Chapter 3

The Mark of Mastery

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Skip

The boy just stared at the floor, completely ignoring the three staring at him. "Is something wrong?" Aqua asked as she and Terra reached him.

Ventus just shook his head no. "These are my friends, Terra and Aqua." Natsu told him before turning to the other two. "This here is Ventus."

"He's really... quite." Terra said. "You gonna say something?"

"Take it easy, Terra." The female said. "Maybe he's just shy."

"Hey, Ventus. You wanna see something cool?" Natsu asked. With no clear answer from the boy, Natsu shrugged before holding up his hand. Fire consumed his fist and he smiled. "You ever see something like this before?" The boy just stared at the floor before slowly looking up. Staring at the fire, he shook his head no. "That's cause I'm a Dragon Slayer."

"Except you've never slain one before." Terra chuckled out.

"I can do it!" The pinkette shouted back. "I just need a dragon!"

"Too bad there are none." Terra replied.

"What about that time the three of us went to that cave!?" Natsu reminded. "There was a dragon in there! And I beat it!"

"Natsu, that was just some rocks that looked like a dragon." Aqua reminded.

Natsu stared at her in silence. "...Oh, yeah." He looked down and saw his fist was still on fire. Quickly extinguishing it, a soft chuckle made all three turn to see Ventus cracked a smile.

A few years had passed since Ventus or Ven for short came to live with the other students. The four go along extremely well, almost like they were a family. The orange haired boy was currently sleeping on the ground outside of the castle. He yawned himself awake before leaning back to find Aqua leaning over him.

"Whoa!" He sat back up in a panic before flipping to his knees. Aqua chuckled as she stood up right. "It's not funny, Aqua."

"Ven, you hopeless sleepy head." She chuckled. "You know you should have brought a blanket."

"Wait..." He mumbled to himself. "Did I just dream that place up? It felt so real... looking up at the stars before..." A hand reached down and started ruffling his hair. "Come on, Natsu. Knock it off."

"It cheered you up, didn't it?" The pinkette chuckled. "Besides, you've always been here with us."

"Yeah... I know." He replied before standing up. The three walked over to the edge and hung their feet over it. "Aqua, Natsu, you ever wonder what stars are? Where the light comes from?" Natsu tensed up at the question, reminded of his own home. "Oh, sorry... I didn't mean to-"

"No, it's fine." Natsu replied. "We all know what happened, and we can't change it. That doesn't mean I have to be sad about it."

Aqua could tell Natsu was still upset so she took over the other question. "And as for your question, the master says-"

"That every star up there is another world." All three turned to see Terra walking over. "Yep, hard to believe there are that many worlds besides our own. The light is their hearts and their shine is like a million lanterns."

"...I don't get it." Ventus answered.

"He means they're like you Ven." Natsu chimed in.

"What does that mean?" The orange haired boy asked standing up.

"Don't worry. If Natsu can figure it out, so can you." The older boy chuckled.

"That reminds me." Aqua spoke up before turning to the Dragon Slayer. "Natsu, what where you doing up at this time anyway?"

"I came to do some training but Ventus already took out the targets." The pinkette answered. "I wanna be at top shape for tomorrow."

"But Natsu, it's not your test." Ven reminded him. "So you've got no reason to get up so early."

"Then it's my training for next years test." Natsu replied with a grin. "I'll become a Keyblade master one day. I just know it."

"Maybe when cats fly." Terra teased, making the other two laugh.

"Hey, it'll happen." Natsu replied standing up.

"Will you two please just tell me what you meant by they're like me?" Ven asked. Aqua couldn't hold back her laughter and just let it loose. "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm sorry..." She chuckled out. "It's just that you three would be the weirdest brothers." She laughed even more as the three just stared at her in confusion before joining her. They all then sat down at the ledge and stared up at the sky for a while before Aqua remembered something. "That's right."

She stood up and started searching her pockets before pulling out four star-shaped tokens on strings. "I made us good luck charms for tomorrow, Terra." The boys stood up as Aqua tossed Terra's to him. Natsu and Ven stared at it in amazement. "Here." Aqua called out to the other two before tossing them one.

"I get one too?" Ven asked, letting his little green charm dangle.

"Of course." Aqua said as she held out her own charm. "One for each of us. Somewhere out there is a tree with star shaped fruit, and that fruit represents an unbreakable connection. So as long as you and your friends carry charms shaped like it, nothing will ever keep you apart. You'll always find you way to each other. But, I think you're supposed to have made them with seashells. Still, I did the best with what I had."

