Hello again to all, and welcome back. Not much to say other than I didn't have nearly as long to work on this initially as I thought, because I got caught in a freeway closure, had to run my brother to get a healthy snack following his Marines PT workout, and had to spend a half hour searching for something I hadn't even lost (and that wasn't mine to lose). I barely started writing this at 11 PM on Thursday night. EDIT: Did not expect this to be done the very next day, so double update, yay!
Also, I want to make something clear, as I've already gotten a couple reviews about this. There will NOT be a harem, at least not with Naruto. I have already decided the Naruto pairing, and those perceptive enough to examine the hidden meanings of my story thus far have already figured out what the pairing will be (but please don't tell others or leave a review in which you state the pairing, as I don't want it to be spoiled for those who either didn't figure it out or don't want to know until the reveal, and I WILL filter out those reviews that do so). That said, I am open to having a small harem with other characters as the focus, though I'm admittedly not all that good with multi-person romance, as I've never actually written it myself, and any content related to such in this story would be my first foray into the waters.
That said, enough ranting, and enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 5: Public Relations
The Next Day - Worn Rock Trail, Base of Mt. Canterhorn
The group had arrived at the base of the mountain, about a quarter of the way around, after a day of traveling. Naruto's new traveling companion had taken a liking to Naruto very quickly, and now the two were practically inseparable. Naruto had even given the manticore - that was its species' name, as they had been told the day before at a small hut outside the forest they had just exited, which they also learned was called the Whitetail Woods - the name Senshi, which, upon explaining that the name meant 'warrior' in Naruto's native tongue, the manticore had taken a shine to.
As the group stopped for a short break before beginning the rather dangerous ascent up the rugged trail, Shukaku approached Naruto, a ration bar in hand, and sat down on the side of the small boulder the group had taken shade in. Naruto turned to the blonde. "What do you need, Shukaku?"
"Nothing really, just getting sick of all this walking. Last time I did this much walking was before all the sealing crap." Shukaku shrugged his shoulders in an uncaring gesture, indicating despite the fact they were only halfway done with their journey, he was already ready to stop and probably go do something he considered fun.
"Well, not like there's much we can do about it. Super Gramps only used the chakra the way he did to save Senshi over there because like he told us, he could feel that he and I had a connection. He wouldn't have done it if he felt it wouldn't warrant it. And until he's figured out just how fast our energies regenerate in this world, we can't risk it. Much as I don't like having to walk like a normal person instead of shooting up the mountain fast enough to give anyone a heart attack, we don't really have a choice right now." The mention of his new name made Senshi perk up slightly from his resting spot on the ground next to Jiraiya and Minato, his tail flicking once.
"I agree with Naruto. Our energies must be conserved until we know how they are affected by this world. Even my infinite power must bend to the whims of reality, and when the rules of reality are changed, compromises must be realized, or chaos will destroy all." Žiara spoke up as she walked toward the pair of them, eating a ration bar herself as she leaned against a nearly-dead tree next to the trail. She bit into the ration bar and chewed, before swallowing and continuing where she left off. "In the meantime, why don't you do something else to take your mind off the tedium, Shukaku? I find observing the scenery and using my energy to sense the movements and interactions of nearby living beings is a most productive and enlightening way to pass the time."
"Enlightening? Blech, no thank you, I'd rather have my head bashed in." Shukaku huffed and turned away from Žiara, who just chuckled at his reaction.
Matatabi and Saiken approached the two - Shukaku had decided after Žiara's suggestion that he'd rather not be near her for fear of contracting some disease - and sat down on the rocks next to Naruto, themselves eating some berries they had found from the environment around them. "You've gotta admit, even though we may not know where exactly we are, this place sure is beautiful." Matatabi admired the scenery around them while chewing on a berry.
"That it is, no doubt. The last time I had the chance to see a part of a world truly without human influence was before Kaguya's time, over a thousand years ago. I remember now why I always long for the fresh air and open landscape, untouched by man." Žiara agreed with Matatabi.
"Yes, you both are certainly right. I've always had an admiring eye for nature, but ever since Hashirama Senju, I've not had the chance to enjoy it as I can now. Hopefully, for a while, it will stay that way." Saiken added his own thoughts while the small group finished their ration bars and berries.
