Kingdom Harmony

Chapters

Prologue: And So It Begins
Chapter 1: Welcome To Ponyville
Chapter 2: Enter The Heartless
Chapter 3: The Keyblade
Chapter 4: Chaos in Canterlot
Chapter 5: Aftermath
Chapter 6: Preparations
Chapter 7: Friends New And Old

Prologue: And So It Begins

Author's Note

Click character names that are green to be taken to an image of them and the blue to start music.

Prologue: And So It Begins

And So It Begins
Destiny Islands

“When will they let me do something?” Sora sighed. He was sitting on a weirdly grown palm tree on a tiny raised island, where he used to hang out with Riku and Kairi when they went to play on the larger island that was connected to the it by a bridge. The island was tropic, covered in trees, most of which were palm trees, and there were also waterfalls and tree houses. When he first failed his mastery exam it didn’t bother him. Both Riku and him knew that it was outside his control. However, now even Kairi was away on special training. Sora was sent back to the islands and make sure that there was no more traces of Xehanort left there, or at least that’s what Master Yen Sid said. It didn’t take long for Sora to figure out that the wizard was just try to protect him. Whatever Xehanort was up to, he needed Sora, or at least his body to use as a vessel. The problem was that he caught Sora without Sora even knowing and by the time he found out there was absolutely nothing he could do. Riku had to come rescue him and even though, as he told Xigbar, he was happy to be part of something much greater, being here for so long made him think he was nothing more that a burden to them more and more each day.

“Hey, Sora, you okay?” said a boy behind him. It was Tidus. He had caught Sora moping here multiple times now.

Sora turned to face the boy. “Yeah, just collecting some thoughts,” he said with a forced smile.

Wakka and Selphie walked up to to meet Sora as well. “Come on kid, we know somethings up,” Wakka said.

“And when you're ready to talk about it we’ll be here to listen,” Selphie added hastily, nudging Wakka with her elbow.

“Really it’s nothing,” Sora insisted, though it was obvious that no one believed him.

“Whatever you say kid,” Wakka said before walking off.

“Hope you feel better soon,” Tidus commented as he started to walk away as well, “I miss sparring and kicking your butt!”

Selphie gave him one last look, as if to say, like i said, when you're ready, and then she left as well. Before the got out of sight he heard Tidus say, “I hope Riku and Kairi get back soon. Maybe they can talk some sense into him.”

Sora sighed. “I hope so too,” he muttered. He looked up at the sun starting to set and decided to get going as well but as Sora walk towards the dock a door of pure light, much like the one Riku and him used to escape the realm of darkness, appeared in front of him. However, Sora had learned the hard way not to trust mysterious doors and didn’t want to make a another mistake to cause Riku to rescue him again. As he started to walk around the door, it began to grow with a bright intensity, and then, everything faded to black.

Canterlot Castle

Discord was using his powers to search Equestria for any magical imbalances left in the wake of Tirek’s attack. After fixing all the damage done from the battle, he immediately volunteered to do this as well. It was the least he could do after betraying them like that. As he searched he came across something he’d never felt before. Not an imbalance, but a presence of pure evil. Something that that had no emotions whatsoever. The worst part was, that he couldn’t place a location. It seemed to be counteracting his magic. “How is that even possible?” he asked himself, “I’d better tell Celestia.” and in a flash of light he teleported from his workspace to the throne room.

“Discord! I thought I told you to knock before coming in here!” Celestia spoke to Discord with a harsh tone of voice.

“Sorry princess, but I came across something disturbing.” Discord replied completely uninitiated by the riser of the sun.

Celestia’s face became very serious. “What is it?” she asked in a now worrisome tone.

“It’s hard to describe. It’s almost like darkness itself and I can’t seem to find it’s location.”

With that news Celestia seem to calm down. “Oh, if that’s it don't worry, I've already been warned and have taken measures to protect Equestria from it.”

Discord was legitimately shocked about this, Who in Equestria could have warned her?, he thought. “If you say so,” Discord said in a confused voice.

“Although, I am glad you brought that up. If you can sense its presence then I need you to keep a look out for any signs of it. There isn’t much we can co with the knowledge we have now, but you might be able to change that,” Celestia ordered.

“As you wish,” Discord said.

Before Discord could leave Celestia interrupted “One more thing Discord,” she started, making discord tense, “It's good to have you back on our side.”

Discord looked up in shock. “Thank you princess,” he said before disappearing in a flash of light.

Princess Luna walked in. “What was that about?” she asked her sister.

“Just letting him know his work is appreciated,” Celestia assured the raiser of the moon.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 1: Welcome To Ponyville

Author's Note

Click character names that are green to be taken to an image of them, use the blue words to start music and the red one to know when to stop.

Chapter 1: Welcome To Ponyville

Welcome To Ponyville
Location Unknown

Sora awoke on the on the outskirts of a spooky forest. “Who ever sent that door really didn’t want me to avoid it,” he said to himself. He looked himself over to check for injuries, and even though he didn’t find any, he did notice something else. “And I’m a horse... Fantastic.” He was a light brown horse with a pair of small feathered wings, a spiky dark brown mane, much like his normal hair cut, a short dark brown tail, a tattoo of crystallized heart, much like the ones released from the heartless on his butt, and he was wearing a transformed version of jacket and shirt. It wasn’t the first time he was transformed into an animal but it was the first time his clothes transformed as well. It was a little weird but Sora wasn’t going to complain. As long as he still had them, he might still be able to use his drive abilities if he needed to. However the weirdest thing about this was the tattoo. If he had one it must be something common in this world.

Sora finally decided to look over the surrounding area and noticed something unnerving “There’s nothing wrong with this place,” he whispered. Every single world he visited had heartless there before he even arrived, with very few exceptions. Not to mention that doorways to other worlds aren't something people make normally. Even the spooky forest seemed normal enough, as far as spooky forests go, moss hanging from the trees, extremely dense, and plenty of creepy animal sounds coming out of it. After some more examining, Sora noticed a town in the distance, and decided to go there to see what he could find out.

Sugarcube Corner

Pinkie Pie just finished playing Pumpkin and Pound Cake when she had a strange sensation. Her eyes fluttered, her tail twitched, and then her ears flopped. “I’ve never had that combo before,” she said to herself. “Although I don’t think it means something bad, though I have a strange feeling that I should go out for a walk.” Pinkie raised her voice. “Mrs. Cake, I need to go out for a bit,” Pinkie called into the other room.

“Okay Dearie,” the baker called back.

Unknown Town

Sora was thoroughly confused. Yes he’d been to animal worlds before, but they were either the in wild or the animals were humanoid. The horses here were not humanoid, but this town was by all means a human town, there was houses, stores, roadside stalls, and even a castle in the distance. As he walked down the street he saw a bubble gum pink horse with a curly hot pink mane and tail, blue eyes, and a tattoo of three balloons on her butt, bouncing in the opposite direction. She seemed to know her way around town and almost everyone she passed, so Sora decided to ask her for directions. “Excuses me miss, can you tell me where I can…” he started before the horse jumped into the air and inhaled sharply before dashing away without ever touching the ground. Sora looked around and saw that all the other horses were looking at him, but then they smiled, shook their heads, and continued with their business. “I have no idea what just happened,” he commented aloud.

After shaking that pink horse's reaction off, Sora continued down the road looking for any signs of someone or something that could help. Suddenly he felt himself come to a halt as he fell down and piles fabric fell on top of him.

“Oh, dear, I’m dreadfully sorry,” a woman's voice apologized as Sora felt the fabric being lifted of him. He picked himself up and saw the lady was a white horse with a purple mane and tail that looked like they had to be combed, blue eyes, a horn coming out of her head, and a picture of three diamonds her butt. The fabrics were surrounded by a blue glow that matched a glow currently surrounding her horn. “Oh my stars darling,” she stated again, “wherever did you get these clothes. I’ve never seen anypony with an outfit quite like it.”

So they call themselves ponies. Great! If Riku ever finds out he’ll never let me live this down, Sora thought. “Long story short, I’m not from around here,” he explained.

“Oh you're new, Pinkie Pie will love that. Well, my name is Rarity,” the unicorn announced.

“It’s nice to meet you Rarity, I’m Sora,”

“What a lovely unusual name to go with such a nice young stallion like yourself. Well, sorry I bumped into”

“Actually Rarity, I could use some help. Do you know where I can find out local history around here?” Sora asked. He needed to find out as much as he could if hoped to blend in.

“History. Oh I know just the Pony who can help. I’ll even take you there myself, but I’m afraid I have drop off this fabric at my boutique first. Care to join me, I could show you around ponyville while I’m at it,”

“Why not, I could definitely use the directions.”

Twilight’s Castle

“What do you think Fluttershy?” Twilight Sparkle asked her friend, gesturing to the decorations in the throne room, a room with a circle of six thrones with the cutie marks of Twilight and her friends, and one small throne next to Twilight's. Behind each throne was decorations that matched the personality of the pony it was meant for. But the thing that was the most amazing was that one section somehow flowed into the others.

“They’re amazing,” Fluttershy answered.

“I know, Rarity has truly outdone herself this time,”

“Twilight! Twilight!” Pinkie Pie called out as she burst into the room, “There’s a new pony in town, you need to tell me where he lives so I can throw him a party!”

“Pinkie calm down! I don’t know of any new ponies in town. And besides the point, the last time you did that was with me. What makes me and him so special that you felt the need to throw us a surprise party before you even introduce your self?” Twilight asked.

“There something special about him. Just a this feeling I have, kinda like I did with you.”

“I suppose it’s hard to argue with that,” Twilight resigned. “If you're so insistent on throwing this new stallion a surprise Pinkie Pie Bash, you can use the castle's main hall.”

“Oh thank you thank you thank you Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said excitedly. She then turned her attention to Fluttershy. “Are you coming?” She asked the shy pony.

“I don’t know, you know how I get around new ponies,” the pegasus explained, “but I suppose I can at least say I will try to make it.”

“Okie-Dokie-Loki!” Pinkie Pie replied. “Oh, can you tell Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash to gather up everypony for me? I need to start decorating!”

“Okay, I suppose,”

“Thanks!” And with that the pink pony bounce downstairs.

“Well I’d better get going too” Fluttershy announced quietly.

“That's fine. I’d better continue organizing the library. Spike, you want to help?” She asked the the baby dragon currently sitting in his tiny throne.

“Sure thing Twilight!” He said getting up.

Ponyville Streets

“And here we are, Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique,” Rarity began gesturing at a tent shaped building with walls that were blue with white patterns surrounding the windows, purple pillars placed close to the walls, a roof with a purple checkerboard patten, and so many more patterns and decorations that Sora thought describing this place to others would be impossible. “Speaking of unique garments, I don’t suppose you’ll let me look over yours some time. They’re just so inspirational.”

“We’ll see,” Sora lied. The way he saw it, the less impact he left on this world, the better. As they got closer he noticed an orange pony, with green eyes, freckles, a blond mane and tail, each tied together at the end with what seemed to be red scrunchies, and a tattoo of three apples on her butt.

The pony walked up to Rarity. “Rarity, ya seen Applebloom anywhere?” she asked in a thick western accent.

“Oh, yes Applejack. She and her crusader friends wanted to try their hoof in a little sewing, so I let them use the leftover fabrics from the castle’s decor. I just got back from restocking,” Rarity told the orange pony.

“Are ya sure leaving them alone in there was safe?” Applejack asked.

“Oh darling, you worry too much. They’ve been running around zip lining. No matter how bad they are at sewing, it still safer. And none of are stupid enough to severely injure themselves. Worst case scenario, they get a small needle puncture cut on their hoof,”

“Ah suppose you're right,” Applejack’s gaze moved to Sora, “So who’s this.”

“Oh, I’m Sora,” The caramel pony explained.

"I’ve never seen anypony like you around here before. You new?” Applejack asked.

“Um, yeah,”

“Well it’s nice to meet you Sora, hope you feel welcome here in Ponyville, Well I’d better get going, got a lot of chores to do before Pinkie Pie finds out, if ya know what I mean,”

Sora decided to interrupted. “Who’s Pinkie Pie?” he asked.

“Oh, she’s one of our friends,” Applejack started.

“I’m sure you’ll meet her soon,” Rarity continued.

“If ya haven’t already,” the cowpony giggled, before turning away to leave.

