"In your hand, take this Key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, its wielder you shall one day be.
And you will find me, friend—no ocean will contain you then.
No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love." -Terra to Riku
Over the course of the next three weeks an unusual quiet had swept over the castle. It was not something anyone in the castle had experienced in the last nineteen years. The moment the little blonde ball of hyper energy known as Nadia was born, silence became quite the luxury within the castle. Four years later the second child of Master Ansem was born. After Eraqus came into the picture any semblance of peace and quiet anyone had managed to find soon became nothing more than a nostalgic memory.
As they got older the duo became a force that was recognized by the entire castle. Whether they were wiping the floor with the other students, or playing practical jokes on Mentor Jensen. Inside or out, for better or for worse, Nadia and Eraqus were a constantly felt presence within the castle. So when the castle became suddenly became plagued by silence, needless to say, it had everyone talking. The students, the serving staff, even the Mentors whispered among themselves, wondering why there was a sudden lack of Nadia and Eraqus. Eventually is was publicly announced that Xehanort was set to face Master Ansem in combat; all in order to gain the right to be inducted among the ranks of the Keyblade Wielders. Many people wondered if this news correlated with the sibling's absence. Meanwhile, if anyone happened upon the abandoned corridor, they would hear that all the noise that was usually spread throughout the castle was now being concentrated in one room. It was there Nadia, Eraqus, and Xehanort had spent the past three weeks in non-stop training.
...
Xehanort swiftly dodged Nadia's strike and brought his Malice Blades up in time to block the incoming attack that Eraqus had launched at him. However just as quickly, Nadia jabbed her Keyblade and poked Xehanort hard in the ribs.
"Not fast enough Xehanort! Defend and react, you will not be afforded hesitation by my father," Nadia strictly instructed.
Nadia and Eraqus jumped backward, using their Keyblades, they materialized numerous balls of light based energy. They swung their Keyblades, hitting them all at once towards Xehanort. Xehanort quickly activated the Raging Storm technique that his father once taught him. Xehanort rushed forward, closing the gap between him and his opponents. His Raging Storm summoned forth three large columns of fire the swirled rapidly around him, completely absorbed the blows of the incoming light orbs. This allowed Xehanort to get in close and send Eraqus flying. Nadia in retaliation cast a powerful Aeroga which blew away Xehanort's protective shield. Instinctively sensing danger, Xehanort cast Reflega just in time to block a powerful Thundaga cast by Eraqus. He then jammed his blade into the ground and sent a surge of Blizzard magic towards Eraqus. The spell burst from the ground forcefully knocking Eraqus into the air and onto the floor. Without even looking, again using the same instinctual awareness, Xehanort blocked an incoming strike from Nadia and sent her flying towards her brother with a strike of his own. Xehanort's friends lay there in a heap, raised their Keyblades in surrender. Xehanort dematerialized his Ethereal Blades and headed over to check Nadia and Eraqus for injuries.
This was how the last three weeks had been spent by the trio. Eraqus and Nadia had all their time and energy giving Xehanort a crash course in anything that would help him defeat their father. From advanced magic techniques to advanced physical attacks. Nadia and Eraqus had taught Xehanort nearly everything in their arsenal. Using the massive archive in the Room of Legacies, they discovered several other techniques that even the two siblings were not aware of. Among those techniques, the three learned of the ability to morph their weapons into different shapes. This led to various transformations that Keyblade and Xehanort's Ethereal Blades were capable of performing. Finally, they taught Xehanort their family technique; Light Burst Chains a powerful light based attack that was capable of dealing devastating damage to an enemy, and also had the ability to seal powerful enemies.
Xehanort, Eraqus, and Nadia had relentlessly trained to ensure that Xehanort's skills were up to snuff. Even so, the task before them still seemed like a huge wall to climb. The three friends sat on the floor back to back to back, each filled with extreme exhaustion.
"Do you think I'm ready guys?" Xehanort asked in a tired voice.
"Well you're certainly not a push over buddy," said Eraqus, wearily rubbing his sore spots.
"Dad is master Keyblade wielder but as long as you don't focus on what he can do and focus on what he's doing you'll at least stand a chance," said Nadia, sounding equally tired.
"Thanks, guy, I think at this point we've done all we can to prepare. I think we should get some rest..." said Xehanort, as his head rolled back and he drifted into sleep.
