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// Sparkle of Hope 
// Story: Magic of the Heart 
// by Narchu Pikana 
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Magic of the Heart
Chapter 4: Sparkle of Hope

The room was silent. Not a word was spoken as the realization sunk into princess Twilight Sparkle. It was what Yen Sid had said struck her hard. Her friends lives? When she thought about it, no matter what the girls seemed to try they just couldn’t stop these creatures. And she just left her friends there. Both Twilight and Spike trembled, imagining the worst had already befallen their best friends. “W…What can we do?” Twilight finally asked, still shaking like a leaf. “We tried to get rid of them. Nothing seemed to work.” Her gaze quickly went to Yen Sid. “You’re some expert on them. How do you get rid of them?!” Tears began flowing from Twilight’s eyes. If only she would’ve stayed with them maybe they’d be okay. Yes Sid let a smile appear once more. “What are you smiling about?!” Twilight had no patience left in her. If her friends were hurt, or worse, she’d never forgive herself. “You were correct Princess Celestia.” Yen Sid began, “She really does have a strong heart. Maybe she is the perfect one to wield the Keyblade.” Celestia nodded agreeing, “It’s why she’s a princess after all.” Twilight looked on confused, “Keyblade? What are you talking about?” “You see Twilight, that is why we called you here. We wished for you and your friends to work together to rid the land of these Heartless by finding the source of them and stopping it.” Celestia gave her old pupil a soft smile hoping to calm her. “But as Twilight said, we tried to get rid of them. Even Applejack's bucking did nothing.” Spike said, still a bit amazed on what was happening. Yen Sid nodded. “It is true the Heartless can only be stunned by normal means, they still have a weakness. The Keyblade we mentioned. Celestia if you will.” Celestia nodded getting up from her cushion walking behind the mirror. There appeared to be a magically locked chest there, that seemed to respond to the princess’ magical aura differently than any normal lock. No doubt it was linked to her to prevent anyone else from opening it. When the chests lid was opened a small light floated out heading toward the mirror before stopping shortly from Twilight. She could not help but flinch as it approached but then lean in confused. “What is it Twilight?” Spike asked. “I’m not sure, I’ve never seen anything like it.” Twilight glanced to Celestia who smiled, and motioned her to touch it. Twilight gulped once, trusting the princess. She reached her hoof up touching the orb. As she did a rush went through her, eyes lighting up making her freeze in place. To Twilight however, it felt like she was teleported elsewhere.

As the blinding light faded Twilight Sparkle noticed she was no longer in the castle anymore. Instead before her was darkness, however the floor itself appeared to be stained glass with light shining through. “Hello?” Twilight asked the darkness, with no response. “Princess? Spike?” She still asked hopelessly. After letting the realization of being alone set in, Twilight looked down at the stain glass and was stunned seeing what she did. Below her was a stained glass portrait of herself with images of her friends scattered around. What was most curious however was floating by Twilight in the image was a strange key. It appeared to be about as long as she was, with a chain coming off it. “What in the world is that?” Twilight thought allowed. After examining the strange instrument she recalled what Yen Sid and Celestia had said. “The Keyblade…” She quietly said to herself. “Step foreword.” This caused Twilight to jump in surprise, her wings unfurled. She gazed around to see no one. Come to think of it, she heard no one either. And yet, she knew a voice had just spoken to her. After thinking it through a moment she felt the need to follow its orders. She calmed a moment and stepped foreword, until she was in the middle of the glass. A light began to shine in front of her causing her to flinch once more. When it faded, before her was a real version of this ‘Keyblade’. A golden guard, silver blade and teeth, the teeth appeared to shape a crown, and a strange chain with a three circled pattern unknown to Twilight. It floated there a moment before beginning to fall. Twilight quickly grabbed it with her magical aura making it float in front of her. As she did she felt a strange connection, as if it was becoming tied to her very being. “A world full of light, attacked by darkness. Though doomed it appeared, a sparkle of hope shines through. Is that you?” The voice returned, this time not frightening Twilight. She nodded her head once, staying as inaudible as the voice that spoke to her. “Your destiny has been set. Become one with the light, but do not be blinded by it. Embrace the darkness, but do not be engulfed by it. For now, you are a Keyblade wielder.” Twilight smiled lightly, realizing what this meant. However the princess lost her smile taking another look at the images of her friends. Each had lost their smile and it appeared shadows had been creeping up their bodies. Her eyes went wide seeing this, until it was gone.

