Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

Sora and the girls could only watch in horror as the top of the crystal palace exploded, sending shards and fragments raining down. The anguished cries of the crystal ponies echoed through the air, reaching them even from this distance.

“Wha… what just… what just happened?” Rainbow finally stammered out, her eyes glued to the disaster before her. “What in Equestria just happened?”

No one answered at first, but as a dark figure began to emerge from the smoke atop the shattered tower, it soon became clear.

From the wreckage rose a creature straight from a nightmare. Even from afar, Sora could make out its daunting size and unsettling features, stirring up memories of similar beings he had faced in his darkest battles. This massive, crystal-armored figure resembled the Heartless he knew all too well, though it was even larger and more menacing. A crystal helmet obscured its face, leaving only its glowing yellow eyes and writhing antennae visible. Those hollow, soulless eyes scanned the surroundings before the creature released a thunderous roar, as if daring anyone to challenge it.

And, in the distance, someone did.

Not far from the creature’s reach was a small white shape, carrying what looked like pink and purple figures on its back and forelegs. Though it was difficult to make out from where he stood, Sora felt a jolt of recognition. Those figures… He knew them.

“That’s… Cadence and Twilight!” The stallion gasped, “Darn it! We have to get back to the castle!” He turned to lead the charge, but the sound of shattering glass suddenly cracked through the air behind them, causing him pause. He and the girls spun around, just in time to see the magical barrier disintegrate right before their eyes. Freezing winds and biting snow surged toward them, chilling them instantly, but even the cold was overshadowed by the sinister darkness that began to descend.

Heavy hoofsteps echoed as a dark unicorn emerged from the swirling shadows, his crimson cape billowing around his sleek, metallic gray form, casting a dark and imposing presence. His unnatural green eyes glowed, filled with an ominous, dark energy that radiated power and malice.

"Hehehehe… HAHAHAHAHA!" The stallion’s laughter echoed through the storm, wild and unrestrained. A twisted grin spread across his face, sharp teeth glinting as his gaze settled on the ponies before him. "Well, well… my little ponies. Consider yourselves fortunate to witness the return of the one true king of the Crystal Empire."

The Dark King had returned. Sombra was back!

Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

Return of Sombra-The Fight

Despite the chilling danger before them, Rainbow’s gaze kept flicking to the towering Heartless attacking her friends back at the crystal tower. She wasn’t one to depend on anypony, least of all in a fight, but this time, she swallowed her pride and leaned toward the stallion beside her, whispering out of the corner of her mouth in a slightly strained voice. “Alright, hero… if you got a plan to win this, might be a good time to pull it out of your flank.”

If Sora heard her, he didn’t show it. His mind was racing, his instincts torn between the immediate threat in front of him and his friends in trouble down at the castle.

I need to help Twilight and Cadence, but… this guy… I can’t take my eyes off him. If I do…

His gaze shifted briefly to Fluttershy and the fillies huddled beside her. Despite her fear, the timid mare stood protectively in front of the young ones.

I can’t leave them alone. Not with him. But I can’t stay here either.

A calm, familiar voice surfaced within his mind. Sora, breathe. I know you want to help your friends, but we can’t be in two places at once.

I know that, Ventus! he thought back, a surge of frustration mingling with desperation. But I can’t just leave either of them!

You don’t have to, Ventus replied, his tone reassuring. You just have to trust your friends the way you ask them to trust you.

Sora took a deep breath, grounding himself. He moved closer to Rainbow, meeting her gaze with newfound resolve. “Rainbow, you’re the fastest, right?”

Rainbow snorted, though her voice held a hint of worry. “Fastest of the fastest, hero.”

“Then I need you to get to Twilight and Cadence. Whoever’s with them might need a pony like you by their side.”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes, catching his intent. “What about this poser? You just gonna take him on by yourself?” Her voice held a mix of irritation and deep-seated concern. “I can’t just leave you—I mean, all of you here with this jerk.”

“And we can’t leave Twilight and Cadence, either,” Sora countered, a confident smile breaking through as he looked back at her. “I’ve handled creeps like him before. You don’t have to worry.”

