Ven rushed in a few minutes late, he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes to focus on the show that was soon to be performed.

Terra was straight-backed and straight-faced, while Aqua seemed a bit distracted by something. That was odd, Aqua never let anything distract her, even emotions as the master had trained her to do so along with the other two.

Ven followed her gaze to see she was peering at a familiar face.

Ventus, Terra and Aqua hadn't seen the old man that sat beside their master in four years, he'd only stopped by to drop off Aqua and then left her in Eraqus' care. Master Xehanort was her master in the past so perhaps he came to see her graduate…?

The clinking of keyblade armor brought the apprentices to attention. Master Eraqus looked especially wise and dignified this morning, he always looked nice but it seemed today, for some reason, he was trying to look even better. Could it be for his fellow Master or just the occasion? Maybe both.

"Today, you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery…" Eraqus announced to his elder pupils, looking between them with a stern seriousness. "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…"

Aqua and Terra matched his gaze with readiness before he looked to his fellow master who gave him a gentle smile and then nod.

"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."

"Yes." The two answered at once.

"Then, let the examination begin." Eraqus declared.

He raised his keyblade into the air, concentrating only slightly in order to summon several spheres of light.

Terra and Aqua readied their keyblades in anticipation.

Suddenly, the spheres were snaked in darkness, surprising nearly everyone, even Master Eraqus.

Ven glanced at the masters in worry. They have to stop the test, right? This wasn't supposed to be on the exam!

To his shock, Eraqus merely sat back down in his throne to watch while Xehanort… was he smiling?

Before Ven had the chance to comprehend it, he heard his friends shout his name and turned to see a ball of dark light hurtling towards him. He quickly slashed through it with a yell. "Don't worry about me. You two focus on the exam!"

"But Ven, you're in danger here!" Aqua cried before going into a motherly tone. "Go wait in your room!"

"No way! I've been looking forward to this, seeing you two become Masters. I'm not gonna miss it now!"

"He can take care of himself. He's been out there training just as hard as us." Terra assured her, slashing through a sphere himself before running off to target another.

Aqua gave a sigh in worry before nodding to the boy, knowing it was true. "Stay sharp, Ven."


The pupils finished in record time and Eraqus rose to move on, gently signaling Ven with a small wave to please leave the testing area.

Ven did so, glad to take a break as the other two took a quick breather before getting back in position.

"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."

The two turned to each other before summoning thier keyblades, going into battle stances.

"Now, Terra and Aqua, 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."

Ven glanced between his friends, he'd never seen them look so intense before…

"Begin!"

They ran at each other, Terra making the first strike which Aqua nimbly dodged, casting fire. The man shielded before going after her.

Ven watched in awe as they sparred. Terra and Aqua… they're both so amazing. He thought back to the late-night sparring and felt his heart ache. "I wish I could be that strong…"

"Poor little Ventus, how could you ever measure up?"

Ven felt his heart drop before turning around in panic at the sudden voice. His voice forced itself into a whisper so as to not interrupt the test. "Huh?! Who's there?!"

"You'll never stack up if you let them walk all over you… Treat you like a kid…"

A laughter filled his ears as he turned to his other side but it seemed whoever was taunting him didn't want to be seen. "S-Shut up! You don't know anything!"

"Then again, you are just a little kid, aren't you? The way you cry to Aqua… The way you mimic Terra…The way you are powerless without them… It's so pathetic! Ventus, you have to grow up at some point but how to make you do it… Hm, wouldn't it happen if they disappeared?"

"You leave my friends alone!" The boy slashed back before noticing his hand was coated in a dark aura. What was this?!

"Ven!"

He hadn't even realized Aqua was running to him until she had his hand in hers, looking at it with great concern. "Ven, are you okay?!"

Ven pulled away quickly, shaking it until the aura subsided. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine…!"

He then realized how quiet it was and looked up to see Terra looking at them with confusion, his keyblade still midair, while Eraqus was giving them a stern look. Master Xehanort's expression was covered by his gloved hand.

Oh no! I interrupted the exam! Ven realized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, but there was this voice and it kept-!"

"Enough." Eraqus suddenly growled, silencing the boy. He looked between Aqua and Terra before nodding. "I've decided that your examination is over due to this interruption. I've seen all I needed to."


After what felt like a decade of waiting, the masters finally returned.

Ventus had taken the time to apologize to Terra and Aqua but they'd both been far more concerned about his own well-being than the test, asking him how he was feeling and if he needed to lie down.

"We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, you both performed commendably. However… only Terra has shown the Mark of Mastery."

