Editing Keyblade

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{{Q|This is what lights the darkness. A chance to make everyone happy!|Sora to CLU, referring to the Keyblade}}
[[File:Kingdom Key KHII.png|thumb|200px|The [[Kingdom Key]], the first Keyblade seen in the ''[[Kingdom Hearts (series)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' series, is a Keyblade from the Realm of Light.]]
{{nihongo|'''Keyblades'''|キーブレード|Kīburēdo}} are mysterious weapons that are prominently featured in the ''[[Kingdom Hearts (series)|Kingdom Hearts]]'' series. These weapons play an important role in the battle between [[darkness]] and [[light]]; they are wielded by many of the series' major characters, particularly its main protagonist, [[Sora]].

==Development==
[[File:Sora (Early Concept) 1 (Art).png|left|thumb|180px|The original design for Sora and his blade.]]
According to an interview with Tetsuya Nomura, the Keyblade was originally planned to be a chainsaw-like weapon.<ref>https://m.uk.ign.com/articles/2009/07/09/kingdom-hearts-keyblades-were-originally-chainsaws</ref>
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==Story==
===Creation===
The original [[χ-blade]]'s existence was intimately linked with the existence of the true Kingdom Hearts, and so it was destroyed along with Kingdom Hearts in the first Keyblade War. Though Master Xehanort's research suggested that it can be reforged by fusing a heart of pure light with one of pure darkness, he later concludes that the χ-blade can be truly restored only by uniting seven hearts of pure light with thirteen hearts  of pure darkness. The lesser [[Keyblade of heart]], whose existence opens a path to Kingdom Hearts, can be forged from the union of seven hearts of pure light.

The method for forging a regular Keyblade is not entirely clear, although several newly-forged Keyblades do appear in the series. Riku's Keyblade, the [[Way to the Dawn]], was able to manifest by using his [[Soul Eater]] as an intermediary, while [[Data-Sora]]'s strength of heart allowed him to create a true Keyblade after his artificial, digital Keyblade was destroyed by Maleficent. [[Yuffie]] mentions Keyblades "choose" their wielders.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts (game)|Kingdom Hearts]]''''', '''Yuffie:''' "The Keyblade chooses its master. And it chose you."</ref>{{fact}}<!--incorporate info from ultimania on the riku/sora bit-->

===Early history===
[[File:The Gathering 02 KHII.png|thumb|200px|The Keyblade Graveyard.]]
Long before the events of the [[Dark Seeker Saga]], in the "age of fairy tales" when the world was whole, [[Kingdom Hearts]] gave light to the world. However, it remained out of mankind's reach, as it was protected by its counterpart, the [[χ-blade]]. According to legend, many came to desire the light, and their greed and jealousy introduced darkness into the World. In order to conquer the light of Kingdom Hearts, people forged the first Keyblades in the image of the χ-blade, and they clashed with each other in a great [[Keyblade War]] that involved those who served the light, those who served the darkness, those who sought balance, and those who simply sought power.

In truth, however, the first known Keyblades were created by the [[Master of Masters]], who was capable of extracting them from the hearts of people using his knowledge of the χ-blade, rather than forging them.<ref>'''''{{w|Weekly Famitsu}}'''''<!--If anyone knows which volume issue this is, please add it-->, pg. 198; '''Tetsuya Nomura:''' "The Master knows about its existence. Using the χ-blade as a model, he creates his own Keyblades. Well, by create I don’t mean that in the physical sense, such as forging and tempering them, I mean more along the lines of pulling one out from the depths of a heart." [https://www.khinsider.com/news/Famitsu-showcases-Kingdom-Hearts-HD-2-8-Nomura-interview-released-8108 Translation via Saken and Goldpanner].</ref> The conflict embroiled even those who did not desire Kingdom Hearts and took the lives of thousands; it also extinguished the light from the world and trapped Kingdom Hearts in the deepest darkness while the χ-blade shattered into twenty pieces: seven lights and thirteen darknesses. The final site of the Keyblade War became the barren [[Keyblade Graveyard]], littered with ancient Keyblades.

Because light remained in the hearts of children, it was able to draw the fragments of the World back together, creating several separate worlds. The remaining Keyblade wielders decided to use the Keyblade in order to protect what was left of the [[Realm of Light]]. They primarily settled in worlds within the [[Realm Between]], such as the [[Land of Departure]], where the Realm of Light bordered the Realm of Darkness. Memories of the Keyblade War survived in various legends, which disputed whether the Keyblade was a weapon meant to bring salvation or destruction.

