Chapter 1: Land of Departure

Gaia was a strong headstrong Keyblade mistress. After her parents' divorce, she became a team leader of Uni, Dolphi, Rexina, and Penelope. They all looked to Gaia for guidance. Gaia was a mature, no-nonsense young lady. The only one who broke her icy calm was the infuriating Terra, the apprentice of Eraqus.

One say, Gaia and her team were going through the world Land of Departure. The girls noticed that their leader was on the edge as of late. Rexina always presumed that Gaia was in love with Terra but wouldn't show it; Uni presumed that the two were engaged; Dolphi presumed that the two were secretly in love; and Penelope presumed that Gaia and Terra yearned for each other.

"Hey, Gaia," said Rexina, "you seem a little on edge."

"Can you blame me?" Her serious tone had anger in it. "I don't want freaking Terra's help! He's so annoying, self-centered, and all about 'me-me-me-me-me!' God, he's unbearable!"

Rexina chuckled. "If you think he's so annoying, why do you always team up with him?"

"Because, Eraqus always threw us together like he's being the E-harmony expert!" Sarcasm oozed in her tone.

"Nice," chuckled Penelope. "But, you gotta admit, Terra's hot. You should see him shirtless. I have. It's eye-pleasing. Seriously, if you're teamed up with him again, ask him if you could do his laundry and see his six-pack. You know you wanna." Shelby saw Penelope arching her eyebrows suggestively.

Gaia snorted. "I don't know where you get your delusions, laser-brain." They kept walking until they reached the courtyard of the castle. The place, to Gaia, hadn't changed a bit.

Penelope cleared her throat. "Yo, Eraqus! Get your butt out here!" Her voice rose to a shout.

"What's all the fuss and bother?" A man with black hair in a slip-knot and soul patch his chin came out. His brown eyes were full of curiosity. His Japanese clothes were refined and elegant. He had a white, red-lined haori jacket with a hood. A blue shirt was underneath with a large white X on the front. The scar on his cheekbone and forehead was still there from before. Dark green and gold armor was over his abdomen. "Gaia," he said kindly, "it's so nice to see you again."

"You as well, Eraqus," she said courteously. "I'm sure Terra told you an earful about me."

"Yeah, that you're his girlfriend?" The master looked a little bemused. "I thought that masters don't date pupils." He was teasing her but it didn't calm her down.

"What!" Anger scorched in her chest. "Where is he!?"

"H-he's in the main hall." Eraqus was taken aback by Gaia's anger. "The Mark of Mastery is to begin soon…"

"'Scuse me," she said, pushing past him and storming up the stairs.

"So sorry, sir," said the girls. "She has an anger problem, y'know." They ran to catch up with her.

"Terra!" Gaia's call echoed through the castle. She saw a brown-haired young man training with a spiky blond-haired boy. She didn't even recognize the older young man Terra became. His navy-blue shirt defined his six-pack and muscular chest. His naturally-muscled arms made her wonder if she could even talk down to him. His wrists were as big as her throat. His feudal lord pants swished at his gold metal shoes as he came to look at her. The metal mechanism on his arm defined his strength.

"Terra!" His blue eyes trailed her imploringly. There was a strange glow on his handsome face and eyes when he looked at her. Despite herself, she thought his face was designed by angels. A slight smile was on his lips as he looked at her head-to-toe.

"Do I know you?" he asked, approaching her.

"Gaia," she said slowly like talking to a mentally-handicapped person. "Gaia Lockhart."

"Gaia," he repeated, eyes full of understanding. "You look…wow." His gaze stopped at her chest and continued to her eyes.

"You told Eraqus I was your girlfriend?" she demanded, standing up on her toes to stare him down. Since when did he get so tall? It wasn't fair. He was so tall and she was as short as the blond kid was. Damn her short height! Now she couldn't glare him down like she wanted to.

"I-I was only joking," he stammered.

The blond haired boy looked like he was scared shitless. Terra couldn't blame him. For a small woman, Gaia was scary. She was the kind of girl who would scare a solider or kick the crap out of a truck driver. She put Rosie the Riveter to shame by her personality and saber-tooth tiger features. If anyone pissed her off, she would go ape-shit on them. Even strong, fearless Terra was afraid of her…and for good reason.

"I-I don't like you like that," said Terra, hands out in order to calm her. "I mean, you're very sexy, but…oh! Oops."

"You think I'm sexy?" Her eyes flashed murderously as her voice lowered to a dangerous hiss.

"Yeah, I guess," he said flirtatiously, touching her cheek softly like he was trying to shack up with her.

She wouldn't stand for it, though. "D-don't touch me," she said, taken aback by the seductive glow in his eyes. "Keep your hands to yourself."

His hand traveled to her waist and he pulled her against his body. His face got real close to hers. Damn it. She hated when he fought dirty. She was unable to move and just stared into the seductive blue orbs. His hands roamed through her hair and her breath stopped in her throat. Why was he doing this to her?

