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{{Game|KH1|FM1|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358|KHC|RCO|BBS|FMB|DDD|DHD|KHX|UCX|XBC|AFP|KH3|3RM|DR|MOM}}
{{Game|KH1|FM1|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358|KHC|RCO|BBS|FMB|DDD|DHD|KHX|UCX|XBC|AFP|KH3|3RM|DR|MOM}}
{{cleanup|Story and origin (focus on important uses of Heartless and events important to Heartless as a whole; not every single Heartless appearance needs to be given a detailed synopsis)}}
[[File:Heartless Emblem.png|200px|thumb|The Heartless Emblem]]
[[File:Heartless Emblem.png|200px|thumb|The Heartless Emblem]]
The {{nihongo|'''Heartless'''|ハートレス|Hātoresu}} are beings of [[darkness]] that manifest in two forms, "Pureblood" and "Emblem". While most Heartless are, in fact, manifested [[heart]]s, they behave entirely devoid of emotion, and thus were named "Heartless".<ref>'''''[[Ansem's Report 3]]''''': "One thing I am sure of is that they are entirely devoid of emotion."</ref>
The {{nihongo|'''Heartless'''|ハートレス|Hātoresu}} are beings of [[darkness]] that manifest in two forms, "Pureblood" and "Emblem". While most Heartless are, in fact, manifested [[heart]]s, they behave entirely devoid of emotion, and thus were named "Heartless".<ref>'''''[[Ansem's Report 3]]''''': "One thing I am sure of is that they are entirely devoid of emotion."</ref>
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==Story==
==Story==
===Before ''Kingdom Hearts χ''===
===Before ''Kingdom Hearts χ''===
{{c|Darkness|character}} originally had physical forms, but cast them off in order to attack hearts directly. These original Darknesses infected people's hearts and preyed on their negative emotions, giving rise to the first Pureblood Heartless.
{{c|Darkness|character}} originally had physical forms but cast them off in order to attack hearts directly, infecting and possessing many people and propagating more formless shadows like themselves. However, as time passed and Darkness's numbers grew, people's hearts began to birth darkness on their own through negative emotions, eventually giving rise to the Pureblood Heartless.


===''Kingdom Hearts χ''===
===''Kingdom Hearts χ''===
With the incoming Keyblade War, a Nightmare Chirithy manipulated Keyblade wielders in an attempt to prevent them from fighting over [[Lux]]. However, the Dream Eater's actions caused opposite reaction, leading to them giving into darkness and being turned into [[Darklings]]. They continued their pursuit of Lux eventually coming for Skuld and Player but fled after a fight. Later on, the trio are absorbed by Nightmare Chirithy to do battle again, but ends in defeat. The Darklings' pursuit continued after crossing the world line and following the Dandelions into the data world. Inside the Clock Tower as glitches appear Player, Ephemer and Ventus are soon are surrounded by a Darkling who utters "not you...", which confuses the trio. Then a lone Darkling was followed by Ephemer and Player while traversing through the mysterious tunnel, still muttering the same phrase it did before. They do battle, and the Darkling runs further into the tunnel, with the pair following.  
With the incoming Keyblade War, a Nightmare Chirithy manipulated Keyblade wielders in an attempt to prevent them from fighting over [[Lux]]. However, the Dream Eater's actions caused opposite reaction, leading to them giving into darkness and being turned into [[Darklings]]. They continued their pursue for Lux eventually coming for Skuld and Player but flee after a fight. Later on, the trio are absorbed by Nightmare Chirithy to due battle again, but ends in defeat. The Darklings' pursuit continued after crossing the world line and following the Dandelions into the data world. Inside the Clock Tower as glitches appeared Player, Ephemer and Ventus are soon are surrounded by a Darkling who utters "not you...", which confuses the trio. Then a lone Darkling was followed by Ephemer and Player while traversing through the mysterious tunnel, still muttering the same phrase it did before. They do battle, and the Darkling runs further into the tunnel, with the pair following.  


