//------------------------------// // The Darkness Within, Chapter 4: Help // Story: The Key to the Light // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// Memories. It seems they are one of the many things that can affect 'The Key'. I'm honestly not sure why the affect it, but they do. In my research I am starting to see that 'The Key' can affect almost anything. The mind and the body are not safe from this amazing object. This...this weapon can change and alter anything. I wonder if there is a limit to it's power? -Starswirl, Report 18 "So...how does Trixie activate this thing?" Trixie asked as she stared deeply into the card. Radiant Hope had made her go to the dinner room where the small fill just sat there, staring at the object. She looked at Hope with an expression on confusion with curiosity. Radiant on the other hoof, just placed the now-cooked food on the table. "You're really asking that now? I sure didn't expect you to want to activate it so soon. We haven't even ate dinner yet!" "Well uh...Trixie just thought..." Trixie muttered as she twiddled her hooves. "That we would do it all today? You just got here little filly, there's no need to rush." "Oh...okay." Trixie said as she finally looked up and saw the fresh salad in front of her. Her mouth watered in anticipation as another group of leafy vegetables sat down onto the table. That and some fresh potatoes with a side of pepper. Drool began to appear on Trixie's lips as Radiant giggled at the sight. "Not yet little filly. We need to wait for Twilight and Flash." "But Trixie is huuuuuungry." Trixie drooled while smacking her lips. "And the salad looks so goooooood." "Just wait a few more minutes..." Radiant said as she covered Trixie's salad with a magic aura. Granted, I'm hungry too. What is taking those two so long? Meanwhile... "You...you saved me?" Flash gasped as Twilight stood in front of him, her keyblade firmly inside her hoof. The filly interlocked her hooves as she stared the Neoshadow down. The colt could only watch the keybearer stare the Heartless down. His previous statement didn't even enter her ears as she readied herself. As Flash watched the filly glare the monster down, his mind could only race at the sight. Is that...is that the filly I fought earlier? "KUPO! KUPO!" Spike cheered as he flew behind Twilight. His cheers soon stopped as he saw the Heartless getting up, quickly pointing it at it and yelling, "Kupo!" "I know Spike. I'll beat him." Twilight said with a gulp. In truth, she wasn't sure she could win. Her whole body shook as the soulless being in front of her just stood there, it's claws slowly extending. She took several deep breaths as she stared the monster down. I can do this, I can do this. Just like my dream. I can't run away....sometimes, you have to fight. Before another thought could go through her head, the shadow began to attack. It's claw stuck straight like a bullet as it went straight for her eyes. She let out a small scream as her eyes blinked before she swung the blade wildly. The random swing knocked the claw away as the shadow hopped back, it's body slowly shifting into the floor. Twilight watched the monster disappear and began to look around. Where did it go? As she began to let down her guard, the shadow quickly flew into the ground. It's body turned into a small puddle as it shifted behind Twilight. A second later, it began to ascend once again. "Watch out! Behind you!" Flash said as he tried to get up, only to fall over from his injuries. "Oof! Blast it..." "Huh?" Twilight said as she turned around, only to see two soulless eyes staring right in front of her. "Eep!" Two claws began to strike her head as she gripped her blade. She closed her eyes as she knew the attack was about to hit her. Her mind raced as she concentrated into her keyblade, it's teeth shining. Then, two fireballs appeared and flew around her, instantly blocking the attack. The monster's claws were struck down from the flames as it flinched back. A moment later, it shifted back into the floor as if it was nothing. "Oh no, I hate it when they do that." Twilight said as she began staring at the floor. Flash starting looking too, only to see the Neoshadow shift behind the filly. As he tried to warn her, it began it's next attack. "Watch out! It's behind you!" Flash yelled as it's claw struck Twilight's side. She let out a small scream as she fell over from the strike. Then, before either of them could react, the Neoshadow leapt into the air. It let out a small roar as it began to spin it's body, ready to strengthen it's next attack. Seeing this display, Twilight gripped her blade, a chill racing down her spine. She wasn't sure what she was feeling, but she knew what to do. Before the Heartless could even get close, Twilight lifted her keyblade, pointing straight into the sky. Flash could only