Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, or My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic nor any character used in this story.
Note: This Fic is written, assuming the reader HAS played the Kingdom Hearts game series. (Especially I, II, Re:Coded, and Birth by Sleep.) And has watched the first season of MLP:FiM at the least.
Special Thanks: I would like to thank Siegfried432 for helping me with the editing of this chapter.
Chapter 3
Details, Details, Your Highnesses
"Well? We're waiting for an explanation." Rainbow Dash stated, giving the trio of Riku, Donald and Goofy a look of impatience as she hovered in place. Riku had an uneasy look on his face. He couldn't just tell them that they were from a different world, and that they were warriors that fight against an ancient darkness since light's creation; that topic was hush-hush from what Mickey told him. Worlds are really delicate and any form of knowledge of other worlds would cause bridges to these worlds… bridges that allow any beings to cross… making it easy access for Heartless and the Darkness to use to invade worlds and steal the World's Hearts. He had to think of something to change the subject… or at least think of a good way to hide the fact they don't belong there!
"Actually, I think it's best we left this place for now," Rarity abruptly spoke "and find a much more comfortable atmosphere to talk wouldn't you all agree?" "I agree!" Riku hastily confirmed. "Oh Thank you, Rarity for butting in, now I just need to switch the topic!" he thought "The Heartless may come back again if we stay here." "Plus, it's getting late," Applejack agreed "Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Applebloom must be plum sick with worry 'bout now." "Alright then," Twilight said "let's make our way back to town. You three," she indicated towards the trio "of course, are coming along, right?" "Uhhh sure," Donald quacked nervously "but I think I better check the ship first to make sure no Heartless gets in." "Oh! I'll come help Donald," Goofy hastily added "those doors can be real tricky!" and when after Donald to the airlock on the gummi ship.
"Oh, thanks a lot, guys, yeah, leave me here to answer all the questions these ponies are probably gonna ask." Riku thought, irritated that his companions had ditched him. "Well," said Rainbow Dash, getting right in Riku's face "since we're waiting for them, you can answer a few questions, right?" "Waah!" Riku startled before falling onto his backside. He looked up at Rainbow Dash, who only gave him a raised eyebrow. "Eheheh, ummm I can do my best to try?" Riku said. In his mind, he was already committed to the fact that "Yeah, I'm doomed." "How about telling us what those shadow things were?" Twilight asked, walking up to Riku "You called them Heartless, right? Does that mean you know what they are then?" "Yeah, what she said." Rainbow said, casually pointing her hoof behind her. Riku sighed heavily, nodding. "The Heartless are creatures manifested into form from the Darkness." "The Darkness?" Twilight asked "Oooh, that sounds really scary." Fluttershy squeaked as she hid behind Applejack. Nodding, Riku continued "The Darkness is the embodiment of Hatred and Despair. It feeds off anything negative, fear, sadness, the creatures you saw are the embodiments of the Darkness."
"Wait one second there, pardner," Applejack asked, concerned "you sayin' those critters were made from our feelings? The bad ones?" Riku confirmed and continued "It's not just that, the Heartless are nothing more then gatherers for the Darkness." "Wait, hold on, Gatherers?" Rainbow asked "What do you mean, Gatherers?" Riku continued to explain "The Heartless… you can sort of think of them like an ant colony, the Heartless are more or less classified into workers and soldiers… 'course they fight essentially the same, but the soldiers are obviously more meant for combat." "Wait a minute." Twilight interrupted, "You said they were gatherers right? What exactly do they gather?" She asked worried for the answer. Riku was really hesitant on answering that question... many become quite frighten after learning this fact… though who wouldn't? Something that can take your very being and warp it into becoming a monster to do the same to others, with almost no defense against them, save the keyblade.
