Chapter 51 Chernabog
Ven cringes and turns his head away as Vanitas stabs his keyblade down. There is a brush of wind against his cheek and a sharp ringing sound of metal on rock. Blinking, Ven looks back up at Vanitas whose chest is heaving then to his left to see Vanitas' Void Gear keyblade stabbed into the rocky ground two inches from his head.
"Why can't I kill you?" Vanitas whispers and Ven looks back at him. The dark boy is deliberately not looking at Ven, but continues to talk to him. "I hate you. You left me."
"Is that what Xehanort told you?" Ven asks as he pushes himself into a sitting position. "Did he say I was the reason we were separated?" Vanitas ducks his head even lower. Ven feels for the first time in a long time true anger boiling up inside him. "I didn't leave you!" His voice rises to a shout in his desperation for Vanitas to understand. "Xehanort did this to you! To us!"
"Xehanort?" Vanitas says he reaches around Ven to grasp his keyblade and tug it out of the rock.
"Yes," Ven says warily keeping his eyes on Vanitas, but he isn't threatening Ven with the keyblade, he's just rolling it between his fingers in a nervous sort of way. In a quiet voice, Ven says, "He's trying to pit us against each other so he can get what he wants, but no matter how much you want to, you can't make yourself hate me. Not really. We need each other."
Vanitas stops fiddling with his keyblade and looks at Ven. Ven can't see his eyes, but he can tell Vanitas is surprised by his words. "You...need me?"
"Ventus!"
Both Ven and Vanitas flinch at the sudden shout and look up to see Master Eraqus racing towards them on his glider. He jumps from it and in flash of light he's holding his keyblade in his hand. Vanitas jumps back out of the way as Master Eraqus swings at him. He jumps back again as Master Eraqus lands on the ground and continues his assault.
"Master Eraqus wait!" Ven cries and runs to his Master grabbing his sword arm to keep him from attacking any more.
"Ventus, let me take care of this abomination," Master Eraqus says coldly never taking his eyes off Vanitas who regains his composure enough to point his keyblade at Master Eraqus.
"Bring it old man," Vanitas says tauntingly.
"Stop it! Both of you!" Ven says moving in between them much to Master Eraqus' displeasure.
"Whatever. I'll see you around Ven," Vanitas says turning his back on them. He summons a dark corridor and looks back over his shoulder at Ven. "Watch yourself, I might not go so easy on you next time." He turns away again to step through the corridor.
"Vanitas wait!" Ven calls trying to run towards him, but Master Eraqus grips his shoulder. Still, Vanitas pauses and tilts his head back slightly. "I'll save you Vanitas. I swear I will. One day…" His voice gets softer. "One day we can both be whole again." Vanitas doesn't reply and after a moment steps through the corridor which disappears behind him.
Ven turns slowly to face Master Eraqus' expecting to see anger and disapproval, but he doesn't expect to see the puzzlement that is mixed in. Master Eraqus sighs and places his other hand on Ven's shoulder as well and leans down so they are looking eye to eye. "He didn't hurt you," Master Eraqus says surprised.
"No," Ven replies shaking his head. "I was right. He couldn't hurt me. Ansem was right that he was crueler and darker than before, but when despite all that he still couldn't hurt me."
Master Eraqus nods slowly, deep in thought. Without a word, he straightens up and walks over to where Mickey lies still. Crouching down beside the fallen mouse, he whispers, "Curaga," letting his powerful magic heal all wounds left by Vanitas and give Mickey back his energy. Mickey stirs and opens his eyes with a moan. Ven walks over to them as Master Eraqus helps Mickey to his feet.
"Ven," Mickey says with relief seeing him unhurt. "Where'd that guy go?"
"He left," Ven says a little sadly. "But I'll see him again soon. I promised."
"Ventus," Master Eraqus says in his most serious voice. "Please promise me you will not go looking for Vanitas."
"But he's part of me!" Ven shouts in protest.
"I know," Master Eraqus says. "I understand that one day you will need to find him, but right now he is working with Xehanort. Going near Vanitas while Xehanort lives is dangerous."
Ven bites his lip and looks down. It takes him a moment, but he nods. "I promise," he says quietly. He looks up and says in a louder voice, "But as soon as Xehanort is taken care of I'm going after him and you can't stop me!"
