Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

Kingdom Hearts of Harmony
By Steel Soul

Ponyville

Inside the cozy walls of Sugarcube Corner, the air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries and the soft hum of conversations. Morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow across the bakery. At one of the tables near the back, Rainbow Dash sat surrounded by her friends—Fluttershy, Gilda, Spike, and Sweetie Belle. The latter two were enraptured by the tale the blue mare was spinning.

“So there I was! Pegasus vs. Heartless!" The blue pegasus declared dramatically, her wings flaring wide for emphasis and causing a bit of a gust of wind that bothered the other patrons within. "The oversized chew toy thought it had me on the ropes, but no way was I gonna go down that easily!”

Spike and Sweetie Belle leaned in closer, eyes wide with excitement as they listened. Spike’s tail twitched in anticipation. "What happened next, Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah, tell us!" Sweetie Belle chimed in, practically bouncing in her seat.

The blue mare smirked, clearly loving the attention. "Well, the Heartless came at me with this massive claw, right? But I dodged left—smooth as ever—then I flipped in the air and kicked it right in its ugly face! It tried to swipe at me again, but I was way too fast. Before it knew what hit it, I zoomed in, and bam!" She slammed her hoof down on the table for effect, causing Sweetie Belle to jump slightly. "And just like that, it was lights out for that Heartless!"

Before the two young ones of the group could cheer, Fluttershy raised her hoof. “Oh…um…but didn’t you get knocked to the ground after that…and…My cousin had to save you?”

Rainbow Dash froze for a second, her confident smirk faltering as Fluttershy’s gentle voice cut through the heroic retelling. She blinked, quickly recovering her bravado but with a hint of sheepishness in her expression. "Oh, uh… well, yeah, technically that did happen," she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof. "But, hey, I totally softened that Heartless up for your cousin! I was just, you know, giving her a chance to shine."

“Still, to see you get knocked flat on your butt,” Gilda mused. “Would have paid to see that.”

The rainbow maned mare shot Gilda a playful glare, her competitive spirit reignited. "Oh, you think you could do better, Gilda?"

“Didn’t I save you butt back in Trottingham too, Dashy?” The gryphon shot back with a smirk of her own. "Pretty sure I proved I could do better."

Rainbow Dash leaned in with a confident grin, her competitive spirit fully ignited. "And I totally saved you back at Town Hall. No way you would’ve gotten past those magic Heartless without me there."

The gryphon rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay, I’ll give you that one, Dash. You did come through when it counted. But let’s be real, you were lucky I was there to pick up the slack when things got dicey."

Fluttershy, meanwhile, just smiled softly, happy to see the playful banter. "I’m just glad we all made it out of there in once piece." She lowered her head, frowning slightly. "Least...more then I can say for others..."

Rainbow’s confident grin faltered as she noticed The timid mare's sudden shift in tone, her frown immediately catching her attention. The blue pegasus leaned in closer, her voice softening. "Hey, what’s wrong, Flutters?”

Fluttershy shook her head softly, offering her friends a gentle smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Oh, it’s nothing, really. I must just be a bit more tired than I thought. The trip, the excitement… it’s all catching up to me, I guess." Her smile softened as she glanced toward the door. "Besides, I need to get home to see my animal friends. They’re probably wondering where I’ve been, and I don’t want them to worry."

Rainbow Dash nodded understandingly. "Makes sense, Flutters. They probably miss you like crazy. You want us to walk with you?"

The timid mareshook her head gently, her soft smile returning. "Thank you, but I’ll be alright. I’ve done it before…everything…and nothing has happened yet so…”

The blue mare frowned slightly but nodded, sensing there was something more behind Fluttershy's words, though she didn’t want to push her. "Alright, Flutters. But if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?"

The shy mare’s smile brightened just a bit as she looked at her friend. "I will, Rainbow. Thank you." She turned to the rest of the group, her gentle tone as soft as ever. "I’ll see you all later. Have a good day."

As Fluttershy left Sugarcube Corner, the mood around the table shifted slightly. Rainbow watched her go, her usual confident demeanor giving way to quiet concern as she exchanged glances with Gilda.

“You think she’s alright?” The blue mare muttered under her breath.

Gilda shrugged. “Eh…Might be missing her boytoy and wanted to have a good sulk.”

"Oh!" Sweetie Belle pipped up. "That's what Rarity usually calls her coltfriends." She paused. "Fluttershy has a coltfriend!?"