===Before ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
Long before Sora's journey, [[Xehanort]] and [[Eraqus]] became apprentices under an unnamed Keyblade Master, and they served to protect the Realm of Light from darkness. However, Xehanort's natural curiosity about the darkness and his research into the Keyblade War eventually led him to believe that the sovereignty of light upheld by the Keyblade wielders was tyrannical and misguided. Xehanort sought to create a world in which light and darkness existed in equilibrium; due to the lack of balance between these two forces, if he was to accomplish this goal, he would need to unleash a flood of darkness upon the worlds in the form of a second Keyblade War.

While both Xehanort and Eraqus were declared Keyblade Masters, their differing opinions regarding the start of a second Keyblade War caused Xehanort to leave the Land of Departure. Eraqus became the Successor, and he took on [[Terra]] and [[Aqua]] as his apprentices. Elsewhere, Xehanort resolved to recreate the χ-blade, and when his pupil, [[Ventus]], refused to submit to the darkness, the elderly Keyblade Master extracted the darkness in the boy's heart to create [[Vanitas]]. This left Ventus's heart incomplete and almost resulted in the boy's death, but when he survived, he was left in Eraqus's care. In time, Vanitas would be forced to clash with Ventus, thus forging the χ-blade. 

Meanwhile, a retired Keyblade Master named [[Yen Sid]] took on [[Mickey Mouse]] as his apprentice. A former colleague of Eraqus and Xehanort, Yen Sid decided not to involve himself in their quarrel over the start of another Keyblade War. Instead, he chose to keep watch over the balance between light and darkness and oversee Mickey's [[Mark of Mastery exam]].

===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
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[[File:Ventus-Vanitas 01 KHBBS.png|left|thumb|200px|Vanitas holds the χ-blade.]]-->
Ten years before Sora's first journey, there were eight known Keyblade wielders: Eraqus, Terra, Ventus, Aqua, Xehanort, Vanitas, the retired Yen Sid, and Mickey Mouse. 

Intending to sabotage Terra and Aqua's Mark of Mastery exam in accordance with his plot to reforge the χ-blade, Xehanort extended his apologies to Eraqus and requested to be present for the examination; this ended the feud between Xehanort and Eraqus. 

When he visits the [[Destiny Islands]], Terra performs the [[Bequeathing]], granting a young boy named [[Riku]] the ability to one day wield the Keyblade himself. Aqua accidentally does this with [[Kairi]] in [[Radiant Garden]]; she initially intends to perform the ceremony and grant Riku's friend Sora the ability to wield the Keyblade, but Aqua decides against this when she senses that Riku already can. 

When Terra, Aqua, and Ventus confront Xehanort at the Keyblade Graveyard, the elderly Keyblade Master explains that the world serves as the final resting place of the combatants of the Keyblade War.
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===''Kingdom Hearts''===
<!--bad image, replace with one that actually shows the blade
[[File:The Keyblade 02 KH.png|thumb|200px|Sora's Keyblade.]]-->
[[File:Sealing Hollow Bastion's Keyhole 01 KH.png|thumb|200px|Sora's Keyblade seals a Keyhole.]]
When the worlds first start to disappear, King Mickey realizes that [[Kingdom Hearts]] was going to be opened, and went to the [[Realm of Darkness]] to find its Keyblade, with which he could seal the door. However, he would also need someone to use a Keyblade from the [[Realm of Light]] in concert with him, so he left a letter for [[Donald Duck]] and [[Goofy]], asking them to find the chosen wielder of that Keyblade and assist him in saving the worlds.<!--letter at beginning telling Donald and Goofy to find the boy with the key-->

When the Heartless invade [[Destiny Islands]], Sora rushes to the small island to save his friends, but finds that Kairi and Riku have already been swallowed by darkness. It is at this point that the Keyblade which Terra had promised Riku finally appears on the island, but because Riku has already given himself to darkness, Sora becomes its wielder instead.<!--is Sora's Keyblade literally Riku's, from his heart, or is it a one-of-a-kind special Light Keyblade? did riku use it to open the keyhole?-->
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When Sora first arrives at the [[Traverse Town]], he meets Leon, who gives him shelter and some insight about the Keyblade and Heartless. Yuffie and Leon have to get Sora off the Keyblade since it's the only way to "conceal his heart (Sora's)," this is due to the Heartless fearing the Keyblade and they will stop at nothing to eliminate the wielder of the weapon.

