Aqua, Lyra, Bon Bon, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders made it to Ponyville without further incident. As soon as she entered the quaint little town, Aqua gazed upon it in awe. It was beautiful, simple, rustic, and overall radiated an aura of peace.
Ponies milled about, performing their usual errands or running stalls selling various wares. They passed by a flower shop and Aqua could smell the mixed scent of roses, lilies, daisies, among others. They reminded her of the flowers Kairi had given to her after having been saved from the Unversed. Thank goodness they turned into a keychain right after, otherwise the bouquet would have been nothing but petals in the wind by now.
Aqua really loved those flowers.
They reached a fountain with a statue of a pony rearing back. Apple Bloom motioned to her friends. “C’mon, Crusaders. Let’s head over to Sugarcube Corner and think up of a new plan.” Before either Bon Bon or Lyra could object with a lecture, the Crusaders dashed off into town on to their next adventure.
Aqua looked on, somewhat concerned. “Do they always get into this much trouble?” She asked as she adjusted her saddlebags. That would take some getting used to again.
“Ever since they formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders, yeah.” Lyra replied.
“The Cutie Mark Crusaders?”
“A group they formed for finding their cutie marks,” explained Bon Bon. “Those three have made it their mission to do anything and everything to discover their special talent. I have to say, I’ve never seen any foals so determined to acquire one.”
Aqua gazed at her own flank. Branded there was a cresting ocean wave that sparkled in the sunlight. Long after her first visit to Equestria, she still wondered what it represented for her. Was it a simple definition of talent or an abstract representation of personality? Maybe both?
“Though their antics have gotten them into plenty of trouble.” Lyra chimed in. “Tends to cause chaos from time to time.”
That got an amused smile out of Aqua. “Chaos? You make it sound like they’re a walking natural disaster.”
The minty unicorn smiled knowingly. “They make a close second to the local mailmare.” She giggled at Aqua’s cluelessness. “You’ll find out soon enough. Still, the Crusaders have become admired around town. Three blank-flanked strangers one day, three best friends sharing the same dream the next.”
A wistful feeling came over Aqua. “Yeah. A dream.” Watching the Crusaders now as they became tiny colored dots in the distance, she was reminded of herself and her friends, and the dream they shared together: to become Keyblade Masters. She prayed one day the Crusaders, as well as Aqua and her friends, would achieve their dream.
A dark shape in the corner of her vision disrupted Aqua’s moment of nostalgia. She was at first tempted to dismiss it as weariness playing tricks with her vision, but the wave the shape moved seemed familiarly unnatural, as did the darkness the young Keyblade Master could sense emitting from it.
She brought her full attention to the dark blue blotch and watched as it streaked its flattened self along the ground. It weaved around the pedestrians milling about in the street while remaining undetected by them, something Aqua found disturbing. The shape eventually wove its way behind an apple stand manned by an orange pony in a stetson.
Unversed… what are they doing here?
Lyra tilted her head in confusion. “Is something wrong, Aqua?”
“We have a problem.” She turned to them, only to witness more blue blobs streak underneath the trio and branch off into different areas of town. Needless to say, Lyra and Bon Bon were just as unsettled by it as Aqua. “They are called Unversed, creatures of darkness that feed off negative emotions. If they are here, then there has to be someone close by drawing them in.”
“Who could be bringing them to Ponyville, and why?”
“I don’t know, but we’d better stop them.”
Bon Bon stepped forward, determined. “Then we ought to split up and follow them around town. If the Unversed are drawn towards negative emotion, they may lead us to whoever is controlling them.” “And do it quietly. We don’t need to attract attention and start a panic, otherwise it’ll be like the Summer Sun Celebration all over again.”
Aqua’s lips curled up in approval. “I think we’re gonna get along just fine, Bon Bon.”
Bon Bon nodded and with an unspoken command, the three dispersed and tailed their respective Unversed.
