Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep

Mark Of Mastery Exam

You were in your room practising for the exam tomorrow, you couldn't wait! If you passed, you would be the youngest Keyblade master ever! You looked outside and saw a meteor shower, it looked so pretty "I need to get a closer look!" You said to yourself before running outside, when you got to the highest hill you saw Aqua, Terra and Ventus were there already. "Hey, guys!" you chirped "and what are you doing up so late, little monkey?" Aqua asked "I was practising for the test tomorrow and I saw the meteor show and wanted to get a closer look" you answered. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I made good luck charms!" Aqua said happily before showing four coloured star-shaped charms. She gave an orange one to Terra, a green one to Ventus, and a purple one to you and kept the blue one for herself. "One for each of us. Somewhere out there, there's this tree with star-shaped fruit and the fruit represents an unbreakable connection. So as long as you and your friends carry good luck charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. You'll always find your way back to each other. Technically I think you're supposed to make them with seashells but I did the best with what I had" Aqua told us. "Oh, sometimes you are such a girl" Terra laughed "hey what do you mean sometimes?" Aqua asked "you mean these aren't real good luck charms?" Ventus asked "oh man" you whined "well that's yet to be seen. But I did work a little magic on it. An unbreakable connection" she told us, we headed back to the castle and went to sleep ready for tomorrow's exam.

That would be the last night we ever spent beneath the same stars

You, Terra and Aqua stood in front of Master Eraqus and Master Xehanort, Ven stood at the side as he wanted to watch us in the exam today. "Today you will be examined for the mark of mastery. Not one but three of the Keyblade's chosen to 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. All of you may prevail or none of you. 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" he asked us. "Yes," we all replied, "then let the examination begin." Master Eraqus said before using his Keyblade to summon 5 white glowing balls, we got ready and prepared to fight but the balls suddenly became powered by darkness! We began attacking them but one floated over to Ven "he can take care of himself. He's been out there training just as hard as us" Terra reassured us before continuing the exam. You defeated one quickly and moved on to the next, with the help of Aqua, Terra and Ventus the darkness-empowered balls were quickly defeated.

"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 and Aqua the two of you will face each other in combat, you shall face Mater Xehanort. Remember there are no winners only truths, for when equal powers clash their nature is revealed" Mater Eraqus told us. The battle then began, Master Xehanort tried to hit you with his Keyblade it but you blocked it and attacked him, the trial continued for a few more minutes before Master Eraqus told us to stop. Master Xehanort returned to his seat.

"We have deliberated and reached a decision. Terra, you, and Aqua you all performed commendably. However only you and Aqua have shown the mark of mastery, Terra you failed to keep the darkness within you sufficiently in check. But there is always next time. That is all. Aqua, as our new Keyblade Masters you are both entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction" Master Eraqus told us before he and Master Xehanort left. "Hey..." Aqua said "Terra I'm sorry," Ven told him, "you trained very hard Terra you shouldn't feel bad," you told him "sorry but I need some time alone" Terra responded before walking away. Ventus went to his room and Master Eraqus returned and began telling you and Aqua what we were now entitled to know. Just after he finished informing us, a bell began to ring, and a purple gem behind the wooden seats began to glow and shimmer "what is that?" Master Eraqus questioned before he walked over to it. Wonder what's going on, Terra ran over to us a few seconds later "what happened?" He asked "we don't know" you answered, "why isn't Ven here?" Aqua questioned.

Master Eraqus walked over "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 consumes on negativity, fledging emotions that have taken monster form, Yen Sid calls them the 'Unversed'. 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 the news on to Master Xehanort however I have been unable to reach him. I doubt there is any connection and yet this all troubles me. I need you three to get this situation under control, eliminate the Unversed and find Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the lanes between allowing you to go to countless worlds. But you must protect the order and tell no one of the other worlds! Now go and fulfil your duty" Master Eraqus told us. "Yes Master" we responded.

Terra turned around and began to leave "Terra consider this an opportunity, a second chance to change my mind. 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 leads to obsession, obsession beckons the darkness. You must never forget" Master Eraqus told him, we bowed and left to make preparations for our mission it's gonna be a very long one. But you had this really bad feeling that something terrible was going to happen and it worried you deeply!