Ephemer continued to follow it through Game Central Station and into Hero's Duty, and once again reunites with Player despite defeating the Darkling for the third time; it still says "not you", leaving Ephemer perplexed about what it could mean. Before confronting it further, the Darkling gets eaten by a Cy-Bug, fusing them together then flies off as the pair chase after it and finally catching up to it, they manage to destroy it. Later, in Sugar Rush, after King Candy and the Cy-bugs are defeated, Player and Chirithy sensed that the Darkling is still around and sees that it has gotten much stronger since their last encounter. Finally, Chirithy asks the Darkling why it keeps following them if they are not the ones it wants but the creature doesn't answer and is destroyed once again. Remembering the Cy-Bugs behavior in Hero's Duty Chirithy wonders if the Darkling was drawn to the light of the Keyblade and was really after a Keyblade wielder.
Ephemer continued to follow it through Game Central Station and into Hero's Duty, and once again reunites with Player despite defeating the Darkling for the third time; it still says "not you", leaving Ephemer perplexed on what it could mean. Before confronting it further, the Darkling gets eaten by a Cy-Bug, fusing them together then flies off as the pair chase after it and finally catching up to it, they manage to destroy it. Later, in Sugar Rush, after King Candy and the Cy-bugs are defeated, Player and Chirithy sensed that the Darkling is still around and sees that it has gotten much stronger since their last encounter. Finally, Chirithy asks the Darkling why it keeps following them if they are not the ones it wants but the creature doesn't answer and is destroyed once again. Remembering the Cy-Bugs behavior in Hero's Duty Chirithy wonders if the Darkling was drawn to the light of the Keyblade and was really after a Keyblade wielder.


During the confrontation with Darkness and the Union leaders, Darklings appear, around a comatose Ventus, seeing him as their target. He wakes up and uses the light within his heart to destroy them.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts Union χ|Kingdom Hearts Union χ [Cross]}}
During the confrontation with Darkness and the Union leaders, Darklings appear, around a comatose Ventus, seeing him as their target. He wakes up and uses the light within his heart to destroy them.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts Union χ|Kingdom Hearts Union χ [Cross]}}
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{{sec-stub}}
{{sec-stub}}


===Between ''Kingdom Hearts Dark Road'' and ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
===Before ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
In an attempt to draw out the darkness in the heart of his pupil, [[Ventus]], [[Master Xehanort]] summoned several [[Neoshadow]]s to fight him, but Ventus was overwhelmed and nearly destroyed by the Heartless instead.
In an attempt to draw out the darkness in the heart of his pupil, [[Ventus]], [[Master Xehanort]] summoned several [[Neoshadow]]s to fight him, but Ventus was overwhelmed and nearly destroyed by the Heartless instead.


===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
[[File:Versus Dark Hide KHBBSFM.png|thumb|200px|left|Heartless living in the Realm of Darkness.]]
[[File:A fragmentary passage 08 BBSFM.png|thumb|200px|left|Heartless living in the Realm of Darkness.]]
As [[Aqua]] wanders the [[Realm of Darkness]] following her battle with [[Terra-Xehanort]], she encounters a group of [[Darkside]]s. Although she initially summons [[Master's Defender]], she decides to let the Darksides come at her without resisting. However, Terra's and Ventus's Keyblades come to her rescue, a last symbol of hope from her old friends. Her spirit returning, and in hopes of returning to her home, Aqua presses on through the Realm of Darkness, along the way encountering many [[Pureblood Heartless]], including [[Shadow]]s, Neoshadows and [[Darkball]]s. During this time, she is stalked and attacked by the massive [[Dark Hide]], engaging it in combat and emerging victorious after a strenuous battle.
As [[Aqua]] wanders the [[Realm of Darkness]] following her battle with [[Terra-Xehanort]], she encounters a group of [[Darkside]]s. Although she initially summons [[Master's Defender]], she decides to let the Darksides come at her without resisting. However, [[Earthshaker|Terra's]] and [[Wayward Wind|Ventus's Keyblades]] come to her rescue, a last symbol of hope from her old friends Terra and Ventus, and destroy the Darksides. Her spirit returning, and in hopes of returning to her home, Aqua presses on through the Realm of Darkness, along the way encountering many [[Pureblood Heartless]], including [[Shadow]]s, Neoshadows and [[Darkball]]s. During this time, she is stalked and attacked by the massive [[Dark Hide]], engaging it in combat and emerging victorious after a strenuous battle.
{{-}}
{{-}}


