Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

By Steel Soul

A Day In a Life Part 2

Green to start music and red to stop music

Sweet Apple Acres: Apple Residence…

“Really?! For truly!?”

Applejack raised an eyebrow at her little sister, who was bouncing with excitement. “Well, yeah. Sora’s gonna be stayin’ with us for a while. He needed a place, so ah offered.” She glanced over at Sora with a warm, amused smile. “Besides, ah couldn’t just leave a friend who helped save another friend out on the street, now could ah?”

Applejack had explained Sora’s situation to the rest of the family, and as he stood there, Sora’s eyes moved from one Apple Family member to the next, waiting for their reaction. Big Mac, Applejack’s quiet and strong older brother, nodded in approval, his usual “Eeyup” ringing out. Granny Smith, despite her age, still had a spark in her eyes and gave Sora a welcoming smile. They were more than happy to accommodate him, especially after hearing how he had helped one of Applejack’s friends in a time of need.

But no one was more thrilled than Apple Bloom, the bright-eyed filly with her oversized pink bow, who was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement.

Though Sora didn’t quite understand why the little filly was so overjoyed, he couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, chalking it up to the boundless energy of youth.

Finally calming down, Apple Bloom let out a dramatic sigh as she flopped onto the nearby sofa, her mind spinning with excitement. The stallion from her recent dreams—her very own hero—was going to be living with her and her family. Never in a million years did she imagine such a thing could happen. But here he was, standing right in front of her.

Her heart raced as her mind filled with thoughts of him: his cute face, that adorable muzzle, those bright, sky-blue eyes, and that soft, chocolate mane. And the way he wore his clothes—oh, how cute he was! Every little thing he did seemed impossibly perfect, her imagination running wild with every detail.

“Applebloom! Are ya’ll paying attention?”

Apple Bloom snapped out of her daydream, blinking rapidly as she realized her sister was speaking to her. “Huh? Wha—? Oh, uh, yeah, of course, Applejack!” she stammered, her cheeks flushing a deep red. She sat up straight, trying her best to look like she had been paying attention all along.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh…Well as ah was saying, ah need ya to mind your manors and don’t bother Sora too much none. He’s here to work, not to play. Besides ah’m sure he has enough on his mind with his responsibilities he was given without having to worry about you and the crusaders dragging him on one of y'all cutiemark getting adventures.”

And there was the hoof that stepped into her ice-cream cake. “But sis, me and the crusaders could show him around Ponyville. Oh! Maybe even earn a tour guide cutie mark.”

“Didn’t y'all already try that once before?” Applejack asked as she raised an eyebrow to the filly.

“Hey! The girls and ah agreed that the only reason it didn’t work was because we were trying to give the tour to ponies that already lived in Ponyville. He’s not from Ponyville so it has to work this time.” Applebloom said with conviction.

Applejack let out a sigh, shaking her head with a bemused smile. “Applebloom, just ‘cause Sora’s new around here doesn’t mean you can drag him into one of your wild schemes. He’s got a lot on his plate, and the last thing he needs is to get tangled up in one of y’all’s cutie mark adventures.”

Apple Bloom puffed out her cheeks in defiance. “But we wouldn’t be gettin’ him into trouble, honest! We’d just be showin’ him ‘round town! Ain’t that right, Sora?”

Sora chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, I wouldn’t mind a tour, Applejack. It might help me get my bearings a bit better.” He glanced at Apple Bloom with a wink.

Applejack rolled her eyes at her sister's words, though it was in a good natured way. “Well ah guess ah can’t really argue with that logic now can ah? But y'all can do that later, after he has settled in and what not.” She turned to the stallion. “Come on then, Sora. Ah'll show ya to your room and then we can get started on what y'all be doing around the farm.”

Sora nodded to Applejack and then turned to face the rest of the apple family. He smiled shyly as he let the tip of his hoof scratch his cheek gently. “Thanks for putting up with me. I promise to do my best around here.”

Big Mac gave a reassuring nod, his deep voice rumbling with a simple, “Eeyup,” while Granny Smith waved a hoof dismissively with a warm smile. “Ain’t no trouble at all, sonny. We’re always happy to help out good folks, especially ones with such fine manners.”

