The Mark of Mastery Exam—something Aqua and Terra had awaited for so long—was finally happening.

Ventus was practically buzzing with excitement when he dragged you along, insisting the two of you had to be there to cheer for his best friends. But as the exam began, things quickly spiraled. What was supposed to be a formal test turned chaotic when the orbs of light meant for Aqua and Terra turned on you and Ventus too, forcing you both into combat alongside them.

At the end of the test, Master Eraqus made his decision: Aqua had passed. Terra, despite his strength and skill, had failed. His struggle to control the darkness within him cost him the title of Keyblade Master.

The disappointment hit like a cold gust of wind. Terra forced a smile, but his eyes betrayed the weight of it. When he asked for some space, the three of you respected his wishes. You tried to rest in your room, but the silence was too loud, your thoughts too restless. A soft knock at the door pulled you back, revealing Ventus with a crease of worry on his brow.

“I can feel something’s off,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what, but I need to find Terra. Will you come with me?”

You followed him without question—your own heart just as anxious. But by the time you caught up, he was already preparing to leave. He greeted you with a soft smile and his usual head ruffles—comforting, even now. “It’s okay,” he said, voice calm.

Ventus clenched his fists, clearly not reassured. As Terra disappeared into the distance, Ventus turned to you, eyes sharp with resolve. “Will you come with me?”

So the journey began. Your first stop was the Dwarf Woodlands, where you helped Snow White escape the woods and guides her to the Dwarfs' home unharmed. Then came the Castle of Dreams, where things took a whimsical turn—you and Ventus were accidentally shrunk and trapped in a cage meant for mice. The panic faded only after Jaq and Cinderella rescued you. Despite the strangeness of it all, you bonded quickly with the kind young woman and her mouse companions, helping her mend her dress and even face off against Lucifer the cat.

After waving goodbye to Cinderella, you thought the shrinking spell would wear off. And for Ventus—it did. He returned to his normal size with a spark of light. You didn’t. You remained tiny, clinging nervously to the edge of his shoe, eyes wide with confusion.

Ventus crouched down, brow furrowed. “Why don't you change back? Maybe some of the Castle’s magic is still on you?” he guessed, though his voice wavered with uncertainty. He held out his hand gently. “Here, climb on.”

You stepped into his palm, grumbling quietly to yourself, face scrunched in thought. Ventus bit back a laugh. Seeing you like this—miniature, frustrated—was unexpectedly adorable. Ventus raised to his feet and tucked you into the pocket on the upper left side of his jacket carefully, like you were the tiniest, most precious travel companion.

“You’re kinda adorable like this,” he teased softly, his thumb brushing lightly against your hair like patting a tiny plush toy.