Right where they lay, the three friends fell asleep against each other. They didn't even bother to move to the cushions. They simply slept in unison, comforted only by the close bond that had become their friendship.
...
It was Nadia who gently woke Xehanort up the next morning.
"Xehanort, it's time to wake up. I brought you some breakfast," she said softly.
Xehanort lifted his head as the scent of freshly cooked bacon and eggs wafted to his nose. He stood up and took the plate.
"Come take a walk with me," said Nadia.
The two friends roamed the halls, while Xehanort began quietly eating his food.
"So how are you feeling Xehanort?" Nadia asked.
Xehanort finished his plate and tossed it into a nearby garbage. He thought for a moment about how he felt with the fight of his life a mere few hours away.
"When I set out... the morning I left the Islands. I was overwhelmed with the feeling that my entire life was leading up to that day, the moment when I dived through that portal the feeling was overwhelming. I kinda feel like that right now. It's like... once more I've found myself at the crossroads of destiny," said Xehanort.
"It's okay to be nervous Xehanort," said Nadia in response.
Nadia stopped walking and took Xehanort's hands into her own. "I just want you to know regardless of what happens, I want you to know that I'm proud of what you've accomplished in this past couple of weeks. Not many people are capable of mastering all that you have in such short a notice. Use that same determination today and I have no doubt you'll succeed."
Xehanort gazed deep into her eyes, grateful for all the support.
"Even if things don't work out today, I'm willing to help you until you succeed...and I'm sure Eraqus feels the same," said Nadia, adding that last bit in rather quickly.
"Nadia thank you...I won't let you or Eraqus down!" said Xehanort passionately.
...
All the students and Mentors gathered themselves in the courtyard where Xehanort was scheduled to face off against Master Ansem. In the center of the crowd, Master Ansem stood waiting patiently for Xehanort to arrive. Instead of his usual elegant attire, he wore a crimson red battle armor. Xehanort arrived on the scene flanked on each side by Nadia and Eraqus. He turned to his two friends and gave them a determined nod before joining Master Ansem in the center of the crowd. Master Ansem lifted his hands and erected a magical barrier to both protect the crowd and prevent anyone from interfering.
"Xehanort! You stand before a gathering of your peers with the desire to join the prestigious ranks of the Keyblade warriors. Prove yourself to me before your peers and your wish will be granted. Let there be no more words. Let your feelings shown in combat speak for themselves. Begin!" he said, summoning forth his Keyblade.
Xehanort materialized his twin Ethereal Blades and rushed forward, launching a volley of extremely powerful strikes. Master Ansem calmly met each blow, parrying them with strikes of his own. He flourished his Keyblade and punched the air. A percussive blast of air rippled from his fist and knocked Xehanort into the air. Xehanort twisted his body and managed to land on his feet. Without hesitation, he continued his offense by casting multiple Firaga Bursts and aiming them at Master Ansem. The Firaga Bursts headed towards Master Ansem, prepared to explode on impact. Master Ansem held his Keyblade into the air and cast the Faith spell. A dozen pillars of light surrounded the Master and spiraled outward. The pillars easily destroyed the Firaga Bursts and crashed into Xehanort, knocking him into the barrier. Xehanort quickly got up and jumped into the air swinging both of his blades in a downward arc. Master Ansem quickly warped out of harms' way and cast a powerful Salvation spell. Xehanort was knocked into the air by the powerful pillars of light that erupted from the ground. With inhuman speed Master Ansem warped into the air and slammed Xehanort with his Keyblade, knocking him back to the ground.
Managing to land on his feet, Xehanort was forced to quickly cast Reflega and block a powerful Meteor that Master Ansem had sent from above. Master Ansem landed swiftly on the ground and charged at Xehanort, striking heavily in a downward arc. Xehanort blocked the strike and dodge rolled under his next attack. Using the slight opening Xehanort quickly cast Stopga on Master Ansem temporarily freezing him. However, the spell was far too weak to keep the Master still for long as he easily broke free. However, Xehanort surprised Master Ansem by using the opportunity to get some offense in. He quickly warped around the Master and landed a dozen powerful blows that brought him to his knees. Master Ansem gave Xehanort a look of surprise.
"Yeah! Xehanort keep it up!" Eraqus shouted.