Apple Bloom, still buzzing with excitement, tried to compose herself, though her smile stretched wide. "We'll have tons of fun when ya finish up work, Sora! Just you wait!" She practically bounced in place, unable to contain her enthusiasm. “Oh! Ah totally gotta get the crusaders together! They’er gonna be so surprised!”

Applejack chuckled, giving Apple Bloom a playful nudge. “Alright, calm down, sugarcube. Let Sora get settled in first. There’ll be plenty of time for all that later.”

Apple Bloom nodded enthusiastically, though it was clear she was already thinking ahead. "Okay, okay, but ah’m still gonna tell the girls! They’re gonna flip when they hear Sora’s stayin’ with us!" She dashed off excitedly, her energy seeming boundless.

Applejack shook her head with a smile as she watched Apple Bloom race out of the house. “That filly’s got enough energy to power all of Ponyville, I swear.” She turned back to Sora. “Don’t worry, she means well, but she can get a little overexcited sometimes.”

Sora smiled warmly, watching Apple Bloom’s retreating figure. “No worries, Applejack. She actually reminds me of a girl I knew back on the islands. Always full of energy, always dragging me into adventures.”

Applejack chuckled. “Sounds like y’all had some good times back home.”

“Yeah, we did,” Sora replied, his expression softening with a hint of nostalgia. He shook his head, bringing himself back to the present. “Anyway… Where will I be bunking?”

Applejack noticed the subtle change in Sora’s demeanor but decided not to press further. She smiled and gestured toward the stairs. "Follow me, and I’ll show ya where you'll be stayin'."

The two ponies made their way up the stairs until they reached a lone door at the top. Applejack gave it a gentle push, stepping inside, and Sora followed closely behind. His eyes swept over the room, taking in the modest yet cozy setup.

It was a simple attic-turned-bedroom, with a lone bed placed in the center, a nightstand holding a single candle for late-night reading, and an old wooden chest tucked into the corner. It wasn’t anything grand, certainly not like the opulent rooms in Canterlot, but there was something about its simplicity that felt... right. The room carried the warmth of a family home, and to Sora, that made all the difference. It reminded him of the cozy feeling he’d had back on Destiny Islands, and it brought a sense of comfort he hadn’t realized he needed.

“Well, here ya’ are," Applejack said with a smile. "Not as fancy as those Canterlot rooms, but it’s nice and dry, and it’s got that homey feel.”

Sora returned her smile. “Thanks, Applejack. It actually reminds me a bit of when I first moved into my own place back on the islands. It’s... homey, just like you said.”

Applejack tipped her hat at him. “Aww, shucks. No need to thank me, Sora. Just helpin’ out a friend, that’s all.”

“Friend?” Sora echoed, his smile growing a little wider. "Heh... So we are friends?"

“Well, more like a friend in the makin’.” Seeing his curious expression, she continued, “Listen, Sora. Ah know the princesses gave ya their seal of approval, and that counts for a lot. But ah also know you’re holdin’ somethin’ back. Ah can tell 'cause I’m the Element of Honesty, and that means I can usually spot when somethin’s off.” She paused, looking at him kindly. “But after seein’ what ya had to fight, and knowin’ the princesses trust ya with their lives, well... I figure I can give ya the benefit of the doubt. And besides, ya saved my friend, and that’s worth somethin’ in my book.”

She placed a hoof gently on his shoulder, her gaze steady. “Now, ah get it if ya don’t wanna talk about whatever it is you’re carryin’. Seems like you don’t want us too involved in whatever’s goin’ on.”

Sora chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. “Haha... That easy to read, huh?”

“Like an open book. But Ah don't think that's a bad thing in itself, but if’n y'all ever do want to talk about something, just know that I’ll be ready ta listen, If ya will let me.”

Sora couldn't help but rub the back of his neck as he looked away from the mare. “Rarity said the same thing to me. Fluttershy too.”

“Did they now?" She said with an amused expression. "Well it looks like ya’ll got three mares to unload your troubles to. Especially Fluttershy. She's a pony ah know will always listen to somepony else's problems without batting an eye.”

