Meanwhile Xehanort split from his old friend Eraqus and met the mysterious Vanitas in the stairwell.

"What do you make of Ventus?" Xehanort asked.

"He ain't gonna cut it, somebody's gotta break that loser in." Vanitas sneered, holding his helmet in his left hand.

"Not here, you won't. I have to keep up appearances." Xehanort stated matter of factly.

Vanitas slipped his helmet back on, "I know that. He just needs a little incentive to leave home."

"And Vellum? What do you think of her as a candidate for the program?" Xehanort asked curiously.

"She was strong...but that would be an interesting turn of events, she so gungho for those stupid little friends of hers." Vanitas thought back to the look on her face when she noticed he caught her holding Ventus's hand. Maybe they've got a thing for each other, maybe that could be used to his advantage.

"Yes, that Aqua is going to be a problem, we will take care of her." Xehanort said walking with his hands behind his back. Vanitas decided to keep quiet about seeing Velle with Ventus. He needed to see how deep their connection was, he wanted to test it. The two walked off in silence.

Back with the four keyblade apprentices they stood in an uncomfortable silence trying to find the right words to console their friend.

"Sorry...but I need some time alone." They sighed but let him leave knowing it was what was best for Terra.

When Terra was out of sight Velle rubbed her eyes, "I'm gonna go back to my room." She said after a moment.

"Yeah, me too." Ventus replied, "Come on let's go. Um, congratulations Aqua!" Ventus said over his shoulder although it didn't sound like he meant it. How could she allow herself to go on without Terra, Velle thought to herself. She thought Aqua cared about Terra. Ventus and Velle walked towards their rooms.

"I feel bad, Ven." Velle said after a moment.

Ventus nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets, "Yeah me too…"

"I wouldn't let myself pass without you."

Ventus felt a smile pull at his lips, "Velle, if something were to happen and I didn't pass my exam...I don't think I want you to sabotage yourself for me. You're a great keyblade warrior, you really challenge me to be better."

Velle grinned, "I'm glad you finally admit it."

"Seriously Velle promise me you'll never let me hold you back." Ventus stopped and looked her in the eyes. He took a hold of both her hands, "Promise me."

Velle swallowed suddenly nervous, "I don't want to be a Master without you, Ventus."

Ventus snorted, "Of course you do! You wanted to be a Keyblade Master even before you met me."

Velle frowned, "Ventus why are you talking like this? You're starting to worry me."

Ventus looked out one of the stained glass windows and turned his eyes back on Velle, "I don't know, I just have a weird feeling like things aren't going to be the same after today."

Velle wrapped her arms tightly around Ventus's neck in an embrace, "Oh Ven, stop please!" She buried her head in the crook of his neck and felt tears well in her eyes. Velle didn't know exactly why she was crying but she had an ominous feeling since they watched the meteor shower.

"Vellum, don't cry." Ventus wrapped his arms around her waist and returned the hug. He pulled away and held her hands again.

"I'm sorry I'm just scared!" She replied, shaking her head.

"I thought you said you weren't a Damsel in Distress!" Ventus teased. "Don't worry I'll protect you, I promise!"

"I'm not a damsel in distress!" She chirped, while wiping away tears. The boy snickered in response. "But...I don't think I mind all that much if you want to protect me..." She mumbled under her breath.

"Thanks for going to the Paopu festival with me again." He smiled and looked deeply into her eyes.

"Uh, Ventus was that a...um…" Velle trailed off, she noticed something over Ventus's shoulder. Not something, someone, Vantitas stood at the other end of the hall. He held his hand up and waved hello again.

"Was what a what?" Ventus urged, hoping she was going to ask if they were on a date.

"Uh nevermind, come on let's go. I just forgot I need to do something." She said, quickly she gripped Ventus's forearms. She turned him so that he didn't look behind them and see Vanitas and they continued on to their rooms. Velle said goodbye to Ventus and shut her door, she sat on her bed with her head in her hands.

"What is going on?" She whined, shutting her eyes tight.

"Change." A voice said. Velle's head shot up to see the masked boy Vanitas standing in front of her closed door with his arms crossed. Had he been in the room the entire time?

Velle scoffed and put her head back in her hands, "I'm actually not that surprised, what change?" She mumbled barely audible.

"Heh, you didn't really seem like someone who gave up that easy when we fought that day." Vanitas chuckled.

"What do you mean?!" Velle whined loudly, "I've never met you before today!"

Vanitas sighed, walked over to her and grabbed her shoulders. "Think you idiot. I can't believe someone like the master would want to train someone as weak as this." He spat.

Velle felt an aching pain in her head and felt tears of frustration well in her eyes, "I am! I can't remember anything!"