"Alright Ventus," Master Eraqus says resting a hand on his shoulder again. "For now, let's head back to Master Yen Sid's tower. Terra and Aqua should be almost done with their test."
"Gosh, I'm sure Master Yen Sid is really mad at me for taking his Star Shard," Mickey says hanging his head.
"Oh I'm sure he won't be too mad," Master Eraqus says and Mickey looks up in surprise. "He made as many mistakes if not more than you during his time as an apprentice."
"He did?" Mickey says in shock trying to picture his master as a clumsy apprentice.
"Of course," Master Eraqus says as he activates his armor. "He is wise now, but wisdom comes from many, many years of mistakes. He will not be mad at you Mickey as long as you show him that you have learned from this experience so that you will never make the same mistake twice."
Mickey nods. "I've learned my lesson."
"Me too," Ven says and Master Eraqus looks at the two of them, his proud smile hidden behind his helmet.
"Then let's get back," Master Eraqus says and the apprentices activate their armor. The three of them toss their keyblades into the air and as they return as gliders Master Eraqus says thoughtfully, "I wonder if Yen Sid enjoyed looking after the three little ones. They can be quite the handful at times."
Ven and Mickey both shrug and they each get on their own glider. They rise up into the air and with Master Eraqus in the lead they head off for The Mysterious Tower.
…
The sky of the magic world darkens as Terra continues to run along the mountain path. Does that mean their time is almost up? With a new sense of urgency, he moves faster and soon comes to the base of the large mountain. Seeing it up close makes his stomach drop. It is pitch black in color and the rock is a sheer cliff with no foot and hand holds. The path ends right here, but there is no way to go up the mountain.
"Now what?" Terra murmurs to himself.
"Terra!"
Terra jumps and looks to his right where Aqua is standing beside him, smiling. "Aqua?" He says surprised. "Where did you come from?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing," Aqua replies. "I was just standing here and suddenly you appeared out of thin air. This must be the partner part of the test."
"But what are we supposed to do?" Terra asks frowning as he looks up at the mountain towering above them. As soon as he asks, the black rock in front of them glows in a red orange light and a message appears in blazing letters.
Terra, Aqua,
You have made it to the final test of your Mark of Mastery Exam.
At the summit of this mountain is your final adversary. Work together to defeat Chernabog, god of this mountain.
Be ready for anything.
-Master Eraqus-
"So he's at the top?" Terra asks frowning. "How are we gonna get up there?"
Aqua frowns as well. "Well, I'd say gliders, but if we are going to be fighting we're going to need our keyblades."
Terra nods in agreement and thinks hard, searching his brain for an answer. Suddenly he gets one. It's so obvious he can't believe he hadn't thought of it right away.
"The Hydra!" He says at the same time as Aqua. They grin at each other remembering the time they had both flown on Terra's glider to fight the huge monster at the Coliseum.
Terra summons his keyblade and quickly turns it into a glider. As it floats back down to him, he turns to Aqua and gives her a grin. "I'll drive, you fight," he says. Aqua smiles and sits backwards on the seat while Terra settles behind the controls. He keeps one hand wrapped around her waist to keep her in her precarious position as he urges his glider up into the air. They ascend to the top of the mountain in less than a second and fly around the peak confused.
"There's nothing up here," Aqua calls over the wind rushing past them. Terra nods and brings the glider to a hovering standstill facing the mountain top.
"Do you think that-" He starts to say, but he is cut off by a mighty roar that shakes the very air around them. Aqua gasps in surprise as the sudden shaking nearly makes her fall of the back of Terra's glider, but his arm around her is firm and keeps her in place.
"Aqua," Terra says in a worried voice. She turns and gasps again as the top peak of the mountain cracks and a bright red orange light shines through. There is another roar and the top of the mountain explodes sending pieces of the rock flying in every direction.
Terra reacts fast in maneuvering his glider around the flying missiles. When he steadies the glider, they can see that the peak of the mountain had been blown off and lava was spewing over the jagged edges. From the pool of lava at the top bursts a black demon unfurling his huge wings and shaking off the lava caught on them. His burning yellow eyes lock on to the two of them and he lets loose another roar.
"You ready for this?" Terra asks Aqua.
She takes a deep breath. "Let's do it."