Sora turned away from Applejack, looking towards his bed. His voice seemed to falter lightly as he spoke. “Thanks for the offer Applejack. I don't have any problems to speak of at the moment but I'll keep it in mind.” He felt the mares hoof brush along the back of his neck, causing him to turn to face the mare.

“Sugarcube, everypony has problems to speak of; just not many are willing to tell others about them.” She gave him a light hug and turned to head back downstairs. Before she went, however, she called back toward the stallion. “Ah’m the same ya know. So are Pinkie and Rainbow and the rest of the girls. We all have things that we refuse to share with each other.”

He raised an eyebrow at the farm-mare, “So why do you suggest that I talk about mine?”

Applejack smiled as she turned to face the stallion once again. “Cause ya’ll look like somepony that could really use it.” She turned to trot down the stairs before Sora could even hope to respond. “Now get settled in and meet me out by the barn Sora. We gots some apple bucking to do before the day’s through."

~~~

Golden Oaks Library…

Twilight Sparkle worked tirelessly, her horn glowing as she enveloped the entire book collection in the gentle aura of her magic. She was reorganizing every shelf, carefully aligning each tome in perfect order, as though the act itself would bring clarity to the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind. She needed this—a break from the overwhelming events of the past two days.

Meeting Sora, the mysterious stallion with a heart as strong as his strange abilities, had been the first shock. Then came the revelation of a civilization lost for over a thousand years, the Crystal Empire, looming on the horizon. And, as if that weren’t enough, she’d learned about the Heartless—creatures born from darkness, dangerous beings that seemed to threaten every world.

It was all just... too much to process at once.

Twilight sighed, her magic faltering slightly as her concentration wavered. She believed a bit of normality would help her regain control, to gather her thoughts and make sense of everything that had transpired. Organizing the library, returning to her usual routine, seemed like the perfect solution. It was something familiar, something stable.

"Okay, Twilight," she muttered to herself, glancing at the floating books around her. "Just focus on the task at hoof. One thing at a time." She gently slid the final book back onto the shelf, its cover glowing briefly before the magic dissipated.

Twilight glanced over at Spike, who was lying on the sofa with a noticeably dejected expression, idly twirling a claw around one of the cushions. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him. Even though Spike had been a little upset with the way Rarity had fawned over Sora earlier, he still seemed down about the fact that Sora wouldn’t be staying in the library. It hadn’t crossed her mind right away, but now she realized Spike had been excited about having another guy around to hang out with. After all, most of their friends were mares, and while Spike got along with them just fine, there was something different about having a fellow colt to bond with.

She couldn’t help but reflect on the past few days and how quickly things had changed with Sora’s arrival. He was still a mystery, but despite the oddness of the situation—and the looming threats of Heartless—there was something about him that made him easy to trust. Even she, with all her usual reservations, couldn’t deny that there was something comforting in the way he carried himself.

It helps… that he is surprisingly honest… and easy to talk to, she thought, organizing the last of her books. She smiled softly, reflecting on how her friends had taken to him so quickly. Even Fluttershy, who was often more reserved about newcomers, had shown a clear interest in making him feel welcome.

Of course, there was one exception: Rainbow Dash.

She turned back to her work, placing a few more books upon the shelves. Stopping only to look out at the bright blue sky.

~~~

Rarity's Boutique

Rarity finished up the base design of her latest masterpiece that she had been creating through the inspiration of Sora’s own clothing. With a coy smile, she hung the picture upon her work board that held six more just like it before pulling out a few bolts of cloth and some thread.

“Now for the colors. It has to be bold, yet not complicated. Maybe something in black and pink but nothing too extravagant. She likes things simple.” Rarity scanned over a few pieces of lavender cloth. “Hmm…but what could go with it? There’s just so much to choose from. How will I ever find the right color?”

She looked toward her work desk, finding the design of Sora’s clothes she had done a quick sketch of when she had them in her possession. Her thoughts immediately turned to the stallion and a light blush formed on her cheeks.

That caramel coated stallion seemed to always occupy her mind as of late, invading every inch of her being and causing her heart to run abnormally fast. For a stallion to make her feel this way without even knowing it was truly rare to hear.