"Yeah, I may have been a bit hyperactive as a kid, but one thing I loved doing was going out on top of the Hokage Monument and looking out to the horizon. The village looked cool spread out like that, but the trees and the sky beyond always held an air of mystery that I wished I could explore." Naruto finished off his own ration bar, and got up as the rest of the group, his own little band included, rose and they prepared to make their journey.
Hagoromo sent chakra through his staff and tapped the ground lightly, sending a minor tremor through to get the others' attention. Senshi stood up and growled in confusion, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. The others quickly turned their attention to him, curious as to why he had used chakra to get their attention. "As I can tell you've already figured out, I have proceeded to use chakra in what you perceive to be a meaningless manner. This was for two reasons. First, I used the pulse and its chakra feedback to determine the stability of the upper rock of this world, and I was met with results that conclude this upper rock is much denser and less prone to damage or upset than the upper rock of our world. Second, I have determined that chakra usage will have no detriment to any of us. The latent energies of this world, mysterious though they may be, allow my chakra to replenish faster even than standing in the presence of a Summon Clan such as the Toads would. There is also an abundance of more malleable nature energy present in this world that exists in greater quantities on the scale of orders of magnitude more dense than in our world." The general consensus at Hagoromo's words was relief combined with eagerness and more than a small amount of joy.
Shukaku especially whooped and hollered until a more-than-hard punch to the face courtesy of Chomei sent him flying into a tree. He got out of the tree and sped to her, getting in her face. "The hell was that for, huh?!"
"Because you were making a scene. In fact, you still are."
"What?! How dare y-"
"Weren't you the one who told Naruto you couldn't wait to get back on the move? Consider yourself lucky in that regard, and let's go." Chomei's voice brooked no room for argument. Shukaku's eyes widened and he stopped in his tracks, his mouth moving but failing to get anything out, before he clicked his jaws shut and stiffly walked away, his eyebrow relentlessly twitching. The others, especially Jiraiya and Son Goku, had a good laugh at Shukaku's expense. Eventually, though, the group calmed down, as Hagoromo, Hiruzen, and Žiara led them up the rocky trail.
The Next Day - Canterlot West Entrance
The group had just finished hiking the moderately steep, worn rock trail and arrived at a large, ornate gate. Two guards, stnading about 6'6", wearing gold-plated intricate armor with designs of the sun ans wielding large halberds, blocked the gate. "Halt there! State your business in Canterlot or you will be asked to turn around!" The guard on the left said in a stiff and resolute voice that brooked no argument.
"Group of fifteen humans and one manticore, seeking entrance to Canterlot by personal recommendation of Princess Celestia of Equestria. I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki, leader of this group." Hagoromo stepped forward and issued his response to the guard in his calm, wise voice. The guard went over to a desk situated in the city wall and took out what looked to be a travel log, flipping through a couple pages before his eyes lit up and he nodded.
He returned to the group. "Welcome, Hagoromo Otsutsuki and company. Your arrival has been recorded in the log and you are free to enter the city proper. Princess Celestia has requested your presence in the castle throne room at dusk. Do not be late." The guard said as he and his partner stepped out of the way and flipped the lever that opened the city gates, allowing them access inside.
"An appointment must always be fulfilled. We will make it a point to be on time." Hagoromo said to the guard as they walked through the gates and into the city.
The structures looked more modern than what Naruto and the group were used to, other than Naruto and Kurama, who had seen the Rain Village that Nagato once called home. Bricks and fabrics of various colors and compositions made up the outer walls of the various structures, giving the city proper a bright atmosphere - on the surface. The group quickly realized the beauty for what it was - a façade, covering up the expensive nature of the buildings, save a select few, and barely masking the attitudes of those who were out and about on the city streets, many with noses turned up, stiff postures, and regal gestures that exemplified those people as belonging to some sort of nobility or the upper class. All in all, it reminded Naruto, Jiraiya, Minato, and Hiruzen of the capital of the Land of Fire back home.
The attention of the various city dwellers of Canterlot instantly turned their attention and their eyes widened in shock - not because of the group itself or its size, but because of the manticore standing next to Naruto, purring with its tail flicking as Naruto scratched under its chin. The nobles, who understood exactly none of the situation, starting running away, screaming in terror about how the manticore was going to eat them alive, among other things.
