Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

by Steel Soul

The Sun and the Moon

Green to start music and red to stop music

Twilight’s library was filled with a quiet hum of conversation as the gathered ponies discussed the recent events, but Fluttershy, standing by the small kitchen area, was lost in her own thoughts. The gentle clinking of teacups and the soft hiss of the kettle were the only sounds she focused on as she prepared tea for everyone.

Her mind replayed the terrifying encounter from earlier that evening—those shadowy creatures, the "Heartless" as Sora had called them, the way they had moved with such malice, and the overwhelming fear she had felt. But more than that, she couldn’t stop thinking about Sora and the way he had protected her so effortlessly, wielding that strange key-like weapon with such skill. It was unlike anything she had ever seen.

As she carefully poured the hot water into the teapot, the scent of calming chamomile filled the room, soothing her frayed nerves. Despite the warmth of the library, Fluttershy couldn’t quite shake the lingering chill of fear.

How many more of those creatures are out there? she wondered, her hooves trembling slightly as she set the cups on a tray. And why were they after me?

Fluttershy took a deep breath as she picked up the tray of tea, feeling the weight of the questions pressing down on her. Her friends, normally so full of life and conversation, were now subdued, each lost in their thoughts. As she walked toward the central table, her gaze lingered on Sora, who sat surrounded by the others but looked just as isolated as she felt. Rainbow Dash hovered just above him, her eyes narrowed in suspicion, almost like she was trying to figure out if he was part of the problem rather than the solution.

Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity sat close together, each one clearly concerned. Twilight's quill moved furiously over a scroll, jotting down every detail they could remember from the encounter, while Applejack looked deep in thought, chewing her lip. Rarity, for once, was uncharacteristically quiet, her usually immaculate mane slightly frazzled, showing how the evening's events had taken their toll on her.

Then there was Pinkie Pie, perched on her stool, rocking back and forth with a strangely calm expression on her face. Normally, Pinkie was the one to break tension, but even she seemed to sense that this was more serious than her usual antics could handle.

Sora, still sitting in the center of the group, looked equally tense but focused. His eyes flickered between the ponies around him as if trying to read their thoughts or figure out what he should say next.

Fluttershy carefully set the tray down on the table, and the soft clink of teacups drew everyone’s attention for a moment. "I-I made tea," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought it might help calm us down."

“Thank ya kindly, Fluttershy,” Applejack said, offering a grateful smile as she picked up a cup. “Could use somethin’ warm after all that.”

Twilight too thanked the shy pegasus before taking a sip of the hot beverage, placing it upon the table beside her when she was done. Her purple eyes then turned to Sora, whose gaze was that of uncertainty.

He had already recounted what had happened earlier that evening, but the tension in the room made it clear that the ponies were still processing everything. Twilight set her tea down, her focus completely on Sora. “I know this might seem a bit...well...mean to you, and I don’t want to lessen what you did to help my friend Fluttershy. Celestia knows that you saved her...” The mare’s gaze became like steel.. “Be that as it may, you knew what they were right away. Fluttershy said so herself You being here and them attacking ponies is something that I don’t think I can call a coincidence. So, do you mind telling us who or what in the hay those things were?”

Sora shifted uneasily in his seat, Twilight’s intense gaze making him feel more like he was under interrogation than participating in a friendly discussion. He knew this conversation was coming, but that didn’t make it any easier. The teacup in front of him sat untouched as he glanced around at the expectant faces of the ponies.

Twilight was right, of course. The Heartless appearing in this world couldn’t just be a coincidence. He knew that. But explaining it all, especially without breaking the rules of the worlds, was tricky.

Sora sighed softly, his eyes lowering to the floor before he began speaking. "Those creatures... they’re called Heartless.”

Twilight's ears twitched at the mention of the name, a small shiver running down her spine. "Heartless..." she repeated quietly, the word settling uncomfortably in the air. There was something about that name—something ominous, as if it carried more weight than just the monsters themselves.

Sora watched her reaction, his own expression somber. He knew how terrifying the Heartless could be to those who had never faced them before. "Yeah, Heartless," he continued, his voice steady but laced with caution. "They’re creatures born from darkness, from hearts that have been consumed by it. Once someone loses themselves to darkness, their heart can turn into one of those things."

Applejack furrowed her brow, her hoof tapping lightly on the table. "So, yer sayin' those monsters were once ponies... or some other kind of creature?"

Sora shook his head slightly. "Not exactly. Heartless are drawn to strong hearts, but not every creature turns into one. Some just lose their hearts, and the Heartless take them. They’re not picky."

Twilight shifted uneasily in her seat, her brow furrowed as she tried to wrap her head around what Sora was saying. "Wait... are you saying they... eat hearts?" Her voice wavered slightly, the idea clearly unsettling to her.

“N-No.Its more like…” The stallion paused and hummed. “They are...Um...” he folded his arms about his chest and closed his eyes. After a few moments, he opened them again. “How did the Master explain this again? Oh! I know. Let me ask this. What's a heart?”

Twilight blinked, her head tilting slightly in confusion. "What’s... a heart?" she repeated, as if unsure she had heard him correctly.

Sora nodded. "Yeah. What’s a heart?"

Twilight pondered for a second before answering. “Well, a heart is a vital organ within somepony’s body. It is a cardiac muscle composed of four inner chambers. The chambers are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. The circulating blood delivers important nutrients and oxygen to tissues while bringing back toxins and wastes for filtering. The heart is also fired by electrical impulses.” the lavender unicorn smiled brightly. “OH! A little factoid as it were! The four chambers of the heart are called atria and ventricles. The atria are located at the top half and the ventricles on the bottom. The left side of the heart is responsible for circulating oxygenated blood into the body, while the right side takes deoxygenated blood and pumps it back into the lungs. It's always so fascinating to..." She smiled expectantly towards everypony before frowning at the blank looks they were all giving her. "What?"

Sora rubbed the back of his head. “I...ah...Don’t think that's what I mean. I was talking more about...hmm” He paused as he placed a hoof to his chest. “I meant more like feelings in the heart. Like when someone says to follow your heart or something like that.” He smiled sheepishly. “Sorry...My master explains it a lot better than I can.”

“Oh!” Twilight perked up. “Then you mean more along the lines of magic and friendship studies, Right? As in the heart is seen as the core of a being’s emotions, their desires, and their connections to others."

Sora’s face lit up with relief as Twilight clarified. "Yeah! That’s exactly what I mean." He nodded enthusiastically. "The heart isn’t just a physical thing, it’s where all your feelings and connections come from. That’s what I was trying to get at."

Fluttershy raised her hoof like a little school filly before asking. “You said master...What do you mean by that? ...if you don't mind me asking, that is.”

“Oh! Master Yin Sid is a former keyblade master I’m training under. He’s kinda strange and kinda mean but he always knows everything and everyone trusts him.”

A cyan mare, who Sora has yet to be introduced to, blew a bit of her rainbow colored mane out of her face. “Really deep there, buddy.”

“Well to be fair, Dash,” Applejack chimed in. “Don’t we do the same thing for the Princesses? Ah mean trust her and she knows stuff and what not.”

Rainbow huffed as she looked away, not quite knowing how to come back with a good snappy remark to her friends' words except, “Whatever…”

The boy rubbed the back of his head with a hoof once again. “Anyway, if I actually remember what he said correctly, He told us that peo-ah...ponies are composed of three things. The heart, which contains emotions, the soul, which carries out the heart’s orders, and...umm... The body, that serves as a vessel to the heart and the soul.”

Twilight's ears perked up as she listened to Sora’s explanation, her curiosity piqued once again. “Heart, soul, and body... That’s a fascinating concept, Sora,” she mused, already thinking of how this could relate to her studies on magic and friendship. “So, the heart is where your emotions and connections come from, while the soul acts as a bridge between the heart and the body? That makes a lot of sense in a metaphysical sense.” She frowned. “So in short of it…the Heartless were going to…well…turn Fluttershy into one of them…right?”

Rarity shuddered as she pulled a now visibly shivering Fluttershy closer to her as everyone within the room began to realize just how lucky the poor mare was that Sora was there to save her if what he said was true.

Sora’s expression grew solemn as he nodded. “Yeah... if the Heartless had taken Fluttershy’s heart, she would’ve become one of them.” His gaze flicked to Fluttershy, his heart sinking at the sight of her trembling. "I’m really sorry, Fluttershy... I wish I could’ve explained all of this before anypony got hurt."

Fluttershy, though clearly shaken, gave a small smile, her voice soft but sincere. “I-it’s okay, Sora. You saved me, and that’s what matters. Thank you.”

Applejack frowned. “Still…that explains one thing but leaves a heep bunch out. Like…Where did they come from…and why are they appearing now?”

“And I’ve never read anything about these creatures in any of my books.” Twilight added, still quite shaken. “Believe me I would know. I read them all.”

Sora sighed deeply, knowing this was the question he had been avoiding—because he didn’t have a clear answer either. He rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze dropping to the floor as he tried to find the right words. “I wish I knew for sure. Heartless don’t just... appear for no reason. They’re drawn to darkness, and wherever there’s darkness, they follow. But why they’re here, in Equestria... I don’t know.”

Rainbow flew toward Sora and started to poke his chest with a hoof. “Kinda odd since they only appeared here after you showed up, isn’t it?” There was an accusing tone to her voice that Sora did not like one bit. “How do we know that you're not the one who made them show up, huh?”

Sora took a step back, his expression tightening as Rainbow Dash’s accusation hit him. He understood her concern—ponies were in danger, and he was an outsider—but the idea that he could be responsible for the Heartless appearing here stung deeply.

Before Sora could defend himself, Rarity stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, honestly! How could you accuse him like that?" she said sharply, her voice filled with indignation. "Sora just saved Fluttershy’s life, and you think he’s the one to blame for those horrible creatures? Really, darling, that’s not fair at all!"

Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs and hovered in place, her expression defiant. "I’m just saying, it’s kinda suspicious that these Heartless showed up right after he did! Just because you’re the first to fall for a pretty face doesn’t mean I have to trust him too! For all we know he could be a spy!”

“Oh, you mean how like me, Spike, and Twilight were when we snuck into Canterlot? We were all dressed in black and sneaking around and I was laughing and laughing and laughing the whole way. Oh! That reminds me, I still have to buy a flugelhorn at Jack’s Joke Shop for back at the Cakes’ bakery. Though the Cakes said I'm not allowed to play back at the bakery due to the twins being there. So now I'll just have to set it on my desk with all of my other stuff I’ve collected over the years. Like my foam finger and the Grand Galloping Gala Ticket and Pandora’s box and an orange ball with 3 stars on it and my safety net and -”

“Oh, you mean like how me, Spike, and Twilight snuck into Canterlot?" Pinkie suddenly chimed in, bouncing over to the group. "We were all dressed in black and sneaking around! I was laughing and laughing the whole way! Oh! That reminds me, I still have to buy a flugelhorn at Jack’s Joke Shop! The Cakes said I'm not allowed to play it at the bakery because of the twins, so I’ll just set it on my desk with all my other stuff! Like my foam finger, the Grand Galloping Gala ticket, Pandora’s box, an orange ball with three stars on it, my safety net, and—"

"Pinkie!" Twilight interrupted, her voice exasperated. "What are you even talking about right now?"

Pinkie blinked, tilting her head. "Well, Rainbow Dash said Sora could be a spy, so I was just thinking about all the fun we had sneaking around Canterlot that one time! But Sora doesn’t seem like the sneaky type. He’s more of the 'hero with a big key' type!"

Sora, still standing there, feeling caught off-guard by the sudden change in conversation, couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly at Pinkie’s outburst. "Yeah... I’m definitely not a spy."

Twilight sighed, rubbing her temple. "Pinkie, I appreciate the... enthusiasm, but we’re trying to have a serious conversation here."

Pinkie just smiled brightly. "I know, I know! But we can’t go blaming everypony who shows up just because something bad happens. That’s like saying the parasprites were my fault because I had all that candy!"

Twilight sighed, choosing to momentarily ignore Pinkie's rambling, and turned her focus back to Sora.

"I don’t know what to think of all this right now, Sora," she admitted. "This whole situation with the Heartless, your arrival, and these strange events... it’s a lot to take in. But for now, I do know that something bigger is happening, and we need to be prepared."

She glanced over to Spike, who had been silently observing everything, his quill and parchment ready. "Spike," Twilight called, her voice more decisive now. "Take a letter."

Spike immediately hopped to attention, ready to write as Twilight began dictating the message.

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you of a troubling development that has occurred in Ponyville. Strange creatures known as 'Heartless' have appeared and attacked one of my friends, Fluttershy. Luckily, with the help of a visitor named Sora, we were able to fend them off. However, the appearance of these creatures raises many questions, and I believe this could be the start of something more dangerous.

I will continue investigating this matter, but I may need your guidance. Please let me know if you have any information about these Heartless or if there’s anything we can do to protect Equestria.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle"

Spike finished writing the letter in record time, rolled it up, and with a quick puff of green fire, sent it off to the princess.

Twilight turned back to Sora, her expression softening slightly. "Until we hear back from Princess Celestia, I think we-”

Twilight's words were cut short by a sudden gagging sound from Spike. He let out a loud, fiery burp, and a letter materialized in a puff of smoke, much sooner than anyone had expected.

Twilight’s eyes widened in surprise as she caught the letter in her magical aura. "That was fast..." she muttered, opening the scroll hastily. Everypony in the room fell silent as Twilight’s eyes quickly scanned the parchment. Her expression shifted from confusion to concern as she read the message aloud.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Thank you for your swift message. The appearance of these creatures is indeed alarming, and it is vital that we take immediate action. Please bring Sora and your friends to Canterlot at once. There is much to discuss, and we must prepare for what may come.

Yours sincerely,
Princess Celestia."

The room was filled with a tense silence after Twilight finished reading. Everypony exchanged worried glances, the gravity of the situation settling in.

Applejack was the first to speak. "Well, shoot. Looks like we’re headin’ to Canterlot sooner than we thought."

~~~

Sora let out a soft sigh, watching the condensation on the window slowly fade as the cool glass cleared. The steady rhythm of the train’s wheels on the tracks was comforting, helping to ease the tension that had been building since they left Ponyville. The scenery of Equestria, with its rolling hills and vast fields, stretched out before him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

The boy closed his eyes and sighed deeply, his mind swimming with uncertainty and slight dread at what might happen. Sure, he was tired; waking up at seven in the morning after a long night of partying and fighting would put anyone in a dour mood, but it was more along the lines of WHO he was meeting this morning.

The Ruler of this world, Princess Celesita.

Princess? Sounds more like a goddess with what she and this Luna could do. Moving giant celestial bodies doesn’t sound easy after all.

He had to admit that moving the sun and moon the way they do does sound a little cool. Riku and Kairi would be…

Sora’s gaze shifted towards the ground at the thought of his two friends, a solemn moment passing before he regained his composure.

Still he did learn something valuable. Two simple facts that he would never forget.

Number one: Twilight loved to lecture.

He’d never seen someone so enthralled by just informing someone with the information they had. He had to admit, it surprised him to see her so happy about it. It made him happy to see her smile.

The second thing he learned: Never interrupt Twilight’s lecture.

Such a mistake would never be made again by the caramel stallion. Never… ever… again. He shuddered at the result of coming to said conclusion. Maleficent could not even hold a candle to this girl’s fury.

His gaze would shift back towards the window lazily, being greeted by a pair of deep blue irises staring back at him.

Wait… that’s not right. A window should reflect, not stare back.

Sora practically jumped out of his seat, startled by the sudden face peering at him from the train window. He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of the bright blue eyes and wide grin that greeted him from the other side of the glass.

"HI!" the pony on the other side repeated, her voice muffled but still bubbly and excited.

It took him a second to realize it was Pinkie Pie, somehow hanging upside down outside the moving train, defying logic in a way that only Pinkie could. Sora blinked again, trying to shake off the confusion. "Pinkie?! How are you—"

Pinkie giggled happily and opened the window, carefully sliding through it and plopping her flank on the seat that Sora had just been sitting in.

“Whoops! Sorry, Sora,” the pink party mare apologized in a far too happy tone. “I was just trying to surprise you, but it looks like I somehow managed to startle you instead.”

Sora, to his credit, just smiled back at his new companion. “It's okay. Just wasn’t expecting it at all.” He lifted himself up and sat next to her. “I’m sorry for being startled instead of surprised.”

Pinkie smiled brighter than ever as he did so. “Apology accepted!”

After a few moments of silence between the two of them, the boy would ask, “So… do you need something, Pinkie?”

Her gaze then fell upon him and she began to breathe in. No...That wasn’t right. It was more like she just cast a spell on him and was sucking his very being into her body. He could barely move or speak. Thoughts seemed to jumble within him as every inch of his being screamed at him to make a run for it before it was too late. He didn’t know why though. This mare had been nothing but kind to him. Free food. Free party. Free hugs. She was the living definition of good first impressions. And yet...

Sora would notice that Pinkie Pie had finished sucking up all life-giving oxygen all around her.

And then she did the only logical thing left for her to do.

She talked.

~~~

Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity sat together in the train compartment, their attention shifting every so often to the spectacle happening a few seats down. Pinkie Pie, true to her energetic self, was animatedly talking Sora's ears off, her words coming out in a blur as she gestured wildly with her hooves. Sora, looking dazed but trying his best to keep up, sat next to her, nodding every now and then but clearly overwhelmed.

Rainbow Dash, hovering nearby with a smug grin plastered on her face, glanced back at her friends. "Looks like Pinkie's doing her thing," she said, snickering. "I bet Sora's wishing he had stayed quiet, huh?"

Twilight sighed, shaking her head slightly but with an amused smile tugging at her lips. "Honestly, Rainbow. You shouldn't have set Pinkie on him like that. He's been through a lot."

“What? You said you needed to keep him busy right?” Rainbow defended.

Twilight sighed as she watched the mare and the stallion as well. “Hopefully he’ll be fully recovered by the time we reach Canterlot. We need him at least semi coherent when he meets the princesses. Now then, onto the subject of our mysterious friend.” She motioned toward Sora. “What do you girls think of him?”

“I don’t trust him!” Rainbow harrumphed.

“I do believe you made that clear already, Rainbow,” Twilight responded.

“At the train station,” Applejack continued.

“And the library this morning.” Rarity rolled her eyes.

“Last night as well…” Fluttershy whispered.

Rainbow blinked. “Oh. So yeah, that’s my verdict. What do you think, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy flinched slightly as all eyes turned to her, but she took a deep breath and spoke softly. “I-I think Sora’s kind. He saved me from those… those Heartless. I don’t think somepony who would risk their life to help a stranger can be all bad.” She gave a small, but sincere smile. “He didn’t have to do that, and he wasn’t scared at all.”

“Or maybe he’s just trying to lull you into a false sense of security,” Rainbow spat.

Fluttershy flinched again at Rainbow Dash’s sharp response, but she held her ground, her soft voice growing a bit more firm. “I-I don’t think so, Rainbow. If he wanted to hurt us, he had plenty of chances, but he didn’t.He could’ve left me there, but he didn’t.” She shook her head. “Maybe…he is hiding something from us…I just… I just don’t believe somepony like that would be trying to trick us though.”

“I think he is a proper gentlecolt as well,” Rarity mused. “and he has yet to prove to me otherwise. He may be a little naïve here and there but he has my complete and utter trust.”

Applejack gave a thoughtful nod, adjusting her hat as she spoke. "I hear ya, Rarity, and I reckon Fluttershy’s got a point too. Sora seems like a good fella, and I’m mighty grateful he saved Fluttershy." She glanced over at Rainbow Dash, who still looked unconvinced. "But I also gotta admit, somethin’ about all this still don’t sit right with me. I ain't sayin' he's lyin', but we still don't know the whole story. So, I’m holdin’ off on makin' my full judgment until we know more."

“So that’s two for trusting, one for not trusting and one indecisive.” She used her magic to pop out a quill and paper next to her, marking down her findings. “I, myself, believe that he can’t be trusted right now. Too many unanswered questions for my taste.” She marked the untrusting box once more. “So right now, it’s a tie.”

“What about Pinkie?”

At Rainbows question they all turned to where the mare was sitting, her mouth still moving a mile a minute. The topic seemed to have been diverted to dirt somehow. Sora seemed to have been frozen in place, his left and right eye slowly but surely moving away from each other as if trying to escape the onslaught of Pinkie’s... Pinkieness.

The group watched in silence for a moment as Pinkie continued her seemingly endless monologue, while Sora sat beside her, looking utterly overwhelmed. His eyes darted from side to side, as if searching for an escape route, but Pinkie showed no signs of slowing down.

Twilight cleared her throat, trying to keep a straight face despite the absurdity of the scene. "Well, I think it's safe to say that Pinkie... trusts him."

"Or she just doesn't care either way," Rainbow Dash muttered, rolling her eyes.

Applejack chuckled softly. "Well, trust or not, Pinkie’s always good at makin' folks feel welcome. Sora sure ain’t gonna forget this train ride, that’s for sure."

“Let’s just leave her out of it for now.” Twilight said. “Anyway, we can at least all agree to watch him for now, yes? At least until we see the princesses.”

"Yeah, I guess that’s the best course of action for now," Rainbow Dash muttered, though her tone still held a hint of suspicion. "We’ll keep an eye on him, but I’m still not convinced."

"I’m with you on that, Rainbow," Applejack agreed, adjusting her hat. "We’ll watch him close, but let’s not jump to conclusions just yet."

Rarity, who had been quietly observing the conversation, chimed in with a thoughtful nod. "Agreed. We don’t know his full story, and while it’s only natural to be cautious, I’d prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt for now."

Fluttershy gave a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think... that’s fair."

Twilight smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Good. We’ll keep an open mind and see what happens when we meet the princesses. For now, let’s focus on getting to Canterlot and finding out more about these Heartless."

~~~

The train hissed to a stop at the Canterlot station, steam rising from the tracks as the doors slid open. Ponies began slipping off the train, chatting and going about their business, the bustling city of Canterlot greeting them with its usual grandeur. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy made their way off the train first, their expressions a mix of focus and anticipation for the meeting ahead.

Twilight led the way, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings of the Canterlot station as she mentally prepared herself for the conversation with Princess Celestia, before guiding everyone foward. Beside her, Applejack adjusted her hat, and Rainbow Dash stretched her wings, taking to the air to fly off the stiff train ride. Rarity walked beside Applejack, her head held a little higher now that she was among the Canterlot Elite. Fluttershy had stayed back with Pinkie and Sora, the yellow mare’s gaze falling on the latter two.

Pinkie Pie bounced energetically, her endless chatter still aimed at Sora, who followed behind her in a daze. The caramel stallion walked with a look of utter bewilderment, as if he had just emerged from some surreal dream—or perhaps a nightmare. He wasn’t sure which it was. His mind was still swimming with all the topics Pinkie had covered, and he wasn’t quite sure how to process it all.

"—and then I told him, ‘No, silly! You don’t put cupcakes in a balloon! You put them in the oven first!’" Pinkie giggled, bouncing alongside Sora, who simply nodded absently.

Sora blinked, his eyes unfocused as he tried to collect his thoughts. He wasn’t entirely sure what Pinkie had been talking about for the last... however long it had been. Time seemed to blur together. "Uh... yeah, sure, Pinkie," he muttered, still feeling as though he were walking through some strange dreamscape.

As they made their way through the bustling streets of Canterlot, the elegant architecture and the gleaming white towers seemed almost surreal to him, given his current state of mind. He wasn’t quite sure what to focus on—the majesty of the city, the impending meeting with royalty, or the ever-bouncing Pinkie Pie who continued her relentless monologue.

Behind them, Fluttershy quietly watched the pair with a small, sympathetic smile. She could see how overwhelmed Sora was, though Pinkie seemed completely oblivious. She fluttered over to walk beside him, offering a gentle touch on his shoulder. “I… I hope Pinkie’s not overwhelming you, Sora,” she said softly, her kind eyes full of concern.

Sora glanced over at her, grateful for the gentle reprieve. “Thanks, Fluttershy. I’ll be alright,” he said, managing a small smile. “Pinkie’s just... a lot to take in, but in a good way, I guess.”

Fluttershy nodded in understanding. “She can be like that sometimes. She just gets really excited when she meets new ponies.” She glanced at Pinkie, who was now bouncing in circles around them, still chatting about something completely random. “I could ask her to slow down if you need a break.”

Sora chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Nah, it’s fine. I don’t think she’s actually talking to me anymore honestly…at least I hope not…”

Fluttershy giggled softly at Sora’s comment, her delicate wings giving a small flutter as she walked alongside him. "Oh, I’m sure she’s still talking to you… in her own way," she said kindly. "But don’t worry, Pinkie tends to slow down eventually. She just really likes making friends."

Sora smiled, feeling a little more at ease. "Yeah, I can see that. She’s definitely... unique."

Sora’s gaze shifted away from Pinkie and Fluttershy, falling upon the bustling city of Canterlot as they moved through the streets. The grandeur of the city was unlike anything he’d seen before. Majestic towers gleamed in the sunlight, and the streets were filled with ponies going about their daily business. The rich architecture, clean streets, and the air of sophistication gave the city an almost dreamlike quality.

He had visited many worlds in his journey, each with its own unique charm, but something about Canterlot felt... peaceful, despite the growing tension within him. It was a stark contrast to the chaos he had faced in recent days. For a moment, he allowed himself to simply take in the beauty of the place—the ornate buildings, the way the light bounced off the spires, and the serene, almost magical atmosphere that surrounded him.

“This place is something else…” he spoke out loud. “As an islander I don’t get to see stuff like this all the time. Always amazes me.

“Well, I guess okay… I don’t really like coming here that much though. It's so big and scary...and really different from what I'm used to.” She lowered her head slightly.

Sora glanced at Fluttershy, noticing her unease as she spoke. "Yeah, I can see how a place like this could feel overwhelming," he said, his tone understanding. "It’s definitely different from a small, cozy place like Ponyville. All these big buildings, the fancy ponies walking around—it’s a lot to take in.” he smiles. “Though…you can’t say you aren’t a little excited.”

“E-excited? I don't...I mean...”

Sora beamed. “Yeah! Especially when you are with your friends. Even if you’re scared, with your friends by your side you can overcome anything and have fun doing it.”

“I...Um…” Fluttershy’s eyes met his, causing her to blush a little. “D-Do you really think so?”

Sora nodded, “Sure do. I remember when I was eight; I was lost in the forest near my village with my friend Riku.” He shook his head as he smiled. “He dared me to go in with him, to prove that I wasn’t a scaredy cat.”

“Oh my!" Fluttershy gasped in shock. "That’s just so mean of your friend.”

Sora chuckled at Fluttershy’s reaction, shaking his head lightly. "Yeah, it sounds kinda mean, but that’s just how Riku was back then—always pushing me to be braver, to step out of my comfort zone.” He chuckled. “He and I entered into the forest and instantly became lost. It was very scary, to be sure. I think I was so scared I almost started cry.” The caramel stallion kept his gaze forward as he spoke. “I still remember what he told me when he saw that I was scared, though.”

Fluttershy tilted her head slightly, her soft teal eyes focused on Sora as he spoke. "What did he say?"

Sora smiled lightly. “He told me that even if we got lost in there forever, I’d always have him by my side. So shut up and stop whining.” Sora laughed softly at the memory. “He told me that even though he had tears in his eyes too...But...It did make me feel better cause I had my best friend Riku by my side.”

Fluttershy smiled softly at Sora's story. "That’s really sweet. Even if it wasn’t the most gentle way of saying it, it sounds like Riku cared about you a lot."

“Yeah…” Sora lowered his head slightly. “So what does that make me?”

“Sora?” Fluttershy strained her ears, not quite catching what he said.

“Oh! I-It’s nothing, Fluttershy!” He pointed a hoof straight ahead. “Come on, we’re falling behind.” She looked forward, finding an annoyed Rainbow Dash floating with her forehooves crossed. “I really don’t think I want to keep her waiting. I think I’m already on your friend's hit list as it is.” He nudged her side slightly with his flank, thinking nothing of it, before running off ahead of her. Unknown to him, Fluttershy's wings twitched ever so slightly after the contact.

Fluttershy stood still for a moment, her heart fluttering unexpectedly at the gentle nudge Sora had given her. She wasn’t used to such casual touches, especially from somepony she had just met. Her wings gave another soft twitch, and she found herself blushing. “Oh…m-my…”

