The Key to the Light

by KingJoltik


Intermission: A Passing Night

Time and space have no effect in terms of the Light or Darkness. This holds the same to the stars in the sky and the worlds beyond them. Even though I know that they exist, I can't help but think that there's not enough time for me to discover everything. Knowledge is something that must be treasured, and it has to be treasured for an entire lifetime. Perhaps my life means nothing in this cogwheel of time, but I will change things. As I said in my last report, I will find the keybearer and I will help them. I will do everything in my power to keep the Light alive. If I need to keep researching, I shall. If I must go beyond all Light and Darkness, I shall. That alone is all that is necessary. I know that Clover may disagree with this, but I do not care. I will do all that I can.

Though...I wish Clover would see it my way over all of this. Instead, she keeps telling me to stay away from both Light and Darkness. Perhaps there's something else there. Either way, as I said in that last report, I will find the keybearer and help protect the Light.

-Starswirl, Report 13

Equestria...

"Burn."

A volley of fireballs flew out of the cloaked pony's rapier as it swung a horizontal swipe. As the attack began to hit Maud and her companions, her clothes changed into her geomancer's outfit. With this on, Maud slammed the ground with her hooves, instantly summoning a wall of stone to block the flames. As the fireballs blasted the rocks, a small layer of ash flew over the shaky barrier, causing Little Strongheart to backpedal.

"Oh yeah...I'm so not equipped for this." she muttered to herself, making Eiko turn around.

"Its okay, just find a place to take cover! Let us handle this!" Eiko commanded, causing the buffalo to nod. Strongheart then turned around and ran to the other side of the cave, making Eiko turn back around to her opponent. She tapped Maud's shoulder as a small light appeared around her hoof. "You! You're WRO, aren't you geomancer?"

"I am." Maud deadpanned as she glanced at Eiko and Hurdy, ignoring the sound of a second barrage of fire attacking the wall. "Why?"

"We're going to help you fight that monster. Protect!" Eiko replied as she spun her hoof in a circle, causing a small light to cover Maud. "I hate to say it, but me and Hurdy are support classes. You'll have to handle the beating and punching. That or give me time to summon something."

"No worries." Maud shook her head, her expression still not changing. "Just do what you can."

"Thanks." Hurdy spoke up before pointing to Maud's belt. "Say, could you give me one of your spare geomancer bells? That pony broke my flute and I need an instrument. Though I've never used a bell before, but I can't complain right now..."

"Sure." Maud unhooked one and gave it to the moogle.

Hurdy snapped his fingers and tapped the bell twice. A small 'ding' came out, causing him to give a slightly perplexed expression. "Hmm...okay. This could work."

"DON'T IGNORE ME!" yelled the cloaked pony as another barrage of fireballs hit the barrier, shattering the stones into ash. "YOU STINKING PIECES OF-WHOA!" The cloaked pony panicked as Maud's outfit changed again, switching to her monk outfit and swinging another boulder-shattering punch. Maud quickly swung two more times, barely missing her opponent. "Blasted worm! Stop trying to hit me!"

"No."

With that one word, Maud continued to throw punches. Her hooves swung around, smashing parts of the cave as the cloaked pony kept barely dodging at the last second. As the opponent kept yelling vulgarities at Maud while dodging, Eiko blinked at the fight and turned to Hurdy. "Hey, should I cast haste?"

"No." Hurdy shook his head as he tapped the bell a few times. "I think I've got this down pat. I'm not used to using this type of instrument, but I believe I can do the one song that will truly help our WRO friend there." After saying that, Hurdy snapped his fingers before clicking the bell three times. "Confuse and knock my enemies off balance...Alluring Air!"

A series of notes began to flow from the bell, its sounds quickly covering the cave. Eiko just stood still like a statue, watching the display as Hurdy closed his eyes, his fingers still touching the sides of the bell. The music entranced the rock surrounded area as the rhythm of sounds embraced everypony in the cave. Eiko didn't feel a thing, but she knew it wouldn't. The music would only affect the enemy, which she turned and looked at. The cloaked pony was still sidestepping, dodging another blow while adjusting the blade in it's hoof. As it did, the pony suddenly grabbed it's face, groaning. "What is...what's going on?"

