Chapter 5 – Mina vs. Big Mama HEARTLESS!
(The Everfree Forest – Nearing the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters…)
Spooky… scary… and wet… very, very wet. The Everfree Forest did indeed live up to its name with its mud puddles; creepy noises coming from the nearby bushes and danger at around every corner… though Mina wasn't bothered by it too much.
There were more important things on her mind. Things such as saving the girls from the Heartless, who were no doubt eager to steal their hearts and attempt to soothe their hunger even if that was an impossible task. The brunette with the key wasn't about to let that happen – she was going to save them… and then reveal everything about her arrival in Equestria and the Keyblade.
She dreaded the moment though since she felt like it was too early for her to say anything… but the arrival of the Heartless tipped her hand and so the truth had to be revealed. So much for the World Order.
As she continued running through the forest, she wondered how the girls were handling the Heartless so far and questioning whether they were alive or-
"Take that, ya varmint!" A voice with a southern accent yelled with some delight in her voice.
That sounded like Applejack and more importantly like she was in a fight! Mina picked up the pace towards her direction and soon found her standing her ground against a swarm of little monster of darkness.
It was safe to say that Applejack was still alive and kicking but not for much longer… her blond hair was a complete mess while her orange shirt and jean shorts looked worse for wear – her clothes were almost shredded and open wounds were bleeding all over her body. As for her Stetson hat it was still resting on her head, but there were a few holes that certainly hadn't been there this morning if Mina had to guess.
Her green eyes were glaring at the creatures that were as she swung her lasso and prepared to attack them by tying them up and throwing them into a nearby tree or sharp rock. "Alright, varmints! I've had enough of y'all! Time to teach y'all a lesson about why you shouldn't mess with this cowgirl!" She declared and swung that lasso but her throw was so weak that it allowed the Heartless to jump and prepare to attack.
Applejack gulped and closed her eyes while thinking that this was the end for her – she wouldn't go back to the farm; her friends would never see her again. Her family would lose another member. Tears of impotent rage threatened to spill from her closed eyes.
"I don't think so, you little ants!" Mina's voice yelled as Applejack opened her eyes slowly just in time to see the brunette rushing forward and slicing the Heartless in half with the Keyblade.
The remaining Heartless retreated, fading back into the shadows. Mina's reckless running started catching up to her and she planted her Keyblade in the ground to rest against and try to catch her breath.
"Whoa, nelly!" Applejack yelled in an impressed tone as Mina stood up and walked over to her.
"You okay?" Mina questioned AJ who nodded albeit a little weakened due to her wounds. "Y-yeah… thank ya kindly for the assist, sugarcube." She thanked and begun getting up only to fall back to the ground due to her injuries.
"Hold on, I got you." Mina assured and pulled AJ back on her feet who was still hurting a little.
"T-thanks… I owe ya one. Say, ain't ya that 'Mina' gal that Twilight was gonna introduce us to?" Applejack asked.
Mina nodded. "That would be me… I came to rescue you all from the clutches of those damned Heartless. Where's Twilight at this current moment, AJ?" The brunette questioned.
"Castle of the Two Sisters… at least that's where we last saw her. You ain't serious about fightin' them Heart-whatever, right?" Applejack asked but her face morphed into a shocked one when she saw that Mina was serious.
"S-sugarcube, ya can't do that! Them critters are really dangerous! Ya won't last even for a minute! Yer already worn out as it is!" Applejack told her with concern but Mina shook her head.
"It's fine… I've got this to help me out." Mina replied and showed Applejack the Keyblade.
Despite the sharpness of the arrow-like tip of the weapon, she made an unamused face. "Sugarcube, I don't mean to brag… but I doubt that a giant key's gunna stop them varmints." She pointed out yet the brunette wielder didn't care.
"AJ, I know what I'm doing… trust me on this. Right now, you should get back to Ponyville and rest up." Mina advised her yet AJ wasn't having any of it.
"Nuh-uh, sugarcube! No way, no how! I ain't letting you get yerself killed by them- Ugh!" She stopped speaking as she felt pain from the open wounds that were bleeding.
"See what I mean? You need medical help on the double, AJ!" Mina advised her yet AJ was stubborn and tried brushing it off only to groan in pain. The brunette gave her a look that said: 'No excuses – medical help… NOW.'
Applejack glared at her before sighing. "Fine… ya win. Though I have some questions for ya when you save mah friends." She told her plainly.