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After discovering his apprentices' experiments and realizing his error in trying to interfere with the nature of the heart, Ansem the Wise ordered his apprentices to cease their research. However, they overthrew Ansem, banishing him to the Realm of Darkness while Xehanort took his name. Their continued experiments eventually led the group to lose their hearts, turning them into Heartless and [[Nobodies]], and Xehanort's Heartless, [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]], began planning to find and take the power of [[Kingdom Hearts]].
After discovering his apprentices' experiments and realizing his error in trying to interfere with the nature of the heart, Ansem the Wise ordered his apprentices to cease their research. However, they overthrew Ansem, banishing him to the Realm of Darkness while Xehanort took his name. Their continued experiments eventually led the group to lose their hearts, turning them into Heartless and [[Nobodies]], and Xehanort's Heartless, [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]], began planning to find and take the power of [[Kingdom Hearts]].


In the meantime, the Heartless consumed most of the world, leaving only [[Hollow Bastion]], and they began spreading to other worlds. Ansem began manipulating [[Maleficent]] and her allies to use the Heartless in their bid to conquer all worlds and take Kingdom Hearts. In this conquest, [[Enchanted Dominion]], [[Castle of Dreams]], [[Dwarf Woodlands]], [[The Land of Dragons]], [[Pride Lands]], [[Beast's Castle]], [[La Cité des Cloches]], [[Prankster's Paradise]], [[The Grid]], [[Country of the Musketeers]] and [[Symphony of Sorcery]] were destroyed by the Heartless, along with the homes of [[Bambi]], [[Dumbo]], [[Pongo and Perdita]], and the [[99 Puppies]].
In the meantime, the Heartless consumed most of the world, leaving only [[Hollow Bastion]], and they began spreading to other worlds. Ansem began manipulating [[Maleficent]] and her allies to use the Heartless in their bid to conquer all worlds and take Kingdom Hearts. In this conquest, [[Enchanted Dominion]], [[Castle of Dreams]], [[Dwarf Woodlands]], [[The Land of Dragons]], [[Pride Lands]], [[Beast's Castle]], [[La Cité des Cloches]], [[Prankster's Paradise]], [[The Grid]], [[Country of the Musketeers]] and [[Symphony of Sorcery]] were destroyed by the Heartless, along with the homes of [[Bambi]] and [[Dumbo]].


===''Kingdom Hearts''===
===''Kingdom Hearts''===
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===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
[[File:Darkness Released 01 KHRECOM.png|200px|thumb|Xehanort's Heartless, Ansem, is one of the only ones to have a mind.]]
[[File:Darkness Released 01 KHRECOM.png|200px|thumb|Xehanort's Heartless is one of the only ones to have a mind.]]
The Heartless appear inside [[Castle Oblivion]], variously formed either from Sora's memories or Riku's darkness as they seek to indoctrinate the two boys.
The Heartless appear inside [[Castle Oblivion]], variously formed either from Sora's memories or Riku's darkness as they seek to indoctrinate the two boys.


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===''Kingdom Hearts coded''===
===''Kingdom Hearts coded''===
Digital representations of the Heartless appear within the  [[datascape]] of [[Jiminy Cricket|Jiminy]]'s [[Jiminy's Journal|Journal]], just as they had appeared in the real worlds. The bugs infecting the Journal also appear as various species of Heartless. The source of the bugs, the digital representation of [[Sora's Heartless]], absorbs the defeated Heartless in order to increase in power, but it is defeated by [[Data-Sora]] and King Mickey, and the journal is repaired.
Digital representations of the Heartless appear within the  [[datascape]] of [[Jiminy Cricket|Jiminy]]'s [[Jiminy's Journal|Journal]], just as they had appeared in the real worlds. The bugs infecting the Journal also appear as various species of Heartless. The source of the bugs, the digital representation of [[Sora's Heartless]], absorbs the defeated Heartless in order to increase in power, but it is defeated by [[Data-Sora]] and King Mickey, and the journal is repaired.