As Aqua discreetly made her way to the apple stand, she couldn’t help but feel disturbed by this turn of events. Back at his tower, Master Yen Sid explained the Unversed came to be with Vanitas’ creation. Thus, it stood to reason they would cease to exist in the event Vanitas was destroyed.
Their appearance in this world raised questions. How were the Unversed still thriving? Did Vanitas survive and now tail Aqua in a quest for vengeance? Had the Unversed evolved to where the could exist beyond Vanitas? Or was there someone else in control, like that man in the black coat? Aqua had to find out the answers before things got out of hand.
Everything was relatively the same by the time Aqua was within a couple meters of the apple stand. Good. The fewer complications, the better chances of find out what was going on without bringing harm to the residents.
Aqua’s stomach growled. That was one complication that needed to be simplified, and it didn’t help the scent of apples was setting off her appetite.
“Sounds like somepony’s hungry for some apples,” joked the apple seller.
Aqua shrugged. If she was going to deal with another potential crisis, it’d be best not to do it on an empty stomach. She walked over to the apple stand, putting on a pleasant smile. “Kind of hard not to be when they smell so delicious.”
“Aw, shucks. You’re too kind.” The apple seller leaned over the counter and waved a hoof at her various products. “So, what’ll it be for today? I got apples, apple fritters, apple dumplings, apple tarts, apple cinnamon muffins--.”
“If you keep going, I might just take the whole cart.”
The apple seller winked. “Then I’d call that a job well done.”
The two shared a laugh. Tempting as it was, Aqua didn’t have the munny to spare, despite what her appetite may have said otherwise. “Just a couple of apples will be fine, thank you,” said Aqua, then after a pause, “On second thought, I’ll take a tart, too.”
When the apple seller gave her the price in bits, Aqua handed her the same amount in munny. The currency was acceptable elsewhere, so it ought to be here, right? Aqua’s question was answered when the seller took the munny without question and handed her her food.
“There you go, fresh from Sweet Apple Acres.” The orange pony gave her a scrutinizing look. “I don’t reckon I’ve seen you around here before. The name’s Applejack.”
“Aqua.”
The two shook hooves, though Applejack did more of the shaking. Vigorously, too, much to Aqua’s discomfort.
“Pleasure to meet you, Aqua. You just moved to Ponyville?”
“I’m visiting an old friend of mine, actually. Lyra Heartstrings?”
“The lyrist? Shoot, I know her. She’s always dropping in to visit the candymaker down the street, Bon Bon. The way those two hang around one another, it’s like they’re attached at the hip.” The country pony chuckled. “I don’t think you can pry best friends like them apart with a crowbar no matter how hard you try.”
“Silly Applejack, crowbars are for fighting off alien invaders from another dimension.”
Aqua suddenly felt a weight on her back. She turned her head to find a pink pony side-saddling her as she spun a spanner in her hooves with admirable dexterity.
“Now spanners... they work wonders in gumming up the works like break-ups, but break-ups aren’t wonderful; they’re super sad and super wrong, especially with best friends because of that special bond that’s taken years and years and years to develop. What best friends need are parties.”
The pink pony arched her neck over at an unnatural angle to meet Aqua’s face with a wide smile. “And speaking of parties, I see a new pony in town. Which means a “Welcome to Ponyville” party!” she sing-songed.
Aqua suddenly found herself covered in confetti, wearing a party hat, and felt a kazoo stuck in her mouth, all from a cannon the pink pony pulled out from nowhere. How did she move there so fast, and where did that fanfare come from? The young Keyblade wielder was unsure if she should be giddy or disconcerted.
Applejack rubbed her hoof over her face. “Land sakes, Pinkie Pie…”
“Whaaat?” Pinkie Pie whined. “I’m just saying hello.”
“That’s your excuse to throw a party.”
The pink pony shrugged. “Eh, guilty as charged. But throwing parties isn’t against the law, so I’m not really guilty, am I?” Her gaze darted to something on the ground. “Oo-ooh, what’s that blue thing? It looks like one of those colored spots in your eye when you stare at the sun too long.”
