Chapters It was a, relatively, peaceful day in Konoha. They were still recovering from Pein's attack, but most of the village had been rebuilt. Right now Naruto was slurping down a bowl of ramen at Ichiraku's. It was then that he heard Sakura's voice calling for him. "Naruto!" she called out.
He quickly finished the bowl, and set it on top of a pile of others before paying, and leaving. Sakura quickly spotted him, and ran over. "There you are Naruto." she said, "I've been looking all over for you. Lady Tsunade wants us."
"Bahh. What does she want this time?" he complained.
"I don't know, but it sounds like a really important mission." she told him. At that he perked up.
"An important mission?! Let's go then!" he announced, running off to see Tsunade.
--
Celestia sat, thinking about what the upcoming days would soon be like. She had hired ninjas to protect her pupil, and her friends. Needless to say they didn't take it too well, and Twilight felt as though the Princess didn't trust them enough. She hadn't told them the exact nature of the guards, just that they were special, and that made it even worse.
It may not have seemed like a big deal to Twilight, and her friends, but it was a big deal to Celestia. She had even invited them to meet the new guards, and watch them be tested once they arrived. She trotted out onto her balcony, and looked up at her sister's beautiful night sky. She let out a sad sigh as she remembered the last time she'd seen a ninja.
Flashback
One thousand years ago a dark mare threatened to shroud all of Equestria in an eternal darkness. Celestia wielded the Elements of Harmony, hoping to defeat her, but Nightmare Moon wouldn't be taken down that easily. Having once used the Elements herself, she knew how to counter them.
Without the Elements to help Celestia it turned into a battle of sister against sister. Only the more powerful of the two would win this. Unfortunately the dark night was giving Nightmare Moon power, and Celestia was wearing ragged. Her breaths came in short, shallow gulps.
Celestia had given all she had, and it hadn't been enough. Finally she collapsed, accepting her fate. Nightmare Moon's horn glowed as she gathered up magic to finish up Celestia for good, and become the one, and only, ruler of Equestria. Celestia was only able to watch as Nightmare Moon unleashed the beam, sending it right towards her.
It was then that a unicorn jumped in it's path, and absorbed it. Nightmare Moon reared up in surprise. "Impossible!" she yelled, "You're just a lowly unicorn! How could you stop my attack?!" Princess Celestia was amazed. This unicorn had just stood up to one of the most powerful spells in Equestria! Not even she could do that! Who was this pony?
Her thoughts were cut short as Nightmare Moon charged towards the mysterious pony. "Watch out!" she called to him with the last vestiges of her strength. He just looked at her with purple ringed eyes that made her shudder. Suddenly he disappeared, and reappeared right behind Nightmare Moon.
He then gave her a buck that sent her flying. She skidded across the ground, and stopped when she crashed into the mountain with enough force to form a large crater.. Celestia stared wide eyed at the scene. He then let out a shout, "Planetary Devastation!"
Suddenly the ground started shaking violently, and large chunks of earth ripped up from the ground, floating into the sky, and forming a large sphere. Soon even the mountain Nightmare Moon had been launched into was sucked up, along with her. Soon it's mass grew too great for the planet's atmosphere to hold, and in a great display of power the unicorn launched it out of the planet's orbit.
He turned, and walked to Celestia. "I have just created what shall be called the 'moon'." he said, "And I have trapped her in it. She will be back in a thousand years though. She will be significantly weaker though. Goodbye." With that he started walking away.
"Wait! called Celestia, making him turn back to her. "At least tell me your name?" she asked. He started at her with his purple eyes, once again causing her to shudder involuntarily.
"You may call me the Sage of Six Paths." he told her, then trotted off never to be seen again.
End of flashback.
Celestia let out another sigh as she stared up at the moon. "I just hope that these ninja are strong too." she whispered.
--
Naruto burst into the hokage's room where she was sitting behind her desk, and Kakashi was already there.. "We're here Granny Tsunade." he said, a tad unnecessarily.
"Ah. Naruto, Sakura, you're here. Now we can get started." said Tsunade, "I have already briefed Kakashi. You three shall be going on an S rank mission."