===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
Before beginning Sora and Riku's [[Mark of Mastery exam]], Yen Sid explains that the [[Dream Eater]]s are manifestations of darkness that serve as the [[Sleeping Worlds]]' counterpart to the Heartless.
Before beginning Sora and Riku's [[Mark of Mastery exam]], Yen Sid explains that the [[Dream Eater]]s are manifestations of darkness that serve as the [[Sleeping Worlds]]' counterpart to the Heartless.


Ienzo reveals to [[Lea]] that when a Heartless and Nobody are destroyed and their hearts find their vessels, they are returned to the place they became a Heartless and Nobody. However, if that world is destroyed or otherwise unavailable, they would appear in Traverse Town.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''''', '''Ienzo''': "When someone who's lost their heart is recompleted, they should return to the place where it happened. And if that world is unavailable for whatever reason, a refuge is made for them in the realm between—a world called "Traverse Town". They would be sent there."</ref>
Ienzo reveals to [[Lea]] that when a Heartless and Nobody are destroyed and their hearts find their vessels, they are returned to the place they became a Heartless and Nobody. However, if that world is destroyed or otherwise unavailable, they would appear in Traverse Town.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''''', '''Ienzo''': "When someone who's lost their heart is recompleted, they should return to the place where it happened. And if that world is unavailable for whatever reason, a refuge is made for them in the realm between—a world called "Traverse Town". They would be sent there."</ref>
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As naturally occurring Heartless, Pureblood Heartless look more primitive and tend to use more chaotic fighting styles. When they are not possessing objects or using them as armor, Pureblood Heartless are predominantly dark-toned with eerily-colored veins, antennae, and tendrils on their bodies. In addition, they generally do not cast shadows onto the world. Some Pureblood Heartless have chains hanging off their bodies. Particularly strong Pureblood Heartless look somewhat humanoid and possess a heart-shaped hole in the center of their torso.
As naturally occurring Heartless, Pureblood Heartless look more primitive and tend to use more chaotic fighting styles. When they are not possessing objects or using them as armor, Pureblood Heartless are predominantly dark-toned with eerily-colored veins, antennae, and tendrils on their bodies. In addition, they generally do not cast shadows onto the world. Some Pureblood Heartless have chains hanging off their bodies. Particularly strong Pureblood Heartless look somewhat humanoid and possess a heart-shaped hole in the center of their torso.


Emblem Heartless have more varied shapes and colors than their Pureblood cousins. They are branded with an emblem, which resembles a heart with a ''fleur-de-lis'' at the bottom and a spiky "X" crossing through the center. The physical appearance of Emblem Heartless is influenced by the world they appear in. Unlike Purebloods, these Heartless generally do have shadows.
Emblem Heartless have more varied shapes and colors than their Pureblood cousins. They are also branded with Xehanort's emblem to differentiate them from the Pureblood ones. They generally do have shadows unlike the Pureblood group. The Heartless emblem resembles a heart with a ''fleur-de-lis'' at the bottom and a spiky "X" crossing through the center. Despite the [[Ansem Reports]] claiming only Xehanort's machine in the Heartless Manufactory can create them, Heartless are still being born with the Emblem; suggesting the Heartless themselves have adopted the icon, as even [[End of the World]] featured it twice in its rooms.
 