“Oh dear…” She slowly made her way to her bed allowing herself to down upon it. She placed both hooves on her chest, doing her best to calm her beating heart. “How in Celestia’s name are you able to make me feel like this? Not even Blueblood was able to make me feel this way, even before I found out how much of an…an…uncouth pony he was.”

Rarity lay back on her bed, her hooves pressed gently against her chest as she tried to steady the quickened pace of her heart. She gazed up at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling as they returned to Sora, the caramel-coated stallion who, without even trying, had somehow managed to capture her attention in a way no other pony had before.

It was puzzling, really. She had met charming and handsome stallions in the past, ponies who had tried, often too hard, to win her affections. But Sora... he wasn’t like them. He was kind, genuine, and unassuming—traits that were more endearing than any grand gesture or flashy display of wealth.

She turned over to lie on her belly, pulling in a pillow to lay her head upon. “I had promised myself not to fall for another pony so fast but…” She blushed brighter as her heartbeat quickened. “To have you in my hooves Sora. Oh that would be a day to remember…”

Rarity buried her face in the pillow, her cheeks burning with a blush she couldn’t seem to shake. Her thoughts were filled with images of Sora—his warm smile, his gentle demeanor, the way he carried himself with an unspoken strength. Every time she tried to focus on something else, her mind wandered back to him, making her heart race all over again.

“I simply must get a hold of myself,” she murmured into the soft fabric, her voice muffled. “I’ve only known him for a short time. This is all just... infatuation, right?”

But deep down, Rarity knew it wasn’t just some passing fancy. There was something about Sora that felt different from the other stallions she had met. He wasn’t flashy, nor did he put on airs. He didn’t try to impress her with shallow charm or wealth. Instead, he was genuine, thoughtful, and, much to her surprise, incredibly sweet.

She sighed, lifting her head slightly to gaze out the window. The late afternoon sun bathed her boutique in a warm glow, but all she could think about was the warmth she felt whenever Sora was around.

“To have you in my hooves, Sora…” she whispered softly, her blush deepening. “Oh, that would be a day to remember.”

Rarity let herself daydream for a moment, imagining the two of them together, walking through the streets of Ponyville, Sora by her side, his wing draped protectively over her back. The thought made her heart flutter even more.

But then, reality set in. She sat up, pushing the pillow away as she tried to regain her composure. “I’m being ridiculous,” she scolded herself. “A lady of my stature cannot let herself be swept away so easily.”

She shook her head, determined to focus on her work. “I’ll just have to be patient. If something is meant to happen between us, it will. Until then, I must keep my feelings in check.”

Despite her resolve, the thought of Sora lingered in her mind, a soft smile creeping onto her lips as she returned to her work.

~~~

Ponyville: Open Field

Rainbow Dash grumbled to herself as she zipped through the sky, her frustration mounting with every passing second. The breeze whipped through her mane, but even the familiar sensation of flying—something that usually cleared her mind—couldn’t shake the thoughts swirling around her head.

“Ugh, why him?” she muttered, her wings flapping harder as if she could outrun her own thoughts. “Of all the ponies to get stuck in my head, it had to be that spiky-maned weirdo!”

She couldn’t stop thinking about Sora. It wasn’t just how he had shown up out of nowhere with that goofy grin and a Keyblade, though that certainly had thrown her for a loop. No, it was something else. Something deeper. He reminded her of somepony from her past, somepony who had left a mark on her life in a way that still made her chest tighten whenever she thought about it.

“How dare you remind me of...” she growled through gritted teeth, but the words died on her lips. She shook her head, trying to banish the memory that was creeping up on her, but it wouldn’t leave her alone.

It wasn’t fair. Sora had done nothing wrong—well, except for being annoyingly nice and brave and... infuriatingly selfless. But the way he carried himself it was too familiar. Too close to someone she had known long ago.

Rainbow clenched her jaw, her flight slowing as she hovered over the open field, her gaze hardening. "I don't need anypony like him," she muttered. "I don't need anypony reminding me of Him."

Rainbow Dash landed with a soft thud in the branches of a sturdy tree, folding her wings as she leaned back against the rough bark. She gazed up at the sky, the clouds drifting lazily overhead. Normally, this was her favorite way to relax—perched in a tree or a cloud, letting the world pass by as she took a well-earned nap. But today, there was no peace as she closed her eyes, only that of a dreamless nap.

