Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

By Steel Soul

Return of Sombra Part one - The Strike

Green to start music and red to stop music

Sora wandered the grand halls of the Crystal Castle, keeping a vigilant eye out for any signs of trouble. While he wanted to help the girls uncover the secrets within the history book they had found, he knew his skills were better suited to continuing where Shining Armor had left off—protecting the crystal city itself.

Not to mention, the recent Heartless scare had put him on edge, wary of any other nasty surprises the Dark King might have snuck within the palace. He had taken it upon himself to ensure no more Heartless slipped past the protective dome. Even though Applejack had and Rainbow had asked to join him– the latter in her own roundabout way– he had convinced them—no easy feat—that Twilight and the others needed their help more. Besides, he could handle himself if the situation demanded it. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate their support; he just needed some time to sort things out on his own.

More than anything, he needed to figure out his next move. The book was a good place to start, and he was confident they could unearth valuable information, but then what? Saving the kingdom was one thing, but finding Shining Armor and defeating Sombra was another challenge entirely.

What do I do now? he asked himself, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

Only do what you can...What more can anyone ask of you?

“But Celestia is counting on me…If I screw up here then…”

"But it's not enough just to do what I can," he muttered, his voice barely audible in the empty corridor. "Celestia’s counting on me… They're all counting on me. I can’t just hope it’ll all work out like I would usually do." He wasn’t used to this—doubt gnawing at him, telling him that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't enough to turn the tide.

The voice echoed once more, gentle but firm, cutting through his spiraling thoughts. You can’t do everything on your own, Sora. No one expects you to.

Sora shook his head “I just...Don’t want to put anyone in danger again. I was barely able to save Applejack and her family. I was lucky with Twilight. Then there is Shining Armor. I couldn’t save him at all.”

I’ve seen what happens when someone takes on everything by themselves…I know you have too. Don’t follow that path Sora.

Sora lowered his head. “I know that...I know. but-”

But you don’t want to fail in protecting them, right? That’s why you want to keep them from fighting if you can.

Sora nodded begrudgingly.

Sora, they’re your friends. Even if you just met them, the fact that you were able to connect with them, like you do everyone you meet, just proves more and more how they will take it if you told them. If anyone would understand it’s them. Fluttershy more than anyone.

“Huh?”

Never mind. Besides, the point is that they wouldn’t abandon you because of something stupid like that. It’s not like either Kairi or Riku abandon you, or anyone else either Sora. You know them better than that.

“Yeah, but if I hadn't failed the Keyblade exam then I would be right there alongside them. It really sucks.” Sora said with slight annoyance.

The keyblade exam eh? You like to use that excuse a lot too.

Sora frowned at the response from his inner self.

Come on…for someone who always has an open heart for others you really like to put up barriers when you don’t want others to know about what’s wrong with you. Sora, I can see inside your heart right now, and tell that’s not what you’re really mad about.

Sora looked away. “That’s not the… wait, what?” The stallion stopped moving and looked from side to side.

Do I have to spell it out for you? You-

“W-who are you!?” Sora suddenly yelled out loud, looking around frantically. “Where are you!? How are you speaking to me!?”

What do you mean?! I…I…I’m speaking to you? I’m speaking to you. I’m speaking to you!

“Yeah! That's what I said!”

I…I don’t know…I…Sora…Its me…Its me…Ventus…

The name echoed in Sora’s mind, stirring a feeling buried deep within him. Ventus... why does that sound so familiar? He repeated the name again, his brow furrowing as he struggled to recall why it seemed to resonate so strongly. It was like a forgotten melody—something he felt he should know, but couldn’t quite grasp.

“Ventus... who are you?” Sora asked aloud, his voice uncertain but steady as he looked around the empty corridor. "How do I know you?"

A pause hung in the air, as if the voice itself was hesitating. You… you don’t fully remember me. That’s okay, Ventus responded. I didn’t expect you to. But… we’re connected, Sora. Our hearts, they’re linked. You took me in when I had nowhere else to go. You helped me when I couldn’t help myself…

