Now begins the Mark of Mastery... for Terra and Aqua. I mean, Sora and Kairi are taken theirs since the prologue. I am glad to see new readers every day. The next chapter will begin to explore the other worlds. Well, this was the longest chapter yet so I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 4: The Mark of Mastery
World: Land of Departure
"Hey, I know the Mark of Mastery is always pretty different for many different students but what did you and Riku do for your exam, Sora?" Asked Ven. They just finished eating lunch and were waiting for Masters Riku, Eraqus, and Xehanort to finish preparing for Terra and Aqua's Mark of Mastery.
Sora put his hands behind his head and answered, "Well, Master Yed Sid, had me and Riku travel to sleeping worlds to unlock 7 sleeping keyholes of worlds that haven't fully recovered from the darkness."
"Fully recover? Did something happen to the worlds we don't know about?" Asked Aqua. Before Sora or Kairi could say anything Riku opened the door and said, "Okay, we're ready."
"We'll just tell you later." Said Kairi. As they entered the room Terra stopped as everything began to blur out. "What?"
World: Mysterious Tower
Terra looked around and saw Roxas next to him. Before he could ask anything the boy gestured forward, He looked ahead and saw Sora and Riku standing before Master Yed Sid. He also saw an anthropomorphic mouse, duck, and dog. "Guess this must be when Sora and Riku took their Mark of Mastery."
"As a Keyblade Master, ... had a gift like few others." The retired Keyblade Master began.
Terra was confused when the Keyblade Master's name he was talking about, was cut off, "Why couldn't I hear that name Master Yed Sid was going to say?"
"Side effect of Naminè's magic," Roxas answered.
However, he continued to watch the events of Sora and Riku had. "But such great minds are often plagued by a single great question. What is essence of the human heart that weakens us, or empowers us. The answer, he believed, would be found in the 'Keyblade War.' What if the challenges of the past where, in fact, a map to the light and darkness that battles within us all? ...had to know, so he renounced his duties as master chose a seeker's life. Since then, in a guise, he clashed with protectors of the light, Keyblade wielders such as yourselves."
Terra then thought to himself, "Keyblade war? What's that?"
Roxas hesitated but gave a vague answer, "It's probably best you don't know. It's what made that Keyblade Master go, rogue, in the first place,"
Terra looked at the Ventus twin and nodded "Right, I don't want that to happen to me or my friends if I followed the same path he did. Other Keyblade wielders tried to stop him, what happened to them." He turned to the mouse and judging by his face, they didn't make it.
He continued to listen to that former master, "And make my words he will trouble us yet again. We must be ready. Which is why you, Sora and Riku, are to be tested for the Mark of a true Keyblade Master. No doubt you think of yourselves as masters already, but it takes years of training and a proper master to show you the way. Although you two are self-taught Keyblade wielders. A very impressive feat, the time has come for both of you to let go of any preconceived notions you may have, forget what you know about the Keyblade, and begin your training anew with a clean slate."
Everyone gasped, they had to learn everything all over again. Sora then blurted out, "But that's a formality, right?! I've ALREADY proved myself! Riku and I can handle anything together! Right?"
Riku look down and said, "I don't know. I believe, in my heart, Darkness still has a hold." He then summoned his old weapon, Soul Taker, and continued, "Walking down that path changed me. Am I ready to wield a Keyblade? Perhaps I should be tested."
Terra and Sora were surprised by this for different reasons, Riku went down a dark path one time. As for Sora, he was still surprised that Riku still doubted himself after all they had been through and then turned to Yen Sid. "In that case, put ME through the test too! Just watch us! Riku and I will pass with flying colors!"
Terra similes at Sora confidence. He probably would have passed if it wasn't a trap set up by this Organization.
"Then I'll have to make sure to pass mine." He declared as Roxas smiled at him.
Yen Sid nodded, "Very well then. Sora and Riku, let your examinations commence." The flashback faded and briefly heard Roxas say.
"Good luck, you'll need it."
World: Land of Departure
"Hey, Terra. You alright?" Asked Aqua. Terra was back in reality and saw they were in the testing chamber. "Yeah, I'm fine," Terra answered and stood at attention with Aqua looking at in concern before copying him.
He then stood by Aqua in the center of the room. Sora, Kairi, and Ven stood at the sidelines while Riku sat with his arms crossed alongside the other two masters on the thrones at the front of the room. Though he was for some reason thankful that Master Eraqus was between him and Master Xehanort. 'What is it about Xehanort that's making me so tense?' He thought.
The said master turned to see the other young Keyblade wielders. He saw his former apprentice, the other two teenagers he assumed were Riku's friends, the boy was Sora, and the girl was Kairi. Ventus, whom he had very special plans for still had his interest but the other two even more so. Sora's appearance was almost an exact copy to the second piece of his plan, and he could sense he was somehow connected to Ventus as well. Then he turned to his gaze Kairi, and saw the pure light within her heart, no doubt she was one of the 7. Kairi noticed the man's gaze and it made her feel discomfort she felt somewhere before, Sora saw this and held her hand Kairi turned to Sora and they smiled at each other but like Kairi Sora also felt a bad familiarity with Xehanort but chose not to say anything.
Aqua glanced at the two and grinned at their comfort to each other. Her attention went back to Master Eraqus as he walked towards Terra and herself. He smiled and said, "...Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not just one, but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates but this is neither a competition, nor a battle for supremacy. It is not a test of wills, but rather a test of heart. Both of you may prevail, but neither. But I'm sure our guests, Master Xehanort, and of course our newest and youngest master, Master Riku as well as his comrades, did not travel all this way to see our newest prospects in years fall short of the mark." Both Riku and Xehanort nodded when their names were spoken while Sora and Kairi smiled upon being mentioned. Eraqus then continued, "I trust you are ready."
