? It's a sharingan, it's a ninja move, it makes you imagine your worst fear.” He told her in a menacing way. He then pinned her down so that she couldn’t escape. “No! NO!” Diamond Tiara wriggled trying to break free. “You know… a friend of mine usually got bullied a lot when he was young, this led me to develop a big dislike for bullies, and… that includes you.” He remembered about how other kids picked on Naruto when they were little. After a couple minutes he let go of her leaving her terrorized. “Silver Spoon, I think we'd better go.” She bolted away along with Silver Spoon. “Wow, neat trick, Sasuke,” Applebloom told him. “It was barely an effort.” Sasuke rubbed a hoof on his neck. “But really, thanks,” Sweetie Bell thanked him. “You are welcome...” Sasuke paused. “And also, I'm sorry for how I used you back at the barn.” The girls weren’t the kind to hold a grudge, and even if Sasuke was a jerk to them before they could tell he was being sincere. “Apology accepted,” the three fillies said after pausing for some time. “Thank you, happy to settle it. Oh, and you little one, Applebloom right?” He asked her. “Yeah that’s me.” Applebloom looked at him. “You are Applejack’s sister right?” He asked. “Yeah I am.” “Well, would you extend my apology to Applejack too for trying to skip the job by making you do it for me?” He asked. Applebloom nodded and smiled. Sasuke smiled back and walked away leaving the cutie mark crusaders to go get their fur cleaned up. “I hope those two have learned their lesson,” he told himself, but suddenly he started to reflect. If he kept going with Briar’s plan, a lot of ponies would have remained hurt, and probably these three fillies too. However he quickly shrugged off that thought, they could probably escape somehow, or just be spared by submitting to Briar. He walked back to the friendship castle and awaited the evening again resting in his room. Then he left the castle and ventured in the everfree forest to meet Briar again. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5 Sasuke woke up with a relaxed yawn. He had a particularly good night, definitely better than the last few ones he had. Last night Briar told him that the amount of hatred he collected was almost enough, a couple more extractions and his Malignants would be ready. He was relieved that he soon would be capable of returning home, and that he wouldn’t need to undergo these treatments anymore. Though he was feeling sorry about not being able to learn more about the powers showed by the six ponies, and probably disappointing Itachi, he decided to still go ahead. In his thoughts every minute that he spent in Equestria was delaying his revenge on the leaf village. He got up before Twilight and went to the kitchen to prepare his own tomato salad. As she got up and arrived at the kitchen she saw him, quietly eating and seemingly enjoying it. “Oh hello, Sasuke.” She smiled. “Hello there, Twilight, how was your night?” Sasuke asked. “It was good, what about yours?” Twilight got her breakfast. “Likewise, even better than the last ones I had,” Sasuke answered “Oh I’m glad to hear so.” Twilight took a seat and started to eat her breakfast too. The two ate silently for a while, until Sasuke thought about something to ask Twilight. “Hey…” He got her attention. “There is something I want to ask you about the creatures of this world.” “What is it?” Twilight asked. “Well what do you know about the Malignants?” he asked. “Malignants? Oh yes, they are plant-like monsters who can be fueled by negative emotions. Why do you ask?” she asked. “Hmm well, in case some Malignants attacked this place, do you think you could handle them?” Sasuke had an evasive look on his face. “Oh… good question. I guess it would be a matter of how much negative emotion they fed on, since their power is proportional to that,” she explained “Say, worst case scenario?” Sasuke asked. “Well… I’d rather not imagine it, an overpowered Malignant could cause incredible damage, let alone multiple of them. It would be an Equestria scale disaster.” Twilight made Sasuke flinch. “But… what about your friendship power? You told me you managed to beat that Tirek with that, and he was extremely powerful.” “In that case we had the power of the tree of harmony with us, I suppose we could use it in such a scenario too, though Equestria could still suffer great damage,” she finished. “Oh… I see.” Sasuke looked down at his meal. “Why this curiosity about these specific creatures?” Twilight asked. “Nothing in particular, Fluttershy happened to tell me about them yesterday when I was at her cottage,” he lied. “Ah. Alright I see.” She returned to enjoy her meal. “Well… I’d want to get some more bits for lunch and dinner, I’ll go see if any of your friends have work for me, alright?” He stood up from his seat. “Alright Sasuke, see ya when you come back.” Twilight waved her hoof at him before he got out of the kitchen. Sasuke left the castle, heading for Fluttershy’s cottage first. It had gone so well yesterday that he figured out it was the best choice. While he walked he thought about what Twilight had said regarding the Malignants. He convinced himself that Twilight was probably wrong about what she said before, that