~~~

Flutterhy's Cottage

Fluttershy was in dire straits.

"Oh, this is not like me. Not like me at all," she murmured, pacing back and forth in her cozy cottage. Her usual serene composure had all but vanished, replaced by a bundle of nerves and a mind running in overdrive. Her hooves had nearly worn a ring into the carpet from the constant pacing, her wings twitching at her sides.

She couldn’t get her thoughts to settle. After hearing Sora talk about his islands, his home, and—most of all—his friends, her mind had been a whirlwind ever since. The way he described the place he came from, a peaceful and carefree paradise, had moved her deeply. It sounded like a place where kindness and harmony flourished, so much like her own little sanctuary in Ponyville, and yet so far removed.

And then there were his friends. Fluttershy had been enchanted by the way Sora spoke of them. Riku, his closest friend, seemed to be someone Sora admired deeply, even though they had their differences and fought at times. There was something genuine in how he described Riku—like he respected him, despite their struggles.

"Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie... they sounded like amazing ponies," she whispered to herself, feeling a warmth in her chest. The way Sora spoke about them, how they all shared a bond, reminded her of her own friends—the way they would all rally together no matter the odds.

But then, there was Kairi.

Fluttershy’s steps faltered at the thought of her. Every time Sora had mentioned Kairi, his tone softened, becoming almost wistful. Kairi seemed special to him in a way that was hard to put into words—something deeper than friendship, though Fluttershy could sense he hadn’t quite figured out how to express it yet.

And that, more than anything, was what had Fluttershy’s heart in a tangle. Every time Sora spoke of Kairi, something inside her stirred. Was it... jealousy? No, that couldn’t be right. She couldn’t possibly be feeling that, could she? She didn’t even know Kairi. And the way he talked about her, it seemed he had not seen her in a long time.

It still made her heart cringe though.

When he had told her that Kairi had left a while ago, she couldn’t hold back an inward smile, which was the cause of her current worry

“Oh how can I think that way? I can’t possibly be happy that he had to say goodbye to a childhood friend, can I?” But the more she thought about it the more glad she was that Kairi was unable to be there for him. If she was nowhere near him then maybe-

Fluttershy stopped in her tracks, her heart giving a guilty flutter as her thoughts spiraled further. Oh, no, no, no, she scolded herself, her wings twitching anxiously. I can’t think that way. I shouldn’t be happy that Kairi isn’t here for him...

But despite her inner protests, the thought lingered. The idea that, because Kairi wasn’t by Sora’s side, she might have the chance to be... it made her heart race in a way she wasn’t used to. It was such a selfish thought—one that made her feel horrible for even considering it.

Her steps slowed as she made her way through the quiet cottage, her mind still buzzing with these unfamiliar feelings. Sora had been so kind to her, so open, even though they’d only known each other for a short time. He made her feel... safe, in a way that few others had. And maybe that’s why her heart felt so confused.

But then again, it wasn’t just that. Sora was the first stallion she’d ever had a real conversation with. The first one who had treated her like a friend, listened to her stories, and shared his own. And as much as she hated to admit it, those moments with him had sparked something inside her that she couldn’t quite ignore. Something warm. Something... hopeful.

And the more Fluttershy thought about it, the more that small, hopeful part of her whispered that maybe, just maybe, this was her chance to get closer to him. If Kairi was far away, unable to be there for Sora, maybe she could step in. Maybe she could be the one to comfort him, to support him when he needed a friend.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel the thought. No, Fluttershy, stop it! You can’t be happy about this! Kairi is his friend. You don’t even know her, and it’s wrong to feel this way just because she’s not around.

Fluttershy groaned and slumped onto the couch, grabbing a white bunny in the process, the little rabbit looking at her with concern. “Oh, Angel! What am I going to do? I want Sora to be happy. And he just looked so down. And I thought that if I can make him happy enough to...”