Rainbow hesitated, then smirked. “Alright, hero, you win. I’ll leave you to handle this wanna-be king. Just don’t complain when I take down that Heartless before you can even blink.” She turned toward the castle, her wings flaring in preparation, but she cast one last glance over her shoulder. “And don’t get yourself killed, got it? Protect Fluttershy, or I’ll be the one kicking your flank!”

Sora laughed, finding comfort in her fire. “Honestly, I’m more afraid of you than I am of this guy, so I got that covered.”

Rainbow smirked at the remark before she took off in a blur, leaving Sora face-to-face with the dark king, who had watched the exchange with a mocking smirk.

“Done with your little plotting, boy?” Sombra taunted, his voice a dark, menacing rumble. “Not that it matters. Your friends’ fates were sealed before this even began.” His green eyes gleamed with amusement as he continued, “Still…I do hope you can at least provide me with a little entertainment before I destroy you.

Sora planted his hooves firmly, meeting Sombra's gaze with unwavering determination, his Keyblade gripped tightly. “I’ve fought bullies like you before, Sombra. You’re nothing special.”

Sombra’s grin only widened, his emerald eyes gleaming with dark energy. “Amusing...” His horn crackled with shadowy magic, red scythes of energy manifesting and swirling around him. “But your bravado will be short-lived.”

“And you talk a big game,” Sora taunted, “But I’ll defeat you like all the rest.”

Sombra’s eyes narrowed, his laughter dark and echoing. “Do you think I’m as easy to defeat as the Heartless you’ve faced? I will crush you, then the princesses, and after that, all of Equestria will be mine!” Red, translucent scythes formed around him, each blade shimmering with a deadly edge. “If a boy is all that stands in my way… then I’ve already won.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever, dark and spooky.” Sora said with a roll of his eyes, giving Sombra a smirk as he spun his Keyblade. “How about you quit the monologue, and we just get this fight started already?” He planted his hooves, his expression full of confidence. “I didn’t come here to listen to some wannabe king brag!”

Sombra’s eyes flared with annoyance, his scythes hovering menacingly around him. “Very well, boy. If you’re so eager to meet your end—come and face the true power of darkness!”

~~~

As Rainbow Dash sped through the icy winds toward the crystal palace, she suddenly heard the sharp clash of metal and the thunderous rumble of dark magic behind her. Instinctively, she skidded to a halt mid-air, her ears swiveling to pick up the sounds of the intense fight echoing through the storm.

She turned her head, eyes narrowing as she saw flashes of light and darkness flicker through the haze of snow. Sora, she thought, feeling a pang of concern mixed with admiration. The guy really was crazy, throwing himself right at Sombra like that. But even she had to admit, his determination was something else.

She hovered in place, biting her lip, her loyalty tugging her back toward the battle. “C’mon, Rainbow,” she muttered to herself, “He’s got this. He’s tough… tougher than most ponies I know. And he’s trusting you to help the others…”

Still, the sound of Sora’s Keyblade striking against Sombra’s dark magic echoed again, sharp and fierce, like a promise that the battle was far from over. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to turn back toward the palace.

“Just… don’t do anything stupid, hero,” she murmured, her voice filled with a mix of pride and worry. With a quick beat of her wings, she bolted toward the palace, her mind racing as she fought to shake off the feeling gnawing at her gut. Sora was counting on her to help Twilight and Cadence—and she wasn’t about to let anyone down.

~~~

Sora flipped backward, narrowly evading the blade of Sombra’s scythe as it struck the ground where he’d just stood. Regaining his stance, he charged forward, only to find another scythe waiting, poised to slice him in two. Quick as ever, Sora dropped low, sliding under the blade with ease. Without losing momentum, he leaped, twisting his body to dodge yet another scythe as it narrowly grazed his side. Landing on his hooves, he sprinted straight toward Sombra, determination fueling his every step. Another of the dark king's scythes loomed in his path, ready to strike with deadly force.

But Sora was faster. With a skillful flick of his Keyblade, he parried the strike downward, redirecting it, and with a twist of his head, he hooked the weapon under Sombra’s scythe and forced it from the dark unicorn’s magical grasp. As the scythe fell, Sora sprang into the air, catching it in his hooves. Spinning mid-air, he aimed a powerful slash down toward Sombra.