“Wait Applejack,” Rarity interrupted, “do you need me to get Applebloom for you?”

“Nah, just wanted to make sure she’s safe. She left without telling anyone,” Applejack explained. “In all honesty, I was afraid she was zip lining again.”

“Okay then,” the unicorn replied.

Rarity then opened up the door to her boutique and walked in. After a few seconds the door popped back open and Rarity came out and looked out at Sora. “Come on dear, you don’t have to wait outside. Come on in!” she encouraged.

“Uh, Okay,” Sora responded confused.

Sora walked in to see three fillies staring back and standing around a pile of torn up cloth and something that was so haphazardly sewn together that Sora couldn’t even tell what it was supposed to be. There was one orange pegasus with purple eyes, and dark pink mane and tail, one white unicorn with green eyes, and purple and pink mane and tail, and one yellow pony with amber eyes, a red mane and tail, and a pink bow in her main.

“Girls, this is Sora,” Rarity spoke up. “I’m going to take him to see Twilight, but first I need to put these away.” She gestured towards the bags of fabric she was carrying with her magic, “So while we’re here try not to bother him too much.” She looked at the white pony. “And Sweetie Belle, when you and your friends are done you will clean this up, right?”

“Of course I will sis,” she said the little unicorn before fluttering her eyes and smiling brightly. Sora had to admit it was really cute, but it seemed like the little filly was trying to make her sister leave faster.

“Well okay then.” Rarity turned to look at Sora. “Please wait down here while I put these in my room,” she said before finally heading up the stairs.

In an instant the three fillies were right in front of Sora. “Ya know, his cutie mark is kind of pretty for a boy,” the orange one said.

“What?” Sora asked confused. Although what he really was thinking was, what the hell’s a cutie mark? though he didn’t dare say it out loud.

“A crystal heart, seriously you can’t blame me for saying it’s a bit gri…” the pegasus began to explain before the yellow pony covered her mouth.

“We’re sorry, our friend here doesn’t know the meaning of the word tact,” Sweetie Belle apologized as the bow topped pony released the pegasus.

“What are you, a dictionary?” the winged filly asked the little unicorn. in an insulting way.

That tattoo thing is called a cutie mark! Great! If Riku ever finds out I’m ruined!, he thought.

“See, ya hurt his feelings” the earth bound pony told her winged friend.

Hearing this made Sora realize that they notice his concern, even if they miss understood about what it was about. “No, don’t worry, it’s okay,” Sora quickly intervened. “So what’s your names?”

The unicorn responded first "I'm Sweetie Belle, Rarity's little sister," she said.

"I'm Scootaloo," the pegasus continued.

"And I'm Applebloom," the yellow pony finished.

"Applebloom, so you're the one Applejack was looking for," Sora commented.

"My sister was looking for me, what did she want?" the filly asked.

"Just to make sure you weren't zip lining," Sora smiled.

The three fillies couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Yeah, it didn't take long for us to realize we weren’t getting our cutie marks in that,” Sweetie Belle joked.

“And Scootaloo here wanted to try it again,” Applebloom added.

Scootaloo stopped laughing, “Okay, okay you win,” she lightly shouted before turning to Sora, “You know what, remember what we did after the last time we tried zip lined?” she asked.

“Yeah, we went around asking everypony how they earned their cutie marks,” Sweetie Belle answered and Sora didn’t like where this was going, although it did explain why these three didn’t have cutie makes of their own. They haven’t earned them yet.

Applebloom's eyes widened in a moment of realization. “So mister, how did you earn your cutie mark?” she asked.

“It’s a long story. Maybe some other time,” Sora responded hesitantly. He knew it wasn't a good excuse, but what else could he say? I woke up with it this morning, that wouldn’t go over too well.

“Okay girls that enough,” Rarity called over as she walked down the stairs. “I thought I told you not to cause the gentlemen too much trouble.” She walked over to Sora. “Well let’s get going. I promised to take you to see Twilight.”

“Okay,” Sora responded and then turned to face the three fillies, “see you later I guess,”

“Okay,” they said simultaneously. Sora and Rarity walked outside and started down the street when Sora noticed Applejack walking towards them once again. “Rarity, Fluttershy wanted me to tell ya to be a the castle in three hours,” she explained.

“Oh, but we were about to head there now,” Rarity said.

“No!” the blond maned pony shouted causing both Rarity and Sora to look at her in shock. She coughed into a hoof and continued. “Twilight isn’t there right now,” she said hesitantly.

Rarity looked confused for a second and then her eyes widened, as if the answer just hit her. “Oh, yes, I see,” she turned to Sora. “Well I suppose we have some time on our hoofs. Why don’t I finish showing you around Ponyville while we wait?”

“That’s an excellent idea. Well, ah better get back and, uh, finish my chores,” Applejack spoke up quickly before running off.

“Come on darling, we’ve better get going to, a lot of Ponyville to cover in such a short amount of time,” the unicorn insisted.

“Okay, okay,” Sora said in defeat, as they started to walk through the streets of Ponyville.

Ponyville Park

Applejack was trotting around looking up in the trees. “Oh, there you are Rainbow,” she said, looking upwards at the pegasus laying down and taking a nap.

“Hey Applejack, what's up?” Rainbow asked.

“Fluttershy wanted me to tell ya that Pinkie’s throwing a party in the castle’s main hall, and she needs help inviting everypony,” Applejack explained.

“Really,” Rainbow Dash said excitedly, “what’s the occasion?”

“There’s a new pony in town,”

“Awesome! Did you meet this pony?”

“Yeah, Rarity’s currently keeping him busy while Pinkie finishes decorating,”

Rainbow Dash started to laugh. “So, what’s the poor guy look like?”

“Well, let’s see, he as a caramel coat, chocolate brown mane and tail, and he’s a pegasus,”

Rainbow Dash looked intrigued. “I wonder if he’s any good at flying,”

“Well ah suppose we’ll find out soon enough. By the way, your the fastest, so would ya mind spending the word of the party. We need to be their in about two hours so we get there before Sora. It is a surprise party after all. However ah have a few chores left to take care of before ah can go, so ah don’t have time to invite anypony,”

“Easy peasy lemon squeasy. Be done in a jiff! See you at the party!” Rainbow Dash bolted off into the sky, followed by a rainbow.

Ponyville Town Square

“And this is town square,” Rarity announced. Keeping Sora occupied was harder than she thought, but she couldn’t let Pinkie down. She was lucky she caught on so quick, Applejack was a terrible liar. But that’s to be expected from the element of honesty. However she was out of places to show Sora except the area near the castle, which she had to keep Sora away form for at least another fifteen minutes while all the other guests get ready to give Sora his surprise. “You know what? Let’s take a quick snack break darling,” She suggested.

Sora’s stomach growled. “Actually that sounds like a great idea,” He responded.

Rarity lead Sora to a restaurant and asked for a table for two.

“Right this way,” the waiter said and then started to walk away.

Sora began to follow before he stopped “Rarity is something wrong?,” he asked.

The gesture was nice, but Rarity needed a moment to talk with the manager. “I have to use the lady’s room, You go on ahead darling,” she lied, “I’ll catch up.”

When they walked away Rarity ran straight over to the manager. “Excuse me sir, but have you heard about Pinkie Pie’s party let?” She asked him.

“Why yes madam, a Miss Rainbow Dash flew by and told us about not to long ago,” The stallion replied.

“Good, the pony I’m here with is the guest of honor and I need to keep him here for at least another ten minutes. However there rest of the guests are supposed to be there sooner so they can surprise him,” Rarity quickly explained. “Can you send the bill to my Boutique perhaps?”

“I’ll tell you what, madam,” the waiter interrupted. “Tell us what you're going to order and we will charge you now so there is no hassle later.”

“But I have no idea what he’s going to order,” the unicorn argued.

“Don’t worry, your friend there is staring at the menu like it’s written in a different language,” the waiter insisted.

“I have an idea,” The manager took back control, “I was afraid that we would have to show up late because you two weren’t invited. Since your letting us out early and even thinking of us, I’ll let you each order one dish and glass of milk on the house,”

“Oh, that’s so generous of you,” Rarity thanked the pony.

“Well sometimes we have to return the favor, Miss Rarity,” the manager said.

“Oh thank you, and I just know that Pinkie Pie would appreciate this so much,”

The pony smiled, “Well you're both welcome, but don’t keep you friend waiting,” he said gesturing towards the table where Sora was sitting.

“Oh, of course!” Rarity said before running over to the table to join Sora.

Rarity pulled up a chair, “I’m back,” she announced.

Sora looked up from the menu confused. “What took you so long?” he asked.

“Oh, you see the manager pulled me over and told me that they are closing early today. However I was able to work out a deal, so don’t you worry about it darling,” Rarity explained.

“What’s the occasion?” the pegasus asked in confusion.

“They didn’t say, but that doesn’t really matter right now darling. Have you picked out what you want?”

“Uh, yeah, um, you know what? Why don’t you choose?”

“Well, okay. Waiter, two orders of hay fries and two cups of milk please!” Rarity called over to the waiter.

“Right away madam,” The waiter called back.

Rarity returned her gaze to Sora. She was fascinated by this new stallion. His cloths were like nothing she’s ever seen before. His mane cut was unusual to say the least and normally she’d think it was in terrible taste, but it just seemed to work for him. His eyes were the deepest blue she had ever seen, almost like the open ocean. And to top it all off, his cutie mark was the most beautiful crystal heart she had ever seen. It actually reminded her of the fire ruby Spike had given her, which she had put away for safe keeping. The only problem she had was the pegasus only seemed to answer her questions in cryptic ways like, I’m not from around here, and even when she overheard the crusaders asked about his cutie mark he just said it was a long story and it didn’t sound too convincing. She didn’t pursue any further because she felt it was unladylike like to pry. But with all this time on her hoofs, she didn’t think she could resist any longer. Besides, she told herself, I need to say something.

“So Sora,” she began, “where are you from?”

Sora looked worried. “Uh, I don’t know, it’s a long story…” Sora started to respond before he was cut off.

“Oh, please, please, please, pleeeeeease!” Rarity begged.

Sora looked down and seemed to think to himself for a bit. “Okay, fine,” he resigned. “I’m from a place, which I guaranty you never heard of, called Destiny Islands.”

“That sounds like a wonderful location. Destiny Islands, it’s sounds just like a tropical paradise!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Yeah, and in some ways it is,” Sora continued. “There’s an island that I used to go to and play on all the time when school got out. There are tons of palm trees and one that grow a wired fashion so we could use it as a bench. But the most amazing thing is this star shaped fruit, called a paopu fruit. It’s said that if two pe…” Sora coughed into a hoof, “Two ponies share one the destinies become intertwined. They’ll remain a part of each others lives, no matter what.”

“Oh that just sounds so romantic!” Rarity said excitedly as the waiter returned with their food and placed it on the table.

“Yeah I know,” Sora picked up again. “There pretty famous where I come from, some other areas know about them as well. That legend about them is probably why It’s so common for pe…” Sora coughed into his hoof again. “For ponies to make lucky charms based on them. However it was definitely the reason that Riku kept teasing me to share one with Kairi.” Sora’s smile faded.

“Is something wrong?” Rarity asked before taking a sip of milk.

Sora looked at Rarity for a moment, then took a sip a milk as well. “Well you see recently me and my friends joined a...” he paused, “crime fighting group. And it seems that a criminal organization needs me for their plans. So I have been left alone on the islands for a while. Meanwhile both Riku and Kairi are off on special training.” Sora sighed. “I guess I’m just a burden to them at this point.”

“Oh darling, don’t say such things, they’re your friends, are they not?” Rarity reassured.

“Well, yes, but...”

“Tisk, tisk, tisk, no buts,” Rarity interrupted. “However if you're having friend trouble, you came to the right town. The magic of friendship happens to be our specialty.” Rarity paused and thought for a moment. “Speaking of which, how did you get here?” she asked puzzled.

“I’m not sure, but there seemed to be some sort of magic doorway and it dragged me though. Next I know, I woke up outside this town,” Sora explained. “That sounds crazy doesn’t it?”

“No not at all,” Rarity said. Normal it would but Rarity could tell. Honesty may be Applejacks specialty, but she could see it in this stallions eyes, he wasn’t making this up, or at least not completely. “Well, why don’t you eat something?”

