Tainted Equestria. That's the nickname this world received after the void itself bled into its core. Once a bright and life filled world now brought its inhabitants to the brink of extinction and into the depths of despair. This land, is beyond salvation, yet those who stay, stay out of honor and duty. This was the world they were born to, and void or not, this world was their home, and it was still here, still whole. Beaten, cracked and malformed but whole nonetheless. They would be damned before leaving it.

It's only known settlement, Evergreen Village, it's numbers small, but people strong. The best guardian here was Vanitas. He protected this world, but he wasn't alone.

Aid came from Daybreak, food, medicine, the basics. Vanitas was by the latest shipment. A king from the capitol arrived. The government and how it all worked went well above him, but aid was aid. And this King, was someone he knew too well. "Xehanort." Vanitas said with a tone as cold as ice.

"Vanitas. Surprised to see me?"

"Extremely. Weren't you dead, or last I remember, working with Core?"

"A lot has changed Vanitas. More than I can explain."

Huffing, Vanitas turned away from his former master, the man who ripped him out of Ventus's heart. "So why are you here?"

"I understand Keyblades have lost their power, from what was told you have a few correct?"

"Yes. We've tried many ways to repower them but nothing. The light of Kingdom Hearts no longer reaches here, and the void of this world blocks darkness so we can't modify then to use that either."

Smiling, Xehanort nodded. "Bring me to them."

"Find them yourself." Vanitas said, taking leave.

Brushing off the encounter, Xehanort searched, finding the lifeless Keyblades. Sighing, he placed a hand over them. "It's alright, I'm here." They whispered softly, touching their chest, over their heart as a warming blue glow emerged, it's light sending forth power back into the weapons. Their full metal burst to life as their colors returned. "There we are. You're welders are gone, I'm afraid, not even their hearts are to be found. Rest for now, you will find new wielders, and the fate of your former wielders will not go unjustified. The one who will end their murderer will arrive here soon, and their lives will be avenged." Xehanort said, disbanding them.

Taking leave, he stopped, looking out to the clouded sky. "What are you looking at?" Said the former princess of the night, walking up to Xehanort with her metallic limbs.

"This town. How far have you been able to search?"

"Only the ruins of Ponyville and Canterlot. Why?"

"There are more." Xehanort said, raising a finger towards a direction. "There's hundreds, many far north, and more across this world still."

"Many… you mean, there's still ponies out there?!" Luna asked in fear and hope.

"Ponies. Griffons. Dragon's, Yaks, Changelings, and so many others. Across this whole world I'd say in total there are five thousand, two hundred and forty six beings still alive here. Not counting basic wildlife."

The former monarch of the night smiled, laughing as tears flowed like rain. "I thought… I tried looking for others, their dreams…"

"The void of this world would have altered it's dream realm counterpart. It limited you." Xehanort said, petting Luna along her neck for comfort. "Fret not. I'll find those who are in immediate danger, and the rest will be found."

"How… how many in Equestria alone?" Luna asked.

"One thousand, two hundred and sixteen."

"This place isn't big enough for them all."

"Not yet."

"Hm?"

Still smiling, Xehanort walked over to the makeshift wall. Stones and concrete pasted together, fortified by large tree trunks. "This will never do." They said that the warming blue light from their heart now covering their arms, soon images of ones and zeros were appearing in it. "Eroquis… I'll make you proud." Xehanort said, letting the code flow out a large distance around the small village, covering the Forest and even into the Ponyville ruins. Former ruins. The buildings now broken and shattered became whole and complete as the days before. The castle of the two sisters and it's half repaired state now stood tall and proud again. Once everything was repaired too days before, many new buildings, roads and even the apple farm was grown back to glory. Lastly, around it all, raised a Wall fit for war. Two miles high, three miles thick, and fortified by ruins of protection, ancient and powerful.

The citizens were away struck. This surpassed what they witnessed from Cript so long ago. This was a miracle. Cheers and praise erupted as hope filled their hearts. Luna sat speechless, watching as Xehanort left through the walls tunnel outside. One of many. Already with walls and barriers every half mile, for extra protection.