"Yes." Said both Aqua and Terra. "Then let the examination begin!" He summoned his Keyblade and created balls of light, similar to the ones Kairi practiced on yesterday. Terra and Aqua summoned their own Keyblades and got into the battle poses. Xehanort just waved his hand and darkness covered the balls making them become even more dangerous. This surprised Eraqus and Riku while Xehanort just grinned.
"What the heck?!" Riku exclaimed as he was about to summon his Keyblade to intervene but Eraqus stopped him and said, "Wait, let's see where this goes."
Riku nodded trusting the older master. Riku took a few sniffs to see who was responsible for some reason it smelled a lot like Ansem, the heartless that possessed him but the darkness from the orbs was moving so much he couldn't trace the source. Both Terra and Aqua began to destroy the orbs when Aqua noticed one heading towards the younger students. " KAIRI! BOYS!"
The three then summoned their own Keyblades and destroyed the dark-powered orb. Xehanort was silently surprised to see a keyblade in Kairi's hands, "Don't worry about us. You two focus on the Exam!" Said Ven. "But Ven, you three are in real danger! Go back to your room and take Sora and Kairi with you!" Said Aqua concerned for the three of them.
"No way! I've been looking forward to this, seeing you too become masters. I'm not going to miss it now!" Said Ven.
"Same goes with me! I've fought bigger and badder things than a bunch of glowing bubbles!" Sora declared backing Ven up.
"If these two are in, then so am I!" Kairi added. She was done being the damsel in distress this time. Terra smiled and said, "They can take care of themselves. They have been training just as hard as we have. Plus these things aren't nearly as hard as those Nobodies we fought yesterday. This should be a piece of cake for all of us."
"Yeah." Ven agreed. He was right to easily defeat all the orbs in record time. Xehanort watched with interest as he was intrigued the princess could wield a keyblade as well, When they were finished Sora, Kairi, and Ven went back to the sidelines and Terra and Aqua stood before the masters. "Well… That was unexpected. But one must keep a still heart even in the most trying of times. It was an excellent test one I chose to let unfold. Which brings us to your next trial." Said Eraqus.
Riku then got what Eraqus meant and then continued to watch the exam. Terra and Aqua then turned to each other and got into their 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. Begin!" said Master Eraqus.
With that Aqua and Terra charged and battled each other. They looked like they were evenly matched. Until Aqua nearly got the upper hand. Terra began to worry he was going to lose and then a dark aura ignited on his left hand. Riku, Sora, and Kairi noticed it, as their eyes widen in fear as he knew it was the power of darkness, "Oh no." he whispered, hoping Terra would reject it.
When he did notice it he thankfully did before blocking Aqua's next attack. The Destiny trio sighed in relief as Kairi placed a hand over her heart, Sora slumped over and Riku leaned back in his seat. However, Terra's brief brush with the darkness didn't go unnoticed by the other two masters.
Xehanort grinned at this. Now he had not just one but two Keyblade wielders possess the darkness within them. Soon the match was over and the masters discussed who passed the exam. Both Aqua and Terra waited patiently for the results soon, Master Eraqus walked towards them and said, "We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, you performed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the Mark of Mastery." Each of the Keyblade Wielder's eyes widened in shock. "Terra, you failed to keep the darkness in you sufficiently in check. But there is always next year. That is all." Terra just grunted in disappointment.
Eraqus then turned to Aqua and said, "Aqua, as our newest Keyblade Master, you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction." Xehanort had already left. Terra looked down in shame. He failed the exam. Aqua didn't know what to say, "Hey..." she tried to comfort.
"Sorry Terra, I really thought that since you didn't use the darkness during the match we could just let it slide," Riku explained, feeling bad he couldn't change the outcome and how gripping the darkness could be.
Ven came running in with Sora and Kairi. "Terra, we're sorry." Said Ven.
"But hey, don't let it get you down." Sora encouraged.
Kairi nodded and smiled assuredly, "Yeah, I'm sure next time you'll pass for sure!"
Terra didn't seem to acknowledge their words as he only had one question on his mind, "The darkness... where did it come from?"
No one saw Xehanort as he walked down the starts to meet a mysterious boy and asked him, "What do you make of Ventus?
"He ain't gonna cut it. Somebody's got to break that loser in." He responded as he held his mask. Xehanort turned away and said, "Not here, you won't. I have to keep up appearances."
"I know that." Vanitias said as he put his mask on, "He just needs the incentive to leave home. What about those other three? They weren't supposed to be here, and why does that Sora guy have my face?"
"The plan remains the same but perhaps we can use them to our advantage. Keep an eye on them. Test their skills and see if they are of any value to us. And inform me should hear anything from the others." Xehanort ordered. "As you wish." Said Vanitas. They both then exited the building.
Back with the other Keyblades, Terra began to leave them and said, "Sorry... I need some time alone."
Ven wasn't sure if he should follow him or not, but Riku put a hand over his shoulder and said, "Hey don't worry I'll talk to him. I can understand what he's going through right now."
Ven looked to him and nodded and Riku followed after Terra. Aqua then turned to Sora and asked him, "What did he mean by he knows what Terra is going through?" Kairi and Sora looked at each other warily but just sighed and decided to tell them the truth.
"It's because Riku had once succumbed to the darkness too." Kairi explained as Ven and Aqua gasped in shock before Sora quickly reassured them, "but don't worry he eventually managed to get past it and become a real Keyblade Master but he still beats himself for what it made of him do. Even though we've already forgiven him." Said Sora looking down sadly. Aqua felt sorry for the older boy and said, "I just hope Terra doesn't do the same and forgives himself and inspires Riku to do the same."