Before the stallion could respond or comprehend what in the world was going on, a sudden noise coming from just down the hall caused the stallion’s ears to perk up. “What the? That sounded like…” Wasting no time, the stallion galloped at full speed towards the source of the noise, gearing himself up for a possible attack.

~~~

Twilight groggily awoke, rubbing her tired eyes as she sat up. A sharp throb pulsed through her head, and she winced at the familiar sensation.

“Ugh… must have overused my magic again,” she muttered to herself.

Blinking a few times to clear her vision, the lavender mare let out a yawn and stretched her legs. "Huh? Where am I?" She glanced around, taking in the glittering crystal décor that surrounded her, from the elegant furniture to the sparkling walls. The sight was unlike anything she had ever seen before, and for a moment, she was entranced by the beauty of it all.

But then, like a tidal wave, the memories of that morning came rushing back to her. The reality of her situation hit hard, and three crucial facts rose to the forefront of her mind.

First: she was in the Crystal Empire.

Second: she and the others had come here to defeat Sombra.

And third: Shining was…

"Oh no! Shining!" Panic surged through her as she leapt out of bed, bolting for the door. She swung it open with her magic, only to collide headfirst into another pony. The impact sent them both tumbling, rolling over each other before coming to a stop in a tangled heap on the floor. Twilight found herself lying on top of the other pony, stars dancing in her vision from the collision.

She shook her head to clear the dizziness and looked down, only to find herself staring into a pair of familiar blue eyes. Beneath her was Sora, his caramel-colored gently rubbing his sore head. He blinked up at her, clearly as surprised as she was.

“Twilight!? You’re awake!”

Twilight’s ears perked up at the sound of Sora’s voice. She scrambled off him, her cheeks flushing as she quickly got to her hooves. "Sora! I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there," she stammered, still a bit dazed from the collision. Her eyes darted anxiously. “F-For that tho. Shining! Where is he?! The last thing I remember was…was…” She clasped a hoof over her mouth. “T-the heartless and King Sombra. They… What happened? What happened to Shining?”

Sora shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Twilight. I don’t know. We got you and the others to safety, but when I went back for him… by the time I made it outside, there was no one there. No Heartless, no King Sombra… and no Shining Armor.” He looked away, his voice heavy with regret. “I… I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to save him.”

Seeing Twilight’s ears begin to droop, Sora quickly tried to reassure her. “Hey, don’t lose hope,” he said, offering her a small, encouraging smile. “Cadence is confident that he’s okay.” He thumped a hoof against his chest. “And if that’s the case, then I promise I’m going to do everything in my power to bring your brother back. No matter what.”

“Sora…” Twilight said softly, nodding as a light smile formed on her lips. “Thank you. I know you did your best. I was the one who told you to go, so if anyone’s to blame, it’s me.” She steadied herself on all four hooves and reached out to help him up. Sora accepted her offer, gratefully taking her hoof as he got back on his feet. “If Cadence believes he’s okay, then I trust both her and you. But… what are you doing here, anyway? What’s going on with the Crystal Empire?”

“You won’t believe it, but—” Sora began, launching into the story of the day’s events. As he described their visit to the Crystal Library and how Spike had played a key role in finding the hidden knowledge, he noticed Twilight's eyes light up with enthusiasm. However, her mood quickly shifted to shock and then anger when he mentioned the Heartless attack on Spike and their attempt to destroy the book.

“How did they even get past the barrier?” Twilight asked, her voice rising. “I thought Shining said this place was protected.”

“It is… and it isn’t,” Sora explained. “Cadence is using her magic to spread love and happiness throughout the empire, but it’s taking a lot out of her. If we don’t find a solution soon, then…”

Twilight's expression grew more serious as she turned away, deep in thought. If what Sora said was true, then time was running out. Cadence was powerful, but even an alicorn's magic had its limits. If the Heartless were targeting that book, then…

“Sora, where is the book?” she asked, her tone urgent.

~~~

“Twilight!”

The voices of her friends filled the throne room as they rushed to greet her. Every mare and filly (and one small dragon) enveloped the purple unicorn in a warm embrace. Twilight returned the hug as best she could, wrapping her hooves around her friends.

“It’s good to see you all, too,” she said with a small smile. “Sorry for making everypony worry.”

“Aww, shucks, Twi. As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters,” Applejack reassured her.

“Applejack is right, darling,” Rarity added. “Besides, if it hadn’t been for you and Sora, we wouldn’t have made it here at all. You deserved at least a little rest.”

Twilight shook her head, her expression resolute. “Not if it means Cadance and Shining Armor are suffering. If I can’t pull my weight, then the whole empire is at risk. I’ve already wasted enough time—it's time for me to do my part.”

Though some of her friends wanted to protest, they all knew there wasn’t time for debate. There was a kingdom to save and a dark king to defeat.

“So,” Sora said as he stepped forward, handing the book to Twilight, “where do we start?”

Twilight was quick to flip the pages of the book, smiling brightly as she did so.

Princess Cadance needs our help,
Her magic will not last forever.
I think we can do it,
But we need to work together.
We have to get this right.
Yes, we have to make them see.
We can save the Crystal Ponies with their history.

Rainbow slammed the table, gaining everyone’s attention, pointing towards the opened page.

It says that they liked jousting,

Rarity nodded before adding.

They flew a flag of many hues.

Applejack motioned towards the opened window that overlooked the many bushes outside.

Made sweets of crystal berries,

Gently grasping the book, Fluttershy turned towards a particular page with many colorful sheep prancing in a field.

They had a petting zoo with tiny ewes

Oh, we have to get this right
Yes, we have to make them see
We can save the Crystal Ponies with their history

Pinkie Pie pulled out a weird looking horn tossing it in the air upon doing so.

There was a crystal flugelhorn
That every pony liked to play

Sora saluted as he too added to the song, his voice ringing loud and clear.

And the Crystal Kingdom anthem
Can you learn it in a day?

Oh, we have to get this right
Yes, we have to make them see
We can save the Crystal Ponies with their history

Twilight closed the book with a determined smile, the echoes of their excitement still hanging in the air. “It’s clear now—before Sombra came to power, it was the crystal ponies’ love and friendship that kept dark forces at bay. If we can recreate that with the Crystal Fair, it might give us an edge in dealing with Sombra.”

Sora nodded in agreement, sliding the book back in front of him and flipping it open once more. “Sounds like we’ve got our work cut out for us.” As he skimmed through the pages, something caught his eye near the end. “Wait… what’s this? The Crystal… Heart?” The image of the heart looked oddly familiar to him.

