Hello everyone! This took a little longer because my flashdrive with ALL my stories on it, broke and so I had to start from scratch.

This is a short chapter because I just want to add some suspense.

I would like to thank everyone who followed or favorited!

I own nothing!

Chapter 36: Radiant Garden visit 4 (part 1)

Kairi got up early and heard someone in the training room. Sora stood inside, slashing away at a few dummies. "Have you been in here all night?"

"Huh?! Oh, no…" He dismissed his Keyblade. "I just got up a little earlier to practice a bit before the exam."

"Why do you have that with you?"

Sora looked down at Dawn's Might strapped to his waist. "Oh… I just… well… I guess for luck, since I'm wearing it during the exam. Well, and, I thought that, since Ansem is your only living relative, he might want to know about… well… us…"

Both of their faces turned a light shade of pink. "I guess you're right." She took his hands kindly. "Now, don't worry about the test. You'll do wonderfully!"

"Thanks! I'll do my best."

Master Eraqus looked around at his surroundings. "It has been such a long time since I've been to this world; my… it has changed."

"Master," Aqua looked at him, "Should we go and visit Ansem the Wise to ask where we may conduct the exam?"

"Yes, Aqua. You, I, and Riku will go. The rest of you have some time to do what you wish before the exam."

Lea was the first to walk away. "Then I'll take my leave. I've got parents and a girlfriend to say hi to." With that, he was gone.

"I need to see Ansem too." Sora said, hand on the hilt of Dawn's Might. "It's a… personal matter."

"Of course it is…"

Roxas smirked happily. "Anyone want ice cream? I'm paying!" He, Xion, Naminé, Terra, and Ven followed him.

"Ansem…" Riku grinned as the group entered the study.

The scientist stood and smiled. "Ah, Riku, Aqua, it's good to see you both. Who is this?"

"This is my master," Aqua said, "Master Eraqus."

"It is a pleasure, Master Eraqus." The two men shook hands.

"The pleasure's all mine…"

Ansem looked down at some papers in his hand. "Is there something you wished to see me about?"

"Actually, yes," The Keyblade Master nodded. "I'm sure you've heard of our Mark of Mastery exams." Ansem nodded. "We wish to hold an examination here and we wish to know if there is a place where we might conduct it?"

"I have just the place; we have a large training facility for our guard… but… I must ask, would we be allowed to observe the exam. The facility has an observation deck and I have long wished to see a famous Mark of Mastery exam."

The old master closed his eyes in thought. "Most exams are held in private places where only Keybearers and fellow Masters could watch. With this one held in such a public place, I believe it would be all right to allow observers, provided the examinees are not disturbed."

"Thank you, Master Eraqus. Steiner and Beatrice will escort you to the training facility." Ansem bowed respectfully.

"No, thank you, Ansem the Wise." Eraqus nodded. "Now, we shall go inspect this training facility. You have some more guests." The three Keyblade masters left, following the two castle guards.

Ansem returned to his desk chair as two others came inside. "Ah, Sora… and my dear Kairi."

"Hi, Uncle Ansem!"

"Now," the scientist looked to them, "is there something you need?"

"Well… actually…"

Sora was cut off as Even entered the room. "Master Ansem I have foun…" his eyes widened. "Where did you get that?" He pointed at Sora's waist.

Ienzo, Dilan, and Aeleus looked and gasped in shock. Ansem stood up and looked down at where Even pointed. "It can't be!"

"I figured you'd notice this." Sora drew out Dawn's Might.

"Where did you get that?"

The boy held the blade in both hands. "It was given to me..." his eyes roamed around the room before coming to rest on Kairi's relative. "…by Kaname."

"But…! That's not possible…"

"Unless," Kairi smiled sadly, "we went to the Underworld where Hades brought my dad back to fight us."

"He gave me this sword. You all know what this means." He held out the sword to Ansem. "But… since you are Kairi's only living relative, I want to know something. If you, instead of Kaname, held this sword, would you have given it to me?"

Ansem's eyes widened before he smiled kindly. "You have the blessing of her father and yet you still wish to ask me for my blessing…?" He picked up a photo on his desk and looked at it: a photo of him, Kairi, Kaname, and Rimi. "As Kairi is also my only living relative, I do feel a certain responsibility for her. However, I can only say that there is no other person I would rather her be with." He gently pushed the sword back to Sora. "You most certainly have my blessing."

