A/N: Oh, you guys are so nice to me! *sniff, sneeze* I'm still trying to fight off the common cold, which is very evil. Curse you common cold! CURSE YOU! Okay, so…um…yeah…I wasn't really sure how to make this work, so I'm sorry if you really don't like the results of the exams, but I did what I could to make it likeable in my view. Please enjoy!

The next morning~

I covered my mouth as I yawned, slouching slightly. When I noticed Master Eraqus getting up and walking towards us, I brought my hand back down to rest at my side and straightened up. Master glanced at each of us, looking at Terra first, then Aqua, and lastly, me. Finally, he spoke.

"Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one, but three 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. The three of you may prevail, two of you, 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. I trust you are ready."

"Yes." The three of us replied.

"Then let the examination begin." Master Eraqus said, summoning his own Keyblade and creating several orbs of light for us to fight. We summoned our own Keyblades and got into stances. I'm not quite sure whether this was part of the test, or if it was supposed to even happen or not, but the orbs were then consumed by some type of darkness, causing them to move around freely and earning shocked gasps from us.

Despite the change of events, we still ran forward and began to attack them. I got hits on several, and was trying to hit one that was flying all over. As I tried to hit it, it was making it's way towards Ven, all of us beginning to panic. "VEN!"

Ven, being the smart boy he is, summoned his own Keyblade and hit the orb, destroying it for good. "Don't worry about me. You three focus on the exam!"

We all stood back to back, glancing around at the orbs, Aqua beginning to lecture Ven. "But Ven, you're in danger here!"

"Go wait in your room." I ordered, blocking an incoming orb and destroying.

"No way! I've been looking forward to this-seeing you three become Masters. I'm not gonna miss it now!" And once Ven was determined at something, there was no way you could get him to back out.

"He can take care of himself." Terra assured us. "He's been out there training just as hard as us."

"Yeah!" Ven exclaimed in agreement.

"Stay sharp, Ven!" Aqua reminded him before we all began to fight the orbs.

Eventually, we all managed to rid of the orbs, and Master Eraqus walked back over towards us. "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."

"Now, Terra, Aqua, and Luka, the three 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!"

Aqua and Terra clashed Keyblades first, Luka maneuvering behind them and using a Blizzard spell. Aqua and Terra both moved back and dodged it, Luka heading for Terra and clashing her Keyblade with his. He pushed her back and Aqua struck, Luka blocking her attacks and dodging them, flipping backwards. Terra went at Aqua again, trying to land a hit, only to have Aqua dodge him and block his Keyblade with her own again. Aqua almost hit him, only to have Terra jump back at the last moment. He glanced up at Aqua as she stood a few feet away in front of him while Luka stood a few feet away behind him. Both girls ran forward at the same time, preparing to attack. At the last minute, he blocked Aqua's Keyblade with his own. Luka leaped back up into the air and cast another Blizzard spell, both of them blocking it. Aqua ran at her, only to have her attacks blocked. Terra tried to attack again, only to have Luka easily dodge him.

And this went on for awhile, Terra, Luka, and Aqua all clashing Keyblades and dodging each others attacks.

Eventually, Master Eraqus ordered them to stop, complimenting each of them for a well shown fight. He and Master Xehanort began to talk quietly amongst themselves before coming to a decision, facing the three pupils.

"We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, Luka, you all performed commendably. However, only Aqua and Luka have shown the mark of mastery." Eraqus said, the three quietly gasping. "Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But there is always next time. That is all. Aqua, Luka, as our two newest Keyblade masters, you are both entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction." He made his way out of the room, and Ven ran over to the older three apprentices, stopping behind them.

"Hey…" Aqua began, stopping as soon as Ven got close to them.

"Terra, I'm sorry."

Luka looked at Terra. "Terra…I-"

"The darkness…Where did it come from?" Terra asked no one in particular, his voice choked up sounding.