"An S rank mission?! Yes! I'm so excited!" Naruto said, pumping his fist into the air.
"Shut up and let her talk!" yelled Sakura, slugging him.
"Sorry Sakura." he said, on the ground. Tsunade cleared her throat.
"Ahem. Yes, well as I was saying. You all probably know the tale about the Sage of Six Paths visiting another world." she continued, "Well I have just found out it's true. I have just gotten a letter from the ruler of one of the planet's countries. Her name is Princess Celestia, and you will be guarding her pupil, and her friends."
"Wait a second." said Naruto, "What do you mean another world?" Tsunade let out a sigh.
"As I just said Naruto. You will be going to another world where the dominant species are ponies." she told him. This didn't surprise them unduly. After all they'd seen talking toads, and slugs before. "You will have to disguise yourselves though." she told them, "Fukasaku, and Shima will lead you there. Dismissed."
With that she dismissed the three to set off on their mission. Once they were gone Shizune asked the question that'd been itching at her the whole time, "Isn't it a bad idea to send Naruto off on a mission right now?" Tsunade gave a wry smile.
"Actually I think it'll be the perfect hiding spot." she said.
Naruto and the others were at Mt. Myoboku. They were standing in front of Shima, and Fukasaku as they explained some things. "Okay listen up." said Fukasaku, "You will be given names to fit in with theirs. Naruto you shall be known as Orange Citrus. Sakura you shall be known as Cherry Blossom. And Kakashi you will be known as Thunderclap."
"Do we have to?" whined Naruto.
"Yes." Fukasaku told him, "You don't want to raise suspicion. Now follow me." With that Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi followed Fukasaku through the dense jungle paths of Mt.Myoboku until they reached a small shrine with a small indention filled with water in front of it.
"This is the Enshinshui." said Fukasaku, "It will bring you to your destination. The castle is in the side of a mountain so you can't miss it. Good luck." With that Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi jumped into the pool.
--
"So tomorrow we meet our guards." announced Twilight.
"Who cares." said Dash, "They're just gonna be kill joys like every other guard."
"Dash!" exclaimed Twilight, "The guards work very hard to keep everypony safe. You shouldn't say things like that about them."
"Keep it down in there!" one of the guards called out.
"See what I mean Twilight?" said Rainbow Dash, "The other guards are probably just like them."
"You don't know that." Twilight said, "You haven't even met them."
"Ah hate to disagree with you Twi, but I don't think they'd really be guards if they weren't." said Applejack.
"I'm sure they're nice." said Fluttershy.
"Yes, and I wouldn't mind having a big, strong stallion watching over me." Rarity swooned.
"Do you think they'll like a welcome party?" asked Pinkie.
"Doubt it." said Dash. Twilight let out a sigh.
"I hope the Princess made the right choice." she whispered to herself before drifting off to sleep.
--
Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi pulled themselves up out of a pond, covered in algae. "Ugh. Why did we have to come out of a pond." complained Sakura, shaking herself off. Kakashi and Naruto did the same, and then Kakashi huddled them up.
"Okay both of you take one of these bracelets." he told them. Naruto, and Sakura took a bracelet each.
"What are these for?" asked Naruto.
"These bracelets will disguise us as ponies while we wear them." he told them, "Fukasaku gave them to me before we left. Now put them on." They did as they were told, and immediately there was a poof of smoke, and they turned into ponies. Naruto was a bright orange like his clothes, with a spiky orange mane, and the seal for his cutie mark.
Sakura was turned into a hot pink with a lighter pink mane, and a medical cross with cherry blossoms in the four corners as her cutie mark. Kakashi was gray with a lighter gray mane, and a mirror as his cutie mark. Kakashi spoke up. "See that castle over there?" he asked them.
They both nodded. "That's our destination." continued Kakashi, "If we move swiftly we can reach it within the hour. There we'll meet the Princess and her student. Got it?"
"Aye aye." Naruto, and Sakura said simultaneously. With that they took off, jumping through the trees. Soon enough they reached the entrance of the castle, where they were stopped by guards in golden armour.
"Halt." one ordered, "What is your business here?"
"We have a meeting with the Princess and her student." Kakashi told him. He snorted in disbelief.