As Rarity picked up a hay fry with her hoof Sora seemed to be watching her do so before doing the same. The pegasus seemed to stare at it in disbelief for a second before putting it in his mouth. As he chewed on it his eyes widened. and then he began to eat one after another. After a while he paused and looked a Rarity. “Well I told you about me, why don’t you tell me about you?”

“Well,” Rarity began, “I do suppose it’s only fair.”

Fluttershy’s Cottage

Fluttershy was finishing up tending to the animals. She didn’t know why she was finishing early considering she didn’t really want to go to Pinkie’s party. But part of her realized that she was now an important pony, being one of the five ponies that spread friendship across Equestria alongside Princess Twilight. In the end that castle was just as much her responsibility as Twilight’s. Well, except for the fact that Twilight lives there. The point is that I owe it to this new pony to at least make an appearance, She tried to convince herself. “Oh I just can’t do it!” she cried out.

There was a sudden flash of light and a letter appeared by her door. She know immediately who it was from. “Discord,” she whispered. Out of all her friends, she was the closest to Discord when he betrayed them. It really hit her hard, but Discord had sent her so many apology letters that she was now feeling sorry for him. He had so much guilt eating at him from the inside that he was sending them several times a week. There were so many that Fluttershy didn’t even read the last few. She had wanted to show Discord that she forgave him by inviting over for tea, but he was currently busy helping Princess Celestia clean up the mess left in the wake of Terek’s attack, which he volunteered to do. In a way Fluttershy was proud of him, but she wished she could help.

She was just going to put the letter with the others, but she had a strange feeling that this letter more important that the others. She picked it up, opened it, and began to read.

Dear Fluttershy,

I know there is no way I can make up for what I did to you but I am truly sorry.

It began the same as the rest, but Fluttershy felt that she should keep reading anyway.

However, right now there is something much more important to discuss. While searching for magical disturbances, I came across something, dark, evil even. Whatever it is, it’s completely devoid of emotion. The worst thing is that it seems to be counteracting my magic so I can’t seem to find its location. It could be anywhere in Equestria for all I know. I am telling you this because I need you to warn our friends. Celestia thinks she has it covered some how, but I’m not sure. And be careful.

Your friend,

Discord

“Oh dear!” Fluttershy said as she looked at the time. “The party starts in just a few minutes. I have to go warn everypony,” She said grabbing the letter with her mouth before bolting out the door. It looked like she was making an appearance after all.

Ponyville Streets

As Sora continued the tour with Rarity he noticed that he felt a little better. He was happy that he was finally able to talk to someone about how he felt. Even if that someone was a magical talking pony.

“And here we are,” Rarity said, gesturing at a castle that seemed to be in the branches of a tree, made of some sort of crystal. On closer inspection, Sora noticed that the tree was part of the building. “Princess Twilight’s Castle.”

Sora eyes widened in shock as he turned to face the unicorn. “She’s a princess?!” He asked loudly.

"Why of course. Didn’t I mention that?” Rarity brought up like it was obvious.

“No!” Sora shouted.

“Oh, sorry darling. Still, why are you so surprised? I did mention that we were going to the castle.”

“Well I just assumed she worked at the library or something.”

“Why ever would you think that?”

“Because, well, you seem to be so familiar with her.”

“Oh darling, I am, but Twilight and I have been friends long before she became a princess.”

“Wait, she became a princess? As in she wasn’t born one?”

“Oh, yes darling it’s an incredibly long story though. We’ll tell you all about some other time. Right now let’s just go in.” With that, Rarity opened the door and walked in.

Sora figured it was for the best. Hopefully I can figure out what's going on before I make too much of an impact on anyone else, he thought. So he walked in and figured that it was surprisingly dark for a castle’s main hall. Suddenly there was a flash of light and he heard “Surprise!” coming from all directions, and when he could see again he saw tons of ponies smiling at him. They set up a surprise party for him, and even though he had no idea way, one thing was certain to him. “This isn’t going to end well,” he muttered under his breath.

“Hi, remember me?” A pink pony asked.

Sora’s eyes widened in horror. “You!” he shouted.

“Apparently you do remember,” the pony giggled cheerfully.

“You're the pony who gasped and ran away when I was trying to ask for directions!”

“Wow, you’re good,” The pony sinkered.

“Why did you do that?” Sora asked, giving up on her taking the hint.

“Silly-billy, I had to start getting ready for your party, obviously.” said the bubble gum colored mare and Sora figured out that there was no reasoning with this one. “You see I had this feeling that I should go for a walk and I ran into you and I never seen you before and if I never seen you before that means you’re new because I know everypony and I mean everypony in Ponyville and if you're new you don’t ha…” She finally stopped when a familiar orange hoof covered her mouth.

“Sorry darling, I know she can be quite the handful,” Rarity spoke up as Applejack whispered something the the hyperactive pony’s ear before uncovering her mouth.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” The cowpony spoke up as well. “This here is…”

“No, don’t tell me,” Sora Interrupted. “Let me guess. Pinkie Pie.”

“Wooow, you are good,” The pink pony stated again.

“Well, you are a little weird, but you know what, any… pony that spends so much time to put together a party to help some… pony they don’t even know is okay in my book,” Sora commented.

“That’s a great book you got there, mind if I read it sometime?” Pinkie responded.

Sora looked at her dumbfounded. “She said thank you,” Applejack explained. “Why don’t you enjoy the party?”

“Okay then,” Sora said and walked away from the three. He was actually quite happy to have a little alone time to collect his thoughts. He walked outside and sat on the steps. “Today was… exhausting,” He said to himself.

“I know how you feel,” said a voice behind him cause him to jump up in shook. He turned to face the new pony. She had a purple coat, navy blue mane and tail with pink and dark purple highlights going through them, large feathered wings, a horn, and a cutie mark of a pink star on top of a white star with five little white stars surrounding it.

“Oh, sorry I didn’t mean to scare you,” she apologized, “I’m Twilight Sparkle.”

“Oh, Princess!” Sora remembered and kneed down to show respect.

“Oh, The formalities aren't necessary, just call me Twilight please.” Twilight responded and Sora was surprised at the humility that this pony had, Sure Queen Minnie and The King weren’t so formal with him either, but they knew who he was. This princess know nothing about him. Not to mention that he still called them by their title.

Probably noticing the confusion on Sora’s face the alicorn spoke up again. “I never really thought I was better than anypony else and I want ponies to see me for who I am, not what I am. Besides I’m really not all that special on my own.”

“Oh come on Twilight,” said a little purple and green dragon coming out to join them, “You even have an official title now. You're the Princess of Friendship.”

“Rarity did mention something about friendship being this town’s specialty,” Sora commented.

“Yeah, try to think about it as the think of it as the unofficial friendship capital of Equestria,” Twilight giggled. “You want to know something funny? The last time Pinkie pie threw a party like this it was for me.”

Sora looked at her in shock. “Except she went to her room to escape, not outside,” the dragon added.

“Now Spike, that was uncalled for,” Twilight critzed.

“You tried to escape?” Sora asked incredibly puzzled.

“To tell you the truth, I wasn’t really wasn’t interested in making friends back then. The only one I got close to was my brother,” Twilight explained. “I was so involved with my studies as the personal student of Princess Celestia that I thought that friends were kind of pointless.”

“The Princess of Friendship thought friends were pointless?” Sora asked in a joking way.

“Yeah, but that was well before I became a princess,” Twilight continued. “But to make a long story short, after I found out how amazing having friends was my life changed completely. One day Princess Celestia sent me a book with an unfinished spell from Starswirl the Bearded and with my knowledge of friendship I was able to finish it. My friends and I created new magic, and that's when I got these wings and was crowned a princess. Like I said without my friends I never would have made it to where I am today.”

“Sounds like you’ve got some nice friends. I wonder how Riku and Kairi are doing.” Sora sighed.

“Are those your friends?” Twilight asked. “I’ve never heard names like that before.”

“Oh, sorry I’ve never introduced myself. I’m Sora.”

“Well, It’s a pleasure to meet you Sor…” Twilight stopped when they heard a scream in the distance. Before Twilight could even respond, Sora bolted in the direction it came from.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 2: Enter The Heartless

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Chapter 3: The Keyblade

Author's Note

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Chapter 3: The Keyblade

The Keyblade
Train to Canterlot

Twilight told Spike to watch the castle and keep an eye on the town and then left as fast as she could. Since Sora had to be exhausted after fighting those things again and he hadn’t had a chance to eat anything yet, she decided to send Pinkie to get some food for him. However that was the only distraction she allowed, and only because she wanted to make sure Sora stayed in good health.

When they got on the train Twilight and her five friends sat together and discussed what they knew so far. Sora on the other hoof took his food and sat in the corner, staring out the window. Twilight decided to let him be for a while. After all, he must have been more confused about the letter than the rest of them. It didn’t take long for Fluttershy to figure out that Discord must had told Celestia about Sora, but Sora was new to Equestria. He didn’t know who Discord was, or Princess Celestia for that matter. Her knowing his name must have been unnerving, no matter how she found out. And to have the ruler of an unfamiliar country demand his presence definitely didn’t help the situation.

To make things worse for him, his friend ran away. Twilight had some suspicions about that, but didn’t want to impose, or at least not yet. Sora needed some time to collect his thoughts and Twilight decided that would make this the best time to review what she and her friends knew.

“...and that’s when we got the letter,” Rainbow finished summarizing the events so far.

“So... there are those living shadows things,” Pinkie stated.

“And that key… thing” Fluttershy added softly.

The six sat there in silence for a few seconds as they realized that everything they knew only lead to more questions. “So is there anything we know for sure?” Twilight asked confused.

“Yeah,” Applejack answered, “that we got no clue what’s going on.”

Twilight sighed. No matter how much they find out, they are only left with more questions. "Okay, is there anything we didn't go over all ready?" she asked in desperation.

“Not that I can think of," Rainbow answered.

Twilight dropped her head in defeat. She couldn't believe that after all they have been through she and her friends knew nothing about the situation they were in. Who is Sora?, she thought, How did he get here? And what happened with Riku? Wait, that’s it! Twilight looked over to Rarity. “How did you know about Riku?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Rarity asked back.

“Well, he seems kind of distant,” Twilight explained. “He’s also very reluctant to talk about himself. I guess, now that I think about it, he did mention Riku to me once. When we first met he mumble to himself that he wondered how Riku and Kairi were doing. However, he wasn’t actually talking to me, more like thinking out loud.”

“Oh yeah,” Pinkie interrupted, “that happened to me to. When I went to check on him this morning he was talking in his sleep. He was saying something about Riku and Kairi leaving him behind. When I asked him who they were, he seemed to answer with as little info as possible.”

“That’s what I thought he’d be like,” Twilight responded. It felt like such a shame though. Sora seemed like a nice guy, but he placed this barrier around him. It was almost like he was afraid to make friends. Twilight wished she could help, but with these creatures attacking there wasn’t anytime. She turned back to Rarity “So when did he tell you? And did he tell you anything else?”

“Well I suppose I was lucky then,” Rarity began. “To answer that first question he told me over a lunch we had as I was distracting him so Pinkie could set up his party. And yes he did tell me more.”

“Really! What?” Rainbow asked eagerly.

“Well,” Rarity picked up, “he said he was from a place called Destiny Islands and seemed absolutely positive that I never heard of it before. And well I might not be too savvy with world geography, you are Twilight. Have you ever heard of it.”

“I have studied a map of the world to a point where it is almost is memorized, “Twilight began to answer, “and that name is unusual, but I can’t even memorize every country on the planet. Is there anything else about that he told you?”

“Of course,” Rarity remembered, “he told me about a star shaped fruit with the most interesting legend about it. He said that it is said if two ponies share one their destinies become intertwined. They’ll remain a part of each other’s lives, no matter what.”

Rainbow stuck out her tongue and made a gag noise. “Talk about sappy!” she blurted out.

“Oh quiet Rainbow Dash!” Rarity replied insulted. “Can’t you take the least bit of a romantic notion!”

“What matters is that it a famous legend,” Applejack intervened “Right Rarity?

“Oh yes, quite, at least according to him,” Rarity continued, “he even said it’s common for ponies to make lucky charms based on them.”

I’ve studied many different legends, but not once have I ever came across a star shaped fruit,” Twilight replied. “I can’t believe how far this is out of my area of expertise. Did he tell you anything else?”

“Well… um…,” Rarity began, “oh yeah, he did say something else but it was very vague.”

