Greetings fellow readers and writers! After a rejuvenating break, I'm back at work on my Path of the Keyblade Master series. We'll be picking up where we left off after the events of Volume 6 and the Special Volume. This time finds Sora and the gang journeying to Equestria for a shared adventure with Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the Mane 6. Also in this volume will be the special characters I'm borrowing from D.J. Scales, whom I wish to thank for the use of his OC's. Also in this volume are elements of Ranma ½ and the works of Brian Lumley. As for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, this tale takes place during season 4. None of the elements and characters are mine except for those I created myself, while another special thanks goes out to D.J. Scales. As for what's not mine, I'm only trying to tell a story so please don't sue me. As for the story itself, there will no doubt be readers and writers whom won't enjoy it, while some will hate it for the sake of hating. My advice, if you don't like it, don't read it and remember that THIS IS FANFICTION!

With that all said and done, let the tale begin!

Prolog: Beginnings of Light and Dark

…E-Branch…

"I think we're in trouble, Rita," said Reina as the gorgeous Asian American twins whom possesses incredible powers, made their way through the corridors of the top secret espionage unit in London.

"Is it that obvious?" Rita asked irately, "let's face it, we screwed up, big time!"

"It wasn't that bad," said Reina, "sure, the target got away, but it's not like we let him go, and he wasn't as dangerous and evil like Zerlina was."

"Yeah, he wasn't a Wamphyri," said Rita, "he's just a twisted, sadistic murderer whom delights in ripping his victims apart after he kills them."

"I know how sick of a monster a necromancer is," said Reina, "we've had to deal with them before. We just messed up this one time, that's all. How mad could the boss be?"

"We're still in hot water with Director Lawrence," said Rita, "he's still pissed that we can turn into dragons and didn't tell him."

"We didn't know we had that power until the final battle with Zerlina," said Reina, "it's just stupid that Lancaster Lawrence is mad at us, after all we've done for E-Branch, for the world, for the multiverse for crying out loud. We rid the Realms of Light of a Wamphyri plague."

"We had help," said Rita.

"I know," said Reina, "and I do agree, L.L. shouldn't be so hard on us. But what's he going to do? Sack us?" she then giggled, "I wouldn't mind sacking him, if you know what I mean?"

"I'd rather sack you any day of the weak," said Rita lustfully.

"Likewise," said Reina seductively. With that the voluptuous twins embraced and kissed passionately.

"Ahem!" said a woman's voice. The twins broke their kiss and embrace to see two familiar people standing further up the hall. Guy Ellington, former MI6 agent and high level field agent and Cassie Nightingale, former fashion student gifted with the psychic power to speak with the dead.

"This is a free country, girls," said Cassie, "but there is such a thing as public modesty."

"Not that we didn't enjoy the show," said Guy, "but there's a time and a place for everything."

"One of these days, Guy," said Rita irately as she balled up her fists, "one of these days I'll do a Jackie Gleason on you!"

"I know, I know," said Guy, "'Bang! Zoom! Straight To The Moon!'"

"I was thinking more like 'Pow! Right in the kisser!'" said Rita, "but you get the gist of it."

"Let's save personal vendettas when we're off the clock," said Cassie in a disapproving manner, "you know I'm a lot more cheerful than this but you two are seriously in hot water this time."

"It wasn't our fault the target got away!" said Reina as the four of them hurried through the corridor, "well, it was, but we really tried to catch him before he vanished."

"Director Lawrence is especially want to know about that," said Guy, "people don't vanish without a reason, not even necromancers."

"For all we know he's dead himself," said Rita, "he was bleeding pretty bad when we last saw him, for all we know he fell into the Thames and drowned, or bled to the death somewhere."

"No," said Cassie, "he's not dead," she closed her eyes in concentration, "The Great Majority, they would know if he died. The countless living minds of the dearly departed, they fear and hate necromancers. Death is a release from physical limitations, from fear and pain, to a place where the mind can become more than it was in life, where friends, families and lost loves are reunited.

"But necromancers, they commit the greatest violation, they break the ultimate taboo by ripping, tearing, cracking, smashing and crushing the dead, raping their earthly remains to extort their secrets."

"We know what a necromancer is," said Rita, "and we kill them on sight if we catch them."

