Author's Notes:

A crossover with Showstoppers story "A Heart Eclipsed" . Go check it out.

“You ever get tired of wearing the same thing, over and over again?” Sonata questioned, curling around Alex. “The coat is nice and all but it’s just so... plain.”

“It’s getting chillier out, Sonata, and I’ve seen the kinds of things Rarity tends to make. I don’t need a coat that looks like someone from Jersey attacked it with a Bedazzler.” Alex flipped to the next page in ‘The Arts and War’ and smiled. “How about something from the Magnet line of spells? Gather a bunch of enemies up and splash them all?”

“Oooh~ That sounds fun. I know Ari would love this spell, she can do like a fighting game combo on em!” Wagging her tail almost like a dog, she jabbed at the air. “Flawless victory!”

“Friendship!” Alex chimed in, and then laughed while making sure that the rune grid had the name of the right spell below it. He’d gone back with Sonata’s help and labelled the two base variants of Balloon as ‘damage’ and ‘playful’ respectively after the incident with Snails. “So I know what the spell is supposed to do, but you need to see the runes to learn it, right?”

“I need to at least know what the spell is meant to do, and the runes tell me how to direct the magic. I’m seeing float, gather, disorient, and rotate...so they spin in the air while they’re all balled up above your head?”

“Yup, holds ‘em all in the air so you can hit ‘em with another spell,” Alex explained, replaying some old gameplay in his head. “If I recall correctly, there's a version designed specifically to rip money out of your enemies.”

“Wait, I thought you said all the enemies in these games were just monsters? Why would monsters be carrying mone... oh, duh, game. Right. I doubt there’d be a version of that one in the book here, unless this ‘Lady Aqua’ was the kind to rob soldiers if she fought things other than heartless and nobodies.”

Alex shrugged. “You never know, stuff gets weird. You’re a fish pony and we live in a world where two pegacorns move the sun and moon. Is a money stealing spell that far out of left field?”

“I suppose, when you put it that way, it’s no less strange than a certain fishy princess being interested in both a nerdy ‘pegacorn’ and an ape with no fur. Then again, I’m starting to think the whole ‘you saved my life so I owe you everything you could want’ mentality is a little old-fashioned, and as the new heir-designate I’m kinda obligated to do something to continue the family line too. Big Mac’s pretty strong, and cute... can a nobo-”

“Please don’t finish that question, Sonata. I don’t know. I don’t want to know, and I really don’t need to find out.” Alex cringed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “It’s nice that you at least try to treat me like an adult, Sonata, but there are some things I really don’t need to be thinking about right now.”

"I don't know if you can hear this, but if you can, and if you have some way to get here, I could really use some help right now." Alex heard a male voice echo in his head, one that was somewhat familiar, but at the same time it felt like he hadn’t heard in years.

“You hear that?” Alex questioned, looking at Sonata with wide eyes. “‘Cause I know I heard it.”

“I’ve got better ears than you do, Alex, and I didn’t hear a thing.” Sonata looked up at him with a worried expression. “Discord mentioned that the seal he put on Nightmare for you the other day when she distracted you during training wasn’t perfect... was it her?”

“No, it wasn’t Nightmare.” Closing the book, Alex stood up and placed it back into his coat. “I think... another displaced is calling me.” He felt a tug forward, and Aubade appeared in his hand as a white rift appeared in front of him, swirling with a rainbow aura around the edges. He took a couple steps towards it, only to stop as Sonata bit down on the hem of his coat.

“Nuh-uh! Not alone you don’t…”

“Then, come on.” Alex ran forward, dragging Sonata with him. “Someone’s waiting on us.”

They went through the light together, and entered a tunnel full of swirling colors and shifting images.

Alex found himself in a standing position, his forward momentum completely gone. Sonata appeared next to him, just as dazed. Several figures to the side drew his attention. “You uh... called?” Alex asked, glancing at a boy who looked exactly like Sora. His gaze then moved around the area and took in this world’s version of Fluttershy and her friends, and Princess Luna. Finally, there stood a tall, white, alicorn stallion with a mane, tail, and goatee that had the same colors as flames. “Okay, this is just surreal.”

One more stallion stood off to the side wearing what looked like the upper half of a suit; complete with a bowtie and monocle. This was a white-coated unicorn with a wavy, light blue mane and tail. That same color was also present on his hooves, and he had managed to grow the world’s tiniest mustache.

“Again! I wanna do that again! That was such a fun trip.” Sonata did everything but jump for joy as she began looking around. She didn’t reem to react at all to the obvious duplicates of ponies she knew, but hummed softly at the marble floors and walls with tasteful gold accents. They seemed to have landed in Canterlot Palace.

Sora stared at the two figures for a moment before another explosion made him shake his head. “Right,” he muttered. “Fighting now; questions later.” He cleared his throat, turning his full attention to the familiarly-cloaked figure. “Alright, here’s the situation. We’ve got a bunch of heartless attacking Canterlot, including three Darksides and a dozen Behemoths. Can you help, Xion?”

Alex tensed up before grunting. “My name is Alex and yeah, I can probably help. Just uh, don’t expect really fancy stuff from me, still new to this.”

“Then I will aid you,” Solaris said, the white alicorn stepping forward. He nodded down at Alex before addressing Sora. “You and Luna take to the skies. Deal with the Darksides and aid our ponies where you can. Alex and I will begin clearing the streets of the Behemoths.” He grinned and cracked his neck, his mane turning into fire. “It has been far too long since my blade has tasted battle.”

“You alright with that plan?” Sora asked Alex.

“Sounds fine to me,” Alex responded, conjuring up a keyblade that was, to Sora’s surprise, not Kingdom Key. “I don’t know my way around Canterlot; where’s a good vantage point?”

“Hop on,” Solaris answered, kneeling down so that Alex could climb onto his back. “I’ll take you wherever you need to go to be most effective.”

The blue mare eyed the two alicorns suspiciously for a few seconds. “I could help keep the small-fry away from the palace if you two promise no more banishings. That could help keep some of your ponies safe.” Her tone went from bubbly and perky to businesslike quite quickly, as if she could sense the seriousness of the situation.

“I am unsure what you are referring to by ‘banishings,’” Luna replied, eyeing the mare suspiciously, “but any aid you can offer would be appreciated. In fact,” she looked over to Fancy and the Element Bearers, “the seven of you should aid her. Ponies will no doubt soon be flocking to the castle for safety; they will need familiar faces to help calm and direct them, and I can think of no better options than our most recently recognized heroes.”

Twilight nodded, standing straight. “Of course, Princess Luna! We won’t let you down!” With that, she and the others turned and galloped off.

“Now then,” Sora said, vaulting onto Luna’s back, “shall we go and kill some heartless?”

Alex patted the blue mares head. “Go ham, Sonata.” Twitching his hand, Alex switched his keyblade for another. This one was gold and black at the hilt, with a splayed black widow acting as the guard while the shaft was made to look like thick webbing that visibly pulsed with energy every so often. The blade was a nearly-invisible plane of slightly-purple crystal, revealed only as the energy pulses from the shaft lit it up.

Sonata let out a giggle that altered in pitch to become an evil laugh. “Ohh I like ham. Tacos are still better, though.” She quickly followed after the group of seven, her ears twitching as her finely-tuned sense of hearing allowed her to follow their hoofsteps perfectly without being misled by echoes.

“Hm,” Luna hummed. “I begin to see why banishment might be on her mind.”

Glancing at Solaris, Alex smiled. “Uh, thanks but I got my own way to travel.” The keyblade in his hands glowed before transmuting, attaching to his back in the form of a quartet of mechanical, spider-like legs. Turning towards a wall, he quickly scaled up to the roof with his new equipment.

Sora’s jaw dropped and he stared in open-mouthed shock. “That… wasn’t in the games.”

“Gawk later,” Luna snapped, charging out the window and taking wing, Solaris right behind them. “If she has a way to transport herself, then that leaves Sol with more room to maneuver.” She turned and nodded to him. “Good hunting, brother.”