Sora sheathed the blade and bowed his head. "Thank you…"

Kairi ran around the desk and hugged her great uncle. "Thank you, Uncle Ansem!"

"You're welcome, my dear." His voice dropped to a whisper, "I'm happy for you and I know Sora will take great care of you."

"Thank you…" The girl turned back to Sora. "Come on, Sora… you've got an exam to get ready for." She grabbed his hand and pulled him away. "Thank you again, Uncle Ansem!"

Even, Ienzo, Dilan, and Aeleus chuckled. "She does remind me of her father… at least, when he was a teenager."

Ansem had to agree. He looked at his great niece and could easily see his niece and her husband in her. Kairi had the same gentleness as her mother and the same spirit as her father. That girl was all he had left of his family and he wanted nothing more than for her to be safe; he knew, in his heart, that there was no one better to take care of her than Sora.

Eraqus and the two other Keyblade masters followed the two guards out of the palace. Beatrice looked back at Keybearers. "There might be some people in the training facility already. When no one is training, children like to go and play in there."

As she opened the door, exactly as Beatrice had said, two children were inside. A ball came flying toward Aqua's head; Eraqus quickly brought up his hand and caught it.

"Nice reflexes," Riku smirked.

Master Eraqus chuckled. "After bringing up two children and then taking another one into my care, you learn to handle things like this."

"Sir…" a little girl with brown hair, done slightly like Aerith's, dressed in a white dress, came towards them.

"Here you go." Eraqus handed it back to her, kindly.

"Thanks!" She ran over to a boy, whom Riku recognized as Denzel.

"Come on! Toss it, Marlene!"

As the two began playing once more, Eraqus walked towards the two adults in the room. One was Cloud while the other was a muscular man with dark skin and a one arm was metal. "Hello there."

"Hello," Cloud nodded. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Cloud; this is Barret."

"I am Master Eraqus, however, I believe you know Masters Aqua and Riku."

"Yes," the swordsman said. "We've met… and by the looks of thing, you guys need this room, don't you?"

"It's fine for now. It will take us a little time to set up and go over some things, so you are welcome remain in here." His eyes drifted over to the two children. "I wouldn't want to disrupt their fun. Come, Riku, Aqua."

The two followed Eraqus to a high viewing platform. "Master," Aqua said, "the three of us could observe from that platform where Cloud is sitting."

"I agree." The older man looked at the two of them. "Now, I am still weak from being under Xehanort's control and will not be able to control the exam. I will be counting on the two of you, to run it."

"That's a big responsibility, Master." The girl nodded.

Riku matched her expression, "But, I'm sure we can handle it."

"I thought that would be your response…" Eraqus smiled, "Now, I'll show you the spells needed for the exam."

"Yes sir."

Hours later, everyone gathered in the training facility; Ansem and his apprentices stood on the high viewing platform. Sora and Terra stood before Riku, Aqua, and Eraqus.

The older master took a step forward. "Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. We have two of the Keyblade's candidates. However, as you both already know, 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. You are both taking this exam for the second time and we all have complete faith that neither of you will fall short of the mark. I trust that you are ready."

"Yes!"

Eraqus took a seat as Riku stood up, summoning his Keyblade as he did so. He held it out. "Let the examination begin." His Keyblade flashed and orbs of light appeared.

No instructions were needed for this trial. Terra and Sora attacked the orbs without hesitation. Everyone watched in silence, fixated on the two below. It didn't take them long to destroy the orbs.

With one part of the exam finished, the two stood before the three masters once again. This time, Aqua stood up. "It was well done. Now, we're ready for your next trial." She held up her Keyblade and formed a barrier around most of the room, making sure to keep all those not taking the exam out of the arena. "Now, 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." Sora and Terra went to opposite sides of the arena. "Begin!"

The two boys clashed; there was so sound save that of the clashing Keyblades. Kairi, from her great uncle's side, watched with hands clasped; she smiled as her eyes spotted Dawn's Might at Sora's side.

"You noticed it too." Ansem placed his hand on her shoulder. "He's kept that sword by him non-stop."

"He said it was for good luck but I know he doesn't believe in luck." Kairi grinned.

Ansem chuckled. "Then there's only one explanation… he's doing it to show his devotion to you." Kairi blushed lightly.

Dilan crossed his arms. "I wonder if we still have some guard uniforms like Kaname wore… It would be quite something to see him in one."

"He would look way too much like Kaname."