But as the blade connected, Sora’s face twisted in confusion—it passed straight through Sombra, as though the king were nothing but mist. Before he could react, the scythe was yanked from his grip, and the blunt end struck him hard in the chest, sending him reeling. Doubling over in pain, he heard Sombra’s sharp laugh of satisfaction. Sombra raised his other scythes high, preparing to bring them down on Sora’s unguarded back.

Sora rolled to the side just in time, evading the deadly strike by a hair. Regaining his footing, he flipped backward, putting distance between himself and Sombra, and hurled his Keyblade straight at the dark king. Sombra sneered, watching the weapon approach with dismissive amusement.

“You think a simple blade will—GAH!”

Sombra’s taunt was cut short as the Keyblade began to glow with an intense light, a brightness unlike anything Sombra had felt before. The blade struck true, forcing him out of his untagable from, the stallion shifting back into flesh and blood. He recoiled, stunned by the unexpected pain as the keyblade landed a blow right on his chest.

Taking advantage of the opening, Sora charged forward, his Keyblade rematerializing in his grasp with a gleaming light. He leaped, bringing the weapon down in a powerful arc toward Sombra.

But this time, Sombra was ready.

With a clang of metal against metal, Sombra blocked the strike with his armored foreleg, the plate acting as a makeshift shield. Their eyes locked, and they found themselves locked in a tense standoff, neither willing to yield.

Sombra’s voice was low and menacing as he pushed back. “Impressive, colt… It’s rare to find a pony who can stand against me like this.” His smirk grew. “Especially one as young as you.”

Sora gritted his teeth, pushing against the dark king’s strength, refusing to give in even an inch. But just as quickly as he’d engaged, Sombra vanished in a wisp of dark smoke, reappearing several paces away.

The king’s tone softened to an almost complimentary tone. “Such power for one so young. Your strength, speed, reflexes… They are rare gifts.” He gave a sly smile. “It’s almost a shame to waste such talent for such fruitless endeavors."

“What are you getting at, Sombra?” Sora spat.

“Something I rarely offer to anyone…” The dark king chuckled softly. “A place at my side, boy. With me as your mentor, I could teach you the true depths of your power—the power of darkness. Imagine what we could accomplish together.”

“What?” The keyblade wielder spoke, slightly taken aback. “What are you talking about Sombra?”

“What I am saying, boy, is that I have a proposition for you.” The dark king held out his hoof offering it to the keyblade wielder. “I want you to join me. With me as your teacher in the Darkness, I can show you the way to your true potential!”

Sora scoffed, stamping a hoof. “Yeah, right! Like I’d ever turn my back on my friends!”

Sombra’s smile twisted into a sneer. “Your friends,” he echoed mockingly, “Clinging to such a feeble word.” He took a menacing step forward, his voice lowering into a serpentine whisper. “You could be so much more, Sora. You could be unstoppable, feared by all. Why waste your strength fighting for them when you could rule over them…have anything you want.”

“Enough with the mind games!” The stallion shouted. “I’m not joining you, and I’m sure not betraying my friends! Not for all the power in the world!”

Sombra’s expression hardened, his voice turning colder. “A pity, truly…” He smiled. “On two accounts.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sora scoffed

Sombra chuckled darkly. “For one…It’s unfortunate you’ve refused me. Killing a pony with your potential is… wasteful.” His horn began to glow, dark energy swirling around him. “As for the other account… it will be a pity when your own misguided loyalty becomes your undoing.”