They possess unique abilities, for example, the Leechgrave uses its tentacles to eat other Heartless. When the [[Marionette]] possesses toys, the Heartless emblem appears on them.
{{-}}
{{-}}


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{{Q|Pitiful Heartless. Mindlessly collecting hearts.|Saïx}}
{{Q|Pitiful Heartless. Mindlessly collecting hearts.|Saïx}}
[[File:Up Until Now and From Here On Out 01 KHII.png|200px|thumb|left|A Shadow, a Pureblood Heartless.]]
[[File:Up Until Now and From Here On Out 01 KHII.png|200px|thumb|left|A Shadow, a Pureblood Heartless.]]
Pureblood Heartless are natural Heartless, born from the darkness in people's hearts. They are native to the [[Realm of Darkness]], and they are more common in other places that are close to or saturated in darkness, such as [[End of the World]] and [[The World That Never Was]]. Upon their destruction, they simply disappear in puffs of darkness, without a heart leaving its body.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Marluxia:''' "The ones you just defeated are known as Purebloods. Purebloods don't release any hearts when you defeat them. In other words, don't bother with them."</ref> While Purebloods have less variety, they are far more numerous in quantity and often attack in swarms.
Pureblood Heartless are natural Heartless, born from the darkness in people's hearts. They are more common in places that are close to or saturated in darkness. Upon their destruction, they simply disappear in puffs of darkness, without a heart leaving its body.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Marluxia:''' "The ones you just defeated are known as Purebloods. Purebloods don't release any hearts when you defeat them. In other words, don't bother with them."</ref> While Purebloods have less variety, they are far more numerous in quantity and often attack in swarms.


Emblem Heartless, on the other hand, are artificially created. They were first created from a machine designed to reproduce the process of a heart being consumed by darkness.<ref>'''''[[Secret Ansem Report 5]]''''': "The six traitors were operating a laboratory that churned out those cursed shadows. Not only did they generate "pureblood" Heartless from living hearts, but they then used those Heartless to synthesize artificial versions of the creatures as well. These synthetic Heartless bore insignias and were called "Emblems." Pureblood or Emblem, these Heartless act only to fulfill their instinctive needs. They single-mindedly detect hearts and swarm around them."</ref> They are more common in the worlds within the Realm of Light, and they can adapt their appearance to fit the world they are in, often mimicking the shape of creatures or objects within that world. Powerful Emblem Heartless can also be created directly from the influence of darkness on a creature or individual.<!--Storm Rider, Skoll, Grim Guardianess-->
Emblem Heartless, on the other hand, were originally created from a machine designed to reproduce the process of a heart being consumed by darkness.<ref>'''''[[Secret Ansem Report 5]]''''': "The six traitors were operating a laboratory that churned out those cursed shadows. Not only did they generate "pureblood" Heartless from living hearts, but they then used those Heartless to synthesize artificial versions of the creatures as well. These synthetic Heartless bore insignias and were called "Emblems." Pureblood or Emblem, these Heartless act only to fulfill their instinctive needs. They single-mindedly detect hearts and swarm around them."</ref> Once that machine was activated, most stolen hearts become Emblems, provided they contain darkness. They are more common on the worlds within the Realm of Light, and usually mimic the shape of creatures or objects within that world. The machine fell into disuse after ''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'', due to the [[Villains]] losing the control of Hollow Bastion. However, powerful Emblem Heartless have also been shown to be created directly from [[Storm Rider|a dragon from the Land of Dragons]], [[Skoll|Prince Hans]] and [[Grim Guardianess|Mother Gothel]].