No, he couldn't just leave them clueless. This is their world, they have a right to at least know their home is in danger, regardless whether or not they can save it. "The Heartless they… they target hearts." Riku told them, throat feeling dry. He was really worried about their reaction… except, all the ponies gave him a strange look, one of puzzlement. "What do you mean hearts?" Twilight asked. Riku looked as he was about to explain when- "Okay! We're all done here!" Donald quacked loudly from the airlock. "Ahyuck, yep! Just need to close this here lock and we're good to go!" guffawed Goofy. "Perfect timing, guys." Riku thought, feeling relieved, though he realized this is only going to be temporary, most likely the ponies will ask him to continue as they walked. "What were you guys talking about?" Donald asked. "Riku was telling us about the Heartless and they were hunting for hearts or something like that?" Rainbow explained to the duck.
"What!" Donald nearly squawked, he turned to Riku gave him a glare, before pulling down Riku's head to his level and whispered "Riku, you know this stuff has to be a secret! Why would you tell them?" He asked, Riku whispered back. "It's better this way, Donald, this is their world, they have a right to know. Besides, I feel as though we've already involved them somehow." Riku explained. Donald just looked at Riku worriedly, he hadn't known the young adolescent for long. Though from what he did know was that at least Riku was honest. "Okay," Donald whispered "but don't let them know we're not from here, got it?" Riku nodded in agreement. "Hey hey hey!" Rainbow interjected, eyeing them with suspicion "What's with the whispering huh?" "Is there something you're trying to hide from us?" Twilight asked this time, concerned. In fact, the other ponies were looking worriedly at Riku and Donald wondering what secret they're keeping from them.
At that point, Goofy came up to them smiling as usual until he saw the rather tense scene, his smile slowly disappearing as he got closer. "Gwarsh, why's everyone have such long faces?" he inquired, "Hey Goofy!" Rainbow Dash cried "Maybe you could help explain what hearts are and why the Heartless are after them?" "B-b-b-bwah? H-how'd you know about the Hearts and the Heartless?" Goofy asked in surprise. "Riku was explaining it to us" Rainbow answered angrily "but then Donald here came up quacking about how we're not allowed to know! So what's the big idea?" Goofy looked to Donald and asked "Can't we just tell them Donald?" "No way Goofy!" Donald answered, "Don't you remember? The King said we can't!" "King?" Rarity perked up, hearing this " You work for Royalty?" Riku just facehoofed himself before explaining "I've thought this through, Donald. They should know, they're already involved... because of us." He said to the duck with the stern look in his eyes. "B-but the King!" Donald stammered, "He said-" "We involved them Donald by landing here," Riku interrupted "I think we at least owe them an explanation." "Ooooh, I guess you're right." Donald sadly quacked, feeling defeated.
Riku walked up to the group, telling them, "I'll answer whatever I can, but I think we should really get going. The sun is already setting. It'll be dark soon." Twilight nodded; glad to finally get answers, and being able to leave the Everfree forest before dark. Her fellow ponies obviously felt the same as they all had relieved smiles on their faces. Save Pinkie, she had a large smile on her face… No, doubt planning another large party to welcome their three new friends to Ponyville. They set off, leaving the gummi ship where it was.
"So Riku," Twilight asked as the group continued onto Ponyville "you were talking about the Heartless gathering hearts? What are those? They couldn't be after the hearts we have, right?" "Yes, and no…" Riku answered "There are in a sense two kinds of hearts. The kind we have that pumps blood through our bodies, the one you're familiar with. Though there is another heart." "Another heart?" Twilight asked. Riku nodded to acknowledge. "You see, a 'Heart' is also, in a sense, a soul, if one can put it that way." Twilight looked confused as Riku tried his best to clarify "It's hard to explain… a Heart is something that makes you… well, you. You can't exist without one… losing it would cause you to fade away." Twilight's jaw dropped opened. In fact, the other ponies stopped walking upon hearing that. "S-S-So you're saying th-the Heartless from before, were after our hearts? A-And we would have disappeared if they did?" Fluttershy stammered in fright.