In Atlantica, [[King Triton]] is enraged when he finds out that Sora is the key bearer and he tells him that as a key bearer, one must not meddle in the affairs of another world and that Sora had violated the principle. He declares that the Keyblade and its wielder can only shatter peace and bring ruin.

Sora uses this Keyblade to seal the [[Keyhole]]s of the worlds he visits, but when he arrives at Hollow Bastion, Riku reveals that the Keyblade was intended for him, and he takes it back as Sora's heart falters. However, Sora soon confronts Riku again, and the strength of his heart proves greater than Riku's, allowing him to reclaim the Keyblade.

[[File:Kingdom Key D KHII.png|thumb|200px|left|The Kingdom Key D is a Keyblade from the Realm of Darkness.]]
Confused and angry, Riku runs off and is found by [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness|Ansem]], who convinces Riku to allow Ansem to possess his body in exchange for more power. While possessing Riku, Ansem summons the [[Keyblade of heart]], created from the collected hearts of the [[Princesses of Heart]], in order to unlock the [[Final Keyhole]]. However, both the Keyblade and the Keyhole remain incomplete due to the disappearance of Kairi's heart. When Sora tracks down the possessed Riku and confronts him, Ansem reveals that Kairi's heart is in fact within Sora, and he attacks Sora in order to take it. Sora defeats him, but in order to restore Kairi's heart and fully seal the Final Keyhole, he uses the Keyblade of heart on himself. This completes the Keyhole and restores all of the Princess's hearts, but Sora becomes a Heartless, until he is restored to his body by Kairi's light.

Later on, after Sora, Donald, and Goofy defeat Ansem and attempt to close the door to Kingdom Hearts, King Mickey finally appears with the [[Kingdom Key D]], a Keyblade of the Realm of Darkness. With their help, as well as that of the restored Riku, they close the door, saving the worlds from the imminent flood of darkness.
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===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
Since Sora retained his memories and feelings as a [[Heartless]], something only [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness|one other person]] had done, [[Axel]] becomes particularly interested in why the Keyblade chose Sora as its wielder. Tired of [[Xemnas]]'s rule, [[Marluxia]] conspires with [[Larxene]] to use [[Naminé]] to rewrite [[Sora]]'s memories so they can use his Keyblade's power to overthrow [[Organization XIII|the Organization]].

===''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
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[[File:Mission 93 01 KHD.png|thumb|200px|Roxas holding two Keyblades.]]
As Sora's Nobody, [[Roxas]] can use his Keyblade. In addition, [[Xion]] is created by Xemnas to ensure there will be a Keyblade wielder loyal to the Organization. Upon Xion's destruction, Roxas awakens the ability to wield two Keyblades, Sora's and Ventus's. The Keyblade was used during this time as part of [[Xemnas]]'s plans for his [[Kingdom Hearts]].
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===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
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[[File:The Heroes, Together Again at Last 02 KHII.png|left|thumb|200px|Kairi's Keyblade.]]
Sora, Riku, Kairi, [[Roxas]], and King Mickey can use the Keyblade. Sora uses the Keyblade to open new paths to new worlds through [[Gate]]s. While King Mickey comes out occasionally to assist Sora, Riku obtains his own Keyblade, [[Way to the Dawn]], at some point before reuniting with Sora and Kairi in [[The World That Never Was]]. During the Heartless surge in the [[Castle That Never Was]], Kairi obtains the [[Destiny's Embrace]] from Riku.
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===''Kingdom Hearts coded''===
In the [[datascape]], [[Data-Sora]] can use his digital version of the [[Kingdom Key]] to fix the source of [[Bug Blox]] and to seal the data Keyholes. His digital Keyblade was destroyed in Episode 5, but gained a new Keyblade in Episode 6. King Mickey explains that this Keyblade is tightly connected to the Power of the Heart, implying that his Keyblade is genuine.

King Mickey also uses his own Keyblade to defeat the Heartless that attack his castle.
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===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
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[[File:Pieces of Their Dreams 02 KH3D.png|thumb|200px|Riku and Sora sealing Traverse Town.]]
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Sora and Riku take the [[Mark of Mastery exam]] to become true Keyblade Masters. However, Riku doubts his own ability to wield a Keyblade, as he believes that the darkness still has a hold of him and uses the exam to test his worth as a Keyblade wielder. During his exam, Sora is constantly being tracked by Organization XIII through the [[Recusant's Sigil]] on his shirt. After defeating [[Xemnas]], Sora has been heavily worn down after diving so far into the dream world. He is captured by Young Xehanort and taken to Where Nothing Gathers. When Riku attempts to save Sora, Young Xehanort tries to stop Riku. Mickey stops Xehanort with a Stopza, but Master Xehanort's consciousness allows him to move in the space. Young Xehanort then summons an unfamiliar Keyblade to do battle with Riku. Riku emerges victorious and [[Young Xehanort's Keyblade]] is never seen afterwards. 

Upon his materialization, Master Xehanort reveals his intention to clash seven lights and thirteen darkness to forge a χ-blade. He also reveals that it was his intentions to gather the Princesses of Heart to fulfill his old intentions. After discussing his ideals with the [[Real Organization XIII|new Organization]], he attempts to use his Keyblade, [[No Name]], to make Sora his thirteenth vessel. He is stopped by [[Lea]] and all of the members of the Organization are forced to return to their respective places in time. Riku dives into Sora's heart, and fights against an [[Armored Ventus Nightmare]], who wields the Kingdom Key in a similar fashion to Ventus's fighting style. After Riku wakes up Sora and returns to the real world, Yen Sid declares that Riku has passed the exam, but due to what has transpired, Sora does not attain the rank of master. It is later revealed that [[Lea]] has become a Keyblade wielder, as well.
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==Keyblade wielders==
[[File:Roxas (Oathkeeper and Oblivion) KHII.png|thumb|right|180px|Roxas often uses Synch Blade to manifest his [[Oathkeeper and Oblivion]].]]
{{main|List of Keyblade wielders}}
{{Q|Well, you'll find they're picky about their owners.|Terra to Braig}}
The Keyblade only lets a chosen wielder hold it, but those with the strength of heart to wield a Keyblade are able to give or take them from others, or take control of them if they have been abandoned. Those incapable of wielding a Keyblade cannot keep it, even if a wielder hands it to them. A wielder is able to summon or dispel their Keyblades at will. In ''Kingdom Hearts'', the Keyblade disappears until Sora starts attacking, while in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' and ''Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep'', it reappears as soon as the player approaches an enemy. In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', the Keyblade appears when Roxas takes damage or begins attacking. In the manga, Sora keeps his Keyblade behind him, strapped to his belt.

However, it is implied that one can only wield a single Keyblade at a time, even if they have possession of more than one. The exceptions to this rule are Sora and Roxas, who can wield two Keyblades at once and channel both their abilities, due to Sora harboring Ventus's heart.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania]]''''', p. 617; '''Interviewer:''' "Why can Roxas dual-wield?" / '''Tetsuya Nomura:''' "Sora can wield two Keyblades at once because he has Ventus's as well as his own. As Roxas is a part of Sora, he also can use two. In ''Days'', Roxas awakened his ability to dual wield after fighting Xion. In ''KHII'', once Sora absorbs him, he can also dual-wield." [https://www.khinsider.com/news/BBS-Ultimania-20-Mysteries-Solved-2546 Translation via Lissar].</ref> It is also possible for a wielder at the level of a Master to choose someone of a strong enough heart as their successor. This is often done through the [[Bequeathing]], but can also be performed informally when the wielder lets a candidate touch their Keyblade, or if their hearts link together.
<!--Examples, do we use as sources, in-text examples, or delete?
In ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', Terra chose Riku to be his successor, while Aqua accidentally made Kairi a successor when the child touched Aqua's Keyblade. Aqua originally considered choosing Sora to be her successor, but decided against it because Terra had already performed the ritual on Riku, and she did not want to cause the two to fight. However, Sora nonetheless gained the ability to use the Keyblade when Ventus's heart fused with his own.

Aqua acquired Eraqus's Master Keeper when she found it after his demise, and Mickey obtained the Kingdom Key D within the Realm of Darkness, Xehanort magically animated the abandoned Keyblades in the graveyard.

Due to Ventus' Heart slumbering in Sora's, Sora is able to summon both his own and Ven's Keyblades at once.  Though Roxas uses this ability at almost all times after defeating and absorbing [[Xion]], using [[Oathkeeper and Oblivion]], Sora has only been seen using this ability in his [[Valor Form|Valor]], [[Master Form|Master]], and [[Final Form|Final]] [[Drive Form]]s.  It has been confirmed, however, that Sora is able to dual-wield Keyblades in his base state, as Sora and Roxas share all of the same abilities.-->

When some wielders summon their Keyblades, they are accompanied by visual effects specific to the user.<!--T, V, A, maybe ME and MX?-->
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==Powers==
{{Q|The Keyblade. A truly marvelous weapon... were it only in more capable hands.|Xemnas during Sora's first visit to [[Hollow Bastion]] in ''Kingdom Hearts II''}}
[[File:Closing the Door 01 KH0.2.png|thumb|left|200px|Mickey retrieves the Kingdom Key D and prepares to close the Door to Darkness.]]
The Keyblade's signature ability is the power to open or close any lock or door<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Hades''': "Let me see if I got this right... That brat's Keyblade works on any lock?" / '''Pete''': "That's right".</ref>, be it to a physical object, to the heart of a person or world, or to a [[gate]] or pathway between worlds. For objects like treasure chests, this merely requires tapping the chest, while for more magical locks, the Keyblade generally operates by emitting a bright, thin beam of light from its tip, or by being thrust directly into the keyhole or person's chest.
<!--Their ability to unlock a person's heart makes them particularly effective weapons against [[Heartless]] and [[Nobody|Nobodies]], but also draws these beings to the wielders. Meanwhile, their power over a world's heart allows a wielder to open or seal the barriers between worlds, or even lock the world's heart to protect it from darkness. Keyblades usually exercise this power by emitting a bright, thin beam of light, but can also work by being directly impaled into a person's chest.-->

In combat, Keyblades are wielded in the same way as swords, with the specific style varying with the wielder. Despite many Keyblades' apparent frailty or lack of a cutting edge, Keyblades are able to serve as both excellent blunt weapons and supernaturally precise cutting tools. Keyblades are especially effective against creatures connected to hearts or darkness, including the [[Heartless]],<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''''', '''Saix''': Pitiful Heartless, mindlessly collecting hearts. And yet they know not the true power of what they hold. The rage of the Keyblade releases those hearts.</ref> [[Nobody|Nobodies]], [[Unversed]] and [[Dream Eater]]s.

Keyblades are natural conduits for magic; even Keyblade wielders without formal training are able to perform magic with power rivaling that of expert mages. Keyblades may also be imbued with magic for a variety of effects, including allowing the wielder to inflict greater damage or deal elemental damage to enemies. Keyblades can also be used to channel the powers of light or darkness.{{fact}}<!--explain better-->

A trained Keyblade wielder can also transform their Keyblade, changing its size and shape. This can be used to augment its use as a weapon, or to transform the Keyblade into a vehicle form, known as a "[[Keyblade Glider]]".

A Keyblade wielder can attach a [[Keychain]] or [[Gear]] to their Keyblade to transform it into a particular form, affecting both its design and abilities. Equipping a Keychain also changes the effect generated when the Keyblade is summoned; this effect is generally based on the Keychain's symbolism.

Keyblades also seem to be a manifestation of their wielder's hearts and desires and can act upon these desires even when the user is incapacitated. When Aqua gave up hope and allowed herself to be destroyed in the Realm of Darkness, Terra's Earthshaker and Ventus's Wayward Wind came and protected her.

==Appearance==
All Keyblades share the same fundamental features, modeled after a key: a guard with a handle, a hilt, and a head at the end of the shaft that resembles the teeth of a skeleton key, with the exception of the [[Fenrir]], which is instead modeled after a {{w|pin tumbler lock}} key.

==Other appearances==
===''Marvel Heroes''===
{{Q|A heart, a heart, my kingdom for a heart.|Deadpool}}
In the MMORPG {{w|Marvel Heroes (video game)|''Marvel Heroes''}}, {{w|Deadpool}} can wield a series of weapons named "'''Keyblades'''". However, they do not physically resemble those of the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series.

The in-game description of the Keyblades is a reference to {{w|William Shakespeare}}'s ''{{w|Richard III (play)|Richard III}}'', as well as a pun on the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series.

<gallery>
Equipment-Katanas-Keyblades (Deadpool Cosmic).jpg|Deadpool's Keyblades as they appear in ''Marvel Heroes''.
Keyblades (Marvel Heroes).png|Deadpool's "Keyblades of Knowledge" as they appear in ''Marvel Heroes''.
</gallery>

===''Disney Infinity 3.0''===
In ''Disney Infinity 3.0'', if players purchase and scan every figure available for that version of the game, they can unlock Sora's Keyblade, which is the strongest collectible weapon in the game.<ref>https://twitter.com/DisneyInteract/status/632995256200359937/</ref>

<gallery>
Kingdom Key Promo DI3.png|Mickey wielding Sora's Keyblade in ''Disney Infinity 3.0''.
</gallery>

==References==
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