Heartless – Emblem or Pureblood – are dark creatures that act on instinct alone. They will attack others to consume more hearts, and will target wielders of the Keyblade.<ref>'''''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}''''', '''Leon:''' "The Heartless have great fear of the Keyblade. That's why they'll keep coming after you no matter what."</ref> However, a powerful user of darkness can summon or control Heartless.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania]]''''' "As Yen Sid says in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', the Heartless cannot be separated from the darkness in people's hearts, and have been around for a long time. Beings of darkness can draw out the darkness in the heart, so Master Xehanort could summon the Neoshadows with his own hands. In the same way, when Xehanort and Ansem the Wise's students begin to perform the first experiments on the darkness of the heart, artificial Heartless were created in large numbers."</ref> The Heartless will obey a powerful enough force, but they are only loyal as long as the leader remains strong-willed. <ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Saïx:''' "The Heartless ally with whoever's the strongest."</ref><ref>'''''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}''''', '''Maleficent:''' "Don't steep yourself in darkness too long. The Heartless consume the careless."</ref> Additionally, some Heartless are able to command fellow Heartless.
Heartless – Emblem or Pureblood – possess several key characteristics that define them as Heartless. Pureblood Heartless are generated naturally from the darkness within people's hearts. Heartless are born when a heart is consumed by the darkness within it, or when a Heartless steals the heart. They can also be drawn out by a dark being like [[Maleficent]] or a source of dark power like the [[Keyblade of heart]].<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania]]''''' "As Yen Sid says in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', the Heartless cannot be separated from the darkness in people's hearts, and have been around for a long time. Beings of darkness can draw out the darkness in the heart, so Master Xehanort could summon the Neoshadows with his own hands. In the same way, when Xehanort and Ansem the Wise's students begin to perform the first experiments on the darkness of the heart, artificial Heartless were created in large numbers."</ref> This process will occasionally also form [[Nobodies]], which are born from the [[body]] and [[soul]] left behind when the heart is lost.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Yen Sid:''' "At times, if someone with a strong heart and will---be they evil or good---becomes a Heartless, the empty shell they leave behind begins to act with a will of its own."</ref> Being born from darkness, they are mindless and act on instinct; because of such, their only goal is stealing more hearts to turn into Heartless. But what they desire above all are the hearts of worlds, and thus they enter worlds in search of the way into the hearts of the worlds. When they consume these colossal hearts, the remains of the world form new worlds, such as [[Traverse Town]] and [[End of the World]].


[[File:Sora, Donald, and Goofy 01 KH.png|thumb|200px|A Soldier, an Emblem Heartless.]]
[[File:Sora, Donald, and Goofy 01 KH.png|thumb|200px|A Soldier, an Emblem Heartless.]]
Heartless possess the ability to travel between worlds using [[Corridors of Darkness]]. They naturally seek out the heart of the world to corrupt it with their darkness. A Keyblade can lock the heart of a world away from the Heartless; while this prevents the Heartless from destroying the world's heart, it does not keep Heartless out of the world itself.
At the same time, Heartless seek out the users of the Keyblade, since the Keyblade holds the power to lock and unlock hearts.<ref>'''''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}''''', '''Leon:''' "The Heartless have great fear of the Keyblade. That's why they'll keep coming after you no matter what."</ref> If a Heartless is slain by a Keyblade, it will reunite with the body and soul it left behind, if it isn't currently a Nobody. In order to stop the users of the Keyblades, the Heartless use the Keyblade itself as a homing beacon, but ultimately desire to take the heart that commands it. Because of this, Keyblade wielders are under constant attack. Magic can also destroy Heartless, but only temporarily.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Xion:''' "But if I don't defeat Heartless with the Keyblade... the hearts they release just find their way into other Heartless instead. I swat them in one place and they just pop up in another."</ref>
 
The strength of a Heartless is proportional to the depth of the darkness from which it was born. The darker the heart forming a Heartless, Emblem or Pureblood, the more powerful and more monstrous the resulting being will be.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Pete:''' "I'll give that pirate somethin' he can reeeally be greedy about. Then I'll summon a great big whopper of a Heartless!"</ref> An exception to this is Xehanort's Heartless, who retained his human appearance for unknown reasons. This is a contrast to Nobodies, which determine rank according to the strength of the heart, and whose appearances become more human as they increase in power. Furthermore, as beings of elemental darkness, some Heartless are able to take possession of other beings or even inanimate objects, granting them immense dark power and often reshaping their very forms to suit their purpose.
 
As the [[Princesses of Heart]] contained no darkness within their hearts, they could not create Heartless.
 