“Oh, it will be.” Solaris smiled malevolently, his horn flaring to life. He broke off and dove for the nearest Behemoth, his horn glowing brighter all the while.

“Crap,” Sora muttered before turning to look over at Alex. “OY! NOT-XION! COVER YOUR EYES! SOL’S ABOUT TO GO SUPERNOVA!”

“It’s Alex!” Alex shouted back, already scaling a taller building. He kept his eyes on the wall in front of him, refusing to look behind. “And I hear ya!”

“FEEL THE WRATH OF THE SUN!!!” The shout was followed by a blinding flash and the quickly cut-off roar of a Behemoth. When the light faded and Alex dared to look, he found Sol standing in a circle of ash, two swords of fire in his magical grip and golden, flaming armor covering him from horn to fetlock. He grinned and hefted his blades, launching himself skyward once more and winging over towards his next target.

“I’m suddenly very glad I decided to skip that ride!” Alex said to himself as he took in just how much damage had just been done to that heartless with a single attack. “Okay, stick to the plan, get up high and use the big gun.”

Reaching his determined building, Alex switched keyblades again. This new one was almost grotesquely organic-looking, and glowed with purple highlights in many places. The guard was made of malformed draconic wings and the shaft looked like it was made of multiple bones folded together, with the teeth of the key looking like a motley assortment of alien talons and fangs.

A thought changed its shape, turning it into what could be described as a mix between a sniper rifle and a crossbow. “Okay..., here’s hoping all that practice paid off.” Hunkering down, he took aim at a behemoth and fired at its horn. The result was a lance of purple light that seemed to snake through the air like a bolt of lightning before impacting the base of the monster’s horn in the exact spot Alex had been aiming.

“Archer on deck!” Alex looked to the side just as Sol landed next to him. The alicorn took off his helmet and gave Alex an appraising look. “Strange, that. Sora may have magic in his arsenal, but he always prefered to charge in blade first. I always assumed it was a human thing.”

“I’m still learning how to do all those crazy moves. The transformations do me just fine for now.” Returning his attention to his target, Alex fired again. “Least until I know what I’m doing.”

“A novice, then?” Sol dismissed his blades, choosing instead to take careful aim with his horn. “Understandable, then. Though I am once again surprised. You see, Sora has been here for three thousand years.” He let loose a bolt of sunfire, one which struck a Behemoth on one of its antlers, disintegrating it instantly. Sol scowled in irritation as the heartless thrashed in pain. “I assumed something similar from you. Clearly, I need to reset my expectations.” He fired another shot, this one striking the horn and causing the Behemoth to bellow and collapse. It soon dissolved into shadow, leaving Sol to hum in contentment. “So, what can you tell me about yourself, young lady?”

Alex frowned. “I have the body of a girl, doesn’t mean I am one. Only been in Equestria, my Equestria for a few months. And no, there’s no way I’ve lost track of time. I was as male as Sora is before that.”

Sol stared at Alex for a moment before throwing back his head and letting loose a loud, bellowing laugh. “Ahahaha! Of course! Here you are, confirming several theories of multiversal existence, and yet the best part is knowing that Sora might have arrived in this world as a mare! Ha!” He wiped away a tear before grinning back down at Alex. “My apologies, young man. And my thanks. I will be able to use this to tease Sora for years to come!” He returned his attention to the city below and began to pick targets once again. “So, how did you come to be in this version of Equestria? I assume it had something to do with that sea-shell?”

“Yeah, Sora called me from my world.” Alex stopped, his face going blank. “Fluttershy is probably out of her mind in panic over this.”

“Fluttershy?” Sol asked, sniping another Behemoth. “Is she your guardian in your Equestria? Are the worlds really that similar to each other?”

“She adopted me a few days after I showed up. Has to do with laws regarding minors and a bunch of stuff that gives me a headache,” Alex elaborated, taking another shot. “She and Discord make surprisingly good legal guardians.”

The temperature on the roof skyrocketed instantly. “...I’m sorry,” Solaris said, his voice low and dangerous, “but did you just say that Discord, Spirit of Chaos and Contention, Anarchy Incarnate, the Laughing Madness, makes for a good legal guardian!?” These last words issued out in a hiss as Sol’s mane and tail whipped wildly through the air.

“Uh... yeah.” Alex turned back, frowning again. “He’s a pretty good guy. Best ‘Mom’s boyfriend’ I’ve ever met.” He looked down, sighing. “Wish I had him growing up the first time, to be perfectly honest.”

“I see. One moment, please.” With a mighty, animalistic cry, Solaris unleashed more than twenty streams of sunfire from his horn. These rivers of liquid fire streamed down to the city below, engulfing and obliterating the remaining Behemoths in a matter of moments. Sol’s legs shook as he took several great gulps of breath before regaining his composure and sitting down. “Again, I apologize. It would seem that our worlds are rather different from each other after all.” He turned his full attention on Alex, concern filling his eyes. “Your childhood was… unpleasant, then? I am not quite as good a listener as Luna, but I am an open ear if you feel the need to vent for a minute. It will take Sora and Luna a while yet to finish off the Darksides.”

“‘Unpleasant doesn’t begin to describe what my childhood was like,” Alex scoffed, taking a moment to watch the battle. “I got a black eye once because I didn’t feel like watching some stupid Chuck Norris movie with my dad.”

“I see.” Solaris glared out over the city. “Abuse towards a child is unforgivable. Your father deserves a stern lecture.” His horn lit up and he summoned a large, spiked greatclub, the words ‘Stern Lecture’ carved into the side. He held it out to Alex. “If you ever see him again, be sure to give it to him. Business end first.”

Steam slowly began to rise from the various areas that had recently held behemoths, the closest one accompanied by the distinct, if distant, hiss of water splashing over the heated area.

“Right.” Alex took the great club, which immediately slammed onto the roof. “Uh.. Might be a little too heavy for me.”

“I realize that such a task may be difficult, weighty even, but I am sure you will find the strength to…” Sol trailed off, finally noticing Alex’s struggle to lift the weapon. “Oh. Yes. Physically heavy.” He lit his horn, and a golden aura surrounded the club for a moment. “Try it now. One twentieth the weight for the wielder, and twenty times the weight for the victim. Er, target.”

Alex eyed it before lifting it up. “Well, if you got the time, I don’t mind sharing a bit. Don’t want to burden Fluttershy with all my baggage. Heck, even the two people I got these keyblades from didn’t hear everything.”

“I am sure that she would be more than happy to support you,” Sol said. “Nevertheless, I will happily lend my ear.” He looked up and smirked as the first Darkside finally fell and Luna began to wing her way over to the second one. “It would seem that Sora and my sister are taking the time to play with their prey, after all.”

Debating for a moment, Alex set the weapon back down. “You know, we used to have a prince of the sun in my world, Celestine Solaris.”

Sol groaned and massaged his muzzle. “Please don’t let Luna or Sora know that; I’ll have months of not-so-subtle hints at the ‘limits of my immortality’ and whatnot.”

“Well, you should know that he was gay and had a long-lasting, to my knowledge, relationship with Discord.” Alex swallowed nervously, and tried to smile. “It was... pretty serious. Discord even turned himself female so they could have a child at one point. Her name is Pandemonium, but she goes by Screwball now.” Reaching into his coat, he pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture of himself and a floating purple earth-pony mare, with curly hair and eyes that had spirals instead of irises or pupils.

Sol pondered the photograph for a moment. “Interesting. This mare exists in this Equestria too, though she has no relation to Discord as far as I can tell.” His eyes jumped from the photo to Alex. “And to make sure you don’t get any sort of ideas, I’m as straight as a ramp. Insinuate otherwise to Sora or my sister, and you will find yourself cooked medium-well.”

“You know he didn’t die right? Things kinda fell apart when Disord turned him into a mare and couldn’t turn him back.”