watch as a blast of ice flew out of the tip of the blade, instantly freezing the spinning monster. The Neoshadow fell like a rock, it's frozen body filled with ice. It couldn't move and neither could Flash. He could only sit there, amazed at the sight. Twilight, seeing this opportunity as the Heartless effortlessly struggled to get out of the block of ice, raised her keyblade again. Reeling back, she struck the Heartless down with one blow. "Got it...I got it..." Twilight gasped, her hooves letting go of the sword. "Holy magic. That scared the snot out of me." Flash looked at the filly as she fell over, her flank sitting down the ground as air blasted out of her lungs. As he watched the filly just sit there, obviously shaking from fear. How...how did she save me like that? She beat it so easily and it was about to skewer me to pieces. Not only that, she's so scared right now...but she saved me. How? He kept looking at her as she dismissed the keyblade and went back to Spike, the little moogle embracing her with a hug. The smile that shined on her face from the moogle's gesture made Flash's eyes widen even more. This...this was the pony I fought earlier? She seems like a completely different pony than before. No way... After hugging Spike back, Twilight turned to Flash as she walked over to him and presented her hoof. "You okay?" "Uh...yeah. Sure..." he said with a gulp as he grabbed her hoof. She pulled him up as a shiver went down his spine. He still couldn't believe what just happened. "Um...can I ask you something?" "Hmm?" "Why?" "Why? Why what Flash?" Twilight asked, her head tilting as she found herself confused by the question. "Why...why did you save me?" "What do you mean?" "You...you saved me. After what I did to you earlier, you still saved me. Why?" "Do you really need a reason to help somepony?" The statement struck Flash's heart like a mountain of bricks. His ears shook as those words went through his mind. Memories flowed through his head as he tried to comprehend what the kind hearted filly in front of him had just said. The Past... "Flash." "Yes?" a small colt replied as he sat down in a large decorated room. His body was covered in scrapes and bruises, more than usual for a colt his age. He looked up to the towering unicorn before him with a look of skepticism and slight confusion. Before him was Radiant Hope, his new mother who had just adopted him. She had just taken him from a Canterlot orphanage by the suggestion of Princess Celestia. She had been told that the colt was somepony that no one liked. Everypony beat on him everyday and hated him for no reason. Due to this, the colt had become dangerous and violent, his very nature was to lash out at everything around him. Even his cutie mark didn't help what he was, it was the picture of a shield with a lightning bolt in it. The very symbol showed he was born to fight. Radiant closed her eyes for a brief moment before replying, "Do you know why you are here?" "I'm here because you adopted me?" Flash said as he raised his eyebrow at the simple question. "Though to be honest, you were really weird about it since I had to come here instead of you picking me up from the orphanage." "True, I'll agree with you there. Celestia probably didn't tell you, but I can't leave this castle." "Why not?" "I'll explain that later. Now, I'll ask again. Do you know why you are here?" Flash's eyes narrowed as he said a different answer. "Is it some punishment for beating up those bullies again?" Radiant shook her head. "No. You are here because you need somepony to guide you. To make you realize who you really are." Radiant cricked her neck as she stood before the colt, her presence growing. She bent down and placed her hoof under his chin. "Celestia has made me train hundreds of colts and mares over the years. I help her train certain soldiers that have...bad attitudes for basic pony military yet thanks to their cutie mark, it's obvious they have a talent for being a solider." "You're going to train me to be a soldier?" Flash asked, not sure how to respond. The colt had never really thought about his future. His entire life was nothing but fighting after all. He always fought, that's all he knew how to do. "I have been told that you are a pony who only fights because he can. A pony who does nothing but lash out and hurt others because you don't know what else to do. That's why I'm going to help you realize who you really are." "....." Flash just stared at here before finally responding. "I don't get it." "It's simple my little colt. You are here to learn how to control yourself." "Control myself? How do we do that?" "We do it by showing you how to control your fighting ways. That and your cutie mark shows you would perfect for this path." "My mark?" Flash asked as he looked back at his flank. "I just got that one day after