"I'm sure they will. By the way congrats." Kairi complimented the other girl. "Oh, yeah. You're now a Keyblade Master. I was so sad that Terra didn't make it that I've forgotten that you did." Ven realized.
"Thanks, guys. I just wished Terra passed too." Said Aqua. They all looked down hoping that Riku could help him and that the two would forgive themselves.
Terra sat outside the building thinking, "There's darkness within me... So why does that matter? I know I'm strong enough to hold it back."
"Yes. You are indeed strong. The Darkness is nothing to fear." Said someone from behind as if he read Terra's mind. Terra turned around to see, "Master Xehanort..."
"And yet...how frustrating Eraqus refutes its power. Why you could train with him forever and still you'd never be a master in his eyes." Xehanort continued as he walked towards Terra neither of them noticing Riku behind him. Terra was confused by this and asked, "But why? Help me understand, Master Xehanort. What is it that I've failed to learn?"
"You're fine as you are. Darkness cannot be destroyed. It can only be channeled." Xehanort explained as Riku frowned at the old master's advice. "Yes. Thank you, Master." Terra bowed in thanks as Xehanort walked out of sight, once he was out of earshot Riku decided to make himself known, "He's only got it half right ya know." he said. Terra then turned around to Riku, he already knew that darkness had once been a part of Riku's life but he didn't want to freak him out by saying he has been seeing his memories. So he said, "What do you mean only half right?"
"It's true what Master Xehanort said when darkness can't be destroyed. It's inside everyone with a few exceptions of people like Kairi, it's as much a part of us as the light is. However, it shouldn't be channeled. The longer you deny it the more you'll succumb to it and the more you use it the harder it is to let it go." He explained, clenching his fist as he wished he learned that from the start, "I tried to channel the darkness myself and I was almost possessed by Ansem twice. The only real way to control it is to not run from the light or fear the dark because both with make you stronger." he explained, as both were unaware Xehanort was from listening close by.
"Make you stronger? Darkness too?" Terra asked, looking at the hand where the darkness came from as Riku continued. "Yeah. Strength that's yours. The darkness inside your heart is vast and it's deep but if you can truly stare into it and never look away, you won't be afraid of anything again. It takes a while but with help and support from those you care about, you can make your heart immune to the darkness's corruption and still use it to defend the light." Riku said.
"Is that how you conquered your own darkness?" Said Terra. Riku nodded smiling and Terra smiled back. If Riku could conquer the darkness within his heart then so could he but one thing still puzzled him. "Who's Ansem?"
Just then they heard a bell ring. Riku turned to Terra, "I'll explain who he is along with everything else is once we've all gathered."
Terra nodded and they ran off to join the others. As they were running, Riku thought about Ansem, and remembered during his and Sora's exam he admitted whenever he saw Ansem, he always flashback to a memory of when he met Terra as a kid. Looking back at Terra he just now realized that he did carry some familiarity to the Seeker of Darkness but not completely but he couldn't figure out why.
A Few Minutes earlier...
Ven was lying on his bed, swinging around his wooden Keyblade that Terra used to practice with. Sora and Kairi were in with him. Sora was on Ven's bed trying to figure out the Dark Keyblade Master's name while Kairi was studying a book about light magic Aqua let her borrow from the library. Everyone was silent until Ven finally spoke, "Do you think Riku can help Terra?"
"Coarse he can." Said Sora as he turned to Ven. "We can help him too." Kairi put the book down and said, "Terra won't even have to worry about the Darkness as long as he knows we're here to help him."
Ven nodded and then smiled. "Yeah. The Darkness within his heart doesn't stand a chance against the six of us." That made the other two smile, but Kairi then frowned and asked, "By the way, Did anyone notice where that darkness came from? I mean, from the balls of light we fought. You think the darkness that corrupted them just happened?"
"No, it was totally weird. Nothing like that has happened here before today." Ven responded as Kairi thought for a moment "The funny thing is, I felt like it came from Master Xehanort." she said.
"Really? Wait So does that mean Master Xehanort, might've sabotaged the exam?" Sora asked. Ven turned to them wondering the same thing, he did always get a strange feeling from his former master as Kairi tilted her head unsure. "Maybe. I don't know. Maybe I just said that because of the way he was looking at us." Kairi admitted, shivering a little.
"You noticed that, too? I thought it was just me." Said Ven. Sora turns to Kairi, "If there is something fishy about Master Xehanort, don't worry, I'll protect you from him and anyone else."
Kairi then smiled and kissed Sora on the cheek and said, "Thanks, Sora." Sora then began to blush and touched the spot Kairi that she kissed him. Then they heard bells ringing. "The Master needs us," Ven said.
"Alright, let's go." Said Kairi. She got on her feet and began to leave when she noticed Sora was still stunned by the kiss. "Come on, Lazybum." She said as she took his arm and dragged him along with her. Ven laughed at that as he got up to follow them until he heard a voice, "Better hurry, Ventus…"
He jumped, as the voice felt familiar for some reason, he turned to see a boy in a mask leaning on a wall in his room. "Huh? Who are you?!" Ven demanded, not even noticing the other boy the whole time he, Sora, and Kairi were in his room.
The Masked Boy ignored him and continued, "Or you never see Terra again." he said cryptically Ven didn't believe that for a second "What?! Get real. I can see Terra anytime I want!"
"Like right now? He's leavening you behind. And by the time you catch up… he'll be a different person." Said the Masked Boy as he turned to Ven. "Trust I've seen the results myself."