Twilight’s magic enveloped the book as she pulled it toward her for a closer look. “Good eye, Sora. It says here that the Crystal Heart is the main focus of the fair. If it’s that important, we’ll need one for the festival. I could probably craft a replica out of crystal using my magic.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Sora said, grinning as he turned to face the group. “Let’s get this fair up and running!”

“Now you’re talkin’!” Applejack cheered, stomping a hoof. “I’m ready to get this rodeo started! Yeehaw!”

“I’ll bring the flugelhorn!” Pinkie Pie sang out, bouncing with excitement.

“Y-yes,” Fluttershy added, her voice soft but steady. “Let’s all do our best… for everypony.”

“Quite right, darling,” Rarity chimed in. “I shall give it nothing less than my very best.”

“What are we standing around for?” Rainbow Dash said, already halfway to the door. “Come on, everypony, let’s roll out!”

“Cutie Mark Crusaders: Empire Savers! YAY!” shouted the Crusaders in unison, their enthusiasm contagious.

Twilight glanced around at her friends, feeling the determination and hope radiating from everypony. She dipped her head in a nod, her resolve solidifying. “Let’s save the Crystal Empire!”

~~~

So…having a fair to save the day. Never seen that before, gotta be honest.

Sora looked around to find the voice that had spoken to him, only to remember that the only one it could belong to was the one that was inside him. “Ventus?

Yeah, it’s me, Ventus replied, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. And don’t talk too loudly. Someone might think you are crazy.

“Right, good point,” Sora whispered back. “I’d rather not have everypony thinking I’ve lost it.” He paused.“By the way, you were silent for a while. What happened?”

Didn’t think I should interrupt. It was a nice song.

“Eh haha... yeah.” Sora watched as a pair of foals trotted by, their crystal-coated bodies shimmering in the sunlight. “I can’t believe it’s actually working. Just look at them—everyone seems so much livelier.”

Tell me about it. If it works, it works. I won’t question it, Ventus replied, But I’m a bit more concerned about you and me right now.

“You and me?” Sora repeated, folding his hooves across his chest as he closed his eyes in thought. “Oh! You mean this—our ability to talk to each other?”

Yeah, exactly, Ventus confirmed. I mean, I’ve been in your heart for a long time, but this is different. It’s like a door has opened that wasn’t there before. We’re actually having a conversation now.

Sora nodded slowly, his brow furrowing. “It is strange… but I think I remember you helping me before. When I was struggling during the Keyblade Exam, you protected me when my heart was starting to fall into darkness.”

I… did? Ventus’s voice was filled with uncertainty. I don’t remember doing that.

“I’m pretty sure,” Sora insisted. “At least, I think I am. I was unconscious for a while, so everything's a bit… hazy.”

Before Sora could delve further into the conversation, a sudden force yanked him into the air. He yelped in surprise, flailing his limbs in panic as he was carried skyward. When he looked up, he saw a familiar face and a pair of cyan hooves gripping him. “Rainbow!? What the heck is going on!?” he shouted. Then he noticed something unusual. “And what’s with that cloth in your mouth?”

Rainbow Dash glanced down at him briefly before veering toward the castle, where Twilight was busy putting the final touches on a newly crafted Crystal Heart. As soon as they landed, Rainbow dropped Sora onto the ground and hurriedly draped the purple flag she’d been carrying over the crystalline monument, earning a frown from Twilight.

“Rainbow!” Twilight balked. “What in the hey are you-”

Before she could say any more, Rainbow cut her off. “Guys! We have a problem!”

Sora and Twilight exchanged a quick, concerned glance before voicing the question that hung in the air. “What?” they asked in unison.

~~~

To say Twilight was distraught would be an understatement. She had completely overlooked the torn page in the Crystal Kingdom History book, and it appeared to be the very page that held the key to keeping the empire safe. She paced back and forth on the balcony, wearing a groove into the floor as her usually neat mane stuck out in wild, disheveled strands.

“How could I have been so careless?” she muttered, frustration evident in her voice. “I should’ve realized the Crystal Heart was a real artifact! I should’ve noticed the missing page! Did the Heartless tear it out when they got hold of the book? We need that Crystal Heart—without it, everything we’ve done will have been for nothing! Oh no, oh dear, oh no, oh dear—”

Before she could spiral further into panic, Cadence placed a shaky hoof on her shoulder, bringing Twilight to a halt. “It’s okay, Twilight. We’ll… we…” Her voice faltered, and her legs gave way beneath her.

Before Cadence could hit the ground, Sora darted forward and caught her, holding the alicorn steady in his hooves. Her horn sputtered weakly, sparks flickering from it as the ponies around her gasped in alarm.

“That can't be good…” Sora said grimly.

He glanced toward the magical barrier surrounding the empire and saw it flickering in and out of existence. With every blink, the dark shadow at the edges crept closer, gradually engulfing the once-green land outside. Sora's eyes widened as the shadow advanced. “Double not good! It’s Sombra!”

As he looked down, he saw Cadence recovering, her eyes closing as she focused all her energy on restoring the barrier. Slowly, it reformed, pushing back the encroaching darkness. But just as Sora thought they were safe, he noticed something—a dark mass slipping through the barrier before it closed, landing on the ground below and growing into a menacing black crystal. From the crystal, Shadow Colts began to emerge, one after another.