"You and Rainbow both. Just… get yourself to safety and stay put until I get back." Mina advised her as Applejack nodded. "Also, get yourself patched up!" The brunette added before leaving AJ and continuing on through the forest.
AJ was marked off the 'casualty list' so that left Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy… oh, Twilight as well. If they were alive, then there was still a chance that she wasn't too late… she had to hurry though.
Along the way, she encountered a wave of Shadow Heartless. They were trivial enemies, but dispatching them cost Mina energy she might need elsewhere. After they were dealt with, she continued on to the Castle of the Two Sisters, where Twilight and/or her friends were last seen… hopefully they were still alive.
After a few minutes of running, she had found a unconscious and heavily wounded Fluttershy who was looking very much the worse for her experience – her pink hair was a mess; there were wounds on her cheeks and hands, a few more up and down her arms and legs, and finally a long gash across her back. Her yellow dress and grey short-sleeved jacket were all bloodied and had rips, of course, and one of her sandals were missing.
Mina shook her head… poor Fluttershy. The Heartless really did a number on her by the looks of it. The brunette placed her right hand gently on the shy girl's neck to check her pulse – it was strong.
The brunette released a sigh of relief at the fact that Fluttershy was still breathing yet with those open wounds she wouldn't be for much longer if she didn't receive proper medical attention.
Unfortunately, this posed a big problem – if she escorted Fluttershy back to Ponyville, there wouldn't be enough time to save Twilight who may or may not already be- No! Don't think that! Twilight is alive! She has to be!
Mina placed a finger on her chin to think. "How am I going to solve this without any consequences? I have to get her safely back to Ponyville but Twilight might die without my help… Damn it, think Mina! There has to be some way to salvage this situation!" She told her.
"A-are you one of the monsters?" A scared voice asked from nowhere as Mina turned around to look and see who had spoken it. Nobody was around… unless it came from an unconscious Fluttershy who was either speaking to her telepathically or a very good ventriloquist.
"Who's there? Fluttershy, are you performing a ventriloquist or speaking telepathically?" Mina questioned as she looked for the source.
"Oh, Flutters doesn't speak telepathically! At least I don't think she does… ventriloquism, not so much. Or maybe she does… I can't really tell. Also, here I come!" The voice said – this time it was less scared and more talkative.
A bush was shaking nearby before a hyperactive girl jumped into the air and landed gently on her pink-haired Mary Jane shoes. Her blue jeans were a little bit ripped-up while her pink t-shirt with blue and yellow balloons wasn't. As for her hair, it was right mess of pink color which was shaped like cotton candy.
Mina came to the conclusion that it wasn't Fluttershy's voice that she heard, it was Pinkie Pie… darn those two for having the same voice actress, Mina had mistaken Pinkie's timid voice for Fluttershy's. By the looks of it she wasn't injured that much unlike Rainbow, AJ, Rarity or Fluttershy… well, if you don't count the jeans.
The brunette was about to ask a question when Pinkie got close to her and started examining her from top to bottom which confused Mina. "Ummm… what are yo-" She didn't finish due to Pinkie putting a finger on her mouth.
The hyperactive Element of Laughter continued examining her from top to bottom until she finally nodded and took a step back. "Yep… you're not with those creatures!" She declared with a relieved smile on her face.
Mina raised an eyebrow. "How did you deduce that exactly? Wait… do you have some kind of sense for detecting dark stench or something like that?" She asked as Pinkie grinned.
"Nah, I just have common sense, Mina." She answered.
The brunette shook her head. "That… I guess I should've expected an answer like that. Also, I take it Twilight explained about who I am?" She asked with Pinkie nodding.
"Yep-yep! No time for small talks though – Twilight needs your help against the monsters!" Pinkie told her before pushing Mina ahead much to her surprise.
"Whoa, whoa! What about you and Fluttershy? The Heartless might come back!" She replied with a concern tone.
"I'll take Fluttershy back to Ponyville! Just go and save my friend from those Heartless! Please!" Pinkie pleaded.
Mina felt that she should stay behind and check on Pinkie and Fluttershy yet again… but the hyperactive girl had a point. Twilight was still in danger and could already have her heart stolen by the time she reached her…
Releasing a small sigh, she looked at Pinkie before nodding. "Alright… just get yourselves to Ponyville quickly. I'll go and find Twilight… quickly. Hope to God she isn't-" She didn't finish due to Pinkie placing a hand on her mouth.
