//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 - Questions 
// Story: Kingdom of Friendship Part 2 
// by SkyFlare 
//------------------------------//

	“Hm…” the stallion mused as he entered a dream like world.  “If I were a princess, oh dear Celestia I hate how that sounds…”
The stallion started to roam the barren landscape as the world began to take life.  The ground shifted as textures and objects came into existence.  He felt his robe slowly fade away as his form changed into that of a solid white earth pony.
The stallion let out a sigh.  “Princess Luna!” he called out.  “You can call me Lost; I’m here to help you!”
The environment took the form of a dense forest.  There was a fog that limited Lost’s vision to only about two yards.  There was no real source of light, but everything seemed to have a slight glow to it.  Lost slowly navigated the forest, hoping to meet up with the princess soon.
“Princess?” Lost yelled as he reached a clearing.  “If you can hear me, please answer!”
“Stop!” a second voice cried out.
The voice was coming from above Lost, up on the clouds.  Normally that would pose a problem, but this was a dream and so nothing was normal.  He blinked his eyes and became a pegasus.  He spread his wings and took to the sky in an attempt to find Luna.  He could eventually make out the image of an alicorn, seemingly hiding behind a cloud.
“Princess, you have to wake up!” Lost shouted.
Luna jumped from the cloud and flew into the sky.  Once she was in the cloud layer above Lost, a massive storm started up.  Now he would have to chase Luna while avoiding the random bolts of lightning.
“She doesn’t know it’s a dream…” Lost grumbled.  “She’s scared of something and that’s what’s keeping her in here.  Whatever that fear may be, it seems to reflected by me.”
Lost could hear Luna crying up above.  He raised his hoof to his face to think of a plan.  There had to be some way to get to her.  Whatever he was in this nightmare had to have been terrifying to Luna.  He would need to counteract his effect with something that Luna cared for as much as she feared him.
“Luna, your sister, she needs you.  Celestia needs you to come home.” Lost yelled.
“I don’t believe you!” Luna cried back.
“This is all a dream Luna, you should be able to see that better than anypony.  In the real world, Celestia is worried about you.  I know that I have no right to be here in your dreams, but I am doing this for the betterment of all of Equestria, so please, wake up.”
“How long until he-” Celestia stopped speaking when she saw the stallion take a step away from Luna.
“I’ve done my part, now it’s up to you.” he said as he turned and started toward the door.
“Who are you?” Cocoon asked as he intercepted Lost.
“Name’s Lost.” Lost answered before walking past the changeling.

“Where did you send that ‘Overlord’ guy?” Leon asked as he lifted Grey off of the ground.
“I honestly don’t know, but I had to get him away before he could kill any of you.  He doesn’t hesitate.  The only way that he’ll let you live is if he has plans for you and usually his plans aren’t very pleasant.” Grey explained as she was carried back into the castle.
Twilight watched as Leon took Grey into a small room.  She stayed back, thinking about what could have possibly made Haze into that monster.  Everypony who did things like that had some reason for it.  Sombra was corrupted by the magic that he resorted to using.  Vim was taken in a moment of weakness and told to do things that she would have never done before.  She wanted to know Haze’s story.
“What are you thinking about, Twi?” Spike asked running up to her side.
“Haze… Why is he the way that he is?” she asked, putting her hand to her forehead and running her fingers through her hair.
“Does there have to be a reason?” Spike asked, “He just seems kinda crazy to me.”
“There’s always a reason, somepony doesn’t just decide on day to go on a killing spree.” Twilight shook her head.
“That’s a good point, but how are we supposed to find out?” Spike continued.  “Come on Twi, let’s go inside.”
“All right, maybe Grey will know something…” Twilight pondered.
They walked inside the room and noticed a large framed portrait of a man with long silver hair.  He was wearing a white lab coat, so Twilight assumed him to be an important scientist.  Grey was resting in a chair while Yuffie bandaged her arms once again.  It probably wasn’t the best time for her questions, but Twilight had her mind set on knowing this.
“Grey, I have to ask you something.” Twilight said in a quiet voice.
“Go on.” Grey looked up into Twilight’s lilac eyes awaiting the question.
“What do you know about Haze from before he attacked?”
“Nothing.  Never heard of him until he leveled Canterlot.” she shook her head slowly, trying not to move either shoulder.
“Darn…” Twilight pouted.
“I might be able to help you.” laughed a cold voice as a swirling black and purple arch appeared.  “Step on through, Poppet.”
Twilight unconsciously took a step toward the portal before Leon shouted at her.
