Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

By Steel Soul

Return of Sombra Part one - The Drive

Green to start music and red to stop music

Sora gasped as the light faded, the rush of heated air around him igniting every one of his senses. Taking stalk of himself, the keyblade wielder quickly realized he was back in his equine form—though there were more than a few striking differences.

First, his attire. Instead of his usual black outfit, he was clad in a jacket as vivid and red as a rose, shimmering with a mystical yet familiar light he knew all too well. The energy coursing through him seemed to radiate outward, an electrifying current flowing from his head to his hooves.

Second was what was within his hooves. Two keyblades. The one in his left being that of a large orange and tan blade, the fork of the key being that of an apple slice. In the other, his right, a pink blue and yellow blade. Balloon’s adorned on nearly every inch of the key. The sheer power from both the blades and himself made his entire body hum with strength, and one word blazed through his mind as he stood there, energized and ready:

VALOR.

“Wow…” The stallion spoke to himself, his voice barely going above a whisper. “It’s been a while since I’ve used this…”

What in tarnation is goin’ on?! Where am I?!

Said stallion froze, his eyes widening at the unmistakable sound of Applejack’s voice. But where was she?

“What? AJ? Is that you? Where are you?”

Wait! That voice! Sora?! Where are ya?!

Now Sora was completely confused. That was Applejack—but how? It sounded like she was speaking into his mind.

Oh! Applejack! You’re here too? Pretty neat, huh? came another voice, bubbly and all too familiar. Sora couldn’t stop the flinch at the sheer volume as Pinkie Pie’s lively tone echoed in his mind. Then, just as quickly, he felt a pang of guilt and sorrow radiate from her. Oh no! Sora! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you! I’ll tone it down! Sorry!

“Pinkie? Is that…you?”

Sure as sugar is! The pink mare chimed in a sugary tone. Pretty weird huh?

Jeez… What in the hay is going on? The voice was AJ’s now. Why the hay can ah see what ya’ll are seeing now Sora? And what the hey is this power. Ah feel all…energized.
“I... I don’t,” Sora admitted,.“But…I know this form. I used to use it all the time back when I was looking for Riku….”

“Sora?”

The gentle voice startled him, making him whirl around. Standing behind him was Fluttershy, looking up at him with wide eyes, her expression a mixture of awe and confusion.

Despite the situation, Sora’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat as a wave of dread surged through him, the promise he had made AJ back in the black void coming to the forefront of his mind. The promise to tell the truth…about everything. Would they accept him as AJ and Pinkie had…Would…Fluttershy?

The mere thought of her turning away from him caused a sharp pain in his chest. It was unbearable, even more so than he had expected. Why did the idea of losing her hurt the most?

Before the fear could take root, he felt the jarring sensation of a phantom hoof striking his face, snapping him out of his spiraling thoughts.

Sora! Applejack’s voice was firm, her tone brooking no argument. Ah don’t know what’s goin’ on, but ah can feel what you’re thinkin’. Right now, ya need to focus. Save Fluttershy and the rest of us first. We’ll figure the rest out after. By the end of it, promise us the truth, and ah promise you’ll still have a friend in me. He could feel her emotions soften, the warmth of her smile somehow palpable in his mind. You’re not a bad…whatever you are. You’ve proved that much. And ah’m sure Fluttershy and the others will feel the same as me and Pinkie.

Absolutely! Pinkie’s voice rang out with its usual exuberance. You’re super awesome, Sora! I Pinkie Pie Promise to always be your friend, no matter what!

Their words washed over , chasing away his despair like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Renewed, Sora turned his attention back to Fluttershy, offering her a gentle smile.

“Fluttershy….” His voice was calm yet firm, filled with a quiet determination. “I’ve got a lot to explain to you and the others when this is all over. But right now, I need you to trust me. I’ll protect you—all of you.”

Fluttershy nodded hesitantly, not quite understanding but knowing the stallion was serious all the same. Getting her confirmation, Sora returned his attention to Sombra, his grip tightening around the glowing Keyblades. With practiced precision, he spun them in his hooves, their light carving arcs through the air. Once the blades stilled at his sides, he settled into a battle-ready stance.

“Can you fly out of here?” Sora asked the timid mare without turning back.

“I… I think so…”

“Good. Get the fillies and take them somewhere safe. Leave this to me.”

The shy mare hesitated for a second before nodding, despite knowing he wouldn’t see it. Quick as she could, Fluttershy flapped her wings and took off, heading toward the frightened fillies in the distance. Sora waited until he could no longer sense her presence behind him, his focus returning fully to the towering shadowy beast in front of him.

