Keyblades in Equestria

by Zeryurijin

Corrupting Kingdom Hearts

It was one of those moments, when instinct buried deep in the pit of the stomach, warned you that something was wrong. That this whole scheme had been planned out since the very beginning. From the attack on Ponyville, to the assault on Celestia's Castle. That sinking suspicion of being drawn into a carefully laid trap. No one felt this harder then Mych.

Time seemed to slow to a snail's pace. Nightmare Moon, who had lured them all the way up the corridors and platforms of the castle struck first. Her speed. . .it was un natural. Zavier barely had enough time to draw her Keyblade up as the horn came bearing down upon her. Both were locked in a stalemate as sparks and snaps of dark magic flickered about them. As Mych took a few steps foward, Symxachi reached out with one hand and made a wrenching motion with the wrist. Agonizing pain flared up in his chest, causing him to stumble and fall to his knees, hand clutching at the source of this burning sensation.

A snap of the fingers from his other hand created a dark swirling vortex beneath pony and alicorn alike. Screams of shock and fear escaped their lips as the mane six along with Celestia, were ensnarled by dark tentacles. Zavier could not move to help them, as Nightmare was bearing down upon her, trapping the human beneath her and her weapon the only means of defending. Mych couldn't even move. It was as though his heart was ripped from his chest, leaving him to groan through gritted teeth and glare up at his Nobody.

"Remarkable isn't it? Though severed at the source, being able to manipulate has its benefits." The Nobody turned and cast his eyes on the moon,"I care not for being whole again. I care not for desiring a heart. I've never been more free then when we separated so long ago." Eyes glanced over as he watched the ponies struggle, seeing the anger flare up in the alicorn out of all of them,"Do you hate me your majesty? Do you despise me for all the harm I have done to your subjects?" A smile of malice spread across his face,"Good. The negative emotions in your heart will make for a fine addition." Twilight, struggling as they started to sink into the pool, managed to ask,"What do you want with us?"

Symxachi inhaled deeply then waved a gloved hand,"I suppose you deserve a reason as to why I wanted you and your. . friends. Are you not the Bearers of Harmony? Are you not the ones whom legend has made and your tales known far and wide across these lands?"

"Positive feelings, emotions of the heart. Your five friends represent them well. But. . .did they not also represent the opposite?"

The lavender unicorn struggled with this as her eyes watched in panic as her friends were being sucked down. That same, cold empty feeling that they experienced when they first entered the void on the other side, now crawled its way up her legs. They were paralyzed. It was like some force had frozen their bodies, their minds helpless to watch. Not even Princess Celestia could escape these bonds. Twilight looked on,"Yes!. ..there was the good and bad in my friends! What are you trying to say?"

Symxachi heard a clang!, a sudden gasp of shock, and looked to see Nightmare Moon knocked back. Zavier, still furious rushed forward, Keyblade shimmering as she attempted to rescue them,"Fool." the Nobody hissed, a drawing up a gloved hand to send a dark force of energy. Zavier barely had time to deflect it before the dark alicorn rushed in again, catching her off guard. The body check sent her hurling against the wall, the loud thud of impact followed before she fell to the floor unconscious. Satsified he turned to the remaining eight, seeing the rage burning in Mych's eyes as he laid there helpless.

"Equestria is by far the purest world of them all. Not a hint of taint or darkness mars her surface. What tarnish there once was, had been cleansed long ago. Thus its heart is strong and without stain. As Bearers of Harmony you too are strong and pure. I intend to change all of that." Eyes glanced up to the giant heart shaped moon and he shuddered slightly,"My former, fellow Nobodies only wanted Kingdom Hearts to be complete. They were weak! They did not realize the power given unto them to do even greater things. . . a waste. I have no desire to acquire a heart of my own. Only to shroud this world and many after it. . in utter Darkness." Cold steel eyes cast on Celestia,"I will take your dark emotions, your negative feelings, the very taint inside you.. and I will imbue it, grow it. And when it is complete.. .I will corrupt Kingdom Hearts itself!"

"With the corruption of Kingdom Hearts your world will fall! And it will spread! Every world's heart will be consumed by the Heartless, all of the inhabitants will fall. And while they suffer in anguish, those dark negative emotions will grow, feeding me, granting me power beyond Darkness itself! When Kingdom Hearts finally succumbs, the Keyblade will be no more! The Light will die and Night Eternal will forever reign with me as it Dark King!"

A soft gasp and a repressed voice replied,"Monster. . .you have no regard for the countless lives you are about so snuff out do you?" Symxachi left a soft laugh rock his body as the Nobody glided over to Celestia,"How bold of you Princess.. to call me a monster. If there is any monster in here it is you. What kind of sister would attack her own flesh and blood and then cast her to the moon as banishment? Truly cold and. . heartless of you."