“What was it?” the other five ponies asked in unison.

“Well he told me something about being in a crime fighting group, and there was something about a crime organization that needed him for some plan, and being left on the island, and then getting sucked here though a magical doorway.” The group just sat there and stared at Rarity.

“Ya do know that sounds ridiculous, right?” Applejack spoke up.

“Yes, but I think he was telling the truth, just something about him,” Rarity replied.

“So you believe him, just like that!” Rainbow busted out.

"I think he’s telling the truth too.” Fluttershy spoke up. All five of the others looked at the usually timid pony in shock.

Twilight shook her head back and forth to recover from the shock. “I have to agree with Rarity and Fluttershy,” she intervened. “It may sound ridiculous, but so does this whole situation.”

The other five now looked a Twilight in shock. “What?” Twilight asked confused.

“It’s just,” Rarity stated.

“Your the one who always wants facts to prove anything,” Applejack finished.

“Well look at the facts,” Twilight responded. “ We have a pegasus who is not from Equestria and came all the way to Ponyville without knowing about it, and fights creatures made out of shadows with magic and a giant key. The facts we know so far seem to support his claims, outlandish as they may…” Twilight slowed down and paused as she noticed that Pinkie was looking over to Sora over and over. “be… Pinkie, what's wrong?”

“He just looks so sad,” Pinkie whimpered.

“He’s under a lot of pressure,” Twilight explained. “I think it’s best to leave him alone until he sorts out what he needs to.”

“But he hasn’t even touched the food we brought him,” Pinkie countered.

“Wait, what? Twilight responded and she turned to look at Sora. Sure enough, all the food they gave him was still on the plate and Sora himself just continued to stare out the window. “Okay, I’ll go see if I can talk some sense into him.”

Twilight got up and walked over to Sora. “ Are you okay?” she asked.

Sora quickly turned around to face her and he had an expression that looked like an assassin just snuck up behind him. “Oh, yeah I’m... fine...princess,” he answered half heatedly after shaking off the shock.

Twilight looked at him partly concerned and partly annoyed. “Didn’t I ask you to call me Twilight?” she commented.

“But, that’s what your friends call you,” Sora stated and Twilight stared at him confused. “Look, I’m not stupid. I know you want me to tell you what going on, and I know you don’t trust me, so you don’t have to act like it.”

Twilight’s annoyance faded away as the concern took over. “Sora I may be confused to about what is going on, but I’m not oblivious to how your feeling," she began to explain. "I know you are worried about telling us and the reason I haven’t asked you about what know yet is that you shouldn’t have to explain it more than once. I can tell you are trying not to get close to us and avoiding making friends. Also I know our audience with Princess Celestia isn't the only thing on your mind." She paused. "I may not be Riku or Kairi, but if you want to talk about it, I will listen.”

Sora sighed. “I just don’t get why he would run away like that,” he admitted.

"I wasn't going to tell you this until a little later, but I have some suspicions about that myself," Twilight admitted.

“What?" Sora responded in shock.

“I'm not completely aware of the situation but hear me out. As soon as you saw him, he ran away and you chased after him. He ran straight for the Everfree forest and as soon as you ran in after him an invisible wall came up to stop us from coming in after you. And then, when you were in there you were attacked by those creatures."

"Yeah, but what's your point?"

"My point is that there is no way that was just a coincidence. By all means, this was a trap. You don’t think..”

“No! Riku would never do that!”

“Sorry, I may not know what’s going on exactly, but the way I see it, either you're wrong, or that wasn’t Riku.”

Sora’s eyes widened. “That could be it,”

“What?”

“There is a possibility that that wasn’t Riku.”

“Well definitely, but it’s not all that like…” Twilight stopped herself. Not only was it good that Sora was feeling better, but she also knew nothing about the situation. For all she knew there was zero chance that was Riku and she would never know the difference.
“Actually come to think about it as much as I know right now, it’s more that just a small one. Now do yourself a favor and eat up before we get there. You need to keep you strength up.”

“Wait, before you go, can you tell me about this, Celestia? I kinda what to know what I’m in for.”

“Twilight giggled. “I suppose I can spare some time to tell you about the princess.”

Unknown location

A unicorn covered in a black clock paced back and forth. “I can’t believe my illusion failed,” he said.

“It didn’t fail,” said earth pony also covered in a black cloak. “It succeeded in luring him to the forest. We just didn’t account for that zebra to interfere. Or that chaos being. He is a strong opponent in particular."

“So I guess this will require a more hands on approach,” The unicorn said, slightly annoyed.

“Yes,” the earth pony replied, “I’d say it’s time... for an experiment!”

Canterlot Station

Sora couldn’t believe who he was about to meet. He has met some powerful rulers before, King Trident came to mind, but none that could raise and lower the sun and moon at will. Not to mention the fact that these two sisters were over a thousand years old. Saying Sora was nervous to meet such beings would be an understatement. As the train pulled up to the station Twilight tried to ease his concerns.

“Don’t worry,” she reassured, “You're on our side, right?”

“Of course,” Sora answered.

“Then you have nothing to worry about,” she responded. “Well, it looks like we’re here” The train came to a full stop and the doors opened. Twilight turned around and began to walk towards the exit and Sora followed.

"Twily!” a voiced called and Sora looked up at a large unicorn stallion with a white coat, blue eyes, a blue mane and tail with both light blue and dark blue highlights going through them, and a cutie mark of a shield bearing the same pink magical star as on Twilight’s cutie mark and three small blue five pointed stars over the shield.

“Big Brother!” Twilight called out cheerfully as ran over to greet him.

“Brother?” Sora whispered somewhat surprised.

“Twilight, it’s great to see you,” said a pink alicorn with purple eyes, a purple, pink, and yellow mane and tail, and a cutie mark of a blue crystal heart with two golden borders around the bottom. She also wore a golden crown with a purple gemstone in the middle.

“Cadence!” Twilight called out again before the excitement on her face faded into curiosity, “What are you two doing here?”

“Princess Celestia called for our presence,” Twilight’s brother explained. “We were told that it was of utmost importance and everypony would be here, including you and your friends, so we decided to meet you at the station.”

“Speaking of which I don’t believe we’ve ever met him,” Cadence said as she pointed a hoof at Sora.”

“Is it going to be my turn to receive a wedding invitation out of nowhere soon?” Twilight’s brother asked jokingly.

“What!?” both Twilight and Sora shouted simultaneously and then looked at each other, slightly embarrassed.

“No, it’s not like that, Princess Celestia requested his presence,” Twilight explained calmly.

“So, are you going to introduce us?” Cadence asked.

“Oh!” Twilight reacted and turned to Sora. “Sora, this is my brother, Shining Armor, and this is my sister in law, Princess Cadence.”

“Just Cadence is fine,” the pink alicorn said.

Humility is seems to be common amongst the royalty here, Sora thought.

“Bother, Cadence,” Twilight picked up, “this is Sora, from what I can gather he’s the closest thing to an expert on the situation that is mostly the reason we were called here.”

“Really?” Shining Armor said sounding slightly confused. “So you're an expert?”

“I wouldn’t say expert,” Sora answered. “But I’m better than nothing.” Sora lowered his voice to an unhearable mumble. “Marginally.”

Twilight looked at Sora concerned. “Come on,” Cadence spoke up, “We shouldn’t keep Celestia and Luna waiting any longer.”

-----------------------------
Canterlot Castle

Celestia sat at a round table that was set up for the upcoming meeting. Luna sat to her right and Discord was standing behind them. There was a tension in the air, and no one was sure that they were prepared for the truth about this matter. However, there was no time, if they put this off, innocent ponies would be at risk.

“Princess,” Discord spoke up, “when I first brought the issue, you said there was nothing to worry about. If I may ask, why the sudden change in attitude?”

Celestia’s face grew serious. “Because the measures I have taken appear to have little to no effect on the problem as a whole. It is defeated one day and pops back up the next. We need to be better prepared, there is no telling what these things are capable of,” she explained.

There was a knocking at the door and it swung open. “They have arrived,” announced soldier of the royal guard as Cadence, Shining Armor, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy walked in. They were followed by a young looking pegasus stallion, with a light brown coat, blue eyes, a dark brown spiky mane and short tail, and a cutie mark that initially looked like a red crystal heart. However, to the princess of the sun, it was far too smooth and pure to be a crystal heart, it seemed more like the spiritual representation of the heart instead.

The ponies all took a seat at the table, except for the caramel coated pegasus. Celestia looked directly at him. “You must be Sora. Please take a seat,” she suggested.

Sora looked up at Discord. “There’s only one seat left,are you sure you don’t want it?” he asked.

Discord smiled. “That’s very kind of you, but I prefer to stand. Gives me a better view of what's going on,” the draconequus explained. Besides, If I need to sit down I can always make myself a seat.”

“Okay,” Sora said nervously before taking the the seat.

"Alright,” Celestia began, “I must inform all of you that Equestria is under attack by an unknown entity.”

“What?” Shining Armor interrupted.

“The entity, has been in hiding and for the most part remains inactive,” Luna explained.

“That is why we have Discord on reconnaissance,” Celestia picked up. “However, from what Twilight has told me, She and her friends had an encounter with it. Furthermore, Sora here seems to be familiar with such an issue.”

“Sora if you would tell what you can about these shadows, it would be much appreciated,” Luna requested.

Sora sighed. “Okay, but first you should know that there are certain rules and regulations I must follow,” Sora told the others. “The point is I can’t tell you everything.”

“I understand,” Celestia replied before anyone else could.

“Okay,” Sora opened up, “for starters these shadows are called heartless.”

“What a dreadful name for such dreadful creatures, “Rarity commented.

“Yes,” Sora continued, “and they come in many forms the ones that initially attacked Fluttershy…” Sora paused as Twilight horn began to glow and a magical picture of a small black creature with yellow eyes appeared on the table. “That’s the one. These are called shadows, there not much to worry about. they’re fairly weak.” The picture changed to a shadow creature wearing blue armor with a silver helmet and boots. It also had a weird black heart shaped emblem outlined in red with a red X going through it on their chest. “these are called soldiers. Unlike the shadows these are emblem type heart heartless, and tend to be a little stronger.
There are also large heartless that seem to command the smaller heartless. However, the heartless as a whole are mindless. They have one goal and one goal only. To devour the hearts of others.”

“The hearts?” Twilight said confused.

“Yes,” Sora picked up, “Everyone has has darkness in their hearts, and that's what the heartless feed on. The more darkness in your heart the more likely they will be attracted to you. However, they will attack anyone.” There was a flash of light and a giant key appeared in Sora mouth and he then dropped it on the table. “This is a keyblade and it is a weapon only a select few can use. I told Rarity before that I was part of a crime fighting group. The group I was referring to were the keyblade wielders, and the crime was the heartless. The keyblade has many powers. The most important one being the ability to permanently kill a heatless.”

“Permanently, what’s that supposed to mean?”asked Rainbow.

“Yeah, I was able to defeat a bunch just fine,” Discord added.

“You see,” Sora picked up again, “If a heartless is not defeated by the keyblade their energy will just return to the source and reform, unless the source was destroyed by the keyblade already.

“I see,” Luna commented.

“That’s about it,” Is there any questions?” Sora asked.

“Um, what was with those hearts the came from these… soldiers?” applejack asked.

“Oh, yeah,” Sora said, like he just realized he forgot to mention. “You see when a emblem type heartless is defeated by the keyblade it releases the hearts it has captured. That’s all that was. Anything else?”

“Yeah, how did you use magic?” Twilight asked.

“What do you mean?” Sora asked confused.

“That attack you used to defeat the soldiers… it seemed like magic, but only unicorns and alicorns can use magic.” Twilight elaborated.

“Oh, that. You see that’s another one of the keyblade’s powers. Using it I can cast many spells to help combat the heartless,” Sora answered. “Is that it?”

The was a pause as everyone looked from one to the other. “Seems like it,” Applejack responded.

“Okay then,” Celestia began. “This situation is more serious than we originally anticipated. I will need to contemplate the best course of action, but in meantime you all should relax. Go and enjoy yourselves in the city for the time being. Just come back in about an hour.”

“Well, if you insist,” Rarity said as she and the others got up to leave.

“A few more things,” Celestia interrupted, making everyone stop in their tracks. “Discord, if it’s not too much trouble I’d like you to keep an eye on the movement of the heartless. They could strike at any time.”