Aqua followed Pinkie’s line of sight. Lo and behold, the lone Flood was streaking away from the apple stand and further into town. She narrowed her eyes at the Eldritch abomination. Oh no you don’t.
Politely excusing herself, then storing away her food, Aqua rushed after the Unversed. The chase was on, and it was a difficult task. In addition to keeping her sights on something quick-footed and could flatten itself at will, she had to weave her way around ponies who happened to be in her path, some of which were hauling carts or other heavy objects in general, and to all she apologized when she dodged them.
Two such ponies were carrying a glass panel across the street, neither them aware of the oncoming blue unicorn. Aqua didn’t have time to run around, nor did she have the room, leaving her to gracefully doubleflight over the obstacle.
She then turned at an intersection, only to nearly collide into a large red stallion hauling a cart of hay bales. Aqua teleported on instinct. “Pardon me!” she called out behind her once she was past him.
“Eeyup!”
Aqua slowed down to a stop when she lost track of the Unversed. Where did that pesky Flood go? It couldn’t have gone too far, she thought as she investigated the street.
Her ears perked at the sound of rustling. The Flood leapt out from a row of bushes, and much to her dismay, it wasn’t alone this time. Others of its kind were accompanying it and leaping up the side of a cottage. Why they did so was beyond Aqua, but she had to stop them. She teleported again. When she reached the flat rooftop, Aqua had to lean against the cottage’s chimney to catch her breath. Normally teleporting was not so strenuous, but chasing Unversed on an empty stomach was taking its toll.
All the while she scanned the roof for the elusive Unversed, but again to her chagrin it and its brothers had stealthily evaded her. The young Master made use of the vantage point and scanned the rest of the town for her quarry. As she did so, Aqua took in the sight of the small village. It was much more beautiful and quaint than her view from the ground.
Once again, no Unversed. Aqua sighed in defeat slid down against the chimney. She had come to Equestria to rest during her search for Terra, only to be met with a threat previously believed to have been vanquished. Worse, Aqua had to drag in Lyra and Bon Bon into the mess. Thus far, little progress had been made in stopping the Unversed. Hopefully they were having better luck. So much for a reprieve...
Pinkie Pie popped up from the chimney, spooking Aqua. Her pink coat was caked with soot. “Hey there, Aqua! You ran off before I could give you a slice of your “Welcome to Ponyville” cake.”
She shook herself clean and procured a slice of red and brown cake from her person. It took Aqua a moment to regain her composure before she considered taking the cake. She did, more so out of being hungry, but also out of respect. When someone offered her a gift, Aqua accepted it with thanks and without question. Pinkie Pie’s cake was no exception.
She took a bite and was instantly pleased by the flavor. Aqua smiled once she swallowed. “It’s delicious. Thank you, Pinkie Pie.”
“No probelma, mi amiga. Not to toot my own horn, but I can bake a pretty mean cake. Actually, nice cakes; I don’t know any mean cakes, but I know Mr and Mrs Cake are nice. They run Sugarcube Corner down the street. I actually work there, too, and the goodies we bake there are ama-a-a-zing!”
“If they are as good as this cake, then I don’t doubt it for a second.” Aqua took another eager bite of the cake. How did she know this was her favorite flavor?
As if she could read Aqua's thoughts--which Aqua guessed she probably could--Pinkie answered, "Because once I meet somepony, I know them like the back of my hoof. Oh hey, that's new." Pinkie oogled over a piece of soot still on her hoof before flecking it off. "If I want to bring a smile to somepony's face, I gotta know what they need." She smiled proudly. "And I never fail. One hundred percent guaranteed smiles all around."
Aqua was intrigued. "What inspired you to bring others to smile?"
