Chapter 3: The Mark of Mastery
There were mixed reactions in Yen Sid's office when he broke the news to Sora, Riku and Kairi regarding what was to come.
Sora stared unbelievably at Master Yen Sid like he had grown a second head, mouth hanging slightly open. His arms hung from his sides, but his hands slowly curled into clenched fists.
Riku was the calmest of the three. His eyes were hidden under his overgrown fringe, but he raised his head enough to show saddened, hurt eyes.
Kairi was less concerned about her own reaction and glanced at Sora and Riku trying to understand their reactions. She looked to Master Yen Sid who sat behind his desk with King Mickey at his side. Donald and Goofy stood nearby, eyeing their friends worriedly. Kairi gulped and was the first to speak.
"How will Xehanort try to come back?" she asked Master Yen Sid.
Master Yen Sid nodded acknowledging her answer. He raised an arm and snapped his finger twice. Two puffs of smoke suddenly burst in thin air besides Yen Sid's desk. Donald and Goofy jumped out of the way in shock, as two figures were revealed as the smoke cleared. It was Xehanort's Heartless or "Ansem", and Xemnas, Xehanort's Nobody. Both virtually identical, silvery hair, yellow piercing eyes, dressed in black. Sora glared at the two with equal resent.
"Although the efforts of Sora, Riku, Donald and Goofy were useful in thwarting the Heartless and Nobodies," said Master Yen Sid. "It seems that with the defeat of Xehanort's Heartless, and then his Nobody Xemnas, have allowed the original Xehanort to return."
"How?" asked Riku in turn, stepping forward to the sorcerer's desk, placing his hands on it firmly.
"If a Heartless or a Nobody of a person with a strong heart is defeated, they are thrown into limbo until their other half is destroyed. That way, both can come together," explained Master Yen Sid. "The heart reconnects with the body and soul, and the person is born anew. It is inevitable that Xehanort – no – Master Xehanort will return."
It was at this that Sora spoke up. He was clearly angry.
"You mean after all we did. After everything we all went through…we made it worse!" asked Sora, his eyes blazing.
"Don't blame yourself, Sora," quacked Donald, waddling to his friend and gave him a smack on his back. "None of us knew this was gonna happen."
"There is one difficult question though," said King Mickey.
Everyone watched silently as the king rounded his master's desk and joined Riku, looking at Master Yen Sid with guilt-stricken eyes.
"Master Yen Sid…did you know this would happen?" he asked.
All eyes turned to the sorcerer. Master Yen Sid shook his head lightly.
"No, Mickey. Only until I told you about it did I realise Xehanort's return was possible," said Master Yen Sid. "My claim of a Heartless and Nobody rejoining was what I believed to be nothing more than a theory."
King Mickey accepted his master's truth with a firm, thankful nod. He turned away and joined Donald and Goofy. He motioned for Sora to join Riku at the desk.
"Now, Sora and Riku, you two were brought here to take up the Mark of Mastery Exam," said Master Yen Sid. "To see if you two are worthy to become Keyblade Masters. If you can prove yourselves worthy, then you will have enough power to defeat Master Xehanort once and for all."
"What is his plan, Master Yen Sid?" asked Sora.
"A man like Xehanort would have left many roads open. We've already seen what destruction he has caused to the worlds, but as his Heartless and Nobody wanted, he will likely desire Kingdom Hearts," said Master Yen Sid.
"Was he always crazy about darkness and stuff?" asked Goofy.
"I knew Master Xehanort when we were younger. He always believed there should a balance between light and darkness, but quickly became more interested in darkness…and the Keyblade War," said Master Yen Sid. "Eventually he searched for Kingdom Hearts, hoping to restart the Keyblade War by creating the X-Blade, a Keyblade strong enough to summon Kingdom Hearts and use it to open a door to all worlds. If Master Xehanort were to repeat this, he would likely allow the Heartless to spread to every world!"
"Which is why we've got to take this exam, and fast!" said Sora. Everyone in the room save Master Yen Sid nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. But first, you must know of those who could be of great help to you," said Master Yen Sid. "If they can be found."
"You mean the people the king was talking about helping in his letter," said Sora. "I have to help them. They helped me in some way."
"Indeed. The first is Master Aqua, the last person entitled as a Keyblade Master in the past decade," said Master Yen Sid.
With a wave of his hand, the two Xehanorts vanished and were replaced by the form of Aqua, the blue-haired Keyblade Master. Sora and Riku looked her up and down, a look of familiarity on their faces.
