Sora was excited; her parents were taking her up to their favorite lookout spot. Sure, it was the only lookout spot in the Land of Departure. But it still made the eight-year-old child grin as she rode on her dad's shoulders while mom held her hand gently. Sora loved nights like these were her blue hair could just blow in the wind, where Mom, Dad, Uncle Ventus, and her would watch the stars go by late into the night.
"Hey, I can almost see the lookout!" Sora yelled, spotting a familiar couch made of stone and a few stone pillars in the distance. "Do you think Ven's fallen asleep up there again?" Sora wondered, asking her mom, who smiled softly, rubbing her long, spiky blue hair, as she proceeded to playfully put her hand on her chin.
"I think so, after all; Ven's still a kid like you, and besides, we had a busy day preparing for the Mark of Mastery exam tomorrow. Ven pushed himself, trying to get me and your father into tip-top shape for whatever Master Erquas and Xehanort have planned for us." Aqua answered back, proceeding to grab Sora off of Terra's shoulders so she could run around and have some fun before the big event.
I still think Ven should have been able to take the exam with us." Terra let out, thinking about tomorrow and how it would be an important day for everyone. Not just him and Aqua, but Ven and Sora would be affected by the test as well.
"You might be right on that one; Ven's come a long way ever since Master Xehanort brought him into the castle four years ago. He's already strong enough to go up against the heartless, maybe not the Grimm or other hunters, but he still feels worthy of being a master." Aqua commented as she walked a little faster, keeping up with the light jog Sora was doing, trying to reach the lookout quicker so they could scare Ven awake.
"Hey Mom, do you think once Dad and you beat the exam, we can return to Remnant again, like for real and not in secret? I want to see what Vale has become, or what kind of hunters and huntresses are fighting Grimm nowadays." Sora asked as she reached the entrance of the lookout, waiting for his parents to catch up.
"We'll have to talk to the Master; after all, I imagine once we become key blade masters, we'd get more freedom to explore other worlds. Besides, I know how much you've been wanting to return home, Sora, but the Master wasn't too thrilled with us living in Remnant until these last four years." Terra said, remembering how Erquas nearly kicked him and Aqua out of the land of departure upon returning to the castle after their "little vacation" and brought Sora into the castle.
"I'm sure the Master must have softened up a bit after all our hard work and us helping Ven grow into a good key blade user. I know once we become Key Blade Masters, he'll have no choice but to let us go and have a little fun." Aqua responded, knowing full well that her family needed more freedom and knew Erquas couldn't control their lives forever. After all, if it wasn't for the title of Key Blade Master, letting them freely. Knowing full well that their family needed more freedom and knew Erquas couldn't control their lives forever. After all, if it weren't for the title of Key Blade Master letting them freely explore other worlds and it being their dreams since they were kids, Terra and Aqua would have left and stayed in Remnant or any other world permanently.
"You know we could just go back to Vale if things go bad, take Sora, and try to take Ven; hide from my father. If we stayed on a low profile, like using the key blade's magic to become different until we have the safety to return as Faunas, although I doubt other worlds would mind us looking as we truly meant to be. We could last long enough to afford to move to Valco or even a smaller town like Patch could work, until we can become official hunters. Even let Sora become one someday if that's what she wants." Terra added, trying to think of options, as the brown-haired man wanted a better life for his family.
Sure, Erquas was his father, but Terra knew that day when Aqua took his hand in marriage at Hina's Bakery in Mistrial. He realized Erquas, and he were different in their views of the world; maybe it was the four years raising Sora in a better world, the freedom they had, and knowing what the chance to be real people did to their relationship. Terra saw how different his idea of parenting and teaching his daughter was compared to his father's. The first lesson he and Aqua learned when they were sent to remnant was that Erquas was an unwavering force to deal with little to no expositions to his will.
Erquas was stern and upfront about his methods and how the light was just, pure, and unwavering. Whereas Terra felt a more balanced approach was better to be a key blade user, even if he couldn't tell his father how he felt about this. Even as a father figure, Terra knew he was far better, looking at Sora and seeing how excited she was at the key blade, the surrounding worlds, and how she'd have friends to comfort her when she needed it. Sora was given far more than what Ven, Aqua, or anyone under the Master's roof would ever have: true Happiness.