"We were supposed to catch this one," said Guy.

"And he still lives," said Cassie as she opened her eyes, "had he died, his mind would be among The Great Majority, one among countless millions, yet an island unto himself, for the minds of the dead can ignore one of their own, and without question they will ignore a necromancer, leaving the monster to wallow in isolated despair for eternity."

"But our guy still draws breath," said Rita.

"We just need to find him again," said Reina, "We found him once, we'll do it again."

"Assuming the boss keeps you on the case," said Guy. By then they reached the office of Lancaster Lawrence, director of E-Branch. Guy knocked twice and they walked in.

Lancaster Lawrence, in his usual white suit, his right eye covered by a black eye patch, stood up from his desk and glared irately with his remaining brown eye at the twins, "sit down," he said neutrally, indicating two of the four chairs in front of his desk, then bade Guy and Cassie to sit down as well.

The four sat and there was a few tense seconds of silence before Lancaster Lawrence sat down as well, "well?" he asked, "what happened?"

"It wasn't our fault he got away, boss!" exclaimed Reina, "we…"

"I don't want excuses!" snapped Lancaster Lawrence, "I want answers. You were supposed to apprehend a wanted fugitive," he then pulled out a file full of documents and a Scotland Yard wanted poster depicting a mousey man in his late 40's, having balding black hair and watery gray eyes behind coke bottle glasses.

"Cyrus Simpkins," said Lancaster Lawrence as he read the files, "a mid-level data entry clerk for an accounting firm by day, psychic spy for hire by night."

"We know, sir," said Cassie, "Cyrus Simpkins has been linked to the deaths of over a score of politicians, business executives and one army general."

"He kills them, tears the bodies apart to steal their secrets," said Guy, "and then sells those secrets to the highest bidder. He's sold stolen thoughts and memories to rival business groups, rogue governments and terrorist groups, even other necromancers. All in all, this is one sick bastard."

"A sick bastard whom stole one secret too many," said Lancaster Lawrence, "this case was made top priority from on high. The Prime Minister himself ordered that Cyrus Simpkins be captured alive to know who hired him to steal this one bit of information, who else was involved and what they planned to do with it."

"We know who hired Simpkins," said Cassie, "but he turned out to be a front for someone, or something, else. We're still working on who the real mastermind is."

"And we do know what their plan is," said Rita, "and our espers would know if it was built and if it was online."

"Which brings us to why we're here now," said Lancaster Lawrence, "why is Cyrus Simpkins still free?"

"We…made a mistake, sir," said Reina, "Cyrus Simpkins, he…"

"He lured us into a trap," said Rita, "and a really stupid trap at that."

"Stupid but effective," said Guy, "I'm sorry to admit it but we all overestimated Simpkins."

"Who'd have thought that anyone would use a 16 tone weight?" Cassie asked.

"We didn't," said both Reina and Rita. Rita spoke next, "and it nearly crushed us. If we hadn't cast that double shield spell…"

"…we'd be blood-soaked pancakes," said Reina.

"But I cast a razor-storm spell that caught Simpkins on the arm," said Rita, "he was bleeding like there was no tomorrow when we lost sight of him."

"If he was hemorrhaging so badly," said Lancaster Lawrence, "how did you lose him? Didn't you follow the trail of blood?"

"We did!" said Rita irately, "we followed him down a side alley to a dead end. There was blood everywhere, but no Simpkins."

"Either he got picked up by a stealth helicopter," said Guy, "or he could phase through solid objects."

"Our espers are looking into that right now," said Lancaster Lawrence, "but I wanted to hear your side of the story."

"And?" Reina asked.

"And I'm not pleased that you two were so careless," said Lancaster Lawrence, "but what's done is done. You can redeme yourself by tracking down Simpkins before he hands over the stolen information."

Just then his PDA beeped with an incoming message, which he read, "it seems that said task will be more interesting than I thought. Apparently, Cyrus Simpkins is no longer on this world."

"A dimensional portal, of course!" said Cassie.

"No wonder we lost him so easily," said Rita irately, she then looked at Lancaster Lawrence, "turn us lose, boss, and we'll bring Cyrus Simpkins back, dead or alive!"

"And we'll find the real puppet masters of this conspiracy," said Reina.

