Promised Beginning (Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep)
Aqua and Terra were standing in front of Eraqus and Master Xehanort while Ven and Aria were at the sidelines. Aria and Ven glanced at Xehanort, who was looking at them with a smirk, causing both to sweatdrop. Dude, why are you staring at us all creepily? Aria thought and then Eraqus got up from his throne and walked over to the two standing before him.
"Today, you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one, but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates." He announced. "But this is neither a competition nor a battle for supremacy...not a test of wills, but a test of heart. Both of you may prevail, or neither. But I'm sure our guest, Master Xehanort...did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the Mark."
He turned back to the two. "I trust you are ready."
"Yes." They both replied.
Eraqus summoned his Keyblade. "Then let the examination begin." He said as he summoned several orbs of light in front of them.
Future Masters (Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep)
Unknown to them, Xehanort waved his hand, and suddenly, the orbs of light had darkness pouring out. "What in the world?!" Eraqus wondered.
Aqua and Terra quickly slashed them, but two of them went over to Aria and Ventus. "Guys!" They both exclaimed as they summoned their Wayward Wind Keyblades and slashed them.
"Don't worry about us! You two focus on the exam!" Aria told them.
"But guys, you're in danger here! Go wait in your room!" Aqua ordered as they were back-to-back.
"No way! We've been looking forward to this!" Ven told her. "Seeing the two of you become masters. We're not gonna miss it now!"
"They can take care of themselves." Terra told her. "They've been out there training just as hard as us."
"Yeah!" They both exclaimed.
Aqua sighed. "Stay sharp, you two."
Several darkness orbs of light taken out later...
Promised Beginning
Eraqus walked up to them. "That was unexpected." He said. "But one must keep a still heart even in the most trying of circumstances. It was an excellent test, one I chose to let unfold. Which brings us to our next trial."
Terra and Aqua were at each side of the room, Keyblades out and looking right at each other. "Now, Terra and Aqua, the two of you will face each other in combat. Remember, there are no winners...only truths, for when equal powers clash, their nature is revealed." Terra and Aqua both got in battle positions. "Begin!"
Battle! Gym Leader (Pokemon X and Y)
Both Terra and Aqua both ran towards each other and slashed each other, but they ended up clashing and jumped back. Terra lunged right for Aqua, but she blocked and countered.
Terra growled under his breath and slashed her again, but Aqua quickly jumped back and slashed upward, but Terra quickly jumped back, her Keyblade almost grazing his chin as he glared at Aqua...and then suddenly, darkness appeared in his hand, forcing him to look at his hand and not at Aqua as it quickly disappeared and then dodging Aqua's attack.
Eraqus mentally sighed. Not again... He thought, not seeing Xehanort smirking at Terra.
A few minutes later...
Promised Beginning
"We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, you both performed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the Mark of Mastery." Both Terra's and Aqua's eyes widened. "Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But there is always next time. That is all."
He looked at Aqua again. "Aqua, as our newest Keyblade Master, you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction." He instructed and then walked off with Xehanort.
Aqua looked at Terra. "Hey..."
Aria and Ven ran over to Terra. "Terra...i'm sorry." Aria said, looking sympathetically at him.
"The darkness...where did it come from?" He asked.
Villains of a Sort (Kingdom Hearts)
Xehanort walked down the stairs. "What do you make of Ventus and Aria?" He asked.
"They ain't gonna cut it." A boy said. "Somebody's gotta break those losers in."
"Not here, you won't. I have to keep up appearances."
The boy put his mask back on. "I know that. They just need a little incentive to leave home."
Back with the four...
"Sorry, but I need some time alone." Terra muttered as he walked away.
Poor guy... Both Aqua and Aria thought.
There's darkness within me...so what does that matter? Terra thought as he closed his eyes. "I'm strong enough to hold it back." He said out loud.
"Yes..." A voice said. "You are indeed strong. The darkness is nothing to fear."
"Master Xehanort..." Terra said in surprise.
"And yet...how frustrating that Eraqus refutes its power. Why, you can train with him forever and still...you'd never be a Master in his eyes." He said while walking down the stairs.
"But why? Help me understand, Master Xehanort. What is it that I failed to learn?"
"You are fine as you are. Darkness cannot be destroyed. It can only be channeled."
"Yes, thank you master." Suddenly, a bell went off as Terra quickly turned around and ran up the steps, as Xehanort walked away, walking into a dark portal.
With Ven and Aria...
"What in the world?" Aria wondered as they both ran out the door.