Sensing she was far enough away, the stallion released a sigh, twirling both Keyblades once more before leveling them at Sombra. “Alright, Sombra,” he said, his voice brimming with confidence. “I hope you’re ready… because honestly… I’ve got two Keyblades and a whole lot of energy. And right now? I’m in the mood to party!”

Dangnabbit, Sora…

Yay!

~~~

Fluttershy wobbled slightly as she touched down, her wings trembling from both exertion and nerves. Before she could fully steady herself, the three fillies swarmed her, their voices overlapping in a chaotic flurry of questions and concern.

“Fluttershy! Are ya okay? Where’s my sister!? And Pinkie Pie to boot!” Apple Bloom asked, her amber eyes wide with worry.

“Is Sora coming? He’s okay, right?” Sweetie Belle added, the little filly grasping the mare’s foreleg.

“What’s going on out there?” Scootaloo asked trying to run past the timid mare only to be caught by her wing. The orange filly frowned, looking up towards Fluttershy. “It looked like a crazy light show! Whats happening?!”

“Girls, please,” Fluttershy said softly, her hoof raised in a gentle gesture to quiet them. “We…We have to get away from here. It’s not safe.”

The fillies quieted slightly at Fluttershy’s words, their gaze falling past the yellow mare. The distant flashes of light and the thunderous booms from Sora’s battle served as a chilling reminder of the danger looming nearby.

Still…

“But what about mah sister and Sora?” Apple Bloom pressed, her voice cracking with worry. “They wouldn’t leave me behind. We can’t just run away!”

“And Pinkie?” Sweetie Belle added. “We can’t leave any of them…can we?”

Scootaloo stomped her hoof, wings buzzing anxiously. “Yeah! We should stay and help! We’re not scared!”

Fluttershy knelt down, lowering her head to meet their gaze. Her wings gently opened to envelop all three of them. “I know you’re worried…And I know you’re all very brave. But right now, the best thing we can do is get somewhere safe. Sora, Applejack, and Pinkie… they’re all doing everything they can to protect us. We…we have to trust them…okay?”

The fillies exchanged uncertain glances. Sweetie Belle shuffled her hooves nervously, while Scootaloo frowned, reluctant to back down. Apple Bloom looked torn, her resolve wavering as she bit her lip.

“But what if somethin’ happens to ‘em while we’re hidin’?” Apple Bloom asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Fluttershy closed her eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath before opening them again. There was a quiet strength in her gaze now, a determination that surprised even herself. “If something happens, then and only then will we find a way to help them,” she promised. “But right now, they need to know we’re safe. They’re counting on us to be strong and to trust them. Can you do that for me?”

The fillies hesitated, but the sincerity in Fluttershy’s voice seemed to reach them. Slowly, Apple Bloom nodded, followed by Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo grumbled under her breath but finally gave a reluctant nod as well.

“Good,” Fluttershy said, her soft smile returning. “Let’s stick together. Stay close to me, and we’ll find a safe place to wait.”

She led them toward a cluster of dense crystals at the edge of the field, her ears swiveling constantly as she listened for any sign of danger. The fillies followed closely, their trust in her growing with each step.

Behind them, the sounds of Sora’s battle continued to echo across the landscape. Fluttershy glanced back once, her heart heavy with both hope and worry. She whispered under her breath, too softly for the fillies to hear:

“Sora… please be safe. I…We believe in you.”

~~~

The keyblade wielder launched himself backwards after deflecting a nasty attack, his Keyblades cutting through the darkness with radiant arcs of light. The monster before him had power, but he’s dealt with his kind before. This would be no different.

With a quick leap, he closed the remaining distance between the two of them, twisting his body in midair to bring both Keyblades down in a cross-slash aimed at the beast’s core. Or he would have if Sombra hadn’t raised one of his arms, deflecting the attack with ease. Spreading his arms, A massive clawed limb formed out of the darkness within his chest, launching toward Sora with devastating force. Stuck in the air, all he could do was block, raising both Keyblades just in time to absorb the brunt of the attack. The force of the blow sent him hurtling backward, his hooves skidding across the uneven ground as he fought to maintain his balance.

“Okay…that hit harder than expected,” Sora muttered, his arms still feeling the effects of the blow, stinging with vibration. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the beast, searching for a weakness, some sort of opening. If only he had his magic. That would definitely even the playing field between them.

”So, what’s the plan, partner?” Applejack’s voice cut through his thoughts, steady and grounding. ”You can’t keep takin’ hits like that and expect to win. We gotta be smart about this.”

“Yeah! You’ve got us now, so you don’t have to do it all on your own!” Pinkie chimed in, her bubbly enthusiasm somehow warming the corners of Sora’s mind. ”Let’s think of something fun and clever! Like… a super-duper Keyblade surprise attack!”