"Pathetic," he turned his back on her.

"Why aren't you trying to kill me anymore?" Velle asked, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"You're not worth the effort, look at you. You're a weak and pathetic cry baby. Besides you need to hurry up or you'll miss them." Vanitas sang tauntingly as he turned to face her again.

"Miss who?" Velle sat up.

"Why, Terra and your little boyfriend of course." Vanitas sneered.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Velle blushed. "Ven doesn't think of me like that."

Vanitas laughed loudly, "Of course he does, damn you're dumber than you look."

"Hey!" Velle protested. "Where are they going?"

"Hurry up or you'll never see them again…" He said, he summoned a dark portal and disappeared, his laughter echoing in her room even after he'd gone. Velle didn't think twice, she didn't understand what he meant but she stood and sprinted down the hallway and out of the castle.

Ventus lay on his bed swinging Terra's wooden keyblade sadly. He hurt for his friend. Just then the bell chimed signalling someone departure from the Land of Departure. Ventus jumped up and ran to his door

"You better hurry Ventus…" Vanitas's voice sang.

Ventus turned around, startled, "Huh? Who are you?"

"Or you'll never see Terra again…" Vanitas ignored his question.

"What? Get real. I can see Terra any time I want." Ventus snapped with his hand balled in a fist. He didn't know who the masked boy was but he felt a strong hatred for him.

"Like right now? He's leaving you behind. And by the time you catch up...he'll be a different person." Vanitas drawled, calmly.

Ventus frowned, "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?" Ventus snapped.

Vanitas took a few steps forward, "Oh grow up. Is that what you call friendship?" He sneered. "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?" The masked Vanitas summoned a dark corridor and exited leaving Ventus alone. He thought back to all the times he and Terra shared together. Terra was truly a brother to him and he couldn't just let his brother hurt alone. Whether or not the masked stranger was telling the truth, Ventus needed to find his friend now.

Just as she reached the Gates of Departure she saw Terra in his full armor suit soaring into the Lanes Between.

"Terra!" She called, but he was gone. She continued running and Ventus came into view, he was staring up where Terra had disappeared. In horror Velle watched him tap his left shoulder and transform into his armor.

"Ven wait!" She shouted, but he couldn't hear her. It was like a horrific dream. Velle was screaming but no one could hear her and no matter how fast she ran she couldn't catch up with her friends. Ventus hopped on top of his keyblade and rode out behind Terra.

"Ven!" She choked out a sob as she watched him disappear to an unknown destination. Aqua and Master Eraqus came jogging towards her.

"Wait Ven!" Aqua shouted. The three of them stared helplessly into the sky, Master Eraqus turned quickly to Aqua.

"No! He mustn't! You have to bring him back." Eraqus pleaded.

"Don't worry Master." Aqua said calmly. She activated her armor and turned to Velle.

"Velle you wait here, it's safer." Aqua stated.

"But-"

"No Vellum, she's right. I must talk to Master Xehanort at once, afterwards I will come find you." Eraqus turned to Aqua, "Be safe, Aqua. And remember what we discussed." Aqua nodded and Master Eraqus headed back towards the castle. Velle, however, stood in the courtyard alone and watched Aqua disappear as well.

"I'm all alone…" She whispered to herself.

"Not quite," Vanitas said, he was standing right beside her watching the sky too. Velle looked at him slowly.

"Why?" She asked.

Vanitas looked at her, almost confused, "Because everything eventually goes to shit...always."

"What do I do now?" Velle continued.

Vanitas sucked his teeth, "You sure have a lot of questions. I don't know! Go after them?" He crossed his arms over his chest.

"But Master Eraqus said to-"

"Who cares what that old man says? Are you really gonna just stand here and let your friends disappear on an adventure? That's weak." Vanitas spat, he was trying so hard to convince her to leave the land of departure on her own. Although, at this point he was about one more question away from throwing her into a portal himself.

"I...but he's my master, if I disobey him-"

"Every single one of your friends disobeyed him, if you don't go after them now you'll never see them again Vellum." Vanitas urged.

"You're right." She said after a moment. She tapped her shoulder and summoned her armor and keyblade serpent.

"Now that's a great way to get around." Vanitas mumbled under his breath.

Before Velle left she turned to Vanitas with a frown, "Why are you helping me?"

Vanitas shrugged, "Gotta get the ball rolling somehow. Don't get used to it though, the next time I see you I'm going to kick your ass. You just need to get a little stronger if you want to satisfy me."

Velle blushed behind her helmet and Vanitas couldn't see, "Whatever, freak." With that she zoomed away and into the Lanes Between, following blindly behind her friends.