defending myself from the bullies at the orphanage." "Exactly. Because of your cutie mark, I will teach you the ways of the blade." Radiant said as she levitated a small wooden sword in front of her. "With this path, I will help you learn self control and...you will learn this in order to help others." "Help others? Why would I do that?" Flash asked, the colt have never helped anypony before in his life. "Because, that is the duty of a true pony. A solider. And as a solider, you will help other ponies, even if you don't have a reason to. After all, soldiers do not need any reason to help somepony." The Present... But I never did, did I Mother? I trained with you for over a year and...I still couldn't respect you or control myself. Flash thought as he stared at the filly, his heart sinking at the sight of her. But she did it without any training at all. She beat something I couldn't even touch, and she did it effortlessly. This pony in front of him who had shown tens times the bravery he had ever shown. She had shown true courage and kindness while he still lashed out violently like always. But this was different. Somepony had came to help him. Nopony had ever done that before. Sure Radiant had adopted and helped him, but not like this. All the ponies around him had always bullied and beat him, hated him for what he was. They tried everything to make him miserable. So in turn, he tried to make them miserable. And yet, the pony he had treated so cruelly earlier had saved him without a second thought. I beat her up so badly earlier and yet...she saved me. She saved me like it was nothing. I really am horrible. he thought as he kept staring at the filly, a worried expression appearing on her face. "Um...is something wrong?" she asked as Flash stood there like a statue. "I'm sorry!" he screamed suddenly as he bowed down before her, his face touching the dirt. "I'm so so sorry!" "Whoa!" Twilight yelped as she jumped back from the sudden yell. "Uh..." "Please forgive me! I hurt you and I'm so sorry I did! I said all those mean things and-*sniff*" Flash said as tears began to go down his eyes. "I'm so so sorry..." Twilight blinked at the sight for a second, unsure what to do. She glanced at Spike, who only floated there, his head turned slightly. She looked back at Flash as he continued to bow, tears flowing down his cheeks. She went up and patted his back with a smile. "It's fine. I forgive you." His eyes widened as those words entered his ears. He slowly looked up as his lips trembled from the statement. "You...you do? After all I did to you?" "Uh-huh." Twilight nodded. "I see..." Flash said as he saw her kind innocent smile. He could tell how naïve yet pure-hearted she was. His heart broke down again as he bowed once more. "Very well...from this moment on Twilight Sparkle, I owe you my life." "Huh?" "From this day forward, I will do everything I can to teach you the ways of swordponyship. I shall forever be in your debt." "Huh?" Twilight repeated, his statement going over her head. "I don't get it." "I think he's saying he'll teach you how to use the blade portion of your keyblade, Twilight." said a certain voice behind the duo. They both turned to see Radiant Hope with a curious look on her face. "Though I have to say, this is quite the turn around son. What exactly happened back here? You two looked like you both had another fight." Her horn began to shine as a green light covered the foals, healing them. "Though I take it that that wasn't what really happened here, was it?" "Uhhhhh..." both of them said as they remembered what just happened. They looked at each other for a second before Twilight took the initiative. "We um...got attacked by a Heartless. A really scary looking one." "I see." Radiant said with a now deadpan expression. "And did you make up with Twilight, Flash?" "I uh...er..." Flash's hooves trembled as he was still bowing slightly over. "I um...well..." "He did! Everything's fine!" Twilight exclaimed with a big goofy grin, trying to end the awkward situation as soon as possible. "I see...welp, time for dinner you two!" Radiant said as a smile appeared on her face again. "Come on, I'm starving and I'm betting Trixie is too." "Okay!" they duo said in unison as they followed her back inside. The two gave each other a glance before finally entering the dinning room. The two then thought in unison, This is going to be awkward, isn't it? Meanwhile... "WRO? What's that?" asked Cadance as she looked at the mirror as it began to shine. "It stands for Worlds Reconnaissance Organization. They are, how you say, an organization that exists to watch over multiple worlds." a voice said that was unfamiliar to the two. She tried to find it's origin, only to see a strange figure inside the shining mirror. She backpedaled at the sight, quickly looking the being over. The figure inside