Author's Note: I do not own anything from the Kingdom Hearts franchise or anything affiliated with it. The rights to it belong solely to their respective owners.

Ch.3 The Journey Begins

Once we all done looking at the good luck charms Aqua made us, Terra summoned his Keyblade and walked out into the sparring field. "Well, tomorrow's the exam. Anyone want to spar?" he asked. Ventus summoned his Keyblade and said "I can take ya!" I summoned mine and said "I'll take him, throw him and bring him back." Ven charged forward and swung at Terra, but he blocked it. He did so and again, until Ven jumped back and said "Quit going easy on me! You're not gonna win unless you stay on the offensive!"

Terra grinned and said "You asked for it!" He charged forward and jumped up, bringing his Keyblade down over his head. Ven blocked it, but then Terra swung from the right and hit him on the side. Ven grunted and his guard faltered, but then Ven cast Aero. A small twister formed around him, and the force of the wind sent Terra back a step. Then Terra shot forward and brought hid Keyblade overhead, the length of it crackling with electricity. It hit Ven and he was sent back, and Terra kept on him until Ven was on the ground.

Now that he had won, Terra stepped aside and Aqua and I walked forward. "Well, that works fine if you're fighting one-on-one. But you need to know how to handle a crowd too," Aqua said. "Dexal, can you give an example?" I smiled and said "With pleasure." I pointed my Keyblade at Ven and focused, until I felt I was ready and unleashed my Shotlock, Pulse Bomb. A total of twenty small explosions occurred around Ven, and then I focused harder and a dozen more also occurred. "Now you try Ven!" I called.

He nodded and focused on us for a second, until he jumped up and used Flame Salvo. Missiles of fire shot out at the two of us, and though I blocked some one got me in the side. "Good work Ven!" Aqua said. He smiled, and Terra stepped forward. "Okay, let's wrap this up!" he called. We all stood on different corners of the field, then charged forward. Aqua used Thunder and zapped all of us, but then Ven used Aero to Knock her off-balance. I threw my Keyblade at Terra and he blocked it, then countered with Stun Edge.

For a second I couldn't move, and that was long enough for him to unleash Sonic Shadows and hit all three of us in the process. Ven and Aqua both jumped and swung down at hit Terra at the same time, and while Terra was distracted I used Zero Gravity. He was lifted into the air and knocked off-balance, where I jumped up, grabbed his arm and threw him into the wall. He hit it and fell to the ground. The spell had worn off, but he was dizzy and unable to block when Aqua used Thunder on all of us again.

Ven threw his Keyblade at me and it hit me in the stomach, but did the same and hit him on the side of the head. The hit left him dazed, and when Aqua cast Blizzard, frozen. Then Terra ran froward and swung in front the side, hitting her while she wasn't looking. They began to attack each other, and I used Zero Gravity again, hitting them both, before throwing Ultimatum and hitting them both. When they landed on the ground Ven broke out of the ice and used Aero, somehow managing to catch all three of us.

We landed back on the ground and all looked at each other, breathing heavily, unto we all relaxed and dismissed our Keyblades. "Trust me, you guys are ready. You're gonna clean up at the exam tomorrow," Ven said. "I hope it's that easy," Terra replied. Aqua said "It's like the Master said: Power is born within the heart. When the time is right, you just need to do is look inside yourself and you'll find it there."

I nodded in agreement, and relaxed, the adrenaline from the battle starting to recede. Ven was staring up at the sky, until Terra called "Hey, we're getting red to head back." "Yeah, me too!" he replied. Aqua looked up at the sky and held her good luck charm, saying "Together, always." She walked back with us, and I smiled. I gripped my charm and thought "We'll always come back together."

That was the last night we would ever spend beneath the same stars.

xxx

The next morning we were up bright and early to assemble in the Great Room inside the castle. Terra, Aqua and I stood in front the three chairs meant for Keyblade Masters while Ven stood to the side. Present were Master Eraqus along with another Keyblade Master, Master Xehanort. He was an old man, probably older than the Master, with no hair but tanned skin, gold-yellow eyes and a silver goatee.