Another snap of his fingers and Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie disappeared beneath those dark waves. Their screams were brief and it made Twilight shudder when the last thing she saw in her friends eyes. . .was fear. As that sickening feeling rose to her chin, the unicorn could only watch as her teacher, mentor, and friend stare in defeat,"Be strong my faithful student." Celestia whispered, a tear running down her cheek. Twilight nodded, feeling her eyes well up,"I will Princess Celestia." And then she was gone. The alicorn couldn't look away from that spot where her protege was once,"Awwwww. . .how touching.. .the teacher mourns the loss of her student. Oh fret not dear sister. . you'll be joining her quite soon. .. it the dark abyssal void. . . " Nightmare Moon sneered,"And then you'll be all alone, miserable with no one to comfort you in that dark prison.. .just as you did to me."

"Nightmare Moon!. . Leave her. When her Nobody emerges, you can torment it all you want. . .her fate is sealed." The dark alicorn huffed but withdrew, leaving Celestia to ponder what precious little seconds she had left. Eyes cast over to Zavier. The human was still out, no sign of movement coming from her limbs. They glanced over to Mych who was struggling to stand,"You must not allow him to do this. Surely you have power of him as he has over your heart. Is he not your missing half? Does he not feel the same as you? Do something!" Mych rose with a pained look in the eyes,"I'll never let it take me. I refuse to allow my anger and rage be the end of your world, majesty. No sacrifice is worth the loss of your home." Rising, using the Keyblade to lean on, he glared at Symxachi who merely regarded him as. . nothing.

"Admirable. . . yet lost. Give in. . .strike me down, save your friends and risk ending this precious world in your fury. Or simply yield and accept your end like every other pony." The castle began to vibrate, Celestia's last sight were of feeling a dark sensation spreading all over Equestria. . the Elements. . .the Nobody was corrupting them. . .the alicorn faded as well beneath the murk, gone to join her fellow ponies in what dark prison Heartless had for her. Mych was having trouble keeping stable as Symxachi rose both hands high above,"Kingdom Hearts! I offer unto you seven strong hearts, purest in all this world! Accept their power, their feelings, their emotions.. .be complete and whole!"

Nightmare Moon watched as six beams of light rose from the darkened ground below. She smirked at knowing one of them was Celestia's, the others her meddling followers and Bearers of the Elements. Soon their Heartless and Nobodies would show up. They would make most excellent body guards. And Symxachi would use their dark power to fuel the Dark Keyblade he had made the first day he arrived. Channel those negative feelings. And when the doors opened. . he would plunge that blade and create ruin every where. Ahh how she tasted victory. It was a shame she couldn't torment the sun goddess before he ended her. Oh well, there was her Nobody still.

As the six lights faded into the moon, Symxachi rose his hand towards the sky, a dark cloud brewing around his grasping fingers. A Keyblade emerged, dark and onyx in its creation while seven chains dangled from its hilt, each one symbolizing the Elements as well as the sun goddess. Each color faded and darkened till they were dull grays and blacks. . .all save for one. The Nobody looked in puzzlement as one refused to give in. Getting a closer inspection, he noted it was that of. . Laughter.

Though struggling to stand, Mych took note of this. . and smiled. Hearing Zavier starting to awaken, this emboldened him to move a few steps forward,"You look surprised there. What's wrong? I thought you had things figured out from the start? Why then the long face?" A murderous glance was placed upon him, before he hissed,"Deal with him, Nightmare. . .and end his partner as well." She grinned and turned on the two Keyblades,"You've caused me much pain colt!. . . I shall return that favor!" The human just narrowed his eyes and snarled,"I look forward to kicking your pompous ass all over the castle again wretch.. bring it!" Rearing up, Nightmare called her challenge and lunged for him, Mych ignoring the fierce pain in his chest drove his Keyblade up to meet her horn, as the two clashed.

While his second in command dealt with the. .leftovers, Symxachi turned to head back towards his balcony. There standing at the other side of the bridge was a pink pony, who was trembling, her head lowered. The once puffy mane and tail he recalled she had was now limp and straight. The head rose and eyes stared back with a silent anger,"My. . .friends." she said,"Give them back to me!"

The Nobody exhaled noisily and pointed the Keyblade at her,"And what will you do if I choose not to? Toss a cupcake in my eye? Never throw me a party? Foolish little filly. You can not comprehend the gravity of your error by trying to defy me. . ." He rose a hand and snapped his fingers. Five gray shapes appeared, surrounding Pinkie Pie. Nobodies bearing similiarities to her friends,"Your. .allies. . .as you wished. . .do play nice now."