was not a pony, but a bipedal creature with dark black hair and was wearing a well made blue suit. "Are you Princess Celestia's ambassador?" "No Reeve. She's here to see what other worlders are like first hoof." Celestia replied as she walked in front of the mirror, irritation obvious on her face. "Though there won't be much negotiating going on here, so don't worry about it." "Um...could I perfectly honestly blunt here auntie?" Cadance said with a raised hoof. Celestia gave her a nod. "What is this and what is that?!" "That my niece, is what is called a human. It's a creature that happens to be very very annoying." "Hey!" Reeve yelled, his hands turning into fists. "You know it's true." Celestia said as she levitated a cup of coffee to her lips. She cocked her eyebrow as she continued her retort. "After all, why else do I look so annoyed when speaking to you?" "Because uh..." Reeve twiddled his thumbs before turning to the Princess of Love. "Hey you, help me out here, would ya?" "I'm sorry, but I don't know you." Cadance replied while twiddling her hoover. "Oh yeah...right." Reeve replied with scratching the back of his head. "Anyways, does she know why we're talking to each other right now Princess Celestia?" "No." Celestia took another sip. " Though I'm about to tell her why I don't like you and why you should keep your grubby hands off of Equestria." "Hands? What are those?" "Long story. Let's get back to the main topic." Celestia grunted as she swigged down another cup. Cadance could only gulp at the anger on her face. Reeve thought the same thing at the same time as he watched Celestia get her cup refilled. Cadance then looked at Reeve, blinking at the sight. She must really not like this guy. "Now now Celestia, let's not-" "That's Princess Celestia." Celestia hissed as she tapped the mirror. "Remember it." "Fine. I apologize." Reeve said with a bow. "Now, on to the main topic. I am calling you to offer my organization's help over-" "Denied." Celestia said as she tapped the screen again. "Last time we talked, you agreed to never step foot or hoof on this world and that is final. That includes any of your subordinates." "But-" "Denied. That is all." Cadance raised his hoof, causing Celestia to give him a nod. "Pardon me auntie but...what is going on here? I don't get any of this. All I'm seeing is you not liking this...creature inside this mirror. How is this about negotiations?" Celestia let out a small breath of fresh air as she put her cup down. "It's less about negotiations my niece and more about...the future." "The future?" "Yes. As you know, the small horde of monsters attacked Canterlot a few days ago and...certain things happened in those events." "I heard. Apparently they took down a bunch of the royal guard in the attack." "Exactly. The creatures are called the Heartless and they haven't been seen in Equestria for centuries. They-" "That's not entirely true Princess Celestia." Reeve interrupted with a snap of his fingers. Several screens appeared behind him, showing multiple readings and pictures of Heartless. "After all, our sensors detected Heartless several months ago over your world. They've been here in Equestria for some time now." "And I told you that your reading was false!" Celestia barked back, her hoof smacking the mirror. "I told you that this world and the worlds connecting to it are off limits!" "But Princess, we are responsible for keeping the peace of the worlds." Reeve stated back. "Please realize-" "I realize nothing." Celestia retorted as Cadance started to backpedal. She still wasn't sure why she was here since Celestia was obviously in full control or why Celestia was so angry at this creature. She wanted to speak up but Celestia kept talking, "Worlds are not meant to be meddled with Reeve. You should obey that rule. After all, I'm guessing you have some agents in Equestria, don't you?" "Well..." "You do, don't you?" "Um...maybe?" Reeve tried to look away, only for Celestia to glare at him more. "And why are they here? It is because of the Heartless?" Reeve made a slight gulp. "It's because we believe a keybearer is here. That is all Celestia." "Keybearer?" Cadance said, her expression showing pure confusion. "What's that?" "Something of great value Princess. A keybearer is a someone that can change the very fate of multiple worlds. It is a being that can venture to other worlds and help them without the problem of meddling." He then turned to Celestia and gave her a glare. "And you can't keep that from us Celestia." "We'll see about that you-" Celestia replied as her horn began to glow. That is, till another alicorn began to raise her voice. "AUNTIE!" Cadance yelled, quickly making the alicorn of the sun's horn sputter out. She turned to her niece with a slightly shocked look. There, Cadance stood with puffed up cheeks as she said, "Stop