she was overestimating the danger. Little thoughts to help himself feel better about what he was doing. After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage and knocked at the door. “Fluttershy? It’s me Sasuke, you there?” He knocked multiple times. “I’m here, hello Sasuke,” she greeted him. “Well I’m in need of bits again, would you happen to have something I can do today? Maybe I can even put some of the stuff you taught me about yesterday into practice.” “Oh… I wish i could say yes, but today my pets and I are taking the day off. We are having a combing club if you want to join us,” she told him. “I think I’ll pass, what about Applejack?” Sasuke asked. “Oh yeah, she might need some help,” Fluttershy answered. “Alright, thanks,” Sasuke left and headed for Sweet Apple acres. After crossing town again he arrived there, and found Applejack bucking some apple trees in the orchard. “Hello Applejack.” Sasuke approached her. “Oh hey there partner, what’s up?” She stopped bucking and went to greet him. “Well I was wondering if you had some work for me, you know something to do for some bits,” he answered. “Ah sorry, sugarcube, but Ah’m fine for now,” she answered. “Oh… I see, would it be because of what I had your sister and her friends doing some days ago?” Sasuke asked. “Ah no. Ya already paid for that, and she told me about what you did for them when they were being bullied. I was very happy to hear that,” Applejack answered. Sasuke smiled. “Anyways, Ah really don’t have any jobs for you, yah can try at Rarity’s. Ah heard that she got a pretty juicy deal from Canterlot,” she informed him. Sasuke frowned a little. He imagined it would have consisted of something either princessy, girly or pompous. “Alright then, see ya.” Sasuke headed off again. Once he arrived at the Carousel Boutique he initially hesitated, as he didn’t want anything to do with making a stupid dress, probably for some girly pony. But in the end he figured that it would be worth it if he was going to paid. He knocked at the door a few times. “Here I am.” Rarity galloped to the door. “Oh hello Sasuke, what brings you here?” “Well I’d need some money again, and I was wondering if you needed help with anything,” he answered. “Oh, as a matter of fact I’d require some help with my latest order, please do come in.” She invited him inside. “Well what are you doing now anyway? A dress for some prissy pony?” He walked inside. “Actually I'm working on new armors for the royal guards. They must be a perfect balance of visually appealing and functionally appropriate,” she answered. “Armors? You do these too?” Sasuke was quite surprised and intrigued by this. “Why of course, I do any kinds of clothing,” she answered. She quickly got his curiosity. “Hmm can I… see them?” Sasuke asked. “Right this way.” She led him to her workshop where the first models of the new armors were being assembled. The designs looked quite similar to the one of the ordinary armors, only more sleek and solid looking. Sasuke examined them one by one, repeatedly walking around them. However, he stopped looking and focused on each one of them as he started to use the Sharingan. “What is it? Is there some flaw I've overlooked?” Rarity asked, wondering why his expression changed and why he was staring at the armors so intensely. “Actually there are quite lot of minor structural flaws, and some major.” He could see small cracks and imperfections in the joints. “Oh dear, where?” Rarity looked a bit worried. “Well, here and here are the major ones.” He started to point to some weak joints, or to small cracks that could have become a problem in battle. “I shall make adjustments straight away!” She levitated some tools to her, and started to fix some of the flaws Sasuke pointed at. “Right there, you see?” Sasuke said. “Yes I do...” She said fixing a slightly damaged joint. “Good, then we can work on the minor ones and then pass to the next armor.” Sasuke pointed at another one, this time a weak joint for the leg pieces. “Oh thank you, Sasuke, I don't know what would have happened without your insight!” She thanked him without taking her eyes off her work. “Well I don't know what threats you ponies face here, but after a few powerful hits it would have got pretty messy...” He imagined what would have happened if that armor failed during something like a battle or a fight. “Let’s keep it going.” He passed to the next armor. One after another, Sasuke checked out all the armors while Rarity corrected all the flaws they had. In the end they were slightly changed, but in perfect conditions and damage proof. “Well, the armors are done now,” Sasuke said after Rarity finished the last one. “My my, that was fast.” Rarity smiled. “Eh, it was nothing, the design was pretty easy to fix. Now your guards can stand against anything this world can throw at them.” He turned to her. “Thank you Sasuke! You must let me give you something in return for your work!” She thanked him. “You are welcome, now if you just gave me some bits I’d be on my way,” he answered. “Bits? Bits will never be enough for what you did today, I must make you a new outfit!” She took a measure tape. “Oh no… you aren't going to make me some frilly dress, are you?” Sasuke