After a long walk, reaching the outer wall and took a step outside, the stopped. "I know you are there Vanitas." Xehanort said, the figure in question appearing out from the shadows.

"Mind telling me what the hell this is?" Vanitas said, waving at the mountain of a wall.

"There are others. So many still alive outside where you haven't reached. I prepared this place to house them all. There is more than enough room, and with hard work more than enough food."

"But why? Since when do you ever-"

"Like I said." Xehanort interrupted. "A lot has changed."

The first stop Xehanort reached was the ruins of Appleoosa, then Dodge City. Between the two a total three hundred were here. Sensing the hearts of others was a useful ability for tracking and searching. As part of Kingdom Hearts, he was able to use this to find the survivors.

This town was not large, no tall buildings but many were destroyed. Through clearly not from battles, this type of damage had to have come from what Blueblood did. "Now then, where could they be holding up?" Xehanort asked nobody as they looked around, sensing the hearts of this area in a massive group, but not where. The void of the land scrambling their exact location from them. As they gazed around the former town, they spotted a large field filled with apple trees. "A food source is the perfect encampment."

Running over towards the orchard, upon closer inspection many tents, makeshift tree houses and campfires. Many ponies and even buffalo walked along the encampment.

Making his way into it, an earth pony stallion with a brown best, Cowboy hat and a deep scar along his neck ran up to him. "And who might you be fella?" They asked with caution.

"Relax, I come to offer aid. There is a proper settlement, Evergreen Village, it's safe and secure there. You can see the walls from atop that hill up there. Surely you saw those glowing lights?"

The stallion remained skeptical, but nodded. "We saw those blue lights. But we don't know what that was. Who are you anyway?"

"My name is Xehanort. What is yours?"

"Braeburn. How do I know I can trust you? After that event, a lot of good creatures died, and folks have been as jittery as a newborn foal."

"What can I do to get your trust then?"

"This settlement, who is there?"

"Many, all ponies, your Buffalo friends are welcome as well. The Princesses, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack-"

"Applejack!? My cousin's alive?!"

"Yes. She and Applebloom are alive. Wounded and recovering, but alive nonetheless."

"What about Big Mac? Granny Smith?" Xehanort simply shook their head. The news hurt, but Braeburn sighed. "At least somepony I know is alive and well. You said so are the Princesses?"

"Yes, but not without Injuries themselves."

"I see… I'll talk with the others. A lot of them are still in shock and the buffalo have lived here for Generations. Might not be easy to convince all of them that there's a better place out there."

"I understand, but speaking from experience, Pride ends a life quicker than time. Culture knows no single spot or location, it knows only the people who keep it alive."

"Those are wise words. Might have to use that if things go south."

"I'm heading to Dodge Junction next. I'll be back shortly."

"There are ponies alive at Dodge Junction?"

"There is life on the world still. Scattered and broken, but alive nonetheless." Xehanort said with a nod, taking off for the next town.

Using a small darkness ability for teleportation, Xehanort arrived at the town within minutes. The town was far better off than Appleoosa, but still had it's damage. The cherry tree orchard here was expanded passed it's initial fences and some ponies were seen harvesting them.

Xehanort spoke with Cherry Jubilee, the sudo leader of the survivors, given it was her orchard that kept them all alive. It was a unanimous vote to move to Evergreen Village, but Cherry Jubilee didn't feel right leaving her family farm. "Then let's move the farm" Xehanort said.

"Uh, sweetheart, did you hear yourself? This is over five hundred Acer's of fully grown cherry trees. To move it all would take at least a hundred train trips and the trains have not exactly been operational since that day."

"I have a trick or two up my sleeve." Xehanort said with a smile. "I just need to check in with the Appaloosa survivors."

"I figured either ponies or the buffalo would have made it. Tough town they are, new but sturdy, the ponies and the location."

Xehanort gave a nod. "I'll be back, I'll see what Appleoosa say-"

"Don't bother." Turning, Xehanort saw Vanitas enter the room. "They're here already. Whatever you said to them got them hopefully. I just confirmed that hope."