“Stop!” he yelled. “I don’t know of anyone who’s on our side who can use those portals.”
“I need the answer.” Twilight dismissed Leon’s fears as she stepped into the portal and Spike quickly scampered after her.
Twilight found herself in a town that was predominately a golden color with the sun setting on the horizon.  She could see a very short train that was flat at both ends scoot by on a set of railroad tracks.
“What is this place Twi?” Spike asked as he started to walk over toward a hill that they could see three people walking away from. 
“I don’t know Spike.” Twilight shook her head.  “Maybe it’s the town that Leon mentioned.”
“I don’t think so; we’d be able to see the castle.” Spike replied.
“Good point.  Why don’t we ask those people, maybe they could tell us?” Twilight suggested.
“What if it’s really obvious and they think that we’re crazy?” Spike asked.
“Spike, the day that we arrived in Ponyville, what did I say about the town?”
“Uhh… I don’t remember.  You said a lot of things about the town.”
“I said ‘All the ponies in this town are crazy,’ but now I live there and I love it.  I think that makes me crazy be default.” Twilight laughed.  “Come on, let’s go.”
As they drew nearer and nearer to the trio, they could start to overhear their conversation.
The larger boy groaned impatiently.  “The ghost train didn’t show up today…”
“Chill Pence, we’ll check out the other places tomorrow.” replied a taller blond haired boy.
“Yeah Pence, Hayner is right, we’ll check out the reflection tomorrow.” laughed the only girl in the group.
“I guess Olette.” Pence replied.
“Hi, I have a question.” Twilight smiled upon meeting with the three teens.
“Oh, hey.” Hayner replied.  “I haven’t seen you before.  Are you new around here?”
“Um, yeah.” Twilight giggled.  “Where is here exactly?”
“Twilight Town.” Olette answered.
“Hey, it’s like you belong here, huh Twi?” Spike joked.
“Your name’s Twi?” Hayner asked.
“Twilight, as impossible as it seems.”
“That is pretty funny.” Pence laughed.
“My name is Hayner, nice to meet you.” Hayner extended a hand out for a hand shake, to which Twilight obliged.
“I’m Pence.” Pence added.
“And I’m Olette.” Olette finished their side of the introductions.
“This is Spike.” Twilight pointed to her child companion.
“It’s been nice, but we’ve gotta run, it’s getting late.”  Hayner said as he looked at a large clock tower in the distance.
“All right, bye!” Twilight called back as the trio ran off in the direction that Twilight and Spike had come from.
“Now we know the name of the town, but not much else.” Spike commented, making it seem like they had accomplished nothing with that conversation.
“Yeah, but at least we met some nice people.” Twilight looked to the bright side.
They started walking toward a small area that was down a few stairs from them.  Twilight could see a small waterfall fountain that had been built into a wall.  She also thought that she saw something strange behind it so her curiosity, as usual, got the better of her.  As she moved closer to investigate, she realized that the reflection that she was seeing was not hers.  Instead, she saw Vim, wrapped in her robes.
“Vim?” Twilight asked, surprised to see the pony who had saved her life.
The reflection itself was actually of the pony, not of a human version.  She simply stared back at Twilight for a few seconds before stepping out of the waterfall.
“You want to know about the Overlord.” Vim said calmly.
“Yes, but how do you-” Twilight started.
“I’m part of you now, or did you forget?  I know everything that you do, but my mind is still beyond yours.” Vim answered.
“Are you going to tell me, or do I have to guess?” Twilight asked, trying to keep her patience.
“What I know of Haze is not much, but I hope that it will help you in understanding your enemy.  As a colt, he was blind, but he was gifted in magic.  He eventually crafted a spell of his own devising that was able to give him sight.  Years later, he met a young Star Swirl, whom he quickly befriended due to a common interest in spell creation.  One day, Haze attacked his friend and Star Swirl was forced to retaliate.  Their battle in your world lasted for two decades, neither unicorn giving way until Star Swirl was finally able to develop a spell that-” Vim stopped as Twilight started to speak.
“Banished him from my world and stranding him on yours.  I read the journal; I already knew all of that.” Twilight pointed out.
“But you didn’t see the point in it, did you?” Vim smirked beneath her hood.  “Haze was never Star Swirl’s friend; he was simply using the old foal.  He was a means to an end, and that end was the suffering and death of thousands of ponies.”
“But there has to be a reason for him to be the way that he is!” Twilight urged, refusing to give up her hope that he could be saved.
“He is beyond redemption Twilight.  Nothing that you say will change that fact.” Vim insisted.
“But how can a pony just be that bad naturally?”