“But of course,” Discord replied.

“Mind if I join you?” Fluttershy asked.

Discord looked at her in shock. “Not as long as you wouldn’t.” he answered.

“Good, because we have a lot of catching up to do,” Fluttershy smiled.

“Also,” Celestia interjected. “Sora, my sister and I would like to talk to you in private for a few minutes.”

“Okay,” Sora said reluctantly.

“Well then, that is all for now,” Celestia announced and the everyone but Celestia, Luna, and Sora left one by one.

Sora looked at Celestia nervously. “So what do you want to talk about?” he asked.

Luna looked at him as if to study him. “For starters how old are you?” she asked back.

“Seventeen, why?” Sora answered.

Luna and Celestia look at each other. “Nothing really it’s just…” Luna began.

“Well when we were told that we were being sent help, we just assumed that it would be more experienced,” Celestia finished.

“Wait...told...sent...What are you talking about?” Sora asked in shock.

“Apparently he wasn’t informed,” Luna commented.

“You see we were contacted by someone who warned us about the impending danger,” Celestia explained. “He said he could send someone who can take care of the problem with my help.”

“The magic doorway.” Sora whispered.

“And it seems that someone is you,” Celestia finished.

“Still, it’s hard to believe the best they could send is a child.” Luna remarked. “No offense.”

“None taken, I understand how you feel. Besides,” Sora said as he looked down at the ground. “I’m not the best, far from it.
Celestia notice a deep cut sorrow in the pegasus. “Luna, go keep an eye on the city, this is going to take my expertise,” she told her sister. “Sora, why don’t we walk and talk?”

“Okay.” Sora said emotionlessly and the two walked out of the room.

“Sora, I can see you upset but I think being a little hard on yourself,” Celestia reassured. “Even if you're not as powerful as the other keyblade wielders, you're still better equipped than the rest of us.”

“Not to insult you or anything, but that doesn’t help much,” Sora commented.

“Okay then, try and look at this another way,” Celestia suggested.

“How?” Sora asked.

“Think of this as your chance to grow stronger.”

Sora seemed to think about this as they walked out of the castle doors into the royal garden. “You know what, your right. I'll catch up to Riku and Kairi in now time.”

“Now that's the spirit.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess Celestia,” said an ominous voice to Celestia and Sora’s side. They immediately turned around to see a unicorn completely shrouded in a black cloak.

To Be Continued…

Chapter 4: Chaos in Canterlot

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Chapter 5: Aftermath

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Aftermath

Canterlot

As the group walked through Canterlot, Sora couldn’t help notice how this great city was devastated. The busy streets now were lifeless, and the buildings that stood tall were crumbling, with the best of them still having at least one wall turned to rubble. What was this all for? To incapacitate Discord? To turn Twilight into a heartless? It just didn’t add up. Sora tried to wrap his head around it, as they walked back to the castle in silence.

Canterlot Castle

The group walked into the meeting room and Celestia started to address the current events. “Okay, the first thing we need to discuss he civilians,” Celestia began.

“Fluttershy,” Luna addressed the timid pegasus, “you were with Discord as he evacuated the city. Do you have any idea where they were sent to?”

“Yes,” Fluttershy answered, staring at a golden horseshoe in her hoof, “he sent them to the crystal empire. He thought it would be the safest place. I demanded he let me stay closer in case I was needed.”

“Well, I’m glad you did,” Luna replied. “I may have asked otherwise but if you listened we would have no idea where they are now.”

“Cadence and Shining Armor, you will be in charge of the housing and eventual returning of Canterlot's civilians when the time comes,” Celestia ordered. “Of Course I do not expect you to keep all of them at the crystal empire, but until Canterlot is repaired, most of them will not be able to live here."

“Understood,” Shining Armor replied.

“This Brings us to our second order of business,” Celestia continued. “There damage to our city is severe. Without Discord’s… unique magic, it will not be easy to restore, even with the all of the ponies we can spare working on it.”

“Um.. excuse me,” Sora interrupted, "but I may have a have a way to help… or rather be able to get someone who can help.” Sora put a forehoof into a pocket in his jacket and pulled out a small golden lamp. “It’s been a long time, I hope he’ll still answer.”

“Answer what,” Rainbow asked sarcastically as Sora rubbed his hoof against the lamp.

Blue smoke started to pop out of the lamp and formed a being that had two arms with golden bracelets, and a red belt round his waist that was above a tail of sorts. “Sora, It’s been ages,” the creature spoke. “Al and Jasmine have been asking about you and all I could say was that you haven’t called me out. Is there something wrong with summoning me just a just for a friendly chat. Where are you anyway?”

“Genie, down here,” Sora called out.

The genie looked down and quickly swooped over and picked up Sora, giving him a hug. “Oh it’s great to see you again, you look different, that a new hair cut?” he asked.

“I’ll explain later,” Sora stated.

“Excuse me, but who is this?” Luna interrupted.

“Oh, sorry,” Sora apologized. “This is…”

“Please kid, leave the introductions to the professionals,” the genie interrupted. “I am the one, the only, Genie of the Lamp!” he said as the what he said appeared on a glowing sign behind him. “Well I’m actually now free from the lamp,” he said as the of the Lamp part of the sign stopped glowing and fell off, “it’s more like an antique now so I guess I’m more like… The one the only Genie Formerly of the Lamp.” the words Formerly of the Lamp were added to the sign before both the sign and the genie disappeared. He then reappeared behind Celestia. “But you can just call me Genie for sort.”

“Well he certainly, has Discord’s enthusiasm,” Luna commented.

Sora wobbled a bit before regaining composure. “Are you alright?” Twilight asked.

“I'm fine,” Sora assured, “it’s just that Genie lives very far away from here. He gave me the lamp so I could summon he if I need help, but it takes a considerable amount of magical energy to keep him bound here. If I run out he’ll lose his grip to this location and be sent back to where I summoned him from.”

“Wait,” Twilight interjected, “that’s not how summoning works.”

“Well my summoning and your summoning are different. And because of that I need to get to the point,” Sora paused. “Okay, Genie, there was a battle here recently. They are going to need your help restoring the city.”

“I’d love to,” Genie said, “but are you sure you can handle it?”

“Well I may not have that kind of magic, but they might,” Sora said, pointing a hoof at Celestia and Luna.

“Well okay then, anything for friends of yours,” Genie stated before disappearing quickly.

“Yeah,” Sora sighed, “friends.”

“Besides,’ Genie stated again as he reappeared behind Celestia and Luna, “your city looks so much more fun. I’m sure you all won't oppose to a swimming pool or two.” Genie disappeared and reappeared above the table once more. “Seriously fixing up Agrabah get so old. I look forward to the challenge. But Sora, don't wait too long to call me again. You still need to explain your new look.”

“Okay, see you soon,” Sora agreed.

“Toodaloo,” Genie said as he disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke.

“What was that about not have that kind of magic,” Twilight asked confused. “Isn’t he the one using the magic?”

“Well, yes, but the more powerful the magic he uses the more of my magical energy is used up,” Sora explained. “However, you two raise and set the sun and moon. I think you might be able to handle some of his more powerful magic for at least a few minutes without even breaking a sweat.” Sora handed the lamp over to Celestia. “Even so it still will take a while to fix a city this big.”

“Thank you Sora,” Celestia began, “you’ve been a huge help here. However, we do have one more order of business. When Xabmors appeared, you said something that I think needs further explanation. You call him nobody.”

“Well that’s not very nice,” Fluttershy commented.

“Not nobody, A nobody,” Sora corrected. “I would have told you sooner but I thought all we were dealing with were the heartless. You see when someone with a strong heart, evil or good, turns into a heartless, a nobody is born as well.”

“That could be problematic,” Luna commented.

“Yes,” Sora continued, “I was told that technically they don’t exist, but to be honest that never made sense to me. After all they definitely hit like they’re really there. Still most nobodies aren’t too powerful.”

“I beg to differ,” Twilight interrupted, “Xabmors was like nothing I’ve ever faced. I don’t even know what he did.”

“Yeah, well,” Sora picked up, “he’s not most nobodies. He is exceptional. You see when someone with extremely strong hearts loses it, the result a nobody with unbelievable powers. What’s worse is unlike the heartless, these nobodies retain their intelligence. If they take control of lesser nobodies or the heartless they can even strategize to make them act how they want.”

“That does explain a lot,” Shining Armor commented.

“Yes, Xabmors is one of these nobodies,” Sora confirmed. “Not to mention that cloak. It is the symbol of an organization that I have dealt with before.”

“So that’s the organization ya told Rarity about,” Applejack mentioned.

“Yes, but I don’t know why they’re here, What is here that they could wa... “ Sora paused and his eye widened in horror. “They’re after me,”

There was silence for a few seconds before Rainbow Dash spoke up. “Oh, come on,” she started, “just because you're some hotshot keyblade master doesn’t mean…”

“I’m not!” Sora shouted as he stood up from his chair with tears in his eyes. “I’m not a master! I…” He began to run toward the door. “I failed the test!” He ran out of the room leaving the rest of the ponies to try to figure out what just happened.

“And I thought Twilight was the only one who got that freaked out over tests,” Rainbow joked.

“Oh come on!” Twilight objected. “You almost destroy the town over a deadline once, and they never let it you live it down."

“That’s besides the point,” Celestia intervened after giving Twilight a weird look. “Things have escalated rather quickly. We must take every precaution we can. Twilight, I recommend that until this is all over your friends stay with you at your castle, since there is a brain to this operation I can assume that they are aiming for the threats to their plan. I will also send some of the royal guard there as well. Cadence and Shining Armor, the Crystal Heart should help protect you but make sure the are always guards on duty. Also, Twilight keep spike nearby in case you need to notify me quickly. Besides, it can’t hurt to have a fire breathing dragon around. As for you two I need to get you an enchanted book so we can stay in contact. Are we clear?

“Yes,” Twilight replied.

“Crystal,” Shining Armor answered.

“Good,” Celestia picked up. “I’m sure we’ve given Sora enough time to calm down, Twilight make sure you find him and bring him back to Ponyville with you.”

Got it,” Twilight accepted. Besides I have a lot more questions he has to answer, she thought.

Unknown Location

“That could have gone better,” said an unicorn shrouded in a black cloak.

“Perhaps,” said an earth pony shrouded in the same black cloak, “but we still accomplished what we wanted to do. The draconequus has been removed from the picture. And as an added bonus, not only do we know that you can incapacitate your victims instead of turning them into heartless, but I gathered some useful data on the remaining obstacles. Not that any of it will matter, it’s only a matter of time until the thirteenth vessel is delivered to us.”

Canterlot Castle Gates

Twilight and her friends walked out of the castle to begin their search for Sora when they saw him sitting on a bench right outside the gates. “Sora!” the group exclaimed.

“Why did you storm out like that?” Fluttershy mumbled.

Sora sluggishly looked up at them. “It’s kind of personal.” he said in a tone of voice with no energy behind it. “Look I’ve been thinking and it’s probably best if I leave. I’m the one there after so…”

“Not a chance!” Twilight interrupted. “You’re not going anywhere without telling us what you're talking about!”

“Yeah, like what was up with that test thingy,” Pinkie added.

“If I must,” Sora said as his gaze turned to the ground. “The mark of mastery exam, it was a test the was recently given to both me and my best friend Riku to see if we were ready to be named maskers of the keyblade. He passed, I didn’t. At first it didn't bother me, I had no control over the outcome, but now I think that is the very problem.”

“What do you mean no control over it?” Twilight asked.

“Well, it wasn’t the kind of test that studying or training could prepare you for,” Sora started to explain, and Twilight’s widened as she recalled her test with the crystal empire. “We were sent on an adventure to awaken… locations devoured by the heartless. They were already free from the heartless actually, but they remained in a purgatory, sleep like state. That wasn’t what caused my problem though. The organization knew what we were doing, and despite the fact that getting there was extremely difficult they managed to follow us there, in fact, they laid a trap, and captured me.”

“Wait a minute,” Twilight interrupted again. “If they went through all the trouble of setting a trap for you then why capture you, would it be easier to Ouch!” Twilight stopped short Rarity hit her on the back of the head. “Oh, sorry.”