"You're about to lose slimeball." Eiko barked, causing the cloaked pony to turn and look at her. Maud had stopped her assault as her ears had picked up the music. She glanced at Hurdy, watching him as he was now in a music making trance. Eiko on the other hoof, continued to bark at the cloaked pony. "You may have caught us off guard last time, but this time you're done. You'll see what our abilities can truly do."

"What is...what the..." the cloaked pony groaned, now stumbling around as their eyes began to widen. The pony's pupils began to dilate and their vision started to waver. "Why are there...when did you multiply?!" it yelled as it now saw three Maud Pies instead of one. This statement alone confirmed the confusion from the song worked. "What is...what's going on?!"

"You lose." Maud said, cricking her neck.

Seeing this, though the cloaked pony saw three Maud's cricking their necks, they quickly backpedaled. Their rapier began to glow as they stared at the approaching Mauds. The pony knew what a blow from Maud felt like, and with the confusion disturbing their senses, they felt they had no choice. "Grrr...don't mock me! DIE!" The cloaked pony swung the rapier around like a madpony, swinging everywhere as fireballs scattered throughout the room. "DIE! DIE! DIE! I'll hit you with my fire! I know I will!"

Despite their efforts, Maud dodged like nopony's business. Each sphere of flames flew past her, not even grazing her gray coat. As the flames sputtered around, the cloaked pony let out one more yell. "ARGH! YOU STINKING PIECE OF-urk!" A volley of spit went out of the pony's mouth as they felt the blow in their stomach. Maud had punched her in the same spot, and the pain was twice as much this time. With this, the pony fell to their knees, their body shivering like a leaf. The rapier that was securely held in it's hoof fell to the ground, clanging as it tapped the surface before disappearing in a puff of flames. "Ooooohhhh..."

"Give up?"

A low growl could be heard from the cloaked pony before they looked up, showing a pair of glowing eyes as the pony barely lifted their hooves up. With two small hoofclaps, a dark shadowy portal appeared around the cloaked pony as it hissed. "Never. I'll never give up. Your head will be mine one day, you outsider trash. I'll kill you all. Count on it."

With that, the portal disappeared as it devoured the cloaked pony. Maud just stood there, blinking at the sight before turning to the other WRO agents. "Are you all okay?"

"Yes." they both nodded. "Thank you. You saved us both."

"Just doing my job." Maud then pulled out a small rock from her shirt. "Right Boulder?"

No response.

"I agree."

As Maud put Boulder pack into her shirt, the trio heard the hoofsteps of another walking back into the cave. It was Little Strongheart, who spoke up, asking, "Um...did you all win?"

"Yes."

"Really?" the buffalo said, trotting up to them as she looked around, seeing the scorch marks covering the cave. "Wow...its really over."

"Not quite. The blasted summoner got away." Eiko grumbled as she patted her clothes of ashes. "But we're alive, and that's more than enough for me."

"I agree kupo." Hurdy continued as he gave Maud back her bell. "Thank you for letting me use this."

"No problem." Maud put the bell up before looking at Strongheart. "Oh, thank you for freeing them. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Its cool." Strongheart shrugged, slightly blushing. "I owed you for saving me after all. Though uh...how did that pony get away? This cave's a dead end."

"They used the darkness to make a portal to escape." Eiko replied as she glared at the spot the cloaked pony once was. "I wonder where that monster went..."


Meanwhile...

"AAAAUUUGH!" the cloaked pony yelled as it's body flopped out of the portal of darkness. Another scream of pain could be heard as the pony wriggled around, trying to scramble back up from the injuries Maud had just given the pony. "Stinking...little...piece...of..."

"My my my, angry much?" said a voice, causing the cloaked pony look up, only to see a similar cloak.

"The Servant..." the pony panted, slightly stumbling on it's hooves before lifting itself completely up. "I-"

"Be silent." hissed The Servant, causing the cloaked pony to stiffen. As it did, The Servant bent down and whispered into it's ear. "You failed, Number IX."

"I-"

"Nope." The Servant flashed it's hoof, causing Number IX to zip it's lips. "Don't want to hear it. Instead, you are going to be given a new mission, effective immediately."

