//------------------------------// // Episode 6: Sonic Rainboom // Story: Kingdom Hearts: The Path of the Heart // by Tetsuya Kintame //------------------------------// The Sunday morning air felt great on Kairi’s coat as she trotted her way towards Twilight Sparkle’s home, which coincidentally is also the town library. Her saddlebags were filled with the books she had borrowed previously, and she was on her way to return them. She also wanted to check in on her friend, and see how she is doing. Trotting beside her is Rarity, who decided to take a break from making dresses for a day to catch up with her friends. The rest of the week had gone by so fast with Time Turner’s store picking up some popularity, and getting a few more customers over the past few days. It seemed word had spread quickly around Ponyville of the new low prices, and though it hadn’t brought too many customers in, it was enough to make her feel like she accomplished a lot. Kairi knocked on the door of the Golden Oaks Library, and is greeted with a “Come on in, the door is unlocked.” As Kairi and Rarity entered the tree library, they saw books scattered on the floor, and Twilight was looking over several books in her magical grip before she sorted them back on to the shelves. They also saw Applejack and Pinkie Pie helping Spike sort through the books too. “Whoa, it looks like a storm blew through here,” Kairi commented. “My word, this is quite the mess you all have made,” Rarity said with a hoof to her chest. “Rarity, Kairi, it’s great to see you two! Come on in, we’re just re-shelving all the books,” Spike said excitedly as he set down a book to greet them. As Twilight sorted another pair of books, she looked over to the new arrivals with a smile as she said, “Yeah, I had a crazy study session this weekend, and I kind of lost track of the time.” “Yep, Pinkie Pie and I decided tah come see Twi. Guess ya’ll reckoned doin’ the same, huh?” Applejack asks. Rarity nodded, and said, “Yes, it has been a few days since the last time I was here, and I needed a small break from work anyway.” “Since we’re here already, we should lend a hoof as well. Good thing I came by today. I wanted to return the books I borrowed too,” Kairi said as she moved to start help with the re-shelving of books. “Oh, you’re already done with them?” Twilight asked as she shelved another book. “Yeah, I’ve got a pretty firm grip on how the monetary system works here now, and I could barely put down the Daring Do book without wanting to read more. I had my nose buried in it any time I had a break at the store,” Kairi replied. “Oh yeah, I heard you guys brought in a few customers over the week. Sounds like you really helped turn Time Turner’s store around,” Spike said with a grin. “Well, I was just doing what I can to help. I am glad that I helped make a difference,” she muttered, and was blushing a little. “There’s no need to be modest about it darling. It’s alright for you to feel proud about what you were able to do. I’ll admit, I was a tad worried you were going to be unhappy working for Mr. Turner last Monday,” Rarity chimed in as she used her own magic to levitate a book on to a shelf. “Heh, I guess I did come home pretty angry, but it’s all in the past now. So how have you girls been doing lately?” Kairi asks, hoping to cast the figurative spotlight elsewhere. “Same old thing fer me. There hasn’t been much change with me other than the sudden sleepover earlier last week,” answered Applejack. “Applebuck Season will be here in the next few weeks, so Big Mac and I have been getting ready for the harvest.” “What’s Applebuck Season?” “Ooh, ooh, ohh, it’s the time of the year Applejack’s family harvests all the apple trees in the orchard. Only her and Big Mac have been around to do it, but they’ve both managed to keep up no matter what!” Kairi blinked as she listened to Pinkie Pie explain excitedly what the season was. “That sounds like a lot of work for just the two you. Would you mind accepting some help from us?” Twilight asked as she looked over the title of another book. “No can do, Twi. It’s an Apple family tradition, and it wouldn’t feel right if Ah just asked ya’ll tah help me, ‘specially when you girls have your own busy schedules tah worry about,” Applejack replied. Heh, didn’t she tell Twilight and me that we were practically part of the family when we first met?’ Kairi thought with a smirk. “Well alright, but if you feel you want the extra help, just come by to ask me,” Twilight stated, purposely leaving the offer in the air. Applejack rolled her eyes as Twilight put the last book on the shelf, the library floor once again visible. “And that’s the last one. Thanks for all the help girls. I really appreciate-“ She was then interrupted as they heard a tomboyish yelling approaching the library. The next moment, Kairi was on her back as somepony crashed into the library, and was buried under a pile of books. Picking herself up, she poked her head up from under the pile. “R-Roll call…” she simply said, a little dizzy from the impact. She heard several groans from the others before she managed to get to her hooves. Twilight soon spoke up for Spike, saying he just passed out from the shock of the moment as she set him in a more comfortable position. The newest addition to the library, Rainbow Dash, grunted as she slid off Kairi, and onto the floor, which was completely covered in books again. She then heard a soft flapping of wings, before Fluttershy said softly from the window, “Rainbow Dash, you rock! Woohoo!” She then looked shocked at the state of the library. “Did my cheering do that?” Kairi could only giggle in response as Twilight replied, “No, it was Rainbow Dash crashing inside the library.” She then mumbled something under her breath, likely the fact that the books needed to be re-shelved. Again. “Heheh, sorry about that ladies…” Rainbow offered in an apologetic tone. Her gaze then turned to book covered floor, and said aloud, “That was a truly feeble performance.” “Actually, it wasn’t all bad. I particularly liked it when you made the clouds spin,” Fluttershy said, making a circular movement with her hoof. “I’m not talking about my performance. I was talking about yours. That feeble cheering,” Rainbow Dash argued back. “What are you guys arguing about?” Kairi asked. “Were we arguing, I’m sorry,” Fluttershy said. “Uh, I wish you guys could come to Cloudsdale to see me compete in the Best Young Flier's competition today,” Rainbow said to them all. Before any of them could ask what the competition was, Pinkie Pie once again spoke up to explain. “It’s where all the greatest pegasus fliers get together to show their different flying styles. Some are fast!” She then began zipping around the library making motor sounds with her mouth. How she knew what a motor sounded like, Kairi could not explain at all. “Some are graceful.” As she said this she stood on her hind legs, and tried to look graceful herself, only to start wobbling before falling into the piles of books. “Wow, sounds like a pretty cool competition. Wish I could come to watch you compete, and show your stuff,” Kairi said. “Yeah, I wish you guys could be there. Fluttershy’s a good support, but her cheering isn’t exactly inspirational,” Rainbow replied back. Kairi could understand why Rainbow would think that as Fluttershy was usually really quiet. If her entrance to the library was anything to go by, she could see why Rainbow felt as such. Pinkie popped out from under the books, and excitedly spoke, “Ooh, I’d love to see you make a Sonic Rainboom! It’s like the most coolest thing ever, even though I haven’t actually seen it, but come on it’s a Sonic Rainboom! How not cool could be possibly not be!?” “What’s a Sonic Rainboom?” Kairi asked, thinking the term sounded kind of silly. “The Sonic Rainboom is legendary!” Pinkies said as she bounced up and down. “When a pegasus like Rainbow Dash gets going so fast-“ With one particularly high jump, Pinkie fell and dove under the books, before popping back up again. “Boom! A sonic boom and rainbow happens all at once!” “And Rainbow Dash here’s the only only pony