"Don't say that! Just go and save her… please!" She pleaded with a scared look on her face.
The brunette sighed yet again before nodding and departing for the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. Thankfully, she didn't see any Heartless at all on the way to her goal. That meant all her remaining energy could be used to rescue Twilight if it came to that.
Two or three minutes of running later, she crossed over a bridge and was outside the ruins of the old Castle. "Here am I… please be alive, Twilight." She told herself with a concern look before taking a deep breath and peaking through the wooden doors…
What she was a horror – an unconscious and bleeding Twilight was laying on the floor in a complete mess. Her clothes were torn up so badly she had no modesty left. Twilight's body lay bare save a few scraps of cloth and the frightening amount of wounds on her were plain to see. The floor around Twilight was stained with blood trickling away from her body. Yet that wasn't what really made Mina be terrified… it was the numerous Shadows and Neoshadows that were surrounding and preparing to attack her. Twilight wouldn't survive another attack.
Mina gulped at the large number of Heartless before she made a determined look and stepped forward into the castle. "Leave her alone!" She demanded.
All Heartless looked at Mina before they noticed the Keyblade in her hands which made them tremble in both fear and anger as their most primitive instincts recognized the weapon. A Shadow jumped first to attack her yet she slashed it in half and proceeded forward.
However, the rest of the Heartless sunk into the floor before skittering around and surrounding Mina before becoming 3D once more. Mina prepared herself for a fight. The Shadows were easy to deal with, her slashes knocked the small Heartless aside and they were fairly flimsy enemies. The real problem came with the Neoshadows. They were smarter, tougher, faster, and stronger. They worked together as a team, scoring a few successful attacks, but Mina was able to land her own attacks with regularity. Slowly the horde of Heartless started to thin and eventually she defeated them all.
Even with the injuries she sustained during the fight, Mina didn't feel a thing as she rushed to Twilight's side as the last Neoshadow died. Just as she was about to reach Twilight, the ground began to shake much to her worry.
"Whoa! What's going on!?" She asked herself.
What she failed to see behind her was a massive black-colored monster with an open heart-shaped hole in the middle, two small wings on the back along with his head being covered with tentacles, long arms and short legs. It screamed as Mina rubbed the ears. "OUCH, Volume CONTROL MUCH!?" She questioned before turning around and her face morphing into a shocked one. She took a few steps back and gulped.
"A Dark Side…" She whispered slowly before it screamed again and Mina rubbed her ears. It provided sufficient distraction for the Dark Side to swing its fist at her, but she dodged and retaliated.
"I don't have time for you! Twilight's almost dead!" Mina shouted in frustration. She hated how powerless she was. She couldn't rescue Twilight without killing the Dark Side and that wasn't going to be quick work.
The Dark Side screamed in pain due to feeling the power of the Keyblade and immediately became pissed off and kneeled before conjuring a dark energy orb from the heart-shaped hole and launching a beam at Mina who blocked it.
Due to playing the game, she easily remembered how to defeat a Dark Side… by attacking either the left or right hand. So, that was what she did and began her battle against the big Heartless monster. She also recalled the head was a weak spot, but she didn't have the confidence to run up the Dark Side's arms like Sora did in the game.
Mina assaulted both the left and right hand before stepping back when the monster formed another dark orb and launching it at the brunette who blocked it easily… however, this distraction allowed the Dark Side to gather darkness in his right hand before it slammed into the ground.
A purplish-black vortex was formed as Shadow Heartless arose to attack Mina but she destroyed them and returned to assaulting the Dark Side's fists. The Dark Side created another orb in the heart shaped cavity and fired it off once more. A couple more assaults on both hands later and electricity sparked from the Heartless.
The monster screamed in pain as it began to crumble into little pieces onto the ground while the rest dissipated into smoke. Mina was proud she had beaten a boss level Heartless, but there was no time for distractions, Twilight needed her!
She dismissed her Keyblade and tried to return to Twilight's side only to groan in pain before collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion. She tried to push herself to her hands and knees, but her body betrayed her.
"Oh, my god! Mina, Twilight!" The brash and familiar tones of Rainbow Dash spoke.
Wait, what!? Hadn't she gone back to get some help in Ponyville? Mina tried getting up but her body was so weak and tired.