“Don’t be, your right,” Sora replied. “But the organization has bigger plans. You see, their leader, a guy named Xehanort, is trying to reenact an ancient war, from what I’m told. To do so he needs thirteen darknesses to battle seven lights. The way he decided gather the thirteen darknesses is to take thirteen vessels and fill them with his heart and mind.”

“That's not possible,” Twilight said in shock.

“That's what I thought, but he found a way. He has twelve of the vessels already and…” Sora paused, “he decided that I will be the thirteenth.”

All the ponies gasped in shocked. “He wants to possess you?” Rarity asked for clarification.

“Yes and that is why he laid the trap. All for the thirteenth vessel. By the time I realized it was a trap it was too late to escape it. Actually saying I realized is not quite right. When it was officially too late to escape, they told me. They gloated and mocked my defeat. I was helpless, I wouldn't be here if it wasn’t for Riku. He came to rescue me and that’s how he was named master… and I failed.” Sora paused.

“Anyway Xehanort hasn’t given up on catching me so that how I know he after me. Yen Sid, my master, probably sensed the heartless here and thought he could kill two birds with one stone. With Princess Celestia’s help, he sent me here so I could get stronger and restore balance at the same time, free from the threat of the organization. However, the heartless’s mere presence here was part of the organization's trap. They were luring me here so the could capture me."

“Then why’d they attack Discord?” Applejack asked.

“He’s really powerful,” Sora explained. “From what I’ve been told, when I was in the Everfree you all couldn't get in but he could. He was most likely a threat to their plan. See what I mean, it’s me they’re after. If I stay, you all will be in more danger. That’s why I have to...”

“Stop right there!” Twilight interrupted once again.

”Why? If I leave..” Sora tried to argue.

“There’s no guarantee that the heartless will too,” Twilight replied. “You're our only defence against them. This organization has already shown that they are willing to take drastic measures. Let’s say you do leave and they can’t locate you, they would most likely attack us to lure you out.”

“Not likely,” Sora counted, “I don’t live here, and there’s no protection against the heartless here. They won’t have any problem finding me.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Rainbow blurted out, “That’s your counter argument! I’ve heard better from Fluttershy! We’re not going to just let you sacrifice yourself!”

“Why not,” Sora replied, “I’m a stranger,”

Twilight let out a loud groan. “Fine since you only listen to logic,” Twilight stated, sounding incredibly frustrated, “let’s say you do leave, they find you and catch you. Then they do reenact this ancient war, I doubt Equestria would end up unscaved, and then we would be put in danger anyway.”

“What else can I do?” Sora said as tears started to swell up in his eyes. “I’m not Riku. I can’t do this on my own!”

Fluttershy walked up to Sora and grabbed one of his forehooves. “You’re not alone, you have us,” She told him.”

Sora looked at Fluttershy. “I can’t ask you to do that,” he stated again. “I’m a stranger, I can’t ask you to put yourselves in harms way for me.”

“You’d do the same for us,” Rarity countered.

“Heck, ya already have,” Applejack reminded Sora.

“Besides,” Pinkie joined in. “strangers are just friends you haven't met.”

Sora wiped the tears from his eyes and got off the bench. “Okay, you win,” he gave in.

“And while we’re together,” Twilight began, “Maybe we can help with your friendship problems.”

“Princess Twilight,” a pegasus of the royal guard called out.

“Yes,” Twilight answered.

“It will be a while before the train is back up and running,” the pegasus explained. “Princess Celestia wanted us to bring you and your friend back home by chariot.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Twilight replied. “Thank you for the help.”

”Your welcome,” The guard responded, “Now please come this way.

Unknown Location

A earth pony mare and pegasus stallion stood in shadows of a ruined castle. deep within a forest. “Kinda quiet around here, don’t ya think?” the pegasus asked.

“This forest is apparently infamous for having many dangerous creatures in it,” the mare responded. “As a result the locals don’t come out here much. Not that you should care, you just sit around and nap all day.”

“Hey, just trying to make conversation,” the pegasus defended.

“I just hope everything's all right,” the earth pony replied.

“You worry too much,” the pegasus assured. "Just sit down and relax. Everything will be just fine.”

A black portal opened behind them, causing them to turn around as a unicorn stallion cover in a robe walked out. “So you're finally back,” the pegasus responded. “So, how is everything going?”

“So far, so good,” the unicorn answered. “However, they are already here,”

“So whatcha wanna do?” the pegasus asked.

“For now we just keep waiting,” the unicorn replied.

The pegasus groaned. “All this waiting around is getting boring.” He complained.

“Trust me,” the unicorn insisted, “no one has a stronger urge to jump into the fray than me. But this is something he has to do on his own, or he may never be the same again.”

To Be Continued…

Author's Note

Sorry for the short chapter it just turned out that way. :twilightsheepish:

In other news Fluttershy's fighting style has been decided and will be reviled soon.

See you next time :twilightsmile:

Chapter 6: Preparations

Click the green links to start music, and use the red words to know when to stop music.

Preparations
Ponyville

The group arrived at Ponyville as the the moon began to rise in the night sky and Twilight gave out the plan to make sure they all stayed safe until this heartless problem was dealt with. Sora seemed extra exhausted, so Twilight sent him into the castle to get some rest. She then sent everypony to gather up their things so the could stay in caste for the time being. However she felt it was too dangerous to have anypony travel alone so she sent Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity together, and she accompanied Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

“Sis, what are ya doing?” Applebloom asked sleepily.

“Twilight asked us to stay at the castle for a few days,” Applejack explained. “Don’t ya worry though, I’ll be back in the morning to do the chores and spend time with you.”

Applebloom’s eyes shot wide open. “Wait, you’re going to stay at the castle!” she shouted.

“Only for a few days… ah think.” Applejack replied.

“Can ah come?” Applebloom asked with giant puppy-dog eyes.

Applejack thought about this for a while before nodding, “As long as it’s okay with Twilight.”

“Yes! I’m staying at the castle! I’m staying at the castle!” the filly cheered.

“Okay, okay, calm down.” Applejack interjected. “If you’re coming with us ya need to pack up quickly and then help me help Pinkie Pie and Rarity get their things.”

“Got it!” Applebloom beamed and dashed towards her room.

“I don’t see the big deal,” Rarity said as they waited. “It’s not like they’ve never been to the castle before.

“Heh, kids,” Pinkie Pie commented, “em I right!” Applejack and Rarity just rolled their eyes and continued waiting.

Fluttershy’s Cottage

“Okay Fluttershy,” Twilight began. “I recommend that set up your animals in a few of the guest rooms for the time being. Your cottage is fairly far away and and nopony else is there other than you. We need to stick together till this is all over.”

“Okay everyone,” Fluttershy said to the animals. “We have to go for now. Don’t worry everything will be fine.” The animals lined up and followed Fluttershy out the door and Rainbow Dash and Twilight followed carrying Fluttershy’s supplies.

Twilight’s Castle

Twilight arrived back at the castle with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. As Fluttershy led the animals up to the guest rooms Twilight was surprised to see Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity arrive, “Wow, I thought you’ld be here sooner.”

“Well, we would have been, but we got a little held up,” Applejack explained and then the Cutie Mark Crusaders jumped out from behind the three mares.

“What?” Twilight jumped.

“Well, Applejack didn’t want to leave Applebloom alone at the farm,” Rarity began, “and one thing lead to another and now the whole gang is here to see if they can stay with us.”

“So can we?” The three fillies asked in unison.

“I don’t see why not,” Twilight agreed. “There’s plenty of room in this place.”

“Sweet!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “You hear that Rainbow Dash?”

“Sure did Squirt,” Rainbow replied. “Looks like we’ll be spending some more time together for the next few days.”

“Well, now that that’s settled,” Twilight spoke up, “Applejack, Rainbow, can you two help Fluttershy with her animals.”

“Sure thing,” the two said and headed up the guest rooms as Spike came down to them.

“Good to see you're all back safely,” he said, “How was Canterlot?”

Twilight groaned. “That bad?” Spike commented.

“The whole city was attacked those dreadful… heartless creatures,” Rarity explained.

“Well that would be, Wait!” Spike stopped mid-sentence. “The whole city?!”

“It’s a long story,” Twilight commented.

“Really long,” Pinkie added.

“Let’s just say that things are a lot more serious than we originally thought.” Twilight answered best she could. “Where’s Sora?”

“I sent him to the same guest room we put him in last night,” Spike replied.

“Good work,” Twilight told her assistant before heading up to the room. She knocked on the door and when there was no answer she opened it slightly as Spike caught up. Sora was asleep in the bed, but also tossing from one side to the other and mumbling to himself. “Well he’s far from sound, but at least he’s asleep.” Twilight commented.

“Maybe we should ask Princess Luna to help,” Spike suggested.

“Spike, you're a genius!” Twilight replied. “Take a note please.”

Unknown Location

Sora stood his ground in a black void, surrounded by heartless with his keyblade in hand. As the heartless lunged at him, he stuck them down one by one, until his keyblade suddenly disappeared. “Wait, what happened to my keyblade?” he protested.

“Ha!” laughed a voice that echoed all around Sora, “As if the Keyblade would choose a wimp like you.”

“But, I’ve been using for this long,” Sora counted.

“You were only the delivery boy,” said a second voice.

“But…” Sora tried to argue.

"You want to be a master, but you fail to realize the truth,” said a third voice as the heartless all disappeared. Rising out of the ground was a pure white throne, and sitting upon it was Master Xehanort. “Your heart is as strong as they come. Roxas was second in power only to my nobody and a nobody’s power comes from the strength of the heart from which they came. The only thing that keep you from being a master is your power. And power is something Yen Sid cannot provide you. But I can.”

But Riku and Kairi…” Sora resisted.

“Have already left you behind,” Xehanort spoke. “You no longer have the power to be stand at their side. If you try to help, you would only be in their way. But I can change that.” Xehanort’s throne began to grow taller and taller, stretching into the sky. “Join me, and Kingdom Hearts, as well as anything you want, can be ours, Master Sora.” As he spoke he blasted a magical ball into the sky which exploded into a shock wave of energy that blow away the darkness and revealed a heart shaped moon, which the light of shined down onto Sora. “You must accept your destiny Master Sora, you must join me.”

Soon all of Sora’s friends began to appear a circle around him. “Accept your destiny,” they spoke in unison. “one way or another you will join him, so why not accept it.”

“Silence!” screamed a voice from above and everything from the moon to the people were blown away like dust in the wind. Even the darkness of the void was gone and in it’s place was an old throne room with two thrones. On the left was a navy blue throne with a banner of a moon above it and on the right was a golden throne with a banner of the sun over it. In between the two banners was a giant hole in the wall and a crack that extended down to the floor.

Princess Luna flew in through a hole in the cleaning and leaded in front of a dazed Sora. “Pri...Princess Luna?!,” he blurted out and then looked himself over. “Oh this is a dream,” he realized. “That’s good, for a second I thought you were real.”

“This may be a dream, but I assure you Sora, I am quite real,” the princess told Sora.

“Wait… What?!” Sora exclaimed and once again looked over his still quite human body.

”Twilight asked me to help you.” Luna explained. “As the princess of the night it is my duty to help those with their dreams.”

“Okay then, you're not going to tell anyone about this are you?” Sora asked hesitantly.

“I assure you the content of your dream is confidential,” Luna reassured, “but I do not see why you need to keep you true form a secret.”

“Well, I’m not supposed to tell anyone I’m from another world. I normally wouldn’t mind but... well lately…”Sora sighed. “I just don’t want to fail at this whole keyblade thing more than I already am.”

“I understand,” Luna confirmed. “And I can see that you are experiencing some strong emotional struggles. That is why I’m here.”

“Yeah, well I’m not sure you could understand that one.”

“You feel weak and helpless. You think you need more power, but the only way you can find to obtain it is thought means that you don’t agree with, and thus your mind is at war with itself, trying to find a solution.”

Sora blinked. “Close, but there's one thing you didn’t figure out. I know full well I can’t join Xehanort. My struggle is less about what I want to do and more about what I’m dealing with. The way I am now I can’t beat or even escape Xehanort and he has the power to possess me. At this rate I will end up joining him, either willingly or by force.”

Luna looked puzzled. “Well you already seem determined to choose by force, and that’s a start. Still the biggest part of this problem is in your head. You can’t find a way out, so you mind is torturing you to make you look, but all you find is weakness in yourself. However, I can’t fix this problem for you, all I can do is keep the nightmares at bay as well as point you in the right direction,” Luna smiled, “And maybe that will steady your sleep.”