Riku gravely nodded as the ponies gasp. "That's… that's absolutely horrible!" Rarity cried in complete drama "IT'S… IT'S… IT'S… THE… WORST… POSSIBLE… THING!" She proceeded to faint into the arms of a panicked Goofy. "Whooooa! Gwarsh Miss Rarity, you shouldn't get so worked up." He said worriedly. "Though Ah can't say much for Rarity's reaction," Applejack said worriedly "Ah know that what you jus' said was real worrisome, pardner. Ah mean, monsters that pretty much make you disappear." "That IS very unsettling." Twilight agreed. "I better send a message to the Princess when I get back home to Spike." "Oh my gosh, disappear?" Pinkie Pie interjected in a hyper panic "If I disappeared I wouldn't' be able to make any more parties, or go to any!" "Ooooh, it sounds so horrible!" cried Fluttershy as she almost yelped as she covered her eyes with her hooves. "Don't worry! We can beat them!" Donald proudly quacked. Riku nodded to affirm their abilities. "Donald's right, we can, we've been at it for a while, so I can definitely say we can. They can be defeated… because of this." Riku proclaimed before he summoned the keyblade again. "Hey!" Rainbow Dash cried out as she pointed towards the keyblade "That's what you used to defeat that giant monster!" "It's called a Keyblade." He said as he started to walk again. "We should probably keep going, it's not a good idea to make pit stops when it's this close to getting dark." The group agreed and proceeded.
During the walk, Riku explained all about the Keyblade, and what he knew about it so far. How it was a magical large key that could unlock any form of lock or keyhole and able to lock it as well; how it can be used as a weapon and can allow one to use magic. He also explained how it's pretty much impossible to steal from him as it's a weapon that can only be wielded by a being with a strong heart. Also, that any being that's not the owner that tries to use it, will make it go straight back to its owner. He explained that obviously only a special individual can wield it. How it is, so far, the only effective real weapon that harm the Heartless and, by trial and error, he and Sora both found out that it can bless the weapons of others allowing them to harm the Heartless in the same way as done before with other citizens of other worlds. Before they knew it, they were at the entrance to the Everfree forest.
"Well, we're out of the forest." Twilight stated. "Yeah and it's night now." Rainbow Dash said from her observations of the starry sky. "Gwarsh, I wonder where we're supposed to sleep?" Goofy pondered out loud. "You can stay at my place." Twilight offered "it should certainly have the room." "We'd be glad to, Miss Twilight Sparkle." Goofy said with a smile. "Just Twilight is fine, Goofy," she said "after all we're all friends now, right?" Twilight smiled at the three as they also smiled while nodding.
The six ponies went their separate ways as Riku, Donald, and Goofy followed Twilight home. Before showing them the way to the library in Ponyville, Twilight and the three heroes noticed that the crowd from before had dispersed with everypony in their houses sleeping and dreaming. As they approached the Library, they all heard a cry "Hoot! Hoooooot!" coming from inside. "Was that an owl?" Donald quacked surprised. "Oh yes! Don't worry that's just Owloysius, my pet owl." She said.
As Twilight opened the door, the four could hear the fluttering of feathers and another hoot, before hearing a voice. "Is that you, Twilight? Sheesh, do you know what time it is? How come you came back so late?" The voice came from upstairs. "Your Owl can talk?" Riku asked Twilight in surprised a bit startled. "Oh, no! Owloysius can't talk, that was Spike, my assistant." Twilight answered. "Your assistant?" Goofy asked. "Yes, he's a baby dragon." She clarified as she asked Spike to come down. "Spike we have guests! Come down and introduce yourself!" Twilight yelled. "We got guests at this time of night?" Spike yelled back "Okay, okay I'm coming!" Riku, Donald, and Goofy waited as they looked at the stairs to see a purple little dragon with green spikes on its' back and end of his tail with emerald eyes coming down.