arguing with this-this...human thing and tell me what's going on!" "Well-" "NOW! I'm tired of hearing you two bicker! I have no idea what is going on since I entered this room and I demand that you stop arguing and start explaining this instant!" "Alright, alright...calm down my niece." Celestia replied as her anger vanished from her face before turning into a calm, kind expression. "I apologize. I don't mean to keep you in the dark here Cadance." "Good." Cadance said as she glared at Reeve, causing him to wince and bow in apology. A few seconds later, Cadance crossed her hooves and stared at the duo. "Now, tell me what this is really about. And I mean all of it." "Alright..." Celestia repeated as she scratched the back of her head. "Let's start at the beginning then." "Sounds good to me." "Well, as I said before, this is about the future of Equestria." Cadance didn't change her expression as Celestia continued her explanation. "A few days ago, the Heartless appeared in Equestria. These creatures haven't appeared for centuries and...they attacked us. That is something that has to be forced with creatures like the Heartless. They are beings of darkness and they can't live in the light as they would be severly weakened if they came into my kingdom. After all, I control a great amount of Light." Reeve shook his head. "The Heartless can't think Celestia. They're creatures of instinct." "That doesn't matter Reeve. What matters is that they did attack. That could only mean one thing..." "Someone is controlling them, correct?" Reeve continued. "Controlling them?!" Cadance gasped, covering her mouth with her hooves. "Are you saying somepony did this?! They attacked all those innocent ponies and guards?!" Celestia nodded. "That's just...wrong!" "But it did happen." Reeve replied in a grim tone. "They attacked with ill intent and that's why the WRO is here. We exist to hunt down creatures that threaten worlds. We-" "But you're not doing that here." Celestia interrupted, a hiss slipping out of her mouth. "This world along with the worlds connected to Equestria are off limits Reeve. They are under my protection after all." "But Celestia-" "No buts Reeve! I know your forces go out to destroy the Heartless, but you will not involve your little war against those creatures here." Celestia said as she began glaring at Reeve again. Cadance watched as Celestia's face almost touched the glass of the mirror with an icy glare. "Same as the fact that you will call your agents and tell them to leave my world this instant!" Cadance wanted to intervene, but she knew better. Her aunt was obviously angry and she knew that she couldn't control her. Instead, she just sat there, thinking, Hmm...I think I get it now. We're being invaded by those monsters that somepony is controlling and auntie doesn't want this weird outside 'human' help. Okay...guess that solves one thing. After all, I have no reason to trust this 'human' thing...though auntie is being really mean right now. Did this 'human' do something to make her hate him? However, before Cadance could speak up to ask, Reeve let out a long winded sigh. He then snapped his fingers as another human appeared behind him. "Shelke." Cadance could only blink as a small girl with orange hair appeared behind the man. "Yes sir?" the girl asked in a deadpan tone. "We're done here. Celestia, we'll keep in touch. After all...you'll realize one day that you need my organization." "I don't believe I will." Celestia hissed as the conversation finally finished. A second later, the image of Reeve disappeared, leaving nothing but a reflection of the two alicorns. "Uh...auntie? What was that?!" Cadance asked as she twiddled her hooves. "I have never seen you this angry before." "That was negotiations Cadance. I'm sorry you had to see that, but I had to show you that because there's a good chance we'll be talking to him and his kind real soon." "Let me guess...is Equestria gonna keep getting attacked by those monsters again?!" Cadance said, trying to hide her fear. "Yes. And it is the duties of alicorns to protect the ponies from those monsters. That's why I had you come back, to help prepare you for what is to come." Celestia replied as she turned to her niece. Her expression was one of worry crossed with determination. "Now...I need to tell you something." "What?" "Do you remember when he mentioned a keybearer?" "Yeah, what is that?" "A keybearer is somepony who wields a weapon that can destroy the Heartless permanently. It is a weapon they fear more than anything. You can imagine why Reeve wants to get his hands on one." Celestia bent down and placed her hooves over Cadance's shoulders. "Reeve was right though, the keybearer is here in Equestria. The keybearer is Twilight Sparkle, my new protégé." "Twilight?!" Cadance gasped, the name instantly ringing bells in her