The audience let out a loud cheer as things suddenly looked in Xehanort's favor. Master Ansem however merely smirked and nodded at Xehanort in acknowledgment. Suddenly he narrowed his eyes and charged energy into his Keyblade. Xehanort cast Reflega as Master Ansem shot a powerful blast of light at him. The blast completely shattered Xehanort's Reflega and landed a devastating blow that knocked him backward several feet.
Master Ansem smiled in satisfaction.
"Just submit Xehanort, you are clearly outmatched. There is no shame in forfeiting to a superior opponent," he said.
Suddenly Nadia and Eraqus stepped forward, pressing themselves against the barrier they continued to cheer Xehanort on.
"Xehanort don't give up!" shouted Eraqus.
"We believe in you!" cheered Nadia.
At their words, Xehanort felt a burst of strength flow through him. It was as if Nadia and Eraqus were standing beside him, channeling their power and adding it to his own. He could almost feel their hands on his shoulders, supporting him to the very end. Xehanort stood up and readied himself. He refused to let his friends down without giving it everything he had.
Xehanort began charging his blades, absorbing the light energy around him, channeling it into the technique that Nadia and Eraqus had taught him. He swung his blades and launched the Light Burst Chain attack at Master Ansem. The Master's eyes widened in surprise as the chains wrapped around him. He quickly broke the chains and aimed a strike at Xehanort. However, Xehanort was no longer in sight. Xehanort had used the opportunity to cast Vanish rendering himself temporarily invisible. He quickly moved behind Master Ansem and knocked his feet from under him. Reappearing, Xehanort kicked Master Ansem's Keyblade from his hand and pointed his blade at the Master's chest.
A wave of silence spread over the crowd that of course was broken by Nadia and Eraqus.
"He did it!" they both shouted simultaneously.
Everyone in the crowd broke into applause. Even Mentor Jensen broke into an excited applause, his strict composure all but forgotten.
Xehanort extended his hand to Master Ansem who readily accepted it.
"You've done well Xehanort, it seems my children's faith in you is not misplaced," Master Ansem said, smiling warmly and shaking Xehanort's hand. "Come, we shall perform the ceremony in an hour's time."
With that, he led Xehanort and the others to the Ceremony Room.
...
The Mentors stood in rows along each side of the stage where Xehanort kneeled. At their head was Nadia on one side and Eraqus on the other side. Each of them held a torch as they waited for Master Ansem. Finally, Master Ansem arrived, holding in his hands the first forged Keyblade. He walked slowly with purpose before stopping before the kneeled Xehanort.
"Rise, my son," he said.
Xehanort rose, bringing himself to full height.
"Xehanort you have proved yourself brave, intelligent, and strong of heart. You have taken the limitations given to you and reached far beyond them."
Xehanort chanced a look at Nadia and Eraqus. Eraqus threw him a reassuring grin, while Nadia tossed him a sly wink.
"Today you will take the next step in breaking your limitations. It is my deepest pleasure to induct you into the rank of the Key Bearers. Should the Keyblade accept you as it's wielder, I hope you will continue to honor the prestige and heritage of our fold. I will now grant you the ability to wield this mighty weapon."
Master Ansem held the blade end of the ancient Keyblade and offered the other end to Xehanort.
"In your hand take this Key. So long as you have the making, then through this simple act of taking, it's wielder you shall one day be. On that day no ocean shall contain you. No border around, above or below will hold you. So long as you champion the ones you love."
Xehanort grabbed the grip of the ancient blade and immediately felt a surge of power flow through him as the Keyblade glowed momentarily.
Master Ansem raised Xehanort's hand into the air as everyone applauded. "I now welcome you. Xehanort, our newest Keyblade apprentice!"
...
Unbeknownst to everyone, in a hidden room within Master Ansem's study, the mysterious page that Xehanort brought with him from the islands changed once more. A new paragraph wrote itself onto the ancient page.
"Xehanort walks down the path of destiny and takes the mark of the Key Bearer.
His path to the waiting Legion will be marked by the presence of the lost pieces.
A plot to open the door will lead to loss of the first piece.
Three will journey to face the growing darkness.
Two opposites will close the door.
One's fate is sealed."
A/N: This chapter was fun to write (At least it was the first time lol). We get to see a sample of what Master Ansem is capable of as well as showing off a bit of Nadia and Eraqus in combat. Something to take note of. There is a huge significance in Master Xehanort's Keyblade being able to be used in the Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony despite its master being long gone so. There is a clue in prophecy at the end of the chapter.