“Pinkie, this ain’t the time for foolin’ around!” Applejack snapped, her frustration palpable. “We’re in the middle of a—SORA, BELOW!”

The warning jolted him, his body reacting on instinct as he leaped to the side. A massive spike of darkness erupted from the ground where he’d just been standing, narrowly missing him but leaving a jagged crater in its wake. The sheer force of the attack sent chunks of earth flying, some grazing his coat as he landed in a low crouch.

Sora barely had time to steady himself as the dark king turned monster appeared behind him, a massive clawed hand sweeping sideways with brutal force. The keyblade wielder raised his weapons in a desperate attempt to block but he was too late. The impact sent him flying through the air, his body twisting and arching uncontrollably as pain radiated through every limb.

“Gah!” Sora cried out, gritting his teeth against the searing ache. For a moment, his vision blurred, and he felt nothing but weightless as he soared through the air.

“SORA!” Pinkie’s voice rang out in his mind, shrill with panic. “I’ve got you! Just… hold on!”

The stallion felt a strange tug in his chest, like a burst of warmth that radiated outward to his hooves. His right forehoof, still gripping the pink Keyblade, moved seemingly of its own accord, guided by a will that wasn’t entirely his own. The tip of the Keyblade glowed brightly, a cascade of vibrant colors swirling around it like a painter’s brush blending hues.

“What the—?!” Sora managed, his voice hoarse with surprise.

Before he could fully process it, a giant, shimmering ball of light shot forth from the Keyblade, arcing downward toward the ground below. It expanded rapidly, its surface glowing with every color of the rainbow, soft and warm like the promise of safety in the storm.

Sora’s body collided with the glowing sphere, and instead of the harsh crash he’d braced for, he landed with a gentle thud. The sphere absorbed the force of his fall, cradling him in its soft, bouncy surface like an oversized trampoline. He blinked in shock as the ball rippled beneath him, dispersing the kinetic energy and leaving him unharmed.

“I…know that spell…” Sora muttered, his eyes wide as he stared at the glowing sphere beneath him. The warm, bouncy surface rippled faintly, a playful echo of the spell’s whimsical nature. Memories surged forward unbidden, flashes of his Mark of Mastery exam and the surprising utility of a spell that had seemed almost silly at first.

He pressed a hoof into the colorful sphere, feeling its resilience and gentle hum of energy before it popped, allowing him to fall to the ground with ease. He looked down at the pink keyblade, frowning. “But how…I couldn’t use magic before…How can I use that spell of all things now? How am I able to do that?”

“Beats me” Pinkie’s voice chimed in his mind. “I didn’t know what I was doing either , but I just thought, ‘Sora needs something fun and bouncy right now!’ and BAM—giant colorful light ball!”

“I…Gah… okay but…I…” He shook his head. “No…Think about that later.” Sora turned sharply, his hooves digging into the ground as he faced Sombra’s looming shadowy form. He leveled his Keyblade towards it, the faint shimmer of light along its edges growing brighter. “I might not be my best magic,” he smirked, “But this will be more than enough to deal with you!”

The word of magic came as though he had always known it.

“Balloon!”

A ball of magic shimmered into existence in front of him at his command, glowing with radiant hues of blue, pink, and yellow. It hovered for a moment, wobbling slightly before stabilizing. Sora’s eyes narrowed as Sombra’s massive shadowy form began to advance, the ground trembling beneath its weight.

Without hesitation, Sora dashed forward and leapt onto the glowing sphere just as the monster got close enough. The magic buckled slightly under his weight but held firm, its resilient surface rippling like a tightly wound spring. Sora crouched low, his muscles tensing as the monster loomed closer, its massive claws sweeping through the air toward him.

“Let’s see how you handle this!” Sora shouted, pushing off with all his might.

The Balloon spell reacted instantly, propelling him skyward with a burst of elastic energy. He rocketed into the air, the force of the launch sending him high above Sombra’s monstrous form and narrowly dodging the monster’s attack by the skin of his teeth. The rush of wind around Sora whipped at his mane and tail as he flipped gracefully upwards, the stallion soon adjusting his stance midair as he pointed his keyblades downwards.

“Balloonga!”

Another shimmering sphere of magic formed before him, radiating the same colorful brilliance but oh so bigger then the first. Gripping his Keyblade tightly, Sora twisted midair, angling himself toward the magic sphere. With a powerful swing, he struck the glowing Balloon with precision, sending it hurtling downward with incredible force. The spell rocketed through the air, its colors intensifying as it barreled straight toward Sombra’s face.