Luka placed a hand on his arm in a way to comfort him. "Terra…"

"Sorry…" He apologized, gently removing Luka's hand from his shoulder. "but I need some time alone." He began to walk away from them, the three wishing they could do something.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

"…and insomuch as you are now Keyblade Masters, you must always be conscious of-" The sound of bells tolling interrupted Master from his instructions to Aqua and I, the two of us looking around and frowning. Master turned around. "What is that?" He mumbled, walking over to the wall.

Terra ran to us, stopping next to me and giving me and Aqua questioning looks. "What happened?"

"We're not sure." I told him, looking back over to where the Master stood.

"Why isn't Ven here?" Aqua asked all the sudden, and I realized that she made a good point. Why wasn't the youngest of us here right now?

Master turned back around and made his way back to us, the three of us straightening up. "That was my dear old friend Yen Sid. As you know, he is Master no more…but he still keeps a close eye on the tides of light and darkness. His counsel serves as signposts on the road we wielders of the Keyblade must walk. All the more reason, then, for concern-for he tells me the princesses of heart are in danger. Not only from the forces of darkness, as you may assume…but also from a new threat-one that feeds on negativity."

"Negativity?" I mumbled aloud, quietly.

"Fledgling emotions that have taken monster form-Yen Sid calls them the 'Unversed'." Master Eraqus explained, glancing at each of us before continuing. "As wielders of the Keyblade, you are tasked with striking down any who would upset the balance of light and darkness. The Unversed 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."

"Master Xehanort is gone?" Terra asked from his place next to me, Aqua and I both looking at him with frowns before looking back at the Master.

"So here we are. I need you three to get this situation under control. Eliminate the Unversed, and find Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden pathways to travel between this world and countless others. 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. Now go, and fulfill your duty."

"Yes, Master." The three of us said, Terra turning around and beginning to walk away to leave, Master stopping him.

"Terra. Consider this an opportunity. A second chance for you to change my mind."

"What?"

"You must know, I care for you like my own son like I care for Aqua and Luka as my own daughters. If I could have 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 the darkness." He clasped a hand on Terra's shoulder. "You must never forget."

Terra nodded and bowed. "Thank you, Master. I swear…I will not fail you again."

He made his way to leave, Aqua and I both watching him. I turned back to Master Eraqus. "Master, I'll be taking my leave now." I made the move to leave, but Master Eraqus stopped me, calling my name.

"Luka, I want you to go with Terra."

"Hm? Why's that?"

He frowned slightly before answering. "To make sure that he keeps the darkness within him in check."

I didn't need to be told anymore, though I could see there was more to his request than just this. "I see. I understand, Master. I'll go with him."

I ran outside and saw Terra standing in the forecourt, preparing to leave. When he heard me making my way over to him, he turned to look at me and smile. "I guess we won't be seeing each other for a while, huh?"

"Actually…" I began, deciding it was best to not say anything about the Master telling me to go with him. "I asked the Master if I could go with you."

He gave me a confused look. "Huh? Why?"

'I hate lying to you, Terra…but it's for your own good…' I smiled at him. "I guess because I want to make sure you do the job right! Plus, you always were terrible at magic, so you may need someone to cast cure correctly on you every once in a while."

"I don't know whether to feel honored or insulted."

I giggled at his words, opening my mouth to say something else, only to have someone else beat me to it. "TERRA!"

The both of us turned around to see Ven running over to us. He came to a stop, bending over and panting before looking back up at Terra. "I..I-"

Terra put a hand on top of his head and ruffled his hair. "It's okay."

I smiled at them both before Terra and I moved off a ways. He glanced over at me. "You riding with me or riding by yourself?"

"With you."

He nodded and the both of hit the armor on our shoulders, becoming clad in nothing but our armor. Terra opened a portal up in the sky with his Keyblade before throwing it up into the air before it came back down to us as our means of transportation, Terra hopping on, me climbing on behind him and wrapping my arms around his waist.

And then, we were off.

A/N: It sucked towards the end I know. And Luka won't be traveling with Terra the entire time, so don't really worry about that, okay? Later taters!