"Sora, that's the woman who we met years ago," said Riku in surprise. "When we were kids."
"You found her cute," joked Sora. Riku blushed briefly and bonked Sora on the head with his fist.
"She disappeared into darkness and we only assume she is still there," said Master Yen Sid. "And next is Terra. He too disappeared during Master Xehanort's last attempt to start the Keyblade War."
Aqua's form vanished, replaced with a tall, dark-haired man in his late twenties. Riku frowned, again recognising the man.
"You've got be joking…" said Riku. "That's the man who gave me the Keyblade."
Sora did a double take, eyes bugging out.
"No way!" he cried. "That's the guy. That's Terra!"
"Yep. He did that ceremonial thing to pass the Keyblade onto me," said Riku.
"The Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony," said King Mickey. "I gained the Keyblade from Master Yen Sid as he gained it from his master. Terra and Aqua gained their Keyblades from Master Eraqus. He was killed by Master Xehanort sadly."
Master Yen Sid bowed his head for a moment in silence.
"And who is the third guy?" asked Sora.
"I assume the one responsible for giving you power over the Keyblade, Sora," said Master Yen Sid. "The third is Ventus. He was Master Xehanort's apprentice, until his heart was used to create the X-Blade. His heart stripped off its darkness, which was transformed into a creature of evil: Vanitas."
"But Ven overcame Vanitas and defeated him, but at a cost," said King Mickey.
"What happened?" asked Sora.
"He lost his heart. I saved Mickey, Aqua and Ventus from the X-Blade's destruction, but Ventus' heart had gone. His body lifeless," said Master Yen Sid. "Aqua departed with Ventus to their own world, and we can only assume both disappeared into darkness. As for Ventus' heart…it may have been found."
Sora beamed in hope. Master Yen Sid waved his hand again, and Terra's form vanished to be replaced again by a new person. Sora took one look at the new person and his jaw dropped. Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy also looked gobsmacked in their own ways. Standing before them was Ventus, a teenage boy around Sora's age, with blonde-ginger hair and dressed in clothes which were half white, half black. The five astonished friends all exchanged bewildered looks.
"Roxas!" cried Sora.
King Mickey looked puzzled, looking back and forth between Sora and Ventus, noting the similarities between them.
"Roxas? He's your Nobody," said King Mickey.
"Yeah, and this guy is Roxas!" cried Sora, pointing at Ventus.
"How can that be?" asked Goofy.
"Mickey and I were right," said Master Yen Sid, rising from his chair. He quickly rounded the desk and approached Sora. "Ventus' heart survived, but fled to shelter. To someone whose heart was like his. He took shelter in your heart, Sora. And through one event to another, he was reborn as your Nobody, Roxas."
Master Yen Sid pressed a finger onto Sora's chest and closed his eyes. He began muttering some words but they were so quick that Sora could not understand what the sorcerer was saying. A patch of light formed on Sora's chest where Master Yen Sid's finger was. Master Yen Sid suddenly threw out his finger, and a burst of light shot out of Sora's chest. The light faded, revealing a floating heart. Master Yen Sid then threw his arms forwards focusing on the heart, and in another burst of light, the heart vanished. Replacing it was a teenage boy with golden blonde, the unzipped black coat of Organization XIII covering casual clothes. Sora's Nobody Roxas.
Roxas stared blankly around him, and then realised the enormity of what had happened.
"What the heck!" he cried, immediately turning to Sora. "Sora, what did you do?"
"Why are you blaming me for?" asked Sora in bewilderment.
"I've been listening. What are you talking about!" snapped Roxas furiously, looking confused. "Who is Ventus!"
"You are, Roxas," said Master Yen Sid. Roxas turned and glared at the sorcerer. "I know this is likely to be confusing to you, but in time you will understand."
"I spent all this time trying to figure out who I am and where I came from," shouted Roxas, "And you mean to tell me that I'm now someone completely different!"
Roxas bowed his head trying to come to terms with what was going on. However, the situation was hampered when King Mickey unexpectedly flung himself onto Roxas, pulling him into a hug. Roxas was taken aback.
"You're alright, Ventus!" cried King Mickey. "I was so worried. When you and Aqua disappeared, I thought the worst had happened."
Roxas was gobsmacked, not to mention practically everyone else in the room. He had no choice but to prize the king off of him, for a moment worrying he would be arrested for merely touching the king. These suspicions were confirmed for a brief moment when he heard a shocked quack from Donald.
