A/N: So I'll try to keep up a schedule of updating twice per week for this story. If I can't, then its mostly because I'm quite busy with school and all that. So without further ado, chapter 3!

Disclaimer – I don't own Kingdom Hearts, only Leo and the plot. If I did, Roxas would be Ventus's nobody.


Chapter 3 – the Mark of Mastery exam.

In the throne room of the Land of Departure, Terra and Aqua stand before three thrones. Ven stands off to the side. Ven looks up at Master Xenahort sitting in the rightmost throne. He looks back at him. Ven looks down at the floor, then straightens up. Master Eraqus, who is sitting in the leftmost throne, stands

and walks over in front Terra and Aqua. Leo is standing with Ventus, eagerly waiting to watch the battle.

Eraqus said, "Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates... 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 am sure our guest, Master

Xehanort... did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the Mark. I trust you are ready."

Terra and Aqua nodded.

"Then let the examination begin."

Master Eraqus summons 5 orbs of light. Terra and Aqua summons their keyblades, readying themselves for a fight. Unknown to all but himself, Master Xenahort waves his hand, surrounding the orbs with darkness and making them move erratically. Terra and Aqua moved in to take care of the orbs, but one rushed at Leo and Ven. "Leo! Ven!" Terra and Aqua shouted. Leo unsheathes his blades and did a slashing dash through the orb. "Heh, too easy. You two just deal with your Mark of Mastery Exam, I'll deal with any rogue orbs that come this way." Said Leo. "You sure?" asked Aqua. "Sure! Besides, I've been waiting for this day, seeing you two become masters! I'm not gonna miss it now!" said Ventus. "Hey, Ven's been training with us, and Leo's more than enough to keep the orbs at bay." Noted Terra. Aqua nodded, and said, "Stay sharp, you two."

Terra and Aqua began to fight the 4 orbs. Terra quickly took care of one with a Blitz attack, followed by a Zantenstuken. Aqua used all her 3 magics to destroy her ball of light. 2 orbs attacked Ven and Leo. Ven dodge-rolled and went into Fever pitch, while Leo followed up with 2 slashes with both blades, and a forward slashing dash.

After they destroyed the orbs, Eraqus stood up and said, "That was unexpected... 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 your next trial."

Terra and Aqua face each other, keyblades drawn.

"Now, Terra and Aqua, the two of you will face each other in , there are no winners- only truths, for when equal powers clash, their nature is revealed. Begin!" said Eraqus.

Terra begins to go at Aqua with heavy attacks, but Aqua dodges it all. Aqua tried to hit Terra quickly, but it missed. Terra held his hand at the side, when suddenly, darkness surrounded it. He quickly dispels it, Aqua attacking but her attack was blocked by Terra. Xenahort smiles in the distance.

After the exam, Xenahort stood alongside Eraqus in front of Terra and Aqua. "We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, you both performed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the Mark of Mastery." Aqua gasped. Eraqus said, "Furthermore, Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But, there is always next time. That is all. Aqua, as our newest

Keyblade Master, you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction." Xenahort and Eraqus then walked away.

"Hey.." Ven and Leo ran over to them. "Terra, I'm so sorry." Said Ven. "Yeah, I thought you actually made it!" said Leo. "The darkness… Where did it came from?" Terra pondered.

Xenahort walked down the stairs and stops at a boy leaning against the wall. The same boy that was wearing full black armour, save for the Unversed symbol on his chest. "So, what did you make of Ventus?" "Him? He ain't gonna cut it. Someone's gotta break that loser in." he replied. "Not here, you won't. I have to keep up appearances." Xenahort walks away. "I know that, he just needs a little incentive to leave home." Said the boy, walking towards Ven's room.

Upstairs, in his bedroom, Ven is laying on his bed in his room, swinging a wooden Keyblade back and forth. He stops and holds it above him, where the word "Terra" is engraved on it, and sighs. Bells start ringing. Ven gets up and runs to leave his room.

" Better hurry, Ventus..."Ven looks over his shoulder. He asked, " Huh? Who are you?" The masked boy is standing in his room. "Or you'll never see Terra again." Said the masked boy. "What? Get real. I can see Terra anytime I want." Replied Ven. " Like right now? He's leaving you behind. And by the time you catch up... he'll be a different person." Said the masked boy. " Look-whoever you are-you don't know the first thing about Terra. Me and him will always be a team. You trying to pick a fight or what?" asked Ven with anger. The boy walks across Ven's room. " Oh, grow up. Is that what you call friendship? You'll never know the truth unless you go out and look for it yourself. Come on, what could you possibly know when you're stuck here, looking at nothing but what's in your tiny world?" asked the masked boy.

A portal of darkness appears and the masked boy steps into it and disappears. Ven has a flashback of training in the forecourt with Terra. Then Terra getting on to him, he starts to cry but Terra pats him on the head. And lastly of him and Terra sitting and laughing.

"Terra!"

Ven runs out of his room.