Kairi smiled; her eyes focused back down on the exam as Aqua called the fight between Terra and Sora to a stop. Eraqus and Riku stood up beside her and the older master stepped forward. "We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Sora, you both preformed commendably. And, I am pleased to say that both of you have shown the Mark of Mastery! Congratulations!"

Both Terra and Sora smiled as everyone began cheering happily. Kairi came rushing down to the floor, tackling Sora in a hug. "Sora! I knew you could do it!"

"Congratulations!" Aqua hugged Terra lovingly. The others gathered around, congratulating the two new Keyblade masters.

"That was quite something," Ienzo smiled, "It wasn't complicated however, it was a great honor to observe such a sacred and famous ceremony."

Sora stood with one arm around Kairi. "I passed!" His eyes drifted down to the sword by his waist. "I'm glad I had this with me…"

"Huh, why is that, Sora?"

"It…" his hand drifted to Dawn's Might. "It felt right." His hands moved and wrapped around Kairi's waist. "Now… how about we celebrate." Their foreheads touched together.

Riku watched them from the side before elbowing Lea. "Hey, hot-head, they're about to kiss. You gonna let that happen?"

"Aw heck no!" The pyro walked over and grabbed Sora by the back of his shirt, pulling him away from Kairi. "I know I said I'd allow it in Halloween Town, but I've decided to take that back. You two kissing… not gonna happen."

"LEA!" Kairi stomped her foot, angrily. "What did I tell you before?!" She reached over and slapped his hand away from Sora. Kairi got up on the tips of her toes and looked Lea square in the face. "I gave you one warning in Halloween Town and I'm giving you another one now; don't make me give a third! He has permission!" She turned and grabbed Sora's hand before looking back at her surrogate brother with a smirk. "Get that memorized."

Lea's mouth dropped at the use of his own catchphrase. Xion and Roxas began laughing outright as the others present attempted to stifle their own laughter. Even chuckled, "May I say… that just made my day."

"Agreed."

Master Eraqus smiled at the group, especially his students. It had been so long since he'd seen them smile like that. A voice cut into his thoughts. "It's a great sight, isn't it?" Ansem the Wise approached the Keyblade master. "All these young people, enjoying themselves in the midst of such trying times."

"Truly… I know that this has been hard for all of them and it's great to see them smile as if they don't have a care in the world."

"Yes, and having two new Keyblade masters might help with defeating Xehanort."

"Oh, I don't think having two new masters will save you…"

Everyone looked around for the voice, as it was very familiar to all. Darkness swirled on the overhead viewing platform and revealed Master Xehanort himself, Xigbar, Sïax, Xemnas, Ansem, Vanitas, Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz.

Everyone jumped back at their arrival. "What… what are you doing here? What do you want?"

The old man smirked before turning to his men. "Capture Sora, Roxas, and Eraqus." His golden eyes looked down at the group, and fixed on Kairi. "And bring me the Princess of Heart."

Sora stepped in front of Kairi protectively as the Seekers of Darkness leapt down and attacked. His Keyblade appeared in his right hand while his left went to his side and drew out Dawn's Might. "This sword was made to protect, so now it's time to use it." He brought up both blades and blocked as the Seekers of Darkness came down upon them.

DUH! DUH! DUH!

I'm just gonna leave you with that until next time! I won't give a teaser for the next chapter because NO SPOILERS!

Please review!

New Year!

2015! Yes! I know it's the year that Marty McFly came to the future and there's a lot going on (I'm graduating!) this year!

With every New Year, there comes a new start. This year, the Lord has called it to be a 'turn around' year. Every year my church listens for the Word of the Lord over this year and this is what He has declared it to be:

This year will be tumultuous. However, when it looks very dark, get ready for the greatest breakthrough ever.

This will be the year of rest; a time to recalibrate, transform, turn, correct.

There is a new anointing for wisdom.

God spoke to Job in his troubles; we may need our own 'shaking' to get our lives in right alignment.

We will move from helplessness to hope, like Hezekiah.

Overcome giants from last year.

Worship is the key to our release! In the midnight hour God will turn things around.

We are to stand firm, but not to stay in our old season.

There will be a Jesus people movement in places that have not yet had a Great Awakening such as Spain and Japan.

Terrorists will become Evangelists, even out of ISIS.

America will turn back to God!

This is the Word of God over 2015! Keep this world in prayer and believe that God will turn around your circumstances from struggles to triumph, not only for you, but for your family, your city, your nation, and for the world.

God bless!