to pull it off,” Applejack added. “It was a long time ago, I was just a filly,” Rainbow said, sounding a little nervous. “Wow, that actually sounds really awesome. And you’re going to do that in competition?” Kairi asked as she looked to Rainbow. The pegasus looked at Kairi when she asked her question, looking unsure of how to answer. That is until her pride spoke for her. “Are you kidding me? I’m the greatest flier ever to come out of Cloudsdale. I can do Sonic Rainbooms in my sleep!” the pegasus said with confidence. However, her earlier uncertainty left Kairi a little bit skeptical. She shrugged it off though, believing that Rainbow was just nervous about performing in front of a bunch of ponies. “Wow, if you pull that off, you’ll win the crown for sure,” Twilight commented. Rainbow then looked over to Twilight, and excitedly said, “The grand prize is spending a whole day with the Wonderbolts! A whole day of flying with my lifelong heroes. It’ll be a dream come true!” The look on Rainbow Dashes face was something to behold as the starry eyed look she had made her seem adorable. “Yay!” Fluttershy exclaimed in her soft voice. Rainbow glanced over at Fluttershy, not very impressed with her cheering. She then turned back to everypony, and said, “I’m gonna go rest up for the competition. I don’t wanna over prepare myself you know, hehe.” She then rounded on Fluttershy with a serious expression. “You on the other hand better keep practicing. I need a cheering section to match my spectacular performance.” With that, Rainbow made her way to the balcony on the second floor, and took off towards her home to rest. Fluttershy watched as Rainbow disappeared up the stairs, before turning to her friends. “She’s practiced that move a hundred times, and she hasn’t even come close to doing it. I don’t know if my I can cheer loud enough to help her,” she said, before following after her fillyhood friend. Twilight then turned to look at the mess that Rainbow had caused, and sighed in defeat. Before she could say anything though, Kairi asked, “Isn’t there a spell that could help us get up to Cloudsdale?” Twilight just blinked her eyes, not even sure why Kairi was asking in the first place. “I don’t know, I guess so? It would take me forever to find the book in this mess. Besides, why are asking?” Rarity had picked up on where Kairi was going with this easily, and said, “Isn’t it obvious? She may not have looked it, but Rainbow Dash is definitely nervous about the competition.” “Are ya sure we heard the same mare, Rarity? That pegasus was tootin’ her own horn louder than the brass section of a marchin’ band,” Applejack said, making Kairi giggle with her country-isms. “Puh-lease, I have put on enough fashion shows to recognize stage fright when I see it. We have got to find a way get into Cloudsdale, and a flight spell is the only solution.” “A flight spell? One second!” Pinkie Pie said, diving back into the books. She popped out again with one book in her mouth, and tossed it in Twilight’s direction. “Page twenty-seven.” Twilight immediately flipped the pages to the one Pinkie Pie said once she caught it in her magic. “How’d you do that?” Kairi asked, baffled the overly pink mare had found it so easily. “It fell on my face when Rainbow crashed,” the energetic party pony simply stated. Kairi really couldn’t believe the amount of dumb luck that followed this mare around. “Here we go, a spell that will allow earth and unicorn ponies to fly for three days. Oh, it looks really difficult. I’m not sure I can do it,” Twilight said, looking uncertain. “You’ve got to try, Twilight, for Rainbow’s sake,” Rarity said, turning up the drama a bit too much for Kairi’s tastes. “Well okay, but I’m gonna need somepony to test this on,” Twilight said, looking at her friends. She was sure none of them would willingly volunteer when she wasn’t sure she could perform the spell herself. Kairi looked around at her friends, not sure if she even wanted to have magic tested on her. Instead, she quickly said, “Notgoingtovolunteer! Onetwothree, not it!” “Not it!” Pinkie followed up. “Not it!” Applejack said quickly once she caught on. “Not- oh pony feathers…” Rarity said in defeat. Brushing her hair aside, Rarity stepped in front of Twilight. “Well, I was going to volunteer anyway. Let’s get this over with.” “Okay, well here goes,” the purple unicorn said uncertainly. Giving the formulae for the magical matrices another glance, Twilight started to gather magic in her horn, and making it glow purple. She strained loudly to build up her magic, and soon Rarity was surrounded by a thick blue mist as it lifted her into the air while wrapping around her like a cocoon. At the tip of Twilight’s horn, a blue ball of magic formed as she strained to focus on the spell she was casting. The ball then left her horn to float a couple of inches away in front of her, before it burst fantastically, sending Twilight backwards. Kairi was quick to catch her so she didn’t get hurt. The blast of magic blinded everypony for a moment, and the shriek Twilight made, followed by sound of bursting magic was finally enough to wake Spike from his impromptu slumber. Shaking his head, he looked around, and saw the many books on the floor. “I’m gonna have to clean all of this, aren’t I?” However, as soon as he said that, his attention was drawn to Rarity as she floated above the floor, and he gasped in surprise of what he saw. Kairi and the rest of the mares saw this too, though Twilight was exhausted from the effort she put into the spell. “I think it worked,” she said with a small smile. Rarity looked at her new butterfly wings, and smiled as she took in their beauty. The translucent colors sparkled in the small amount of light that filtered in through the window. “Oh my, they are just simply divine!” she exclaimed, flapping her new wings gently. “They really do look nice, Rarity,” Spike said, though confused about the why she had wings in the first place. “Somepony want to explain to me why Twilight gave Rarity wings?” “Rainbow Dash is competing in a competition in Cloudsdale, and we’re going to go cheer for her,” Pinkie quickly explained. “Oh, well that makes sense then,” he said as he looked over to Twilight. “Um, I don’t think Twilight will able to do that four more times.” “What, you don’t want to come with us Spike?” Kairi asked. “No, as much fun as it sounds, I think I’ll keep my feet firmly on the ground,” he replied, “Besides, someone has to clean this place up.” “Actually, ah think Twilight needs a little more time tah rest herself. That spell looked like it took a little more out of ya, sugarcube,” Applejack said stepped up next to the wobbly unicorn. “Yeah, that might be best. If you girls don’t mind, can you help Spike clean up the mess Rainbow made?” Twilight asked while remaining seated after exhausting herself. “Of course, darling, we’ll get this place cleaned up in a hurry,” Rarity said as she hovered in the air. “Perhaps while we clean, one of us can find an easier spell for you to use that will get the rest of us into Cloudsdale.” As everypony got to work cleaning the mess of books up, Kairi skimmed the books she picked up in order to find such a spell. However, her thoughts interrupted shortly as Pinkie had already found a book with another spell that looked useful. When questioned how she was so lucky, she replied, “I don’t know, it just happens. Then again, the writer is obviously using me as a plot device to push the story forward.” It took only a short moment for everypony and baby dragon to exchange looks. “What?” they all asked simultaneously. Early Afternoon Rainbow Dash sulked as she walked along the cloudy streets of Cloudsdale with her friend Fluttershy, feeling quite nervous about the upcoming competition. She’d never admit it to anypony, but she was rather worried she’d make a foal of herself if she didn’t pull off the Sonic Rainboom. “Oh I’ll never be able to pull it off at this rate. Maybe it was just a one-time thing…” “This is unlike you Rainbow Dash, I’ve never seen you this nervous about anything. You’re usually far louder than any pony, and just