Sora shook his head, readying his Keyblade. “What?”

~~~

Fluttershy had been tense the entire time, watching every blow Sora exchanged with Sombra, her heart sinking each time he took a hit. Fighting had never been her way, but feeling so helpless—unable to do anything to aid him—made her feel even worse. Sora was risking his life for them, Rainbow was out there risking hers for Twilight and Cadance, and she was certain that Applejack and Pinkie were doing everything they could too.

She knew, deep down, that she was doing her part by protecting the fillies. So why did she still feel so... useless?

“Hey! They… they stopped fighting!”

Sweetie Belle’s voice snapped Fluttershy back to the present, and she blinked, frowning slightly as she saw that Sora and Sombra had, indeed, paused their battle.

“Aww!” Scootaloo complained. “It was just getting good, too.” She turned to her friends with excitement. “I mean, I’ve seen Sora fight Heartless before, but he’s never moved like that! Almost as awesome as Rainbow Dash.” She looked back at the scene. “But… why’d they stop fighting?”

“Oh! Ah know!” Apple Bloom piped up. “Bet that dark unicorn’s tryin’ to get Sora to join the dark side!”

Sweetie Belle gave her a curious look. “What makes you think that?”

“Isn’t that what all big villains do? When they think they’re losing, they try to see if the hero will join them,” Apple Bloom explained confidently, then flinched at the looks she got from her friends and Fluttershy. “Uh… I may have read a few of Spike’s comics…”

“Doesn’t matter what he’s saying!” Scootaloo scoffed, puffing out her chest. “There’s no way Sora would ever join him! He’s Rainbow’s friend, so that means he’s already on the cool side!”

Fluttershy smiled at Scootaloo’s declaration. She knew deep down that Sora would never side with someone like Sombra. Even to her, he never seen to type to do something so evil. She placed a hoof over her heart, remembering how gentle Sora had been when he’d saved her before. Sora wasn’t the kind of pony who’d hurt those with good hearts. He’d never let himself be swayed by darkness.

But as she opened her eyes again, her expression changed. Sombra was grinning—and not at Sora.

No, his gaze was focused somewhere else.

Fluttershy’s heart raced as she realized who he was looking at.

Without another thought, she pushed all three fillies away from her as hard as she could. She barely registered their cries of alarm before her vision was filled with shadow. The last sound she heard was their panicked voices, calling out her name as everything went dark.

~~~

Sora's head whipped toward the fillies' voices as they all shouted Fluttershy’s name. His heart sank when he realized that Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen with them.

"Looking for somepony, boy?"

Sora turned sharply to face Sombra, shock overtaking the confusion he'd felt moments before. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of Fluttershy, trapped in tendrils of darkness that coiled from Sombra’s shadow. Her soft, shuddering voice reached him.

“S-Sora… I’m… I’m sorry… I…”

“Fluttershy!” Sora cried, a mix of horror and fury building within him. He rushed forward but froze as the tendrils around her neck tightened, causing her to gasp for air.

Sora’s heart thundered as he stared at Fluttershy, her frightened eyes meeting his through the darkness binding her. He tightened his grip on his Keyblade, his whole body tensing as a cold fury ignited within him. Sombra’s smug grin only deepened, sensing the anger radiating from his opponent. He made to move but stopped when the black stallion’s voice rung.

“Tsk, tsk…” Sombra chided with a twisted grin. “I wouldn’t get any closer, little Hero. Unless, of course, you’d rather I end this pitiful mare’s suffering sooner.” He leaned in closer to Fluttershy, his muzzle just inches from her face, his gaze still locked onto Sora. “If this is the kind of company you keep, I see why you wouldn’t want to join me,” he sneered, lifting Fluttershy’s chin as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Yes… I see why indeed.”

“Sombra!” Sora shouted, his voice raw with emotion. “Let her go. Now.”

Sombra's grin only widened, a low, dark chuckle escaping him. “Oh, but I think I’m rather enjoying this,” he said, his tone taunting. He lifted a hoof, stroking one of the dark tendrils coiled around Fluttershy’s neck, tightening it just enough to make her wince. “You see, boy, I’ve always found fear to be a far more… effective tool than brute strength alone.”

Sora took a step forward, his voice trembling with rage and desperation. “Sombra, I swear, if you hurt her—”

The dark king scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Oh, spare me the heroic speeches.” With a flick of his horn, the tendrils around Fluttershy’s neck tightened, causing her to choke out a pained gasp. “Now be a good hero and be quite. You don’t give the orders here, boy. And the more you defy me, the more she suffers.”

Sora’s ears flattened as he swallowed his rage, his gaze hardening as he clenched his teeth.

“See?” Sombra mocked, keeping his cold gaze on Sora as he examined Fluttershy with a wicked smile. “Isn’t it so much easier when you let others control you? Such a delicate creature…” He caressed her cheek with a hoof, delighting in Sora’s glare. “I wonder how long she’d last before darkness broke her.”

That was enough for Sora. He lunged forward, his Keyblade blazing with light. But as he did, Sombra’s dark scythes appeared, surrounding him and slamming down, pinning him in place on the ground.