Terra checks his grip on her waist before nodding and urging his glider forward. The demon, Chernabog according to Master Eraqus' message, watches them come with his arms crossed. Despite his glare, Chernabog does nothing as Terra and Aqua get closer and closer. Terra flies around his torso and Aqua strikes him with a flurry of blows.
"This is easy," Aqua shouts to Terra as they go in for a second attack.
"Too easy," Terra replies the unease clear in his voice.
Aqua doesn't seem too worried though as she attacks Chernabog who has still done nothing to stop them. She is too focused to notice when the lava below them glows brighter. Terra however does notice and with a shout he pulls away from the demon as fast as he can. Still, he isn't fast enough as pillars of fire erupt out of the mountain around Chernabog, pushing outwards towards the two of them. Clutching Aqua as tightly as possible, Terra flips the glider so the bottom is to the fire and the rush of heat and flames help push them out of danger.
At a safe distance, Terra stabilizes the glider and wipes the sweat from his brow. he glances back at Aqua who is shaken, but nods to him to show she is alright. The fire around Chernabog dies down and they fly back towards him more alert than before. Chernabog bends over a moment and dips his hands in the lava. He pulls them back out and they are covered in fire. With slashing moments, Chernabog swings his burning hands at Terra and Aqua, but Terra dodges each swing.
They make it back to Chernabog's head and Aqua waits no time. She cuts Chernabog again and again with her keyblade, but he barely seems to notice. Hoping to find a weak spot, Terra flies around Chernabog's head and when Aqua's keyblade strikes him in the back of the neck, he let's out a roar of pain.
The demon jerks around trying to get at them. Terra has to fly away from a moment to keep from getting grabbed by Chernabog's hands. He moves back in and hears Aqua say in his ear, "Keep him distracted."
He feels her pull out of his grip and drop off the glider onto Chernabog's shoulder. As she goes to attack the back of his neck again, Terra flies back around Chernabog. He smiles seeing the demon watching him, completely oblivious to Aqua perched on his shoulder. His smile falls however when Chernabog raises his arms and Terra suddenly finds himself flying through the air from a powerful blast of wind. He tumbles and when he finally rights his glider he finds he had been blown quite a distance from Chernabog.
His heart pounding, he flies back at the demon at top speed. Chernabog waves his hand and Terra braces for another blast of wind, but instead he finds himself surrounded by small orbs of blue light. They hang in the air for a moment before racing after him. No matter how many times he twists and turns and flips his glider, the orbs keep coming. Knowing he can't escape a locked on magic spell, Terra turns the nose of his glider up into the air and looks back to see the lights are continuing to chase him.
Higher and higher he climbs before leveling out. He circles for a moment before turning his glider back into his keyblade. He immediately starts to fall and he turns onto his back to see the lights following him down. They gain on him, but when they get close enough he simply swings at them and sends them flying away. He deflects them right at Chernabog and watches with satisfaction as the demon winces with each hit from his own attack. When the last light is sent back at Chernabog, Terra let's his keyblade disappear and holds his arms out to control his descent. He catches sight of a flash of blue above him and looks up to see Aqua's glider and Aqua reaching down to him. Terra stretches his hand up and grabs hers.
She pulls him onto the back of her glider and he wraps his arms around her. Aqua pulls her glider up out of free fall and brings it around so they are facing Chernabog again. Leaning low over the controls, she urges her glider at the demon. Terra watches over her shoulder as they approach. Chernabog throws his head back and lets out a roar. Terra's eyes widen as he sees the glow of fire in the back of Chernabog's throat.
"Up Aqua!" He shouts and Aqa reacts right away, pulling her glider up just in time to avoid the flames shooting out of Chernabog's mouth at the spot they had been moments before. The stream of fire continues under them, but they fly over it at the demon.
When they get in range, Aqua shouts, "Blizzaga!" Ice crystals burst out of the front of her glider and strike Chernabog in the forehead. The demon closes his mouth, cutting off the stream of fire and rears back in pain. Aqua flies in close and Terra stabs with all his strength at the spot where Chernabog's heart would be.
Chernabog roars in great pain and sends them flying back. They tumble through the air and the force of the blast of wind knocks both of them off Aqua's glider which vanishes. They find themselves falling towards the dark ground and Terra reaches out grasping Aqua's hand, pulling her beside him. The ground, the sky, and the very air around them all suddenly burst into pixels of every color, swirling around them both in a dizzying blur. The colors spins faster and faster and blend together into pure white which glows so bright that Terra and Aqua have to close their eyes. They hold each other tight feeling themselves being pulled up and out of the dissolving magical world.