Ven just grunted in annoyance, "Look, whoever you are, you don't know the first thing about Terra. Me, him and Aqua, and even Sora, Riku, and Kairi, we'll always be a team!" Ven defended his friend. He got into his battle stance with his wooden Keyblade. "You trying to pick a fight or what?"
"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 asked as he opened a corridor of darkness and left. That led Ven to think of all the good times he shared with Terra. Was he really going to risk never seeing him again? But Just as he was questioning himself a memory that wasn't his own came to him.
World: Destiny Islands
Ven opened his eyes and saw Sora, laid in his bed waiting for supper and tomorrow where he would explore the world with his best friends Riku and Kairi. It would be just him and Kairi... And Riku too. Ven watched the memory, "So, this is Sora's room back home. Wow, it's almost like mine," Ven commented but realized something, "Wait, if then if this is a memory, then maybe Naminè is here?"
He did a quick look around and didn't see anyone but the younger Sora and sighed in disappointment. He stopped looking when he heard the younger Sora say, "A storm? Oh no! The raft!"
Ven turned to see Sora sneak out his window. He could hear his mother calling, "Sora! Dinner's Ready! Come on down! Sora?!"
"He's gonna be in big trouble, later." Ven joked.
The memory changed with Sora arriving on the island and a huge black sphere above the play island. "What's that?!" Both Sora and Ven asked themselves. Sora then turned to the other boats he recognized. "Riku's boat. And Kairi's!"
Sora then turned to see black monsters show up. Sora recognized them from the dream he had a few days back. "Are those, The Heartless?!" Ven gasped, as he instinctive summoned his keyblade but stopped himself knowing since this was a memory he couldn't do anything.
He tried to fight them with the wooden sword he had but it didn't even scratch them. Sora then noticed Riku by the Paopu tree that they would sit on. Sora and Ven then made their way up to him. He ran past all the Heartless and crossed the bridge. "Where's Kairi? I thought she was with you!" He asked worried for Kairi's safety."The door has been opened..." Said Riku mysteriously. This confused both Ven and Sora, with the former noticing something different about Riku's tone "What?"
"The has been opened, Sora! Now we can go to the outside world!" Said Riku. Ven took a quick look at Riku. Something didn't seem right about him, his eyes, seemed different. "What are you talking about? We've got to find Kairi!" Said Sora, who was more concerned for her safety.
"Kairi's coming with us!" Riku assured him before continuing, "Once we step through, we might not be able to come back. We may never see our parents again. There's no turning back. But this may be our only chance. We can't let fear stop us! I'm not afraid of the darkness!"
Riku then offered his hand to Sora as Ven now understood, this was the moment Riku had let the darkness into his heart and it flipped his personality upside down, "Was this what that guy meant that Terra was going to be a different person?" Ven asked, as the thought of seeing Terra like this version of Riku scared him, "Naminè please tell me what's going on?!" He called for the girl.
Just then both Sora and Ven noticed the darkness trying to take Riku. Sora tried to get him out of there but he couldn't reach him. Everything went black until a bright light show. Then a Keyblade appeared in the surprised Sora's hand.
"This must have been the first time he could summon his Keyblade," Ven realized when he saw Sora surrounded by more Heartless.
Sora used his Keyblade to strike down all of them. He continued fighting until he reached a secret cave and noticed a door that blocks the place that was the secret place. Sora had a strong feeling that Kairi was in there so he opened the door and went inside. Ven followed him as well and he heard Sora call out, "Kairi!"
He turned to see Kairi standing in front of a wooden door without a knob or handle and she turned to Sora and said, "Sora."
She looked sleepy. She reached out for Sora when the door suddenly swung wide open and a powerful gust of wind came out and pushed Kairi towards Sora. Sora tried to catch her but she disappeared upon contact. "What The?!" Ven gasped when gale then pushed Ven and Sora away as they both screamed. Ven then felt the memory change as he opened his eyes and saw that he and Sora stood on what remained of Destiny Island with the orb of darkness above them, sucking everything into it.
"Whoa!" Both Sora and Ven shouted in surprise. They turn to see a giant heartless much bigger than the others stood before them. Sora charged at it with his new Keyblade, Ven wanted to help but knew he couldn't. The Heartless slammed its arm into the ground and summoned smaller ones. Sora quickly defeated them and climbed up the Heartless's arm and hit its head several times. He then jumped off after knowing he did enough damage.
Then suddenly, the giant was sucked up into the dark sphere. Both Sora and Ven realized that it was going to suck them up too. They both tried to hold onto the remaining ground as long as they could but they both slipped and flew right into the sphere and screamed. Ven closed his eyes hoping he hoping to wake up soon. When he felt a soft hand that held on to his own before blacking out.
World: Castle Oblivion
Ven groaned as felt like he had just ridden in a roller coaster-sized washing machine, "It's okay, Ven. Your safe." Said a female voice. Ven recognized the Voice. "Naminè?" He asked as he woke up. He noticed he was in a white room and Naminè was there sitting in a chair with a sketch pad, drawing. She stopped her drawing and turn to him. "Hello, Ven. It's good to see you again." She said with a smile.
"Um… Hi." Ven said with a little nervousness as he sat up. She had a cute smile. But then he asked, "Wait, where are we? What happen?"
"We're in Castle Oblivion. You could say this is my homeworld. This is where I was born." She answered as she continued to draw. "I'm sorry about that last memory. I got a little intense with the destruction of Destiny Islands. I'll make sure nothing like that happens to you or your friends again." She explain and apologized as Ven stood up and waved it off.