"Nice try." he said, "But the Princess has ordered for there to be no visitors today."
"Sorry to waste your time. We'll be on our way now." said Kakashi, pushing Naruto and Sakura away from them.
"Kakashi what are you doing?" asked Naruto.
"We can't just cause a scene." Kakashi told him, "Obviously the Princess is testing our skills."
"So what do we do then?" asked Sakura.
"We're going to circle around the castle, and then sneak onto the top." Kakashi told them, "From there we'll make our way into the throne room. Got it?" Naruto, and Sakura nodded. Soon enough, the plan had worked perfectly, and they were now on top of the roof.
"So how do we get in?" asked Sakura.
"I say we just barge in." Naruto said, jumping down.
"Ugh, Naruto!" yelled Sakura.
"We better go after him." said Kakashi.
--
Twilight and her friends stood restless in the throne room. They had been waiting there for an hour. "How much longer Princess?" asked Twilight.
"It shouldn't be too much longer." Celestia told her, "They should get here soon." As if on cue, three windows burst inwards, and three ponies fell 20 feet to the floor, and landed unfazed.
"Wha- bu- how?!" stuttered Twilight. Celestia quickly regained her composure, and spoke to them.
"Ah. I see you have arrived." she said, "Tell me, what are your names?"
"I'm Thunderclap." said Kakashi.
"I'm Cherry Blossom." said Sakura.
"And I'm Naru- I mean Orange Citrus." Naruto said, glad he caught himself.
"Very well. I am Princess Celestia." she said, introducing herself, "And this is my prized pupil, Twilight Sparkle, and her friends, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy."
"It's nice to meet you." said Kakashi. They were still in too much of a shock to say anything.
"Well, enough of that." said Celestia, "Are you ready for your test?"
"Bring it on!" Naruto said.
"Very well then. I will call for my guards, and I will assess on how many you can take out." Celestia told them, "Guards seize these intruders!" Suddenly the doors burst open, and the room flooded with royal guards. Naruto, and Kakashi jumped up into the air, taking care of some pegasi while Sakura punched the ground with her enormous strength, shaking the castle to it's foundation, and stunning some of the unicorns, and earth ponies.
Then Naruto made himself five clones to help him fight. "Wow." said Celestia, impressed.
"What?" asked Twilight.
"Well cloning magic is among the most advanced to master. My limit is three, but the most recorded is 10 by Starswirl the bearded." said Celestia, "Still, though, five is impressive."
"Amazing!" said Twilight, shocked at this information. Not too much longer Sakura and Kakashi were hit with stun spells, and Naruto got buried under a large pile of guards. Just when they thought it was over, and Celestia was about to call her guards off, they heard a shout from under the guards.
"Rasengan!" came the voice of Naruto. A blue light burst out of the group of guards, and they were sent flying across the room, leaving Naruto in the middle of an abundant source of magic. There was even more than what Twilight had used when she saved Ponyville from an ursa minor.
Then Naruto let out another shout, "Shadow clone jutsu!" Then the room was covered in smoke. When it cleared, what they saw, surprised all of the occupants. 100 Naruto were rearing, and ready to go.
"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!" yelled Celestia, loosing her composure. Soon the Narutos had beaten all of the guards, and then dissipated in a poof of smoke. Naruto then walked up to in front of the Princess. "W-Who are you?" she asked with just the barest tinge of fear in her voice.
Naruto shrugged and said, "Orange Citrus."
"Orange Citrus, you must be a truly powerful pony to be able to do something like that." said Celestia, "I have never seen such a massive amount of energy before." Twilight was surprised. The only time she'd ever heard her mentor say something like that was when she had her audition, and lost control of her magic. And even then that hadn't been nearly as much magic as he had released now.
"Thanks." said Naruto, giving a toothy grin.
"Your teeth are awfully pointy." said Applejack. He gave her a confused look.
"Huh? Are they?" he asked.
"Yeah." she said, "Do you eat, you know?"
"Eat what?" asked Naruto.
"Uh, m-meat." she stuttered.