...
Master Yen Sid looks over his papers to find Sora awake and peering over the desk at him. The young boy is staring at him intently and Master Yen Sid raises an eyebrow at him. "What is it Sora?" Sora doesn't reply, but continues to stare at him. Master Yen Sid sighs. He'd had one hour of blissful silence to work in while the children slept, but that seems to be over.
"You blinked!" Sora shouts triumphantly pointing an accusing finger at Master Yen Sid. "I win!"
Master Yen Sid sighs again and raises his eyes to the ceiling. The three children are making him realize how lucky he is to have only one apprentice and that Mickey, while he constantly frustrates Master Yen Sid, is at least too mature for such childish games. "Hurry, Eraqus," he says quietly to himself praying the other man would return soon and take the children off his hands.
He holds back a groan as he sees Riku and Kairi each getting to their feet and rubbing their blurry eyes. A low growl makes him look down at his feet to see the creature he had made for Sora sniffing his shoe. It looks up at him and gives a short bark. Master Yen Sid raises an eyebrow at it. What had he been thinking when he had created it? Was it a dog or a cat as its name Meow Wow implied? Luckily for Master Yen Sid, Master Eraqus chose that moment to make his return through the door of the study with Mickey and Ven trailing behind nervously.
"Master Eraqus!" The three children shriek and rush towards their master with their creatures held firmly in their arms.
"Look what Master Yen Sid made us!" Kairi says holding her bunny up for him to see.
"He let us name them," Riku adds.
"And he didn't get mad when Meow Wow had an accident," Sora says. "He even let us have nap time afterwards!"
Master Eraqus smiles at the children before looking at Master Yen Sid who rubs his temple in a tired sort of way. Master Eraqus walks around the pile of blankets and pillows in the middle of the room to Master Yen Sid's desk as the children swarm Ven and Mickey to show off their creatures. "Has there been any news about Terra and Aqua?" He asks trying not to sound worried.
"They should be here soon," Master Yen Sid says and a moment later the book on his desk began to glow. "Ah, it seems they are done."
The apprentices across the room look up in surprise as Terra and Aqua shoot out of the book and land with a crash on the floor. Lucky for them, the pillows still lying on the ground cushion their fall slightly. They both stir and push themselves to their feet and look around confused.
"So did we pass?" Terra asks looking at the masters. Aqua looks at them hopefully as well.
With a poker face, Master Yen Sid says, "Master Eraqus and I must discuss your performances before a ruling can be given. If you all could step into the other room, we will call you when we are ready." The apprentices all nod and head to the room next door. "Mickey," Master Yen Sid calls and the mouse stops and looks at his master a little worried. Master Yen Sid simply holds out his hand and Mickey walks over to place the Star Shard he had in his pocket in his master's hand. "We will talk about this later," Master Yen Sid says and Mickey gulps before turning and following the others into the room next door.
…
"Did you really mean it when you said that you would save Vanitas?" Aqua asks Ven. Mickey has been keeping the younger children occupied while Ven told Terra and Aqua all about his and Mickey's adventures while they had been taking their test.
Ven nods. "I don't expect you to understand," he says quietly. "But he isn't the monster you see him as, at least, not to me. So yeah, I'll listen to Master Eraqus and wait until after we defeat Xehanort, but after that I'm gonna go find Vanitas and we're going to be whole again."
"You're right, we don't understand," Terra says and Ven looks away. "But that doesn't mean we won't help you." Ven looks back at him hopefully and Aqua intertwines her fingers with Terra's. "If finding Vanitas is that important to you, then we're coming with you."
"Thanks you guys," Ven says happily. "So what about your test? How do you think it went?"
Terra and Aqua exchange a nervous glance. "We'll just have to wait and see," Aqua says and Terra nods in agreement.
The door to Master Yen Sid's study opens and they all turn to see Master Eraqus poke his head in. "We're ready for you," he says. Terra and Aqua walk towards him, still holding hands, and Ven moves to follow them. "I'm sorry, Ventus, but you must remain here," Master Eraqus says stopping him. "Apprentices are not allowed to know the details of the exam before they take it."
And Master Eraqus closes the door despite Ven's pout. The door however isn't very thick and Ven moves closer, pressing his ear against the door.