"Oh, It's okay. It's not your fault…wait…WHAT?! DESTRUCTION OF DESTINY ISLANDS?! You mean Sora, Riku, and Kairi lost their home!?" Said Ven with his eye widened in horror but Naminè calmed him down.
"Yes but it's okay now. Sora restored the islands when the Door To Darkness was closed. No one but those three remembers what happened that day." She reassured him.
Ven sighed in relief, "That's good. Just seeing that memory was bad."
Ven then took another look around and said, "So… uh… this is your home… It's very white… Not that there's nothing wrong with white... I mean you look good in white…I mean your really pretty… wait, what did I just say?!"
Naminè giggled, "Thanks Ven. You're sweet. But Yeah, this was my home. Not too many fond memories here." She said with a frown. Ven noticed this and walked to her and kneed to her, put his hand on her shoulder, and said, "I'm sorry. We could go somewhere else if you like. I mean you control the memories, right?"
"Yes I can, but it's okay. You and your friends wanted to know more about Sora and his friends as well as the memories in here" She gave him a sad smile. "My story begins where Sora's first journey ends. He now knows Kairi is safe on the islands now but Riku was still missing. He and his new friends Donald and Goofy travel to find him and their King and bring them both home safely." She showed Ven the picture she drew. It was Sora in a meadow and a black hooded man. "Along this road ahead lies something you need. However... in order to claim it you must something that is dear to you." Said a voice.
Ven looked around for where that voice came from but Namine stopped him as she frowned at the voice. "Don't worry it's just a memory. One I'd prefer to be forgotten Here let me give you a closer look." She said as she flipped through a few pages of her book. She then showed him a picture of Castle Oblivion from the outside, Ven wasn't sure why but it felt familiar somehow. "Just use your Keyblade to unlock the memories." Said Naminè.
Ven nodded and summoned his Keyblade pointed at it and the drawing revealed a Keyhole. Then a beam of light came out of Ven's Keyblade and unlocked the memory.
Ven then appeared outside the castle. "Huh, in a way it's kind of like the castle in the Land of Departure." He admitted. He turned upon hearing someone coming and saw Sora and what he could assume were Donald and Goofy. He saw them walk toward the castle. He saw Donald and Goofy talk among themselves. Sora, however, just looked at the castle before he walked to the castle. Donald and Goofy noticed this too before heading to the castle with him.
Sora opened the door and everyone went inside. Goofy then asked, "Hey, ya think it's OK to barge in?"
"But we gotta do it if we're gonna find the king..." Donald said. This surprised Goofy, "The king?! King Mickey's here?"
Goofy then started to look around for his King and one of his best friends. However, Donald just crossed his arms and said, "Something just me he'd be here, OK?"
"Really? 'Cause now that ya mention it, I was kinda thinkin' the same thing." Goofy admitted. "Seriously? Me too! One look of this castle, and I just knew. Our very best friends, they're here." Sora said with a smile.
"Ayuck! Guess great minds think alike." Said Goofy. Ven also smiled until a cricket in a top hat and suit appeared from Sora's hood and said, "Wait, hey, hold on! It can't be just a coincidence!"
"Oh no, Jimmy. Ya mean that..." Donald started. The cricket named Jimmy nodded and said, "Yep, I had it too, mm-hmm! I had the exact same feeling."
"Gawrsh, maybe it's contagious." Said Goofy worried they had been affected by some sort of disease. "No, no. Something's screwy. We gotta take a look." Said, Donald.
"All right." Said Sora as he turned to the next door. "Wak! Where are you going!?" Donald demanded.
"That way. To the door. Are you scared?" Sore asked with a smug on his face. Donald then glared at him, "Aw, don't be ridiculous! Come on, let's go, Goofy!" Ven chuckled at the Duck's attempt of bravado.
"Hey, fellas, shouldn't we shut the door behind us before we go?" Goofy asked before turning around, "Sora!" Ven turned and gasped when he saw the black-hooded man from the drawing had appeared in front of the entrance and the doors closed behind him "That's it! Who are you?" demanded Sora as he summoned his Keyblade. The others prepare for battle. The hooded man started to walk toward them.
"Wak! Heartless! Oh yeah? I'll try some magic!" Donald waves his wand and yells "THUNDER!" But No magic came out. "Come on. THUNDER! THUNDER!" Donald called again but still, nothing happened. "Come on... Blizzard? FIRE!" Donald tried desperately but once again nothing happened. The hooded man stopped when he was close enough to them. Ven was wondering why nothing was happening. Donald then slumped down in confusion. "Why isn't it working?" he asked.
"I should think it's obvious. The moment you set foot in this castle, you forgot every spell and every ability you ever knew. In this place, to find is to lose, and to lose is to find. That is the way in Castle Oblivion." The stranger explained to the confusion four, Ven could tell why but something in the man's voice felt familiar. "Castle Oblivion?" Sora wondered. The mystery man disappears into a corridor of darkness and reappeared behind Sora. "Here you will meet people that you have known in the past. And you will meet people you miss." He continued.
"I miss? Riku! You mean Riku's here?" Sora asked.
"If what you want...is to find him..." responded the hooded man.
The man holds out his hand and gusts of wind and flower petals appear and are blasted at Sora and the others are blindsided by the pink petals. "I never thought roses could be used for weapons!" Ven said as he shielded himself.
Sora tried to block the attack with his Keyblade. The man then became transparent and flew right through Sora. Sora then ran towards the man, jumped, and slashed him, but the man disappeared leaving flower petals behind.
"Huh?" He and Ven said
The man reappears at the doorway at the end of the hall. Sora's group runs towards him.
"What'd you do?" The two boys demanded.
"I merely sampled your memories. And from them, I made this." The cloaked figure said to Sora. The man then held out a card in his hand. "To reunite with those you hold dear..." as he tossed the card to Sora, "What's this, a card?" asked Sora.