The Heartless, being mindless, usually have no master to direct their actions and instead act on the instinct to consume more hearts. However, there are some higher beings who can command them. Heartless will obey those with an affinity for darkness and a strong will. If many people attempt to control them, the Heartless will side with whomever is most powerful.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Saïx:''' "The Heartless ally with whoever's the strongest."</ref> However, those with hearts, such as Maleficent, endanger themselves, as the Heartless are attracted to their hearts and if they show weakness, the Heartless will not hesitate to consume their hearts.<ref>'''''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}''''', '''Maleficent:''' "Don't steep yourself in darkness too long. The Heartless consume the careless."</ref>


If a Heartless is slain by a Keyblade, the heart will be freed and reunite with the body and soul it left behind (provided there is no corresponding Nobody). Magic and certain weapons can also destroy Heartless, but only temporarily.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Xion:''' "But if I don't defeat Heartless with the Keyblade... the hearts they release just find their way into other Heartless instead. I swat them in one place and they just pop up in another."</ref> No method of eliminating Heartless is capable of stopping them forever, for as long as darkness lingers in the hearts of individuals, Heartless will continue to form.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Yen Sid:''' Your past endeavors did prevent an immense effusion of Heartless from the great darkness; make no mistake about that. However, the Heartless are darkness made real---and darkness lingers yet in every heart. The Heartless are fewer. But while darkness exists in a single heart, it will be difficult to eliminate them."</ref>
On the other hand, higher ranking Heartless, like Xehanort's Heartless, can fully command other Heartless without endangering themselves. Also, Organization XIII is able to command them as well with their strong wills, but are not endangered of being consumed by them for their lack of a heart.


The strength of a Heartless is proportional to the depth of the darkness from which it was born: the darker the heart forming a Heartless, the more powerful and more monstrous the resulting being will be.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Pete:''' "I'll give that pirate somethin' he can reeeally be greedy about. Then I'll summon a great big whopper of a Heartless!"</ref> For those with no darkness within their hearts, such as the [[Princesses of Heart]], they cannot create Heartless. The process of creating Heartless occasionally also forms [[Nobodies]], which are born from the [[body]] and [[soul]] left behind when the heart is lost.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Yen Sid:''' "At times, if someone with a strong heart and will---be they evil or good---becomes a Heartless, the empty shell they leave behind begins to act with a will of its own."</ref>
Heartless make use of the "[[Corridors of Darkness]]", inter-dimensional pathways that connect the many worlds. These pathways are located in the Realm of Darkness, and thus are very dangerous to use if one is not accustomed to the darkness.
{{-}}
 
==The Heartless invasion==
{{Q|Your past endeavors did prevent an immense effusion of Heartless from the great darkness; make no mistake about that. However, the Heartless are darkness made real---and darkness lingers yet in every heart. The Heartless are fewer. But while darkness exists in a single heart, it will be difficult to eliminate them.|Yen Sid}}
[[File:Xemnas' Thoughts 04 KH.png|thumb|200px|left|The Heartless being controlled by Saïx, a user of darkness.]]
While the Heartless were not researched with the intent of creating a fighting force, their very nature as manifestations of the destructive force of darkness made them naturally suited for conquering and destroying the various worlds. Their natural ability to travel to various worlds through the use of Corridors of Darkness makes it virtually impossible to fully defend a world from Heartless, and the method in which they are created and exist makes it practically impossible to cut them off at the source. Even fighting them once they appear is made difficult due to their immunity to standard weaponry.
 
Heartless can also possess powerful individual to aide in their indiscriminate slaughter. They are draw to thaws who are powerful and a have a penchant for darkness but if they have a moment of weakness or nothing in their heart to hold onto. This was show with [[Clayton]] [[Riku]] the [[cave of wonders]] and even [[buzz]]. It’s established that thaws whose hearts have nothing to connect to are valuable to the heartless possesse. Tarzan saying that Clayton was a lonely, bitter, and friendless man, and so an easy target for the Heartless. Riku was so jealous and believed he was entitled to power and the key blade he willingly gave his heart to the heartless. The cave of wonders had nothing to begin with. This is reiterated in toybox the unowned toys are easily prey for the Marionette Andy’s toys are initially able to resist them because of there connection to Andy and eachother but when buzz suppion comes between him and the others he also gets possessed. When one is take buy the heartless it’s usually a death sentient but if there hearts had past connections that can be reustablished they may be saved has seen with Riku and buzz.
 