"You know, you really are a girl sometimes." Terra said.

"What does that 'sometimes' mean?" Aqua asked.

"Well, I like it." Natsu said as he draped it around his neck. "There, now it'll always be with me."

Aqua couldn't help but blush at Natsu's geniuine affection for her charm. "So this isn't a real good luck charm?" Ventus asked before Terra could begin another round of teasing.

"Well I guess we'll have to wait and see." She answered. "But I did work a little magic into it."

"Really, what?" He asked.

Aqua chuckled as she pulled her own charm back out. "An unbreakable connection." She held it to the sky and smiled as she did. Natsu and the others did the same before putting them away.

Terra walked away from them a bit before looking over his shoulder. "Well, the exam is tomorrow. Who's up for a little sparing?" Ven nearly summoned his Keyblade before Natsu raced passed him and swung his own. Terra simply blocked with his own blade before pushing Natsu back. "It never ends with you, does it Natsu?"

"Nope." The pinkette replied before swinging his leg to kick the brunette in the leg. Terra jumped over the attack and flipped back before swinging his own sword. Natsu rolled to the side and pulled his free fist back. "Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" The flames ignited his hand as he swung it. Terra blocked it as best he could but the force still sent him sliding backwards a bit. "I'm not holding back, so neither should you."

Terra chuckled before launching forward with his Keyblade pointed at Natsu. The pinkette moved to the side before Terra spun around and slammed the blade into his head. Natsu became dazed from the hit, allowing Terra to unleash a flurry of hits that ended with a strike that pushed Natsu back.

"Well, that works great one on one." Aqua said as she and Ven stood in front of Natsu. "But you also need to learn how to fight in a crowd." Both charged at Terra as Natsu fell to a knee. Gripping his blade, Natsu looked up just before he was hit by one of Aquas bubbles from her spell.

"Oops, sorry." She said as they raced over to him.

Natsu sat up as the water dropped off his face. "Well, at least I won't have to shower tonight." He chuckled making them all laugh at his little joke.

"I'm telling you; you guys are totally ready." Ven told Terra and Aqua. "That exam will be a cake walk for both of you tomorrow."

"I hope it'll be that easy." The brunette said.

"Remember what the master said." Aqua reminded them. "Power is born within the heart. When the time comes, all you have to do is look inside yourself and you'll find it."

"Come on, let's head back." Natsu said standing up. The other three nodded and followed him back to the castle as Aqua gripped her charm.

"Together, always..." She whispered to herself. But none knew that would be the last time they spent the night under the same sky together.

The Next Morning

The sun shinned brightly through the stain glass window as Terra and Aqua stood before the three chairs at the center of the room. On the far left was Eraques and to the right was master Xehanort, the same man who brought them Ventus. Both he and Natsu were off to the side, waiting in anticipation for the test to begin.

Ventus glanced over and found Xehanort staring at him. He dropped his head a bit before stiffening up to stand at attention. Eraques stood up and walked in front of the examinees before looking at both of them. "Today is your test to earn the Mark of Mastery." He told them. "Not one, but two chosen by the Keyblade stand as candidates. But this is neither a battle for domanince or a competition.

"It is not a test of wills, but a test of hearts. That mean you both pass, or you may both fail. But I am certain that our guest, Master Xehanort did not come all the way here to see the youngest candidates in our history to fall short of the mark." He glanced over to the old man before turning back to his students. "I trust that the two of you are ready."

"Yes." Both Terra and Aqua replied at the same time.

"Then let the test begin." Eraques summoned his own blade before pointing it to the ceiling. Orbs of bright light appeared behind the two candidates as they readied themselves for examination. Unknownst to all, Xehanort waved his hand and the orbs began glowing a sickly purple color. All stared in shock but that did not stop Terra and Aqua from starting the test.

The first two orbs were dealt with easily before two more floated over to the other students. "Ven!/Natsu!" Terra and Aqua cried out respectively.

Bith summoned their own Keyblade and sliced through their orbs with ease. "We can handle ourselves." Natsu replied. "You just focus on the exam."

"But your both in danger." Aqua replied. "Go wait in your rooms."

"Not happening." Ven replied. "Me and Natsu have been waiting to see you two become masters. And nothing is gonna make us miss it now!"

