Kairi and her new group of friends, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Babs all had decided on their way back through Everfree Forest to take Kairi to Cutie Mark Clubhouse, where they would make her an official Crusader. But before they could do that, they had to pick up a cake for the occassion from Sugarcube Corner. They walked through Ponyville, smiling happily, until they heard a horrific scream. They followed the sounds around a corner to see what was the commotion, and to their horror, they saw a familiar pink pony, with her chocolatey brown mane, imprisoned in a magical red bubble, with the bubble's outside being shrouded by dark energy.
"Oh no! We've got to save Candy-" AppleBloom began, but was cutoff as a spectacular flash of green streaked right in front of their eyes.
"What was-" Kairi began.
"Smashing Light." the three Ponyville Crusaders all said as one.
There, about 15 feet in front of their faces, 4 hooves landed upon the ground, lime green, attached to a pony with a spikey orange man with blue eyes, and a cutie mark that looked something like a controller... for what though?
Right next to the bubble, a large Heartless stood.
"All right, Heartless," the pony named Smashing began, "put Candy Something down nice and easy, and no one gets hurt."
The Heartless did not comply.
"That's what I thought. NOW I get the pleasure of rescuing my honey AND kicking your butt!"
A blinding flash of light, and the green pony had a familiarly-shaped sword in his mouth. It's hilt was made of Sapphire, and it's blade of bronze. On the end, a chain with a symbol somewhat resembling his cutie mark attached to it.
"A... keyblade..." Kairi whispered under her breath.
The pony was lightning quick, launching magic and strikes faster than the Heartless could comply. By the time one quick series of hits was finished he was already beginning another string of attacks. Finally, as he dove under a swipe from the large Heartless' claws, he shouted.
"This is it!" was the cry, as he knocked the huge Heartless into the air with a quick bash of his blade, and leaped up to follow. All could see, the pony's eyes glowed with a yellowish aura, as he trapped the foe in a large, triangular prison of pure light, and began bashing it with several quick strikes, before shouting as he shoved his blade into the monster's inky blackness, freeing the crystal heart from it's body and making the Heartless dissipate into air.
He landed gently on his four hooves and then leaped and struck the bubble with his blade freeing the pony inside, which he caught as she fell into his front legs.
"Smashing.... thank you... my wonderful one..." she said as she could barely stay awake.
"Candy... I'm so glad you're safe..."
The two shared an embrace for what seemed like 20 minutes, and after they were done, Kairi approached.
"Wow! That was amazing! Almost like.... him."
"Huh? Oh, hello. I'm Smashing Light, and this is my fillyfriend, Candy Something."
"I'm Kairi! But.... where did you get that blade.... just.... who are you?"
He paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his tone was slightly lower.
"Let's just say... a friend."
"Do you know Sora? Or Riku?"
"There will be time for your questions later. Now I must take my darling home. She needs to rest."
"But how will I find you."
"Don't worry about that. I'll find you when the time is right."
And with that, he walked away.
"Kairi.... what was that thing in Smashing Light's mouth... it looked like... Sora's weapon. And yours... and Riku's.... A key-blade?"
"I don't know, Apple Bloom. But I intend to find out how that colt got ahold of a keyblade."
"Can we come with you?" Scootaloo asked.
"Of course girls. But first, don't I have to become and official Cutie Mark Crusader?" Kairi replied.
"Oh yeah! C'mon, girls!" AppleBloom replied.
Eight ponies and one dragon made their way into the magnificent Crystal Empire. It was located in the midst of a vast snowy region, but the Empire itself felt like it was glowing in the summer sun. The ponies around them, referred to as "Crystal Ponies" appeared nothing more than any other pony. The group had made their way to Princess Cadance's temporary chambers to speak with her without any troubles, heartless or otherwise, but even then something did not seem right. Riku made one final glance towards the bubble of magic protecting the empire, and he thought he saw something small and black scratch on the bubble like glass.
"Better take note of that... for later..."
"Princess Cadance!" Twilight said as she ran over to her former babysitter, Shining Armor's wife, giving her a large hug, which seemed to help, as she seemed very stressed. Her mane was very messy and she looked tired, as her horn was apparently the source of the Empire's protection.
"Your majesty," Riku began, "we have heard that an ancient foe by the name of Sombra has returned to existence to reclaim his throne... we are here to help in any way we can."
"Thank you, young Keyblade wielder." Cadance spoke, "The guards will take your bags to your quarters..."
"Well, what's the plan, Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"Well... I think one good idea would be to check the Empire for clues on how Sombra was defeated the last time. We can divide up in groups and ask the crystal ponies what happened. Let's see... Riku, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, you guys take the Eastern half of the city. Sora, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, you take the Western half. Fluttershy, Spike, and I will check the library. We'll all meet back here after we're done."
"Alright, sounds like a plan!" Sora said, "Let's go everypony!"
With that, the group went their seperate ways to complete the task.
Twilight, Fluttershy, and Spike had been searching the library for about an hour, before an unexpected guest decided to drop in.
Discord appeared in a small flash, and told them that he had found out about King Sombra's spell upon the Empire, that he had cursed it not only to disappear, but to wipe all memory of it's history and disappearance from the Crystal Ponies' minds. Then he left to go gather up the rest of the group, and "to grab a quick bite."