"I'm here, Twilight." Spike yawned as he was rubbing his eyes with his claw. "Spike, this is Riku, Donald and Goofy." Twilight introduced. The three greeted them as friendly as they usually do and, in turn, so did Spike. "So how come you came home so late, Twilight, with your new friends? And I don't recall seeing you before in Ponyville." Spike asked curiously. "Oh, that's cause I'm not from Ponyville, I came from somewhere pretty far with my friends here." He explained. "Oh." was all Spike could reply to. He just couldn't concentrate with how sleepy he was. He turned to Twilight "So where were you, Twilight?" "I was at the Everfree forest." Twilight explained. "That's when I ran into Riku, Goofy and Donald." "What the hay were you guys doing in there?" Spike asked his interest piqued. "We were kind of lost." Riku answered nervously. "We'll talk about it in the morning Spike," Twilight interrupted "for now, can you get the spare blankets and pillows for these three?" "Oh uhhh, sure." Spike said before he headed back upstairs. "I'll go give you a hoof, Spike" Twilight called out, as she went up the stairs as well.
As she got up to the stairs, she saw her faithful assistant already grabbing the blanket. "Spike, I need to talk to you for a minute." Twilight requested. "J-just a minute, Twilight, I just about got these blankets." Spike said as he stretched as much he could to reach for three blankets sitting on top of a shelf. "Don't worry about that, Spike, I got it, I need you to write a letter to Princess Celestia for me." Twilight said, as she used her magic to levitate the blankets and pillows. "You know, you could have just done that earlier then." Spike said irritably. Obviously, irritable about having to work on grabbing something so high when he was so short when Twilight could have just used her magic earlier to bring them down instead of making him work so hard… especially at this time of night. "Alright, alright, so what is it you want me to write?" Spike asked as he got a feather quill and a piece of paper as usual. "Dear Princess Celestia" Twilight started.
Downstairs at the first floor of the library, Riku Donald and Goofy were waiting for Twilight and Spike to return with the blankets and pillows, as they waited they decided to check out the books. Wondering if perhaps they could learn some of this world's history, it would certainly make moving about easier. He took this time to recollect his thoughts. So far everything that happened was just horrible. Because of his own carelessness, his best friend had paid the price for him. Even earlier, he learned that there's something that's happening on this world, possibly because of the coming of his friends. He involved an innocent world in this battle of the darkness. He pondered who the mysterious masked boy that he fought in the Station of Serenity, and why was he there in the first place? Not only that he had just met the very same ponies that were depicted in the picture he saw on the ground when he was in the Station of Serenity, what did it mean? Who were these ponies and what connection did they have to Sora? He looked over to Goofy and Donald, both of whom were busy looking at the historical books of the world. He noticed one nearby of one titled 'Founding of Equestria'. He opened his mouth about to say something when.
"Hey guys, we got the blankets and pillows." Twilight spoke loudly as she walked down the stairs, Spike was carrying one of the blankets and pillows, while Twilight had the others floating down. "Thanks a lot, Twilight, for letting us stay here." Riku expressed his gratitude. "It's no problem." Twilight said as she smiled. "By the way, you never actually told us where you guys came from. Where exactly did you three come from?" She asked. "Uhhh… well, we… ummm" Donald started but he couldn't figure out what else to say. "Look, I certainly know you're not from Equestria, but could you at least tell me where you guys came from?" Twilight asked hopeful that the three would honestly just tell her. "The truth is Twilight… we honestly can't tell you that." Goofy said looking at her apologetically. "But why?" She asked with a frown. "We don't really have much choice, Twilight…" Riku helped explain "we aren't allowed to tell anyone where we came from. Please understand." Twilight sighed and nodded, agreeing with the three. "I understand, there are some secrets someponies would prefer to keep quiet I'll stop asking about it."
She turned around and started up the stairs with Spike, who decided to hop onto Twilight's back. "Hey, Twilight?" Spike whispered to her ear. "Yeah, Spike?" Twilight whispered back. "These guys really seem suspicious, do you really think we should let them stay here tonight?" Spike asked in concern. "Don't worry Spike, that's the plan, and that's the reason why I asked you to write that letter to the Princess." Twilight reassured Spike. "I hope you're right about this, Twilight." Spike continued, worried. "Honestly, so do I." Twilight agreed. They went up the stairs and head to bed, Twilight was writhing around trying to sleep, hoping that the letter has reached Princess Celestia and was read soon. It was really quiet in the library. That is, until she heard Goofy snoring like a saw working on a log. She covered her ears with her pillow praying to Celestia that sleep overtake her soon… that or something stops Goofy's snore. That was about everybody else's thought throughout the whole night 'Goofy is WAY too loud.'