Sombra strode toward Sora, his hooves landing with heavy, menacing thuds. “THIS! IS! WHAT! HAPPENS! TO BAD COLTS WHO DON’T LISTEN!” Each word was punctuated by a brutal kick to Sora’s side, making him double over in pain. When he was done, he sneered at Sora’s weakened form. “Those who resist only invite suffering by my hoof.”

“You… monster…” a soft, defiant voice spoke behind him.

Sombra paused and turned, his eyes narrowing at Fluttershy, who, despite her tears, was glaring at him with fierce determination.

“What was that?” he growled, barely able to contain his anger.

Fluttershy took a shaky breath, her legs trembling but her gaze unwavering as she faced down the dark king. “I said… you’re a monster. Hurting others to feel powerful… there’s nothing strong about you!”

Sombra’s expression twisted in fury as he stalked back toward her. “A good mare knows when to keep quiet.” He raised his hoof, prepared to strike her. “Looks like you need a lesson.”

Fluttershy braced herself, squeezing her eyes shut as she awaited the blow.

Splut!

Fluttershy blinked, confused. Something wet had splattered against Sombra’s head. She opened her eyes to see a layer of whipped cream and pie crust covering him. Sombra whirled, growling, only to be met with an orange hoof crashing into his face, sending him sprawling and breaking the dark spell holding her. She stumbled forward, collapsing into Pinkie Pie’s waiting embrace.

“Gotcha, Flutters!” Pinkie Pie whispered with a comforting smile, holding Fluttershy close. “No big meanie’s gonna hurt you while we’re here!”

Sombra, now coated in pie and stunned by the sudden strike, staggered back to his hooves, his fury evident as he wiped the whipped cream from his face. “You insolent—!” he began, his voice dripping with rage.

“Aw, did I interrupt your villain monologue?” Applejack taunted, planting herself firmly between Sombra and the others, her stance unyielding. “Funny thing, Sombra. Where I come from, we don’t take kindly to bullies—especially ones who pick on mares like Fluttershy.”

Sombra scoffed, flicking remnants of the pie crust from his face, his sneer twisting into a dark smile. “You ponies really don’t know your place, do you?” His voice dripped with disdain as he straightened, his shadowy form looming over them.

Applejack tipped her hat, preparing to charge, but Pinkie placed a hoof in front of her. “You go help Sora. Leave this guy to me.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “You sure, Pinkie?”

Pinkie grinned, bouncing on her hooves. “Of course! When have I ever let you down?”

Applejack hesitated, glancing between Pinkie and Sombra, but she caught the confident gleam in Pinkie’s eyes. “Alright, Pinkie. Just give a holler if you need backup,” she said, giving her friend an encouraging nod before turning to help Sora, who was struggling to his hooves nearby.

As Applejack moved away, Sombra’s gaze locked onto Pinkie, his expression a mix of disdain and irritation. “You think you can take me on alone?” he sneered. “I’ll make you regret such arrogance, you foolish mare.”

Pinkie only laughed, her usual light-heartedness somehow managing to fill the space with warmth and defiance. “Oh, Sombra, you’re talking to the wrong pony about regret!” She reached behind her, producing an arsenal of pies stacked precariously high. “I’ve got more tricks up my mane than you can shake your scary horn at!”

Sombra’s eyes narrowed as he gathered dark energy, his horn crackling with power. “Enough of these games!” He launched a wave of shadows toward her, but Pinkie leaped out of the way with a twirl, landing gracefully on her hind legs as she balanced one of her pies in her hoof.

“Who’s playing games?” Pinkie retorted with a grin. “I’m just getting started!” With a practiced spin, she hurled the pie straight at Sombra, who barely had time to dodge before another followed right after. Pinkie kept up a steady stream, each pie soaring with surprising accuracy, forcing Sombra to stumble backward as he blocked and dodged.

Sombra growled in frustration, his horn glowing with darker energy as he tried to keep up with Pinkie’s relentless pie barrage. Every time he blocked or dodged, another pie was already flying toward him, splattering against his coat and adding to the frosting and crumbs that clung to him. His once-imposing form now looked ridiculous, and Pinkie didn’t let him forget it.

