Birth By Sleep

Goodbye, starry sky

The next morning you woke up to Ven shaking you. "What? Not going to push me to the floor?" You hissed trying to roll over. "Come on y/n! Today's the exam!!" Ven said excitedly as he pulled you out of bed by your ankles "okay okay!" You laughed trying to kick him away "I'm up!"
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Terra and Aqua stood in the center of the large room. At the front were three thrones, and beautiful stained glass windows. You and your blond companion stood on the left side of the room to watch. "Psst, Ven. That man keeps looking at you." You whispered to him trying to discretely stare back at the man. Ven looked over, making the man smirk. Ven had a strange look on his face. "Woah there, you look like you're gonna be sick-ow!" Ven elbowed you and you both stood up straight and at attention, master Eraqus then began to speak. "Today, you will be examined for the mark of mastery. Not one but two 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. Both of you may prevail or neither. But I'm sure our guest, Master Xehanort..." He gestured to the bald, malevolent looking man to his left. "Did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the mark." He took a moment to look at Terra and Aqua closely "I trust you are both ready." "Yes." The two of them replied together "Then let the examination begin." He summoned orbs of light, but they soon became corrupted by darkness. Aqua and Terra began to attack them. "Ven, y/n!" Aqua called out as one came towards you both. Ven quickly summoned his keyblade before attacking it. "Dont worry about us! I can protect y/n! You focus on the exam!" Ven said smirking before you summoned your keyblade, standing beside the blond "I fight defensive, im not defenseless Ventus." You said, clearly irritated he was acting like you were some damsel. "You both are in danger here! Go wait in your rooms!" She argued "No way!" You yelled "we've been looking forward to this! Seeing you both become masters— we'd never miss this!" Ven replied "They can take care of themselves." Terra spoke calmly "they've been training just as hard as us." She nodded "Stay sharp you two!" You tried to relax as you gripped the handle on your keyblade tightly "gotcha." You and Ven both fought off orbs, but didnt destroy them— you left that to Terra and Aqua. "Wow y/n! I've never actually seen you fight before." Ven teased as he slashed at one "really? I've never seen you try." You mumbled as you hit one before casting thunder on another. Pretty soon Terra and Aqua destroyed them all. You dispelled your keyblade and leaned back against the wall. "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." You shivered as you felt the eyes of Master Xehanort lingering on you and the blond next to you. You couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong with him. Master Eraqus's voice brought you out if your thoughts "Which brings us to your next trial." Terra and Aqua got on separate sides. "Now Terra and Aqua, you will face each other in combat." You frowned suddenly feeling nervous for your two friends. "Remember. There are no winners. Only truths, for when equal powers clash, their nature is revealed. BEGIN." Immediately, the two were at it. Aqua fought more elegantly than Terra. She was calculated and quick. Terra was more impulsive and powerful. You grabbed Ven's wrist for something to hold on to. He was so enveloped in their match, he didn't even notice. Terra's left arm suddenly became enveloped in darkness. He looked at it with a horrified look before quickly getting rid if it. You noticed that Master Xehanort seemed... happy? It was unsettling to see him smile the way he did. It scared you.
Soon the match was over. "We have deliberated and have reached a decision." Master Eraqus began. You were so nervous for your friends that you felt like you might pass out. "Terra, Aqua, you both preformed commendably. However, only Aqua has shown the mark of mastery." You eyes went wide and your heart broke at Terra's facial expression. "Terra, you failed to keep the darkness within you in check. But there is always next time. That is all." Master Eraqus then turned to your blue haired friend "Aqua, as our newest Keyblade Master you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction." He then bowed his head before walking away after Master Xehanort. "Hey..." Aqua began as she reached an arm out to Terra. You and Ven immediately ran over "T-Terra! Don't feel bad! You did great! Better than I ever could have!" You rambled, desperately trying to cheer up your friend. "Terra.. Im sorry." Ven mumbled frowning. "The darkness..where did it come from?" Terra said aloud though it seemed like he was asking himself.
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"What do you make of Ventus?" Master Xehanort asked a boy, dressed in strange black, red and blue attire. In his arms rest a helmet. "He aint gonna cut it." The boy said rather carelessly "someone's going to have to break that loser in." He hissed seeming annoyed with the thought of Ventus. "Not here you won't. I need to keep up appearances." He paused and smile a sinister smile. "And of the girl?" The boy chuckled "he cares for her. I can feel it." "And?" Master Xehanort pressed "her heart is strong but fragile. It won't take long." Master Xehanort grinned and nodded "he needs a little incentive to leave home.." the boy said as he walked with his Master.
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"Sorry...but I need some time alone." Terra said beginning to walk off "T-Terra!" You grabbed his arm "L-Let me come with you!" Terra was your best friend. Of course you loved Aqua and Ven, but Terra was always there for you. You were like his shadow. He gently removed your hand before pushing you back into Ven "Ven...take care of my shadow for a while." He said giving you a weak smile while trying to keep calm. You looked up at him, hurt flashing across your face. "B-But..." Terra walked off without another word. "Terra!" Ven grabbed your arm "Terra needs some time alone.." he said softly trying to not make you feel any worse. Soon, you and Ven were told to go to your rooms, Master Eraqus needing to talk to Aqua in private.
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"Y/N!" Ven yelled running in to your room "Come with me now!" He yelled grabbing your wrist and pulling you along. "Wait! Ven what's-ow! Okay that hurts!" You whined as you tried to keep up with him. "Terra's going to leave!!" He said as you made it out of the castle. Indeed, there stood Terra. "Terra!!" You and Ven both yelled running up to him. "Its okay." He said ruffling Ven's hair and smiling at him before turning to you and doing the same. He then turned around, activated his armor, opened a portal to the lanes between, transformed his keyblade to a hovercraft of sorts and then he was off without even a goodbye. "Terra..." I frowned sadly "Come on y/n, lets go!" Ven hit his shoulder, getting his armor and his keyblade transforming before he was off. You nodded and did the same. Your armor looked very similar to Aquas but yours was purple and gray toned. Your keyblade transformed and you were off. You lost track of Ven in the lanes between and decided to just keep going. You knew you'd find him eventually...or so you thought.