Aqua nodded at her husband; the blue-haired woman was quick to agree with him; this wasn't the life they thought it would be. Sure, they expected a hard life and intense hours of training. But over the years and the birth of Sora influencing their lives, it made one thing clear. There were better options to obtain their dreams and give their daughter a better life. The Land of Departure wasn't a home; if anything, it was more of a prison surrounded by a vast wilderness of nature. It had trees, rivers, and mountains, but the only people in this world were limited to this school.
At least on Remnant, they had grown apart from the different towns, cultures, and a vast history that could be obtained outside key blade, in all honesty, Terra and Aqua would have gladly abandoned their studies of the key blade for a hunters' life fighting against Ozpin and his never-ending army of Grimm, or something more meaningful like battling for Faunas rights if it gave their family a chance at a better life. The number of options they had felt vast yet mostly limited; sure, Remnant was massive and had its evils, but that could be said about any other world and its people. They had to make sure their next home was perfect for them, not just as warriors, but as a family.
"Yes, Vale will be awesome, or anyplace in Remnant! I just want to see Coco again." Sora cheered, picking up on part of the conversation as she pulled out a pair of sunglasses from her jacket, remembering her friend, and smiled softly at the thought of seeing her again. As the young heroine ran off into the lookout, ready to scare the ever-living shit out of her uncle.
"Come on, Honey, we'll talk about this later; Sora's not going to wait forever, and the meteor shower is almost here. Let's just enjoy the night while we have the chance." Terra let out, bringing his wife over for a kiss, as their lips met for a moment and ended after a brief moment of passion.
"You know, when we do leave, you'll have to do more than that once we're in a better place." Aqua giggled as she touched her lips, grinning at the tender moment between them as they headed up to the top.
"Hey, what took you guys so long? I was thinking you'd never get up here." Sora yelled; her grin morphed into a sly one at the thought of her parents making out and trying to hide it poorly. Suddenly a key blade came flying towards the couple, as Terra and Aqua quickly summoned their key blades in an attempt to stop the flying blade, only for it to disappear in a glimpse of light. Only for a laugh to be heard, the duo looked over to see their friend Ventus up and had a key blade in his hand.
"Hey, who are you calling a kid? I happen to be eighteen, and besides, Sora is the only kid around here!" Ven remarked, pointing at Sora, who was looking for his wooden toy sword that she had left around the lookout a few nights ago.
"Sora's still got time to be a kid, so I say let her enjoy it while she can; you know the Master will put an end to her happiness the first moment he gets. Plus, one day Sora will have to help another world, and we won't be able to help her forever. So I say let her enjoy things before the hardships of this job kick in." Aqua responded to Ven, causing her hands to shake as memories of Radiant Garden and that fateful day on Patch lingered in her mind. Only for Terra to hold her hands in an attempt to comfort his beloved.
"Hey, it's ok, honey; everything is going to be fine. Tomorrow is going to be a good day, and once we're masters, nothing is stopping us from saving your home world, and once we visit Patch, we'll do whatever it takes to make things right. Nothing is stopping us from saving our home world, and once we visit Patch, we'll do whatever it takes to make things right with the Xiao-Long-Rose family." Terra expressed rubbing his wife's hand just as Sora returned with the wooden sword, remembering she kept it behind one of the many pointless pillars surrounding the lookout.
"Ok, I'm ready to kick Ven's ass like you said." Sora said, swinging the wooden sword around wildly. Terra and Aqua could only laugh at their daughter's confidence; it made the calming night feel that much better. Sora always helped wash over any sad thoughts they had in their lives.
"Hey, what was that, you little brat? Also, don't swear you little shit, you're too young for that kind of talk; aren't your parents supposed to raise you better than that?" Ven remarked as he summoned his Wayward Wind key blade and playfully pressed the blade against Sora's sword.
"Who are you calling a little bitch? I'll beat you any day of the week." Sora retorted, attempting to cartwheel away from Ven to get closer to the couch, only to lose her balance halfway through and fall to the ground.
"Maybe if your parents teach you how to cartwheel properly, you'll be able to beat me!" Ven said as his grin grew bigger. Sora quickly dusted himself off and ran over to the couch as the meteor shower had begun. Terra, Aqua, and Ven gazed up at the night sky as the group took in the sight of the meteors lighting up the sky in a ray of light.
