Chapter Eight-The Shelter
The Warriors traveled through a portal from the Lanes Between to a new world, arriving in the middle of a new city.
"I sure hope the Autobots will be alright without Optimus," said Applejack.
"C'mon, AJ," assured Rainbow Dash. "We just sealed our first Keyhole in the Realm of Light. I mean, where's the champagne?" Her friends then glared at her in annoyance.
"Let's just get to work on the next Keyhole," said Twilight. "Wherever it's at." After walking around, they came across a building flooding with the sounds of dog barks and a sign reading "SHELTER 17." Suddenly, Rarity felt a jolt in her horn, her treasure finding magic having detected something.
"Everybody," she announced. "I just found our next Keyhole. It's somewhere inside that animal shelter."
"Oh yeah," realized Spike. "I forgot you have a talent with finding underground jewels and other treasures. Thanks a lot. You just made our job way more easier." They entered the gate and started looking around, with Fluttershy looking at the dogs held back inside the fence. She knew that dogs needed wide open spaces than confined closures. She thought she would let them out by stretching out their legs. However, by doing this, she set off an alarm and she and her friends were suddenly tranqualized and blacked out...
Upon awakening, they were suddenly inside an underground huddle with advanced technology and saw that they were greeted by the dogs that Fluttershy tried to release, as well as squirrels helping them recover from the tranquilizer shots.
"Nice going," said one of the dogs. "You were given a lockdown for violating Shelter 17 protocol A113."
"I don't mean to pry," said Rainbow Dash. "But what is all this?"
"We're the Pound Puppies," said another of the dogs. "We're a secret organization dedicated to finding pups a good home after finding the right owner."
"Well, it's not a secret anymore since you just told us about it," Pinkie Pie noted.
"Well, anyway," the dog continued. "I'm Lucky, the leader of the organization. And this Cookie, my second-in-command, Strudel, my genius inventor, and Niblet and Squirt."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," said Cookie.
"What do you mean?" asked Lucky.
"Because of our more recent failures at your paws, we've voted on whether or not to demote you, and with three demotions and one T-bone from Niblet, you're officially demoted to second-in-command and I take the helm of leader," Cookie officially announced.
"Wait!" said another voice. Out from the darkness was another Lucky, who looked like he was held captive. "I'm the real Lucky! That is an imposter! And I think it's time to tell us everything, Lucky, or should I say, Queen Chrysalis." The Lucky duplicate gave out a wicked laugh and in a burst of green flames, he quickly changed from a dog to that of a jagged alicorn-like creature known as a changeling.
"Well, well, Lucky," said Queen Chrysalis. "I see you didn't have much trouble escaping your restraints. I knew I should've gone with the pod."
"How were you able to get past my riddle and Equestria's most clever disguise ever?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"I have my ways," the Queen simply replied.
"Well, why are you here posing as Lucky?" asked Twilight, having her own personal experiences with Chrysalis.
"I'm here to use my newfound powers to locate the world's Keyhole and consume it into darkness," explained Chrysalis. "You see, after me and my hive escaped that annoying deathtrap, we encountered a close friend of Xehanort and we have a new power that allows us to command the Heartless. And, while I was operating in this world incognito, I set up a special password which only myself or some other game-loving foal can unlock."
"I know what you're talking about," said Pinkie, realizing what that password is. She then walked over towards the main computer and started typing. "The code is 'Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, ENTER.'" Machines started to whir and in an instant, steel-hatch doors suddenly swung open.
"Yes, this is the room containing the Keyhole," said the Queen victoriously. Everyone then just stood there and looked at Pinkie with shocked expressions, mouth agape.
"Come on, everyone," said Pinkie. "We can blame someone about this other than me later. Right now, we've got to stop Chrysalis." Indeed, they hurried to the room where the Keyhole is located, where Twilight is already being aimed by a Keyblade that belongs to Queen Chrysalis.
"Ah, ah, ah," said Chrysalis. "Not one more step, or else this world goes down. All of you shall bow before me and my subjects as I begin a new era consuming the love in this world."
"I don't bow to anyone except Princess Celestia and her sister, Luna," said Twilight.
"Oh, Twilight Sparkle," said the Queen. "You're so gullible. I should've drained your friends and made you join me when I had the power of the Secretariat Comet at my side."
"My friends are my life," said Twilight. "I can't imagine a life without them. And I would never betray Celestia, no matter how many odds are stacked against me." Twilight then summoned her Keyblade and the tip began to glow again, but this time, in a purplish-black color.
"What's she doing now," asked Fluttershy.
"I was afraid this would happen," said Terra, having painful memories of this experience. "She's using dark powers. Twilight, STOP!" Indeed, she lowered her Keyblade and the dark aura dissipated.
"Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle," said the Queen. "You have darkness within your heart. I'm pleased as punch to tell Xehanort's old friend about this sudden development. But for right now, I'll let you seal the Keyhole and let you lament about your dreaded curse, just like how you did after my accusation at the Royal Wedding." Queen Chrysalis then summoned a Corridor of Darkness and went through, disappearing along with it.
"Twilight?" asked a concerned Terra.
"How can I have darkness within my heart?" asked Twilight. "I'm always kind and helpful to others."
"Let's take care of this later," said Rainbow Dash, wanting to avoid another breakdown with Twilight. "We've gotta seal the Keyhole."
"Alright," said Twilight. Indeed, her Keyblade shot out a beam from it's tip at the Keyhole, sealing it for good.
"Lucky, we're sorry we confused you with an impostor," said a regretful Niblet. "Will you forgive us by allowing you back as our leader?"
"I'd be insulted if you didn't," said Lucky. After some apologies were exchanged, the Pound Puppies helped them escape the shelter, but not before giving them a dog collar with a doghouse attached to it.
"Now that that's out of the way, how about we find the next Keyhole?" asked Lea.
"Yeah..." said a despondent Twilight. She was conflicted with how her most hated enemies have returned and the fact that there is a form of darkness lingering within her heart. Before she could figure it out, she started to feel tired and fell to the ground, her friends already trying to wake her up, but she was already in a deep sleep...