"Like Natsu said, they can handle themselves." Terra told Aqua. "Both of them have been training almost as hard as we have."

Aqua let out a defeated sigh knowing that her argument would be moot at this point. "Fine. Just stay sharp." She said before the orbs resumed attacking them. Most seemed heavily focused on Natsu, who swung his blade through any that came close to him. Aqua casted a Blizzard spell and froze one before Terra came and shattered it.

The brunette then spun and slammed his blade into the floor, creating a small quake that destroyed five of them before Ventus fired a blast of wind at another. More appeared and swarmed the three before they could get a moments rest. "Oh no you don't!" Natsu raced towards them as he pulled his Keyblade back. Flames soon covered the blade before Natsu started spinning it by the chain. "Fire Dragon Burning Raid!"

He let go and the blade spun on its own through the air like a disc and sliced through all five orbs in a row. The blade then vanished and returned to Natsu's hand as the students panted in mild exhaustion. "Well, that was unexpected." Eraques said as he walked forward, signaling to Natsu and Ventus to move to the side. "But one must always keep a still heart even in the most difficult of circumstances. It was an excellent test, one I chose to unfold.

"Which brings us to the next trial: A sparing match." Terra and Aqua nodded as the stood across from each other. "Now, Terra and Aqua, the two of you will face each other in combat. Remember, there are no winners or losers. There is only the truth, for when equal powers clash, their true nature is revealed. Begin!" Both nominees charged each other and swung their blades.

"Come on, Aqua!" Natsu cheered from the side lines. "Terra, give it your all!"

"Natsu, you can't do that." Ventus scolded his older friend. "Master said we have to be quiet."

"Oh, yeah..." Natsu chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Guess I forgot. This just has me so excited."

The swords meet again and pushed each other back before they resumed swinging their swords. Aqua blocked every strike Terra threw and vice-versa before the girl began dodging the heavy strikes of Terra. After missing the fourth, Aqua thrusted her sword forward and Terra was forced to lean back, the blade barely missing his face.

Aqua raced forward and Terra felt something inside him. He waved his arm as a black mist covered it confusing him. Aqua snapped him back to reality as he was forced to block. The two masters watched the fight as Xehanort smiled at something. The fight continued for several more minutes until Eraques called for a stoppage.

Both Terra and Aqua stood at attention as Eraques and Xehanort walked off the stage. "We have deliberated and come to a decision." He said. "Terra, Aqua, you both preformed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the Mark of Mastery." Everyone let out a small gasp at the statement. "Terra, you failed to keep the darkness inside you within your control. 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 instructions." Both he and Xehanort left the room as Ventus and Natsu raced over to the other two students.

"Terra... I'm sorry..." Ventus said as Natsu placed his hand on the bigger boys shoulder.

"Don't worry pal. There's always next year." The pinkette said.

His words were ignored as Terra just stared down at the floor. "The darkness... where did it come from?"

Both the masters walked past the group before Xehanort made his way down the stairs alone. "What do you make of Ventus?" He asked a man in a red and black bodysuit with a helmet in his hand.

"He ain't gonna cut it." The boy replied. "Someone has to break that loser in."

"Not here you won't." The master replied. "I have an appearance to keep."

"I know that." The boy replied before putting his helmet on. "And your other pet project? How's he holding up?"

"Better than I could have hoped." Xehanort said with a smile. "He's just as strong as I predicted, if not stronger. Now all that's left is to break him." He walked away and the masked man followed him.

Back above, the four stood in the center of the room as Terra pulled himself away from Natsu. "I just... need some time alone." The brunette walked away leaving the other three in shock.

"So, what do we do?" Ventus asked in concern for his friend.

"For now, you two must leave." The three looked to Eraques walking back into the room. "What I have to say is for Keyblade masters only."

"Oh... okay..." Ventus nodded before he and Natsu started walking out of the room. "So Natsu... feel like getting something to eat? It's almost lunch time."

"I'm not hungry." The pinkette replied as he headed to his room. The walk back to his room seemed far longer than he remembered but he came to it none the less. "Terra... it's not that bad." With a sigh he turned the door knob to open it.

"Feeling sad about your friend?" Natsu jumped back in surprised to see Xehanort behind him.

"Oh, Master Xehanort. I'm sorry." He apologized before bowing. "I didn't see you there."

"Or are you just jealous of the girl, that she was chosen for the trial and passed and you weren't?" The bald man asked.