Angel raised his paw and tapped Fluttershy’s forehead hard. She looked at him as he gave her a glare and pointed to her and then slammed his fist together.

“Y-you’re right Angel.” She flew into the air hugging her pet happily. “I have to believe in myself. Since Kairi…no…not just her…Since his old friends aren’t around and he’s a long way from home, then I have to make sure that he feels like this is his home too.” She zipped to her dresser and pulled out some paper. “Ok then. Now what was the name of that fruit again?”

~~~

Sugercube Corner

Pinkie placed the sleeping twins into their cribs, a gentle smile on her face as she did so. She had fulfilled her promise to play with them, and though she was sad to see them tuckered out, she was happy to find that they still held a smile on their faces.

After covering the two foals in their blankets, she silently made her way out of the room, closing the door behind her. She enjoyed her job of making ponies happy. It was her one passions in life, and nothing made her happier.

So remembering Sora the way he was when he had been speaking to the princess back at the palace, almost brought her from her happy high.

The pink mare had followed after the pair of ponies that night when she had gone to visit Sora. To make sure that he was settled in. Sora, honestly at first seemed like such a happy colt, speaking to the princess in such a casual way. Pinkie knew right away that Sora was the kind of colt to make friends with everyone he met. Had his life been different, he would be one of the best party ponies in Equestia.

Most of what they said went over the mare’s head, but one thing was certain, Sora was hurt. He felt like a failure, and she knew it was eating him up inside.

There was a sadness behind that smile, something deeper that he kept hidden. The way he talked to Princess Celestia, casually at first but with a tone that hinted at a burden weighing on his heart, told Pinkie more than she had expected. Though a lot of what they discussed had been beyond her usual understanding, the one thing she couldn’t shake was the feeling that Sora was hurting inside.

He felt like a failure, and Pinkie knew that feeling all too well.

Pinkie Pie sat quietly at the counter, her usually boundless energy subdued as she mulled over her thoughts. “How can we help you if you won’t let us, Sora?” she whispered, her voice soft in the stillness of the bakery.

She already knew the answer, of course. It was the same reason she struggled to let others in when she was feeling down. Sora, like her, put everyone else’s happiness first. He probably thought, just like she did, that his own troubles didn’t matter as long as he could bring smiles to others. That if he just kept being the cheerful, goofy friend, no one would notice the weight he was carrying.

“I guess, in a way, we are both the same, Sora,” Pinkie murmured, placing a hoof over her heart. It ached a little, knowing how much they had in common—how they both hid behind their smiles, making others happy because that’s what they did best. That’s what they knew how to do.

Mrs. Cake made her way down the stairs, her gentle hoofsteps barely making a sound in the quiet bakery. She blinked in surprise when she spotted Pinkie Pie sitting at the counter, deep in thought—a rare sight for the usually bouncy, always-moving mare. Something about Pinkie’s stillness tugged at her motherly instincts, and she approached with a kind smile.

"Pinkie dear, is everything alright?" Mrs. Cake asked softly, her tone laced with concern. "You’re awfully quiet tonight."

Pinkie’s ears perked up at the sound of Mrs. Cake’s voice, and she quickly turned to face her with a bright, albeit slightly forced, smile. “Oh! Hey, Mrs. Cake! I’m fine, just... thinking.” She paused for a moment before adding with more enthusiasm, “About cakes, of course!”

Mrs. Cake raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced, but she knew better than to press too hard when Pinkie wasn’t ready to talk. "Thinking about cakes, hmm? That’s usually a good thing!" she said with a chuckle. "Anything special in mind?"

Pinkie Pie nodded eagerly, her signature energy returning as she bounced off the stool. "Oh yes! I’m trying to think of the perfect cake to bake for Sora. You know, something that’ll make him feel all warm and happy inside. Something that says, ‘Hey, you don’t have to carry all your worries alone, we’re your friends now!’”

Mrs. Cake smiled gently, her heart warming at Pinkie’s determination. “That sounds like a lovely idea, Pinkie. I’m sure whatever you come up with, Sora will appreciate it.”

Pinkie beamed, hopping in place as she continued. “I was thinking something big and bold, but not too fancy. Maybe with chocolate—oh! Or maybe vanilla! Wait, no, both! And I could add some stars and hearts, and maybe a little key on top, like his Keyblade! Ooooh, and sprinkles! You can never go wrong with sprinkles!”

Mrs. Cake giggled, watching Pinkie’s excitement grow. "That sounds like it’s going to be a wonderful cake, dear. I think Sora’s really lucky to have a friend like you looking out for him."

Pinkie’s bouncing slowed just a little, her smile softening. “Thanks, Mrs. Cake.”

Mrs. Cake shook her head gently, a warm, motherly smile on her face. "Just don’t stay up too late baking, dear. You need your rest too, you know."

Pinkie Pie nodded vigorously, her usual pep returning as she saluted playfully. “You got it, Mrs. Cake! But don’t worry, I won’t stop until I make the perfect cake for Sora! It’s gonna be so awesome, he won’t even be able to not smile!”

Mrs. Cake chuckled softly, watching the younger mare’s enthusiasm return full force. "I’m sure, Pinkie. " She patted Pinkie’s mane before turning toward the stairs. “Goodnight, dear.”

As Mrs. Cake made her way back upstairs, Pinkie stood still for a moment, her gaze drifting toward the kitchen. Her smile softened into something more determined, more heartfelt.

"I’ll make him smile," she whispered to herself. "A real, honest-to-goodness smile, not the kind you wear just to make others feel better." Pinkie felt her heart swell with resolve. Sora had been through a lot—that much she could tell. And if baking the perfect cake would be the first step in lifting his spirits, then that’s exactly what she was going to do.

With a bounce in her step, Pinkie trotted toward the kitchen, her mind buzzing with ideas. “I’ll make sure Sora knows he’s not alone. I Pinkie Pie Promise!”