Rainbow Dash blinked at Sweetie Belle's excited outburst, taken off guard by the filly's reaction. She chuckled, though her concern for her friend still lingered in the back of her mind. "Uh, yeah, Sweetie Belle. Kinda recent but she and Sora kinda…well…happened."

Sweetie Belle's face fell the moment Rainbow mentioned Sora and Fluttershy. Her usual bubbly demeanor deflated, and her ears drooped as the weight of the revelation settled in. She squeaked softly to herself, barely audible but filled with worry and dread. "That’s… not good…" she muttered under her breath.

"Wow, Sora and Fluttershy, huh?" Spike chimed in with a grin. "That’s kinda cool! I didn’t see that coming, but I can’t say I don’t see why she would like him. Sora’s such a good guy, and Fluttershy’s the sweetest pony around."

Rainbow Dash grinned at Spike’s enthusiasm, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. Plus they are both major dorks in different ways." She giggled. “No really…you should see the cartoon stuff Fluttershy has.”

Spike, his curiosity piqued, leaned in closer with a grin. "So, who made the first move, anyway? Was it Sora or Fluttershy?"

The blue pegasus opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Sweetie Belle quickly raised her hoof, her voice cutting through the conversation. "Um, I—I have to get going," she said, her tone uncharacteristically rushed and anxious.

Rainbow Dash and Spike both looked at her, surprised by the sudden change in the usually eager filly. "You too, Sweets?" The blue mare asked, her brow furrowed. "You don’t have to leave so soon ya know."

The Filly forced a smile, though it was clear she was struggling to keep it together. “Oh no it's fine! I have a lot of…ah…Cutie Mark stuff to do with the girls and things and I’m as late as it is.” She turns and gives Spike a hug. “Thanks for coming with me Spike. Gotta go!”

Without waiting for a response, she darted out the door, leaving Rainbow Dash and Spike blinking in surprise.

Spike scratched the back of his head, his confusion deepening. "Well, that was... sudden.” He turned to face the others. “You don’t think she was acting weird there do you?”

“Wouldn’t know about that.” Gilda spoke, as a devilish smirk formed on her beach. “But hey…did you see that Dash? She totally gave him a hug.”
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at Gilda's comment, glancing back at Spike, who was now blushing furiously. "Yeah, I saw that," she said with a teasing grin, catching what the gryphon was putting down. "Seems like somepony is getting popular."

Spike's blush deepened as he fumbled for words. "W-What? No! Sweetie Belle just... she was just being nice, that’s all!" He laughed nervously, trying to shake off the attention. He made to grab the last cupcake that was on the table but it was swiped before he could, Gilda’s tail being the culprit.

Gilda smirked as she dangled the cupcake just out of Spike's reach with her tail, clearly enjoying the flustered look on the young dragon’s face. "Nice, huh? Sure, Spike, whatever helps you sleep at night." She tossed the treat into her maw, munching down.

He paused before looking towards Rainbow. “By the way, what is she doing here anyway? Thought you two were on bad terms.”

Rainbow Dash shrugged, glancing over at Gilda with a small grin. "Yeah, well, we kinda patched things up after a lotta crazy stuff went down. Turns out, Gilda’s not all bad." She shot a teasing glance at the griffon. "Just mostly bad."

“Again…saved your flank from becoming Heartless chow.” The gryphon mused.

Rainbow Dash chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I’ll give you that one, Gilda. You did save my tail back there. But you gotta admit, I’m still the awesome one out of the two of us."

Gilda smirked, leaning back in her seat with a satisfied expression. "Sure, Dash, keep telling yourself that. We both know who the real hero is here."

Spike folded his arms with a playful grin, raising an eyebrow. "You mean, Sora," he said teasingly.