[[File:Leon 02 KH.png|thumb|200px|Heartless drawn to a Keyblade wielder.]]
According to the [[Ansem's Reports]], a Keyblade can lock the heart of a world away from the Heartless forever. However, this does not keep the Heartless out of the world; it simply prevents them from destroying it. The citizens of the worlds remain fair game to the Heartless. Although the [[Door to Darkness]] was sealed, the Heartless continue to exist naturally in fewer numbers due to the darkness still existing in people's hearts. However, evil beings such as Pete and Organization XIII seek to create abnormally strong Heartless by forcing beings with strong hearts to succumb to darkness. Thus increasing the threat the Heartless pose.
 
The primary weapon for destroying the Heartless is the Keyblade, as it is both specially suited for manipulating the bonds between heart, body, and soul which create Heartless, and it is the only object able to thwart the Heartless in their goal of devouring a world's heart. However, in the absence of the Keyblade there are several other options. Magic is effective against the Heartless, as are magical weapons. In either situation, invading Heartless can be made disorganized by defeating the major Heartless which leads them, or the dark heart which attracted them to that world. While this does not by any means purge the world of its Heartless, it gives no small respite from their threat. Emblem Heartless that are destroyed by a Keyblade release the heart within them, sending it to a [[Kingdom Hearts]] where it waits for its body and soul to be freed, so that the person it once was can be woken once again.
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==End of the World and Kingdom Hearts==
The Heartless reside wherever darkness is abundant, especially the Realm of Darkness. However, they also reside in places such as the End of the World, a collection of the remnants of worlds that is located near the darkness. Another area that the Heartless live in is The World That Never Was, the world of the Nobodies that rests dangerously close to the darkness upon which the Heartless thrive.
 
[[File:Xemnas' Thoughts 02 KHII.png|thumb|left|Heartless returning to Kingdom Hearts.]]
Heartless, as they seek and consume hearts, also desire to return to the greatest heart, the heart of all worlds, Kingdom Hearts, that resides deep within the Realm of Darkness. And because of this, Heartless seek immense darkness, enough to completely consume the Realm of Light. The entryway into this place of great power is the Door to Darkness, the door that separates the realm of light and the realm of darkness. However, with the efforts of Sora and the King, the door is closed, which causes the worlds lost to the darkness to be restored, and prevents a massive army of Heartless from pouring into the realm of light.
 
The forces of the Heartless were extremely weakened after the door to Kingdom Hearts was sealed off, though there were still many left. It should be noted though that Yen Sid has mentioned that the only true way to destroy all Heartless is to have all people have light filled in their hearts and no darkness, leaving nothing to create a Heartless or something for them to thrive for.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Goofy:''' "But if people have light in their hearts, the Heartless would go away!"</ref>
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File:Pot Spider KH.png|[[Pot Spider]]
File:Pot Spider KH.png|[[Pot Spider]]
File:Barrel Spider KH.png|[[Barrel Spider]]
File:Barrel Spider KH.png|[[Barrel Spider]]
File:Pot Centipede KH.png|'''[[Pot Centipede]]'''
File:Pot Centipede KH.png|[[Pot Centipede]]
File:Pot Scorpion KHFM.png|''[[Pot Scorpion]]''
File:Pot Scorpion KHFM.png|''[[Pot Scorpion]]''
File:Search Ghost KH.png|[[Search Ghost]]
File:Search Ghost KH.png|[[Search Ghost]]
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File:Aquatank KH.png|[[Aquatank]]
File:Aquatank KH.png|[[Aquatank]]
File:Jet Balloon KHFM.png|''[[Jet Balloon]]''
File:Jet Balloon KHFM.png|''[[Jet Balloon]]''
File:Wight Knight KHII.png|[[Wight Knight]]
File:Gargoyle KH.png|[[Gargoyle]]
File:Gargoyle KH.png|[[Gargoyle]]
File:Margoyle KHUX.png|[[Margoyle]]
File:Margoyle KHUX.png|[[Margoyle]]
File:Wight Knight KHII.png|[[Wight Knight]]
File:Pirate KH.png|[[Pirate]]
File:Pirate KH.png|[[Pirate]]
File:Air Pirate KHII.png|[[Air Pirate]]
File:Air Pirate KHII.png|[[Air Pirate]]

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