~~~

Sweetapple Acres

Applejack smiled proudly as she watched Sora trot over to the next tree she pointed out. With a determined grin, he reared back and gave the tree a solid buck, the apples shaking for only a brief moment before tumbling neatly into the bins beneath it. Sora beamed, pumping his hoof in triumph.

"HA! That’s five in a row!" he cheered, his voice filled with excitement.

"Land sakes, Sora!" Applejack whistled, shaking her head in amazement. "Ah gotta say, I didn’t think ya’d take to apple buckin’ this fast. Took me weeks ta get the hang of it, and here ya are, makin’ it look easy." She chuckled, clearly impressed.

She had to admit, at first, she wasn’t sure how well a pegasus like Sora would handle the hard, physical labor required on the farm. Pegasi weren't exactly known for earth ponies’ level of endurance, after all. But those doubts had plummeted off a cliff as the day went on. Sora had thrown himself into the work with enthusiasm, and more than that, he was good at it. Real good.

Sora wiped the sweat from his brow, still grinning as he trotted over to Applejack. "Honestly, it kinda reminds me of home," he said, his voice softening. "Me and my friends used to build stuff on our island all the time. We even made a little hideout. Doing stuff like this... I guess it brings back good memories."

Applejack nodded, her expression softening at his words. "Well, Ah’ll tell ya what, Sora. You’ve got a real knack for hard work. If y’all ever need a place ta stretch your legs or get your hooves dirty, Sweet Apple Acres is always open for ya." She tipped her hat with a smile.

"Thanks, Applejack," Sora said, genuinely touched. "I appreciate that."

Applejack went back to her own work, but her eyes kept glancing over at Sora as he moved from tree to tree, bucking with a determination that never seemed to waver. He’d only been at it for a day, yet he was already working like a seasoned pro. And it wasn’t just the technique—he was fast, too. The bins filled with apples at a pace that would put even the best farmhooves to shame.

She had to admit, it was impressive. Most ponies who weren’t used to bucking trees struggled at first, either using too little force or exhausting themselves too quickly. But Sora had taken to it like he’d been doing it his whole life. In just a few hours, he’d cleared almost double the amount of trees a typical hired hoof would.

Sora breathed heavily after kicking yet another tree. Sweat beaded off his body, running down his fur. “Geez! I need to work out more. Guess being on the island all that time got me a little out of practice.”