brimming with confidence in yourself,” Fluttershy said as she looked at her friend with a worried expression. “I guess I really haven’t been myself, Flutters. This competition is so important to me because it will really boost my reputation. I mean, what if I do fail?! The Wonderbolts will never let loser like me join! Princess Celestia might banish me to the Everfree Forest! My life is ruined!” Rainbow nearly scream, the thought of failing in front of hundreds of ponies getting the better of her. Fluttershy wasn’t sure of what to say exactly, but then her attention was grabbed as she saw somepony hovering behind Rainbow. “Rare…” she said, having a hard time believing what she was seeing. “Rare? The Sonic Rainboom is way more than rare. I only got lucky that I managed to do it when I was a filly!” Rainbow said, her temper starting to return a little. “Rarity?” the meek pegasus questioned, and pointed behind Rainbow Dash. Following the hoof, she looked behind her, and saw Rarity with her butterfly wings. The unicorn was hovering just about a meter above the clouds. Gently she flew over to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, setting down next to them. “Do you like them? Twilight made them, and I simply adore them~,” Rarity said as she looked at their shocked faces. “Why so shocked? We couldn’t just leave our best flier without a big cheering section.” “We?” Rainbow questioned. As if to answer her question, a pink air balloon broke through the clouds, and in the basket were the rest of her friends. “Hi Rainbow, glad we could make it before the competition started,” Kairi said as the balloon set down. Without even waiting, she made to jump out of the balloon with confidence. Seeing this, Rainbow reacted by shouting, “WAIT!” But it seemed she had nothing to fear as Kairi impacted softly on the cloud, and tilted her head at Rainbow’s shocked expression. “W-bu-wha-huh? How are you doing that?!” she exclaimed. “What, you didn’t think we’d come up here just to be cooped up inside the balloon basket, did you?” Kairi answered with a smile as Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack hopped out as well, and stood firmly on the cloud fluff as well. “But I thought only pegasus ponies could walk on clouds,” Fluttershy said, seeming just as shocked, but not beyond being speechless. “Well when you girls left, Pinkie found a book with a spell to make temporary wings. But it was too difficult for me to do more than once. We then found another spell in a different book that let us walk on clouds,” Twilight explained as Pinkie cartwheeled past the two pegasi. “That is so cool!” Rainbow exclaimed, “Now you girls can see me compete. Heh, to be honest, I was getting the teeniest bit nervous. But now I feel a lot better now that you all are here.” Having taken a second to really get a feel of the fluffy surface she was on, Kairi sprawled out on her belly. She felt some moisture, but overall the surface of the clouds was the softest thing she’d ever felt. “Definitely wish I was a pegasus right now. I would love to have a bed made of clouds,” she said, earning giggles from her friends. After Rainbow’s giggles settled down, an idea hit her. “Hey, since we’ve still got some time before the competition, how about Fluttershy and I show you girls around Cloudsdale?” she asked. She received positive replies from them all, and soon both Fluttershy and she were leading the way around the cloud city. For a small moment as the girls took in the sights, Rarity became distracted with her own reflection in a mirrored surface. After a while of traveling down the cloud streets, Kairi had become quite fascinated with the cloud architecture of Cloudsdale. She saw several houses and buildings made from the fluff, and an occasional rainbow arching from structure to structure. It amazed her how pegasi could mold clouds like they did. The mirrors Rarity had been looking at herself in had apparently been a type of cloud as well. “Y’know, Ah’ve always wondered how the weather is made. Ya think we can see how it’s all done?” Applejack asked after while. “Hey, great idea, the weather factory is this way,” Rainbow said as she lead the way. Rarity flew gently above them as they traveled, and Kairi really couldn’t blame her. Flying had to feel so freeing to the mare. She just wished her friend wasn’t showing off her wings so much as she heard a few catcalls aimed at the butterfly winged unicorn. Twilight looked up at Rarity, a little worried she was overdoing it. “Be careful Rarity, those wings are made from gossamer and morning dew so they're very delicate.” “Oh, I don’t think they’ll get worn out from too much attention, Twilight. Everypony just adores them after all,” Rarity replied back. Kairi made a frown as she heard this. “Don’t forget, we’re here to cheer Rainbow on,” she said as a remainder. “Well of course darling, I haven’t forgotten,” Rarity said, and looked a little offended. Just before they entered the rainbow factory - which had taken a good five minutes to get to – they had been informed to wear white coats and hard hats. Kairi had to have a little help getting her own coat on as she never put on clothes yet as pony, and Rarity, who had been insistent on making her some clothing over the passing weeks, had never pushed her into wearing any of the clothes she made to be sold. Kairi had wondered why her friend never asked her to model for her, but she had found herself glad she never did. As they entered the Winter Control Room of the weather factory, Rainbow Dash spoke in a surprisingly low tone, “This is where all the snowflakes used in winter are made.” Looking around, Kairi saw several hanging snowflakes in the chilly room, and assumed the temperature was to keep the ice crystals from melting. She also noticed many of the ponies working diligently yet carefully to make more. Rarity had decided to fly up to some of the hanging flakes, taking in the appearance. “My, they certainly do look better up here. The designs are quite beautiful,” she said as her flapping wings sent a steady wind through the area. This had caused several of the hanging snowflakes, as well many on several tables to start flying around the room. “Rarity, quit flying around for one second, and come down here!” Twilight tried to exclaim while keeping her voice low. With a blush, Rarity landed beside them as Rainbow lead them on again. She didn’t want Rarity’s sudden urge to fly to ruin winter and cause a drought, and mentioned so as they moved to leave the room. They soon entered another area of the weather factory, this place seemingly where rainbows were made. They saw several pools of rainbow colored liquid in large bowls situated in a way that made the prismatic arches travel from one to the other, and getting lower with each one. As Kairi looked into one, Pinkie had decided to give the liquid a taste. What happened next had her making several faces as each flashed a color on her head that made up a rainbow. With a few deep breaths, she said, “S-Spicey!” and immediately bolted away from the prismatic pool. “Hehe, yeah, rainbows aren’t really known for their flavor,” she said. Looking at her friends, she noticed Rarity wasn’t among them, and turned her head to try catching her in her sights. What she didn’t expect to see was three stallion pegasi complementing Rarity on her wings. “Rarity! What are you doing hanging with these guys?!” “Oh, they were just admiring my wings Rainbow Dash,” Rarity replied as she posed in midair. “You should forget about the Sonic Rainboom, and get yourself a pair of wings like hers, Rainbow Crash,” said one of the stallions. “It’s not very nice calling others names, you know,” Kairi said while trying to keep her cool. She wasn’t always so quick to anger, but Rarity showing off like she was had made her a little upset. “And Rainbow ‘Dash’ doesn’t need to trade in her wings. She’ll do just fine during the competition, Sonic Rainboom or no.” The brown stallion that had spoken up replied, “Pfft, whatever, the Sonic Rainboom is nothing but an old mare’s tale. She can’t pull it off even if she wanted to.” “Says