“Oh no! Heartless!”

Twilight rushed to the edge of the balcony beside him, her eyes wide with alarm. “What?! We have to stop them! If they get near the fair…!”

Sora unfurled his wings and set his forelegs on the railing. “Leave it to me! I’ll take care of them!”

Rainbow Dash flew up. “I’m coming too!”

Before the stallion could respond, Twilight grabbed the blue mare with her magic. “Sorry, Rainbow! I need you to tell the others to keep the fair running!”

“What?! Why?!” Rainbow protested, “I wanna kick some Heartless flank too!”

Twilight shook her head. “If the crystal ponies see the Heartless, they’ll panic and try to use the Crystal Heart immediately. And we haven’t found it yet! We need to keep them calm for as long as possible, and that’s where you and the others come in. Sora will deal with the Heartless before they cause any chaos, and I’ll search for the heart.” She turned towards the stallion. “Right, Sora?”

He gave a firm nod. “Yeah! Leave it to me! I’ll keep everyone safe!” Without wasting a moment, he launched himself from the balcony, wings spread wide as he glided down toward the rooftops below. He then bounded from rooftop to rooftop, racing toward the Heartless.

Once Sora was out of sight, Twilight turned back to Rainbow Dash, who still looked frustrated. “I’m sorry, Rainbow. I want to help him too, but we have to prioritize the crystal ponies.”

Rainbow sighed, her wings flapping as she hovered above the balcony. “Yeah, you’re right, Twi.” She knew it was true, even if it didn’t make the situation any less frustrating. She cast a glance in the direction Sora had gone. “Stupid hero, getting all the action.” As she flew into the sky, out of earshot from the others, she growled softly to herself. “You’d better be careful, Sora.”

~~~

Sora landed with a skid on the grassy plain. He flapped once, ignoring the pain of disuse as he righted himself. “Ok…wings…They’re more trouble than I expected, but I think I’m getting the hang of it.” His gaze fell on the black crystal that loomed over him, heartless slowly pouring out of the shadow that it casts.

He looked back towards the crystal castle one last time before turning towards his long-time enemies. Summoning his Keyblade he caused every Heartless to look his way.

“Okay Heartless. I won’t let you or Sombra have your way!” With a swing of his weapon he dove into the first batch of Shadow Colts, his keyblade shimmering in the light of the sun.

“I’ll show you the power of the Keyblade!”

~~~

“What!?”

Fluttershy, Spike, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders stared at Rainbow Dash in disbelief, reeling from the news. Rainbow had already informed Rarity and Applejack about the situation before tracking down Fluttershy and the kids. After pulling them aside to a more secluded spot, she had explained what was happening, and their stunned reactions were exactly what she’d expected. Despite the lively sounds of the fair just beyond, a tense silence hung over the small group until Spike broke it with a shaky voice.

“S-So, let me get this straight… The Heartless are inside the dome, attacking Sora, and Twilight has to find the Crystal Heart to have any chance against Sombra?”

Rainbow nodded grimly, her gaze drifting toward the direction Sora had flown before she’d left Twilight. “Yeah. Sora’s handling the Heartless while Twilight’s trying to find any clues about where the Crystal Heart could be hidden. She told us to—H-Hey! Spike!? Where are you going?!”

The young dragon had darted past her, making a beeline for the Crystal Castle. As he ran, he glanced back over his shoulder and shouted, “No time! I’m going to help Twilight!”

Rainbow blinked, exchanging a bewildered look with Fluttershy, who seemed just as stunned. “Well… I guess I feel a little better knowing Spike’s there to help Twilight. But that still leaves Sora out there alone.”

Fluttershy averted her gaze, her worry evident. “I-I’m worried about him too. But… we have to trust that Sora can handle it. He’s fought the Heartless before, after all.”

“Yeah… well… In any case, I’ve already brought Applejack, Pinkie, and Rarity up to speed, so we should be good for now. But if things go south because of that creep Sombra…”

Fluttershy nodded slowly. “I know what you mean… but I don’t think it will come to that. We just have to have faith that Sora and Twilight will pull through.”

“Yeah, I know.” Rainbow paused, glancing around. “Hey, where’s Scootaloo? And Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle?”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened, and she began to search the area more frantically. “What? But they were right here!”

Rainbow’s gaze flicked between the castle and the direction Sora had gone, a sinking feeling settling in. “You don’t think…?”

Fluttershy’s worry tipped into full-blown panic. “T-They wouldn’t… would they?”

Rainbow gave a flat stare as her wings twitched with agitation. “Are you kidding? We’re talking about those three.”

