(Kira’s P.O.V)
*Yawn!*
That was such a weird dream. Why did I dream about Crow and the Master of Masters? Meh, I’ll just talk to bro and the others about it later. I need to get up before we’re late for school.
I opened my eyes, but I wasn’t in my bedroom.
Huh?
I sat up and looked around, I was laying on a bench in the middle of Equestria Town. Another thing that was different was that everything was black and white, like those old cartoons.
What is this place? It looks like Equestria Town but at the same time it’s not.
‘You are all going to be taking the Mark of Mastery Exam!’
‘You gotta face your inner darkness.’
I guess that it wasn’t a dream then, and that I’m not really in Equestria Town right now.
This is where I’m supposed to take my Exam? What am I supposed to do? What did Master mean when he said our “Inner Darkness?”
Gah! This is all too confusing! I usually have Big Bro or the others to tell me what to do next!
*Sigh.*
“Okay, get it together Kira! This is your Mark of Mastery test! If you pass this, then you can finally prove yourself! You are just as strong as the others!” I said to myself.
After getting myself hyped, I decide to explore this Fake Town hoping to find clues to what my test is.
(A few minutes later)
Wow, this place is an exact copy of Equestria Town. Same buildings, same landmarks, even the same broken lamp post on 1st street. Except there was no people around.
But I still don’t have a clue on what I have to do here. I just hope it shows up in the next-
*Boom!*
Or now. Now is fine too.
I ran towards the source of the noise, where a huge hoard of Unversed were rampaging. Great! This must be part of the test!
I summoned my Keyblade… Wait this isn’t Vulpus! This is a default Starlight! And I couldn't find my mask anywhere. Is this part of the test?
“Kira!” I looked behind me and saw Bro and the others running towards me in their Foreteller clothes.
“Guys! Good timing. Something weird is going on! I don’t have Vulpus and-!” I was silenced when Bro put his hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t worry Kira, we’ll take care of this. You just hang back.” He said.
What? Hang back from a battle?
“But there are a lot of Unversed, and some of the look really strong. Are you sure you want be to stay out of it?” I asked.
“Don’t worry squirt, the four of us are enough for this.” Jenny said as they all charge into the hoard.
They seem to be doing very well… I guess they don’t need me right now.
“It hurts doesn’t it?” A sudden voice said.
Next to me…. Stood another me! But she was black and white like the rest of the world.
I pointed my Keyblade at her. “Who are you?! And why do you look like me?!” I yelled.
The other me laughed. “Well I look like you because I am you. Well, to be precise, I’m the feelings you don’t like to admit that you have.”
“What do you mean?”
“It hurts doesn’t it?” She repeated. “To feel unneeded. I guess that’s a common thing since you’re the weakest member of the team.”
“Hey!” I yelled. “They never said I was weak! They just wanted me to stay behind for this one.”
“And why do you think they did that?”
“... To keep me safe?”
“Do I here doubt in your voice?”
I was about to respond, but I was interrupted by another loud crash. When I looked towards the battle most of the Unversed were defeated, but then Crow appeared.
“What’s up fam? I decided to come and destroy all of you now.” He said before he brought out his Soul Eater and started attacking the others along with the remaining Unversed.
“Guys!” I yelled as I tried to run in to help them.
“No stay back!” Bro yelled as he blocked an attack from Crow.
“But I can help!” I yelled.
“Just stay there! You’ll only get in the way!” Alex said and the others agreed with him.
W-what?
“You hear that?” The other me said, “Even they know it.You are weak, and will only get in the way. You’re only here to be the cute mascot.”
“I… I-I.” I couldn’t find words to respond. Tears start to fall from my eyes.
Was she right? Am I just a burden on them? Am I the weakest link?
Big bro was the leader of the group.
Jenny was second in command, and the muscle.
Dan was the strategist.
Alex had his speed and technique, along with being the comedic relief.
What did I do? What do I have to contribute to this team?
In the middle of my thoughts, I heard multiple loud thuds from the battlefield.
The others were on the floor unconscious, and Crow stood over them victoriously.
“I knew you were all weak, but I thought you would last longer than this.” He said disappointingly. His focus shifted to me, and I froze. In an instant he appeared right in front of me. “Well if it isn’t the little crybaby Kira. I know I said I would kill all of you, but you don’t even look worth it.” Was all he said as he walks past me.
They’re right.
I am weak.
I only get in the way.
I’m useless.
‘Don’t give up.’
Big Bro?
(Flashback Begins)
“Ah!” I was knocked down by Jenny.
It was a long time ago. Jenny and Big Bro were teaching me how to fight. They didn’t want to at first, but I kept asking until they agreed. I wanted to be strong like them, so they didn’t always need to protect me.
“Come on Kira, it’s too early for you to be down now. Get up.” Jenny ordered. Big Bro didn’t like the idea of fighting me so he had Jenny teach me.
This was about the fifth lesson, and I felt like I wasn’t going to get any better.
I started to cry in frustration.
“What’s wrong Kira?” Jenny asked.
“I don’t even know why I’m trying. I’ll never be as strong as you or Big Bro.”
“Why do you want to get stronger?”
“I just want to prove myself to all of you. I want to show that I can be strong so you don’t have to worry about protecting me for being weak.” I cried even more.
Big Bro walked up to us. Instead of him scolding me, he knelt down and hugged me.
“We want to protect you because we love you Kira, not because you're weak. I’m sure that if any of us were in a bind you’d do anything to help us. Right?” I nodded slowly. “You’re already plenty strong in your own way. Anybody who tells you otherwise is a fool.”
“That’s right squirt.” Jenny joined in. “If you want to get stronger, then let’s get stronger together. We’re stronger together than apart. Remember that.”
(Flashback Ends)
“I… am strong.”
“Hm?” Crow turned back around.
“You’re wrong Crow.” I faced him with determination written all over my face. “I may not be as powerful as you, and I may not fight as well as the others. But, I am strong in my own regard. Even if I am not strong enough at the moment, I will get stronger! Strong enough to protect my friends. We all fight together!”
Vulpus appeared in my hands in place of Starlight, along with my Foreteller robes. I raised Vulpus high in the air.
“Natures Blessing!”
A large flower bud appeared in the air, and it started to bloom. It released a green aura that rained upon all over me and the other Foretellers.
In an instant, the others woke up and felt their energy be rejuvenated. They came over and stood along side me, ready for a fight.
“The bonds we share give us all the strength we need!” I said as I pointed my Keyblade at Crow.
What happened next was unexpected. Crow, along with the others, disappeared like the Unversed. All that was left was me, and the other me that was looking at me expectantly. It was silent between us, before I finally spoke.
“I may still feel weak compared to the others, and I may have doubts about myself. But like I said before, I will get stronger! Not just for my sake, but for the sake of my team, and the lives I’ve sworn to protect as a Keybearer!”
She didn’t say anything. She only smiled and nodded before disappearing like the rest.
In her place stood a door.
“I’m coming everyone. I passed, with my own strength.”