"Yeah." he said, blissfully unaware of the sheer terror he had just caused them. Upon hearing this, their faces paled, and Fluttershy fainted.
"Could you please try to refrain from that while on this mission?" asked Celestia.
"We brought some from the village for him, so don't worry." Kakashi quickly intervened.
"AND YOUR VILLAGE ALLOWS THIS?!" exclaimed Twilight, sickened by these revelations.
"Well our village consists of many species that eat meat, so it wouldn't be fair to deprave them of their natural food source just because of one species." Kakashi lied smoothly.
"Very well." said Celestia, "But could you please eat in private, so you don't bother other ponies?"
"Will do." agreed Naruto.
"Also you will be leaving in an hour. Meet us in the courtyards." she told them, "As for you six, get cleaned up, and get your things."
"Yes Princess Celestia." said the five.
"Alright girls, lets go." said Twilight. The other four nodded, and left, Applejack carrying Fluttershy on her back.
--
After waking up Fluttershy, and taking quick showers, the six gathered around to discuss their guards. "Alright girls, what do you think?" asked Twilight.
"They're weird." said Dash.
"Yeah." agreed Pinkie, "Did you see Orange Citrus's cutie mark? It was all swirly. I wonder what it means."
"I still can't believe he could do such a revolting thing." Rarity said.
"Yeah." agreed Fluttershy, "I don't think I want to let him near my animals." Twilight sighed.
"I know Fluttershy." she said, "I tried to talk the Princess out of it last night, but she seemed kind of upset. We'll just have to try and get along with them."
"You seem troubled too sugarcube." said Applejack, "What's on your mind?" Twilight let out another sigh.
"Well that magic he used. I'm wondering how a unicorn could possess such a large amount." she said.
"Hah, Twi's jealous!" said Dash.
"Maybe so." admitted Twilight, "But when I used a power checking spell on him I learned that ball of magic contained just as much as when we use the Elements."
"No way!" said Dash, "That's impossible!" Twilight shook her head.
"It's true." she told them, "And what's more I don't think his cutie mark is a cutie mark."
"What do you mean his cutie mark ain't a cutie mark?" asked Applejack.
"Well it seems more like a barrier." said Twilight, "It's keeping in something very dark and powerful. Even more so than Nightmare Moon and Discord."
"Well why don't you tell the Princess." said Rarity.
"That's a good idea." said Twilight, "Let's go talk to the Princess."
--
"That's what I've come to tell you." concluded Twilight.
"Interesting." said Celestia, "So you noticed it too. I'm not completely sure who he is, or what that barrier is holding back, but I want you to keep a close eye on him just in case. Report to me any more findings on him."
"I will Princess." said Twilight. Celestia looked upwards just as a clock chimed.
"Oh, it seems time to say our goodbyes." she said, "Good luck my student."
It didn't take them long to travel to Ponyville while riding the train. It only took to noon. Soon they pulled into the town's station, and got off. "Welcome to Ponyville." Twilight told them.
"Seems nice and peaceful." said Sakura.
"Don't let the look fool you." Twilight told her.
"What do you mean?" asked Sakura.
"Ponyville has it's fair share of disasters." Twilight said.
"Like what?" asked Naruto.
"Well, dragons, ursas, hydras. All kinds of stuff." she told them.
"Really?" asked Naruto.
"Yeah. And we take care of them all." bragged Dash.
"Wow." said Sakura.
"Yeah. How about I tell you the time we rescued Rarity from the diamond dogs." Dash said.
--
"I'm worried Tia." said Luna, "What if that fox demon is back?"
"It can't be back Lu-Lu." Celestia assured her.
"But you saw the colt." said Luna, "You felt his powers. I'm sure its back!"
"Luna! You know what happened. It CAN'T be back." Celestia said, loosing some of her composure. Luna lowered her head.
"I know Sister, but what if... What if Mom and Dad failed?" said Luna, "What if it is back?"
"LUNA!" she yelled, "Our parents gave their lives to rid Equestria of that demon! There's no way it can be back!" Luna hung her head.
"I'm sorry Sister." she said, leaving. As she did a certain day came to mind.