Zavier groaned as she shook the dizziness from her mind. Last thing she recalled was getting thrown against the wall by Nightmare Moon. Looking around while coping with a headache, she realized none of the ponies where there. Loud clangs! and swooshes came from her left, the dark alicorn and Mych locked in heated combat. Across the bridge, stood Symxachi and he just stood there. Stood there as one lone pony was ganged up by five Nobodies. The human rose up and grasped her Keyblade, shaking the disorientation from her mind,"Got to help. . Pinkie Pie. . "

Pinkie Pie was slammed back into the railing of the balcony. The Nobody that kicked her, there was no lie it was Applejack's. Ignoring the pain in her neck and back, she rolled out of the way, just in the nick of time as the flying Nobody tried to bring its hooves down upon her like Rainbow Dash did when she performed a flying dive. Scrambling to the side, eyes watched as the other two Nobodies, conjoured strange faint squares. She gasped and dodged as they came hurling at her, the tinge of strange magic emanating. . Rarity's and Twilight's Nobodies.

She could hear the amused sound Symxachi made, just watching as the pony struggled against her former friends. His focus however shifted towards Zavier, the sound of her Keyblade scraping along the ground, sending sparks up as she attempted to strike him from behind. He parried the blow with his own and the two engaged,"You've lost foolish wielder. . . once the last falls, her heart is mine and my work complete. And this time you will not interfere!" Shoving her back, he brought forth a second Dark Keyblade and rushed Zavier, who threw up Barrier just in time. She winced as they fell upon the shield, their dark taint already sending cracks along the surface. The auras they emanated. . it was dark and sickening, making her stomach churn almost.

Eyes cast over to Pinkie Pie, watching that brave pony fight. But it was desperate and almost vain. They kept cornering her, one lassoing her by the hind legs and dragging her towards them. This wasn't a fight, it was a beat down,"Pinkie Pie listen!. . talk to them! They may be Nobodies but remember what we said! They carry the emotions and feelings, the shells of who they were! Deep down they are still your friends! Try and reach out to them!" A hmph sounded as she struggled against another double blow from Symxachi,"Try as she might, her calls will fall on deaf ears. . .they are mine.. as is their taint. Nothing can save her. Not even you two." Zavier gritted her teeth, broke her barrier and then went on the offensive, driving him back,"Don't listen to him! Not every Nobody is like him! They still remember! Reach out to them!"

The pink pony let out a soft cry as she was sent tumbling across the platform. Her body hurt, her head hurt, even her legs ached. Sniffling, she rose her head to the five as they closed in, her lips trembling,"T. .twilight. . .remember. ..remember the party I threw you when you first came to Ponyville? Y. .you were really surprised. . .and even though you paid no attention to me as I rambled on, you still stayed." The Nobody paused and tilted its head in puzzlement. Pinkie Pie's gaze shifted to Rainbow Dash's,"Dashie. . .remember all the fun jokes we played on all our friends?. . about how surprised you were that I was as much a prankster as you?. . .and despite Gilda being your friend and a big feather brained meanie. . .you chose us over her? Or how silly you were Applejack when we were all acting scared of Zecora that one time she came into town. . .before Twilight showed us how wrong we were?"

Another sniffle followed while Pinkie Pie hoisted herself up on her haunches,"Or when I thought every pony didn't want to come to Gummy's party. . .because they were throwing me a secret surprise one. And. . .even though I was being a dummy. . .none of you gave up on me. . not even you, Dashie.. .I'll never forget that day. I treasure it always along with all our memories together."

Dark pools of shadow surrounded her, sending shivers down Pinkie Pie's spine. Yet she didn't budge. Even as the Heartless ponies rose from them and created a circle, those yellow blank eyes just staring at her,"I.. I'm saying this because. . we're the bestest best friends ever. And that's what friends do. . .we have good times together, we help each other when a pony is feeling down. We share everything together." Their black hooves brushed against her body, the pink mare shivering at the tingling cold touch. They all leaned in as Pinkie Pie closed her eyes, waiting to join them in the darkness. . . .

Nightmare Moon was pushed back, her hooves scraping grooves into the paneled floor, Eyes narrowed as the human rushed her again, her horn catching the Keyblade in a swipe. Only to dodge as a dark pulse was case close again, the dark alicorn barely missing the attack. Zavier meanwhile, was battling fiercely against Symxachi. The Nobody fell silent, but the Keyblades he used were just as deadly and potent as his words. As all four clashed a bright light erupted where Pinkie Pie lay. Symxachi hissed in anger as its brightness stung his sight and made his skin burn in agony. Zavier and Mych watched in awe as did Nightmare Moon as the light grew brighter, covering the balcony.

It vanished as quickly as it appeared. When sight cleared, Pinkie Pie was still there, being hugged by her friends. She sniffled and was smiling even as tears ran down her cheeks, the very presence of their return, couldn't have made her any happier,"I missed you girls." she whispered to them,"Thank you Pinkie Pie." a shaking unicorn murmured,"For saving us."