“A born sociopath.  He does not care if others live or die.  He never has.” Vim shook her head.  “Tell Spike that I said hi.”
“Twilight!” Spike shook her as she was lying on the ground.
“Was it a dream?” Twilight asked herself aloud.
“You looked into the water and fell down.  I’ve been trying to wake you up for a couple minutes now.” Spike sounded worried.
“I’m fine.” Twilight smiled back.  “And Vim says hi.”
“Vim?” Spike asked, astonished to hear the name again.
“Apparently when she died during the fight against Sombra, she became part of me.  I don’t know why, but it’s true.  She says that everything that I know, she knows, but it’s kind of a one way thing.  She is still aware of things that I’m not apparently.” Twilight explained as best she could.
“Hi Vim.” Spike smiled and waved.

As Rogue arrived at the first set of unicorn bunks, he froze up.  There was an orange gold light shining over on the horizon.  The sun was rising, which could only mean one thing, Princess Celestia was awake.
Rogue turned back and started running at full speed to get back to the throne room.  Upon reaching the door, he was relieved to see that Celestia and Luna were standing up on their own hooves.  The bat pony was more than relieved to see that they were all right.
“Rogue, I need you to inform my queen that the princesses are accepting our aid.” Cocoon growled.
“Thank you.” Rogue smiled to the princesses as the stood by their thrones.  
The fact that they were willing to accept the changelings’ help meant that he would probably not be getting in very much trouble for bringing a changeling into the castle grounds.  He was going to be traveling back to the Badlands which would take a while, but if something happened, it would probably happen soon.
Rogue stepped out of the castle and took back to the skies, flying south toward the Badlands.  He wasn’t overly fond of the area, but it was necessary for the safety and overall wellbeing of Equestria that he gets there as soon as possible.  The changelings would increase their numbers and make it possible to protect a great deal more civilians.  Most changelings were warriors; they had to be to survive out in the Badlands with so many larger monsters.
It wasn’t until that night that he was able to reach the hive that Chrysalis lived in.  He was allowed to pass through without interruption as the guards on duty were expecting him.  As he delved deeper into the hive, a tall cloaked changeling stepped out of one of the tunnels.
“Queen Chrysalis, the princesses have accepted your aid.” Rogue told the changeling, panting slightly as he had not had a break for running around in a very long time.
“Assemble the army.” Chrysalis said calmly.
Rogue watched as dozens of armored changelings, followed by countless unarmored changelings marched out and took flight.  An impossibly loud buzzing sound nearly deafened the bat pony’s sensitive ears.  That was another problem that he had with them, they were too loud.  After waiting a few minutes for the majority of the changelings to leave, Rogue set out after them.
“I’ll be back soon.” Rogue promised himself.

“So those are the Heartless?” Raid asked Celestia as the pair sat out on a balcony.
Beneath them shifted a living mass of shadow.  They moved in what Raid could only describe as a lopsided manner, tilting heavily toward whichever hoof was about to touch the ground.
“Yes.” Celestia nodded back.  “This time, I can help fight them though.  The light is their most devastating weakness, and so with the rise of the sun this morning, I can weaken, if not destroy their forces.”
The yellow sphere peeked over the horizon, as if looking at the Heartless.  The farthest back of the Heartless fell to the ground and their screeches of agony could be heard from anywhere in Canterlot.
Before much else could befall the Heartless as a result of the sun’s light, clouds quickly moved to block out its rays.  Raid could have sworn that she heard Celestia curse under her breath, but she felt that she had to have been imagining it.
“I’m going down there.” Raid said matter-of-factly.
“It’s too dangerous, I can’t allow for you to do this.” Celestia said, making Raid pause on the ledge of the balcony.
“There are innocent ponies down there.  I joined the Royal Guard to protect ponies like them, and I am not going to let anything stop me from performing that task.” Raid leapt from the ledge of the balcony, using her magic to not only slow her fall, but shoot beams of pink light at the Heartless.
“Need some help there?” shouted a familiar voice as Raid felt four hooves wrap around her body.
“Rogue!” Raid smiled up.
“I brought some backup.” Rogue directed Raid’s attention to a massive swarm of changelings that was heading straight for them.
“Why are they helping us anyway?” Raid asked, having not spoken to Rogue about that part of his plan yet.
“With ponies dead, they would lose their food source.  I figure that they can help us stay alive.” Rogue smirked.  “Fire at will!” he shouted at the changelings who were just arriving on the scene.
“Which one’s Will?” Cocoon asked as he flew over Rogue and Raid’s heads.
