Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 3

Prompto walked with Ventus into the main audience room, fighting back a flinch when he saw Master Xehanort with Master Eraqus. They stood off to the side, almost level with the dais, waiting for Terra and Aqua. Master Eraqus looked over and smiled at them, and Prom waved at him, barely able to keep from bouncing with excitement.

Terra and Aqua walked in and stopped a few feet away from the stairs, bowing to the two Masters. Master Eraqus stood and Ven straightened, a hand on his shoulder to keep him still.

"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." He looked over at the other Master who nodded, and then looked back to Aqua and Terra. "I trust you are ready."

"Yes," they answered in unison.

Master Eraqus raised his Keyblade, "Then let the examination begin." He held the blade vertically, hand on the hilt, almost glowing. Five white balls of light appeared in mid-air and Terra and Aqua readied their Keyblades.

Prompto frowned as he saw Master Xehanort move his hand funny and then the balls were mixed with Darkness. His friends didn't falter, moving to destroy the orbs. He gasped as one flew towards them but Ven stepped forward even as they cried out in worry, striking it down with his own Keyblade. Prompto couldn't wait until he could wield one too! He pulled out his wand and cast a weak shield spell, Ventus looking back with a grin.

"Don't worry about us. You two focus on the exam!" Ventus called out to them.

"But Ven, you're both danger here! Go wait in your rooms," Aqua argued.

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

"We're fine! See, I can shield and Ven can destroy them," Prompto added.

"They can take care of themselves," Terra added as he took out another, they made it look so easy! "Ven's been out there training just as hard as us and Prom's magic has come a long way."

"Yeah!" They cheered.

"Stay sharp," Aqua warned.

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Eraqus was pleased with how well they were doing, including the youngest two. Ventus and Prompto worked well together, and he decided that he would perform the Bequeathing ceremony with him soon, perhaps even before the year was over, despite his original decision on the matter. It would let him and Ventus become a better training pair. If both Terra and Aqua passed then they would begin to travel and the two boys would need to train together more.

The presence of Darkness within the orbs he had created was concerning, where had it come from and why?

As the last orb was destroyed he stood again. "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," he motioned to them and they turned to face each other even as a panting Prompto dropped his spell, Ventus dismissing his Keyblade and moving so the younger could lean on him.

"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," he explained, watching as they settled into position. "Begin!"

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Master Xehanort walked downstairs. "What do you make of Ventus?"

"He ain't gonna cut it," the young man clad in red and black clothing leant against the wall, face covered by a black helmet. "Somebody's gotta break that loser in."

"Not here, you won't. I have to keep up appearances," he warned. "What did you think of the other boy?"

Vanitas scoffed. "A sheltered little brat. Want him eliminated? Caught him looking at you, I think he can sense something of the truth."

Well…that was surprising. Then again, Eraqus had told him of the boy, young Prompto Argentum, and how he had found him. Perhaps that had made him more aware of the Darkness than the others. Xehanort walked past Vanitas with his arms folded behind his back.

They walked down the stairs together, Xehanort considering his words. "Dear Ventus just needs a little incentive to leave home. As for Prompto, leave him be for now, he may prove useful later, as incentive or bait if nothing else."

Yes, Ventus needed to be separated from the rest for now, they all needed to be isolated to make them vulnerable. Perhaps if Ventus failed, the boy would be a better candidate? He was younger, more malleable, and already exposed to Darkness from birth, despite the Light he emanated.

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"Terra!"

He turned to see Prompto running after him, looking exhausted, and he moved to scoop him up, knowing soon he would be far too old to want such obvious displays of brotherly affection. "You should be resting after that magic. You did so well," he praised. "I'm sorry we put you in danger."

"Are you okay?" he asked, and Terra couldn't help smiling at his baby brother.

He ruffled wild blond locks. "I'll be fine," he promised before setting him down. "Now go to bed and recover your strength. I'll see you later."

"Promise?"