"Better hurry, you two." A voice said as they turned to see a masked boy in the room.
"Huh? Who are you?" Ven asked.
"Or you'll never see Terra again." He continued, ignoring Ven's question.
"What? Get real. We can see Terra anytime we want." Aria said.
"Like right now? He's leaving you behind...and by the time you catch up...he'll be a different person."
"Look...whoever you are...you don't know the first thing about Terra." Ven said.
"He's right. We'll ALWAYS be a team!" Aria exclaimed and summoned her Keyblade. "You trying to pick a fight or what?"
"Oh grow up." He said. "Is that what you call friendship? You'll never know the truth unless you go out and look for it yourselves. Come on, what could you both possibly know when you're stuck here, looking at nothing but what's in your tiny world?" He then summoned a portal and walked in it.
Ven's fists clenched. "TERRA!" He yelled and ran off.
"Hey! Wait up!" Aria exclaimed and ran after him.
Terra ran up to Aqua. "What happened?" He asked.
"I don't know." She replied. "Why aren't Ven and Aria here?"
"Very well then, I will send my pupils to investigate. Yes, I understand. Farewell." Eraqus said and walked over to Aqua and Terra.
Promised Beginning
"That was my dear old friend Yen Sid. As you know, he is master no more...but he still keeps a close eye on the tides of light and darkness. His counsel serves as signposts on the road we wielders of the Keyblade must walk. All the more reason, then, for concern...for he tells me the princesses of heart are in danger. Not only from the forces of darkness, as you may assume...but also from a new threat...one that feeds on negativity. Fledgling emotions that have taken monster form...Yen Sid calls them the Unversed."
He still looked at the both of them. "As wielders of the Keyblade, you are tasked with striking down any who would upset the balance of light and darkness. I tried to pass this news on to Master Xehanort, but my repeated attempts to reach him have failed. I doubt there is any connection, and yet... This all troubles me."
"Master Xehanort...is gone?" Terra asked.
Eraqus nodded. "So here we are. I need you two to get this situation under control. Eliminate the Unversed and find Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden pathways to travel between the world and countless others. The darkness looms closer than usual within these spaces, but your armor will protect you. Lastly, remember that order must be kept. You cannot tell anyone there are other worlds. Now go, and fulfill your duty." He ordered.
"Yes, master." They both said as Terra began to walk away.
"Terra." Eraqus stopped him, as Terra turned around. "Consider this an opportunity. A second chance for you to change my mind."
"What?"
"You must know, I care for you like my own son." He said while walking up to him. "If I could have my way, I would name you master in a second. But how can I, when you are so obsessed with power? Terra, you mustn't be afraid of losing. Fear leads to obsession with power, and obsession beckons the darkness." He put his hand on his shoulder. "You must never forget."
"Thank you, master." He bowed. "I swear...I will not fail you again." He said and walked away.
Aqua looked at Terra, and then back to Eraqus. "Master, I'd best be on my way." She said and walked away, seeing Ven running and Aria chasing after him.
"Wait, Aqua." He stopped her. "Before you depart, I have one other...well, call it a request, of the utmost priority."
Aqua (Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep)
"Yes?"
"I told Terra this could be a second chance to show the Mark of Mastery...and I meant it. However, that little flicker of darkness he displayed during the examination...I can sense it runs very deep. If he were to...if those powers were to prove too much for him to handle, I want you to bring him back here at once. It's for his own good. I could not bear to lose any of you to the darkness."
"Of course. I would never let that happen. I promise you I will bring Terra back. Only this time, you'll see he has what it takes to be a master." She promised and walked away. "He's not as weak as you think."
"Terra!" Ven called to Terra.
"Huh?" He turned to see Ven and Aria running up to him, panting.
"Look...about what happened earlier..." Aria tried to say but Terra scratched both of their heads.
"It's okay." He smiled, and then turned around, activating his armor and getting on his Keyblade Glider and took off.
"Well, looks like he's off." Aria said...and then Ventus activated HIS armor. "VEN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"Ven, wait!" Aqua exclaimed, but Ven got in his Keyblade Glider and took off.
"No, he musn't!" Eraqus exclaimed.
"I'll go after him!" Aria exclaimed, activating her armor, getting in her Keyblade Glider and took off.
"Wait, Aria!" Eraqus tried to stop her, but too late, she was long gone as he turned to Aqua. "You must bring them back!"
"Don't worry, Master!" Aqua exclaimed, activating her armor and then taking off in her Keyblade Glider.
==================================================================================================
And thus...off to other worlds!