“Now you speak to me, huh?  Just zap them.” Rogue shook his head, smiling widely the whole time.
“I have an idea.  Rogue, fly me over that group right there.  With your help, I can shoot them with my magic while staying out of their reach.” Raid suggested.
“Good idea.” Rogue flew over to a distant group of Heartless, away from where the changelings were fighting them.
There was a mess of green blasts shooting down from the sky and across the ground.  The changelings were making a massive dent in the Heartless forces, but it wasn’t enough.  Even as more changeling’s arrived on the battlefield, Heartless seemed to spawn from the air itself, appearing from nowhere.
The castle gates opened and a large number of unicorn guards charged out.  The first few only had time to cast one or two spells before being eviscerated by the Heartless.  At one point, Raid froze up from fear, terrified beyond belief at how brutal the creatures were.  The unicorns that didn’t immediately fall retreated back into the gate.  A few minutes later, they came back out with pegasi carrying them in a very similar way to what Rogue was doing for Raid.
“Raid, are you still able to fight?” Rogue asked, snapping Raid out of her dazed state.
“Ye- yeah…” she stuttered back, shooting a pink bolt at one of the Heartless that was coming close to a changeling.  
“All right, let me know if you can’t do it anymore though.” Rogue insisted.
“I- I will.” Raid whispered back.
She felt that she needed to be strong, that she needed to be as brave as Tempest would have been.  He would have charged into that fight even without magic; without any way to fight them.  Rogue had done almost the same thing by swooping in at the last moment to catch her.

Haze slowly opened his eyes and looked around at his surroundings.  A desolate plain of nothing but sand.  The sun beat down on him heavily as he climbed to his feet.
“Still in this universe… which means that I still have a chance to kill them.” he smirked at the realization.  “That bat pony will be the first to die.”
As Haze wandered the barren wastelands, he noticed that dark clouds had covered the sky except for a single light.  The light was coming from a massive moon that had taken the shape of a heart.  Beneath it stood a pillar that towered over every other thing surrounding it.
“What’s this?” Haze asked as he strolled around the pillar.
When he reached the other side, he saw something that he was unprepared for.  Keyblades, thousands if not millions of them, were impaled into the ground.  He walked over to them to investigate, noticing that each one of them was severely aged.  Some were broken slightly; something that he was not even aware could happen to a weapon like the Keyblade.
Haze teleported up to the top of the pillar that was beneath the heart shaped moon.  “Is this really it?  Is this Kingdom Hearts?”
He got no answers, but that was what he was expecting.  Moments later, his mind was slammed by a single thought.  Seven Lights and Thirteen Darks.  The key to Kingdom Hearts would be forged at the clash of seven lights and thirteen darks.
“A nice little game of hide and seek.  I get to find some darks and some lights, open a great big door, and even take over another universe or two.” Haze sang cheerfully.
He was already devising a plan for acquiring his thirteen darks; the seven lights were a problem though.  Finding seven others whose hearts were strong enough in the light to qualify.  Some of the Elements of Harmony’s former wielders would work, but not all of them, not with his plan.

“Where do you think they are?” Grey asked after finally gaining the strength to walk again.
“Cid is attempting to track the portal that Twilight and Spike took out of here, but it will take some time.  While we wait, perhaps you could join Yuffie outside and wait for our guests.  They are also Keyblade wielders, like Twilight.” Leon suggested.  “With their magic, maybe they’ll have a better chance of following her than Cid’s computers will.”
“Who are they?” Grey asked.
“They’re names are Sora and Riku.  We’ve known them for a while now, and I heard that Riku might have just passed his Mark of Mastery exam, making him a Keyblade master.” Leon replied, thinking back to when he had first met the two of them and how much they’d grown since.
“I guess could…”  Grey sighed, still unable to stop worrying about Twilight and Spike.  The thought rushed into her head suddenly, Equestria was still in trouble, they had to get back before even more died.  She would need Twilight’s help to travel there though, with her lack of teleportation spells, Grey wouldn’t be getting there on her own.
She slowly walked outside and saw Yuffie sitting on a rail, throwing shuriken down at some Heartless.  She cackled slightly as the Heartless burst into nothingness.
“Yuffie?” Grey approached the seated ninja.
“Yeah?” Yuffie spun around and looked up at Grey.  “What do you need?”
“Leon sent me out here to wait with you for the Keyblade wielders.” Grey explained, sitting down next to Yuffie.
“Okay!” Yuffie said cheerfully.  “They should be here pretty soon.”
Grey nodded and silently sat next to Yuffie as they waited for the two Keyblade wielders to arrive.