Symxachi was speechless. Silver eyes in utter shock as the Bearers of Elements were once again whole, their hearts returned. Already the keychains on his weapon had brightened and shattered, the Nobody hissing in anger as it faded from his grasp,"This. . .can not be!" he snarled. Zavier just smiled and pointed,"You've forgotten the one thing that ended the Organization. It's power was felt as far back as when Sora, Riku and Kairi wanted to escape their island. Its that power that made two Nobodies Roxas and Axel. . who though, did not have a heart, never stopped them from coming together. And its the one thing that continues to thrive in this world, no matter how dark you make it sound." Raising a hand she placed it on her chest,"Friendship triumphs even in the darkest of nights. Its power is second only to the heart itself, Symxachi. For the heart is the source of all Light. And that is something you can NEVER end."

"NO!"

Zavier rose to strike him down. The Nobody quickly ported from the side of the balcony to near the doors, Nightmare Moon coming to his side,"Master. .what do we do?" Mych was heading in their direction, Zavier coming across the bridge. Behind her came Twilight and her friends, each wearing an item the Nobody did not notice until now. But the alicorn knew them,"The Elements of Harmony!" she hissed with a soft whimper. Symxachi clenched his hands in frustration, as they were being backed into the doors that let out, the two Keyblades along with the Bearers of Harmony surrounding them,"Master we must flee!" He was furious. He refused to retreat! But as those ponies drew closer, the power emanating from those necklaces and from the tiara. .its pulse was almost akin to a Keyblade. .and that was not good news in either sense. Whirling around, he willed the huge doors to open before them. With a groan and a creak they parted, revealing the main room that would lead to their escape. Only it was blocked off by three figures.

"Well would you look at that, Sora. Looks like we found him."
"Huh, saves us the trouble of looking for him, eh Riku. Say. . uuh. . Celestia was it? This the Nobody giving you problems?
"Indeed you two. This one has been causing my subjects and your fellow wielders trouble."

To Symxachi's amazement and anger, there stood Princess Celestia,"H. .how?!" was all the Nobody could muster. Sora and Riku looked at one another then back to him,"You know. .for some big honcho wanna-be, this guy is dense. Kinda feel sorry for him, Riku." The taller human chuckled,"Ahh don't feel bad, Sora. . look who he hails from." Mych grumbled and snorted,"I heard that!" Sora just sighed and shook his head,"In a nut shell. We found her half way up here. Don't know what you were trying to pass her off as, but c'mon! Xemnas put up more of a fight then her Heartless and Nobody did."

Symxachi and Nightmare Moon were trapped. Sora, Riku and Celestia covered their escape while Mych, Zavier and the Bearers were making any other means of escape impossible. The dark alicorn was on the verge of panicing. She had no desire to be defeated once again and it showed,"There's no way out! We're trapped! What do we do?" The Nobody's anger once boiling over, soon ebbed and died down,"Modify. . ." Quick as a blink, he grabbed the alicorn by her neck, Nightmare Moon screeching in shock. Eyes narrowed at his enemies he quickly vanished before any one or pony could move,"W. .where did he go?" Rarity asked. Sora looked ahead beyond them, pointing,"There!"

They all rushed to see him floating before the Heart shaped moon, Nightmare Moon struggling in his grasp,"Master?! What are you doing?!" she gasped. Those eyes widened as the Keyblade appeared in his hand,"Improvising. . " came his cold reply,"B.. but. . why?" Symxachi never responded. Instead he thrusted the weapon into the dark alicorn, her screams echoed into the empty air around them. Twisting the blade within her, she faded in a dark flurry of mists and broken specks of shadow, the dark energy she once held was coursing up the Keyblade. As the power surged through him, Symxachi turned and faced the moon, arms outstretched. . . and then vanished.

Eyes looked everywhere. . there was no trace. Even his aura had faded,"Where did he go? There was no way out for him." Sora said. "Kingdom Hearts. He's gone there. . to corrupt it and finish what he was trying to start." Mych said. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over to see Riku standing there,"What do you mean?" Before he could answer a soft glow appeared at the end of the balcony before twin doors appeared out of no where,"Look..I can't give you the full story right now but I will say this. If we don't stop him within, Kingdom Hearts is finished along with this world." Both nodded as Twilight and her friends joined them,"We're coming too." Sora looked puzzled and opened his mouth, but Zavier shook her head,"Its a long story but frankly, they would be a big help as well." Riku and Sora looked at one another but said nothing.

The four Keyblade wielders and the Bearers of Elements approached the doors. Celestia watched on and she simply asked,"What is on the other side?" The four humans looked at her then all nodded, Sora replying,"Kingdom Hearts. As guardians, its our duty to protect it." She nodded as the doors slowly opened, awaiting them and the ponies to enter,"Good luck my friends." Celestia said before they all vanished.