Kingdom Hearts of Harmony: The Other Side

Chrysalis watched from the shadows, her green eyes narrowed in concentration as she observed the silver-maned stallion tear through the hordes of shadowy creatures that had ambushed her earlier. The speed and precision with which he moved were astonishing, each swing of his strange blade cutting down the Heartless with deadly efficiency, his movements fluid and calculated.

For a moment, she was struck by the sheer power emanating from him. She had never seen a pony—or any creature, for that matter—wield such a weapon, let alone with such skill. The stallion was a force to be reckoned with, and the black creatures, despite their numbers, were no match for him. Not even close.

She shifted slightly, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her injured leg. Her pride bristled at the memory of being overpowered by those vile creatures, but she couldn’t deny that without this stranger’s intervention, she would have been in far worse shape. Still, Chrysalis was not one to show gratitude easily, especially to a pony, even one as unusual as this.

As she continued to watch, her mind raced with possibilities. This stallion was not from Equestria—of that much, she was certain. The fact that he had saved her was proof of that. Perhaps there was a way to turn this situation to her advantage.

As the last of the Heartless dissolved into darkness, the stallion paused, his breathing heavy but controlled. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes locking onto hers for a brief moment. Chrysalis tensed, instinctively pulling back into the shadows. Instead of an look of ire, the stallion seemed to smile, his hooves carrying right towards where she had hidden herself during the whole scuffle.

As the stallion drew closer, she steeled herself, forcing the pain in her leg to the back of her mind. If she was to face him, it would be on her terms. She shifted slightly, allowing just enough of her presence to be visible, her green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. If he was going to find her, she wouldn’t cower like some helpless creature. She was still a queen, and she would meet him with all the dignity her station commanded.

The stallion finally came to a stop a few paces away from her. Up close, Chrysalis could see the determination in his eyes, tempered by a calm she hadn’t expected. His Keyblade rested at his side, no longer in a combat stance but still ready, should the need arise.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice calm, but with an undercurrent of concern.

Chrysalis blinked in surprise. Of all the things she had anticipated him saying, this was not one of them. For a moment, she simply stared at him, trying to gauge his intent. Was this concern genuine, or was he simply trying to lower her guard?

“I’ve had worse,” she replied, her tone guarded. She lifted her injured leg slightly, making no effort to hide the damage. “But I’m still standing.”

The stallion nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I can help you with that, if you’ll let me.”

Chrysalis’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why would you help me? You don’t even know who I am.”

He tilted his head slightly, his silver mane catching the faint light as it shifted with the movement. “Maybe not, but I know what it’s like to be in over your head. And I know that those creatures we just fought don’t discriminate. They’ll go after anyone, no matter who they are.”

She studied him closely, trying to find any sign of deceit in his words, but found none. This pony, whoever he was, seemed sincere. It was baffling, to say the least. She was used to manipulating others, bending them to her will, not being on the receiving end of such genuine concern. It left her off balance, unsure of how to proceed.

“You don’t even know my name,” she said, her voice softer, almost probing.

The stallion smiled again, a small, genuine curve of his lips. “Names aren’t always important. But if it makes you feel better, I’m Riku.”

Chrysalis hesitated for a moment longer before deciding to take a calculated risk. She needed more information, and playing along for now might give her the opportunity to learn more about this strange pony.

“Chrysalis,” she finally said, her tone carefully neutral. “I’m Chrysalis.”

Riku nodded as if the name meant nothing to him—another clue that he truly wasn’t from Equestria. “Well, Chrysalis, if you’ll let me, I can at least take a look at that leg. I’ve had some experience with injuries.”

Chrysalis’s instinct was to refuse, to maintain control of the situation. But the throbbing pain in her leg, coupled with the curiosity she felt toward this unusual stallion, made her pause.

“Very well,” she said after a moment. “But don’t think this means I trust you.”

Riku chuckled softly, a sound that was almost disarming. “Fair enough. Trust has to be earned, after all.”

As he approached, Chrysalis's eyes widened slightly when she saw him pull out his blade. It was unlike any weapon she had ever seen—elegant yet menacing, with its black and red design resembling one of his wings, and a feathered pegasus wing jutting from the tip. Her heart raced, instincts screaming at her to retreat, to defend herself from whatever he was planning. But before she could react, before she could even form the words to demand an explanation, he spoke.

“Cure.”

The word was spoken with a calm, almost soothing tone, and in an instant, the blade began to glow with a soft, green light. She felt a warm, tingling sensation spread through her injured leg, the pain easing as the light enveloped her. She blinked in surprise, the tension in her body slowly releasing as the magic did its work.

Within moments, the swelling in her leg began to recede, the dark purple bruise fading until it was almost entirely gone. The pain that had been throbbing with every heartbeat diminished, leaving only a faint ache that quickly disappeared. Chrysalis stared in disbelief as her leg was fully healed, feeling the strength return to her limb.

Riku stepped back, the glow fading from his Keyblade as he sheathed it. “That should help,” he said, his tone still calm and reassuring.

Chrysalis flexed her leg, testing it gingerly. The pain was gone, as if it had never been there in the first place. She looked up at Riku, her expression a mixture of confusion and something she rarely felt—gratitude. But the gratitude was quickly tempered by suspicion. No one did something for nothing, especially not for her. There had to be more to this than simple kindness.

“Why did you do that?” she asked, her voice laced with caution. “You don’t even know me. For all you know, I could be your enemy.”

Riku smiled, a calm and knowing expression that seemed to disarm the tension in the air. "I won't lie to you," he began, his voice steady. "I can sense the darkness within you. It’s something I’ve been around long enough to recognize, and it’s not something I take lightly."

