Sora suddenly noticed a small light in the distance. It rapidly grew bigger and bigger until Sora realized that he wasn't falling anymore. In fact, he was standing in what looked like Organization XIII's round room. In the center of the room, he saw a pink pony with its back turned to him. It turned around and immediately started talking in an overwhelmingly cheary voice.
"Oh! You must be Sora! Good to meet you. I'm Pinkie Pie!"
"Wait, what?" asked Sora in confusion. Before Sora could ask the pony anything else, a look of shock crossed her face.
"Wait. You're new to Ponyville. That means you've never been to one of my parties! We've gotta get you home, pronto!" With that, she dove at Sora and opened a portal of light beneath him and the other ponies. Everyone fell in and Sora was immediately blinded.
When Sora opened his eyes, he was lying in a meadow with various types of tall grasses and flowers dotting the landscape. Sora stood up slowly and located Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, who was bouncing around. In the distance, Pinkie spotted Fluttershy's cottage and said, "Oops. I guess I missed. Well, let's go! I gotta get you that party!"
Before Sora could ask, he heard rustling behind him as Pinkie was bouncing away and turned to see Twilight picking herself up off of the ground. "It's Pinkie Pie. Don't question it," was all she said.
"Wait, I still don't get it," said Sora. "What just happened?"
"To be honest," said Twilight in a whisper as if she didn't want Pinkie to hear her, "she scares me sometimes. She's done some weird things in the past, but I don't know what that just was." Together, Sora and Twilight woke up Fluttershy and the three followed Pinkie bouncing away in the distance towards Fluttershy's cottage.
When the group arrived, Sora entered first and saw, in Fluttershy's main room, a white unicorn, an orange earth pony, and a cyan pegasus. Celestia sat nearby with her guards and Riku lay unconscious on Fluttershy's couch. "What happened?" asked Sora.
"Well, you see," began the cyan pegasus, "I kinda beat up Riku here."
"What?" said Sora in disbelief. There was no way this pegasus could've beaten Riku. Was there?
"Yeah. Sorry about that," said the pony. "I'm sure he'll be fine." Twilight began introducing the other ponies one by one and Celestia asked them to all meet upstairs.
After regrouping upstairs, Celestia conjured up a desk in Fluttershy's room and sat down at it with Sora and the now awake Riku standing on either side of her. The ponies stood on the other side of the desk. "So, yer highness," began Applejack, "what's goin' on?"
Celestia cleared her throat before speaking, telling everyone that this was going to be a long explanation. "It's convenient that you've all met here by chance to discuss a matter of extreme importance." Everypony was at full attention. "There is a new threat that bears down on Equestria and its neighboring worlds."
"Neighboring worlds?" asked Rarity.
"Yes, Rarity. Our world isn't the only one," replied the Princess. "Now, as you all know, not everypony has warmed up to the idea of friendship and harmony as you know from the Discord event. There is darkness in every heart. The new threat that faces Equestria is a form of living darkness called the Heartless. I've known about them for some time, though I decided not to mention them because there was never a reason to. However, that reason has arrisen."
"That's sounds really bad," said Pinkie, Sora noticing her frown for the first time since he had seen her.
"It is," said Celestia. "It's time I taught you all about the history of a powerful and magical weapon called the keyblade."
"In ancient times, light filled every heart and the people of the worlds loved the light. However, some became greedy and wanted to take the light for themselves. Thus, darkness was born in every heart. These ancient people began to fight over the light and over its source, Kingdom Hearts. The real Kingdom Hearts was lost to darkness, never to be seen again. Many lost their lives in what is now known as the keyblade war, a great clash between thousands of keyblade wielders. When all seemed lost, a new light was found. That light resided in the hearts of children, and thus, the worlds survived and our universe pressed on. Over time, there have been those who have tried to replicate Kingdom Hearts through various forms and have ultimately failed or have been stopped by keyblade warriors who have chosen to protect the light, known as Warriors of Light. Unfortunately, a new evil has risen over the past 15 years. A man by the name of Xehanort has aspired to forge an all powerful weapon known as the X-Blade. In fact, the people who created the keyblades created them in the image of the X-Blade to honor its powers. It was said that the X-Blade was a guardian of sorts for the real Kingdom Hearts and that with its power, Kingdom Hearts can be recovered. However, Kingdom Hearts holds immense power, and as with all power hungry people, its power will no doubt be abused. That's where all of you come in. As I said before, I've known about the heartless and the darkness of peoples' and ponys' hearts alike for a long time. I even planned to teach you all how to wield the keyblade in three years, when I was sure that the forces of darkness would find us. Unfortunately, I must begin your training now." Celestia's horn began to glow bright yellow, and before her appeared the 6 elements of harmony. She levitated them each to their respective owners. "Just a few years ago, you six demonstrated the power of friendship and unlocked the ability to wield the elements of harmony. With that same light, you will learn to wield the keyblade." Celestia's horn glowed once again, this time summoning up six pauldrons, pieces of shoulder armor that hold a massive button in the center to activate a much larger set of armor. Everypony received a pauldron which magically attached to their left foreleg shoulders. The armored shoulder piece covered everypony's forearm and shoulder blade with the button lying on the joint of the shoulder piece. "Now, press the buttons and watch what happens."
