Kingdom Hearts: Keys of Equestria

Chapter XIV: The Running of The Leaves, Part I

Perspective: Sora

"Someday, I want to get off this island."

Today was the Running of The Leaves, so I had to prepare myself. Pinkie Pie had kept us up all night with a "We`re So Excited That You & Riku Get To Stay In Ponyville" party, so I had slept most of the morning. It was about one in the afternoon when I had woken up.

Riku had been awake for quite a while now, & was outside running laps around town. He had registered for the Running as soon as we got back to Ponyville, so we were practicing together.

Riku flew past me as I waited for him to stop. I had some important business to attend to. Finally, he slid to a stop in front of me.

"Hey Riku! I need to talk to you."

"Sure. What`s up?"

"I have some important things to do, so Ill probably be gone until the Running. If you need me, Ill probably be at Rarity`s."

"Okay. What exactly do you have to do with Rarity?"

"I... uhh, gotta go!"

I took off at the highest speed I could manage, straight towards the Carousel Boutique. Riku could not  know about this until I was sure that it was for real.

I knocked on the door as it was enveloped in Rarity`s blue magic aura, followed by the sight of the white unicorn herself.

"Ah, hello Sora. How are you?"

"Good. Rarity, do you mind if I come in? I have some problems, & you`re the only one that I think would understand."

"Of course, Sora! Anything for a friend. Come on in, I`ll make some tea, & we can talk."

"Thanks a lot."

I noticed that Sweetie Belle was sitting at the table in the living room, reading a book.

"Hey Sweetie. What`s up?"

"The sky."

The light giggle she let out after saying that was one of my favorite things about her. She was always so happy, & it rubbed off on everyone else pretty easily. She was like the unicorn version of Pinkie Pie.

Finally, Rarity came back in with a teapot & two cups in her magic. She gave a look to Sweetie, who promptly left, as if it was something they both knew.

"So, what is it that`s troubling you, Sora?"

"I think... I think Lyra might be in love with me. Im not sure what to do, you know, since Im not a pony."

"Well, do you feel the same, Sora?"

"Im not exactly sure. I mean, shes good looking compared to the other ponies, shes smart, she cares about her friends, plus shes one of my best friends here, & Ive always been able to do things with her that Id never be able to do with my other friends. There`s just something. I think I might..."

"Well, Sora, if youre not sure about it, just try & do something with her that youd normally do, but make it a little more personal. Do something special for her."

"Ill try. Thank you so much, Rarity. & please dont tell anyone about this."

"My lips are sealed."

It was about two hours until the Running of The Leaves, so I decided to go see what Twilight was up to. As I turned towards the library, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Hey Lyra! How`s it going?"

"Good."

"I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Do you think youd like to... I dont know, go get something to eat? I didnt eat breakfast, so Im starving."

"Sure thing, Sora! Where do you want to go?"

"I was just thinking we could go to Sugarcube Corner. Nothing too special. Just a regular lunch."

"Okay. You want to head on over?"

"Actually, you can go on ahead. I need to run back to the house & grab some stuff."

"See you there Sora!"

"Alright."

I decided to head to the house first. When Celestia gave us permission to stay, she gave us each 600 bits until we could get jobs of our own. I had barely spent anything, so I still had about 550 bits left, since Lyra & Bonbon were kind enough not to charge us rent, no matter how much I tried to convince them.

I had gotten my bag of bits, & now I was on my way to the Ponyville Jewelers.

The owner of the establishment was a dark brown unicorn stallion with a short cut grey mane & tail. His cutie mark, of course, was a triangle of diamonds.

"Hello, sir. My name is Shining Gem. How may I help you?"

"I would like to buy this particular necklace here."

I pointed to a small necklace made of black & red pearls with an ornate emerald charm.

"Exellent choice, sir. That would be 155 bits."

I fished the correct change from my pouch as he took it in his magic, handing me the necklace in a small ornamental box.

"Thank you, Shining Gem."

"You are greatly welcomed..."

"Sora."

"You are greatly welcomed, Sora."

I headed out of the shop, & towards Sugarcube Corner. Lyra was probably wondering where I was.

As I entered the building, Lyra seemed to become visibly happier at the sight of me.

"Hey Lyra. Sorry I took so long."

"Its fine, Sora. At least youre here now."

As if on cue, Pinkie had come to take our orders. I ended up with a strawberry chocolate cupcake, & Lyra had the same. How Colgate wasn`t the richest pony in Equestria, I would never know.

"Lyra, Ive got something for you. Just a present for you doing all this for me & Riku, since you wont let me pay rent."

I reached into my pocket & pulled out the box containing the necklace.

"Sora. You`ve got to be kidding me! How much was this!?"

"Dont worry about the price. All that matters is that I could give my friend something special. You know, since you wouldnt let us pay rent."

Lyra immediately jumped across the table, pulling me into a hug before I could say anything else. It was a bit long, but it didn`t faze me. She was probably just grateful for what I had given her. Plus, if she did have feelings for me, that would also explain a lot.

& with that, we headed towards Sweet Apple Acres, where the Running of The Leaves would begin.