I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters. In this story, everyone thinks Vanitas is simply Xehanort's student. Never played birth by sleep. Unsure about timeframe.
Ready or Not, Here You Go
She passed. Of course she passed. There was never a doubt in his mind. He was, however, surprised and confused that Terra hadn't been able to control his inner darkness. He'd never had that problem before. And then, there was Ventus. He had asked to be allowed to take the test as well but he had been denied. He so wanted to be allowed even to just take the test, even if he failed. But Eraqus didn't seem to believe that he was ready. Ventus disagreed. That was why he was heading back to beg. Probably not the wisest move ever but hell, he had to try something. And after spending nearly a week without any Unversed surfacing anywhere, giving them all a welcome break from their month long war against them, Ventus needed something to do besides watch Terra and Aqua train. He'd train with them but neither was willing to use their full strength against him, resulting in him not being sure how strong he himself was.
He knocked and the door swung open. Ventus saw that Aqua and Eraqus were both there, probably discussing something important, and Master Xehanort was off to one side talking with his own student, Vanitas. Eraqus motioned for Ventus to come forward and he did so, walking up to his Master and friend and kneeling, knowing how much trouble he'd be in if he interrupted something important.
"Ah, Ventus," Eraqus smiled. "Aqua and I were just discussing some things."
"I see," Ventus nodded. "Master...I..."
"What is it?" Eraqus asked.
Ventus glanced to the side where Xehanort and Vanitas, Ventus suspected since he couldn't see Vanitas's face through his mask, were watching.
"I...would like to ask permission to take the Mark of Mastery exam," Ventus requested.
"Ventus," Eraqus sighed. "We discussed this before. You aren't ready to be a Keyblade Master."
"But Master, I am ready," Ventus pleaded looking up at him desperately. "I've been fighting the Unversed with Aqua and Terra ever since I left. I'm strong enough to take the test!"
"No, you're not," Eraqus snapped. "Keyblade Masters must have faith, strength, and patience! The fact that you are here proves you have no patience."
"But I do have patience," Ventus said. "I've been waiting to take the test ever since I became a Keyblade Wielder."
"Master," Aqua spoke up. "Maybe Ventus is ready. He's right that he's been holding his own against the Unversed. And they are in no way a weak enemy."
"Fighting a powerful enemy doesn't make him ready to be a Keyblade Master," Eraqus stated.
"I think it would be an excellent idea," Master Xehanort spoke up. "Vanitas could take it with him."
"Master Xehanort, please stay out of this," Eraqus sighed.
"Look, I don't care who I have to fight, I'll fight you, Master Xehanort, Vanitas, Aqua-"
"You?" Terra snorted from the doorway. "Fight Aqua? Now that's funny. We all know you could never fight Aqua. You'd rather give yourself to an Unversed. But somehow you've kept it secret. And you're an empty doorframe."
"You're hilarious," Ventus growled.
"What are you talking about?" Aqua questioned.
"Nothing," Terra said as Ventus shot him a death glare.
"Look, you're not taking the exam Ventus," Eraqus interrupted. "You're not ready. You have no patience."
"Master," Aqua sighed. "Ventus is ready. He's been waiting for this for as long as I can remember. Even if he fails the test, at least give him the chance to realize his dream."
"His dream?" Eraqus questioned.
"It's his dream to be a Keyblade Master," Aqua stated.
"Master," Ventus spoke up. "You say a Keyblade Master must have faith. Then why do you not have any faith in me?"
Eraqus stared at him with an impassive expression for a moment before sighing.
"Very well," Eraqus nodded. "You may take the exam. Will your student also be taking it?"
"He will," Xehanort nodded. "Now all we need is the balls of light for them to fight."
Just then, a part of the roof was blasted to the floor as several Scrapper and Flood-type Unversed fell through, landing on the rubble and looking around. After a moment, a small group of Archravens flew in, hovering just under the ceiling and watching them all.
"They can be the replacement," Aqua stated. "Begin!"
Ventus summoned his keyblade instantly, charging toward the ground forces as Vanitas summoned his own, much larger, keyblade and leapt at the Archravens that were diving at him. All in all, the two had the situation relatively under control. Most of the Flood-types had sunk into the ground to move around safely but the Scrappers were attacking Ventus from all sides. He was doing well, spinning and slashing at the Scrappers while keeping them from landing a hit on him. He had yet to even rely on magic. Finally, he ducked under a Scrapper's slash as Vanitas's keyblade flashed over his head, destroying the last of the Unversed. Ventus stood, sighing as Vanitas stared upward.
"Thanks for the help," Ventus sighed. "Is it over?"
"No," Vanitas said shaking his head. "There's one more."
He began to back away and Ventus took the hint, doing the same just before something massive crashed down through the ceiling, filling the room with dust and grabbing both of the boys and spinning, hurling them into the wall. Ventus stood, looking to his left where Vanitas had landed. Vanitas flipped onto his feet, summoning his keyblade to himself again and looking over to Ventus.
"Shall we end this?" Vanitas questioned.
"I'll take the left," Ventus stated. "You get the right."
"Deal," Vanitas nodded.
The dust finally settled and revealed a massive suit of armor similar to a Trinity Armor except much fatter.
"That should be fun," Ventus growled. "First charge."
"Right," Vanitas nodded.
The two sprinted forward, crossing halfway as the armor throw a punch at them, the fist crashing down where they crossed. When they reached it, they both spun counter clockwise, slashing it legs and removing its feet. The armor crashed down and they both spun again, slashing a gash into its sides. Then, Vanitas jumped and brought his keyblade down through one side of the armor and Ventus jumped, dragging his own keyblade up through the Unversed on the other side, their keyblades scraping each other as they passed. Then, both finished their swings, their keyblades bursting out of the Unversed in a spray of a dark black liquid that Ventus had come to assume was the Unversed version of blood. The Unversed roared in pain before fading and Ventus sighed looking to Eraqus as Vanitas looked to Xehanort who nodded, only just enough for Vanitas to get the message.
"Very good," Eraqus nodded. "Now, the two of you must face each other in single combat. Begin!"
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