The students all quietly gasped in shock. Ven was sure they'd both pass…

"Aqua, you let the darkness from Ventus distract you from the task at hand." Eraqus explained quickly. "It preyed on your weakness, your love for your friend, and you went right into its trap…. Perhaps you will fare better next year."

Aqua failed… because of me?

Aqua lowered her head as to not show her reaction while Terra glanced over to her in worry.

"That is all. Terra, as our newest Keyblade Master, you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction."

With that, he and Master Xehanort simply walked off as if they hadn't crushed the woman's dreams right in front of her. Terra walked up while Ven sprinted over, taking Aqua's hand.

"Aqua, I-I'm so sorry, this is all my fault-!"

"No." Ven's hair was ruffled and he could see Aqua's face. She gave a sad smile before glancing at one of the three thrones. "The master was right, I did let the darkness distract me when I was told time and time again to build a resistance against it. I thought I had but… I need more training."

"Aqua, I…" Terra started, unsure what to say.

She brushed them both away. "Please, I just need a few moments alone…Oh, and of course, congratulations, Terra."

The two watched downcast as she walked away, so much left unsaid.


Xehanort finally stepped out of the hallway before walking to a young woman who'd been watching the exam from afar. "You did perfectly, my dear."

She smiled, envigored by the praise. "Of course, I know you expect no less. …Now, Ventus has awakened the power and better yet, Aqua was drawn to it.."

"And what do you make of her?"

"Oh, she's strong, her light shines so beautifully…" The woman whispered softly before placing a hand to her chest. "If only I could whisk her away now..!"

"She's not strong enough yet, have patience." Xehanort growled.

She nodded, knowing the truth and feeling quite angry at herself for showing such desire. She pulled the black hood over her head to cover the angry flush, letting the veil topped with dying flowers cover her face. "You're right, she'll be all the better when she's ready… I'll have to have some sort of motive to get her away from this prison. And I think I know just the thing…"


Ven sat on the steps in quiet contemplation. What was that strange whispering… Was it my own thoughts? Reminding myself of all my doubts and shortcomings? If it was, how can I ever defeat it? I have to become stronger…

"Dear boy, it is no fault of your own, what transpired in the exam. Despite their foolish attempts to quell it, everyone is influenced by the darkness, even Eraqus… Why should you feel ashamed for heeding its call?"

The boy leapt to his feet in suprise at both the voice and the loud toll of the castle bells, he'd have to check on whatever that was later. He turned to see the source of the voice. "Master Xehanort…! But, Master Eraqus said darkness causes nothing but hurt to people…"

"That is because Eraqus has only seen it used for that purpose, used by people with bad intentions. But you and I are different…We can show Eraqus how things aren't so black and white…" The old man further told him, walking down to the boy. "That is, if you wish to…"

"Use the darkness… for good?" Ventus repeated softly, glancing down at his hands before looking back up. If it was, that meant he could have emotions whenever he wanted to, without feeling bad about it. He had no bad intentions for anyone or anything, he'd been like that all his life. If anyone could do it, it was him. "Well, first I have to have better control of it, right?"

The man reached the end of the stairs before looking to him in with a seemingly gentle smile. "Interested, are you? Well, when I was a lad, just a few years older than you are now, I realized the truth about darkness and decided to go off on my very own journey, separate from my master and Eraqus. In that time, I traveled to countless different worlds and learned so many things, including how to channel my darkness and my true power. I no longer needed to rely on Eraqus for strength."

"Whoa, that's incredible…" Ven whispered in awe. Channeling the darkness meant he'd no longer have to rely on his friends' strength, nor be envious of it, and if it went according to plan, he'd become a master and use it for good, it was all he'd ever wanted. He leaned back, looking up at the clear blue sky. The Lanes of In Between were already open… perhaps this was fate? "Maybe I should give it a try…"

"Let your heart be your guiding key, Ventus..." Was all the master had to say before he walked past, exiting through a dark corridor. No one saw the devilish smirk on his face.

Ven thought for a moment longer and then nodded to himself, clenching his fists. "I have to do it. I have to figure out how to channel my darkness so I'll finally be strong enough! Strong enough to be a master… strong enough that I'll never have to worry Aqua and Terra ever again."

The boy slapped his hand down on his armored shoulder and glowed before his entire keyblade armor appeared. Each keyblade wielder who received tutelage under a master was entitled to keyblade armor to protect them from the darkness, but powerful as it was, it couldn't push away the darkness that already settled in its wielder's heart. "Time to go!"

He threw his keyblade into the air and in a flash, it turned into his own personal vehicle, another technique passed from masters to students. He hopped onto the hoverboard before glancing back one last time at his home. When he returned, he'd practically be another person.

The boy soared into the sky before surfing into the portal.

"Ven!" Aqua shouted, arriving just in time to see him depart.