Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

World:Unknown

Location:Unknown

I sat atop our master’s tall tower that rested upon a small mass of land, staring off into the distance. The clouds wisped at the edges like a gently flowing quite river. The sun’s warm rays touched my skin, but they did little to lift the heavy weight I felt inside. My hand moved instinctively to my bandaged chest, and a sharp pain flared, making me wince. Once it subsided, I released a deep sigh, my gaze drifting upwards towards the blue of the sky.

“Where…did it…”

“Ha! There you are.”

The voice behind me made me jump. I turned towards the intruder, being careful not to worsen my already aching rips. A tall, lanky figure with wild, spiky red hair stood at the top of the ladder. He smirked before flipping up effortlessly, landing with practiced ease. From his coat pocket, he pulled out two wrapped ice creams, holding them up with a grin.

“Knew I’d find you up here,” he said, triumphant. “Even took a gamble and got two of these bad boys. Figured you could use something better than the stuff Master Yen Sid tries to call food.”

“Axel,” I said, blinking in surprise before tilting my head. “How’d you even know I’d be here?”

“First off,” he said, frowning in mock offense, “it’s Lea. Get. It. Memorized.” He tapped my forehead lightly with one of the ice creams for emphasis. “And second, it’s obvious. It’s exactly the kind of thing he would do—find the highest spot around just to brood.”

“He?” I asked, my brows furrowed as I took one of the icecreams. “He who?”

“You know who. Roxas. C’mon, Sora, keep up.”

I paused, staring at him for a moment before the name clicked. “Oh… Roxas.” I unwrapped the ice cream, its coolness already melting slightly in the sun. “I still don’t get it, though. Why come looking for me?”

Lea leaned back against the tower wall, peeling the wrapper off his ice cream and taking a bite. “Whenever Roxas was feeling down, he’d find a spot like this—somewhere with an amazing view. Said it always helped him feel a little better. Thought maybe it’d work for you, too. Gotta admit, though, this place puts Twilight Town’s tower to shame.” He gave a chuckle, his gaze drifting out to the endless sky. “Still, it’s got its own charm so no need to compare."

I stayed quiet, my focus shifting to the ice cream in my hands. The silence between us stretched until Lea broke it.

“You okay, Sora?”

I didn’t respond, my head hanging low.

“Guess that’s a no,” he said, sighing as he ruffled his hair. “Look, I get it. You’re upset, and yeah, maybe things didn’t go perfectly. But it’s not all your fault, you know.”

“I lost my temper during that heartless attack,” I muttered. “Made everything worse. I…my head just wasn’t—”

“I know Sora…but…you can’t take all the blame…right?” He turns to look towards the clouds. “Still…you should have stayed back. Your head wasn’t quite in the game after all.”

I sighed, the weight in my chest tightening further. “I couldn’t just stand there, Lea. That house… if I hadn’t stepped in, it would’ve been destroyed. I didn’t care about myself in that moment—I just couldn’t let that happen.”

Lea turned his head slightly, studying me with an expression that was hard to read. “Yeah, I get it. That’s who you are, after all. The guy who jumps in, no matter the odds, no matter the cost.” He smiled faintly, though there was a touch of something somber in his voice. “But sometimes, Hero, you gotta remember that even you have limits. Taking a hit like that doesn’t make you invincible—it just makes you hurt.”

I didn’t respond, my eyes fixed on the half-melted ice cream in my hand.

Lea chuckled, nudging my arm gently, careful not to aggravate my injuries. “Don’t beat yourself up too much. You did what you thought was right. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but hey, you saved that house, didn’t you? Small victories, Sora. Take ’em where you can.”

I managed a weak smile, the smallest crack in my guilt. “Thanks… I think.”

“Anytime.” He took another bite of his ice cream, savoring it before leaning back again. “And hey, you’re on the bench for now, sure, but it’s not forever. Give yourself time to heal—physically and mentally.”

The reminder stung, but I knew he was right. “I just hate feeling like this,” I admitted quietly. “Like I let everyone down.”

Lea was quiet for a moment, the wind filling the silence between us. He finished off the last of his ice cream, tossing the stick aside before turning to look at me. “You know,” he said, his voice softer now, “they asked me to check on you.They wanted to know how you were holding up.”

I was quiet for a while before saying. “Tell them I’m okay. They don’t need to worry.”