"Terra," she gasped, hating herself for falling for this. "S-stop that…"

A wolf-whistle came from Rexina. The two saw the girls standing there, smiling expectantly. "Wow, Gaia," said Rexina. "I didn't know you were shacking up with Terra."

"N-no," stammered Gaia, pushing him off. "He was checking to see if my hair was okay."

"Okay," said Uni in an unconvinced tone. "Whatever you say." She started snorting and chuckling at the sight of them.

The two teens backed away and averted each other's gazes shyly. Yup, there was something there that was interesting.

…

Later on, Terra, Gaia, and Ven were joined by Aqua, a pretty blue-haired maiden who was excellent at magic, and Master Eraqus came in with a tan-skinned old geezer walking beside him. Gaia knew who the old guy was at once. He was Master Xehanort, a fellow Master and friend of Eraqus, but Gaia didn't trust him one bit. He was far too shady to be trusted.

Terra and Aqua stood in an erect manner in the middle of the floor while Eraqus and Xehanort sat in the chairs in the front of the room. Gaia sat in the unoccupied chair between the two older masters and she virtually ignored Xehanort. Since Gaia was already a master, she didn't need to participate in the Mark of Mastery. At the age of sixteen she became a master and a pretty good one at that. Despite her anger issues, Gaia was a good master at heart.

Finally, Eraqus stood up in a regal manner and walked to the middle of the platform to say his Mark of Mastery speech. When he opened his mouth, he spoke in a formal yet serious way that got everyone's attention in the room. Even Gaia remained silent to offer her respect to him.

"Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery," he spoke to Terra and Aqua. "Not one, but two of the KeyBlade's chosen stand here as candidates. 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 am sure our guests Master Xehanort and Master Gaia did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the Mark. I trust you are ready."

"Yes, Master," both Terra and Aqua said in unison as they stared at their master respectfully.

Eraqus summoned his Keyblade and said firmly, "Then let the Examination begin!" With that, he summoned large light orbs for the two fight off.

Suddenly, the orbs were submerged in darkness and both Eraqus and Gaia let out sounds of surprise. For the first time that day, Gaia turned and looked Xehanort—more like glared at him. She knew he had something to do with this. Orbs like that didn't just submerge in darkness randomly, but all he did was give her a creepy smirk that gave her chills from the bottom of her spine to the top.

Ignoring him once more, Gaia looked back to the two teens and saw an orb float towards Ventus. Both Terra and Aqua shouted his name in alert but the brave blond sliced the orb like it was butter. He then glared at the two teens in determination and nodded to them.

"Don't worry about me!" he yelled to the two fearlessly. "You two focus on the Exam!"

"But Ven," cried Aqua anxiously, "you're in danger here! Go wait in your room!"

"No way!" objected Ven in determination. "I've been looking forward to this—seeing you two become masters! I'm not gonna miss it now!"

"He can take care of himself," interjected Terra calmly. "He's been out there training just as hard as us!"

"Yeah!" replied Ven brightly, getting ready to pounce.

Aqua surrendered on Ven's behalf and nodded slowly. "Stay sharp, Ven!" she ordered firmly, getting into her battle stance.

The three friends took off in different directions and began wiping out the orbs that were around them. As they did, Gaia watched with mild intrigue and smiled slightly. They have grown so strong since she and her master last visited them. Terra, of course, used his earth-shattering force to destroy orbs; Aqua used her lovely magic spells to do her part; and Ven soared like a butterfly but stung like a bee to wipe out the final orbs. After the orbs disappeared, Terra and Aqua stood in the middle of the room again while Ven stood on the sidelines to watch.

"That was unexpected," admitted Eraqus calmly, "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."

The two teens stood face to face with their Keyblades in hand as their next test went underway. Eraqus once again explained the rules to the test in a strong, dignified voice.

"Now, Terra and Aqua, the two of you will face each other in combat. Remember, there are no winners, only truths, for when equal powers clash, their true nature is revealed. Begin!"

The two ran at each other and began fighting intensely. Whenever the other struck at another, they would block like they were trained to do. Despite Terra's strength, he was getting knocked down on his last knees. As Aqua came charging at him darkness submerged his left arm and he let out a sound of shock before it faded. Then, he stood ready once more and met Aqua's moves step for step.

The two did incredibly well, in Gaia's perspective, but she knew that the darkness Terra summoned would not be commended. After the battle ended, the two once again stood in the middle of the room and all three masters stood to deliberate the results. Gaia followed Eraqus and Xehanort out of the room and the three began speaking seriously.

"Aqua did well," started Eraqus, "but Terra summoned darkness. That cannot be commended."

To her surprise, Gaia actually spoke up for Terra's sake. "But, Eraqus," she said respectfully, "it appeared to be an accident. I'm sure he didn't mean to summon the darkness. Judging by his shocked expression, he didn't even know he had darkness."

The scarred master gave Gaia a firm look that made her feel like she was getting a reproof from her old master. "I cannot allow Terra to become a master until he can suppress the darkness inside him," he said firmly.