"New mission? But what about-"

"Your old teacher already knows about Appleloosa. Turns out, only destroying half a town and it's residents doesn't exactly shut everyone up." The Servant hissed as it's hoof grabbed Number IX's neck, strangling the pony. "The good thing is, we got plenty of new Heartless from that raid. Though its a small amount, it will help in the long run. Now...who are our mystery invaders from off-world?"

"They call themselves the WRO." The Number IX replied as The Servant let go of it's neck. "I couldn't get any more information than that, they're really loyal."

"I see. That's fine. We have a name, that's more than enough for now."

"So uh...what's the new mission?" Number IX hesitantly asked, knowing it wouldn't get time to rest.

"Oh, nothing much. You just need to retrieve Numbers VI, VII, and VIII. They've decided to...leave us, and we need them back."

"They got away?" Number IX gasped, surprised that anypony could get away from The Servant.

"Yes. And you will retrieve them or I'll have your head on a plate." The Servant then leaned down again, glaring at Number IX with cold, soulless eyes. "Do I make myself clear, Sunset Shimmer?"


Meanwhile, on another world...

"Alright, I'm summoning the portal." Twilight said as she pulled out the gummi block from her saddlebag. "Everypony ready?"

"Trixie is ready."

"Kupo."

"You bet. Just have to...ugh." Flash mumbled as he adjusted Party Favor over his shoulder. Party was still knocked out and Flash was having a slightly rough time carrying him. "Little help?"

"Just a minute." Twilight replied as she pointed her keyblade to the sky as she placed the gummi block on the ground. Imitating a certain procedure Cadance taught her before coming to Lilo and Stitch's world, a familiar mirror portal appeared before the four a second later. "There we go. Alrighty, give me a second and I'll help you Flash."

"Good. The guy's a bit heavy." Twilight handed her bag to Trixie, who was already holding Flash's things as well. Trixie entered the portal along with Spike as Twilight grabbed part of Party Favor. "Thanks Twilight." Flash said as he adjusted himself.

"No problem." Twilight responded as the two prepared themselves for the hop into the portal. "Let's just hope the trip back isn't too nauseous."

"Agreed."

One vomit-inducing portal trip later...

"Ugh...nevermind." Twilight groaned as she and Flash fell to the floor as they popped out of the portal. Party Favor quickly fell off of them as his unconscious body slid on the solid floor.

"Oh my!" said a certain familiar voice. Twilight looked up to see the voice's owner, only to a see white alicorn who was covering her mouth with her hoof. "Are you two okay?"

"Princess!" Twilight exclaimed as she scrambled to get up, blushing as embarrassment flooded her face from laying on the floor in front of her mentor. The filly then ran up and hugged Celestia's leg, causing Trixie to giggle at the sight. Trixie had already been greeted by Celestia, along with Spike.

"Why hello there my protégé. Are you alright?" Celestia chuckled as she hugged her back.

"Yes!" Twilight cheered as finished the hug, a big smile on her face. "I'm so glad I got to see you this time!"

"I am too, my faithful student." Celestia replied as she patted her head. "I'm glad to see you're alright. And I can see that you've changed a bit."

"I have?"

"Oh yes, you've grown some since I last saw you, haven't you?"

"Um...yeah." Twilight blushed at this, scratching the side of her head. "I've been gone for six months after all."

"Indeed." Celestia then blinked as she looked at the pony behind Twilight. "Oh, hello there. Its been a while, hasn't it Flash Sentry?"

"Yes your majesty." Flash bowed down at once, causing Celestia to giggle.

"My my, looks like you've changed as well." Celestia remarked as Twilight tilted her head in confusion.

"Huh? You two know each other?"

"Yeah." Flash slightly nodded. "Princess Celestia transferred me to my mother Radiant Hope, remember?"

"Oh yeah...I forgot about that. Sorry." Twilight commented as she looked back at Celestia. "So...why are you able to see us this time princess? Are you not busy? And where's my brother and Cadance?"

"No. I'm never 'not busy' my protégé, but that doesn't mean I can't come and see you anyways. Also, Shining Armor and Cadance have retired for the day." Celestia remarked as she walked up to the now knocked out Party Favor. "Who is this?"