“Goodness,” Sol deadpanned. “I couldn’t imagine why any male would freak out over being irreversibly turned female.”

“Yeah, like myself,” Alex replied, crossing his arms. “Discord says I can talk to him about things anytime I want to, but could I vent a little to someone I’m pretty sure will never end up in my world?”

“Be my guest,” Sol replied, settling down and relaxing. “Though you may wish to keep it a touch brief; Sora and my sister seem to have tired of playing with their food.”

“So let me get this straight,” said Luna. “She is the result of an experiment to replicate the abilities of your ‘nobody’ so that this Organization 13 would have more keyblade bearers at their disposal?”

“Pretty much,” said Sora. “Or at least that’s who she’s been turned into. If she goes by ‘Alex’, then she’s probably in about the same situation I am; trapped in another world and given strange powers and DUCK!” Luna dove, barely passing beneath a Darkside’s fist. Sora raised his keyblade, dragging it up the underside of the arm as Luna flew towards its head. Sora and Luna fired a series of fire spells and blasts of moonlight, blasting the Darkside’s head into oblivion.

“How many remain?” asked Luna as the heartless’s body dissolved.

“One more that I can see,” said Sora. “I think Sol and Alex have taken down all of the behemoths, too.”

“Well then, let’s not keep them waiting.” Luna charged straight for the remaining Darkside, brandishing dual short-swords of moonlight. She flew straight through the center of the Darkside, slashing at both sides of its chest as she went. It let out a groan of pain, reaching down to snatch Luna out of the air.

“Firaga!” With a flick of Oblivion, Sora sent a fireball hurtling towards the darkside’s hand, blowing it clean off. A few more moonblasts and fira spells, and the final Darkside fell.

“Alright, let’s head back to the others,” said Sora. Luna nodded and turned, flying to where the orb of sunlight hovered. “You know, I expected there to be more of the smaller heartless around. There’s usually a few swarms of shadows around a darkside.”

Luna looked over her shoulder at him, quirking an eyebrow. “You haven’t noticed? Look down at the streets as we fly.”

Curious, Sora leaned over to get a good view of the streets passing below. Soon enough, he saw what Luna meant. The shadows and neoshadows were there, along with a scattering of other heartless. However, they were being hunted and driven back by…

“Keybladers?” asked Sora in shock. There weren’t a lot of them, and the ones he saw seemed to have no idea how to use a sword beyond wildly swinging it back and forth, but they were there.

Luna chuckled at Sora’s dumbfounded expression. “Did you think that because all of the old wielders had passed away that the new generation would not be able to rise to the challenge? Have more faith in our kind than that.”

Sora nodded, a grin splitting his face. They weren’t masters. They weren’t anywhere close, and probably never would be. None of their keyblades were unique like Fancy Pants’; they were all just the basic Kingdom Keys. But they were there, and they were fighting back.

“I think Sol’s going to have to set up a civilian sword-fighting class,” said Sora. “Maybe make keybladers an official part of the royal guard.”

“Perhaps,” said Luna. “I shall speak with him about it. In the meantime… wait.” Her eyes narrowed as they neared the castle. “I see. So that’s what she meant.”

In addition to the various novice keybladers, Sonata was floating along in the air at a manic pace in a shape somewhat different from her initial presentation in this world. Instead of a normal earth pony tail, there was a long dolphin-like appendage with the flukes colored the same as her two-tone tail was before, and a spinal frill that ran down the entire length of her body from head to tail. Small fins decorated each leg and replaced her ears, marking her as an uncorrupted siren. She was quite happily whipping small balls of water at the numerous heartless that weren’t immediately visible to other ponies, and using watery whips to pull the legs out from under others, or to drag back a pony who had overextended. All the while she was humming a familiar tune, usually accompanied by a number of animated broomsticks.

“Well well well,” Sora muttered, smirking down at the happy blue figure. “I thought those colors looked familiar. I wonder if ours survived on the other side?”

“One more thing to look into when the mirror opens, I suppose,” Luna muttered. “Ah, here we are.” She landed in the castle courtyard where Sol was talking with Alex. “It would seem that the threat has passed, brother.”

“For now,” Sol agreed. He smiled at Alex. “Thank you for helping us in this hour of need.”

“No problem.” Alex transformed his rifle back into a keyblade. Noting the look on Sora’s face, he blinked. “What?”

“It’s just, I had no idea that keyblades could do that,” Sora explained. “I mean, I’ve got hundreds, thousands of keyblades at my disposal, but I never knew they could transform like that. Which game is that from?”

Alex chuckled, resting the blade on his shoulder. “I got sent to Equestria around three weeks before KH3 finally hit the shelves. Keyblade transformations were the main selling point of the combat. Well, that and finally resolving everything with Xehanort.”

“Three, huh?” Sora sighed and shook his head. “That explains it, then. All I got to play before being shipped out here were One, Two, CoM, and 358. I have some vague memories of trailers for Birth By Sleep, but that’s about it.”

“Which means you’re missing out on a ton of info about everything.” Alex shook his head. “Okay then, crash history course starting with the Keyblade war.”

Sora held up his hands, shaking his head. “Thanks, but I think I’m good. Whatever happened in later games, if it hasn’t shown up here in the last three thousand years, I doubt it’ll start up now. I’ve got enough on my plate with just the normal heartless. Although,” he eyed Alex’s keyblade, “I wouldn’t mind learning how to do those ‘transformations.’ Are they for every keyblade, or just certain ones?”

“Every keyblade in KH3 had two but I think the Kingdom Key only had one,” Alex explained before getting a stern look on his face. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t think they’ll show up, this is stuff you need to know. Like the X-blade.”

Sora sighed, but nodded. “Fine, fine. Learning it all will probably just bring trouble crashing down on my head later, but go ahead; lay it on me.”

“I believe I shall take my leave, then,” Luna said. “Much as the tales of your ‘games’ fascinate me, I must find the ranking officers of the guard and begin putting together strategies for the next time we face such an incursion.” She nodded to Alex. “It was a pleasure to meet you, young lady.” Without another word, she took off into the sky and shot away over the city.

Alex groaned, pinching his nose. “Alright, you sticking around for class, fire guy, or is it just human time?”

“Unfortunately, I must depart as well,” Sol replied. “My student will need to know what has happened, and Fancy Pants will need further instruction regarding his newfound duty.” He gave Alex a kindly smile. “I still believe you should speak with your Fluttershy about what you went through back on Earth. Bottling it up and trying to ignore it will only make things worse. Remember, you have friends all around you.” He spread his wings and rose into a hover. “Oh, and Sora? Alex was a male before he came to his Equestria. Yes, you will be hearing plenty about it in the near future and for many centuries to come.” Letting out a hearty chuckle, Solaris flew off to find his student.

Sora stared at Alex for a moment before groaning and burying his face in his palm. “Great. I can hear it now. ‘You never really looked at mares other than my sister. Was it really because of their species, or do you still have your old preferences?’ ‘Oh Sora, I decided that you should stop suppressing your feminine side; here’s a dress with frills.’ I’m going to be hearing this until the end of time.”

“Better than being told to go to sleep every time you miss a detail because you were tuning out the plotter that got you in trouble in the first place.” Sonata quipped as she carefully landed near the two of them and took a long drink from a levitated ball of water. “I mean, I know I’m a ditz, but I’m not stupid.”

“Good with a scythe too, if memory serves,” Sora said, grinning. “What do you say? Up for a spar?”

“We’re already doing something,” Alex remind, poking at Sora’s arm. “And you have no place to talk; you’re not the one dealing with having said female body. Or need I remind you what happens every month?” Alex’s face flushed, though he had a deadly serious look on it.

Sora returned his serious stare with a blank one. “Every month? Sorry, but I’ve got no idea.”

“Oh, I know, it used to be called the ‘moon presence’ back when my sisters and I were first dropped on the other side of the mirror by a certain bearded idiot. That was kinda rough getting used to. Aria made a mint once the right materials came around for truly disposable sanitation.”

“Other side of the mirror?” Sora questioned. “So it’s a human thing?” He shrugged. “Yeah, just about everything about humans and Earth except the games has fled my mind over the last few millennia. Women's’ health issues were probably one of the first things to go since, you know, ponies.”

“Then I feel no need to enlighten you,” Alex said, taking a seat on the edge of the roof. “We’ll start simple. Keyblade war. Once there was the Master of Masters and his apprentices. Each was known as a foreteller and carried a copy of the book of prophecy and given control over a group of keyblade wielders called Unions. Despite their best efforts, the unions began to covet light and engaged in an apocalyptic keyblade war that destroyed the world and sent Kingdom Hearts into the realm of darkness.”

Sora frowned, crossing his arms. “Well, that answers a few questions. Mostly about Triton and why the Door to Darkness was in the World That Never Was. Continue.”

“The war shattered the X-blade, the key to Kingdom Hearts. Seven shards of light, thirteen of darkness.” Holding his keyblade up, he swung it at the air. “All keyblades are mere copies of it.”

“Seven Princesses and Organization Thirteen,” Sora muttered. “No surprises there.”

“Not the princesses, just seven pure lights. As for Org 13, the original goal was to hook them all up to a version of Kingdom Hearts and implant shards of Xehanort’s heart into them. After they were eliminated, Xehanort used time travel to bring versions of himself from throughout time to be his thirteen seekers of darkness. He almost made Sora his 13th.”

“...time travel.” Sora sighed. “The games got weird, didn’t they?”

“Next bit’s about you, specifically.” Alex leveled his keyblade at him. “The only reason Sora was even chosen to wield a keyblade is because he already carried the heart of a keyblade wielder inside of him. It’s the reason he could dual wield. You have two hearts; your own and Ventus’s.”

“Ventus?” Sora thought for a moment before speaking again. “Isn’t… isn’t he one of the main characters from BBS? How’d his heart get into Sora?”

“It’s a very long story but the gist of it is, you have his heart. If, for whatever reason, a guy tries to take it; stop him. If he gets it, he can reunite it with the other half of Ven’s heart and recreate the X-Blade,” Alex said, lowering his arm. “You don’t want that to happen.”

“If you say so,” Sora said, looking down at his chest. “Although, I’m not entirely sure that any of that applies to me. I’m honestly not sure how faithful this world is to the lore of the games. I mean, I haven’t seen any evidence of Kingdom Hearts while I’ve been here. Heck, I haven’t even seen any sign of a keyhole to the heart of Equestria. Spent the first couple centuries after we got the Keyblade Army up and running going around looking for it. And I’d think that Luna would have noticed someone else in my psyche. Then again,” he shrugged, “I’ve never tried using heartsight on myself. Might be something worth looking into.”

“Did you check the Crystal Empire? I mean, back in our homeworld it apparently up and vanished for over a thousand years according to my reading to catch up on history, and Celestia practically allowed it to slip out of all known records, including her private lessons to personal students according to Twilight.”

Sora grit his teeth but nodded. “Yeah, I checked. Both before and after Sombra tore it out of normal timespace. Nothing there.” His scowl morphed into a contemplative frown. “Now that I think about it, his curse should be wearing off any year now…”

Alex blinked. “Oh. You’re behind me in time. Huh. Okay, well, that’s unexpected. Back on topic, given all those keyblade wielders, do you know the inheritance ceremony?”

“Was it in any of the four games I mentioned?” Sora shrugged again. “It doesn’t sound familiar. If it’s what it sounds like, then we’ve never needed it. A keyblade just appears if you’re worthy of it. Those with particularly strong hearts get unique blades tailored to their expertise. I’ve taken to referring to those as ‘masters’ for simplicity’s sake.”

“Nah man. If you’re a master, you have to know it.” Standing up, Alex held out his keyblade. “You find someone you think is worthy and offer your key to them. As you do, you recite the following: In your hand, take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, its wielder you shall one day be. And you will find me friend- no ocean can contain you then. No borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love.’ then you pass it off and if it doesn’t come back immediately, the key thinks they’re worthy too.”

Sora stared blankly for a moment. “...I’d accuse you of making that up, but only the Kingdom Hearts games could be that unbelievably corny.” He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve certainly never used that ceremony, and none of my masters or wielders ever mentioned anything about it. Maybe it’s one of those things that didn’t carry over into this world?”

“Maybe,” Alex conceded, looking at Sora critically. “So... you wanna learn how to do the transformations, huh?”

“Oh! Oh! Does this mean I get to make practice targets? I like doing that, and Xemmy said it’d help improve my concentration!” Sonata actually pranced in place in midair for a bit, flinging small water droplets everywhere.

“Xemmy?” Sora eyed Sonata, suddenly wary. “That… wouldn’t be short for Xemnas, would it?”

“Yeah, it does, he’s another one like us,” Alex explained before poking Sora with the tip of his blade. “How about a deal then? I show you how to do the transformations and you help me get magic threads that let me do drive forms.”

Sora waved him off. “Yeah yeah, sure. New blade tricks and power-ups. Now what’s this about ‘another one like us?’ Just how many people have been yanked out of our world and stuck into an Equestria?”

“Somewhere between hundreds and thousands, if not an infinite number according to Sarah. Supposedly she and her sister were borderline psychics even before they were displaced, so multiverse theory applies to Earth as well.”

Sora’s jaw dropped. “Th-thousands?” His knees gave out and he dropped to the ground, staring off into space as he sat there, stunned. “Thousands. Thousands of others. All this time, I thought…” He shook his head. “Sorry. Sorry. It’s just, dude, other than the other side of the mirror portal, you’re the only other human I’ve seen since I was snatched up. Why… why did it take so long for one of you to show up?”

“I don’t know, I honestly don’t,” Alex responded, shaking his head. “I’ve only been like this for a few months. I don’t have any answers for you.”

“...I’ll bet you have one at least.” Sora reached into his pocket and pulled out the Thallassa shell. “This thing. I heard your voice when I held it, and you appeared when I asked it for help. What is it?”

“Oh, that’s a token. You find an item that best exemplifies you and put a message into it. Then you cast it into the void for others to find.”

“Best exemplifies me, huh?” Without hesitation, Sora summoned his Kingdom Key. He looked it over for a moment before tearing off the keychain. The blade vanished, but the chain remained in his hand. “And a message…” Sora thought for a minute before nodding and clearing his throat, his hand beginning to glow. “I am the Warrior of Light, enemy of darkness and all who walk within. If you find yourself trapped by the shadows and cannot find the light, call on my name, the name of Sora, and I will answer.” The keychain vanished, leaving Sora staring at his now-empty hand. “Huh. Almost like dismissing the blade.”

“I had a lot of help with mine...” Alex snapped his fingers, pointing at Sora. “Right, almost forgot. Rage form. Sora gets rage form in KH3.”

“Rage form?” Sora smirked. “Heh, I might already have that. That’s what Sol calls it when I rain death from the skies on him after a particularly nasty prank.” Leaping to his feet, Sora donned his cocky grin. “Well, guess we should get started on those power swaps. Although, I do have one more question. You mentioned someone called ‘Celestia,’ someone who, unless I misunderstood, has been around for a long time in your Equestria. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone by that name.”

“She’s the female version of your Luna’s brother. Oh, look at that, now you have tease-back ammo!” Sonata chirped.

Sora grinned, his face positively demonic. “Noted. Now, about those transformations…”

Alex snapped again, patting at his coat. “Right! Okay, so, Kingdom Key doesn’t have any transformations that I know of but-aha!” Smirking, he produced a tablet from his pocket. “It does have something called ‘Second form’.” Tapping away at the screen, he held it out to Sora. “Take a look. You’ll even get a peek at Sora’s KH 3 outfit.”

Sora stared at the tablet for a moment before taking it. “Wow,” he whispered, looking the device over. “Earth tech. It’s been quite a while.” He took a look at the image on the screen. He tapped it once and had to fight not to jump as the image started to move. Video, he thought. It really has been too long. “Interesting,” he muttered, watching the Sora on the screen. “But I’m not really seeing anything too special about this. I mean, I’m modeled after KH2 Sora anyway.”

“Right, okay then.” Alex took it back, slipping it into his cloak. “It’s not important. Just tell me something, do you know what Limit Form is?” Sora nodded. “Right. Okay then. Let’s do something about those transformations.”

“Sounds good,” Sora replied. “Your form first, or my blades?”

“Blades, we can talk to Rarity about the clothes later,” Alex said, smiling at him. “So, let’s get started.”

Sora nodded. “Alright. Which blade first?”

“I think a better question would be if the two of you even have any keyblades in common. I mean, if Alex’s the first other person you’ve seen in centuries that isn’t a pony, then what are the odds that you have any he has?” Sonata rolled her eyes and gently tossed a ball of water that bounced off of Sora’s hair without splashing.

“It’s not about having the same keyblades, it’s about helping him figure out how to turn his into stuff,” Alex commented, patting Sonata’s head. “Just don’t ask me how to turn it into a glider. Haven’t figured that one out yet.”

“I see,” Sora muttered, holding out his hand. He hesitated for a minute. “There is… one blade. One that I’ve always felt should be something other than a sword.” In a flash of light, a keyblade appeared in his hand. Its shaft was a deep, dark purple with black and green vines twining around it. The hilt was a light purple in another vine design, and the blade featured a wicked looking curve which was stained blood red. The keychain featured a cracked flower. “Pansy’s blade always felt like it should be… something else.”

“And what do you think that other thing is?” Alex questioned, studying the blade. “Gimme an idea here.”

“It’s always been obvious,” Sora whispered. “For such a gentle mare, she was fierce and precise on the battlefield. She earned her blade’s name with every fight: Reaper. It always seemed to me that she should wield a scythe rather than a sword.”

“You mean like this?” Alex focused, the key in his hand transmogrifying into what looked like a bone scythe with a blade formed of the same purple energy that glowed from every joint. “Haven’t used it a lot yet.”

Sora hummed, studying the scythe intently. “Hold on a moment.” He stepped back, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, they had been replaced by two glowing orbs of light. “Okay,” he said, eyes focused on Alex’s chest. “Transform it again.”

“Uh... right...” Alex transitioned it back into its rifle form. “That help at all?”

“Interesting,” Sora muttered, continuing to stare. “One more time.” Alex changed the rifle back into a blade and Sora nodded. “Okay, I think I’ve got it.” He stepped back and closed his eyes, holding Reaper out before him. A moment of stillness passed before Reaper exploded in a flash of light. What was left behind was an altogether different weapon. The three vines that had made up the shaft and guard now spiraled together, forming a serpentine curve. The blood-red blade had lengthened, forming the weapon into a formidable scythe. Sora opened his eyes, now back to normal, and smiled at the weapon. “Oh yeah,” he said, twirling it around his body a few times. “That feels more like it!” He brought Reaper to a rest with the tip of the blade hovering directly over a crack in the stones beneath them. “Perfect balance, and it practically sings as it tears the air to shreds in its wake. This… this is the blade that Pansy was meant to use.”

“Well, uh, glad I could help.” Alex gave a thumbs up. “Gonna be super impractical to use though. It’s why they only ever used hand scythes in battle.”

Sora shook his head, entering a more relaxed stance as he smiled down at the blade. “Doesn’t matter,” he said tenderly, almost reverently. “It’s… it’s how her blade should be. How she would have wanted…” He sighed, the smile falling from his face. “Sorry,” he said, dismissing the weapon. “You don’t need to hear about that.” He frowned up at Alex. “And on a related note, get some help. Your heart is full of old pain and horrible scars. If you don’t get them treated, they could fester. Luna should be a good option, although I wouldn’t say no to a professional therapist either if I were you.”

Alex tightened his grip on his keyblade. “Thanks but I think I’m doing just fine as it is, thank you very much. If it bothers you so much, it should cool your jets to know I usually talk to Discord about that stuff.”

“WHAT?!” Reaper reappeared in the air along with two other blades. The three of them began to orbit angrily around Sora while Ultima and Fenrir appeared in his hands. “THAT PHYSICAL IDENTITY COMPLEX IS LOOSE IN YOUR WORLD?! AND YOU GO TO HIM FOR LIFE ADVICE?!”

“Why wouldn’t I? Dude’s basically my step-dad. Fluttershy’s a good listener but I can’t be completely open with her.” Dismissing his keyblade, Alex met Sora’s furious gaze. “Say what you want but I already told this to fire man, I wish he had been in my life the first time round.”

“Is it just me, or has he gone all bear-poop both times we’ve mentioned a friend? Should we be worried that we’re helping bad people, or that we are bad people? I don’t wanna be bad again, I didn’t like hurting people without a good reason!” Sonata wailed while moving closer to Alex.

Sora took a deep, steadying breath before letting it out slowly, dismissing his blades. “Sorry,” he muttered. “We literally just finished sealing Discord in stone again before those heartless attacked. If your Discord is good enough to wander without a leash, he must be rather different from ours. As for you, Sonata…” Sora blinked his eyes back to glowing orbs for just a moment. “You have nothing to worry about. There isn’t a trace of true malevolence in you that isn’t directed against those who would hurt those you care about. Stick to good company and you’ll be fine. I only reacted poorly to Xemnas because I didn’t know that he was like me and Alex.”

“You need to worry about your anger problems,” Alex commented, scratching Sonata’s ear. “Anyway, let’s stop by fashion horse’s house and get me some clothes.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Sora said, all weightiness gone from his tone as he smirked at Alex. “There’s only one thing we need to get you some drive forms.” He held out his hand again and summoned another keyblade. This one was pure black except for the red guard. The teeth were jagged and formed a heart design in the center. “Recognize this baby? ‘Open the door; lead me into everlasting darkness,’ and all that jazz.”

“You do realize that thing only existed because it was made from stolen hearts, right?” Alex questioned, eyeing it closely. “Whose hearts are making it now?”

Sora sighed and shook his head. “To be honest, I’ve been wondering that for years. Tried summoning it one day on a whim about, oh, three hundred years into my time here. And there it was, full and complete. If I had to guess, it would be the seven hearts of the first heartless victims in this world.” He frowned. “When I first made that guess, I tried to destroy it. Unfortunately, keyblades are pretty darn solid, and the only way I knew from the games was too risky. Useful blade, though. I don’t have anything else that can directly affect people’s hearts.”

“They really aren’t that hard to break, Riku’s breaks in three and he gets a new one. Back on topic, what exactly are you going to do with that thing?”

“Simple,” Sora replied cheerfully, pointing it straight at Alex’s chest. “I’m going to unlock your heart and teach it directly how to get in touch with the power that sleeps within.” He shrugged. “I mean, I could train and tutor you in reaching into your own heart for the next ten years or so, but who has that kind of time? And since we don’t have any magical fairies here to make magical heart-touching clothes, or any drive orbs for that matter, this is the only sure and fast way that I know of.”

“Alex, I’m not so sure this is a good idea…” Sonata was quite subdued, a far cry from her normally bubbly self. “I mean, your mom was telling me about some things you told her because she knows I don’t really judge…”

“You don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to,” Sora added. “But I can promise you that you’ll be fine. I’ve done this before on a few ponies, one of whom had a good amount of darkness in his heart. I know how to unlock some things and leave others untouched.” He frowned, suddenly serious. “However, I will warn you that that one pony had a Shadow Form that almost equaled mine in power, and that’s no mean feat. If you continue to hold significant darkness in your heart, then when the Shadow Form slips out, I can’t guarantee what it will do.”

Staring at the keyblade, he glanced down at Sonata. “What do you think? Should I take the chance?”