"It's not every day; one gets to see something as amazing as this. Remember, Sora, once you're a key blade master, or whatever you want to be in life, it's up to you to discover your wonders. If you want to see kings and queens or ships the size of planets or heroes beyond your fantastic fantasies, it's up to you to see them." Aqua said, gently rubbing her daughter's hair, as they admired the countless meteors dancing through, most likely around midnight. As Sora slowly let out a yawn, Terra and Aqua laughed softly, and Terra quietly picked his child up as the family began walking away from the peaceful location.
"Hey Ven you are coming?" Aqua asked, looking over to the blond teen; his eyes were tired, and he had a look of sadness to them. Making the blue-haired woman wonder if he was ok? Normally, Ventus was laughing, acting more like a kid than Sora was. So what was on his mind? Aqua wondered, continuing to look into the teens' amber eyes.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just tired, that's all." Ven responded, rubbing his eyes and giving Aqua a soft smile. But the blue-haired woman wasn't fully convinced; placing her hand on Ven's shoulder, the only thing Ven could see as he looked up beyond her athletic figure were her calm blue eyes staring at him. Those calm, motherly eyes reminded Ven of another person who once cared about him. Why? Why did Aqua have to be so persistent and caring about him, even when he didn't deserve it? Why did she remind him so much of Master Ava?
"Are you sure, Ven? You can tell me if something is on your mind; after all, we're all friends here." Aqua declared as Terra walked over to his wife, Sora giving Ven a sleepy smile, making Ven's eyes water even more. They truly cared about him, and to be honest, that was the one thing Ven loved about their friendship; it was the honesty in their actions and words. However, it was the thing that made the lies the group kept all the more disheartening to him.
"I'm ok, Aqua, Everyone! I'm fine; if you're that worried about me, then fight me. I'll prove that I'm ok; how about that?" Ven screamed as tears began rolling down his face, causing his fellow key blade wielders to summon their key blades, with Terra crouching down to let Sora watch the fight, as the conversation and talk of a fight quickly got her attention.
"No, you're not Ven! But if it's a fight you want, Terra and I will gladly fight you." Aqua said, she put her hand out, and a flash of light engulfed her arm. Terra quickly followed as his arms were ensnared with darkness. Making Ven's eyes widen at his friends as he slowly closed his eyes.
"You never told me the truth; Terra, you've controlled the darkness and grown stronger, and you, Aqua, you've become stronger, strong enough to face your past, to face any pain and suffering in your lives. So why? Why do you hide those changes in your life? Is it because of Me and the Master, or is it because you are still afraid of your actions holding you down? I know I am the same.
"I know what it feels like to be afraid of others' actions; I can still hear them screaming, begging for me not to kill them; I can still see them in my nightmares, the people that I've hurt, so I know what you both must be going through. But don't worry; after tomorrow, everything will be different." Ventus whispered to his friends as he summoned his key blade, Wayward Wind, holding the short key blade behind his back.
Go, Mom, go, Dad, I know you can do this! Show Uncle Ven why you deserve to be key blade masters!" Sora yelled as the young gal looked at her parents, causing Ven's eyes to snap open as it was time for their clash. Terra was the first to come at him with two giant key blades known as Chaos Rippers, powerful, long, and full of darkness, with the only downside being control and magic.
"So, Terra, this is the start of your true self coming out? I guess those key blades are a good fit. But can they save you from Master Xehanort? Ven whispered, dodging out of the way of Terra's massive swings, knowing full well that blocking the oversized hunks of dark metal would be a pointless endeavor. Ven learned the hard way years ago fighting Master Aced, before the big incident, remembering how his arm was left in a cast for months.
"Nice dodge Ventus, knowing that your defense isn't strong enough to stop my key blades, so you're opting to avoid me and try to get near my legs. Not bad, but you're going to have to try harder than rolling around the ground if you want to stop me." Terra said, backflipping momentarily, as the eight-foot tall Faunas smirked, taking out a long piece of metal as the blonde-haired teen tried to process how the metallic stick was starting to grow and change into something almost looking like a giant hammer reaching into his pocket and inserting four odd-looking bullets, into the massive weapon that looked like it weighed a ton.