"Um...we don't know." Twilight said as she gave a small frown. "All we know is that he was the...puppet The Servant was using. He had a gummi block on him."

"I see." Celestia's horn began to glow as a magic aura covered the poor colt's body. After a few seconds of scanning the broken puppet, Celestia let out a sigh. "This poor soul...how sad."

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked as she walked up, staring at the still unconscious pony.

"The pony's heart is shrouded in darkness. He won't be able to wake up through normal means." Celestia responded as she rubbed her chin. "Hmm...and you said he had a gummi block on him?"

"Yeah." Trixie said, entering the conversation. "Trixie knows the technique he was using to summon Heartless on that world we were in. It was similar to the one Trixie was taught to use to summon Heartless."

"That's...discouraging." Celestia muttered as she looked him over again. "You poor soul. I can just tell by the darkness inside you that this was not your choice. How sad."

"We should take him to mother." Flash remarked, causing the others to look at him. "She'd know how to wake him up."

"Hmmm...you have a point young Sentry." Celestia nodded. "Radiant Hope is a master of that field, being a former keymaster and all." Celestia looked back at Party one more time. "I'll arrange a private group of guards to escort him there."

"Huh? Why? Shouldn't we take him princess?"

"No Twilight. I need you here." Celestia replied with a slight glare. "I know you probably wish to complete your training, but-"

"Let Trixie guess, The Servant has already sent another pawn to another world. Is Trixie right?" Trixie grimaced, staring at the other three mirror portals in the room. "After all, Trixie was told last time that all of these are different world portals."

"Oh no, you can't be serious Trixie!" Twilight gasped, gulping at hearing that she would have to immediately go into another world. "We just got back to Canterlot!"

"Hold on there, my faithful student." Celestia said, putting her hoof in front of the unicorn filly. "Don't start panicking."

"Um...okay?"

Celestia then walked in front of all of them, letting out a small 'ahem' before speaking up, "Listen up you four." Celestia pointed at three foals and the moogle. "It is true that one of the portals was recently activated and we believe The Servant sent somepony..." Celestia paused as she saw three of the faces slightly blanch. "But you're not leaving for that world just yet."

"We're not?" Twilight asked, tilting her head in confusion. "Isn't it our job to go and find that pony that's being used and save them? And, destroy the Heartless of course..."

"It is." Celestia nodded before stretching her wings. "But you're also fillies...and a colt. You need rest."

Trixie shook her head in response. "You can't be serious. The Servant will have that pawn attack whatever that world is as soon as they enter it. Trixie knows it from experience!"

"I know. But that doesn't mean you have the ability to just keep going into one dangerous situation and into another. Tell me Trixie Lulamoon, are you in your best condition right now?"

"Trixie is..." the blue filly felt the slight bruises on her back, making her frown. "You're right. Trixie is tired."

"And I'm guessing the rest of you are also tired?" the others nodded. "If that's the case, its time for you all to go to bed. Don't worry about that world, its citizens have the ability to fend for themselves, trust me."

Twilight glanced at the mirror and back at Celestia. "You've been in there before?"

"No. But I've read the...reports Starswirl wrote about these portals. He knew that he did not have the ability to fully interfere or even traverse all these portals he created, but he knew the keybearer had the ability too. At the same time, every world he was able to study did have a way to defend itself, no matter how advanced or non-advanced they were."

"Huh...interesting." Twilight rubbed her chin before looking at Flash. "I'm guessing me and Trixie are going to stay in our old rooms, right?"

"Yes."

"Where's Flash going to stay?" Twilight asked, pointing at the colt.

Celestia chuckled at the question before turning around. "You don't need to ask that my student, I can easily arrange a room for him."

"Thank you." Flash said, bowing.

"Don't thank me little pony." Celestia shook her head. "You have helped my student plenty, giving you a room is nothing compared to that. Also, I'm going to call for some guards to pick up this...poor pony here." she grimaced, looking at Party Favor one more time. "I'll see to it that he gets sent to Radiant Hope as soon as possible."

"Okay." Twilight nodded before looking back at the mirror that had been activated earlier. "I hope whoever is in that world is okay."