Without wasting another second, the two mares sprinted toward the source of the black crystal, silently praying to Celestia that they were wrong.

~~~

Sora's Keyblade cleaved through another Heartless, the familiar sensation of victory pushing him forward as he leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding a clawed strike from a second foe. Mid-spin, his blade flashed, cutting down the creature in one fluid motion. Landing smoothly on his hooves, Sora darted toward the next target, his Keyblade a blur as it tore through the advancing enemies. His movements were precise, automatic—like a finely tuned machine—responding effortlessly to each threat around him.

In the distance, a group of Heartless gathered, pooling their dark magic into a growing, pulsating orb of energy. Sora’s sharp eyes caught the glow immediately. Without missing a beat, he launched himself off the back of a nearby Heartless, soaring high into the sky. With a swift motion, he hurled his Keyblade at the magical sphere, and upon impact, it detonated, wiping out the surrounding enemies in a brilliant explosion. As he descended, Sora recalled his Keyblade, the weapon returning to his hoof just in time to pierce through a waiting Shadow Pony beneath him.

Back on solid ground, Sora steadied himself, glancing ahead as more Heartless began to rise from the earth. He couldn't help but smirk, determination flaring in his eyes. "Heh… bring it on. I could do this all day!"

~~~

Applebloom peeked out from behind the purple crystal where she and her friends were hiding, her eyes wide with admiration as she watched the battle unfold. Without a word, she, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle had managed to slip away from Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. They had quickly made their way to where the Heartless were appearing, riding Scootaloo’s scooter. It wasn’t hard to find—especially with the commotion Sora was causing in his fight.

The three fillies stared in awe at the scene before them. Even from a distance, they could clearly see Sora in action, fighting off the endless wave of Heartless. Every swing of his Keyblade, every movement he made, seemed effortless, as if it was second nature. Compared to the fight in the library, this looked like nothing more than a warm-up for him.

“Jeez… look at him go!” Scootaloo whispered, her voice filled with awe as she watched from behind a fallen crystal pillar. “How can anypony fight like that—oh! Did you see that? He just took out three of them at once!”

Sweetie Belle, though more cautious, couldn't hide her amazement either. “Wow, he really is a hero. I mean, I knew he saved Ponyville, but I never got to see him fight like this.”

Applebloom blushed, her heart racing as she watched Sora move with such skill and grace. “Yeah… he really is incredible.”

Sweetie Belle, still nervous about being so close to the action, fidgeted. “Okay, I think we’ve seen enough. We should get back before anypony realizes we’re missing. I really don’t want to get into more trouble with our sisters.”

“Aw, come on, Sweetie,” Scootaloo protested, still perched on the crystal, eyes glued to the battle. “Just a little longer. Sora’s got this under control! And it’s not like they can see us from way over here.”

“Yeah!” Applebloom chimed in, nodding eagerly. “We can’t leave now! What if Sora needs our help?”

Sweetie Belle tugged on Scootaloo’s tail with her teeth, trying to pull her down. “I’m sure he’s fine, Applebloom! Now come on, Scootaloo, get down before they spot us!”

“H-Hey! Let go!” Scootaloo yelped, her wings flapping in protest. “That hurts, Sweetie!”

Undeterred, Sweetie Belle tightened her grip. “Not until you get down! We need to get back to Fluttershy and the others!”

“Girls, stop it!” Applebloom whispered frantically, glancing between her bickering friends. “We can’t—”

“I said, let go!” Scootaloo pulled hard, breaking free of Sweetie Belle’s grip, but in the process, she lost her balance and tumbled over the crystal, landing with a thud on the other side.

Though she wasn’t hurt, Scootaloo froze as she realized every Heartless had turned to look directly at her.