“Ah reckon you’re doin’ better than ya think, Sora,” Applejack called out as she walked over, her eyes scanning the full bins around him. “Ain’t too many ponies can keep up that kinda pace their first time out here. You’re knockin’ it outta the park.”

Sora gave a sheepish grin, still catching his breath. “Thanks, Applejack. I just... don’t want to slow down, you know? It’s kinda fun, actually.”

Applejack chuckled. “Well, Ah can see that, but don’t go pushin’ yerself too hard. It ain’t about how fast you can clear a field; it’s about gettin’ the job done right and paces yerself. The work’ll still be here tomorrow.”

Sora smiled and nodded happily. “You can count on me AJ.”

“That’s the spirit Sugarcube. Now then, why don’t ya’ll go and wash up ‘fore dinner. Y'all look as though ya could use it. Don’t worry about lugging the apples to the barn. Me and Big Mac can take care of that.”

Sora gave himself a sniff and released an embarrassed chuckle as he nodded in agreement. “Ok AJ, but I’m definitely helping you next time.” He trotted past Applejack and Big Mac with a spring in his step.

Big Mac chuckled softly, the red stallion turning towards his sisters. “Keep heaping praise on him like that and one would think you have a crush AJ.”

Applejack rolled her eyes at her brother’s teasing, though a playful smirk tugged at her lips. “Oh, hush now, Big Mac. He’s a hard worker, that’s all. Ain’t no harm in givin’ credit where it’s due.”

Big Mac raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “Eeyup, sure. But ya seem mighty fond of praisin’ him. Just sayin’.”

Applejack snorted, waving a hoof dismissively. “Sora’s a nice enough fella, but I ain’t got no crush on him. He’s more like... a little brother or somethin’.” She shot her brother a sidelong glance. “Besides, Ah reckon somepony else already got her eyes set on him.”

Big Mac chuckled, giving his sister a knowing look. "Reckon I know who ya mean. Rarity, huh?"

Applejack nodded, a smirk crossing her lips. “Eeyup. She’s been all kinds of flustered ever since Sora came to town. Can’t say I blame her, though. He’s got that charm about him.”

Big Mac raised an eyebrow. “Charm, huh? Thought you said he was more like a little brother.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Ain’t sayin’ he don’t got charm. Just not the kind I’m lookin’ for. Rarity, though? She’s head over hooves for him, whether she admits it or not.”

The two siblings continued their work, sharing a quiet camaraderie as they hauled the bins of apples toward the barn. After a moment, Applejack sighed, her expression softening.

“Still, Ah do hope Sora’s able to settle in alright. He’s got a lot weighin’ on him, and Ah can tell he’s carryin’ more than he’s lettin’ on.”

~~~

It was quite some time before Sora finally slipped under the covers, the soft fabric cocooning him in warmth and comfort. With his fur freshly cleaned and his belly full from a hearty dinner at Sweet Apple Acres, he felt a deep sense of contentment settling over him. The hard work on the farm had left him physically tired, but in a way that made him feel accomplished, like he was truly helping out.

As he rested his forehooves under his head, eyes closing with a peaceful sigh, his mind still lingered on everything that had been happening. The fight against the Heartless, the looming threat of a powerful king, it all weighed on him. He’d faced challenges like this before—countless battles where the odds were stacked against him—but this time, there was a difference.

There were no Donald or Goofy by his side. No King Mickey, Riku, or Kairi. He was alone in this new world, and that thought sent a slight pang of sadness through his heart. Despite the new friends he’d made, a part of him felt isolated, like a piece of his heart was still missing.

But here, in this quiet room, with the gentle sounds of Sweet Apple Acres in the distance, he found a sense of calm. Applejack and her family had welcomed him with open hearts, and for the first time since arriving in Equestria, he felt like he had a place to belong, even if only for a little while.

He took a deep breath, allowing his worries to fade for the moment. As he snuggled deeper into the bed, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Everything’s going to be just fine," he whispered softly to himself.

And with that thought, he drifted off to sleep, hopeful for what tomorrow might bring.