Twilight’s Castle

Twilight woke up early and proceeded to the library to do some more research. This whole situation was still one giant mystery. Where did the heartless come from, and why were they only appearing in Equestria now? Why was there never any record of a keyblade, and where was these Destiny Islands that Sora came from? And then there was Sora, he was one big mystery wrapped up in clues that only left more questions. For all Twilight knew Sora could be from a completely different dimension. “Wait,” Twilight gasped. It almost made too much sense. It explained the secrets and the weird forms of magic. “I wonder.”

Canterlot

Princess Luna was about to finishing her shift with Genie to repair the city when Celestia decided to ask a question. “How was Sora’s dream?”

“Sister, you know full well that the content of dreams is confidential,” Luna lectured.

“I know,” Celestia replied, “but you can’t blame me. Sora is very secretive.”

“I know but all I can tell you is that we are working to solve an emotional complication,” Luna informed her sister as her gave her the lamp.

On the way back to the castle Luna notice a unicorn stallion covered in a brown hooded robe standing in an alleyway, peering around the corner. “You there,” she called out. “State your name and reason of being here, immediately!”

The stallion quickly darting away and Luna gave chase. “Halt!” she yelled and the stallion released multiple purple flames from his horn that rose into the air and hit the ground causing a cloud of dust to rise. Luna wasn’t even phased. She quickly cast a spell to clear the dust away and then continued chase. However, the stallion started to jump up the sides of the buildings to reach the roof tops. “Agile I see,” Luna observed, “not that it will help you much.” Luna took to the sky and began to fire magic beams at the stallion who evaded them by stepping to the left or right. Luna then teleported in front of the mystery unicorn and fired again. The unicorn cast a barrier spell made of transparent hexagons which blocked the attack. After the barrier dissipated a navy blue aura surrounded the robe he was wearing and with one quick motion it was ripped off and thrown at Luna. Luna quickly grabbed it with her magic and threw it away, but by the time she cleared it away from her vision, the unknown unicorn was gone.

Twilight’s Castle

Twilight was still reading when Pinkie bust into the library. “Breakfast's ready!” she called in with a singing like tone. Twilight was unaware of the time, or the fact that Pinkie was cooking to begin with. Still she put the book down and headed over to the dining room to eat.

Once everypony arrived Pinkie dished out pancakes. As they ate they talked about what they were doing for the day. “Well I have a hootenanny of cores to take care of today,” Applejack started.

“And I have to get back to work at Sugarcube Corner,” Pinkie added.

“And I should get back to my boutique,” Rarity announced. “I have alot of research to do if I’m design an effective, yet fashionable, weapon to use against those dreadful creatures.”

“Wait,” Sweetie Bell interrupted, “what creatures?”

“Oh, yes I’m sorry.” Rarity apologized. “I promise we'll inform you three tonight.”

“Why not now?” Sora asked.

“Because it’s an incredibly long story,” Rarity answered. “It took the entire sommit for you to explain it.”

“And I’m still not sure that I understand it all,” Rainbow added.

“Fair point,” Sora agreed. “By the way, Rainbow Dash, do you have anything planned today?”

“Not really,” Rainbow responded. “ I mean I have to do some cloud busting, but that won’t take long.”

“Good,” Sora replied. “I wanted to ask you… well...um…” Sora diverted eye contact and his face turned red with embarrassment. “Well can you…Can you teach me how to fly?” he blurted out quickly.

The was silence for some time as the ponies processed what the pegasus stallion asked. “You can’t fly?” Twilight asked in shock.

“No,” Sora mumbled.

“But I’ve seen you glide,” Rainbow pointed out.

“Well that’s all I can do,” Sora explained in an aggravated tone of voice.

“Okay, then.” Rainbow agreed with a chuckle.

“Oh can I join you?” Scootaloo asked?

“Sure thing squirt,” Rainbow assured.

The Crystal Empire

Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were discussing what to do with the citizens of Canterlot. They had decided to put as many as they could in hotels around the Equestria. As they were figuring out if there would be enough room the book that Celestia had given them began to vibrate. “That book has to be the weirdest thing Celestia ever came up with,” Shinning commented.

“Yeah,” Cadence chuckled as she opened the book and looked inside. “It says that a spy was sighted in Canterlot.”

“What?” Shining Armor said in shock.

“A spy,” Cadence repeated. “It also says that it was a unicorn, thought to be male, that hide his features in a brown robe. Luna wants us to keep an eye out as he, or others may try to come here as well."

Twilight’s Castle

Fluttershy kept the horseshoe Discord gave her on her at all times. She currently had it hooked onto the outside of a saddle bag she was wearing as she tended to the animals. Fluttershy hoped that this good will would somehow make it back to Discord and help him wake up.

At the time, Rainbow was teaching Sora and Scootaloo how to fly, Rarity and Spike were at the bootique, Sweetie Belle joined Applejack and Applebloom, who went to Sweet Apple Acres together, and as far as Fluttershy knew, Twilight was reading in the library.

Then, suddenly, Twilight came into the room. "Fluttershy, I just received urgent news!" she announced.

"W...What is it?" Fluttershy asked.

"Luna spotted a spy in Canterlot," Twilight explained.

"Oh my," Fluttershy gasped.

"Yeah, she sent out a warning and asked that we keep an eye out," Twilight told the shy pegasus. "However, a thought occurred. Zecora is in the Everfree Forest and they may show up there. We should let Zecora know. Not to mention the danger she may be in. I really think we should check on her."

"Okay," Fluttershy said slowly. She did agree, but the Everfree Forest was dangerous enough without these heartless running around. She shuddered to think what it may be like now. It was then that she caught a glimpse of the horseshoe hooked onto her saddlebag once again and remembered what Discord had done. What had happened to him. If she was to keep running from these creatures, then she'd never be able to help him. "Let's get going," she said determinedly.

Zecora's Hut

Twilight and Fluttershy arrived at Zecora's and Twilight was still surprised at Fluttershy's initiative. Normally she would run away at the mere mention of the Everfree Forest, or at least try to discourage entering it. However, not only was this timid pony willing to go in without a moment of hesitation this time, but she also had led the way, stopping only to glare in the direction of strange sounds. Twilight also noticed the golden horseshoe she had hooked to her saddlebag and couldn't help but wonder where it came from.

Fluttershy knocked on the door to Zecora's hut and it soon opened. “My friends, it’s nice to see you again,” Zecora greeted. “I presume there's something you'd like to talk about then.”

“Yes,” Twilight answered.

Zecora's Hut

Fluttershy stood there as Twilight told Zecora about the situation. This usually shy pegasus was feeling determination that even shocked her. The way she charged through the the Everfree Forest may have been brave, but also reckless. Fluttershy thought about what would have happened if the heartless did show up for the first time and there was only two possibilities that applied to her. One, Twilight would handle them all herself, making Fluttershy’s presence pointless, and two, the heartless would swallow Fluttershy, after all she had no way to fight back.

"While your concerns is appreciated, allow me to have them alleviated," Zecora said to Twilight. "These creatures are attracted to darkness in the heart, but out here hearts are few and far apart."

"But they still could come after you," Twilight argued.

"I also am brewing a potion that wards them away, and it is already completed halfway," Zecora added. "Only a few more ingredients left to add, starting with that lily pad." Zecora pointed to a lily pad on the counter behind Fluttershy. Fluttershy reached over to get it for Zecora but as soon as she touched it, the lilly pad vanished and reappeared above Zecora's head, which it then fell onto. Fluttershy stood there like a statue and looked at the at the place that the lily pad was before.

"What? How? When?" Twilight panicked as she looked back and forth between Zecora and Fluttershy so quickly that her mane began to stand up.

"This is an interesting development," Zecora observed as she lifted the lily pad off her head and dropped it into the condren. "It appears that there is power within that amulet." Zecora gestured to the horseshoe that was still hooked to Fluttershy's saddle bag.

"Where did you get that?" Twilight asked confused.

"D... Discord gave it to me," Fluttershy answered.

"That may come in handy with your blight," Zecora spoke. "If you'd like I can teach you to use it to fight."

"Wait really?" Fluttershy said intrigued. "I'll be able to help my friends?"

Zecora nodded. "However, in order to proceed, an appropriate method of carrying that amulet you will need."

Twilight took some deep breaths as she took this all in "If this is something you really want to do, I'm sure Rarity will help." Twilight told Fluttershy.

"A nice suggestion," Zecora commented, “but for you I have a question. I still have ingredients to collect, Twilight, will you assist me with this request."

"Sure," Twilight agreed to help. "Fluttershy, you head back to Ponyville without me, I'll catch up."

Unknown Location

A earth pony mare stood in the shadows of an old castle as a black portal opened up in behind of her. “So how’s things going?” she asked as a unicorn stallion walked out of the portal.

“Well, Canterlot's repairs are coming along quickly thanks to the genie,” the stallion answered, “but I don’t think I be able to go back there any time soon. One of the princesses saw me.”

"So much for your stealth skills,” the mare chuckled. “Seriously you’ve never been good at avoiding attention.”

"You can say that again," a pegasus stallion called over. "They already sent news over to the Crystal Empire. They'll be tightening security everywhere."

The unicorn grumbled. “I going to scout the perimeter," he declared.

"Twilight, they are over there," said a an voice approaching the three.

"Hide!" the unicorn whispered and the three of them dove into the castle.

"And it looks like I will be able to make enough to share," the voice continued.

"That would be a huge help. Thanks Zecora." said a second voice.

The mare lifted her head slightly and looked out the bottom of the window. She saw a purple alicorn and a zebra collecting herbs. As the two left, she saw the zebra look towards the castle and she could have sworn she saw the zebra wink before leaving.

"The coast is clear," the mare called out to the others.

Carousel Boutique

There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Rarity called out as she applied the finishing touches to the design sheet of her weapon, which she named Heart Sewer. It would be a skinny steel blade with a hilt wrapped in golden fabric and the heart shaped fire ruby Spike had given her encrusted at the the bottom of the hilt.

"Rarity, I have a favor I need ask," Fluttershy said as she came in. "I need you to make me a necklace that can hold this and be use in combat." Fluttershy placed a golden horseshoe on the table.

"Dear, why ever do you need that?" Rarity asked confused.

Fluttershy placed one hoof on the horseshoe and another on one of Rarity's fabrics, then closed her eyes. To Rarity's amazement the fabric disappeared before her eyes before reappearing in the corner. "That's amazing," Rarity commented. "Wherever, did you get such a thing?"

"Discord," Fluttershy said softly.

Rarity backed up a bit. She knew how close Fluttershy was to Discord and this whole ordeal must have been hard for her. "With Zecora's help, I may be able to use this to help," Fluttershy explained.

"Of course," Rarity replied. "I'll get started right away."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 7: Friends New And Old

Friends New And Old
Twilight's Castle

Twilight decided to head out while she waited for breakfast and order a few more books to see if any of them would help make sense of the current events. When she saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders standing at the main door looking at the steps. "What are you doing?" she asked.

The three turned to face her, looking somewhat confused. "Someone wants to ask you a question." Scootaloo spoke up.

"Okay," Twilight responded, "where is this someone?"

Scootaloo pointed a hoof to her mane where a cricket wearing a suit and top hat jumped out. "That’s a cricket,” Twilight said bluntly.

Twilight's Castle

It had been a week since the attack on Canterlot, and Sora was starting to get used to the lifestyle of this world, which he thought was sort of a mixed blessing. He had been training with Rainbow Dash for a week now and wasn't making any progress on flying, something Rainbow was quick to remind him of. Although he was able to move his wings, it was far from fluent and just felt unnatural.

Just the night before Rarity brought over some materials and Twilight used her magic to help forge both Rarity's weapon, which she named Heart Sewer, and Fluttershy's necklace which Rarity named Fleeting Breeze. Fleeting Breeze was a silver necklace with a golden horseshoe embedded in the front and engraved into the silver was a pattern that resembled the blowing wind.

Sora just came down to the castle’s main hall, where he spent his time when he was waiting for breakfast, when he heard Fluttershy call out, “A talking cricket!” before slamming into Twilight, sending her flying. “I’ve never met a talking cricket before!”

Says the magical talking pony with wings, Sora thought.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," the cricket spoke and Sora's eyes widened at the sound of the voice. "Cricket's the name, Jiminy Cricket."