The next day...

Meanwhile, in a certain room...

A volley of animals sat in a large room filled with desks. To most, it would seem to be a regular meeting room, a place where a full class of individuals could be together and collaborate. However, that was not the case today. Instead, it was filled to the brim with giant animals, most too big for their chairs as they stuffed themselves inside. The crowd debated among themselves as they waited for a certain individual.

A few minutes later, that individual arrived. The one in question was a large cape buffalo, steam blasting out of his nostrils as the room fell silent from his presence. There was a reason for this, as he was the boss around here and everyone knew not to mess with him. He glared at everyone as he walked up to the small podium. A small cough later, the buffalo began to speak.

"I suspect you all know why you're here?"

Silence filled the room as the remaining individuals just nodded their heads in response. A sitting rhinoceros spoke up with a small squeak. "Yes chief! We're here about the attacks?"

"Yes." he said as he put on a pair of glasses. He quickly pointed at a large map of a city, strings scattered all over the map. "As you all probably know, some strange and very dangerous creatures have appearing in the city recently. Specifically yesterday."

The towering buffalo then pulled out a second graph, filled with a collage of blurry photographs. The pictures depicted jet black creatures jumping around, attacking random things. A few gasps were let out as everyone looked at the images. "These...things, have been attacking every animal in sight. According to our reports, these creatures attack anything and anyone." His eyes glared at the crowd as a grim look painted itself on his face.

"According to the eye witnesses, there are few different versions of these things as well. Some are small little jet black bug creatures with glowing yellow eyes that crawl on the ground. Other's have seen them walk on two legs and make clanging noises. Also, whenever an attack happens from these monsters, the animal that is attacked disappears. We don't know why, but they do." the rest of the room did a slight cough at the thought of the vanishing animals, hoping they don't end up the same way.

"Regardless, there is one key fact in all of this." The chief then leaned over the podium, a deathly glare escaping his eyes. "It doesn't matter if it is Prey or Predator. These things attack anything."

A large round of gulps were let out inside the room. Eyes shrank as they knew he was about to rant on how they were failures against these invaders. A loud sounding thud hit his podium as he started yelling.

"I won't allow it! We are the police! Why are there a bunch of monsters attacking my city?!"

"Um-"

"Be quiet! This isn't like that blasted NightHowlers incident. Whatever these things are, I want every single officer to consider them nothing but criminals that must be arrested immediately!" He slammed his podium again. "I want all officers on this! I'm giving you your orders now! I want every single one of you to arrest these things by any means possible!"

"Sir yes sir!" Everyone yelped with a salute as the chief just snorted before beginning to giving orders. Soon, every single animal had their assignment, the whole room now knowing what they had to do. Except for two. A certain fox and rabbit. The boss looked back at a bunch of papers that were in his hands, not looking either in the eye.

"Judy. Nick."

"Yes sir?" the bunny replied, a confident smile on her face.

"I want you patrolling the main district."

The two looked at each other before Judy spoke up, "But sir, isn't that-"

The police chief flashed his hand as he continued to look at the papers. "I know what you're going to say. I know that out of all of the districts, the main one got the least amount of attacks yesterday. However..." the chief finally put the papers down, glaring at the duo as he removed his glasses. "I still need officers patrolling the main streets. Just because there are attacks all over the city, it doesn't mean the main streets are no longer under the police's control."

"Oh..." Judy said as she started to shrink into her chair.

"Also, there are probably a few witnesses in the main district that we haven't talked to over these attacks. I want more information on these things and you two are our best officers when it comes to gathering intelligence." He gave a confident smirk to the duo. "Do I make myself clear?"

The duo quickly stood up and gave a salute. "Sir yes sir!"

The two then hopped down from their seats and left the room. As they proceeded to their car, the fox spoke up. "So carrots...back into the fire, eh?"

"No kidding Nick. Have you seen the news footage over those things? Those dark black bugs will attack anything!"

"Yeah..." Nick replied as he scratched the back of his head, a yawn escaping his breath. He grabbed a set of shades and put them on, a sly grin gracing his face. "Ready to go bunny?"

"You bet, you dumb fox."