Hello, again.
This time, we'll be seeing a bit of just how Sun and Company react to Equestria and Earth, followed by some more from Minato and Kushina.
Perspective: Two recon teams and Minato/Kushina
Don't own MLP or Naruto, by the way.
Waves and Prayers
XXTeam EquestriaXX
"This is...awkward. Interesting experience, but awkward."
"We're just not used to these forms, Rare."
"Shy's right. Ah'm already getting' teh hang of it, and teh girls ain't too far behind."
Jack, Shy, Rare, Hinata, Hana, and Ino ultimately ended up being the team, after Sun gave the girls and Hana's ninken companions access to English, that first walked into the world of ponies, officially dubbed 'Equestria,' with the town they were in being 'Ponyville.'
One thing they needed to take care first, though, was learning how to move around in a pony's body (Jack wasn't going to risk Big Mac on account of that, not knowing what the horse could become).
Though it did make Hana's dog partners look cuter than adult ninken should be.
As a side note, they did learn that apparently Jack and Hana were dubbed 'Earth Ponies,' Shy and Hinata were dubbed 'Pegasus Ponies,' and Rare and Ino was dubbed 'Unicorn Ponies.'
They were confused about the naming scheme somewhat, but left that to more 'qualified' people (that actually knew what they would be doing).
Something a bit more of interest to them at that moment was their supervisors in learning how to walk as ponies: their pony counterparts (who happen to be female), a version of Big Macintosh that was apparently an older brother to Jack's counterpart, and the leader of the small town.
They were more interested in the potential techniques connected to their professions than, say, the army, after all.
Mayor Mare, an elder female pony, took point when they showed proper competency in walking. "Now that you can walk like us, let's begin the tour...although I have no idea why Pinkie Pie actually declined to help."
"Our brother, her counterpart, might have mentioned something about his work with a recent Promotional Exam we had back home." Rare said, a light smirk on his face.
Jack and Shy shared his expression, particularly after they arrived in Ponyville proper.
Promotional stalls were set up around the town square, with matching decorations strung between them and the local Pinkie managing to handle the 'Carousel Boutique' stall, the Sweet Apple Acres stall, and help the stall for a 'Sugarcube Bakery.' As well as make music play over the event that matched the setting. Somehow.
The three brothers just left it to her being a Pinkie.
As their counterparts, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy, went to respective stalls (Fluttershy joining Rarity), Celestia caught their attention alongside a Unicorn Pony with a magenta coat and a purple mane and tail. "Hello, again."
They bowed in respect. "Hello, Celestia-dono. Glad to see you in good health."
"And the same to all of you." Celestia smiled kindly as they stood up, "This is my student, Twilight Sparkle."
"Hello." Twilight greeted cordially.
Hana was the first of the girls to return the favor. "Hello, Twilight. I am Hana Inuzuka, and these three are my nin-dog partners, the Haimaru Brothers."
"I am Hinata Hyuga." Hinata followed, shortly before Ino's "And I am Ino Yamanaka."
"Princess Celestia mentioned that you might have unique names." Twilight said, her all-too-familiar bookish leanings coming through to the group's amusement.
"Don't worry too much," Ino said, "My childhood friend and her boy-I mean, stallion, are similar. Always like a interesting book or some new information."
Celestia shook her head in amusement, and left them to their conversation. She was more content in not being the center of attention this time.
At the same time, though, she couldn't help but feel both sorrow and hope while thinking about the guests from Konoha.
Sorrow for the past, and hope for the future.
While they certainly show a bright future for their world, as well as at least the chance she can regain her sister, but at what cost?
A world that has experienced multiple wars...effected by rather heinous actions...
Why is it that the nicer ones tend to suffer the most?
She quickly found a seat near the Apple and Sugarcube stalls with a meal set before her and Shy with her. "Still sad about our history, Princess?"
She sighed. "Yes, Shy."
Shy smiled kindly at her. "I understand. The situation with Naruto in particular isn't something you and your kingdom have experienced before."
"Equestria hasn't experienced much all that much hardship since the beginning, one of the worst being when Discord, the Spirit of Chaos, appeared." Celestia said, somber, "While you and Konoha..."
"With all due respect, you shouldn't compare our worlds." Shy gently admonished, "That is a recipe for spiraling depression and/or resentment, comparing us. One side will always have it better, as bias would have you believe."
Celestia knew that all too well, being a ruler for so long. Even disregarding her situation with her sister, she's had to deal with a pretty good number of people who felt like someone else had it easier than they did.