I didn't look at him much, because whenever I did my head started hurting, like it did when I was trying to remember one of my lost memories. Why that would be I didn't know, so I just stared forward and didn't look at him. The Master walked forward and I stiffened. He was silent for a moment before saying "Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one, not two, but three of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates, but this not a competition, nor a battle for supremacy. All of you may succeed, or none."

He paused for a second before saying "But I'm sure our guest, Master Xehanort, did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the Mark." He lowered his head in acknowledgment, and Master Eraqus said "I trust you are ready." All three of us answered "yes" and he summoned his Keyblade. "Then let the examination begin." He gestured, and five orbs of light appeared before us.

We each drew our Keyblades, but then something happened. The orbs became clustered with darkness, and began floating in random directions. One flew towards Ven, and we all called out his name. He summoned his Keyblade and destroyed the orb, and called "Don't worry about me! You three focus on the exam!" "But Ven, you're in danger here! Go wait in your room!" Aqua told him. He shook his head. "No way! I've been looking forward to this: seeing you three become Masters. I'm not gonna miss it now!"

"He can take care of himself. He's been out here training just as hard as us," Terra said. "And an extra hand would help," I added. "Yeah!" Ven agreed. Aqua said "Stay sharp Ven!" and we began. The orbs of light flew off to different parts of the room, and I ran towards one. I focused for a few seconds before using Pulse Bomb, which effectively destroyed the orb I was targeting and two others. Terra destroyed the fourth while Ven and Aqua got rid of the fifth, and five more appeared.

I didn't have enough strength to use my Shotlock again, so I threw my Keyblade at one of the orbs, dealing substantial damage but not destroying it. Ven used Flame Salvo and destroyed both it and his, leaving threw left. Terra destroyed one, and Aqua used Blizzard to get rid of the last one. With all five of them gone we were silent, breathing heavily from the exertion, before we stood and dismissed our Keyblades, each of us walking back to our spots.

"That was unexpected," master Eraqus admitted. "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. Terra, Aqua and I all re-summoned our Keyblades, and walked to three separate edges of the room. "Now Terra, Aqua, Dexal, 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!"

I rushed forward and cast Zero Gravity, but the spell had no effect. Terra swung sideways at Both me and Aqua, and we jumped back to dodge. Aqua jumped forward and tried a stab at Terra, while I went for an overhead blow on Aqua. Both of them dodged both attacks, and Aqua cast Blizzard on me before swinging upwards at Terra, her Keyblade centimeters from his face. The Blizzard spell had frozen my leg to the ground, unable to move, and Aqua charged at Terra.

Then Terra readied himself, and darkness burned along his left arm. He shook it off and blocked Aqua, which gave me enough time to break the ice and rejoin the fight. The three of us giving, blocking and dodging blows.

After the fight we all stood in front of Master Eraqus, who was speaking quietly to Master Xehanort. After a moment Xehanort went to sit back down, while our Master stepped forward. "We have deliberated, and reached a decision. Terra, Aqua, Dexal, you all performed commendably. However, only Aqua and Dexal have shown the Mark of Mastery." We all gasped, and the Master continued "Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But there is always next time. That is all.

"Aqua, Dexal, as our newest Keyblade Masters you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction." Then the Master walked away, and I turned to Terra. "Hey..." Aqua said. Ven ran up and told him "Terra, I'm sorry." "Me too," I added. "The darkness- where did it come from?" Terra asked. Then he walked away, saying "Sorry, but I need some time alone."

I looked after him, sad. He had really worked hard to pass this exam, and had trained longer than any of us, even Aqua. Ven began to walk to his room, and Master Eraqus came back to begin instructing us.

xxx

"...insomuch as you are now Keyblade Masters, you must always be conscious of-" Master said, but then a large bell sounded. I jumped slightly and looked around, and noticed a light coming from behind the chairs. "What is that?" the Master asked, and walked over to it. Terra ran in and said "What's happening?" "I don't know," Aqua replied.