On the other side, Terra and Aqua stand at attention in front of Master Yen Sid's desk preparing to hear their verdicts. "This exam was designed to demonstrate your weakness," Master Yen Sid begins in a grave voice. "Each of you made mistakes that prevented you from reach your goal faster."
Both Terra and Aqua's hearts start beating faster. They exchange a brief glance each wondering what mistakes they had made.
"I'll begin with you Aqua," Master Yen Sid says and she steps forward. "You are very driven. When given a task you set your mind on your goal and never waver from the path. However, such determination is single minded and you tend to miss alternate ways that will lead you to your goal faster. Do not be afraid to seek alternate solutions. There isn't only one way make it to the end. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master Yen Sid," Aqua says letting her head fall.
"Terra," Master Yen Sid says turning his attention to Terra who hastily steps forward as Aqua steps back. "You never back down from a fight no matter how strong an opponent is. However, your quickness and jumping into a fight sometimes is a hinderance. Sometimes, a more diplomatic approach will benefit you. Do not be afraid to take a moment to try and defuse a situation with words before resorting to your keyblade. Some enemies cannot be beaten with swords but with words. Do you understand?"
Terra swallows hard. "Yes Master Yen Sid."
"In your final battle," Master Yen Sid continues now addressing both of them. "You showed how well you work together and your proneness in a difficult battle. You both are not perfect, but no one is. That is why as a keyblade master you cannot be too proud to ask for help when you need it. The two of you have shown that you are stronger together."
Master Yen Sid pauses and gives them a rare smile. "I am proud to say you have both clearly shown the mark and I will bestow on both of you the title of Master."
Both Terra and Aqua are too shocked to say anything, but a loud whoop is heard from the door to the other room. Master Eraqus frowns and walks over opening the door. As soon as he does so, Ven bursts in and runs to his friends he pulls them both into a tight hug shouting, "You did it!"
Terra laughs slightly. "Yeah, we did it." He locks eyes with Aqua who smiles happily back at him.
"Ventus." Master Eraqus' stern voice makes them break apart and Ven turns sheepishly to face his master. "I told you not listen to what was being said in here."
"Well…" Ven says uncomfortably. He folds his hands behind his head and leans back as Mickey and the three children walk in looking around confused.
Master Eraqus sighs. "Alright," he says rubbing one of the scars on his face. "Yen Sid and I must talk to Terra and Aqua without anyone eavesdropping." He stares pointedly at Ven. "Ventus, I am trusting you to take Sora, Riku, and Kairi to Traverse Town for a few hours. Wait there until I come and get you. Then we can all return to MEKA and celebrate."
Ven nods and walks over to where the children are standing. He summons a light corridor, but before they can walk through, Master Eraqus says, "Sora, Riku, Kairi, I'm sorry, but you must leave those creatures with Master Yen Sid."
"Do we have to?" Kairi asks sadly and Master Eraqus nods.
"I'm afraid so."
Unhappily, the children hug their new friends good bye before handing them to Master Eraqus and following Ven into the light corridor. It closes behind them and a moment later the creatures in Master Eraqus' arms disappear.
"I do not envy you for having to teach those young children," Master Yen Sid says rubbing his temple. "They are quite the handful."
"That they are," Master Eraqus says with a fond smile. "Now, let us continue. As our newest
Keyblade Masters, you are entitled to certain knowledge."
"What kind of knowledge?" Aqua asks curiously.
"Advanced magic and a few secrets of MEKA," Master Eraqus replies. He summons a light corridor and motions for Terra and Aqua to follow him. Master Yen Sid also stands and goes to follow them. He pauses and turns to Mickey who is still standing in the doorway of the second room.
"Behave," Master Yen Sid says firmly and walks into the light corridor which disappears behind him.
LightzMusic22: Haha I'm honored to be on your profile. I checked it out and I love the quote you put up. I also voted on your poll for Remnants of Twilight. I hope you get the next chapter out soon!
Guest: Yay another Vanitas fan! He's definitely one of the coolest villains eva!
micaelaann. cruz: Thanks so much! :)
Yay they passed! MASTER AQUA and MASTER TERRA!
And Vani didn't kill Ven! Awww how sweet!
Who's ready for a date with Zack? I am! Yep that's what the next chapter is about. You're welcome.
See ya next time :)