"Jealous, why would I be jealous?" Natsu asked back. "I'm happy for her. And there's always next year."

"I'm no fool, Natsu." Xehanort told him. "Eraques told me all about how you arrived here, how your home was destroyed. Do you really think you're strong enough to make sure that doesn't happen again? If you wish to protect what matters then you must crush any who stand in your way.

"Strength is the one thing that matters most in this world or any world. You cannot sit idly by and let your friends surpass you. You must fight back, fight harder than ever. And now that young Terra seems to have found his true power he is only going to get stronger than ever. Now, are you going to just stand by and let others take what's rightfully yours?" The old man turned and left, leaving Natsu alone again.

With Aqua

Aqua wasn't really listening to Eraques speak. Her mind was too focused on what just happened to her friend. "...and insomuch as you are now a Keyblade Master, you must always be conscious of-" A tolling bell not only cut him off but also snapped Aqua back to reality. A glow appeared behind the center chair as Eraques turned around. "What's happening?"

He walked over to the glowing gem as Terra and Natsu raced towards Aqua. "What's going on?" Natsu asked.

"I don't know..." She replied. "Hey, why isn't Ven here?"

"Very well, I will send my students to investigate." Eraques said to the gem. "I understand... farewell." The glow died and the three stood at attention as Eraques walked over to them. "That was my dear friend Yen Sid. As you know he is Master no more, but he still keeps a close eye on the line between light and darkness.

"His council serves as signpost on the long road we Keyblade wielders must walk. All the more reason for concern, as he tells me the princesses of heart are endangered. Not just from the forces of darkness, but a new force as well one that feeds off of negativity. Fledgling monsters that have taken form, he calls them the Unversed.

"As Keyblade warriors, you are charged with striking down all who would dare upset the balance between light and darkness. These Unversed are no exception. I tried to pass this news along to Master Xehanort, yet I cannot seem to reach him." Terra seemed shaken by the news. "I doubt there's any connection, but this still troubles me."

"Master Xehanort is gone?" Terra asked.

Eraques cleared his throat and the focus returned to him. "So here we are... I need you three to gain control of this situation. Eliminate the Unversed and locate Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden passways to travel between countless worlds and this one. The darkness lurks closers than usual in these spaces, but your armor will protect you. Lastly, remember that order must be upheld. You cannot tell ANYONE that there are other worlds. Now go and fulfill your duty."

"Yes master." All three said before Terra turned around and started walking away.

"Terra..." Eraques called out to the brunette. "Consider this an opportunity. A second chance, so to speak."

"What?" The brunette asked.

"You must know this." Eraques said as he walked forward. "I care for all of you like you are my own children. If I could have it my way, I'd name you master in a second. But how can I when you are so obsessed with power? Terra, you cannot be afaird to lose. Fear leads to obsession with power, and obsession calls the darkness." He placed a hand on Terra's shoulder and leaned in. "You can never forget."

He let go and Terra bowed. "Thank you master. I swear I will not fail you again." With that, the boy turned around and started walking away.

"Well, I guess we should get going." Natsu said as he and Aqua turned to follow Terra.

"A moment you two." Eraques said making the other two turn around. "Natsu, I wish for you to travel with Aqua. Consider this a chance to learn from a new master. And because I have one more... request. I told Terra this would be a second chance to earn the Mark of Mastery and I meant it. However, that moment of darkness he showed during the exam, I can sense it runs very deep.

"If he were too... if those powers were to prove too much for him to handle, I want you to bring him back at once. It's for his own good. I could not bear to lose even one of you to the darkness."

"Don't worry, master. You won't see us for a while." Natsu said confidently. "Terra is too strong to fall to the darkness. He earn this second chance, and then next year I'll earn mine."

Aqua could only smile at the pinkettes confidence. "He's right. When we bring Terra back, it'll be to show you that he has what it takes to be a Keyblade Master." She stared up at the stain glass window before Natsu nodded at her. The two left and walked down the stairs to the outside.

Ventus and the two watched as Terra activated his armor, opened the lane and flew into on his Keyblade Glider. Ventus stared up at the gateway before activating his own armor. Natsu and Aqua raced over as Ventus summoned his own Glider. "Ven, stop!" Natsu cried out. The younger boy ignored him and flew into the gateway as Master Eraques raced out the door.

"No! He can't!" Eraques shouted before turning to his other students. "You must bring him back!"