~~~

Sora’s eyes widened as the group neared the grand gates of Canterlot Castle. Despite the number of castles he had visited in various worlds, the sheer magnificence of this one left him in awe. The towering spires gleamed in the sunlight, and the intricate designs along the castle walls sparkled with a regal elegance. It wasn’t just the size of the place that impressed him—it was the air of history, of importance, that seemed to surround it.

“Wow,” Sora breathed, his gaze sweeping across the castle grounds. “This place is... incredible.”

As Sora continued to marvel at the grand sight before him, he noticed the activity all around the castle grounds. Ponies of all kinds were milling about—some wearing elegant robes and ornate jewelry, clearly important figures, while others looked busy, focused on their tasks as they hurried from place to place. The atmosphere was one of both sophistication and purpose, adding to the sense of grandeur that already surrounded the castle.

So wrapped up was he in the scene that he scarcely knew that someone was behind him until…

“Welcome to Canterlot, Twilight and company.”

Sora yelped as he jumped high in the air, his wings flaring outward in surprise. He was able to flap them once before falling back to the ground with a resounding thud. He lay sprawled out on the ground, blushing brightly in embarrassment as the gruff laughter of Rainbow Dash reached his ears.

“Oh? Um… Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to scare ya.”

Sora looked up to find a mare with silver royal guard armor standing in front of him. Her coat was pure white and her eyes bright amber. She looked rather young, probably in her early twenties. A horn poked from the top of her head. He could tell that she was very sincere with her apology, but it still bugged him that she still seemed very amused with his reaction.

“Dream Drop.” Twilight smiled broadly. Whether it was for the newcomer or at Sora’s expense, he would never know. “It’s good to see you.”

“Same to you, Twilight. All the guards miss seeing ya around the castle now that you’ve gone to Ponyville.” Dream Drop's bright amber eyes scanned the group of ponies standing with Twilight, her smile warm and welcoming. "These must be your friends. The other Elements of Harmony, am I right?"