“Come on, Sombra! I thought you were supposed to be scary!” Pinkie teased, bouncing nimbly out of the way as he fired a beam of dark magic at her. She darted around him, keeping up a steady stream of taunts. “What’s wrong? Pie got your tongue?”

Sombra snarled, his patience wearing thin. “Enough! You’re foalishness ends now!” His horn ignited, and the ground below Pinking Shaking before it erupted. Tendrils just like the ones that had trapped Fluttershy shot up from the ground, aiming to do the same to the pink party mare.

Just as the dark tendrils shot up, twisting toward Pinkie with alarming speed, Sora leaped into the fray, his Keyblade blazing with radiant light. In a single, precise strike, he sliced through the shadows, each tendril dissolving into wisps of darkness before they could reach her.

He landed in front of the mare, glaring. “Not this time Sombra! You’re done!”

Sombra snarled, his shadowy form flickering as he beheld Sora standing protectively in front of Pinkie, the radiant light of his Keyblade casting away the darkness around them. “You think you can defy me, boy?” Sombra sneered, his voice laced with venom. “I am the true ruler of the shadows! You and your pathetic light are nothing compared to my power!”

Without a word, Sora surged forward, his Keyblade blazing with pure, unwavering light. He struck Sombra’s magical shield with relentless force, each impact sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The dark king gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain his defenses, but Sora’s strikes were relentless, each blow stronger than the last, driven by an unyielding determination to protect his friends.

Cracks spidered across Sombra’s shield, thin at first but widening with every hit. Sora’s expression was fierce, his focus unbreakable as he poured all his strength into his strikes. With one final, powerful swing, his Keyblade shattered the shield, and before Sombra could react, Sora’s blade connected with his face, sending him reeling.

Sombra staggered, stunned by the sheer force, but Sora didn’t let up. He pressed forward, delivering blow after blow with his Keyblade, each strike filled with a fierce resolve. The dark king began to crumple, his once-imposing figure reduced to a target for Sora’s unstoppable assault.

Finally, with a devastating upward swing, Sora struck Sombra square in the chin, the impact lifting him off the ground and launching him into the sky. The dark king’s form twisted and flickered, his defiant sneer replaced by shock and pain as he soared through the air, his control slipping.

As Sombra hung suspended, Sora summoned all the light within him, his Keyblade radiating with a brilliant glow. He leaped into the air, his voice ringing out with unshakable confidence. “This is it!”

With one final, earth-shaking swing, Sora’s Keyblade collided with Sombra’s form, the dark stallion crumbling to the ground in a heap. The keyblade wielder landed beside Sombra’s crumpled form, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his breath. “That…was for Fluttershy,” he muttered, his Keyblade fading as he turned back to his friends—only to be swept into a crushing hug by Pinkie.

When she finally pulled back, her bright blue eyes met his, filled with a gentleness that Sora hadn’t often seen in her.

“Sora…” she said softly, her smile a bit hesitant at first. “Are you… okay now?” Her voice was uncharacteristically quiet as she spoke.

Sora blinked, a little taken aback by her question. “I…Y-Yeah I’m fine…” He gave her a smile.

Pinkie’s smile grew a little brighter, the worry in her eyes easing as she let out a small sigh of relief. “Good,” she said, her voice returning to its usual upbeat tone. “Because you were really, really scary for a moment there, Sora!” She giggled, nudging him playfully. “But if you’re okay now, then it’s all good!”

Sora chuckled, scratching the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. “Guess I got a little intense, huh?”

Applejack stepped up beside him, giving Sora a friendly nudge. “A little intense?” she teased, raising an eyebrow with a playful smirk. “Sugarcube, you looked about ready to tear that stallion to pieces! Not that I can blame ya, after what he put Fluttershy through.” She tipped her hat, a warm glint in her eyes. “Glad to see you’re okay, partner. Would’ve been a shame to lose such a dependable farmhoof.”

Sora chuckled, glancing over at his friends with a warm smile. "Well, I promised a certain rainbow-maned mare I'd come out on top," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Couldn’t go letting her down now, could I?”

Just as Sora finished speaking, he was nearly knocked off his hooves as the three fillies rushed over, their eyes wide with awe and admiration. The yellow filly, Apple Bloom, leaped right into his hooves, wrapping her forelegs around his neck and hugging him tightly.