"Promise," he smiled, and watched Prompto head for his room. Once Prom was out of sight he headed outside, sitting down on the stairs. "There's Darkness within me... So what does that matter? I know I'm strong enough to hold it back," he whispered.

"Yes... You are indeed strong."

He turned to see Master Xehanort at the top of the stairs, watching him.

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Ventus lay on the bed in his room, swinging his old wooden Keyblade, maybe it was time to pass it on to Prompto... He stopped and looked at the blade, the name "Terra" etched into the hilt. A bell rung and he sat up, alert. He got up and ran to the door, worried.

"Better hurry, Ventus..." a voice called, and he spun around to see a masked boy behind him, leaning against his bookshelf. How?

"Huh? Who are you?" he asked warily, how had he gotten into the castle let alone his room?

"Or you'll never see Terra again," the other warned.

"What? Get real. I can see Terra anytime I want," he snapped.

"Like right now? He's leaving you behind. And by the time you catch up...he'll be a different person," the other male, at least he assumed from the voice, taunted.

"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?" he changed his stance slightly, ready for a fight if necessary.

"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?" he taunted before holding his hand out and Darkness appeared, the boy walking into it to Ventus' shock and horror. Who was that? How could he do that?

Ven thought back on times spent training with Terra, all the good times they'd had. He shook his head and returned to the present. "Terra!" He ran out of his room and through the castle.

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Eraqus sighed, worried, all of the children were gone now, all but…

"Master Eraqus?"

He turned to see Prompto walking towards him, still looking half asleep. How was he to tell him they had all left? Ventus was not yet ready and yet he had disobeyed to follow them.

"Come here Prompto," he called the boy over, lifting him into his lap for comfort while he told him. He knew soon Prompto would consider himself too old to be carried, but while it lasted they all enjoyed it. He wished Prompto could remain a child forever, to be safe, but that simply wasn't possible.

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Prompto stared out his window at the distant stars, wondering what Worlds the others were in. Why had they all left him behind and without saying goodbye? It hurt! He knew he was too little to go but they should have told him. Ever since he'd been rescued from the facility, they'd always been there for him. Ven was his best friend! They were his family, they had taught him what a family was. They'd find the trouble Master Eraqus' friend had warned them of and then they'd come home, they would!

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Terra entered the room and saw a maiden in a blue dress lying on a white bed, an ornate cerulean blanket covering her legs, her arms folded neatly on her stomach. He walked over to her, staring down at her. "This feels so familiar..." he whispered.

"Her heart is filled with Light-not the slightest touch of Darkness."

He turned and saw the woman he'd met on the bridge across the room, she smiled at him but it wasn't a smile that put him at ease.

"Just the kind of Heart I need."

"For what?" He asked warily.

"Imagine with me, the most glorious of futures... Seven of the purest Hearts, each overflowing with Light. When brought together, they grant the power to rule all Worlds."

"What do you mean?" he demanded, shifting to be more between her and the bed.

"Why, that key you hold... The Keyblade, is it called?" as she said the word, he gasped, summoning his Keyblade.

"Where did you learn that name?" She shouldn't have ever heard it.

"That trinket is the only way to obtain the Hearts," she motioned to it.

"No more games," he snapped. "Where is Master Xehanort?"

"Impudence will get you nowhere, child. If you wish to learn more, you must retrieve the Heart of Aurora."

"And why would I ever want to do that?"

Maleficent smiled again. "It's not a matter of "why", but of will." The green orb on her staff glowed. "In your Heart, there is Darkness just waiting to be awakened." She moved her fingers over the orb and a green aura surrounded both her and Terra.

"I dunno what you're talking about," he denied, what was she doing?

"Perhaps not yet... But I have power over sleep. And I can awaken what's inside you... Then you will be free to be who you truly are."

Terra blinked, feeling strange…tired, remembering Master Eraqus' words.

"Remember that Darkness lurks in every Heart. Darkness is our foe. Would that we could be rid of it. You must destroy it. Push the Darkness down-give it no quarter in your Heart."

