Chapter 1

7 years later

The Gummi Ship floated smoothly through the stars, the vastness of space stretching out before them. Inside, Sora and Powder sat side by side, watching as the twinkling lights of distant worlds drifted past. Donald was busy fiddling with controls, and Goofy hummed quietly, leaning back in his chair.

It had been a few days since they left San Fransokyo, and the battle there had taken its toll. Sora had regained some of his strength after failing the Mark of Mastery, and Powder had grown stronger too, though she often retreated into long silences—lost in thought. She sat next to Sora, absentmindedly twirling a strand of her blue hair around her finger, the repetitive motion helping her focus.

Sora noticed her silence and nudged her gently. "P, you've been really quiet lately. What's on your mind?"

Powder glanced at him, her blue eyes briefly darting away before she looked back. Seven years had passed since they first met, and she had changed—physically and emotionally. She wasn't the scared, abandoned girl anymore, but there was still a part of her that carried the weight of her past. Now, training for her Mark of Mastery, she found herself constantly doubting her abilities.

"I'm just… thinking about the exam," she admitted softly, tapping her fingers on the armrest of her chair—a quick, uneven rhythm. "What if I mess up? What if I can't do it?"

Sora leaned closer, taking her hand in his. "You're not gonna mess up, P. You've been working so hard. You've got this."

Powder's lips quirked into a faint smile, though her fingers still twitched nervously. "But I'm still clumsy. I trip over my own feet, and sometimes I… I don't always get things right. What if that gets in the way? I've already messed up before…" She trailed off, unable to voice the deeper fear lurking in her chest—what if failing meant losing everyone again?

Sora squeezed her hand gently, his gaze soft and understanding. "Hey, you're gonna be the first Keyblade Master to come from another world. Do you know how amazing that is? You've always been strong, even when you didn't realize it."

Powder looked up at him, her heart fluttering slightly. No matter how much doubt she carried, Sora always managed to make her feel like she could do anything. "You really think so?"

"I know so," he replied with a grin. "You're gonna pass with flying colors."

She smiled a little more, though the knot of anxiety still lingered. But with Sora by her side, she felt like maybe—just maybe—she could do it.

Suddenly, a familiar voice chirped from Sora's Gummi Phone. "Sora! Sora! We've got a message for you!" Chip's voice was loud and high-pitched as always, making Powder wince slightly at the sudden noise. Her fingers instinctively went back to tapping the armrest, faster this time.

Sora jumped slightly, pulling out the Gummi Phone and pressing the button. "Chip? Dale?"

Chip and Dale appeared on the screen, both looking eager. "Master Yen Sid is requesting you guys! He says it's important!" Dale added, waving excitedly.

Sora exchanged a glance with Powder, his brows knitting together. "Master Yen Sid?" He paused, his expression becoming more serious. "Okay, we're on our way."

Donald waddled over, muttering, "I hope it's not more trouble…"

Powder's heart sank slightly. Was this it? Was her test starting early? Her nerves surged as they set course for Yen Sid's tower.

The tower loomed over them, as majestic and mystical as ever. As they entered Master Yen Sid's office, Powder felt her pulse quicken. Her hands twitched at her sides, fingers brushing over the seam of her jacket, a gesture she often used to calm herself. The old sorcerer sat at his desk, his wise eyes already watching them as they approached. Donald and Goofy stood by Sora's side, their familiar presence grounding him.

Powder, however, stood a little further back, her hands now twisting a loose thread on her sleeve. This was it—her test. She wasn't ready. She—

"Powder," Yen Sid spoke, his deep voice calm yet commanding. "I sense much anxiety within you."

Her heart skipped a beat. She had been sure he was going to start her Mark of Mastery test right here and now, but the tone in his voice wasn't one of urgency. It was something else—understanding, perhaps?

"You have trained diligently," Yen Sid continued, "but I sense that your heart carries more than simple worries about the exam."

Powder's breath caught in her throat. He knew. Of course he did. Master Yen Sid could always sense things others couldn't. But this? The weight she had carried for years—the fear, the belief that if she made a mistake, if she screwed up like she did that night with Vi—everyone would leave her. Or worse, die.

But she couldn't let that stop her. Not now.

"Your training has been commendable," Yen Sid said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But before you are ready to face the Mark of Mastery, there is something you must confront—your past."

Powder's breath hitched. "My past?" She looked at Sora, her expression a mix of confusion and dread.

"Yes," Yen Sid said. "I sense a darkness lingering within you, born not of malice but of pain. If you are to succeed, you must return to your world and confront what still binds you to it."

Powder felt her stomach churn. Zaun. She hadn't been back there since that night… since Vi left her. The very thought made her knees weak, but she nodded slowly, determined. "I'll do it," she said, her voice steadier than she expected.

Sora reached out, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do this alone. We're coming with you."

She smiled at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. Of course, Sora would never let her face something like this by herself.

Donald cleared his throat. "And us too! We're not gonna let you go into a world of trouble without backup."

Goofy nodded, a smile on his face. "We're in this together, P."

Powder nodded, though the knot of fear still twisted in her chest. She knew this wasn't going to be easy, but with Sora, Donald, and Goofy beside her, she wasn't as scared.

Master Yen Sid's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Prepare yourselves. The path ahead will be difficult, but it is necessary for you to grow stronger. Only then will you be ready to face the Mark of Mastery."

Powder took a deep breath, determination flickering in her eyes. She would do whatever it took to pass her exam, even if it meant facing the ghosts of her past.

As they left Yen Sid's office and made their way back to the Gummi Ship, Sora walked beside Powder, his hand brushing against hers. He could feel her tension, but he knew she was strong enough to handle this.

"You're going to be okay," he whispered to her. "I'll be right there with you, no matter what."

Powder looked up at him, her heart beating a little faster. "Thanks, Sora," she whispered back. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

He smiled at her, and for a moment, the weight of the world didn't seem so heavy. "You'll never have to find out."