“Oh… pony feathers…”

~~~

Sora’s Keyblade came crashing down on yet another Heartless, the creature dissolving into darkness like all the others before it. Panting slightly, Sora jumped back to catch his breath, a smirk tugging at his lips as he held his Keyblade between clenched teeth. "You guys don’t even come close to the toughest Heartless I’ve fought. I bet I’ll have this wrapped up way before-"

“I said, LET GO!”

THUD

The Heartless that had been focused on Sora suddenly shifted their attention in unison toward the new voice.

“Huh? Hey! Where are you—” Sora’s heart dropped as he spotted the source of the commotion. “Scootaloo?! What are you doing—” His eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening. The Heartless had found easier prey. And nothing was more vulnerable than a defenseless filly.

“S-Scootaloo… RUN! RUN!” Sora shouted, trying to rush to her aid, but a swarm of Heartless blocked his path, surrounding him. “Get out of the way! Stop!”

Scootaloo, scrambling to get back on her hooves, winced in pain as her sprained foreleg gave out beneath her. Panic set in as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle leaped out from behind the crystal, rushing to help their friend.

“D-Darn it! No!” Sora yelled, frantically slashing at the Heartless in front of him, but their sheer numbers held him back. He took hit after hit, but he didn’t care—he had to reach them. “LET ME GO!”

The Heartless ignored his pleas, laser-focused on the fillies who were now desperately trying to lift Scootaloo.

Sora reached out with his hoof, his heart burning with desperation. "I won’t… I WON’T LET YOU! LET GO!”

Sora! Focus!

“Huh?” Sora blinked, his mind racing. The voice in his head—it was familiar.

You can save them. I know you can.

Save them? Of course… he could save them.

Just focus. Remember the first time you used it.

“The first time… I used it… The first time…”

Sora’s eyes snapped open as the memory flooded back to him. The feeling. The flow. The motion.

In an instant, his body moved on instinct. Time seemed to slow as he swung his Keyblade in a wide arc, cutting through the Heartless holding him down. A brilliant blue light enveloped his body as his wings flared open. With one powerful flap, he vanished, leaving a streak of blue light in his wake.

The Heartless closest to the fillies didn’t stand a chance. Sora reappeared in front of them, his Keyblade striking true between the eyes of the creature. The glow around him faded as quickly as it had appeared. He blinked, staring down at his hoof, watching the last traces of that strange energy dissipate.

“T-That was…”

“Sora, look out!”

Sweetie Belle’s voice snapped him back to reality, and Sora dove to the side just as another Heartless crashed into the spot where he had stood. He flipped through the air, landing smoothly on his hooves between the fillies and the advancing Heartless.

“You three okay?” Sora asked, his eyes never leaving the enemy as he positioned himself protectively in front of the girls.

“Y-Yeah…” Apple Bloom replied, her voice shaky. “B-But Scootaloo hurt her leg…”

“Alright,” Sora said, his voice resolute. “Stay behind me. I’ll protect you.”

The fillies huddled close as Sora braced himself for the incoming wave of Heartless. They were closing in, their dark forms looming like a tidal wave of shadows. Sora gripped his Keyblade tighter, ready to meet them head-on, his battle cry building in his chest.

But before he could charge, a sudden rainbow blur swooped down, scooping him and the fillies up in one swift motion. Rainbow Dash carried them clear of the advancing Heartless, speeding through the air just as the dark creatures converged on the spot where they had been.

She didn’t make it far, though. With a groan of effort, Rainbow’s wings faltered, and she crashed to the ground just a few feet away, sending all of them tumbling over one another in a chaotic heap.

Sora was the first to recover, blinking in surprise as yellow fur filled his vision. He looked up to see Fluttershy, her worried eyes locking onto his. “Sora! Dash! Girls! Are you okay?!”

“Ah…” Rainbow Dash groaned from her spot beside him, stretching her wings as she got up from the pile. “I could be better…”

Sora chuckled, shaking his head as he stood. “Are you kidding? That could’ve been way worse.”

“I’ll agree with that one,” Scootaloo muttered, flinching as she gingerly tested her injured leg.

Apple Bloom, ever the optimist, smiled. “Ah’m just glad we’re all okay!”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Of course you agree with Sora.”

Apple Bloom shot back, “Ah could say the same about you and Rainbow!”

Sweetie Belle, caught in the middle, squeaked, “Does it really matter who’s right if we aren’t out of the woods yet?”

She was right. The Heartless were already reforming, their glowing yellow eyes fixed on the group. Fluttershy acted quickly, scooping up Scootaloo. “I-I’ll get the girls to safety!”

The fillies didn’t argue, following after Fluttershy as she flew them to cover. Sora turned to face the Heartless, ready for another round—only to find Rainbow Dash standing beside him, her hoof digging into the ground.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” Rainbow said, her eyes flashing with determination. “I’m not gonna sit on the sidelines while somepony else plays the hero.”

Sora was about to protest, the words on the tip of his tongue to tell Rainbow Dash to leave it to him—especially since he didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. But he glanced back toward Fluttershy and the fillies, realizing that if any of the Heartless managed to slip past him, they could be in serious danger. He couldn’t risk that, not with the girls so close.

His eyes shifted back to Rainbow, who was standing firm beside him, her wings twitching with anticipation. As much as he hated to admit it, he could use the help.

“Alright,” Sora said with a slight nod. “But stay sharp…” He smirked. “And try not to make me save you too often.”

“Is that a challenge?” Rainbow’s wings twitched, her competitive side flaring up.

Sora’s Keyblade appeared in his hoof. “Maybe. But we both know who’s going to win.”

The Heartless surged forward.

“Let’s show them what we’ve got.”

~~~

Applejack let out a deep sigh, having just managed to redirect yet another pair of curious crystal ponies away from the covered fake Crystal Heart. She wasn’t one to lie, but keeping these ponies distracted without spilling the truth was proving to be a lot harder than she’d expected. With every promise of a grand unveiling or suggestion to check out another stand, her energy drained just a little more. It was working, for now, but she knew it wouldn’t last forever.

“Geez… these crystal ponies are nosier than a mouse in a cheese barn,” she muttered, taking a moment to catch her breath. But that moment was short-lived, as she spotted a cloaked figure making their way toward her and the crystal. With a weary sigh, Applejack moved to intercept the newcomer. "Kinda sunny out to be wearin’ a cape like that, don’t ya think? Why don’t ya go take a load off and try some crystal nectar over yonder?"

The cloaked pony tilted their head, giving her a curious look.

"Uh, or if nectar ain’t your thing, you can give the crystal pie a try." Applejack pointed to a nearby stand. "It’s hoof-lickin’ good."

The stranger chuckled softly, his voice clearly male and surprisingly young for someone his height. "Thanks, but I’m actually looking for someone. Gonna have to pass."

Applejack raised an eyebrow, her suspicion growing. "Who are ya lookin’ for?"

The stranger chuckled softly, his tone casual but with a hint of something Applejack couldn’t quite place. "I’m looking for a pony who’s kind of goofy, always rushing into things, bit of a dork." His voice, while young, had a calm confidence to it.

Applejack’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion building as she tried to make sense of his vague description. "Goofy and a dork, huh? Kinda sounds like Pinkie Pie.”