Very early in the morning in Canterlot, a certain Sun Goddess of ponies was preparing for the morning. "Aaaah, another wonderful day will begin for my wonderful little ponies." She smiled as she was heading to her bed. Nearby, in a bed near hers was a young dark blue mare, with a mane and tail resembling the night's starry sky, she turned her head to face Princess Celestia before speaking. "Sister, a letter has arrived for thee during the night, we believe it's from thine student, Twilight Sparkle." She tells her as she levitates the letter to her older sister. "Oh? From Twilight Sparkle? That's strange, I just recently received a friendship report from her just the other day. Surely, she couldn't have found another lesson in friendship so soon." She said to her sister. Opening it up, the letter reads:
Dear Princess Celestia,
I'm writing to you with some urgent news, recently today something had fell from the sky and crashed into the Everfree Forest. My friends and I had gone into the forest to discover what it possibly could have been. We were able to find what it was that crashed there. However, we ran into a bit of trouble at the time. When we arrived there, we were attacked by strange shadow-like creatures. Luckily, we were rescued by a pony and his two companions. It was really strange, he was using a giant key-like sort of sword and was able to use magic with it! He explained to us, Princess, that the creatures we faced were monsters called "Heartless", and that the weapon he wields is the only weapon that's able to hurt these creatures from what the pony told me. Princess Celestia, I am very worried I feel as though the whole of Equestria may be facing a most horrible danger and I don't know what to do. The young pony that saved my friends and I wouldn't tell us much more, not even from where he came from. Please, I ask for your guidance from you, my wonderful teacher.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
"Oh no! This is horrible!" Princess Celestia's white face paled even further if possible "Luna!" "Yes, dear sister?" She looks to her older sister. "We must prepare a chariot to Ponyville immediately!" Celestia said in worried haste. "Wh-What is the matter? What has happened? Oh no! Did something terrible happen in Ponyville?" Luna asked with much worry. "Not yet, my dear sister, but we must hurry. If not, that little town may be in grave danger." She hurriedly got ready and called for her bodyguards to prepare chariots for her sister and herself. "Oh no! I'll prepare immediately!" She gets up from her bed and calls for her own bodyguards as well as she puts on her crown and custom horseshoes. The sister hurried out the door, leaving the city of Canterlot on two flying chariots, heading in the direction of Ponyville.
The chariots reached the town right about when the sun was supposed to rise. "Luna, can you lower the moon? I need to raise the sun." Celestia said to her younger sibling. "Of course." Luna answered. The moon had slowly lowered down and nearby over the hills a bright light started to shine as a large bright orange sun began to rise. "I just hope we get there to Twilight Sparkle soon, if what I read in the letter is true… All of Equestria could be in grave danger." She said. Luna nodded, along the trip she had read the letter meant for her sister as well, understanding. Even though she was a little confused, she knew the answers would come soon. After all, her sister obviously seems to know what's going on. "We've arrived, fair sister." Luna stated as they approached the Library Treehouse. Nodding to acknowledge, Celestia had their chariots stop on Twilight's balcony and proceeds to use her magic to unlock the window.
The two princesses step in, Celestia nods to their bodyguards and chariots to wait downstairs, while one of Celestia's and Luna's guards stand still at guard on the balcony. The Sun Goddess pony approached her beloved student, still sleeping. She remembered how she would always wake the little pony when she studied under her. She was so adorable then. She shook off her reverie, seeing as how right now is not a good time.
She went up to her student and nudged her awake, calling her name, "Twilight Sparkle, you must wake, my faithful student, we have much to discuss." Stirring, Twilight rose from her brief moment of sleep, her mane ragged, rings under her eyes as she rubbed her eyes. "Huh? Wha?" She mumbled groggily. "Twilight Sparkle, I had received your letter, I came here early in the morn in order to speak with you. I've also brought Luna along as well seeing the importance of your letter." Celestia said. Twilight looked to her mentor before she shrieked in surprise. "P-P-P-Princess Celestia! Oh my goodness! I wish you told you were coming! L-let me get up and make some tea." Twilight said startled. "No, need Twilight Sparkle," Luna stopped her "my sister and I have come to meet the young pony and his two friends. If you wouldn't mind, could you introduce them to us?" Princess Luna answered.
