//------------------------------// // The Key to Faith // Story: May Your Heart Be Your Guiding Key // by SoulboundAlchemist //------------------------------// May Your Heart Be Your Guiding Key By SoulboundAlchemist Chapter 18: The Key to Faith I groaned as the portal deposited me back in the Gate Room. It had been a particularly long day, and it obviously showed on my face as I staggered my way to the door. Melissa, who was manning the DHD, winced as I passed her. “Melissa, can you make sure no one other than Luna bothers me for a while?” I asked, a hint of whine in my voice. “The Simulator’s empty right now,” she replied with a nod. “There are a number of sims that I find particularly relaxing, but you can always ask the computer for something as well.” I nodded in acknowledgement as I trudged up the stairs to the Simulator. Normally, my go to method of stress-relief is to play a video game; something that typically allows me to escape to another world. Today, however, I needed something a little different. “Computer,” I called as I entered the Control Room. “Please recreate the Trinity Assembly of God sanctuary. You’ll find a picture of it on my laptop in the folder marked ‘Church Finance Final Project’.” “Simulation ready,” the computer replied. “Is there anything else you require?” I nodded. “Please add an acoustic guitar to the stage.” “Done,” came the quick reply as the doors opened. I stepped into the Simulator to a room I hadn’t seen in over a month. It was a large square shape, with carpeting on the floor, and a small stage on the other side. On the far wall was a large, wooden cross, and on the stage sat a guitar. I stepped up onto the stage and picked up the guitar. I then took a breath, drew on my magic and began to play. “I've been running in circles Jumping the hurdles Getting caught in that rush of doing so much I'm feeling kinda worn out” As I played, I could feel and hear my magic swelling, providing additional instruments to fill out the song. “All this checking the boxes Trying to be flawless Has me spinning my head, catching my breath Too afraid to slow down” The tension I had unknowingly been feeling ever since I first arrived in Equestria, almost a month ago, was slowly, ever so slowly, beginning to melt away. I closed my eyes, not noticing as the simulator doors silently slid open. “I tell myself to keep this up That God wants more than just my love But I've been complicating things It's just like me to overthink” My lips spread into a smile, eyes still closed, as the Chorus began. My unexpected audience was also smiling, swaying to the music. “Gotta keep it real simple, keep it real simple Bring everything right back to ground zero 'Cause it all comes down to this Love God and love people (People)” My eyes snapped open as I heard Luna’s voice joining in. She was standing at the foot of the stage, swaying from side to side, eyes closed and a smile on her face. My smile widened as I continued to sing. “We're living in a world that keeps breakin' But if we want to find a way to change it It all comes down to this Love God and love people” As the chorus ended, I pushed my magic towards my little sister. Might as well help her out with the lyrics if she wants to join in. “Oh, this is freedom (This is freedom) The keys to the Kingdom (Hey-ey) Knowing life will be found when love can be loud 'Cause love is what it's all about” My smile grew as I watched Luna unconsciously singing, unaware that she had taken the lead, before I took over again. “I tell myself to keep this up That all God wants is just my love No more complicating things No more need to overthink” Both our voices rose, as another figure silently slipped in, content to watch from the shadows. “Gotta keep it real simple, keep it real simple Bring everything right back to ground zero 'Cause it all comes down to this Love God and love people We're living in a world that keeps breakin' But if we want to find a way to change it It all comes down to this Love God and love people” I abruptly stop playing, raising my hands as the background instruments fade, leaving only the piano to play through the bridge. “Love is patient, love is kind Rescues hearts and changes lives Love is all we need to make things right Gotta keep it real simple, oh It's really so simple, oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-ohh” The drums and other instruments began building up, and as Luna and I began the last chorus, I started playing again. “Gotta keep it real simple, keep it real simple Bring everything right back to ground zero 'Cause it all comes down to this Love God and love people We're living in a world that keeps breakin' But if we want to find a way to change it It all comes down to this Love God and love people” As we reached the end of the song, I quickly transitioned into another, gently nudging my little sister in all but blood with my magic to take the lead. “Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me You have been so, so good to me Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me You have been so, so kind to me” I smiled as I took a breath to join my sister. “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah” The figure in the shadows swayed as a soft smile touched their lips. Obliviously, I continued on, taking the lead as I switched languages. “Jibun ni wa kachi nante nai to Omotteta toki ni Inochi wo sosoide kureta Ai wa kawaranai” To my absolute shock, Luna grinned before joining in at the chorus. “Oboresou na kurai fukai Shu no ai ga Mayou watashi sutezuni oikaketa Misutenai, hanasanai, konna watashi demo Tsutsumi komare yurusare aisareta” The background instruments faded as Luna and I entered the bridge. “There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me” The instruments began building up. “There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me” The music paused momentarily as we went into the last chorus, before coming in fully. “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah” As the song ended, I set the guitar down, and walked down to Luna, scooping her up into a hug. “You know,” I said as I held her close. “You really surprised me today.” Luna smirked. “Me singing with you, or me knowing Japaneighs?” I blinked. “A little of both I suppose.” “Neighpon considers the moon sacred,” my sister laughed. “Of course I’d learn the language of the ponies that actually respected me back then.” Her face took on a pensive expression. “Though, I have a few questions.” “Oh?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. She nodded. “I really liked those songs, but I didn’t really understand them.” I blinked. Honestly, I didn’t expect this. “Well, what didn’t you understand?” “Well, for the first song, and the second song, now that I think about it, who is God?” Ahh, right. I should have seen that coming. “God,” I began slowly, choosing my words carefully. “Is the creator of my world. He created all the earth, the stars, the sun, the moon, and each and every one of us.” Luna’s eyes widened. “Oh! Like Faust!” Oh, thank goodness, a common point of reference! “Yes, exactly like that,” I nodded with a smile. Luna squinted. “But then, why in the second song, the part in Japaneighs I mean, why would you be God’s foe?” “Well, that’s a bit tricky to answer,” I sighed. “On my home world, the vast majority of people there don’t even believe that God exists, or even that a higher power exists. In that sense, because those people don’t believe in God, and don’t align with His desires, that would make them God’s foes. But, God has, and always will, love those people, and will fight for them.” Luna nodded. “I think I understand. But that’s not what I came here for.” I shook my head with a chuckle. “Oh? And what did you come here for?” “Well, you said you would show me Cells at Work to help with our group project for school.” “Oh yeah, I did, didn’t I?” I sheepishly rubbed the back of my head as I started leading her out of the Simulator. “Come on, let’s go watch it!” ***3rd POV*** The figure in the shadows watched the interaction between the sisters, a soft smile on her face. “Soon now, Kairi,” she whispered. “Soon I shall come and explain things…”