"And you will," said Lancaster Lawrence. He then looked at Guy and Cassie, "you two are going as well, as are a suitable number of espers and special ops agents. Oh, and about your girlfriend?"

"Yuki isn't our girlfriend!" said Rita, "she's a friend, a very good, very special friend, but that's it."

"It's bad enough that she had her parents murdered by human traffickers," said Reina, "then had her back broken when she fought off her rapist."

"Well, regardless," said Lancaster Lawrence, "she has gone over my head and appealed to my superiors in Parliament. She is now officially qualified for a field mission."

"She can't do that!" said Cassie, "she's wheelchair bound, unless…"

"Unless she finished her project," said Guy, "after all this time, she's finished."

"Apparently," said Lancaster Lawrence, "and she also has her fair share of secrets, considering that she walked into my office and handed her clearance papers to me directly."

"SHE WALKED!?" exclaimed both twins. With that they shot out of their chairs and ran out of the office.

"Ah, to be young again," said Lancaster Lawrence as he pulled out from his desk a bottle of brandy and three glasses, "I rather not be unpleasant with those two, they are indeed the heart and soul of E-Branch. I hate to lose them."

"Then you're not sacking them after all, sir?" Cassie asked.

"I would never sack them," said Lancaster Lawrence as he poured the brandy and handed two of the glasses to Guy and Cassie, "they're too invaluable to let go, and I'm quite fond of them, almost as if they were my own children. But alas, I fear that the time our dear Reina and Rita will take their leave of E-Branch is drawing near."

"What makes you think that?" Guy asked.

"Call it parental instinct," said Lancaster Lawrence. "For now, all we can do is drink to their good health and wish them good fortune, for whatever their future holds."

"I'll drink to that," said Guy, while Cassie nodded in agreement.

The twins ran through the corridors of E-Branch, easily dodging startled agents, clerks and security guards and causing an overall ruckus as they made their way towards a private laboratory with a large 'KEEP OUT' sign on the door.

But before either Reina or Rita could knock, the door opened and a seventeen year old Japanese-American girl in a wheelchair appeared at the doorway. "I heard that you two were in trouble," said Yuki Parker.

"To hell with us," said Rita, "is it true? Did you walk into the boss's office?"

"It was just a test run, but yes," said a grinning Yuki, "it worked." she then beckoned the twins into her lab. The paralyzed girl genius wheeled herself past computer banks, piles of books, chalkboards and whiteboards lined with documents and scribbled with schematics and chemical formulae, to a large table were a powered exoskeleton lay upon.

"It's really finished," said an amazed Reina.

"And it works?" Rita asked.

"Yes," said Yuki as she looked at the exosuit with proud eyes, "M.A.N.T.I.S., Mechanically Augmented Neuro Transmitter Interception System."

"You really did it," said an amazed Reina, "the brainchild of Dr. Miles Hawkins, you made it your own."

"Yes," said Yuki, but she then sighed, "but it's not really finished. I can only wear the suit for fifteen minutes at a time."

"Oh please," said Rita, "you couldn't plug it with a better battery? I thought you were smarter than that."

"The power system has a 12 hour lifespan," said an annoyed Yuki, "with a 2 hour backup battery. No, power isn't the problem, It's me," she then faced the twins, "I can't wear it more than fifteen minutes without suffering incredible pain; headaches, muscle aches, as well as increased blood pressure and don't get me started on my electrolyte levels."

"So, it's got a few bugs to work out," said Reina, "that's not important. You walked again for the first time in years. How did it feel?"

"It felt good," said Yuki, "but it wasn't the first time in years. I first used the suit three weeks ago and have several successful tests since. I've even installed the same weapons Dr. Hawkins used on his suit, plus a few of my design."

"You got it working three weeks ago?" Rita asked, "why didn't you tell us?"

"You were kinda busy," said Yuki, "you've been on this last case for almost two months."

"Two months?" Reina asked, "really? I guess time does fly when you're having fun."

"Well, it's going to get better," said Yuki, "did the boss tell you? I'm cleared for field work now."

"He told us," said Rita, "you're coming with us to catch the fugitive necromancer, wherever he is."

"In that case," said Yuki, "consider me your trump card."