Flashback
It was a very long time ago. Soon after Equestria was founded. Celestia and Luna were no more than nine, and it was a very peaceful time. No Nightmare Moon, no Discord, no anything. It was a time of harmony and peace. That was not to last too long though.
Luna and Celestia's parents were the rulers of this land in that time of peace and prosperity. Their mother ruled, and brought about the day while their father ruled, and brought about the night. Then one night the Nine Tailed Fox appeared. Nopony knew from which the demon originated, but such power was unheard of.
Since it was a time of peace nopony had ever heard of such violence or destruction, and didn't know how to fight back. The demon easily destroyed anything on it's path, and had nearly reached Canterlot. The king and queen had flew out to fight the demon, but it's strength proved to much for them.
Summoning upon the last vestiges of their strength, their horns glowed with the light of the day and the night. They then cast a spell that would send the demon away from Equestria. As they were surrounded by the magic, their father spoke his last words to them.
"Celestia, you and your sister are now the rulers of this land." he had said, "Protect her, and this land with all of your might. We love you." With that, there was a blinding flash of light, brighter than the sun itself, and they and the demon had dissapeared.
Unknown to everypony else, they had cast the ultimate teleportation spell. One that ripped through the fabric of space and time, and flung them into the void. The demon fell from the sky, with no trace of the king and queen. It got up, and looked around, wondering where it was.
It knew that wherever it was now, it was most definitely not in Equestria. This land was filled with an even more abundant, and concentrated magic. It also realized that it was weak. It decided it would rest up in this new world, and take in the abundance of magic it had to offer.
End flashback.
Luna looked to the sun in the sky, and let out a sad sigh. "I sure hope you're right sister." she said.
--
"And that's our little town." Applejack said, finishing her tour.
"Seems nice." said Sakura.
"Thanks sugarcube." said Applejack, "But you ain't seen the best part yet. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres." The farmer gestured towards her farm. Just then a yellow filly with a red mane came hopping out of the house followed by a bigger red stallion.
"Hey Sis, who are these ponies?" the filly asked.
"These are the guards Princess Celestia hired." Applejack told her, "Applebloom meet Thunderclap, Orange Citrus, and Cherry blossom. Guys meet my little sister, Applebloom, and my brother Big Mac."
"It's nice to meet you." said Kakashi.
"Eeyup." said Big Mac.
"Oh! Can you help me get my cutie mark?" asked Applebloom.
"Applebloom, leave them alone." said Applejack, who then turned to Team 7, "Sorry 'bout that. Anyways while you're here why don't you stay for dinner?"
"No. We wouldn't want to be a burden." Kakashi told her.
"Nonsense. I insist." she said, "And I won't take no for an answer." With that, the nine ponies headed inside. Soon enough the ninjas, and ponies were sitting down at a table filled with assorted apple goods. "You outdid yourself this time Big Mac." Applejack said to her brother.
"Eeyup." he said, proudly. While they ate, Twilight noticed something about the guards. Even though they were unicorns, they were using their hooves to eat instead of magic.
"Why don't you use the levitation spell to help you eat?" Twilight asked them.
"We don't know it." Kakashi told her.
"What do you mean you don't know it?!" she asked, "It's the most basic spell a unicorn can learn!" Kakashi just sighed, and finished eating. After they finished eating they decided who would stay with who. Rarity was quick to claim Kakashi as her own, Sakura stayed with Fluttershy, and Naruto stayed with Twilight while three of his clones stayed with the others.
When they reached their destination it was getting to be night time, so they all decided to go to bed. All but one studious unicorn. She took out a piece of parchment, and a quill, and started writing.
Dear Princess Celestia,
You told me to inform you if I found anything else strange about the guards. I have found out today that none of them have ever used, or even heard of the levitation spell, even though it is the most basic of magic that unicorns have. I will continue to observe them, and report anything else strange to you.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
She rolled up the scroll, and levitated it to her assistant. "Spike, send this please." she said.
"Sure." he said, taking it, "But who's that pony?"
"That's one of the guards Princess Celestia hired to guard us." Twilight told him.
"But isn't he a little young to be a guard?" he asked, "He looks to be my age."
"Yes Spike, I know." she said, "Can you just send the scroll please?"