"Don't move! Help is on the way, Mina." Rainbow assured her as the brunette noticed that her visible flesh was bandaged up completely and cleaned.
"R-rainbow…" Mina spoke in a weakened tone but Rainbow placed a hand on her finger on her mouth. "No… No speaking. Can't have you dying on me or Twilight yet…"
Mina chuckled a bit. "A-ain't dead yet, Skittles." She told her but Rainbow rolled her eyes.
"Is Twilight feeling alright though…?" Rainbow asked with a clear tone.
"I don't know, I got ambushed before I could check her vitals," Mina admitted as Rainbow went to check up on her and her pulse. The rainbow-haired girl released a sigh of relief.
"She's alright… but she needs medical attention on the double." She explained.
Mina nodded slowly. "How're the rest of the girls?" The brunette questioned with a worried look.
"Everyone is fine… they're in the hospital for check-ups and proper medical treatments… they told me to pass along a simple 'thank you' for saving them… and they all have questions for you. Especially me." Rainbow told her with a serious look.
"Yeah… figured as much." Mina replied with a painful groan due to the wounds as Rainbow grabbed her hand gently. "Will you stop moving please…? I don't need you suffering an accident as well."
Mina rolled her eyes – she was dreading this moment…
"Also, I'm sorry…" Rainbow apologized to a confused Mina who was wondering for what exactly the humanized Element of Loyalty was. "For acting like a jerk towards you and… being suspicious." She explained.
Mina shook her head and replied. "Water under the bridge… I'll explain everything. Just as soon as Twilight and I get some medical attention."
Rainbow nodded. "Right… just sit tight. Help is on the way…" She assured her.
Mina nodded and closed her eyes to relax while awaiting for the proper medical team to arrive and get her some help along with Twilight. Thankfully they were along in short order, as expected of emergency rescuers. Later on Mina would learn that apparently all the blood around Twilight had been from shallow flesh wounds and none of her arteries had been hit. Her life had still been in serious danger, but she wasn't as close to death as the amount of blood on the ground had suggested. Mina was just glad she had been in time to save Twilight from a lethal injury.
While the medical teams were carrying them away, no one noticed a mysterious cloaked being that was overlooking them in one of the destroyed towers of the castle. His gaze was mainly focused on the brunette wielder – Mina Marley.
"A Keyblade Wielder after so long… what's more she's just a kid. Interesting… looks like things are about to get a little exciting in this war between the light and darkness." The figure commented with a small chuckle. They summoned a Dark Portal and stepped through it. Once it closed there was no evidence the cloaked figure had ever been there at all.
Author's Notes: Oof, what a day! Lectures for nearly 7 hours while both listening and trying to write the newest chapter of the Crescent Key - it's been one hell of a day but I'm glad that it's over... plus, I managed to score another good grade yesterday and send some important documents for one of my teacher. Damn it all to hell - this year and our lectures... Oh, brother.
Good news is that Mina is back and has made her introductions to the rest of Main/Human Six along with having her first combat against the Heartless - things are truly kicking up now... especially with the appearance of the black-coated figure who has deep plans for the brunette and her newly acquired friends. I can't wait until I introduce the main antagonist of this story.
Speaking of story, a fellow friend of mine helped me out of a jam with the next couple of chapters - we wrote a dialogue on Discord concerning the upcoming chapters along with the appearance of Celestia and Luna who will both serve as important characters in the story... plus, Luna and the antagonist share a connection of sorts. Hope you all enjoy the revelation when it arrives - I know I will!
What else, what else... about Mina's family and girlfriend, they'll arrive on Equestria very soon. Just need to figure out how to input their character arcs... which will be hell if I'm being honest right now. Lots to think and input in the story, it seems.
Another Mayan Calendar story I want to do is with my other KH OC Millie but that will come in the near future or at a later date, hopefully... it will be set in Equestria Girls with Millie fulfilling Twilight's role and restoring the friendship between the Human Five... along with a romance between Millie and the girls. I can't wait to get started.
I think that's everything I need to say for now... don't have anything else to share. Well, except for the fact I don't own Kingdom Hearts nor My Little Pony - they are owned by their respective owners. Except for my OC - that's all mine!
Happy reading and enjoy the chapter - special thanks to my friend who helped me out with the rewriting of this chapter! Thanks a lot, The Dimension Traveler! Many thanks!