"I used to live on a rock farm," Pinkie started with a thoughtful look. "My family grew up on it, and nopony in my family smiled. Not ever. Not even the sun; the sky was covered icky, gloomy gray clouds. Then one day, I saw something uberly super; a rainboom exploded in the sky and cleared it of those depressing clouds. That day, I smiled for the first time in my life. I wanted to share that happiness with everypony by bringing smiles to their faces. So that became my life's mission."
When she saw such a devotion bring a smile to Aqua's face, Pinkie looked at a watch that wasn't on her wrist a moment ago. "And that makes three smiles from you in forty-two seconds. Nowhere close to my record of seven-thirteen, but a smile is a smile."
The young Keyblade Master looked off into Ponyville's afternoon sky, uttering hopefully, "Terra... I hope to see a smile the moment I find you. And from Ven, too, once he wakes up."
Pinkie's bush of a tail twitched uncontrollably. "Pinkie Senses tingling..."
Confused by her behavior, Aqua opened her mouth to ask about this Pinkie Sense when own sixth sense to darkness kicked in. In one swift motion she summoned her Keyblade and spun a full circle. Three wisps of dark flame burnt out of existence a moment later. She looked up from her stance to see more Unversed heading in the direction of an open square, where a crowd of ponies was forming. The Flood weren't as numerous as she anticipated, but Aqua was still unnerved by the sight of Archravens and Hareraisers joining the mix.
"We need to stop them."
"Okie dokie lokie." Pinkie grabbed a parasol from... somewhere... and wrapped a hoof around a dumbfounded Aqua's waist. "Fillies and gentlecolts, please keep your hooves, wings, and horns inside the ride at all times. Thank you." Without consideration for height, she dropped off the roof and sailed downward to the streets below. The descent gathered the attention of several onlookers, but it was short-lived as they returned to their routines as if this was a common occurrence in Ponyville, something Aqua assumed was the case.
The landing was smooth. Once Pinkie had released her, Aqua readjusted her blue mane. "I could have just jumped down on my own."
"Now where's the fun in that?"
Aqua couldn't help but smile once again at the pink pony's infectious attitude.
Journal Entries
Lyra Heartstrings 
An old friend Aqua met at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns during the latter’s specialized magic training. She is an upbeat lyrist and sensitive to the emotions of others, especially those of her best friend Bon Bon.
She finally came to the foreground to tug at our heartstrings in “Slice of Life” (2015).
Bon Bon
A candy shop owner in Ponyville, Bon Bon is the straight mare in her friendship with Lyra. She may put up with her antics, but Bon Bon will remain unamused at anyone else’s. She also has a natural talent with handling monsters.
She revealed her true identity in “Slice of Life” (2015).
Apple Bloom
A natural leader, she helped form the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a group her friends dedicated to finding their cutie marks. With her friends, Apple Bloom’s adventurous spirit has often gotten her into trouble around town.
She first blossomed on screen in “Mare in the Moon” (2010).
Sweetie Belle
An imaginative youth, she helped form the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a group her friends dedicated to finding their cutie marks. With her friends, Sweetie Belle’s inquisitive mind has often gotten her into trouble around town.
She adored us with her squeakiness in “Call of the Cutie” (2011).
Scootaloo
A daredevil at heart, she helped form the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a group her friends dedicated to finding their cutie marks. With her friends, Scootaloo’s competitive nature has often gotten her into trouble around town.
She scooted onto the scene in “Call of the Cutie” (2011).
Applejack
A down-to-earth apple farmer from Sweet Apple Acres. As the Element of Honesty, Applejack helped save Equestria from Nightmare Moon and her eternal darkness. She tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Except when she lies, which often fails spectacularly.
She rounded up viewers young and old in “Mare in the Moon” (2010)
Pinkie Pie
First she’s here, then she’s there, and no one can explain it. Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, helped save Equestria from Nightmare Moon and her eternal darkness. She is an eccentric party pony who’s one goal in life is to ensure everyone she meets leaves happy.
She brought smiles to audiences in “Mare in the Moon” (2010)