Eraqus was talking to the light, and said " Very well. I will send my pupils to investigate." The light flashed, and he said "Yes, I understand. Farewell." The light faded, and Eraqus walked back to us. "That was my dear old friend Yen Sid. As you are aware, he is Master no more, but he still keeps a close watch on the tides of light and darkness. His counsel serves as signposts along the path we wielders of the Keyblade must walk.

"All the more reason for concern then, because he tells me that the princesses of heart are in danger. Not only from the forces of darkness as you would expect, but from a new threat- one that feeds on negativity. Master Yen Sid calls them the "Unversed". As wielders of the Keyblade, you are charged with striking down anyone who would oppose the balance between light and dark, The Unversed are no exception. I tried to pass this news on to Master Xehanort, but my repeated attempt to contact him have failed. I doubt there is any connection and yet, this all troubles me."

"Master Xehanort is gone?" Terra asked. Master Eraqus nodded. "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 on these path, but your armor should protect you. Lastly, remember that order must be kept. You cannot tell anyone there are other worlds. Now go, and fulfill your duty."

We all said "Yes, Master," and Terra began to walk off, but the Master called "Terra." He turned back around. "Consider this an opportunity. A second chance for you to change my mind." Terra blinked and said "Huh?" "You must know, I care for you like my own son. 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 lead to obsession, and obsession beckons the darkness." He placed his hand on Terra's shoulders. "You must never forget."

Terra lowered his head. "Thank you, Master." He raised his head. "I swear... I will not fail you again." He turned and walked out, and after a second, Ven ran by too. I blinked, wondering what had him in a hurry, and I said "We'd best be on our way." Aqua nodded, and we began to leave when the Master called "Aqua, Dexal, wait." We turned back. "Before you depart, I have one other... Well, call it a request, of the utmost priority."

"Yes?" we both asked. "I told Terra this was a chance for hi m to show he had Mark of Mastery, and I meant it. But that flicker of darkness along the examination- I can sense it runs very deep. If he were too- if those powers proved too much for him to handle, I want to bring him back to me at once. It's for his own good. I could not bear to lose any of you to the darkness."

"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." Aqua promised. I nodded and looked out the window, light pouring in. "He's not as weak as you think," I told to the Master.

After that Aqua and I walked outside to see Ven running towards Terra. "Terrrraaa!" he called, and Terra turned back to look at him. Ven stopped to catch his breath, and he said "Terra..." He stood up and was about to say something when Terra ruffled his hair and said "It's okay." Terra turned back around and hit the armor o his shoulder. His body was enveloped in light, and when it faded he was wearing orange and yellow armor. He pointed his Keyblade at the sky, and it fired a beam of light.

The light created a portal, and Terra threw his Keyblade into the air, where it transformed into a glider. Terra jumped and rode up, going through the portal. Ven stood there for a moment, before he hit his shoulder too, and his armor appeared. It was similar in appearance to Terra's, but it was his size and of a different color scheme. Ven threw his Keyblade, which turned into a glider as well, and he jumped onto it like a skateboard.

My eyes widened and I ran forward, yelling "Ven, no!" He didn't hear and rode up, through the same portal as Terra. The Master looked up and said "No, he mustn't! You have to bring him back!" "Don't worry Master!" Aqua said, and transformed into her armor and glider as well, following through the opening. I said, "I'll bring both Ven and Terra back!" Before I pounded my fists together, the act causing my armor to appear.

It was the same as Terra and Ven's, but where Terra's was orange and yellow, mine was black and white, without the extension on the head. I threw my Keyblade, and it transformed into a glider similar in appearance to Ven's, but black with white thorns. I jumped on and rode up through the portal, into the Lanes Between.

xxx

Well, that successfully takes care of another chapter, and now the journey is to begin!

Please review! If you flame me Liam Neeson will look for you, he will find you, and he will kill you. (I'm just kidding... or am I?)

*Notice* I am unsure of which world to begin the journey with, so I have set up a poll on my profile for which world YOU think I should start with. Your votes would be greatly appreciated, because I honestly can't decide!

/birth_by_sleep_