Kingdom Hearts of Harmony: The Other Side

Warning! Warning! Approaching planet destination! I repeat! Approaching planet destination! Prepare for entry!

The sound of the alarm awoke the only occupant of the small ship out of his slumber. With tired blue-green eyes he gave his surroundings a once over before running his fingers through his sliver locks. After a moment to recollect his thoughts, the boy shifted his hand in front of his face before sighing deeply. He threw his gaze towards the window in front of him, the planet becoming bigger and bigger the longer his ship approached it.

The silvered haired boy closed his eyes, gazing at the flection in front of him.

~

“Are you out of your mind!?”

Riku cringed, despite not being the one being yelled at. He looked over the rather short mouse that stood in defiance to the much taller and, admittedly, more opposing looking wizard. Both, while different in everything about each other, held an air of both power and superiority that seems to completely dwarf the newly appointed Keyblade Master.

“No. I am not out of mind Master Yin Sid.” The mouse said in an even, yet dangerously bitter tone that, despite his high pitched voice, was on equal tone with the wizard before him. “We need Sora combat ready as soon as possible. The mission that he was sent on will not only help him in the long run of things but also strengthen the resolve he’s losing ever since he's been confined on that island. It’s a judgment call that I believe that was the correct one.”

“But to send him on such a difficult mission in the state that he is in?!” Yin Sid drew back in his chair sighing deeply. “It was a fool’s decision King Mickey.”

“I believe in Sora.” The mouse said as he crossed his arms. “I know you can feel the heartless seeping through to that world at an alarming rate now.”

Yen Sid's eyes narrowed, the weight of his years evident in the deep lines etched across his face. His gaze bore into King Mickey, searching for any sign of doubt. But the mouse stood firm, his small frame radiating an unyielding resolve that even the ancient wizard could not easily dismiss.

"I am well aware of the growing darkness," Yen Sid said, his voice a low rumble. "But belief alone does not safeguard against the perils that Sora faces. The heartless are not mere shadows to be brushed aside—they are the embodiment of darkness, growing stronger with every passing moment. Sora is already burdened by the weight of his previous battles. To send him into the fray without sufficient preparation is to risk losing him to that very darkness."

King Mickey's expression softened for just a moment, a flicker of concern passing over his features. "I understand your worries, Master. But Sora has a light that shines brighter than any I’ve ever known. It’s precisely because of that light that he needs to face these challenges head-on. If we shield him from every danger, we’ll only be weakening the resolve that has carried him this far."

“Once again, in the state that he is in he may very well cause the end of that very world you are trying to save Mickey.” Yin Sid shook his head as he sighed softly. “I am sorry old friend but I am sending Riku to retrieve him and that is final.”

“Master!!” The mouse called out as Yin Sid turned to walk out the room, Riku, after giving Mickey a backwards glace, turned away to follow after the old wizard. Not a word was uttered until they were well away from the mouse, Riku being the one to break the frigid silence.

“Master Yin Sid. Think I can speak openly?”

“You have free will you know, and we are equals after all Master Riku.” The old wizard said with a wave of his hand.

“Master…Is it so bad for Sora to go on this mission? I mean…It might give him a chance to clear his head.”

“Or a chance to doom a world detrimental in our war against the Darkness.” Yin Sid rebutted.

“Master, I know Sora has been…well…out of it of sort, part if not all of that is due to me, but I still think that Sora is capable of what he has to do to help everyone.”

Yin Sid stopped before turning to face him. “He nearly lost himself to the darkness the last mission he was on Riku. What’s to say it won’t do so again?”

“He did so to protect those around him!” Riku defended.

"And what will happen when Sora is forced to make that choice again? Will he continue to sacrifice himself until there is nothing left of the light within him? Darkness is patient, Riku. It waits for the moment when the heart is at its weakest, when the burden of protecting others becomes too much to bear. If Sora falters… if he succumbs… it could mean the end not just for him, but for everything we’ve fought to protect."

“Then I won’t let him!” Riku said. “That world needs to be saved right? Then let me help him.”

Yin Sid looked towards the silver haired youth. “You do know…that you might be the last person he wants to see right now?”

"Maybe," Riku admitted, his voice quieter now, tinged with a mix of regret and determination. "But that’s exactly why I need to be the one to go. I need to show him that I’m still here for him, that I’ll stand by him no matter what. If I don’t… if I let him go through this on his own… I’m afraid we’ll both lose something far more important than just another battle."

The Wizard looked towards Riku, the determination within the boy’s eyes reaching a fiery point. With a heavy sigh Yin Sid turned away before muttering “Fine…Do as you wish.” As he walked down the pathway the old wizard began to mutter quietly to himself, most of which Riku couldn’t catch a word of.

Riku watched as Yen Sid walked away, the wizard's words barely audible as they trailed off into the distance. The weight of the moment settled on Riku’s shoulders, a mix of relief and anxiety swirling within him. He had convinced Yen Sid to let him go, but the true challenge was still ahead. Sora was out there, facing dangers that Riku could only imagine, and the burden of that reality weighed heavily on his heart.

~

Riku sighed at the memory as he let his gaze fall upon the planet below. “Just don’t mess things up too much Sora.” He said with a soft chuckle. “Can’t clean up all of your messes.”

Riku’s chuckle faded into a quiet sigh as he continued to stare at the planet below, its surface a swirling mix of colors and shadows. The ship’s hum was a steady backdrop, a comforting constant in the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Despite the lighthearted words he had spoken, Riku couldn’t fully shake the unease in his chest.

~

Equestria

????