had a worried look on his face. “Oh not at all darling! In fact, I would like to make you a new outfit that is entirely up to you! Just guide me along and I will follow your directions,” she answered. “Really? Well okay then, go ahead with the measurements,” he answered, staying still. After taking all the measurements, Rarity started to draw the design of the dress, following to the letter Sasuke’s instructions. Once the design was ready, she started to stitch together pieces of a light and comfortable black fabric, until they formed a black kimono with the Uchiha crest on the back of it. “Wow... this looks great, the symbol of my clan also is very well stitched,” he said, putting it on as soon as Rarity presented it to him. “Oh darling, you are quite a gentlecolt underneath it all,” she complimented him for his newfound gentle manners. “Yeah… I guess, gotta go now.” He noticed that it was late afternoon and that the sun was starting to set. “Enjoy the rest of your day, also here are some bits as an extra!” She gave him a bag of bits, which he took. “Yeah… I… I will.” He headed out of the boutique. “Welcome back, Sasuke,” Twilight welcomed him back in the castle. “Oh my, did Rarity make that for you?” She pointed at Sasuke’s kimono. “Oh yeah she did, pretty fine eh?” He smiled holding the kimono in a hoof. “I knew she was good, but I didn't think she'd be able to create something you'd agree to wear,” Twilight remarked. “Me neither, but I guess I was wrong after all.” Sasuke smiled. “I must say, I'm very proud of how far you've come.” Twilight complimented him for his latest developments. “Oh… well thanks. I guess that I just needed to adjust to the new place,” he answered her. Then something hit him. “Does this mean I can leave?” He asked with a bit of excitement in his voice. “Oh… well…” Twilight hesitated for a moment “I don't know if the time is quite right yet. Why don't you let me sleep on it?” Sasuke’s expression turned from excited to disappointed. “Fine then,” He grumbled. But don't get too comfortable… he thought. “Um alright then.” Twilight felt sorry for having to disappoint him, however she knew that his reformation wasn’t complete yet. As the moon was once again up in the sky Sasuke sneaked out of the castle, and directed himself to the grove, for what he hoped to be the last meeting with Briar. He waited in the grove for a good amount of time, until the portal to the greenhouse laboratory reopened and Briar came out of it. “You have returned, good.” He grinned evilly. “This better be the last time… your hatred extracting treatment is unbearable.” He looked at him straight in the eyes. Briar just pointed at Sasuke, and let the Malignants enclose him. The plants started to absorb the hatred he had in him, though for some reason, Briar felt that the flow was less strong. “Your hate... it's weaker. Don't tell me you're letting these fool ponies and their talks of ‘fwiendship’ get to you!” “Are you insinuating that I'm weak?” Sasuke angrily shot back. “I think you may need a little pick-me-up, that's all.” His horn emitted a beam that struck Sasuke in the head. The spell caused his most painful memories to rearise in his mind, like his clan's death, his brother's death by his hands, and his discovery of the truth behind it all. Sasuke clenched his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut before reopening them, showing an expression of pure hatred. “Good...” Briar smiled, feeling the flow of hatred increasing, and seeing the plants growing even faster. In that moment, however, six more ponies arrived inside the grove. They were the six heroes of Equestria rallied by Twilight after she felt the powerful magic surge coming from the forest. “Stop right there!” Rainbow Dash barked. “Stop right there!” Briar greeted them. “What are you doing to Sasuke!?” Twilight demanded to know. “And what are these horrifying monsters?” She indicated the malignants. “You like my horticulture? I credit good fertilizer and a healthy daily dose of hate. Now, let's show these fillies what hate can do!” Briar raised his hoof causing more portals to appear around ponyville, releasing seeds around the town. The seeds quickly sprouted generating dark vines that started to attack ponies and attach to their heads. The poor ponies screamed in terror as they tried in vain to take them off, but they were just too strong. Once they were completely attached to their victims the ponies’s eyes became pitch black and they started to move towards the Everfree Forest. “Now my dears... FIGHT!” Briar commanded the ponies. “Heads up, girls!” Twilight lit her horn and got in attack position. “Get ready to taste the rainbow!” Rainbow Dash rubbed her hooves together. “Be careful! They're still innocent citizens!” Fluttershy warned her. Rainbow Dash nodded and started to hit the ponies’s legs, causing them to falter. “I'll use an incapacitating spell!” Twilight started to shoot beams of light from her horn that immobilized the ponies that were advancing. “Sorry to hit ya, sugar cube.” Applejack slammed her hoof in the muzzle of a pony knocking him out. The battle raged and the mane six did their best to block the mind controlled ponies. Rainbow Dash managed to trip several