"Will do." he said, taking a breath, and then breathing a green jet of flame, burning the scroll, and sending it to the Princess. Twilight let out a yawn.
"We should probably get some sleep now." she said.
"Agreed." said Spike.
--
Very far away sat a dark castle. Inside the castle, a dark green alicorn with razor sharp teeth, and blood red eyes, and mane, sat in the throne. This was no normal pony however. He was the one who created Discord to bring chaos to Equestria, and the one who used Luna's insecurities to turn her into Nightmare Moon.
He let out an evil laugh. "I see the Nine Tails has returned." he said, "And this time I'll use it to rule Equestria for sure!"
It was late at night, and Spike had just sent Twilight's letter to the Princess before falling asleep. "Who'd you send that letter to?" asked a voice, startling Twilight.
"Eep! W-Who's there?" she asked. Suddenly a figure dropped down from the ceiling, and landed next to Twilight, making her jump up in fright. When she realized who it was she let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, Orange Citrus, it's just you." she said, "Anyways I was just sending a letter to my teacher, the Princess."
"You two have a strong bond don't you?" he asked.
"Yeah." said Twilight, "She's been like a second mother to me. I don't know where I'd be if it weren't for her." Naruto let out a small chuckle.
"Reminds me of the Pervy Sage." he said. Twilight let out a giggle.
"That's a weird name." she said.
"No, that's not his real name, I just call him that because he's perverted." Naruto said.
"Well you must have a strong bond with him." said Twilight.
"Yeah." said Naruto sadly, "I did."
""Did?" asked Twilight, "What do you mean?"
"He died recently in a battle." Naruto said. Twilight gasped upon hearing this.
"I'm so sorry." she said.
"It's fine." he told her, "I'm going to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else, not even your friends. Promise?"
"I promise." she agreed. Naruto took a deep breath before beginning.
--
"And then he used the last of his power to bring back the people of the Leaf Village." Naruto finished.
Twilight stood, shocked at the story Naruto had just told her. She couldn't understand how anypony could do such a thing, and what's more was she couldn't figure whether she thought he was good or bad. Then a question made it's way to the front of her mind.
"How was he able to do all of those things?" asked Twilight.
"He had the powers of the Sage of Six Paths." Naruto told her.
"Who's that?" she asked.
"The Sage of Six Paths was a very powerful shinobi." Naruto told her, "Even though he wasn't as skilled, he was still a powerful enemy."
"Even more powerful than the Princess?" asked Twilight.
"Probably." said Naruto.
"I have to report this to the Princess right away!" said Twilight.
"No!" shouted Naruto, startling Twilight.
"What? Why not?!" she asked.
"Because you made a promise." he said. Twilight stared into his eyes, and suddenly felt guilt welling up in her. She had been willing to break a promise she'd made to a friend just because she'd gotten excited.
"I'm sorry." she apologized.
"It's okay." he said, giving her a small smile, "We should probably get some rest."
"Yeah." agreed Twilight. With that, Naruto left the room, and Twilight lay down. She was unable to get to sleep, though. She stared out her window into the night, and thought about what she'd been told, and how it all connected back to her. She hadn't realized how long she'd stayed awake until her mentor's sun shone in her window onto her back.
"Morning already?" she muttered to herself, "Spike! Can you make me some tea. And wake up Orange Citrus, I want to talk to him." Spike walked in, rubbing his eyes.
"I can make you some tea, but the guard disappeared sometime last night." Spike told her, "Although he did leave this." Spike held out a piece of paper, and Twilight wasted no time taking the piece of paper.
Dear Twilight
I know you probably want to know more, so I'll tell you more tonight. I want you to keep it a secret though. Right now I'm at Applejack's, if you want to talk then you can come over, but don't mention anything in front of the others.
Sincerely Orange Citrus
Real name Naruto
"Huh. Naruto. Well I look forward to knowing more." she said to herself, "I guess I'll head over to Applejack's. Spike! I'm heading out. Clean this place up please." With that she left, leaving Spike holding a cup of tea. He let out a sigh, and turned around to go back into the kitchen, but tripped, spilling the tea all over himself.