“Sora! Ah was so worried!” She nuzzled into his cheek before pulling away. “Are y’all okay!? Did he hurt ya anywhere?!”

“Took a few hits, but I’ve had worse.” He chuckled, giving her a gentle pat on the back. “Besides, with you girls cheering me on, there was no way I was gonna let Sombra get the better of me.”

Apple Bloom pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his face to make sure he was really alright. “Good,” she said with a little sniffle, quickly wiping her eyes. “Ya had us scared half to death back there! When he knocked ya down, Ah thought—” She shook her head, trying to stay strong. “Ah thought we were gonna lose ya.”

“Are you kidding, Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo said, her wings fluttering with excitement. “There’s no way Sora would let some evil old shadow king take him down! He’s, like, unstoppable! And Half as cool as Rainbow Dash! No way he was gonna lose to that jerk.”

“Sora…”

As the girls’ chatter quieted, Fluttershy’s soft voice reached him, a gentle reminder of her presence. She stepped forward, her expression tender yet slightly hesitant. “Sora…” she began, her voice just above a whisper, “I…Are you okay? Really?”

The stallion couldn’t help but smile softly at her question. “Yeah…I’m fine. Honest. I should be the one asking that of you though.” he frowns. “I…Because of me you were put in danger and…”

Fluttershy shook her head gently, interrupting him before he could finish. Her soft gaze met his, filled with unwavering kindness. “Sora, please don’t think that way. You were trying to protect all of us… I could see how hard you fought.” She stepped a little closer, her voice trembling slightly. “If anything, I’m… I’m just glad we’re all safe.”

“Might want to put a hold on that, Sugarcube,” Applejack spoke, her gaze shifting toward the towering Crystal Castle in the distance. Even from here, they could see the massive Heartless tearing through the streets, its crystalline body glinting ominously in the light. “We gotta high-tail it over there, and fast. Don’t know how much longer Twi and Cadance can hold up… even with that strange pony with bat wings lending a hoof.”

“YOU THINK THIS IS OVER?!”

Everyone turned to seeSombra, battered and barely holding himself upright, staggered to his hooves, his eyes blazing with rage. “You Foals…I Will make you pay…for this humiliation!”

Everyone turned, their expressions shifting to shock and alarm as Sombra, bloodied and bruised, forced himself upright. His form flickered, barely holding together, but his eyes blazed with a hatred that seemed to fuel his very being. Shadows seeped from him like smoke, swirling in a twisted aura of vengeance.

"You foals… I will make you pay… for this humiliation!" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. Dark magic crackled at his hooves, pooling into tendrils that slithered across the ground, reaching toward them with menacing intent.

Sora tightened his grip on his Keyblade, his stance immediately shifting to shield his friends. "Not this time, Sombra!" he called out, his voice steady and unwavering. "You’ve lost. Just give it up already."

Sombra sneered, the darkness coiling around him growing thicker as his form seemed to warp, his face twisted with rage. "I’d sooner see this kingdom fall to ruin than accept defeat!" His voice thundered, causing the ground beneath them to rumble.

Applejack took a protective step forward, her expression hardening. “If ya think we’re just gonna stand here and let you hurt anypony else, you got another thing comin’, Sombra.”

Pinkie looked around at the others, her usual smile replaced with a fierce determination. “Yeah! You’re not scaring anypony anymore, Sombra!” she declared, her stance firm beside Applejack.

The mad king scoffed. “So be it!” He reached out to the sky, foaming at the mouth with anger as he screamed to the heavens. “Darkness! Come onto me! Fill me with all your everlasting power!!”

As Sombra’s furious cry tore through the air, the sky above began to darken, twisting into a swirling vortex of shadows. Bolts of dark lightning crackled through the air, drawn to him like moths to a flame, each bolt amplifying his presence until he was nearly engulfed by a churning, chaotic mass of darkness. His form began to change, growing larger and more grotesque, his eyes burning with a crimson fury as his body became a monstrous fusion of shadow and malice.

Applejack held her hat against the wind caused by his transformation. “What in tarnation is he doing?!”

Pinkie clutched the fillies close as they ran towards her, the foul wind picking up around the small group. “Oh no! This one’s bad!”