"I hope you're ready, Ven, because it's time for Earthbreaker to rip away your defenses and why I am worthy of my strength!" Terra said, holding his massive hammer tightly, as the brown-haired man ran towards Ven with all his might. Ven's eyes grew shaky, realizing his breath felt cold as the memories of the last time he got close to death—the lingering feeling of a gunshot—rang in his ears. He realized something at that moment; he was terrified of that weapon, watching it move in horror as Terra pulled the trigger on his hammer, shotgun hybrid-looking weapon, forcing Ven to wonder how he was going to stop the hulking man, and if Terra was this scary, how bad was Aqua, or anyone else from that world.
Ven didn't know how he was going to avoid Terra; the range difference wasn't enough, and he'd get hit unless he used some serious magic. So Ven quickly raised his key blade and surrounded it in a veil of powerful wind magic, casting a powerful spell called Tornado.
"Wind!" Ven cried out as he tossed his magical Tornado at the larger man, only for a clunking sound to be heard, seeing a familiar flowing main of blue hair as Aqua had blocked his attack with what looked like a giant claymore that seemed big enough to form a barrier around her and Terra.
"Remember, Ven, an attack like that only works if you're fighting alone or against weaker enemies. I've got to try harder than that if you want to be a master." Aqua smirked, gripping the large sword like it was a toy, charging towards her friend as Ven's key blade returned in a second. Ven quickly dodged around the lookout as Aqua began taking swings of her oversized blade and attempting to send him into the ground with the massive weapon.
Ven quickly noticed how the broadsword was changing with each swing, growing longer and forming and changing shape. As a long opening in the middle formed, a giant gun barrel poked out of the insane weapon. It looked more like an oversized cannon trapped within a massive hunk of iron and steel. Aqua had a Rocket Launcher, a fucking rocket launcher! Who in their right mind would give her a weapon like that? The Launcher was full of blues, gold, and silver, giving the massive weapon a royalty look to it, making Ven want to chuckle at the thought of aqua and a rocket launcher being a symbol of royalty. Ven steadied his key blade and prepared himself for Aqua's attack, only for an arm to be placed on his shoulder. Turning his head to see Master Erquas beside him and Master Xehanort right behind Terra and Aqua.
"Aqua, Terra! How long have you had those key blades, those weapons? Answer me now, as your Master, I want you to tell me!" Erquas demanded, causing the blue-haired woman to stop moving. Everyone stopped moving as Ven stood at his friends with a look of heartbreak and anger.
Terra was the first to revert his weapon, as the large weapon turned into a long metallic rod. Aqua then followed, and her launcher began to slowly shrunk down to the size of a large box.
"I guess our secret is out; we've had these hunters' weapons ever since you left us to die. Ever since you forced us to live in a world called Remnant, can you even remember what the world was called or even looked like? Did you even care that Aqua and I got married and that we had found enough happiness to bring Sora into the world? It was the place where we were finally free from you and your obligation of being key blade masters that you tried forcing upon us; why couldn't you have just left us alone to be a family away from your gaze and malice?" Terra spoke up as Sora ran over to her parents; that mile-long smile that Erquas would never admit loving was long gone and replaced with a sad look on her face.
Tell me, Terra, Aqua, why did you stay then? Why would you not fight me on my beliefs, my anger towards that world for gifting you both with too much power, hate, and affection for each other? Tell me if I make you feel like your life is a living hell. Why do you stay, or strike me where I stand, where I sleep? Is it because of some lingering sentiment that, deep in your overgrown forms, you couldn't bring yourself to end this torment once and for all?" Master Erquas said his tone was serious and made, for the first time in years, the master speaks honestly towards his students.
"We just weren't happy here, the only reason we stayed was out of fear, if Mom and Dad aren't key blade masters. We were worried that you'd come after us. Being trapped in this world, inside this school, ruins any chance at a perfect life for us. So that's why we didn't mention any of our lives outside the castle. Our life on Remnant was our secret to keep since it wasn't for anyone to know about." Sora choked out, tears slowly forming, as Aqua quickly rubbed them away.
"Remnant, the land ruled by Grimm, I don't know how you survived, let alone turned out the way you did? But I've heard stories of your exposure, and I was not pleased, the key blade giving you the form of Faunas of all things—not normal hunters, but mutts at the bottom of the food chain! However, here you are stronger, and so willing to return to a future where no one will care for you; accept your own kind." Erquas said as he gazed at the night sky, looking at the countless worlds beyond their grasp, wondering if the world of Remnant truly was within their grasp.