"It is a promise for the reunion you seek. Hold the card to open the door and beyond it, a new world." He gestured to the door moving out of the way, "Preceded Sora, to lose and claim anew, or to claim anew only to lose..."
The man disappeared into another corridor of darkness and everybody began to take a look at the card the man gave Sora.
"C'mon, let's go." Said Sora. He then used the card to openable the door and Sora, Donald, Goofy entered through it. Ven then tried to follow them but the door slammed shut, right in his face. "Hey? What gives?" Ven demanded as he rubbed his nose.
With a flash of light, Ven was back in Naminè's room. "Sorry. These events have been locked away in my drawings. Not even Sora remembers these events." Naminè said, sheepishly.
"Really? Then how we do keep going?" Ven asked. Naminè frowned as she looked down, "Usually, you could use a Keyblade to unlock the memories hidden within these pages but somehow when I sent Sora, Riku, and Kairi to your world they all disappeared and were scattered between the other worlds." She then teared up.
"I worked so hard on those drawings, there the only things I had in this stupid castle. And now all my hard work is gone." She choked up with a sob Ven then panicked and waved his hand as said, "Hey, please don't cry. I'll tell you what. I find them and bring them back to you." He offered as Naminè looked up at him in surprise
"You..you do that for me? But won't you get in trouble with your Master for leaving?" She asked looking at him. Ven just smiled nodded, "Yeah but don't worry, I'll make sure you get them back, I promise. I was going after Terra anyways."
She then smiled at him as she cleaned her tears. "Thank you, Ven. Once you find my drawings feel free to unlock the memories as you find them."
Ven nodded. Naminè was about to send him back when she remembered, "Oh, one more thing Ven. If you see anyone dressed in the same black coat as that man, don't let your guard down. They're members of Organization XIII. Consider them armed and dangerous."
"ORGANIZATION XIII?! Aren't those the guys' Sora, Riku, and Kairi are after?" Asked Ven. Naminè nodded and continued, "Yes, and they can be really powerful with their abilities and easily get in your head and worm their way into your heart. They will stop for nothing to get what they want. Be careful."
"I will. I promise." Said Ven as the memory ended. The last thing he saw was the blonde girl smiling at him.
World: Land of Departure
Ven opened his eyes, and saw he was in his room, he then felt something in his hands and saw it was the same picture of Castle Oblivion Naminè showed. He furrowed his brows in determination before he pocketed the drawing "I promise." he said before going after Terra and the rest of Naminè.
A few minutes earlier...
Master Eraqus was explaining what Aqua's duties were as a Keyblade master. Aqua wished that Terra could be here as well as she continued to listen.
"...and so as you are now Keyblade Master, you must always be conscious of..." Eraqus was interrupted when the bell rang. A ruby behind the throne began to glow. "What is that?" Master Eraqus asked himself as he walked towards the ruby. Just then Terra and Riku ran in. Terra then asked, "What happen?!"
"I don't know," Aqua responded. She turned to see Kairi dragging in Sora. "What did we miss?" Asked Kairi as she let go of Sora.
"Not much. What's wrong with Sora?" Asked Terra. Sora then shook his head back in reality and they both began to blush. "Nothing!." they proclaimed.
Terra, Riku, and Aqua smirked at the couple lying, but then Aqua wondered, "Why isn't Ven here?" Kairi and Sora arched their brows in confusion and looked behind them.
"I don't know. He was right behind us a minute ago." Kairi responded.
"Don't tell me he fell asleep again." Terra groaned, but all their attention was turned to Master Earqus when he said, "Very well then, I will send our pupils to investigate. Yes, I understand. Farewell."
He then turned his attention to the five younger Keyblade wielders in the room. He then said to them, "That was my dear old friend Yed Sid. As you all well know, he is master no more... but he still keeps an eye on the tides of light and darkness and recently helping some young Keyblade wielders perform their Mark of Mastery since they never had a master to do so." He began, looking at the younger three at the last part, "His counsel serves as a signpost on the road we wielders must walk. All the more reason, then, for concern for he tells me the princesses of hearts are in danger. Not only from the forces of darkness, as you may assume... but also a new threat, dwellers of darkness, beings of nothingness, and creatures that feed on negativity. Resilient shadows, empty husks, and Fledgling emotions, that have taken form, Yed Sid calls them the 'Heartless', 'Nobodies' and 'Unversed.' And now I will let Master Riku explain the details of his and his friends' own mission are, for it is now also your own."
Riku wasn't sure if he was ready to do this but everyone gave him encouraging smiles that made him feel better. He then stood near Master Yed Sid. He cleared his throat and said, "As you already know, we're trying to stop a Dark Keyblade Master and his group Organization XIII. What we know already is they're after something called the 'Book of Prophecies.' A book with events that are yet to come. We believe someone has found it and is messing with space and time bringing worlds from both the past and future to this time and are creating these Time Keyholes that are bringing monsters from the future into the past." Terra and Aqua just looked in shock as Riku turned to Master Eraqus who nodded.
With a wave of his hand a hologram of a black creature with yellow eyes appeared, which sent a chill down Terra and Aqua's spines as they felt its beady eyes looking at them, "This monster right here is called a 'Heartless' this one is called a 'Shadow' the most common form of the Heartless. They are the darkness of people's hearts made flesh and are created when someone loses their heart to the shadows. They seek darkness in people's hearts. And since there's darkness inside every heart with a few exceptions like the Princesses of Heart. They only fear one weapon, their greatest weakness: Our Keyblades, don't be afraid to show what for." Aqua nodded as Sora and Kairi already knew about this. Terra however just stared at the Shadow, almost feeling like it was looking at him, "The darkness inside of our hearts." he murmured.