Sora quickly positioned himself in front of Fluttershy, the stallion’s gaze never leaving Sombra as he gave his heart into darkness fully. As the transformation reached its peak, Sombra let out a roar that shook the ground beneath them, his new monstrous form towering over the ponies. His body was now a swirling mass of darkness, twisted with jagged, crystalline armor that shimmered with malevolent energy. His eyes blazed with an unearthly glow, and his voice echoed like thunder.

A creature of nightmares now stood where the Dark King had fallen, worst then the one attacking the Crystal Castle.

“None of you will leave here alive!” he bellowed, his clawed hand sweeping forward, sending a wave of shadow crashing toward them.

Without a second thought, Sora grabbed Fluttershy’s hoof, his voice urgent but steady. “Everyone, run for it! Now!”

He pulled Fluttershy back as the monstrous Sombra’s wave of shadow surged toward them, the dark energy crackling and twisting with lethal intent. Applejack and Pinkie didn’t need any more prompting; they herded the fillies away, moving as fast as they could against the wind and darkness.

“Pinkie!” Applejack called out in a huff, her voice cutting though the sea of panic.

“Yeah AJ?” Pinkie answered, looking to her side.

“Ah ever tell ya ah hate bad guys!?” said Applejack.

“Nope I don’t think ya did!” Pinkie answered.

“Oh…well ah do!” Applejack groaned.

“Applejack! Pinkie! Wait!”

Applejack halted at her sister’s urgent command, glancing back to see what her sister was taking about. The farm mare’s eyes widened in alarm as she spotted Sora kneeling beside Fluttershy, who was on the ground, wincing as she struggled to get back up.

“I…I think I twisted my hoof on a rock!” Fluttershy cried, pain evident in her teary eyes. She looked up at Sora, guilt and worry mixing in her expression. “Sora… I-I’m so sorry. I…please, don’t stop for me. You have to go.”

Sora shook his head with determination, stepping protectively in front of Fluttershy, his gaze fixed firmly on the monstrous Sombra advancing toward them. “No way I’m leaving you, Fluttershy,” he said, his voice steady and resolute. “You protected me before… now it’s my turn to return the favor.”

Applejack stepped up beside Sora, her stance solid as she faced the monstrous Sombra without a hint of hesitation. “You’re not doin’ this alone, partner,” she said, determination blazing in her eyes. Pinkie bounded to his other side, her usual smile replaced with a fierce look of resolve.

Sora glanced between them, concern crossing his face. “What about the fillies?” he asked, glancing back.

“They’re safe enough for now,” Applejack replied, her gaze never leaving Sombra. “But nowhere’s safe as long as these monsters are running wild. We either stand and fight here, or we lose everything.”

Pinkie nodded, her normally bright eyes narrowed in focus. “Yeah! We’re not letting some overgrown shadow ruin everypony’s day!” she added, a rare, serious tone in her voice.

Sora looked at them, a surge of gratitude filling him. “Alright, together, then,” he said, his grip tightening on his Keyblade. The three of them stood firm, a line of unwavering determination against the looming darkness.

Sombra roared, his monstrous form surging forward with tendrils of shadow reaching out like claws.

Sora raised his Keyblade, his voice steady and filled with resolve. “Let’s give him everything we’ve got!”

~~~

Canterlot:

Princess Celestia unfurled yet another scroll from the pile beside her, her expression growing more solemn with each one. The report detailed yet another pony who had mysteriously vanished without a trace, joining the ever-growing list of disappearances. It wasn’t just ponies, either—she’d received no response from the Kirin village and had grown increasingly worried about the dragons who had also gone silent. Each disappearance felt far from random, each one selected with a dark purpose she couldn’t yet discern.

She sighed deeply, setting the scroll aside. “He’s planning something… I can feel it. But what?”

Just then, a powerful surge of energy rippled through the air, making Celestia’s heart skip a beat. It was unlike anything she’d felt before—an energy both foreign and ominous. In a flash, she teleported from her study, reappearing before the vault that housed the Elements of Harmony. Her horn lit up, quickly unlocking the powerful wards surrounding the chamber, and she threw open the gates, her heart pounding.

With a steadying breath, she levitated the ornate box over to herself and lifted the lid. Her fears were confirmed.

“The Elements… they’re gone!”