Before he could react, both Rainbow Dash and Gilda simultaneously flicked their tails, playfully smacking Spike from both sides.

~~~

Fluttershy made her way down the cobblestone roads, her hoofsteps soft and almost hesitant. The sun was higher in the sky now, casting a gentle warmth over the town. Ponies moved about, tending to their daily routines—stall owners set up their booths, mothers watched over foals playing in the park, and pegasi zipped through the sky, arranging the clouds.

The timid mare kept her gaze low at first, just like always, but as she walked, her eyes naturally wandered upward. She watched the familiar sight of Ponyville’s bustling life, something she would rarely concern herself with. Yes she was a resident of Ponyville but she often kept to herself, finding solace in the quiet of her cottage and the company of her animal friends. However, today was different.

As she walked through the streets of Ponyville, her eyes were drawn to the small, everyday scenes unfolding around her. At one of the market stalls, an earth pony mare with a rosy mane was cheerfully chatting with her customers while arranging a display of freshly picked apples. A little filly tugged at her mother’s hoof, pointing excitedly at a jar of honey that sparkled in the sunlight.

Not far off, a group of foals were chasing a ball around, their laughter filling the air as they darted between the legs of the adults passing by. A pegasus hovered above them, lazily moving clouds around to provide a bit more shade for the park. She watched as one cloud shifted slightly, revealing a beautiful view of the bright blue sky, dotted with soft, fluffy clouds that seemed to dance across the horizon.

She passed by Roseluck’s flower shop, where the earth pony was carefully watering her vibrant display of daisies, lilies, and tulips. The colors were vivid and inviting, the sweet scent of fresh flowers wafting toward herself, and for a moment, she felt the gentle pull of the beauty around her.

At the edge of town, near the bridge that crossed the stream, she spotted Derpy Hooves, the cross-eyed mailmare, diligently delivering letters to the nearby houses. Her mailbag was overflowing with parcels, yet she carried on with a bright smile and a spring in her step.

She smiled softly as she took in the peaceful sights around her. She had always walked with her head down, avoiding attention and preferring to stay unnoticed as she went about her day. The hustle and bustle of Ponyville had always felt a bit overwhelming, and she found solace in keeping to the quieter parts of the town.

But today felt different.

As she observed the little moments of joy unfolding around her, she realized that she wasn’t hiding away as much as she usually did. She had spent so much time with Sora recently—his boundless optimism, his way of charging into situations with a smile on his face, always ready to help—that she couldn’t help but feel like a bit of that energy had rubbed off on her.

For the first time in a long while, she found herself not just observing, but feeling connected to the world around her. The warmth of the sun, the sounds of laughter, and the simple joys of Ponyville’s daily life all felt a bit closer.

Fluttershy paused as she continued her walk, a gentle breeze ruffling her mane. The thought of holding a conversation with a complete stranger still made her heart race, the idea of stepping out of her comfort zone something she had always struggled with. Even now, with Sora’s influence giving her a bit more confidence, the thought seemed daunting.

But she did feel more… brave.

It wasn’t that she suddenly wanted to engage everypony she passed, but there was a new sense of openness within her. It was as if the world felt a little less intimidating, a little more welcoming. The nervousness that usually kept her quiet seemed to have eased, replaced by a subtle warmth that encouraged her to look up and take in her surroundings.

As she neared the bridge, Fluttershy spotted Derpy Hooves again, the mailmare happily humming a tune as she delivered the last of her letters. For a moment, she hesitated, her old habit urging her to keep walking, to avoid drawing attention. But something inside her urged her to take a small step forward.

Gathering her courage, The timid mare offered a soft but sincere, "Good morning, Derpy."

Derpy paused mid-step, her eyes widening in surprise before her face broke into a wide, delighted grin. "Oh, good morning, Fluttershy!" she responded cheerfully, her voice as bright as her smile. "How are you today?"

Fluttershy’s heart fluttered slightly, but the warmth she felt outweighed the nerves. "I’m doing well, thank you. It’s such a lovely day, isn’t it?"

"It sure is!" Derpy replied, her enthusiasm contagious. "Perfect weather for delivering mail! And for enjoying a nice walk too!" The wall eyed mare blinked before tilting her head.

Fluttershy, feeling encouraged by the warmth of their conversation, decided to take another small step out of her comfort zone. She glanced at Derpy with a gentle curiosity in her eyes. "How's the Doctor been, Derpy? I know I haven't been around much lately, but I haven't seen him in a while."

Derpy’s eyes brightened at the mention of the Doctor, her wings giving an excited little flutter. "Oh, the Doctor's doing great! He's been really busy with his experiments and all those wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey things he talks about. You know how he is, always running around with his gadgets and gizmos!" She giggled, her enthusiasm for the Doctor’s work evident.

The shy mare hesitated for a moment, her voice dropping to a softer tone as she recalled the last time she had seen the Doctor. "The last time I saw him was… after the Heartless invaded Ponyville. Sora told me that he helped everypony that day.”