The impact was immediate and spectacular. The Balloon detonated against the monster’s head, erupting in a burst of vibrant light and playful energy. The explosion sent ripples of force cascading outward, stunning the beast and causing it to stagger. Its guttural roar turned into a distorted, confused howl as it swung wildly, confused.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Sora propelled himself forward, the rush of air around him adding to his momentum as he closed the gap between himself and the staggered monster. With one mighty swing of Applejacks blade he landed a true blow on the monster’s head before twisting in the air, following it with another strike. And then another

Again and again,Sora lashed out, his movements fluid and unyielding. The beast roared in fury, its claws swiping aimlessly as the relentless assault left it disoriented. Finishing his attack, Sora then kicked off the Sombra’s head, flipping backwards before pointing both blades at the creature before him. “Take this! Balloon!”

The stallion began swinging at the air, each swipe of his blade sending one of the magical orbs blasting toward the monster, their radiant colors painting streaks of light across the dark battlefield.

One… two… three… four… five times.

Each Balloon orb struck with pinpoint accuracy, detonating on impact with dazzling bursts of vibrant energy. Sombra’s massive form reeled from the relentless barrage, its once-menacing roar now a distorted, enraged screech as he toppled over, falling onto his back.

Sora landed soon after, panting softly as he did so. “Geeze…I think that was most of my magic…I really am out of touch…”

“Land sakes!” Applejack’s voice rang in Sora’s mind, her pleased tone warm and steady, a stark contrast to the tension still crackling in the air. “I said it before, and I’ll say it again—that’s some fancy hoofwork, Sora! You had me worried there for a second, but ya pulled through. Didn’t think we’d have been able to, but look at him—he looks like he’s down for the count this time!”

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, AJ,” Pinkie’s voice chimed in, playful but tinged with caution. “Bad guys usually get desperate when they’re on the backhoof! That’s when they pull out the really crazy stuff!”

A sudden blast of wind nearly knocked Sora off balance, forcing him to shield his face with a foreleg. Dust and debris swirled around him, and his wings flared instinctively to steady himself. When he looked up, his eyes widened in alarm. A trail of dark dust flowed upward, and Sombra's massive, shadowy form hovered high in the sky.

“NO!” Sombra bellowed, his voice warped and otherworldly, carrying a resonance that made the ground beneath Sora tremble. “I WILL NOT BE BEATEN! I REFUSE TO BE BEATEN BY A FOAL! IF I CAN’T WIN, THEN I’LL DESTROY IT. I’LL DESTROY IT ALL!!”

Sombra’s maw stretched unnaturally wide, his grotesque shadowy form twisting in ways that defied logic. The air around him crackled with raw, volatile energy, and Sora’s heart sank as he realized what was happening.

The monster was building power again—only this time, it wasn’t an attack aimed solely at him. It was something far worse.

“What in tarnation is he doin’?!” Applejack’s voice cried out, her usual steady tone edged with panic. “Sora, that ain’t lookin’ good!”

“That’s not good at all! Not one teensy bit!” Pinkie’s voice chimed in, her usual cheer now tinged with fear. “He’s gonna blow everything up! We gotta stop him!”

Sora had no time to waste. Acting purely on instinct, the Keyblade wielder leapt as high as he could into the air, quickly angling the pink Keyblade toward the ground. With a burst of energy, he summoned another Balloon spell, its puffy, glowing form materializing beneath him. As soon as he landed, the elastic surface propelled him skyward, the momentum launching him straight toward Shadow Sombra without hesitation.

But Sombra wasn’t about to let himself be caught that easily. His massive, shadowy wings beat slowly yet powerfully, carrying him higher and higher, just out of Sora’s reach. Undeterred, Sora repeated the process, summoning another Balloon to bounce from in his relentless pursuit.

Each attempt ended the same way: Sombra rising further into the air, always staying just beyond Sora’s grasp. The frustration grew with every failed attempt, the gap between them feeling insurmountable.

“Darn it! He keeps flying away!” Sora grumbled, landing on yet another shimmering Balloon. It rippled under his weight before launching him upward again. “I can’t reach him at this rate!”

"There has ta be a better way!" Applejack’s voice rang out in desperation within Sora's mind, her usually steady tone edged with urgency. "We can’t just give up now!"

Sora gritted his teeth, landing on yet another shimmering Balloon and feeling the strain in his wings. “I’m not giving up! Not until the end. But what else can I do?” he muttered aloud, frustration creeping into his voice.

“I don’t know.” Pinkie admitted soon after, "But I do know we can do it, Sora! I know we can! Saving the world is a piece of cake for somepony like us. If only we could use his own attack against him..."

Sora’s eyes widened as Pinkie’s words clicked into place, the beginnings of a plan forming in his mind. He blinked, his heart pounding with sudden realization.