Twilight nodded with a proud smile. "That’s right! Everypony, this is Dream Drop. She’s one of the castle’s top guards and a good friend. Dream Drop, meet Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash." She gestured to each of her friends in turn. "Oh, and this is Sora," she added, motioning to the stallion still recovering from his startled leap.

Dream Drop smiled and held a hoof toward the downed stallion. “It’s a pleasure, Sora. You must feel so lucky to be surrounded by all these mares. I hope you’re taking good care of them.” She gave him a sly wink.

Sora blinked in surprise at Dream Drop's comment, the blush on his cheeks deepening as he scrambled back to his hooves. He took her offered hoof and gave a sheepish laugh. "Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that. I’m just trying not to get in the way."

“Pfft,” Rainbow waved a hoof dismissively. “I can take care of myself just fine. We don't need him.”

“Is that so?” Dream Drop smiled shrewdly and draped a hoof around Sora’s neck, drawing him uncomfortably close to her. “Well if that’s the case, then you wouldn’t mind if I took him off your hooves?” she smiled wryly, “I really wouldn’t mind a minute or two with such a cute little stallion of a pegasus.”

Sora's eyes widened in surprise as Dream Drop casually draped her hoof around his neck, pulling him close. His blush deepened, and he laughed awkwardly, unsure of how to respond to the sudden attention.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes narrowed as she darted forward, her wings flaring slightly in agitation. "Hey! Dream Drop, quit messing with him!" she huffed, hovering just above Sora. "We’ve got important stuff to take care of, remember?"

Applejack stepped forward, chuckling at the exchange. "Settle down, Rainbow. Dream Drop’s just teasin’ a bit." She gave Dream Drop a friendly wink. "Ain’t no harm in that."

Twilight stepped forward, her expression more serious. "Be that as it may, we do have urgent business to attend to. The princesses are expecting us, and we can’t afford any delays."

Dream Drop pouted at Twilight’s words “Ugh, Fine. Same old studious Twilight, I see. You really need to pay more attention to the stallions around you.” She looked back toward Sora. “Or else you’ll miss all the good ones.” She made her way to the front and motioned for them to follow her.

Rarity opted to walk alongside Sora, a menacing glare etched across her features. “Really! Who does she think she is, treating you like that? Very uncouth indeed.” She turned to look toward the stallion. “Are you OK, darling? Did she hurt you in any way?”

Sora blinked, still slightly flustered by the interaction but quickly shaking his head at Rarity's concern. "N-No, I’m fine, really! She didn’t hurt me or anything," he said, offering a sheepish smile.

He touched his cheek, feeling the warmth off them. She called me cute? Am I cute? Actually I never really looked at my face...like...really looked I guess...I guess I could be cute. And she was really cute to-

Sora squeaked at what he was thinking just now.

Why am I thinking that a pony was cute? Well the ponies are cute. Shockingly so. It's more than that though. They are cute, but it really felt different with that guard pony...Dream Drop right?

The keybearer shook his head before turning to Rarity. He didn’t know why, but this line of thinking was...Well...He didn’t know what it was but he really needed a distraction.

“Hey, Rarity, what are the Elements of Harmony?”

Rarity blinked at the sudden change in topic, clearly taken aback by Sora’s question, but quickly smiled, happy to indulge him in an explanation. "The Elements of Harmony? Why, they are some of the most powerful magical artifacts in all of Equestria, darling," she said, her tone shifting to that of a teacher eager to share her knowledge. "There are six elements in total, each representing a key aspect of friendship: Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity—" she paused, giving herself a little proud smile, "—Loyalty, and Magic.

Sora's curiosity piqued as he listened closely. "So, each of you represents one of the elements? Wow, that’s incredible! And I’m guessing, though those hints you were throwing, that you are the Element of Generosity.”

Rarity smiled warmly, clearly pleased with Sora’s deduction. "Oh, absolutely, darling! I am indeed the Element of Generosity," she said, her voice taking on a subtle, proud lilt. "It’s my responsibility to give to others without expecting anything in return, whether it’s fashion advice, my time, or simply lending a helping hoof when it’s needed."

The young stallion smiled widely. “Should have known. You really helped me out back in Ponyville. And all for nothing too. Honestly I still feel a little bad not paying you.”

“Oh Pish Posh!” Rarity waved with a hoof. “Parish that thought my dear. I was happy to help you and I won’t have you owing me anything. Honestly I got quite a bit from you anyway from your clothing design. Besides, helping and trusting my friends is something I will always do. And that extends to you too.”

Sora’s eyes widened. “Friends? With Me?”

She allowed her flank to nudge his own, causing the pegasus’s wings to twitch and his cheeks to lighten.

“Sora, you are a kind gentlecolt. I could see that the first time I met you.” She looked away from him and towards the girls in front. “You may have your secrets, that much I do know, but honestly, I can tell that you are a good pony and if nothing else, I think I can trust you. Think you can trust me?”

Sora lowered his head slightly at her words. “I...Do. Honestly, all of you have been more than kind to me...but…”

She raised an eyebrow and nodded once. “I understand.” She walked off ahead of him, but not before looking over her shoulder. “If you ever need somepony to talk to, my door is always open, Sora.” She gave him one quick wink before heading off to join the rest of her friends.