"With you there in our deck," said a grinning Reina, "we'll catch this bastard in no time!"

…Someplace Dark…

In an underground chamber far from the sight and knowledge of those whom walked in the light, strutted a creature most foul. The creature resembled an Alicorn, having a black body with a blue mane and tail. Her legs were studded with holes, her horn was bent and gnarled, her teeth like razors, her eyes green like those of a cat and her wings translucent tattered with holes.

This was Chrysalis, the queen of the Changeling race. She meandered through the underground chamber that was filled with her shape shifting followers, her throngs of children restlessly flittering and scampering about the area in anticipation of the unholy event to come.

"My queen," said one of the savage shape shifters, "all is prepared and our allies are waiting."

"You mean my allies," said Chrysalis, "you and the rest of my dear ones are the ones whom shall benefit the most of this alliance, but it is my alliance nonetheless."

"Yes, my queen," said the Changeling as it bowed. Chrysalis then headed towards the middle of the chamber, her hordes of children bowing as she strutted past them.

In the middle of the chamber on a raised stone platform were several humans in green and brown robes, all of them ordinary-looking people, except for the fact that their eyes were multifaceted like insects. Scattered throughout the chamber were dozens of insectoid creatures, each a hybrid of different insect species.

"Ah, my friends from beyond the stars," said Chrysalis as she flapped her tattered wings to fly up to the platform, "how wonderful to see you all again. I take it you had a pleasant journey?"

"It was…uneventful," said one of the robbed humans with insect eyes, "my comrades and I are ready to proceed with the ritual."

"As are my children and I," said Chrysalis. Two Changelings then flew up to the platform. Strapped to their backs was a velvet cushion upon which lay a curved horn blood red in color.

"Then we may begin," said one of the insect-eyed humans. He took reached out and picked up the horn, revealing that his right hand was a black insectoid claw. He then took the horn and placed it in the middle of the platform where a large magic circle had been drawn and inscribed with symbols of dark magic.

"Let us begin!" said another of the robbed humans with insect eyes. Several nearby torches ignited, burning with dark purple flames, while three of the robed humans began beating large drums in an insidious rhythm.

"What we do tonight!" said one of the robed humans, "we do in the name of evil itself, to propagate the darkness, to bring fear, hate, rage and sorrow to those whom cling to the light! We do this in the name of evil itself!"

At that the throngs of Changelings began to chant in a language that couldn't be understood by normal humans, nor would they want to understand. At the same time the insect hybrids began chanting in a clicking manner.

Chrysalis watched as the robed humans with insect eyes performed a ritual, spilling upon the magic circle various potions and powders. All the while the chanting of the shape shifters increased in volume and intensity and slowly but surely, the dark magic circle began glowing with a sinister purple light.

Finally, the robed humans brought out and spilled a vial of blood upon the circle and the chanting abruptly stopped. There was a tense moment of silence as everyone in the chamber waited for something to happen.

But then a vile wind began blowing through the chamber as the red horn rose into the air as the magic circle caught fire, burning with black flames. A sphere of darkness, blacker than black, consumed the red horn, growing to the size of a beach ball, then imploding on itself. Without warning, all the lights in the chamber went out for a few seconds, then returned.

There in the charred remains of the dark magic circle stood a Unicorn pony with a coat, mane and tail black as night. He wore armor across his body and legs with a red furred cloak across his back. Beneath his red horn was an iron circlet with a red jewel in the center, while his eyes were green with red irises that emitted purple energy.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, King Sombra," said the lead robed human as he and his comrades, humanoid and insectoid, bowed, while Queen Chrysalis and her Changelings also bowed. "Our god, Vykkao'shatl'uq, has bestowed you with new life."

"All glory to Vykkao'shatl'uq!" shouted the other robed humans, while the insectoid creatures clicked and hissed with fanatic devotion.

"How long?" King Sombra, former conqueror of the Crystal Empire and enslaver of the Crystal Ponies, asked.

"It has been well over a year since your downfall," said Queen Chrysalis, "the entire world believed you were gone for good."

"But now you have returned," said the leader of the robed humans, "I am Obler'intor, and my comrades, the Raztonians, along with Chrysalis and her Changelings, with the will and guidance of Vykkao'shatl'uq, have orchestrated your triumphant revival."