ponies allowing also Applejack to tie them up with a lasso. “Some down! A lot more to go!” Applejack saw more mind controlled ponies joining the fight. “Anybody wants a party?” Pinkie Pie raised her hoof as the ponies started to close in on her. “Yes? THIS CALLS FOR A PARTY CANNON BARRAGE!” She promptly pulled a cannon out thin air and repeatedly shot enormous quantities of confettis on the ponies, disorienting them and also knocking out the closest to her. Even Fluttershy started to help by staring down the ponies around her. “These vines look horrible.” Rarity fought some ponies off. “Not even my talent could make them look better”. In that moment more ponies started to flood the grove and to close in on the six. “They just keep coming!” Twilight raised a shield around herself and her friends. “We can't possibly fight off all of them,” Rarity added. “We should focus on saving Sasuke,” Fluttershy pointed at him. Sasuke was next to Briar, but all encased in the vines, though that didn’t stop him from hearing and watching what was happening. “They keep trying to help me... but why? I've been betraying them and they still want to be friends? I don't understand...” He couldn’t realize why they still wanted to help him. “You are right! That unicorn is using him as a power source! If we cut him off everything should stop!” Twilight exclaimed “On it partner!” Applejack dashed for him, however as soon as she left the shield vines started to attack her, and one snared her head. “APPLEJACK!!” Rarity run to help her friend. “How persistent it is!” As she tried to remove the vines from her friend’s head, another vine snared her horn. Before they knew it their eyes turned black. “Applejack, Rarity! No!” Twilight and the others ran to help them. Sasuke’s expression started to change from quizzical to horrified as more vines sprouted around the remaining four ponies, trapping them and filling their minds with hate. “Yes, yes, YES! THIS is TRULY the most powerful magic of all!” Briar exclaimed triumphantly raising his hooves in victory. Sasuke started to realize that Briar was going to do more than just rule Equestria, he was going to brainwash all the ponies in it. That wasn’t only wrong, it was sick… If he let that happen he wouldn’t have been any better of the ones that led to the Uchiha’s clan genocide. “This… this has to stop!” He tried to stop the flow of hatred coming from his body. “Oh it won't be that easy!” Briar cast the memory spell on Sasuke again, trying to have him succumb to his hate again. “I… no...” The memories of his clan being destroyed took over again, but suddenly something started to change. Sasuke started to focus his mind on the happy memories, of the adventures he had with Naruto and Sakura when they were still together, and all the other good times he had before he discovered the truth about his clan. “...it won't be easy for you either.” Sasuke’s eyes started to lose their blackness, and as they did so a tiny spark appeared in his pupils. Briar frowned as he felt the flow of energy being cut off but that was only the beginning. “Hatred might be powerful, but I know by experience that there are stronger powers than it. Powers that I should have embraced long ago!” Sasuke said as the spark grew and started to travel through the vines. “Oh no…” Briar’s eyes widened. “No... no... NO!” He tried to stop Sasuke using offensive spells but none was effective. The vines started to sprout blue buds, which bloomed and started to scatter sparkling pollen which was inhaled by the ponies, turning their eyes back to normal. “It seems you were right, Twilight, friendship is more powerful than hatred.” Sasuke looked at the six ponies who tried to help them as the pollen returned them to how they were before. “NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!” Briar screamed as the pollen engulfed him, causing his dark coat to shine. Afterwards the shine faded away leaving behind a normal unicorn. “Sasuke... you saved us.” Twilight standed up and looked at him. “I had to... It was my fault this was happening.” Sasuke turned to her, meeting the other ponies’s shocked sights. Pinkie Pie particularly started to tear up before starting to bawl. “Thank you Sasuke, you saved our flanks from these demon weeds,” Applejack complimented him. “Yes, we can't thank you enough,” Fluttershy added. Twilight smiled. “But… I did ‘cause this… Briar offered me a quicker way home if I helped him...” he confessed, feeling guilty about the fact that it was also partially his fault if Briar almost took over. “We're still proud of you for making the right choice, Sasuke.” Twilight forgave him as well as the others. “And we promise to help get you back home.” “Thank you...” Sasuke smiled a little knowing that he earned the ponies’s forgiveness. In that moment Briar started to gain back consciousness. “What… happened?” he asked struggling to stand up as the mane six as well as Sasuke quickly surrounded him. “Don't you remember partner?” Applejack asked. “You were the psycho who tried to destroy Equestria with zombie plants!” Pinkie Pie told him. “Do you know what you almost did?” Twilight came closer to him. “Oh my... I greatly apologize for all that I have done. You see