He was so tired…

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Maleficent smirked as the boy hunched over briefly and then stood straight, eyes opening to reveal glazed over blue, asleep. He held out his Keyblade and light emanated from it. She watched as Aurora's heart floated out of her chest and into Maleficent's hands.

She chuckled darkly as green fire covered the Heart as she held it. "Here it is... Just what I've waited for."

She looked at the boy to see his eyes return to normal as his consciousness returned, before turning away. "To think that all he spoke of was and will be true."

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"What? How did I…" Terra shook his head. He saw Aurora and started, turning to face Maleficent. "What did I do? What did YOU do?" he demanded.

"You speak as if I pulled some invisible strings. No, you couldn't be further from the truth, child. I simply whispered to the Darkness you already held inside," she smiled at him.

Terra looked back at the princess, ashamed. "How could I do this?"

Aurora lay still and silent on the bed before him. A memory of tiny Prompto lying still and close to death entered his mind, then another of Ven lying just as still.

"Prom? Ven?" he blinked and it was the princess before him again.

Maleficent walked closer and he tensed. "Yes... Now, you want to know where Xehanort went."

He turned to face her, he had to be on his guard, he had to get the Princess' heart back.

"Well, that I cannot answer. He disappeared into the Darkness. But now I know the Keyblade is necessary to gather Hearts. Join me. Collect six more Hearts of pure Light. Then we will rule all the Worlds together," she offered.

"You seem to be mixed up. I'm a peacekeeper, not a tyrant!" he yelled at her, Keyblade once again at the ready only to be startled as a large rumble shook the room, spilling dust from the rafters.

"Hmm... For a peacekeeper, you're off to an exceptionally poor start. Remember this – the Darkness in your Heart cannot be held back by force or strength. Now...my work here is done, as is yours. Wasn't there someone you needed to chase?" She erupted in green fire.

Terra quickly swung his blade at her. "Wait!" He heard her laugh fading away as she escaped, looking around, before another large rumble shook the room. "The Unversed... They're going to bring down the castle. I have to do something!"

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Eraqus watched Prompto run through his physical drills with a practice blade. He had come a long way in five years. He was thankful that strange illness had never returned, the boy remaining hale and hearty, a little faster and stronger than Eraqus would have expected given his size, but his eye colour was the only remaining sign of the illness itself. It was obvious he was not taking the others absence well which was why he was doing his best to keep him busy, to keep him from dwelling on things.

These….Unversed concerned him, where had they suddenly come from? He hoped Yen Sid could find answers and that his students were ready to deal with them.

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"Aww. Huh?" Ven looked down to find an apple had rolled into his boot. He bent down to pick it up, noticing a hunched figure in a black cloak walking toward the forest. He moved closer, cautious but curious, realising it was a woman carrying a basket filled with apples.

"Excuse me, ma'am? You dropped this," he called as he approached, holding out the apple.

She turned around, revealing the wart on her large nose. He handed her the apple and her eyes lit up. "Oh, why thank you, my pet. To tell the truth, I really don't know what I would have done without that." She turned around, placing the apple into her basket, cackling. "Haven't I seen that sword before?" She frowned at his Keyblade.

"Terra has one. You know Terra?" He asked, did he already have another lead?

"Oh, yes, yes... That ruffian pointed one of those at me, asking about some "Xehanort"- My poor heart nearly stopped."

Ven stared at his Keyblade. "That doesn't sound like him at all... Ma'am, where did Terra go?"

"I'm sure I have no idea... Must you all menace a poor granny so?"

"What?" he frowned and then his eyes widened, dismissing the blade. "No, I was just..." she turned and left and he looked at the sky. "Terra, what did you do?"

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Eraqus stared at his finished work, he hadn't planned on this for years but with how things were going…it was better to be safe than sorry. And if he needed to leave he could hardly leave Prompto in the castle alone. Should they need to travel, Prompto had to be kept safe, that one trip years ago had been risky enough as it was, Prompto was too old now for Eraqus' magic to shield him well enough for such a trip.