In a massive flash of light, everypony pushed the buttons at the same time. When the light cleared, six armored ponies stood in the room.
Twilight's armor had a silver midsection with silver leg plates and gold rimming. Her armor was highlighted with purple on most of its edges. Her helmet was similar to Aqua's, with two thin pieces of metal sticking back from the temples of the helmet. Even her horn was armored with thin pieces of plate armor.
Fluttershy's armor was fairly thin and really wasn't much armor at all. Most of her body was covered in a black material apart from her midsection, which consisted of a bright green chestplate. Her helmet hid her face with a dark green visor and her legs were covered in the black material which was surrounded by woven pieces of green metal to form a sort of chain armor. Her wings had armor along the top of them but her yellow feathers were still easily visible.
The same held true for Rainbow Dash's armored wings, in which the arms of her wings were covered in thin, sky blue plate metal while her wings were exposed. Her midsection was covered in dark blue plate armor while her legs were suited in sky blue armor with golden accents along the sides. Her helmet was similar to Ventus's with two horn-like pieces of metal extending upwards. Her visor was a deep, reflective blue.
Rarity's armor was pure white and it covered her entire body leaving nothing exposed. It also seemed to be bulkier with a bigger midsection, massive shoulder pads, and thicker leg plating. The armor was accented with gray marks along the body and legs while her helmet consisted of a single metal spike sticking out from the back of the helmet which bore a gray visor.
Pinkie Pie's armor was much the same, though it was mostly pink and accented with various yellows, blues, and greens which seemed to resemble confetti. Her helmet was similar to Master Eraqus' helmet(1) with three spikes, one up and one to either side of her face, and a bright blue visor.
Applejack's armor contained heavy leg armor that didn't seem to impair her movement and a bulkier midsection. Her armor was mainly orange, though it was lined with green and brown accents. Her helmet resembled Terra's, though without the spikes. Her visor was a bright green.
Everypony's armor had their element of harmony's crystal in the chestplate.
"Whoa," said Sora, stunned by the ponies appearance. Celestia couldn't help but show a look of pride as she looked down at the six armored ponies.
"Now comes the next step," she said. "Twilight, Fluttershy, when you completed your dive to the heart, you each were cemented as keyblade warriors. Please, summon your keyblades now." Acting on instinct, Twilight closed her eyes which were hidden by her visor and held out her hoof. In a small flash of light, a keyblade appeared. It seemed like a normal blade with a golden hand guard and a black handle. However, the blade itself was wrapped in a pink piece of metal that came together at a pinkish purple star.
Fluttershy, not sure what to do, imitated Twilight and managed to summon her own keyblade. Her keyblade bore a gold handguard and handle with what appeared to be large, interwoven vines forming the blade. Each vine bloomed with a pink flower on the end, forming the key bit.
Celestia stared in wonder at the two keyblades. They were definitely unique, and they seemed to be patterned for her students specifically.. "So you have learned to wield your own keyblades. Though I wish they were gained through other circumstances."
"What do you mean?" asked Twilight.
"You both received your keyblades through a sort of 'keyblade inheritance ceremony' in which a keyblade master or warrior who has attained the level of master can pass their keyblade ability to another person or in this case, pony, if their heart is full of light. Riku and Sora managed that one." Sora and Riku simultaneously blushed.
"So, does that mean that we can use keyblades too?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"As I've already said, you were able to wield the elements of harmony because of a strong light in all of your hearts that helped you come together as friends. Now, you must tap into that same light if you wish to wield a keyblade. But be warned. The destiny of a warrior of light is a harsh one filled with constant battles against the darkness. You must always be on your guard, and there's no guarantee that life will return to normal even if you succeed. The heartless have found this world, which means that they will stop at nothing to corrupt it through its keyhole."
"Whatever is a keyhole?" asked Rarity.
"A keyhole is a door of sorts to the heart of the world. If the heartless find the keyhole, then they will corrupt the world and darkness will destroy it." Everypony shifted uncomfortably at the idea of their beloved Equestria disappearing into darkness. "Which is where you six, Sora, and Riku come in. Sora, Riku, I know you have other tasks to attend to, but this is very important and I ask for your help. I need you eight to find this world's keyhole and lock it with your keyblades. Of course, first you'll have to wield your own," she said as she gazed at the other four ponies. "Deactivate your armor and join Sora, Riku and I outside to begin your training." With that, Celestia got up and walked downstairs, letting the desk she was sitting at disappear.