Derpy waved a hoof dismissively, a knowing smile on her face. "Oh, that’s just the Doctor for you. He tends to disappear for days on end, wrapped up in some project or another. And then, out of nowhere, he pops up with a brand new gadget or some crazy invention that I can’t even begin to understand." She giggled, her eyes lighting up with fondness. "But that’s just who he is. Always working on something important, even if it seems a little odd to the rest of us."

Fluttershy nodded, her smile gentle and relieved. "As long as he’s okay, that’s what matters. He’s always been a bit… unique, but I’m glad he’s doing well."

Derpy paused for a moment, tilting her head as she studied the mare before her a bit more closely. Then, with a curious expression, she leaned in slightly, one of her eyes narrowing as if trying to focus more intently. "You know, Fluttershy, you seem a little… different today," she said, her tone light and inquisitive. "There’s something about you, I don’t know what it is, but you just seem… brighter, maybe?"

Said mare blinked in surprise, her wings fluttering slightly at her sides. "Different? Brighter?" She echoed softly, unsure of how to respond.

Derpy nodded enthusiastically, her usual bubbly energy bubbling to the surface. "Yeah! Like you’re standing a little taller or something. It’s really nice to see! Did something good happen?”

Fluttershy blushed, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink as she looked away, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Oh, I… I don’t feel any different than usual," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "And not much has really changed… except…"

She trailed off, her blush deepening as the memory of her time spent with Sora came to mind. The moments they shared, the quiet conversations, the way he made her feel just a bit braver, all seemed to linger in her thoughts.

Derpy’s smile grew even warmer, and she nodded knowingly, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "Oh, I get it, Fluttershy," she said with a playful wink. "It’s a special somepony, isn’t it?”

Fluttershy’s blush deepened further, and she ducked her head slightly, her mane falling in front of her face as she tried to hide her embarrassment. The mare Couldn’t help but feel just as easy to read as Sora was at that moment. "W-Well… I mean… maybe…" she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Derpy chuckled softly, her wings giving a little flutter of excitement. "I knew it!" she said with a delighted grin. "It’s always easy to tell when somepony’s in love. There’s just this glow about them, you know?"

Fluttershy’s blush only deepened, but she couldn’t help but smile at Derpy’s words. "I suppose you’re right," she admitted shyly.

Just then, Derpy’s eyes widened as if she suddenly remembered something important. "Oh no! I’m running late on my deliveries!" she exclaimed, glancing at the sun’s position in the sky. "I’ve got to get going, but I’d love to talk again sometime, Fluttershy! Maybe we can chat more about… well, you know." She winked playfully.

Fluttershy nodded, her smile soft and warm. "I’d like that, Derpy. Thank you."

"Great! See you around, Fluttershy!" With that, Derpy took off into the sky, her mailbag bouncing against her side as she resumed her route.

Fluttershy watched as Derpy flew off, her cheerful humming fading into the distance. The blush on her cheeks lingered, soft but persistent, as she replayed the conversation in her mind. It wasn’t that she minded sharing the truth about her feelings for Sora, but the thought of it still made her heart flutter with a mix of embarrassment and warmth.

She continued her walk toward her cottage, the familiar path bringing her a sense of comfort. Despite the mild embarrassment, there was something undeniably pleasant about acknowledging her feelings, even if it was just in a simple conversation with Derpy.

As she neared her home, the sight of the quaint cottage surrounded by blooming flowers and chirping birds brought a smile to her face. The animals that she cared for so dearly were waiting for her, and the thought of spending the rest of the day in their company helped ease the lingering shyness in her heart. Yet, as she reached for the door, a small, quiet part of her couldn't help but think back to Sora—how his presence in her life had begun to change her in ways she hadn't fully realized until now.

As Fluttershy reached for the door to her cottage, a voice called out from behind her, soft yet clear. "Excuse me, miss?"

Fluttershy paused, her heart skipping a beat as she turned toward the source of the voice. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes fell upon the figure standing just across the little bridge that led to her home. It was a stallion—tall and lean, his coat a deep, almost unnatural black, with a mane as dark as midnight. But what truly unsettled her were his eyes—bright, piercing yellow, almost glowing against the shadow of his form.

Despite his eerie appearance, the stallion’s features were unmistakably familiar. His build, his stance—even the way he smiled at her—reminded her so much of Sora…and yet…so much more…different.

Fluttershy gasped softly, her wings tensing at her sides. "W-Who...?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

The stallion chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down Fluttershy’s spine. His smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes, which remained cold and calculating. "Ah, where are my manners?" he said, his tone smooth and deceptively calm. "My name is Vanitas."

Fluttershy’s heart skipped another beat at the name. There was something chilling about it, something that resonated with an underlying darkness she couldn’t quite place. Her instincts screamed at her to retreat, to fly away and find help, but she was rooted to the spot, her eyes locked on the stallion.

Vanitas tilted his head slightly, his piercing yellow eyes never leaving hers. "I’m looking for someone," he continued, his voice almost casual. "My bro actually. Happen to see him?”