“Pinkie... AJ...” he murmured, a small, determined grin spreading across his face. “I got an idea....but...I'm gonna need you to trust me."

Deep within, he could sense both Applejack and Pinkie Pie focusing intently on him, their presence warm and reassuring despite the danger swirling around them.

“Sora, ah don’t know what you’re plannin’,” Applejack spoke “but if you say it’s our best shot, then ah trust ya.”

“I totally trust you, Sora! I mean, you’re you! You’ve got this!”

“Thanks, you two,” he said aloud, his voice firm yet warm. “I couldn’t do this without you.” He frowned as he looked upwards. “Now…I’m gonna show him how Friends are my power!”

Turning away from Sombra, Sora angled the pink Keyblade toward the ground. Drawing on every ounce of magic within him, he began releasing spell after spell, summoning a series of magical balloons that lined up in a row before him. Each shimmering sphere pulsed with vibrant energy, their colors swirling as they hovered in place.

With each cast, he felt the magic within him ebbing away, the strain growing heavier as his reserves dwindled. The drain was nearly overwhelming, leaving him teetering on the edge of exhaustion. But despite the toll, Sora pressed on, his resolve unwavering. He wouldn’t stop—not until he was satisfied.

Once done, Sora turned back to face Sombra, his chest heaving as he steadied himself against the magic he had just expended. The monster loomed high above, its massive shadowy form pulsating with dark energy. The build-up was complete—Sombra had finished charging his attack.

With a deafening, otherworldly roar, the beast unleashed its power. A colossal beam of pure darkness erupted from its maw, surging toward Sora like a tidal wave of destruction. The air around it crackled with raw energy, and the ground trembled beneath the force of the attack.

Sora’s eyes narrowed as he braced himself. “Here it comes!” he shouted, gripping his Keyblades tightly. With a sharp motion, he crossed them in front of him, their light forming a shimmering barrier just as the beam reached him. The impact was instant and overwhelming, the sheer force of the attack driving him backward.

The momentum hurled him straight into the first balloon he had summoned. The vibrant orb popped almost instantly under the pressure, the force barely cushioned as Sora was propelled into the next. The second balloon held a little longer, its elastic surface absorbing more of the energy before bursting in another explosion of light.

Each balloon in the chain acted as a buffer, slowing him down little by little. The force of the beam lessened with every pop, the colorful magic dispersing the raw power of Sombra’s attack in ripples of light. Sora gritted his teeth, holding firm against the relentless dark energy, his wings straining as he fought to maintain control.

~~~

Fluttershy, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stood frozen in place, their wide eyes locked on the sky above. The battlefield trembled around them, but they hardly noticed, their attention completely captured by the sight of Sora hurtling backward through the air. Each impact sent him crashing into one of the strange glowing orbs he had summoned, the colorful magic bursting around him like fireworks.

“Sora!” Fluttershy gasped, her hooves trembling as she watched. She felt helpless, her wings twitching with the instinct to fly up and do something—anything—to help. But the sheer force of the battle unfolding before her rooted her to the spot.

At first, Sora seemed to be shooting through the glowing orbs like a cannonball, each one popping in a brilliant flash of light as it failed to halt his momentum. The girls flinched with every burst, their hearts sinking further with each impact. Fluttershy’s wings trembled, caught between her instinct to help and the knowledge that she couldn’t do anything to stop what was happening.

But it was Scootaloo who noticed it first. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she leaned forward, her tiny wings buzzing faintly as if trying to lift her off the ground. “Wait!” she said, her voice breaking the tense silence. “He’s... he’s slowing down!”

Fluttershy blinked, her teary eyes snapping to Sora as he collided with another Balloon. This time, the orb stretched and rippled, holding firm for a split second longer before bursting. The force of the dark beam visibly weakened, the next Balloon absorbing even more of the energy before popping in another explosion of light.

“He is slowing down!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and awe. She glanced at Scootaloo, then back at the sky, her tiny hooves clutching at Fluttershy for support. “It’s working!”

Apple Bloom’s amber eyes widened as she watched Sora tumble through yet another Balloon, his movements visibly less frantic now. “Ah don’t know how he’s doin’ it,” she whispered, her voice hushed with amazement, “But he’s holdin’ on. Those balloons—they’re savin’ him.”

Fluttershy’s heart thudded in her chest as hope began to flicker within her. She held the fillies close, her gaze locked on Sora’s figure as he steadied himself against the chain of magical orbs. Each pop sent ripples of light cascading across the battlefield, the darkness of Sombra’s attack thinning with every collision.

It would be on the very last one that it would finally stop, the ball of energy Sora had landed within buckling and stretching…but not braking.

The shy mare stepped forward a little, her eyes widening. “Wait…is he…”

Before she could finish, the balloon snapped back, releasing all its pent-up energy at once. Sora barely had time to register what was happening before he was launched forward at breakneck speeds, the force sending him hurtling straight toward Sombra like a comet of light.

“Sora!” Fluttershy cried as she watched the streak of radiant energy that was Sora cut through the sky.

The fillies gasped, their eyes widening as they followed Sora’s trajectory.

“He’s going right for him!” Scootaloo yelled, her wings buzzing. “He’s…That’s so awesome!”

Sweetie Belle clung to Fluttershy, her voice high-pitched and frantic. “But what if he—”

“He won’t!” Apple Bloom interrupted, her gaze fixed on Sora’s glowing figure. “He’s got this. Ah just know it.”