Eraqus waved his hand again, and the Shadow disappear and the same creature they fought last night appeared in its place. "In addition whenever a Heartless is created, a Nobody which is the empty shell that's left of the person who lost their heart is as created. Also the stronger the person's will is, the more human they're nobody will look like. Nobodies do not truly have hearts, they can only pretend to have feelings. Don't let them deceive you, cause these things, they don't really exist." Sora flinched at what Riku said, as he didn't know that Nobodies not having hearts or emotions was a lie Xemmas and Xigbar told to Roxas, Axel, and the rest of the old Organization to string them along with their plan.
"Right now the only way they are getting into worlds are these Time Keyholes that someone is creating. We don't know who or how it is yet, but we do know that it requires two Keyblades to lock them. We'll need to work in pairs to lock them. However, even if we do lock them all, as long as they have their door of time open, they can still create more Time Keyholes. The only way to stop it fully is to lock that door shut and make sure this 'Book of Prophecies' isn't in enemy hands." Said Riku as Eraqus waved his hand once more to show people in black robes appeared, there were two men with long silver hair, one with long blue wear, one with an eye-patch, cheek scar, black wolf tail, and finally a silver-haired boy who looked to be around Aqua and Terra's age.
"Though I doubt we don't have to worry about Rogue Keyblade Master personally, we will still have to fight the other members of Organization XIII. The original was made up of human-like Nobodies but now the new Organization XIII is made up of Nobodies, a Heartless, and even humans who have been corrupted by the darkness. Now we also know that the Rogue Keyblade Master put a little bit of his heart in each of them." Riku explained gesturing to each of the members, "These are the ones we know already, Ansem the Rogue Keyblade Master's Heartless, Xemnas, the Original Leader of the first Organization XIII, and his Nobody, Saix and Xigbar both the original who are current members and finally the younger version of the Rogue Keyblade Master of the past who can controls time its self." No one noticed it but Master Eraqus was looking at the youngest man in shock and slight horror, almost as if he recognized him. While Terra and Aqua looked at both Ansem and Xemnas respectively, there was something about the two that looked familiar to Aqua but to Terra, he looked mostly at the Nobody, who looked almost like an older version of himself, something none of the others seemed to notice, or so he thought. Before anyone could supposedly make up the similarities though.
We don't know who are the other seven members but they are assumed to be just as dangerous as these guys. Don't let your guard down for a second round any of them because if we fail it could end badly for all worlds in the Past, Present, and Future. So we better cross our fingers we can stop this before it happens.."
Terra and Aqua were speechless. How far did one Keyblade go just to try to gain something more? Sora and Kairi were proud of Riku but noted he didn't mention his dark younger self as the seventh known member. He walked back down beside them. Eraqus then spoke again, "As wielders of the Keyblade, you are tasked with striking down any who would upset the balance of light and darkness. The Heatless, Nobodies, Unversed, and the subordinates of this Dark Keyblade Master are no exception. I tried to pass this news on to Master Xehanort, but my repeated attempts to reach him have failed. I doubt there is any connection, and yet... This all troubles me."
Terra gasped, "Master Xehanort is missing?" He just spoke to him not too long ago. Sora and Kairi looked at each other just as this raised their earlier suspensions on the old master… They gave each other a nod. Kairi then whispered to Riku what they talked about with Ven and asked him to keep an eye out for Xehanort. Riku would've thought they may have been overreacting but he nodded. He trusted his friends more than anything plus he did smell that there was something off about Xehanort, so a little caution couldn't hurt.
They then turned their attention back to Master Eraqus. "So here we are. I need you all to get this crisis under control. Eliminate the Heartless, Nobodies, and Unversed, lock all the Keyholes and the Door to the Past, stop this Organization and their master's plans and find this Book of Prophesies and Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden pathways to travel between this world and countless others. The worlds pulled here from the future may affect these lanes so The darkness looms closer than usual within these spaces, but your armor will protect you. Lastly, remember that order must be kept. You cannot tell anyone there are other worlds. The five of you will be put into teams."
"Master Riku and Terra." They gave each other a fist bump.
"Master Aqua and Kairi." They gave each other a nod and smile.
"Sora, yours will be a solo mission. Your task is to locate the door itself, lock it and try to uncover the identity of this Rogue Master is and his true goal and put a stop to it." Sora saluted Master Eraqus. "Of course I'm going solo." He muttered to himself.
The others heard him, Riku and Terra smirked while Aqua and Kairi giggled at him. Eraqus smiled at them and said, "Now go, and fulfill your duty."
"Yes, Master." They all said. Terra and Riku turned to fulfill the missions but Eraqus stopped them by saying, "Terra. Consider this an opportunity. A second chance for you to change my mind."
"What?" He asked surprised. Eraqus walked to him and said, "You must know, I care for you like my own son. If I could make it my way, I would name you Master in a second. But, how can I, when you are so obsessed with power? Terra, you mustn't be afraid of losing. Fear leads to obsession with power, and obsession beckons that darkness. Riku will be your guide to conquer your darkness. If he says you've succeeded, then I will name you a true Keyblade Master."
He put his hand on his shoulder and said, "You must never forget what I taught you." Terra smiled with confidence he wouldn't fail Master Eraqus this time and said, "Thank you, Master. I swear…I will not fail you again. Come on Riku." Riku nodded, but turned to Master Eraqus, "Don't worry I'll be there for him, I promise."
He then turned and left the room. Aqua wanted to speak with Terra before he left but he was already gone. Sora turned to Kairi. "Stay safe." He said.