you! I can pull it off so long as my friends are there to cheer me on!” Rainbow exclaimed as she pressed a hoof into the stallion’s chest. “No, you can’t, because it’s impossible for anypony to do it,” he argued back, and his friends agreed along with him. “Hmph, then I’ll show you! Come to the cloudiseum to watch the competition, and I’ll make you eat those words,” Rainbow boldly declared. To which the stallions laughed. “Oh don’t worry, we’ll be there to watch you fail miserably. See you then, Rainbow Crash!” And with that, the stallions flew off to get back to work, and laughing as they left. “It’s Rainbow Dash, jerks!” Kairi yelled at them. Shaking her head, she muttered under her breath, “Calm down, Kairi. They’re just a bunch of jerks. They aren’t worth getting mad over.” She took a few deep breaths to help calm herself, before looking back at Rainbow. While the rainbow maned mare was shocked that Kairi had gotten mad for her sake, she had already been given a front row seat when Kairi had lectured her a week ago that it wasn’t a surprise. “Thanks for trying to stick up for me Kairi, it really helps.” “Well, that’s what friends do for each other, right?” she asked rhetorically. She gave Rarity a sideways glance, noticing the mare had attracted even more attention with her wings. She gave a groan, and rolled her eyes. “Hehe, yeah, but now I’m even more worried about the competition. I’ve only been able perform the Sonic Rainboom only once, and that was when I was filly. I don’t know how I’m going to pull it off now,” Rainbow expressed with more than a hint of nervousness. She then felt a hoof on her shoulder, and looked at Kairi. “Hey now, that’s not the boastful Rainbow Dash I know. You’ve never let anything get to you before, so why start letting it now?” “It’s because this is a once in a lifetime chance to really show what I can do in front of the Wonderbolts. What happens if I blow it? I might have to wait even longer to get another chance that may never come again. All of my dreams will be ruined.” It was clear this was eating at Rainbow far more than she was letting on, and Kairi felt pretty bad that she didn’t know what to do help. An idea then came to her, and she smirked because of it. “Hey, there wouldn’t happen to be any large open cloud fields near here, would there?” she asked. Blinking in confusion, Rainbow nodded her head. “Yeah, there’s a few in Cloudsdale, and I know of one that’s relatively close by. Why?” “And how long will it be until the competition begins?” “In about two more hours. Why?” Rainbow repeated her question. “Perfect, that’s just enough time to help you unwind. Fluttershy, can you finish the rest of the tour without us and Applejack?” Kairi asked of the butter-yellow pegasus. “Wait, what? Why me?” Applejack asked. “Um, I-I guess so. What are you planning to do?” Fluttershy also asked with curiosity. “I’m calling in an emergency sparring session. Come on Rainbow, lead the way,” Kairi finally answered, looking to Rainbow. “What, sparring? Right now when it’s so close to when the competition starts?” Rainbow asked in shock. “Aren’t ya gettin’ yer priorities mixed up, Kairi?” Applejack questioned. “You girls are just going to have to trust me. Now lead on to the closest area, Rainbow. The sooner we start sparring, the better,” Kairi simply stated as she still wore her confident smirk. Rainbow shrugged at Applejack, not sure what was going through Kairi’s mind, but started flying as she lead Applejack and Kairi out of the weather factory. They left their coats and hats as they left, and it only took five minutes for the three to reach a fairly large area that looked to be a track area. It was the perfect size for their short training session. “So why are we sparring just before the competition, Kairi? It might make sense in your head, but I need a little more of an explanation to understand it,” Rainbow asked. It was totally not like Kairi to suddenly hold a training session with something so important closing in. Applejack had wondered too for a while, but she came to a conclusion that Kairi knew what she was doing. “It will make sense here soon, Rainbow. For now, summon your keyblade and let’s get started,” Kairi said and shortly summoned her keyblade in her mouth with the blade held out on her right. Applejack and Rainbow did the same, The Rainbolt held loosely in Dash’s right hoof, and Strong Bonds was gripped firmly in Applejack’s teeth. Kairi stood a fair distance away from her friends as they readied themselves. Applejack stomped a hoof into the clouds while Rainbow Dash loosened herself up a little as she used to her wings to hover. Kairi shook her withers while eyeing both of her friends. In a true burst of speed, all three charged towards the center of their little triangle, with Rainbow swinging her keyblade in an overhead strike, Applejack guiding hers from a low to high swing, and Kairi choosing to swipe hers horizontally. And all three clashed together, held there by their strengths for a solid moment. They each grunted in effort, before Rainbow broke the clash of keyblades, and followed her attack up by swinging at Kairi, who easily dodged the swipe by rolling off to her left. Applejack took her chance to attack Rainbow while she was distracted, but the pegasus managed to parry the attack away just before it could connect. Kairi saw Applejack use the motion of Rainbow’s parry to her advantage, and aimed her next attack at her, both earth ponies clashing for just a brief second before Kairi skidded back a bit from the force. Rainbow flew around Applejack at high speed to knock Kairi off her hooves, but the girl managed to backflip over the attack by using her own momentum from Applejack’s previous attack. As soon as her hooves touched down on the cloud, she sent two fireballs at both ponies. Applejack managed to counter the spell sent her way with a single shard of ice, which exploded in a brilliant show of sparkles in midair. Rainbow Dash had decided to block the fire ball sent her way with her keyblade instead, the force of Kairi’s magic attack forcing her back a bit while she hovered in the air. With her wings, Rainbow commanded great control of the battle field, but Applejack’s natural strength could parry and block anything thrown at her, and be able to send an attack back with more force. As long as Rainbow and Applejack worked together, Kairi was going to be hard pressed to fight back against them. However, Rainbow decided to aim her next few attacks at the country girl instead, and Kairi was quick to join in on the flurry of attacks as well. Despite being the slowest of the three, Applejack managed to block and parry each attack sent her way, and only having to take one step back with each blow. Rainbow’s forelegs soon became heavier while trying to keep up the onslaught, still not entirely used to swinging them around like she was, and quickly backed off so she could recuperate her strength. Both Kairi and Applejack saw this, and decided to team up on Rainbow this time. Kairi would swing her keyblade in a streak of combos, then switched with Applejack for her to try and deliver a strong blow. However, they could not connect their attacks on her as Rainbow used her natural agility, as well as her wings, to weave and dodge between the attacks. Being the fastest among them, it was almost foals play to dodge them even with her restriction to keep as low the surface. It wouldn’t be fair if they couldn’t reach her while she was high up in the air. Soon the sparring battle reverted back to each girl attacking the others in random order again, none of them gaining or giving an inch of advantage over the others. As the battle raged on with a clash of metal and magic, Rainbow found herself completely focused on the spar she was having with her friends, and her earlier nervousness forgotten in the heat of the moment. She was enjoying herself as her self-confidence came rushing back to her, letting out a battle cry as she swung her keyblade at Kairi, who clashed hard into her attack. They held the position as they pushed against each other, both giving each