"No offence, Your Majesty, but I am not. I can't be!" said Roxas. "I am Sora's Nobody. Made from his heart."
"And yet you have your own," said Master Yen Sid. "Something not common among Nobodies."
"Calm down, Roxas," said a new voice. All heads turned in the direction of Kairi, only for a second near identical girl to emerge from Kairi's body. She was transparent, but her bright blonde hair and white dress made her look like an angel.
"Namine," Sora said, a smile popping up on his face.
Namine glanced at Sora and Riku, giving them a brief smile. She approached Roxas, grabbing his hands to calm him down.
"Roxas, everything's gonna be alright," she said soothingly. "It may be hard to accept this stuff, but if you are really this person Ventus, you can find out what truly happened to you."
"She's right," piped up Sora, coming over to his Nobody and giving him a slap on the back. "We'll help you through this, Roxas."
"Perhaps, it would be wise if you too Roxas took up the Mark of Mastery," said Master Yen Sid, once again stroking his beard. "Since you are technically an accomplished Keyblade wielder, you may make a fine Keyblade Master."
He then turned his attention to Namine and within a few seconds, her body solidified like Roxas. Namine was taken aback for a second but smiled warmly and thanked Master Yen Sid with a respective bow.
"Now then, we shall prepare for the Mark of Mastery," said Master Yen Sid. He eyed Sora and Riku's school uniforms and put a hand to his chin in thought. "Perhaps it would be wiser to change your clothes beforehand. School uniforms are not appropriate for the exam."
Master Yen Sid looked towards a nearby door and shouted "Ladies!" The door opened and in stepped the three Good Fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather. All of them wore puffy red, green and blue dresses and pointed witch hats.
"Well, ladies, looks like we have some magic to perform," said Flora happily, drawing a small wand from her dress. The three ladies quickly swamped around Sora and Riku, dragging them across the room to the doorway. They passed through into the next room, which was small and circular.
Flora turned to Roxas, who looked at her blankly.
"You too, dear," said Flora.
"Oh no, that's okay," said Roxas, waving his gloved hands in denial. "I'm fine with what I'm wearing."
Flora nodded her head, she and Fauna leading Sora and Riku into the next room, but Merryweather hovered behind and examined Kairi's clothes. She turned to Master Yen Sid.
"Is she participating in the exam?" she asked. Master Yen Sid shook his head. Merryweather merely shrugged and took Kairi by the hand. "Oh well, I'll fix you something up anyway, deary."
Kairi nodded and followed Merryweather, taking her hand and was led into the room. Donald, Goofy, King Mickey and Namine all poked their heads through the door to observe the potential fashion display. Roxas, meanwhile, stood slightly back and looked at the image of Ventus, seeing his own face staring back at him. He frowned. Unsure of how to properly react.
"Alright, dearies, let's settle this quickly without getting into a fuss," said Flora. "Although, I think they'd all look quite lovely in red."
"No, no!" snapped Merrweather. "Blue would be better."
"Now, now, sisters. Let's not get so wrangled up," said Fauna, calming her sisters down. "We'll use our magic together."
"Very well, dear," said Flora, nodding to her sister. Merryweather was not so complacent, shaking her head and grumbling to herself, earning a giggle from Kairi.
"We'll perform our magic on you first Sora," said Fauna. Sora nodded nervously, recalling the mayhem the three fairies caused the last time he visited for a clothes change. "Alright then, on the count of three. One, two, three!"
All three fairies waved their wands. Three spiralling blasts of magic hit Sora at the same time, and his clothes exploded in a flash of light. The light reshaped Sora's clothes and then faded, his school uniform gone. Replacing it was a new black, grey and red outfit. Sora now wore a black t-shirt, a diagonal white cross cutting through the centre o it. Over that he wore a new short-sleeved zipper jacket, mostly coloured a light grey highlighted with black stripes. He sleeves were a jet black, although their ends changed to a bright red. The jacket's hood was also red. He wore a black and blue belt, which held up a pair of red and black padded trousers. Completing the outfit were a pair of trainers, mostly black with touches of red here and there, and a pair of fingerless gloves which were a dark grey, the wrist bands coloured yellow. Sora's crown-shaped necklace hung around his neck.
Sora looked up and down his new outfit in awe, turning to look at his reflection in a mirror. Riku and Kairi came up behind him to observe.
"Sweet!" cried Sora, smiling broadly. "Thanks, ladies."
"Nice outfit, Sora," complimented Goofy from the door. "Every time we see you, you're growing up so fast."