"But Eraqus," she objected fervently, "it wasn't his fault. What if he learned how to channel it? What if he could use it at will? I know that's not the light way but if he could channel it, it won't make unexpected arrivals. Please consider it." Then, she looked to Xehanort. "What do you think, Xehanort?"

"I agree with Gaia," he said seriously. "Eraqus, she may be right, you know."

Eraqus stubbornly shook his head, though. "As I've said before," he said sharply, "darkness cannot be commended. We'll pass Aqua, then we'll speak to Terra about this. Let's go."

The three masters walked out of the room and went to face the teens once more. Gaia's heart broke just a little when she saw the eager look on Terra's face. As much as she disliked him, she didn't want to see his dreams get shot down but she couldn't do anything. Eraqus's mind was set.

"We have deliberated and reached a decision," announced Eraqus firmly. "Terra, Aqua, you both performed commendably. However, only Aqua has 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 newest Keyblade Master, you are entitled to certain knowledge. Please wait here for further instruction." With that, the two older masters walked off but Gaia stayed put to look at Terra.

Her heart broke a little more when she saw the look of dejection on his face. Being a good master, she went to approach him to offer some comfort but he ignored her. Instead, he only let his friends near him. Aqua gave him a pitying look and Ven walked up in a sad way.

"Hey…" started Aqua, touching his arm gently.

"Terra, I'm sorry," said Ven softly, and Aqua nodded in agreement.

"The darkness…" whispered Terra dejectedly, head bowed in sadness. "Where did it come from?"

Gaia sighed softly and shook her head. "I don't know, Terra," she replied gently. "I'm sure that…"

He broke her off, shrugging off his friends. "Sorry," he said numbly, "I need some time alone." With that, he walked off and left the room.

Ven and Aqua bowed their heads in grief but Gaia refused to be knocked down.

"Don't worry," she said to them softly, "I will speak to him, okay? He'll be back to himself in no time."

She walked off and left the two friends alone so she could speak to the depressed Terra.

…

When she approached him, she saw him sitting on the steps of the castle, head bent as if in prayer, and she heard him talking to himself quietly, but she could make out the words.

"There's darkness within me," he whispered to himself. "So what does that matter? I know I'm strong enough to hold it back."

Gaia approached him quietly and sat down next to him but she didn't get the chance to speak to him because someone else arrived.

"Yes," said that familiar voice that belonged to Xehanort. "You are indeed strong. The darkness is nothing to fear."

"Master Xehanort," gasped Terra lightly as the old man made his way towards him.

"And yet, how frustrating it is that Eraqus refuses its power," he continued. "Why, you could train with him forever, but still, you'll never be a master in his eyes."

"But why?" cried Terra desperately, gazing up at the man beseechingly. "Help me understand, Master Xehanort! What is it that I failed to learn!?"

"You're fine as you are," replied Xehanort as he walked past the two kids. "Darkness cannot be destroyed, it can only be channeled."

Gaia didn't like the sound of that but she said nothing because Terra would probably ignore her anyways.

"Yes," said Terra gratefully, standing straight in respect. "Thank you, Master." He bowed to the elderly master but the sound of the bell got his attention.

Ignoring Gaia, he whirled around and ran back up the stairs to the castle. Gaia ran after him, hoping to talk to him about her Mark. She failed too at first, but the second time around she became a Master. However, Terra had a duty that needed to be performed and Master Eraqus was requesting his pupil.

…

As it turned out, Master Xehanort went missing a short while ago and all communications with him were cut. That worried Eraqus so he sent Terra to retrieve the old master and to eliminate dark creatures called the Unversed. Gaia was all in favor to aide in the search for Xehanort and the elimination of these dark creatures but that didn't go the way she planned. Eraqus decided to spring a trick on her and she had to go with Terra.

"Terra," said Eraqus, walking up. "About that mission to find Xehanort; I was planning to add Gaia with you. So, you two could learn to get along."

"What!" demanded Gaia and Terra in one voice.

"She'll slow me down!" said Terra the same time she yelled, "He's annoying!"

"Soon, you two will get along better." Eraqus smiled an annoying smile. "Good luck, you two."

The two walked off together stormily. Goddammit, thought Terra, as much as I like her, I don't want her tagging along!

As the two walked out to the courtyard silently, the sound of hurrying footsteps and an anxious voice caused them to turn around. The blond kid Ventus ran up to them, breathing heavily, and he came to a stop in front of Terra.

"I…" he started breathlessly, but Terra ruffled the kid's spikes in a brotherly way.

"It's okay," replied Terra gently, giving Ven a soft smile that melted Gaia's stone heart.

Before the kid could say anymore, the two turned around and activated their armor. Terra looked like a bronze knight in shining armor while Gaia had armor of the deepest purple that made her look royal. Once they were ready, Terra tossed his KeyBlade up in the air and it turned into a glider. The boy in bronze sat on it first before taking Gaia's hand and sitting her down next to him. She held onto him tightly as the glider took off into the sky. This was the start of a new adventure.

A/N: And cut! Okay, I'm in the process of redoing my KH Terra/OC story. This is the first chapter! Please R&R!