other determined glares. Applejack broke them apart as she swung up in between them, making both back away from each other. For a short moment, all three took the chance to catch their breaths, and planned their next moves. However, Kairi sat down as she let her keyblade vanish, feeling beat after the exercise. “Whew, it is tough keeping up with both of you,” she said. Sensing this was the end of their spar, Rainbow and Applejack let their own keyblades vanish as well. “Ah’m guessing yer trainin’ is about the only thing helpin’ ya. Ya’ve been in Equestria for a good three weeks now, and gotten pretty stable on yer hooves. Even Ah’m impressed since yer still new to bein’ a pony,” Applejack said, her honesty showing as she approached Kairi. “I’m just lucky that I’m a quick learner. So Rainbow, do you feel better now?” Kairi asked as she turned her attention her pegasus friend. And now that she thought on it a little, she replied, “Hey yeah, I do feel a little better. I’m still nervous, but not as much as before.” “I was hoping you would. You’re always so confident when you have your keyblade out. I gambled that a little sparring would help you relax.” “Ah knew ya had a plan. So that’s what ya were thinkin’,” Applejack said with a grin. “Heh, thanks Kairi. Who’d have thought me relaxing would have me moving around so much,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “It was just a small guess, really. Besides, you looked like you were on the verge of breaking down back there. I couldn’t possibly ignore that,” Kairi said with a smile of her own. “So do you want to keep going for a little longer? I’m sure we have plenty of time before you need to go get- Whoa!” Kairi’s eyes shot wide open as she summoned her keyblade, blocking a surprise attack from Rainbow Dash, and then jumping away when Applejack tried to hit her when she was occupied with the rainbow maned mare. Despite them trying to get the upper hoof on her, Kairi found the next hour and a half to be rather fun. Outside the Cloudsdale Cloudiseum “SHE DID WHAT!?” Kairi yelled in anger. Normally she’d have questioned how her voice reached such a volume, but the actions of her friend, Rarity, were a little more important to approach. Rainbow Dash looked like she was fairly angry as well, but not as much as the beige earth pony. Having covered her ears from the outburst, Twilight rubbed her head a little as she replied, “Hey, watch the tone and volume. I know you’re upset about Rarity competing, especially since she was the one who said we had to come cheer Rainbow on.” Kairi placed her hoof on her face, not really believing Rarity’s actions. “That mare has let those wings get ta her. Ever since she got ‘em, she’s been gettin’ a swelled head,” Applejack spoke her thoughts. “But if her head did swell, wouldn’t it pop to let loose a bunch of confetti?” Pinkie asked. Kairi, along with the rest of her friends, looked at the pink party planner questionably. “We tried to talk Rarity out of it, but she just wouldn’t listen, saying something about a graceful routine. She was far too absorbed in herself to listen to us,” Twilight said, rubbing her right hoof over her left foreleg. With a sigh, Rainbow finally spoke up, “It’s alright girls, I’ll just have to perform better than I have been during my practice sessions. What’s one more competitor, even it is a friend? Anyway, I gotta go sign in, otherwise I can’t compete. See ya in a bit.” Rainbow took off as quickly as she could into the main lobby. “Anyone else feel like she’s trying ta hide her feelin’s?” Applejack asked in concern. Seeing the rest nod their heads, she was about to head in to talk to Rainbow. “Applejack, let’s leave her alone for the moment,” Kairi said, stopping the farmer pony. “But why? We’re her friends, and we should be supportive of each other,” spoke up Pinkie Pie. “And we already are, but this is something Rainbow has to deal with on her own. Any one of us would feel betrayed if it happened to us, and I speak for myself when I say I’d want to be alone for a moment,” Kairi explained to her friends. Each one seemed to think on it for a bit, before a solemn nod came from each of them. “Ah guess you have a point Kairi. Still, it don’t sit right with me, leaving Rainbow alone,” Applejack commented with more than a hint of concern. “You’re not the only one who feels that way,” Kairi muttered. Sure enough, a glance around showed her friends held the same concern and uncertain expressions on their faces. Everyone except Pinkie Pie; she seemed to be thinking about something else. Before they could discuss the topic any further, Rainbow had come back with two pieces of paper with the number fifteen on them on her flanks. “Hey, I’m back. I thought I’d tell you girls I’ll be competing last. I would have been going sooner, but I guess we spent a little too much time sparring earlier, Kairi,” she said as she scratched the back of her head with her hoof. “Well, you know what they say; Always save the best for last,” Kairi said with a smile. Rainbow smiled in return at the overused saying. “Heh, you got that right. I’ll blow past all of the competition!” she enthusiastically stated. “Rainbow, are you going to be okay? I mean, what happened with Rarity, we really di-“ Twilight had started to say until Rainbow cut her off. “It’s alright Twilight, I’ll get over it. It’s a bitter sting, but it’s probably all that attention she got over her wings. She probably let it get to her head.” “Rarity was the last pony I expected to get a swelled head,” Kairi said. She still couldn’t believe Rarity had entered the competition. “Well, it happened, and I just have to roll with the punches,” Rainbow said, turning to face Kairi and Applejack, “Kairi, AJ, thanks for the spar earlier. It really helped me loosen up. I think I’ll be okay from here on out.” “Anytime, sugarcube,” Applejack replied with a slight smile of her own. “I’m glad to help. Break a leg out there, Rainbow,” Kairi nodded. “Heh, you know it. See you girls in the cloudiseum!” Rainbow shouted as she flew off towards the lobby for the contestants. Once she was out ear shot, Twilight looked over to her friends. “Well, it looks like she’s over the worst of what could be expected. Still, I’m little worried about her.” The purple unicorn felt she was right to be so. “Then I guess you didn’t get a good look at her eyes then,” Kairi said with a grin. “What about her eyes? Was there something different about them,” Twilight asked. Now she was curious if she did miss something. “Ah’ll say, she wasn’t just tootin’ her own horn this time. If Ah had to guess, she looked like she was rarin’ to win the entire thing,” Applejack grinned as well. “If she’s going to be okay, then what are we waiting for? Let’s go find some seats to watch the show!” Pinkie loudly exclaimed, galloping ahead of them. Shrugging their shoulders, Kairi and Applejack followed after her, followed by Fluttershy. Twilight stood for a moment outside the cloudiseum, contemplating everything that just happened. With a small smile, she began trotting inside as well, believing to have learned a new lesson in friendship. A few minutes later, when all the ponies in Cloudsdale were currently seated in the cloudiseum, a portal of darkness came into existence for a short second, before fading away again, leaving a pony shaped, cloaked figure behind. It wasn’t very big, probably a little shorter than most mares as it began to walk into the large cloud structure, a sinister smirk dancing on its features hidden under the hood. It had been almost a good half hour into the competition; pony after pony showed off their skills in flying as the girls watched from their seats. All of them had performed quite well; even the ponies who had a hard time performing their routine had entertained them. Kairi was fascinated with how all of them had flown around the stadium, showing off their talents as they flew. One mare even managed to end her routine with a burst of flower petals showering down on the audience, to which Kairi felt she was going to be a hard act to follow up on. “The competition this year seems pretty steep