”Well, let’s get them to Everfree Village.” Xehanort said.

“And how are we going to do that?” Vanitas asked.

Smirking, Xehanort walked outside, Cherry and Vanitas close behind. Seeing Appaloosa’s survivors here as well, he raised an arm to the sky. In a flash of blue, Keyblades filled the sky, one each floated over to a pony, or buffalo. “Gliders?” Vanitas asked.

“No. I just wanted to get that out of the way first.” Xehanort said, both arms began glowing blue, soon those strings of code appeared within them as well. He pinched his thumb and middle finger together, and snapped.

Blinking, everyone was dazed for a moment, seeing they were elsewhere. Cherry trees and apple trees decorating the whole of the new area. Braburn recognized it as Ponyville, though far fewer ponies. Nody knew what happened, but they were not in Appaloosa, nor Dodge Junction. “Welcome to Everfree Village. You’ll find I merged things quite nicely.”

“Show off.” Vanitas chuckled.

“How in the…” Braburn asked.

“Best not to ask. The explanation will only raise more questions.” As Everyone began to explore, finding where to settle in, Xehanort was beginning to leave again. “So soon?” Vanitas asked.

“There are still so many, and there is something on this world that dislikes the hope I’m giving. I’d prefer to find the survivors quickly."

"Fair enough. So, care if I tag along?"

"So you trust me now?"

"Not in the slightest. But, much like you I claim to have turned over a new leaf, and I take every opportunity to show it."

Xehanort gave a slight smile. "Fair enough. Let's go then."

The following week so many were found. From Las Pegasus to the Crystal Empire. While it favored better in terms of condition, it was frozen over. The void of the land tainted it's crystal heart, making it as useless as stone. Those still alive were barely alive, held within the Castle. It was here Xehanort found Cadence, her child Flurry Heart and husband Shining Armor. Much like with Applejack and Braeburn, this reunion with family was met with tears of the purest happiness. Once every pony in Equestria was sent to Evergreen Village, it was time for the lands outside.

Yaks, Carabo, Zebras, Deer, Dragon's, Changelings of other gives and even monsters of the Badlands and such moved into the village city over the course of a month. Xehanort's power allowed the place to be modified so all had a home. Farms were made fast and soon simple projects began. The names of the dead from all's homelands were to be edged into the wall, power and arms began to get crafted. The farms flourished with so many able bodies to tend them.

All was well, though Xehanort still sensed something. "You're positive you located everyone from Canterlot?" Xehanort asked Vanitas.

"Yes. It's not like there was many who survived that mess to begin with… why?" Vanitas questioned.

"I can sense something there."

"Some...thing?"

"It's alive, but in a twisted way."

"Twisted? Maybe it's Tirek."

"No. No he is keeping his distance. My displays of power were not just for show but a warning to that monster. It will buy you enough time to prepare for whatever he tries but also enough time for John to return."

"So that's why you made it so visual… can't you kill him?"

"I can try but aside from eating Keyblade power he has also been eating void. I'm not certain how I'd be able to pull it off, but so long as void flows through his body, it's a very unsafe gamble." Xehanort said, he and Vanitas taking leave for Canterlot ruins.

As they search, long since decaying bodies now near skeletal, some mummified. "This was a shitshow…" Vanitas sighed.

"At least their hearts are at ease." Xehanort said, sensing the odd presence nearby. They reached a street corner where a large crack was sealed up, and a headless skeleton was rested near it.

"Blueblood…" Vanitas hissed, recognizing the headless skeleton.

"Yes." Xehanort said, walking over to the skeleton. "Now where…?"

"What are you looking for exactly? And why here?"

"It has to be… here." Xehanort said, look at a specific area along the sealed crack. He made a fist, got on his knees, and pinched through the already broken stone and dirt below.

"What… who would be alive underground, especially after all this time?"

Not answering, Vanitas watched as Xehanort felt in the ground for a while, finally finding something and pulling it up. Both were speechless. "It's about damn time…" Growled the still flesh covered head of Blueblood, his Outsiders mark shining bright on his eye.