The stranger chuckled again, shaking his head. "Nope, not her. The one I’m looking for is a guy. Kinda scruffy, always wears a jacket, and tends to get into trou-."

He abruptly stopped mid-sentence, his ears perking up as if he heard something that Applejack couldn’t make out over the noise of the crowd.

"Sorry, gotta run." Without another word, the mysterious pony darted off, leaving Applejack standing there, confused.

“Well, that was mighty strange,” she mumbled to herself, tapping a hoof against her chin. “Who was he lookin’ for…?”

Her eyes suddenly widened as realization dawned on her. "Wait a sec… did he mean—?"

But before she could finish the thought, her gaze snapped back to the fake Crystal Heart, where two more curious ponies were approaching. "Hey! Hold your horses! We’re not ready for the grand unveiling yet!"

~~~

Fluttershy crouched low behind her hidden perch, her heart racing as she watched the incredible sight unfolding before her. Her eyes were wide with awe as she observed one of her dearest friends, Rainbow Dash, and one of her newest, Sora, working together in perfect harmony against the Heartless. The way they fought side by side, despite any past conflicts—mostly on Rainbow’s end—was nothing short of mesmerizing.

Rainbow Dash was a whirlwind of cyan, darting in and out of the Heartless swarm with relentless precision. She took down the Shadow Colts with practiced ease, tossing them into the air with powerful blows before delivering a flurry of strikes that left the creatures helpless. She was a force of nature, her movements so fluid and fast that the Heartless barely had a chance to respond before they were launched skyward. Once in the air, the creatures were at her mercy, as she pummeled them repeatedly with her hooves.

Meanwhile, Sora remained grounded, but he was just as fierce. His Keyblade swung in powerful arcs, cutting down wave after wave of Heartless with every strike. His movements were graceful yet strong, as if each step was carefully calculated, and every swing of his blade was filled with purpose. Though his style was vastly different from Rainbow Dash’s, the two were perfectly in sync, almost as if they could sense each other’s movements without having to communicate.

Fluttershy watched in amazement as Sora knocked a Heartless into the air with a single upward strike, the creature sent soaring right into Rainbow’s path. Without hesitation, Rainbow Dash dove in, catching the Heartless mid-air with a rapid series of kicks and punches, keeping it airborne with each hit. Her hooves flew like lightning, making it look as if the Heartless was a mere plaything in her grasp. With a final, well-placed dropkick, she sent the creature hurtling back toward the ground, right where Sora had just finished clearing out another group of Shadow Colts.

“Look alive, hero!” Rainbow’s voice cut through the air, the playful warning carrying a note of genuine camaraderie.

Sora grinned at the call, his Keyblade spinning with ease as he dashed forward. In one swift motion, he struck the Heartless before it could even touch the ground, dissipating it with a single blow.

Rainbow Dash hovered for a moment, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Though she’d never admit it out loud, she was impressed. Sora was definitely holding his own, and more than that—he was fighting like a true hero. Shaking her head to dispel any thoughts of admiration, she muttered to herself, “Can’t let the hero show me up.” With that, she dove back into the fray, her wings propelling her forward with renewed energy.

Fluttershy’s gaze shifted toward the three fillies huddled beside her. They were just as captivated by the scene as she was, their wide eyes glued to the battle before them.

Apple Bloom, her bow trembling slightly, kept her focus entirely on Sora. She barely blinked, her breath catching every time a Shadow Colt got too close to the stallion. The tension in her small body was palpable, and it was clear she was holding her breath in anticipation of every attack.

Scootaloo, despite the pain in her leg, was nearly bouncing with excitement, torn between watching her idol, Rainbow Dash, and the new hero who had captured her imagination. Her wings buzzed with energy as she tried to keep up with both their movements. “This is so awesome,” she whispered, eyes gleaming with admiration.

Sweetie Belle, on the other hoof, peeked through her hooves, hiding her face whenever she thought Sora or Rainbow Dash were in danger, only to peek out again moments later. Her nervous gasps were punctuated with small sighs of relief every time they pulled off an incredible move or narrowly dodged an attack. She was scared, but there was no way she was going to miss any of the action.

All three fillies watched in breathless anticipation, their worry mingling with excitement. Despite their fear, they couldn’t look away, drawn into the spectacle unfolding before them.

Fluttershy’s attention drifted back to Sora, her heart aching as she watched him battle tirelessly. Her ears flattened against her head, and she lowered her gaze slightly, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. I wish I could do more for you, Sora... she thought, her throat tightening. I want to be out there with you, fighting by your side, instead of just hiding here.

She knew her place was with the fillies, keeping them safe. That was the most important thing she could do right now. But a part of her longed to help Sora directly, to stand beside him in the face of danger, even if the mere thought of it terrified her. She didn’t want to be afraid—not when her friends needed her the most.

I don’t care if I’m scared... I want to help, Fluttershy thought, her hooves trembling slightly. She clenched her jaw, determination settling in her heart. If there came a moment where she could make a difference, she wouldn’t hesitate.

But for now, all she could do was watch, hope, and pray to Celestia that they would make it through this.

~~~

Sora landed on his hooves, skidding to a stop a short distance from the Heartless horde. Right beside him, Rainbow Dash was hovering, her wings flapping tiredly.

“Hey, you okay, Rainbow?” The stallion asked, getting back into a fighting posistion.