"Oh! Yes, in fact, they're actually sleeping right downstairs." answered Twilight. The three ponies headed downstairs to see Donald, Goofy, and Riku asleep on the ground. "Oh my, here I thought someone was trying to saw a log here." Princess Celestia remarked upon hearing Goofy snored with a surprised face. She then looked to her student and sister whose gazes are affixed upon a certain spiky silver maned grey pony. He seemed to be sleeping just as poorly as his water-fowl friend. "Riku, wake up. Someone's here to see you, and it's really important." Twilight said as she nudged the colt. "Uhh wha?" Riku mumbled as he stirred groggily. "Twilight? What's going on?" "Hello, Riku…" Celestia greeted "allow me to introduce ourselves, I am Princess Celestia, and this is my sister, Princess Luna, and I believe we have much to discuss about."
Riku looked up and saw two very majestic alicorns, ponies twice the height of normal ponies with horns of the Unicorns and wings of a Pegasi, standing beside Twilight Sparkle. His jaw dropped, it was them. The two horse-like ponies he saw at the Station of Serenity earlier with the pedestals. "Uh… P-Princesses?" He stuttered. "Yes, is thou that surprised to see thy princesses of Equestira?" Luna asked the young colt. Riku nodded hesitantly as he wasn't sure why these two were here in the first place. "Uh how did you know my name?" Riku asked Celestia. "Twilight Sparkle here wrote about you in a letter she sent to me last night, and yes, she has filled me in on the details, so do not worry, Keybearer." Celestia explained to Riku. "What?" Riku started to get up, in surprise. "W-When did you do that, Twilight?" Riku asked the unicorn. "It was last night actually." Twilight answered. "I figured it would be important to let the ruler of all Equestria know about the sudden threat that the country may face, with the news of the Heartless." "Yes, my sister and I are sure soon every pony in all of Equestria will be extremely grateful for you being here Riku." Celestia added.
Riku raised his eyebrow, he couldn't figure it out, and just wasn't sure how this pony seemed to know so much about the Heartless. "May I ask a question, your majesties?" Riku asked the two royal ponies. "Oh, why, of course, Riku." Celestia answered. "Do… do you know where I'm from? What I am?" Riku asked "Well I can't answer that first question as I wouldn't know what world you came from," Celestia answered "but I know you're a wielder of weapons known as the keyblades." Riku was startled, whereas Twilight gasped. By now, both Donald and Goofy were waking up, rubbing the sleep from their eyes. "She knows I'm from another world. She knows I'm not from here… how? I never told Twilight that we were from another world." Riku thought. "Princess, did I hear you correctly? Did you just say Riku is… from another world?" Celestia merely nodded to affirm.
"I know of the worldly travelers of the keyblade bearers and how they go through different worlds defeating the Heartless and saving them from the darkness from long ago. Imagine my surprise to have heard one has come here to save ours." Celestia smiled. "Wow! So, then you're from a different world and came here to save ours?" Twilight exclaimed excitedly "Oh that's wonderful!" "W-wait a minute" Riku said. As he got up, the blanket slid off him, showing his own variation of a cutie mark. "That mark!" Luna thought! "Sister!" she yelled "What is it, Luna?... Oh!" Celestia cried in surprise. "Princess Luna? What's wrong?" Twilight asked concerned for the younger ruler. "Guards! Guards! Arrest that pony!" Celestia cried pointing her hoof to Riku." "What?" everyone save the princesses cried. The bodyguards flew into action, facing their wings at him in a threatening position, as if just waiting for Riku and his friends to make a move. As of now, everyone save the royal family and their guards had the same thought running through their heads:
"Wha-what's going on!"