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"Aqua!"

She turned in relief at the familiar voice and there was Terra on the upper landing. "Terra!"

He walked down the stairs toward her, smiling, and she hated that she only had bad news to give.

"Terra... Ven ran away from home," she told him, and he froze, eyes widening.

"What?" he demanded.

"I think he left to go find you. Do you have any idea why?" she asked, hoping he had some idea.

"No..." he shook his head before hesitating. "Actually... Just before I left, he tried to tell me something. I should've listened to what he had to say."

"Oh..." So he had gone after Terra, but why? What was so important he'd had to leave home to tell Terra? They were silent for a moment. "So...did you manage to locate Master Xehanort?" she asked.

"No, but it seems he's looking for pure Hearts filled with Light," Terra told her.

"Pure Hearts...filled with Light..." she pondered as Terra started to walk towards the doors.

"All I can tell you is that his search hasn't taken him here."

"All right. I'll stay and see if I can find more clues," she offered.

"Okay. The Prince is in the ballroom ahead. He might have some answers," he suggested.

"Thanks," she murmured, whishing he'd stay and talk to her more, but not sure how to ask him to.

He stopped and turned around, watching her. "Aqua. You still have the same dream?" he asked softly.

"Well... Yes."

"There's this girl here, her name is Cinderella. She made me realise how powerful it is just to believe. No matter how impossible things seem, a powerful enough dream will always be enough to light the darkness."

Aqua smiled at his words and nodded.

"If you see her, give her my thanks."

"Will do," she promised, watching him leave before heading to the Ballroom. "He'll be all right. He won't give into it." He wouldn't, Terra was stronger than that.

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Prompto sighed and sat back from the book he was working through. They'd been gone for two months now and he couldn't help worrying. He knew it would take time to track down whatever those Unversed were and stop them at the source, but couldn't they come back home between times? Or send a message? Anything to let him know they were okay, that…that he hadn't been forgotten? They were meant to be looking for Master Xehanort too but he hoped that creepy old man stayed lost! He knew it was his fault Terra hadn't been named a Master, he'd messed with the exam. But who would believe him if he told? He was Master Eraqus' friend, Ventus' first Master even if Ven didn't remember their time together. He just…ugh. He was wrong somehow.

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"There's no way Terra would hurt somebody like that!" he yelled, clutching his Keyblade, tired from the fight.

"You don't believe me? That's unfortunate, for he agreed so easily."

"He did?" He couldn't have…could he?

"Ven! Don't be fooled!" A familiar voice called and he looked around, spotting familiar blue hair.

"Aqua!" he cried in relief.

Aqua ran into the room, looking warily at Maleficent. "Terra would never do that. You know that as well as I do."

"Yeah!" he nodded, faith buoyed by her sureness.

"Ahh... The truth can be most cruel, even amongst the closest of friends. After all, one never knows the secrets of another's Heart. I'm sure you'll agree... Ventus... Aqua."

They both glared at hr and then Aqua turned to him. "The Master sent me. Ven...let's go home. Prompto has to be worried sick, none of us said goodbye."

"But Terra..." they couldn't just abandon him to the Worlds alone.

"Terra's not ready to leave yet," she shook her head.

Ven remembered his encounter with the boy in the mask. "Like right now? He's leaving you behind. And by the time you catch up, he'll be a different person."

"Sorry, Aqua. But I can't go with you," he offered sadly.

"What?" she stared at him in surprise.

"It's just...I have to find him before it's too late!" he turned and ran before she could stop him, hating to do it.

"Ven!" She yelled after him.

Prompto would understand, he had to find Terra before something bad happened.

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Prompto stared down at the piece of metal in his hands. They all wore one, except him. He looked up at Master Eraqus who smiled at him and nodded. Prom took a deep breath and fastened the pauldron to his left arm. The metal looked like silver with some blue and green, like Aqua and Ven's. He had his own armour now!