"Don't worry, master." Aqua said before she and Natsu tapped their respective armors. Both were enveloped in a bright light before it died down and showed them in their Keyblade Armor. Aqua's armor consists of a silver breastplate resembling an upside-down crescent moon and a dark-visored helmet. Her helmet bears two prongs on either side, with her silver ones wrapping around the sides and angling diagonally downwards. Her cape is a deep blue that matches her namesakes.

Natsu was now clad in dark red and orange armor that was trimmed in gold. The plates on his chest were bright red and his dark hands were now claws. Small white spikes decorated his armors shoulders and a crown of them decorated his helmet. The side of the helmet was frilled out with dark plates connected by bright red lines. The lines on the mouth gave the illusion of sharp teeth as his black cape floated off his right shoulder. Underneath the many plates was black chain mail and his father's scarf was now a belt for him.

Aqua tossed her Keyblade into the air and it transformed into her own Glider. The base was a dark blue with two foot holders. It turned into an arrow shape, tipped in black with a blue-green gem. The upper half was a grey in the back that split from the main body. The frame of the top was a dark grey that curved around and out like a bow. A handlebar connected the two sides of the grey metal and a small white diamond floated in front of the bar.

Natsu ignited his own sword and slammed it into the ground as it changed into his own Glider. The head was triangular like a dragons head as a crown of horns sat atop it. Natsu stood on its back over a second gem as gold decorated it. It's wings were wide open as the flesh parts were empty, leaving only the wing frame. A pair of golden pincers came out from under the neck as the tail ended with a pair of fins. Both spiraled around each other as they climbed upwards and entered the gateway.

"Hey, Aqua..." Natsu said, making the armored girl turn to him. "You don't... really think Terra will fall to the darkness, do you?"

"No, Natsu." She replied. "You said it yourself. He's too strong to fall into it." Under his armor, Natsu smiled before they entered a massive open space. "Well, let's get started." They flew around for a bit before they came across their first world, one with a massive white castle on it.

Journal Updated

Aqua- The only one of Master Eraqus's pupils to have been recognized as a true Keyblade Master. A healthy rivalry and close friendship bind her and her training mates Terra, Natsu, and Ven together. Her orders: to bring the Unversed situation under control alongside Natsu, and to keep an eye on Terra. She is very concerned about Terra, as well as Ventus, who ran away from home to find him. Terra constantly teases her for having a crush on Natsu, which Aqua doesn't always deny.

Natsu- A boy from a world of magic lost to darkness, he crashed on Eraques' doorstep and became friends with Terra and Aqua. Like them, he is also one of the Keyblades chosen warriors. A passion for fire magic burns almost as strong as the fire within him. When they Unversed threat appeared, he was given two orders: travel with Aqua to deal with them, and keep an eye on Terra. Natsu is very close to Aqua, a fact Terra uses to tease him to no end. Interestingly, he always looks the other way when the topic of romance comes up.

Terra- A young man in training to become a Keyblade Master. He and his fellow pupils Aqua, Natsu, and Ventus share a healthy rivalry and strong bond of friendship. Though he is aware of the darkness in his heart, Terra refuses to accept it-and Master Xehanort's suggestions that it might be controlled have only deepened his quandary.

Ven- One of Master Eraqus's pupils. He usually goes by "Ven" for short. He, Terra, Natsu and Aqua train together, sharing both a healthy rivalry and a strong bond of friendship. Haunted by the masked boy's warnings about Terra, Ven defied Master Eraqus, ran away from home, and set off for the outside world to find his friend. Since Ventus is younger, Terra and Aqua tend to be very protective of him. Natsu, however, treats him more like a little brother.

Well, the game has started. Hope I did a good enough job at making it a story. A few things I wanna clarify; I didn't put Natsu into the test because I'd imagine Eraques wants him to work on contorting his... collateral damage. And as to why he didn't get motion sick from his glider, I think a Keyblade Glider is made up of a persons magic so it's like an extension of themselves. I could be wrong, but this is my version.

My buddy TheExcadrillComics has drawn Natsu in his standard outfit and I'm gonna have him draw both the Glider and the Armor for Natsu on deviantart. His account name is Exca-Manga, please check him out.

One last thing: PLEASE leave a review. It's the only thing that's making me want to work on this story and so far that doesn't seem to be encouraging. Even if it's just one in a while, that's all it takes to keep me going. See ya next chapter.

Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel.