"Ugh, I can't believe I ever fell for that ruffian!" Rarity yelled, levitating an assortment of sewing materials onto a table. Ever since the Gala, Rarity continually found herself reminded of her experience with Prince Blueblood. This in turn left the fashionista in a ranting state at random intervals.

"Yeah..." Sora responded, only half listening. He had agreed to help Rarity with a new line she was preparing, per her invitation.. He in turn became an ear for her to talk off with her frustrations. He was still out of it. The pink mare he saw the other day continued to surface in his mind. She looked so much like the girl Sora missed most.

Over the past few days, Sora lost most of the general optimism that he usually had. He spent his time working on the farm, but he mostly sulked around all day long, not talking to anyone. The others noticed how Sora was acting and had asked what was wrong, but he always brushed it off, saying nothing was wrong. The main reason for Rarity inviting Sora over was to perhaps get him in a better mood. This did not stop Rarity from venting.

"I should just find myself a new colt-friend and rub it in Blueblood's face!" Rarity ranted. In her raving, she casted a glance to the caramel pegasus in the room. She had said her last statement in spite, but perhaps it was not such a bad idea. Thinking about it, Sora was the complete antithesis to Blueblood: charming, respectful, courageous. He was practically a prince himself, "Yes, somepony who could show that charlatan how a true gentlecolt behaves," Rarity began to slowly approach Sora, "Somepony who's chivalrous, handsome, and has such great taste in fashion," Sora snapped out of his slump. He overheard what Rarity said, and it made him feel uncomfortable, "A very charming and heroic stallion," The marshmallow mare fluttered her eyelashes, slowly lifting her right fore hoof behind Sora's neck, "Somepony like you."

"NO!" Rarity's hoof was forced back, jolting her out of her fantasy. She peered at Sora with pure shock. The caramel pegasus looked back at Rarity with pure anger. Rarity knew not what she did to earn his malice, but she had it, "You don't get to play with my heart like that!"

Sora's thunderous outburst was loud enough to shake the windows. There was a tense silence. Sora breathed heavily through gritted teeth. He looked at Rarity. When his anger dialed down, he came to realize just how scared she truly looked. He released the tension on his muscles

"R-Rarity..." Sora stammered. For some odd reason, he couldn't find the words to apologize. Tears were forming in his eyes, and his breathing grew heavy.

"Sora," Rarity reached out in concern.

Sora shook his head, backing away towards the front door, "I'm-I'm sorry..." He managed through choked sobs before opening the door. He sprinted away, not even bothering to close the door behind him. Rarity stood there, shaken with swirling emotions with only the sound of squeaky front door accompanying her.

Nothing.

That's all he saw in every direction, nothing. Whenever he was in a place like this, there was normally some sort of light to guide him, but no such light appeared. He was trapped i this endless abyss, for how long he did not know. He only kept moving. There, finally, in the distance was something. He quickened his pace. The being was female. As he got closer, her features became more noticeable, more recognizable.

Sora smiled, he knew who it was.

"Kairi!" Sora ran forward with a smile on his face. When he reached her, Sora grabbed her wrists and pulled them closer to his chest, "Kairi, I found you!"

Kairi looked up at Sora. Upon seeing her face, Sora changed his expression—something was wrong. Her face was not of the kindhearted soul that he knew and loved. Her complexion was pale, and her eyes were lost, unfocused.

"Kairi, what's wrong?" He asked with great concern. He payed close attention to her, seeing that her iris' found their way to him.

"You didn't protect me..." She muttered aimlessly. Sora's grip on Kairi's wrist lessened, but not of his own volition. Her entire form began to glow a bright blue color, thus making her translucent. In an instant, her entire body crystalized into a translucent blue color, her features becoming more jagged. Sora panicked, lunging his limbs forward towards Kairi in a vain attempt to save her. Kairi's entire form shattered into shimmering particles just before Sora could embrace her. All that was left for him was nothing, no one for him.

"No..." Sora breathed. He dropped down, tears falling freely from his eyes. He collapsed onto the ground, his tears transitioning into full sobbing. This was how it was, Sora would find Kairi, only to be ripped away from her. Never did he get his deepest wish, it was all but a fleeting dream. He never gets to have happiness.

"How sad," Spoke a hoarse and low voice. Sora ceased his sobbing and shot his head up. There, right in front of him was the man responsible for all of Sora's sufferings, for the sufferings of so many people, "This is to be your reward after all of your trials, all of your sacrifices."

Sora felt a new emotion boil up inside of him: rage. Simply gazing upon this man set off every nerve in the body. He was responsible for taking her away. Sora brandished his keyblade and ran forward, letting out a blood curtailing scream of anger. He swung down on the man with the full intention of ending it, only for him to block Sora's attack with that wicked keyblade of his. The man lunged his arm forward, causing Sora to fly off in an arc before landing hard on his back.

"You were never strong enough to save her," He taunted. Sora opened his eyes, only to feel his throat go numb. There was nothing in this great big expanse, but now there was a great heart shaped moon overlooking above. It's pristine golden majesty was soon tarnished when a growing darkness spread across it like a plague. Sora looked on in utter horror, "You were never strong enough to save anyone..."

Sora shot up from his bed, raggedly gasping for breath. His eyes darted around his current environment. Seeing that he was still in his room at the Apple house, he lowered his hyperventilating into a calmer breathing pattern.

"All of my... Sacrifices?" Sora repeated.

"You're all just lining up to lose out. Dooming others to take the fall with ya. Oh, and you can spare me the usual party line. Yes, hearts are powerful when they're connected. But if you put too much of that power in one place, some of those hearts might end up breaking."

Sora never took much credence into what that guy said, but now that the Keyblade wielder was facing the after effects of his actions, he could not help but wonder...

"And at the end, you'll finally realize what destiny has in store for you."

Sora sighed in depression, "Destiny really hates me..."

Following Sora's nightmare, he went on ahead with his daily chores at the farm. He spent three hours apple bucking trees for their delicious apples. There was no enthusiasm in his work. He only wished to keep his mind occupied. All that was on his mind was Kairi, and how far away she was from him.

While transporting a bucket full of apples, Sora felt something tugging at his sleeve. He stopped in his tracks to look down at what was holding him. There was little Apple Bloom, smiling and grabbing Sora's sleeve with her teeth. She let go once she had his attention.

"Hey, Sora," Apple Bloom graciously greeted with a smile, a smile Sora did not reciprocate, "Wanna help me an' the Crusaders earn our fencin' cutie marks?!"

Sora sighed, continuing on with his trek, "Not today, sorry," He said.

Apple Bloom looked let down to say the least, "Why not?"

"I just don't feel like it," Sora replied, not glancing at the yellow filly. Said filly puffed up her cheeks indignantly.

"That's what ya said yesterday," She glared at Sora as she trotted beside him, "You didn't help us with our jousting cutie marks, our parkour cutie marks, and know ya won't help us with our fencin' cutie marks. It's not like yer doin' anything anyway. Ya'll are just sittin' around when yer not workin'. What in the heck are you hidin'?"

"Apple Bloom!" Sora stopped trotting and stomped his hoof on the ground. The later action caused Apple Bloom to flinch back with wide eyes, "That's enough!"

Apple Bloom stayed in silence. Her mind drifted back to the poison joke incident. She remembered—she angered Sora so much that he pinned her down against a tree. She was so frightened when that happened, the look of malice in his eyes was frightening, even if he was a colt at the time. She felt a similar sort of fear now. She could not see his eyes, yet she imagined they looked terrifying.

"O-okay then... I'll stop bothering you then," Apple turned the other way, slowly trotting off the farm with her ears drooped and her head hung low.

When Apple Bloom left, Sora released a breath he did not know he was holding. He felt guilty pushing Apple Bloom away like that, but how could she ever understand?

When Sora was done on the farm, he trotted into the town park, where few ponies were today. He did not know why he entered the park; then again, why did anyone do anything? Ponies tried to greet him, but Sora payed them no mind. He diid not feel like talking to anyone, he just had his head hung low.

"There you are, Sora," spoke a familiar, elegant voice. Sora snapped to attention. In front of him was Rarity. Her expression was unreadable, she did not seem happy or angry. She only looked with a neutral expression.

Sora stumbled his words, "Rarity—I..." He had no idea how to address her after what happened yesterday.

"Please, allow me," Rarity held her hoof up, prompting Sora to keep silent. The caramel pegasus was not prepared for what was about to happen next, "I want to apologize for yesterday," She spoke in a neutral tone, closing her eyes as she spoke, "I wasn't considerate of your feelings. I could just say that I wasn't thinking clearly, but I should have known better," Sora took in what Rarity was saying, "I knew you weren't feeling well and I allowed my selfishness to take over," Despite the fact that she was apologizing to him, the tone of her voice made him feel uneasy, "However, I cannot particularly condone your outburst yesterday. I'd dare say you were over exaggerating."

Sora hung his head in shame. He knew it was true. Why couldn't he properly apologize for how he acted?

"Sora, I don't know what's going on with you," Rarity continued, "But all of us are gravely worried about you. We only wish to help you in anyway we can. I don't like to see you upset, none of us do," Rarity opened her eyes, showing clear signs of worry and empathy, "Please, talk to me. What's gotten you to be so uncharacteristically grumpy?"

Sora stared at the ground. He felt guilty about worrying his friends like this. However, he saw no way for him to relay what was wrong. Besides that, he did not want to talk about what was wrong.

He did manage a response, "I'm sorry, Rarity. I'm not in a place to say," Even it it was a paltry one.

Rarity glared at Sora in response. She closed her eyes again, only now her face had contorted into a scowl, "Fine, have it your way," Rarity walked passed Sora, and that was it, no parting words or anything.

When Sora was by his lonesome, he lowered his head in sadness. This was all too much for him. Nopony could hear his silent crying nor see the tears that fell from his cheeks.

Why was this all so difficult?

The following day, Twilight was in the town square, sitting on a bench with eyes firmly glued to a book she had with her. Ponies mulled about, going on with their day and not disturbing Twilight's reading time. They very much knew how Twilight was with books.

"Twilight!" Spoke a mare's voice. Twilight took her attention away from the sanctity of written words to see Applejack approaching.

"Hey, Applejack," Twilight graciously greeted, closing her book and stepping off her bench, "Do you need something?"

"Do ya'll know where Sora is?" The farm mare asked, "I haven't seem 'im all mronin'."

"Sora's in Canterlot," Twilight answered, earning her a puzzled stare from Applejack, "Yesterday, he asked that I have Spike send a letter to Princess Celestia requesting an audience."

"What's he goin' to see the Princess fer?"

"I asked him that too," Twilight replied, "He said he wants her advice."

Applejack became angered, "Let me get this straight. He's going to talk to the Princess 'bout his problems, but he won't talk to us?"

Twilight got on the defensive, "That's not fair, Applejack."

"Why not?" Applejack indignantly stated, "You've seen how Sora's been acting lately. He don't feel like he can trust us with his problems."

Twilight sighed, "Actually, I think I might have an idea why he's been so silent."

"What?" Applejack's eye's widened, "You know what's wrong with him?"

Twilight paused for a moment before answering, "After the gala, him and I had a discussion. He talked about some pretty personal things," She would never forget that moment. That night, Twilight was given a glimpse to what Sora's past was like.

"What kinda things," Applejack probed.

"I'm sorry, Applejack, but I don't want to betray Sora's trust like that," Twilight denied. Sora had given her something nopony else had. She needed to honor the trust he had given her. However, she still understood that Sora could not keep going on the way he was now, "If anypony's going to talk about his issues, it's going to be him."

Applejack felt the need to remind Twilight of a certain fact, "He won't talk to us about his problems."

Twilight nodded her head in agreement, "That's why, when Sora returns from his trip from Canterlot, we and the rest of the girls are going to hold an intervention and pry it out of him," Applejack tilted her head, curious as to how Twilight got this idea. The farm mare took a cursory glance at the book Twilight was carrying; the title read 'How to Hold an Intervention 101.' In the past, Twilight would have hesitated to question Sora about things that bothered him, given how he reacted to her Keyblade research all those months ago. However, the circumstances were different now. "Right now, Sora needs our help."