for Rainbow. Number 8 performed pretty well,” she said. “I like number 7. Doing fifteen barrel rolls in a row can’t be easy,” Twilight said. “My favorite is number 10, she just looked like such a nice pony,” Fluttershy said with a nod. “Ah wonder why we haven’t seen Rarity. She did sign up fer this pretty early, didn’t she?” Applejack asked. “She’s probably dressing herself up since she can’t fly fast with her butterfly wings,” Pinkie answered, “She probably plans to do some sort of aerial dance or something.” “That would make sense. She just got those wings today so she doesn’t have any real training with them.” Twilight added. “How is she staying up in the air anyway? I would imagine learning to fly being fairly hard,” Kairi asked out of curiosity. “It’s because the wings are mostly magic holding the gossamer and morning dew together. The same magic is also helping her stay balanced while flapping the wings for her, which is why she’s able to stay in the air without crashing down,” Twilight answered. “So she’s pretty much cheating at flying then,” Pinkie added. “Well, in simpler terms, yes she is.” Twilight muttered. “Doesn’t that mean it’s against the rules for her to compete?” Kairi asked. “I think they let her in because…um, it would only be a one-time thing, and Princess Celestia is attending the event this year,” Fluttershy answered meekly. “Oh, I guess it makes sense to allow it just this once then.” While Kairi didn’t like it, it did sort of make sense when she thought about it in another light. If she were a judge, and her ruling princess was watching the event, she would probably allow one or two things to slide as long as they promised a good show. And considering the way Rarity had been flaunting her wings, a good show was likely to be had. “Hey, Ah see Rainbow Dash coming out now. Looks like it’s her turn…and apparently Rarity’s as well?” Applejack said, pointing a hoof at both ponies. Looking at the exit that all the competitors had flown out of, Kairi indeed saw Rainbow Dash making her way towards the center of the aerial stadium, and with Rarity flying at a slower pace behind her. The outfit Rarity was wearing was definitely not anything she would ever wear more than once, and she was certain Rarity had only put it together for a one time showing as well. Having picked up a little of the fashionista’s sense of style, Kairi was pretty sure it wasn’t even meant to be overly aerodynamic either. They all began cheering for the both of them, though Kairi admittedly cheered for Rainbow a little more. She still felt sour towards the flying unicorn. It was hard to tell what Rarity and Rainbow were talking about from so far away while they hovered in position, but the look on the cyan mare’s face said she wasn’t happy about something. Once the two started demonstrating their skills, Kairi now knew the reason why Rainbow looked so sour. The music selected definitely wasn’t matching her current routine while she zigzagged between the set up cloud poles. As she came out the other side of the cloud poles, Rainbow gave the briefest of glances up towards Rarity. She had just spun in place for a second, before the flap of her wings made her look to be jumping into the next part of her aerial dance. “She’s not too bad, I guess. The music isn’t really helping me though,” she said to herself. She then look away, and over to the clouds that had been set up for her. “Right, on to phase two!” she said to work herself up. Blocking out the music, she flew up to the three clouds, and began flying in tight circles around each one separately. She barely managed to avoid a stray cloud puff flying at her as it broke off from the third cloud she flew around. Needless to say, the smirk that formed on her face as she performed showed she was just getting started to strut her stuff. She was fairly certain if Kairi and Applejack hadn’t been here, she would probably be a bundle of nerves by now. With another small pause as she broke away from the clouds, she saw Rarity begin to ascend higher in the sky. This is exactly the direction she needed to be going now. “And finally, now for phase three; The Sonic Rainboom,” she said to herself. That small bit of anxiety returned for a brief moment, making her hesitate before she began flying up, and ascending past Rarity. ‘I’ve tried this so many times in practice, and every single time I failed. How am I going to pull this off? It just seems so hopeless.’ she battled in her mind. With a small glance to her friends, she saw them cheering for her as she ascended even higher. Her smile returned, as did her gaze towards the sky. ’I’ll pull it off somehow. This time for sure! I just know it!’ “Wow, they’re both getting some height up there,” Pinkie said loudly. It was true, both Rarity and Rainbow Dash were above the stadium, with Rainbow gaining even more distance. It was only now that Kairi decided to look in Rarity’s direction, having a hard time keeping her eyes on Rainbow’s shrinking form. And then Rarity spread her wings, and lit the stadium in several colors. She was hard pressed to say, but the sight was quite the spectacle. With Rarity in front of the sun, it was hard not to look at her. But that was when something invaded her thoughts. “Twilight, how fragile did you say those wings were?” she asked, looking to the unicorn beside her. It seemed this question had snapped the ever studious student out of her gaze to look at her friend, giving Kairi a worried expression. “Incredibly fragile, as in she’s too high up without protection from the suns light!” she exclaimed as she stood. As they both looked back up, it seemed Twilight’s words held true as Rarity’s wings burned up almost instantly. “Uh-oh,” they both said, and watched as the unicorn started plummeting towards the ground, screaming along the way. “Twilight get ready to catch her in your magic!” Kairi nearly yelled. “I’m already on-“ Twilight was in the middle of saying, her horn ignited with a purple glow. However, she was not able to finish what she was about to say. For just as she had ignited her magic something bumped into her from behind, and rather forcefully as well. The momentum she was now put under kept her from stopping herself as she careened over the side of the cloud, and fell along with Rarity from Cloudsdale. “TWILIGHT!” Pinkie and Fluttershy shouted. Kairi’s attention was elsewhere, having only just now sensed a burst of darkness behind them. She was too late to react as she saw Twilight being shoved off their cloud. For her, time seemed to slow down as everything just happened all at once. She heard the screams of Rarity and Twilight as they fell, the panicked shouts of Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, and she saw the cloaked pony that had caused Twilight’s current descent running away. So many thoughts ran so fast inside her head, one of which was a past discussion with her master, Yen Sid. Several months ago “Wait, so Aqua could summon some sort of vehicle with her keyblade?” Kairi asked. Given the information, it sounded incredible. Yen Sid gave a short chuckle to Kairi’s question, waving a hand to gesture her to calm down. “She didn’t summon this vehicle out of thin air, no. Her keyblade became the vehicle. There are many things about the weapon used to fight the Heartless that even I do not know, but I have it on good faith from a lost friend that it was possible once.” “Was? Shouldn’t it still be possible?” she asked, wondering why he worded his sentence like that. “Perhaps, but I do not know how to teach you this ability, nor can I contact my friend so he can do so. The only information I do know is that those three would throw their keyblades into the air, and their vehicles would materialize for them,” he answered patiently. “So then, why are you telling me this? It seems kind of pointless,” she stated more than asked. It was rather confusing to her. “It would appear so, but I have a feeling that you might be able to awaken this ability. Whether in times of calm, or in times of stress, it will be up to you. Now then, let’s return to my lecture, shall we?” “Of course, Master