The ponies deactivated their armor, went downstairs and outside, followed by Sora and Riku.
Once outside, Celestia continued. "Twilight, Fluttershy, you may already be able to wield your keyblades, but that doesn't mean that you are already masters. In fact, just calling wielders 'masters' is a strange confusion. Sora, Riku, if you can help the others, I would appreciate it very much."
"You can count on us," said Sora enthusiastically.
"Right then," began the Princess. "Hold out your hooves and focus hard on your inner light. It may take some searching, but you'll find it." Sora watched as the ponies stuck out their hooves and shut their eyes, all deep in thought.
Minutes passed and nothing happened. Finally, Pinkie's hoof started glowing white and in a flash of light, a keyblade materialized in it. Her keyblade, just like Twilight and Fluttershy's, had a gold handguard, though hers had swirling markings on it. The blade itself was a giant pink lit candle with two pieces of lace, light blue on one side and yellow on the other, near the hilt which contained a bright blue crystal balloon. It had three balloons on the end which formed the key bit. "Ooooo. Pretty," said Pinkie, in awe.
"Excellent, Pinkie," said Celestia. "Now, let the rest of your friends concentrate."
An hour passed before the next keyblade appeared, this time belonging to Applejack. Her keyblade had a gold handguard with a black handle and an orange apple in the hilt. The blade itself seemed to be several cider barrels stacked on top of each other with leaves and apples at the end like an apple tree. The key bit was a simple white fence.
Applejack marveled at the keyblade in her hoof, admiring how much it complimented her love for the farm. She spun it a few times before shouldering it.
Only a minute separated the arrival of Rainbow Dash's keyblade. Hers had a golden handguard which, at the hilt, transformed into two cyan wings with her red cutie mark gem dead center. The handguard also sported rainbow spikes sticking from it near the handle and its blade resembled an ancient greek column. The blade was also wrapped in a trail of yellow, blue, and red metal and ended in a lighting bolt resembling her cutie mark to form the key bit. At the end of the blade was a clean, white cloud. "Awesome!" she yelled as she flew high into the sky, performing a loop in mid air and swinging her keyblade within the loop to display a spinning wheel of color. She then touched down and stuck it into the ground, leaning against it coolly.
Finally, Rarity's keyblade appeared in the next five minutes. She opened her eyes and looked at its glimmering white and purple blade which had been infused with four diamonds. The key bit was purple and shaped like a crown, also containing three huge diamonds. The handle was white and was shielded with a gold hand guard that contained even more bright diamonds in its metal. Her jaw dropped at the size and sheen of the diamonds that practically lined her blade. Her cutie mark crystal was also in the keyblade's hilt.
Celestia smiled at her new pupils, now beginning their journey to save their own piece of the realm of light. "Now, like I said before," she said while beginning to blush, "I planned to train you all in three years and as such, don't have a training plan worked out. Your best option at this point is to travel alongside Sora and Riku and help them seal this world's keyhole." They all nodded their heads. "Sora, Riku, unfortunately, I have no idea where the keyhole is, but I trust that the heartless are already searching for it."
"That is a problem," said Riku slowly as he raised a hand to his chin in thought. He then turned to Sora. "Remember when we took the mark of mastery exam? There was always a powerful heartless or other dark power protecting the keyhole."
Sora nodded. "They just wouldn't give us a break, would they?"
"Yeah. What if we try to find a giant heartless? Maybe that'll lead us to the keyhole," suggested Riku.
"Good idea," said Sora. He turned to Princess Celestia. "Have there been any reports regarding a giant creature in the past few days?"
"Yes, actually. There was a heartless that I witnessed first hand attacking Manehattan. That's why I came here. I wanted to collect Twilight and her friends to try the elements of harmony on it. Of course, its heart would have just found its way into another heartless, but it would have solved the problem. No doubt its picture will be in the newspapers today."
"Alright! Now we have a target!" said Rainbow. "So let's get to Manehattan and save 'em!"
"Right," said everyone else in unison. They all rushed towards Ponyville, eager to get to the train station and get underway.
"Sora, Riku, wait," said Celestia. Both humans stopped and turned around. Celestia walked over to them and gave each of them a pauldron. Sora's was gold and Riku's was silver. "Take these. They'll protect you as you travel through the lanes between."
"Thanks," they both said.
"And also," continued the princess, and she leaned in rather close to them, "if anything happens to my little ponies, I'll personally make sure you both pay a heavy price. You may be warriors of light, but they are my subjects and I will not see them harmed." Riku and Sora visibly stiffened and Celestia backed off. "Now, good luck you two."
"Thank you, ma'am," they said in unison. Together, they turned and bolted to catch up with the other ponies.