Chrysalis tensed, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for whatever might come next. She was no stranger to being judged for the darkness that clung to her, for the power she wielded. But he continued before she could react, his tone softening.

"But," Riku said, his gaze meeting hers directly, "If I let that stop me from helping someone, especially someone who was running away from the Heartless, then how could I ever face my friend? Sora... he taught me that everyone deserves a chance, that even those who walk in darkness can find their way back to the light."

“Your friend sounds like a fool,” she retorted, her voice sharp and cold.

Riku shook his head with a small, almost amused smile. "Yeah, he kind of is," he admitted, his tone light but genuine. "But that's why I trust him. He sees the good in people, even when no one else does. And I’ve learned that he’s usually right about that." His expression shifted, becoming more focused as he continued, "But it’s not all about being selfless. I need information, and I think you can give it to me."

Chrysalis’s suspicious glare softened into a smirk, the change in Riku’s tone catching her interest. This was something she could relate to—a straightforward exchange, a deal with clear benefits. "Now that," she said, her voice carrying a note of approval, "is something I can understand."

She stretched her newly healed leg, testing it again as she watched Riku with renewed curiosity. His candidness surprised her, and she found herself respecting his honesty, even if she didn’t fully trust him yet.

"So, you want information," Chrysalis continued, her smirk widening. "Kindness in exchange for knowledge, is that it?"

Riku nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Something along those lines."

Chrysalis arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by Riku's straightforwardness. "The lay of the land, huh?" she repeated, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I suppose…I can help with that pony.” She circled him slowly, her gaze appraising as she considered his request. "You’re different from the other ponies I’ve encountered. You don’t flinch, and you don’t scare easily. I can respect that. Must be because you are of Luna’s Brood.”

The white stallion raised an eyebrow at that. “What do you mean?”

Chrysalis paused in her slow circling, her smirk widening as she caught the slight confusion in Riku's eyes. "You truly are an outsider, aren't you?" she mused, the amusement clear in her voice. "I assumed you knew, given your appearance."

Riku tilted his head slightly, still unsure of what she was getting at. "What exactly are you talking about?"

She chuckled softly, as if enjoying the rare opportunity to be the one imparting knowledge. "You’re a bat pony—or a thestral, as the Moon Mare prefers to call them. A rare breed, often associated with Princess Luna herself. They are creatures of the night, feared by some, revered by others. And, like you, they tend to have a certain resilience and strength."

Riku glanced at his own wings, giving them a small flap, and then back to Chrysalis. "Bat pony," he repeated, trying to wrap his mind around the term. "Hehe…Fitting I guess." he turns back to face her. “Right, so there’s a princess.”

“Yes indeed—or rather, two.” The tall creature huffed softly as she spoke. “But if you’re interested in Princess Luna, the so-called Mare of the Moon, you’re aiming for the darker side of Equestria’s royalty. She governs the night and all that comes with it—dreams, shadows, and, of course, thestrals like yourself.”

She paused, letting the implications settle before continuing. “Princess Luna resides in Canterlot, the capital city. But I wouldn’t recommend waltzing in there without a plan. The royal sisters, Luna and Celestia, are powerful, and they don’t take kindly to strangers, especially those with unknown intentions. You’ll need more than just the knowledge of where she lives if you want to approach her.”

He nodded thoughtfully, his mind already working through the possibilities. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll figure out how to approach her, but at least now I know where to start.”

“Or…Maybe I can get you where you need to go.”

Riku raised an eyebrow at Chrysalis’s sudden offer, his curiosity piqued. “You can get me to Canterlot?” he asked, his tone a mix of interest and skepticism.

Chrysalis smirked, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. “I have my ways. It’s not as if I’m unfamiliar with the royal sisters, after all. And while I may not be welcome in Canterlot under normal circumstances, I know the paths that others don’t. I could guide you there—safely and discreetly.”

Riku considered her offer carefully. He wasn’t a fool. He knew that She wasn’t offering her help out of kindness, but rather because she saw an opportunity. Still, if she could get him to Canterlot without drawing unwanted attention, it might be worth the risk.

“And what’s the catch?” Riku asked, his voice cautious.

Chrysalis chuckled softly, as if pleased by his question. “You’re sharp, I’ll give you that. The catch is simple: I want something in return. Information, perhaps, or a favor when the time comes. You’re a resourceful pony, and I suspect you’ll be quite valuable in the days ahead.”

Riku narrowed his eyes slightly, not entirely surprised by her conditions. “You want to strike a deal, then?”

“Precisely,” Chrysalis replied smoothly. “Consider it a mutually beneficial arrangement. I help you get to Canterlot, and in return, you help me with a small matter—nothing too difficult, I assure you. A simple deal.”

“So why does it feel like I’m doing so with a devil.”

Chrysalis's smirk deepened, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and something darker. “A devil, you say?” she purred, her voice dripping with mock offense. “Oh, Riku, you wound me. I prefer to think of myself as a negotiator, someone who sees the potential in every situation. After all, it’s only a deal if both parties benefit, wouldn’t you agree?”

Riku frowned. There was a risk here, he knew it but if worst came to worst he could take out down a peg or two. Her darkness had nothing on what he had achieved after all. “Fine. Partners for now. But I will be keeping an eye on you." He raised a hoof towards her.

Chrysalis’s smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with a mix of satisfaction and amusement. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, Riku. After all, a partnership is only as strong as the trust—or in our case, the caution—between the parties involved.” She would do the same, striking his with the flat of her own in a soft “Clop”.