~~~

High above, Sombra’s monstrous form twisted and writhed, its glowing eyes narrowing as it realized what was happening. The massive shadowy beast let out a guttural roar, its claws flailing in an attempt to swat Sora away. But the Keyblade wielder was moving too fast, his trajectory locked and unwavering.

As Sora hurtled closer, the light from his Keyblades intensified, their brilliance cutting through the oppressive darkness like the dawn breaking over a stormy horizon. With every ounce of strength he had left, he angled himself toward Sombra’s chest, the cracks of light already spreading through its unstable form.

Sombra’s roar echoed across the battlefield, his voice twisted with rage and desperation. “NO! NO! I AM KING! I AM DARKNESS!” His massive claws lashed out wildly, but his movements were too slow, too uncoordinated to catch the streak of light hurtling toward him.

Sora gritted his teeth, the cracks of light in Sombra’s form growing brighter as he closed the gap. His Keyblades flared, their glow intensifying until they burned like twin suns in his grasp.

“No!” Sora yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. “You’re gonna lose it all!”

With a final burst of energy, Sora slammed into the Heartless with unstoppable force. The impact was blinding, a collision of light and shadow that rippled outward in a deafening explosion. His Keyblades pierced through Sombra’s core, cutting straight through the swirling mass of darkness that had once been his form, coming out of him on the other side.

Sombra’s roar turned into an anguished scream, the cracks in his body shattering completely as light burst forth from within. The towering shadowy form writhed and twisted in agony, fragments of darkness splintering off and dissolving into the air.

“ACCURSED! KEYBLADE!” Sombra bellowed, his voice growing weaker as the light consumed him. His claws flailed one last time before his form collapsed inward, imploding into a brilliant flash of radiance.

As the last remnants of Sombra dissolved into nothingness, a radiant sight caught Sora’s eye. From the dispersing darkness, a heart unlike any he had ever seen emerged. Pure white and glowing with a brilliance that rivaled the heart of the worlds, it floated in the air, its light bathing the battlefield in a warm, serene glow. The heart lingered for only a moment before it began to drift away, veering toward the Crystal Castle in the distance.

It was then that Sora noticed something else—the Heartless that had once loomed over the castle was gone as well. The realization brought a small, tired smile to his face.

“Heh… Guess that means… we won,” he murmured, his voice weak but content. “I can… take a nap now… right?”

The words barely left his lips before his body gave in to the exhaustion he had been fighting. His eyes closed completely, and his Keyblades disappeared in bursts of fading light. With no energy left to keep himself aloft, Sora began to plummet toward the ground, his wings slack and unmoving.

Inside his mind, Applejack’s voice rang out in alarm. “Sora! Sora, wake up! You’re fallin’, sugarcube!”

Pinkie Pie’s panic was just as palpable, her usual cheer replaced with urgency. “No, no, no! This isn’t part of the plan! You’re supposed to land safely and celebrate with cupcakes, not crash!”

Despite their desperate attempts to rouse him, Applejack and Pinkie Pie’s calls failed to awaken the magic-drained Keyblade wielder. Their connection to Sora brought them nothing but silence—until a voice neither of them expected rang out, cutting through their shared worry like a beacon.

“Sora!”

It was Fluttershy.

The timid mare was soaring through the air, her wings beating furiously as she closed the distance between herself and the plummeting hero. Her heart pounded with every flap, and she silently prayed to Celestia that she could reach him in time. The wind tore at her mane and wings as she pushed herself harder, moving at a speed so incredible that even Rainbow Dash would have been impressed.

As Sora fell faster and faster, Fluttershy’s determination only grew. She grit her teeth, forcing her wings to work even harder. The ground loomed closer, but she wouldn’t give up—not on him. With one final burst of effort, she reached him, her hooves wrapping around Sora’s limp frame as she pulled him tightly against her chest.

“Hold on, Sora…please! Hold on!”