"Goofy, you're talking like my dad," said Sora, embarrassed. Goofy replied with a cheerful "Ahyuck".
"You look really good in that outfit, Sora," said Kairi. Sora immediately blushed and smiled, rubbing the back of his head sharply.
"Heh, thanks Kairi," said Sora. Riku rolled his eyes and smiled.
"Alright, Riku can be next. Although it looks like some work will have to be done on your hair, dear," said Flora. "You won't be able to see much with those bangs." Sora and Kairi stepped aside as Riku was shot with another magical blast from the three fairies.
Riku was surprised by his new appearance. Most notably was that his long floppy fringe was gone, and his hair had miraculously receded to just around his ears. His outfit now consisted of a sleeveless t-shirt, hidden under a sleeveless zipper jacket, the back bright yellow whilst the front was coloured a bleached creamy colour. A large black belt with a silver buckle was fastened around a pair of denim jeans coloured a light turquoise. He wore white and grey trainers, and black wristbands on his arms. Riku looked at himself in the mirror. Fashion was not exactly a pastime of his, so he turned to Sora and Kairi for reactions.
"What do you think?" he asked bluntly. Kairi burst out laughing at his awkward question.
"Riku, you never were interested in your own appearance," said Kairi in-between giggles. "You look great."
"Thanks, Kairi," said Riku, smiling with slight embarrassment at his friend's statement.
"And now, time for you, Kairi," said Merryweather. "We don't get the opportunity to gives young ladies new clothes, since Master Yen Sid keeps sending young men to us."
"I heard that!" called Master Yen Sid from the next room. King Mickey, Donald and Goofy giggling between themselves.
Kairi was hit by the magical spell too, and gained her new outfit. Her school uniform was replaced by a rather simplistic outfit. Kairi wore a purple and white sleeveless top, held up by shoulder straps. The white part of the top created a heart shape. Kairi's necklace hung around her neck. Over the top she wore an ocean blue-coloured, short sleeved denim jacket, highlighted with golden threads along the bottom and sides of the sleeves and pocket areas. She wore a pair of dark blue shorts which went down to her knees, exposing her lower legs, a pair of purple and white trainers on her feet. Kairi smiled at her new appearance, and did a twirl to get a full look at her outfit. Sora and Riku were both blushing, and even Roxas looked quite interested, having wandered over to look at the goings on during Riku's turn.
"It's fantastic!" said Kairi, walking over to Merryweather. "But, I can I make one more request?"
Kairi whispered something in Merryweather's ear. The short, plump fairy chortled to herself and tapped her wand against part of Kairi's hair. Kairi turned to face her friends. A single bang of hair on her head had been dyed jet black in colour.
"Your hair!" cried Sora in surprise. "I didn't know you wanted to dye it."
"I was just curious to see what it would look like in a different colour," said Kairi. "This will do though."
"You look quite good with black hair," said Namine.
Roxas stared at Kairi. He couldn't put his finger on it but he felt oddly nostalgic, the sight before him familiar but sad. As if it wasn't the first time he had seen Kairi with black hair. He briefly clutched his head as a brief but sharp strike of pain filled his head, and the image of a raven-haired girl appeared in his mind smiling at him. It vanished as quickly as it came. No one seemed to notice this brief event, so Roxas shook it off. He had enough on his mind already, like his true identity for example. He was panicking inside. Was he going to have an identity crisis?
The group quickly thanked the three good fairies and filed back into Master Yen Sid's study. Master Yen Sid examined each of the new changes and nodded to himself. He raised him arm and summoned his old Keyblade, the Star Seeker, a purple curved Keyblade with a moon and a star built into the tip of it, the keychain being a silver segmented chain with a small crescent moon on the end. He raised the Keyblade and pointed it at Sora, Riku and Roxas.
"Draw your Keyblades," he commanded.
Sora drew out the Kingdom Key, a confident smile appearing on his face. Riku silently complied and drew his Way to Dawn, looking at it in thought. Roxas hesitated for a moment and summoned his dual Keyblades, Oathkeeper and Oblivion, the opposites of eachother, coloured white and black.
"Impressive. Two Keyblades," noted Master Yen Sid, giving a smile to Roxas.
He eyed each of the three Keyblade wielders, trying to read their emotional states. He then threw out his Keyblade to his side. Donald, Goofy, Kairi, Namine and King Mickey watched tense, wondering what Master Yen Sid would do.
"Now then, Sora, Riku, Roxas!" he shouted. "Let the Mark of Mastery Exams begin!"
…