Curiously enough, though, a younger girl with lavender skin and hair sectioned off into strips by color, most being dark purple, the other being light purple and pink, a large textbook with many pages of notes stuffed in, eyes wide in something distinctly not shock, approached the group, specifically Naruto and Senshi. Senshi growled in warning at the newcomer, but Naruto whispered a condolence in the manticore's ear, which caused him to calm down slightly, though his hair was still stood on end, ready to defend his friend.
Hagoromo stepped up to the girl, his staff tapping lightly on the ground. "You seem to be unaffected by the presence of an upper-level predator in your midst. I am impressed, young one. What is your name?"
The young lady turned her attention to Hagoromo, taking a moment for her brain to reboot before answering. "Oh! I didn't see you there, I'm sorry! My name is Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia!"
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, young Twilight. I am Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of the Six Paths. Tell me, why is it that you are not scared of our manticore companion when the rest of the city already seems to have fled in terror?" Hagoromo greeted Twilight, before inquiring as to her presence.
"I did a thesis paper in my sophomore year at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns about how the latent energies of our own bodies might cause adverse effects on the environment around us, and found that manticores, as one such circumstance, are hostile for that very reason!" A glint appeared in Twilight's eyes as she realized something, which was quickly revealed to the group. "Wait, does that mean you don't have magic?! Are you not from this world?! I-"
Twilight froze in her explanation as Hagoromo's hand fell on her shoulder, her curious eyes now turning to embarrassment upon realizing that she had ranted to complete strangers. "Calm yourself, young Twilight. You are correct in your assumption that we are not of this world, but the details on how we came to this world are not mine to share. I have a proposition. If young Naruto, my descendant here" - Hagoromo pointed to Naruto, who was still scratching under Senshi's chin. At mention of his name, Naruto looked toward the two and waved at Twilight in greeting, while she waved back - "is comfortable sharing those details with you, and Princess Celestia will allow your presence in the castle when we must see her at dusk - considering you are her own student, by your mention, I expect she will have no reservation about allowing you to attend our gathering - the details will be revealed to you then. Princess Celestia already has the information, because she sensed our presence in your world the very instant we arrived and met us personally to determine whether we were a threat to your world."
"I... I understand. I'll be at the castle, if it's fine with... Naruto, you said his name was?" Hagoromo nodded once in confirmation. Naruto, with his excellent hearing, had overheard the conversation, and nodded to Twilight, stepping forward, Senshi at his side.
"It's going to be very difficult and painful for me to relive those memories... but if it'll help you understand why we're here, it's something I'll have to do." Naruto's voice cracked a little at the end, showing that whatever Twilight was going to hear about had a deep emotional impact on the young man. Senshi craned his head toward Twilight, and sniffed Twilight, before nodding once and moving his head back. Naruto tilted his head in a brief moment of confusion. "Huh, well, would you look at that. Seems Senshi here likes you."
"Wait, how can you tell that? You can't communicate with animals. Nobody can, as far as I know. It's not physically possible!" Naruto's raised hand stopped Twilight short.
"That's a part of what will be explained at the castle, so is it asking too much to please wait until then?"
"I... I guess not. I'm sorry for intruding like I did. It's just I've never seen a manticore interact with anypony like that before!"
"It's fine. And don't worry, me and Super Gramps will get you introduced to everyone else here when we're at the castle." Twilight nodded once before running off in a hurry to other places.
"I like her attitude. She's certainly direct." Matatabi spoke up after a few moments of comfortable silence.
Kurama and Gyuki scoffed at the same time. "Of course you would, she probably reminds you of Yugito as a kid." Gyuki retorted, causing Matatabi to blush in embarrassment for a brief moment before she turned to retaliate, which started a verbal spar between the two that left the others laughing or chuckling at their expense. The group, after a short time, set off into the city to find something to do while they waited for dusk.
And the chapter's done. The group have arrived in Canterlot, nobility is being nobility, and Twilight makes her first appearance in the story. Not much else to say here, other than that now that this chapter's done and in a good spot, I'm heading over and cleaning up MSL chapters 1-5, and then I'll be back here to update this. Should take one and a half to two weeks, but you already knew that if you watch my profile, where I post the latest updates on my stories.
I'm going to hop off now, as I've got quite a few things to do today, and won't be back to start working on the MSL chapters until later this afternoon, probably around 4 or 5.