head. "You know her?" "I used to foalsit her!" Cadance said before the truth fully racked itself into her brain. "She's the keybearer?! Does that mean those monsters and those human things will come after her?!" "Yes." Celestia said with a nod. "And I need your help protecting her." Meanwhile... "So...that went exactly as I thought it would." Reeve said as he adjusted his shirt. "What do you think Shelke?" "I have no opinion on what just happened." she said as she typed furiously into a computer. "After all, it went exactly as you predicted Mr. Reeve." "I know." Reeve said as he pinched his eyes in frustration. "At least our agents are still on that world. Connect a line to Hope, would you?" "Understood." Shelke then pressed several buttons, only to reveal holographic screen in front of them. On the screen was a symbol of a phone, vibrating to show that it was contacting the agent." A few seconds later, a certain voice could be heard. "This is Cait Sith, good ahead." "Greetings old friend, how goes your mission?" Reeve instantly replied, ready to hear good news. "Yeah, about that..." Cait said with hesitation in his voice. "I'm going to have to call you back." "Why?" "Let's just say we're surrounded by Heartless and a crazy evil pony. Call back in a few." A click followed as Reeve and Shelke saw the phone disappear from the screen. Reeve could only let out a sigh. "That's not good, is it?" "No. It is not." Shelke said in her usual deadpan voice. "I predict that that may be the last we ever hear of them. After all, when a call ends like that, there is a seventy-four percent chance of never responding to that individual ever again." "You know, you could be less morbid my dear." Reeve groaned as he pinched his nose. He then tapped a few screens as several names appeared on them. "Get a recon unit out there now and get those two out of there now." "Yes sir." "I just hope we can get to them in time. Who knows what they're up against." A few moments ago... "So...who are you?" Hope said as he slowly pulled out his boomerang. Cait Sith hid behind him, his legs shaking in fear. Before them was a cloaked filly surrounded by shadow Heartless. A large grin shined under the hood as the pony patted a shadow's head. "Oh...just a pony that doesn't want you to be here outsider." the cloaked filly said as she began to pat another Heartless. "I believe my friends here agree with me." Hope gave Cait Sith a quick glare before his horn started to shine. His body crouched into a fighting position as more Heartless began to appear behind the filly. Cait started to backpedal away, only to realize they were already surrounded. "Uh Hope...this isn't good, is it?" "Be quiet cat." Hope hissed as he stared directly at the filly, ready to initiate the first strike. "You, what do you want?" "Didn't I already tell you? I don't want you to be here. Here in Equestria. This world isn't made for disgusting outsiders like you." A distinct red mist began to filter over her eyes as a Large Body Heartless appeared behind her. It beat it's chest as she slowly lifted her hoof. "I'll give you one chance, leave Equestria now or the Heartless will be adding two more hearts to their collection." Hope grit his teeth as the filly began to summon a black flame in her hoof. She knows advanced combat magic. That flame...I'm betting it's a Fira spell. Seeing this, Hope closed his boomerang and put it back into his pouch. He quickly grabbed Cait Sith and said, "We're leaving. Now." "We are?! But what about-" "I'll tell the boss we couldn't do it, okay?" "Um...okay." Cait Sith replied with a gulp. "Though I kinda just talked to him and he probably thinks we're doomed anyways." "Doesn't matter, we're leaving." Starlight chuckled at the duo as she remarked, "Oh? And here I thought I would get a good fight out of you when you pulled out that boomerang. Then again, at least you're smart." She put her hoof under the chin of a shadow Heartless as she showed it a calm, loving smile. "Your hearts would be Heartless chow in no time after all." "No such luck I'm afraid." Hope replied as he pulled out a small device. "Besides, I got all the info I need. For now at least." With a tap of button on the device, a bright light shined over the duo. Starlight covered her eyes from the sight with her hoof as the light shined into face. In a few seconds, it was over. All that was left was Starlight and the Heartless. She rubbed her chin as she looked at the grass that once occupied the alien duo. Huh. Never seen that before...wasn't a teleportation spell or a portal of darkness. Wonder where they went... A shadow Heartless then nudged her side, causing her to pet it. "Ah, whatever. The Master told me to make them scram and they did." She then yawned before turning around, ready to go home. "Its too bad though. I was ready for a full fight and everything."