"Jiminy," Sora muttered in disbelief.

"Sora, is that you?" Jiminy asked as he hopped onto the ground and ran over to Sora.

"Jiminy, I can't believe you're here!" Sora exclaimed. "It's been ages."

"I know," Jiminy agreed," "it's great to see you again."

"How Pinocchio?" Sora asked.

"Oh, both Pinocchio and Gepetto are doing great," Jiminy answered.

"Excuse me," Twilight interrupted the reunion. "You two know each other?"

"Yeah," Sora answered, "Jiminy and me go way back."

"I accompanied him on his first few journeys as a record keeper," Jiminy said.

"Speaking of which," Sora picked up, "how's Donald and Goofy, oh and the king?"

"Actually, all I know is that they are on some special mission at the moment," Jiminy informed.

"Oh..."Sora sighed.

"Hey," Jiminy started, "don't feel glum. We're on a special mission of our own."

Sora's eyes beamed. "Realy?" Sora asked hopefully.

"Yes, we are here to find the source of the heartless here and seal it or get rid of it it." Jiminy explained. "I was supposed to be here to explain the mission and be the record keeper from the beginning, but I was out of reach when you were sent."

"Okay then, but you missed a lot," Sora replied.

"How much?" Jiminy asked.

"Well the entire capital city was attacked," Twilight interrupted.

"And Discord ended up in a coma," Fluttershy added.

"And to top it off," Sora continued, "the organization is here."

"Oh dear, I did miss a lot," Jiminy responded to the assault. “Sora you mind catching me up on the current events so I can record them in my journal?"

"No problem," Sora smiled.

"Mind if I help?" Fluttershy asked.

"Sure, miss..." Jiminy began.

"Fluttershy," the pegasus answered.

"Okay," Twilight interrupted again, "I think you should all join me in the library for the time being."

Unknown Location

A unicorn stallion stood in the shadows of an old castle and an earth pony mare walked up to talk to him. "It's been a week and we're still in the dark," she told him.

"Well there's not much we can do, security is still too tight," the unicorn responded.

"Then maybe it's time we take her advice," the mare suggested.

"I don't know if we can trust her," the stallion replied.

"It's not like we have much of a choice," the earth pony contered.

"But he might recognize you," the unicorn argued.

"Looking like this, not likely. But just incase I'll stay clear of him, okay?"

"Fine!"

Carousel Boutique

Rarity had just finished sewing some scraps of cloth together when she heard the entrance bell to the boutique ring. She closed the curtains around the work space to hide the mess and then walked over to the entrance. “Hello and welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique,” Rarity greeted with her business slogan. “How can I help you?” The customer was a mare with a light pink coat, short dark red mane and tail, deep blue eyes, a cutie mark of what seem to be a star sewn together out of seashells and she was wearing plain white saddle bags.

"Um, yes. I need an outfit to help that is good for camping," the mare requested as she looked all over the boutique, somewhat lost.

"Okay," Rarity responded. "What kind of camping are you doing.

"Well it's not really camping," the mare answered. "You see some friends and I are on an expedition to research the Everfree forest. I'm only here to get some supplies. However I didn't pack so well so I need to to get an outfit."

"So you're looking for something warm and concealing?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah I'd like it to cover most of my body," the mare answered.

"That's a shame, you're such a beautiful young mare, but I do think I have what you're looking for," Rarity said as she looked through a rack of clothes. "Here we are." Rarity pulled out a camouflage suit from the rack with her magic.

"It's perfect," the mare responded.

"It's not very fashionable though, are you sure?" Rarity asked again.

"Yeah, fashion has to come second to survival. So how much do I owe you," the mare asked as she reached into her saddle bag and got out several bits.

"Oh, there's no need of that," Rarity stopped the mare. "I've been trying to get rid of this old thing for months."

"What?!" the mare reacted and ended up dropping a bits on the floor. She quickly picked the up and threw them back into her saddle bag but one rolled away and ended up going underneath the curtains Rarity had closed. The mare dove after it and Rarity quickly opened the curtains.

"I'm sorry about the mess, dear," Rarity tried to explain. "This wasn't really meant to...."

"You fight?" the mare asked pointing at the hilt of Heart Sewer sticking out of a bin next to her.

Rarity blinked. "Um, yes, and no. You see there are some weird creatures that are starting to appear in Equestria and my friends and I were tasked to help fight them. However, my normal methods don't quite work on these things so I tried something new. Last time I just used a metal pole that was lying around but I decided to make a blade. Those hideous pieces of haphazardly sew together cloth were meant to be practice targets."

"Cool," the mare commented. "can I see a demonstration?"

Rarity thought about the idea for a few seconds before nodding, "Just stand back, I'm just a beginner after all." Rarity then used her magic to move three targets and after she positioned them she tied them to the ceiling with some spare thread.

Rarity then picked up Heart Sewer with her magic and took a stance. She bent her knees and lowered as if she was getting ready to pounce onto something, and held Heart Sewer to the right of her head. She did this because it allowed her to adjust changes around her relatively quickly.“Okay here we go,” Rarity announced as she lunged at a target with a thrust and then spun around slashing the second target. Afterwards she attacked the third target with downward slash before she jumped backwards to her original stance.

The mare clapped her hooves for a short period of time. “That was great for a beginner!” she complemented. “However, if I my give a few pointers, rise your sword so it’s slightly above your head. It will let you see more of the battlefield.”

Rarity looked at the mare in shock. “Do you fight?” she asked.

“Well I haven’t been for very long,” the mare admitted, “but I have a friend who is a very experienced sword fighter. He’s been giving me some lessons here and there.”

“You think he can teach me?” Rarity asked.

“Nah, he’s kind of anti social,” the mare laughed. “But I may be able to teach you what he taught me.”

“Really?” Rarity jumped at the chance.

”Sure,” the mare replied, “I’m only a spare hoof on the expedition, so as long as nothing comes up I should be able to make it into town almost every day.”

“Oh thank you…” Rarity paused “I don’t believe I ever got your name.”

The mare giggled. “Call me Wayfinder,” she said.

“Well thanks again Wayfinder,” Rarity continued. “My name is Rarity,”

“Your welcome Rarity. However, I'm a bit busy so I can’t help you today,” Wayfinder informed as she picked up her new camouflage coat. “I have alot of shopping to take care of.”

“Oh, why not let me help you?” Rarity suggested. “It’s the least I can do for a new friend.”

“Wait, we’re friends?” Wayfinder asked in shock.

“But of course,” Rarity replied. “Is that a problem?”

“No,” Wayfinder answered. “It’s just that this is really my first expedition. My friends use to tell me about the new friends they made on their journeys. I guess it’s just nice to know how they feel.

Ponyville Streets

“I don’t care how much you needed to catch up,” Rainbow Dash lectured Sora as they walked towards the usual training spot. “Even the best flier in equestria, like myself, cannot teach you to fly if you don’t show up.”

“Is she always like this?” Jiminy asked, sitting in the hood of sora’s coat.

“Only when she feeling arrogant,” Sora responded.

“Oh, okay th…” Jiminy started

“She always arrogant,” Sora interrupted. There was a short moment of silence before both Sora and Jiminy started laughing.

“I can hear you you know,” Rainbow commented.

“We know,” Sora responded and Rainbow dropped down and hovered right in front of his face.

She stayed there for a moment, studying Sora before speaking. “You're in a better mood,” she said.

“What’s that supposed to mean,” Sora asked as Rainbow backed up.

“I don’t know, but you seemed so upset before,” Rainbow answered.

“I was not!” Sora shot back.

“Really?” Rainbow said raising an eyebrow. After a few seconds she coughed into a hoof and looked distantly into the sky. “It’s my fault, I have to go or you will get hurt,” she spoke in a dramatic tone of voice, “I can’t ask you to help, I’m a stranger.” Finished with her little performance she looked at Sora with an arrogant smile.

“Sora,” Jiminy responded in shock, “did you really say that?”

“No! Well kind of,” Sora admitted, “but not like that!”

“He’s right you know.” Rainbow intervened. “He was way more depressing.

“Sora!, Jiminy criticized. “I’m disappointed. What would Kairi say?

“She’d probably yell at me,” Sora said in a half joking voice and sighed.

“Just how close are you to Kairi?” Rainbow asked.

Sora face flushed red. “We’re just friends.” he blutted out quickly.

“Yeah, sure” Rainbow said sarcastically.

Ponyville Streets

“So what is next?,” Rarity asked Wayfinder as they left the food store.

“Actually, that was the last thing I needed,” Wayfinder said right before her stomach let out a large growl. “How about I treat you to
some lunch?”

“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to pay darling,” Rarity protested, “after all you’ve spent so much money already today on your supplies.

“Come on, think of it as a thank you for all your help today,” Wayfinder countered. “Besides, I saved quite a bit on my outfit.”

“Are you…” Rarity started

“Yes,” Wayfinder interrupted.

“Well if you insist,”

“Just one more thing,”

“What is it?”

“You know anyplace we can get lunch?”

Rarity giggled. “Follow me.”

Zecora’s Hut

Fluttershy ran forward and brushed her hoof over a flower as she ran past it and it vanished and reappeared in a basket that Zecora had brought with her. “You’ve quickly mastered the basics of your powers. Let us begin the next step with our remaining hours,” Zecora announced. “You enemies will rarely be standing still. You must be able to teleport moving objects at will.”

“Okay,” Fluttershy agreed, “but how will I learn that?”

“I will through the flowers back at you,” Zecora answered. “Teleport them back to the basket is what you will do. Doing it before they hit the ground is the trick. Do that and you will master this skill quite quick.” Zecora threw the flowers in the air and Fluttershy tried to teleport them back but miss each one. She then teleported them back into the basket.

“Again,” Fluttershy said determined.

“That’s the spirit,” Zecora applauded, “never give up and you can do it!”

Ponyville Restaurant

Rarity and wayfinder were talking as they ate the meals and Rarity’s attention turn to something she was wondering about. “Say Wayfinder, just what is your cutie mark of?” she asked

“Oh, um this?” Wayfinder said stuttering before looking down at her flank. “Well, it’s a wayfinder.”

“Oh, so that’s you name sake?” Rarity observed.

“Yes, is that weird?” Wayfinder asked.

“Not at all,” Rarity assured. “Many ponies have names that are the same as their cutie marks. Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, just to name a few. Still what is a wayfinder exactly?”

“Oh well it’s based off an old legend,” Wayfinder told her. “It goes that somewhere out there, there’s this tree with star shaped fruit and the fruit represents an unbreakable connection. So as long as you and your friends carry good luck charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. You’ll always find your way back to each other.”

“That sounds familiar,” Rarity said as she took it all in. “Oh! The paopu fruit!”

“The… what?” Wayfinder said in a soft tone that she seemed to choke out.

“The paopu fruit,” Rarity repeated. “The star shaped fruit. Another new friend of mine, Sora told me that where he’s from there are star shaped fruits. He called it a paopu fruit.”

“Oh, well, like I said… it's just a legend I’ve never... actually seen one.”

“Are you sure?”

“Oh, um, yes.”

Rarity had her suspicions about this. Wayfinder kept stuttering and wasn’t making eye contact. Even so, she decided not to pursue it any further. And besides, she thought. What reason would she have to lie to me?

Suddenly there was a loud thud and the a grinding sound as something slid next to the table. Rainbow Dash flew over chasing it. “ well at least you airborne now,” she said rolling her eyes.

Sora dug himself out of the hole he ended up in. “Your enjoying this, aren’t you?” he asked groaning.

“I have no idea what you're talking about,” Rainbow said quickly.

“I’m...I’m late,” Wayfinder mumbled. “I have to get back to the expedition.” She grabbed her supplies and ran off before Rarity could even respond.

“Wait,” Rarity called out.

Rainbow and Sora looked in the direction she ran off in blankley. “Who was that? Rainbow asked.

“A new friend I made,” Rarity said softly.

“She seemed familiar,” Sora said, still looking into the distance.

“What’s her name?” Rainbow Dash asked

“Wayfinder,” Rarity answered.

“Wait,” Sora reacted, “WHAT!?”

To Be Continued...

Author's Note

Sorry for the incredibly long wait for this chapter. I've been busy working on my YouTube channel and my motivation for this story has been dwindling. However I still fully intend to finish this story, even if it kills me. I know the frustration of an unfinished story.