After hearing Twilight's plan, Applejack was more than on board, "Darn tootin'! Ah hate seein' Sora so glum."

"Me too, Applejack," Twilight nodded. The purple unicorn and the farm mare were distracted from their determination when the sound of loud thunder assaulted their eardrums, making them flinch at the loud noise. The other ponies all stopped what they were doing when the thunder went off

"That's funny, ah don't remember a thunder storm scheduled fer today," Applejack remarked.

"There isn't," Twilight said, bringing a hoof to her chin in thought.

"What in tarnation!" Applejack yelled. Her outburst nearly made Twilight jump out of her skin from the sheer surprise alone. Looking over at the farm mare, Twilight could see that her pupils had shrunken dramatically.

"Applejack, what's wrong?" The farm mare pointed her hoof past Twilight. The unicorn turned around to see. When she saw it, her jaw nearly hit the floor, "Is that a pink rain cloud?!"

Sora had been to Canterlot before. Each time he entered the city before, he stood in awe of it's majesty. However, now his heart was too stricken with sadness, so he felt no awe, even as he entered the castle.

"So much has depended on me. No one in this world even knows how close they were to being destroyed not that long ago. Now I don't have my closest friends with me, and I starting to lose the friendships I've made here."

Sora entered the royal throne room. There was Celestia, as gracious and elegant as ever. The Princess had been expecting Sora, yet one look at her fellow keyblade wielder told her that he was in a solemn mood. His muzzle hung low, his eyes were lost, his smile was gone.

"You may leave," Celestia informed her guards. The armor clad stallions saluted their princess before making their leave. Now that the only other occupant in the throne room was the caramel pegasus in front of her, Celestia rose from her throne, "Is something the matter, Sora? You look troubled."

"Princess, I could really use some advice right now," Sora requested.

"I'm here to help you in any way I can," Celestia obliged, "Might this have something to do with your home world?"

"I've been here for months, and I'm no closer to finding my friends than I was before. I've put it at the back of my mind—but lately, it's all I can think about," Sora reached into his jacket pocket to pull out his wayfinder, "There's someone I want to be with so badly, but I can't get to her..."

Celestia listened intently to what Sora was saying, especially the last sentence he spoke. Now she understood—it was a love issue.

"The worst part is, I've been taking my anger out on the friends I have here," Sora thought back to those moments, Twilight, Apple Bloom, and Rarity. He hurt all three of them. Worst of all, Rarity chastised him when he refused to talk about what was wrong. It was like when Twilight wanted to learn about the keyblade, she got so frustrated when Sora refused to give her the answers she wanted, "I feel like I'm about to lose them all as friends. I don't know what to do."

"Sora, why is it that you felt the need to talk to me specifically?" Celestia questioned. Sora looked up at Equestria's leader, "Why not inform your friends in Ponyville of your plight?"

Sora tilted his head in confusion at Celestia's suggestion, "But, didn't you tell me to not tell them anything, especially Twilight?"

"I don't mean to suggest you tell all of Equestria," Celestia shook her head, "Just your close friends."

"If I did, I'd have to tell them everything," Sora said, "That I'm not really a pony. They'll know that I've been lying to them this whole time," Sora knows all too well what Applejack thinks of liars. Would she even talk to him again? What about the others? What would they think? "What if—what if they stopped being my friend because of it?"

"It seems to me that your silence is already driving your friends away," Celestia responded. Sora lowered his head in shame. What the Princess said was true. A part of him was still unsure about the whole thing. He wasn't even sure why he was concerned about maintaining the world order. He never really thought much of it before. Maybe he has changed in some way, "Sora, might I share something with you? I've read through all of Twilight's friendship letters thoroughly. In all those letters, I see a common theme pop up. Many a time when a pony was uncertain, you were there to guide them through their troubles. Do you remember when Twilight lost all hope when Nightmare Moon destroyed the elements of harmony? You still stood in defense of Equestria and showed her that there was still hope."

Sora still held his head low. Celestia trotted over to the forlorn pegasus and lifted his chin with her hoof. With this, Sora looked up into Celestia's motherly eyes.