“This… is weird…”

Riku couldn’t help but mutter the words as he stepped out of the hidden Gummi Ship, his new hooves clopping against the rocky terrain. The unfamiliar sound made his new ears twitch involuntarily, and he couldn’t help but sit down, trying to take it all in. Everything felt strange, but fascinatingly so.

He glanced down at his new form, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight. Thick, light gray fur now covered his body, which, if he was guessing right, had taken on an equine shape. He flexed his limbs experimentally, the feeling of moving with hooves instead of hands or feet disconcerting but not entirely uncomfortable. It was certainly better than some of the other forms he’d taken on during past travels—especially the one from that animal forest world. He shuddered at the memory and made a silent vow never to speak of that experience again.

Riku’s gaze shifted to his sides, where a pair of bat-like wings folded neatly against his back. He gave them a small flap, feeling the muscles respond to his will. A different take on a pegasus, he supposed, though the bat wings gave him a bit of an edge. He had to admit, they were pretty cool.

At least he wasn’t completely naked—his tan jacket and black undershirt still covered the upper part of his torso, which was a small comfort. It wasn’t much, but it helped him feel a little more like himself, even in this strange new form.

As his gaze continued downward, Riku noticed something on his flanks that made him do a double take. There, emblazoned on his backside, was the unmistakable mark of a Keyblade Master. He frowned slightly, shifting to get a better look. It was like a tattoo but also wasn't?

Riku reached up to run a hoof through his mane, feeling the long strands of hair brush against his neck. “Wasn’t this shorter?” he muttered to himself, remembering how Kairi had cut it before she left on her mission with Donald and Goofy. It seemed to have grown back, now cascading down the side of his neck in long, silvery waves.

“Well, this is going to take some getting used to,” he said aloud, his voice carrying a note of acceptance. Strange as it was, he’d faced worse before. And as long as it helped him blend in—and maybe even gave him a few advantages—he could work with it.

“Right…Enough fooling around. I need to find out where Sora is.” Picking a random direction to go, the Keyblade Master began his first steps in the latest chapter of his newest journey through the unknown world of Equestira. With head held high and adventure in his heart, he would find his childhood friend no matter what.

Or at least, that was the plan—until he was promptly tackled from the side by something fast and unexpectedly solid.

The collision sent Riku sprawling, both he and his assailant grunting in a mix of pain and surprise as they tumbled across the rocky ground. The world spun around him until he finally came to a stop, his back slamming into the ground with a solid thud. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and the added weight of whoever had barreled into him didn’t help matters.

For a moment, everything was still, save for the pained groans of the one who had tackled him. Riku tried to catch his breath, his chest heaving as he lay on the ground. He felt the other presence start to move, slowly lifting themselves off him. As soon as their eyes met, Riku’s breath hitched, his curiosity piqued by the sight before him.

He hadn’t expected to see what he saw.

The figure standing over him was indeed equine, much like his own new form, but there were striking differences. She—Riku was almost certain it was a she—had a delicate, almost ethereal appearance. Her face was a soft ivory, framed by a flowing, dark aquamarine mane that cascaded down her neck. Her eyes, large and filled with confusion and fear, sparkled with an unusual intensity, and her mouth revealed sharp, almost predatory teeth that caught the light in a way that made Riku’s pulse quicken.

A twisted, curved horn jutted from her forehead, giving her an air of wildness. The rest of her body was covered by a bright green, almost armor-like material that seemed to blend with her natural coloring. But what truly caught Riku’s attention were her legs—each one was riddled with small holes, as if something had carved them out.

Both Riku and the odd black creature stared at each other, the tension between them palpable as neither seemed willing to make the first move. The silence stretched on, each waiting for the other to act, until something in the distance caught the creature’s attention. Her head snapped to the side, eyes widening in renewed fear. Without warning, she pushed herself off Riku and attempted to break into a quick gallop, but her escape was short-lived. She stumbled almost immediately, a sharp yelp of pain escaping her as she fell to the ground.

Riku’s eyes followed her, noting the way she glanced back at one of her hind legs. His gaze fell upon the swollen, dark purple area near the base of her leg. It looked painful, and it was clear she wouldn’t be able to run.

He opened his mouth to ask if she was alright, but the words died on his lips as he noticed movement in the shadows surrounding them. His instincts flared, and he quickly turned to face the approaching threat. From the darkness, shapes began to rise, forming into beings that Riku recognized all too well—Shadow Heartless. But these were different. They had a more equine appearance, their bodies lithe and sinister, with glowing yellow eyes that seemed to pierce through the gloom.

The Heartless moved with a chilling grace, their equine forms weaving through the shadows as more and more of them emerged, surrounding both Riku and the black creature. Riku’s heart raced as he realized they were being outnumbered, the circle of Heartless closing in on them from all sides.

He took a step back, positioning himself between the injured creature and the advancing Heartless. His hand instinctively reached for his Keyblade, summoning the weapon with a flash of light. The familiar weight of the Keyblade in his grasp gave him a small measure of comfort, but he knew he had to act fast. The odds were stacked against them, and the injured changeling behind him wouldn’t be able to defend herself.

"Stay behind me," Riku commanded, his voice firm as he tightened his grip on the Keyblade. "I’ll handle this."

The creature, still trembling from pain and fear, nodded weakly, her wide eyes fixed on the Heartless as they drew closer. Riku could feel her fear, but he pushed his own doubts aside. He had faced worse odds before, and he wasn’t about to let these creatures get the best of him—or harm someone who couldn’t defend herself.

“Alright then. Why don’t you wise guys at least pretend to put up a challenge for me." he taunted, his blade forming in his maw, "Need to good workout to test this new body after all.”