"You too." Said Kairi. Sora turned and left the room, and pulled out Kairi's good luck charm she gave him. He was so busy smiling at he didn't notice Ven following after him. Aqua then turned to Master Eraqus, "Master, We'd best be on our way. Come on, Kairi."
Kairi nodded, "Right."
The girls turned to leave but Eraqus stopped them by saying, "Wait, you two. Before you both depart, I have one other… well, call it a request, of the utmost priority."
"Yes?" Asked Aqua as both she and Kairi listened to what he had to say. Eraqus then said, "I told Terra this could be a second chance to show the Mark of Mastery…and I meant it. However, that flicker of darkness he displayed during the examination I can sense it runs very deep. I'm fully confident in Riku's abilities to keep it at bay but I also sensed a darkness in him too, a dormant one but I fear Riku won't be able to for long or it won't find its way into his own Darkness and awaken it. If Terra were to… If those powers were to prove too much for him to handle and if shown to have infected Riku, I want you two to bring them back to me at once. It's for their own good. I could not bear to lose any of you to the darkness."
Both Aqua and Kairi felt bad for spying on their own friends but they nodded and Aqua said, "Of course. I would never let that happen. I promise you I will bring Terra back. Only this time, you'll see he has what it takes to be a Master. He's not as weak as you think."
"Don't worry, Riku's pretty much a master of repelling the Darkness, He'll never let himself or anyone else give in to it," Kairi added as the older master nodded in thanks.
With that, the two girls rushed to the front door.
Back outside the boys were ready to depart for their mission, "Well Sora, good luck on your part." Said Riku. Terra nodded and said to Sora, "Let's prove to both of our Masters that we have what it takes to become a Master."
"You got it, see you soon and good luck to you too guys," Sora replied with a thumbs up. Riku then turned to Terra and said, "Hey Terra. This is going to sound a little embarrassing but we never had traveled this way before could you…"
"…Teach you two how to use your armor and glider?" Terra finished with a smile. "Sure, just follow my lead." He instructed.
He was about to summon his armor when he heard Ven calling him, "TERRA!" They all turned to see Ven running to them. When Ven caught up to them he took some deep breaths and was about to say something when Terra just ruffled Ven's hair and said, "It's okay."
Terra then turned and slammed the circle part on his shoulder armor piece as Riku did the same. After a bright light, both Riku and Terra had armor on. Riku's was similar to Terra but his armor was Grey and black with a few details similar to his keyblade. Riku was admiring his new armor as Terra used his Keyblade to open a portal to the lanes between. Terra then threw his Keyblade in the air and his Keyblade turned to its glider form which was a Hovercycle. Riku quickly did the same and his glider was similar to Terra's but it was in the style of his Keyblade with bat and feather wings and blue eye at the front. Both Ven and Sora were impressed by this and still were as they watched them fly through the portal.
Sora was about to do the same when Ven asked him, "Mind if I tag along. I just got a bad feeling something bad is going to happen to Terra and there's something else I'm looking for out there."
Sora thought for a moment and then nodded, "Sure. I don't mind. I do the same with Riku. Besides an adventure more fun with a friend along." Ven nodded to him and thanked him as they both summoned their armor. They were surprised to see their armors were almost exactly the same apart from the yellow and blue colors and crown symbol on Sora's. "Okay that's weird." Said Sora and Ven. But they both shrugged it off as they were about to summon their gliders. Aqua and Kairi watched from afar as Kairi looked at Sora's armored form and said dreamily, "I love a man in uniform." She then blushed, catching what she said out loud, and looked to Aqua in embarrassment but the older girl just giggled and said, "It's okay. I said the same thing when Terra first tried out his armor."
Kairi giggled back but then Aqua realized, "Wait, why did Ven activate his armor?"
Both Sora and Ven threw their Keyblades in the air and the both turned into hoverboards. Sora's was similar to Ven's but it was in the style of his Keyblade with the golden guard board and silver crown spikes. "Ven!" "Sora!" Aqua and Kairi called out but they couldn't hear them as both boys zoomed through the portal Terra had opened.
Eraqus noticed this to and said, "No! he mustn't!" He rushed to stop them but, he was too late because both Sora and Ven had all ready gone threw the portal. He turned to Aqua and Kairi and said, "You have to bring him back! He may be the same age as Sora but he's not ready to know what's out there, yet! He could get hurt out there!"
"Don't worry, Master!" Aqua responded as he then summoned her own armor. Kairi quickly did the same, and her armor was similar to Aqua's but it was pink and red. Both Kairi and Aqua threw their Keyblades in the air. They both turn into hover scooters. Kairi's was similar to Aqua's but it was in the style of her Keyblade with Sandy handles and wave and flowery footrests. They both flew into the portal hoping nothing could go wrong.
Well hoped you all enjoyed this chapter. Yes, Naminè's drawings will be collectible pages like the pages of Pooh's storybook and secret reports from the first and second Kingdom Hearts.
Ven will be looking for the one's with Sora's story of Re:Chain of Memories
Terra will be looking for the one's Riku's story of Re:Chain of Memories
Aqua will be looking for the ones with Roxas, Axel, and Xion's story in 398/2 days.
The memories of Kingdom Hearts 1, 2, and Dream Drop Distance will be seen in between them.
I hope you all enjoyed the updates. I'll be setting up a poll sometime later for which pair's part in each world will come first. It will determine the next chapter. Also, note that once we get to Raident Garden the group will be traveling together. See you soon. And don't forget to write in the reviews which worlds you'd like to see appear. Note that the worlds must be purely Disney worlds and can be ones that appeared in previous games, including KH III.