"I am revived, yes," said Sombra, "yet my powers are not yet restored. I must return to The Crystal Empire and destroy The Chrystal Heart. Only then will I reclaim my rightful mastery over The Crystal Ponies and spread my darkness across all of Equestria!"

"A bold ambition," said Queen Chrysalis, "but not unsurpassable."

"What do you know of my ambition, shape shifter?!" Sombra snapped, "I know of your own plan to rule Equestria. You impersonated that disgustingly beautiful Mi Amore Cadenza, stealing the love energy of those around her, all in a bid to overwhelm Canterlot with your army of shifters and then take over the rest of the world."

"And I would have gotten away with it," said Chrysalis irately, "if it weren't for that miserable meddling mules! That tenacious Twilight Sparkle and her merry band of friends! If they hadn't been involved, Shining Armor would have been mine forever. I would have arranged accidental deaths for both Celestia and Luna, after which, after a suitable period of mourning, I would have ascended the throne of Equestria and rulled with an iron hoof!"

"And yet you failed," said Sombra, "because a certain purple unicorn stuck her horn where it wasn't wanted." he then smiled vilely, revealing teeth as sharp as knives.

"I seem to remember hearing that a certain purple unicorn foiled your plans as well," said Chrysalis, "that Twilight Sparkle and her band of brats, as well as a wet behind the ears dragon no less, recovered The Crystal Heart and restored light and love into the hears of The Crystal Ponies, thereby destroying your body. All that was left was your phallus of a horn," she then laughed cruelly, "trying to compensate for something?"

"How dare you!" snapped Sombra, "I had an entire empire under my hooves before your ancestors were born!"

"Gentle-ponies, please!" said Obler'intor, "now is not the time for childish bickering."

"You both have common enemies," said another of the robbed humans, "you should at least agree to disagree."

"True," said Sombra as he glared at Chrysalis, "we do have a shared hatred for Twilight Sparkle. I intend of slowly ripping her horn off and violating her with it before breaking her legs and leaving her to die in agony."

"I to wish to rip off her horn," said Chrysalis, "and her wings. Oh, I forgot to tell you, she evolved into an Alicorn."

"Has she now?" Sombra asked, "no doubt her powers have evolved as well. And then of course, there's The Elements of Harmony."

"None of us have to fear that factor," said the second robbed human, "The Elements of Harmony have been returned to The Tree of Harmony."

"Is this true?" Sombra asked.

"My comrade, Jachs'ocallf, speaks the truth," said Obler'intor, "but even without The Elements of Harmony, the Mane 6, as they're sometimes known, are still a force to reckon with. But my comrades and I have a plan that will make whatever magic Twilight Sparkle and her friends possess seem like parlor tricks."

"Soon we will be ready to implement our true objective," said Jachs'ocallf.

"How soon?" Sombra asked.

"As soon as the last member of our little cabal arrives," said a tall, thin man wearing a black business suit with silver cufflinks and tie clip, with short black hair, black eyes and a pale, gaunt yet handsome face that failed to hide the vileness residing in his mind and heart, "then the fun begins."

"Ah, my friend Djarlo," said Obler'intor, "how kind of you to grace us with your presence."

"Can the formalities, bug boy," said Djarlo, "it irks my nerves."

"Djarlo," said Sombra, "you're a strange creature."

"Speak for yourself, goat boy," said Djarlo. "I just want to get this little party of ours started for real."

"I shall ignore your insolence, human," said Sombra, "yes, I know what humans are."

"As do I," said Chrysalis, "and be patient with him, Sombra dear, for this man is a complete lunatic."

"Oh, I'm lucid enough," said Djarlo as he smiled insidiously, "I just enjoy evil for the sake of evil."

"As do we all," said Oble'intor, "and soon, our evil will consume and spread beyond Equestria to other worlds in the universe, to other universes and beyond. Nothing will stop this dark alliance, not the Alicorn Princesses, not The Elements of Harmony, nothing will avert our destiny of dark domination!" At that the hordes of Changelings cheered wildly, while Sombra and Chrysalis smiled wickedly, not trusting each other but willing to cooperate, for now. As for Djarlo, what his true motives were? None present could say.