After moment to rub her eyes Twilight regained vision. She was still in the castle. She never seemed to have left. “What was that?” Twilight asked the princess. As she did though she noticed her magic was being used. In front of her was that strange weapon she had in that world. “Whoa! It’s real…? The Keyblade.” Such a name felt so fitting. Yen Sid nodded his head, “Yes, and it seems it has accepted you to use it. Congrats young princess.” Twilight couldn’t help but swing it a bit using her magic. She had never used a sword before, let alone a over sized key. She did recall a few books on weapons and skills that the royal guards would use. Hopefully she could remember them enough to actually use these skills to her advantage. Celestia could not help but smile seeing her old student wielding such a special weapon. “So this can actually get rid of the Heartless?” Twilight asked the two who believed she could use this weapon. Yen Sid stood from his desk and paced slowly around the room. “Yes. The Keyblade is a powerful weapon that the Heartless fear. It’s capable of destroying them and releasing the hearts they have stolen. But because of this same fact they are also attracted to the weapon and it’s wielder.” Yen Sid made a quick glance through the mirror to see Twilight’s reaction. He was glad to see she didn’t seem to lose confidence. “So you must be careful when you are out there. But never give up hope. Trust in yourself and the Keyblade will gain strength. Also you should know that the Keyblade shall also aid those around you. As long as you work side by side with others the Keyblade will allow your allies to also fight off the darkness.” Twilight seemed to gain even more confidence hearing this. “So I can get my friends to help me?” Yen Sid nodded his head. “Indeed. Though I advise caution leading others into the fray. The extra protection for all of you may help.” Celestia nodded agreeing, “The more help you’d get the better. Your friends would gladly do anything for you.”  Twilight nodded spinning the Key blade a bit before it disappeared. She flinched looking around confused. Yen Sid could not help but chuckle lightly, “It’s quite alright, it can disappear and reappear at will. Just focus for a moment and it should return.” Twilight did as she was told and it indeed returned. Right away she grabbed it with her magic once more. “This is great. Thank you, I won’t let either of you down!” Twilight began running out of the room as the two wished her luck.

As Twilight stepped through the door she heard somepony she forgot was with her. “Twilight hold on!” Spike yelled at chasing after her. Twilight paused and turned towards him. “Spike?” Twilight almost forgot her assistant was with her. “Don’t forget me. We need to save Ponyville!” Spike said sounding very determined. She thought about how dangerous these creatures were and could not imagine Spike getting hurt by them. Then she recalled how there were no Heartless in Canterlot. Twilight shook her head, “No Spike, you need to stay here.” “What?!” Spike blurted out in utter disbelief. “It’s better off here in Canterlot. There aren’t monsters here.” Twilight gave a reassuring smile to her assistant. She always saw him like a little brother and could not help but be protective. However seeing his sad face made her do the other thing a good older sister should; inspire confidence. “Spike, I need you here.” She started, “If Canterlot does get attacked somepony has to be here to help Celestia stay safe right? And who better then a fearsome dragon!” Twilight said giving him a playful hug. Though Spike didn’t fully trust she believed it herself, it did help. He returned the hug to Twilight and nodded. “Yeah I guess you’re right. I’ll make sure nothing harms the princess!” He gave the best heroic pose he could, causing Twilight to stifle a giggle. “Thank you Spike. Good luck!” and with that Twilight Sparkle flew out of the castle. “Good luck to you too!” Spike yelled back. “And please stay safe.”