Sonata seemed to be kneading some of her wet mane between her hooves, almost as if she were trying to run fingers through it despite having hooves currently. “I-I don’t know. You could end up with dresses or something you’re not really ready for, like that slinky black one you were wearing the first time I saw you, and you looked both uncomfortable and happy…”

Sora suddenly blushed and looked away. “Yay it,” he muttered. “Now I’m going to have to deal with cute human girls again sometimes, aren’t I? Can’t tell if that’s a plus or a minus.”

“Ya, I know, I’m a screwed up ball of thoughts and emotions. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that stuff I talked to Sarah about.” Kneeling down, he pulled her into a hug. “Be honest with me here, okay?”

“You should do it... but if it gives you things you’re not comfortable with don’t blame me. Um... um... how would a smart pony phrase this? ‘Ask yourself why you aren’t comfortable?’ Yeah, I think that sounds like what your mother would say.”

Alex scoffed, shaking his head. “I’m just supposed to answer that off the top of my head?” Turning to Sora, he nodded. “Go ahead. Let’s do this.”

Sora nodded and aimed the blade straight at Alex’s chest. “Stay calm,” he said. “This is going to feel… weird.” Without another word, he thrust forward.

The blade pierced Alex’s chest, a portal of swirling light and shadow forming around the point of impact. Alex gasped, a strange presence filling his chest.

“Interesting.” Sora’s voice sounded in his ears, but Alex also heard them coming from inside of him. “The light within you, it coalesces differently. Different emotions. Different… drives. Let’s start with this one.”

Fear. Anger. Desperation. These emotions flooded Alex’s heart. Not fear for himself, but fear for others. It wasn’t a feeling of cowardice, but one of protection, a desperate fending off of an unstoppable foe.

“Those emotions most dark,” Sora said, his eyes glowing, “are yet channeled to the light. A desire to protect, to strengthen, even against impossible odds. Your friends stand by you, and lend you… STRENGTH.”

A pulse of energy flooded Alex, emanating from his heart. He felt invigorated, powerful.

“Next.”

Bliss. Joy. Excitement. Alex felt like he was soaring through the sky. Plunging to the deepest depths. Racing for the most distant horizons. Freedom surrounded him, within his grasp.

“The world is vast, the horizons endless,” Sora incanted. “Wild and free, your heart carries you to each and beyond. Let your friends fill you with this energy and… AGILITY.”

Another pulse, and Alex felt that he had taken ahold of that freedom.

“Next.”

Giddiness. Happiness. A nervous tightening in his stomach. Alex blushed a bit, recognizing these feelings from those times when he’d felt pretty or feminine.

“Happiness comes in many forms, some as old as your life and others completely unfamiliar. This new happiness carries you in ways that others have not. Could not. It carries you with poise, with calm in the midst of the storm. Your friends will support you, aiding in your quest to understand this… GRACE.”

A third pulse, and Alex felt his blush fade. It was replaced with a calm assurance, a feeling that things, though strange, were alright after all.

“Next.”

Determination. Solid, unyielding, and uncaring of the consequences. Alex felt that he knew what he had to do, and he knew that he would do whatever it took to do it.

Sora frowned. “A difficult path to travel. Balanced upon the edge of a knife, you must be ever watchful, lest this surety lead to as much evil as good. But fear not. Your friends stand by you, and they will help you to see the light. And with their help, none shall steer you from this road. This… TRIAD.”

One final pulse burst through Alex, and all lingering doubt was swept away. It was not just him; the powers that surrounded him knew the righteousness of his course, and he would not falter.

Sora began to slowly pull the blade from Alex’s chest, stopping when only the tip remained inside. “The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes. These powerful aspects of your heart bring forth great light, but also great shadow. These shadows may control for a time, but don’t be afraid. Remember that it is not the dark that we must fear, but that which lurks inside. Confront the demons within, purge yourself of the corruptors which hide in the darkness, and even the SHADOW will lend you its strength.” With that, Sora ripped the blade from Alex’s chest.

Immediately, Alex’s strength left him. He fell forward onto his hands and knees, gasping for breath and shaking. Sora shook his head, blinking his eyes a few times. “Wow. That was… unique.” He dismissed his blade and offered his hand to Alex. “How’re you feeling, kid?”

“Y-yeah...” Alex nodded weakly. With a shaky hand, he took Sora’s and pulled himself up to his feet. “N-never doing that... again...”

“I’d imagine not.” Sora smirked. “I’ve never had to go through it myself, but everypony I’ve done that with has said it was the strangest feeling of their life. Still, it’s unusual to find someone with four completely different forms than the standard. Most I’ve ever seen was two. Honestly, I can’t even tell what colors your forms are going to take.”

“Guess we’ll just have to wait and see huh?” Alex asked, his legs faltering. “God, I’m tired...” Swaying a little, he leaned on Sonata. “Feel like I could sleep for a week.”

Sonata squeaked a little at the lean and staggered for a moment before steadying herself to support Alex. A few moments later she had a pair of crude watery arms shaped to give him a hug as well as keep him a little more steady. “You okay? Should we get you some coffee, or something sweet to drink?” Her voice had more than a hint of worry to it, since they were rather high up still.

“Meditation will help,” Sora offered, moving to support Alex’s other side. “Your fatigue isn’t physical; your heart’s been thrown into a new balance, one it’s still adjusting to. Give yourself a little downtime to sort it out.” He looked towards the edge of the roof and grinned mischievously. “Say, you trust me, right?”

“Ugh, meditation. You sound like Queen Ron-” Sonata cut herself off with a nervous giggle as Sora continued talking. “Sorry.”

“If I say yes, are you gonna do something crazy?” Alex questioned, scratching Sonata’s ears.

“Not at all,” Sora replied. “Just a little help for you to get more in touch with your… feminine grace.” Without warning, he scooped Alex up bridal style and bolted for the edge. “Cowabunga!” he shouted, leaping off.

“You dick!” Alex shouted, latching onto Sora rather tightly.

Sora just laughed. “That’s not very ladylike language there! Hey Clover! Give us a hoof here!” A keyblade appeared over Sora’s shoulder, pointing down. Its silver shaft was curved in opposite directions at either end. Two feather-like shapes formed the slightly darker guard which was studded with small emeralds. At the end of the dangling keychain was a four-leaf clover, an ugly crack running through the center. “Aerora!”

A gust of wind kicked up underneath them just as they were about to land, slowing their fall and placing Sora gently down on his feet. “There now,” he said, grinning as the wind and his keyblade dissipated. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Four clops followed by a wet splash against the back of Sora’s head announced Sonata’s descent as well. “You put Alex down right now! That was so dangerous and I...I…” Her approaching hoofsteps grew unsteady quickly. “I need a drink. Everything’s spinning suddenly.”

Alex pushed himself out of Sora’s arms, groaning as he hit the ground. “Shit, we need to get her to water. Now!”

Sora frowned and nodded, summoning the keyblade from before, along with Wishing Star, to his hands. “I usually reserve this for pranks,” he muttered. He pointed both blades above Sonata. “Fira. Blizara.” A ball of ice formed above Sonata, a ring of fire springing to life around it and quickly melting it. Freezing cold water splashed down, soaking the transformed siren below. “Is that enough?” Sora asked, dismissing his blades. “There are probably some pretty big bathtubs inside if not.”

“It’s...a start.” Sonata groaned as she tried to walk towards the castle. “I should know better, my fault. I’m gonna need to drink a few gallons.” Her gait was similar to someone who was very drunk.

“Come on, you can’t get there by yourself.” Pushing himself up, Alex made his way over to her. “Don’t make me carry you.”

“I can do it,” Sora offered. “I’m the one who made her waste her water, after all.”

“Then get to it.” Alex stepped aside, gesturing to Sonata. “And don’t take all day!”

Sora nodded, stepping forward and scooping Sonata into his arms. “Relax. I’ve got you,” he said, rushing inside the castle. He quickly bounded up the main staircase before turning left and running down a wide hall. “And you didn’t need to worry about Alex,” Sora said, smirking down at the siren in his arms. “Even if that hadn’t worked, and it’s never failed before, it would have been me taking the brunt of the damage. Nothing a quick Curaga wouldn’t have been able to heal, and Alex wouldn’t have even needed that.”