Fluttershy did everything she could to pull out of the dive, angling her wings to slow their descent. But despite her best efforts, her flying skills had never been as refined as her prismatic friend’s. She couldn’t achieve the sharp turn she needed, and the ground rushed up far too quickly.

Out of pure desperation, Fluttershy shifted her body beneath Sora’s, cradling him as she prepared to take the brunt of the impact. Her wings flared in a last-ditch effort to slow them just a little more, her only thought to shield him—her hero, who had risked everything time and time again for her and her friends.

“Sora… I… I…” Fluttershy whispered, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her cheeks. She buried her face into the crook of his neck, holding him as tightly as she could. “I…”

Before she could finish, a sudden jolt sent a gasp escaping her lips. Fluttershy squeaked in surprise as she felt a pair of strong, cyan hooves wrap around both her and Sora. Her wide eyes shot upward, meeting the familiar magenta gaze of Rainbow Dash.

“Geeze! Come on, Shy,” Rainbow Dash grumbled, her voice carrying a mix of exasperation and relief as she steadied her wings to slow their descent. “Can’t I leave either of you alone without getting into life-threatening danger?” Her tone was half-joking, but the undercurrent of seriousness in her words was unmistakable.

The shy mare could only stare up in disbelief, her eyes wide as tears began to stream down her face. Her voice came out soft and trembling, barely audible over the sound of the wind. “Rainbow… you… you saved…”

Rainbow Dash gave her a sly smirk, her cocky demeanor returning in full force. “Of course I did. The true hero has to save the day, as always.” Her playful tone carried just enough warmth to reassure her friend.

Her gaze shifted to Sora, unconscious but safe in Fluttershy’s hold. The smirk softened into a more genuine smile as she added, “Gotta say though, the hero didn’t die. Least that counts for something. Not bad for him, huh?”

As Rainbow Dash landed, she carefully set both Sora and Fluttershy down on the ground. Fluttershy winced slightly as she adjusted herself, making sure to avoid putting weight on her sprained leg. No sooner had Sora’s body touched the ground than a shimmering light began to envelop him, growing brighter and brighter until it forced both pegasi to shield their eyes.

When the light faded, the sight before them left them both stunned. To their complete surprise, Pinkie Pie and Applejack were now sprawled awkwardly on top of the unconscious stallion, both mares looking just as drained as he was.

“Pinkie Pie? Applejack?” Rainbow blurted out, her magenta eyes darting between the two earth ponies in utter confusion. “Where the buck did you two come from?”

Applejack groaned, lifting her head slightly before letting it drop back down with a weary sigh. “Ugh… Long story, Sugarcube,” she muttered, her drawl heavier than usual. “Barely know myself, but we’ll tell ya all about it later—after ah deal with this headache.”

Pinkie Pie let out a weak giggle, though it quickly turned into a wince as she clutched her head. “Heehee… Let’s do that again… Owies…” she said, her usual enthusiasm dulled but still present, her face contorted in a mix of pain and her trademark manic grin.

Sora let out a low groan, his eyes fluttering open as he slowly stirred beneath the weight of the two earth ponies sprawled across him. His body ached, and his mind felt foggy, but as consciousness returned, his first words came out in a groggy mumble. “Wha… huh… What happened? Did I win?”

Rainbow Dash smirked, standing over him with her hooves planted firmly on her hips. “Well, well, well. Look who decided to wake up,” she teased, her tone light but playful. “I kinda knew you were a slacker, but falling asleep in the middle of the sky? That’s a new one.”

Sora blinked up at her, his lips curling into a cheesy, tired smile. “Guess that’s what happens… when a battle’s too easy,” he quipped, his voice hoarse but filled with his usual charm.

Applejack groaned as she lifted herself from off the pile, causing Pinkie to fall off of herself and onto her back. She glared at everyone present. “Y’all can swap jokes later. Right now, ah’d like to stop feelin’ like ah’ve been run over by a stampede.”

On cue, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo came rushing toward the group, their little hooves kicking up dust as they ran. Their eyes were wide with relief, and their voices overlapped in an excited chorus as they closed the distance. All three filly’s pounced.

Apple Bloom was the first to speak, her tear-stained cheeks pressing against Sora’s as she nuzzled him fiercely, her small frame trembling with relief. “Sora!” she cried, her voice cracking with emotion. “Ah thought… Ah thought ya weren’t gonna wake up! Don’t ya ever scare me like that again, ya hear?”

“Please, Sora had that in the bag,” Scootaloo said, jumping to the stallion’s defense even as her voice wavered with emotion, betraying just how scared she had been. She buzzed her little wings, puffing out her chest in an effort to sound confident. “I mean, he’s the second coolest pony ever—next to Rainbow Dash, of course—so of course he was gonna be alright!”