Yen Sid,” Kairi replied. Present time It was now or never: Both of her friends were falling to their deaths, and she only knew one way to save them. She turned to Applejack as a light appeared in her mouth. “Applejack, after them!” “On it!” the farm pony said, summoning her keyblade. She was already chasing after the cloaked figure. Kairi turned back towards the edge of the cloud, her keyblade materializing in her mouth. She moved her head to the left, and flung it to the right, tossing her weapon into the air as she sprinted forwards. With light in her heart, and determination written over her face, Kairi jumped off as she performed a backward somersault, starting her nosedive down to Twilight and Rarity. Rainbow had flown so high up that she was surprised she managed to hear anything at all, let alone the screaming that drew her attention. She looked back while still ascending, and fear gripped her heart as she saw both Twilight and Rarity plummeting through the air toward the distant ground. She immediately stopped her ascent, and dove down as fast as she could, shouting, “I’m coming girls!” As she flew down with spectacular speed, she wondered why the Wonderbolts, or even Princess Celestia, hadn’t done anything to help her friends. A glance towards Kairi and the others, she saw Applejack chasing after somepony in a black cloak, and- “WHAT IS SHE DOING!?” she yelled at the top of her lungs. She had just saw Kairi leap off the cloud while somersaulting after throwing her keyblade up high, and start a nosedive towards Twilight and Rarity. Now she had three- Suddenly a bright flash of light erupted above Pinkie and Fluttershy, and something new flew with speed towards Kairi. Within a single second, Rainbow saw it as a pair of metal wings designed with floral patterns at the ends. Once they had reached Kairi, they locked into the place, and saw her friend looking back at her with mixed glee and determination. Seeing this, and only guessing it at the moment, Rainbow shouted ahead, “Get Twilight! I’ll rescue Rarity!” She saw Kairi nod her head, before looking back to the purple unicorn with the plan in mind. With a last fleeting glance, she saw the Wonderbolts make their way towards where Applejack disappeared. She now cast her gaze at Rarity, picking up even more speed since the white unicorn already had a decent lead towards the ground. The sensation of free falling like that was about as exhilarating as anyone could expect, and Kairi got a big dose of adrenaline pumping through her in thanks for it. The few seconds that she fell were moments she’d rather never relive again if she could help it. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she fell, and the sense of dread over what she had just done weighed down her. Still, even as she fell, she kept that spark of light alive as her heart called for her keyblade to become a vehicle that could fly. When she finally did look back, it was only because she felt something metal click around her barrel, and onto her chest. She saw the metal wings that her keyblade had become, the glowing orbs within the floral patterns at the ends while long, thin golden metal melded into the harness that secured itself onto her body. And then she saw Rainbow Dash catching up to her, to whom she smiled happily at, and heard her shout for her to rescue Twilight. She nodded, turning her eyes to her falling friend. With a mere thought, Kairi began zooming through the air toward Twilight with a single purpose, the metal wings helping her keep a steady balance as she flew forward. She noticed quickly enough that Twilight had her back facing the ground below. Kairi managed to close the distance between her and Twilight within a few seconds, but she was flailing around too much for her to grab her. “Twi, you have to stop flailing! I can’t catch you like that!” she yelled as loud as she could. The air whipping past her made it hard for her to hear herself. By sheer luck, Twilight managed to open her clenched eyes at hearing something nearby, and saw Kairi actually flying around her. Her mind working fast now instead of panicking, she saw they had plenty of airspace left to work with. She struggled as she tried to force her body to fall at a vertical angle, managing to roll over in the air, and start nose diving towards the quickly approaching ground. Kairi saw what Twilight was doing, almost instantly knowing what she planned to do. ’I need to fly under her!’ the thought shouted in her mind. Obeying her thoughts, her body maneuvered around Twilight, and picked up speed alongside her, flying right up under her friend. The very second she felt Twilight wrap her hooves around her, she pulled up as sharp as she could, and bringing Twilight’s death fall to a halt. Her thoughts were now on Rarity as she slowed down through the air, and turned to find where Rainbow was. She had thought Rainbow had passed her up a long time ago, but apparently that was not the case. And Rarity was far closer to the ground than she first saw as well. “She’s still falling!” Twilight called out right next to her ear, making Kairi wince in pain. The slower air speed made it easier to hear now. “I know, I’m headed-“ she was about to yell back, but she was interrupted by the sound of a large boom. She then saw the rainbow trail heading straight for Rarity at unbelievable speeds, barely even able to believe her eyes as the resulting rainbow shockwave passed over her. “Whoa! Is that the Sonic Rainboom!?” she yelled out instead. It was a spectacular sight to behold as the colors of the rainbow expanded outward from the point of origin. Kairi really had no words to describe what she felt as she saw this magnificent display. Both ponies were astonished with the sight, and watched the rainbow trail their friend left behind in her wake easily caught up to Rarity, snatching her just a moment before she would have collided with the ground. Rainbow Dash pulled up from her dive at a much harsher turn than Kairi had, and ascended high above the cloudiseum, leaving a rainbow over the stadium. The erupting cheers Kairi could hear sounded incredibly positive, soon making her way back as well. “This is far too much excitement for one day. I’m going to flop down in my bed the moment we’re back in Ponyville,” Twilight said, sounding fairly exhausted. “I was thinking of doing the same thing. Hopefully Applejack managed to corner the pony who shoved you off,” she said. With a thought, she flew right into the stadium from underneath, and over to some solid clouds. Once she touched down, Twilight slipped off her back, and the wings her keyblade became vanished in a small show of light. She then flopped onto rump, much like Twilight had done, and both ponies began to settle down after the adrenaline rush faded away. Now that she was in the stadium again, she was quite certain now that she could hear Fluttershy cheering her head off over Rainbow Dash performing the Sonic Rainboom. “Goodness that was certainly frightful to witness. Are you okay, Twilight?” said a familiar voice behind them. Turning around, they saw Princess Celestia standing there with a worried look on her face. They both stood, and bowed to the princess quickly, before Twilight moved up to her mentor. “Yes, I am, and all thanks to Kairi,” Twilight said, “How did you make those wings appear? I struggled giving Rarity hers.” “It was my keyblade. When I saw you fall, I remembered a brief discussion I had with my master. He said it was possible for it to become a vehicle once, but he didn’t know how to teach it to me. I’ve got to be honest, I pretty much followed my heart just then,” Kairi answered sheepishly. “And I thank you deeply for doing so, Kairi. I was so shocked by what happened that I hesitated to act,” Princess Celestia said, turning her attention to Twilight again. “I’m deeply sorry for my hesitation, my faithful student.” Twilight looked a little shocked herself when Princess Celestia admitted she had hesitated. She then shook her head, and said, “It’s alright, princess. It all happened so unexpectedly, I think any one of us would have hesitated. I’m