Sonata’s ears almost seemed to curl in on themselves briefly, but she offered a weak and pained smile in response. “That’s sweet, but you don’t know how hard it is to not worry about a child you’re told to protect.”

Sora frowned, his eyes going distant for a moment. “Believe me, Sonata,” he muttered. “I do.” He stopped at a fancy looking door with an intricate carving of a dog on it and kicked it open, revealing a luxurious suite full of gold-plated and gem-studded furniture. “Ha! I was right!” He rushed through the suite, heading for the back. “This it the room they use whenever we have Diamond Dogs visiting. One floor up, so it’s just high enough off the ground to make them uncomfortable. Enough gold and gemstones in here to make them wring their ears with envy. And if Sol is as much of a troll as I remember…” He kicked open another door and they were immediately hit by a large cloud of steam. “Yep, full bath with tons of different soaps and shampoos just waiting for them. Enjoy your swim!” He darted into the room, a large bath - or perhaps a small pool - appearing through the thinning mist. He stopped right at the pool’s edge and tossed Sonata gently into the deep end.

She simply vanished into the water with only a tiny splash, and remained under for a few seconds before her head popped up to lay on the edge for a bit. “Warm, but wet. I’m just gonna stay here for a while and soak, I think. Set a guard or something to help me find you guys. Oh, and sorry if I pulled up any bad memories. Mom used to tell me I’d swallow my own fins if I opened my mouth any wider.”

Sora smiled sadly before bending down to pat Sonata on the head. “Sonata, I’ve been around for three thousand years. Just about everything pulls up a bad memory if I let it. You have nothing to apologize for; you’re concerned for your charge, and that’s admirable. Don’t worry. He’ll be safe in my hands until you’re ready to return to your vigil.” He stood, giving her one last nod before departing.

He looked around as he exited the suite, quickly finding a guard and explaining the situation to him before setting him to watch the suite. He then headed back the way he’d come, looking for Alex.

“I already told the both of you that I’m not a child and I’m not lost,” Alex’s voice carried through the halls. “If one of you mentions finding my parents again, we’re going to have a problem.”

Sora sighed, rounding the corner and finding Alex arguing with two guards on the staircase. “Really, boys?” he asked, sticking his hands in his pockets. “You see another human, the only other human besides me, and your first instinct isn’t to take him to me?” He nodded to Alex. “Sonata’s going to be fine. I left her in a huge tub with plenty of water and a guard watching over her. You alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine... just... tired,” Alex responded, letting out a long sigh. “I would use a nap or something like that.” He suppressed a yawn, swaying a little. “Got anywhere I could lie down?”

Sora smirked. “It just so happens that I put Sonata in one of the best, most comfortably furnished suites in the castle. I’m sure they have a most luxurious bed. Sized about right for humans, too.” He turned and nodded to the guards. “I’ll take him from here. Go and tell Prince Solaris and Princess Luna where we are.” The guards gave a quick salute before rushing off deeper into the castle.

“Lead the way, one of spiky hair,” Alex insisted, motioning for Sora to start walking. “I’d rather not pass out on cold marble, thank you very much.”

Sora chuckled and began leading Alex back towards the Diamond Dog suite. “It’s funny, this room,” he said. “It was the same way in the old Everfree castle. Diamond Dogs hate being off the ground, so Sol made sure to put their suite exactly one floor up. High enough to make them uncomfortable, but not high enough for them to call it a slight. He also made sure it was highly decorated for two reasons: first, to make everyone else, especially the nobles, jealous, and two, to show off that, however much the Dogs hoarded, they would never equal him in wealth. He also filled it with all of the greatest comforts, knowing that they prefer hard, cold surfaces. So the Dogs are pissed off because they have to stay in a room ill-suited to them, and the nobles and other dignitaries are miffed because we’re apparently showering the Diamond Dogs, our least valuable ally, in luxury. A great prank on everyone, and he barely has to do a thing.” He nodded to the posted guard as they passed and opened the door to the suite. “And just as I’d guessed, he hasn’t changed his trolling a bit.”

“That sounds like terrible foreign policy,” Alex commented, putting his hands in his pockets. “Haven’t met a Diamond Dog back home. Apparently, they kidnapped Rarity a few years back and forced her to dig up gems for them.”

Sora snorted and nodded. “Yeah, sounds like them. You understand then why we aren’t too worried about appeasing them. Besides, minor slights like these aren’t enough to really cause trouble. They’re just enough for Sol to have a bit of fun.” Sora’s mirthful manner faded, his tone growing more somber. “Especially since everyone knows the importance of good international relations. They know better than to take something like this too seriously. If any nation were to harbor widespread hostility or, Elysium forbid, go to war, most of their population wouldn’t survive the wave of darkness that would follow.” Sora sighed and smiled sadly at Alex. “It’s a peace held together with knives to our throats, but we make do. And apparently the habits of working together stuck if we’ve had peace for the last thousand years, even without the heartless swarming around.”

“Wow, that shitty set up reminds me of Zesteria and Berseria. No offense but uh, I don’t think I’d want to live here.” Alex yawned again, making his way over to the bed. “Only thing close to a war my world has come to is when Chrysalis tried to take over Canterlot, followed by Tirek stealing everyone’s magic. I got this second-hand though. Wasn’t there for either event.”

Sora frowned, making a mental note of the names. “I’ll have to look into that. But for now, get some rest. Meditate when you wake up, and then we can work on pulling out your drive forms.” He turned and headed for the door. “If you need anything, ask the guard outside. Sleep well, Alex.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Taking his coat off, he tossed it on a nearby chair. Leaving his shoes next to the bed, he made sure to get comfy. “Feel free to talk to Sonata while I’m out of it...” he trailed off, already snoring away.

“She’s still awake?” Sora muttered. He stuck his head into the bathroom, surprised to find the siren swimming around. “I thought you’d be resting,” he said, sitting down at the edge of the pool.

“I am resting!” Sonata smiled, splashing a bit of water at him without levitating it “Besides, I have to stay awake to keep an eye on Alex.” Peeking around Sora, she smiled at Alex’s snores. “He was certainly tired.”

Sora shrugged, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. “Yeah, having someone else dig through your heart will wipe you out for a bit. Younger ponies generally take it better, since their hearts are still in flux anyway. Adults aren’t as flexible. If I needed any evidence that Alex is older than he seemed, that was it.” He frowned. “I’m worried about the amount of darkness in there, though. He’s a good kid, and his heart is strong with lots of barriers keeping the darkness at bay, but I’m worried about what happens if something breaks through those barriers.”

“I wouldn’t be too worried about that.” Sonata giggled, sticking her tongue out. “My sisters and I eat all those bad emotions! They aren’t quite as tasty as they used to be, but we’re also not creating them to cater to our specific tastes anymore.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Sometimes his nightmares taste like tacos. I love tacos. I feel kinda bad eating them sometimes when I’m nowhere near as hungry as I used to be, but if it helps him...”

Sora hummed a bit in thought. “I’ll have to look into that when the portal opens. See if our versions of you and your sisters are willing to give us a hoof.” Sora sighed and shook his head. “Assuming they haven’t fallen completely into darkness. Them, or even that entire world.”

“Just don’t bring up Starswirl when you go over. Aria still gets a look like she wants to punch Twilight whenever she brings him up.” Sonata frowned and idly swatted the side of the pool a few times. “Even I’m still a little angry about it, but never getting to see your mother again will do that.”

Sora frowned and turned his gaze back down to Sonata. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “It’s… the difficult part of immortality.” He shrugged. “And crossing dimensions, I assume. I think I remember crying for almost a month when I first realized I’d never see Earth again.”

“I wonder if your sirens were overfeeding for the same reason we were?”

Sora tilted his head questioningly. “Oh? I know that mine were bent on world conquest as some sort of giant ego trip. I always figured it was the heartless egging them on. I’m guessing it wasn’t so simple for you?”

“Most people don’t know this but, our papa was a pony,” Sonata began, swimming in a circle. “But, he got really, really sick. So sick that our mom’s song was the only thing keeping him alive. She and Adagio used to get into terrible fights because Dagi didn’t think mom was doing enough.”

“...and you were trying to get enough power to help boost her song and heal him completely.”

“Yeah.” Sonata nodded her head, floating on her back. “Plus mom was barely saving enough to keep herself alive, so we were worried about losing both of them.”

Sora nodded. “So you made a desperate, mad gamble out of love.” He sighed. “Light, taken to extremes, can be just as harmful as darkness. Guess I can’t really blame you, but I also can’t blame Equestria for retaliating.” he shook his head. “There just wasn’t a way for both sides to win, and you happened to be the side that lost. I’m sorry.”

“Um, you keep talking about darkness like it’s a bad thing,” Sonata pointed out, fixing him with a quizzical look. “But it’s really not. Changelings eat love and can survive off of happiness just like sirens eat all kinds of dark emotions, but guess which ones are bright and colorful, and which ones look like evil bugs.”

Sora shrugged. “You’re right, in a way. It’s a little more complex than ‘light is good, dark is evil.’ But…” Sora turned, glaring off to the side. “Darkness corrupts and consumes. That’s just its nature. Darkness naturally seeks to grow and to consume light. It’s difficult to work with, and even more difficult to actually control. Those that some call the ‘dark races’ actually have an advantage there; they’re naturally resistant to the corrupting influence of darkness. But the problem always arises when one of them gets too ambitious. Too steeped in darkness. Too greedy for power. When they fall, they fall hard. And they usually take everyone in the vicinity with them. When a pony falls to the darkness in her heart, it’s a tragedy. When a changeling falls, it’s an invasion.” He turned back to Sonata, his eyes hard and focused. “That’s why I fight the darkness, Sonata. It’s dangerous. Too dangerous to hope that the world can just manage its own balance. I’ve prevented the destruction of Equestria at the hands of the heartless several times. I’ve never had to put down someone who had too much light.”

“Starswirl had too much light,” Sonata replied softly, staring up at the ceiling. “All he could see when he looked at us was that we were stuffed with darkness, and he wouldn’t listen when I begged to let us go home first. Then Aria landed on me and pushed my face in the mud in the other world, then Adagio landed on her.” Swimming over to the edge of the bath, she sniffled. “I-I remember there was a pony, the only one of that village we didn’t get under our sway. He gathered all those other ponies, including Starswirl. He tried so hard to get us to use our songs for something better. But, Starswirl crushed his hope and made them banish us.”

Sora grunted and nodded. “He always was a stubborn old fool. Too proud to even think that he might be wrong. Most ponies wondered why he never received a keyblade, but that’s because most ponies didn’t know him personally. It was always his apprentice who tried to see better in others.” Sora smiled and reached over, patting Sonata on the head. “Hey, anyone ever tell you that you’re pretty smart?”

“I’m not smart, I’m old. I can’t really figure things out well without help if it’s something completely new, but I don’t have much trouble remembering things that were important to me.”

“Well, that makes you smarter than most people.” Seeing Sonata’s confused look, Sora continued. “Most people forget lessons that they’ve learned. And most people don’t change, especially when they get older. Take Sol, for example. I knew that this suite would be here because he hasn’t changed all that much in the last couple thousand years. He’s still making a lot of the same mistakes, still has most of the same flaws. But you? You’ve learned. You’ve grown. You’ve seen the mistakes and trials of your past and let them change you into someone better. That’s more than most people can say.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. “Including me. I… have perhaps a more black-and-white view of light and darkness than I should. And the fact that you were able to draw that confession out of me shows just how much you understand the subject. Honestly, if you were a native to this world, or even if you just stayed a bit longer, you’d get a keyblade for sure.”

Sonata thought for a minute before shaking her head. “Nah, working with water’s cooler, even if overdoing it makes me feel like I drank too much white lightning on a dare...again.” She smiled and closed her eyes while lifting a foreleg out of the water and trying to draw some of the water up along with it. “Xemnas told me I have a lot of natural talent with this, and he wants to see how complex I can get it all by myself. He’s saved a few lives, too.”

“I look forward to meeting him someday,” Sora said. “He sounds like a good guy. Has he been able to help Alex much?”

“Oh, he says he kinda can’t really help Alex the same way he’s helped a few others. He mostly just trains him. Someone’s been going around Equestria and stealing hearts. Xemmy does his best to help the newly formed nobodies find a purpose and a way to feel normal.

Sora froze, his face going pale. “...he helps who?”

“The nobodies,” Sonata repeated. “The latest one we found was that poor zebra.”

Sora stared off into space. His eyes were vacant, glassy. He stood suddenly, turning halfway to the door before stopping. “But, they haven’t…” He began pacing, muttering to himself. “But why not… just that world? But then could they… is it the world or… would an open portal… did I ever check…” His pacing grew more and more agitated, his face more and more panicked. “They could be… would we even… HOW would we…”

“Umm, Sora? Could you calm down? It’s not like the nobodies on our world are going to go around and do bad things to other worlds just because they did in your game. Alex started worrying about the same kind of thing before we sat down and had a chat with Xemnas, Ahuizotl, and Twilight.”

“It’s not about that!” Sora shouted, turning his panicked gaze to Sonata. “Nobodies don’t exist here! Whatever the BUYSOMEAPPLES MERCHANT did to this world when he brought me here, Nobodies weren’t included. But now? Now, for some reason, this world is open to others like me! What if that means that more changes are coming? What if nobodies suddenly exist now?! What if they…” Sora trailed off, his eyes still pointed at Sonata but now seeing something else. “What if they… what?”

He returned to pacing, far calmer this time. “What would they even be after? Kingdom Hearts doesn’t exist here; I would have sensed a change as fundamental as that. Which means they have no reason to seek it. Which means they have no reason to unleash heartless upon people. No hearts means no envy or spite, so they have no reason to just randomly attack people either. If they do exist… what would they even do? What would they even want?”

“Oh um, do you really know about nobodies?” Sonata asked, watching him pace. “Nobodies can make new hearts! They just have to form bonds with other people and grow a new one!”

Sora halted in his tracks and turned to stare at Sonata. “...form new hearts.” He began pacing again. “358… Axel did say… fans did speculate… I might remember something about…” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Well, no, it does, but that’s not urgent. If they do exist…” He sighed and sat back down, still staring off into space. “If they do exist, then they aren’t a threat. They have no reason to attack anyone. No reason to aid the heartless. They’re just… there.”

“And one more thing!” Sonata reached her hoof out and poked his nose. “If you destroy both the heartless and the nobody, the original reappears!”

Sora glared at Sonata, opening his mouth to snap at her. He stopped at the last second, his eyes going wide as he stared at her. “...not a soldier.” He groaned and leaned back, glaring at the ceiling. “I just went all ‘General Sora’ on you, didn’t I? I was about to shout at you for booping a superior officer.” He sighed and shook his head before looking back at her. “The original person reappears?”

“Uh huh! But I guess the trouble would be how would a nobody know when they’ve destroyed their heartless?”

Sora nodded. “That is tricky. I can do it, sometimes, but it’s tricky.” He shook his head again. “Anyway, that’s a topic for another time. Like, say, if we discover that nobodies even exist in this Equestria. The issue might not even come up.”

Sonata yawned and sank back slightly into the tub. Her eyes closed for a moment and she shook her head to clear it. “Mmm, this water’s nice and relaxing. Maybe you should see about getting Alex’s training set up while the two of us rest a bit more?”

Sora nodded and looked back at the main room where Alex was napping. “I’ll do that. Got to check in and see how the rest of the city’s doing anyway.” He started heading for the door, waving over his shoulder as he did so. “Let the guard know if you need anything.”