I was working on a solution to help crops grow faster, but I accidentally caused a horrible lab accident and my magic combined with the solution to create... what I became” Briar’s memories started to fall back in place. “Wait a minute… I remember you, you are Briar Malice. I saw one of your articles.” Twilight remembered him. “It must have been a truly awful accident partner,” Applejack tried to get him on his hooves. “We better take him to the hospital… now,” Twilight suggested. After some days of therapy at Ponyville’s hospital, Briar was completely healed and filled in about everything that happened while he was infected by the hate. What surprised him the most was hearing about the return of Princess Luna and about Twilight becoming the princess of friendship after defeating Tirek. From that night Sasuke tried to spend more time with each of the six ponies, also meeting some of the townsfolk who seemed to see him as some sort of hero. He finally grasped the true power of friendship and changed his way of behaving too, and he didn’t have any hurry in going back to his world. One day he, along with his new friends, were invited to Canterlot to celebrate the defeat of the Malignants. In the invite it was also said that there was a special surprise for Sasuke. Once in Canterlot Sasuke was lead by Celestia in the main hall of the royal palace, on which windows the most important happenings in Equestria were immortalized. Celestia lead him in front of a covered window and then she proceeded to unveil it. The window depicted Sasuke and the six ponies fighting against the plant horde, with Sasuke at the front of the group. “Wow… It… it looks great.” Sasuke exclaimed in wonder observing the beautiful work of glass art. Later that afternoon there was the celebration in their honor, and as it finished by the evening Sasuke was escorted by his new friends to a clearing in the palace’s garden. “Just a hop, skip, and a jump more Sasuke and we'll be there!” Pinkie Pie cheerfully said. “Something tells me that this will be a great surprise if Pinkie is so excited,” Sasuke said. “Thank you so much for all this, girls, thank you so much for not giving up on me. If the surprise is what I think it is, I feel I’ll miss this world.” “We'll miss you too partner.” Applejack put a hoof over his shoulder. “If we've learned anything from you, it's that anypony can be redeemed by accepting friendship.” Twilight smiled at him. In that moment they reached the clearing. “Now close your eyes and wait, we have a surprise for you,” Fluttershy asked Sasuke gently. Sasuke closed his eyes and sighed happily. In that moment Itachi appeared, illuminated by Luna’s moon. “Hello little brother,” he whispered. “This voice… ” Sasuke started to open his eyes. “Itachi...” He recognized his brother’s expression. Itachi smiled at him, happy that he recognized him in his pony form. Sasuke just stared at him a moment before running to him embracing him with his hooves, crying. The ponies and Celestia observed the scene smiling warmly, happy that he met his brother again after so much time. “Big brother,” He whispered between a sob and the other. “The girls have told me about your progress Sasuke, you are clearly not the same pers– er pony you used to be. I couldn't be prouder to call you my brother” He complimented him, rubbing his brother’s back with his hooves. “And I thank you for having me pass through this… if you didn't I'd probably still be consumed by hatred now.” Sasuke sobbed as he spoke, embracing his brother even more. “It takes a very special power to break a curse established through generations. You have found that power brother, and now… you are ready,” Itachi said. “Ready?” he asked. “To return home and apply what you've learned about friendship to your own life. You left behind many who miss you dearly Sasuke,” Itachi answered, upsetting Sasuke a little. “...I...I can't go yet, I didn't imagine you were still alive in this world! And I just learned about the true power of friends, how do you expect me to leave just now?” he objected. “You are ready, Sasuke, I know you are. Mend your broken friendships, reach out to those you once pushed away, erase the mistakes of your past with good actions in the present which will affect the future. You've always been a quick learner little brother, I have complete faith that you can handle this” Itachi encouraged him. “Why don't you come with me?” Sasuke questioned him. “I can't, I'm afraid my time in that world has been up for a long time now. And besides...” Luna flew nearby him “...I have a new life here. A life of peace and true happiness.” Luna and him nuzzled each other. “I understand... I shall try to earn mine too then.” Sasuke smiled at him with confidence. Itachi smiled back at him and then turned to Twilight. “Twilight, if you would be so kind...” The alicorn nodded and her horn glowed, causing a portal to appear in the middle of the clearing. “Goodbye my friends, and thank you one more time for showing that there was another way.” He approached it, while the ponies shouted their goodbyes. “Take care little brother, take care.” Itachi looked at him cross the portal. Sasuke then disappeared in it, and the portal closed. THE END.