Sweetie Belle sniffled, brushing at her tear-streaked cheeks with a hoof as she leaned in beside Apple Bloom. “Maybe, but he still scared us,” she said with a pout, her wide eyes brimming with concern. “You can’t just do something so dangerous and not tell us you’re okay afterward, Sora! That’s... that’s not fair!”

Sora, still pinned beneath Apple Bloom’s fierce nuzzle, gave them a sheepish grin. “Sorry, girls,” he said, his voice soft but sincere. “Didn’t mean to make you worry. I guess I owe you all an apology.”

The group turned as Twilight and Rarity approached, their arrival adding to the growing sense of relief. Twilight looked tired and a little worse for wear, her mane slightly frazzled, but she was hale and whole, the lavender mare walking steadily toward them. Her eyes immediately locked onto Sora, and she let out a long, weary sigh, her tense shoulders finally relaxing.

“You’re okay… that’s…” Twilight’s voice wavered slightly, the tension from the battle still lingering in her tone. But then she smiled, a warm and genuine expression breaking through her fatigue as she extended a hoof toward Sora. “I’m glad.”

Sora looked up at her, still pinned beneath Apple Bloom, and managed a small, tired grin. With some effort, he reached up and grabbed her hoof, allowing her to help him to his hooves. “Hey…when my friends are in trouble, you can’t keep me down for long,” he said, his voice light, though the exhaustion in it was clear.

Rarity approached the group, her delicate hoofsteps contrasting with the rough battlefield around them. She offered a soft smile as her gaze settled on Sora. “Thank goodness this is finally over,” she said, though her expression quickly shifted to a frown. “But please, darling, try to keep the death-defying stunts to a minimum next time. I don’t think my poor heart can handle much more of this.”

Pinkie Pie giggled and draped a foreleg around Rarity in a playful sideways hug. “Oh, come on, Rarity! You know us heroes—we can’t stay away from danger for too long! It’s part of the job description!”

Twilight rolled her eyes at Pinkie’s antics but said nothing, instead turning her attention to Sora. Her expression became more serious, her earlier relief giving way to something more thoughtful. “Sora,” she said softly, her tone steady but carrying a hint of hesitation. “I… I think we need to talk.”

Sora, still dusting himself off as he carefully untangled himself from the pile of ponies, paused and looked up at her. He smiled back at the lavender mare, though her tone made his smile falter slightly. “Yeah, I think I need to talk to you too,” he said, glancing around at the group. “To all of you. Though… What's on your mind, Twilight? Something tells me it’s not the same thing I was planning to talk about.”

Twilight took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she met Sora’s eyes. “It’s about the Keyblade… or rather, another one,” she said. Her voice grew quieter, tinged with a mix of confusion and concern. “I saw somepony else wielding one—just like yours.”

Sora’s eyes widened in shock, his breath catching. “What?!” he exclaimed, the weariness in his voice giving way to sudden urgency. “There’s another Keyblade wielder here?!”

Before anyone could respond, a piercing scream shattered the air, cutting through the group’s confusion like a knife. Everypony turned toward the source of the sound, their hearts dropping as they saw Fluttershy thrashing desperately, her body being dragged into the ground by a sinister black shadow.

“AH! Sora! Girls!” Fluttershy cried, her voice trembling with sheer terror as she reached out with her forelegs. “I—I can’t! Please, help me! Don’t let it take me!”

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash yelled, immediately launching into the air to save her, but she barely got off the ground before she was yanked back. Tendrils of the same shadowy darkness coiled around her hindlegs, dragging her down with alarming speed. “What the hay is this crud?!” she shouted, struggling against the encroaching darkness. Her eyes darted to the others, her panic intensifying as she saw that everypony else was in the same predicament.

The shadowy tendrils had spread rapidly, pulling at Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and even the fillies. Their struggles were futile as the inky blackness gripped them tightly, dragging them toward the ground.

Sora wasn’t spared either. He tried to summon his Keyblade, but the darkness wrapped tightly around his hooves and even his mouth, silencing him and rendering him unable to fight back. His muffled cries of resistance filled the air as the sinister force dragged him down.

“Sora! Twilight! Somepony do something!” Rainbow shouted, her voice tinged with desperation as the darkness consumed more of her. She flailed her forelegs wildly, trying to break free, but the shadows were relentless. “Don’t let it—!”

Her voice was abruptly cut off as her body sank completely into the ground, leaving only a single cyan hoof reaching out toward the sky before it, too, vanished. Within moments, the clearing was silent, the sinister shadows leaving no trace of Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, or any of the others behind. The battlefield was eerily still, as though they had never been there at all.”