"But isn't that why Harmony is so important?" Shy asked with a smile, "While not everyo-pony is willing to try, those that do try to See how the other side Sees, and grow from it, they can help guide others to a better world. We just have three worlds to work with."
Celestia smiled softly and fondly. "I'll be sure to help however I can."
Shy smiled back before turning the conversation to something much softer in comparison.
XXTeam EarthXX
"...remind me again, just how exactly I got dragged into this?"
"Equal teams, Raikage and Hokage agreeing to it, and the author mainly did it just for this moment."
"...?"
"Just ignore him, Karui." Sun told the red-haired Kumo nin, the pair, after spreading English beyond the brothers, were with Pinkie, Dash, Sakura, and Karin on assignment to look around what they learned was called 'Earth,' the town being 'Appleville.'
It was...different, to say the least.
Technology was definitely more advanced, but something felt...off, particularly to Sun. And not just because chakra and whatever energies coming from 'Equestria' intermingling with Earth's...dim energies (he was certainly wishing he was on the other team, at least to learn just what the energies truly were).
Pinkie was surprisingly not forthcoming with an answer, at least beyond "It's why you're on this team than the other one."
They were being escorted around by the town mayor, a woman named 'Mayor Mare' of all things, when they met who Sun figured Pinkie was talking about.
A young woman with an attitude problem named Sunset Shimmer.
"So these are the 'guests' from another world." she said with a controlled haughty tone, clearing not wanting to be the aggressor in front of Mare.
Sun minutely glanced at his brothers, who either nodded minutely or narrowed his eyes at the girl, before responding. "Glad to know we appropriate a personal greeting. I'm Sunset Sparkle, and these are my brothers Pinkie and Dash, my girlfriend and teammate Sakura, our cousin Karin, and our companion Karui from our sister village, Kumo."
His neutral return actually managed to get Sunset to blink (not to mention his name), as Sakura playfully smirked. "Not everyone is rude during their first encounter with each other, Ms. Shimmer, but if you're here to offer your services to Mayor Mare in showing us around your quaint town, I'm sure she would appreciate the assist."
Said woman stifled a soft snort. "I'm sure Ms. Shimmer has other duties to attend to."
What got the girl moving, though, was when Pinkie asked "Maybe she wants to compare festival notes. I'm sure she'd be a great 'hit' at parties."
She didn't want to learn just what he meant. At least so quickly.
This isn't over. She thought as she quickly walked off.
The ninja group looked at Pinkie as Sun said "Please tell me you weren't suggesting what I think you were suggesting."
"First off, wrong story for that. And second, only really her lackeys, Snips and Snails, actually remotely care about her. She's like Naruto, but in reverse. Loneliness turned to selfishness."
Mayor Mare ultimately sighed. "I daresay he's ultimately right. She just doesn't seem to like her peers being friends with each other."
The six looked at each other in concern. Just who would have such a vendetta friendship? And why?
XXMinato and KushinaXX
Kushina didn't quite react as her husband joined her in overlooking Sweet Apple Acres as the sun set, just leaned her head back as he said "They'll be fine, hon. It's just recon, and a simple one at that."
When she didn't respond, however, he was quick to figure it out.
In all honesty, he was upset about Naruto, but he also knew that he didn't carry Naruto for months. He had to try and be there for her.
"...I feel it too, Kushina. Sunset, Dash, Pinkie, Rare, Jack, and Shy, they're all our sons, but Naruto..." He gently rubbed her stomach, her hand idly keeping it there, "He's the one we made together. To hear that we'll never truly be with him again in life...I-i'm sure he would want us to be strong."
He struggled for a moment, but it did help show his wife the truth of his statements.
[Quest for Camelot – A Mother's Prayer]
Eventually, she started singing as tears started forming. "I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch him where he goes."
Minato slightly tightened his grip on her. "And help him to be wise."
"Help us to let go." Minato joined in, "Every parent's prayer, every child knows."
Kushina put both of her hands over her heart as she looked up towards the sky, Minato clasping his hands right at her front. "Lead him to a place,"
"Guide him with your grace,"
"To a place where he'll be safe." the last line, they did together.
[Song End]
Neither expected a familiar voice say "I will. For all of us." in a sincere tone.
They cried to sleep that night, but felt lighter from hearing Kurama's promise. Somehow.
Again, 'just given birth' followed by 'death by battle,' then 'return over a decade later' and 'never be with birth child again' will do a strong number on any woman, I daresay. Kushina and Minato will show their more canon selves in time (neither will appreciate Chrysalis, for starters).
As for Earth and Equestria, actual arcs may or may not come (flying blind on that at the moment), but currently they're more mini-arcs (for the record).
Until next time. Please let me know what you think.