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Yen Sid stared out of the window. Mickey had left to track down these Unversed, and Eraqus had sent out his students…his newest following without permission. At least the youngest remained safely behind. He remembered the boy he had taken Mickey with him to try and help heal only to fail. He had been pleased to hear he was growing well and working hard to become a Keyblade wielder.

He was worried for his apprentice, there was a reason he had yet to test him for the Mark of Mastery when young Aqua had passed hers. He lacked the necessary focus on his duties, torn by his role as King. It would not be an easy balance to hold and he worried Mickey would one day have to choose to focus on one.

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Aqua walked through an alleyway and across the Gardens, entering a fenced door. She walked up the stairs to the castle before hearing a scream. She saw a young girl carrying flowers being chased by an Unversed.

"No! Run!" she yelled, rushing towards her.

She saw the girl pressed against the wall, covering her head with her hands, ducking down and then Unversed missed, thankfully. "Here!" She called, and the child ran to her, hiding behind her, as Aqua readied her Keyblade, feeling the brief touch to it, thankfully nowhere it could hurt the girl. "I can feel the Light," she murmured in surprise, even as the child whimpered in fear, not even Ven and Prompto felt so Light.

Aqua looked to the large group of Unversed. "There's no way I can fight like this."

An Unversed leapt at her, but before she could do anything Mickey appeared and struck it down with his Keyblade. "Hurry! Ya gotta get that girl to someplace that's safe," he yelled at her.

"Mickey," she smiled in relief at seeing Master Yen Sid's apprentice. Aqua picked the girl up and carried her down the steps as the Unversed surrounded Mickey. "Stay here," she whispered, making sure the child was well concealed, and the girl nodded, eyes wide. Aqua rushed back up the stairs to stand by Mickey.

"Everything all right?" He asked, and she nodded. "Let's get 'em!"

"Right!"

Working together they soon defeated the Unversed. Afterward, Aqua stood with Mickey

and the girl, kneeling down to their height. "Thank you Mickey."

"No problem. How's the boy?"

"Prompto's growing fast, he's seven now and already learning magic," she smiled, before glancing at the girl. "I sense Light within this girl. You think that's why they attacked her?"

"Yep, I think ya might be absolutely right. If ya ask me, she must be somebody pretty extraordinary."

"Yes. I'm quite certain she's someone we're supposed to protect," she agreed.

"Let's join forces!" he grinned but then looked down as a bright light appeared from his pocket. "Oh no, not now!" he was surrounded with light, surprising Aqua and the girl. "I'll be okay!" he called as he became a trail of light giving off magical sparks, flying haphazardly into the sky. "See ya real soon!"

The two girls stared in disbelief and amazement, Aqua unable to help worrying for the King. She glanced down as the girl handed her the flowers she'd been gathering.

"Here!" She chirped adorably.

"Are these for me?"

"I picked you some flowers. Thank you for saving me."

Aqua accepted the bouquet. "Oh, they're lovely. You're so sweet," she smiled.

"My name's Kairi. Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Aqua. Kairi, about that Light…" she started only to be interrupted.

"Kairi!"

They both turned to see an elderly woman near the steps of the castle.

"Oh! Grandma!"

"Wait, Kairi, just a minute..." Aqua stopped her, touching her necklace, concentrating until it glowed. "I just cast a magic spell on you. One day when you're in trouble, the Light within you will lead you to the Light of another, someone to keep you safe," she explained.

"Thanks!" Kairi grinned at her, obviously not truly understanding what Aqua meant, before running to her grandmother.

"There you are. It's time to go," the elderly woman told the girl.

"'Kay! Oh!" She turned back toward Aqua and waved. "Bye!"

Aqua waved back, hoping the spell she had cast would never be needed but with everything that was happening…she had the feeling it would be. She was adorable and it made her miss Prompto being so little, she chuckled as she imagined Ven at that age too. Way too adorable and if they'd both been little together? They would have ruled the Land of Departure, it had been hard enough telling Prompto no!

She shook her thoughts off and began to head back into town, she had a job to do after all.

TBC…