Lea raised an eyebrow at my response, his lips pulling into a slight frown. “That’s what you want me to tell them? ‘I’m okay. Don’t worry.’ You think that’s gonna fly with them?”

“If…it came from me….” I looked back, smiling. “I’m sure. It will.”

Lea sighed, rubbing the back of his head, his spiky hair shifting slightly under his hand. “Yeah, sure,” he said, his tone carrying a mix of reluctance and understanding. “I’ll pass your note, Mr. ‘I’m Fine.’ But don’t be surprised if they don’t buy it.”

I chuckled weakly, the corners of my mouth twitching upward. “Thanks, Lea. I mean it.”

He dropped his hand and shot me a smirk. “Don’t mention it. It’s what friends do right? Oh…by the way. Master Yin Sid wants to see you about sneaking out of the medical ward.”

I laughed softly, though the movement sent a sharp ache through my ribs, making me wince. “Ouch... Yeah, not looking forward to that,” I admitted, still managing a weak smile.

Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

By Steel Soul

Restful Respite Part 1

Green to start music and red to stop music

The warm gleam of the morning sun shimmering upon his fur slowly pulled the stallion of the memory dreams. His eyes fluttered open, blinking against the soft light as his thoughts slowly began to piece themselves together.

With a quiet groan, he slowly pushed himself upright, the stiffness in his body making him wince slightly. His eyes swept across the unfamiliar surroundings as he tried to ground himself, piecing together where he was. The soft hues of the room, the neatly arranged shelves, and the faint scent of parchment felt oddly familiar.

“This is... Twilight’s house,” Sora muttered, his voice raspy with the remnants of sleep. He ran a hoof through his mane, his thoughts racing to make sense of how he’d ended up here.

Patting himself down instinctively, his hooves brushed against his fur, checking for injuries or anything out of place. “How did I get here?” he murmured, a growing sense of unease bubbling up inside him.

His gaze fell upon a wooden chair beside the bed. To his surprise, his neatly folded clothes rested on the seat, along with a pair of vibrant red saddlebags hanging from the chair’s back. He tilted his head, reaching out to inspect them. The saddlebags’ elegant yet practical design stood out, though they carried a simplicity that spoke of care.

“Where did these come from?” he wondered aloud, turning them over in his hooves.

Shaking his head, Sora closed his eyes, focusing inward. “Ven?” he called out, his voice carrying a hopeful edge.

No answer.

“Ventus? Can you hear me?”

Still, silence greeted him.

Worry crept into his chest as he folded his forelegs, his brow furrowing. Memories of the last thing he’d seen—a figure standing over him before darkness consumed him—flashed in his mind. He clenched his jaw, frustration and confusion mingling in equal measure.

“I…I was fighting that pony and then…I…I lost and—-” he gasped. “The girls!”

In his urgency, Sora leapt from the bed, only to have his hooves tangled in the sheets. With a startled yelp, he tumbled to the ground, his momentum carrying him into a chaotic roll that left him bound in a cocoon of fabric. He squirmed and thrashed, frustration building with each failed attempt to free himself.

The sound of hurried hoofsteps ascending the stairs reached his ears, but Sora barely registered them over his struggle. The door burst open, and the unmistakable voice of a mare called out, “Sora?”

Sora froze mid-roll, his ears twitching at the familiarity of the voice. A moment later, a gentle but firm tug freed his head from the offending blanket. Blinking up, he found himself face-to-face with a pair of warm, green eyes filled with concern and amusement.

“Applejack?” he said softly, a tentative smile forming on his lips. Relief washed over him as he murmured, “You’re... okay.”

The farm mare chuckled, shaking her head as she offered a hoof to help him up. “Sure as sugar, Ah am. Need a hoof, partner?”

He accepted her help, standing on shaky legs and rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. “Thanks, AJ. Hate to admit it, but that’s the second time this has happened to me.” He paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Well... second time in Equestria, at least.”

Before he could say more, Applejack pulled him into a tight, bone-crushing hug. His eyes widened in surprise as he stiffened, heat rushing to his cheeks. Hesitantly, he wrapped a hoof around her, feeling her grip tighten as if afraid to let go.

Sora coughed lightly as Applejack finally released him, stepping back but keeping her hoof resting gently on his shoulder. Her green eyes scanned him carefully, her concern as evident as the warmth in her expression.

“Ya gave us quite the scare, sugarcube,” she said, her voice soft but firm.

Sora gave her a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head. “Guess I’ve been making that a habit lately, huh? Sorry, Applejack…” He shook his head. “If only had had been a little stronger then—”

Before he could finish his thought, Applejack reached out and gave his nose a firm, no-nonsense boop. The unexpected gesture made him blink in surprise, his train of thought derailed.

“Don’t,” Applejack said firmly, her voice brooking no argument. She narrowed her eyes slightly but softened her gaze as she continued, “There ain’t no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts,’ Sora, not when it comes to what happened back at the Crystal Empire.” She shook her head before gently placing a hoof on his shoulder, her emerald green eyes staring straight into his blue ones. “What ya did for us, what ya were willin’ to do to keep us alive... well, Ah doubt many ponies woulda done the same if they were in yer hooves. Ya risked your life for us Sora… And Ah ain’t gonna let ya sit here beatin’ yerself up over it.”

"Still... not like it mattered in the end.” The stallion countered. “I was still..."

A hoof pressed against his lips, silencing him. With a shake of her head her eyes would slowly sweep over every inch of his frame, a soft whistle escaping between puckered lips. “Well, I’ll be…” she muttered under her breath. Stepping back, Applejack broke into a bright smile. “Boy howdy, Sora! That magic medicine really worked wonders, didn’t it? Guess he wasn’t lyin’ after all.”

Sora blinked, tilting his head in confusion. “He? He who?”

Applejack opened her mouth to answer, but a sudden crash from downstairs cut her off. She let out a hearty chuckle and started toward the door. "Reckon it's best if Twilight explains that one. She's got a way with rememberin' all the details, seein' as she did most of the talkin' with him." She stopped and glanced back at him, her brow furrowing slightly as he swayed, tryin' to steady himself. "Ya holdin' up alright, sugarcube? Need a hoof gettin' steady?"

“Just a little tired, but I can shake it off,” Sora replied with a wave of his hoof. “Come on, let’s go see Twilight already.” He made his way to the chair where his folded clothes were neatly placed. As he began putting them on, his eyes caught sight of the red saddlebags once more. “Hey, where did these come from?”

Applejack followed his gaze to the bags hanging off the chair and smiled softly. “Those right there, Sora, are a get-well gift from Rarity,” she said. “She was workin’ on ’em the whole train ride back. Said she wanted ya to have somethin’ that’s both practical and stylish—y’know how she is.” Her smile turned a bit thoughtful. “She’s still at it, actually. Told me she’s got some big ol’ project in the works. Both her and Twilight have been holed up in her boutique, actin’ all secret-like. Ah reckon they’re just tryin’ to keep their minds busy after all that went down.”

Her smile wavered just a bit, and she glanced off to the side. “Truth be told, we’ve all been dealin’ with things in our own ways. Pinkie Pie’s been runnin’ herself ragged, makin’ sure everypony in town’s alright—more than she usually does, if ya can believe it. And Fluttershy? She’s been lookin’ after ya ever since ya keeled over. She’s been comin’ by near every day, refusin’ to let up. Took me promisin’ to take over for a spell just to get her to rest up some.”

Sora felt heat rise to his cheeks. “R-Really? Geez…. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble.”

Applejack shook her head, her smile warm and easy. “Aw, don’t go mentionin’ it, sugarcube. It’s the least we could do after everythin’ you’ve done for us.”

Sora rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Still… Thanks.” He was about to follow her when his ears perked up “Oh! And Rainbow Dash? Is she okay?”

Applejack’s expression darkened slightly as she sighed. “Ah’m not too sure, to be honest. Ain’t seen much of her lately, aside from her weather duties. She’s been keepin’ to herself. Sometimes I hear her rantin’ up in the clouds, but she’s too high for me to catch what she’s sayin’.”

Sora sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I see…”

Applejack gave him a hearty pat on the back—hard enough to make him stumble forward a step. “Now, don’t go lettin’ it weigh ya down too much,” she said with a reassuring grin. “She’ll come around. We all took ya gettin’ hurt pretty hard, and she’s just sortin’ through it in her own way. No matter what she might say, Rainbow Dash don’t leave her friends hangin’. And after all you’ve done for us, she knows you’re one of ’em.”

Sora nodded, a faint smile forming as he steaded himself from the hard pat. “I get it. Still… doesn’t mean I didn’t mess up during that last battle.”

“But we’re still here, ain’t we?” Applejack countered firmly. “And that’s because of you. So from the bottom of mah heart, thank ya for that.” Her smile faltered, shifting into a stern frown. “But don’t ya ever do it again, ya hear? Nearly scared me half to death, seein’ ya take such a beatin’. Had poor Apple Bloom cryin’ her eyes out.”

Sora winced at the mention of Apple Bloom, the thought of her tears twisting his stomach. He managed a sheepish grin. “Ah… yeah. I understand.”

Applejack gave him a deadpan stare, stepping closer and pressing a firm hoof against his chest. “Ah mean it, Sora. Don’t. Do. That. Again.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!” Sora squeaked, snapping into a quick salute.

~~~

"There has to be something! There just has to be!" Twilight cried out, frantically flipping through one book after another. Each page turned with increasing frustration as she muttered under her breath. "Nothing in this one... or this one... or this one!" Her growl of irritation punctuated the growing pile of discarded tomes.

From a safe distance, Sora observed her. Even without meeting her eyes, her stress was evident. Her mane was frazzled, stray strands sticking out at odd angles, and her tail twitched sporadically like a ticking clock. If he were honest, he’d admit he was more than a little intimidated by her intensity.

"Hey, Twi, guess who's up and about?" Applejack's voice rang out cheerfully from the doorway.

Sora stiffened immediately, sensing the shift in the room’s atmosphere. Twilight froze mid-rant, her quill suspended in the air as though time itself had stopped. Slowly—painfully slowly—she turned her head to look at him, her expression unreadable but deeply unsettling.

"You're awake..." she said, her tone sending a shiver down Sora's spine.

Every instinct screamed at him to bolt. There was a perfectly good window nearby, and the thought of diving through it seemed increasingly appealing. But before he could act, Twilight disappeared in a flash of lavender light, reappearing inches in front of him. He barely had time to register her presence before she tackled him to the ground, her magic pinning him firmly in place.

"You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you to wake up, Sora!" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "I almost used a memory spell on you—Princess Celestia told me not to, but I was so close! Then Applejack told me about the original Elements of Honesty and Laughter and how some human—yes, a human—helped create them! Not just any human, but one with the same powers you have! The same weapon! How is that even possible? Who is Riku? Why won’t you tell me what I need to know?!"

"Whoa there, sugarcube," Applejack interjected with a chuckle, stepping in to place a calming hoof on Twilight’s back. "How ‘bout you let him answer one question before ya throw another at him?"

Twilight blinked, realization dawning as she glanced down at Sora, who was giving her a nervous, wide-eyed smile. A deep blush spread across her cheeks as she quickly scrambled off him, her ears folding back in embarrassment.

"I-I’m so sorry, Sora!" she stammered, shuffling awkwardly. "I just… There are so many questions, and AJ said you’d be the best pony to get a straight answer from for them. I got carried away."

"No worries Twi.” told her, a smile on his face. “I had promised AJ and Pinkie I would tell you and the others everything I know anyway. I at least owe you all that much after what I put you through."

"I know...but still…I’m sorry. It's just…Everything is happening so fast. The world as I know it just got a whole lot bigger and it's a little...overwhelming." Twilight gave Sora a gentle look. “And…ah…sorry for not saying this earlier but, well…” Twilight pulled the stallion close and wrapped her hooves around his neck. “I’m glad you’re okay. Seeing you hurt like that and everything and there was nothing I could do to help you. I’ve honestly never felt so helpless in my life." She pulled away to look at him. "Riku said-“

"Hang on…so… that was Riku," Sora interjected softly, cutting her off. His voice wasn’t harsh or accusing, just quiet, a realization settling in.

“How did—?” Twilight began, but Sora answered before she could finish.

“I saw his… well, his fur,” Sora admitted. “And he spoke to me before I blacked out. He might have changed forms like I did, but I’d recognize his voice anywhere.” He looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then met her gaze again. “Is he here? Did he say why he came?”

Twilight had wanted to know what he meant about changing forms but decided to wait. It was more then likely something he was going to explain anyway. Instead she shook her had at his question. “No… he didn’t explain much. But he did leave us a few potions, said they were for you. He even gave me extras, just in case.” Her brow furrowed in thought. “When he found out your magic wasn’t working—which I’m still struggling to understand, by the way—he told us to use them on you and left… with Queen Chrysalis.”

Sora blinked, processing her words. “Hold on. Back up a second. Who’s Queen Chrysalis?”

"She’s a story for another day, Sora." Twilight began before frowning. “Right now, she’s not what’s important. You are. And the secrets you’ve been hiding.”

Sora shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting to Applejack. The farm pony gave him a reassuring nod and a warm smile, silently encouraging him. With a deep sigh, he turned back to Twilight, his expression serious. “It’s… a long story,” he admitted. “One that I really want to tell with everyone around....”

Twilight’s demeanor softened at his response, her warm smile returning. Her horn glowed softly as she levitated her saddlebags onto her back. “Then let’s gather the others. And yes, you’re coming with us.” She smirked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Something tells me you’d vanish into thin air if I left you to your own devices.”

Sora crossed his forelegs and pouted. “I would not!” he protested.

Twilight giggled, shaking her head. “Sure, sure, whatever you say. Now, come on, mister. Let’s not keep the others waiting.”

He rolled his eyes before following after Applejack and Twilight, a thought popping into his mind as he neared the doorway. “How long was I out, anyway? AJ didn’t tell me.”

Twilight’s smile faltered, turning sheepish as she rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof. “Ah, well… about… five days?”

“FIVE DAYS?!”

~~~

“OH MY GOSH, SORA! YOU’RE OKAY! I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU! YOU WEREN’T MOVING, AND THEN WHEN YOU WERE, YOU LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE IN SO MUCH PAIN! I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO! I TRIED MY BEST, JUST LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS, BUT I KNEW YOU’D PULL THROUGH BECAUSE YOU PINKIE PROMISED TO TELL US THINGS, AND YOU CAN’T BREAK A PINKIE PROMISE! BUT FOR A SECOND, I WAS SCARED YOU MIGHT HAVE! BUT YOU DIDN’T, AND YOU’RE HERE, AND I’M SO HAPPY!!”

Sora barely managed to process Pinkie Pie’s rapid-fire outburst, let alone comprehend how much breath it must’ve taken to deliver it. The moment he’d stepped inside Sugarcube Corner with the others, Pinkie had spotted him and launched herself into a full-speed tackle, wrapping him in a bone-crushing hug and lifting him clean off the ground. All he could do was flail and wheeze, utterly helpless against her exuberance.

“Pinkie, remember what I said about letting ponies breathe,” Twilight reminded her, shooting her a knowing look.

Pinkie blinked, then loosened her grip, though she still clung to Sora in a firm embrace. The stallion gasped for air, finally able to move, and awkwardly returned the hug. His small gesture of affection made Pinkie giggle with delight before she bounced back and beamed up at him.

“So! Are you gonna tell them? Huh? Huh? HUH?!”

“I…I promised I would but…” The stallion looked around nervously, though there didn’t seem to be anyone besides them. “ Could you keep it down, Pinkie? I really am trying to keep this just to those who need to know…ya know?”

Pinkie tilted her head, her ever-present grin softening slightly as she considered his words. “Ohhh, I get it! Super-secret, hush-hush, only-for-your-truest-bestest-friends kind of story!” She tapped her chin thoughtfully before whispering, “Don’t worry, Sora, my lips are zipped! Like, actually zipped!” She mimed zipping her mouth shut and tossing away an invisible key.

“Ah get wantin’ to keep it quiet,” Applejack whispered. “But is it really that big a deal if anypony else hears ya?”

“It’s…it's complicated AJ. The Keyblade, the Heartless, the whole ‘other worlds’ thing.” He sighs, turning towards Applejack. “Heartlesa and stuff like that is one thing, but everything else about me…I have to make sure to keep tabs on that. World Order and all that. I’m telling you guys everything cause…well…I owe you after what happened.”

Applejack gave a small nod, her expression thoughtful. “Ah still don’t fully get it, but... that ‘world order’ stuff sounds mighty important. If it’s somethin’ you’re tryin’ to protect, then we’ll do our best to help ya keep it safe. But don’t go thinkin’ ya owe us anything, ya hear? Friends don’t keep score—they just look out for each other.”

“Pffft!” Pinkie giggled, bouncing in place. “Says the mare who almost bit poor Sora’s head off when he didn’t spill the beans earlier!” She wiggled her eyebrows dramatically. “Oh, Applejack, the irony is almost as thick as Granny Smith’s apple jam!”

Applejack’s face flushed as she turned sharply to Pinkie. “Now hang on a minute, Pinkie! I was frustrated, sure, but I wasn’t that bad!”

“Oh, you were totally that bad!” Pinkie chimed, cupping her own cheeks with her hooves. “You were all ‘Sora, you better tell us what’s goin’ on, or so help me!’” She scrunched her face into a playful mockery of Applejack’s serious expression, her exaggerated country accent making Sora chuckle despite himself.

Applejack groaned, covering her face with her hat for a moment before sighing. “Alright, alright, maybe I got a little heated. But can ya blame me? We’re his friends. We just wanna help, is all.”

Sora shook his head. “It’s fine, Applejack. I get it. Honestly…” He frowns. It’s what I did to them after all so…

Pinkie clapped her hooves together, her cheerful energy filling the room like sunlight breaking through the clouds that was Sora’s thoughts. “Well then, what are we waiting for?! I’ll close up shop, and we can go round up the others!” She bounced toward the counter, humming a lively tune as she flipped the shop’s “Open” sign to “Closed.”

~~~

"You’re awake..."

Those were the first words Sora heard as he stepped into Carousel Boutique, the elegant establishment of Rarity Belle. The fashionista’s usually vibrant voice carried a somber tone, and the caramel stallion found himself under her scrutinizing gaze. Rarity stared at him for a long moment, her furrowed brow deepening as the seconds ticked by, and all he could do was stand there, feeling as though her piercing eyes could see into his very soul. Finally, she let out a deep sigh and pressed a hoof against his chest.

"You do realize I’m very upset with you right now, don’t you?" Her voice was tinged with barely restrained irritation.

Sora nodded sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Good," Rarity said sharply, though her expression softened as she stepped forward to wrap her hooves around his neck, pulling him into a gentle hug just as the others (minus Pinkie Pie) had done. “With that out of the way…I’m so relieved you’re alright, darling." Her voice wavered, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. "When that brute was hurting you…using us to hurt you…I…I didn’t know what to do…I…."

The stallion gently pulled the mare away, shaking his head. "It’s not your fault, Rarity. I promise I’m not angry at you. How could I be?"

Rarity sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a silken handkerchief that she seemed to conjure from nowhere. "Oh, Sora, you're too kind for your own good.” She smiled softly. “Still…thank you.” Her gaze shifted to the pair of bags resting upon his back. “My dear Sora, if you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing wearing those bags I made you in such a manor?”

Sora blinked and glanced back at the bags. "Oh! Uh… I thought they were like the regular ones you ponies use—you know, the kind you wear on your back. I did think they felt a little strange when I put them on, though."

Rarity let out a delicate tsk and enveloped the bags in her shimmering blue magic, gently lifting them off him. "That’s because, my dear Sora, these aren’t meant to be worn on your back. They’re designed to attach to your hind legs, creating a more balanced and modern look." She lifted her chin with pride as she continued, "I was inspired by your unique style and thought of ways we could integrate practicality with elegance. These are part of a new line of accessories I’m working on, blending fashion and function seamlessly."

Her smile turned a touch too mischievous as she moved closer to Sora’s side. "Now, allow me to demonstrate how they’re properly worn. If you don’t mind, of course," she purred, her hoof reaching toward his flank with an air of precision.

Before she could proceed, however, Applejack intervened. In one swift motion, the farm mare snatched the bags from mid-air, her sharp reflexes startling even Rarity. Applejack then shoved the saddlebags into Sora's hooves with a firm but friendly grin.

"Here ya go, partner," Applejack said, her tone a touch pointed as she glanced at Rarity. "Ah reckon he can figure it out himself just fine. No need to fuss over him too much."

Rarity huffed softly but refrained from arguing. "Very well. But do let me know if you need assistance, Sora. A proper demonstration can make all the difference."

"Um… Ah… Sorry if I’m bothering you. I can come back later if that’s okay."

Everypony turned to look, finding the familiar butter-yellow pegasus blushing and hesitating under their gazes. Her timid presence filled the room with an air of gentle uncertainty.

"Fluttershy! Darling, you’re here!" Rarity exclaimed, a warm smile lighting up her face. "I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone your fitting for now, but I promise to make it worth the wait."

Fluttershy shook her head quickly, stepping inside. "Oh, it’s okay, Rarity. I understand…" Her voice trailed off as her eyes locked onto Sora. The caramel stallion shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, guilt flickering in his expression.

It wasn’t long before Sora watched her in surprise as she quickly made her way towards him, her hooves wrapping gently but firmly around his neck in a hug. "I… I was so worried about you, Sora.” She spoke, her voice a broken whisper.

His initial shock melted into a soft smile as he placed a hoof on her shoulder, a gesture that usually would have made the shy mare flinch. This time, though, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she hugged him tighter.

When she finally pulled back, Sora avoided her gaze, scratching the back of his head. "Applejack said you took care of me while I was out… If that’s true, then thank you. I guess I caused you all a lot of trouble, huh?"

Fluttershy’s eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously. "Oh, no… It wasn’t trouble at all. I… I’m okay. Really…" Her voice grew quieter, and she looked down, uncertainty clouding her expression.

“Fluttershy,” Applejack said gently but firmly, her tone coaxing. “Remember what we talked about.”

The pegasus hesitated, her wings twitching nervously before she took a deep breath. Her voice wavered as she looked up at Sora. "Sorry…okay…I…I was devastated. I thought we’d lost you. Forever. I… I don’t know what I would’ve done."

Her words struck harder than Sora expected, making his chest tighten with a pang of guilt. "I’m sorry, Shy. I…"

Before he could continue, Fluttershy pressed her head against his chest, her voice barely a whisper. "I know. I’m sorry too. I know I’m being selfish, saying how much it would’ve hurt to lose you, but I can’t help it… I can’t help feeling that way—not when it comes to you, Sora."

Sora swallowed the lump in his throat, unsure how to respond to her words. Her vulnerability left him at a loss, his heart aching at how deeply she cared.

“Honestly,” Twilight chimed in, stepping closer, “I think that goes for all of us. Right girls?”

"Absolutely," Rarity mused. "You’ve done so much for us, Sora. It’s only natural for us to feel this way."

Applejack nodded. "Ya may not see it, sugarcube, but yer family to us now. And family don’t just leave each other to fend for themselves."

Pinkie Pie, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly popped up beside Sora with a warm, sincere smile. "And family throws the best ‘Get Well Soon and Thank Goodness You’re Okay’ parties ever! I already have a cake planned. It’s gonna have your face on it! Well, not your actual face, that’d be weird, but a frosting version! It'll be delicious and super cheerful, just like you!"

Sora blushed but couldn’t stop the smile on his face. “Geeze…way to embarrass a guy, girls.” he released a deep sigh before looking away from them. "I’m sorry for putting you all through that. And for keeping things from you—about me, where I come from, what I actually do… and what might be happening now."

Twilight frowned, her ears drooping slightly. "Princess Celestia said something similar to me when she told me about Sunset Shimmer." At Sora’s confused look, she continued, "That’s the name of the mare who attacked us in the Crystal Empire. The princesses have a lot to explain too, and I plan on getting as much information as I can from them tonight. We’re meeting at Applejack’s barn for privacy. Spike should already be there setting things up. I think he has some words for you too, Sora."

Sora raised an eyebrow. "What about Rainbow Dash? Don’t we need to find her?"

“That’s not gonna be a problem, silly billy,” Pinkie Pie interjected, popping up beside the timid mare and the keyblade wielder. Before anyone could react, she wrapped her hooves around both of them in a tight embrace. “Now, let’s get going! This party isn’t gonna start itself!"

With a bounce, she began dragging the two along with her, ignoring their startled protests.

“Pinkie!” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Wait, hold on—” Sora stammered, flailing in her grip.

But Pinkie just giggled, carrying them toward the door. Rarity, Twilight and AJ just laughing softly as they followed after the trio

~~~

"Sora!? You’re awake!? And you’re okay!"

"Dude! That battle was insane! You were, like, totally awesome!"

"I was so worried! Promise you’ll never scare us like that again!"

As Sora stepped into the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, he barely had time to react before three familiar fillies barreled into him, each one latching onto him with all their might. Their mix of cheers and sniffles filled the space as they clung to him. Despite their overwhelming energy, Sora couldn’t help but chuckle, wrapping his hooves around them and pulling them close.

“Haha… Looks like I’ve been apologizing to everyone lately,” he said with a lighthearted smile, gently ruffling their manes. “But seriously, I’m sorry for worrying you all. I’ll do my best not to make it a habit.”

Scootaloo smirked, pushing his hoof away from her head. "You better, you dork. But I knew you’d pull through—you’re a hero, after all!"

Sweetie Belle sniffled, wiping a tear from her cheek, before giving the orange pegasus a playful nudge. "Says the one who cried the hardest when we got to him after the battle."

Scootaloo’s face flushed bright red as she tackled Sweetie Belle. "D-Did not! That was Apple Bloom! I was just… uh… worried! That’s all! Now shut up!"

Apple Bloom ignoring her friends looked up towards the stallion, her big amber eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she asked, “Are ya really okay, Sora? Like, really and truly okay?”

He reached out a hoof, gently placing it on the top of her head as he petted her mane. “I promise, Apple Bloom. I’m really okay now. I’m a little sore, sure, but I’ll be just fine.”

Apple Bloom rubbed her nose with a sniffle, a small, relieved smile breaking through her teary expression. "Good," she said softly. She leaned up and pressed a quick, gentle kiss to Sora’s cheek.

Sora blinked, caught completely off guard, but before he could react, Apple Bloom had already turned away, her cheeks flushed pink. She hurried off, calling out to her two friends who were now rolling on the ground, locked in a playful tussle.

“Haha… You really have a way with foals, don’t you?”

Sora turned to see Princess Cadance approaching him, Shining Armor walking at her side. Jumping to his hooves, the Keyblade wielder couldn’t hide the smile of relief that spread across his face. “Cadance… Shining Armor… You’re both safe. I was really worried about you.”

“We could say the same about you, Sora,” Shining replied, returning the smile. “Honestly, I got off easy compared to what you and the others had to endure.”

Cadance laughed softly. “Let’s just say we’ve all had our fair share of troubles and leave it at that, hmm?” She turned to Sora, dipping her head gracefully. “Still, I must thank you for protecting my sister-in-law and dearest friend.”

Sora’s cheeks flushed at the praise, and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “There’s really no need to thank me, Your Majesty. I didn’t do much, honestly.”

“That’s absolutely not true, Sora,” Princess Celestia interjected as she stepped into view, her younger sister following close behind. “Because of your actions that day, many lives were saved—including those of your newfound friends. Despite the challenges, you’ve left an impression on them that will last for years to come. And I dare say it’s a positive one.”

Sora opened his mouth to object but thought better of it, deciding against arguing with the Princess of the Sun. Before he could dwell on his doubts, the rest of the group began to filter into the barn, their lively chatter filling the space.

“Good! Everypony’s here,” Twilight announced, settling herself not far from Sora. Her quill and parchment appeared in a flash of magic as she gave him an expectant look. “Not to rush you or anything, but I think it’s time we heard the truth about who you are.”

“Twilight, dear, I know you’re eager, but perhaps we could give Sora a bit more time to recover,” Celestia suggested gently, casting the stallion a sympathetic glance. “He only just woke up, after all.”

Sora shook his head with a small smile. “Thanks, Celestia… but I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. After everything that happened—and what Pinkie and Applejack saw in the Crystal Empire—I doubt I could hide it even if I wanted to.”

Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle both stared at Sora with wide eyes, their jaws slightly agape as they watched him speak so casually to Princess Celestia.

Princess Celestia, however, seemed unfazed, her radiant smile growing even brighter at Sora’s words. “Very well,” she said warmly, inclining her head slightly. “Your honesty and willingness to share your story are commendable, Sora. We’re all eager to listen when you’re ready.”

Sora tapped a hoof to his chin thoughtfully. “Right… Now, where to begin.” After a moment, his expression brightened. “Well…I guess the best place would be back when it all started for me and my friends back on the island...Me and my friends, we all dreamed of sailing away to worlds unknown...”

As Sora launched into his story, the gathered ponies hung on his every word. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of sharp magenta eyes watched from above, silently observing the young Keyblade wielder and listening intently to his tale.