just glad Kairi managed to do what she did.” Kairi smiled sheepishly, but then she turned serious towards Princess Celestia. “Did Applejack manage to corner that cloaked pony?” she asked. This was the second sighting of a cloaked pony now, and she knew this one’s build was far different from the last. It had to be a different pony. “Ah would like ta say I had, but they got away from me. Used some sort of black thing to vanish on the spot,” Applejack said as she approached followed by the ponies in uniform. Considering how heavy she was panting, the pony she was chasing had to have given her a run for her bits. By this time, Rainbow had landed nearby, and two of the three Wonderbolts flew over, and lifted Rarity from her back. “Thank you Rainbow Dash. You saved my life.” “Heh, it’s no problem Rare. Next time though, don’t let things get to your head, alright?” Rainbow said back, giving the alabaster unicorn a forgiving smile. “Oh, definitely, I’m so sorry for all the trouble I caused,” Rarity said back. She was done with flying for quite a long time after her own experience. Rainbow nodded, then turned to Kairi and Twilight, and saw Princess Celestia standing near them. “So what happened Twilight?” “I got shoved off the cloud by a pony in a black coat. The same black cloak that Kairi mentioned another pony was wearing,” Twilight responded. The look that spread over Rarity’s and Rainbow’s faces were not happy ones. However, Princess Celestia was only one who retained a neutral expression, a mask to hide her true feelings. “Captain Spitfire, is this true? The one you were chasing with Applejack vanished?” she asked of the remaining Wonderbolt. Stepping forth, the Wonberbolt pushed up her goggles, revealing her orange eyes to everypony. “It’s true, your highness. We made pursuit once we were sure the two ponies could be rescued, and assisted in backing the culprit into a corner. However, as Miss Applejack said, she managed to get away from us through some sort of black portal. I say she because she said her farewells before disappearing.” “I see, then this may not be the only time we see her again.” “There may be more of these ponies too,” Kairi said aloud. She only just realized she spoke out loud when everyponies eyes was on her. “I don’t have any proof, but it’s just a hunch I have right now,” she clarified. With another look around the stadium, she couldn’t feel any darkness nearby. Hopefully that meant there was no more danger. It was then the tension was broken as Pinkie practically tackled Twilight in her attempt to hug her. “Oh my gosh, I was so worried about you Twilight. I mean, I was worried about Rarity too, but you were pushed off the cloud, and then you were falling. I was so scared for you, but then I was scared for Kairi when she just jumped off like that, but then her keyblade turned into those wings, and it was awesome and cool, and another thing-“ Pinkie rambled on, expressing her concerns and happiness that Twilight and Rarity were both alright. When Fluttershy stepped up to Kairi, she whispered, “I’m really glad she didn’t tackle me this time.” This caused Fluttershy to giggle with a smile, and the rest of her friends to laugh. Fluttershy then turned to Rainbow, and said excitedly, “I’m so happy for you Rainbow. You finally did the Sonic Rainboom!” “Hehe, yeah, I really did, didn’t I. I saved Rarity, and performed the best aerial stunt! Best day ever!” she exclaimed as she pumped her hoof. She was then interrupted as Princess Celestia’s guard ponies brought the hot air balloon Kairi had rode in down into the stadium. Rarity was soon set down inside the basket, thanking the ponies in return. “Seeing as the tension has settled down, I think it’s time for me crown this year’s winner of the Best Young Fliers Competition,” Princess Celestia said. She then stepped up in front of Rainbow Dash, who immediately bowed in her presence. “Rainbow Dash, for your outstanding act of courage and loyalty, and your spectacular Sonic Rainboom, I present to you this year’s grand prize of Best Young Flier!” As she said this, a pony with the gold crown of competition presented it to Princess Celestia, who quickly placed it on Rainbow’s head with a cheer from her friends, and everypony in the cloudiseum. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” Rainbow said with increasing happiness as she was carried away by Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Applejack. Turning to Rarity, Twilight -finally released from Pinkie’s hug-, and Kairi, Princess Celestia asked, “So Twilight, have you learned anything about friendship from this experience?” “I did Princess, but I think Rarity learned even more than me,” Twilight replied, looking at Rarity now. “I sure did. I learned how important it is to keep my hooves on the ground, and be there for my friends when they need me. I’m never forgetting that for as long as I live,” Rarity said, looking relieved that Rainbow Dash had forgiven her. “Splendid, very well done, Rarity,” Princess Celestia said with a smile. She then turned her attention to Kairi. “And congratulations to you, Kairi, for summoning your Keyblade Glider. I take it this means you want to leave our world now?” Kairi was taken completely aback by the sudden question after being congratulated, not having even expected it. The moment passed, and replied firmly, “As much as I’d really like to, I think it’s best if I stick around for a while longer. After what happened earlier, I’m afraid of what could happen if I weren’t around to help.” “I see, then your continued stay is welcomed with open hooves Kairi. If you will excuse me, Kairi, Twilight, I need to return to Canterlot,” the princess, turning to take her leave. Now that she had the chance to bring it up, Kairi spoke up, “Wait, your highness. I have a question I’ve been meaning to ask you.” She almost expected the princess to continue her leave, but was pleasantly surprised when she turned to hear her out. “I’ve been wondering this for a while now, but how do you and Luna know about the Keyblade? And how did you know I was a keyblade wielder?” A long moment passed after Kairi finished her question, her eyes watching Princess Celestia carefully. However, the alicorn never dropped her mask in front of her, wearing the same smile as she responded, “I have lived for more than a thousand years, Kairi. You are not the only one to wield a keyblade that has visited Equestria. As to how I recognized you as one wielding a keyblade, you have this certain posture that keyblade wielders and masters seem to have. When you live as long as I have, you pick up certain things. If that is all, then I will take my leave now.” Turning away, she spread her wings, and took off from the stadium to make her way to Canterlot. Kairi watched as Princess Celestia flew away with her two royal guards, before turning her attention to Rainbow flying off with lifelong heroes, the Wonderbolts. “I guess that answers your questions then. It does make sense that other keyblade wielders might have visited Equestria before and probably in times of crisis,” Twilight said as she hopped in the hot air balloons basket. “Yeah, it does. But now she said something that raised another question,” Kairi said while sitting down. “Oh yeah, what’s that?” Twilight asked. She hadn’t noticed anything that would raise more questions. “How does she know what a Keyblade Glider is? I didn’t even know what it was called, and she already knew that,” Kairi stated. This answer silenced Twilight as well, now thinking somewhere along the lines of what Kairi had in her mind. “Now, now ladies, it’s obvious she has her own secrets. I’m sure when the time is right, she will tell us everything. Let’s just have faith in her decision for now,” Rarity finally spoke up, breaking Twilight and Kairi out of their thoughts. “I guess you’re right, Rarity. I’ll just have to wait for a proper answer,” Kairi said after another long moment. She then hopped in the basket as well, waiting for their friends to arrive so they could return home. After the events of the day, Kairi was looking forward to some peaceful sleep.