"Master Eraqus, given how the Mark of Mastery exam is tomorrow, and it is quite late. I recommend we put that conversation on hold, till the morning or after the exam. After all, tomorrow is an important day for our students, and I would hate to see them perform poorly tomorrow." Master Xehanort spoke up, grinning at the thought of tomorrow, and the dawn of a new key blade master upon them.
"Very well, Xehanort, you shall take Ventus back to the castle. I need a moment here with these mutts.
If that's ok with you?" Erquas asked his old friend, who chuckled briefly, raising a few fingers and ordering Ventus to follow him, as they left down the long trail back to the castle.
"Terra, Aqua, Sora, Tomorrow is the Mark of Mastery, I expect both of you to give it your all! Things will be different this time, Master Xehanort, and I watched your fight with Ventus, and we decided that all three of you shall fight to show us if you're worthy of being masters. Anything goes, key blades, weapons, magic, whatever you desire to claim victory, but know this: I expect you to tell me what the limits of these powers can do beforehand." Erquas declared, looking at Aqua, before looking at Terra with a worried look, as the master proceeded to walk away, leaving the family in awe at the information dumped upon them.
"So the test will be us all fighting for the right of Master, even Ven. I didn't see that coming!" Terra said, looking over to Aqua, who was silent for a moment, as she summoned her key blade, Enlighten Rainstorm, bending down to one knee, it was time that she fulfilled one of her promises.
"Sora, sweetie, hold out your hand, it's time for your Key Blade Inheritance Ceremony." Aqua sounded off, as she smiled happily at the idea of her baby finally getting a key blade of her very own. Sora looked at the massive key blade for a moment, her hands were shaky, but her eyes were full of excitement, at the thought of welding the key blade as she grabbed the handle.
"So what happens now?" Sora asked, tilting her head, as she let go of the key blade, and began placing her arms behind her head. Aqua giggled momentarily at her daughter's confusion. Terra crouched down, placing an arm on Sora's shoulder.
"Well, when the time is right, and one day when you are bigger and stronger, the key blade will appear in your arms, and then you'll be just like Mommy and Daddy." Terra declared, offering Sora a proud smile, making the girl's eyes widen, nodding at what her father was saying. However, there was one question on Sora's mind as she proudly smiled, making the young girl's eyes widen, nodding at what her father was saying. However, there was one question still on her mind, as she still promised Coco that they'd attend Beacon Academy someday.
"Would I still get to attend Beacon someday? What about our job as key blade wielders? Wouldn't that hurt my chances of getting in or finding a team? What if I'm too good because of the key blade and its magic?" Sora asked, scratching her hair in a state of panic. This was a big deal in her life, and the world order and the balance between them was only something she had learned yesterday.
"Let me think, for starters, you could go to Beacon when you're older, and we have a stable life in Remnant. I doubt you'd be better than everyone else, after all, your mother and I needed help fighting against the Grimm, with the aid of several hunters and huntresses, so I doubt you'd be stronger than everyone. In terms of finding a team, well, that's up to you and how we handle your education. Sure, Headmaster Salem would have a hand in your team, but it's up to you to make friends you think are good fits. Do you understand what I'm saying, Sora?" Terra asked, letting the girl take a minute to think about all this.
"Oh, I understand now, just go with the flow, and just be me. Things will work and in the end right." Sora said, looking up at her silent father then let out a laugh, as Aqua started laughing, making Sora wonder what they were laughing about.
"Hey, what's so funny?" Sora asked, making her parents stop laughing, with Aqua picked her daughter up, as Terra summoned his Earth shaker key blade, quickly tossing it into the air, lighting pulsing out of the key blade, and a second later, a key blade glider appeared, Terra got on the motorcycle like vehicle, Aqua handing Sora up to Terra, then climbing up onto the back of the glider.
"What's funny, Sora, is that you are our child, talking and acting like us when we were younger. It just makes us proud to be your parents, and we couldn't ask for anything better." Aqua said, making Sora smile, with a few tears leaving her eyes, rubbing them away in the sleeve of her jacket.
"We are the best family ever!" Sora yelled, as the glider started blasting off back to the Land of Departure, as tomorrow was a new day, full of hope, dreams, and suffering for the beloved Key Blade family.