"Sora, you've been such a positive influence on those around you. I was never able to get Twilight to accept friendship, but you got her to do it in less than a day. If you're not convinced, think about the other times you've helped your friends. Giving Fluttershy the confidence to confront the dragon, helping Rainbow Dash win the Young Flyers Competition, sorting out Rarity's dress problem, brokering peace between the Buffalo and Appleoosans, assuring Spike he was valued. You've had such a positive influence on the lives of your friends, I'm sure they want to reciprocate the kindness that you've showed them. You might think you need my help, but it's really their help that you need. And If your still worried about your friends outside of Equestria, just remember that connections of the heart can be found again. Just as my sister returned to me, so will your friends return to you."

Celestia gave the caramel pegasus a warm and caring smile. Sora felt his eyes getting watery. Doing his best to hold back his tears, Sora smiled back at the ruler of Equestria.

"Thank you," Sora threw his hooves around Celestia in a tender embrace. She was taken aback but returned the gesture nonetheless. The two ponies broke away from their hug after a minute, with Sora looking more motivated than before, "Yeah, I really should tell the others. I've just been so confused lately, I wasn't sure what to do. But now I remembered, friends will always be there for you, no matter what."

"I'm glad that I was of some assistance, Sora," Celestia gave a curt nod, "However, I must request that you still keep my Keyblade a secret from Twilight. That's a revelation I should reveal to her myself when the time is right."

Sora tilted his head, "Okay, but what do you mean by 'when the time is right?'"

Celestia chuckled mischievously, "You'll find out soon enough."

Sora blinked twice. Clearly he was not getting any answers. He found himself drifting his head towards the large castle windows. His face shifted into confusion.

"Huh, that's weird. I didn't know Equestria had pink rain clouds."

Celestia's eyes widened, "We don't," She turned her head towards the window. To her shock, Sora was not lying. There were storm clouds that were colored bright pink, "That isn't right at all."

It didn't take long until the two ponies dashed outside to investigate. It was not just that the cloud was pink, it was also raining a brown, syrupy liquid. There was not only one, but multiple pink clouds stretched across all of Canterlot, and they only seemed to be multiplying by the minute. Sora and Celestia were outside the castle, floating above the gardens.

"Where in the world did these come from?" Celestia asked, "I haven't seen anything like this since..." The Princess stopped herself. Her pupils dilated and her throat grew hoarse.

"Whatever they are, I'll get rid of them!" Sora declared, dashing towards one of the clouds. As a pegasus, Sora had the ability to destroy rainclouds. However, these were no ordinary rainclouds. When Sora's hooves made contact, the could stayed as it was. Sora's hooves stuck themselves in and he had trouble pulling them out. When he did pull free, some of the pink substance lingered. It smelled sweet, "Wait a second, these aren't clouds," He tasted the sticky pink substance, his eyes widening when he recognized the taste, "This is cotton candy!" Just then, he was immediately drenched in the brown liquid. Apparently, one of the pink clouds had materialized right above him. As he was drenched, a sudden realization occurred to Sora. He recognized this substance as well. To make sure, he opened his mouth so that he could taste it, "This is chocolate milk!"

"It can't be..." Celestia muttered. Sora glanced over at Celestia, noting the pure worry on her face. Before he could ask what was wrong, Celestia bolted away. Sora gave chase not too long after.

Celestia landed near an empty stone pedestal. Small stone chips were strewn about on top and around the structure, indicating that something was there before. The Princess bit down on her hoof in anxiety, "This cannot be!" She dreaded.

"Your Majesty!" Sora caught up with Celestia, "What's going on? You looked scared."

Celestia turned to Sora, lowering her head so that she was eye level with him. From this angle, Sora was able to clearly see the fear in her eyes, "Sora, return to the throne room. I must contact Twilight and the others immediately!"

"Why?" Sora hastily asked.

"Something terrible has been unleashed," Celestia grimly stated, "I'll explain everything later. You must go!"

Sora felt uneasy about this situation. Nonetheless, he nodded to the Princess and flew his way back into the throne room. All of his nerves grew tense as he recalled the urgency in Celestia's voice.

"What could've made her worry like that?"