“I’m fine, Hero,” Rainbow said with a wave of her hoof, though the sweat dripping down her forehead told a different story. “I just need to catch my breath... and then I’ll wipe out the rest of them.”

Sora chuckled softly, then shifted his gaze to the dark crystal from which the Heartless were still pouring. Oddly, it seemed smaller than when he’d first seen it. “I think we’re almost out of the woods.” He huffed. “If only I could use my magnet spell to gather them all together… then I could take them out in one go.”

“Gathering them?” Rainbow tapped a hoof to her chest with a proud smirk. “I can handle that. Ever hear of tornadoes? I’m basically a master at it.”

Sora raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “You can summon a tornado?”

“Summon one?” Rainbow laughed. “I am the tornado!” She proved her point by lashing out with a hind kick, sending a charging Heartless flying.

Sora paused for a moment, considering her idea, then nodded with a wide grin. “Alright then, make a tornado around me!”

Rainbow gaped at him, clearly taken aback. “Are you nuts?”

Sora’s grin didn’t falter. “Trust me.”

Rainbow stared at him for a second longer, weighing his words before giving a resolute nod. “Okay, Hero. You asked for it!” She shot into the sky, her wings slicing through the air as she began to fly in tight circles around Sora. Dust and debris kicked up as her speed increased, and soon, the swirling vortex of wind grew stronger, sucking the nearby Heartless into the whirlwind.

Sora braced himself, standing firm at the eye of the storm as more Heartless were pulled into the spinning vortex. The wind howled, and the dark creatures flailed helplessly as they were trapped by the powerful current Rainbow had created. With her speed increasing, Rainbow ascended higher, carrying the Heartless with her in the rising tornado.

Sora’s focus sharpened. This was his chance. With a determined gleam in his eyes, he launched himself into the swirling chaos, his Keyblade flashing as he spun through the air. His strikes were swift and accurate, cutting down Heartless after Heartless, their dark forms disintegrating into nothingness with every swing.

Rainbow, though exerting all her energy to keep the tornado stable, couldn’t help but grin at the sight of Sora tearing through the Heartless with such ease. “Haha! No way... You’re one crazy madpony!” she shouted down to him, laughter escaping her despite the intensity of the moment.

Sora twirled through the tornado, clearing out Heartless with every strike until he reached the peak of the vortex. His wings flared open, catching the wind’s updraft as he steadied himself at the top. “Rainbow! Up here!” he called out, raising a hoof.

Rainbow looked up just as he shouted and saw him holding out his hoof for her to grab. With a smirk, she stopped circling, letting the tornado slowly dissipate, and shot toward him. Grabbing his hoof, she swung him downward with all her strength. “Go get ‘em, Hero!”

Sora spun through the air like a corkscrew, his Keyblade extended. He tore through the remaining Heartless in one powerful descent, cutting through the dark creatures like they were nothing. Hundreds of crystal hearts were released from the Shadow Colts as they disintegrated, the dark energy vanishing into the air. Sora landed gracefully, his hind hooves digging into the ground to slow his momentum. He spun his Keyblade once before striking a pose, a cocky grin plastered on his face.

“Done and done! Too easy,” he cheered in victory.

Rainbow Dash landed beside him, beaming. “That was so awes—” She caught herself mid-sentence, coughing into her hoof and trying to play it cool. “I mean... yeah, that was pretty cool.”

Sora chuckled, shaking his head as he looked at her. “You were pretty awesome too, Dash.”

Before the cyan mare could even respond back to him, Fluttershy and the fillies came dashing towards the pair, the yellow mare stopping in front of Sora, both tears and happiness emanating from the mare. “I’m so glad that the two of you are alright! I was so worried...and scared...But you both are safe, right? You’re not injured are you?” The shy mare’s gaze kept towards the caramel stallion’s own, a simple blush forming on his cheeks as she fussed over him.

“Nah, I’m fine,” Sora said with a reassuring smile. “It looks worse than it is.”

Fluttershy sighed in relief, placing a hoof over her heart. “Thank goodness. I don’t know what I would have done if you got hurt.”

The rainbow maned mare huffed as she glared at her yellow friend. "Yeah...no...I'm fine. Don't worry about me or anything, Flutters...”

“That. Was. SO. WICKED!” Scootaloo squealed, bouncing excitedly on Fluttershy’s back despite her injured leg. “You two are like... superheroes!”

“Yeah! You two were amazing!” Sweetie Belle chimed in, her eyes wide with excitement. “From... y’know, what I saw when I wasn’t hiding behind my hooves…”

Applebloom, her eyes shining with admiration, attached herself to Sora’s leg and nuzzled him. “Ya saved us again, Sora.”

Sora blushed even more, clearly flustered by the filly’s affection. Rainbow rolled her eyes with a smirk, giving a lighthearted huff. “Yeah, yeah, let’s not get all mushy. We’ve got more work to do.” She gestured toward the castle. “We still need to help Twilight find that Crystal Heart thingie!”

“Oh, right! The Crystal Heart,” Sora nodded, turning toward the castle. “Let’s head back and see if Twilight’s found anything—”

Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden explosion rocked the ground beneath their hooves. All eyes shot toward the Crystal Castle just in time to see the top of the tower blow apart, debris scattering in every direction.