“Trusting my friends…” Sora said softly. “Did...they not trust me?” He sighed softly before following after the others.

~~~

As Sora walked into the grand throne chamber, he was struck by the elegance and the presence of the two ruling ponies at the far end of the room. The tall, regal figure of Princess Celestia stood out immediately, her shimmering pastel mane flowing gently in an unseen breeze, radiating warmth and light. Beside her, the darker alicorn—Princess Luna, he guessed from Twilight’s description of her—commanded attention in her own way, her midnight blue coat and flowing mane like a piece of the night sky itself. Despite her dignified posture, there was a hint of fatigue in her eyes, though they were sharp and curious as they studied them closely.

No…wait…

She was looking at him.
As Sora cast a soft smile at Princess Luna, raising his hoof in a friendly wave, he saw a flicker of surprise cross her features. It was subtle—just a brief widening of her eyes and a small intake of breath. But just as quickly, Luna’s face returned to its stoic, regal expression, her demeanor once again composed and unreadable.

Still, Sora noticed. His head tilted in curiosity, his usual lightheartedness pushing through as he studied her reaction. The dark alicorn, though trying to maintain her dignified air, couldn't entirely suppress a faint blush creeping up her midnight-blue cheeks. It was almost imperceptible, but it was there.

Sora couldn’t help but chuckle softly, his amusement breaking through at the sight of Princess Luna’s barely noticeable blush. Leaving the dark one be for now, he turned his gaze towards the other mare.

Princess Celestia, with her flowing pastel mane and warm, serene expression, seemed every bit the picture of grace and wisdom. Her eyes, however, sparkled with a kind of gentle amusement as if she had noticed the entire exchange between Sora and her younger sister. She didn’t address however, her attention turning towards that of the others.

“Twilight, my most faithful student, so good to see you and your friends.”

Twilight stepped forward, bowing. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, it’s good to see you both. We came as quickly as we could.”

The others bowed low, showing their respect to the rulers of Equestria, but Sora remained standing, his thoughts racing. He couldn’t shake the memory that tugged at the edges of his mind. That voice… I’ve heard it before. But where? It wasn’t just a simple memory—it was recent. Right before he had come to Equestria, through the new door in the Secret Place…

The mare’s gaze fell to him, and she smiled.

No way… It… it can’t be, but…

He went to step forward, but was stopped as something probed inside of his mind. It felt powerful, yet gentle, both at the same time. He stopped in his tracks as he felt a voice talking to him; not from his ears, but from inside his head.

Be still, Sora. There is no need for alarm.

The voice was unmistakable—Princess Celestia. But how was she speaking to him like this? He hadn’t heard her say anything out loud. He stood there, rooted in place, his heart racing as he tried to make sense of it all.

We will talk in due time... Celestia’s voice continued, her tone soothing, but now is not that moment. Patience, young Keyblade wielder.

His gaze met the white one’s own and her head tilted slightly as they stared at one another. Despite his growing concern, he did as he was told. Despite that however, so many questions started to race though his mind.

“Sora!”

The tan stallion stiffened at the sound of his name and looked to the side of him to find a very angry-looking lavender unicorn staring straight up at him from her bowed position.

“What are you doing?! Bow!”

Sora’s rushed attempt to bow ended with a rather unfortunate thud as his forehead connected with the marble floor. He winced, letting out a soft, "Ow," as the others around him stifled their reactions. Twilight shot him a look that was a mixture of exasperation and sympathy, while Rainbow Dash, hovering above, couldn’t help but snicker under her breath.

Princess Celestia, ever the picture of grace, smiled gently, though a slight twinkle of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Please, there is no need for such formality," she said, her tone warm and soothing.

Sora slowly straightened up, rubbing his forehead sheepishly. "Haha…ah…Sure," he muttered, clearly embarrassed.

Princess Celestia’s serene smile never faltered as she addressed Sora directly, her tone both warm and regal. "Sora, I have been informed of the events that took place in Ponyville, and how you risked your safety to protect Fluttershy and others from the Heartless. For that, you have my deepest gratitude. I would hate for something to happen to my little ponies.”

Sora just blushed and looked away, scratching the back of his head bashfully. “It was nothing, really. I couldn’t let someone get hurt if I knew I could protect them.” He was used to helping others. He would do so all the time. It was another matter to be thanked for doing so. He never did quite get used to that.

“Be that as it may, I am in your debt, as I am sure young Fluttershy is as well.” A high squeak sounded to her right, but she ignored it. Instead she closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “I fear, though, that what was mentioned in Twilight’s letter must be discussed with haste. What I have feared has been confirmed to its fullest extent I am afraid. That ‘He’ has indeed returned to Equestria.”

“Wait, what?!” Twilight could not help herself. “What do you mean returned?! Who’s returned?!

Celestia turned to walk past Sora and the others. She stopped when she reached the middle of the throne room and turned her head back to face them. Despite all of her years of practice at keeping her emotions in check, the princess could not help but sigh in despair. Her voice, when she spoke, was filled with the same emotion. “The Dark King of the Crystal Kingdom… Sombra.”

Author's Note

Edited by Nightmareknight